bj's travel suitcases

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6 BJ’s Wholesale Club Items To Buy for Your Carry-On Luggage

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Traveling can go from exciting to stressful in a moment if you don’t plan ahead and get the right gear for your plane trip. To make your journey smoother, BJ’s Wholesale Club offers a range of high-quality items that are perfect for your carry-on.

Here are six must-have items that will enhance your travel experience.

Swiss Gear Business Backpack

The Swiss Gear Business Backpack features multiple compartments, including a padded laptop sleeve that fits devices up to 17 inches, an organizer pocket for small items and a quick-access front pocket. The ergonomic shoulder straps and airflow back padding ensure comfort during long walks through the airport.

This backpack is not only spacious but also incredibly organized, making it easy to access your essentials quickly. For $49.99, you can have a durable backpack that withstands the rigors of travel and fits beneath the airplane seat.

Samsonite Easelite XLT 2-Pc. Hardside Luggage Set

This Samsonite Easelite luggage set includes a carry-on and checked bag, both made from lightweight but rugged ABS material. The hardsided exterior provides excellent protection for your belongings, while the 360-degree spinner wheels will help you navigate the airport crowds with ease.

For $149.99, you can get these two matching pieces of durable luggage. The carry-on suitcase will fit in most overhead compartments and is lightweight and easy to lift. The interiors feature multiple pockets and compression straps to keep your items organized and secure.

Mophie 3 Pc. Speedport 120 Travel Charging Bundle

The Mophie Speedport travel charging bundle includes a 120W charger with multiple ports, a USB-C to USB-C and a USB-C to lightning cable, and a travel case. The charger is capable of ultra-fast charging for multiple devices simultaneously, and works with both Android and Apple devices .

Usually $89.99, you can get this travel charger for $69.99 right now at BJ’s. Staying connected is crucial when traveling, and this bundle ensures your devices are always charged. The Galium Nitride technology is cutting edge and super fast.

MagicBag Instant Space Combo Pack

The MagicBag Instant Space Combo Pack includes ten vacuum-sealable storage bags of various sizes that help you maximize space in your carry-on luggage. Simply place your clothes in the bag, seal it, and use a vacuum to remove the air.

For just $18.99, these bags significantly reduce the volume of your clothes, allowing you to pack more items without exceeding airline size limits. They also protect your clothes from moisture and odors so your outfits arrive at your destination fresh and ready to wear.

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iLive Lights Out Wireless Sleep Mask Headphones

The iLive Lights Out Wireless Sleep Mask Headphones combine a comfortable sleep mask with built-in Bluetooth headphones. The mask blocks out light, while the headphones provide high-quality sound for music, podcasts, or white noise.

Costing $19.99, this sleep mask is perfect for long flights or overnights, helping you get some rest despite the noise and light around you. The wireless feature means no tangled cords, and the built-in headphones ensure you can relax with your favorite audio.

JBL Tune 230NC True Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Earbuds

The JBL Tune 230NC earbuds offer incredible sound fidelity and active noise cancellation. They provide up to 40 hours of playtime thanks to their handy charging case. The ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit in your ears, and they feature touch controls and voice assistant compatibility.

While pricier than the sleep mask headphones, these $69.99 earbuds are ideal for blocking out the noise of the airplane and enjoying your music or movies in peace. The long battery life ensures they last throughout your journey, and their compact size makes them easy to carry.

Photo disclaimer: Any images are representational and do not depict specific items mentioned.

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Travel Products
Luggage + Bags

The 10 Best Luggage Brands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

No matter what size or style you want, these are the best luggage brands to fit your needs.

In This Article

Our Top Picks
Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

Our Decision Process
Tips for Buying
Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

No matter where you're going or how often you travel, luggage can make or break your trip. It helps with planning, packing, and staying organized while away — and sometimes determines whether you can bring back souvenirs. There's a wide variety of checked suitcases, carry-on bags, duffels, weekenders, underseat bags, and backpacks on the market. Beyond that, you've got hardside and softside options with various organizational features. Amid what you might call the golden age of luggage, it can be hard to sift through your offerings.

To figure out what brands stand out from the rest, our Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 680 pieces of luggage ranging from compact carry-ons and spacious checked suitcases to duffels, weekenders, garment bags, and other types of travel bags — assessing capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design through a series of tests and simulations. We've rolled suitcases through obstacle courses, threw them off tables, and hit them with baseball bats to see how well they'd perform in different travel scenarios like amongst rough baggage handlers. We even recreated an airplane set in our New York City lab to lift bags into real overhead bins and underneath seats. We continue testing each bag in our real-life travels for a minimum of six months to make sure it stands up to planes, trains, automobiles, and anything else life may throw at it.

Our team has tested bags from many different brands, and below you'll find our current favorites. We will continue to update this article as we test even more luggage brands and new bags.

Best Overall

Samsonite luggage is compact yet spacious, easy to maneuver, and exceptionally durable.

Because Samsonite has such a wide variety of designs and price points, some bags perform better than others.

After our most recent set of luggage tests, Samsonite has risen to the top as our favorite overall luggage brand. Samsonite luggage is generally lightweight and compact on the outside, with spacious interiors to maximize packing and a variety of styles to choose from. We especially love the brand for its versatility, with an impressive variety of bags at different price points so you can find whatever suits you whether you're looking for something affordable or luxurious.

The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on holds the spot as the best overall carry-on we've ever tested, while the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside takes the cake as our favorite checked suitcase . We were also thoroughly impressed by a more recent launch — the Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner — for how durable and lightweight it is (only 4.7 pounds!).

Almost all of the suitcases sustained hardly any damage after we hit them with a baseball bat and shoved them off a table. Samsonite luggage also maneuvers without a fuss, even on carpeted floors and gravel. Prices are more than reasonable, with some more splurge-worthy pieces available as well.

The Details: 90-day return policy | Limited 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year warranties

Sophie Mendel, Editor

"As a travel editor, I've tried my share of luggage brands. But the bag I reach for again and again is my trusty Samsonite carry-on , which has stood the test of time, traveling with me to the bustling roads of Cairo to the peaceful fields of Botswana and beyond. I can always count on Samsonite for high-quality, long-lasting, and (extremely) durable pieces that I won't have to worry about breaking or damaging, wherever I'm headed."

Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim

Best Overall, Runner-up

The suitcases are durable, smooth-rolling, and spacious, and the brand has a generous 100-day return policy.

Some are harder to pull on two wheels, and the checked models are a bit heavy.

All Travelpro luggage we tested earned high praise for maneuverability, durability, capacity, and overall design. The brand's hardside and softside models were a hit in the T+L lab, and there are both carry-on and checked options with spacious interiors and expandable capacities. We also appreciated the various organizational features, like zipper panels, cross straps, and pockets.

With self-aligning spinner wheels and sturdy telescoping handles, Travelpro luggage is also easy to maneuver on hard floors, carpet, and even gravel (though some suitcases are slightly harder to roll on two wheels than four, especially when packed full). We particularly love the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner with its sleek wheels and a textured handle that helps maintain a comfortable grip, and we think the Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Large Check-In Trunk Spinner makes a stylish investment piece if you're looking for something large, durable, and built to last. Even Travelpro's rolling garment bag impressed with its high capacity for the size. And, while the carry-ons are generally lightweight, one thing to note is that the larger checked models weigh almost twice as much when empty.

After shoving the suitcases off a table and whacking them with a baseball bat, we were pleasantly surprised by their durability. We only noticed a couple superficial marks — no scratches or dents, and nothing that wouldn't wipe clean. Plus, Travelpro offers a generous 100-day return policy for products purchased through travelpro.com (but only 30 days for the Travelpro Essentials collection).

The Details: 100-day return policy ; 30-day return policy for Travelpro Essentials products | Limited 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, and lifetime warranties

Merrell Readman, Senior Writer

"I've always leaned into traveling with a carry-on bag or a duffel, so when I first tried out the Travelpro Maxlite 5 , I was floored with how lightweight, spacious, and easy to navigate it was. The nearly weightless construction makes it so I can pack to my heart's content without exceeding airline checked bag weight limits. Plus, I've been exceedingly impressed with how well the brand has taken on the wear and tear of travel without hardly incurring a dent or scratch."

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Most Durable

Briggs & riley.

With ballistic nylon or shock-absorbing polycarbonate exteriors, Briggs & Riley suitcases can really take a beating.

This is one of the more expensive brands, and the checked models are slightly heavy when empty.

The most durable luggage we tested comes from Briggs & Riley . The brand carries softside suitcases with ballistic nylon exteriors that resist premature wear and tear, as well as hardside models with shock-absorbing polycarbonate shells that promise to protect your cargo from getting crushed. We were impressed by how well they stood up to our shoves and bat swings — no dents or scratches to speak of. We especially love the Briggs & Riley 22-inch Spinner , which has a unique button expansion system that you can press to raise and lower panels to give you more packing space. The Extra Large Trunk Spinner is another solid option if you need even more packing space.

Durability aside, Briggs & Riley suitcases roll effortlessly on hard floors and carpet, over bumps, and around tight corners. They also have decent capacities, many with built-in expanders. This is one of the more expensive luggage brands, but it's backed by a lifetime guarantee that is more generous than most other luggage companies. We wouldn't be surprised if the suitcases last a decade or longer. Not only that, but there are a few options for remedying potential damage, including self-repair kits, authorized repair centers, or shipping back to Briggs & Riley for a tune-up.

The Details: 30-day return policy | Lifetime guarantee

Anna Popp, Associate Editor

"As a member of the checked-bag-only club, I have brought my Briggs & Riley large spinner on more than 30 flights in the last few years, and it's been an absolute champion. After watching this suitcase fall off of the conveyor belt leading into the airplane cargo hold, I am convinced that the hardside material is impermeable when it comes to rough handling. I don't typically bag fragile items in a checked bag (for obvious reasons), but I feel comfortable placing all kinds of products in my checked bag knowing that everything is safeguarded by the durable construction and materials the brand uses. I know the prices are a bit high upfront, but I promise you will spend more on less durable suitcases over time, which makes it worth it in the long run."

Best for Staying Organized

Beyond aesthetic appeal, Away flaunts plenty of pockets and compartments that keep all of your items in place.

The hardside suitcases might scratch under heavy use.

Away luggage has a minimalist-modern aesthetic and a sophisticated yet practical appeal. We're huge fans of the brand's suitcases and weekenders and particularly love The Everywhere Bag that's perfect for overnight trips, quick weekend adventures, and use as a personal item on longer trips. The hardside checked baggage and hardside carry-on luggage pieces are durable and easy to wipe clean. They didn't sustain any dents from our baseball bat tests, but there were a few scratches after we shoved them off a table. There are so many sizes to choose from, including one of our favorite trunks we've ever tested. We liked the dual main compartments, compression systems, expanders, and dirty laundry satchels of the roller bags. One of the newer launches, The Softside Bigger Carry-On , topped our list of our favorite softside luggage after we tested it.

The suitcases were a breeze to maneuver on their 360-degree spinner wheels, and carrying The Everywhere and The Garment Bag was comfortable with the padded shoulder straps. The Garment Bag also has interior padding that keeps all of your longer clothing items protected and helps to minimize wrinkles. Away is certainly not the cheapest luggage brand out there, but it's also far from the most expensive, and we think it's a trusty, reliable brand.

The Details: 100-day return policy | Limited lifetime warranty

Jasmine Grant, Senior Editor

"I'm partial to hardside luggage, and in my opinion, Away makes the best there is. I've owned Away's The Bigger Carry-On for years, and even loaned it to a family member for her two-week honeymoon in Thailand. It came back to me durable as ever. Each suitcase is well-crafted and built to last. What's equally impressive is the internal organization of the luggage, which helps the perpetual overpacker in me keep track of my things during week-long trips. Make no mistake though: its hardside suitcases are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impressive lineup of products. Away also makes some of our favorite toiletry bags, garment bags, duffels, and more. I continue to be impressed by what this brand brings forth every launch."

Most Spacious

The brand's large-capacity suitcases are impressively spacious yet lightweight, with built-in expanders and smooth-rolling wheels.

The hardside models are prone to scuffing.

Delsey is a go-to for large-capacity luggage . This brand carries both hardside and softside suitcases, including surprisingly spacious carry-ons and checked baggage in multiple sizes so you can find the best design for your needs. We were thrilled by how much they fit, noting that they could easily pack all items on our packing list with room to spare, even when they don't have expansion functions. We loved the 132-liter capacity of the Delsey Dune Large Expandable Spinner , which was surprisingly easy to lift and roll despite how large it is. The Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 Soft Large Expandable Spinner is also a great checked bag if you prefer a softside model — and it has a matching carry-on .

The suitcases maneuver well on their four spinner wheels, even over carpet, cracks, and bumps. Most models are also lightweight, so lifting them into an overhead bin is no problem. We checked the Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-on and matching Chatelet Air 2.0 Medium Checked bag on four different long-haul international flights and each time they made it to the luggage carousel with only minor scuffs that were easy to wipe away. We also appreciate Delsey's accessible price points and stylish looks.

The Details: 30-day return policy | Limited 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year warranties

Taylor Fox, Editor

"I'll admit: when I'm choosing luggage, I often go for aesthetics over functionality. Lucky for me, I found the Delsey Chatelet collection, which offers both! Every Delsey bag I have adds style and a sense of luxury to my trips, but the bags themselves are also protective with plenty of pockets and features to keep me organized. I have traveled to Egypt, Morocco, and Italy with the Angora Chatelet carry-on and checked bag, and they still look great, are easy to clean, and roll like a dream wherever I go."

Best Design

Thoughtfully designed, each Béis bag we tried comes with extra, often removable, features so you can customize your packing.

There are some large, bulky bags, and even some of the weekenders may not fit under airplane seats.

Shay Mitchell's luggage brand quickly won our hearts with each bag's thoughtful design, customizable inserts, and removable compartments. The bags are certainly large and can fit everything you need for a long vacation or quick weekend getaway — just be mindful that not all of the duffel-style bags will work as personal items. The Weekender is one of our favorites: like Mary Poppins' bag of wonders, this tote seems to expand as you pack it, fitting every item on our list, but it can be too bulky to fit underneath airplane seats.

When it comes to rolling bags, the 29-inch Large Check-in Roller is our favorite expandable checked bag . Similar to Béis' weekenders, carry-on bags, and backpacks, this checked suitcase is huge and can fit everything you need and more. All of the Béis suitcases we tested also sported durable wheels that smoothly navigated different types of surfaces without getting stuck, as well as easy-to-use handles that make running through the airport a breeze. Plus, the built-in luggage weight indicators are a particularly handy feature.

The Details: 45-day return policy | Limited lifetime warranty on luggage only

Emily Belfiore, Senior Editor

"Once you try a piece of Béis luggage, you’ll immediately wonder how you ever traveled with anything other than these well-designed suitcases. Every item from the brand is meticulously crafted to stand up to the wear and tear of travel and offer the user a hassle-free experience. I’m a big fan of the Béis Carry-on Roller , which has a sturdy hardshell exterior and an expandable body that offers an additional 2 inches of packing space, which is a godsend for an overpacker like me."

Travel + Leisure/

Best Splurge

This luxury luggage brand boasts expandable main compartments, ample pockets, impact-resistant exteriors, and smooth spinner wheels.

The price might be hard to justify, and the suitcases are somewhat heavy when empty.

If you want the crème de la crème of luggage, Tumi is where it's at . The suitcases and underseat bags fared better than the duffel we tested, but all in all, we were impressed. Our favorite by far is the Alpha International Expandable 4-wheeled Carry-on that looks compact but includes plenty of organizational compartments and even comes with its own removable garment bag. There was plenty of space to pack everything on our list in every Tumi bag, even without the expanders. This brand also stands out for its organizational, smart, and security features. We're talking ample pockets, removable garment bags, laptop sleeves, USB ports, lockable zippers, and TSA-approved locks.

Whether you go softside or hardside, you can count on reliable durability — we even jumped on the bags and rode on top of them and not one feature broke or dented. We observed virtually no scuffs or scratches after whacking the bags with a baseball bat. Tumi luggage is easy to maneuver, thanks to the spinner wheels, but bear in mind that some of the luggage — especially the aluminum options — are pretty heavy even when empty. If you can swing the steep price, we think the brand is an excellent choice for long trips, frequent fliers , and those who like to stay organized.

The Details: 30-day return policy | 2-year warranty on wallets and accessories; 5-year warranty on other bags and luggage

Morgan Ashley Parker, Associate Editorial Director

"Luggage is an investment, and anytime I’m asked what brand I would stand by, I answer Tumi without hesitation. I have items that are nearly 20 years old (!) and, not only do they still work perfectly, I still use them. I love the thoughtful features like carry-ons with a built-in garment bag or suitcases with dual-access to stash a sweater inside, and Tumi's aptly named Just in Case line of foldable bags shouldn't be missed either."

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

With organization and sustainability top of mind, Paravel luggage uses recycled materials, has lots of added features, and has a sophisticated appeal.

The suitcases don't expand, and the lighter colors are prone to scuffing.

Perfect for organized travelers, Paravel takes the cake for additional features. We love the dual compartments, many pockets, dividers, and removable laundry bags. While the suitcases don't expand, the compression pads make fitting everything a cinch. Plus, all products are made with recycled materials .

The sophisticated Paravel Aviator Trunk recently became our favorite travel trunk thanks to its sleek design, roomy interior, suite of packing cubes, and slick wheels that were great on every surface. We also love the cute Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack if you're looking for something foldable and portable — our top pick for best overall mini backpack . Not only does the bag fold up small so you can pack it in larger bags, but it also has a high capacity that can even fit a tablet, making it the perfect eye-catching style to wear on any vacation. For something a little more spacious, we were also impressed by the stylish Paravel Alta Via Backpack with its 16-inch laptop pocket and numerous slip and zippered pockets throughout.

Most Paravel luggage pieces held up well during our durability tests, though the lighter-colored hardside models are prone to scuffing. The suitcases are also easy to pull, push, and roll over various flooring materials. What's more, Paravel luggage is undeniably stylish with a classic appeal and a cool midcentury flair. Prices are somewhat steep, but in the end, we think it's worth the investment, especially if you're looking for sustainability.

The Details: 30-day return policy (except for final sale products) | 10-year limited warranty

Lydia Price, Senior Editor

"I put my luggage through a lot. As a New Yorker, rushing over subway grates, maneuvering thick crowds, and being tossed about in taxi trunks is all in a typical travel day's work for my suitcases. My Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus has been rock-solid through it all. In addition to a hardy build and smooth-glliding wheels, the Aviator won me over with thoughtful organization and a tough zipper that holds up when I need to fit just one more pair of shoes inside. The timeless aesthetic is also a huge draw for me — I have the carry-on in the scout tan color that always feels in style, no matter where I am in the world. I also appreciate the brand's commitment to sustainable practices, like using mostly recycled materials and ensuring production is carbon neutral."

Best Colors

The suitcases come in both neutrals and so many colorful designs, including limited-edition options.

Some of the carry-ons are on the smaller size.

You’ll feel like a kid in a candy store with all of the colorful suitcase options from July — and if you tend to gravitate toward neutrals, July has those, too. After we tested over a dozen bags in our lab on on our airplane set, some of our favorites included the July Carry On (includes a portable charger), the July Checked Plus (the largest suitcase in July’s range), the July Checked Plus Light (a great lightweight option), and the July Trunk Set (a stylish, zipperless two-piece set).

We found the bags to be very durable against our baseball bat tests, although we noticed that the bags with aluminum corner bumpers and the glossy colors tended to scuff more easily than the fully matte suitcases. One of our favorite features was that some bags, including the Carry On Pro SnapSleeve , feature a multistop telescopic handle that you can adjust to 20 different heights, when many suitcase handles only stop at three heights.

Different bag styles are available in different colorways, and you can choose from delightful shades of blues, greens, pink, red, shadow lavender, sand, and more, most of which will easily stand out on any baggage carousel. We did notice that some of the carry-ons tend to be much more spacious than others, so be sure to check the dimensions and capacities to find a size that will fit everything you need. Also, note that while there's a limited lifetime warranty on luggage, there's a five-year warranty on soft bags and accessories and a two-year warranty on small leather goods.

The Details: 100-day return policy | Limited 2-year, 5-year, and lifetime warranties

Jackie Cucco, Testing Editor

"I think luggage should be fun, and July has so many eye-catching styles whether you’re team carry-on or checked. I personally have the Checked Plus Light suitcase in the shadow lavender color, which I love for the curved eggshell design that is built for durability and nesting (if you have multiple suitcases from the Light line, you can nest the different sizes inside each other for storage). The smooth wheels made a world of difference when I had to haul the suitcase over cobblestones and zip through airports in a rush, and I can trust that my luggage is going to arrive at my destination in one piece while still looking stylish. It’s also a plus that the prices are reasonable and not too expensive for suitcases that will likely last a lifetime."

PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best for Smaller Bags

Calpak luggage is compact yet still spacious enough to hold the essentials, and maneuvering it is a piece of cake.

The two-year warranty is substantially shorter than most other brands.

If you're looking for something you can stash in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, Calpak might be your best bet . We loved the duffels, backpacks, and suitcases with a particular appreciation for the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage , our best overall underseat bag . We love that it glides smoothly, has a puffy exterior, and can even fit a laptop. We also love the Luka Duffel and the Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack for their accessible sizes and plentiful pockets that help maximize space.

Even when packed full, we found Calpak suitcases to roll beautifully on both two wheels and four. The Stevyn Duffel Bag was very comfortable to tote with its shoulder strap and features a separate shoe compartment to keep your items clean if you're in the market for something smaller. Though the five-year warranty is shorter than most other brands, we think Calpak's prices are more than fair.

The Details: 30-day return policy | Limited 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year warranties

Hillary Maglin, Updates Editor

"I'm always so impressed with how different Calpak is from other brands, yet it's still so durable, spacious, and compliant with airline size limitations. For example, the brand's Ambeur line features thin, lightweight, almost canvas-like hardshells — something I've never seen or felt from any other brand — but they remain dent- and scratch-free through drops and shoves. Another example is the Luka Duffel (my personal favorite Calpak piece), which squishes down nearly flat for storage, all while remaining structured and sturdy enough to carry everything from shoes to a laptop to a water bottle. It almost seems like the construction of Calpak luggage defies logic, but it always holds up to rough luggage handlers and looks stylish in the process."

Other Luggage Brands We Liked

Even though these brands did not make our main list, they still have some worthwhile suitcases and bags to consider.

Monos : Monos items have a nice, sleek look that are generally easy to maneuver. However, when we tested its large check-in suitcase, we found that it carried less items than some of its competitors. We did love the front laptop compartment of the Monos Expandable Carry-on Pro , though.

Arlo Skye : We love this brand's smooth design and stand-out colors, but considering the higher price-point, these bags don't roll quite as smoothly as some other brands.

Roam : We're big fans of Roam's The Check-in hardside suitcase as well as the designs of other Roam bags; however, after one-month of real-world travels, we found these luggage pieces to be more prone to scratching than other brands we tried.

The T+L team has tested more than 650 pieces of luggage, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, duffels, weekenders, garment bags, backpacks, and more in our New York City testing facility. We've tried at least six models from each of these top-rated brands, performing a range of assessments to evaluate the capacity, maneuverability, durability, design, and overall value. We weighed each bag, then packed it with enough clothes and personal items to get through a four-day trip (more for the larger checked bags).

To see how the luggage would perform in a real-life environment, we rolled them on different flooring materials, across gravel and carpets, over bumps, and around corners. We also threw each piece off a table and whacked it a few times with a metal baseball bat to test for potential wear and tear and how prone it was to scratching or denting. In addition, we recreated an airplane set in our lab, where we hoisted the carry-on suitcases into real overhead bins and stuffed them underneath seats to see how easy they were to lift and how portable they felt.

After lab testing, each suitcase and bag was sent out for real-world testing, and our T+L editors brought the bags on vacations, weekend trips, and overnighters. To test each bag's true durability, convenience, and longevity, we tested each bag on planes, trains, buses, and even cruise ships, checking in after three months and six months to give our feedback. Considering standout features, size, and price, we created categorized ranked lists of every luggage piece we tested. The luggage brands with the best feedback across each category were ultimately chosen for this list of our favorites, which we will continue to update as we test even more luggage.

How We Chose These Brands

The T+L team tested at least six bags per brand on our winners list to ensure a broad sample size. We tested underseat luggage , checked luggage, and carry-on luggage as well as duffel bags, garment bags, and backpacks, and gave detailed insights on each individual bag's capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and overall value.

Next, we created rankings based on the feedback for each category of all the bags we tested for that brand. We also thoroughly read through all of the tester insights on each luggage item from these various tests to evaluate each bag's details and features. Finally, we determined whether or not we would recommend a bag and its overall brand.

Tips for Buying Luggage

Get to know the brand.

When it comes to researching a new luggage brand, you're already well on your way. For more information on a specific brand, you can check out its website, read customer reviews on products you like, or even take a peek at the items in person. Buying new luggage (whether a singular piece or luggage set ) can be a pricey investment, so be sure you like a brand's style, warranty options, and overall quality before you make that purchase. This is especially important when it comes to splurging on luxury luggage pieces .

Know your organizational preferences

Material and size are important, but some of the best luggage brands stand out for their organizational features. This may include dual main compartments, various pockets, a shoe separator, zippered sections, a toiletry bag , a removable laundry bag, a garment bag, a laptop sleeve, and maybe even a USB port with a power bank pouch — some July and Arlo Skye luggage includes the power bank itself . While it's not a top priority for all travelers, this can make packing and accessing your belongings much easier.

Look for durability

The best luggage stands up to wear and tear for several years to come. Both softside and hardside luggage options can be very durable. It's really a matter of whether you want to safeguard your packed items from getting crushed or protect the exterior of the suitcase from superficial blemishes (though many softside and hardside models we tested check all the boxes). Aluminum luggage is especially durable , but polycarbonate and nylon can be solid options as well. When we test luggage, we hit it with metal baseball bats and throw it off tables in our lab before putting each bag through the rigors of real baggage handlers and airport scenarios, so we feel pretty confident in the durability of the luggage we recommend.

Think about mobility

You should also think about maneuverability when choosing a suitcase. When you're running into the airport to check your bags before heading to security, you'll want a suitcase that doesn't hold you back. Four-wheel spinner suitcases tend to be easier to pull and push over different surfaces compared to suitcases with just two wheels, and they're even better if they have a sturdy telescoping handle with multiple height options. Grab handles and padded straps are ideal for other types of luggage, and a lightweight design will make your travel experience much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not every luggage brand offers a lifetime warranty, and almost all luggage brands have slightly different return and warranty policies with their own stipulations.

Firstly, when it comes to return policies, most luggage brands will only accept luggage that has never been used, oftentimes with the tags and packaging still intact. Some brands will only accept returns from luggage purchased either directly through their own stores or websites or from an authorized dealer rather than through third-party resellers. Always save your proof of purchase or receipts.

Secondly, warranties can vary greatly across brands, and the amount of time the warranty covers may vary based on the type of product (for example: July offers a limited lifetime warranty on luggage , but only a limited 5-year warranty on most bags and accessories, and an even shorter, limited 2-year warranty on leather goods and some specific accessories). Some brands will cover manufacturing defects but not damage caused by airlines (you'd be better off with travel insurance for something like that). Some brands will cover cracks or breaks in the shell or fabric tears that may occur during travel, while others will not cover damage that occurs once you've traveled with the bag.

We've included links to each of our favorite luggage brands' warranties in our main list above, and we recommend reading up on the warranty information in detail on the manufacturer websites so that you are aware of all the details before you travel with your bag. We also recommend doing a test run in your home before removing any tags to make sure there are no defects, like checking the wheels, zippers, handles, and pockets.

You'll see a range of hardside and softside models when browsing luggage, and many of the best brands offer both. What you purchase really comes down to personal preference. Some people appreciate how crush-resistant hardside suitcases protect their belongings. They're also easy to wipe clean and have a sleek, modern appearance, but they can be heavy.

On the other hand, softside suitcases are typically (but not always) lighter in weight and more flexible, so you can often pack more in them. After testing both types, we can tell you they're often just as durable as hardside options, and they won't dent like hardside bags do. Although a textile exterior might be trickier to clean, it can be better at concealing scuffs and dirt. Regardless of the type of luggage, you can find several effective products to clean suitcases available.

Size limits for carry-on luggage vary among airlines . That said, most allow suitcases no larger than 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Some are a little more strict, with limits set around 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Keep this in mind if your suitcase has an expander, as the additional inch or two could put it over the allowed size limit. Always check the airline's website if you're not sure whether your luggage will pass as a carry-on to avoid surprises.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, freelance writer Theresa Holland pored over our in-house testing insights, checked return policies, read the fine print for warranties, and evaluated price ranges to create a comprehensive roundup of the best luggage brands out there today. Theresa has extensive experience writing about travel essentials as well as products in other commerce areas. Our T+L team also collaborated to name their personal favorite brands from the hundreds on the market today.

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