You'll look put together while pulling one of these suitcases. (Ben Goldstein)
Whether you're a frequent flier or an every-now-and-then traveler, your suitcase isn’t just a bag for your stuff; it can be the difference between travel chaos and zen. Good luggage is a lockbox, a safe haven, a wardrobe, a laundry basket and your only bit of home away from home.
A trusty travel bag "oftentimes can be someone's entire life fit into a suitcase," says Serenity Lesley, CEO and founder of travel site Manifesting Serenity. It can "carry memories or protect someone's possessions. As a nomad who sold almost everything and fit everything that was essential for me [into a suitcase], it houses my many elements of my life in it."
Having the best luggage really does make all the difference — there’s a lot at stake. That’s why we conducted extensive, hands-on testing with over 100 travel bags from all of the most popular suitcase brands, examining factors like durability and ease of use as well as features such as TSA-compliant locks and expandability. We packed dozens of suitcases the same way, took each one through an obstacle course to test maneuverability and tumbled them down concrete sidewalks and two flights of metal stairs (for science).
We also spoke with frequent fliers, travel influencers, tour guides and our own team of shopping experts to get the scoop on choosing the best luggage for your specific travel needs as well as tips on keep tracking of your bags and when to replace them. The result? The ultimate list of the best hard-side and soft-sided luggage, including top-rated luggage sets, checked suitcases and carry-on luggage, you'll be excited to take along on your next trip.
Our team of product-reviewing experts conducted a weeks-long endeavor to ensure that our best luggage list was filled with actual, hands-on observations from comparing suitcases side-by-side rather than just a regurgitation of the most popular brands out there. It started with hours of market research — vetting user reviews, Reddit and retailer sites and interviewed leading travel experts to find the most talked-about luggage on the market as well as the less popular, slept-on bags.
We polled digital nomads, travel influencers, tour guides, frequent fliers, over-packers and carry-on loyalists alike. And of course, we relied on our own expertise for our initial scan of the luggage offering out there, leaning on our decades of expertise reviewing travel accessories. I, for example, tend to net 100-plus travel days a year and have had periodic stints living out of a backpack for months on end. Generally, I live out of luggage more often than I live in my apartment, so I know a lot about what makes a good bag (and a bad one).
Then, we got our hands on the resulting selection luggage: over 100 pieces of carry-on, checked, hardshell and softside bags. We rented out a massive workspace and got right to it. We set up an obstacle course that mimicked the curves and turns of TSA lines and flooring in an airport terminal to test how easily each suitcase spun and wove through objects — and a second time with with a heavy weekender on top . We also sent bags down a 10-foot path unassisted and measured their trajectory.
We even recreated real-life travel scenarios that often ding up your bag the most: being thrown into a plane or scratched up while headed to baggage claim. We simulated this by tossing each fully-packed suitcase down two flights of stairs and dragging each one face-down on a concrete sidewalk for a fixed length.
And of course, we checked for ease of use. We weighed, measured and inspected each bag, comparing our findings to the brands’ listings. We scored the quality and functionality of each bag’s wheels, handles, pockets and zippers, considering attributes like performance, durability and longevity by measuring if it shows signs of wear quickly.
Our long-term testers, comprised of a panel thats has been using their bags for over a year, were able to speak to how much — or how little — damage their bags have incurred as well as any weak points that needed repair or quirks they noticed over months of use.
We packed each bag with a standardized packing load to ensure its capacity could easily fit what’s needed. The final result? A tightly curated list of the luggage we would buy tomorrow — or already have.
✓ Size: First and foremost, "the size should align with your travel needs and airline restrictions," said Ritesh Raj, COO of travel website CuddlyNest. And you'll want to make your selection based on the length of your most common trips, suggested Catarina Mello, travel creator at Professional Traveler.
"Carry-ons are perfect for quick weekend trips," Mello said. To be safe, we recommend a carry-on size of 22" x 14" x 9"; some airlines allow for larger, but just in case, that size will get you furthest with the least headache. That's especially true "if you're planning robust international travel, particularly in Europe or on smaller airplanes, you want to consider a smaller carry-on than you may be used to in the U.S.," said Jack and Sharon Benoff, owners of boutique travel agency Vacationeeze.
"Medium luggage is a good option for trips that are a week or two," Mello added. If you're flying, these sized bags will have to be checked.
"A large suitcase is ideal for longer trips or trips to cold destinations where you might have to pack heavy jackets, thick layers and bulky shoes," Mello said. If you're checking luggage, keep in mind that the maximum checked luggage size is 62 linear inches (the sum of the length, width and depth) for most airlines.
✓ Weight: Pay attention to how much the piece of luggage weighs, especially when it comes to checked bags, which generally have to be under 50 pounds fully packed. You may be able to get away with a heavy carry-on, so long as it fits in the overhead — just be sure you can lift it and remove it from the overhead cabin. A lighter suitcase will allow you to add more of your belongings, though that may also indicate less durability.
✓ Durability: "Durability is crucial for withstanding rough handling during transit," Raj says. Prioritize durable, crush-resistant materials and strong construction. Our recommendation? Polycarbonate. It's highly durable and lightweight, and it offers protection against the elements too.
✓ Maneuverability. "Maneuverability, determined by factors like wheel quality, can greatly impact your travel comfort," Raj says. Spinner wheels (at least four of them) tend to make for the smoothest ride. "While two-wheel options might be more durable, spinner wheels make them easier to maneuver," added Sonni Hood, public relations and community relations manager at Unclaimed Baggage. Also keep in mind the comfort and adjustability of the handles (both telescopic and side helper handles).
✓ Shape: Hood says another consideration should be the shape of the bag — you want to choose one that "maximizes packing space and fits comfortably in storage areas." Squared edges and flat sides tend to be best.
Suitcases aren't just empty vessels to hold your belongings. Most bags have special features that add even more value and make travel days more convenient and stress-free.
✓ Built-in battery: Hamdy recommends looking for options that have built-in charging ports to keep your devices fully juiced during transit or at the airport. Just double check that the battery is carry-on compliant: According to TSA, lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery, while lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery.
And if your carry-on is gate-checked, you’ll need to be able to quickly remove the battery since lithium batteries and power banks must travel in the cabin, per the FAA, so be sure the battery is in an easy-to-access compartment with a simple eject button.
✓ Expansion capability: Fiona Spinks, travel expert and founder of Following Fiona, told us that she's a fan of bags with expandable zippers. Most of the expandable bags on our list grow up to 2 inches to make room when you need it. You can also use this expansion feature to compress an overpacked bag — just be sure the expanded measurements still fit the overhead bin restrictions if you're traveling by plane.
✓ Organizational features: Spinks recommends choosing bag options with multiple compartments and pockets to make organizing your stuff a much easier process. "Personally, nothing stresses me out like rummaging for my passport at security!" she said. If that sounds like you, you may want a suitcase with a handy exterior pocket that grants easy access to important or high-touch belongings. Hamdy also likes luggage that comes with removable laundry bags to keep your clean and dirty clothes separated during travel.
As for the age-old question of hardshell vs. softshell suitcases, there are pros and cons for both options.
Hardshell | Softshell | |
Pros | ✓ Durable ✓ Tough exterior ✓ Weatherproof ✓ Built-in locks and charging ports | ✓ Fits more ✓ Lighter weight ✓ Hides dents and scratches ✓ Exterior pockets |
Cons | ✓ Quickly show signs of wear and damage ✓ Often lack exterior compartments ✓ Heavier weight ✓ Fits less | ✓ Less durable ✓ Not water-resistant ✓ May tear ✓ Fewer bells and whistles |
"If you tend to overpack, softshell luggage may allow you to shove a few extra pieces in, but you run the risk of an overweight or too large suitcase," says Victor Tam, co-founder and CEO of luggage brand Monos.
Brad Foley, travel blogger at Foley Exploring says, "no question ... softshell is better. Particularly for international travel." Why? Aside from being more flexible and versatile, softshell bags are also "generally lighter than hardshell, allowing you to maximize your baggage weight with more belongings." Plus, they don’t show dents and scratches — maintaining a better aesthetic appearance, and most "come with exterior pockets, offering convenient storage for items you may need quick access to," he adds.
On the other hand, "Hardshell luggage weighs more, but it is far more durable and has a tough exterior, which will offer more protection, keeping your things safe," said Meg Jerrard, travel writer at Solo Female Travelers. "It's a far better choice if you want something that's easy to move around, and if you're traveling with breakables or valuables. Hardshell suitcases particularly come in handy if you get caught in the rain or snow, as they are much more weatherproof than softshell options, giving your stuff protection from getting wet." Foley also likes that hardshell bags "often come with built-in locks, providing an additional layer of security for your belongings," though some soft-sided suitcases feature locks as well.
It depends on how often you travel, how you travel and how you (and others) treat your bag, but in general, experts say a quality piece of luggage should last anywhere between three and 10 years.
All experts agreed that the more you spend on a high-quality piece, the longer you’ll have it, a sentiment echoed by user reviews in our research. "It's best to invest in durable materials and robust construction," said Viola Sender, co-owner of travel blog Away to the City. "And with regular maintenance, like checking and replacing wheels, you can prolong its lifespan."
Summer Hull, director of content at The Points Guy, recommends not giving up on a suitcase or weekender just because it gets scratched or looks a little worse for wear. "Most luggage will lose some rolling smoothness over time, but my advice is to keep using it until it just doesn't roll very well anymore, to the point it is causing you trouble — or has some other issue that renders it less useful,” she says. "I have one Rimowa bag that I've used for over a decade that's flown almost half a million miles – it's not as smooth as it once was but it can still do the job."
Your choice of a checked suitcase really "depends on the type of trip, the frequency that you'll be moving from place to place and what type of transportation you'll be taking,” says Lindsay Stevens, travel content creator at Lindzoutside. "I don't believe having different luggage for international and domestic travel is necessary, but I do recommend having different luggage for different types of travel. I have different luggage for lightweight travel, adventure travel and more maximalist travel where I allow myself to pack more outfits."
While size requirements can vary by airline, the typical recommended carry-on suitcase size for domestic flights is 22" x 14" x 9" and the internationally recommended carry-on size is 21.5" x 15.5" x 9". "While a 21-inch is fine for many European airlines nowadays, a 20-inch or even 19-inch is sometimes a wise choice," especially if you want to avoid having to gate check or pay extra fees, said Jeannie Mak, managing editor at Travel Fashion Girl.
Choose a bag that stands out. "Unique or colorful bags are less likely to be mistakenly taken by another traveler, reducing the risk of mix-ups," Hood says.
"Attach unique identifiers such as a distinct luggage tag, belts or ribbons," Hood adds.
Always make sure your bags are properly labeled, even if you don't plan on checking them. "The No. 1 reason a bag goes permanently lost is due to lack of identification. Ensure a luggage tag is included on your suitcase with up-to-date contact information including your name, phone number and email address. Label the inside of the luggage as well. This can be useful if the external tag becomes detached," Hood says.
Stash an AirTag or tracker inside your luggage. As someone who's left my suitcase in the back of taxis and had a bag go "permanently missing in Canada," my AirTag has helped me locate my bag faster than any airline customer service department ever has.
Jack and Sharon Benoff, owners of boutique travel agency Vacationeeze
Brad Foley, travel blogger at Foley Exploring
Peter Hamdy, owner and director of Auckland and Beyond Tours
Sonni Hood, public relations and community relations manager at Unclaimed Baggage
Summer Hull, director of content at The Points Guy
Meg Jerrard, travel writer at Solo Female Travelers
Serenity Lesley, travel blogger at Manifesting Serenity
Jeannie Mak, managing editor at Travel Fashion Girl
Catarina Mello, travel creator at Professional Traveler
Ritesh Raj, COO and CPO of travel website CuddlyNest
Viola Sender, co-owner and author of the travel blog Away to the City
Fiona Spinks, travel expert and founder of Following Fiona
Lindsay Stevens, travel content creator at Lindzoutside
Victor Tam, co-founder and CEO of Monos
Updated May 20, 2026: We reviewed all product prices and availability. After extensive hands-on testing, we added new selects from Calpak, Arloskye, Quince, Delsey, Cotopaxi and Peak Design.
Additional reporting by Rebecca Carhart.
