The 14 Best Checked Luggage Pieces of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside

$250 at Amazon

Working our way from the outside in, the bag has a sleek polycarbonate exterior that comes in a variety of colors. It's exceptionally durable and breezed through our strenuous testing with hardly a scratch — the polycarbonate is designed to flex slightly to absorb impacts before popping back to its original form. While the bag sustained no major damage like dents or gashes when we dropped it off tables and hit it with a baseball bat, it did scuff slightly, which was our only critique. The suitcase also has a smooth maneuverability over a variety of surfaces, including carpet and gravel.

Regarding the bag's interior, it has an expandable storage system, which includes one side with a zippered mesh barrier and one side with compression straps so you can separate clean clothes from worn ones as the trip goes on. And finally, this bag falls on the lower side of the midmarket price range, making it a reasonably affordable investment. Overall, the Samsonite Winfield hit all the marks for an exceptional checked suitcase for all kinds of travelers.

The Details: 11.5 pounds | 28 x 19.75 x 12.5 inches | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 spinner wheels

Best Trunk

Away The Trunk

$435 at Awaytravel.com

If you’re a fan of traveling with trunks, this one from Away is more easy to maneuver than any other trunk we’ve tested. It’s easy to pack thanks to its deep main compartment, while you can place smaller items in the slim top lid — just make sure to evenly distribute the weight around the bag so it doesn’t feel lopsided. Your stuff won’t get lost in the large compartment either because you can use the zippered pockets on the dividers to store undergarments, socks, or toiletries. Even though the trunk weighs around 12 pounds, it felt light enough to roll around tight corners, crowds, and over rough surfaces seamlessly, the wheels rolling like a dream whether we rolled it on four or two wheels. This was also the most durable piece of Away luggage we’ve tested — it barely scuffed or scratched after we dropped it off a table and hit it with a baseball bat multiple times.

The Details: 12.1 pounds | 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | 107-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Medium Capacity

Away The Medium Flex

$395 at Awaytravel.com

The best thing overpackers can do is get a suitcase with an expander. Even if you think you’re packing light, it’s always a life-saver to have a little bit of extra room to play with just in case you buy one too many souvenirs to take back home. This hardside suitcase has a zipper expansion that adds an extra 1.75 inches of space when you need it. We loved how spacious the suitcase is without being overly large, featuring one huge compartment on each side, as well as compression straps, a divider to hold clothing in, a mesh screen that fully zips, and a pocket for small items. The suitcase rolled smoothly on four wheels and two wheels without any effort during testing, and we found it easy to make sharp turns through our obstacle course even when the bag was fully packed. The shell on this bag also feels more durable and scratch-resistant than Away’s glossy options, holding up well to our table drops and baseball bat tests.

The Details: 10.8 pounds | 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | 68.8-liter capacity; 75.7-liter capacity when expanded | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Large Capacity

Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner

$729 at Nordstrom View on Briggs-riley.com View on Bloomingdales

If you’re packing for a long trip or multiple people, this is a substantial trunk that will keep all of your belongings secure while staying light on its wheels. Though it has a large 123.9-liter capacity and a tall height, it’s not particularly heavy before you start packing it, weighing the same as much smaller suitcases we’ve tested. It does get heavy when you pack it full (and you’ll have to be careful not to go over the 50-pound limit), so it’s essential that the wheels work well — and they do, as does the handle, which we were able to transition easily between multiple heights. It was a little more challenging to pull the trunk over carpeting and a cement curb, but the wheels held the weight well.

When you open the 80/20 lid, you’ll find two deep, spacious compartments with compression panels and zippered sections for organization. You can cinch down the garment panels to keep your clothing crisp. Though the bag and hardware seems durable, the outer material did dent when we hit it with a metal bat, but we still think it’s a worthy investment that won’t bust open on the luggage belt. 

The Details: 10.4 pounds | 32.5 x 16.5 x 15.5 inches | 123.9-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Most Durable

Roam The Check-in

View on Roamluggage.com

The solidity of this bag is especially nice given that our favorite thing about the bag is its exterior design. Customers are able to customize this suitcase to their specific color preferences, choosing the hues for everything from the two shells (front and back), the binding, and the wheels for no extra charge. You can also decide whether or not to add an expander to the bag, but that adds $55 to the total cost. This Roam design also earned a perfect score for maneuverability as it was very easy to move the bag around in all conditions.

The bag is certainly a good size to fit everything for a week-long trip or longer. After regularly using the suitcase for three months, we had no issues with space, and we found that everything stays put in transit. The bag also comes with a 100-day return policy even when customized, as well as a lifetime warranty for non-cosmetic damage — if something becomes nonfunctional, Roam will replace the part.

The Details: 9.3 pounds | 26 x 17.5 x 10 inches | 60-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Softside

Hartmann Luxe II Medium Journey Luggage

View on Hartmann.com $280 at Bloomingdales $248 at Macy's

This luxurious bag is stylish and functional inside and out. It's easy to pack thanks to its depth and the roomy interior. We love the slim front pockets in which you can stash small items, and the lid of the suitcase acts as a pocket as well (perfect for laundry or accessories). The main compartment features straps to secure your items — but we do recommend investing in a set of packing cubes to help keep you organized.

The camel leather trim on the outside of the suitcase, patterned fabric, and soft material give this suitcase a high-end feel feel, and the quality construction is immediately apparent. The zippers that open and close the suitcase have an accompanying lock on the side of the suitcase, which is a great security feature, especially for long trips. The bag didn't sustain any scratches, dents, or damage after it went through our durability tests, proving that softside bags can handle a beating, and we're sure it will remain just as stylish after your trip as before.

The Details: 9.4 pounds | 27.3 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | Expandable | Polyester | 4 spinner wheels

Best Style

Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 28-inch Large Checked Spinner

$336 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $336 at Macy's

The Delsey Chatelet Air line evokes the timeless look of classic travel trunks with decorative vegan leather trim with contrasting stitching, but it's an extremely durable and lightweight hardside suitcase. This large bag has plenty of storage space inside with separate laundry and shoe bags. We also love that both sides of the shell feature zipper closures that make it easy to throw small items in at the last minute without worrying about losing them.

The suitcase is currently available in two colorways, and while the white with brown trim is a fan favorite, the black baseball bat did leave some scuff marks on it during testing. However, these were extremely easy to rub out — you can even do so with your fingers — and there were no permanent dents even after we jumped on top of the case. Plus, the 10-year warranty does stand as a testament to the durability of the bag, and we think you'd be able to use it for a long, long time.

The Details: 11.1 pounds | 20.75 x 12.75 x 30 inches | 110-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Colors

Bric’s Expandable 27-inch Spinner

$450 at Amazon View on Bricstore.com $370 at Pottery Barn

This suitcase is sure to stand out on any luggage carousel, with three eye-catching colors to choose from (with interiors to match), all inspired by the blues and greens of the Italian coast. We tested the medium checked size (27 inches tall), which we thought was ideal for when you want to stay under the 50-pound weight limit of most airlines, but it’s also available in larger, 30-inch and 32-inch sizes. The 27-inch model we tested has an expandable zipper to add about 1.6 inches of extra space, and we appreciated the sleek leather details, like the grab handles and the leather logo panel on the front.

When we hit the suitcase with a baseball bat, the outer shell felt flexible rather than rock solid so the bat bounced back without denting the bag at all. Like most glossy suitcases, it did get a scuff mark after we threw it around in the lab, but no scratches or dents. It comes with a stretchy, black Bric's luggage cover that you can pull over the bag to protect it against marks while traveling. While we loved the bag for its gorgeous color options, if you’re more into neutrals, this is not the suitcase for you.

The Details: 7.9 pounds | 19 x 27 x 11 inches | 83-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Expandable

Béis Large Check-in Roller

$328 at Nordstrom $328 at Beistravel.com $328 at Bloomingdales

If you want to bring your whole wardrobe with you on vacation, this might be the bag for you. It's absolutely gigantic inside with a 112-liter capacity, but best of all, you can expand it if you happen to buy one too many souvenirs and need some extra space. It has so many pockets, compartments, and removable bags for dirty clothes or shoes that it's easy to stay on top of all your belongings. Something we didn't like, however, was how easily the bag scuffed. Though it seemed easy to clean the scuffs off, it would be a pain to have to touch up the bag after every flight. But after three months of use, we do love how easy the bag is to maneuver through crowded spaces and over various surfaces.

For those who are picky about colors, it's easy to find a match with your personal style thanks to nearly a dozen fairly neutral color options, from Béis' signature beige to the newest glossy colors that will shine at baggage claim.

The Details: 11.84 pounds | 16.5 x 29 x 11 inches | 112-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Wheeled Duffel

Briggs & Riley Wheeled Duffel

$499 at Amazon $499 at Nordstrom $499 at Briggs-riley.com

If you're headed for a remote destination that requires a flight on a bush plane or a charter bus as part of the journey, you'll likely need to pack your goods in a soft bag, or at least a bag that's soft on three sides. That's where a bag like this comes in handy. Fans of Briggs & Riley luggage will appreciate this spacious duffel, which has a capacity of 96 liters. It includes convenient straps like a normal duffel, but also a wheeled mechanism for easy transport. Just note that the bag only has two wheels, not four, so you have to pull it at an angle while maneuvering. This bag is optimal for rugged terrain — it even handled gravel well.

We appreciated the multiple pockets throughout the bag, including a PVC-lined one that's perfect for keeping dirty clothes or gear separate from the clean stuff. And the durability of the 800D ballistic nylon is incredibly impressive.

The Details: 8.6 pounds | 27 x 15 x 15 inches | 96-liter capacity | 800D ballistic nylon | 2 standard wheels

Best Handle

July Large Luggage

View on July.com

While the handles on some suitcases only lift to one singular height, the handle on this bag has the ability to adjust to a whopping 20 different heights, making it easy to maneuver no matter how tall or short you are. This is the largest suitcase in July’s luggage line, and though it has the same 110-liter capacity as the Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 bag on this list, the July suitcase has slightly smaller dimensions, meaning it looks a little more compact despite its large size. Sometimes large bags can be cumbersome to roll, but the wheels were as smooth as butter during testing, and the multi-stop telescopic handle felt really sturdy to hold at different heights. Even when we packed the bag full, it was easy to pull over concrete pavers and carpets without leaving a strain on our arms or back. While the outer shell felt solid and didn’t dent at all even after we hit it with baseball bats, we did notice that the July suitcases tend to scuff on the aluminum corner bumpers.

The Details: 10.5 pounds | 30.25 x 19.75 x 12.5 inches | 110-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Budget, Hardside

Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds Suitcase

$130 at Amazon

Coming in at a price point that would even be considered affordable for a carry-on bag, this suitcase gives you the best bang for your buck. Pricing aside, the bag serves its purpose well. The Kenneth Cole checked suitcase is more than roomy enough for a week's worth of clothing. On top of that, the handle, wheels, and exterior are all well-made and durable. The swivel wheels make traveling a breeze even through larger airports.

Aesthetically speaking, this is a streamlined, contemporary suitcase, though you can punch up the look by choosing a bold color like kelly green or magenta — there will be no missing your suitcase at the baggage claim. Best of all, this bag comes with a limited 10-year warranty, which is impressive for a budget pick (typically it's the more expensive bags that come with such a long period of protection). There's also a matching carry-on suitcase in this line if you're looking to buy a great luggage set that offers even more bang for your buck.

The Details: 9.6 pounds | 29.5 x 20.5 x 11.75 inches | 20.5-liter capacity | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate | 4 spinner wheels

Best Budget, Softside

SwissTech Softside Luggage

View on Swisstechusa.com

No, this bag might not dazzle with its design, but what it lacks in aesthetic value it makes up for in pretty much every other category. For starters, its low price point is extremely attractive, particularly when you consider how effective the bag is. This SwissTech roller is quite spacious, with plenty of room for trips longer than one week. Between the expander and the fact that it's a softside bag, you can really fit a lot in there. Plus, it has a number of pockets both inside and outside that make organization effortless.

The suitcase also performed well on durability and maneuverability tests, only sustaining a slight dent from the impact of a baseball bat and handling the obstacle course like a champ. After six months of regular use, the only noticeable change in quality is a missing zipper pull, but we were able to pack so much into this suitcase that it's worth the minor flaw.

The Details: 10.9 pounds | 29 x 19 x 10.5 inches | Expandable | 1680 denier | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Garment Bag

Travelpro Platinum Elite 50-inch Check-in Rolling Garment Bag

$451 at Amazon $451 at Travelpro.com View on Luggagepros.com

Though many travelers opt for carry-on garment bags, this heavy-duty checked model has enough space for at least 15 items on hangars, though that number will vary based on what you're packing. That makes unpacking a breeze, since all you have to do is hang up everything already in your suitcase! We love that it has a number of pockets for accessories, too, from shoes to belts. All together, that makes this suitcase a perfect option for a business traveler — or simply someone who has a tendency to overpack and doesn't want any of their clothes to get wrinkly.

One thing we particularly loved about this suitcase is its solid maneuverability. Considering the bag only has two fixed wheels instead of four spinners, we were initially a little concerned about how it might handle movement. But it passed our maneuverability (and durability) tests with flying colors, making this an ideal checked garment bag.

The Details: 13.4 pounds | 24 x 24.25 x 10.5 inches | 95-liter capacity | Nylon | 2 standard wheels