Travel luggage is an investment for anyone who travels even just a few times per year, so choosing the best suitcase for travel is an important decision. You need something that’s sturdy, but also reasonably priced. The quickest way to put a damper on your vacation is to get to the baggage claim and find that your bag is torn to pieces.
Ugh!
While we always try to avoid checked luggage, it isn’t always possible, especially for families. Longer trips or trips with very young children will often require a checked bag, and that’s where we’re here to help!
A note about eBags. Samsonite bought eBags back in 2017 and shut down the eBags website in 2024, so if you’ve gone looking for our old favorites and come up empty, that’s why. The good news is that the Mother Lode bags we’ve dragged all over the world are back, now sold under the Samsonite name with the same designs. We still use ours on every trip and still love them, so you’ll see the Samsonite Mother Lode in this list where the eBags version used to be.
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Table of Contents
Suitcase Comparison Chart - The Best Suitcases for Travel 2026
What to Look For When Buying A New Suitcase
- Don't Go Too Large
- Weight Matters
- Wheeled Luggage - Four Wheels vs. Two
- Hardside vs. Softside Luggage
- Reviews vs. Price
The Best Suitcases for Travel - 2026 Suitcase Reviews
- Delsey Helium Aero 29" Expandable Spinner Trolley Suitcase Review
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 29″ Expandable Spinner Review
- Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX 28″ Spinner
- Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion 28″ Hardside Spinner Suitcase Review
- Travelpro VersaPack 29" Expandable Spinner Review
- Samsonite Omni PC Hardside 29" Spinner Suitcase Review
- Samsonite Mother Lode Large Wheeled Duffel (formerly eBags) Review
- Briggs & Riley Baseline 29″ Large Expandable Spinner Suitcase Review
- Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 28″ Spinner Suitcase Review
- American Tourister Stratum 3.0 28" Hardside Spinner Review
- Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Spinner Review
- SwissGear Travel Gear 6283 29" Spinner Review
Bonus Picks
With so many choices on the market, it’s a challenge to narrow it down. Size, color, wheels, materials – they’re all considerations. We’ve done the research for you by putting together this guide on how to buy a great suitcase and what to look for when you’re shopping – all updated for 2026!
Suitcase Comparison Chart – The Best Suitcases for Travel (Updated for 2026!)
Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. There is no additional cost to you, and it helps to support this site. Thanks!
2026 Luggage Comparison Chart
What to Look For When Buying a New Suitcase
Don’t Go Larger Than You Really Need
When we’re talking about a suitcase, we generally mean something that you’ll have to check because it is too large to work as a carry-on. This means anything larger than ~22″ for US domestic flights or ~21″ for international flights. Suitcases generally start at around 25″ in height and can get to ~32″.
Each family’s needs will be different, but we generally recommend not going any larger than ~29″ if you can help it. Bags bigger than that can get heavy and unwieldy in a hurry. Also, you’ll tend to fill all the space whether you meant to or not. This might cause you to panic at the check-in counter when the agent informs you that your bag is overweight, and it’s going to cost you – big time. Like I’ve said before, you don’t want to be the family at the airport with your clothes strewn all over because your bags are too heavy and you have to repack.
Looking for smaller bag?
If you don't want to check a suitcase, or just need something smaller to carry on the plane, our carry-on guides can help you find the perfect bag.
Click here for carry-on luggage (overhead bin).
Click here for underseat carry-on luggage.
Weight Matters
Weight is an important factor because it can mean the difference between smooth sailing at the airport and a nightmare that costs you way more than you thought. If you purchase a larger suitcase, it will be heavier when full. This can mean big trouble on your way home from vacation with all of your kids’ extra souvenirs and goodies.
Be realistic about how much space you’ll require. We recommend skewing towards a smaller size. Not only will this be easier to manage overall when you get out of the airport and are on your way, but it could also save you a lot of money in baggage fees.
Wheeled Luggage – Four Wheels vs. Two
Large suitcases come with either two or four wheels. The models with four wheels – or spinners – are able to stand upright on all four spinner wheels and are extremely maneuverable. Drawbacks to this design are that the smaller wheels can be more fragile than other types, and your bag can roll away from you if you leave it on a slope or hill. Two-wheeled suitcases – rollers – are easier to keep stationary, but are less maneuverable. Again, this is a personal preference.
Four Wheel Spinners:
Pros
- Very maneuverable
- Stable and won't tip over
Cons
- Can roll away on a slope if you're not paying attention
- Wheels protrude and can be damaged more easily
Two Wheel Rollers:
Pros
- Wheels tend to be sturdier because they don't rotate
- Wheels are less apt to get damaged on rougher terrain
Cons
- Not as easy to maneuver as spinners
- Can sometimes tip over, especially if overpacked or heavy
- Rolling luggage can be tricky in tight spaces like subways and public transit
Hardside Luggage vs. Soft Sided Suitcases
Suitcases are made from different materials, and there are pros and cons to each. Generally, the hard-sided polycarbonate suitcases will be heavier than their soft-sided counterparts. Many people don’t mind the extra weight of the hard-sided cases because it offers better protection. It’s a personal choice, and you should make the one that feels right for you. We have a soft-sided spinner and are fine with it. Let’s compare:
Hard-Sided Suitcases
Pros
- Hard shell offers the best protection against damage
Cons
- Get scratched easily and show wear quickly
- Don't offer as much forgiveness towards overpacking (unless they have an expansion feature)
Soft-Sided Suitcases
Pros
- Are usually lighter than hard-sided suitcases
- Are more forgiving to airline abuse
- Can flex to provide a bit more packing space
Cons
- The material can rip
- Not waterproof so it's vulnerable to sitting on a rainy tarmac before it's loaded.
Does Spending More Money Get You a Better Suitcase? Reviews vs. Price.
With our reviews, we’ve tried to find a good balance between quality and budget. We believe that you do get what you pay for, but we also believe in spending money on experiences rather than lots of stuff. Do you need the best luggage? No, but luggage is not a cheap item, and it’s important to get what you can reasonably afford.
As we were researching this article, we found that across most sites, there was a correlation between good reviews and suitcases in the $125-$350. However, we’ve included some outliers in our review because we think they represent an excellent value based on the amount of good reviews from Amazon, eBags, and other sites, or because of personal experience with luggage that we’ve owned.
One of those outliers is worth pointing out. The Briggs & Riley Baseline is the priciest bag on this list, and it’s also the one Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked first when they voted Briggs & Riley the #1 luggage brand in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. Sometimes the reviews and the price tag agree.
Reviews of the Best Suitcases for 2026
Delsey 29″ Helium Aero Expandable Spinner
Weight
12 lbs.
Dimensions
27.5″ x 19″ x 11.5″
Material
100% Polycarbonate
Winner – Best Overall Value
Cheap luggage doesn’t have to mean inferior, and it’s why the Delsey Helium Aero is back on our list for 2026. Delsey is one of the biggest names in luggage, and they deliver quality suitcases and luggage at a great price. Just take a look at the glowing online reviews and you’ll know.
This hardside luggage is 100% polycarbonate, but can expand by 2 inches which is really nice to have when you realize you’ve picked up too many souvenirs from your epic family vacation. The Delsey also has a sleek design with a finish that helps protect it from scratches and wear. The integrated TSA luggage locks help keep things safe and secure while the fully lined interior is equipped with dividers and web straps to help you stay organized and keep everything in place. With a great price and solid features, the Delsey is our pick for overall best travel suitcase.
Check here for the latest prices on the Delsey Helium Aero.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner
Weight
8.51 lbs.
Dimensions
31″ x 21″ x 19″
Material
100% Polyester
The TravelPro Maxlite 5 remains a strong contender this year replacing our previous favorite the Maxlite 4. Like it's predecessor, the Maxlite 5 is super-light at 8.5 lbs, making it the lightest luggage of the bunch. This is due to a honeycomb framing system used in its construction. Other features include a water-resistant coating on the fabric, 2 inches of expansion room, and high-tensile zipper pulls designed to last. Their PowerScope Lite handle locks at 38” and 42.5” making it comfortable to handle for nearly everyone.
This lightweight Travelpro luggage now comes in five different colors, has an affordable price, and is made from rugged polyester which will make this a great choice for any traveling family. Travelpro also stands behind what they sell with one of the best warranties around.
Read more about the entire Travelpro Maxlite 5 Collection here.
Check here for the latest prices on the TravelPro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner.
Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX 28" Spinner
Weight
10.96 lbs.
Dimensions
30.5″ x 20.5″ x 13.25″
Material
100% Polycarbonate
While Samsonite's Winfield 2 continues to be a good seller and garners great reviews, their newest Winfield 3 DLX series improves on it in several ways and makes our list for this year. The DLX series is hard-sided like the series 2 collection, but adds a unique 2-sided, 4-pocket divider panel that helps with organizing. It still includes an integrated TSA lock, 4 wheels, and a brushed finished that minimizes scratches.
Perhaps the best upgrade over the Winfield 2 is it's lighter weight. This 28" spinner comes in at just under 11 pounds - almost a half pound lighter than before which we love. Factor in the 10-year Samsonite warranty, eight color options, and the excellent reviews, we think that the new Winfield 3 DLX is a good piece of Samsonite luggage and deserves a spot on our list.
Check here for the latest prices on the Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX 28" Spinner.
Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion 28" Hardside Spinner
Weight
11.5 lbs.
Dimensions
31.0″ x 20.0″ x 12.75″
Material
100% Polycarbonate
Winner: Best Suitcase to Stand Out From the Crowd
Nearly 14,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.6 star rating can't be wrong which is why the Samsonite Winfield 2 hardside spinner is back on our list for 2026. The price is right also and we think it's a great value for a hardside. We love all the awesome colors it comes in and also the fact that you can get something that stands out from the crowd without getting something ‘designer’ or gaudy. The 'brushed' finish also helps hide scratches. This Samsonite comes with a 10 year warranty, which adds value and peace of mind.
Features include 4 wheels for easy maneuverability, interior pockets with a full-zip divider to keep everything organized, over-sized zippers, and a TSA-approved lock. If you’re looking for a great value from a brand that you trust and are looking for something more fun than just another black suitcase, then give this one a shot. It has great reviews (and a lot of them), and will be a great addition to your gear.
Check here for the latest prices on the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Spinner.
Travelpro VersaPack+ 29" Expandable Spinner
Weight
10.9 lbs.
Dimensions
30.75″ x 18″ x 13.25″
Material
Ballistic nylon with DuraGuard coating
Trusted by flight crews and consumers alike, Travelpro brings smart design and durability that earn top reviews year after year. The Maxlite has been on our list for years, and the VersaPack+ takes the Crew VersaPack's place on our list for 2026. It kept everything we liked about the VersaPack collection and added a few things.
Features include a four-stop locking handle, 2 inches of expansion, magnetic spinner wheels that track straight in any direction, and a built-in TSA lock. Inside you get two packing cubes, a laundry bag, a water-resistant compartment for wet swimsuits, and hold-down straps to keep everything tidy. The lining is made from recycled bottles, which is a nice touch.
If you pay attention, there's a lot of Travelpro gear moving around the airports these days. Travelpro backs it with a limited lifetime warranty that also covers airline damage for the first three years, and if you buy from travelpro.com you get Travelpro's 100-day, no-questions-asked trial. Between the two, it's hard to go wrong.
Check here for the latest prices on the Travelpro VersaPack+ 29" Expandable Spinner.Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner 29"
Weight
10.35lbs.
Dimensions
30.5″ x 21.5″ x 13.5″
Material
100% polycarbonate
There are two things that stand out about the Samsonite Omni - its rugged good looks and all the great colors that it comes in. It's a nice change of pace from the ho-hum black and silver options out there.
It's is a 100% polycarbonate design that also has Samsonite's "Micro-diamond" texture which supposed to help minimize the appearance of scratches and will keep your suitcase looking newer longer. It also comes with a full-zip interior, a side-mounted TSA lock, and will expand a bit in case you end up with too many souvenirs. Hundreds of Amazon buyers love this hardside luggage, so it makes our list for 2026.
Check here for the latest prices on the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner.
Samsonite Mother Lode Large Wheeled Duffel (formerly the eBags TLS Mother Lode)
Weight
9.8 lbs.
Dimensions
27.4″ tall, expands 3″
Material
Nylon/polyester
Winner: Best Suitcase for the Gear Junkie
We have loved eBags luggage for years and own several pieces, and this is the one with a story. Samsonite bought eBags in 2017 and closed the eBags site in 2024, but the Mother Lode line came back under the Samsonite name with the same design. Ours are still going strong, and we still pack them for every trip.
What makes the Mother Lode great is the organization. The bag splits into a top and a bottom compartment so your gear doesn't slide down toward the wheels, and you can unzip the divider for one big space on a long trip. There are pockets everywhere, including an easy-access front compartment with mesh zip pockets. The telescoping handle adjusts to three heights, and the double wheels roll smooth and true, even loaded up. Great zippers, a great size for a family trip, and quality construction round it out, and it still expands 3 inches when the souvenirs pile up.
Check here for the latest prices on the Samsonite Mother Lode Large Wheeled Duffel.
Briggs & Riley 28" Baseline Large Expandable Spinner
Weight
13.6 lbs.
Dimensions
29″ x 20″ x 12″
Material
Ballistic nylon
Winner: Absolute Best Warranty Out There
Updated for 2026: Readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted Briggs & Riley the #1 luggage brand in the world in the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. We’ve owned our Baseline for years, so we can’t say we’re surprised.
This suitcase is our exception on the high end, as this is not a cheap piece of luggage. The reason? Briggs & Riley has the best warranty out there. It's good for as long you own it and even covers damage caused by the airline.
Check out the warranty for yourself.
This is a bag that we own, and we love it. We decided to treat it as an investment, saved our pennies, and never looked back. We love the double wheels that roll just as smooth now as the day we bought it. The handle has four adjustable heights so you get it just where you need it. The aluminum frame saves weight and the reinforced corners and top-quality fabric make sure this bag lasts. This is a great piece of luggage, and if your budget allows, we highly recommend it.
Click here to explore other luggage in the Briggs & Riley Baseline Series.
Update: We still own it and it's still awesome!
Check here for the latest prices on the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner. It is also available on Amazon.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 28" Spinner
Weight
9.6 lbs.
Dimensions
29.5″ x 20.5″ x 11.75″
Material
ABS
Kenneth Cole earned a spot on last year's list with their Reverb model, but we've replaced it this year with the Out of Bounds spinner. It's lighter at only 9.6 lbs, stylish, and comes in a cool array of colors (hot pink anyone?) to fit every personality. With over 6,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.5 stars, we think this is one to consider for sure.
We like the sleek, simple design which seems to be a hallmark of Kenneth Cole luggage. The outside is durable with reinforced corners which is a nice touch. Inside, you'll find the usual suspects - cross straps to keep everything in place and a full zip garment closure. Small molded feet on the side are handy if you want to set it down and not have it roll away from you. While there is a lot of value here, note that there isn't much in the way of warranty information we could find but it does seem to come with a limited lifetime warranty like most other manufacturers.
Check here for the latest prices on the Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds 28" Upright.American Tourister Stratum 3.0 Large 28" Hardside Spinner
Weight
10.98 lbs.
Dimensions
32.5″ x 18.5″ x 12.5″ (with wheels)
Material
Polypropylene hardside
The Curio we recommended for years has been retired. New on our list for 2026 is the Stratum 3.0, American Tourister's current take on a colorful hardside that stands out on the carousel. Anything you can spot from across baggage claim is a win in our book, and the color options here are fun without being silly.
It's more than looks. At just under 11 pounds, it's one of the lightest checked bags in our roundup, and it expands 1.5 inches for the trip home. The handle adjusts to multiple heights (American Tourister calls it RightHeight), which matters more than you'd think when a kid is the one pulling it. Inside you'll find a zippered divider with a mesh pocket and cross straps, and there's a molded hook on the outside for hanging a small bag or a jacket. Double spinner wheels and a TSA lock round it out at a price that's easy to swallow.
Check here for the latest prices on the American Tourister Stratum 3.0 28" Spinner.Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Hardside Spinner
Weight
15 lbs.
Dimensions
29.5″ x 20.1″ x 12.6″ (103 to 143 liters)
Material
Sorplas polycarbonate
Winner - Sleekest design and most spacious
Victorinox is known for making excellent luggage, and making our list for the first time in 2026 is the Spectra 3.0, their current flagship hardside, which replaces the Lexicon we listed before. It's a sharp-looking spinner with dual-caster wheels, a scratch-resistant polycarbonate shell, corner guards and zipper bumpers to keep it looking new.
The headline feature is the expansion. The Spectra 3.0 grows from 103 to 143 liters, about 40 percent, which is more than anything else on this list, so it can go from a normal checked bag to an "everyone's stuff for two weeks" bag when you need it. You also get a TSA-approved lock and Victorinox's lifetime warranty. Two honest notes: it isn't light at 15 pounds empty, and it's the priciest hardside in our group. If you want the most space and the nicest finish, though, this is the one.
Check here for the latest prices on the Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large.
SwissGear Travel Gear 6283 29" Spinner
Weight
10.8 lbs.
Dimensions
29″ x 18″ x 10.5″
Material
Polyester
For 2026, the SwissGear 6283 is back, and with 4 stars and nearly 4,000 Amazon reviews, we think it deserves a spot. SwissGear is a very popular brand for the budget conscience traveler, and the reviews for this particular suitcase are very good. At around 10 lbs, this is a lightweight bag relative to some others. It’s soft-sided which will offer a bit of flex when packing, but it also expands 2 inches to give you a little bit of extra room.
Inside, this bag is nice and roomy, and the detachable toiletry bag is a convenient feature that goes straight from the bathroom to your bag with just a couple of snaps. If you don’t want to use it, just remove it for a bit of extra space. With a very reasonable price, this bag is a solid pick for the budget traveler who is looking for good spinner luggage at a great price. With a 5-year limited warranty, we give this bag a Swiss Gear luggage rating of 4/5.
Check here for the latest prices on the SwissGear 6283 29" Suitcase.
Bonus Buys
Best bags for Disney families
Headed off to an awesome Disney vacation? American Tourister still makes Disney luggage, and the kids will spot it from across the airport. The Mickey Mouse 28" checked spinner is the last big one in the line, and the newer Mickey and Minnie 21" carry-ons are the ones you'll see most often now. All of them have the same solid American Tourister build under the characters. Now the Disney magic can start before you even get to the airport!
Check out the entire line of Disney luggage from American Tourister here.
Don't Forget the Packing Cubes!
Packing cubes are essential travel accessories to our family's packing success! Each member of our family gets a set in their own color, and we pack a few empty ones to keep dirty clothes in. Here are some popular ones to choose from.
Time to Go!
We hope you've found what you're looking for and that we've helped you narrow down your choices to get a great piece of luggage! If you have any questions, let us know or drop us a line on our social channels below.
Safe Travels, Everyone!
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10 replies to "The Best Suitcase for Travel – 2026 Suitcase Reviews (Updated!)"
Hello,
Which brand of luggage is the most durable under $300?
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for checking out our post. We have personally had really good luck with our eBags gear. It’s well made and thoughtfully constructed. Those 21″ Wheeled Duffels have been perfect for our kids and are currently only $140 over at eBags which is an incredible deal.
https://alongforthetrip.com/recommended/ebags-mother-lode-mini/
The 25″ and 29″ duffels are also on sale if you’re looking for something larger.
Hope this help!
-Carrick
Would you say that the Travelpro Maxlite4 spinner is an improved version of the Maxlite 3? What about the 5?
Hi Carol!
In general, the answer is yes. Over the years TravelPro has been improving on this line with better materials, features, and construction. The Maxlite 5 line is super-lightweight and where the company is moving. We kept the 4 on the list for this year because they are still widely available at a good price and thus, offered a good value over the higher-priced ML5.
The biggest difference I see between the 29″ ML4 spinner and the 5 is that the 5 is a 1/2 lb. lighter which is significant.
Hope this helps you and safe travels!
-Carrick
Hi Carrick,
Fabulous review here. I actually travel with a carry on these days. But my wife bought a moderate-sized suitcase to honor your rule of not going too big. We need to find the right size to avoid overloading and breakage suitcases.
Ryan
Ryan! Thanks for dropping by. It’s great to hear from you again. I hope that 2021 will treat you will and that you get a lot of good use out of your luggage. I know we’re wishing we get to use ours much more this year.
Take care,
Carrick
I love suitcases and traveling! Who does not like traveling?
This article reminds me the old days i was traveling a lot with my job! Nice Bags by the way
Thanks for reading Livewall. Glad you stopped by! -C
I loved the way you conducted this blog post!
Nice work