The best luggage brand depends on what you travel with and how often you travel

There is no single "best" luggage brand because different brands excel at different things. Samsonite and American Tourister dominate the mid-range market with reliable hard-shell suitcases that survive baggage handling and cost between $150 and $400. Away and Calpak appeal to frequent travelers who want lighter weight and modern design, usually priced $200 to $500. Rimowa and Delsey focus on durability and warranty coverage, with prices climbing to $600 and beyond. Budget travelers often choose IT Luggage or store brands from Target and Costco, which cost $80 to $200 and work fine for occasional trips.

The real question is not which brand is objectively best, but which brand matches how you actually travel. A person who flies twice a year needs different luggage than someone who travels monthly. Someone who packs light and moves fast needs different luggage than someone who checks bags and stays in one place. This guide walks you through the main brands, what they do well, and what to watch for so you can choose based on your own travel pattern.

Key Takeaways

  • Hard-shell suitcases from Samsonite and American Tourister cost $150 to $400 and handle rough baggage handling well, making them the most common choice for occasional travelers.
  • Lightweight brands like Away and Calpak cost more ($200 to $500) but weigh less, which matters if you fly frequently or travel with carry-on only.
  • Premium brands like Rimowa and Delsey offer longer warranties (up to 10 years) and better repair options, but cost $400 to $800.
  • Budget luggage from Target, Costco, and IT Luggage works for infrequent trips but typically lasts three to five years before wheels or zippers fail.
  • Warranty coverage and repair availability matter more than brand name—check whether the company will replace wheels or fix zippers without charging you.

Hard-shell luggage for durability and damage resistance

Samsonite and American Tourister (which Samsonite owns) make hard-shell suitcases from polycarbonate plastic that resists dents and cracks better than soft fabric. A 24-inch Samsonite hard-shell costs around $200 to $300 and comes with a 10-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects. American Tourister prices run $150 to $250 for the same size and includes a 10-year warranty as well.

Hard-shell luggage is heavier than soft-sided bags—typically 7 to 9 pounds for a 24-inch carry-on—which matters if your airline charges for overweight bags. The shells do not absorb water, so your clothes stay dry if the suitcase gets wet on the tarmac. The downside is that hard shells crack if dropped from height, and once cracked, they cannot be repaired; you have to replace the suitcase. Wheels on hard-shell luggage tend to wear out after three to five years of frequent travel, and replacement wheels cost $30 to $60.

Lightweight luggage for frequent flyers and carry-on travelers

Away and Calpak build suitcases from polycarbonate like Samsonite, but engineer them to weigh less. An Away carry-on weighs 6.5 pounds compared to 8 pounds for a Samsonite carry-on—a difference you feel when you lift it into an overhead bin. Away prices start at $225 for a carry-on and go up to $495 for a large checked bag. Calpak prices are similar, ranging from $200 to $450.

Both brands market themselves to people who travel frequently and want to avoid checked baggage fees. The lighter weight means you can pack more without hitting the 50-pound limit for checked bags, or you can travel with carry-on only more easily. Away includes a lifetime warranty on wheels and zippers, which is better than Samsonite's 10-year limit. Calpak offers a five-year warranty. The trade-off is that lighter materials sometimes feel less sturdy, and both brands are newer companies with shorter track records than Samsonite. Repair turnaround can be slower because they handle repairs through mail-in service rather than local repair shops.

Premium luggage with extended warranties and repair networks

Rimowa and Delsey occupy the premium tier, priced from $400 to $800 for a single suitcase. Rimowa is known for its grooved polycarbonate design and is owned by LVMH, the luxury goods company. Delsey is a French brand that emphasizes lightweight construction and has been making luggage since 1946. Both offer 10-year warranties and maintain repair centers in major cities, which means you can walk into a store and have a wheel or zipper replaced without mailing the suitcase away.

The premium price reflects better materials, more thoughtful design details (like TSA-approved locks built into the handle), and faster repair service. If you travel constantly for work and your luggage is a business tool, this tier makes sense. If you travel once or twice a year, the extra cost does not pay for itself. Rimowa and Delsey suitcases do weigh slightly more than Away or Calpak because of their construction, but the difference is usually less than a pound.

Budget luggage from retailers and value brands

Target, Costco, and Walmart sell house-brand luggage for $80 to $200 per suitcase. IT Luggage, a budget brand sold online and in some stores, prices similarly. These suitcases are made from the same polycarbonate as mid-range brands but with fewer quality-control checks and simpler wheel and zipper mechanisms. They work fine for a trip or two, but the wheels typically fail after two to three years of regular use, and replacement wheels are hard to find because the brand does not stock them long-term.

Budget luggage makes sense if you travel rarely (once every two years or less) and do not mind replacing the suitcase when something breaks. It does not make sense if you travel more than twice a year, because you will spend more on replacements than you would have spent on a Samsonite or Away suitcase upfront. Check the return policy before buying—many retailers allow returns within 30 days, so you can test the wheels and zippers before committing.

Soft-sided luggage for flexibility and lighter weight

Soft-sided suitcases made from nylon or polyester are less common than hard-shell, but brands like Briggs & Riley and some models from Samsonite and American Tourister use soft sides. Soft luggage weighs less than hard-shell (usually 5 to 7 pounds for a carry-on) and compresses more easily to fit into tight spaces. The downside is that soft fabric absorbs water, stains show easily, and the material can tear if caught on a sharp edge during baggage handling.

Soft-sided luggage is popular with backpackers and people who pack light, but less common among business travelers. Briggs & Riley soft luggage costs $300 to $600 and comes with a lifetime warranty on wheels and zippers, which is competitive with Away. If you like the idea of soft luggage, try a mid-range soft-sided option from Samsonite or American Tourister first (around $150 to $200) before investing in a premium brand.

What to check before buying any brand

Warranty coverage varies widely and matters more than the brand name. Some warranties cover only manufacturing defects, while others cover damage from travel. Read the fine print to see whether the company will replace wheels, fix zippers, or repair cracks without charging you. Samsonite and American Tourister offer free wheel and zipper replacement for the first two years, then charge after that. Away and Calpak replace wheels and zippers for free for the life of the suitcase. Rimowa and Delsey offer free repairs at their service centers for 10 years.

Check whether the brand has a repair center or service partner near you. If you travel frequently and a wheel breaks mid-trip, you want to be able to walk into a store and have it fixed the same day, not mail the suitcase away for two weeks. Samsonite has repair centers in most major cities. Away and Calpak handle repairs by mail. Rimowa and Delsey have service centers in major cities but not everywhere.

Look at the wheel design. Four-wheel suitcases (spinner wheels) are easier to maneuver in airports than two-wheel suitcases, but the wheels are more fragile because they stick out and catch on curbs. Two-wheel suitcases are heavier and harder to push, but the wheels are more durable. Most modern luggage uses four-wheel spinners, so this is less of a choice than it used to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does luggage usually last?

Hard-shell luggage from mid-range brands like Samsonite typically lasts five to seven years with regular travel (two to four trips per year). The wheels usually fail first, followed by zippers. Premium brands like Rimowa last longer because the wheels and zippers are built more robustly. Budget luggage often fails within three years. Soft-sided luggage lasts about as long as hard-shell but is more prone to staining and tearing.

Is it worth buying expensive luggage?

It depends on how often you travel. If you fly more than four times per year, a $400 suitcase from Rimowa or Away will cost less per trip than replacing a $150 budget suitcase every three years. If you travel once or twice a year, a mid-range Samsonite or American Tourister at $200 to $300 is the better choice. Expensive luggage is worth it only if you travel frequently enough to use it regularly.

What is the difference between a carry-on and a checked bag?

A carry-on suitcase fits in the overhead bin and is typically 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches deep. A checked bag is larger (usually 27 to 32 inches long) and goes in the cargo hold. Carry-on luggage must meet your airline's size limits, which vary slightly. Checked bags can be heavier and larger but cost extra on most airlines. Choose based on how much you pack and whether you want to avoid checked baggage fees.

Do I need a TSA lock on my luggage?

TSA locks allow security screeners to open and relock your checked bag without breaking it. Regular locks must be cut off. TSA locks are not required, but they are useful if you check bags frequently. Many mid-range and premium suitcases come with TSA locks built in. If your suitcase does not have one, you can buy a TSA-approved padlock for $10 to $20.

Which brand has the best wheels?

Away and Calpak use wheels designed to spin smoothly and last longer than standard wheels, and both offer free replacement for the life of the suitcase. Rimowa and Delsey also use high-quality wheels with free replacement for 10 years. Samsonite and American Tourister wheels are adequate but wear out faster and cost $30 to $60 to replace. Budget brands have the weakest wheels and replacement parts are hard to find.