Best of
The Best Luggage (2026)
The best luggage of 2026 compared on shell material, weight, wheels, interior organization, and warranty. Research-based picks for carry-on and checked travel.
Our top picks at a glance
Best overall
Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX 20-Inch SpinnerTravelers who want a hard shell, a TSA lock built in, and a warranty that actually means something.
Lightest pick
Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-Inch Carry-On SpinnerWeight-conscious packers and anyone who wants exterior pockets and expansion.
Best warranty
Away The Carry-OnDesign-conscious travelers who want a lifetime warranty and a smart interior.
The Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX is the best luggage for most travelers: a polycarbonate shell that flexes instead of cracking, a built-in TSA lock, and a 10-year warranty. Weight-conscious packers should get the Travelpro Maxlite 5 at just 5.4 lbs with expansion and exterior pockets. The Away Carry-On wins on warranty and interior design at a premium price, while the Amazon Basics hardside is the credible budget option for occasional trips.
The picks, ranked
Best overall
Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX 20-Inch Spinner
The hard-shell workhorse with a 10-year warranty.
Strengths
- 100% polycarbonate shell resists cracking far better than ABS on baggage-handler throws
- Built-in TSA-approved combination lock, no separate padlock to lose
- 10-year Samsonite warranty, one of the longest in the mainstream market
Limitations
- At roughly 7.5 lbs empty, it eats more of a carry-on weight limit than lighter rivals
- No exterior pockets, so boarding passes and liquids need a personal item
- The glossy shell shows scuffs, though they buff out of polycarbonate
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Tough polycarbonate shell that hides scuffs
- Smooth spinner wheels
- 10-year warranty
Common complaints
- Zippers feel less robust than the shell
- Shell damage is not covered by warranty
- Heavier than some rivals
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Shell | 100% polycarbonate |
|---|---|
| Size | 20 x 13.5 x 9 in (carry-on) |
| Weight | Approx. 7.5 lbs |
| Wheels | 4 dual spinner wheels |
| Lock | TSA-approved combination lock |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Best for: Travelers who want a hard shell, a TSA lock built in, and a warranty that actually means something.
Skip if: You pack heavy and need every ounce of weight allowance, or you prefer softside expandability.
Lightest pick
Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-Inch Carry-On Spinner
Featherweight softside from the crew-bag brand.
Strengths
- Just 5.4 lbs, nearly 2 lbs lighter than the hard-shell picks, which matters on strict weight limits
- Travelpro's PowerScope handle and spinner wheels come from their flight-crew luggage lineage
- Expands for extra packing space and has real exterior pockets
Limitations
- Polyester softside will not protect fragile contents the way polycarbonate does
- Fabric stains and absorbs odors more than a hard shell
- No built-in TSA lock; you supply your own
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Very light for a carry-on
- Owners report years of heavy travel use
- Durable wheels on rough surfaces
Common complaints
- Soft sides offer less protection for fragile items
- Warranty claims for zippers can be difficult
- Slightly smaller interior than some hard-sides
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Material | Polyester softside |
|---|---|
| Size | 21 x 14 x 9 in (carry-on) |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs |
| Wheels | 4 spinner wheels |
| Handle | PowerScope extension handle |
| Expansion | Expands for added capacity |
Best for: Weight-conscious packers and anyone who wants exterior pockets and expansion.
Skip if: You want hard-shell impact protection or you check bags roughly.
Best warranty
Away The Carry-On
The direct-to-consumer icon with a lifetime warranty.
Strengths
- Lifetime warranty covers wheels, handles, and zippers, the parts that actually break
- Interior compression system and included laundry bag make packing genuinely easier
- Polycarbonate shell with a 360-degree spinner wheel setup that glides well
Limitations
- At 7.1 lbs it is heavier than the Travelpro by a meaningful margin
- Premium pricing for specs that overlap with the Samsonite
- No built-in TSA lock on the standard model
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Many owners report four to five years of use
- Smooth wheels and a sturdy handle
- Strong customer service
Common complaints
- Light colors scuff easily
- Shell scratches after a few flights
- Popular colors are hard to spot at baggage claim
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Shell | Polycarbonate hard shell |
|---|---|
| Size | 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 in (carry-on) |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs |
| Wheels | 360-degree spinner wheels |
| Interior | Compression system, laundry bag included |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Best for: Design-conscious travelers who want a lifetime warranty and a smart interior.
Skip if: You want the lightest possible bag or a budget price.
Best budget
Amazon Basics Hardside 20-Inch Spinner
The cheapest credible hard-shell spinner.
Strengths
- Extra-thick ABS shell at a fraction of the polycarbonate picks' price
- Four double spinner wheels and a telescoping handle cover the essentials
- Fully lined interior with a divider and organizer pockets
Limitations
- ABS cracks more readily than polycarbonate under hard impacts
- Wheels and handle are the weak points on heavy or frequent use
- Warranty is limited compared with Samsonite's 10 years or Away's lifetime
| Shell | Extra-thick ABS |
|---|---|
| Size | 20-inch upright (carry-on) |
| Wheels | 4 double spinner wheels |
| Handle | Telescoping |
| Interior | Fully lined, divider plus organizer pockets |
Best for: Occasional travelers who want a hard shell without paying brand prices.
Skip if: You fly monthly, check bags often, or want a warranty beyond the basics.
Best luxury
RIMOWA Essential Cabin
The grooved polycarbonate icon.
The RIMOWA Essential Cabin is the luxury standard: grooved polycarbonate, an effortless multiwheel glide, integrated TSA locks, and a lifetime functional guarantee. It costs multiples of mainstream bags without multiples of the protection. Buy it because you want the icon, not because you need the specs.
Strengths
- Grooved polycarbonate shell is instantly recognizable and genuinely tough.
- Multiwheel system glides effortlessly.
- TSA-approved locks integrated.
- RIMOWA's lifetime guarantee on functional aspects.
Limitations
- Luxury pricing far above mainstream bags.
- Heavier than ultralight competitors.
- Scratches show on the grooved finish.
| Shell | Grooved polycarbonate |
|---|---|
| Wheels | Multiwheel system |
| Locks | TSA-approved integrated |
| Guarantee | Lifetime on function |
| Design | Iconic grooves |
Best for: Travelers who want the most prestigious hard-shell carry-on made.
Skip if: You want value; this is a luxury purchase.
Best mid-range hard-shell
Delsey Helium Aero 19-Inch Spinner
French-designed polycarbonate with double spinner wheels.
The Delsey Helium Aero is the mid-range hard-shell sweet spot: 100% polycarbonate, double spinner wheels, and expansion, with French design flair at a sensible price. It lacks the Samsonite's 10-year warranty and built-in lock, but for travelers who want polycarbonate looks and protection without going premium, it delivers.
Strengths
- 100% polycarbonate shell resists cracking.
- Double spinner wheels for smooth maneuvering.
- Expands for extra packing capacity.
- Stylish design at a mid-range price.
Limitations
- Heavier than the Travelpro softside.
- Warranty is standard, not exceptional.
- No built-in TSA lock on all versions.
| Shell | 100% polycarbonate |
|---|---|
| Size | 19 in international carry-on |
| Wheels | Double spinner |
| Expansion | Expands |
| Design | French styling |
Best for: Travelers who want polycarbonate protection with European styling.
Skip if: You need the lightest bag or the longest warranty.
Best designs
American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Spinner
Bold prints on a budget-friendly hard shell.
The American Tourister Moonlight wins on personality: the widest range of bold prints in budget luggage, on a real hardside spinner. You will never lose it on the carousel. The ABS-heavy build is not for weekly flyers, but for occasional travelers who want fun luggage that protects adequately, the designs alone justify it.
Strengths
- Huge range of colorful prints and designs.
- Hardside protection at a budget price.
- Spinner wheels and telescoping handle.
- Easy to spot on the baggage carousel.
Limitations
- ABS-heavy construction is less durable than polycarbonate.
- Wheels and zippers are budget-grade.
- Not built for frequent-flyer abuse.
| Shell | Hardside (ABS-based) |
|---|---|
| Wheels | Spinner |
| Handle | Telescoping |
| Designs | Wide print selection |
| Use case | Occasional travel |
Best for: Travelers who want their bag to stand out on the carousel.
Skip if: You fly weekly or need premium durability.
Best Amazon value
Coolife Coolife 20-Inch Spinner
Amazon-favorite hard shell with modern styling.
Coolife is the Amazon-era value pick: an ABS+PC composite shell, spinner wheels, and a TSA lock on most versions, with owner-review ratings that embarrass bigger brands at this price. The track record is shorter and the warranty limited, but for the occasional traveler buying online, the value equation is compelling.
Strengths
- ABS+PC composite shell balances cost and durability.
- Four spinner wheels with telescoping handle.
- TSA-approved lock included on most versions.
- Strong owner-review ratings for the price.
Limitations
- Newer brand without a decades-long track record.
- Warranty is limited.
- Not built for heavy frequent-flyer use.
| Shell | ABS+PC composite |
|---|---|
| Size | 20 in carry-on |
| Wheels | 4 spinner |
| Lock | TSA-approved (most versions) |
| Reviews | Strong budget ratings |
Best for: Online shoppers who want a well-reviewed budget spinner.
Skip if: You need a long warranty or fly constantly.
Best cheap softside
Rockland London Softside Upright
The cheapest upright that still rolls.
The Rockland London is the price floor: a wheeled softside upright for the least money in this guide, with pockets and a telescoping handle that cover the basics. Durability is the known compromise and the wheels are inline, not spinners. For the traveler who needs a bag for two trips a year and nothing more, it is honest value.
Strengths
- Among the lowest prices for a wheeled upright.
- Lightweight polyester construction.
- Multiple pockets for organization.
- Telescoping handle and inline wheels.
Limitations
- Durability is the obvious compromise.
- Inline wheels, not spinners.
- Minimal warranty and support.
| Material | Polyester softside |
|---|---|
| Wheels | Inline skate wheels |
| Handle | Telescoping |
| Pockets | Multiple exterior |
| Use case | Occasional light travel |
Best for: Buyers who need a bag now for very little money.
Skip if: You travel more than a few times a year.
Best airline-damage warranty
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Domestic Carry-On
Virgin polycarbonate with the famous 'Simple as that' warranty.
The Briggs & Riley Sympatico is the warranty king: its 'Simple as that' lifetime guarantee covers even airline damage, which no other warranty here does. The virgin polycarbonate shell and CX expansion-compression system are genuinely premium. It costs more and weighs more than mainstream bags, but for flyers who have watched airlines destroy luggage, the warranty alone justifies it.
Strengths
- 100% virgin polycarbonate shell.
- 'Simple as that' lifetime warranty covers even airline damage.
- CX expansion-compression system adds capacity then compresses.
- Premium build quality throughout.
Limitations
- Premium pricing.
- Heavier than ultralight rivals.
- Conservative styling.
| Shell | 100% virgin polycarbonate |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 'Simple as that' lifetime, incl. airline damage |
| System | CX expansion-compression |
| Wheels | Spinner |
| Build | Premium |
Best for: Frequent flyers who want a warranty that even covers airline damage.
Skip if: You travel occasionally and cannot justify the premium.
How we chose
Shell material
Polycarbonate flexes and resists cracking; ABS is cheaper and more brittle. We weighted polycarbonate heavily for checked bags and frequent flyers.
Weight
Every pound of bag is a pound you cannot pack. Carry-on weight limits on international airlines make this a deciding factor, not a footnote.
Wheels and handles
These are the parts that break. We looked for spinner wheels with real bearings and handles with minimal wobble, and favored brands whose warranties cover them.
Warranty terms
Away's lifetime coverage and Samsonite's 10 years are meaningfully different from a 1-year limited warranty. We read the actual terms, not the marketing.
Questions, answered
Hard-shell or softside luggage: which is better?
Hard-shell (polycarbonate) protects contents better and resists rain and stains; softside is lighter, expands, and has exterior pockets. Frequent flyers who check bags usually do better with hard-shell; carry-on-only travelers often prefer softside for the weight savings and pockets.
What size luggage counts as carry-on?
US domestic carry-on limits are typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles. International limits are often smaller and include weight caps. All four picks here are sold as carry-on sizes, but always check your specific airline before flying.
Is polycarbonate really better than ABS?
Yes, for impact resistance. Polycarbonate flexes on impact and returns to shape; ABS is more rigid and more likely to crack under a hard throw. That is why polycarbonate bags cost more and carry longer warranties.
Do I need a built-in TSA lock?
It is convenient but not essential. A separate TSA-approved padlock does the same job. The real value of the Winfield 3's built-in lock is that you cannot forget or lose it.