SwissGear

Short answer: the best luggage brands most people should actually consider

If you want a safe, widely used, no-regrets pick, start with Travelpro, Samsonite, Away, or Briggs & Riley. Those four cover most travelers: value, durability, frequent-flyer practicality, style, and warranty support.

My top recommendations

What I’d buy

Best for most people: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On

This is the practical frequent-traveler pick. Travelpro is especially strong in softside luggage, and it’s the kind of brand you see among flight crews rather than just on Instagram. Travel + Leisure notes that Travelpro softside pieces are commonly used by pilots and flight attendants, and OutdoorGearLab ranked Travelpro’s Platinum Elite checked bag at the top of its 2026 luggage testing. (travelandleisure.com)

Best value mainstream brand: Samsonite Freeform or Outline Pro

Samsonite is the safest mass-market recommendation: easy to find, frequent sales, lots of sizes, and generally good durability for the price. Good Housekeeping named Samsonite its best overall luggage brand in 2026, citing its range, value, and strong performance across hardside and softside testing. OutdoorGearLab also highlighted the Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner as a good lower-cost hardside option. (goodhousekeeping.com)

Best long-term investment: Briggs & Riley Baseline

If you travel a lot and hate replacing bags, Briggs & Riley is the premium practical choice. Consumer Reports found that Away and Briggs & Riley were the only carry-on brands in its member survey that excelled in both wheelability and durability, and Briggs & Riley’s official guarantee covers repair of functional aspects of its bags for life. (consumerreports.org)

Best stylish hardside carry-on: Away Bigger Carry-On

Away is popular because the bags look good, roll well, and are easy to buy/return. It’s not the most “pro traveler” choice, but it’s a very solid pick for casual-to-moderate travelers who want a clean hardshell suitcase. Consumer Reports’ member survey rated Away highly for both wheelability and durability, and OutdoorGearLab liked Away’s large hardside suitcase for build and value. Note: Away changed its suitcase coverage for purchases on or after April 14, 2026, so read the current warranty terms before buying. (consumerreports.org)

Best Away alternative: Monos Carry-On or Carry-On Plus

Monos is a good choice if you like Away’s minimalist hardside look but want a slightly different design and interior feel. Good Housekeeping has tested Monos luggage and described the brand’s carry-on and large checked bag as popular “fan favorites,” while OutdoorGearLab ranked the Monos Hybrid Trunk Large among its top tested checked bags. (goodhousekeeping.com)

Premium and luxury picks

Best premium business brand: Tumi

Tumi is expensive, but it’s one of the strongest choices for business travelers who want refined organization, good materials, and a polished look. Travel + Leisure’s 2026 luggage-brand testing highlighted Tumi as a brand its editors stand by, and Good Housekeeping also includes Tumi among top-tested luggage brands. (travelandleisure.com)

Best luxury flex: Rimowa

Rimowa is not the best value, but if you want a luxury suitcase with status, excellent wheels, and an iconic aluminum or polycarbonate design, it’s the obvious pick. Travel + Leisure’s luxury luggage testing praised Rimowa’s smooth wheels, handles, compression system, and latches. (travelandleisure.com)

Budget picks that are still usable

If you don’t travel often, don’t overspend. Look at:

• American Tourister — cheaper Samsonite-family option.
• Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner — fine for occasional travel.
• SwissGear — decent budget softside/hardside options.
• Delsey Paris — nicer-looking midrange bags, often discounted.

OutdoorGearLab’s 2026 tested list included budget-to-midrange options like Samsonite Freeform, Delsey Paris Titanium, SwissGear Sion, and Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner, which makes them reasonable options if you want to spend less. (outdoorgearlab.com)

My final recommendation by traveler type

• Fly a few times a year: Samsonite Freeform / Outline Pro
• Fly often: Travelpro Platinum Elite
• Want one bag for 10+ years: Briggs & Riley Baseline
• Care about aesthetics: Away or Monos
• Business traveler: Tumi Alpha or Briggs & Riley Baseline
• Luxury/status: Rimowa Original or Classic
• Tight budget: Samsonite on sale, American Tourister, or Amazon Basics

If I had to recommend one carry-on for most people, I’d pick the Travelpro Platinum Elite softside carry-on. If you specifically want a hardshell, I’d pick Samsonite Freeform for value, Away Bigger Carry-On for style, or Briggs & Riley Sympatico if budget isn’t a concern.

Samsonite, Travelpro, Away, and Briggs & Riley consistently rank among the top luggage brands based on expert testing (Good Housekeeping, Wirecutter/NYT, Travel + Leisure, Outdoor Gear Lab), sales data, and real-user feedback from frequent travelers, flight crews, and forums like Reddit.

No single brand is perfect for everyone—choices depend on budget, hard- vs. soft-sided preference, travel frequency, and style. Hard-sided (polycarbonate or polypropylene) offer better weather/impact protection and a sleek look; soft-sided (nylon/ballistic) are often lighter, more flexible/expandable, and easier to stuff into overhead bins. Look for smooth spinner wheels, sturdy telescoping handles, good warranties, and TSA locks.

Top Brands People Actually Use

Here are the standouts, with why they’re popular and recommended products:

1. Samsonite (Best Overall / Most Versatile)
   A long-standing leader with a huge range of hard- and soft-sided options at accessible prices. It excels in durability, maneuverability, packing space, and value in lab and real-world tests. Widely available and frequently tops “best of” lists from Good Housekeeping and Travel + Leisure. Popular with everyday and family travelers.

   • Standout products: Freeform Hardside (carry-on or larger expandable spinners—durable polypropylene, smooth wheels, great capacity and often on sale); Outline or Winfield lines; lighter C-lite collection.
   • Price range: Often $100–$300+ per piece (frequently discounted).
   • Pros: Reliable quality across price points, variety of styles/colors/sizes. Cons: Handles can vary by model; not the absolute most premium.
   • Sister brand American Tourister is a solid budget/value option with fun prints, lighter bags for casual/vacation use.

2. Travelpro (Best for Frequent Flyers / Soft-Sided Favorite)
   Extremely popular with airline crews and road warriors for its toughness, smooth/self-aligning wheels (e.g., MagnaTrac), organizational features, and value. Wirecutter’s long-time top pick for both carry-on and checked bags; high scores in Outdoor Gear Lab testing.

   • Standout products: Platinum Elite line (softside carry-on or medium/large check-in spinners—expandable, garment compartments, excellent durability and packing); Maxlite series (lighter/more affordable option that still holds up well and sells strongly).
   • Price range: Maxlite ~$100–200; Platinum Elite ~$200–500.
   • Pros: Built for abuse, great warranties, practical features. Cons: Softsides show wear more visibly than hardsides; some models are bulkier.
   • Highly recommended on Reddit and travel forums for reliability over years of heavy use.

3. Away (Best Stylish Hard-Sided / Popular DTC Brand)
   A modern favorite for sleek polycarbonate hard shells, thoughtful features (compression systems, laundry bags, underside handles), and strong marketing. Holds up well in drop/scratch tests and real trips; very popular among younger travelers and on social media. Good Housekeeping and others praise the carry-ons especially.

   • Standout products: The Carry-On (or Bigger Carry-On/Flex expandable versions); The Large for checked bags. Available in many colors.
   • Price range: ~$200–400+ for main pieces.
   • Pros: Lightweight yet durable shells, stylish, 100-day trial + lifetime limited warranty (covers functional damage). Cons: Handles sometimes noted as less robust; not always the cheapest; hardsides lack external pockets.
   • Competitors in this stylish DTC space include Monos and July (colorful options with good reviews, though mixed durability feedback in some user discussions).

4. Briggs & Riley (Best Premium / Lifetime Warranty Champion)
   Top-tier for serious travelers. Known for exceptional durability, innovative CX compression/expansion systems (pack more then compress), and one of the best warranties (lifetime coverage that often includes airline mishandling). Frequently ranks #1 in reader polls (e.g., Condé Nast Traveler) and high in expert tests; preferred by many frequent flyers on forums.

   • Standout products: Baseline series (softside carry-ons and larger expandable spinners); Sympatico hardsides.
   • Price range: Higher—carry-ons often $400–700+, checked higher.
   • Pros: Built like tanks, spacious with smart packing, outstanding customer service/repairs. Cons: Expensive; some models heavier.
   • Ideal if you fly a lot and want a bag that lasts decades.

Other Strong Contenders

• Budget/Everyday: Amazon Basics (very popular bestseller for basic expandable hardsides under $100—decent for occasional use but less durable long-term); SwissGear (good value softsides).
• Luxury/Iconic: Rimowa (premium aluminum or polycarbonate—status symbol, excellent build, very expensive); Tumi (business-oriented, durable ballistic nylon or polycarbonate with high-end features).
• Others worth noting: Delsey (spacious French brand), Béis/Calpak (stylish with organization features, popular with some travelers).

Quick Buying Tips

• Carry-on vs. checked: Prioritize airline size limits (often ~22x14x9" for carry-ons including wheels/handles). Softsides can be more forgiving. For checked, prioritize durability and capacity.
• Key features: 360° spinner wheels, multi-stage sturdy handles, expansion, interior organization/compression, TSA locks, and warranty (lifetime is a big plus).
• Hard vs. soft: Hardsides protect contents better and resist weather; softsides flex, often weigh less empty, and have exterior pockets.
• Real-world popularity: Amazon bestsellers lean toward affordable options like Amazon Basics and Samsonite Freeform. Flight attendants favor Travelpro. Style-conscious users lean Away/Monos. Buy-it-for-life crowds often pick Briggs & Riley or high-end Travelpro.
• Where to buy/test: Check current prices/sales (luggage goes on sale often, especially holidays). Read recent reviews for specific models, as quality can vary within a brand. Consider weight empty to maximize packing under airline limits.
• Maintenance: Clean regularly; register warranties; use packing cubes for organization.

For most people, start with a Samsonite Freeform or Travelpro Platinum Elite/Maxlite carry-on—they offer excellent real-world performance without breaking the bank. Upgrade to Away for style or Briggs & Riley if you want a long-term investment. Match the bag to your travel style and frequency for the best results.