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1. A hard-side square Samsonite luggage that has 1.5 inches of expandability and is made from 100% polycarbonate, if you've been needing a shiny new set to offset your wanderlust for just a little longer.
Promising review: "My husband and I do a lot of international travel and we recently took 4 of the large suitcases to Rome, Italy. The structure of the suitcases held up perfectly. The space in them is great and bc they're light weight, we were able to pack more." —Wanda Allen
Get it from Amazon for $103.99+ (available in 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes, 13 colors, and individual or set options).
If you love this brand, check out more of the best Samsonite luggage pieces.
2. Or a slightly upgraded version of that hard-side luggage equipped with a wider, self-retracting pull handle, in addition to a four-pocket reversible packing panel for max organization.
Promising review: “Used it for my Disney honeymoon to put all of our junk we bought during our trip. This thing can hold A TON of stuff! Moving it throughout the airport and then from the buses and being handled a lot, it held up so great! I wanted to see how it would do when we checked the bag and got it back both times, and it did SO GOOD! As expected, there were some scratches here and there, but just very mild compared to some of the other bumps I saw that the air line did to other people's suitcases. It protected all of our souvenirs (we had some glass ones too!) and we couldn't be happier with it!" —Areli Castro
Get it from Amazon for $118.48+ (available in 20 inches, 25 inches, 28 inches, eight colors, and individual and set options).
This also got a shoutout in our best hard shell luggage pieces.
3. An expandable hard-side carry-on suitcase clocking in at less than 20 inches tall, meaning you can either check this or stow it away as a carry-on — either way it'll accommodate your over-packing tendencies and come out the other side unscathed.
4. A rolling duffel bag you can wheel along like suitcase or sling over your shoulder like a regular duffel, which is all the more handy when you're gearing up to perform the Olympic-level feat that is exiting a plane.
Promising review: "I got two of these bags for global travel, and they are better than I expected! They meet the airline checked bag size requirements, and you don't lose a lot of your weight allocation to bulky materials or unnecessary bag structure. The roller wheels work great, the handle works great, and the fabric of the bag is holding up well. I like that the inside is just one giant space, and I have found I can pack an outrageous bunch of stuff in there. The pockets all over the outside are good for smaller, random items. The zippers work pretty well, though on one of the bags, the main zipper is kind of sticky, so you have to zip it a certain way. Still works fine. These bags are easy to spot at the airport. When they are empty, they fold down easily for stowing under your bed or in a closet. Bottom line: this is a very affordable, giant bag for travel, and it does its job well!" —supershanno
Get it from Amazon for $54+ (available in 22-inch, 26-inch, 29-inch, and 33-inch sizes, and 10 colors).
5. A three-piece hard-side luggage set including 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch suitcases, which totals out to a great honking deal on each piece for your next family vacation.
Promising review: "I waited to take a few trips with multiple sizes to write a fair review. I travel weekly for work, so I wanted a sturdy set without having to spend a fortune (even the high price big names get bad reviews for breaking easily). I read the reviews for these and decided to give them a shot, I’m SO HAPPY I did. These are AWESOME and worth every penny. Easy to identify at the baggage claim. Easy to maneuver (the handles fold out to the same size so I can roll two with one hand with ease)-Easy to use the built-in lock. The outer shell is pretty sturdy considering these bags have been through major hubs multiple times now and are still in great shape. If you’re on the fence, BUY THEM! I would 100% buy these again." —Megan Contino
Get the set of three suitcases from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in four-piece sets and 16 colors).
6. A gorgeous hard-side suitcase available in a bunch of fun patterns, including holographic ones (!!!), meaning you'll have absolutely no trouble spotting your precious cargo out of the sea of drab equivalents.
Promising review: “I took this suitcase to Europe and it was perfect! I fit everything in and with the expandable zipper I had no trouble expanding to add stuff I picked up on my way. The suitcase easily rolled over even the cobblestoned streets as I walked from trains to hotels. The sturdy outer case allowed me to pack some breakable items without worrying about them being damaged when tossed around. The handle when extended was the only part that didn't feel as sturdy as I would have liked but it held up just fine. I love the color/pattern which made my suitcase instantly identifiable against all of the navy and black cases. I stored extra cash in the small zippered pocket inside and separated dirty from clean clothes with the zippered lining. All in all I was very happy with this suitcase and will be buying two more for future travel with the family." —Karmen Paterson
Get it from Amazon for $88.73+ (available in 21-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes, 17 colors, and individual and set options).
7. A suitcase with a front laptop pocket that many reviewers say is similar to pricier products from brands like Calpak and Away — which will be an actual lifesaver when it comes time to shuffle for your life on the TSA line.
Promising review: "This is great. I had been looking for a hardcase carry-on with an external pocket and not having much luck aside from something very expensive from AWAY. This is perfect. I like the exterior pocket as a place to put my electronics, and gives me easy access while at the airport without having the open the main section. Multiple pockets in the exterior pocket keeps everything organized. Padded laptop section." —brian
Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (clip the coupon on the product page to save $20; also available in a two-piece set with a 28-inch suitcase, and four colors).
8. An expandable soft-side suitcase that comes with pockets galore, both inside and outside, to secure your valuables and make sure no vacation ends up marred with packing-related tragedy.
Promising review: "This is a compact suitcase with lots of good features. Has handles top and bottom to make it easy to pickup. Wheels roll smoothly and rotate freely. Comes with a small interior moisture-proof bag for toiletries or medicines. The two front zipper pockets are a little small, but functional. Very happy with it." —GA Construction Manager
Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in 21-inch, 25-inch, and 29-inch sizes, seven colors, and individual and set options).
9. A pink geometric-design expandable piece of hard-side luggage destined to be your trusted companion throughout the years, whether you're hopping from one redeye to the next or racking up Amtrak points like it's your job.
Promising review: “The perfect carry-on. This was the perfect size, super-lightweight, easy to maneuver (I loved rolling it right next to or in front of me), the perfect height for me, and super roomy. This never flipped while rolling it around even though I had another heavy bag on top of it. I used it for a five-day, four-night trip and still had room for extra clothes. That said, the trip was in Florida, so no bulky coats, but still I think for most warm places I could use this carry-on with a bag for a full week's worth of clothing. Also, this is random but the handles to lift it up are wicked comfy! I look forward to using this for years to come!” —Marisa
Get it from Amazon for $64.99.
10. A 24-inch, rose gold hard-side suitcase perfect for your next checked-luggage trip, with over 23,000 5-star ratings on Walmart, double-wheel action, and a spacious interior chock full of compartments.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this bag!! I can't wait to get all of the matching pieces. This bag is so durable, sustaining knocks and scrapes. The one I bought was the perfect size to fit in the overhead bins of the plane cabin and to be stored under my bed at home when not in use. And it's super cute!! I felt like the queen of style walking through the airport! I was confident in its durability to be able to handle all of my luggage, snugly fit inside, and even carry it with my purse on top. The wheels are made of good quality and spin easily with no kinks or hang ups. The zipper glided effortlessly and it was all around easy to use. I would recommend the iFly brand and this line of luggage, in particular the Fibertech, to any of my travelistas!!" —AuthenticallyU
Get it from Walmart for $88 (available in six colors)
11. A hard-side Kenneth Cole suitcase with everything you need to be a pro traveler — two inches of expandability (which is quite a lot), corner guards, eight multi-directional spinny guys, and plenty of interior organization tools — without breaking the bank.
Promising review: "Bought these for an international family vacation and they did fantastic! The amount of available space on the inside of each of these is excellent. Each one has a panel that you can use on one side to hold items in place. They're lightweight and the wheels make movement throughout the airport and customs very easy. They appear to be very durable, made it through multiple connecting flights and don't have any damage at all. Very pleased with this set." —Greg
Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes, 11 colors, and individual and set options).
12. A heavy-duty hard-side spinner that resembles a bulky Transformer but is actually surprisingly lightweight, so you can run through the airport or hoist it up on the luggage scale with ease.
Promising review: “I was looking for a carry-on sized suitcase to use when I travel for work. This one definitely did the job. I've never been questioned about the size of the bag when boarding the plane. I've only had one seat that it wouldn't fit under, and it's fit in every overhead compartment that I've come across. I like that it's super lightweight (well, depending on what I put in it. I don't waste weight on the suitcase itself). It's held up through several trips over the years and the few times I've checked the bag, it's still been sturdy enough to hang with the larger/heavier bags. I like the fact that it has a zippered side, and elastic restraints on the other side; makes organization easy. The TSA lock that is affixed to the outside ensures that I am not scurrying around looking for my individual locks once it's time to go." —Danielle R
Get it from Amazon for $117.59+ (available in 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes, three colors, and individual and set options).
Check out more pieces of luggage from Amazon reviewers love.
13. An expandable soft-side spinner made from a woven herringbone material that will make automatically make you the most stylish person on the moving walkway at any given time.
14. An affordable piece of soft-side luggage, because plane tickets have no business being as expensive as they are.
Promising review: "I purchased this for my flight to Europe. After checking it in, the airline lost it for 5 weeks. Once it arrived at my home, I inspected the suitcase (packed completely full) and found that although it went through the excessive redirection of multinational airport baggage handling, the suitcase was still in prime working order without any damage, even from the excessive handling. To test it again, we booked a last-minute trip to the west coast USA, where my spouse and I shared the suitcase. On this trip, it maneuvered nicely (for a large suitcase) and weathered the abuse of domestic baggage handling. Overall — great for the price!" —Mark McKowen
Get it from Amazon for $44.14+ (available in 21-inch, 25-inch, and 29-inch sizes, six colors, and individual and set options).
15. A vintage-style expandable suitcase that will make you feel like a jovial traveler from yesteryear — but of course, your suitcase will have a sturdy, scratch-resistant exterior and a functionality I don't think they had back then.
Promising review: "We’ve used this for a couple of trips now. It easily holds everything my fiancé and I need for 3–4 day trips and we are both pretty heavy packers. We get compliments on the style all the time but I think it really showed its worth when we had to maneuver it onto (and then off of) a crowded boat and then through an island with cobblestones, hills, etc.; while the rest of our party was really struggling we were able to roll our suitcase with ease." —Katharine H.
Get it from Amazon for $81.99.
16. An expandable luggage spinner whose scratch-resistant microdiamond pattern is built to withstand even the most treacherous of security lines and cobblestone streets.
Promising reviews: "We have had the Samsonite Omni hard-side luggage carry-ons as well as checked bag size for a decade. They hold up wonderfully. You want 100% polycarbonate shell — polycarbonate is very strong. No cracks, no damage, and the handles still telescope easily, and wheels roll well unless you load it up heavy with a bag on top… I recommend a conventional 2-wheel suitcase if you are carrying a bag on top of your luggage. Zipper expansion. Came back for another carry-on sized only because our family has grown! Worth the money!" —Savvy Shopper
Get it from Amazon for $119+ (available in 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes, 12 colors, and individual and set options).
17. An iridescent hard-side suitcase (!!) shining so brightly, you'll never be in danger of losing track of it on the baggage claim again.
Promising review: "I like the quality of materials, the sleek design, and color. The interior boasts storage options that most small suitcases don't offer. I have pockets, compartments, and zippers galore in here! The expansion option is a definite life saver for packing a TON of items and still being able to fit it into this bad little suitcase. I have fit about two weeks' worth of clothing and some shoes! The color is a pearlescent lilac and it will just be so stinking cute with my other luggage." —babybearart
Get it from Walmart for $89+ (available in 20-inch, 24-inch, and 28-inch sizes and two colors).
18. An adorable soft-side luggage set if you're looking for a super budget-friendly carry-on and personal item double whammy for your next getaway.
Promising review: "This set was amazing for my 11-day trip to five countries. It went through many airports, into trunks, out of trunks, into overhead bins, then out of overhead bins. Up and down escalators, through customs, on and off of trains and buses. It survived! I used packing cubes that allowed me to fit a large selection of clothes. The smaller bag also holds a lot of stuff, has the right amount of pockets, and fit perfectly under the seat in front of me. This was an excellent value for the price!" —Betsy
Get a set of two from Amazon for $30.49+ (available in 14 colors/designs, as well as a four-piece set).
19. An under-seat suitcase with a pull-up handle that literally does stash under nearly every plane seat. But it also has a super spacious interior — including a padded laptop compartment on the inside, an integrated USB port, and plenty of pockets everywhere you need them.
Note: the portable charger for the USB port is not included.
Promising review: "It is a little bigger than I expected, and I looked and compared to many others, but this one was the best. There was plenty of room inside, and the spinner wheels make it so easy to move it with the pull-up handle. There are separate compartments inside, and the zipper compartment on the outside is a bigger than I expected. I also like that it has a strap across the back that you can use to put this smaller under-seat piece through the pull-up handle of the regular size carry-on or a regular size suitcase, to stack it on top of the bigger one. It makes it so easy to move them together. I highly recommend this little gem!" —LINDA P
Get it from Amazon for $91.24+ (available in two colors).
20. A Wrangler duffle-bag luggage hybrid that is perfect for people who like to switch between wheels and handles. This guy is also perfect for adventures that require additional exterior pockets — something a hard-shell carry-on just cannot provide.
21. A super affordable colorful hard shell suitcase, made of a lightweight but durable ABS material ideal for the hardcore carry-on fan who needs something that will get the job done — and do it well.
This suitcase is available in over 20 colors and designs; to see them all, check out the Rockland storefront.
Promising review: “This thing is literally like a TARDIS! I have never been able to fit so much into a carry-on. It fits beautifully in the cabin. I have gone on a week-long trip to Alaska in winter with it where I needed thick ski pants and thick sweaters — with the vacuum bags, everything fit with room for hiking boots and room to spare. On a milder trip it fit everything plus extra shoes as well without vacuum bags!! I finally came back to report how in awe I am after packing for me and my two kids for an extended weekend trip without vacuum bags AND each of us a pair of tennis shoes and it zipped no problem with the expansion out. The wheels are designed to go in any direction which is very convenient and maneuvers well. It’s super lightweight and does not add bulk while being very hard on the outside so if you had to check it, it would be just fine!!" —Brittany S.
Get it from Amazon for $59.99.
22. A carry-on-friendly hard-side spinner available in bold animal prints, because if you're going on vacation, you might as well go all out and make a statement while you're at it.
Promising review: "I get stopped for compliments on this set regularly! I have used two pieces from this set a number of times each, and so far, I find them to be quite roomy and durable. ... The wheels are smooth, and having four of them is so convenient. The handles are nice and long. There's plenty of room for me to balance another bag on top which makes it easier to walk comfortably around the airport. On the smaller suitcase, it appeared the handle didn't go as tall as I wanted, but I gave it a good tug and it extended way further. Once it came out further, it was the perfect height for me. The small size is just perfect for a short trip carry-on and the large size is terrific for a longer trip check-in bag. I just took the largest one on a 28-day trip to Europe. It was perfect! I am currently on a three-day trip to DC and it's just the right size!" —Aria Anaïs Electra
Get it from Amazon for $51.99+ (available in seven colors and in a three-piece set).
23. A titanium expandable hardside carry-on with a handy fold-out front panel for your laptops and tablets, because lugging your stuff onto an airplane is stressful enough without having to unzip and dig through a messof your own creation. There's simply no time for that.
Promising review: “Holding up nicely. I've taken this little bag to Europe and on several domestic trips. It's holding up very nicely. The wheels are good quality and the handle is durable. I am using this as a personal travel bag, but I am a flight attendant in my professional life. I wish I could use this bag for work (I have specific luggage that I must use), because I really like this bag. I do consider myself a luggage expert as I have basically been living out of suitcases and hotels for 28 years, so, please trust me when I tell you that Delsey makes a great bag. If you're considering purchasing, go ahead. You won't be disappointed.” —Wawa
Get it from Amazon for $134.99+ (available in 19 inches, 21 inches, 25 inches, 29 inches, four colors, and individual and set options).
24. A hardshell expandable spinner suitcase with a USB port and powerbank that comes in pastel colors — so you don't have to sacrifice function to get a suitcase that fits your ~aesthetic~.
