The 8 Best Travel Trunks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Away The Trunk

$435 at Awaytravel.com

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Organization
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

This trunk from Away truly stood out among all the trunks we’ve tested with a perfect score, and we especially noticed its durability and how easy it is to maneuver on either two or four wheels. We put it to the test, racing it around sharp turns, obstacle courses full of bystanders, and over rough surfaces, and we loved how it glided through all scenarios without ever getting stuck or feeling heavy. Even though it's a large trunk with a 107-liter capacity, it still managed to feel lightweight and didn’t put any strain on us while pulling or pushing it. The trunk also has compression straps and zippered mesh pockets inside to help you make the most of your space. We recommend making sure you distribute your belongings as evenly as you can in the 70/30 design to best distribute the weight so that it doesn’t feel uneven or lopsided. 

Out of all the Away luggage we’ve tested, this was one of the most durable pieces, standing up well to our table drops with barely any scratches. The outer shell has a lot of give, and when we hit it with a metal baseball bat, the bat actually bounced right back up without leaving any dents. It also has an easy-grip top handle, side handle, and underside grab handle that makes it easy to pull out of a car trunk or off a baggage carousel. 

The Details: 12.1 pounds | 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | 107-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels

Best Set

July Trunk Set

$990 at July.com

What’s even better than one trunk? A set of trunks. The July Trunk Set will give you two stylish pieces of luggage in both carry-on and checked sizes, both with 80/20 lid-opening designs. These matching trunks close with TSA latch locks instead of zippers for added security, and the locks proved to be durable even when we gave them some direct hits during our baseball bat test. We tested the glossy version of the trunks — which are also available in matte styles — and they impressed us with how strong they were, surviving our drop tests with only a few small scuff marks. We imagine these trunks could last a very long time even with heavy usage since the materials seemed to hold up well to rough handling. One of our favorite features of both trunks is that the handles can adjust to 20 different heights, which is helpful to wheel and navigate them both no matter how tall or short you are.

The Details: 8.4 pounds for carry-on; 13.2 pounds for checked | 21.7 x 15 x 8.7 inches for carry-on; 28.25 x 16.5 x 14.5 inches for checked | 42-liter capacity for carry-on; 95-liter capacity for checked | 4 spinner wheels

Best Value

Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 26-inch Trunk

$168 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $343 at Bloomingdales

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Organization
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Durability
  5/5

Delsey's Cruise 3.0 trunk truly stood out as one of the best checked trunk options on the market. It passed our durability tests with flying colors, with the polycarbonate shell and spinner wheels not showing any signs of wear and tear, which is exactly what you'd want from your checked suitcase (after all, airport handlers are not exactly known for their gentle handling of luggage). We were also impressed with how easy it was to maneuver it — even when fully packed — along various surfaces and quickly change directions with no drag so, whether you're heading to the airport or rolling it along a historic street in Europe, this is a solid choice. 

Speaking of its capacity, this Delsey trunk should definitely be at the top of your list for winter or cold-weather trips. We packed a long list of items, plus a very bulky puffer jacket with the help of its compression straps, and had no issues closing it. And, while it has a rather simple internal organization, you can invest in a good set of packing cubes if you'd like to have more control over how your belongings are organized. 

Another feature that we found extremely helpful is the built-in weight indicator, which turns red as soon as the trunk becomes too heavy (goodbye, overweight luggage fees!). Naturally, as expected from this reliable, stylish brand, you can also expect beautiful design and sturdy construction that will last for years to come.

The Details: 9.5 pounds | 29.5 x 16.5 x 14 inches | 90-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels

Best Carry-on

Bric's Bellagio V2.0 Carry-on Spinner Trunk

$665 at Nordstrom $497 at Bloomingdales $665 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  4/5
• Design
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

Beautiful design, quality materials, and lightweight construction, what else could you want from the perfect carry-on? This Bric spinner trunk checks all the boxes. We found it exceptionally easy to push and pull, with the spinner wheels turning smoothly. While this carry-on trunk doesn't have a side handle, we found it easy to lift and place in overhead compartments during testing. 

It also scored a perfect rating in the design category for its innovative internal organization that features two main compartments, both of which have zippered pockets that will come in handy for storing laundry or shoes. The only thing we couldn't fit was our toiletries after packing for a four-day trip, but you can easily place those in your personal item. Finally, yes, we know this suitcase is an investment, but our tests showed that it is worth its price tag.

The Details: 7 pounds | 21.7 x 15 x 7.9 inches | 40-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels

Best Checked

Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 26-inch Trunk

View on Delsey.com $312 at Macy's $558 at Bloomingdales

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Organization
  5/5
• Design
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

One of the reasons we'd check in a suitcase is if we are carrying bulky or oddly shaped items. And this is exactly why we love this Delsey trunk. After using this trunk for over three months, we love its size and shape, which is big enough to fit a ton of items for even a two-week long trip, but it isn't as bulky as a traditional checked bag. The trunk is designed with one side much deeper than the other, making it perfect for transporting ski equipment (like ski boots or a helmet, for example). Additionally, we packed a long list of items and still had plenty of room left over. We also appreciated the zippered pockets on the two divider flaps that could be used for smaller items. This is a very packing-cube-friendly trunk as you could easily stack them on top of each other in the deeper compartment.

Once you check it in at the airport, you can rest assured that your items will arrive at your destination safe and sound, thanks to the durable and tough polycarbonate construction that, together with the four double spinner wheels, held up remarkably well after several hits and drops, even in the creamy color. 

The Details: 10.87 pounds | 28.75 x 16.5 x 14 inches | 91-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels

Best Large Capacity

Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Large Check-In Trunk Spinner

$695 at Travelpro.com

Our Ratings

• Capacity
  5/5
• Organization
  5/5
• Design
  4.8/5
• Maneuverability
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

"This isn't a bag, it's an apartment," said one of our Travel + Leisure editors who tested this suitcase in our lab. The inside of this trunk is incredibly spacious, and rather than a 70/30 or 80/20 construction that most trunks have, this one splits evenly to distribute the weight so that it doesn't feel lopsided. We found it helpful that both sides of the clamshell zip closed to keep all of your items contained. There are also several pockets with zippers to stash smaller items and to prevent them from getting lost in the void.

This trunk is best suited for a long trip (or even a moving day) when you need ample space, but you can expect to pay overweight baggage fees if you pack it full because of the sheer size. Despite the size and weight, we found it shockingly easy to maneuver over different surfaces and through our obstacle course. Though the handle has three height adjustments, we thought the suitcase itself was tall, so shorter travelers may find the height a bit awkward. The price is an investment, but we think this high-quality piece will last a lifetime.

The Details: 12.6 pounds | 30 x 17 x 14 inches | 97-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels

Most Durable

Peugeot Voyages 26-inch Large Trunk

View on Delsey.com $660 at Macy's $330 at Bloomingdales

French automobile maker Peugeot helped Delsey create this sleek travel trunk, and we could definitely tell it was designed with the security and durability of its contents in mind. Since trunks can be large and deep, organization is key, and we love how this one has two main compartment with compression straps and mesh flaps on top with zippered pockets to keep everything locked in place. In addition to the two large compartments, there are also two zippered mesh pockets and a handy pocket for a Bluetooth tracker (tracker not included).

The four wheels are extremely well-made, and the bag is easy to turn and maneuver. However, because of the sheer weight of the trunk, travelers might find it heavy to lift when fully packed (it's almost 12 pounds when empty, due to its aluminum frame). Another factor to consider is that you'll hit an airline's weight limit quicker if you are not careful with how much you pack inside. Still, the sleek exterior withstood being checked during multiple trips over our three-month long-term testing period and protected all of our items well.

The Details: 11.7 pounds | 28 x 16 x 14 inches | 89-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels

Best Style

Steamline Luggage The Sweetheart Carry-on

$895 at Nordstrom View on Steamlineluggage.com

Our Ratings

• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Value
  4.5/5
• Capacity
  4.5/5
• Design
  5/5

If you’re looking for a suitcase that will garner attention no matter where you are, this posh, vintage-inspired suitcase tops our list. Gold-hued latches open up to reveal a silky, watercolor floral lining and the exterior features gorgeous leather accents. Don't waste your time — and this bag's Instagram potential — by checking it in; style it as part of your travel outfit, especially since the light-colored exterior may not stay pristine on the tarmac.

While this carry-on only has two wheels, we found it easy to maneuver; it does stand upright thanks to the two small legs opposite the wheels, but you need to pull it behind you as you go. Another thing to keep in mind is that while it measures 20 inches, it is pretty small on the inside, so you might find it hard to pack more than a few days’ worth of clothing. However, the classic rectangular trunk shape means you can maximize the internal storage space (as opposed to carry-ons with rounded corners). 

The Details: 8.8 pounds | 20 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches | 2 wheels