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Whether I’m running frantically toward the gate or strolling through security at a more leisurely pace, my trusty spinner suitcase makes travel so much easier. It’s helpful for keeping me organized once I arrive at my destination, too. Unlike most backpacks or duffels, the best rolling luggage has storage compartments, sturdy handles, and plenty of space. There’s something so pleasing about packing your items neatly before a trip, especially if your suit case has built-in compression storage.
To find rolling luggage for every kind of traveler, fellow Strategist travel writer Rachael Griffiths and I tested a dozen or so different pieces, from stretchy nylon cases with warranties that last a lifetime to bash-resistant plastic luggage. We tended to prefer hard-side cases over a soft-side, and especially those with the aforementioned compression dividers, which allow for a bit of overpacking. While some pieces may cost more than others, we’ve also learned that if you’re not fussy about the type of plastics used (ABS costs less than polycarbonate but can withstand some real rattling in transit), there are bargains to be found. While you’re here, you may want to check out my guides to the best Dopp kits and the best refillable toiletry bottles. And here’s an explainer on what counts as a personal item.
Update on November 22, 2024: Added testing notes to Travelpro VersaPack+; named Travelpro Maxlite 5 the best less-expensive soft-side luggage; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Hard-shell vs. soft-side
Most experts I spoke to prefer hard-shell luggage, and I agree. It’s durable and easy to clean, it protects your clothes if it rains, and it’s harder for bedbugs to penetrate if you encounter any on your trip. The hard-shells on this list are made from either ABS, an inexpensive but less durable plastic; polycarbonate, a more durable but also lightweight material; or aluminum, which is slightly heavier, but the most durable. Most on this list are polycarbonate, but there are a few soft-sided pieces too, for those who haven’t made the switch yet. While they aren’t as durable, “from a repair standpoint, we always feel that the canvas soft-sided luggage is better than the hard-side luggage because you can repair canvas,” Tony Pecorella, president and CEO of Modern Leather Goods, a repair shop in Manhattan, says. He’s an authorized repairman for many of the luggage brands below and says someone comes in with a cracked hard-shell every day and “there’s no repairing them at all.” So in addition to soft-side suitcases being fixable, they’re also overpacking-friendly because you can stuff more in them than a rigid polycarbonate case (and finesse a larger carry-on to fit in an overhead bin, too.)
Wheels
Our experts continuously raved about the wheels on their favorite suitcases, describing them as smooth and sturdy. Most were talking about their four spinner wheels, which make the suitcase much easier to push along as it can glide in all directions. For comfort and ease of use, four wheels is definitely the way to go and is our recommendation, but again, Pecorella says it’s not the best choice from a repair standpoint. “It is always stronger to have the case that has the two wheels on it,” he says. “Those wheels are encased, so the only thing that can really happen on those wheels is that they wear out eventually like tires on your car.” With the four spinners — which Pecorella fully admits to using personally — he says because they aren’t encased and just are attached to the bottom of the suitcase, you run the risk of them being banged off. “If you’re rolling off a curb or if you hit the escalator too hard, it’ll just snap the wheel right off,” he says. “That’s one of the biggest repairs we do here all day.” However, a good warranty should cover this (more on that below.)
Warranty
Almost none of the suitcases on this list go the easy-repair route of being soft-side and having two wheels, and that’s because most have pretty good warranties. The biggest phrase you want to avoid is “limited to manufacturer’s defects,” which Pecorella says means they basically cover nothing and will attribute damage to wear and tear, or say it’s your fault or the airline’s fault. “Lifetime warranty” is ideal.
Weight
If you’ve checked an overweight bag before, you’ll know how much those extra charges can sting. Lightweight suitcases are ideal for overpackers — including myself — so I’ve included each case’s weight when empty.
Best rolling luggage overall
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Polycarbonate hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Weight: From 7.4 pounds
If you’re after a relatively affordable suitcase that doesn’t have to be babied on cobbled streets and will survive being dragged up several flights of stairs, I’m not sure you can do much better than Away. The brand’s sturdy spinner wheels can truly take a battering, and they’ll also glide joyfully across flat surfaces when given the opportunity. I’ve been testing the Bigger Carry-on, which has a 50-liter capacity yet still fits in most overhead bins, over the past couple of months. Griffiths, who lives in Europe (where airline luggage requirements are much stingier), tested the original, smaller size and was surprised by how much she could fit into it. All of the brand’s rolling-luggage pieces feature the same qualities essential to a modern suitcase and come highly praised by travel experts. Stephanie Be from travelbreak.net and Buena calls out the “TSA-approved lock, 360-degree wheels, tough hardware, and sleek design.” Kelly Farber, founder of KF Literary Scouting, took only the larger size on a three-week, seven-city business trip, and says, “That thing just would not quit.”
Best less-expensive polycarbonate rolling luggage
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Polycarbonate hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Weight: From 6.2 pounds
Quince, the five-year-old start-up that seems to make a little bit of everything, recently added rolling luggage to its growing inventory. I’ve been testing out the brand’s carry-on-size suitcase as well as its larger, checked one, both made from the same durable polycarbonate that Away uses. In terms of weight and feel, Quince’s affordable suitcases are surprisingly similar to Away’s in particular. When I nudged an Away Bigger Carry-on and Quince Carry-on across my apartment floor side by side, their wheels carried them about the same distance, and their retractable handles are almost identical in form and function. Both brands use YKK zippers and TSA-approved combination locks. Inside, the compression compartments and removable laundry bag are also essentially the same. And Quince recently introduced a limited lifetime warranty on its suitcases that offers protection against defects like broken handles and zippers — mimicking Away’s famous replacement guarantee.
Best less-expensive ABS rolling luggage
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: ABS hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: Limited warranty | Weight: 7.3 pounds
This Amazon Basics case is made from the less durable plastic ABS, but it’s still one of Griffiths’s favorites. “In my experience, it’s rare to find a case that costs under $100 that can compete with more expensive brands,” she says. “As it is made from a cheaper plastic, I was surprised by how thick and sturdy the suitcase feels — it has a nice thud when you knock against the exterior.” As well as being thick, the exterior is also scratch resistant, and the case also has a well-designed handle, smoothly rolling wheels, handles for comfort, and a built-in lock. The warranty is where this bag falls slightly short, though (and may explain the cheaper price tag): it’s only a three-year limited warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship — which Pecorella says is the type to avoid.
Best rolling luggage for frequent fliers
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Polycarbonate hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: Five-year manufacturer’s guarantee | Weight: 7.1 pounds
The Rimowa Essential line of suitcases is excellent; more than ten experts we spoke with recommended the brand, but its extravagant price prevents it from taking the top spot on this list. If you do have the money to spare, it comes in 11 colors and two finishes and works like a dream. Owners especially praise the wheels. “I won’t pretend to understand all the physics behind the bearings and axles on Rimowa’s bags, but I do know they spin amazingly well through the airport,” Summer Hull, director of travel content at the Points Guy, says. Fellow travel writer Hillary Eaton also told me she had no problem lugging the case on a 48-hour journey from Vancouver to Machu Picchu by “tiny floatplane, three long-haul flights, a five-hour bus, and a two-hour train ride.” Several owners also pointed out how easy it is to get this suitcase repaired if anything goes wrong. However, while there’s a manufacturer’s guarantee of five years, it only applies if you remember to register your product when you purchase it. Otherwise, it lasts for only two.
Best rolling luggage for budget airlines
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: ABS hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: One-year limited | Weight: 6 pounds
I first learned about this teeny-tiny rolling case when researching the best personal-item-size luggage. It came recommended by Jasmine Anderson and Natasha Wilson, travel agents and co-hosts of the podcast Travel Fly Sexy, as well as packing expert Lauren Kelly. They all praise its snap-off spinner wheels that can slide miraculously into the cruelest of budget-airline baggage-sizers. (“Frontier lately is charging people for wheels and handles sticking out of the sizers,” says Kelly. “That means $100 extra for each leg of the trip.”) Measuring 18 by 14 by eight inches, the suitcase’s rectangular shape maximizes space and allows you to use packing cubes: “I have put a laptop and a week’s worth of clothes in the Take Off,” says Anderson. Kelly agrees that “it will give you the most packing space if your goal is a weeklong trip where you pack a personal item only.” The suitcase comes with a small bag to put its wheels in while your bag is being sized by airline staff; you can also just stash them in your pockets.
Best customizable rolling luggage
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Polycarbonate hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Weight: 7.9 pounds
Strategist associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell calls July the “the Away of the Down Under.” And while the July Carry-on offers a lot of the same features as the Away, it has the added perk of a USB-C port so you can charge your iPhone or your laptop straight from the bag. July’s smallest carry-on weighs about half as much as Away’s, even though they both have similar liter capacities, and you can personalize it. This particular case sets itself apart with a removable fabric front pocket, which came in handy for Christine Wang, founder of TheSkiGirl who is generally a fan of soft-side luggage. If you’re traveling for work, everything you need is easily accessible, and instead of digging through your bag to remove your laptop at TSA, you can easily just snap this pouch off instead.
Best aluminum rolling luggage
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Aluminum hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Weight: 10.1 pounds
Aluminum cases are as tough as they come: unlike with plastic cases, you don’t need to worry about them cracking and spilling all your belongings. They often have the added security of a clamp rather than a zip, which again is less likely to burst. This case comes from Away and has all the same specs as my favorite case overall, though it’s slightly heavier, so you may have to pack a bit lighter if you’re checking it in. Despite this, travel writer Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon says there’s plenty of space for all the essentials she’d need for a three- or four-day trip. Swede White, who works for Amazon and has to travel monthly for his job, told me the only downside to this case is that he finds it scuffs easily. Away acknowledges that this will happen, alluding to it as developing a patina over time — if you prefer a pristine case, it all boils down to personal taste.
Best rolling luggage for overpackers
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Polycarbonate hard-shell | Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Weight: 8.36 pounds
If, like me, you can’t travel without taking your entire closet, Béis’s luggage is for you. By unzipping an internal section, the bag expands by up to three inches — meaning you can shove that extra sweater inside. More stuff means a heavier bag, but Béis’s built-in weight-limit indicator ensures you don’t teeter over the 50-pound weight restriction for many checked bags. A red mark will appear if the luggage is over, which should save you some stress and money at the check-in counter. As well as a water-resistant zipper, travel blogger HeyCiara told me she appreciates how the case also has a TSA lock, a handle with ergonomic support, and a built-in laundry and shoe bag to prevent your clothes from getting soiled.
Best soft-side rolling luggage
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Nylon soft-side | Wheels: Encased wheels | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Weight: 9.6 pounds
Travelpro’s soft luggage is used and recommended by flight crews around the world. As LugLess co-CEO Audrey Kohout puts it, the brand “has been around for decades and is widely respected in the industry — you know you’ll get a high-quality bag from them.” The nylon VersaPack+ is Travelpro’s latest and greatest soft suitcase, and upon receiving mine, I was immediately impressed by the sturdy metal telescoping handle and four smooth spinner wheels, which happen to match the exterior fabric color. This is a nice touch that makes the suitcase look more elevated. I also like that this suitcase is ready for adventure and that you don’t need to purchase additional packing cubes to complete your system. It comes equipped with an internal compression packing-cube system, two shoe bags, and a laundry bag. There’s also a waterproof compartment for toiletries. Given the materials and workmanship, I feel really confident that mine will last me for many years. If it doesn’t, a limited lifetime repair and replacement warranty covers any defects to its wheels, zippers, extension handles, and carrying handles. Plus, the brand’s Trusted Companion Promise covers the cost of repair for damage caused by an airline for the first three years of ownership.
Best less-expensive soft-side rolling luggage
Hard-shell vs. soft-side: Nylon soft-side | Wheels: Encased wheels | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Weight: 5.4 pounds
If you are loyal to your packing cubes or just want a simple and lightweight bag that’s built to last, opt for Travelpro’s cheaper Maxlite over the VersaPack. “To score a suitcase at this price point from a legacy brand is a steal that is guaranteed to last you years of travel,” says Kohout. “The Maxlite is really lightweight and has features like waterproofing, a telescopic handle, and expandable compartments that rival luxury bags.” Many other experts feel the same, including TripSavvy’s former general manager Molly Fergus, who has traveled with her Maxlite across Miami and Cancun and all over Europe: “It’s survived being dragged across sand, dirt, and cobblestones,” she says. Travelpro’s limited lifetime guarantee covers defects to the wheels, zippers, extension handles, and carrying handles, and this lasts for however long you own it. And the Maxlite 5 is covered by Travelpro’s Trusted Companion Promise, which covers the cost of repair for damage caused by an airline, for the first year of ownership.
Additional reporting by Rachael Griffiths.
Some more rolling luggage we’ve written about
Our experts
• Jasmine Anderson, co-host, Travel Fly Sexy
• Alexandra Baackes, travel blogger and founder of Wander Woman Retreats
• Stephanie Be, founder of BUENA and blog Travel Break
• Gabby Beckford, travel blogger
• Kiana Brooks, luxury fashion buyer
• Hillary Eaton, food and travel writer
• Kelly Farber, founder of KF Literary Scouting
• Molly Fergus, former general manager of TripSavvy
• Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief
• Nicholas Gill, writer and photographer
• Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, travel writer
• Summer Hull, director of travel content at The Points Guy
• Jessie Hyman, co-founder of Pruzan Running
• Ciara Johnson, travel blogger HeyCiara
• Audrey Kohout, co-CEO of LugLess
• Brian Kelly, The Points Guy
• Lauren Kelly, packing expert
• Ailbhe Malone, Strategist senior editor
• Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel and lifestyle brand Black Tomato
• Tony Pecorella, president and CEO of Modern Leather Goods
• Laura Ratliff, travel writer
• Robin Reetz, writer and VP of marketing at Rag & Bone
• Lauren Ro, Strategist writer
• Alex Sanchez, consumer marketing manager at G Adventures
• Chris Schalkx, co-founder of Rice/Potato
• Jane Stoller, author of Decluttering for Dummies
• Courtney Vondran, travel writer
• Christine Wang, founder of TheSkiGirl
• Swede White, principal content strategist at Amazon Web Services
• Natasha Wilson, co-host, Travel Fly Sexy
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