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After conducting extensive research, we nominated the CoolLife Luggage 3 Piece Spinner Set as our Top Pick and the best luggage. We liked that it was a three-piece set that included 20-, 24-, and 28-inch luggage to cover you from carry-on to long-haul travel. This set was made from durable ABS plastic, featured 17 different colors and patterns, and TSA-approved locks.
To determine the best luggage, we focused on the following key features: size, soft-sided versus hard shell (also known as hardside), additional storage, wheels, handles, and accessories. Depending on your needs, you may want a complete set or an individual piece of luggage. But we added carry-ons and checked bags, as well as prioritized picks with 360-degree spinning wheels. We also wanted to highlight options with expanding storage for chronic over-packing travelers. Keep reading to learn more about our criteria and to shop from our recommendations.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A convenient 3-piece set of spinner luggage that’s available in 17 shades that can be nested for easy storage — making it one of the best luggage sets.
Picking luggage can feel like a serious struggle but this smart three-piece set from CoolLife makes things easier. With this pick, you get 20, 24, and 28-inches tall luggage, making it perfect for the person who needs a carry-on or even a range of checked bags for long or short trips. We think these are some of the best luggage sets because along with the sturdy ABS plastic hardside that can withstand wear and tear, these suitcases can be nested when not in use to save space. Store additional accessories with our best garment bag with pockets.
You’ll like that you can choose from 17 bold hues so that you’re not stuck with generic black which can get confusing at baggage claim. Each piece of luggage comes with 360-degree spinner wheels for easier maneuverability. Plus, each piece has TSA-approved locks and comes with two additional fixed handles on the top and side for easier handling. And, along the fold, you also get durable feet so you can set the luggage on the side. With the interior, you’ll get one side with a zip cover and the other side with straps to hold belongings securely in place. These are the best carry-on luggage for your trips.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: The best carry-on luggage that’s a 21-inch scratch-resistant hardside with expandable storage to accommodate those vacation souvenirs.
Sometimes you just need to find a carry-on so you can take that quick trip you just planned. The AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage is — in our opinion — one of the best carry-on luggage picks. It measures 21.6 inches tall and 14.9 inches wide. So, it complies with most domestic carry-on restrictions. Plus the high quality ABS plastic exterior is scratch-resistant for improved durability.
We also like that this pick features an expandable gusset. When unzipped, the storage space increases by 15 percent. While it’s not sold as part of a luggage set, we do like that you get two roomy compartments. While one side has an interior divider with an additional three zippered pockets, the other side features the traditional straps to keep clothing in place. You’ll also like the telescoping handle along with two fixed side handles, and the 360-degree spinner wheels for better maneuverability. The best scooter luggage will also offer excellent maneuverability as you ride in style.
Award: BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
WHY WE LIKE IT: A featherlight 5.4-pound carry-on with two inches of expandable storage and a stain-resistant and waterproof soft-sided exterior for enhanced protection.
If you prefer a soft-sided carry-on, then we recommend this pick from TravelPro. While this isn’t sold as part of a set, it’s a great add-on piece to someone who already has larger luggage or simply needs to replace an existing carry-on that’s out of commission. One of the biggest features of this soft-sided pick is that the fabric is treated with a coating that makes it waterproof and stain-resistant.
Additionally, we liked that there were plenty of exterior pockets for you to quickly store last-minute items. And for the person who needs a bit more space, this bag can expand to provide two extra inches of storage. Through our research we also found that this was one of the lightest options, coming in at only 5.4 pounds when empty. As is common, you get interior pockets, a zipped interior lid flap, a telescopic adjustable handle, two fixed handles, and 360-degree spinner wheels. And since this is not a luggage set, you may consider pairing it up with one of the best backpacking backpacks for extra luggage.
Award: BEST FOR QUICK TRIPS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A bag that’s ready to go wherever you need it from one of the best luggage brands, with a lightweight design, expanding storage and a height that is compatible with most airline guidelines.
It doesn’t always make sense to use a large checked luggage size for last-minute quick trips. Whether you’re driving or taking a quick weekend flight this American Tourister Moonlight Hardside Expandable Luggage is a great option because it fits in overhead storage bins, in your trunk, or even on the back or front seat of your car. And if you’re concerned about durability, you’ll love that this luggage from American Tourister comes with a 10-year warranty, which is why we think it’s one of the best luggage brands.
This hardside carry-on is available in 13 hues, including six bold prints. It also measures 21 inches tall, making it compliant for even the most stringent airline’s carry-on policies. The suitcase has a book-style opening with a zippered divider with see-through mesh pockets. It also expands for an additional 1.5 inches of storage and has the popular 360-degree spinner wheels. Plus there are two fixed handles so that lifting or positioning your luggage is much easier, making this one of the best weekender bags there is.
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A leading brand in luggage with TSA-approved locks, a rugged hardside exterior, expanding capacity, and a 10-year warranty makes this the best luggage for international travel.
Luggage is an investment. Anyone who’s opted for a cheaper piece of luggage only to have it fall apart after a few uses know the value of investing in quality pieces. We’ve nominated Samsonite luggage as our Best Quality pick because of its durability. We think this is the best luggage for international travel because it’s made from scratch-resistant micro-diamond polycarbonate for a seriously rugged exterior that can stand up to whatever a baggage handler throws its way. We also like that this is a two-piece set that includes a 20-inch carry-on and a 24-inch checked bag.
If you’re concerned about security, you’ll like that this pick also comes with TSA-compliant combination locks. We like that you can also expand each bag for an additional two-inches of space. Other popular standard features for both bags include a zippered interior divider, 360-degree spinner wheels, a telescopic collapsible handle, and two additional fixed handles. These are one of the best bags in terms of durability.
Award: BEST COLOR CHOICES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A hard-sided luggage set with two inches of expanding storage, 360-degree spinner wheels, and 36 unique color options, prints, and designs for luggage that you’ll always recognize.
Even if you’re a minimalist, there’s nothing wrong with choosing expandable storage just to be on the safe side. We like the Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage because each bag in this three-piece set can expand for an extra two inches of storage. Another big feature here is that they offer a large selection of color and design choices so that you can pick something you can recognize.
With this pick, you’ll get bags in 20, 24, and 28 inches to cover you from carry-ons to long vacations where you need to bring a lot of clothes. You can compare them with some of the best backpacks in terms of design. In addition to expanding storage and a wide array of colors, this set of hardsided luggage comes with 360-degree spinner wheels and a telescoping handle with two fixed handles.
Award: BEST FIXED HANDLES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sturdy oversized soft-sided luggage with three fixed handles that can expand by 25% for more storage with 360-degree spinner wheels to help you zip through the airport after you land.
We’re including this single-item large soft-sided luggage pick from AmazonBasics because again, some people already have carry-ons or may be taking an international trip and need to find a larger bag for longer travel. While this isn’t part of a set, we do like that it measures just under 31-inches tall, giving you plenty of space to take everything you could need for a long trip.
Another nice feature of this AmazonBasics option is that it expands to give you 25% more space. Since it’s soft-sided, you also get the benefit of external storage pockets on the lid. And while you get the popular 360-degree spinner wheels and telescopic handle, something we liked is that there are three fixed handles on this bag — one each on the top and bottom, and another on the side. So, no matter how your bag is positioned on the baggage carousel, you should be able to grab it.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple and budget-friendly carry-on luggage set with an expanding 21-inch upright and a matching tote bag for quick weekend trips and getaways.
If you’re genuinely on a budget, some of the more popular luggage brands might be beyond your reach. For this reason, we’re including Rockland for our Best on a Budget recommendation. As a set, it’s best when used as a carry-on or for quick road trips because of the size limitations. With this pick, you’ll get a 21-inch upright bag with a matching tote bag.
Additionally, keep in mind that this best carry-on luggage option only has two wheels, and those wheels don’t offer 360-degree movement. But you do get a stability bar, so this bag can stand upright. For some, this may be a dealbreaker. Still, you’ll get the telescoping handle along with two fixed handles, and plenty of interior and exterior pockets to keep your belongings organized. Organization ability is important even on the best laptop bags.
Award: BEST DESIGNER PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A designer-approved luggage set, that comes with 20-, 24-, and 28-inch luggage with 360-degree spinner wheels and a durable ABS plastic exterior.
Another nice aspect is that this model is a hardshell pick made from durable ABS plastic and comes in 14 different colors. You’ll also get the standard popular features such as 360-degree spinner wheels, the book-style opening with the zippered divider, and a large U-shaped zipper pocket. Plus there’s also a retractable telescoping handle and fixed side handles on each bag in this set.
Award: BEST SINGLE LARGE PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A large 29-inch tall luggage that comes with a TSA-approved three-dial lock with plenty of storage thanks to the expandable two-inch gusset and a choice from 12 colors.
While away luggage sets are all the rage, not everyone needs to buy a complete set. With this pick from Delsey, we’re focused on extended travel where you’ll be away from home for a week or more and need plenty of storage space to bring plenty of those “what if” outfits. In that case, this large 29-inch piece of luggage from Delsey Paris is a great option. It comes with a built-in TSA approved three-dial lock, and is available in 12 colors.
We also like that this option features expanding storage, giving you an extra two inches of storage depth when the gusset is unzipped. While we like that you get the telescoping handle along with two fixed handles, one issue we did notice was that depending on the airline, this bag can sometimes be just slightly larger than the maximum allowance for international travel. So, if you’re thinking of selecting this bag, check with your airline first to confirm dimension compatibility before you buy it. But for daily commute, the best messenger bags for men will do just fine.
Luggage is essential if you’re traveling, but everyone’s priorities are different. While some people only want carry-ons or a single checked bag, others may prefer to buy a set so that they have the right piece of luggage for every occasion. To create our luggage buying guide, we prioritized the following features — size, soft-sided versus hard shell (also known as hardside), additional storage, wheels, handles, and accessories.
Sizes can vary widely even when you’re comparing carry-on bags or sets. With carry-ons, it’s best to focus on options that are no larger than 22 inches so that they meet most domestic airline overhead bin restrictions. So, we prioritized selections that included a 20 to 22-inch bag whether it was an individual carry-on or as part of a set. With sets, we tried to focus on options that didn’t exceed 30 inches since anything larger than this could disqualify as a free checked bag for international travel. Only one of our recommendations was slightly larger than 30 inches.
Additional storage is a standard option regardless of whether you pick a hard or soft-sided bag thanks to the internal zippered divider with built-in pockets. But soft-sided bags offer additional external pockets. Another important feature you should consider is expandability. Not every luggage brand offers this, but the majority of our recommendations include an expanding gusset that usually provides anywhere from an extra 1.5 to two inches of storage depth.
All of our recommendations include telescopic handles with additional fixed handles located on the top and sides of the bag. Likewise, all of our picks are also wheeled. However, our Best on a Budget was the only one that lacked 360-degree spinner wheels. Instead, it featured two fixed inline skate wheels and a stability bar. Other nice to have features included TSA-approved locks or a matching tote bag as seen with the Best on a Budget pick.
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