I’ve noticed an interesting trend in travel. As airlines have become more price-competitive and travelers are increasingly charged for not only checked bags but also carry-ons and boarding order, more and more travelers are just opting to check a bag. Whereas yesterday’s cri de coeur was, “I’ll let you separate me from my carry-on when you pry my cold dead fingers from it,” today’s is “what the hell?! I might as well check a bag rather than get scrappy for a few inches of overhead bin space.” Luckily, luggage makers are innovating sturdier, better-looking and easier-to-use checked baggage. In case you missed it, today’s best checked luggage has a lot to offer family travel and week-plus getaways.
The Best Checked Luggage, Editor-Tested on 4 Continents and Cruises
Plus original photos, free of the overhead bin
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Published Nov 3, 2025
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How I Chose the Best Checked Luggage
I polled fellow travel enthusiasts for details on what they prefer personally and we drilled down what works best in checked bags. (Shout-out to Alexia for folding an entire Pack 'n Play into a Delsey suitcase for a flight to Europe with her kids!) I looked into the weight and spaciousness of pieces (yay to Phil for packing an entire wardrobe for his destination wedding on Mexico in an Away trunk) and researched warranties, because there’s no sadder feeling than having a broken zipper and 90 minutes until you have to be at the airport. And finally, I asked for reviews and did a deep dive into what’s new and trending, like cruise enthusiast Chelsea’s Hogwarts-style Calpak case. It’s all here, with ten of the best checked luggage pieces to use today, including trunks, soft-side and hard cases, expandable designs and even a sporty combination duffle-backpack.
The Best Checked Luggage at a Glance
1
Most Economical Checked Luggage
Quince Large Check-In Suitcase
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2
Best Duffel Style Checked Luggage
The North Face Base Camp Duffel
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3
Best for Teens
Eastpak Resist'r Zip L Camo
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4
Best Trunk-Style Checked Luggage
The Trunk by Away
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5
Best Lightweight Wheeled Luggage
United Colors of Benetton X Delsey Paris Now Hardside Luggage
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Original photo by Candace Davison
“I love the spaciousness of this suitcase.” says VP of editorial content Candace Davison. “As a family of four—particularly with a toddler who's still in diapers—traveling requires moving mountains...and packing them into TSA-friendly boxes. This suitcase allows me to pack for all of us for a week, then just haul backpacks on the plane. I love its smooth-rolling, 360-degree wheels, and that the shell is lightweight but relatively sturdy.” Davison gives props to the sturdiness of the sturdy handle: “It pops up and reclines smoothly, and the aluminum extender doesn't bend easily. My last large roller was an outlet find, and the handle snapped right off the first time it hit a bump in the sidewalk. Now I pay extra attention to that feature, “ she says. “I also like the built-in TSA lock, adding the peace of mind of added security, and the compression panel, because let's be real: I get as close to the 50-pound weight limit the airline will allow.” While Davison says she wishes it has a built-in weight checker that some checked bags come with, she admits that it’s not an absolute necessity. “Sometimes I worry that its lightweight shell won't hold up over the long haul, but six months and multiple trips with it, and it's got nary a scratch. I can't say the same for my stroller, which has had two different pieces break on it after being handled by TSA during that time,” she says.
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 28.7 x 20.9 x 12.2 inches
- Weight: 9.9 pounds
- Capacity: 99 L
- Shell Material: polycarbonate hard shell
- Wheels: 360° spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: aluminum telescopic handle with soft rubber grip, YKK zippers,TSA lock
- Expansion Feature? no
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
Original photo by Abby Hepworth
“I have this North Face duffel in two different sizes and adore them so much I'm even considering buying a third,” says senior editor Abby Hepworth. “The first one I bought was the XL which can fit 132 L. I ordered it ahead of a trip from NYC to Mount Rainier in Washington State for a summit attempt in 2022. I had tons of gear to pack, as well as regular clothing for visiting relatives in the days before the climb. I wanted the option of packing my gear, clothing and other essentials in whatever configuration I liked best—I find that organizational luggage just never quite works the way I want it to—so appreciated that this duffel is basically just one huge interior compartment.” While the XL does include one zippered compartment at one end, Hepworth appreciates that the mostly open interior “allows me to stuff or toss things in willy-nilly when I’m in a rush, or to break things into groups using packing cubes to easily grab what I need at a glance.” She says she especially loves the removable backpack straps. “Being able to go hands free through the airport is an absolute game-changer. I do recommend getting a luggage lock to secure the zipper if you plan to check your duffel, but otherwise, this thing was designed to withstand the harshest elements with ease, so it can definitely survive rough handling from TSA,” she says.
Fast Facts
- Size/Dimensions: 18 x 30 x 18 inches
- Weight: 4.53 pounds
- Material: top is 1000 dernier recycled polyester with phthalate-free PVC coating, base is 840D recycled ballistic nylon with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish
- Wheels: No
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: two padded side handles, detachable, adjustable, alpine-cut shoulder straps
- Expansion: none, but 4 internal compression straps
- Warranty: lifetime
Original photo by Dana Dickey
This large case is super-strong polycarbonate that at 10.25 pounds is a bit heavier than other molded cases, but that's good—it translates into an extra-sturdy case. The camo pattern is easy to spot quickly on the baggage carousel; the wheels are so well balanced that I use it as a base to stack additional bags on top of, without tipping it over as I'm slaloming through a crowded airport. While the bag does not have an extension zipper to stuff more in at the last minute, since it's 90L in volume, you don't want to stuff too much in here, since luggage in excess of 50 pounds triggers a fee. My son loves this case for trips of a week or longer.
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 30.7 x 19.68 x 11.41 inches
- Weight: 10.25 pounds
- Capacity: 90L
- Shell Material: polycarbonate
- Wheels: Japanese 360-degree spinning wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: telescopic handle/internal and external zippers/TSA lock
- Expansion Feature? no
- Warranty: 30 day returns
Original photo by Phil Mutz
PureWow VP of news and Entertainment Phil Mutz raves about the Trunk by Away, the large capacity checked luggage that came to his rescue when he realized that, after all the planning he’d done on his two-week destination wedding in Mexico, he hadn’t thought through the right luggage to take. “I realized I was wholly unprepared in the luggage department,” he says in his glowing review. “I needed something really big, really lightweight and really easy to manage.” For a suitcase of this size, The Trunk is easy to maneuver with its 360-degree, smooth-gliding wheels. “I was able to zip around the airport quickly using only the trolley handle, which has two height settings,” he says. “And there are also plenty of side handles to make the suitcase easy to lift when necessary.” The polycarbonate shell is the secret: It’s lightweight but high-quality, Mutz says. “I’ve used suitcases before that have cheap plastic outsides, but this isn’t one of those. The shell is tough enough to withstand dents or dings—and after my international trip, I didn’t notice any scuffing on the exterior,” he writes. Inside the bag, Mutz made use of the double-buckle compression pad, mesh pockets (including one hanging pocket) and of course, the matching laundry bag.
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches
- Weight: 12.3 pounds
- Capacity: 112 L
- Shell Material: polycarbonate hard shell
- Wheels: 360° double spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: 3-position telescopic trolley handle; sturdy zippers; TSA lock
- Expansion Feature? No
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
Original photo by Dana Dickey
Best Lightweight Wheeled Luggage
5. United Colors of Benetton X Delsey Paris Now Hardside Luggage
Benetton x Delsey
I discovered this case as being a great choice for over-packers, after my style-conscious teen (who prefers to travel with multiple pairs of bulky items, from wide-leg jeans to Dr. Martens shoes) raved about how much he could fit in it. The ABS/polycarbonate blend case hasn’t scratched or cracked on multiple long-haul flights and car journeys and there have been no issues with the wheels even after rough dragging across cobblestones, curbs and stairs. Also, weighing less than 10 pounds, this guy makes a lot of room for packing and still coming in under most airlines’ 50 pound weight limit. One side has cross-strap fastening, the other a zippered cloth divider…and thankfully to keep from overstuffing, there’s no expansion zipper. (There’s no hell unleashed like a mom hurriedly jettisoning cargo from a teen’s overweight suitcase to avoid fees.) In bright blue, it’s easy to spot coming down the conveyor; overall, a durable, attractive and no-frills choice.
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 30 x 20.1 x 11.6 inches
- Weight: 9.9 pounds
- Capacity: 115 L
- Shell Material: ABS/Polycarbonate blend with scratch-resistant twill finish
- Wheels: double spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: adjustable telescoping handle; zip closure; integrated TSA lock
- Expansion Feature? no
- Warranty: limited two-Year Warranty
Original photo by Chelsea Candelario
This guy is stylin’—specifically, it is crafted to resemble and actual vintage piece of trunk luggage. “I've traveled everywhere with this Calpak large luggage,” beauty and cultures editor Chelsea Candelario says. “The design looks I'm heading to Hogwarts, but it seriously carries so much. I was able to put so many items in it when I was in Europe for two weeks, and I still had more room for souvenirs.” This case is a hybrid traditional-trunk case; the equally balanced halves of the case have a two-inch zipper expansion in the middle, which are features of most cases today. But the styling is all trunk—there’s a faux croc finish with an embossed outer strap design, which look elevated. Plus, it has the roominess of a trunk case. And tough? Chelsea appreciated that the wheels took some battering from European cobblestones but lost none of their smooth ride. "I've had this luggage for years, so it does have some scruffs but they are very minor and don't take away from the design. The most beat-up feature is the wheels since they've been everywhere—from Spain to moving into my new apartment in NYC," she says.
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 29 x 18.75 x 12 inches
- Weight: 11.3 pounds
- Capacity: 98.6 L
- Shell Material: polycarbonate shell
- Wheels: 360° spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: telescopic handle; zip closure; integrated TSA lock
- Expansion Feature? yes
- Warranty: two-year limited warranty
I never again want to travel anywhere without this case, since it is not only great-looking and extraordinarily easy to maneuver through airports thanks to its sturdy double wheels and perfect balance, but also it is so roomy I can finally fit a Carrie Bradshaw-worthy selection of heels, sneakers and loafers inside without smushing. Additionally, the case closes with two latches rather than a zipper, so there’s no worrying with jamming. The feels sturdy but is still pretty lightweight (14.6 pounds) for its size because it’s reinforced with aluminum. Honestly, I’m considering switching away from carry-on bags forever (as long as I have an elevator on both sides of my journey, since the volume on this guy makes toting up flights of a walk-up kind of a drag). Finally, the shape and 11 matte and gloss colors of this trunk are globetrotter chic.
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 30.3 x 18.9 x 13.4 inches
- Weight: 14.6 pounds
- Capacity: 110 L
- Shell Material: polycarbonate shell anodized aluminum frame
- Wheels: 360° double spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: multi-stop telescopic handle; zipperless design; two integrated TSA latch locks
- Expansion Feature? no
- Warranty: lifetime warranty
Original photo by Dara Katz
Executive editor Dara Katz swears by Briggs & Riley. "I was gifted a set of Briggs & Riley luggage when I studied abroad in Italy. Now, 16 years and two children later, I am still using the same set, and even though the exact models have been updated and I've been tempted to update to a trendy brand of the moment, I have no need!" Katz says. "My bags still work (and look) great. I've never had a zipper issue or a fabric rip—nada. The only problem I did have came after my soft-sided duffle had a particularly rough cross-country baggage check, and came out of the baggage claim with a broken handle. I assumed it was time to go luggage shopping, until I was reminded that these bags have lifetime warranties. I brought it back to a local vendor (shout out to Irv's Luggage!) which participates in the Briggs & Riley lifetime warranty program. They fixed my bag for free...16 years after purchase!"
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 29 x 20 x 12 inches
- Weight: 13.6 pounds
- Capacity: 122 L
- Shell Material: ballistic nylon
- Wheels: shock-absorbing spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: External Outsider® telescoping handle; self-repairing zippers; TSA cable combination lock
- Expansion Feature? yes
- Warranty: lifetime unconditionally warranty
My European friends swear by this French brand, and PureWow Executive Editor Alexia Dellner concurs. Dellner decamps annually with her husband and three children to Europe to visit family, and says she depends on her Delsey set to fit it all in. “We received one large and one carry-on Delsey bag as a wedding gift and eight years later, both bags are still going strong," says PureWow executive editor Alexia Dellner. "For example, we’ve traveled as a family with the large one and even packed a pack-and-play in there!” This Parisian company is a historic leather camera bag maker that introduced its first hard-sided case 50 years ago, and still specializes in hard cases today. A scratch-resistant twill finish and lightweight, durable polycarbonate shell makes this a durable and stylish option in the mid-price luggage range. Minimalist inner design is utilitarian but simple, which means lightweight—elastic tie-down straps and a mesh divider.
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 30 x 20.75 x 12.75 inches
- Weight: 11.1 pounds
- Capacity: 110.25 L
- Shell Material: polycarbonate with vegan leather trim
- Wheels: double spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: telescopic trolley handle; padded side and top handles; patented secure zipper; TSA combination lock
- Expansion Feature? no
- Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
This suitcase has a secret weapon: a built-in scale, which reviewer Rachel Bowie, PureWow Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals, says is invaluable for avoiding airline overage charges for larger luggage pieces. “The Béis suitcase is spacious and there’s even two bonus inches you can expand to utilize in a pinch, which means I can really fit enough for a weeklong getaway—with the occasional fancy dinner outfit change and travel steamer—without having to having to fight to zip it shut,” she says. However, on a family trip she noticed just as she lifted the case into the “I saw red. The indicator near the side handle that lets you know if you’re over the 50-pound checked baggage limit, which made it crystal clear at a glance that I needed to recalibrate. So I did, using my husband’s suitcase to relocate a few pairs of shoes and a couple of jackets. I checked again and saw only the edge of the red indicator, so tried again at the airport. I came in at—not kidding—49.9 pounds. Dollars saved!”
Fast Facts
- Dimensions: 31.3 x 19.6 x 12.6 inches
- Weight: 11.84 pounds
- Capacity: 112 L
- Shell Material: polycarbonate hard-sided construction
- Wheels: 360° spinner wheels
- Handles/Zippers/Locks: extendable trolley handle; zip closure; TSA lock
- Expansion Feature? yes
- Warranty: limited lifetime warranty
