The Best Luggage Brands Compared

So you’re trying to decide which luggage brand you should go for? Well, it can be a pretty hard choice, because there are so many brands that look somewhat similar. At least to an inexperienced traveler. In reality, each is very different from one another. Here we will be taking a look at the  16 best luggage brands in the world.

I’ve conducted a throughout research for writing this article, which included learning about each brands quality, prices, warranty, reviews and more. Overall, the study took me 34 hours to complete, but I think that it was worth it. Here you will quickly find the most essential stuff about each brand, so you can figure out which one is right for you.

Recently though, some newer brands have shown up with more advanced features. This is actually good because in the following decade the luggage industry should experience more innovations and some of the more significant players might get replaced by newer brands.

A quick summary

Each brand is slightly different and made for a specific audience in mind. Based on others experiences, all of the brands below are safe to purchase:

• For frequent traveling and leisure: Travelpro, Samsonite or Delsey;
• For business: Briggs & Riley;
• Luxury: Tumi, Rimowa or Bric’s.

Which brand should you purchase?

Because there are so many brands, you should first decide which qualities matter to you the most. For instance, this survey conducted by consumerreports.org concluded that on average 63% need their luggage to move smoothly and 57% need durability.

Try to answer the questions below. For instance, you wouldn’t want to use Eagle Creek for your business trips, as it’s mainly intended for backpacking, camping, and hiking.

• Are you purchasing for personal or business travel?
• How much are you willing to pay?
• Do you need a luggage set?
• What quality are you looking for?
• Outdoor, luxury, modern or practical?
• Hardside or softside?

The worst luggage brands to avoid

Although all of the companies included in this list are good for what they’re intended, I’d be careful about purchasing Rockland and U.S. Traveler. If you’re really low on your budget, both of them can be bought for under 50$. However, to get these prices, both of the firms have sacrificed quality, as stated in a lot of reviews. I still think that they’re good if you’re in need of a short-term suitcase.

If you’re purchasing on Amazon, always spend some time scrolling through the reviews. Look for a case with 50+ reviews and the average rating of above four stars. By doing this, you should be able to avoid bad purchases.

The best luggage brand for personal travel: Travelpro

Over ninety airlines are using Travelpro luggage for their crews. Doesn’t that say something about them?

Well, That’s not hard to imagine as the brand was created by a Northwest Airlines 747 pilot Bob Path. Bob had a massive experience with traveling, as it was his job as a pilot.

Their products are priced reasonably, close to their competitors at Samsonite. You can buy a suitcase that will last you a decade for around 100$. In this price range, there’s a huge competition. However, Travelpro stands out due to their outstanding quality and excellent reviews.

Their luggage is sturdy, well made, and space efficient. Designed by airline specialists, their smart packing capacity blows off their competition. The design on their suitcases is simple and usually comes in a simple dark-colored suitcase with a few color options to choose from. Nothing flashy.

Actually, I’ve made a post where I review luggage by Travelpro. It turns out that they have massive testing facilities, which results in them making some of the most durable suitcases in the world.

Travelpro is my top choice when it comes to choosing reliable luggage. If you do pick them, you won’t have any regrets, and your luggage will last a decade. Plus, it’s good to know that they’re used by most travel crews as well. There are many good options, but I’ve rated Travelpro as the best choice for personal travel.

The best luggage brand for business travel: Briggs & Riley

For business travel, your suitcase has to be cost-effective and very well made to withstand dozens of international trips per year. Briggs & Riley does all of it and more, with a lifetime warranty offered on all of their cases. In my opinion, Briggs & Riley luggage is a perfect choice for frequent travelers.

Their quality is outstanding. You will never have to worry about your case being broken or damaged because Briggs & Riley has a lifetime warranty. Not that you will even have to send your case to the warranty, because they’re very well made.

The design on their luggage is pretty minimalistic and straightforward. They usually come in a variety of different colors. Nothing flashy, but exquisite and minimal. Furthermore, their luggage is available in soft and hard cases.

Regarding pricing, Briggs & Riley is pretty expensive. Your luggage won’t cost in four digits. However, you can expect to pay 500$ and up.

Briggs & Riley luggage is mostly made for business people. It’s a very high-quality case equipped with a lifetime warranty. Their style isn’t flashy and will blend in pretty well. Also, Briggs & Riley is one of the top-rated luggage brands among travel crews. If you’re flying dozens of times per year, Briggs & Riley luggage is a no-brainer, as the warranty and durability outweigh the steep price.

The best luxury luggage brand: Tumi

You’re really not looking at the price; you’re looking for something that is well known, looks expensive and comes with decent quality.

Tumi is a high-end luxury brand that offers luggage to people who enjoy a luxury lifestyle. They market it as the luggage that James Bond would use himself.  Furthermore, Tumi luggage is very sleek and elegant looking.

They offer both hardside and softside suitcases with really decent quality. I especially like their hardside suitcases because of the cut-edge design. They’re made from a unique woven material mixed with polycarbonate to create a long-lasting case.

You can purchase some of their cases starting at 500$, and they can be priced over 1000$. However, if you’re buying a luxury suitcase money shouldn’t be a problem anyway.

If you enjoy a luxury lifestyle, Tumi is the right choice for you. Their suitcases are elegant, high end and of outstanding quality and best suited for business travels as well as leisure ones.

Some of the cheapest suitcases: Rockland luggage

Established in 1995, The US-based brand Rockland offers colorful designs with savvy and fun patterns. The prices on these suitcases are just ridiculous; you can buy a two-piece luggage set for less than 50$. I wouldn’t rate Rockland luggage among the best luggage brands, but I’ve included it in this list because of its popularity.

Rockland offers luggage mostly for personal use, and most of them come in bright colors. Furthermore, they offer both hardside and softside luggage, sold separately or in luggage sets.

Although the low price can be tempting, there’s a ton of bad Rockland luggage reviews. Some report their luggage broken after first flight and hefty return fees. Generally, I wouldn’t expect this luggage to last.

Although it’s a risk buying a Rockland luggage, the price is very low compared to the competition. In some cases, it might be a smart choice. For instance, when buying a suitcase for your children. I wouldn’t recommend them for frequent flyers though due to quality issues.

American Tourister: One of the best suitcase brands for the average traveler

This brand has a long history from 1933, with its dream being – Tough suitcases for a dollar. Their suitcases are elegant and simple, yet some come in colorful patterns.

Furthermore, the price of American Tourister luggage is very affordable. Their products usually are with good quality and pretty durable. Also, if you’re traveling around one to three times per year, expect this luggage to last at least a decade.

They offer both hard side and soft side suitcases. Some of their luggage sets can be a bargain, and in return, you get pretty decent quality luggage that will last.

Note that there are some quality issues with cracked cases, broken handles, and lousy quality zippers. Most of the reviews are good with the cases lasting a few years.

You can purchase American Tourister pretty safely. The price is affordable, you get decent quality, and the luggage is expected to last for a few years, maybe with some minor defects. I’d recommend American Tourister luggage for the average traveler with trips ranging from 1-3 times per year as well as some not that active business travelers.

U.S. traveler: Really affordable luggage sets

The U.S. traveler luggage is best-known for cheap luggage sets. However, you can find some of their luggage sold separately as well. Note that some sets can be bought for less than 100$, containing four pieces!

Most of their suitcases are minimal in design, with some patterned finishes here and there. Mostly they offer fabric luggage sets. However, some are available in a hard case.

Despite their low-end prices, their quality is actually somewhat average. They offer some mid-range priced Luggage sets, which are pretty decently rated regarding quality. For this price, there are some competitors with much worse quality issues.

Regarding most common issues, you should avoid buying lighter color luggage as it stains pretty fast. The handles on their products can become faulty, as well as the zippers and the structure of the luggage frame can get bent or torn apart. Of course, all of these issues are to be expected if you’re buying a luggage set under 100$.

Don’t expect this luggage to last if you’re using your luggage for airline travel (Maybe cruises or traveling with a family camper). However, this set should last a few years for the occasional traveler who travels 1-3 times per year. In my opinion, four-part luggage set under 100$ that lasts a few years is a good deal if you’re low on budget. I wouldn’t recommend it for frequent travelers and business travelers though.

Away Luggage: Made for a younger audience

Away Luggage is a new brand established in 2015. As you would expect with such a new start-up, their luggage is very modern and equipped with tech gadgets. A huge bonus that comes with Away Luggage is the lifetime warranty that they offer.

Away Luggage offers only hard cases, with collections made from aluminum and durable polycarbonate materials. The developers behind Away call this polycarbonate material “Unbreakable.”. Their luggage feels very sturdy and is very well made. Expect Away Luggage to last a while, even with frequent travels and business trips.

With some suitcases, a USB port is included to charge your gadgets quickly. Also, their suitcases come with a TSA-friendly lock, which means that no one can get in your luggage except the TSA agents.

Away luggage is moderately priced. There are some similarly good options for this price. However, they won’t be as modern and sleek as Away Luggage. That’s why from this list of best luggage brands in 2018, I’d recommend Away Luggage as the best luggage brand for young people.

If you value practicality and smart functionality over expensive well-known brands, go for it. I recommend this suitcase for frequent travelers and people who need to go on their business trips at least ten times per year. You will have something new and exciting to brag about to your friends that comes with a lifetime warranty.

Some of the best lightweight suitcases: It luggage

It luggage was established in London, in 1985. It’s pretty standard to see this brand in European retail stores. Also, their luggage is famous for being affordable and lightweight.

Although their luggage is lightweight, it doesn’t correlate to lousy quality. For this price, their quality is pretty decent. Though they’re not meant to last ages, as you would expect with this price.

There are tons of reviews with people claiming to be using their luggage for a long time without any noticeable defects. What you should take into account is that the frame is not very sturdy. This means that the suitcase should be packed pretty full to avoid bending or breaking the shell. The handles can seem a bit flimsy, but despite this fact, they actually tend to last.

This luggage is a good fit for the average traveler. If you take trips 2-5 times per year, expect this luggage to last for a few years. Their luggage is pretty affordable and very light. However, you should always pack your suitcase full to avoid any damage.

Samsonite: One of the top luggage brands for personal travel

Here’s what Samsonite themselves have to say: “For more than 100 years, Samsonite has leveraged its rich design heritage to create unparalleled products that fulfill the on-the-go lifestyle needs of the business professional.”  Samsonite luggage is best suited for modern-day office people, who often go on business trips as well as some vacations here and there.

Their products cover a large variety of travel gear, and they’re well known for their fabric suitcases as well as hard case ones. Most of their suitcases are priced starting from 100$, however often you can find pretty huge discounts on Amazon.

Samsonite is very popular due to their outstanding quality. It’s a pity that it doesn’t come with a lifetime warranty, but their durability is exceptional. If you’re willing to spend a few hundred bucks on a suitcase, it might last a decade.

Samsonite is one of my top choices: They’re not super expensive, and you get luggage that you can depend on. If you’re looking at the 200$ mark, the Samsonite Winfield 2 is a popular choice. I love the modern business design on them that’s not too catchy yet elegant.

Delsey Paris luggage: Built for fashionable people

A stylish brand from Paris with 70 years of expertise. They’re a pretty well-known luggage company due to their quality, innovations and French design. Furthermore, Delsy Paris luggage is one of the top-rated luggage companies due to their customer service.

Most commonly, they offer hard case luggage that’s made from sturdy polycarbonate materials with spinner wheels. Based on other customer experiences, Delsey employs some of the most helpful people out there: their customer service is impressive. If you ever experience any problems, they’ll do everything to find a remedy for your problems.

Delsey is one of my top choices for the average traveler. You will get something to depend on and stylish enough to get some gazes across the airport. The price is affordable, especially for hard case suitcases. Feel free to choose this luggage if you’re a business traveler as well because their luggage is expected to last more than a dozen international trips per year.

Eagle Creek: Practicality and features over design

This brand has been around for more than 40 years, and right now it’s a pretty significant player. Most of the stuff they offer is practical rather than stylish or modern. Although Eagle Creek best known for their backpacks, they offer pretty exciting choices for luggage as well.

Most of their luggage is made from fabric, rather than harder polycarbonate materials. Their luggage is very light compared to the competition, and it’s spacious as well.

Their luggage is pretty high priced, however, in return you get outstanding quality. Note that it’s not meant for the business traveler (Due to the specific design). It’s for those people that take three months off to go to Thailand, China, and India.

I’d say that Eagle Creek offers the same quality for a slightly higher price than their competitors. However, Eagle Creek has a very specific target audience, which accounts for their popularity. If your passion is traveling and nature, you might consider purchasing Eagle Creek luggage. It’s expensive, but you will get a dependant case which perfectly fits your lifestyle.

Victorinox Swiss Army luggage: Swiss quality made modern

You probably know those red swiss army knives sold by Victorinox. As it turns out, they make pretty good luggage as well. Victorinox luggage is just as high quality as their knives and created by the same Swiss company.

I like their hardside luggage design; it’s very modern and simple. Mostly, they offer hard case suitcases with their own unique design – with the parallel lines aligned horizontally. Some fabric cases are available as well, which are pretty simple and rigid.

They’re moderately priced with most ranging from 200$ to 400$. For this price, you get pretty decent quality in return. Other than that, you can brag to your traveling friends that your suitcase is made by the same company that makes those red swiss army knives. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

To sum up, Victorinox luggage is safe to purchase for personal and business travel. They’ll easily last a decade if you’re frequently flying.

Hartmann luggage: A luxury luggage brand with heritage

A luxury brand that comes with a long heritage from 1877. It’s noticeable for their classic design with brass, gold and rose gold elements. When this luggage rolls by you will easily tell that it’s luxury.

The quality that comes with their suitcases is rated pretty decently. Hartmann luggage offers firm handles, sturdy spinner wheels and quality fabrics. Expect your suitcase to last for at least 3-10 years if you’re traveling 5-10 times per year.

What I like most about Hartmann luggage is their design. Their suitcases are very classic, looking like they’re from the 70’s, with excellent quality fabrics and matching golden, brass or silver elements. Also, their prices range from just above 200$ to some over 600$. Obviously their higher priced luggage has better quality; however, the medium end ones are pretty decent as well.

Hartmann luggage is a luxury brand – if you want something classic, posh and catchy, go for it.

Rimowa luggage: A classic aluminum case

Rimowa luggage is best known for their aluminum hard case luggage with the iconic parallel lines. This brand was established in 1898, and their first aluminum case was made in 1937. It’s a luxury luggage brand, with their products priced pretty high.

The quality in these cases is pretty indestructible, as you would expect with aluminum luggage. I rated it at nine because of all the excellent reviews of people using them for a decade with just a few small dents here and there. They don’t offer a lifetime warranty though.

Rimowa is famous for their aluminum cases. The vertical parallel lines were added in 1950. This design quickly became well known and appreciated among travelers. Personally, I think they’re one of the best-looking luggage brands.

Their prices are high, starting at 500$ with some going up to 1200$. However, if you manage to catch a sale, you might get 50% off.

Personally, I really like the design, with the iconic vertical stripes on the aluminum cases. They’re a luxury brand with tremendous heritage and well-known products. They come with a pretty decent quality as well. If you have enough capital or manage to get a sale, the High price may not look that bad. Also, expect this case to last 5-10 years for business or personal travel.

Bric’s luggage: A classic and elegant luxury luggage brand

Bric’s is a luxury luggage brand from Italy established in 1952. They’ve been focusing on creating beautiful handmade Italian leather luggage for Hollywood stars, fashion designers, and business executives. Its core values are design, artistry, function, fashion, aesthetics, and durability.

I really like Bric’s luggage classic design which is somewhat similar to Hartmann luggage. These feature more classic brown leather elements, which make their luggage look very classy.

They’ve recently celebrated their 65th birthday, which means they’ve had lots of time to work on the durability of their luggage. There are plenty of positive reviews about Bric’s. There are a lot of cases where their luggage lasts for ten years without any problems.

Bric’s luggage is priced roughly at the mid to high range, with the cases starting at 200$ and going up to 1200$. They have some cheaper models, but all the really nice ones start ar 300$ – 400$, so expect to pay this amount for anything decent.

Luggage from Bric’s screams Luxury all over it. They’re famous for having brown leather details which make their luggage look very classic and elegant. Feel free to use this luggage for business travel, as it comes with pretty decent quality. If you’re into luxury luggage, it mostly comes down to the design and Bric’s offers good quality Italian handmade styles.

Globe-trotter: Most of you will never be able to afford it

Globe-trotter is an English luxury luggage brand established more than 120 years ago. Their luggage is priced very high and mostly bought by wealthy individuals who value quality combined with classic English design. Even Queen Elizabeth ll and Winston Churchill used globe-trotter suitcases. They have appeared on the cinema as well, with James Bond ‘Spectre’ being the latest.

The quality of these things is perfect, and they should last a lifetime. All of them are made from beautiful and thick leather, with only the highest quality of materials used.

As for the design,  It’s been pretty constant since the beginning of Globe-trotter more than hundred years ago. Expect most of their suitcases to have one or two leather straps across them with square leather corners for more durability.

At this price, the price shouldn’t even be a factor when choosing luggage. They’re priced roughly at 2000$ for a leather suitcase.

This luggage is not practical; it’s costly and pretty hard to pack full of one week’s clothes. Why would you pay for it? It’s simple; you’re not paying for practicality or value you get in return. You’re paying for the most classic and posh case that there is, rated as one of the best among the best luggage brands. I just love the design that Globe-trotter luggage has. It feels like it’s the number one choice for a spy or the British prince.