The Samsonite Omni PC 28-inch checked suitcase is something to get excited about. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also well-built, backed up by a solid warranty, and comes with all the features that you’d expect to see on a premium suitcase.
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The Good
- Affordable. If you catch a sale, you can get the Omni PC for a very reasonable price.
- Made by a reliable brand. Although the reliability for Samsonite has fallen a bit over the years, they still make very reliable suitcases.
- Well-reviewed. On Amazon, the Omni PC is one of the most popular and well-reviewed suitcases.
- Solid build quality. The Omni PC is made from durable materials, such as polycarbonate and aluminum, and nothing feels cheap.
The Bad
- Somewhat heavy. Weighing at 11.7 lbs, the Samsonite Omni PC isn’t too heavy, but it also isn’t considered lightweight (Although, very close.)
- Over 62 linear inches. Unfortunately, with wheels and handles included, the Omni PC 28-inch measures 3.5 inches above the most common linear inch restriction for checked luggage.
- Stock setup. The Omni PC has all the features that you’d expect, but nothing innovative or “smart”.
The Verdict
Although the Samsonite Omni PC 28-inch checked suitcase is slightly over the most common linear inch restriction, most of the time you won’t have any issues, because it’s only slightly above the limit. But if you want to be sure, you should get the medium checked 24-inch version instead. Really, that’s the only serious downside to the Omni PC 28-inch checked suitcase.
Other than that, it’s very affordable, built from premium materials, backed up by a nice warranty, and comes with all the features that you’d need, such as expandable zippers and TSA-approved locks. If you’re looking for something that won’t break in the first years, yet is somewhat affordable, the Omni PC is one of the best options to get. Of course, you could get something cheaper, but that usually won’t be as reliable as Samsonite.
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Dimensions & Weight
The Samsonite Omni PC 28-inch checked suitcase measures at 30.5 x 21.5 x 13.5 inches with wheels and handles included, which is definitely on the larger side. In linear inches, that comes out to 65.5 linear inches (height + weight + depth).
That’s a bit disappointing because the most common restriction for checked luggage is 62 linear inches, just three inches above the Samsonite Omni PC. However, that’s not such a big issue as you’d imagine.
First of all, the linear inch restriction is rarely measured by the airport employees, which means that you’ll have to pay the oversize fees only once in a while. And even if the employee decides to measure the bag, they usually do that with a regular sewing measuring tape, and they don’t include the spinner wheels. Without the wheels, the Samsonite Omni PC is below the 62-inch restriction. We wish they’d made it smaller in the first place, but that’s not a huge issue, and if you’re concerned with that, you can get the medium-checked version of the Omni PC.
When it’s empty, it measures at 11.68 lbs, which isn’t too heavy, but it also isn’t the most lightweight suitcase out there. Still, it’s on the lighter end of the spectrum, which is good if you’re looking for something that’s easy to lift on stairs.
Materials & Water-Resistance
The main material used in the construction of the frame is polycarbonate. This material is often used in more expensive suitcases because of its flexibility and crack-resistance. Compared to other plastics used in luggage, such as ABS, polypropylene, or a polycarbonate/abs mix, pure polycarbonate is the most durable choice for hardside luggage. It’s also more expensive, which explains why you rarely see it in cheap suitcases.
From the outside, the Omni PC is coated with a scratch-resistant diamond-patterned finish, which is good because checked suitcases get beaten-down a lot. Often, there are three to five layers of other suitcases stacked on top in the airplane cargo area, which means that scratches are inevitable.
The retractable handle is made from aluminum, and it doesn’t wobble around, as you’d see in a lot of cheaper suitcases. Based on our experience and other people’s reviews, the zipper seems to be pretty well-made. They’ve used regular Samsonite zippers, instead of sticking with YKK or SBS zippers, which are the industry leaders. One thing that you should remember, is that on hardside suitcases, the zipper is put through a lot of stress, as it’s the only element that keeps the suitcase together. We’d advise using luggage straps because if the zipper fails, you’ll have another option to keep everything together.
In terms of water-resistance, the Samsonite Omni PC does a pretty good job. The zippers do let through some water, but the polycarbonate frame is completely waterproof, which means that in light rain your contents won’t get soaked.
Durability
Everyone prefers a reliable suitcase over something that will break just after a few trips. And that’s why the Samsonite Omni PC is so popular – because of it’s dependability and reliability.
The Omni PC was made to withstand rough international travel right from the get-go, using only premium materials. And although it’s really durable, it can break. If the baggage handlers forcefully throw it into the hold area and stack ten other bags on top, a wheel just might pop off, or the frame might crack. But that’s something to be expected with plastic suitcases. No matter how thick or reinforced they are, they will crack under a certain amount of pressure. The only solution is getting an aluminum suitcase, but they usually start at 500$, which is why polycarbonate suitcases are so popular.
We researched hundreds of reviews online, and if you could sum up how durable the Samsonite Omni PC really is, it would be this: “It’ll withstand a lot. Even frequent international travel in third-world countries. But it’s not indestructible.”
Some customers complained about broken zippers, broken top handles, cracks in the frame, faulty TSA locks, and broken spinner wheels. But there weren’t that many. If you look at the big picture, most people didn’t experience any issues and were happy with their purchases.
Moveability
On the bottom, the Samsonite Omni PC is equipped with four regular spinner wheels. Of course, it’d be nice if they’d used double spinner wheels (eight in total,) but most of Samsonite’s suitcases in this price range come with regular wheels.
At least, they roll very smoothly. The rubber part on the wheels is pretty thick, but you’ll have to watch out for the bearings. Some people complained that the bearings can get stuck, and if that happens you’ll damage the wheel fairly quickly. The best option then would be to ask Samsonite for a replacement wheel under the warranty. But again, this is not a common issue.
One thing that could be improved on these wheels, is to make them “stick out” less. Some suitcases have these wheels integrated deeper in the body, which makes them less likely to break off, and maximizes the packing space within the airline size restrictions. So with the Omni PC, you’ll have to be careful not to break the wheels off the main body.
Additional Features
Having a bunch of fresh and smart features in a suitcase is always nice, but you shouldn’t expect too much from suitcases in this price range. Keep in mind that it’s priced at just about a hundred bucks, which really isn’t too much. At least for suitcases that won’t break after a few trips.
Although the Samsonite Omni PC is pretty basic, it’s equipped with all the necessities.
The main compartment is expandable, which is good if you’ll be bringing a bunch of bulky, lightweight items. But honestly, most people said that they never pack the suitcase full because of the weight limit, so the expandable zipper isn’t really that necessary.
Another cool feature is the TSA-approved lock, which nowadays comes with just about any suitcase above 100 bucks. This means that you can lock the main compartment with a three-digit lock, so no thieves can get inside, but at the same time, there’s an additional key for the TSA agents to perform additional checks if they need to. By the way, if the security agents need to get inside and there’s a regular, non-TSA-approved lock, they’ll just break it.
And when it comes to packability, the Omni PC has a pretty regular hardcase suitcase setup. The main compartment has two equal sides: one is divided with a zippered mesh sheet, and the other is open but comes with x-shaped compression straps that keep your clothes in place. In addition to that, there’s a single pocket inside for several smaller items, such as chargers or toiletries. And of course, the interior is fully lined.
Design
What we like about the Samsonite Omni PC is that you won’t be ashamed to bring it along on your next trip. While it’s definitely steering towards the rugged, manly look, it’s still sleek enough to be used on your business trips. Aside from the pink and light blue options, it’s offered in many professional colors, such as black, silver, teal, and bronze.
So in terms of design, it’s got everything you’d need – interesting enough for leisure, yet modern enough for business travels. Definitely one of the best-looking suitcases that samsonite has to offer.
Warranty
The Samsonite Omni PC is backed up by Samsonite’s 10-year warranty. Although lately there’s been some talk that their warranty isn’t what it used to be, it’s still one of the most reliable warranties between all the luggage brands.
When you get into all the small print, this warranty essentially covers only manufacturing defects. Airline damage, misuse, accidents, and normal wear aren’t covered. For instance, a zipper that’d break on one of the first uses while using the suitcase normally would be covered under the warranty. Or a wobbly handle that eventually comes off. If, however, you lose a wheel while the suitcase is checked, the warranty won’t be valid, as it’s airline damage.
For the warranty to work, you’ll need to provide the receipt, and it’s valid only for ten years. If you need to send it to their repair center, you’ll have to pay for the shipping, or you can take it to their nearest store and they’ll send it over to Samsonite’s repair center for a 10$ or 15$ fee. At least, Samsonite covers the return shipping fees.
But even though the warranty doesn’t sound that good on paper, you have to remember that you’re dealing with Samsonite. Their customer service and warranty repairs have gotten a solid reputation for standing by their products, even if the issue isn’t covered by the warranty. So if you ever have any issues, just send them a message and there’s a good chance that your issue will be resolved.
Value
Although the Samsonite Omni PC isn’t the most affordable suitcase out there, we think that it still holds incredible value. You can find suitcases with similar specs that are made from identical materials for about 30-50$ less, but most of the time they aren’t backed up by a solid warranty, and the build quality just isn’t as good. You see, Samsonite has much better standards and quality checks compared to lesser-known Chinese manufacturers.
So in the long run, it pays off to spend a few dollars extra for the reliability that comes with Samsonite’s products.
Final Verdict
The Samsonite Omni PC 28-inch checked suitcase is one of the best affordable, yet durable hardside suitcases that you can get. It’s built from premium materials, it’s backed up by a reliable 10-year warranty, and it’s got all the features that you’d expect. All in all, it’s a snappy-looking thing that you won’t be embarrassed to be seen with.
Of course, because it’s so affordable, it won’t last forever. We’d say that on average, you should expect it to last at least seven to ten years of medium use. It’s not meant for daily use because after a while it will start to develop some problems, such as faulty zippers, handles, or wheels. If you’re traveling twice every week for business, you should consider getting a high-end Travelpro, Briggs & Riley, Rimowa, Tumi, or something along those lines, but expect it to cost five times as much as the Samsonite Omni PC.
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