Expert advice on choosing the best luggage: Full-size, carry-on and more

By The Numbers: Baggage fees
Away Travel, Amazon
ByKelsey Legg
March 4, 2026, 8:55 PM

Whether you're preparing for an upcoming ski trip or looking ahead to tropical excursions this summer, it might be time to replace your worn-out luggage with a new quality piece that won't break down.

Suitcases, carry-ons and other vital travel accessories are an investment, though, so we spoke with two experts who deal with these items every day to help you determine what to look for when shopping for your next vacation.

They have a wealth of knowledge on everything from which lock types are OK to what kind of luggage might help you avoid packing more than you can carry.

Read on to learn more about those experts and some of their top travel suggestions, then shop bags that could work best for you.

Our experts

First we spoke with Emmett Adames, a co-owner of Altman Luggage in New York City. Founded in 1920, the vendor not only sells top-quality luggage, they also offer some of the most trusted luggage repair services in the city.

Our second expert is Johnny Jones, the secretary treasurer of the 100 AFGE TSA Council and Treasurer of Local 1040, the former of which represents more than 45,000 Transportation Security Administration officers. With more than 20 years in the business, Jones was forthcoming on everything from getting to the airport (“Always take a taxi!”) to correctly packing liquids in your carry-on.

Common luggage problems

Adames was quick to point out his most common repairs: zippers and wheels. He sees these breaks happen most often in lesser-quality luggage and suggests avoiding any luggage closeouts where the price might seem nice at first, but the product won’t hold up over time.

Another less common but daunting problem is hard-shell luggage breaking at the corners, an “irreparable” issue, he said, but not a reason to avoid them entirely as long as you’re buying quality suitcases.

“The hard shells are fine depending on what quality you buy,” he explained. “Usually, that [breakage] happens on the lower end … with higher-quality bags, you rarely see that happen.”

Jones prefers hard-shell suitcases for his personal use, noting hard-shell cases can prevent over-packing like you might with a bag that has more forgiving sides. It’s a built-in way to ensure you don’t get slapped with extra charges at the gate or have to fork over even more cash to buy an additional bag at the airport.

Another common mistake is having the wrong lock on your bag. Adames suggested TSA-approved locks or none at all, as security may have to cut the lock if they can’t access the inside of your bag, which can potentially damage the zipper and/or its pulls.

Jones belabored this point as well, once again citing packing too much and how a broken zipper can quickly turn messy if security is unable to quickly re-pack your belongings.

“People don’t realize that someone might have to open that bag and reclose it,” he warned of routine examinations performed on checked bags, adding, “I’ve actually had to duct tape bags shut!”

Adames also suggests buying suitcases with four wheels.

“We recommend the four-wheel version. It’s easier to go down the aisle of the plane,” he explained, “and you can always use it on two wheels.”

Keeping these tips and suggestions in mind, we've selected several high-quality pieces we feel are worth every penny, as well as some handy add-ons to smooth the travel process. Keep scrolling to shop!

Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2024 and has been updated to include current products and pricing.

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Best carry-on luggage

Amazon

Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry On Expandable Spinner

This best-selling option from Briggs & Riley (Adames’ pick for the best overall luggage brand thanks to qualities such as “indestructible” wheels) is an investment for sure, but you’ll worry less about repair costs thanks to its lifetime warranty and impeccable construction. Available here in four colors and a variety of sizes to accommodate your travel needs, it also comes with interesting bells and whistles such as one-touch expansion to give you more packing room, a large front pocket for quick access to your essentials and a built-in tri fold garment folder so you can carry more formal attire without it wrinkling in transit.
  • $729.00
  • Amazon
Away

The Carry-On in Jet Black

This carry-on regularly out-performs similar models in post-consumer tests thanks to its lightweight yet durable hard shell, an interior compression system for efficient packing, smooth-rolling wheels and personalization options. The color range makes it easy to match your preferred style.
  • $275.00
  • Away
Amazon

Briggs & Riley Domestic 22" Carry On Spinner

Adames mentioned Briggs & Riley several times and told us he rarely, if ever, has seen them come into the shop for repairs. The price of its bags is certainly prohibitive for those on tighter budgets, but as far as investments go, the brand is seen as a gold standard.
  • $574.00
  • Amazon
Quince

Expandable Carry-On Suitcase

Super lightweight and easy on your budget, this Quince carry-on is a great pick for anyone looking for quality at a lower cost.
  • $169.90
  • Quince

Best full-size luggage

Monos

Monos Hybrid Trunk Large

As stylish as it is durable and functional, this trunk is perfect for longer journeys where you'll need a lot more clothing and other goods to get by. It promises whisper-quiet, smooth-riding wheels, an aerospace-grade, water-resistant polycarbonate hard shell and a soft, antimicrobial lining.
  • $485.00
  • Monos
Away

The Trunk in Jet Black

This Away trunk can store a suggested 18 to 21 outfits for longer getaways, and the durable polycarbonate shell is lightweight despite its strength.As both experts recommended, this one comes with a TSA-approved lock. A double-buckle compression pad offers space-saving, secure storage, and a handle on the reverse end allows for easy carrying should you need a helping hand. And if you’re concerned with home storage, Away’s luggage nestles snugly into each other so sticking with multiple pieces from the brand can save space.
  • $435.00
  • Away
Delsey Paris

CHATELET AIR 2.0 Medium Trunk Spinner

Travel in style and trust your luggage with a Delsey spinner that comes with a removable pouch, extra corner protection, a shatter-resistant shell and strong zippers.
  • $419.99
  • Delsey Paris
Samsonite

Elevation Plus Softside Large Spinner

Expandable by up to 2 inches and engineered with 360° dual spinner wheels that spin on a dime, this large softside Samsonite is an all-around winner that offers plenty of storage and organization options, as well as extra abrasion resisitance and repairability.
  • $319.99
  • Samsonite

Affordable luggage $100 & under

70% off
Vera Bradley

26" Adair Spinner

If you prefer the protection of a hardside carry-on and a bright color for easy spotting at the airport, try this on-sale style from Vera Bradley.
  • $88.50
  • $295.00
  • Vera Bradley
Amazon

Wrangler 4 Piece Miami Luggage and Packing Cubes Set, Olive Green

If you're on a serious budget and don't have time to shop around for individual pieces, try this all-in-one set from Wrangler that clocks in just under $75. It's sold hundreds of units this month alone to generally positive reviews and while it might not last a lifetime, it's a great deal for the last-minute traveler.
  • $124.00
  • Amazon
Samsonite

Novex Laptop Backpack

Keep things simple and affordable with this protective backpack that keeps your laptop safe thanks to an internal hammock system that cradles your PC. Padding in the back and straps prevents chafing, too, allowing for a comfortable hands-free carrying experience while you rush between connecting flights.
  • $80.49
  • Samsonite

Helpful travel accessories

35% off
Patricia Nash

Boxed Luggage Tag Set in European Floral Tapestry

Look and feel more put-together while staying organized with a matching passport case and luggage tag. It comes beautifully boxed, so consider it as a gift for a jet-setting friend, too!
  • $64.35
  • $99.00
  • Patricia Nash
41% off
Amazon

Apple AirTag

Lost luggage is one of travelers’ biggest nightmares and a great way to keep tabs on it is with AirTags. Jones let us know that while accidents are relatively rare, there’s always the chance your bag could get caught up in processing between home and your destination, but these handy tracking devices can save tons of time when trying to determine the location of your belongings.
  • $17.00
  • $29.00
  • Amazon
Amazon

TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks, Re-settable Combination with Alloy Body

If you’re currently using a non-TSA approved lock and want to avoid damage to your bag, pick up a few cheap locks that won’t cause excess headaches at the airport.
  • $23.95
  • Amazon

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