Our Choice
This suitcase offers a luxurious feel at an affordable price, with a good capacity, warranty, and reliability that should suit most travelers. The 25-inch model provides ample space for most travelers without exceeding airline weight limits.
If you require a checked bag with maximum allowable space and are willing to pay an overweight-bag fee, the 29-inch model is the way to go.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is the larger version of our top Travelpro carry-on pick for checked luggage, retaining all the qualities we appreciate about its smaller counterpart.
It is constructed from hard-wearing nylon that is stylish and durable, offering a high-quality look and feel at an excellent value. Despite being a checked bag, it remains remarkably easy to maneuver, thanks to the adjustable handle height and MagnaTrac wheels that enhance mobility, especially when fully loaded. Additionally, this suitcase is backed by a lifetime warranty with coverage against airline damages.
Internally, the Platinum Elite is thoughtfully designed and features a built-in garment folder for formal attire, complete with a removable folding board similar to our upgrade pick. For those needing extra space, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29″ Expandable Spinner is worth considering.
It is essential to note that with such spacious luggage, it is tempting to overpack and exceed the 50-pound weight limit imposed by most airlines. However, if you are willing to pay the fee, the Platinum Elite can handle the additional weight with ease.
Our Choice
This aesthetically appealing and reasonably durable hard-sided luggage matches our hard-sided carry-on pick, boasting top-notch components such as smoothly rolling wheels.
For those needing to maximize space without worrying about weight limits, this bag, the largest offered by Away, is an excellent choice. Besides its extra capacity, it mirrors The Medium in features.
If you appreciate the appearance and simplicity of hard-sided luggage and value the assurance of packing within limits, The Medium suitcase from Away is a superb option with a solid warranty.
Traditionally, soft-sided luggage tends to outlast hard-sided bags made from materials like ABS plastic or polycarbonate. Soft-sided luggage also typically offers additional organization features such as exterior pockets, simplifying packing. Nevertheless, the durability and utility differences between hard and soft-sided luggage are becoming increasingly negligible, and many individuals prefer the aesthetics and color selections of polycarbonate suitcases.
Away prioritizes quality in its luggage design. We extensively tested the Away bag over three years before recommending it initially. This suitcase has remained our top choice for over six years, and we have confidence in its long-term durability and the reliability of Away’s limited lifetime warranty. Apart from The Medium, Away also produces a larger checked-luggage model, The Large. However, it is easy to overpack suitcases of this size, especially hard-sided ones.
Premium Choice
Offering the most satisfying packing experience, this bag can accommodate an extra week’s worth of clothing when compressed in the same space as the Travelpro Platinum Elite bag.
Designed for those requiring a substantial amount of space, this bag, when fully expanded, is the largest we could find. However, packing it with clothes is likely to surpass airline weight limits.
If you are a frequent traveler, notorious overpacker, or seeking high-quality luggage for family trips, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 25″ Spinner.
While the Travelpro Platinum Elite offers excellent value, the Briggs & Riley Baseline bag is exceptional in every aspect. It excels in every detail, setting the standard among luggage brands—from zippers to wheels to a unique compression system that allows you to fit an extra week’s worth of clothing in the same volume provided by the Travelpro bag.
Although it may lack the distinctive styling of luxury brands, Briggs & Riley’s reputation for reliability and durability is unparalleled. The bag includes a garment folder like the Travelpro bag and features user-replaceable parts along with a network of repair centers worldwide for quick fixes, covered by a dependable lifetime warranty that addresses all types of damage. We have traveled with this resilient bag for six years on numerous domestic and international journeys, and it remains in excellent condition and a delight to pack. Its expandable feature has proven invaluable on occasions where we wanted to bring back extra items.
Another Excellent Option
This type of luggage harks back to the traditional silhouette of upright steamer trunks. Trunk luggage is believed by some to be easier to pack and maneuver due to its design.
Trunk luggage, such as the Monos Hybrid Trunk, replaces the typical 50/50 split of a clamshell design with a deeper central compartment. While this change improves the packing experience, trunk luggage may be best suited for destination travel, where packing and unpacking occur only once. Managing multiple stops with trunk luggage may require more packing and unpacking efforts compared to a standard clamshell design bag.
Monos continues to impress with its luggage lineup and construction quality. The Hybrid Trunk stands out for its reinforced aluminum frame, denser polycarbonate material, and lifetime warranty against any damage that renders the luggage unusable.
