The Best Luggage Brands

Tuesday, May 13th

2025 Luggage Reviews

Rockland

• Starting at $37.99
• 99 individual suitcase choices
• Tons of 2, 3, or 4-piece sets
• Variety of bright colors and patterns
• Exclusive selection of kids' suitcases
• Lifetime warranty

Rockland says that they make luggage for travelers who appreciate style. They pride themselves on graphics and colorful designs to meet today's trends. They're meant to draw attention in a crowd or stand out on a luggage belt so you can quickly and easily exit an airport. Rockland also designs all their luggage to be both durable and lightweight with materials like polyester, ABS, or polycarbonate. The company was founded in 1998 and is based out of California.

Wide product variety

There are quite a variety of categories of luggage you can buy from Rockland. This includes hardside (88 single options) and softside luggage (11 single options), carry-ons, underseat bags and 2, 3, or 4-piece sets. They also sell backpacks and rolling computer cases as well as duffel bags. Whether you need something for intensive traveling or just a sturdy case to use at work or for school classes, Rockland has the right choices.

Bright patterns and colors

If you are one for bright colors or standout patterns, you'll be excited over the oranges, hot pinks, lime greens, polka dots, patchwork hearts, zebra prints, cityscapes, and two-toned suitcases from Rockland. Rather than your boring, same-old looking luggage, you can display a bit more personality and flair with what you choose here. Whether you're shopping for a teen or adult, you'll realize that Rockland has more diversity in their inventory than nearly any other brand on our list.

For the kids

Rockland even has a selection just for the kids. Rockland Jr. features small pieces of luggage that resemble a frog, monkey, ladybug, shark, turtle, and other fun characters. They are about 19” big and cost between $43 and $53. They're a perfect size for what a kid would need to travel with and they come in fun designs that will get your favorite little ones excited to head out on a new adventure.

Unbelievable prices

Starting at $37.99, you can get a fashion softside luggage set that comes with both a 20” upright carry-on suitcase and a 14” x 11.5” x 5.5” tote bag to go along with it. We wouldn't be surprised if the tote bag alone was $37.99, so this is a fantastic deal. A lot of other carry-on suitcases from Rockland hover around the $45 - $50 range, so you can get a good bargain here. Even the 4-piece softside sets with a 28”, 24”, 19” and 14” bag are often under $150, which is hard to believe. Hardside luggage with expandable sides and spinner wheels is a bit more expensive by $50 - $70 in some cases, but still unbelievably affordable for what you're getting.

Forever warranty for original owner

Rockland doesn't have a really detailed explanation of their warranty on luggage, but they do say that everything is "fully warranted against defects or damage.” This covers defects in workmanship, materials, or design as long as the original purchaser still owns the product. You can either submit a warranty claim through Rockland's website or call them by phone and talk to their service department.

Great value

When we see such low prices from a brand like Rockland compared to other luggage brands, it raises concern that maybe their quality is also lower. Luckily there are thousands of customer reviews on each product that reassure us that for the money, you're going to get a solid piece of luggage here. Most of them come with spinner wheels and the interior is nothing fancy or out of the ordinary, but if you're looking to get suitcases for your whole family or you just need something for occasional travel, there's no reason to overspend when you can get a reliable set from Rockland. They aren't rated or accredited by the Better Business Bureau, but customers agree that you get a good value with Rockland luggage, so we're here for it.

Easily our top winner

You could spend a ton on luggage, but with Rockland, you don't have to. With the selection, prices, and customer satisfaction that Rockland carries, they're a great place to buy luggage and have easily earned our highest rating.

Level8

• Prices starting at $116.99
• 28 suitcase choices
• All hard-shell suitcases
• Unique design features
• Lifetime warranty
• High ratings from customers

Level8 hopes to help more people make cultural connections through travel by living in real moments and growing our holistic global community. They make their luggage from German Makrolon polycarbonate hard shell material that's meant to be both lightweight and durable for easy on-the-go transportation. Level8 also aims for sleekness with smooth-rolling wheels and plenty of organizational compartments to set them apart.

Hard-shell only

The all-hard-shell suitcases and carry-ons from Level8 feature simplistic designs for the modern traveler. Most of their luggage styles feature smooth, flat exterior designs without any type of grooves or textured edges like you often see from other brands. You can get larger checked bags in either 24” or 28” sizes, 20” carry-ons, or a combination of both with a 2- or 3-piece luggage set. In total, there are only 8 choices for single checked bags and 20 for carry-ons. Depending on the suitcase you choose, some even come with luggage cubes, which is a great bonus. These little cubes have zip closures and come in different sizes to keep your belongings more organized inside your suitcase.

Convenient carry-on features

A unique feature of some of the carry-on suitcases from Level8 is a large front compartment that zips open to easily slip in your laptop, iPad, or other belongings that you need quick access to. This makes it easy to do work in the airport or on-the-go, then quickly slide your device back into your suitcase and be on your way. It also comes with a TSA lock, and 360-degree spinner wheels. Like most of the other suitcases from Level8, these carry-ons come in black, champagne, blue, gray, or red.

Appealing color choices

Checked suitcases from Level8 have a little more color variety, with a pickle green color, soft pink, cream, or light blue. The colors are appealing rather than tacky, which adds to the classy appearance of the luggage from Level8. We also noticed that there is a zippable mesh pocket on both sides of the luggage interior. Specific features on a suitcase really come down to personal preference, but for us, the more zippers there are, the less likely things are to get jumbled all over during transit. We like that both sides zip because (surprisingly) you don't see that very often.

Mostly under $150

The cost of Level8's checked suitcases ranges from $209.99 for a 24” to $269.99 for a 28”. Carry-ons range from $116.99 to $439.99, so there's a bit more of a range. The most expensive luggage here is made of aluminum, has 8 spinner wheels, and rather than zippers, it clicks together with double TSA locks. It is highly heat resistant and is structurally meant to last a really long time. However, most of what you'll find here is under $150, which is pretty comparable to other luggage brands.

Lifetime warranty

Level8 offers a lifetime warranty that covers functional damage to the wheels, shell, handles, zippers, or anything else that may impair the use of the product. This only covers manufacturing defects and not those caused by misuse. For a repair or replacement evaluation, you'll need to email the company. We read reports from customers who said that when their TSA locks broke or their wheels came loose, they were able to get replacements from Level8 without too much hassle.

Highly rated

Most of the suitcases from Level8 have at least a 4.5/5 star rating. People agree that the wheels are quiet just as advertised by Level8, handles hold up well to repeat use, and overall the suitcases are sturdy. Some report that they begin to scuff on the surface after a while, but this does not affect the suitcase's usability. The Better Business Bureau does not have a profile or rating for Level8.

A top choice

We really like the look of the suitcases from Level8. Although simple, they are sleek and trendy-looking, so you could still pick out your luggage in a crowd without too much effort. Plus, we like that some luggage comes with packing cubes, convenient front compartments, and extra interior zippers. Pricing is competitive and the product is well-liked by customers. Overall, this is a really solid option for luggage, and Level8 is one of our top brands.

American Tourister

• Starting at $39.99 for a kids' suitcase
• Hard and soft-shell suitcases
• Disney and Star Wars-themed luggage
• Repairs available at an authorized service center
• 3-year limited warranty on luggage
• Positive customer reviews overall

American Tourister got its start back in 1933 with brothers Sol and Irving Koffler in Rhode Island. Their goal was simple: create affordable and durable suitcases. In 1993, American Tourister was taken over by Samsonite, another popular luggage company, but they still operate under separate names today. You can buy American Tourister's suitcases in over 120 countries and they are known for being wear-and-tear resistant and offering good value.

4 suitcase categories

The four main categories of American Tourister luggage include hardshell, softshell, Disney, or Star Wars. Every so often they make different themed suitcases, but at the time we were shopping, those were our choices. The softside suitcases differed in size and color, rather than features. You could buy a 20”, 24”, or 28” spinner as a single suitcase or buy them in a 2- or 3-piece set. The colors aren't all available in every size and configuration, but they tend to include black, classic blue, digital lavender, and purple orchid.

Most options in hardshell

If you're looking for a hard suitcase, you'll have a few more options as far as colors and design go. Some have a geometrical line design, others have what appears to be waves going across the front and back, and some are striped. You can buy individual suitcases or purchase them in a set of 3. Some of the colors include purple haze, slate blue, black, petal pink, mint, blue spruce, power plum, among others. Most of American Tourister's hard suitcases are either 20”, 24”, or 28” in size.

Disney must-haves

For the Disney and Star Wars fanatics, there are some fun Minnie or Mickey designs, ones designed to look like R2D2, Darth Vader, or a Stormtrooper. If you're headed to one of the Disney parks, snagging one of these might be a necessity.

Choices around $150

Depending on the size and quantity of luggage you're getting from American Tourister, you'll probably spend between $70 and $350. The least expensive choice is an 18” kids Disney carry-on for $39.99 with either a Mickey, Frozen, Minnie, Princess, or Baby Yoda theme. The next cheapest choice is a 20” spinner suitcase in black for $69.99. A 3-piece hardshell luggage set is as much as $349, but you can easily find something closer to the $150 range or less with plenty of options.

Good durability overall

Most of the suitcases expand at least 1” for extra packing space if needed. One side typically has a modesty pocket and the other side consists of a mesh door pocket and elastic tie tapes. You can view photos of the insides of each suitcase on the listings and the types of wheels they come with. Thousands of people have praised American Tourister luggage for its quality, and the brand is well-liked overall. Every so often we see someone who has an issue with the zipper quality, but outside of this, people say that American Tourister suitcases are tough enough to get tossed around and have plenty of space for what they need.

3-year limited manufacturing warranty

There is no Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile for American Tourister, but there is one for Samsonite. They have a "B” rating from the BBB for their failure to respond to 2 complaints against the company. There aren't a ton of customer reviews on this page at all, so it feels like their rating might be a little weak because it's based on a lack of information. Third-party ratings report that there tends to be some issues with wheels falling off every so often, which is one of the main concerns people have about any luggage brand they buy. You can get your suitcase repaired at any authorized American Tourister Service Center in the country, but you'll be responsible for the cost of getting it there and you'll need to fill out a repair request through their website. Depending on who you buy your suitcase from and how it was handled, your suitcase may qualify for American Tourister's limited 3-year global warranty that covers manufacturing defects.

Safe and trusted brand

American Tourister has high reviews from customers overall. They are one of the most well-known luggage brands in the travel industry and have definitely "been around the block” (see what we did there?) as far as making and distributing suitcases goes. As long as you find a suitcase that appears to fit all your needs and has good customer ratings, American Tourister is a safe and trusted luggage brand to own.

Travelpro

• Starting at $105.09
• 19 suitcase variations
• 7 warranty variations
• Unfiltered customer reviews about products
• Trusted and used by crew members of major airlines

The idea for Travelpro originated from a globe-trotting commercial airline pilot who knew the toll it takes on travelers to lug their suitcases all over. His search for a better luggage solution led him to create a 2-wheeled suitcase pulled with an extendable handle, copyrighted as the Rollaboard. Today Travelpro positions itself as the luggage brand of choice for crews of over 90 different airlines and travelers around the world.

Refer to product photos for interiors

You can choose between checked or carry-on softside and hardside luggage from Travelpro. There are 19 variations that vary slightly by their exterior look and features. Some luggage has big zipper pockets on the outside that you could easily slide paperwork or a tablet in and out of, while others are completely flat and only have interior storage. Most suitcases have a mesh liner on one side of the inside and a garment strap on the other side, while others have zip closure on both sides. Look through all the product photos on the listing to see exactly what features a suitcase comes with. The softside suitcases are made of 100% post-consumer water bottles and have a water- and stain-resistant coating.

Simple color options

When you select a Travelpro suitcase that you like the look of, there's a chance that it will come in a variety of sizes and colors. Most sizes range from a 20” or 21” carry-on to a checked medium 25” or a checked large 28”. Color choices you will have include cabernet, ensign blue, champagne, metallic silver, orchid pink purple, shadow gray, or slate green. The model of suitcase you choose may affect your color choices, but not wildly. Most colors don't draw a lot of attention to the luggage and there are no patterns with florals or stripes or polka dots or anything of the sort.

Pick something in your budget

Most of the carry-on prices are between $100 and $150 each with a few models being over $300. Checked bags are just a little more with prices between $150 and $300 on average, with some fancier choices around $415. Size and materials will be big factors in these prices, so you can usually get a better deal if you choose a larger suitcase from one of the cheaper models. There are brands that are slightly less expensive than Travelpro, but you can definitely get a comparable product and price here if you pick the right thing.

Search out your warranty

The warranty on Travelpro's luggage isn't entirely straightforward. There are quite a few warranties available and the one you get will depend on the suitcase collection you purchase. If you go to Travelpro's website and visit their warranty page, you can look at the drop-down menu for the 7 types of warranty plans and find your suitcase name to see which one your purchase comes with. It's probably a good idea to do this before buying a Travelpro suitcase if you're concerned about having your luggage covered against manufacturing defects.

Possible difficulty with warranties

Travelpro has a lot of customer reviews you can refer to that will go over in detail how scratch and scuff-resistant the material is, how well zippers and wheels hold up, and how sturdy the suitcases feel. Many of their suitcases have hundreds or thousands of reviews you can rely on that also include photos, which is extremely useful as you compare your options here. The Better Business Bureau gives this company a "B-” rating because of 149 complaints filed against the business and the length of time the business has taken to respond to the complaints. The primary issues that customers tend to have with Travelpro relate to slow shipping when warranty replacement suitcases are sent and difficulty working with customer service to resolve problems.

Functional and affordable

Despite there being a strong mix of positive and negative company reviews from customers, Travelpro fares pretty well on specific luggage pieces, with 4.3 to 4.5 out of 5-star averages on many of their products. Some suitcases have over 12,000 ratings, so anything over a 4/5 rating is pretty high. Travelpro has functional luggage at competitive prices, so we aren't surprised that so many people have purchased their items. Just keep in mind that they aren't going to provide you with the most unique or wild designs, so if that matters to you, then you're in the wrong place and should shop from a different brand.

Decent company

Overall, we like Travelpro for its selection of reliable luggage. Although we'd love to see higher ratings for the company as a whole, we're reassured by the overwhelmingly positive feedback for the luggage itself. In the end, Travelpro is a decent company with a good selection of suitcases.

Amazon Basics

• Starting at $38.99
• 11 suitcase styles
• Free shipping
• Free, easy returns
• 30-day return policy
• 1-year warranty
• Tens of thousands of product reviews

In 2009, Amazon launched their own private label brand of products sold on their website. They compete with other big-name brands to offer similar products at lower prices. There's a wide range of consumer goods that can be purchased through AmazonBasics including electronics, home goods, office supplies, sporting goods, fitness products, personal care and beauty items, clothing, luggage, and much more. AmazonBasics products are generally still known to be of high-quality even though they are much more affordable than what you might find elsewhere.

Just the basics

There are 11 results for luggage from AmazonBasics that cover the essential styles of suitcases you might be looking for. They have hard and soft shell suitcases, luggage sets, carry-on garment bags, and rolling travel bags. If you see a type of suitcase you like, you'll get a few more options once you click on it. Some of the suitcases come in a couple different sizes and colors to expand your options a bit. Most suitcases here are black or navy blue, with the exception of one pink one if you want something brighter. Remember, you really are going to be finding the "basics” here.

Free, fast shipping

The prices for luggage from AmazonBasics ranges from $38.99 for a black garment bag to $167.94 for a 2-piece set with a 28” and 20” black suitcase. Shipping is almost always free from Amazon, so you won't need to take this into account. Within just a couple of days, your luggage will be sitting at your door waiting for your first adventure together. The delivery windows for the products you see here are based on your zip code and you'll get frequently-updated tracking as soon as you make a purchase.

Plenty of product information

Something Amazon is good at is providing ample information about any given item. You'll see a lot of product photos, the name of the item, size and color options, arrival dates, detailed descriptions of the features, safety information, information on the manufacturer, and customer reviews. You can see what the return policy is for the specific item as well. For suitcases, we found that most of them came with a 30-day return policy for full refunds. You can usually take your item to any local UPS store, Whole Foods Store, Kohl's, Staples, post office, or Amazon Hub locker for a simple return and you don't have to pay anything for it.

1-year warranty

If you run into a manufacturing issue with your luggage from AmazonBasics, it will be covered under their limited 1-year warranty. If you contact Amazon, they'll walk you through your options - which are usually to get a refund or replacement of your luggage. Customer service will ultimately decide your eligibility for the warranty depending on the issue with the suitcase and the usage of it up to the point of submitting a warranty claim.

Thousands of customer reviews

If ever there was a company that has plenty of product reviews, it's Amazon. Do you want to read 49,000 reports of what people think about a particular item? Done. There is no shortage of information you can gather from other customers when you shop for luggage here. From ratings to comments to Q&As to product photos, you can feel pretty confident about your suitcase choice if you take others' opinions into account.

Not without their issues

Amazon is a revolutionary company with an unprecedented ability to reach all of their customers. Within a day or two, you can buy nearly anything you conjure up in your mind and have it delivered straight to your door. You can also rent/buy movies and tv shows here, find medical care, get ebooks, store your photos, listen to music, and so much more. Of course, this means they are tangled up in a network of policies and processes that rely on a lot of employees, independent sellers, and postal workers throughout the United States. This also means there is great potential for errors, so keep all this in mind when we tell you that the Better Business Bureau has given Amazon a "B” rating with current alerts for the business and more than their fair share of complaints. Sometimes this is a big red flag, but if you're shopping through Amazon, chances are that you will get what you pay for (extremely fast, might we add) and it will live up to your expectations if you pay attention to the product specifications and customer reviews.

We're on board

As much as we love to support smaller businesses and devote our money to environmentally-conscious companies and materials, it's hard not to get on the Amazon train. We all want to save money, get a product that will last a long time, and have an easy online shopping experience - and that's exactly what Amazon can provide. Their AmazonBasics suitcases are highly rated by customers, so there's not much to worry about. If you just need something functional-not-fancy, no doubt Amazon will be a good place for you to shop and get a terrific deal on luggage.

Samsonite

• Starting at $97.51
• 25 suitcase choices
• 3, 5, or 10-year limited warranty
• Tens of thousands of customer reviews
• In business since 1910

Samsonite is a leader in the lifestyle bag industry and is one of the most widely-known travel luggage companies in the world. They were founded in 1910 and have committed themselves to building a timeless, multi-generational future built on innovation and research. Samsonite owns a number of brands including American Tourister, eBags, Hartmann, High Sierra, Kamiliant, Lipault, and Tumi.

Good color variety

Samsonite sells hardside and softside luggage for checked bags and carry-ons. Their suitcases come in solid colors and only vary a bit in exterior design, with some of them having different types of lines and ridges along the front. They do have quite a few colors to choose from like amethyst purple, black, pink rose, tangerine, lilac, navy, gray, mint green, white, and others. Most of them zip all the way around and have 360-degree spinner wheels, but some are zipperless, which people are excited to find. Some have TSA locks or extra garment pockets, so where they differ is in the interior features like storage solutions, making it disappointing when we found that not all suitcases featured photos of the inside.

Few suitcase types

There were 9 suitcases in the hardside category, 5 in the softside, and 11 in the carry-on category from Samsonite. There might even be a little overlap between these, which means that outside of color diversity, there aren't a ton of different suitcase types that they sell at any given time. Overall it seemed that most Samsonite suitcases we viewed were carry-ons.

Not the cheapest brand

Prices on luggage at Samsonite start at $97.51 for a black 20” carry-on with spinner wheels. This is on the low end and most suitcases cost closer to $170 or so for a large 28” bag. Samsonite's prices aren't too much higher than what we saw elsewhere, but they are by a bit. At most, for a single suitcase you'll pay $237.99 for a large 28” spinner. Since they don't have as many large suitcases here as we found from some other brands, it's hard to say for sure that Samsonite is "expensive” - but given the plain appearance of most suitcases here, they definitely aren't the cheapest or most interesting choice.

3, 5, or 10-year warranty

Depending on the suitcase you purchase from Samsonite, it will either have a 3, 5, or 10 year limited warranty to cover manufacturing defects in workmanship or material. At their own discretion they will either fix or replace your suitcase. Pay attention to what warranty your suitcase comes with, since they aren't all covered for the same time period.

Sturdy and easy to handle

Based on a failure to respond to 2 complaints filed against the business, Samsonite has a "B” rating from the Better Business Bureau. This isn't going to be enough information to base a purchase off of, so we recommend paying close attention to product reviews from retailers that have them. From what we found, some suitcases had over 10,000 reviews and most of them had between a 4.3 and 4.7 out of 5-star rating average. This is decently high considering how many people are leaving feedback on Samsonite's quality. People agree that the luggage is sturdy, lightweight, and easy to haul around. Of course every so often there do seem to be issues with zippers breaking, exterior scratching, or faulty wheels. These seem to be the biggest weak points of any type of suitcase, so the key is relying on a good customer service team to take care of the issue when applicable.

Nothing stands out

Samsonite definitely has a big place in the luggage market simply because they own multiple brands and have been around such a long time. However, their selection compared to other brands didn't really stand out to us. They don't have unusually appealing designs and aside from there being quite a few color choices, we weren't thrilled with what they had to offer.

Briggs & Riley

• Starting at $229
• 52 luggage options
• Lifetime guarantee
• Free shipping on orders over $99
• Free return shipping
• 30-day return policy
• In business for 30+ years

Briggs & Riley is a modern travelware brand with a focus on performance and innovation. They've been in business for over 30 years with continual efforts to create thoughtful, travel-ready features for all their products. In addition to all types of luggage, Briggs & Riley sells travel bags, backpacks, and accessories (toiletry bags, packing cubes, monogram accessories). They've been featured by Today, Wirecutter, and WSJ.

Travel in class

Everything about Briggs & Riley's website screams "posh” and "luxurious”. Their premium luggage and bags are for those who want to keep it classy at all times and are frequently on-the-go. Their variety of suitcases is much bigger than some other brands we've evaluated, so you have a lot of choices here. Those who travel often know exactly what they do and don't like about different types of suitcases, bags, and backpacks, so Briggs & Riley caters to those who have specific preferences.

Plenty of options

The categories of luggage at Briggs & Riley include carry-on luggage, checked luggage, rolling garment bags, rolling duffle bags, underseat cabin bags, hard shell luggage, soft sided luggage, trunk luggage, and monogrammed luggage. There are 53 products in all that can be filtered by price, product type, color, features (suit section, CX expansion, built-in lock, tablet-friendly, power pocket, laptop friendly, zip expansion), luggage size (cabin, carry-on, medium, or large), laptop size, material, wheels, or collections.

Simple looking, but high-quality

Briggs & Riley is not a place for wild patterns or flashy colors, but rather suave, attractive neutrals. A suitcase might come in colors like plum, olive, navy, black, or gray without any major patterns on them. For all intents and purposes, these suitcases aren't very exciting-looking, but the idea here is that they are of high-quality and come with a lifetime guarantee. The company will cover the repair of all functional aspects of your bags for life if the problem is due to manufacturing or workmanship issues. You can either get a free DIY repair kit from them or send your bag to one of their local authorized repair centers.

Fork out some bucks

If you spend over $99 on your purchase from Briggs & Riley, your order will ship free. This is pretty much a guaranteed perk since luggage starts at $229 for a cargo satchel and goes up to $1,049 for a deluxe wardrobe spinner. Even bags start at $169 for a small crossbody and go up to $629 for a spinner briefcase. If you have the money and want top-of-the-line luggage, then you've found the right place. If you just need something to throw your clothes and belongings into for a short trip, you'll likely be in for some sticker shock when you browse the selection at Briggs & Riley.

30-day returns, free shipping

If you decide to return your Briggs & Riley luggage before you use it, you can send it back with the original hangtags attached within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping is free, and you'll only be charged a $20 restocking fee if you had your luggage monogrammed.

Mixed ratings

The Better Business Bureau rating for Briggs & Riley is an "F” due to their failure to respond to 5 customer complaints. This isn't reassuring or a lot to go off of, so we turned to third-party ratings to see what we could find. It was pretty mixed and seemed like it would go from one review was 5/5 where a customer was thrilled with the quality and style of their luggage and had a great experience with customer service, but then the next was a 1/5 star rating where someone said that the warranty on luggage at Briggs & Riley is a joke and their customer service makes issues drag out a long time.

A solid option for some

We would have liked to see higher reviews from customers across the board since you're spending quite a bit if you buy a suitcase from Briggs & Riley. You could also argue that the people who are buying luggage here are going to be exceptionally picky about their experience since they are spending more, so maybe their negative reviews are more critical than you would find for another brand. Either way, we do like the huge selection of suitcases and bags here that come with such a great variety of features. For expert travelers, it's worth shopping at Briggs & Riley to see if they will meet your needs. Otherwise, you'll get cheaper luggage elsewhere, so Briggs & Riley has earned an average rating from us.

Delsey Paris

• Starting at $99.74
• Good variety of luggage types
• Been around since 1946
• 2, 5, or 10-year limited warranty depending on product

Delsey Paris originated with the union of two family-owned companies, Delahaye and Seynhaeve. Delahaye was making leather cases for cameras and Seynhaeve made cases for typewriters and record players. Interestingly, these companies decided to merge in 1946 and combine their names to become one. Since both companies were expert at their skills with leather goods and protective case manufacturing, they dove into the then up-and-coming world of tourism and started designing briefcases, bags, and luggage.

Pioneers in their industry

Delsey Paris boasts that they were the first brand to offer luggage with a rigid shell to better protect travelers' personal belongings. In 1972 they launched the first luggage on wheels, so they're quite the pioneers in the industry. Currently, the categories of luggage they offer include checked bags, carry-ons, sets, Jeep luggage, Benetton luggage, hardside, softside, duffels, bags and totes.

Signature "Delsey Paris” markings

The signature marking of Delsey Paris on their luggage is the "O” pendant on the front with "Delsey Paris” inscribed. There are 25 options for checked bags and 20 for carry-ons. They also have quite a few sets ranging from 2-4 pieces if you want all of your luggage to match and to have a variety of sizes. The color choices you have depend on the type of suitcase, but rather than floral patterns, stripes, or other standout designs, you'll get colors like titanium, peony pink, brick red, teal, cobalt blue, gray, or platinum. One of their lines has a solid color like white with cognac leather-colored edging for a more branded look.

Pay attention to interior photos

Most of the luggage from Delsey Paris has features that you've seen a million times before. One side has a mesh divider that can zip all the way closed and the other has an expandable compartment and tie-down strap. There are a couple suitcases that have the ability to zip closed on both sides with extra pockets for laundry and shoe bags if you prefer this, so be sure to refer to all the product photos to see exactly what the inside of each piece of luggage looks like.

Most suitcases around $150

Of all the brands we have considered for luggage, Delsey Paris lands itself somewhere in the middle as far as pricing goes. The least expensive checked bag here is a 21” hardside expandable with spinner wheels for $99.74. You could spend as much as $480 for a 26” hardside expandable piece that also has spinner wheels. A carry-on duffel bag could cost you as little as $74.99 or you could spend $322 for a 20” carry-on. Most suitcases are around $150 but you may spend more or less depending on the size, features, and material of the luggage you're considering.

2, 5, or 10-year limited warranty

The warranty for each Delsey Paris product varies a bit. Some of their bigger checked suitcases come with a limited 10-year warranty. The other warranty periods you might find are for either 2 or 5 years, all of which cover defects in materials and workmanship on wheels, zippers, and extension/carrying handles. You can submit a coverage claim directly on their website.

Not the highest ratings

We noticed that quite a few of the suitcases we considered were flagged by the retailer as a "Frequently Returned Item”. This is usually not a great sign. Their Better Business Bureau reputation is a total flop, sitting at an "F”. Luckily there are a lot of individual product reviews to be found. It seems like most luggage items from Delsey Paris receive between 4.2 and 4.4 out of 5 stars when rated by hundreds of buyers. Rarely did a product reach a full 5 out of 5 stars, and if it did, it was based on ratings from only a couple of people. Overall, customers say the luggage is okay, but Delsey Paris' service and support are nowhere to be found when you need them.

Outperformed by competition

Nothing about Delsey Paris is particularly unique or stunning, but they are a luggage brand that's been around a long time. Unfortunately, based on their designs, pricing, and customer reviews, we probably wouldn't end up buying a Delsey Paris suitcase over something else. It's not a bad brand, but there are others who are outperforming them, so we've not given Delsey Paris one of our top ratings.

Thule

• Starting at $139
• About 35 different suitcase choices
• Unique backpack or duffel-like suitcase designs
• Limited lifetime warranty
• "A-” Better Business Bureau rating
• In business since 1942

Thule was founded in the deep forest of Sweden in 1942. Their founder, Erik Thulin, was a lover of the outdoors, so he started a company that would make it more convenient for people to carry their gear wherever adventure takes them. They started out introducing ski racks, then roof baskets and surfboard carriers, now with a diverse inventory of everything from jogging strollers to rooftop tents and luggage.

Beyond suitcases

The luggage and bags selection from Thule contains so much more than just checked bags and carry-ons. They have duffel bags, travel packs, laptop backpacks, camera backpacks, ski and snowboard cases and bags, hiking backpacks, hydration packs, bike travel bags, and the list goes on. If you need something unusual to come with you on your travels, odds are that Thule makes a specialty carrier for it.

For the sporty adventurer

For the sake of this particular review, we'll mostly be focusing on Thule's suitcases. They're unique-looking in that many of the suitcases are like backpacks on wheels with a pull handle for easy transportation. Others look like duffel bags on wheels and a few of them do look like a typical hardside suitcase. All of the products have "Thule” clearly displayed on the front, so it would be pretty easy to identify your belongings. Everything here definitely gives off "sporty adventurer” vibes, so if that is your personal style, you'll like what you see at Thule.

Unique exterior, standard interior

There are about 35 different types of checked or carry-on luggage you can choose from. Thule has a few sizes of most bags or suitcases you can consider, and you'll mostly see color choices like olive, navy blue, black, and maybe something in red or burnt orange here or there. The four sizes of luggage you'll typically be able to choose between are a carry-on around 22”, a medium-sized suitcase around 28” and a large size that's 30”. Although they differ quite a bit in looks on the outside, most of Thule's luggage has an interior with one side for clothes and a strap that goes across them, and a zipped pocket on the other side - just like you'd find from most other luggage brands.

For serious travelers

Where Thule really differs from the competition we've researched is in pricing. A black backpack is listed as their cheapest option, which may or may not be considered luggage by some people's standards. The backpack is $139, but most Thule carry-ons are in the $250 - $350 range and checked bags are easily $358 - $500 with the most expensive being $933. The higher-end luggage is made of 100% impact-resistant polycarbonate with a reinforced front panel and rigid frame. It has small recessed front wheels and oversized back wheels to navigate tough terrain, plus TSA locks and puncture-resistant zippers. All in all, Thule isn't trying to be a bargain brand, but rather aims to offer high-quality, cool-looking luggage for serious travelers.

Limited lifetime warranty

All Thule luggage and duffel bags come with a limited lifetime warranty. This means they will remedy defects in materials and workmanship by making necessary repairs without charge for parts or labor. If it is impossible to make the repairs, Thule will replace your suitcase or bag outright. To see if your piece of luggage qualifies for a warranty repair, you should reach out to Thule directly.

Cool brand, uncool customer service

The Better Business Bureau gives Thule an "A-” rating, which is higher than what we've seen from quite a few of their competitors. Their luggage mostly receives anywhere from a 4.4 to a 4.8 out of 5-star rating average from customers, making Thule a well-liked and respected brand…in theory. But, some say when it comes to customer support, they leave you hanging. People spend a lot of money here and if their luggage comes with issues or they need something fixed under the warranty, it's commonly reported that this is hard to accomplish. If you don't have your original receipt, you can't get any help regarding a warranty claim - and even then they sometimes give you the runaround.

Too extravagant for the everyday traveler

We believe that Thule is a great company to find a lot of awesome travel products. Their inventory is wide-ranging and caters to adventurers of all types, so it's fun to see what they have to offer. We really like the look of their luggage and that it's different from what you see every day. However, Thule may not be for everyone simply because their prices are so much higher than more basic luggage companies. The typical traveler doesn't need a $500 suitcase, so it might not be practical to look for one here. We're also a little apprehensive about Thule's customer service, especially for people spending so much money. Because of this, Thule doesn't rank as one of our top choices for luggage.

Tumi

• Starting at $595
• About 33 different styles
• 5-year warranty
• Unfiltered product reviews
• In business since 1975

Since 1975, the backbone of Tumi's brand is the durability and craftsmanship they pour into luggage production. Their 5 guiding principles include design excellence, superior quality, technical innovation, functional superiority, and world-class customer service. Tumi has over 125 patents and tries to stay ahead of the curve with traveling needs and trends. Tumi is also the official luggage partner of the PGA Tour, LPGA, McLaren Racing, and Tottenham Hotspur Women.

Extra storage solutions

Tumi has a big inventory of both backpacks and carry-on/checked bags. They're a professional brand that includes storage features in their products that we didn't see anywhere else. For example, some suitcases come with a removable suit section that has a zip pocket on the garment sleeve and a fiberglass rod to keep everything flat and smooth. There are extra zip pockets in most collections, which adds to a traveler's ability to keep belongings organized.

Single sizes

There are about 33 different styles of suitcases here that differ in structure, interior features, and size. Most of the inventory at Tumi are carry-ons, but there is a decent selection of checked bags as well. They have both hardside and softside options that come in colors like black, pink, white, gray, olive, navy, or light blue. Most suitcases come in a single size, so you can't pair together your own set very easily if you want the same design in multiple sizes.

Really expensive

A glaring difference between Tumi and other brands we've evaluated is that Tumi's luggage is pretty expensive. Carry-ons start at $595 and can easily cost over $1,000. Checked bags start at $795, so if you're buying multiple pieces from this brand, you should expect to spend a couple of thousand dollars at the very least. The exterior material on Tumi's suitcases appears to be really high-quality and some of their interior organization is unique, but many of the other features they outline are similar to what other (much cheaper) brands say they offer, so we can't entirely nail down how they are justifying the high prices.

Rigorous product testing

Tumi boasts that they pioneered many of their own tests to ensure the highest quality for their customers. Bags are tested by tumbling them 125 times to see how they hold up. They use a handle jerk test to make sure the handle is properly installed and completely secure. Their zippers are guaranteed not to tear and they use a mileage cycle test to see how their wheels hold up over long distances.

5-year warranty

In the event that your Tumi luggage needs repairs or replacement, the company gives customers a 5-year warranty. The first year is worry-free, meaning Tumi will cover all expenses (including shipping costs to and from a repair center) for wear and tear related to normal use or airline handling. If a suitcase is beyond repair, they will replace it at no charge. Years 2-5 come with coverage for manufacturing defects and normal wear and tear. You'll be responsible for the cost of sending your luggage to Tumi's repair center and there may be an additional nominal fee involved, but they will quickly repair your bags and ship them back to you for free.

Lower reviews than expected

If we are going to spend thousands of dollars on luggage, we need to know that it's going to last us a long time (or forever) but Tumi's reviews aren't as high as we would hope. Many of their suitcases are in the 3/5 star range, which is lower than many other brands. We found a lot of buyers who said that the company doesn't honor their warranty, zippers break after only a few uses, it's difficult to contact customer service, orders are canceled unexpectedly, and so much more. It doesn't help that Tumi doesn't have a Better Business Bureau rating either.

Needs some polishing

Tumi does a good job of positioning itself as a high-quality, luxury luggage brand that rigorously tests its products, but they don't live up to their own hype. If they were to make an effort to polish up their customer service efforts, they might have a much happier shopper base, but there are definitely some issues in that department. Because of this and their high prices, we aren't going to turn to Tumi for luggage anytime soon.