The Best Samsonite Luggage, According to Testing

WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Travelers embarking on a long trip who need a large suitcase

WHY WE LOVE IT: Receiving nearly perfect ratings from our testers, this extra-large checked suitcase is just what you need for a two-week trip, moving into college, or studying abroad. Basically, it can fit more than enough for the longest of trips, and it expands an extra 1.5 inches (so you can fit any souvenirs you get during your trip!). The suitcase has two deep sides—one of which is zippered—and a divider that can be used to separate clothing for two people or clean and dirty clothes. We also love the TSA-approved lock that keeps your items safe from being stolen.

Amanda Constantine, a product analyst in the Textiles Lab, is impressed by this suitcase’s handles and smooth wheels. “The handle is so sturdy and comfortable to use, thanks to the gripped push button,” she says. The suitcase's side grips also make it easier to pick up horizontally, which can be useful when going up a staircase. “The side handles were roomy and the easiest to grab onto out of all of the luggage I have tested recently,” Constantine says.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: While it’s large, one tester described this luggage as “sleek and lightweight.” Another tester said this luggage is “big enough to comfortably fit enough things for a longer trip, or in my case, fit all of my items and everything for my baby, too! But also not too big that you can overfill or go overweight.”

There's a small downside to such a large suitcase, though: One tester said it took up tons of floor space when you open it to get clothes out. Multiple testers noted that after fully packing the suitcase, it came in at just under the 50-pound maximum weight limit at the airport (just like magic!). Plus, testers loved "how easily it rolled with barely any effort."

SHOP THE SAMSONITE PARALUX COLLECTION

WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Worldwide trekkers who frequently take international flights

WHY WE LOVE IT: Some international airlines have smaller (and stricter) restrictions for the size of carry-on luggage. This suitcase from Samsonite’s new Paralux collection should fit within almost all airlines’ restrictions, so that you can travel the globe without any issues. Just keep in mind that you are sacrificing a bit of extra space compared to most carry-on suitcases with this model.

One of our luggage pros, Constantine, recommends it for international travel because “it comes with so many convenient features.” Decked out with an AirTag holder, a TSA-safe zipper lock, an added bag hook, a front pocket to grab your phone and passport, and complimentary packing cubes, this suitcase is prepared to keep your items sorted and safe. You’ll be able to keep all your clothing and items organized, which is a must when you’re traveling out of the country (it can feel hectic!).

Another innovative feature of this luggage is its dual-access design. Hardside suitcases typically have one center zipper that opens the sections flat, which takes up a significant amount of floor space. This suitcase has that traditional center opening, but it also has a “front door access,” which is similar to a softside suitcase’s opening. This allows you to reach into just one section of the suitcase, taking up less floor space and making it easier to grab items quickly. The price tag is definitely on the higher end, but we think this suitcase is a well-worth-it investment if you travel often.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: "This luggage is super easy to carry, thanks to its side handles, and it's incredibly lightweight, especially for a hardside suitcase," one tester said. "Also, I love the style of the exterior and interior, which looks very luxurious."

SHOP THE SAMSONITE SILHOUETTE COLLECTION

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Luxury travelers looking for a high-quality suitcase

WHY WE LOVE IT: The Silhouette collection has been around since 1958, and its excellent performance makes it a top contender on our list. Not only does it look super sleek, but it comes with tons of organizational features for all your travel gear and accessories, like a compression cube, Wetpak for laundry and shoes, tie-down straps, and more.

In Lab tests, it earned high scores for being easy to pack and having smooth wheels. Its outer shell showed no signs of wear in extensive abrasion tests, and testers gave it great scores.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: Several reported that the telescopic handle was sturdy, while others said they “love the front pockets” and found it “super easy to maneuver around cones.” However, some online reviewers found the zipper to be a bit wonky, but any issues were quickly resolved after tugging on it.

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Those who prefer flexible softside luggage

WHY WE LOVE IT: Easy to carry and light in weight, this softside suitcase is only 5.7 pounds. The UpLIFT Softside still has the brand's iconic, sleek design of its hardside luggage, but it has the pros of extra exterior pockets and a lighter weight. We love the two slimmer pockets on the front of the suitcase that make it easy to grab any important, smaller items without fully opening the main compartment. The front pockets even expand up to 0.75 inches, which isn't too common with softsided luggage.

This suitcase also features mesh zippered pockets that are accessible from the exterior and main openings, a removable wet pouch for liquids, a USB port (battery not included), and a cushioned side handle. To make it even better, Samsonite used 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles for the body fabric. And while the fabric is strong and durable, softside luggage is always a bit less protective for your items than hardside luggage.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: "It's lightweight but really packs a ton if you roll up clothes in bundles and carefully arrange the placement of items," one reviewer said. "It has a lot of pockets, some of which are cleverly designed to be accessible from the outside without opening up the suitcase."

SHOP THE SAMSONITE VOLTAGE COLLECTION

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Type-A travelers who want tons of organization in their suitcase

WHY WE LOVE IT: Rightfully one of Samsonite’s best-selling collections, the Voltage has a unique geometric-textured shell that will help you spot it among other bags on the luggage carousel. In addition to the neatly organized compartments you’ll find on all Samsonite suitcases, we like its large interior capacity that expands an extra inch (although we wish it could expand a bit further).

In Lab tests, our pros found the suitcase easy to pack, and it had good durability scores overall—but they pointed out that the handle wasn’t as sturdy. Weighing a bit over 10 pounds, it’s on the heavier side, though you can purchase the lighter and smaller carry-on spinner, or spring for the set if you need both.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: “I like the texture on the outside of the suitcase,” said one tester.

SHOP THE SAMSONITE DETOUR COLLECTION

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Those who want a mix of a duffle and a wheeled suitcase

WHY WE LOVE IT: Not a fan of traditional hardshell or softshell suitcases? Consider this wheeled duffel from Samsonite that our travel experts love. It’s available in two sizes (29 inches and 34 inches), so you can choose the best one for your upcoming trips.

While it's not expandable, our pros like that it has two packing compartments, so families or those traveling with a significant other can stay organized by not having to share one main compartment.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: “I packed clothes for me, my son, and daughter for a long weekend, with swim shoes and gear on the bottom and all of our clothes on top,” said one tester.

Others highlighted its high-quality design that helps make travel days less stressful. “I am usually skeptical of duffel bags because while they are super light and easy to store, they can be such a pain to carry around… I thought that this Samsonite duffel was the perfect hybrid between suitcase and duffel, and the wheels made it IDEAL for traveling,” said another tester.

WHO IT'S BEST FOR: Travelers going on overnight or weekend trips

WHY WE LOVE IT: Quick getaways don’t always require a bulky suitcase, which is why our pros recommend this lightweight travel backpack. Part of the Silhouette collection, its design is both sleek and practical and made to help you stay organized. It opens up like a hardshell suitcase and features functional sections as well as a holder for your AirTag, a handy padded laptop sleeve, and an expandable water bottle pocket.

It’s made with the same abrasion-resistant polyester fabric you'll find on other Samsonite softsided luggage, so you don’t have to worry about it going through TSA machines. Our pros love that a luggage sleeve is built in if you want to pair it with a carry-on. Also unique is that you can convert it into a shoulder bag or briefcase, thanks to its extra handles and straps. Still, it does have a smaller interior capacity.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: "This deserves 10+ stars. This is seriously one of the best travel backpacks I’ve ever had the pleasure to own. It’s so carefully crafted, not only material-wise, but space and design-wise," one reviewer said.

WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Those who want a suitcase that won’t fall over easily

WHY WE LOVE IT: Luggage that can’t seem to stay upright can be a hassle, especially on hectic travel days or in busy areas. This pick from Samsonite features a wide design that helps prevent it from toppling over.

Though our pros love its unconventional shape, it’s important to keep in mind that it may not be as easy to maneuver freely through narrow spaces or tight baggage claim ramps. But according to our pros, it’s still a great option if you’re worried about lugging a checked case and want something that feels more stable to roll. It also comes in other sizes, including a 20-inch carry-on, a larger checked glider, and more.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY: “It’s an odd shape, but I like it because it really stands out when it’s coming down the belt at baggage claim. It’s roomy. There is a nice panel where you can put your shirts and zip them in. I wear suit jackets and pressed shirts for work, and I find that I’m able to pull them out of the bag and just do minimal touch-up with wrinkle release spray,” one online reviewer wrote.

WHO IT’S BEST FOR: Those who prefer flexible softside luggage that you can really stuff with everything you need for your upcoming adventures

WHY WE LOVE IT: Our pros were impressed by its smooth rolling wheels for easy maneuvering. The durable polyester withstood repeated rubbing in Lab abrasion tests, and the suitcase looked great after being repeatedly dropped by our drop tester.

Frequent travelers will appreciate its many organizational pockets, including three exterior pockets perfect for accessories, and two interior zipper pockets, as well as a compression strap that holds everything together. It features 1.5 inches of available expansion, handy for overpackers, though some testers do note that they wish it offered even more packing space inside. A built-in USB port for charging your phone on the go is included as well—just keep in mind that batteries are sold separately.

REVIEWERS SAY: “Wheeled the thing at least 5 miles over all types of terrain, including some pretty rough stuff. Wheels still in good shape with no flat spots. They seem like they should last many more trips to come. The bag itself is well constructed and has a very solid feel,” one online reviewer said.

RELATED: Best Softside Luggage, Tested by Travel Experts