50 Top Luggage Recommendations for 2026 Travel

A good suitcase makes every part of travel easier, from packing at home to navigating the overhead bin. A great one feels almost invisible. It’s lightweight, surprisingly easy to organize, and tough enough to withstand the shoves, scrapes, and stares it’ll collect on the road. I test dozens of bags each year on more than 100 annual flights, from international long hauls to regional puddle-jumps, and I’ve learned that great pieces are available at every price point.

 Whether you’re looking for a compact underseater, a rugged duffel that can take a hit, or a smart spinner that actually rolls as it should, there’s a bag here that’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for less. Some seem to hold more than they should, while others open and stash in weirdly brilliant ways. All of them perform and are available below, organized neatly by budget.

Best Luggage Under $50

For quick trips or light packing at a low price point, backpacks and duffels are key. The Amazon Basics Travel Backpack is structured enough for overnight use, and the High Sierra Travel Backpack has padded straps and a breathable back, making it comfortable to carry for longer periods. The Narwey Foldable Duffel expands in seconds when I need extra space, and the Rockland Duffel is a longtime favorite for its side compartments and durable build. I also keep the Outdoor Products Mountain Duffel on hand for bulkier gear when a roller will get in the way.

• Weekend getaway steal: Rockland Duffel, $18
• Packs down tiny: Narwey Foldable Duffel, $28
• High Sierra Loop Travel Backpack, $35 (originally $45)
• Surprisingly spacious: Amazon Basics Travel Backpack, $28
• Outdoor Products Mountain Duffel, $46
• Gym-to-gate M.V.P.: Puma Evercat Contender Duffel, $20 (originally $30)
• Ready-for-anything duffel: Adidas Defender 4.0 Duffel, $35 (originally $40)
• JanSport SuperBreak Plus Backpack, $40 (originally $42)
• Lightweight daypack: Columbia Trail Traveler 18L Backpack, $34 (originally $45)
• 75 percent off: Rockland Melrose 15-inch Wheeled Underseat Carry‑on, $45 (originally $180)

Columbia Trail Traveler 18L Backpack

Rockland Melrose 15-inch Wheeled Underseat Carry-on

Best Luggage Under $100

The SwissGear Sion 21-inch Softside Luggage combines expandable packing with smooth, 360‑degree wheels that make long airport terminals easier to tolerate. When I’m working on the go, the Samsonite Better Than Basic Backpack keeps my laptop and accessories organized with much-appreciated ergonomic comfort. The REI Co‑op Roadtripper 100 Duffel holds a surprising amount without bulk, and the Matein Rolling Backpack is great for backpack-style traveling when I still need to roll the bag occasionally.

SwissGear Sion 21-inch Softside Expandable Luggage

American Tourister Stratum 2.0 Hardside Expandable Carry-on

Best Luggage Under $200

I pack the Eagle Creek Migrate 110L Wheeled Duffel for moderate adventure, hauling like a champ and handling rough, wet ground without complaint. When I want something sleeker, the Quince Expandable Carry-on glides through airports with compression panels that actually compress. Travelpro’s Maxlite Air V2 Carry-on is the workhorse I take on mileage runs for its ultra-light body and impact resistance. The Calpak Luka Mini Softside Carry-on feels more like a plush weekender than a spinner, and the Bagsmart Hardside Carry-on zips open clamshell-style and never fights me at TSA.

• T+L editor-loved: Samsonite Freeform 2-piece Hardside Luggage Set, $199
• Flight attendant-approved: Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 20-inch Hardside Carry-on, $158 (originally $185)
• Eagle Creek Migrate 110L Wheeled Duffel, $199
• Quince Expandable Carry-on, $170
• TSA-ready compartments: Bagsmart 20-inch Hardside Expandable Carry-on, $110
• Easy-access front pocket: Calpak Luka Mini Softside Carry-on, $185
• Perry Ellis 24-inch Rolling Duffel, $136
• SwissGear 7366 19-inch Hardside Expandable Carry-on, $140
• Samsonite Andante 2 32-inch Wheeled Duffel, $120
• Split-pack organization: Eastpak Tranverz S 42L Softside Suitcase, $160
• Easy to spot: Vera Bradley Adair Rolling Duffel, $168
• Feather-light design: TravelPro Maxlite 5 19-inch Softside Expandable Carry-on, $136 (originally $185)
• Sherpani Meridian 29-inch Hardside Luggage, $170

Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 20-inch Hardside Expandable Luggage

Calpak Luca Mini Softside Carry-on

Best Luggage Under $300

The Sea Bags Recycled Sail Large Tote stands out in a sea of synthetics with its recycled sailcloth that’s naturally water‑resistant and built to take a beating on and off the boat. I take the Kulkea Käydä 44L Travel Backpack when I need full carry-on capacity with thoughtful support, while Samsonite’s Uplift Hardside Spinner glides smoothly on oversized wheels even when expanded and fully stuffed by my chronic overpacking. The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack makes access easy with its clamshell zip and internal mesh dividers.

• Weatherproof design: Kulkea Käydä 44L Travel Backpack, $280 
• Samsonite Uplift Checked Hardside Spinner, $282 (originally $330)
• Modular packing: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, $230
• Water-resistant: Sea Bags Recycled Sail Cloth Chebeague Travel Tote, $260
• Eddie Bauer Expedition 22-inch Rolling Duffel, $279
• Tons of pockets: Away 23-inch Softside Bigger Carry-on, $245
• Traveler’s Choice Ultimax II 30-inch Trunk, $255 (originally $300)
• Parisian style: Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 24-inch Hardside Luggage, $274
• Organized interior: Vera Bradley Adair 26-inch Hardside Luggage, $295
• Herschel Supply Co. Heritage 32-inch Hardside Luggage, $264 (originally $330)

Samsonite Uplift Checked Hardside Spinner

Away 23-inch Softside Bigger Carry-on

Best Luggage Under $500

The Lojel Cubo Small Lite is a go-to for high-capacity cabin travel, with a front-lid opening that lets me pack even in tight hotel rooms. The Béis Large Check-in Roller fits a week’s worth of clothes, and then some, with a built-in weight indicator that stops me from guessing, and the July 24.5-inch Checked Spinner holds up with anodized aluminum corners and lifetime guarantee wheels. Boundary Supply’s Errant X‑Pac works with add‑on modular accessories, letting me load it for long travel adventures or pare it down to near personal‑item size. The Nomatic 30L Carry-on stays upright no matter how I overstuff it, and the compression system really does free up more space.

Béis The Large Check-in Roller

Osprey Daylite 115L Collapsible Wheeled Duffel

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