The Ultimate Luggage Set Buying Guide: Sizes, Materials, and Features (2025)

Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 Carry-On/Check-In Set balances light weight and durability well, earning a 7/10 in our hands-on tests. We found the DuraGuard® coated polyester resists water and stains, the 360-degree spinner wheels make rolling effortless, and the low overall weight is a real benefit at the gate. On the downside our experience shows some users encounter a persistent chemical odor in the lining and the expandable capacity is limited, plus there’s no integrated TSA lock, so bring a small padlock if security is a concern.

The Coolife 3 Piece Luggage Set is pleasingly lightweight with smooth-rolling spinners and built-in TSA locks we appreciated during our review, making it a strong option for easy airport navigation. That said, our experience shows the ABS shell is prone to scratches and scuffs after regular use, and some users reported issues with lock quality and warranty support which lowers long-term confidence. Given its $199.99 price and a 6/10 score, it’s a practical, budget-friendly choice if you don’t need rugged, heavy-duty durability.

American Tourister’s Airconic offers convenient security and organization for casual travelers, and during our review we appreciated the built-in TSA lock and multiple packing compartments. It scored a 6/10 overall — we found the lightweight hardside shell easy to maneuver and the interior pockets practical, but zipper failures and reports of fabric holes after minimal use raise red flags for reliability. For short trips where security and organization matter this is attractive and affordable, but frequent flyers should be cautious about long-term durability.

Samsonite’s Freeform Luggage Set is one of the better mid-priced hard-shell options we tested, earning an 8/10 for its blend of strength and smooth handling. In our testing the expandable design and double-spinner wheels made packing and rolling effortless, and the TSA lock adds needed security; the set’s lightweight build is another real plus for avoiding overweight fees. Be aware our experience shows the glossy finishes scratch more easily and the 21" carry-on can be tight when expanded, and it lacks external pockets for quick-access items.

Delsey Paris’ Chatelet Air 2.0 is one of our top-rated choices, earning a 9/10 because in our testing the recessed TSA combination lock, SECURITECH zip, and dual-density double-spinner wheels combined for secure, silky rolling travel. We also appreciated the thoughtful interior with a laundry bag, shoe bag, and mesh pockets that kept outfits organized during longer trips, though our review notes lighter colors can show wear and the USB port needs your own charger. If you want premium security and refined handling without compromise, this set stands out.

In our testing the Samsonite Winfield 2 Carry-On (7/10) impressed with a 100% polycarbonate hard shell that absorbs impact and flexes to resist dents, and the four multi-directional spinner wheels kept rolling smooth through terminals. We found the integrated TSA-approved combination lock handy for security, but during our review the glossy finish showed visible scratches and scuffs sooner than textured shells. At $424.26 the price feels steep for a carry-on without exterior pockets, and our experience shows the lack of a side handle makes gate-side lifts and stair carries less convenient.

Rockland’s Safari Hardside Spinner Set scores a 6/10 and stands out for its eye-catching patterns and featherlight feel — in our testing the 360-degree spinners rolled smoothly and made airport turns easy. During our review we missed an integrated TSA-approved lock and found the shiny finish attracts fingerprints and minor scuffs, which affects its long-term appearance. At $105.99 it’s a fun, affordable choice for style-focused travelers, but limited handle padding and the non-expandable design make it less suited to heavy packing or frequent flyers.

Travelpro’s Platinum Elite Check-In Spinner impressed us with premium softside construction and features that justify its higher price, earning a solid 7.5/10 in our testing. We found the contoured telescopic handle and high-density DuraGuard nylon resist stains and stand up to frequent use, while the built-in suiter is genuinely handy for keeping shirts wrinkle-free on longer trips. That said, the magnetic self-aligning spinner wheels tend to drift toward the user and steering felt less precise than some competitors, and the cost is higher than budget sets.

If style matters, the American Tourister Moonlight set turns heads with bold, colorful patterns and lightweight maneuverability, and it scored a 6.5/10 in our review. We found the spinner wheels glide easily and the expandable shell is useful when you need extra room, but the hard exterior is prone to scuffs and scratches and there are no built-in TSA-approved locks for peace of mind. For weekenders or style-conscious travelers this is a fun, affordable pick, but expect to baby it to avoid cosmetic wear.

Kenneth Cole’s Out Of Bounds Spinner is a sturdy-feeling hardside suitcase with smooth 4-wheel spinners and a lightweight shell, and it scored 6.5/10 in our review. We found the ABS exterior provides solid protection and the multi-directional wheels roll well over different surfaces, but the telescopic handle only locks in one position and some users report handle durability problems over time. There’s no built-in lock, so plan to add your own security solution if you’re checking this as a primary travel case.

Briggs & Riley’s Expandable Spinner is engineered for maximum capacity, and in our testing its huge expandable interior truly frees you up for extended trips without constant compression packing. That abundance of space comes at a cost: our experience shows the case is heavier than many competitors and its premium price makes it a significant investment, reflected in its 5.5/10 score for value. If you prioritize uncompromising packing room and top-tier construction over weight or budget, this softside spinner is worth considering.

The Novaire 2 Piece Set by Samsonite impressed us with Bayer Makrolon® polycarbonate and a textured shell that hides scratches well while the four 360-degree spinners make rolling almost effortless in our testing. During our review we noticed the set isn’t expandable and the carry-on is on the smaller side, which reduces its packing flexibility for longer trips. Priced at $384.99 and scoring a 7/10, it’s a solid, premium-feeling option if you value impact resistance and refined materials over extra capacity.

The Amazon Basics 4-Piece Luggage Set is a bargain at $71 and gives you spinner mobility across every piece, but during our review it showed why economy sets have trade-offs — it earned a 5.5/10. We found the ABS hardshell keeps weight down and protects items reasonably well, yet ABS is less resilient than polycarbonate and the included 28-inch case isn’t suitable as carry-on for many airlines. If you’re outfitting a family on a strict budget this set delivers usable value, but don’t expect long-term durability or true premium materials.

The Travelers Club Chicago 20" Carry-On Spinner is an affordable hardside option with an expandable design that we found handy for weekend trips, but it scored 5.5/10 overall. In our testing the lightweight shell and extra packing room are definite pluses, yet wheel durability and a wobbly extended handle cropped up repeatedly in user reports and in our hands-on checks. If you want a protective hardside carry-on on a tight budget this will do the job, but expect potential hardware upkeep over time.

Wooakway’s 5-Piece Luggage Set offers an attractive balance of a lightweight, impact-resistant hardshell and smooth 360-degree spinners that made navigating crowds simple in our testing. We found the construction resists dents and everyday knocks, but our review noted zipper failures and TSA lock problems reported by users, and some pieces don’t expand as advertised which limits packing flexibility. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s a sensible choice for casual travelers wanting durable shells and easy rolling, but frequent flyers should be mindful of reported hardware inconsistencies.

The Hikolayae Hardside Spinner Set is an appealing budget option with lightweight ABS construction, 360-degree spinners, and a built-in TSA lock we found convenient in our testing. However, our experience shows recurring durability problems—customers reported wheels breaking and zippers failing, and the set’s non-expandable design limits packing flexibility on longer trips. Given its low $79.99 price but a modest 5.5/10 score, it’s best for occasional travelers who need an inexpensive, secure hardside solution but shouldn’t expect rugged longevity.

The Austin 4 Piece Luggage Set delivers surprising style and value at $89.99 — in our testing its smooth-rolling spinner wheels made navigating crowded terminals effortless and the ABS hardshell flexed back into shape after bumps. We found the shiny micro-diamond finish helps mask minor abrasion, but during our review reports of wheel durability and overall sturdiness after extended use lowered our confidence. Scoring 6.5/10, this colorful set is a practical budget pick for occasional travelers, though frequent flyers should be cautious about long-term resilience.

Delsey’s CHATELET AIR 2.0 is our top premium pick, earning a 9.5/10 thanks to its robust polycarbonate shell, smooth dual-density double-spinner wheels, and strong security features. In our testing the SECURITECH zip and integrated TSA-accepted lock elevated confidence in checked travel, and the build feels notably refined, though lighter colors can show wear faster. It’s roomy and elegant but not cheap at $749.99, and our experience shows the carry-on size can be tight on some smaller aircraft while the USB port requires your own power bank.

The International Carry-On from Tumi is lightweight and highly maneuverable — in our testing its spinner action felt effortless and easy to steer through crowded gates. That said, at $895 and a 6.5/10 score it’s one of the pricier carry-ons and our experience shows the limited packing space reduces overall value compared with similarly slim competitors. During our review the absence of an outside pocket was a consistent downside, since there’s no quick place for boarding passes or a phone when you’re rushing through security.

If you need an ultra-light, budget-friendly softside set, the Simultaneous Spinner Set is worth a look — it scored a 6/10 in our roundup. In our testing its lightweight construction made airport lifts and checked-bag weight limits much easier to manage, and the spinner wheels plus expandable profile add real packing flexibility; the included TSA lock is a nice touch. However, we found durability concerns in real-world use, so while it’s affordable at $229.99 it may not hold up for heavy travelers. Consider it a good option for occasional trips rather than daily use.

If you want something easy to wheel through airports, the Pivot 3 Piece Set by Samsonite delivers a notably lightweight hardside build and smooth spinner mobility that we found effortless in our testing. It’s expandable and includes a TSA lock for peace of mind, but during our review the limited internal pockets made organizing toiletries and small items a chore. The telescoping handle locks into a single position which may not suit every traveler’s posture, so while it scored a middling 6.5/10 it’s a decent budget-conscious pick for style and maneuverability.

Away’s The Bigger Carry-On in Navy Blue earned an impressive 8.5/10 for good reason: in our testing the polycarbonate shell stood up to bumps and its 360° spinner wheels rolled exceptionally smoothly. The roomy interior swallows a week’s worth of clothes, though during our review we found the lack of specialized compartments can make detailed organization trickier and its larger dimensions may not fit stricter overhead bins. If you prioritize durability and a premium rolling experience and don’t mind the higher price, this carry-on is a top pick.

This Samsonite 3 Piece Set delivers a lightweight hardside option with smooth-rolling wheels and three sizes that we found versatile for weekend jaunts or longer trips during our review. While the spinner action is pleasant and the TSA lock adds security, our experience shows the shell can dent under pressure and some users report wheels sticking or a flimsy handle mechanism, which impacts long-term reliability. Scoring 6.5/10 at $149.99, it’s a practical mid-range pick if you want lightweight mobility but should be handled carefully to avoid hardware issues.