We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Travel Products The 9 Best Checked Luggage of 2025, Tested by Real People For every traveler on every trip By Madison Yauger Madison Yauger Madison Yauger is a shopping editor at PEOPLE.com with eight years of digital media and journalism experience. She has a penchant for lifestyle content with a focus on staples like cozy throw blankets, chic dog jackets, Away luggage, and the linen pants celebrities can’t stop wearing. People Editorial Guidelines and Avery Stone Avery Stone Avery Stone has extensive expertise in the beauty and lifestyle space. She also has testing experience from her previous role as an editorial director at Dotdash Meredith. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 6, 2025 07:15AM EST In This Article View All In This Article Hardside Luggage Softside Luggage Other Checked Luggage We Tried What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People Most of us have at least one airport snafu story, and while it may be a fun moment to rehash after the fact, it’s certainly not enjoyable when it’s playing out in real time. Checked bags bring their own set of challenges since they leave your sight for most of your journey — which is why it’s essential to have durable, maneuverable, and well-designed checked luggage, whether you choose a hardside or softside option. We tested nearly 40 hardside and softside bags in scenarios that mirror real life, from filling them with a week's worth of clothing to dragging them across area rugs and gravel. We considered each bag's capacity, overall design, maneuverability, and durability to determine the best checked luggage of 2025. Hardside Luggage Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels PHOTO: Amazon $200 $176 at Amazon $320 at Zola Star Qualities Large capacity and keeps its shape when stuffed to the brim Effortless maneuverability across different floor types Incurred no scratches or dents in durability test Red Flags We couldn't find any! This Samsonite suitcase — our top-performing option on this list — could handle it all, full stop. Even when we stuffed this bag to its maximum capacity, it maintained its shape and size. Also, its compression feature keeps everything as compact as possible, and its divider separates clean clothes from used items. To test this suitcase’s durability, we hit it with a baseball bat (really!) and shoved it off a counter for good measure. It stayed intact without a single scratch or dent. FYI, most polycarbonate luggage scuffs a little when roughly handled, but these marks are easy to buff away. Also, when we tested how this suitcase moved across different surfaces, including carpet and simulated gravel, it rolled seamlessly every time. Plus, we loved how its sturdy handles made it even easier to maneuver. While not the priciest option on this list, this suitcase is a bit more expensive, but the price reflects its high-quality construction. Dimensions: 31.0 x 20.0 x 12.75 inches | Weight: 11.5 pounds | Material: 100% polycarbonate construction | Colors: 14 | Expandable: Yes | Features: Side-mounted TSA locks, compression feature, divider for organization, expansion feature PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: TripSavvy PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Béis The 29-inch Large Check-in Roller PHOTO: Beis $328 at Nordstrom View on Beistravel.com Star Qualities Comes with a weight indicator Spacious with many pockets and compartments for easy organization Wheels easily glided across hard floors and carpet Red Flags Showed scuff marks during our durability test, though this may not be an issue with darker shades Béis, the brainchild of actress Shay Mitchell, is a widely popular travel brand, and this suitcase is a true classic — one of our top two performers on this list. Its large size fit everything on our packing list with space left over, and it has interior pockets for easy organization. It also comes with two drawstring bags (for laundry or other accessories). It expands for extra room, and its zippers have a super smooth closure. In our durability tests, this Béis suitcase did get slightly scuffed, but it protected everything inside. Testing its set of four spinner wheels, we noted that the bag glided easily across a carpet and hard floors, but it needed a little help on gravel. This suitcase also has a passcode lock for added security (TSA-approved!) and a strap on the front for attaching a carry-on (which securely held our purse). Plus, there’s a weight indicator, so you can know if your bag will exceed your airline’s weight limit ahead of time. How It's Held Up We’ve been traveling with this Béis bag for six months, and it remains a favorite. Its hard case has protected our belongings without fail, and its roomy capacity and interior pockets make it easy to stay organized. Dimensions: 31.3 x 19.7 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 11.84 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate PVC polyester | Colors: 6 | Expandable: Yes | Features: TSA-compatible lock, weight limit indicator PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-in Expandable Hardside Spinner PHOTO: Amazon $470 $400 at Amazon $470 $376 at Travelpro.com $376 at Bloomingdales Star Qualities Super maneuverable on rugs, gravel, and all bumps Aced our durability test Top-notch internal organization with a water-resistant pocket and zippered panels Expandable Red Flags Pricey, though it's super high-quality Hardside luggage is often the most durable type of suitcase and this Travelpro bag is proof. Case in point: We shoved it off a countertop and took multiple swings at it with a baseball bat, and there were only a few scuff marks after (no dents or dings). Its spinner wheels also allowed for easy maneuverability, and it rolled over bumps, rugs, and gravel smoothly. This bag is also quite spacious; it includes an expansion zipper for even more room if needed. Despite the bag’s lack of external pockets, we found there was plenty of space for our travel clothes, shoes, and toiletry bags. It also has straps and zippered panels on either side of the case to prevent things from shifting in transit, as well as a water-resistant pocket for dirty or wet clothing. Lastly, it’s quite sleek, making it a functional and stylish hardside luggage option. How It's Held Up The Travelpro Platinum has held up well on several trips during the past six months. We took it on an eight-day trip that included train travel, weddings, and sightseeing, and we found it to be durable, stylish, and spacious. Plus, it still looks as good as new, with only minor signs of wear and tear. One thing to note is that it weighs around 12 pounds, which is heavier than some of its similar-sized counterparts. Dimensions: 30 x 18 x 13.5 inches | Weight: 12.3 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate shell | Colors: 5 | Expandable: Yes | Features: TSA-compatible lock, water-resistant pocket PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People July 26-inch Checked Bag PHOTO: July View on July.com Star Qualities Weighs less than 10 pounds when empty Comes with a dust bag and a instructions pamphlet Despite its medium size, it’s spacious and features several compartments for added organization Red Flags Got some marks and dings during our durability tests Wheels caught a bit on carpet and gravel flooring When it comes to checked bags, the lighter, the better. This July bag weighs less than 10 pounds when empty, but despite its small size, it has many compartments for added organization, as well as a compression pad to help you store a decent amount of clothing. We also liked that it arrived with a dust bag to store it in when not in use. On the other hand, this bag succumbed to a few dings and scuffs when we tested its durability; every time we hit the bag with the bat, it left a mark. That said, we tested the baby pink shade, so buying a dark color might prevent some of these visible scuffs. The wheels were more effective on hardwoods than on carpet (less so on gravel). Given its medium size and lighter weight, we think this would be the ideal suitcase for shorter trips. How It's Held Up In three months with this bag, we traveled throughout the U.S., as well as to South America and Antarctica. While it’s on the smaller side for a checked bag, its size made it easier to stay under the 50-pound weight limit. Although it showed signs of wear (scratches on the metallic corners and scuffs on the case), this was expected due to its light color and matte finish. Dimensions: 26 x 18.75 x 11 inches | Weight: 8.3 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate shell | Colors: 16 | Expandable: No | Features: Personalization, TSA-compatible lock PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Paravel Aviator Grand Checked Luggage PHOTO: Amazon $545 at Amazon View on Tourparavel.com $545 at Bloomingdales Star Qualities Comprised of entirely recycled materials Fit everything we packed with ample leftover space Red Flags Incurred minor dings and scuffs after our durability tests, despite the brand's scuff-free material claim We think it might be a bit overpriced We’ll call it like it is: This bag is downright Instagrammable. We especially love its faux leather details and the fact it’s made with recycled materials, as well as the brand’s promise of carbon-neutral production. In terms of capacity, this suitcase fits everything we packed with plenty of extra space; its sides are deep and include zippered sections for added organization. This suitcase boasts a textured finish to prevent scuffs, but we saw a few tiny marks after both of our durability tests, though it protected its contents every time. It feels sturdy on the go, too — its wheels rolled beautifully around our “airport” setup, navigating various cones, bumps, and across different floor types (though it did catch slightly on gravel). While this bag is stunning, it doesn’t stand out from others on our list in terms of features, so its price could be a dealbreaker for some. How It's Held Up After one month of use (including a 12-day trip to Peru), we found this bag helpful for a long trip where we needed to pack several bulky items. While its overall capacity was smaller than we expected, we were able to pack everything into its two large compartments, and its large zippered pocket was useful for storing dirty laundry. Although it sustained a few scratches and scuffs, it still looked good after being checked six times. Dimensions: 18.25 x 28 x 11 inches | Weight: 11.8 pounds | Material: Recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum, recycled zippers, vegan leather, and nylon lining made from plastic bottles | Colors: 5 | Expandable: No | Features: Removable laundry bag, TSA-compatible lock PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Roam Check-In PHOTO: Roam View on Roamluggage.com Star Qualities Complete customization on every inch of the bag Moved with ease around our obstacle course Incurred no signs of impact during durability tests Red Flags Not as spacious as other bags, though it comes with compression boards Pricier than others on our list For those who appreciate the art of customization, this suitcase lets you choose every color on every part of the bag, including the lining, wheels, and zipper, as well as a monogram patch. While we appreciate its compact design, we do wish it had a slightly larger capacity. That said, it comes with compression boards to pack as compactly as possible. In our durability tests, this bag proved to be super sturdy with no scuffs or destruction. Plus, it was extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver on smooth surfaces and gravel, and its waterproof zipper added protection on rainy travel days. Although this bag has a higher price tag, we vote that it’s worth it for its performance and unparalleled customization options. How It's Held Up During the past three months, we’ve taken this bag on flights and road trips, and its performance impressed us. (We think it’s a good size for a week-long trip or even a bit longer.) Even though it wasn’t scratch-proof, we recommend it for those looking to invest in a customizable piece of luggage that holds up well and is easy to maneuver. Dimensions: 26 x 17.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate shell | Colors: 9 | Expandable: Yes | Features: TSA-compatible lock, compression boards, customization PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Nex Hawaii Edition Navigator PHOTO: Nex View on Meetnex.com Star Qualities Stylish design is sure to make a statement throughout your travels Ergonomic handle and spinner wheels make pulling this suitcase a breeze Passcode lock offers added security Spacious interior offers tons of space for long trips Red Flags We couldn't find any! If you're looking for a suitcase for long trips, this colorful Nex suitcase will store everything you need for extended travel. It’s designed to hold up to two weeks' worth of clothing and its modest weight means you won't exceed any weight limits. Best of all, this suitcase is an accessory in and of itself. Dare we say, you’ll even be excited to pack! As far as durability goes, its polycarbonate exterior is extra tough and performed well in our tests. While polycarbonate tends to scuff, these marks shouldn't be too difficult to buff away, and we haven't noticed any prominent wear and tear. Overall, this suitcase’s thoughtful design and special features — from its passcode lock to its statement-making style — give it a luxurious feel that sets it apart from others on the market Editors Say "I've tested a lot of luggage, and nowadays, I don't see a ton of variation, but this checked option from Nex is gorgeous. Also, its handle is the most ergonomic I've ever encountered, and it’s also very lightweight. Even hotel staff members have complimented me on this checked bag!"—Erin Johnson, associate editorial director Dimensions: 30 x 21 x 11 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate | Colors: 4 | Expandable: No | Features: TSA-compatible lock, storage package, spinner wheels PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Softside Luggage Briggs & Riley ZDX Medium Upright Duffel Bag PHOTO: Bloomingdales $499 at Amazon $499 at Nordstrom $499 at Briggs-riley.com Star Qualities Extremely durable fabric that aced our durability tests Very lightweight Wheels can navigate gravel, hard surfaces, and carpets with ease Red Flags Pricey Made of ballistic nylon that’s extremely difficult to damage, this duffel bag-style checked luggage is without a doubt the most durable of any we tested. In fact, even when we vigorously pushed this duffel off a countertop and hit it with a baseball bat, it showed absolutely zero wear and tear. Additionally, its wheels maneuvered easily across hard surfaces, carpet, and gravel, and it felt super lightweight on the go. This bag’s design also lends itself to durability, available in two dark colors that don’t easily show dirt or scuffs. It also comes with three different-sized compartments to help you organize your clothes, shoes, and toiletries, and its interior is really spacious, with straps to help keep everything in place. It’s definitely expensive, but we vote that its quality makes it worth the investment for longer trips. Dimensions: 25.75 x 15 x 14 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | Material: Ballistic nylon | Colors: 2 | Expandable: No | Features: Monogramming PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Tumi Alpha Short Trip Expandable Packing Case PHOTO: Tumi $1,195 at Amazon $1,195 at Nordstrom View on Tumi.com Star Qualities TSA-compliant zippered security feature for extra protection Extensive capacity and storage with varying-sized pockets for organization, including a removable garment sleeve Includes a unique tracer number for easy locating Red Flags By far the most expensive bag on our list Heavy (15.4 pounds) If you see a celebrity in an airport, chances are they’ll have a Tumi suitcase by their side. Though stylish, this bag’s functionality is what really dazzles. First off, we appreciated its capacity — which fit many items of varying sizes during our tests — as well as the fact that its zippers worked seamlessly. It also comes well-equipped with special features, including a TSA-compliant security zipper for added protection, extensive pockets, a removable garment sleeve, and an expandable exterior with bumper rails. Plus, each bag comes with a unique tracer number for easy recovery. During our durability assessment, this bag only sustained minor injuries: some dirty marks but no dents or scuffs. We noticed it was rather heavy when empty, which could get you to the 50-pound weight limit faster than preferred, but it was easy to maneuver, though its wheels did stick a little when we ran it over gravel. Overall, we think this Tumi option is a highly functional (and fashionable) bag that would work for long or short trips. While it is expensive, if it’s within your budget, we think it’s a worthwhile investment for a seasoned traveler. How It's Held Up After six months of regular use, we are beyond impressed with this Tumi bag. We traveled with it on a 10-day trip to Australia and were able to pack four pairs of shoes on its smaller side and all of our clothing and toiletries on its larger side, with room to spare. Its exterior still looks nearly new with just a few scuff marks on the rubber accent pieces. Our only issue with the bag is the wheels, which seem to favor one side. Dimensions: 26 x 19 x 13 inches | Weight: 15.4 pounds | Material: Ballistic nylon | Colors: 3 | Expandable: Yes | Features: TSA-compatible lock, customization, Tumi tracer, security zipper PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People PHOTO: People Other Checked Luggage We Tried Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 28-inch Large Checked Spinner: There are lots of reasons to love the Chatelet Air 2.0, including its elegant exterior, lightweight shell, smooth-rolling wheels, and zippered compression flaps on both halves of its clamshell. However, over six months of use, it incurred several scratches and scuff marks, and we felt that its higher price point may not be worth the investment. What to Know About Checked Luggage Durability Checked luggage sees a lot of manhandling; therefore, it needs to have a thick skin. The material, size, and type of suitcase will all contribute to its overall durability and will ultimately determine how many trips it will take in its lifetime. Transportation Security Administration regional spokesperson Lisa Farbstein tells PEOPLE that the TSA is “able to screen all checked baggage,” so that means most materials are fair game. In terms of size and material, if you travel more frequently, you might prefer a smaller hard-shelled suitcase for easy mobility and long-term durability, but infrequent fliers might prioritize design and capacity. A hardshell suitcase made with hard plastic like polycarbonate might scratch, but it won’t have the same long-term damage that a soft suitcase will — such as tears, rips, and material wearing down over time. Hard-sided luggage is also more water-resistant, so you can relax if it happens to be pouring rain when they’re unloading your suitcase from the plane. Some highly durable picks on our list include the Briggs & Riley Medium Wheeled Duffel and the Roam Check-In. Design The design of a suitcase is important because it will determine storage and capacity, ease of maneuvering around an airport, and overall use. Spinner wheels are one design element intended to make it easier to pull your luggage around and usually come in a set of four. This distributes the weight of your luggage better, so you’re not straining to move it around. Most luggage also has various compartments and zippered pockets to help you keep your belongings organized during travel, like the Béis Large Check-In Roller and the Paravel Aviator Grand Checked. Price Luggage can have price tags that will make your eyes widen, but you don’t have to overspend to find quality suitcases. We do have some pricier options on our list, but we’ve also included many more affordable options, such as our best overall pick, the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage. If you travel often and have saved up to buy a quality piece of luggage, it’s worth spending the money on a piece you’ll have for years. If you’re more of a road tripper but want to have a piece of checked luggage on standby, go for the budget-friendly Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds. Behind the Scenes We set out to test checked luggage in scenarios that mirror real life. Capacity: For the packing stage: We looked at the overall capacity of each bag and considered how well it would work for efficient packers and overpackers (our team falls into both camps). We packed a week’s worth of shirts, pants, jackets, undergarments, shoes, and toiletries to really see how much would fit. Was it easy to organize? Was there room left over? Then we left for the metaphorical airport.Design: The design impacts all the rest of a bag’s qualities, so we looked at how the design aided or hindered mobility and durability. Did the wheels maneuver easily around our makeshift obstacle course of cones (representing the hundreds of fellow airport travelers around you, looking for their gates, waiting in bathroom lines, and standing in the middle of the walkway for no apparent reason)? Our team also ran the bags over rugs and DIY gravel to see how adaptable the wheels were. We looked at the materials, fasteners, and expanders and really compared which bags allow for versatile travel and which do not.Durability: Finally, and arguably the most entertaining part of the test, we evaluated durability by shoving the luggage off of countertops and hitting it with a baseball bat (using protective eyewear) to see how well the material holds up against the rough handling that usually occurs behind the scenes at airports. Considering all of that, we looked at what each bag offers and at what price and determined the overall value. Using these insights, we chose our favorite checked luggage for this list. Frequently Asked Questions What are the rules for checked luggage? Considering everything gets thoroughly checked by TSA and modern technology allows them to even “electronically screen [some] bags without opening them,” per Farbstein, you have some flexibility in your options. Aside from getting good luggage tags, she does have another piece of guidance for travelers: Get a “TSA-compatible” lock. If you lock your suitcase, TSA will still open it, so these universal locks allow security to do their job without damaging your luggage. (Note: They will cut off other types of locks if they need to get into your bag.) You can get these in any airport or travel store, and they’re marked as TSA-compatible. What size checked luggage should I bring for a week-long trip? If you’re someone who re-wears, rotates, and remixes your clothing pieces throughout a trip, you can probably get away with a smaller to medium-sized suitcase. However, if you like to bring a shoe option for every day of the week, then a large or even extra-large suitcase will give you the storage space you need. Is a hard or soft suitcase better? In terms of durability, a hardshell suitcase like the Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner is a safer bet to ensure your belongings get to your destination in one piece, but durability is not the only consideration when traveling. If you’re an overpacker, an expandable suitcase might be the better choice, in which case soft-sided luggage would be best, like the SwissTech Executive 8-Wheel Softside Luggage. As Farbstein says, TSA doesn’t have a preference for either type of bag, so this is up to your personal preference. Why Trust PEOPLE? Madison Yauger is an editor for PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy. For this story, she spoke to Transportation Security Administration regional spokesperson Lisa Farbstein and used insights from our lab tests to determine the best checked luggage of 2025. Additional selects were added by PEOPLE writer Cai Cramer after our PEOPLE Tested lab put checked luggage from Béis, Tumi, and Delsey to the test. Meet Our Expert Lisa Farbstein is the regional spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.