The best suitcases for your holiday in 2023
Sophia Dalton With holidays on the way, finding the best suitcase is a serious business. While some travellers congratulate themselves for only taking hand luggage or a carry-on, the rest of us need a serious suitcase – and probably more than one (especially now that kids demand their own ride-on luggage). So for this guide to the year’s best suitcases, we’ve tried everything from the AWAY and Antler cases you’ve seen all over your Instagram feed to classics like Samsonite, Rimowa and Trunki for the kids.
You can read our full reviews below, along with answers to frequently asked questions like what’s the most durable suitcase, and what size is a regular cabin size. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five:
Which is the best suitcase in 2023?
By the way, if you’re looking for more travel accessories, read our guides to the best packing cubes and best travel pillows.
What should you look for in a suitcase?
Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato, says the key is that a suitcase is “durable and comfortable to use. To withstand all elements, I look for a suitcase that’s completely waterproof. Reliable 360-degree spinner wheels and hardwearing locks are also essential.”
How we tested the best suitcases
As well as quizzing the experts on their favourite cases, we loaded each case up and took it for a spin, quite literally, to test while travelling on buses, trains and planes. We rated them for weight (especially when using overhead storage), durability, sizing, how easily the case scuffs and any extra features and how comfortable the handle is to use.
If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, by the way, you might find our guide to the best backpacks useful.
The best suitcases
1. AWAY Bigger Carry On
Best overall, 10/10
We like: extremely good looking
We don’t like: it scuffs easily
- Weight: 3.8 kg
- Capacity: 47.9 litres
- Material: Polycarbonate hard shell
- Available in other sizes? Yes – a smaller carry-on, plus medium and large sizes
Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan
AWAY’s suitcases have something of a cult following on social media (largely thanks to all the colours and the optional monogram – yours for an extra £50). The AWAY Carry On has even been spotted flying with Prince Harry. Pleasingly, the brand more than lives up to the hype, and this cabin-friendly suitcase is worth the investment.
I like the durable, matte polycarbonate shell, which protects belongings when the case is stashed in an overhead locker or train luggage rack. As a chronic overpacker, I appreciate the fact that it’s generously proportioned (57.7cm x 37.3cm x 24.3cm) but still lightweight and cabin-approved on most major airlines. It’s not immune to scuffing – in fact, I managed to scuff it on its first weekend away with me – but it comes with a clever magic eraser to get rid of marks.
It has smooth 360-degree spinning wheels and is packed with extra features, including compressive pockets and a dirty laundry bag. If you pay an extra £20, you can also have a digital nomad-friendly built in USB charger. This case will be coming away with me for years to come.
2. Tripp Holiday Suitcase
Best value suitcase, 10/10
We like: solid suitcase for a budget price
We don’t like: lack of inside compartments
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Capacity: 66 litres
- Material: Polypropylene
- Available in other sizes? Yes – cabin and large sizes
Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan
Lightweight, almost indestructible and affordable, too – it’s not hard to see why you can’t move for Tripp suitcases in the passport queue at Gatwick. They are, without a doubt, the best budget luggage brand in the business – a large suitcase big enough for at least a fortnight’s clothes is under £100, the cabin version is just £49.50. The hard polypropylene shell is very practical and will survive no matter how carelessly it’s chucked in an overhead locker or the boot of the car. The medium case, pictured, is just 3.2kg, so it’s very lightweight considering the generous capacity.
It has no fancy features and no inner pockets, but it does the basics well, with a spacious inner compartment and four wheels for seamless 360 degree movement. All in all, a real work-horse that comes in cheerful colours kids will love.
3. Antler Expandable Cabin
Best expandable suitcase
We like: it’s compact but fits a surprising amount
We don’t like: it’s too small for anything bulky
- Weight: 2.9kg
- Capacity: 44 litres
- Material: Polycarbonate hard shell
- Available in other sizes? Available in medium and large without a laptop pocket
Reviewed by Rebecca Astill
I’d been on the lookout for a good small suitcase for months when I came across the Antler Expandable Cabin. I wanted one that was hardy enough to be thrown on a train and small enough to fit the overhead compartments. I also wanted one which would fit the sizing requirements for carry on luggage with most airlines. This attractive Antler suitcase in Mineral blue has ticked every box.
The Antler Expandable Cabin is a hard shell suitcase with a number of interior compartments. I particularly like using mine alongside Antler’s Chelsea packing cubes (£50) which are made to perfectly fit the flat base of the suitcase. You can fit a lot inside for how compact the suitcase is thanks to the deep case, expandable zip and organised compartments. It’s ideal for squishing anything soft like clothes but you’d struggle to fit a lot of solid, bulky items like any souvenirs you might pick up.
The case itself also has a TSA lock, four 360 degree wheels and an innovative twisting handle, so when you drag the case along the handle rotates for a more comfortable grip. Every detail of this case has been carefully considered, and it shows. It also comes with a 10 year warranty.
4. Eastpak Tranverz Medium Suitcase
Best soft-shell suitcase, 9/10
We like: it’s heavy-duty for a soft shell suitcase
We don’t like: it only has two wheels so always has to be dragged at an angle
- Weight: 3.1kg
- Capacity: 78 litres
- Material: Polyester
- Available in other sizes? Yes, available in extra-small, small and large sizes, too
Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan
I’ve owned this versatile fabric suitcase for years, and it’s surprisingly heavy duty given it’s soft-shell rather than hard aluminium or plastic. Telegraph Travel features editor Jade Bremner also loves Eastpak – and hers is good as new after a decade of travel.
The expandable design of the Tranverz is especially useful for stashing ski gear or going on longer trips, and it has two distinct zipped halves and a front zipped pocket that make it easy to pack and access when you’re on the move. It has a TSA-approved lock, adjustable straps and padded handles that make it a bit easier to put on luggage racks or conveyor belts.
As it’s a soft-shell design, it’s also a space-saver when it comes to storage. The only downside is that it has two wheels, not four, so can’t spin 360 degrees like the models above. However, for the impressive capacity, that’s a trade-off I’m willing to make.
5. BRIC’s Bellagio suitcase
Best suitcase for style, 8/10
We like: the chic, vintage look
We don’t like: the cream colour shows dirt
- Weight: 4.6kg
- Capacity: 36 litres
- Material: Polycarbonate hard shell with a leather trim
- Available in other sizes? Yes, several sizes up to an 80cm trunk
Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan
Travel journalist Claire Irvin recommended the BRIC’s Bellagio as the most stylish suitcase on the market. This Italian brand has been crafting luxurious luggage for over 60 years, and is the one to look to for a retro-inspired suitcase that will turn heads in the airport (even if cream isn’t the most practical option).
It’s made from durable, scuff-resistant polycarbonate and has water resistant zips and a stylish Tuscan leather trim. It cleverly ticks both off practical features (waterproofing, smooth swivel wheels, a retractable handle) and vintage charm – although it comes at a cost.
Selfridges6. Rimowa Aluminium original cabin case
Best aluminium suitcase, 8/10
We like: it will quite literally last a lifetime
We don’t like: almost £1,000 is more than most spend on the actual holiday
Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan
Jet-setters and celebrities love Rimowa suitcases, which are said to last for generations (and cost almost as much as any other family heirloom). Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato, swears by his Rimowa, which is unexpectedly lightweight given the heavy-duty metal finish. “The Rimowa Essential Cabin is as user-friendly as it is stylish. Rimowa makes them so they are completely waterproof, without fabric zippers that water can penetrate, which ensures that my belongings stay safely dry inside,” he says.
“Another feature I’m a fan of is that these suitcases close more like trunks with compression dividers, two built-in TSA-approved locks and a completely sealed opening.” It comes with a five year guarantee.
7. Samsonite Lite-Cube Spinner
Best shell suitcase, 8/10
We like: it’s ultra-resilient
We don’t like: expensive (but worth it for how long it lasts)
- Weight: 2.8kg
- Capacity: 96 litres
- Material: woven polypropylene
- Available in other sizes? Yes - five sizes from small (36.5l) to XL (122l)
Reviewed by Simon Lewis
Lifestyle reviews editor Simon Lewis has been using a pair of Samsonite Spinners for well over ten years. “It was an expensive purchase,” he says, “but they’ve proved far more resilient than any other luggage we’ve owned.”
The low weight is achieved using Samsonite’s shockproof material, CURV, made of woven synthetic fibres that flex along the shell-form ridges and bounce back, making the case very resilient to scuffs and dents despite the relative thinness of the material. Its divider pads, cross ribbons, inside pocket and three-dial combi lock are all fairly standard, but Simon rates Samsonite highly for their overall sturdiness.
“The wheels are very solid but manoevrable, so it glides around the airport with minimum effort and the sliding handle is properly chunky. It’s a very dependable piece of kit that, over the years, has proved a cost-effective purchase. I can see our Spinners going strong another ten years from now.”
8. Tach V3 Connectable 3PC Set
Best suitcase for families, 8/10
We like: the ingenious connectable design
We don’t like: the touch fastener might be too strong for children or elderly
- Weight: 4.76kg large, 3.86kg medium, 2.95kg small
- Material: PC/ABS composite shell
- Available in other sizes? Yes, three sizes from small to large
Reviewed by Rebecca Astill
Tach is for the families who despair every time they go on holiday. If you’re sick of suitcases flying off in every direction, children complaining about wheeling heavy bags, and having to check everyone has everything every five minutes, the Tach V3 Luggage Set is for you.
Its ingenious design means you can actually attach suitcases together, using strong touch fasteners. This set comes with a large case (71.1cm x 47cm x 30.5cm), a medium case (61cm x 41.9cm x 26.7cm), and a small case (49.5cm x 35.6cm x 22.9cm). I only tested these three connected, but Tach claims one person can pull nine fully loaded suitcases along attached together. You might block the walkway in Gatwick airport as people are running to make the boarding gate, but at least you’ll look good doing it.
I can’t vouch for nine but I can say the three suitcases connect seamlessly and run along the ground as one unit, even when piled full of heavy luggage. Each case slots perfectly into a slight raise in the middle of the below suitcase, and the touch fasteners are so strong I actually struggled to undo them (Tach does say it will loosen after a few uses).
Extra security comes in the form of a TSA lock and a pulling strap, which makes the suitcases easier to drag without straining the handles. You also get a two year warranty. The appearance of the suitcases isn’t quite to my taste, with the indents and raised areas making it all look a little techy, but that’s a minor gripe. This is a set of good value, practical suitcases, and three for £345 is a steal.
Best kids’ suitcases
1. Trunki
£45, trunki.co.uk
Best kids suitcase 9/10
We like: Children can pull or ride the Trunki themselves, or adults can carry it on one shoulder
We don’t like: Clasps are tricky for little hands to open
- Weight: 1.7 kg
- Capacity: 18 litres
- Material: Hard plastic shell
- Available in other sizes? No
The much-loved kids’ Trunki suitcase is always a winner for family holidays, but its latest “Design Your Own Trunki” idea has brought new energy to the range, allowing them to pick their own colours for the body, nose, stripes, horns, handles, hubcaps, wheels and straps.
My boys tried out two new designs, though: the very patriotic blue and white ‘Amelia the Aeroplane’ (inspired by Amelia Earhart) and ‘Dudley the Dinosaur’. They were very excited to pull the suitcase out of their boxes and play with them. They loved pulling them around and filling them with their toys. My older son even got excited about packing his bag for a weekend away.
There’s a good amount of space inside (18 litres to be exact) and it features easy-to-open clasps, two top handles and a detachable longer strap that you can pull it along with. The designs are fun and vibrant but still offer the durable and trusted design that has made Trunki such a long-standing hit (such as stabilisers to keep them steady, horns for them to hold onto, and lock in the Trunki’s nose that secures with the key on the strap). If you want to add some fun and practicality to your next trip, a Trunki might make the stressful airport run a little easier.
2. JetKids BedBox by Stokke
£179,Stokke
Best for long-haul flights with children, 9/10
We like: It can be used on flights and train journeys for children from aged 3-7
We don’t like: The five steps to create the bed aren’t super easy
- Weight: 3.8 kg
- Capacity: 23 litres
- Material: ABS plastic shell
- Available in other sizes? No
If you’ve ever travelled with a child on a long-haul economy flight, you’ll know that it can be a tricky experience. It can be hard for a child to get comfy on an aeroplane seat with no room for them to stretch out or even curl up. Leaning over for a cuddle is also often made difficult by an armrest that won’t retract. It’s this common problem that JetKids™ by Stokke® has aimed to solve with its ride-on kids’ suitcase that transforms into an extended seat for children on the plane.
Approved by airlines, the bed box is designed to act as a carry-on first and foremost (with 23l of packing space), fitting easily below an aeroplane seat or above in the hold. It also has swivel wheels so it’s easy to manoeuvre and the adjustable strap means you can sling it over your shoulder when you’re boarding.
Once you’re safely up in the air, you can remove the top and mattress and attach it to your child’s seat and the top of the bed box in five simple steps. Your child can then sit back while stretching their legs out. I’ve personally navigated a couple of hellish long-haul flights with my young children, and I would have given anything to have had a gizmo like this to help my children get comfy. This is a brilliant invention that I will absolutely be taking on my next flight with the kids while telling all of my friends to do the same.
3. Flyte Midi Frazer The Fox Scooter Suitcase
Best suitcase for older children, 9/10
We like: scootering your luggage is much more fun than sitting on it
We don’t like: handlebar takes up a bit of space inside the case
- Weight: 3.4 kg
- Capacity: 25 litres
- Material: Waterproof plastic shell
- Available in other sizes? No
Flyte’s Frazer the Fox Scooter Suitcase makes holidays more fun for 4-8 year-olds. It has an extendable handlebar and fold-out scooter deck, so that it can go from suitcase to ride-on toy in seconds. It can be a little tricky to pull the scooter deck out initially, so you may need to practise a couple of times to get the technique right.
It offers more space inside than the Trunki or JetKids™ by Stokke® but would also take up more space in an overhead compartment, which you’d need to bear in mind. The squishy fox-faced front can be squeezed down, reducing the case’s depth from 11” to 9.5”. Functionality wise, it has three easy-glide wheels which makes manoeuvring it around easy, clothes restraining straps inside the case, and an internal pocket.
My five-year-old son loved the suitcase and seemed to intuitively know how to use it, in the same way he does his own scooter. We also liked that when the scooter board is flipped up, it just becomes a regular wheelie suitcase. (Handy for when your child gets bored of scooting). We think it’s a great way of giving your child a sense of independence, as well as bringing some fun to an overnight stay or holiday.
Suitcase FAQ
Which brand of luggage is the most durable?
Black Tomato travel expert Tom Marchant’s favoured brand, Rimowa, is a German engineered stealth-wealth favourite. Prices start from £400. If you do invest, you’ll get a case that’s built to last. “My Rimowa has seen quite a few things around the world, including a tumble off the roof rack of a tiny car while winding down roads in Greece – and it’s miraculously intact, so being made of robust aluminium is also a major selling point for me,” he says.
Claire Irvin, the Telegraph’s former head of travel, favours the stylish Italian luggage brand BRIC’s. “I coveted a BRIC’s Bellagio suitcase for years, and eventually found the reason to splash out on one – my honeymoon to Tahiti,” she says.
“Its classic look evokes romantic memories of the golden age of travel, and the hard sides are perfect for squeezing in six weeks’ worth of outfits I packed. Fifteen years later, the case is now elegantly battered, and it still accompanies me on solo trips or the occasional delicious voyage a deux with my husband.”
What size counts as a carry on suitcase?
You’ll be forgiven for googling this every time you go on holiday, as the unfortunate reality is that every airline has different rules. British Airways, for example, allows a generous 56cm x 35cm x 25cm bag, Emirates is similarly big, allowing 55cm x 38cm x 20cm, and Virgin Atlantic allows 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.
A cheaper airline like easyJet has a smaller allowance, at 45cm x 36cm x 20cm. RyanAir’s allowance is (predictably) very small at 40cm x 20cm x 20cm. Jet2 has a large allowance for a budget airline, allowing 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. TUI Airways allows 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Each airline specifies their own allowances on their own website. If you want a universal cabin bag, that will fit most airlines, we’d suggest sticking to RyanAir’s frugal 40cm x 20cm x 20cm.
What is better, two wheel or four wheel luggage?
Four wheeled suitcases are better than two wheeled if you’re only wheeling on flat surfaces, but they tend to be more expensive. Two wheeled suitcases have to be pulled behind you while four wheeled suitcases can be pulled both beside and behind you. Four wheeled suitcases have better balance - two wheeled suitcases can easily fall over if the weight distribution isn’t quite right.
That said, the wheels on four wheeled suitcases are generally smaller and less stable, so two wheeled suitcases better suit rugged terrain. They’re also more durable.
Is a hard shell or soft shell suitcase better?
Soft shell suitcases have more flexibility for over-packers whereas hard shell suitcases are more durable and protective of valuables like laptops and iPads. To sum it up: it’s a very personal choice, it’s all about how you prefer to travel.
It’s no secret that checked in suitcases take a beating behind the scenes. We’ve all seen how high they get piled on transportation trolleys to and from aeroplanes and the accidental falls the airport staff think no one sees. It’s inevitable given the turnover times within flights - sometimes less than half an hour. If you prefer to check suitcases in, I’d recommend a hard shell suitcase.
Not all experts opt for hard-shell cases – Telegraph travel features editor Jade Bremner says: “It’s EastPak all the way for me – I’ve had mine for 10 years and it’s almost the same as when I bought it.
“It’s come with me to six continents, from city breaks to the jungle, forest and beach. It’s strong, reliable and squishy – if you need to get it into a compact space or stuff in last minute additions. It’s got sturdy wheels (push it upright or pull it along) and comes with a 30 year guarantee, too.”
If you tend to take your suitcase onboard with you, a soft shell suitcase might suit you better. They squeeze into smaller spaces, fit more inside and often weigh less.
