13 best suitcases for your next holiday, tried and tested

What should I look for when buying a suitcase?

The type of luggage you should buy depends on how you travel. Try to consider the practicalities before being enticed by the endless colours and styles available!

Size: Will the suitcase fit in your car boot and be easy to lug about? If you think you may struggle, look for a robust yet lightweight option.

Weight: The weight limit for checked baggage varies between airlines; look it up before you travel as excess baggage charges are notoriously extortionate. The lightest suitcase we’ve featured weighs just 2.7kg when empty, with bulkier options coming in at up to 5.7kg. If you’re a frequent traveller, it may be worth investing in some luggage scales.

Durability: Checked baggage must be able to withstand the rough handling it will inevitably encounter during transit. It should also be sturdy enough to handle bumpy terrain and easy to manoeuvre along bustling streets.

Wheels: Most suitcases are four-wheelers — sometimes referred to as spinner suitcases — that can be wheeled alongside you as well as pulled behind. Two-wheeled suitcases tend to have slightly bigger wheels and can be easier to pull up and over kerbs, but we generally prefer the versatility and balance of spinners.

Handles: Most towing handles are telescopic and retractable for comfort. Suitcases with handles on the top and side, in addition to the towing handle, are easier to lift onto luggage racks, airport baggage scales and off baggage carousels.

Expandability: Many suitcases – including five in our round-up – feature an expandable panel that can be unzipped for at least 10% additional packing space.

Storage: Internal pockets can be found inside most hard and soft shell suitcases. Look for small integrated pockets, larger pouches that can fit a laptop, removable laundry bags, and garment sections that help keep suit jackets crease-free. External pockets, usually only found in soft-sided suitcases, are useful for stowing additional items that you want to grab quickly.

Is hard or soft luggage better?

Hard-sided suitcases have a rigid exterior that’s most often made from moulded polypropylene, polycarbonate, ABS plastic or aluminium. These materials are used to make car bumpers and crash helmets, so you can rest assured that they’re durable. Newer models are lightweight and many have an internal divider for better organisation. They don’t have external pockets, but there are usually one or two inside.

Soft-sided suitcases are made of polyester, nylon or a mix of the two. They tend to feature expandable sides, offering you additional internal capacity. Though generally less water-resistant than their hard-sided counterparts, most soft-sided suitcases have a waterproof PVC lining to keep your belongings dry in light rain. They offer a range of internal and external pockets but remember to padlock any valuables away.

Is it a good idea to lock your luggage?

Yes, a padlock is essential wherever you travel. Padlocks that feature the red Transport Security Administration (TSA) logo are highly recommended if you’re travelling to the USA. These TSA-approved padlocks have a universal master key; the TSA has a copy, meaning American airline security personnel can open your suitcase and examine its contents without damaging it.

Our verdict on the best suitcases

Our best buy is the affordable American Tourister Airconic Suitcase. It’s spacious and lightweight.

For something more premium, we’d suggest the Away The Large suitcase, which is packed with great design features that will please all frequent flyers.

Finally, if you’re on a tighter budget, the instantly recognisable Tripp Holiday 8 should serve you well.

Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

We take luggage testing very seriously here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, throwing them about, putting them in the shower and wheeling them across an array of surfaces to mimic real life use. All this is overseen by our homes testing manager, Blossom Boothroyd.

Then, our homes editor, Hannah Mendelsohn, takes the results to write thorough reviews. An avid traveller, Hannah looks after all our luggage buying guides, so knows exactly what to look for, and the brands worth trying.

20 March 2025: This article was updated to reflect the latest prices and best deals. We also updated the headlines and linked to other relevant Good Housekeeping content.

25 June 2025: We updated this article with our new review of the IT Luggage Spontaneous Large Suitcase. We also checked stock levels and prices.