The 13 Best Affordable Luggage Pieces, Tested and Reviewed

Since the Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner exceeded our expectations at every turn when we first tested it two years ago, we recently tested another to make sure the suitcase still meets our standards—and it does. Designed to meet the carry-on restrictions of most major airlines, it’s constructed of extra-thick ABS plastic with a textured, scratch-resistant finish. We were amazed that it survived our durability tests unscathed in a show of function and form that suggests excellent value for money. “Even after whacking it pretty aggressively with a baseball bat, this bag stood up to scuffs and scratches beautifully,” says T+L senior editor Jasmine Grant. “The few imperfections that I did notice after the bat test were easily buffed out by rubbing them gently with my finger.”

The suitcase’s fully lined interior features cross-straps on one side and a divider panel on the other. This panel includes three zippered pockets perfect for stashing smaller items. We were able to fit everything on our packing list inside with ease, even without employing the expansion feature, but you can also expand it for more space. If you’re looking for a new luggage set, this carry-on is included in our favorite affordable luggage sets pick, which also comes with a 30-inch and a 26-inch spinner.

With four double spinner wheels and a telescoping handle, it was easy to push and pull over rough and smooth surfaces, turned nicely through our obstacle course, and handled bumps well—though the handle was wobbly at times. Color choices are fairly limited, but include navy blue, light blue, black, and orange.

The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 14.8 x 10 inches | 6.83 pounds | 41-liter capacity | Expandable | ABS, polyester

If you’re looking for a sturdy hardside option for your next family trip or extended international vacation, we love the Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 28-inch Checked Spinner. It’s made of durable yet lightweight ABS plastic, with molded corner guards for extra impact resistance. We found that it stood up well to our durability tests, despite sustaining a few scuffs around the edges. The interior is fully lined, with cross-straps on one side and a zippered divider that essentially creates two separate packing spaces. 

We found it deceptively spacious and could easily have fit enough clothes and extras for a month-long trip. Organization was good thanks to a hanging accessory pocket, and the multidirectional spinner wheels and retractable handle made for easy, 360-degree mobility even around tight corners. The lightweight trolley system also gives you a little extra leeway before exceeding airline weight restrictions. We loved the suitcase’s modern, sleek look. Choose from a range of colors including black and rose gold.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 29.5 x 20.5 x 11.8 inches | 9.6 pounds | ABS, PC, polyester

We’ve used this carry-on for over six months and love the compression panel and expandable shell (that we have to use on just about every trip home). Inside, one side holds a zippered divider with zippered pockets, while the other side has a snap-in divider with an additional zippered mesh pocket. Each side also has two buckled compression straps to help hold your items in place.

While it weighs 7 pounds when empty, we found it to be compact, portable, and perfect for use on a three-day trip. All of the zippers run smoothly, and you can adjust the handle to two different height options without sticking. We took a bat to the outside of the suitcase and it came away without any damage at all; in fact, we checked this carry-on during one flight, and it only suffered minor external scuffing.

The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 13.9 x 9 inches | 7.1 pounds | 35-liter capacity (unxpanded); 42-liter capacity (expanded) | Expandable (1 inch) | Polycarbonate shell and polyester interior

We love that this Delsey Paris x United Colors of Bennetton comes in vibrant color options, including light blue, light pink, and green (and black, too, if you prefer a neutral). The interior is a bright green on all of them, which adds brightness to packing. Though this bag doesn’t have an expander, it does have quite a bit of give, which allows for packing enough items for a long weekend away. It’s also equipped with compression straps and an internal pocket for added space and organization.

Weighing 5.7 pounds, this bag is the most lightweight carry-on suitcase on this list, which makes it easy to maneuver. It also performed beautifully through all our tests—from rolling seamlessly over multiple surfaces to getting tossed around and whacked with a baseball bat without a scratch or dent. While the handle seemed to wobble a bit as we wheeled the bag around, it remained intact through our tests and fully supported the weight of the bag.

The Details: Carry-on | 21.75 x 13.5 x 9 inches | 5.7 pounds | 43.3-liter capacity | ABS/polycarbonate blend

Softside luggage tends to have a different design than hardside, with a lid that opens to reveal one large compartment and pockets on the front of the bag. We think this midsize checked bag from Amazon Basics makes a great value softside option. While testing, we easily fit 10 days’ worth of clothing inside the cavernous main compartment, and the bag is also expandable, giving you a few extra inches of space. While this is a pretty basic bag when it comes to design, we love how spacious the interior is, allowing you to pack plenty of items, or even gear, depending on your itinerary.

While the design may be simple, it’s still functional. The zippers all run smoothly, the handle is adjustable for two heights, and it rolls smoothly over various surfaces and around corners. We do wish the compression straps and wheels were a bit more durable, but this is still a great option when you consider the size-to-cost ratio—especially if you’re looking for a last-minute suitcase for a longer trip.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 30.9 x 17.5 x 12.9 inches | 7.9 pounds | 62-liter capacity | Expandable

Our best budget pick from our underseat luggage tests, the Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater is extremely spacious for its small size. We were able to fit enough clothing to last a weekend, plus a pair of shoes, a laptop, toiletries, and more. It has plenty of pockets inside and outside, so organization is a breeze. We’ve flown with this suitcase internationally multiple times in the past six months and have never had issues fitting it under airplane seats where its meant to be. Plus, you could still access external pockets while stowed.

We love being able to roll this bag through the airport and right onto the plane without straining our shoulder. The handle was easy to adjust, and all zippers on the bag move smoothly, too. The only thing we wish could be improved were the inner materials: A mesh pocket is designed to snap on and off, and we felt that it will likely fray over time. But, after six months of frequent use, we’re happy to say the outer materials are still in great condition, and we’ve been enjoying bringing this on short trips.

The Details: 15 x 14 x 9 inches | 3.9 pounds | 34-liter capacity | Polyester

The Tzowla Travel Laptop Backpack is made from durable 300-denier nylon, which held up impressively in the pouring rain. It’s much more spacious than similar backpacks we own yet lighter and less bulky when fully loaded. We loved its many pockets, including a padded section for laptops of up to 15.6 inches and double-sided pockets for your water bottle and umbrella. There’s even an organizer in the zippered front pocket with slots for your pens and a dedicated key fob. 

Our favorite features include the integrated USB and headphone ports and the combination zipper lock. We felt the lock was a particularly thoughtful touch, considering the backpack is designed for carrying valuable tech. There’s even a small zippered compartment on the back of the bag for keeping valuables safely against your body when you’re in an area prone to pickpocketing. Finally, we found the backpack extremely comfortable thanks to wide, padded shoulder straps with a breathable mesh lining.

The Details: Personal item | 20 x 11.8 x 5.5 inches | 1.8 pounds | USB and headphone ports | Polyester

You never know when you may need an extra bag on your travels, and this Osprey backpack folds into a compact square that you can pack inside a suitcase or weekender. “This backpack takes up no room at all inside another bag, and you’d be able to pack this anywhere—even in your pocket,” says T+L senior editor Jackie Cucco, who tested this bag during a packable backpack test.

It’s on the smaller size for a backpack, though it did hold most of our packing list, including a pair of shoes and a fleece pullover. Though it’s not padded or structured at all, it is outfitted with several pockets, including a small interior slip pocket with a key leash and two stretchy exterior slip pockets. Other features include adjustable shoulder straps and smooth zippers. We think it’s a great choice for a foldable bag from a trusted outdoor gear brand.

The Details: 7.48 x 8.66 x 16.54 inches | 5.3 ounces | 18-liter capacity | Nylon

The Misslo Gusseted Travel Garment Bag is made from a breathable, nonwoven fabric that feels somewhat flimsy but is actually thicker than similar budget options we’ve seen. It’s best suited to light travel and is not water resistant. We loved the bag’s straightforwardness, though. It took less than a minute to pack, folds in half easily, and boasts sturdy carry handles that are comfortable even after an extended period of time. You can also pack the folded garment bag into your checked luggage. 

There’s a hole in the top for up to five clothes hangers for easy storage at your destination. We were able to fit two dresses, a dress shirt, dress pants, a suit jacket, and a belt with space leftover, although we had to fold long dresses awkwardly to fit them in (but there are longer versions available). There is a single clear plastic, zippered accessory pocket; ideally, we’d add a few more. We liked the clear window for viewing contents, though.

The Details: 43 x 22.6 x 3.5 inches | 7.8 ounces

Made from high-density cotton canvas with plastic feet to keep it off the ground, the Gonex Canvas Duffel Bag impressed us during our durability tests. We felt the material was likely to last and easy to keep clean. The interior has one small, zippered pocket. We found the main compartment a little tight and had to use the exterior pockets to fit everything in. However, we loved the lengthwise expansion feature and the fact that the side pockets are spacious enough to accommodate a pair of low-profile shoes. 

The duffel also stands out for its easy portability, offering two comfortable carrying methods. We liked that you can fasten the top grab handles with a Velcro strap for added security and cushioning. And the adjustable, removable shoulder strap is padded enough to make lengthy cross-terminal walks a breeze. We found that the bag’s overall aesthetic does not look particularly high-quality, but we like that it comes in classic shades of gray, army green, and blue.

The Details: Carry-on | 20.8 x 11.8 x 9.8 inches | 2.9 pounds | 50-liter capacity | Expandable | Cotton canvas, nylon

The Travelers Club Xpedition 30-inch Upright Rolling Duffel is made from adventure-ready, 600-denier polyester, which stood up to our durability tests without a single dent or tear. Two in-line blade wheels make it easy to transport heavy loads, although we felt that the retractable handle could benefit from a smoother, longer extension. The duffel rolled smoothly over concrete and paver gaps but was a little trickier to maneuver over carpet and gravel. 

We loved the deceptive spaciousness of the main compartment, which easily accommodated 10 to 14 days’ worth of winter clothing with room leftover. It’s completely unstructured to suit the “chuck-it-all-in” packer but complemented by a slew of external zippered pockets for the more organized traveler. Other perks include two hard plastic feet so that the duffel can stand upright on its own and a trifold bottom board for compact storage. Choose yours in plain black or with colored accents ranging from burnt orange to forest green.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 30 x 13 x 12 inches | 6.7 pounds | 77-liter capacity | 600D polyester

Constructed of high-density, water-resistant nylon, the HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag survived our durability tests without a mark. This weekender is designed to adhere to airline carry-on restrictions and offers multiple carrying methods. We found the top handles and the removable, adjustable shoulder strap soft and comfortable. We also appreciated the integrated trolley sleeve, which allows you to attach the bag seamlessly to your other luggage. 

The bag offers abundant organization with six internal pockets and two external ones. We liked the open pocket on the outside of the bag for keeping quick-grab items handy. On the inside, our favorite feature was the waterproof pocket for separating toiletries or damp clothes. We were able to fit everything on our packing list; however, there wasn’t much space left over (don’t expect to pack for longer than a weekend away). The bag comes in colors to suit all tastes, from coral red to olive green.

The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 10.6 x 7.1 inches | 1.3 pounds | 30-liter capacity | Nylon | Water resistant

For any professional looking for a well-organized personal item or commuter bag, this strong and durable briefcase is the perfect choice. While it may not be the most lightweight option, nearing 3 pounds when empty, this bag features so many organizational components that even the less neat travelers will be able to keep all of their items in place. The well-sized bag fit every item on our packing list without becoming too cumbersome to carry for long periods of time thanks to padded, wide straps that grip the shoulder and help distribute weight. We also love the amount of padding along the lining of the bag itself, so items—including laptops and tablets—will stay protected even after dropping the bag. The exterior is also resistant to water for an added layer of durability against rain or spills.

The Details: 18 x 12.8 x 7.5 inches | 2.88 pounds | Canvas polyester | Water-resistant