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Our top picks
Short on time? Our top recommendation is the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner.
Compare
At a glance
The traits that separate these picks, side by side.
| # | Product | Best for | Key feature | |
|---|
| 1 | | — | 28-inch expandable softside shell | Check ↗ |
| 2 | | — | 29-inch expandable softside shell | Check ↗ |
| 3 | | — | 24-inch expandable polypropylene hardshell | Check ↗ |
In depth
The 3 best, explained
Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who should buy it.
Briggs & Riley
Compression system packs more usable volume without straining the zippers
- 28-inch expandable softside shell
- One-touch compression system
- Double-swivel spinner wheels
- Internal hanging garment system
- Unconditional lifetime guarantee
✓ Pros
- Compression system packs more usable volume without straining the zippers
- Lifetime guarantee covers airline damage indefinitely with no receipt required
- Double-swivel wheels outlast basic casters under repeated baggage handling
✕ Cons
- Heavier once packed than lighter hardside competitors
- No bright colorways for easy carousel spotting
Travelpro
29-inch size and expansion panel fit two weeks of clothing without a second bag
- 29-inch expandable softside shell
- 8 MagnaTrac spinner wheels
- Tip-resistant tapered expansion
- Fold-out garment suiter
- Integrated TSA lock
✓ Pros
- 29-inch size and expansion panel fit two weeks of clothing without a second bag
- 8-wheel tracking rolls straighter than 4-wheel bags when fully loaded
- Highest ratings volume of any bag in this list at over 9,000 ratings
✕ Cons
- Close to the 62-inch linear size limit many airlines enforce when fully expanded
- Softside shell offers less ra in protection than hardside competitors
Samsonite
8.5-pound empty weight leaves more of the 50-pound checked limit for belongings
- 24-inch expandable polypropylene hardshell
- Dual 360-degree spinner wheels
- TSA-approved combination lock
- 8.5-pound empty weight
- 10-year limited warranty
✓ Pros
- 8.5-pound empty weight leaves more of the 50-pound checked limit for belongings
- Hardshell protects better against impact than a comparably priced softside bag
✕ Cons
- Scuffs and scratches show more visibly than on textured or fabric shells
- Wheel housings wear faster under heavy repeated use than premium double-swivel designs
- 10-year limited warranty doesn't match Briggs & Riley's unconditional lifetime coverage
How we chose these picks
Every pick below earned its place through documented strengths, verified specifications, consistent praise in reputable reviews, and owner-feedback patterns. We don't sell placements, and we don't invent test scores.
Mistakes buyers often make
- Choosing the cheapest option without checking warranty and support quality.
- Assuming all models work with your existing setup, verify compatibility first.
- Skipping the measurements: returns most often come from fit surprises.
- Chasing the newest release when last year's model does the same job for less.
How to choose: the factors that matter
- Capacity and sizing — Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
- Build quality and materials — Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
- Ease of use and setup — Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
- Maintenance and cleaning — Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
- Warranty and support — A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.
The bottom line
There's no single 'best' here, only the best match for your situation. Start from your must-have features, then choose the least expensive pick that covers them.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the best checked luggage right now?
Our top pick is the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner (our top pick), because compression system packs more usable volume without straining the zippers. The runner-up is the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29-Inch Checked Spinner, followed by the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner.
Is the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner worth it?
For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our checked luggage research, though heavier once packed than lighter hardside competitors.
What size checked bag should I buy?
24 to 25 inches suits most trips of 5 to 10 days for one person. 28 to 29 inches suits trips longer than 10 days, or packing for two people in one bag. Most airlines cap checked bag linear dimensions (length plus width plus depth) at 62 inches, and a 29-inch bag is close to that limit when fully expanded, so verify against your specific airline before buying the largest option available.
Is it worth paying more for premium checked luggage?
For travelers checking bags more than a few times a year, yes. Premium bags from Briggs & Riley and Travelpro use double-swivel or 8-wheel spinner systems and stronger zippers that survive repeated baggage handling meaningfully longer than budget hardside bags, and the better warranties cover the airline damage that is the most common failure point.
What is the difference between hardside and softside checked luggage?
Hardside (polycarbonate or polypropylene) resists impact damage and sheds rain, but scuffs and shows scratches visibly over time. Softside (nylon) flexes under pressure instead of cracking, offers more exterior pockets, and hides cosmetic wear better, but a determined baggage handler can puncture it more easily than a hard shell.
How much does checked luggage weight matter?
A lot, since most airlines cap checked bags at 50 pounds and the empty bag weight counts against that limit. An 8.5-pound hardside bag leaves more room for actual belongings than a 12-pound premium softside bag, which matters most for travelers who pack close to the weight limit.
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