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Selecting the perfect suitcase for your travels can feel daunting: big or small? Black or pink? Soft shell or hard shell? Do I need a cabin suitcase or a large suitcase? The list of questions is endless.
With more and more suitcase styles and trends taking the travel market by storm, it can feel overwhelming - especially if you're up against a deadline of an upcoming holiday.
That's where I come in. As a travel writer, I'm constantly jetting around the globe, from overnight stays in the UK to longer trips overseas.
I've needed pretty much every size and shape suitcase there is, so I know a thing or two about which one you should buy.
Here, we've advised you on how to find the very best suitcases with a range of features to suit any and all tastes
To help you find your perfect suitcase, I have been testing the most hyped brands - and some under-the-radar ones - to compile a list of those worth a purchase and advise you on what to look for.
Be sure to also check out our roundups of the best travel essentials to be fully prepared for the summer holidays...
What type of suitcase do I need?
The first question you'll want to ask yourself is this: what size suitcase do you need?
If you're mainly travelling long-haul, or for prolonged periods of time, you will probably need to head straight for hold luggage. On the flip side, if you enjoy a city break, weekend away or business trip, cabin luggage is for you.
Secondly, you'll want to consider your budget.
Finally, you'll need to take into account any extra features that matter to you - security, style, colour and compartments.
The main types I cover in this guide include:
- Hold luggage
- Cabin baggage
- Budget versions
- High-end prestige options
- Business suitcases
Your choice will depend on whether you need a big or small case for your upcoming travels
Five things to consider when buying a suitcase
When comparing different types of luggage, a few key factors will help you find the right one. These are the five areas where people make mistakes most commonly, so make sure you get it right.
- Ease of use: Some models glide more seamlessly through the airport than others.
- Size and design: You'll want to ensure it fits the requirements by your airline.
- Cost: Budget is an important factor.
- Features: Consider features you might want such as a lock or laptop compartment.
- Material: Do you want a soft or hard shell?
The Daily Mail's travel team has reviewed and rated some of the best suitcases
Hold luggage
Large suitcases, even at the best of times, are annoying. They're heavy, difficult to lug around an airport and, in many cases, often bigger than the humans trying desperately to get them through the check-in desk before a long flight.
But the travel experience can range from 'Margot Robbie gliding through the corridors of Heathrow' all the way to 'stressed family sprinting to make their flight'.
Choosing a good hold luggage option is about combining space and practicality with design.
Popular choices include the Horizn H7 RE Check-In Luggage.
Cabin baggage
If you want something you can take on board with you and keep in sight, you'll want cabin baggage.
It's always worth noting with cabin baggage, different airlines have different recommendations - and not all cases will fit within requirements. Make sure you check before flying.
EasyJet, for example, says: 'If you’d also like to bring a large cabin bag on board (max. 56 x 45 x 25 cm, including any handles and wheels), you have the option to book a large cabin bag for your flight.'
Ryanair, meanwhile, limits cabin baggage to a max of 10kg and a size of 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Great examples include the Kapten & Son Heathrow Cabin.
See our full list of the best EasyJet cabin bags and best Ryanair cabin bags for our tried and tested options that won't leave you with a nasty fee.
Budget suitcases
You might also be after a more budget-friendly option.
The good news is, there are plenty on the market.
The best large budget suitcase overall is the American Tourister Fast Forward suitcase.
Meanwhile, if you want a smaller option, we'd opt for the Rock Tulum Small Suitcase.
It's worth noting, however, that there might be downsides to buying cheap. Firstly, you may not get the longevity of more premium models - some of which may come with a lifetime guarantee - meaning you may end up having to spend more later on to replace it.
Plus, cheaper models might also take more of a battering while travelling.
High-end prestige suitcases
While Rimowa has dominated the market in recent years, Sterling Pacific is a real contender when it comes to luxury luggage. Check out their options if you want a real prestige purchase.
Business suitcases
Business travellers - and anyone who travels regularly with a laptop or iPad - will certainly want to take a look at suitcases with a special laptop pocket.
Antler’s Cabin with Pocket has all the standard requirements any traveller would require - but for me, it's the external laptop compartment that really sets this apart.
Meanwhile, Carl Friedrik's Carry-On X includes a sleek, hard-shell front pocket designed for quick access to travel essentials such as laptops, passports, and chargers, ideal for business travellers or those who like to stay organised mid-journey.
Is it better to have hard or soft shell luggage?
Soft-shell cases can rip easily - hard-shell cases tend to be more durable.
However, soft-shell cases can also be more flexible, so it depends what matters most to you.
How much should I spend on a suitcase?
Suitcases can vary wildly in price depending on the type they are and the brand. They start at under £100 but can go into the £1000s.
- Under £200: Budget-friendly options - that might not last quite as long.
- £200–£500: Reliable options that are good for most kinds of trips.
- £500–£750: Premium suitcases designed for those with luxury, business or long-haul trips in mind.
- £1,000+: Top-of-the-range models that will only appeal to a select few.
What is the best hold luggage?
We love suitcases from Horizn, Victorinox and American Tourister.
But it depends what your priorities are. For instance, if you're looking for a durable case, perhaps for active holidays, Ogio's offerings might be better suited to your needs.
What is the difference between a cabin bag and hold luggage?
The difference between these cases is the size.
Cabin bags can, as the name suggests, be taken on board with you and placed in the cabin, provided they fit airline restrictions. Meanwhile, hold luggage must be checked in before a flight and stored in the hold during the journey.