Best suitcase for travel whatever the destination

Be prepared for your next trip with our pick of the best suitcases for travel.

Suitcases

by Rosie Floyd |
Updated on

Wherever you're planning on heading off on your next trip, you're going to need the best suitcase for travel to fit all of your fabulous clothes and must-have make-up and toiletries. Whether you're jetting off for a winter holiday in the sun, a week full of exploring local gems in a far-flung destination or an action-packed walking holiday, ensuring you have a good quality suitcase will make sure your belongings get from A to B safely and securely.

It doesn't matter whether it's a resort you've been to before or you're exploring a new destination, planning and booking a trip away is always exciting. However, packing for a trip is nobody's favourite job and it can be quite stressful even thinking about where to begin with getting your belongings organised for your holiday. The very first step should be to think about your suitcase and ensure it has enough room for everything you want to take with you. Whether you need a new suitcase because you need more space for packing or your old suitcase has seen better days, we're here to help you decide on a new one.

Best suitcase for travel at a glance:

Best overall: Antler Clifton – Large – view on Antler
Best expandable suitcase: The Medium Flex - view at Away
Best lightweight suitcase: it Luggage World's Lightest Large 8 Wheel Soft Suitcase – view on Argos

There are two main types of suitcases you can buy and which one you choose will depend on your personal preferences. Your best suitcase for travel might be a hard shell suitcase or a soft shell one. Hard shell suitcases are more robust but heavier to begin with than a soft shell. If you opt for one of those you'll be able to take more with you on your trip, depending on your airline's luggage allowance, so you'll have plenty of room for all your different outfits, shoe options, and ajam-packed toiletry bag with every personal care item you need amongst other things. Other features to consider are the number of wheels they have, locking systems, whether they're expandable, the different handles they have, and of course, the overall dimensions and packing capacity.

To help you pick the right luggage for your next adventure, we've searched the web for all the best suitcases for travel, making sure to list the dimensions, weight, packing capacity, and warranty available, as well as all the colours they are available in, to help you make the choice of which one will be the best for your packing and holiday requirements. We're on a roll...

Best suitcase for travel

Whether you’re off on a mini-break or a long-haul trip, effortless luggage is essential...

Tested

Best overall suitcase

Clifton large in sageAntler
Price: $168 (was £240)

www.antler.co.uk

The Antler Clifton is light on its feet and wheels like a dream, what more could you want from a suitcase? Available in a vast array of colours, it has an innovative twist-grip handle to feel more comfortable in your hand as you're wheeling it along. It already has a large packing capacity of 121 litres, but if you unzip the extendable section, you'll have a whopping 132 litres to play with so it's perfect for those longer stays.

Reviewed by Deputy Digital Editor Stephanie Anthony: "Antler is well known as a reputable suitcase brand for quality and the Clifton is no exception. The twist-grip handle and four wheels make wheeling it along absolutely effortless. The TSA lock was really easy to set up and gave added peace of mind. Capacity-wise it’s ideal, I was able to fit all my shoes in the front zipped compartment leaving the main area for my clothes, plus there are pockets for toiletries etc so you can methodically organise everything for your trip. I also love the range of colours available. I went for ochre so it would be easy to spot on the luggage belt, now I want to get the whole matching set!”

Pros

  • Large packing capacity - for two-week stays
  • Comes with a dust bag for storage when not in use
  • The polycarbonate suitcase is strong, light on its feet

Cons

  • Some customer reviews have reported the lighter colours seem to scuff more easily
Dimensions:80 x 51 x 34cm
Weight:5kg
Packing capacity:121L (132L when expanded)
Warranty:Lifetime
Colours:Sycamore, Sage

Tested

Best stylish suitcase

For a suitcase that combines the best of style and substance, you should consider the Rock Luggage Jewel 4-Wheel Soft Large Suitcase. The textured, 3D design on the front and the rose gold detailing offer a chic touch to this suitcase but it's not all about the look as it has smooth rolling wheels to glide alongside you and corner piper protectors and an underside protection strip to prevent wear and tear. The fully lined interior has a divider section with a pocket that you can use to keep shoes separate from clothing.

Reviewed by Yours Product Writer Rosie Floyd: "I regularly house sit for family when they're away from home so I'm always on the hunt for a large suitcase so I can take everything I need with me in one case without needing to take millions of smaller bags. I used this on my last 10-day house-sitting adventure and still had plenty of room inside. I'm a self-confessed over-packer but I feel like even if I packed double the amount of clothes I needed, it still wouldn't be full to the brim. It feels super lightweight, even when I have all my clothes inside, and it glides with zero effort so it would be a great holiday suitcase. I also love the stylish design and rose gold hardware."

Pros

  • Super lightweight
  • Stylish and practical

Cons

  • Would be better to have two even packing sections to give the case more stability when completely full
Dimensions:80 x 48 x 32.5cm
Weight:3.5kg
Packing capacity:97L
Warranty:15 years
Colours:Black

Tested

Best duffel suitcase

check in wheeled duffel suitcase blackThule

Thule Chasm wheeled duffel is a check-in-sized, weather-resistant rolling duffel designed to withstand the bumps and scrapes of all your adventures. All Thule bags and equipment are put through a rigorous testing process so you know this suitcase is built with quality materials and will stand the test of time.

Our Deputy Editor Stephanie Spencer put the Thule Chasm to the test: "Firstly I absolutely love this bag - I was looking for a wheeled duffel for a while as I prefer a bag with flexible sides to a hard shell suitcase. I find you can pack more in, and it's also great for ski holidays. The colour is gorgeous, a kind of ashy blue, and inside it's a golden colour - which was a nice surprise when you'd normally get black. The amount you can get into this bag is amazing, even without using packing cubes. There's one big main pocket, two little interior ones inside the lid and one at the top of the bag that you can access without opening the main suitcase, ideal for items you might want to have to hand a bit easier. I like that there's a hard base and bottom to the suitcase, it feels really sturdy and I don't have to worry about it sitting on the floor. I also find it so easy to pull, even when it's fully loaded. It's been on and off planes, coaches and a train and I've had no rips or wear and tear appear. This bag combines the best things about hard shell and soft shell suitcases fantastically, it's ideal for check in luggage."

Pros

  • Strong and sturdy
  • Flexible sides mean you can pack more in
  • Made from recycled materials

Cons

  • Only two colour options, blue and black
Dimensions:39 x 43 x 81 cm
Weight:4.6 kg
Packing capacity:110 L
Warranty:Yes
Colours:Black

Tested

Best weekender

Expert rating:
4.0
Yours Magazine

This Sport Expedition Trolley Carry On from Helly Hansen makes travel easy. Super lightweight, it can carry up to 40L of your favourite outfits and more. Plus, it's easy to manoeuvre for a smooth ride. We were lucky enough to test this Helly Hansen "weekender" out. Here's what our tester thought...

Tried and tested by Helena Holdsworth, Junior Lifestyle Writer for Yours: Despite being extremely compact and lightweight in size, this carry-on trolley bag provides ample storage. Once on the go, our tester found it easy to manoeuvre, with the wheels moving smoothly and quietly even on bumpy terrains. The internal mesh dividers make packing effortless, and the optional lockable zipper on the main compartment means all your belongings are protected. Given the soft shell, it wasn’t as waterproof as other hard suitcases available on the market but keep it out of downpours and this shouldn’t prove too troublesome. Overall, our tester was impressed with this carry-on trolley bag that’s perfectly built for weekend adventures.

Pros

  • Lightweight, maximise the amount you can pack
  • Wheels are sturdy - made to tackle bumpy terrain
  • Internal mesh dividers make packing effortless

Cons

  • The outer shell is not waterproof
Dimensions:W36.0 x D23 x L56 cm
Weight:3 kg
Packing capacity:40 L
Warranty:Unspecified.
Colours:Black

Tested

Best expandable suitcase

Expert rating:
5.0
Yours Magazine

Designed with a wraparound expandable zipper for extra space, The Medium Flex is a fabulous addition to our round-up. For heavy packers, this hard suitcase offers thoughtful details, combined with a durable, lightweight shell. With 360 wheels, it's super versatile and easy to move around.

Our Lifestyle Section Editor, Carly Honeyfield took this case from Away for a spin: This case is probably one of the most stylish-looking cases and the Salt White Gloss finish really makes it stand out. The lock is approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and it feels very secure. The case also comes with a very handy laundry drawstring bag which our tester thought was a nice touch. Although it’s a medium-sized case, you can really pack lots in as it’s expandable too. With good organising, our tester thinks you would be able to take this case on a two-week trip. It’s smooth to manoeuvre and if you struggle with a larger case this would be a better choice as it’s easier to handle. Our tester thought that this case was a little heavier than other cases they’d used, but it does feel extremely sturdy. A really good investment that should last for a good few years.

Pros

  • Expandable medium - but fits a lot inside!
  • Feels sturdy and is easy to manoeuvre around
  • A great investment that should last for years

Cons

  • A little heavier than expected!
Dimensions:Exterior: 66.1 x 47 x 28 cm / Interior: 61 x 44.5 cm
Weight:4.9 kg
Packing capacity:68.8 L / when expanded 77.3 L
Warranty:Limited lifetime warranty
Colours:Clay pink, coast blue, cloud grey, tango red, salt white

Tested

Best budget suitcase

Expert rating:
5.0
ABS Pink Cabin BagYours Magazine
Price: $29.99 (was £34.99)

www.vonhaus.com

The VonHaus ABS Pink Cabin Case is lush. It's perfect for those who want practical (yet stylish) luggage for a short holiday and even business travel. Made from lightweight yet robust materials, in classic pink, this hard-shell case is designed to meet your holiday requirements. With four wheels for manoeuvrability and an integrated combination lock, this small cabin bag is secure and convenient.

Lucy Brown, our Lifestyle Writer, tested this: Coming in at under £40, this case is great for those looking for a budget cabin bag. The hard shell feels sturdy but lightweight and the size makes it perfect for the cabin requirements of airlines including easyJet and Jet 2. Our tester liked the fact that it has a TSA-approved lock on the side of the case, however for it to lock, the zips have to be lined up perfectly which can take some trial and error. Overall, our tester was impressed with this budget-friendly case as it looks sleek, feels hard-wearing and is the perfect size for short getaways.

Pros

  • Sturdy but lightweight
  • Perfect for short getaways
  • Budget-friendly and sleek!

Cons

  • Will not suit long holidays
Dimensions:H55 x W35 x D20 cm
Weight:2.5kg
Packing capacity:3.5 L
Warranty:Unspecified.
Colours:Pink

Tested

Best high end model

Expert rating:
4.0
Yours Magazine

Sleek, stylish and durable - this premium pick is luxury personified. If you're looking for a high-end accessory to accompany you on your travels, look no further than Carl Friedrik's The Carry On. With an aluminium frame, lock closure and 360 wheels, it's easy to move around - and relax...

This premium case was tested by Lifestyle Writer for Yours, Lucy Brown: Our tester loved the vintage style of this case and could immediately tell that this was high quality by both the look and feel. The aluminium frame makes it feel extremely strong while also being lightweight. This case is on the larger side for a carry-on case, so it would be best to check airline guidelines before you pack. To maximise space, the inside of the case has compression straps and a compression pad, which comes in handy when packing bulkier items. The locks on the side feel secure but easy to use and the 360º wheels are quiet and smooth. Our tester thinks the case is great quality, but for the price, there are lots of cheaper alternatives that are just as good.

Pros

  • Sleek cabin case with a durable, yet stylish look
  • Features an aluminium frame with lock closure
  • 360° spinner wheels and impact-resistant shell

Cons

  • Ideal for shorter trips
Dimensions:37.6 x 56.6 x 24 cm
Weight:3.9 kg
Packing capacity:40 L
Warranty:Lifetime
Colours:Grey/cognac, grey/chocolate, navy/navy, navy/hackett

Tested

Best lightweight suitcase

Yours Magazine

For versatility, consider this 4 Wheel Hard Shell Suitcase – Large from OHS. We love a durable hard shell as it helps protect your belongings; while the four-wheel design ensures manoeuvrability. It's also offered as a pack of three if you're interested. We were able to test this stylish travel; companion.

Yours Lifestyle Editor, Annabelle Lee, tested this lightweight suitcase: Our tester’s first impression of this case was just how lightweight it is, despite being large. It is really spacious inside, which means there is no need to cram in all of your clothes. The size of this case makes it perfect for long-haul holidays as it can store a couple of weeks’ clothes with ease. The wheels are 360º rotation, making it easy to pull along and the handles are really cushioned and comfortable. The dark colour of the case looks smart and means that it hopefully won’t show knocks and marks.

Pros

  • 360 wheels and an adjustable handle
  • Durable and robust, yet stylish
  • Easy to clean - just give it a wipe!

Cons

  • Best for long-haul holidays
Dimensions:75 x 49 x 29 cm
Weight:4.1kg
Packing capacity:Unspecified.
Warranty:Unspecified.
Colours:Grey and black

Best value suitcase

Tripp Holiday 7 Slate Medium SuitcaseTripp / Amazon

If you've got a shorter holiday planned, you might not want to take a big suitcase with you, that's where this Tripp Black Medium 4-Wheel Suitcase will come in handy. While it's smaller in size compared to other suitcases on our list, it still has a 66-litre capacity, which can be expanded to 72 litres, so you'll have plenty of room for all your belongings. It's made from polypropylene on the outside so it's tough and durable while inside has packing straps and a mesh divider to keep your clothes and toiletries organised.

Pros

  • Tough and durable
  • Expandable for extra capacity
  • With an integrated lock

Cons

  • Not as big as other cases so more suited for shorter stays rather than a longer trip
Dimensions:66 x 45 x 28cm (66 x 45 x 31cm when extended)
Weight:3.5kg
Packing capacity:66L (72L when extended)
Warranty:5 year
Colours:Banana, Black, Flamingo, Mint, Slate, Turquoise, Watermelon

Most secure suitcase

No animal products are made to use Cnnct Case so it's a 100 per cent vegan product. It has a sleek design that glides on four 360-degree spinning wheels with a telescopic handle for your comfort. It offers two compartments inside with a zip-fastening front pocket to give you a 100-litre packing capacity. The handiest feature is on the back as it has a QR code to help reunite you with your luggage if it gets lost. You just need to register your contact details in advance and when someone scans it, it brings up your contact details so they can help to reunite you with your belongings.

Pros

  • Digital luggage tag
  • Built-in TSA three-digit code lock

Cons

  • Heavier than other suitcases on our list
Dimensions:77.5 x 53 x 34.5cm
Weight:5.68kg
Packing capacity:100 litres
Warranty:30 years
Colour: Black, Blue, Grey

Best suitcase under £100

You get a lot of suitcases for your money with the it Luggage Lux-Lite Bewitching Suitcase. It's extra-large in size so plenty of packing capacity and comes in under £100. It looks the part, too, with a chevron quilted front, rose gold hardware and detailing, and a leopard print lining inside. It combines an ultra-fashionable design with fantastic features including an easy-access zippered pocket on the front panel, a built-in TSA combination lock for complete security, and an eight-wheel spinner system for superior control.

Pros

  • Extra large size to fit everything in
  • Stylish design

Cons

  • Some may be looking for a suitcase with a more basic design
Dimensions:88.5 x 51.5 x 32.5cm
Weight:3.43kg
Packing capacity:135L
Warranty:10 years
Colours:Purple Potion, Black

Best suitcase with multiple ways to carry

Teagan Large Wheeled Duffle
Price: $117 (was £195)

www.kipling.com

With two wheels and an extendable top handle as well as two padded top carry handles, there are two different ways to carry this Teagan Large Wheeled Duffle suitcase to offer more practicality. Available in an array of patterns and colours, you'll definitely be able to spot which case is yours once you've reached your destination. As well as being easily recognisable, it's lightweight and comes with a TSA lock, providing extra peace of mind whilst you travel.

Pros

  • Two ways to carry
  • Lightweight
  • Two roomy compartments

Cons

  • There are two sections that can be opened separately but only one TSA lock
Dimensions:77 x 39 x 37.5cm
Weight:3.44kg
Packing capacity:91L
Warranty:Two years
Colours:Blackish Tile, Eager Blue, Brush Stripes, Brush Blue C, Blue Bleu 2, Black Noir

Best lightweight suitcase

Next up on our list of the best suitcases for travel is another option to consider from it Luggage, the it Luggage World's Lightest Large 8 Wheel Soft Suitcase. Coming in at 2.65kg, it's incredibly lightweight but that doesn't mean that it's not strong too. It's made with a tough fibreglass structure and high-tensile fabric so that it's built to last and be as durable as possible. It's got eight swivel wheels so getting it from A to B will be a breeze plus plenty of zipped storage pockets for all your belongings.

Pros

  • Extremely light
  • Made with tough materials

Cons

  • Not as big a packing capacity compared to other large suitcases in our list

If you're travelling with hand luggage only and are looking for a carry-on bag you can take onto the plane with you or in need of a bag for weekends away in the UK, take a look at our round-up of the best cabin bags.

Suitcase FAQs

Where can I buy the best suitcase for travel?

If you'd prefer to browse for your own luggage, we've listed some of our favourite retailers where you can buy suitcases from different brands in many different sizes and styles so you can find the best suitcase for your travelling needs.

Very luggage and suitcases
John Lewis suitcases and luggage
Matalan suitcases and luggage
Argos bags, luggage and travel
Luggage Superstore suitcases and travel bags

How much luggage can I take on a plane?

How much luggage you can take on your plane journey will all depend on what you select at the time of booking. Not all airlines include checked baggage in their fares so, most of the time, you have to add this on separately, unless you've booked a package holiday, of course.

The standard is you can usually have one checked suitcase that goes into the hold of the plane, but the maximum weight will depend on your chosen airline. We've rounded up the common maximum weights for some of the UK's most popular airlines, but as they all offer different options, we would always recommend checking with them directly before you fly.

Ryanair hold luggage - 20kg
EasyJet standard hold luggage- 23kg
Jet2 hold luggage - 22kg
TUI Airways standard hold luggage - 20kg
British Airways hold luggage - 23kg
Virgin Atlantic hold luggage - 23kg

Most airlines may also offer you the option of buying additional KGs for your luggage, but no single suitcase can weigh more than 32kg across all airlines for the safety of baggage handlers.

What is the best way to pack a suitcase?

Packing a suitcase is a pretty straightforward job. However, when it feels like you've got a million and one things to do before heading off on your holiday, it can be quite a daunting prospect to remember everything you need to take and how you're going to pack it all in.

That's why we've got some top tips on how to pack a suitcase with little things you can do that will help you maximise the space available and help you organise the packing process.

**Before you pack
**• Write a list of everything you need so that when it comes to packing you can tick things off as you go.
• If you're someone who has a tendency to overpack, lay out everything you intend to take and then reduce at least two outfits from it.
• Speaking of outfits, work out what you're going to wear day by day, and evening by evening if required. Can you re-wear items again to create new outfits?
• Take things like shampoo, body wash and moisturiser out of their large containers and decant them into smaller, travel-size bottles and containers so you're only taking what you need.
• Use a jewellery roll or small travel box for your necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings to stop them from getting tangled together.

**While packing
**• Instead of folding all your clothes, you could try rolling them to save space and they shouldn't end up creased either.
• Store underwear or small items inside shoes.
• Use packing cubes or pouches to help you find things more easily once you reach your destination. You can pack each cube with different outfits to save time deciding what you're going to wear each day. You can also use them to put your laundry in on the way home.
• Keep essential items such as phone chargers and travel adaptors in a bag at the top of your suitcase so you can find them more easily, or better yet, pack those in your hand luggage.

suitcase packed with clothes in hotel room property released
©IMAGO / Westend61

Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.

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