Purpose of the Review
This section will explain why we created this product review. We want to help you find the best checked luggage for your travels.
Choosing the right luggage can be hard. With so many options available, it’s tough to know which one fits your needs. Therefore, we compared the top choices in checked luggage. Our goal is to look at performance, value, features, and user experience.
In this review, we will show you the best choices. Each option will be explained clearly. You can find what works best for your trips. After careful consideration, we recommend the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner as the top choice for checked luggage. It suits most travelers perfectly.
Other Luggage Models Being Reviewed
Other luggage models being reviewed include some great options for travelers.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ is lightweight, but the 29″ model offers more storage. However, the 29″ can exceed airline weight limits easily. On the other hand, the Away Medium suitcase is durable and stylish, yet it lacks a suit panel, which some travelers might need.
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Spinner has a unique compression system, allowing you to pack more than the Travelpro Platinum Elite. However, it is heavier, which might be a concern for some. The Monos Hybrid Trunk is a stylish, easy-to-maneuver option, but it may incur oversize fees on some airlines.
In summary, choose based on your packing style and travel needs.
Design and Build Quality
The design and build quality of checked luggage are essential for travelers looking for durability and functionality. Most suitcases feature designs that help with organization and ease of movement, making them practical for busy airports. As you explore various options, consider how materials, size, and weight impact your travel experience. In the detailed comparisons that follow, you’ll find insights on specific models and how they perform under different conditions.
Materials and Durability
Materials and durability are key aspects when choosing checked luggage. Here’s how three top products compare in this area.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is made of ballistic nylon, which is tough and resistant to wear. This bag does a great job of handling rough treatment. It weighs about 9.8 pounds, making it a bit heavier but very durable. However, its warranty process can be tricky, according to some users.
Next, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 26″ Spinner features a strong 1,680-denier ballistic nylon exterior. It has a unique compression system that allows for extra packing without increasing its size significantly. However, it is heavier than some other options, making it more challenging to lift when full.
Finally, the Away Medium Suitcase is built with a polycarbonate shell, which is lighter but not as durable as ballistic nylon. While it shows fewer scratches than some hard-sided competitors, it is still more prone to breaking under pressure. It lacks a suit panel, which could limit its appeal for formal wear.
In summary, Travelpro offers the best durability, while Briggs & Riley excels in packing efficiency. Away provides a lightweight option, but it may not last as long.
Storage and Organization
Storage and organization are key aspects to consider when selecting checked luggage. Many travelers seek bags that offer ample space and easy access to their belongings. As you read further, you’ll discover comparisons of various luggage types, highlighting features that enhance organization and make packing more efficient.
Interior Capacity and Packing Efficiency
The interior capacity and packing efficiency of luggage is crucial for travelers. Here’s how three top products compare in this area.
Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner provides a spacious interior of 6,982 cubic inches. Therefore, it easily holds a week’s worth of clothing for two people. However, it weighs about 9.8 pounds when empty, which is slightly heavier than similar models.
In contrast, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 26″ Spinner offers a unique compression system. This allows you to pack an extra week’s worth of clothing in the same space as the Travelpro. Although its weight is about 10 pounds, it delivers excellent durability and an impressive storage experience.
On the other hand, the Away Medium Suitcase weighs 9.9 pounds and provides a decent 26-inch size. It has a more basic interior layout without a suit panel, which may limit organization options. However, its design is stylish, making it appealing for travelers seeking a modern look.
Mobility and Handling
Mobility and handling are important when choosing checked luggage. Travelers often look for bags that are easy to maneuver through busy airports. Common trends include lightweight designs and smooth-rolling wheels, which make moving your suitcase effortless. As you read on, you’ll find detailed comparisons of different luggage options that highlight these key features.
Wheels and Maneuverability
This section focuses on how well each suitcase rolls and how easy it is to move them around. These features greatly affect your travel experience.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ offers smooth rolling wheels. It glides easily over airport floors. However, it weighs about 9.5 pounds, making it heavier when packed.
In contrast, the Away Medium weighs slightly more at 9.9 pounds. Its wheels are superior, rolling effortlessly on various surfaces. The design helps it feel light, even when fully packed.
The Monos Hybrid Trunk weighs 13.2 pounds but features a unique design. Its wheels are closer together, providing excellent maneuverability. This trunk feels more like a carry-on than most checked bags due to its agility.
Overall, Travelpro is great for smooth surfaces, while Away excels in wheel quality, and Monos offers a unique trunk design for easy handling.
Security and Safety
The topic of security and safety in checked luggage is very important for travelers. As you pack, you want to feel confident that your belongings are protected. Many bags now come with features like tough materials and TSA-approved locks, which help keep your items safe during trips. Understanding these aspects can help you make smart choices when you compare different suitcases.
Locking Mechanisms and Anti-Theft Features
Locking mechanisms and anti-theft features are vital for keeping your belongings safe during travel. Here’s how three top luggage options compare in this area.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner has a solid locking system with a built-in garment folder. However, some users report issues with the warranty process, which can be cumbersome. Overall, it offers a good blend of security and ease of use.
In contrast, the Away the Medium suitcase features dual TSA-approved locks that ensure safety. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a suit panel, which may limit its use for formal wear. Nevertheless, its design and materials are robust, giving travelers confidence in its security.
Lastly, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable Spinner excels with its unique compression system, allowing for extra capacity. It also has user-replaceable parts, enhancing its longevity. Though it has exposed handrails, which could be a risk during travel, its overall durability is commendable.
Choosing the right luggage involves assessing these features alongside your travel needs.
Zippers, Closures, and Build Strength
Zippers, closures, and build strength are key aspects when choosing luggage. Here’s how some popular bags compare.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner has a durable ballistic nylon exterior. It features a reliable zipper system along with a built-in garment folder. However, the 29″ version of this bag can be heavier and more challenging to pack within weight limits.
In contrast, the Away Medium Suitcase boasts a polycarbonate shell that shows fewer scratches. It has a minimalist design without a dedicated suit panel, which can limit packing options for formal wear. Its zipperless closure uses an aluminum frame, enhancing durability.
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 26″ Spinner is built with a sturdy ballistic nylon exterior and offers a superior compression system. It has exposed handrails, which may not be ideal when handling a fully packed bag. This design, however, allows for easier packing without crevices.
Overall, each option has its strengths and weaknesses in terms of closures and build quality.
Airline Compatibility
Airline compatibility is essential when choosing checked luggage. Different bags have different sizes and weights, affecting how they comply with airline regulations.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is a great option for most travelers. It’s designed to hold a week’s worth of clothing without exceeding typical airline weight limits. However, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29″ is larger but may lead you to pay overweight fees if packed to the brim.
Similarly, the Away the Medium suitcase weighs slightly more than the Travelpro at 9.9 pounds but offers ample packing space. Meanwhile, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium Expandable 26″ Spinner has a unique compression feature but can become heavy, risking extra fees if packed too full.
For travelers needing maximum space, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Extra Large 31″ Spinner is the most significant option but can easily exceed airline limits. Choose wisely based on your travel needs and airline restrictions.
Smart Features and Additional Functionality
Smart features and additional functionality are important when choosing luggage. Here’s how different bags compare.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ is great for organizing. It includes exterior pockets for quick access to documents. However, it lacks a dedicated suit panel, which may limit packing options for formal wear.
In contrast, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium 26″ offers a unique compression system. This allows extra packing space without needing a larger bag. But it has exposed handrails, which could be a concern when handling heavier loads.
The Monos Hybrid trunk is designed for easy packing. Its taller design allows for a generous capacity. However, it lacks numerous organizational features, which might make packing less efficient for some travelers.
Maintenance and Durability
Maintenance and durability are crucial when choosing checked luggage. Let’s compare three popular options.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is built from durable ballistic nylon. It withstands wear and tear better than many hard-sided bags. However, it can be heavy when fully packed, making it tough to stay under weight limits.
The Away Medium suitcase features a strong polycarbonate shell. It resists scratches well but is more prone to cracking compared to soft-sided options. Its design is minimalist, which some might find less practical for clothing organization.
The Briggs & Riley Baseline Medium is extremely robust due to its ballistic nylon exterior. Its unique compression system allows for extra packing capacity without straining the zippers. However, the exposed handrail may risk damage when handling heavy loads.
Overall, the Platinum Elite offers excellent durability, while the Baseline excels in compression. The Away Medium presents a good balance but may lack some organizational features.
User Experience and Feedback
User experience is crucial when choosing luggage. Here’s how some top products compare in user feedback.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner is favored for its durability and spacious design. It can hold a week’s worth of clothes for two people. However, some users find the warranty process difficult. It’s also quite heavy when fully packed, making it easy to exceed airline weight limits.
The Away Medium Suitcase is lightweight and offers a minimalist design. It has high-quality wheels that glide smoothly across surfaces. However, it lacks a dedicated suit panel, which may be a drawback for some travelers. It is also easy to overpack, which might lead to weight issues.
Briggs & Riley’s Baseline Medium Expandable 26″ Spinner features an excellent compression system. This allows users to pack more without increasing its size. While it is robust and durable, some feel the exposed handrails are a risk during transit. It’s also on the pricier side compared to other options.
Overall, each suitcase has its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, consider your travel needs when making a choice.
Value for Money and Final Verdict
When it comes to checked luggage, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner stands out as the best choice for most travelers. This bag combines quality and affordability in a way that many others do not. It has a spacious interior that can easily hold a week’s worth of clothing for two people, making it perfect for family trips or extended travels.
Moreover, the bag’s durable ballistic nylon exterior ensures it can withstand the wear and tear of travel. It also features smooth-rolling wheels that enhance maneuverability in busy airports. However, be mindful that when fully packed, it may weigh close to or over the airline limit, leading to extra fees.
Overall, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner offers excellent value. With its combination of features, style, and price, it is well-suited for anyone looking to invest in reliable luggage for their journeys. Therefore, if you’re seeking a dependable and roomy suitcase, this is the one to choose.