
The best suitcases make packing and travelling much easier and pain-free. But while it's easy to grab the nearest one at the shop or the first one you see online, it all comes down to what you need the suitcase for.
Are you heading on holiday? A city break? A business trip? Or a round-the-world adventure? Whatever you're about to embark on, you'll need to have the right suitcase to take your stuff in... and luckily, T3 are here to help.
We've rounded up the best suitcases and luggage, from duffel cases so big you could almost sleep in them, to carry-on cases for those times when you need to get on and off the plane as fast as possible. To help you make the right choice, this guide has plenty of advice and top picks for the best suitcases in 2025.
Wherever you're travelling to, make sure to read our guides on the best carry-on luggage and the best backpacks, to find the best option for your next trip.
Beth is Home Editor for T3, covering style, living and wellness. Always off on a weekend away, Beth is often seen dragging a suitcase behind her, so she's well versed in the ones that fit the most clothes, which brands offer the best storage and the models that roll the smoothest.
The top three
Best small suitcase
The Samsonite Cosmolite 55cm Spinner Cabin Case is petite, lightweight, and great for frequent flyers.
Best medium suitcase
If you need a medium-sized suitcase (over 55cm), the Antler Clifton fits easily onto flights, trains and other modes of transportation.
Best large suitcase
The American Tourister Soundbox Suitcase (77cm) is big, lightweight and surprisingly affordable for such a large case.
The best small suitcases
1. Samsonite Cosmolite 55cm Spinner Cabin Case
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If you’re a frequent flyer, whether it is for business or pleasure, you need to have a Samsonite. You'll be super impressed by the space inside, and it's certainly built to be durable (so is worth the money). What's most impressive is how lightweight this cabin case is. The 4 smooth spinning wheels make it really easy to get around the airport with no fuss.
It also has a TSA lock which is perfect for those who travel to the states, and the hard casing means you’ll have peace of mind if you’re ever asked to put your bag in the hold. A highly recommended choice for anyone who travels on a regular basis.
2. Tumi V3 International 56cm Expandable Carry-on
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Available in either Black or Pacific Blue, the Tumi V3 International Slim is the perfect carry-on case for a short trip away. It comes with four double wheels for stability, a telescopic aluminium handle and is lightweight at just 2.9kg. It’s also made from tough polycarbonate so should be able to clock up as many air miles as you do.
The Tumi V3 International Slim contains three zipped compartments for safely stowing all your belongings, as well as straps for keeping clothes in place. The case is secured with a zip fastening too, with TSA-compatible combination locks for security.
Unfortunately, the Tumi V3 International Slim isn’t perfect — there’s no side handle to help make it easier to stow in an overhead locker. That glossy polycarbonate shell also looks prone to scratching. And then there’s the price: it feels like a lot of money for a case like this. Rivals offer similar features for less.
3. Antler Juno 56cm Cabin Suitcase
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This compact hard shell case from British company, Antler, has been designed to be both lightweight and cabin-friendly, weighing in at 2.5kg (empty, obviously) and measuring 56 x 35.5 x 23cm. This means you can board on 27 different airlines and stow the bag in an overhead locker or under your seat — making it ideal for quick getaways at the airport or short stays away.
Although it’s compact and lightweight, the Antler Juro 56cm comes with four bottom-mounted wheels and a telescopic handle for easy manoeuvrability. It also comes with 3-digit combi lock which is TSA ready for when you travel to the States.
The Antler Juro 56cm should stand out on the baggage carousel thanks to its unique ridged design. Best of all, it comes with a generous 10 year guarantee.
4. Aerolite 55cm Hard Shell Cabin Luggage
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This case from Aerolite is extremely light, and extremely affordable, two things we think are very important. It features four robust wheels and a double-tube retractable trolley grip handle, which make it simple to glide around the airport in any direction. It all feels very well made, despite its affordable price.
The outer casing is made from durable but lightweight anti-scratch ABS hard shell plastic to protect against the rigours of travelling, with chunky zippers on the main body. The interior features packing straps and an internal zipped divider with elasticated pockets (perfect for shoes), to keep the contents in place during transit.
The case includes a free three-digit combination barrel padlock for extra security, plus a five year guarantee for ultimate peace of mind.
This suitcase fits exactly to the maximum possible allowance for Ryanair (one of Europe’s most of the UK’s most popular airlines with the strictest ), as well as fitting within the maximum restrictions for Easyjet, and British Airways, etc.
5. Samsonite Flux Spinner Hand Luggage 55cm
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We love Samsonite's entry-level 'Flux' carry-on suitcase, it combines the brand's expert material knowledge with a secure and flexible double zipper closure. Flux was the very first Samsonite hard-side range offering (hidden) expandability on all sizes, assuring even greater packing volume in times of extra packing needs.
Its cutting edge design gives a new blast of boldness, with every detail sculptured into the perfect travel companion to ensure maximum practicality. This collection was designed to make travel easier thanks to its smooth rolling double wheels, double tube wheel handle and fully lined practical interior to arrange your belongings.
The best medium suitcases
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Because of the durable materials and contemporary design, we think the Antler Clifton the best suitcase on the market. Clifton is made of Makrolon polycarbonate, one of the toughest materials out there, with built in flex to respond to deal with a the roughest of baggage handlers.
Despite its strong, durable design, the Medium-sized case weighs just 3.9kg, meaning it's light on its feet, and this state-of-the-art case technology is combined with a great deal of attention to detail, giving the Clifton collection a distinctive, Instagram-worthy aesthetic.
That curvy design isn't just for looks, however, because with an expanded capacity of 83L, it's incredibly practical as well, with plenty of space for a fortnight's worth of travelling.
The interior is a winner too, being fully lined with soft-touch premium fabric and a number of useful features to keep your belongings organised. Read our full Antler Clifton Cabin Pocket hard-shell suitcase review for more.
2. Samsonite Lite-Box 69cm Aluminium
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The winner of the T3 Award in 2019 for Best Suitcase, the Samsonite Lite-Box impressed judges with its ability to evoke the feeling of business class travel, even if you're cramped up in economy.
Much of what makes the Samsonite Lite-Box the best suitcase is to do with the materials and contemporary design employed here. Lite-Box is among the lightest and sturdiest suitcases in its class, with the polycarbonate model weighing just 2.7kg and the aluminium model weighing in at 5.9kg.
This state-of-the-art case technology is combined with a great deal of attention to detail, giving the Lite-Box collection a distinctive, business-like aesthetic. That boxy design isn't just for looks, however, because with a capacity of 71L, it's incredibly practical as well, with plenty of space for a week's worth of travelling.
3. Samsonite Tunes 69cm Suitcase
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Looking for a durable and lightweight suitcase? This Samsonite luggage constructed from 100% Makrolon polycarbonate, it combines lightness, strength and reliability – ticking all the boxes for starting your travels right.
In order to meet the needs of the frequent traveller, the Tunes interior is fully lined and comes with two zipped divider pads. The distinct design is finished in a high-end matte finish with refined silver accents. The fresh modern lining emphasises the balanced yet distinct overall design.
The multi-directional 4 wheels and push-button telescopic handle offer smooth gliding through airports and city streets, and the case is fitted with a TSA padlock to allow US airport customs to check your luggage without damaging it.
4. American Tourister Soundbox 67cm
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American Tourister is long-established luggage brand whose products come across like a younger, funkier Samsonite, offering a range of stylish suitcases at very affordable prices. You want a Star Wars or Minnie Mouse case? Then American Tourister will heed the call.
This 67cm case, though, is fairly typical. Winner of a Red Dot design award, it’s a hard shell spinner case that nevertheless manages to be expandable too, stretching from 71.5 litres to 81 litres when fully loaded — and it comes in five bright and breezy colours that are guaranteed to make it stand out on an airport carousel, so too will its circular, vinyl record-like design.
Inside the case the top compartment is zipped, with ribbons to keep your possessions in place, while the bottom half features ribbons only.
The American Tourister Soundbox also includes a 3-digital combination lock that's suitable for travel to the USA (it’s TSA-compatible), although our main worry would be its wheels, which protrude markedly from the case bottom, making them vulnerable to damage.
5. Horizn Studios 64cm Model H6 Suitcase
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Horizn Studios is a trendy new luggage company, and its 'Model H' suitcase is one of the most stylish options you can buy (especially the Soho House version). It's strong, as well, engineered from aerospace-grade polycarbonate, so even if it's thrown around by the angriest of bag carriers it'll protect your belongings and instantly flex back to its original shape.
This case is set on four 360-degree spinning wheels built by specialists in Japan and designed to be incredibly silent. The lock that secures the two-way zip is TSA-approved so you needn't worry about airport security.
Every suitcase also comes with a one year subscription to Horizn GO – a personal travel assistant. So whether you're planning a trip around the world or on hunting for the hippest hangouts during a city break – Horizn GO sorts everything along the way.
6. Briggs & Riley Baseline 4-Wheel Spinner Wardrobe
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If you’re a corporate jet setter touching down for a meeting halfway around the world you don’t want a crumpled suit. Briggs & Riley’s baseline wardrobe case is designed to help you make a good impression as it’s shaped so you can ‘hang’ your clothes up, essentially folding them in half and stopping them from getting too creased.
The interior also has a gusseted front pocket with a small section for keeping chargers etc, and a D-ring to hold hanging hooks, while the door panel has two mesh pockets for underwear, a zippered shoe pocket, a tie or scarf pocket, and another one for jewellery, tech bits or whatever else you like. The case is made from tough-wearing nylon that’s designed to repel water and resist scuffs and tears. It has four wheels to make it easily manoeuvrable when you’re running for a plane. It also comes with a lifetime guarantee.
7. Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano 68cm Aluminium Suitcase
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Whether you're off on a city break or travelling for business, Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano's 'Spinner' suitcase is a hardy and robust option. Not to mention, its bright aluminium case really looks the part.
Inside you'll find two internal dividers, four leather straps, and zipped pocket to encourage neat and tidy packing, while the tough outer shell will keep everything safe and secure.
For peace of mind, it fastens with combination and butterfly locks that can be used with or without the padlocks included.
8. Antler Urbanite Evolve 2-Wheel 71cm Large Upright Suitcase
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If you’ve Marie Condo-ed your house and like your clothes organised, Antler’s Urbanite suitcase might be for you. It’s a light, durable upright case with multiple zip compartments to keep your bits and pieces in place and easily accessible. This 2-wheel suitcase can be carried in different ways with its variety of handles, from the zip-away pull handle at the top to the securely sewn webbing hand straps.
And there are yet more straps inside to secure your clothes and gadgets, including a zip closure mesh compartment that’s ideal for underwear and small items. The case is great value for a large, durable design that comes with a three year guarantee.
The best large suitcases
1. American Tourister Soundbox 77cm Suitcase
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Ideal for longer trips away, the American Tourister Soundbox 77cm Suitcase is a large suitcase with a hard polypropylene shell and TSA-ready locks. The big draw here is that, rather unusually for a hard case, it is expandable on all sides, allowing for that extra bit of wriggle room when returning home with those holiday souvenirs.
As this is a spinner case, it comes with four double wheels on the bottom as well as a double-tube handle for easy manoeuvrability. Its design is inspired by a vinyl record, and it'll certainly stand out on the luggage carousel.
American Tourister Soundbox cases are available in a huge number of colours (but we prefer this mint green colour) and a selection of sizes as well.
2. Antler Clifton Large
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Available in Black, Blush, Mint, Taupe and White, the Antler Clifton Large is the perfect case for a ski trip or a long family holiday. With four double wheels that handle uneven terrain, and a strong telescopic handle, it’s easy to push and drag anywhere even when full. If things get too squeezed, a zip expands the width to open-up another 11L.
Made from super-lightweight Makrolon polycarbonate with built-in flex, and weighing 5kg, the Antler Clifton Large has a few niceties that competitors lack; inside is a long, zipped pocket for storing sundries, as well as a ‘wet pocket’ for toiletries (or wet swimming gear).
The case is secured with a TSA-compatible combination lock for security, but the real selling point is all that gear you can get inside … and then some.
3. Samsonite Magnum Eco Spinner 75cm
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Samsonite is commitment to reducing its impact on the planet, and, as such, has recently launched the Magnum Eco Spinner. The Eco Spinner is made in Europe and crafted with recycled post-consumer waste: using recycled yoghurt cups for the shells and recycled PET bottles for the interior lining. These suitcases are the fruit of Samsonite's commitment to sustainability, without compromising on quality and comfort.
It comes in a range of stylish and understated colours that are inspired by nature, as well as a range of sizes, from cabin size right up to 81cm. Of course, being a Samsonite case you can expect security and durability and lightweight.
4. Globe-Trotter Centenary 30-inch Suitcase
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If you're planning on travelling in style, you need one of Globe-Trotter's iconic suitcases. The British brand's luggage has been carried by some of the world's most influential historical figures, including Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Winston Churchill, and HM Queen Elizabeth II.
This Trolley Case from the 'Centenary' collection is made from sturdy yet surprisingly lightweight vulcanised fibreboard, featuring smooth leather straps, polished silver hardware and a spacious canvas-lined interior.
Yes, the Globe-Trotter Trolley Case is on the more expensive end, but when you consider it's been handmade in England, and will become a family heirloom, it's a lot easier to justify.
5. Eastpak Tranverz L 79cm
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Eastpak started life making canvas bags for the US military in the 1950s, and in the intervening years since it’s clearly learned a lot about making tough, lightweight, roomy bags for just about any need. The Eastpak Tranverz L is ahem, a case in point.
First up the Tranverz L is a made from flexible, but tough polyester, which enables you to cram in a good deal more stuff than it’s 121-litre volume suggests. It also folds relatively flat when empty, yet can still stand upright when it is thanks to its carcass, which includes a double-tube extensible handle, with two recessed wheels in the base.
One thing we love about this bag is that there are handles everywhere — making it easy to pick up from any side, while also making its bulk easier to handle as you can grab more than one handle at once. It also rolls easily on its big, smooth-running wheels.
The Eastpak Tranverz L is available in 19 different colours — so doing its bit to stand out on airport carousels. It also has an incredibly smartly arranged interior, with zipped compartments top and bottom. It’s also relatively light for a big bag, weighing in at just 3.635kg. The bag's only downside is that it’s not particularly secure — you can make it so by attaching TSA-ready padlocks (not supplied) to its patchwork of zips.