Whether you’re heading on a city break and need the best compact cabin bag, flying further afield with the best check-in case or embarking on a countryside sojourn with a weekend duffle, there’s a luggage solution for every trip – and plenty of brands to suit both your taste and budget.
Travelling with a dodgy suitcase or a flimsy bag can make your holiday a hassle. Nobody wants to drag a squeaking cabin bag around the airport, wrestle with a broken zip, or haul a bag off the floor that’s toppled in the check-in queue. It pays to invest in dependable luggage that suits your trip.
Beyond looking chic on the luggage carousel, your case should keep your belongings safe, organised, and easy to manoeuvre. It should also fit baggage limits. Keeping on the right side of easyJet hand luggage restrictions and avoiding excess baggage fees from the likes of Ryanair starts with checking your luggage size and weight. The best brands let you shop by airline to make it easier.
“My trusty North Face bag has been with me all over the world, from Tuscany and Tokyo to Patagonia and Pembrokeshire,” says The Independent’s Global Travel Editor, Annabel Grossman. “It’s the only brand that I use for checked luggage and larger bags – they’re sturdy, durable, and easy to transport.” When it comes to weekenders and hand luggage, she adores the vegan brand Paravel. “Unfortunately, it’s just stopped trading, so my next carry-on will likely be from Away.” For an overnight or weekender, “Fjallraven is my go-to, and I also love the brand’s backpacks for overnight hikes and longer treks.”
Elsewhere, budget-friendly options include Tripp, Aerolite and M&S; top-end brands span Samsonite, Carl Friedrik, and Antler, and Trunki is perfect for kids.
Why trust us
Our team of seasoned travellers have years of experience carting cabin bags onto planes and trains around Europe, checking in suitcases for long-haul beach holidays and taking backpacks on adventurous treks and hikes. We know exactly what makes sturdy, durable and stylish luggage after testing dozens of brands over the years. From carry-on bags from the likes of Away, Antler and American Tourist to check-in suitcases from Tripp, Samsonite and Carl Friedrik, all the brands in this luggage guide come IndyBest-approved.
The best luggage brands for 2025 are:
- Tripp – cheap and cheerful basics, Tripp.co.uk
- Antler – a veteran of premium, well-considered design, Antler.co.uk
- Samsonite – luggage solutions for the whole family, Samsonite.co.uk
- Kipling – fun and functional, Kipling.com
- Thule – utilitarian designs that mean business, Thule.com
Amazon
It’s hardly a surprise that Amazon is home to an overwhelming range of luggage brands, from Ted Baker to Bellroy. Beyond big brands, though, look to the Amazon Basics range. The price of its suitcases sits comfortably below the £100 mark, and while the retail giant’s range is pretty limited, it could be a good port of call for shopping essentials on a budget, from packing cubes and luggage sets to this wheeled cabin bag, which should fit beneath most airline chairs and in overhead compartments.
Antler
Premium luggage label Antler specialises in swanky, sophisticated and – let’s be honest – expensive luggage solutions. From matching sets to expandable cabin bags, everything has a lifetime warranty. The colourways are lovely if you don’t love bright colours, and, having taken the Clifton large suitcase for a spin ourselves, we can tell you that you’re in for a smooth ride. We were very proud to wheel ours around the airport.
It Luggage
You’ll be able to find affordable luggage sets, bags and hard and soft shell cases at It Luggage, but it’s the variety of kids’ luggage that caught our attention. How cute is this scratch-resistant Daxie the sausage dog design? As for the adults, the over-packers will make good use of the brand’s expandable options, and those in the market for a glam, flashy find won’t be disappointed. From its leopard print and high-shine to metallic finishes, you’re in for a treat.
Samsonite
Samsonite is one of the oldest and most recognised names in the game, but beware the price range, which spans from £125 to £1,000. From lightweight to personalised and recycled features, there’s something for everyone. You can expect everything from business-appropriate designs to ride-on suitcases for little globetrotters.
Tripp
Affordable brand Tripp should be on your radar, with many of its suitcases costing less than £100. There are lots of colourful designs, from metallic champagne to banana yellow suitcases. Whether it’s a holdall, duffle bag, hardshell suitcase or carry-on, everything comes with a five-year guarantee, so if it’s faulty, it’ll be replaced. Attention, over-packers; take note of expandable options, such as this bestselling hardshell, four-wheel suitcase, which is just £39.50.
Thule
Sweden-born brand Thule was founded in 1942 and means business. Sleek, minimalistic and utilitarian, the range is tested to the extreme to ensure it’s tough as nails. In fact, Thule’s Aion carry-on spinner was the toughest carry-on case we tried in our review. You’ll also find checked luggage options, as well as duffle bags, travel organisers and backpacks.
M&S Collection
You can count on M&S to stay within budget. Think suitcases, vanity cases and weekend bags to boot (but the line isn’t huge). Expect TSA locks, packing straps and a decent pastel and earthy colour range. The Oslo is a tried and tested favourite for packing light. All M&S cases have a five or 10-year guarantee.
Eastpak
Eastpak may be famous for its ubiquitous backpacks, but it also stocks luggage with a 30-year warranty, so rest assured that you’re getting your money’s worth. From rainbow-accented backpacks to denim-feel cabin bags and water-resistant, vegan check-in luggage, bright colourways are available, but this black tarp duffle looks particularly swish. Prices start around £100 for suitcases, but if you’re splurging, this business travel suitcase comes with built-in sleeves for your tech.
Briggs & Riley
If you’re in the market for something a little more premium, Briggs & Riley is a smart brand to consider. Appealing to frequent travellers who take their packing seriously, the designs feature compression-expansion technology, so you can fit in extra clothes. The brand offers rolling duffle bags and extra large trunks, and while it’s pricey, we think the garment spinner – with its compact, crease-free way to transport clothing – could be worth the splurge. For especially glam jet-setters, go for the monogram personalisation.
Kipling
Beyond its monkey mascot, Kipling focuses on fun (think patterned or pastel pink) and functional luggage solutions. From its wheeled duffle bags to two and four-wheel suitcases, the brand’s price points start at around £100 and for its larger cases reach upwards of £270. We’ve got our eye on this weekender bag and its protective place to pop your laptop while you’re on the move.
Victorinox
This Swiss brand designs great hard-sided suitcases. Take, for instance, the Spectra 3.0 expandable large case. We were particularly impressed with its innovative features, not least the tweezers hidden in the Victorian logo. Pricey, yes, but a great investment. Our tester thought it was worth every penny. Discover travel gear for every kind of trip, including carry-on, backpacks and briefcases.
Carl Friedrik
Look to this luxury brand for enviably chic design. The quality of its luggage was clear when we reviewed the Carl Friedrik the check in suitcase. Choose from timeless overnight and workbags, and more contemporary silhouettes and materials – think leather weekenders, utilitarian trunks and weather-proof nylon backpacks. The brand also designs limited-edition collections, most recently with the men’s clothing brand Hackett.
American Tourister
Founded in 1933, American Tourister has its roots in the mid-20th-century boom in international travel tourism. Its innovative moulded bags were used by cabin crew for airlines in the Fifties, owing to their resistance to being thrown about. Nowadays, it’s known for its brightly coloured cases and super-lightweight designs, all at affordable prices. The soundbox is its iconic case (£145, Americantourister.co.uk) – the expandable luggage is available in four sizes, 15 colourways and can be personalised.
Trunki
A luggage solution for younger travellers, you may have seen ride-on suitcases from this kids’ travel brand scooting around. Trunki’s fun and functional range features backpacks and ride-ons a la Una the Unicorn, Peppa Pig, Percy the police car and other characters. After reviewing Dudley the dinosaur, our tester dubbed the suitcase the best for toddlers.
Aerolite
Make sure this affordable brand is on your list if you're after a lightweight design. Its hard shell suitcase lived up to its name when we put it to the test. Its cabin bags start from around £30, while its adults’ suitcases begin at around £60, but can plummet to half this during sale periods.
Katie Loxton
You can tell that Katie Loxton designs jewellery as well as luggage. Best shown in an IndyBest pick, the Katie Loxton Oxford cabin case, its travel essentials look a hint less utilitarian than others in this list, with pastel tones and golden detailing. There’s even an option for embroidered personalisation. Complete your travel set-up in style with any of the jewellery and makeup storage selection, passport holders and more.
Away
A favourite among well-heeled travellers, Away was founded in 2015 to create stylish yet affordable luggage. From carry-on cases to check-in designs, the brand’s signature hard-shell polycarbonate designs are lightweight and durable. Known for its fashionable colourways (think blush pink or sage green) and its sleek weekender bags, Away also sells compression packing cubes and transparent cosmetic cases.
Rimowa
Luxury luggage brand Rimowa boasts a roster of A-lister fans, including Lewis Hamilton, Rihanna and Dua Lipa. Its recognisable aluminium designs don’t come cheap (think £1,130 for a cabin bag), but the quality is undeniable. Made from robust and impact-resistant materials, the grooved shell cases feature ergonomic handles and hand-made leather inserts, TSA-approved locks and a multi-wheel system.
For tried and tested luggage recommendations, read our review of the best cabin bags
