The Great Getaway: 7 Best Checked Luggage Picks for Every Type of Traveler

TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR - MAY 2025

6 min read

When five friends planned separate trips for the same month — a honeymoon in Italy, a solo spiritual journey to Bali, a rugged hiking tour through Peru, a family vacation to Disney, and a luxurious business trip to New York — they found themselves stuck on the same question:

What’s the best luggage for my kind of travel?

From premium hardshell designs to lightweight spinners, this blog unpacks the top 7 checked luggage options that cater to your travel style. Let’s meet the bags that made their journeys unforgettable.

1. Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage

⭐ 4.4/5 (28,051), $128

Emma, the bride-to-be heading to Italy, needed elegance and strength in one. The Samsonite Omni PC was her perfect match — modern, durable, and ready for the cobblestone chaos of Rome.

What Customers Are Saying

Customers appreciate the light weight, smooth wheels, and roomy interior, but opinions vary on durability and size—some praise it, others note flimsy handles or it being too big for carry-on.

This 24-inch checked luggage is built with micro-diamond polycarbonate, one of the most scratch-resistant materials in the industry. The interior is fully lined with cross-straps and a zipped modesty pocket, offering both structure and privacy. With 360-degree spinner wheels and a side-mounted TSA lock, this luggage is ideal for international travel, business trips, or stylish city vacations.

🛒 Grab your Samsonite Omni PC today!

2. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Checked Luggage

⭐ 4.5/5 (13,509), $187

Liam, off on a family vacation with two toddlers and one chaos-prone pug, needed lightweight ease over anything else. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 made sure he didn’t pull a muscle before the plane even took off.

What Customers Are Saying

Customers say this is one of the lightest carry-ons allowed, with smooth wheels, sturdy handles, and enough space for 5 days’ packing. It fits overhead bins, meets airline size rules, and holds up well—even after rough airport handling.

The 25-inch Travelpro Maxlite 5 offers a water- and stain-resistant polyester exterior with a honeycomb frame for added durability. Weighing just 7.3 pounds, it’s incredibly easy to maneuver, even when full. Inside, you'll find a spacious main compartment with adjustable hold-down straps and a zippered mesh pocket. It’s the ideal choice for family vacations and light packers.

🛒 Get your Travelpro Maxlite 5 now!

3. SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Luggage

⭐ 4.4/5 (22,406), $145

Maya was heading to Bali to find herself — and needed a bag that could keep her organized without adding stress. The SwissGear Sion gave her compartments for clothes, yoga mats, and journal pens alike.

What Customers Are Saying

Customers like the roomy interior, lightweight feel, and vibrant color, calling it great value and ideal for overhead bins. While many say it holds up well and rolls smoothly, others report flimsy build and wheel issues over time.

This 25-inch expandable softside luggage is crafted with scuff-resistant polyester and a reinforced padded top handle. It features a large main compartment with tie-down straps, a removable zippered wet bag, and multiple front pockets for quick-access essentials. Four 360-degree spinner wheels make navigating airports a breeze. Ideal for organized travelers who pack for comfort and order.

🛒 Order your SwissGear Sion now!

4. Amazon Basics Hardside Medium Checked Spinner

⭐ 4.4/5 (52,328), $73

Jason booked a spontaneous trip through Europe on a shoestring budget. The Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner offered solid durability without blowing his travel fund.

What Customers Are Saying

Customers praise the suitcase’s durability, roomy design, and smooth spinner wheels, noting it fits overhead bins and packs enough for long trips. The bright orange color is easy to spot, though zipper quality gets mixed reviews.

At 26 inches, this Amazon Basics spinner offers a robust ABS hard shell, 4 double spinner wheels for smooth rolling, and a telescoping handle. Inside, you’ll find a zippered mesh divider and cross straps, along with a 15% expansion zipper. It’s the perfect no-frills solution for short getaways and budget-friendly travel.

🛒 Shop your Amazon Basics Spinner today!

5. Traveler's Choice Pagosa Indestructible Spinner Luggage Set

⭐ 4.5/5 (4,329), $156

Carlos, the hiker off to conquer the Andes, needed a bag that could be thrown, dragged, and banged around without flinching. Pagosa’s Indestructible Spinner Set handled the wild just fine — and gave him the perfect sizes to choose from depending on the length of his journey.

What Customers Are Saying

Customers like the durable build, stable handles, and expandable space for up to 10 days’ worth of clothes. It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and stylish, though zipper quality gets mixed reviews.

This 2-piece set includes 20" and 26" hardshell spinners made from indestructible polypropylene. Each suitcase boasts a spacious interior with compression straps and a divider panel, along with reinforced corners for protection against drops. Smooth spinner wheels and TSA-approved locks make it ideal for both short and medium-length trips.

🛒 Grab your Traveler’s Choice Pagosa Set now!

6. SHOWKOO Luggage Expandable Spinner Set

⭐ 4.4/5 (27,635), $153

Tanya, headed to Tokyo for a month-long cultural dive, needed space and style. The SHOWKOO 3-Piece Luggage Set let her pack light for weekend getaways and heavy for long-hauls — all in coordinated style.

What Customers Are Saying

Customers love the stylish design, smooth-rolling wheels, and versatile three-piece set, calling it great value for the price. However, durability and zipper quality receive mixed reviews, with some reporting breakage after limited use.

This 3-piece luggage set includes 20", 24", and 28" expandable hardside suitcases. Made from ABS and polycarbonate for durability and flexibility, each case features a fully-lined interior with mesh divider and compression straps. The set includes TSA locks, telescopic handles, and 360° spinner wheels for fluid movement. Great for families or long-term travelers.

🛒 Order your SHOWKOO Spinner Set today!

7. Coolife Luggage Expandable Checked Spinner Set

⭐ 4.6/5 (29,872), $160

Nina, off to NYC for a week of networking events and rooftop parties, wanted choices. The Coolife Luggage Set gave her three sizes to switch between style and substance with ease.

What Customers Are Saying

Customers praise the set’s durability, roomy design, and smooth rolling, calling it stylish and great value. However, some note it scratches and dents easily despite its sturdy build.

This 3-piece set comes with 20", 24", and 28" hardshell spinner suitcases. Made of durable ABS+PC material, each case features an expandable main compartment, compression straps, zippered dividers, and spinner wheels for mobility. The sleek design and range of sizes make it a great pick for fashion-forward travelers and professionals alike.

🛒 Grab your Coolife Spinner Luggage Set today!

Comparison Table

Final Verdict

Choosing the perfect checked luggage is about more than size — it’s about how you travel. Whether you want lightweight ease, military-grade toughness, or stylish sophistication, there’s a suitcase on this list that fits your trip like a glove.

🧳Ready for your next adventure? Your luggage should be too.

Disclosure: We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases.

Trade-Offs

Slightly heavy

No lock, soft fabric

Limited expansion

No lock, plain design

Heavier build

Bulky for short trips

May scuff

Best For

Stylish durability

Lightweight family trips

Organized packing

Budget travel

Rugged adventures

Long international travel

Fashionable travel

Product Name

Samsonite Omni PC

Travelpro Maxlite 5

SwissGear Sion

Amazon Basics Spinner

Traveler’s Choice Pagosa

SHOWKOO Spinner

Coolife Spinner

S.No.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Ratings

4.4 ratings out of 5 (28,051)

4.5 ratings out of 5 (13,509)

4.4 ratings out of 5 (22,406)

4.4 ratings out of 5 (52,328)

4.5 ratings out of 5 (4,329)

4.4 ratings out of 5 (27,635)

4.6 ratings out of 5 (29,872)