10 best suitcases for your 2025 holidays tried and tested

WITH temperatures rising our thoughts are turning to holidays, so now is the perfect time to think about new luggage.

Whether your case has seen better days or it's due an upgrade, the best suitcases are those that hold everything you need and are easy to use.

Prices vary greatly and there's something to suit every budget. For longevity though you might want to buy from experts.

The best luggage brands incorporate a wealth of features into their products that make travel easier.

Features to look for include wheels and a retractable handle for easy moving, grab handles, pockets (both inside and outside), a lock and sturdy zips.

You want a case that’s going to stay in one piece and keep your belongings safe, even if it comes in for rough handling at the airport.

The size of case you choose will depend on the length of your trip, so for two weeks away a medium suitcase should do it.

But you should also take into account airline baggage limits, as well as the weight of your case – can you carry it when its full.

Hard or soft shell and colour come down to personal taste. Practically speaking though, a bright suitcase will stand out on the luggage carousel, making it easier to spot your bag.

After all, the quicker you’re out of the airport the quicker you get to your destination!

Read on for my tried and tested reviews of the best suitcases for summer 2025.

How we tested these products

When reviewing these suitcases we considered the features of each one, including material and design, as well as weight and capacity.

The cases were tested for manoeuvrability indoors and outdoors, on a range of different surfaces, including carpet, concrete and hard flooring.

We looked at how each case felt to handle, to lift, to pull and to push, as well as how comfortable each was to use in general.

Interior layout was also taken into account. We found the best suitcases included pockets and individual sections for small items you want to keep separate from the main contents so you can easily put your hands on them when you need them.

Where possible we tested the cases on trips away, though this wasn’t feasible for all reviews.

Best suitcases at a glance:

• Best overall suitcase:
• Best hard shell suitcase:
• Best lightweight suitcase:
• Best budget suitcase:
• Best small/cabin suitcase:
• Best value suitcase:
• Best mid-range suitcase:
• Best premium suitcase:

Best suitcases for 2025

Away The Large

10

Away The Large, from £300

Pros: So much space, a joy to wheel around, lightweight, hardwearing, good selection of colours, strong polycarbonate shell

Cons: Price

Rating: 10/10

This is the suitcase you need if you’re going away for an extended trip – it has a capacity of almost 100L!

The outside is tough polycarbonate yet it’s still relatively light for its size, and it’s a joy to move, thanks to the eight spinner wheels that allow you to pull the suitcase in all directions.

There’s a two-position telescopic handle, which has a soft, comfortable grip, and there’s an additional fixed handle on the top, with another on one side. The other side has four feet, which will help avoid scratches if you have to set the case down on its side.

Inside, the top section is separated from the bottom by a zipped mesh divider. The bottom section has luggage straps to keep clothing secure, and a zipped pocket to one side, which contains a laundry bag for your dirty washing. A more substantial divider with a large zipped pocket on one side is attached to the luggage straps and you can remove this if you wish, but I found it really useful for keeping small items separate from the rest of the case contents.

The leather luggage tag that comes with the case is a lovely extra and Away even supplies an eraser sponge to clean away scuffs and dirty marks your case may be subject to on your travels.

Comes with a TSA lock and limited lifetime warranty.

Size: 73.6 x 52.1 x 31.8cm Weight: 5.4kg Capacity: 99.2L, TSA lock: Yes, Guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty

IT Eco Friendly Medium Suitcase

10

IT Eco Friendly Large Suitcase, £63.30 (was £95) from Argos

Pros: Biodegradable shell, large capacity, expandable, tactile grab handles that are also moveable

Cons: None I could see

Rating: 10/10

Sustainability has come to luggage – this suitcase is made from bio-degradable polypropylene yet its hard shell is strong and should withstand the usual bumps and scrapes of baggage handling.

I received the suitcase in red so it certainly stands out on the luggage carousel in Arrivals. The shade is dark though, rather than in-your-face bright and I love that the self-coloured grab handles are actually comfortable to hold.

Eight spinner wheels make moving in any direction and on any surface a breeze, while the retractable handle rises to a good height, allowing you to fit a cabin bag on top yet still have enough room to hold the handle comfortably.

Inside, there’s a divider which has two large, zipped pockets and there’s also luggage straps to keep everything secure. There’s even a rubberised luggage tag attached to one of the pockets should your case go missing and airport staff need to access it for your details.

This one is also expandable, giving you precious extra space to take home holiday gifts.

Size: H 65 x W 46 x D 26.5cm, (expanded: H 65 x W 46 x D 34.1cm), Weight: 3.66kg, Capacity: 91L, TSA lock: Yes, Guarantee: 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee

American Tourister Eco Soft Cabin Suitcase Khaki

10

American Tourister Eco Soft Cabin Suitcase Khaki, £110 from Argos

Pros: Moves well on two wheels, good-size retractable handle, two separate compartments inside, outside pockets, external luggage straps outside for extra security

Cons: None I can see

Rating: 9/10

Now I love this bag. It came with me to a yoga retreat in the middle of the countryside and it had no problem being pulled over a bumpy field while packed full, even though it only has two wheels.

Inside, luggage straps keep your clothes in place and there are two dividers – one in each section! There’s no pockets inside, but I coped.

Outside, there’s a generous pocket and a smaller pocket at the top of the bag, which I found useful for carrying my phone and train tickets.

The retractable handle was long enough for me to comfortably fit my work bag on top and still be able to easily move my hands.

There’s a fabric grab handle on the top and another on the bottom, while integral luggage straps on the outside provide extra security should your bag be damaged in transit.

These straps are adjustable to fit no matter how much you’ve packed inside.

Size: 55 x 35 x 20 cm, Weight: 2.5kg, Capacity: 55L, TSA lock: Yes, Guarantee: Manufacturer’s two-year guarantee

Away Bigger Carry-On

10

Away Bigger Carry-On, from £235

Pros: Hardwearing, lots of packing space, lovely mover

Cons: Price

Rating: 9/10

The Bigger Carry-On has a massive (for a cabin case) 48L capacity and will still fit into the overhead lockers of most airlines.

Made from robust polycarbonate, the case is satisfyingly solid and built to last. The eight swivel wheels have 360° motion for supreme manoeuvrability across all types of ground. I tested it on carpet, hard flooring, and pavement and it moved like a dream.

The three-height telescopic handle features a comfortable, soft top, so it’s easy on your hands if you’re pulling the case for any distance. There’s a static handle on the top too, as well as one on the side, so you can easily grab it from the overhead locker on the plane.

Inside, the layout is thoughtfully designed. The top section has a zipped divider to keep contents in place, while the bottom section has a divider with a large, zipped pocket on one side that fits onto the luggage straps (so you can remove it if you don’t want to use it).

There’s a small zipped pocket inside for bits and bobs, which itself contains a handy water-resistant laundry bag, while Away also provides a black leather luggage label, which is a luxurious – and practical – touch.

Size: 57.7 x 37.3 x 24.3cm Weight: 3.4kg Capacity: 47.9L, TSA lock: Yes, Guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty

Ramverk Check-in Luggage Medium

10

Ramverk Check-in Luggage Medium, £449 from DB

Pros: Lightweight and sleek

Cons: Price

Rating: 8/10

This Norwegian brand certainly stands out compared to other common UK suitcases, especially in its unusual shades of beige, bright yellow and red.

The perfect size for a week away, there was more than enough room for two people to pack everything without scrimping, nor going over the weight limit when checking it in.

My favourite addition was the inner zips separating both sides of the suitcase - meaning it keeps thing organised, with one even having a pocket perfect for documents and books.

The external straps were a bonus too, ideal for attaching extra items or bags onto.

It's light when it's empty, made from 100 per cent recycled polyester inside and a 70 per cent recycled polycarbonate exterior.

I had no problems with the telescopic trolley handle when hopping on and off trains, with the wheels being ultra smooth too.

The only downside is the price - the check in size starts from £449 so it's a splurge for sure.

However, that also comes with a two-year guarantee, so there are no worries of it breaking and having to fork out for a new one.

Size: H66 W45 D29cm Weight: 4.3kg Capacity: 70L, TSA lock: Yes, Guarantee: Two-year guarantee

Tripp Retro Pewter Underseat Cabin Suitcase

10

Tripp Retro Pewter Underseat Cabin Suitcase, £50 from Next

Pros: Good capacity, has the features you’d expect from a larger suitcase

Cons: No pockets

Rating: 8/10

This is a sturdy little case with all of the attributes of its bigger cousins. It is hard shell ABS, has a very long extending handle, a grab handle on the side and it has spinner wheels for easy manoeuvrability (albeit just four of them).

Inside there’s a zipped, fabric divider creating two separate luggage compartments and compression straps to keep your clothes in place. There are no pockets though.

I was surprised just how much I could fit into it and pleased to see it moves easily on all types of surface, without falling over.

Size: 45 x 36 x 20cm, Weight: 2.3kg,  Capacity: 27L, Lock: Yes, TSA lock, Guarantee: 5-year guarantee

Rock Vintage Medium Suitcase

10

Rock Vintage Medium Suitcase, £110 from Rock

Pros: Looks fab, good capacity

Cons: A little heavy for its size

Rating: 8/10

I love the vintage style of this suitcase, it reminds me of those in old films of the 30s and 40s. Don’t worry about the case’s performance though, that’s anything but old-fashioned.

It’s made from ABS, which is resistant to knocks and it has reinforced corners for extra protection. The spinner wheels mean it’s easy to move in any direction and I can confirm it’s just as easy to manoeuvre on carpet as on concrete.

The luxury touches make this a thing of beauty; I received the sage green version with rose gold accents – studs, zip, grab handle buckles, adjustable handle and wheels – so it’s sure to stand out on the luggage carousel. Even the chunky grab handles are in faux leather.

Inside, the grey lining is slightly padded and a same-colour fabric divider give you two separate spaces for packing. This in turn incorporates two elasticated pockets and a zipped mesh pocket. There’s a further large, zipped pocket in the bottom section of the case with all inner zips in rose gold to match the main one.

The only downside to this case that I can see is it’s a little heavier than other brands of a comparable size. I guess there has to be some pay off though for that vintage vibe.

Available in lots of colours including cream, rose pink, navy, grey, burgundy and black.

Size: 67 x41 x 26cm Weight: 4.1kg Capacity: 57L, TSA lock: Yes, Guarantee: 15-year manufacturer’s warranty

American Tourister Hard TSA Medium Suitcase

10

American Tourister Hard TSA Medium Suitcase, £75 from Argos

Pros: Hardwearing, spinner wheels, good-size retractable handle

Cons: No interior pockets

Rating: 8/10

This hard-shell suitcase is made from ABS plastic, which give strength without weight and is also said to be scratch-resistant.

I received the medium case, which is more than big enough for two weeks in the sun, at least for me. The retractable handle is high enough to allow me to fit my cabin bag on top and still comfortably hold on to the handle, while the eight spinner wheels make moving the case in any direction a simple process.

Inside, a mesh divider separates the two sections of the case and luggage straps in the bottom keep contents securely in place. I prefer a fabric rather than mesh divider though, especially for the trip home, as you can put shoes and dirty washing in one part of the case without grit or sand getting into clean clothes in the other section.

There are no interior pockets, which is a shame as they are so useful.

Size: H 66 x W 47 x D 28cmm, Weight: 3.4kg, Capacity: 66.5L, TSA lock: Yes, Guarantee: 2-year manufacturer’s guarantee

Featherstone 4-Wheel Soft Suitcase

10

Featherstone 4-Wheel Soft Suitcase (Large), £50 from Argos

Pros: Price, lots of space

Cons: Four wheels (rather than eight), no combination lock

Rating: 8/10

This lightweight suitcase gives a lovely 86L capacity so there’s plenty of space for all of your clothes, shoes, toiletries and accessories.

The 360° wheels mean the suitcase is easy to move, but there are only four of them – perhaps eight would have been better, especially for manoeuvring the case when it’s full, but I guess that would have impacted the weight, not to mention the price.

Inside, the capacious main compartment has luggage straps to secure your clothes, and there’s a full-size mesh pocket on the top.

Outside, there’s a large pocket on the front of the case for last-minute airport buys, but there’s no lock on this one. That said, the main zips fit into each other, so you could easily add a padlock.

The case has a padded handle on one side and a grab handle on top, in addition to the telescopic handle. The four feet on the other side are a welcome feature.

Comes with a five-year guarantee.

Size: 77 x 46.5 x 26.5cm weight when empty: 2.79kg capacity: 86L

Tripp Chic

10

Tripp Chic (Medium), £60 from Next

Pros: Lightweight, price, expandable, fun colour

Cons: Lack of inside pockets, no feet

Rating: 8/10

Summer’s coming, and this suitcase has a real holiday vibe. I know looks aren’t everything, but if you can have a suitcase in a fun colour that looks good, why wouldn’t you?

Practically speaking, where the Tripp Chic stands out is in its weight – 3.2kg empty, which is pretty impressive for a hard shell suitcase of this size. I could easily lift it with one hand.

The four wheels have 360° movement, and when empty, the case is easy to pull. The telescopic handle feels a little flimsy for the size of the case when it’s full, and it is a bit more difficult to manoeuvre.

There’s a soft grip handle on the top of the case and another on one side, which makes the case comfortable to carry. However, there are no feet if you were to set it down on its side, which means you could easily scratch the exterior.

Inside, the bottom section has luggage straps to secure your clothes, and the top section has a mesh cover with a zip around three sides, so you can keep the contents here separate and secure.

But why no interior pockets? It’s a shame as they’re so handy for storing bits and pieces you don’t want just lying loose inside. The top section is expandable, giving you a useful six-litre extra capacity if you’ve hit the shops too hard and you’re short on space.

The Chic has a TSA lock and comes with a five-year guarantee.

Size: 67x45x28/31cm weight when empty: 3.2kg capacity: 66/72L

Best suitcases FAQs

Click below to navigate FAQs

• What is the best suitcase brand?
• What brand of luggage is the most durable?
• How to choose a good quality suitcase
• What size suitcase do I need?
• Are hard or soft suitcases better?

What is the best suitcase brand?

There are a number of well-known suitcase brands in the luggage space, such as Antler, Away, Samsonite, Tripp, It, American Tourister and Rock.

However the best one for you comes down to personal preference and what you're looking for.

Some brands are high-end, others are cheap and yet others cross the spectrum with luggage for all budgets.

Before deciding on what brand to buy, consider what you want from a suitcase: hard or soft shell, TSA lock, spinner wheels, interior pockets.

Also take into account the size you're going to need.

Finally compare several brands to find the one that best suits you for features and price.

What brand of luggage is the most durable?

Luggage from premium brands like Away, Antler and Samsonite is thought to be the most durable, the logic being that paying more for a suitcase means it should last longer.

Of course the reality varies depending on how often you use the case, how much rough handling it’s subjected to and how well you look after it.

The longevity of a suitcase doesn’t just depend on its brand.

Material also comes into it.

Hard-shell cases are generally considered to be more robust than soft-shell cases, on the other hand, if dropped hard-shell may well crack while soft-shell probably won’t.

Quality zips and wheels also add to durability. Even if the suitcase material is still in tip top condition, a broken zip or wheel will render it pretty useless.

How to choose a good quality suitcase?

There are several factors to take into account when choosing a good quality suitcase.

Budget: How much can you afford to pay and how can you get the best value? Premium brands are often discounted on Black Friday for example so is it worth waiting for a sale event before buying.

Size: How big a case do you need? There's no point buying a large one for two weeks in the sun as you may well find you're over the maximum size limit for your airline.

Consider where you're going to store the case when you're not using it and even if it will fit into the boot of your car/ a taxi.

Weight: Can you lift the suitcase when it's full? Even cases with wheels will need lifting at some point on your journey. Whether that's up and down flights of stairs at rail stations or on and off buses.

Design: Look for feature that make your life easier.

Spinner wheels enable you to eaily pull or push the case, a retractable handle gives you several positions for comfort (and for sitting a bag on top), while side handles are useful for grabbing your case from the luggage carousel.

A TSA lock adds security, internal pockets are useful for small items, chunky zips are more durable than flimsy ones, and an expandable section give you extra space when needed.

What size suitcase do I need?

The size suitcase you need depends on the duration of your trip. If you’re away for a weekend or a few days, they you may find a cabin case fulfils your needs, especially if you pack light.

For a holiday of one or two weeks, then a medium-size suitcase should give your enough space to pack your clothes, toiletries, shoes, sandals and accessories. You’ll be limited by the baggage allowances of your airline or holiday company so don’t overpack and remember to weigh your full suitcase.

If you’re going away for longer, especially if you’re flying long-haul, then you may find a large suitcase more suitable for your needs. A trip to Oz for example definitely warrants a big suitcase, especially if you’re away for several months. Again though, check the baggage limitations of your airline.

Budget airlines like Ryanair have stricter size requirements for carry-on luggage, which means a suitcase that’s suitable for other airline cabins might be too big for Ryanair.

At the moment, will let you take on a cabin case measuring up to 55cm x 40cm x 20cm if you pay for their “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” upgrade.

Otherwise you can only take a bag measuring up to 40cm x 20cm x 25cm, which must be stowed underneath the seat in front of you.

Similarly, will let you take a bag measuring up to 45cm x 36cm x 20cm on board for free. You can also pay for an extra cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25cm) weighing up to 15kg with your booking.

For premium airlines, most standard carry-on suitcases will be fine.

Depending on your ticket and fare class, will let you take on a suitcase that measures up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm as well as a personal bag of up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.

If you prefer to check your luggage into the hold, then you can be more flexible with sizes.

A medium-sized suitcase should be more than big enough for most holidays, but if you pack heavy, or tend to travel long haul for longer periods of time, choose a larger suitcase.

Restrictions for hold luggage are:

Ryan Air – 10 kg or 20kg, maximum size for a 20kg suitcase is 80 x 120 x 120cm

EasyJet – 23kg standard size (up to maximum of 32kg) and up to three pieces of hold luggage per customer.

British Airways – up to 23kg in economy and premium economy, up to 32kg in first class and business. Maximum case size is 90 x 75 x 43cm.

Are hard or soft suitcases better

Hard shell or soft is a matter of personal preference, but hard shell suitcases are good, especially for long journeys where they may be subject to rough handling in transit.

Hard shell cases can suffer scratches, but they won’t dent like metal cases and won’t rip, as can sometimes happen with fabric suitcases. They also offer your belongings more protection, especially if you want to bring back a bottle or two from abroad.

Newer materials, such as polycarbonate, are lightweight and flexible enough that they’re less likely to shatter on impact. Plus, they have the added benefit of being more weather resistant, so are more likely to keep your clothes dry if it rains.

Soft shell suitcases can be cheaper, and they are generally made from tough, scratch resistant fabric.

These may feature expandable designs, which is ideal if you want to buy souvenirs to take home.