The 13 Best Large Suitcases for Travelers

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Looking for a large suitcase to hold everything you need for a lengthy trip? The best checked luggage is sturdy enough to protect your stuff, even in the face of rough handling, but not so heavy that it’ll put you over your airline’s weight limits. Our favorite large luggage also looks stylish and has handy features that will make your travels easier.

Below is the best checked luggage for 2020, from hardside spinners to rugged rolling duffels and backpacks. All the large suitcases in the list fall within the standard size restrictions for checked bags on U.S. airlines: 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Keep in mind that other airlines may have different size limits.

The Best Checked Luggage (Hardside)

Many travelers prefer to use a hardside suitcase as their checked bag because the exterior tends to protect fragile items better than softside bags do. They’re also easier to clean.

Away Large

Cult favorite Away’s largest suitcase has a sleek design with plenty of useful features, including a hidden laundry bag for dirty duds and a TSA-approved combination lock to keep your belongings safe. The interior has a clamshell design with a zippered mesh compartment on one side and a main compartment with a compression system on the other. Spinner wheels and a damage-resistant polycarbonate shell complete the package.

Target Open Story Hardside 29″ Checked Suitcase

Part of Target’s new luggage line, this 29-inch spinner suitcase is both affordable and functional. Its interior mesh pockets help keep you organized, while the expandable zipper lets you fit in just a few more items. It comes with a built-in TSA-friendly lock and a laundry bag. If you’re not satisfied, you have a full year to return the bag as long as you still have your receipt.

Briggs & Riley Sympatico Large Expandable Spinner

The best feature of this clever spinner is the CX system, which expands the bag up to 25 percent but then compresses back down to its original size, letting you pack more without exceeding your airline’s size restrictions. This large suitcase also has a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, self-repairing zippers, an exterior handle that doesn’t take up your packing space, and a suiter on the inside lid that holds up to three garments. The suitcase comes with a drawstring fabric bag to protect it between trips.

Samsonite Omni PC 24″ Spinner

This is one of the best large suitcases for travelers on a budget, as it offers solid quality at an affordable price. The Omni PC 24″ Spinner is made of scratch-resistant polycarbonate, and its clamshell-style interior keeps things organized without any unnecessary frills. It’s expandable if you need a little more space, and there’s a TSA-approved lock built in.

Tumi Extended Trip Packing Case

Most hardside suitcases are made of lightweight ABS or the more durable polycarbonate, but this luxury luggage from Tumi has an aluminum exterior that looks stylish and will protect your belongings from rain and rough handling. The interior features three zip pockets, while the outside is protected by two TSA-approved locks. The suitcase comes with vintage-style destination stickers.

Delsey Paris Aero Hardside

Delsey’s sleek Aero suitcase comes in a variety of sizes; we like the 25-inch checked-medium size because it comfortably meets most airlines’ size restrictions and has plenty of space for most trips. Its glossy polycarbonate exterior is lightweight and crack-resistant, and its spinner wheels roll smoothly through the airport. There’s a TSA-accepted combination lock to protect your belongings.

The Best Checked Luggage (Softside)

Softside suitcases are popular with travelers who like being able to squeeze a few extra items into their bags, and they tend to be a bit lighter than hardside bags as well. Some travelers prefer the design of softside bags, which tend to have a a single large interior compartment with a lid rather than the clamshell division of most hardside bags.

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Travelpro Platinum Elite 25″ Expandable Spinner

Elegant and functional, Travelpro’s Platinum Elite bag is ideal for travelers who want a suitcase designed with organization in mind. Inside is a fold-out suiter for dressy clothes, as well as built-in accessory pockets and a zip-out plastic toiletry bag. The suitcase weighs less than 10 pounds and has a TSA-approved lock.

Eagle Creek Gear Warrior Wheeled Duffel

If you need a checked bag that will stand up to just about any adventure, consider the Gear Warrior Wheeled Duffel. Incorporating water-resistant and recycled fabrics, this bag has plenty of compartments to keep you organized as well as fun features such as an Equipment Keeper strap that lets you attach jackets or other items to the top of the bag (it also serves as a bottle opener). This bag is built to last, with oversized wheels and reinforced corners—but it’s not too heavy, weighing in at less than eight pounds.

eBags TLS 25″ Expandable Upright

If you prefer rolling bags to spinners and enjoy a clean, simple design, this eBags suitcase is a great bet. There are mesh pockets in both the main compartment and the large front compartment to help you stay organized, plus a hide-away strap that lets you attach a purse or briefcase to the top of the bag. Hundreds of reviewers rate the bag highly for its appearance, durability, and organization.

Biaggi Zipsak Boost Max

This chameleon of a suitcase from Biaggi can serve as either a carry-on or a checked bag: A wrap-around zipper expands it from 17 to 28 inches tall so you can fit as many clothes as you need for your vacation. This is some of the most lightweight checked luggage you’ll ever find at just 4.9 pounds, and it has five spinner wheels for easy control. In between vacations it collapses into a small package for easy storage.

Samsonite Eco-Nu 25″ Expandable Spinner

This eco-friendly bag made of recycled plastic bottles is a guilt-free purchase—and a high-quality suitcase to boot. It weighs less than nine pounds and has smoothly gliding spinner wheels that are easy to maneuver. Inside the lid are mesh zipper pockets as well as pockets for shoes.

Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Travel Pack

This versatile pack from Osprey can be pulled on two wheels or worn on your back, making it ideal for adventure trips. The main compartment has compression straps and four zippered pockets to help you organize your load, and the chassis has high clearance above sturdy wheels to deal with rough terrain. The well-padded and -ventilated mesh along the back makes the bag comfortable to wear and carry, despite its generous size.

Genius Pack 30″ Spinner Upright

Genius Pack’s 30-inch spinner makes this list of the best checked luggage thanks to innovative features like labeled compartments for socks and chargers and a laundry bag that you can compress down with the push of a button. There’s even a packing list printed on the inside of the bag so you won’t forget anything essential. See SmarterTravel’s full review of this bag here.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How to Choose the Perfect Suitcase
• How to Pack a Suitcase: The Ultimate Guide
• The Best Affordable Carry-on Bags Under $150

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

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