Consumer Reports' Top Rated Luggage Is More Affordable Than You Think

The right luggage can make a big difference on a journey, though that may not be apparent until you're dealing with stuck suitcase wheels or bursting seams on a trip. That's why Consumer Reports (CR) ratings can be helpful when you're in the market for new luggage. The non-profit organization uses both real consumer ratings and its own internal testing to evaluate products, which, for suitcases, means looking at things like durability, build quality, and any other factors ensuring your luggage and its contents stay intact as you travel. Per this criteria, CR found that the top suitcase is the Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Spinner, followed by the Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-inch Carry-On Spinner. These suitcases retail for around $176 and $160, respectively. While the prices listed on CR can go up depending on the retailer you choose to buy from, both options start at over $500 less than the Briggs & Riley Essential 22-inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner CR placed in the No. 3 slot. 

Despite their varying price tags, CR rates the Outline Pro and the Maxlite 5 similarly: The Samsonite received an 81 out of 100 overall, and received top marks for its construction quality. Meanwhile, the Travelpro earned an 80 overall, but outranked the Samsonite in safety. For reference, the most expensive suitcases on CR's list were both from luxury retailer Rimowa  — yet another luxury brand not worth your money. Starting at $1,150 and $950, these costly bags only received overall scores of 68 and 62, respectively, and were outperformed by many models at much more accessible price points.

In addition to being affordable, the Samsonite was the most spacious in CR's top 10 suitcases. However, to avoid potentially costly travel mistakes, you may want to note that some airlines limit carry-on dimensions to 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, which both the Samsonite and Travelpro slightly exceed. Meanwhile, the Samsonite's hard-shell exterior may make it more resistant to impact damage, while the soft-shell Travelpro is arguably sleeker and features added storage thanks to its exterior zippered pockets. The suitcases also come with different warranties — the Outline Pro comes with 10 years of coverage, while Travelpro's Maxlite 5 series comes with a limited lifetime guarantee — so it's worth researching what's covered under each before you make a purchase.

It's also worth noting that, while Samsonsite and Travelpro's offerings aren't the cheapest CR has reviewed, cutting corners too much could cost you: The cheapest suitcase CR has reviewed is the Travelhouse Underseat Hardshell Carry On Luggage 20-inch. While it's a budget-friendly $40, it's also Consumer Reports' worst-rated suitcase, with lackluster scores in usability, impact resistance, and carrying and pulling. So, while the Samsonite and Travelpro both indicate that you don't need to drop too much cash for high-quality luggage, you may get the best value by springing for well-rated products priced in the lower mid-range. No matter which model you go with, you may also want to hold off on paying for baggage insurance when you fly with it, as that too can be a waste of money.