Jul 14, 2023
11 best suitcases for international travel 2023, including Away, Samsonite and Monos
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WHETHER it's a long-haul flight to a new destination or you’re skipping town for a long weekend, having the correct luggage will improve the quality of your trip.
Finding the best suitcases for international travel can feel daunting, so we’ve compiled a guide with everything to consider before jetting off.
To find the perfect luggage for an international flight, you’ll need to consider how long you’re going for and what you’ll need to bring.
If you’re new to flying you might want to stick with simple luggage that's manageable and not too overwhelming. However, if you’re not new to this, you might want to find something with extra functions or convenient features.
It's best to take into account a suitcase or luggage that has sturdy wheels and simple handles, to ensure you can take it anywhere and across any surface with no limits.
To save you some time on your search, we’ve rounded up some of the best luggage and sets to consider for your next vacation.
Best carry-on for beginners
Dimensions: 21″H x 14.5″W x 9.8″D
Features:
If style and function are both important to you, then this affordable option is worth adding to your luggage collection.
It's crafted from lightweight hard-side material, making it easy to move but nice and durable for your trip. One of the standout features is the expandable compartment that provides extra packing capacity.
It meets the FAA carry-on size requirements and has a 360-degree spinner wheel system, so pushing it through the airport and over various terrains is a breeze.
Best budget luggage set
Dimensions:
Features:
If you’re looking for a handy all-in-one set for your next big adventure, this is pretty close to perfect, including great value for money.
For $140, you’ll get four pieces of luggage including two hard shell cases, one of which is the perfect carry-on size. You’ll also get two polyester material bags, and the tote bag has a slip-on attachment that conveniently binds the bag to your chosen case.
A 360-degree, four-wheeled spinner system means upright mobility and easy, breezy rolling.
Best overall carry-on
Dimensions: 22″ H × 14″ W × 9″ D
Features:
For those looking for elegant and stylish luggage that is just as functional as it is great on the eye, we’d suggest checking out Monos.
Reviews of the company praise its products for their ease of use, style, and practical features.
The Carry-On from Monos is ideal for short and slightly longer trips. A hard polycarbonate shell keeps all of your belongings safe and your case intact for longer.
It comes in eight different colors and four limited-edition tones which vary in price.
Best ‘bigger’ carry-on
Dimensions: 22.7″ H x 14.7″ W x 9.6″ D
Features:
If you’re one of those people who can't help but slightly overpack your carry-on, you’ll love this.
Now, there's more room! Away Travel is a top contender in the luggage category and decided to make The Bigger Carry-On which boasts 20% more capacity, but is still the perfect carry-on size.
Perfect for longer trips, it is sized to fit in the overhead bin of most major airlines and is still lightweight enough to maneuver.
It comes with a water-resistant laundry bag and an ejectable USB charger that can charge your phone up to four times.
Best travel backpack
Dimensions: 56 H x 36 W x 27 D (cm)
Features:
Shoppers looking for a responsible and sustainable choice for their adventures should consider this mighty backpack from Cotopaxi.
Designed to be used from the mountain to the city, this durable and versatile backpack features an incredible 42 liters of capacity and is designed to make a difference, both in your journey and the world.
Featuring straps and harnesses to make weight distribution more manageable, the Allpa's burly, TPU-coated polyester shell repels weather to keep your belongings safe.
94% of the brand's products contain repurposed, recycled, or responsible materials.
Best premium luggage set
Dimensions:
Features:
Whatever style you’re into, you’ll never lose your luggage on a carousel with these Voltage cases.
The artfully contoured polypropylene shell is catching on the eye but also resists the wear and tear of baggage handling and traveling. There's a spacious and expandable three-dimensional exterior, which contains ample room for all your belongings.
You can also charge your devices with the integrated USB port, and the handy self-retracting side carry handles protect against travel damage.
Best luggage for storage
Dimensions: 27″ H x 15.5″ W x 13.75″ D
Features:
There are many reasons to love this checked suitcase; the first is the fact that it's waterproof and scratch resistant, helping to keep all of your belongings inside safe.
Undoubtedly the other reason to love the case is the super organized inner, which boasts a removable, built-in shelving system with five shelves, plus compression straps for maximum storage.
A simple one-pinch opening mechanism means you’ll never have to struggle to open or close it again. Whatever your next vacation brings, you can do it all with this superb case.
Best premium checked luggage
Dimensions: 25″ H x 17.25″ W x 13″ D
Features:
This is a pricier option, but perfect if you’re in need of a case that exemplifies resilience and durability.
A self-spinner 8-wheel system ensures you can comfortably roll your suitcase with no hassle, while an interior water-resistant pocket provides packing versatility for your items.
Bigger than a carry-on but not quite as big as a large checked case, the 25″ size offers enough room for medium stays and expansion capability gives you more packing space when needed.
And if you’re the sort to lose your luggage on the carousel, aluminum corner armor helps you identify your bag, too.
Best budget carry-on
Dimensions: 18.5″L x 10″D x 29.5″H
Features:
If you’ve just caught the traveling bug and are starting out on shorter trips, this budget buy from Regency meets all of the basic travel requirements.
Featuring two low-profile in-line skate wheels, you’ll be able to move easily on flat and straight surfaces, we wouldn't suggest this if you’ll be on many different terrains.
A multi-stage push button handle allows you to adjust the height depending on your needs, whilst an expansion zipper instantly gives you some extra packing inches.
Best weekend bag
Dimensions: 19.25″ H x 10.25″ W x 14.75″ D
Features:
Another top contender from Monos. The ultimate stylish and functional bag, The Metro Weekender's spacious interior offers plenty of room for all your essentials, plus a few extra items.
Along with the spacious main compartment, an outer sleeve can fit a 16-inch laptop, while the zippered lower storage is perfect for packing shoes or separating wet items.
What's more, a built-in trolley sleeve on the bag fits securely around the handle of any Monos suitcase for a seamless pairing.
The Weekender bag comes in four tones in both nylon and vegan leather materials.
Best trunk
Dimensions: 28.25" H x 16.5" W x 14.5" D
Features:
Boasting an incredible 95-liter capacity, there's nothing you won't be able to bring along on your next trip away with this trunk from July.
As far as trunks go, they don't get more stylish than this, and the 80/20 case split allows you to pack bulky items on the deep side with ease.
The brand's signature SilentMove 360° spinner wheels are designed to be silent and resilient against any surface.
You can choose from three limited edition tones and over five tones from the flagship collection. Customers can also customize their luggage for free, instead of $50 for a limited time.
There are many places to look when trying to find the perfect luggage for your travels. We’ve listed the best places to check below:
Depending on what you’re looking for, prices vary quite drastically when it comes to luggage.
You can expect to spend anywhere between $30 and $400, which is quite a wide difference, but it's heavily dependent on materials, the price of a set, features and extra functions.
If you’re looking at designers or items from a big, trending brand you can expect to pay more than you would if you were shopping at Walmart, or on Amazon.
Our favorites include Monos’ Carry-On for both style and function, but we also really enjoy the organization of the Carry On Closet from Solgaard.
For those looking for a large travel companion, we think the Checked Trunk ticks all the boxes.
For short trips, we can't resist Monos’ Metro Weekender bag for its multi-functions and modern aesthetic.
Best carry-on for beginners Dimensions: Features: Elite Dori Expandable Carry-On Spinner Luggage, $79.99 from Walmart – buy here Best budget luggage set Dimensions: 26″ Spinner suitcase: 20″ Carry-on spinner luggage: Boarding tote: Travel kit toiletry bag case: Features: Midtown Hardside 4-Piece Luggage Travel Set, $140 from Amazon – buy here Best overall carry-on Dimensions: Features: Carry-On, from $241 from Monos – buy here Best ‘bigger’ carry-on Dimensions: Features: The Bigger Carry-On, $315 from Away Travel – buy here Best travel backpack Dimensions: Features: The Allpa 42L Travel Pack, $220 from Cotopaxi – buy here Best premium luggage set Dimensions: Carry-on: Large: Features: Voltage DLX 2 Piece Set, $279.99 from Samsonite – buy here Best luggage for storage Dimensions: Features: Check-In Closet, $355 from Solgaard – buy here Best premium checked luggage Dimensions: Features: Travelpro Platinum Elite, from $280.69 from Amazon – buy here Best budget carry-on Dimensions: Features: Regency Checked 2-Wheel Upright Luggage, $47 from Walmart – buy here Best weekend bag Dimensions: Features: Metro Weekender, $225 from Monos – buy here Best trunk Dimensions: Features: Checked Trunk Suitcase, $495 from July – buy here