Buying airline tickets. Shelling out for a hotel. Booking experiences like a guided tour or museum tickets. Vacation can get pricey. If you also need new luggage? Well, that can add yet another expense. The good news is there are plenty of affordable luggage on the market that are convenient to use and durable enough to keep your essentials safe while traveling.
As the daughter of a pilot, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel worldwide. I’ve been to over 30 countries and have used every type of luggage imaginable. For example, a compact weekender bag is my go-to for a quick trip with pals. A good wheeled carry-on works in almost any situation—and a larger, checked wheelie is perfect for longer vacations. When I traveled through Asia, I found that slinging a duffle bag over my shoulder made the most sense because much of the terrain wasn’t appropriate for wheels. Regardless of my traveling type, I’ve always preferred spending my money on experiences rather than pouring it into my luggage. And some of my favorite pieces that have stood the test of time have cost well under $150.
SKIP AHEAD The best affordable luggage of 2024 | Best affordable hardside suitcase | Best affordable softside suitcases | Best affordable duffle bags | Best affordable weekender bags | How to shop for the best affordable luggage
To help you find high-quality but affordable options, we consulted experts about what to look for when shopping and compiled recommendations in various luggage categories based on their advice.
The best affordable luggage of 2024
Below, we rounded up affordable hardside and softside suitcases, as well as duffel bags and weekender totes we think you should know about. We used expert guidance to make our picks and added highly rated options from NBC Select reader favorite brands.
Best affordable hardside suitcases
Amazon Basics 30-Inch Hardside Spinner
Looking for a larger bag you can check? This 30-inch option from Amazon Basics has a 4.5-average star rating out of 47,557 reviews on Amazon. It has a scratch-resistant protective hard shell, according to the brand. A zipper expansion allows you to increase the size of the bag by 15 percent if you need more room. This suitcase has 4 multi-directional spinner wheels, which can be rolled easily in any direction. Inside, you’ll find a divider and three zippered pockets for smaller items. This suitcase comes in orange, black, navy and blue.
Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Expandable 24-Inch Suitcase
Annie Daly, a travel writer and author of Destination Wellness, says that Samsonite is one of her favorite affordable luggage brands. She used a similar style from the brand on a long trip to report the book that took her from New York to Hawaii to Japan to India to Norway to Brazil and finally to Jamaica and says it held up exceptionally well. This 24-inch rolling suitcase is considered to be a medium-sized checked bag. It has 4 multi-directional wheels, a telescopic handle and a 1.5” expansion that allows you to pack more items. Samsonite says that the hard shell is made to absorb any impact by flexing under stress and then popping back to its original shape to eliminate dents and protect your belongings. It has a 4.5-average star rating out of 21,995 reviews on Amazon.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 20-Inch Carry-On
This 20-inch carry-on suitcase meets the requirements for most airlines’ overhead storage compartments, according to the brand and has a 4.3-average star rating out of 14,528 reviews on Amazon. It has multi-directional spinning wheels and reinforced corners to protect against extra wear and tear, according to the brand. It contains a zippered organization pocket and garment restraint straps to hold clothes in place. It weighs 5.65 pounds, making it relatively lightweight and comes in colors like midnight black, rose gold and scarlet red.
Quince 21” Carry-on Hard Shell Suitcase
This bag won a 2024 NBC Select travel award. During our testing, we found that the Quince 21” Carry-On balances durability and maneuverability well. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin tested the bag and loved how well it handled different terrain. “I dragged this bag through the streets of New York, on multiple flights, checked and not checked, and dragged it up flights of stairs and it looks great,” she says. While the bag is prone to some scrapes (the case with many hardshell bags), it does with a small sponge to help wipe scuffs away.
Bagsmart Carry-On
Another winner from our travel awards, the Bagsmart Carry-On can hold a surprisingly large amount given its size, according to NBC Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg, who tested the bag. “I was really impressed by this carry-on. Its dimensions are smaller than the average carry-on,” she says. “But it held a lot of things and the quality is good for the price.” The suitcase, which has 360-degree wheels, is slightly smaller than the standard carry-on size for most major airlines but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice space for storing clothing or other travel items. It also has an adjustable handle with four heights, TSA-approved locks on the zippers, multiple compartments for organizing clothes and an expandable zipper on the side.
Best Affordable Softside Suitcases
SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Carry-On
While our experts agreed that hardside bags are more durable, they noted that softside options can be easier to squeeze into tight spaces. This polyester option has multiple front panel pockets that can store things like reading materials, laptops and more. At 20 inches, this bag fits most airline carry-on requirements and comes with multi-directional spinner wheels and reinforced side handles that make it easy to lift into an overhead compartment. You’ll find a removable zippered wet bag and a large mesh pocket inside. It weighs 7.96 pounds and has a 4.4-average star rating out of 19,225 reviews on Amazon.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside 22-Inch Carry-On
This brand is known for being the favorite suitcase brand of pilots and flight attendants—something I can attest to; my father, a commercial airline pilot, has used this brand for nearly 40 years. At 22 inches, this is a larger carry-on option and rollerboard model, meaning it has only two wheels. While our experts said they mostly prefer luggage with 4 multi-directional wheels, Daly noted that rollerboard models can be good if you travel to a place with lots of cobblestone streets or other tricky terrains. This bag weighs 9 pounds and has a 4.4-average star rating from 4,776 reviews on Amazon.
American Tourister Belle Voyage Softside 25-Inch Luggage
American Tourister is another favorite brand of Daly’s for high-quality, affordable luggage. This 25-inch checked bag has multidirectional spinner wheels and a zippered front pocket. It can expand by 1.5 inches for extra room, and the inside has a zippered mesh pocket and garment restraint straps. It weighs just under 9 pounds and has a 4.6-average star rating out of 2,085 reviews on Amazon.
Best Affordable Duffel Bags
Adidas Defender 4 Medium Duffel Bag
If you prefer to throw a bag over one shoulder when traveling, this lightweight duffel bag from Adidas is a good option. Its dimensions are 12 inches by 24.75 inches by 13 inches, making it small enough to be used as a carry-on but big enough to fit three to four outfits. The bag is made from durable polyester, which is easy to wipe down and clean, according to our experts. The shoulder strap is adjustable, and the bag has a roomy middle compartment and two zippered side pockets on either end (great for storing shoes or other accessories). It has a 4.8-average star rating out of 7,958 reviews.
G4Free 40L 3-Way Duffel Bag
Made from a nylon fabric, this bag is water and tear-resistant, according to the brand. It measures 12 inches by 23 inches by 10 inches, so it can be used as a carry-on on most airlines. This bag has one large compartment, a side compartment intended to store shoes and a small zippered pocket at the front. This duffel has smaller top straps to carry it by hand, an adjustable shoulder strap to sling over one shoulder, and detachable, padded shoulder straps to wear as a backpack. It has a 4.5-average star rating from 2,205 reviews on Amazon.
Olympia U.S.A. 8 Pocket Rolling Duffel
Do you prefer a duffel shape but still want the option of rolling your bag? This Olympia U.S.A. bag has top handles or a telescopic handle that can be pulled out to roll it. It comes in 22-, 26-, 29- and 33-inch versions. It weighs 5 pounds and has 8 different pockets, including side compartments and top zippered pockets. This bag has a 4.4-average star rating from 15,157 reviews on Amazon.
Calpak Stevyn Duffel
This duffel bag from Calpak is from one of our favorite AAPI-owned businesses and made our list of best weekender bags. It comes with a large bottom compartment for shoes or any items you want to keep separated and interior pockets to keep smaller items organized. It has a trolley sleeve on the back side to securely attach it to your luggage and you can either carry it by the top handles or by using the detachable shoulder strap.
Best Affordable Weekend Bags
Béis The Weekender
I purchased this bag last year and it has quickly become my go-to for 2-3 days long trips. It is made of heavy-duty canvas and has two top handles with a 25-centimeter drop that can be carried in hand or fit snugly on one shoulder—it also comes with a detachable, longer shoulder strap if you prefer to carry it that way. This tote has a zippered bottom compartment that keeps shoes or toiletries separate from the rest of your stuff. A zippered pocket on the back becomes a trolley sleeve when unzipped, so you can slide it over the handle of a rolling bag if you want to take it on a longer trip. It comes in various colors—like black, Atlas Pink and Creamsicle.
Everlane The ReNew Transit Weekender
This bag was a top pick in our guide to the best weekender bags. Everlane’s ReNew Transit Weekender is made with a water-resistant finish and made with 100 percent recycled polyester, according to the brand. It has a 9-inch top handle, an adjustable shoulder strap and a padded laptop sleeve on the interior, and it comes in Black, Warm Quartz, Warm Charcoal, Nutria and Ocean Cavern.
Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag
Another pick from our best weekender bag story, this option Vera Bradley has five mesh internal pockets and two additional zipper pockets to keep smaller items organized. It also has a trolley sleeve to slip on top of a rolling suitcase and is small enough to be considered a carry-on. It comes in a variety of prints and patterns, like Hope Blooms, Paisley Jamboree and Island Garden.
Halfday The Garment Duffel
Another pick from our story on the best weekender bags, this one comes highly recommended by Malin due to its durability and the fact that it’s a perfect size for a weekend trip. It weighs just over 2 pounds and has a water-resistant exterior. The duffel comes with two interior shoe pockets and it converts into a hanging garment compartment that holds a suit, tux or multiple dress shirts, according to the brand. It’s available in ten colors, including marine, shadow and hunter.
How we picked the best affordable luggage
We spoke to travel experts for guidance on what to look for in affordable luggage. Based on their guidance, we kept the following in mind when sourcing top-rated options:
- Materials: We recommend both hardside and soft luggage, making sure each is crafted from materials like plastic or nylon that are made to withstand being thrown in trunks or on airplanes.
- Zippers: According to our experts, metal zippers are more sturdy than plastic. So, we prioritized picks with those.
- Wheels: If a piece of luggage has wheels, we prioritized 360-degree spinner wheels for easy maneuverability.
- Weight: All bags on our list weigh under 15 pounds for easy carrying.
- Airline requirements: The TSA does not have requirements regarding luggage size — they defer to airlines for those guidelines. The FAA notes that most airlines have a maximum carry-on requirement of 45 linear inches (the total sum if you add height, width and depth). It is always best to check with the airline you are flying before arriving at the airport. For checked luggage, the requirement across airlines is usually 62 linear inches. Whether a carry-on or checked bag, we ensured our picks met these requirements.
How to shop for the best affordable luggage
If you’re in the market for affordable luggage, here’s what our experts recommended keep in mind while shopping:
- Bag Type: Knowing the type of luggage that suits your needs is important. Bags with wheels are helpful for people who are packing a lot or traversing large airports or multiple destinations, says Daly. Some people prefer to sling a bag over their shoulder, especially if their destination isn’t wheel-friendly (think cobblestone or dirt roads). Wheeled bags and duffel bags can be found in carry-on or checked bag sizes, depending on your needs. Finally, weekend bags are great for 1-3 days trips or as a carry-on when checking a larger bag.
- Materials: Rolling suitcases come in hard-side or soft-side options. “I prefer hard-side bags because they’ve always been more durable for me,” says Daly. “They’re also water-resistant, which is helpful—when traveling, you have to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way.” That said, some people feel they can stuff more into a softside bag because they have a bit more give. “They are also more flexible and easier to stuff into tight spaces,” says David Leiter, creator of the popular travel blog, The World Travel Guy. If you are opting for a soft-side suitcase or a duffel bag, Daly recommends something made from polyester or nylon, which tend to be the most durable and are also water-resistant. Weekender bags are often made from cotton or canvas, but are often used for shorter amounts of time and aren’t checked at the airport, reducing wear and tear.
- Zippers: The last thing you want is for the zipper on your bag to break mid-trip. “Metal zippers tend to be more durable than plastic,” says Daly. She also recommends looking for bags that have two zippers. “This usually means you can unzip a bag from either side, which is handy if you are trying to access your stuff quickly on the go.”
- Wheels: If you travel a lot, both Daly and Leiter recommend choosing a bag with four multidirectional spinner wheels that can stay upright as you move it rather than having to tip it for it to roll. However, Daly notes that if you tend to travel places with cobblestone or uneven streets, two-wheel options may come in handy.
- Weight: For ease of portability, every bag we selected weighs under 15 pounds. Just know that weight limitations on both carry-on and checked bags vary depending on the airline you travel on. It is always wise to check what your airline’s requirements are before you head to the airport.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Annie Daly is a NYC-based travel writer and author of Destination Wellness, about healthy living philosophies around the world.
- David Leiter is a founder of The World Travel Guy, a popular travel blog. He has traveled to dozens of countries, almost always doing so on a budget.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm a contributor at NBC Select and journalist who regularly covers topics like travel, home and lifestyle. I'm also a frequent traveler and have been to more than 30 countries. For this story, I interviewed two experts to gather their guidance and sought out highly-rated luggage based on their shopping recommendations.
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