Buying guide for best samsonite luggage

Whether you’re a seasoned business traveler or you only take occasional weekend trips with the family, the right luggage can makes traveling much easier. When it comes to the best-known brands in the luggage industry, it’s hard to top Samsonite, whose bags make it easy to carry and protect your belongings on any trip.

But Samsonite offers so many different luggage options that choosing the right bag can be difficult. You have to know what type of luggage best meets your needs, including the right size and weight, number of wheels, handle type, and other features to help make your travel a breeze. If you’re not sure what to look for, browsing through all of Samsonite’s offerings can get overwhelming in a hurry.

If you’re ready to purchase some Samsonite luggage, check out our top recommendations. For general tips on selecting Samsonite luggage, keep reading our shopping guide.

Samsonite has been manufacturing luggage, travel bags, and other accessories for over 100 years. Its reputation and track record can give you confidence in your purchase.

Types of samsonite luggage

Hardside luggage

Samsonite hardside luggage features a hard, durable exterior. These bags are typically made of aluminum or a plastic like polycarbonate. While hardside luggage is more durable, and it won’t rip or tear, it’s also heavier than other luggage styles.

Softside luggage

Samsonite softside luggage features a soft fabric exterior. In most cases, the exterior is made of woven nylon that is light in weight. In addition to being easier to carry, these bags also have some give, allowing you to fit more items in your suitcase. Softside luggage is more prone to rips and tears than hardside luggage, so it may not protect fragile belongings as effectively.

Spinner luggage

Spinners are upright bags with four wheels that spin 360°. While nearly all Samsonite luggage options have at least two wheels, only some are true spinners. Spinners are easier to maneuver because they can effortlessly move around obstacles. However, it can be difficult to navigate four-wheeled luggage over curbs or other uneven surfaces.

Carry on luggage

Samsonite carry on luggage is small enough to take on a plane and stash in the overhead compartment. Each airline has different size limits for carry ons, but most of Samsonite’s measure approximately 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

Checked luggage

Samsonite checked luggage includes larger bags that cannot be carried on the plane but must be checked. Checked luggage varies in size, but it commonly ranges from 25 to 30 inches high. These bags can accommodate more items, but you’ll have to wait in baggage claim to collect your bag at the end of your flight.

Underseat luggage

Samsonite underseat luggage is even smaller than standard carry ons. These bags can fit beneath the airplane seat in front of you. Typically 15 to 17 inches high, this luggage works well for business trips of a day or so. Underseat luggage can serve as the one personal item you’re allowed to bring on a plane.

Samsonite produces carry-on luggage that’s small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane. We think about the different carry-on size limits imposed by various airlines when conducting our research.

Samsonite luggage pieces with multiple compartments allow you to keep your items organized during travel. Compartments are one of the features we research.

Spinner suitcases are outfitted with four wheels that spin 360 degrees, making them easy to maneuver around obstacles. Samsonite sells spinner luggage, and we look at these pieces in our research.

With a reputation for high quality, Samsonite is a good option if you desire a well-made suitcase. Our painstaking research process helps us choose bags that adhere to the highest standards.

You can buy Samsonite luggage individually or in sets of two to five pieces. We consider all options when evaluating Samsonite’s offerings.

Hardsided luggage isn’t for everyone due to its weight, but it’s an excellent choice if durability sits high on your priority list. We explore both hardside and softside luggage when conducting our research.

A three-piece set of Samsonite luggage makes a nice gift for a recent graduate. When looking at Samsonite luggage sets, we keep versatility in mind.

A telescopic handle can make pulling a piece of luggage a smoother experience. We research the quality of the telescoping handles found on Samsonite luggage.

A significant number of Samsonite suitcases are expandable courtesy of a zipper along the edge of the bag. Expandability often garners our attention in our quest to find the best luggage pieces.

Samsonite luggage warranties cover workmanship and material and are applicable for manufacturing defects but not user wear and tear. Warranties are subject to our research.

Samsonite luggage features to consider

Single pieces vs. sets

Samsonite sells luggage as single bags or in sets of two to five pieces, all of different sizes for increased versatility. If you only need a single bag, a set may not be the best option. However,  a luggage set may be a better value because you’ll get both carry on and checked bags at a discounted price.

Expandability

If you always seem to return from a trip with more items that you left with, it’s a good idea to look for Samsonite luggage that is expandable. Many styles have zippers along the edge that, when unzipped, enlarge the bag’s interior space. Keep in mind that your expanded bag may not fit in a plane’s overhead bin.

Most airlines allow one carry on that meets the size limits and one personal item that fits beneath the seat, such as a purse, tote bag, laptop bag, camera bag, or small backpack.

Size and weight

The size of your Samsonite luggage is usually the most important feature to consider for traveling, particularly if you plan to use it as a carry on.

Carry On Luggage

• Check with the airline to make sure your bag is the right size.

• Bags that measure 22 x 14 x 9 inches should fit in the overhead bins of most domestic airlines, but international airlines often have smaller size limits.

• The total of the bag’s length, width, and height should be 45 inches or smaller.
   

Checked Luggage

• Most Samsonite bags are 23 to 32 inches high.

• The total of the bag’s length, width, and height should be 62 inches.
   

Weight is usually the most important measurement for checked luggage. You’ll have to pay extra if your bag exceeds the airline’s weight limit, which is usually about 50 pounds.

• Non-wheeled luggage should weigh between two and four pounds

• Wheeled luggage should be less than seven-and-a-half pounds. While most Samsonite luggage is under that weight, some bags weigh as much as 11 pounds, so pay attention to weight when choosing your bag.

Wheels

Most of Samsonite's luggage has wheels, making the bags easier to maneuver during travel. Most bags are four-wheeled spinners, but some styles have two wheels. Choosing between the two styles is a matter of personal preference because each one has advantages and disadvantages.

Two-Wheeled Luggage

Pros:

• The recessed design of wheels makes them less likely to break off.

• These bags are easier to move over curbs or other uneven surfaces.
   

Cons:

• Some people find these bags more difficult to maneuver.

• These bags can cause back, shoulder, and wrist pain.

• The recessed wheel design takes up space inside the bag.
   

Four-Wheeled Luggage

Pros:

• Larger or heavier luggage is easier to control.

• You can move this luggage more easily through confined spaces.

• These bags usually don’t cause back or shoulder pain.
   

Cons:

• Non-recessed wheels can break off more easily.

• This luggage doesn’t move as easily over uneven surfaces.

• Wheels take up more space in overhead bins.

• Left unattended, these bags can roll down inclines.

Wheels

All Samsonite luggage features telescopic handles, making it easy to pull rather than carry the bags. The handle should retract completely inside the bag. It should move easily when you open or retract it.

It’s also a good idea to choose luggage with a soft-grip handle, which makes the bag more comfortable to carry.

Compartments

When you’re choosing Samsonite luggage, it’s also important to consider how many pockets or compartments it offers. Multiple compartments allow you to separate your clothing and other items to keep your suitcase organized and allow you to find what you need when you need it. Compartments you might want to look for include one for a suit to eliminate the need to carry a separate garment bag, and a padded compartment to keep your laptop safe.

Locks

For security purposes, many travelers prefer luggage that’s equipped with some type of lock. All suitcase locks must be approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Many Samsonite bags come equipped with TSA-approved locks, so you can safely secure your bag before you board your flight. If the security of your bag is important to you, choose a model with a lock.

Color

Samsonite offers luggage in a wide range of colors, including neutral and bold shades. Choosing a color for your bags is a matter of personal preference. Neutral shades like black and charcoal have an understated, professional look, but bold colors like red or cobalt can be easier to find at baggage claim.

Samsonite luggage prices

The prices for Samsonite luggage vary based on the bag’s size, material, and whether it’s part of a set or not. The luggage ranges from about $60 to $700.

Carry On Luggage

• Budget Friendly: A single carry on made of fabric or polycarbonate that measures 19 inches or smaller ranges from $60 to $160.

• Mid-Range: A single carry on made of fabric that measures 20 inches ranges from $160 to $340.

• Expensive: A single carry on made of polycarbonate that measures 20 inches ranges from $340 to $450.
   

Checked Luggage

• Budget Friendly: A single checked bag made of fabric or polycarbonate that measures 24 inches or smaller ranges from $130 to $200.

• Mid-Range: A single checked bag made of fabric or polycarbonate that measures 25 to 28 inches ranges from $200 to $380.

• Expensive: A single checked bag made of fabric or polycarbonate that measures 29 to 31 inches ranges from $380 to $700.
   

Luggage Sets

• Budget Friendly: A two-piece set made of fabric or polycarbonate ranges from $160 to $360.

• Mid-Range: A three-piece set made of fabric or polycarbonate ranges from $360 to $700.

• Expensive: A set of four or more pieces made of fabric or polycarbonate ranges from $400 to $800.

The rugged fabric in Samsonite’s softside luggage is especially resistant to moisture, rips, tears, and abrasions.

FAQ

Q. What Samsonite luggage works best if I’m not sure whether I need a carry on or a checked bag?

A. If you’re uncertain about what type of luggage would work best for your traveling needs and habits, a Samsonite luggage set may be the best bet. Even a set that only includes two pieces offers both a carry on and checked size, so you’ll have the ideal bag for long or short trips.

Q. What type of warranty does Samsonite offer on its luggage?

A. Samsonite guarantees all of its bags and suitcases against manufacturing defects and covers both materials and workmanship. It doesn’t cover damage caused by misuse, neglect, or normal wear and tear. Keep in mind that the length of time and specifics covered in the warranty vary from bag to bag, so you should read the warranty that comes with your purchase for exact details.

Q. Does Samsonite luggage come with keys for the locks?

A. Because Samsonite only uses TSA-approved locks on its luggage, the locks don’t require keys. The locks allow you to choose the combination used to open and lock the suitcase. There is a keyhole on your luggage, but it’s only there to allow the TSA to use a universal key to open the bag for inspection.