Buying guide for best spinner luggage
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There was a time when luggage didn’t have wheels. You had to carry it by the handles, hire a skycap to take care of it for you or rent one of those airport luggage carts. All that changed when wheeled luggage, such as spinner luggage, was invented. The best spinner luggage makes moving through an airport terminal, baggage claim or train station easier than any non-spinner bag ever could.
Spinner luggage gets its name from its unique wheels, which freely rotate a full 360 degrees on their struts. It can be pulled behind you, walked alongside you or pushed in front of you, and the spinner wheels move in any direction. Spinner luggage makes bringing large or heavy bags easier than carrying them by hand. They also put less strain on your arm and shoulder than two-wheeled roller luggage you need to pull behind you. Though spinner wheels and their struts are more vulnerable to damage than roller wheels, their mobility is second to none.
The BestReviews Testing Lab examined several of the top-rated and most popular spinner luggage on the market. The highly respected softside Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner won our top pick with its perfect testing scores, while the hardside Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner offers the best bang for your buck.
Editors' picks
Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On
Editors’ Favorite
Material: Nylon | Capacity: 46 L | Dimensions: 21” H x 14” W x 9” D | Weight: 7.72 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner is one of the most-recommended and well-reviewed spinners on the market, and has been for years. It’s a bit pricey, but its features, materials and quality set the standard for frequent travelers everywhere.
The Platinum Elite carry-on is a double-wheeled spinner with 46 liters of packing space, weighing just under 8 pounds. Its soft shell is made of tough, stain-resistant nylon with leatherette accents that’s also been treated for water protection.
It has one large compartment with tie-down straps and pocketed compression panels, with several additional internal and external pockets and a complete fold-out suiter in the lid. It’s expandable by an additional 2 inches and even has a USB port for charging through the nylon shell.
Its spinner wheels are a marvel, double-wheeled on each axle with the struts recessed into the body for protection. Notably, they align magnetically while rolling. The Platinum Elite carry-on has a sturdy trolley handle with a padded, contoured grip for comfort.
Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Luggage
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Great Value
Material: Polypropylene | Capacity: 81 L | Dimensions: 27” H x 18” W x 12” D | Weight: 8.5 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard
The Samsonite Freeform Medium Spinner sits, or spins, at the intersection of name-brand quality and wallet-friendly pricing. It’s a great combination of design and practicality that hits the right spot for a lot of value-conscious travelers who also want quality.
The Freeform Medium Spinner has a hard shell of flexible polypropylene, textured and contoured to minimize shocks and scuffs. It has 81 liters of capacity split in two large compartments, fully lined in recycled fabric, with elastic cross-straps on one side and a full-length divider on the other.
There are two pockets on the divider and an interior side pocket along the spine for sundries. The Freeform is expandable by almost 2 inches all around, and it has a TSA lock and a hidden ID tag.
The medium checked Freeform rolls on four double-spinner wheels with stylish Samsonite-branded hubcaps. They’re attached to tall plastic struts, so there’s some vulnerability to impact, but they roll smoothly and quietly even on rough ground. The trolley handle feels a little loose but can easily support the Freeform’s packed weight.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner
Best Soft-Side Checked Bag
Material: Nylon | Capacity: 143.5 L | Dimensions: 21” W x 13.25” D x 32.5” H | Weight: 11.5 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
The top piece of luggage in our roundup for the best suitcases, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner is also our top pick for spinner luggage overall. A softside checked-size suitcase, it scored perfectly in all the categories we tested, and despite its moderately high price, delivers a high level of value.
The Travelpro boasts four double-spinner wheels, two wheels per corner for eight wheels in all, that delivered an exceptionally quiet, smooth glide on multiple types of terrain in our testing. Their partially inset struts offer large mounts for stability and durability, and they magnetically self-align in whichever direction you’re heading. Because this bag does not have a clamshell design, it easily fits on a hotel luggage rack, even while open.
The Travelpro’s interior organization also stood out during testing, thanks to its built-in suiter (which keeps suits and dresses wrinkle-free) and plenty of pockets for small items, toiletries and sundries. Its retractable handle was smooth to grip and stable to use, and its treated nylon fabric showed zero damage after our travels. The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner comes with a built-in TSA combination lock and offers up to 2 inches of expansion with a tapered design that prevents the bag from tipping over no matter how much you stuff it.
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage
Best Budget Carry-On
Material: Polypropylene | Capacity: 36 L | Dimensions: 23” H x 15” W x 10” D | Weight: 6.5 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard
Like its bigger the sibling, the Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner combines brand-name reputation with accessible value. It’s an easy choice for seasonal travelers on short or medium-length trips.
The carry-on Freeform has the same contoured polypropylene shell as the medium and large models in the set. It’s sized to fit within the regulations of most U.S. airlines, although international airlines might have stricter policies. It offers 36 liters of interior space in the same basic two-compartment division as other hardside spinners, each compartment fully lined in recycled PET fabric.
The Freeform carry-on uses the same double-spinner wheels as other Freeform models, with exterior wheel struts and silent rubberized surfaces. The carry-on is highly maneuverable and lightweight, and can be supported by its trolley handle if necessary. There’s also a TSA lock and a pull-out ID tag.
SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Carry-On Spinner Luggage
Best Carry-On for International Travel
Material: Polyester | Capacity: 45 to 55 L | Dimensions: 14.25” W x 10.25” D x 22.75” H | Weight: 8 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
For weekend getaways and other short trips, the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Carry-On offers enough space for everything you need. Its expandable design provides between 45 and 55 liters of packing space and offers features to help you organize your belongings. The zippered mesh pocket on the interior of the lid is ideal for small items like socks and underwear, while the adjustable tie-down straps can secure larger items inside the main compartment. It also includes a removable, zippered wet bag for toiletries.
The bag is durable enough to stand up to regular travel, too. Its exterior is made of scuff-resistant polyester. The fabric is thick and sturdy enough to prevent tearing, and it offers water resistance to keep the items inside dry.
You’ll also have an easy time maneuvering this suitcase through airports, thanks to its four 360-degree multidirectional spinner wheels. They allow you to push and pull the bag in any direction and move easily over uneven terrain. You can use the top, side and bottom handles to lift and carry the bag, too, making it easy to stow in the overhead bin.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Luggage
Best Lightweight Soft-Sided Carry-On
Material: Polyester | Capacity: 46 L | Dimensions: 23” H x 14.5” W x 9” D | Weight: 5.4 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft
Lower-priced and lighter than other Travelpro softsides, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Spinner recommends itself to frequent flyers who value portability and expediency. It’s a more affordable way to enjoy Travelpro’s brand status and durability.
The Maxlite 5 carry-on has a shell made of water-resistant polyester. Its dimensions allow it to fit in the sizers of most U.S. airlines, although its height might be an issue on stricter international flights. It has a capacity of 46 liters but, including its wheels, it’s only 5.4 pounds in weight, a big difference when dashing through the airport or using an overhead bin.
Inside is a roomy main compartment, albeit one without the same internal panels as the more expensive Platinum Elite. The Maxlite 5 rolls on four single-spinner wheels, again to save weight, with thick, recessed struts to reduce the possibility of breakage. It has a comfort-grip trolley handle and up to 2 inches of expansion.
Coolife Luggage Three-Piece Set Suitcase Spinner Hardshell
Best Budget Suitcase Set
Material: ABS | Capacity: 30 to 93 L | Dimensions: 22.5 to 30.25” H x 15.5 to 20.75” W x 9.25 to 11.75” D | Weight: 6.3 to 10 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard
Not everyone needs expensive luggage. For less than the price of one of the other spinners on this list, the Coolife Three-Piece Hardside Luggage Set gives you a complete collection of small, medium and large spinner suitcases for yourself or your family.
With shells made of colorful and low-cost ABS plastic, the Coolife Three-Piece spinner set includes a 20-inch carry-on, 24-inch medium and 28-inch large checked spinners. Each piece offers a fully-lined contrasting interior with elastic strap and full-zip pocketed divider. Capacities range from 30 to 93 liters, and weights from as little as 6 to a maximum of 10 pounds empty. The ABS shells are available in a number of striking colors and are segmented to help withstand impacts.
Each piece in this set rolls on four single spinner wheels, with open spokes and angled plastic struts. There’s a risk of failure in all of these elements, but at this price that’s to be expected — and for occasional travelers these may be all you need. Unlike some low-cost brands, this Coolife set includes TSA locks as well.
Away Medium Checked Luggage
Best for 1-Week Trips
Material: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 72 L | Dimensions: 26” H x 18.5” W x 11” D | Weight: 10.4 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard
When it comes to Internet-famous luggage brands, few have made the kind of impact as Away. The Away Medium Checked Spinner is sleek, minimalist and spacious, the kind of luggage that makes a subtle statement wherever you go.
The Away Medium is sized for one or two weeks of travel. It has a tough but light polycarbonate shell available in several on-trend and seasonal shades, with horizontal grooves that immediately establish their brand identity. Inside you’ll find Away’s influential compression system that packs and organizes its contents for space and efficiency, with several pockets and even an included laundry bag.
Away’s double spinner wheels are some of our favorites, tested on several models for smoothness and quietness. On the Medium they sit on short struts recessed into the body of the suitcase, so they’re somewhat protected from breakage. The Medium features three grab handles, a recessed TSA lock and a solid, two-stop trolley handle.
Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage
Best Budget Large Checked Luggage
Material: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 100 L | Dimensions: 28” H x 19.8” W x 12.5” D | Weight: 10.1 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard
The Samsonite Winfield 2 Large Checked Spinner is one of several Samsonite spinners that boast high-strength polycarbonate as their shell material. And it’s one of the more affordable ways to enjoy polycarbonate without busting the budget.
The large Winfield 2 offers 100 liters of capacity, the kind of space you need for several weeks of travel. Its polycarbonate shell looks something like the body of a car, with contours and ridges that catch the light. Inside are two compartments divided by a pocketed zip divider. There’s an adjustable Y-strap on one side for a touch of compression, and both compartments are fully lined.
The Winfield 2 boasts double-spinner wheels with branded hubcaps. Their curved struts are relatively short, which helps improve their longevity, although their lack of height might be an issue on rough or cobblestoned streets. The Winfield 2 has a side-mounted TSA lock and 1.5 inches of expansion.
Away 29-Inch Large Checked Luggage
Best for Overpackers
Material: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 104 L | Dimensions: 29” H x 20.5” W x 12.5” D | Weight: 12.1 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard
The Away Large Checked Spinner is about as big as a spinner can get without going over the limits. It has the same chic, minimalist aesthetic as all other Away bags, but with enough space for a month or more of travel.
The large checked Away clocks in at 104 liters of capacity and 12.1 pounds of weight when empty. It has a total linear measurement of 62 inches, height plus width plus depth, which is the most common limit on most domestic and international airlines. Inside are two compartments each with a full-zip divider to keep the contents safe and organized. There are tie-down straps for compression and several interior pockets as well.
The Away Large has the same high-quality, smooth-rolling wheels as other Away spinners we’ve tested. They’re noticeably quiet and easy to roll, and they don’t stick out as much as some other spinner wheels. The Away Large has a TSA lock, a bottom handle between the wheels, and comes with both a laundry bag and a recycled leather luggage tag.
More spinner luggage we tested
Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner
Best Softside Carry-On
Material: Nylon | Capacity: 37 to 49 L | Dimensions: 15” W x 9” D x 21” H | Weight: 9.9 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
A premium spinner from a premium brand, the Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner is far from cheap, but its high-end materials and innovative features make it worth its price. With its expansion and compression, it fits more items than a regular carry-on would, which could pay for itself in saved check-in fees.
The Briggs & Riley’s double-spinner wheels feature a shock-absorbing design that allowed us to roll it smoothly and almost effortlessly even when overpacked. Its main trolley handle offers multiple stops and it also includes three pull handles on the top, side and bottom, ideal for pulling it out of an overhead bin. Its ballistic nylon shell resisted scratches, stains, tears and impact.
The most impressive thing about the Briggs & Riley Global carry-on is its “CX” compression system. The main compartment expands by pushing a pair of buttons, allowing us to fit one to three more outfits than we would have otherwise. After packing, you close the lid and push the Briggs & Riley back into its original size with a click, keeping it carry-on sized.
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Best Hardside Carry-On
Material: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 47.9 L | Dimensions: 22.7" x 15.4" x 9.6" | Weight: 7.9 lbs | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
One of the most popular spinners on the market, the Away Bigger Carry-On proved it’s more than just a fad during our testing. It has some of the smoothest wheels and most comfortable handles of any spinner we tested, and its minimalist design inside and out proved convenient and functional as well.
The Away’s double-spinner wheels are partially inset into its bottom for added integrity, something we inadvertently tested when it fell down a long escalator at the airport during our travel testing. Each strut holds two individual wheels for a total of eight in all, and they glided smoothly from terminal to pavement to cobblestone and onto public transport for us with no issues.
Thanks to its compression panel and straps, we managed to fit nearly two weeks’ worth of outfits into the Away, and its signature colorful polycarbonate shell held up well to our impact tests. It’s not expandable, and we wish it had an extra pocket than the three it comes with, but its looks, simplicity and performance were all top-notch.
Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner
Best Cheap Luggage
Material: ABS | Capacity: 23 L | Dimensions: 13.58” W x 9.45” D x 20.87” H | Weight: 6.9 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
Considering how affordable the Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner is, we weren’t expecting a whole lot. However, it pleasantly surprised us during testing. We found it a credible and attractive budget carry-on spinner with some features typically seen in costlier bags.
The Amazon Basics spinner rolls on double-spinner wheels similar to those of midrange and premium spinners, with two wheels per strut, supplying smooth motion that we verified when taking it out for a roll on city streets. The materials are the wheels’ only weakness; it’s made of a rubber-coated plastic that looked notably scuffed after our tests. Its trolley handle was also wobbly compared to higher-priced spinners, and it lacks any kind of lock.
Its thick ABS case held up well to knocks and drops, and its textured surface helped obscure scratches after testing. It was also highly water-resistant in our shower tests, and we appreciated its expandability and interior zip pockets.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Hardside Check-In Spinner
Best Hardside Checked Luggage
Material: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 108 L | Dimensions: 17.5” W x 13.5” D x 27.5” H | Weight:12.3 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Hardside is not quite as exceptional as its softside counterpart, but we found it to have plenty of benefits that made it our favorite hardside check-in spinner.
The Travelpro hardside has a strong polycarbonate case with reinforced metal corners. It features the same magnetically aligning double-spinner wheels as the Travelpro softside, although we found these wheels a little louder during our testing. The trolley handle grip also felt marginally less comfortable than that of the softside version. The wheel struts are partially inset for their protection.
As a hardside, the Travelpro opens clamshell-style with two equal compartments, each kept closed by a full-zip divider that integrates two pockets per panel. Each compartment also offers adjustable elastic straps for security and compression.
July Checked Trunk
Best Trunk
Material: Polycarbonate, aluminum | Capacity: 95 L | Dimensions: 16.34” W x 14.5” D x 28.35” H | Weight: 13.2 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
An outlier in our lineup, the July Checked Trunk combines the long, deep trunk design of yesteryear with the polycarbonate shell and spinner wheels of contemporary spinner luggage. Even considering its unusual configuration, we found it impressively maneuverable and practical in our travels.
The July Checked Trunk has a 20/80 compartment design, with a deep main compartment capable of holding bulky items like boots and a thinner compartment in the lid for flat-packed items. Its double-spinner wheels with partially inset struts were amazingly smooth and quiet, and its shape felt more maneuverable than that of a traditional suitcase. We loved its flat top for setting items on, and its 20-stop trolley handle with a comfortably soft grip was the most adjustable of all the suitcases we tested.
The July trunk offers interior Y-strap compression and a shell made of glazed polycarbonate on a sturdy aluminum frame. The 20/80 compartment division and straps were a little awkward for us but were minor issues in what is overall a high-quality piece of spinner luggage.
Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner
Trusted Brand
Material: Polypropylene | Capacity: 117 L | Dimensions: 31.1” H x 20.9” W x 13.8” D | Weight: 9.6 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
The biggest luggage brand in the world, Samsonite introduced the spinner wheel suitcase to the market in the early 2000s. While it’s not a budget brand by any means, many of its spinners, including the Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner, cost less than premium options while still offering excellent performance and value.
The Samsonite Freeform glides on four double-spinner wheels for increased performance and stability. It performed well during our terrain tests, albeit somewhat noisier than more premium competitors. Its 5-inch handle was easy to grip as well. Its light, textured polypropylene shell held up during our drop tests with minimal damage, and it comes in a variety of colors.
Interior organization was minimal but practical, with a full-zip pocket integrated into one compartment’s divider and cross-ribbon straps to hold items down in the other. It’s the kind of luggage we could imagine lasting for years.
How we tested the best spinner luggage
In researching and writing this article, we picked some of the highest-rated and most popular spinner luggage on the market and then subjected them to rigorous testing.
Wheels and handles
- We rolled each piece of spinner luggage on a variety of surfaces and terrain, from indoor carpet to airport terminal flooring to rough outdoor pavement and cobblestone streets.
- We sent each spinner rolling along a path to note any curve or swerve in its motion.
- We studied the strength and stability of the trolley handles on each spinner and how well we could control the spinner while being pulled, pushed or walked.
- After fully packing the suitcase, we noted any tendency toward tipping or lack of balance.
Durability
- We subjected each spinner to drops of 3 feet and 6 feet onto flooring to simulate rough handling.
- We allowed each spinner to fall down a flight of stairs to simulate travel mishaps.
- We examined the spinner wheels for any excessive wear and tear or damage.
Functionality
- We used every feature offered by each spinner, including compression, expansion, security locks, extra compartments and organization.
- We packed and repacked each piece to simulate frequent or long-term use and to estimate their real-world capacity in terms of days packed or number of outfits.
Design
- We took note of the materials used in the construction of each spinner, paying attention to weight and portability.
- We observed the aesthetic appeal of each spinner, including how well they would stand out in a row or on a baggage-claim conveyor.
- With carry-ons, we noted if the spinner wheels or handles stuck out too much or interfered with sliding into overhead bins.
We also noted the warranties or guarantees offered by each brand and factored them into the value of each piece.
Key considerations
Wheels
All spinner luggage has four to eight wheels on struts, one strut per corner, that swivel 360 degrees.
- The wheel elements on spinner wheels are usually made of polyurethane, rubber or plastic.
- Look for spinner wheels that resemble those of inline skates, either single (four wheels per bag, one per strut) or double (eight wheels per bag, two per strut). These should offer smooth, durable performance.
- Watch out for poorly constructed wheels that may sag or bend under the weight of a fully packed suitcase. Avoid furniture-style ball casters.
- Bonus features include shock-absorbing wheels and wheels that lock in the direction you’re moving.
- Spinner-wheel struts extend either partially or fully from the bottom of the suitcase. Tall struts that are completely offset from the luggage bottom are more vulnerable to damage than partially inset wheels, but the wells of inset wheels take up some of the luggage’s internal capacity.
- The struts and strut mounts can be common places of breakage in spinner luggage. A reputable brand should offer repair or replacement of wheels to spinner luggage under warranty.
Our top picks: Wheels and maneuverability
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On has double-spinner wheels that magnetically align.
- Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Luggage has double-spinner wheels with tall struts.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner’s wheels magnetically align to each other while you’re moving and are impressively quiet on various terrains.
- Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage has the same double-spinner wheels as the Freeform medium.
- SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Spinner Luggage has single-spinner wheels with thick reinforced struts.
Size
Spinner luggage comes in various sizes, from small underseat totes to massive trunks. Their spinner wheels make them highly maneuverable regardless of size, an asset when moving a large, fully packed checked-size suitcase.
Checked luggage
Checked spinner luggage, like all checked baggage, needs to have a total linear dimension of no more than 67 inches, length plus width plus depth, and a maximum weight when fully packed of 50 pounds. You can often be forgiven for having suitcases a little bit bigger than this maximum, but airlines can be strict about weight, so keep your spinner’s weight while empty in mind.
Carry-on luggage
Carry-on luggage for plane travel needs to fit into an airline’s size requirements for cabin baggage. Each airline has its own rules, but in general, carry-on spinners need to be at most 21 to 22 inches tall, including the wheels and struts; 14 to 15 inches wide; and 9 to 10 inches deep, with international flights having smaller, stricter requirements. A carry-on spinner needs to move smoothly down a cramped plane aisle and lift easily to and from an overhead bin.
Other forms of travel, such as trains, allow bigger luggage as carry-ons. Amtrak suggests luggage no bigger than 75 inches in total linear dimension, bigger than an airplane checked bag, while Eurail suggests a single longest dimension no larger than 85 centimeters.
Hardside vs. softside
One of the first questions asked when considering luggage is whether to get hard-sided or soft-sided pieces. Spinners come in both hardside and softside versions.
Hardside
Hardside luggage feature rigid shells that keep their shape under pressure. They protect their contents from crushing or impacts, but they’re prone to scratch and scuff. Contemporary hardside spinners are often made of polypropylene, ABS or polycarbonate plastic, combining strength with flexibility and light weight. Aluminum suitcases are more expensive, more rigid, heavier and more durable.
Softside
Softside spinners have walls made of sturdy fabric, usually high-density polyester or nylon. Softside luggage is known for being flexible, which is helpful if you need to pack more items than expected or squeeze a carry-on into an overhead bin. It's also more durable in that it resists scratches, but it won’t protect its contents from crushing or impacts unless it has a strong internal frame.
Expandability
We all know how clothes somehow double in volume between going on a trip and coming back. Expansion allows spinner luggage to accommodate this phenomenon and provide room for souvenirs or new purchases. Looking for a spinner that won’t become unbalanced when expanded is important. Carry-on spinners also still need to fit into the cabin size requirements or be strong enough to go into checked baggage.
Our top picks: Expandability
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On comes with 2 inches of tapered expansion at the bottom.
- Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Luggage features 1.5 inches of all-around expansion.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner offers 2 inches of expanded depth and has a tapered design so that it’s thicker at the bottom than the top, maintaining balance.
- Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage offers 1 inch of all-around expansion.
- SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Spinner Luggage comes with 2 inches of zipped expansion.
Handles
A spinner suitcase’s trolley handle is almost as important as the quality of its wheels when it comes to mobility. A flimsy, shaky or poorly designed handle makes it difficult to guide the spinner or control it the way you need it to.
- Trolley handles can have one or two retractable posts.
- Look for a trolley handle with several stops to suit not only your height but also different uses. For example, a lower stop is useful when walking your spinner beside you, while a longer stop helps when pulling it behind you.
- The handle itself should have a soft, padded or contoured grip that’s comfortable to use. Your hand will thank you if you ever have to run between terminals or go searching for your accommodations.
- A spinner suitcase should also have at least two pull handles, one at the top and one at the side. Expect these to retract close to or fully within the case so as not to count against size requirements.
- A third pull handle, between the wheels, can be a desirable feature for more nimble handling, especially in carry-on spinners.
Our top picks: Handles
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On has a soft, grippy, contoured trolley handle and grab handles on the top, side and bottom.
- Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Luggage has a contoured trolley handle and front and side handles.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner has a contoured grip that felt comfortable in hand during testing, plus leather pull handles that looked and felt premium.
- Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage has the same trolley handle and grab handles as the medium model.
- SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Spinner Luggage has reinforced top, side and bottom handles and a push-button trolley handle.
Organization and compression
All luggage, including spinner luggage, can benefit from additional interior organization to maximize the capacity of their compartments. These features can also be used for compression, which fits more items more efficiently into a spinner’s space.
- Hardside spinners typically open clamshell-style into two compartments, while softside spinners have a top lid opening and a single main compartment.
- The compartments of hardside spinners are typically separated by panels and dividers.
- Straps hold contents in place and add a measure of compression. When used with panels, they become a common way to compress a spinner’s contents.
- Toiletry bags and pouches help hold liquids or cosmetics and may be removable and transparent for inspection.
- Zip pockets keep smaller or more delicate items separate and secure. Softside bags often have interior and exterior zip pockets in their top lid.
- Welcome extras include laundry bags, shoe bags and sundries pouches.
Our top picks: Organization and compression
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On not only has tie-down compression straps and pocketed panels but also a drop-in, fold-out suiter and a USB power bank port.
- Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Luggage has basic interior organization with elastic X-strap and pocketed divider.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner impressed us with its integrated suiter for business clothes or dresses, and we loved all its different pockets and compartments.
- Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage has the same simple interior as the medium model.
- SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Spinner Luggage offers adjustable tie-down straps and multiple exterior and interior pockets.
Security
If you’re concerned about the privacy and security of the contents of your spinner luggage, a luggage lock is your best friend. Look for a TSA-compatible luggage lock, which TSA agents can unlock with a special key but which will thwart anyone else. Most mid-priced and premium spinner luggage includes a built-in combination TSA lock.
Another security issue you might overlook is your luggage tag. A luggage tag that has all contact info easily readable can be a privacy problem. Look for luggage tags that obscure your name, address and contact info unless specifically opened.
Our top picks: Security
- Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Carry-On comes with a TSA lock.
- Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Luggage has a TSA lock and a hidden built-in ID tag.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner has a built-in TSA lock.
- Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage has a TSA lock and ID tag in the back.
- SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Spinner Luggage does not have a built-in TSA-safe lock, but its zippers offer padlock loops..
FAQ
Q. Does spinner luggage usually include a warranty?
A. Most spinner suitcases do feature some type of warranty coverage, but it varies from bag to bag. Some models only offer a few years of warranty protection, while others provide up to 10. You can even find some spinner suitcases that feature a lifetime warranty, so the manufacturer will repair or replace the bag if necessary.
Q. Is spinner luggage a good choice if I have back or shoulder pain?
A. A spinner suitcase is actually an ideal option if you have back or shoulder issues. Because its wheels spin in every direction, you don’t have to pull the bag behind you when it’s heavy, which can put stress on your back and shoulder.
Q. Is spinner luggage suitable for children?
A. Spinner luggage actually works very well for kids old enough to handle their own bags. Because the wheels move in every direction, they’re able to push it, which is much easier than having to pull a fully packed suitcase.
Our expertise
Jmar Gambol has traveled internationally since the age of 7 with decades of experience navigating airports, train terminals, bus terminals, subway stations, taxi stands and hotels. He learned how to pack a suitcase at a young age and has enjoyed using and maintaining luggage for most of his life. He remembers the days before spinner wheels and can vouch for how spinners have transformed the ease of traveling with luggage. He has written for BestReviews for three years.
