Oct 21, 2024
The 12 Best Luxury Luggage Pieces of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. These high-end bags excel in both form and function. In This Article Premium
We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
These high-end bags excel in both form and function.
In This Article
Premium luggage can make your traveling experience more efficient and enjoyable. For those who want their baggage to be not only well-made with useful features, but also stylish enough that onlookers can't help but notice, luxury models are where it's at.
If you're willing to pay a premium for the best of the best luggage, you've come to the right place. Our Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 500 pieces of luggage both in our testing lab and at home, checking for capacity, organization, design, maneuverability, and durability. For this article, we chose our favorite luxury suitcases that had thoughtful design features, rolled seamlessly through our obstacle courses, and survived our drop and baseball bat tests (yes, we hit these stunning suitcases with metal baseball bats to make sure they were as durable as they are beautiful). Check out our list of the best luxury luggage pieces that are worth the investment.
This carry-on is sturdy, stylish, and easy to maneuver, with various organizational features travelers will love.
There's no expander, but this is on the larger side for a carry-on.
Our top luxe suitcase is the Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus. After testing it, we loved this luggage’s high capacity and organizational features that make it easy to pack. It doesn't expand, but it's already on the larger side for a carry-on. And, thanks to the dual-zippered compartments and compression pad, we could fit everything on our packing list without a fuss. There's also a removable bag for separating laundry or dirty shoes.
The sturdy polycarbonate shell comes in six tasteful colorways. While it sustained a few scuffs when we threw it off countertops and hit it with baseball bats, this likely won't be as much of an issue with one of the darker colors. Overall, the durable design seems like it'll last a long time — and Paravel backs it with a 10-year warranty. The Aviator was very easy to maneuver, and the high-quality spinner wheels rolled like a dream.
While Paravel luggage is pricier than average, it's among the most affordable in the luxury category. But there's more to love about the brand beyond stylish, smooth-rolling suitcases. All carriers are ethically produced by fairly paid workers in safe conditions. Not only that, but Paravel strives to offset its carbon emissions by incorporating recycled and eco-certified materials into its designs, too.
The Details: Carry-on | 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches | 46.6-liter capacity | 8.5 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum, and recycled vegan leather | 10-year warranty
This elegant carry-on stands out for its organizational features and durable aluminum design.
It's slightly heavy for a carry-on size, weighing in at over 11 pounds.
If you want top-of-the-line luxury luggage, Tumi won't disappoint. The brand's 19 Degree Aluminum International Carry-on is easy to pack thanks to plentiful internal organizational features, like the zippered compartments, compression straps, and a hanger bracket. While there's no expander on this zipperless luggage, we found it spacious enough for a weekend trip, and thoughtful packers can also make it work with the addition of a personal item bag. It’s full of useful details as well, including a card slot for an additional ID or an Apple AirTag.
At 11.2 pounds, this suitcase is slightly heavy for a carry-on. However, the aluminum shell and sturdy spinner wheels are notably durable. It was a breeze to roll on two and four wheels, with evenly distributed weight and leather-wrapped handles that were easy to grip. The glossy design has a sleek, high-end appeal — we tested the blush option and loved the elegant appearance, and it is available in several other metallic colors with Tumi’s signature ridges.
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 31-liter capacity | 11.2 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Aluminum | 5-year warranty
This midsize suitcase is lightweight and spacious, and it has a built-in expander if you need more space.
It doesn't come in any neutral colors, and it could use more pockets.
If you ask us, the Bric's Positano Check-in is the perfect medium-size suitcase. We effortlessly fit everything on our list with room to spare and didn't even need to use the expander, which adds 1.6 inches to the depth. And since it's only 8 pounds when empty, you shouldn't have much trouble staying under the 50-pound weight limit to avoid an additional fee for checked baggage. The hardside shell has a flexible feel with some extra give that bounced back during our durability tests, it didn't sustain any dents, and it comes with a luggage cover. It's backed by a limited lifetime warranty, too.
Though more pockets would be nice, this suitcase has some convenient organizational features. We liked how the zippered compartment kept everything contained, while the buckled panel divider secured our belongings on the other side. There's also a garment hook for hanging a suit or dress. The suitcase comes in three greenish/blue colors inspired by the Italian coast, though that may not fit the tastes of some travelers who prefer a more neutral bag color.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 27 x 19 x 11 inches | 83-liter capacity | 7.9 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polycarbonate with leather details | Limited lifetime warranty
Made of buttery-smooth, resilient leather, the Kessler Duffel is spacious, easy to pack, and visually appealing.
Due to the location of the shoulder strap pad, it might not be as comfortable for short people to carry.
Leatherology makes our favorite luxury weekender. The Kessler Duffel is surprisingly spacious, with a large main compartment, a few interior pockets, and one pocket on the outside. We easily fit everything on our packing list with room to spare. There are two grab handles, plus a longer shoulder strap. The shoulder strap is adjustable, but you can't really move the pad, so unfortunately, it may not be as comfortable for short people to carry.
The buttery-smooth leather might be the best thing about this weekender. It has a high-end look and feel and, like most leather duffels, it's durable, holding up well during our drop test. The Kessler comes in four neutral colors from cognac to navy, with the option to personalize it with debossed, handpainted, or trapunto lettering. If you're giving this leather duffel as a gift, you'll appreciate that it comes in a fabric dust bag inside a wrappable box as well.
The Details: 22.25 x 13.5 x 10 inches (medium) or 25.6 x 14.2 x 12 inches (large) | Leather
The Chatelet Air 2.0 stands up remarkably well to wear and tear, and it has a charging port.
Since it's not expandable, the compact design is best for shorter trips.
If you don't want to sacrifice durability for style, Delsey's Chatelet Air 2.0 might be your best bet. Inspired by Parisian architecture with distinct lines, contrast stitching, and a retro appeal, this suitcase is a stunner. Aesthetics aside, it's incredibly functional. There's a zippered compartment on one side and compression straps on the other, as well as various pockets and even a handy USB port for charging on the go.
We like the smooth zippers and easy-to-maneuver design. The spinner wheels move effortlessly on hard flooring, carpet, and stone pavers. This suitcase is resilient, too. There was no visible damage after we hit it with a bat and shoved it off a table. We tested the angora (off-white) shade, and while light-colored suitcases are often prone to scuffing, this one stayed surprisingly clean after travels through Costa Rica, Italy, Morocco, and Egypt. The Chatelet Air 2.0 is a standard carry-on size, but it does not expand, so you'll have to be mindful not to overpack it even after shopping trips abroad.
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 15 x 10 inches | 44-liter capacity | 8 pounds | USB port | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polycarbonate | Limited 10-year warranty
Backed by a lifetime guarantee, this sleek, futuristic suitcase has an impressive capacity and a stylish aluminum exterior.
It doesn't expand, and the exterior is prone to scuffing.
If you're open to spending a bit more on luxury luggage, the Rimowa Original Cabin is a stellar choice. Though it's not expandable, this suitcase has a solid capacity while still meeting carry-on size requirements for most airlines. We used it for a four-day trip and easily fit several outfits and multiple pairs of shoes inside. An interior zippered compartment would be nice, but we like how the dividers help keep everything in place.
Our favorite thing about the Original Cabin is its sleek, futuristic design. But, despite the high-end appearance, you could probably drop it out of a second-story window without worrying about damage, and any natural scuffs and scrapes are a badge of honor for frequent travelers. Thanks to the smooth wheels, we had no problem rolling this suitcase over floors, pavement, and even cobblestone. It's not the lightest carry-on, but it's also not as heavy as the aluminum shell makes it look — and we could easily hoist it into an overhead bin when packed full. Lastly, Rimowa backs each purchase with a lifetime guarantee — just make sure you register your suitcase as soon as you receive it.
The Details: Carry-on | 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches | 35-liter capacity | 9.5 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Aluminum | Lifetime warranty
This trunk has a uniquely tall, somewhat-narrow shape and ample organizational features that make it ideal for a longer trip.
It's much easier to maneuver on two wheels than four and feels heavy when you pack it full.
This trunk-style suitcase from Carl Friedrik is slightly taller and narrower than most checked luggage. Even though there's no expander, we found it impressively spacious, fitting all items on our packing list with room to spare. We appreciated all the organizational features, including the collapsible dividers, zippered compartments, and compression straps. It comes with three removable packing cubes, too.
While this trunk is somewhat heavy when empty, it's not cumbersome or bulky. That said, it was easier to maneuver on two wheels than four, which, for some travelers, may defeat the purpose of a spinner suitcase. The handle only had one height, likely due to the height of the trunk, and it did stick when we pushed it almost all the way down, though we still think it felt sturdy enough to support the bag. All things considered, we think this suitcase would be ideal for longer trips on account of the spacious capacity and packability.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 28.7 x 15.8 x 14.6 inches | 90-liter capacity | 13.7 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polycarbonate shell, aluminum lock frame, Vachetta leather detailing
The thick aluminum shell protects everything inside, the handle feels sturdy, and you can bet the latches won't bust open.
This 33-liter carry-on is pretty compact and has no give, so you can’t overpack it.
This aluminum carry-on from Zero Halliburton is incredibly resilient. The brand's luggage was used on the Apollo 11 mission, which tracks, because it seems like you could launch it into space without worrying about damage. The thick, protective aluminum stood up to our baseball bat and drop tests, protecting everything inside. Even the latches proved to be strong — it seemed like the metal bat would break before they did after we hit it repeatedly during testing.
Weighing 11 pounds, this suitcase is a bit heavy compared to other carry-ons, and it doesn't roll quite as smoothly when packed full. Still, the handle seemed sturdy, and we weren't concerned whatsoever that it would bust open at any point. In the end, we think it's an excellent investment piece if you're in the market for luxury luggage that'll last a lifetime. (The warranty is 10 years, but we're willing to bet this carry-on will hold up longer.)
The Details: Carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 33-liter capacity | 11 pounds | 4 dual spinner wheels | Aluminum | 10-year warranty
The bags have a durable, scuff-resistant exterior that offers an attractive minimalist aesthetic.
There's no USB port or other smart features.
For those partial to softside luggage, we recommend the Antler Brixham suitcases. The patent-pending textile exterior with corner guards has proven to be strong, durable, and resistant to scuffs as we found no visible marks even after checking these bags. While the carry-on, medium checked, and large checked bags are also sold separately, we enjoyed traveling with all three as a stylish set, especially using navy as an alternative in a sea of black cases.
Each bag features a spacious interior, multiple internal pockets, and compression straps so packing them up is a breeze. The checked suitcases also expand to add nearly another 2 inches of depth. The best thing about these suitcases are how lightweight they are, especially when you’re up against restrictions. The carry-on, medium, and large bags are 4.19, 5.29, and 5.95 pounds respectively, each among the lightest bags we’ve ever tested. Adding to their ease of use are cushioned grab handles (that made it easy for even a petite tester to retrieve from baggage claim and lift into a vehicle), plus four double spinner wheels that glided smoothly over bumpy sidewalks with minimal effort. The Brixham bags don't have USB ports or any other smart features, but considering the attractive, minimalist design and lifetime warranty, we think they’re well worth the price.
The Details: 21.65 x 13.78 x 9.25 inches (carry-on), 27.95 x 17.13 x 11.02 inches (medium), 31.88 x 18.31 x 12.2 inches (large) | 45 liters (carry-on), 102 liters (medium), 139 liters (large) | 4.19 pounds (carry-on), 5.29 pounds (medium), 5.95 pounds (large) | 4 dual spinner wheels | Polyester | Lifetime warranty
This sturdy, compact carry-on is spacious and stocked with plenty of organizational features.
The shoe compartment can only fit one pair of shoes.
This sleek, compact carry-on garment bag is an especially ideal suitcase for frequent business travelers. It's crafted out of resilient ballistic nylon that can withstand the wear and tear of travel, whether you check the bag or store it in overhead bins. Although small, the carry-on is extremely spacious (thanks to its expandable sides) and boasts a slew of organizational features that makes packing a breeze. It features built-in hanger brackets that can hang up to three dresses and suits; compression straps to minimize wrinkles; five interior zippered pockets; and an interior, water-resistant shoe compartment that can fit one pair of shoes.
There's also a front outer compartment to store a laptop and any accompanying accessories, as well as a specially designed exterior back power pocket that can charge your tech while providing easy access. Weighing in at 11.9 pounds, we thought this carry-on felt a little heavy, but we found its compact size easy to maneuver thanks to it aluminum telescoping handle and four high-quality spinner wheels. Don't miss out on the chance to add a leather monogram nameplate for free.
The Details: Carry-on | 16 x 21 x 9 inches | 44-liter capacity | 11.9 pounds | Expandable | 4 dual spinner wheels | Ballistic nylon | Lifetime guarantee
This top-of-the-line duffel has ample organizational features and an incredibly durable ballistic nylon exterior.
The exterior easily collects dirt and dust.
If you prefer a duffel to a hardside suitcase, but want a top-of-the-line design with wheels, check out the Tumi Large Split 2-wheeled Duffel. It's extremely spacious: we were able to fit a week's worth of clothes and essentials with room to spare. With so many compartments and pockets, plus a zipper divider and compression straps, packing it up was actually an enjoyable experience.
This duffel bag has two recessed wheels that roll smoothly over all surfaces. It also survived our bat-hitting and drop tests without any noticeable damage. While the ballistic nylon lives up to its abrasion-proof claims, it collects dirt and dust pretty easily. (You can wipe it down with a damp cloth as needed.) The price is high, but it's backed by a five-year warranty and will likely last much longer. If you can swing it and are looking for a durable, large-capacity bag, you really can't go wrong.
The Details: Checked suitcase | 30.5 x 14 x 16 inches | 98-liter capacity | 11 pounds | 2 recessed wheels | Ballistic nylon | 5-year warranty
The Sweetheart Carry-on looks like an old-fashioned trunk and functions like a modern suitcase.
It's pretty small and only has two wheels, so it doesn't roll like a spinner.
If you like the look of vintage luggage, this one's for you. Inspired by suitcases used by 1940s train passengers but with modern features, the Steamline Sweetheart Carry-on is sure to turn heads. Unlike old-fashioned trunks, you can wheel it around. While it doesn't have spinner wheels, it actually moves really nicely on the two wheels, and the pegs allow it to stand vertically upright.
We adore the overall design of the Sweetheart. The exterior has a premium look and feel, with leather strap details and gold latches, and it opens to reveal a gorgeous interior lined with a silky floral fabric. This suitcase is smaller than your typical carry-on, which makes it easy to lift and fit into an overhead bin. However, unless it's supplementing a larger checked bag, it may only be big enough for a short weekend getaway. If you love the look as much as we do and can swing the steep price, you won't regret buying this suitcase.
The Details: Carry-on | 20 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches | 2 wheels
The T+L team has tested more than 500 pieces of luggage in our New York City testing lab, including carry-on bags and larger checked suitcases. To evaluate performance, each model was packed up, rolled around through an obstacle course to see how smooth the wheels rolled, whacked with a baseball bat to see how easily it dented, shoved off a table to test durability, and hoisted into overhead compartments to check portability (if possible).
We paid special attention to details like organizational features, weight, handle heights, and whether the bags sustained any damage or wear and tear. For this roundup, we hand-selected our favorite luxury luggage pieces that performed well during testing, and we continue to use each winning bag in real-life travels for an ongoing testing period of at least six months. We will also update this article as we test more luxury bags worth recommending.
Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Durability is crucial, especially when you're paying top dollar for luggage. Your suitcase or bag should not only safeguard your belongings, but also protect itself from potential damage. Polycarbonate, aluminum, ballistic nylon, and leather tend to be the sturdiest materials.
Softside models should ideally have a special coating to prevent stains and scuffs. Some suitcases have additional durability features, like reinforced corners, impact-resistant side panels, waterproof zippers, or moisture-sealed seams.
Think carefully about what size luggage you need. Do you plan to check your bags or carry on? Are you going on a long trip or a quick getaway? Do you tend to overpack, or do you like to travel light? Will you have a chance to do laundry while you're away? Answering these questions can help you figure out what size suitcase to get. If you have the space, you can always opt for a set featuring several different sizes.
Let's be honest: one of the main reasons to buy luxury bags is to be seen carrying them. With this in mind, we recommend choosing a luggage brand you identify with. This might mean the company prioritizes sustainability or is known for high-end designs with practical appeal. Or it could simply be about rocking a recognizable logo.
A luggage cover can safeguard your bag from scuffs, scratches, and dirt as it makes its way through the plane's cargo hold and baggage claim. This will help protect your investment from potential damage. However, a cover will also conceal the design of your fancy suitcase, and it can be a little tedious to get on and off.
You can clean the exterior of your luggage with a damp cloth and a mild soapy solution or an upholstery cleaner. A premoistened disinfectant wipe can also work. If your suitcase doesn't have a removable, machine-washable lining, you can wipe down the interior as needed with a damp cloth and a mild soapy solution or a premoistened wipe.
T+L contributor Theresa Holland is a writer specializing in travel, lifestyle, apparel, and recreation. For this roundup, she compiled our in-house testing insights, pored over product manuals, and researched high-end brands to craft a thorough list of today's best luxury luggage. She has personally tried carriers from Paravel, Briggs & Riley, Carl Friedrik, Delsey, and Leatherology.
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