The Best Affordable Luggage - 2022
We looked at the top 8 and dug through the reviews from 38 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best .
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Our Picks For The Top
- The Best
- 1. Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch
- 2. Coolife Expandable Luggage, 28-Inch
- 3. SHOWKOO Expandable Luggage Set, 3-Piece
- 4. Merax Spinner Luggage Set, 3-Piece
- 5. Olympia Rolling Luggage Tote, 20-Inch
- 6. American Tourister Softside Luggage, 21-Inch
- 7. Lucas Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch
- 8. AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch
Sturdy and DurableThanks to its light weight, the Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch allows users to pack extra items before hitting the airline's weight limit.
Built-In TSA LockYour personal belongs are kept safe with the Coolife Expandable Luggage, 28-Inch, which has a built-in TSA lock.
Enhanced Hard Shell CoverIf you're heading out for a weekend getaway or a short business trip, the AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch is your best bet.
Why we recommend these ?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 8 and also dug through the reviews from 38 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best .
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch
Our Take
Made from a durable ABS material, the Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch will protect your personal items while in transit. The ergonomic aluminum telescoping handle and multi-directional wheels make pushing and pulling the suitcase a breeze. Additionally, consumers will appreciate the 32 different color choices.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch
Our Take
The AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch features a protective hard shell that is resistant to scratching. It's expandable by 15 percent and has interior dividers and zipper pockets. The only downside to this suitcase is the lack of a front pocket for storing your passport, license and car keys.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Our Findings
Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch
What We Liked: Made from a durable ABS material, the Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch will protect your personal items while in transit. The ergonomic aluminum telescoping handle and multi-directional wheels make pushing and pulling the suitcase a breeze. Additionally, consumers will appreciate the 32 different color choices.
AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch
What We Liked: The AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch features a protective hard shell that is resistant to scratching. It’s expandable by 15 percent and has interior dividers and zipper pockets. The only downside to this suitcase is the lack of a front pocket for storing your passport, license and car keys.
Coolife Expandable Luggage, 28-Inch
What We Liked: Enduring strict quality control test standards, the Coolife Expandable Luggage, 28-Inch is proven to be durable and long lasting. It comes with a TSA lock for your valuables and several interior organizational pockets to making packing a breeze. If you purchase the other suitcases in this product line, you’ll find they all fit neatly inside each other for easy storage at home.
Olympia Rolling Luggage Tote, 20-Inch
What We Liked: With the Olympia Rolling Luggage Tote, 20-Inch, you’ll have the option of carrying the tote, or pulling it using the retractable handle. The tote comes in 15 different colors and patterns and uses flexible, but durable construction materials. There’s also a hideaway zippered enclosure to keep your travel documents safe.
American Tourister Softside Luggage, 21-Inch
What We Liked: With the 360 degree spinner wheels, the American Tourister Softside Luggage, 21-Inch is able to keep the weight of your clothing off your back and shoulders. Although the suitcase meets carry on standards, it’s still extremely spacious, especially when using the expandable zipper. There are also two additional pockets in the front of the bag for storing your passport and tablet.
Our Buying Guide
Luggage is sometimes referred to as a suitcase or baggage. It comes from the word “lug,” which actually means to drag. Each piece of luggage is designed specifically to help individuals safely pack their personal belongings and keep those items organized during travel. If you’re in the market for luggage that is affordable, keep the following information in mind.
Examine the luggage to ensure its outer material is sturdy and durable. Your bag is likely to get tossed and handled in a manner that isn’t gently, so it needs to be able to withstand a little abuse. The Coolife Expandable Luggage, 28-Inch uses an ABS+PC hard plastic shell that is resistant to scratches. Consumers will also love that Coolife luggage is put through strict testing to ensure it meets the highest quality standards.
Determine how the luggage is to be carried. If the bag simply has a handle, you’ll only be able to pack it with as much weight as you can carry on your back and shoulder. Should the bag have wheels and an extendable handle, like the Olympia Rolling Luggage Tote, 20-Inch, you’ll be able to pull the suitcase without putting any strain on your body. There are luggage models that have two wheels that only move front to back, as well as models that feature four wheels that turn 360 degrees.
Consider any features that make organizing your personal items within the bag easier. For example, the AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch comes with an interior divider and three zippered pockets. Other suitcases have exterior pockets for storing your travel documents and any electronic devices you may need on your trip.
Decide if you want a suitcase that blends in or stands out. The Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch comes in an astounding 32 different colors, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Other suitcases even have a variety of patterns in addition to colors.
Don’t forget to look for any extras that put one piece of luggage over another. You may wish to go with a bag that has an expandable zipper for an added space of 15% or one with built-in TSA locks for safety.
DWYM Fun Fact
Did you know one of the first recorded uses of the word “luggage” was in the play “Henry IV” by none other than William Shakespeare? That was sometime back between 1596 and 1597. Here are a few more interesting facts you may not know about this handy product that makes travel much easier.
- Inventor Bernard Sadow was the first to patent suitcases equipped with rollers. That was back in 1970.
- Over 2 million pieces of luggage are mishandled each year. This statistic reveals the importance of adding a tag with your name and address to the bag’s handle.
- All lost and unclaimed luggage is sent to Scottsboro, Alabama.
The Tips and Advice
- Not all luggage pieces are expandable, so make sure you can fit all of your personal items in the bag before you buy.
- Some suitcase models may arrive with a strong chemical smell to them. You’ll need to completely air them out before you use them to pack your clothing. Otherwise, you risk transferring the smell to your clothing items.
- After each trip, it’s good practice to clean your luggage. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean the bag’s handles and wheels. Vacuum out the interior of the suitcase using a hose attachment and then wipe down any dirt spots on the bag’s exterior with a damp microfiber cloth. If you experience any stains, use an upholstery shampoo to get them out.
- Some models have no locks, which means you’ll need to purchase one separately. You’ll need to factor this in when considering the overall price.
- Look for a satisfaction guarantee or a product warranty. Many luggage manufacturers are confident in the quality of their items and are willing to offer warranties of up to 10 years.
- Size and construction material play a big role in the price of a piece of luggage. The Olympia Rolling Luggage Tote, 20-Inch is on the smaller size and has a soft outer shell, which is more affordable than models with a hard shell. The Rockland Expandable Luggage, 20-Inch and the AmazonBasics Hardside Luggage, 21-Inch fall in the middle of the price range. Since it’s 7 to 8-inches larger than other models, the Coolife Expandable Luggage, 28-Inch has a higher cost.
About The Author
Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in finance. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared in leading financial publications. She's also a financial coach and mother to two daughters. When she's not writing, you'll find her gardening, spending time with her kids, cooking in the kitchen or playing with her two kitties, Flitter and Otter. Alicia loves researching the latest and greatest gadgets, products and items that help her save time, energy and money.
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