Experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing Samsonite luggage in our Textiles Lab and with consumer testers for decades. Our evaluations combine proprietary test methods using specialized equipment with an obstacle course for consumer testers to navigate. Though luggage models change over the years, we’ve tested more than 20 pieces of Samsonite luggage in recent years and continue to do so regularly.
Each piece of luggage is reviewed for the following factors:
✔️ Size, weight and ease of packing: Each suitcase is weighed while empty. We then check its measurements to make sure it meets restrictions for common airlines. Additionally, we asses how easy it is to open and close zippers and whether packing compartments are accessible and convenient.
✔️ Packing capacity: We score luggage on how much they are able to hold, based on a standard load (for instance, a carry-on suitcase is packed with clothing, accessories and toiletries for a three-day, two-night trip).
✔️ Drop tests: To mimic real use, luggage is filled with a standard weight and dropped from different angles repeatedly from a 3-foot height via a specialized machine. Analysts then check for signs of damage.
✔️ Extra features: Luggage is evaluated for additional components such as handles on the side that make it easy to lift and lower, built-in locks, telescopic handles with adjustable height options and more.
✔️ Abrasion-, scratch- and water-resistance tests: To rate the durability of the exterior surface, we perform scratch tests on hardside luggage and abrasion tests on softside luggage using Lab equipment. Next, we insert blotting paper inside zippers and pour water onto the case to measure how much seeps through to the inside.
✔️ Consumer tests: Luggage is filled with a standard load and then taken through an obstacle course by consumer testers. This requires lifting and rolling around cones, going in and out of doorways, over various surfaces and more. Reviewers then provide feedback on factors such as ease of use, sturdiness, wheel performance and maneuverability. They also share feedback on appearance and overall satisfaction.
