The Best Lightweight Luggage According To Experts 2024

Our rating: 10 | Weight: 4.9 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate | Dimensions: 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches

Best for:

• Those who want a lightweight suitcase that is also stylish and durable
• Lifetime guarantee

Skip if:

• You’re looking for a low-cost option

Eva Phan, the founder of luxury travel website Eva Darling, struggled to find a lightweight, hard-sided suitcase before settling on Rimowa’s Essential Lite Cabin. At 4.9 pounds, this impressive suitcase is over two pounds lighter than nearly any other hardside luggage we’ve seen on the market, and it also glides effortlessly over any surface. Phan has rolled it over rough cobblestones in Amalfi and on trails through terraced rice fields in Sapa, and the “wheels still function like a dream,” she says. 

It comes with TSA-approved locks and a complimentary leather luggage tag, and internal mesh dividers keep weight low but provide some organizational capabilities. If you want a checked bag instead, Rimowa has a spacious Check-In Large that weighs only 8.2 pounds. “I’ve never had a carry-on suitcase that’s so easy to lift into a tall overhead storage compartment,” says Phan. “It’s singlehandedly one of the best travel investments I’ve made as a frequent traveler.”

Our rating: 8.5 | Weight: 7 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate | Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 9.7 inches

Best for:

• Those who want a budget-friendly, hardside suitcase 
• Bright color options

Skip if:

• You need something highly maneuverable; there have been some complaints about the wheels

Samsonite is a well-loved travel brand for good reason—they make durable products that are reasonably priced, which is why we named them our top overall choice for best luggage. This carry-on bag, for example, weighs 7 pounds, which is on par with more expensive luggage like Away and Monos. It’s compact yet has an expandable middle for when you need extra space. And when you’re walking through the airport, the multidirectional spinner wheels give you plenty of rolling options—you can roll it alongside you or tilt it onto two wheels and drag it behind you when you need to go up a ramp.

“The scratch-resistant shell has kept my suitcases looking almost new,” says travel photographer Yana Giornale, who owns the Omni PC set, which includes a carry-on, medium checked bag and large spinner bag. The hard shell also protects valuables that might be stored inside.

Our rating: 9.5 | Weight: 10.5 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate | Dimensions: 30 x 21 x 11 inches

Best for:

• Long-haul trips where durability is key
• Limited lifetime guarantee
• 100-day trial period

Skip if:

• You need a smaller bag for weekend getaways and short business trips

The Monos Check-In Large is a popular option for frequent travelers due to its sleek design, durability and roomy interior. Forbes contributor Hannah Singleton uses this checked luggage when she needs something lightweight yet big enough for a long trip in variable weather. It’s spacious with organizational pockets galore—but not enough to take away valuable packing space. Plus, no matter how full you stuff it (or how many pairs of shoes you bring), it always seems to weigh under 50 pounds when you put it on the scale during check-in. 

“As a seasoned world traveler, I’ve spent a ton of time in airports, and I’ve tried every suitcase and bag under the sun,” says Alyssa Osiecki, a travel writer and solo female expat. “Last year, the airline lost [my Monos suitcase] for seven days. When we were reunited, aside from a few scuffs and mildew on the shell that was easily wiped off with warm water, it was returned to me in the same condition I checked it in.”

Our rating: 9 | Weight: 7 pounds | Material: Makrolon polycarbonate | Dimensions: 22 x 17.7 x 9.7 inches

Best for:

• Shorter trips, around five days long
• Fitting into overhead compartments on most airlines

Skip if:

• You need a suitcase for long-haul international trips

This relatively new brand, founded in 2020, is coming in hot with their carry-on luggage (currently their only product offering, so you know that means they put a lot of love into it.) However, their story started in 1948 when the founder’s grandfather invented the first-wheeled suitcase. Portable Porter reinvented the old-school aesthetic—this beautiful suitcase is reminiscent of the early days of trunk luggage—but with modern materials and features. The outer shell is made from strong polycarbonate, and the interior lining is recycled plastic.

“The 360-degree spinner wheels felt smoother than any other bag I’ve used,” says Singleton, who recently used it on an international trip. Inside, the storage pockets are intuitive yet offer plenty of options for packing. There’s a compression system alongside smaller zipper pockets on the nylon divider she used to stow small items like socks. Overall, it’s an excellent option for weight-to-price ratio.

Our rating: 8 | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Material: Polyester| Dimensions: 23 x 14.5 x 9 inches

Best for:

• Those who need extra packing space
• Budget-conscious travelers 

Skip if:

• You want something sleek and stylish

While some travelers prefer hardside luggage, softside bags have their benefits: they are lighter and often look newer for longer because the thick polyester material doesn’t show scuffs and scratches as quickly as polycarbonate. Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 luggage is a great lightweight softside option—and at 5.4 pounds, it’s the second lightest piece on this list. It also features four spinner wheels that facilitate smooth, effortless movement. This is handy whether you’re strolling through the airport or walking a city street to your hotel. 

“It makes travel significantly more convenient and less physically taxing,” says Nadia Podrabinek, the founder of travel blog Why This Place. “Plus, it has an expandable design, which extends up to two inches to provide additional packing space when needed—an absolute boon during extended trips or when returning home with those extra souvenirs.”

Our rating: 8 | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Material: 500D recycled Cordura nylon | Dimensions: 11 x 16.5 x 10.5 inches

Best for:

• Frequent travelers and commuters who want to use the same bag 
• Multiple pockets that organize smaller essentials

Skip if:

• You prefer a leather briefcase that looks a bit more polished

Ranch Expandable Briefcase is a great option. Its three-way design allows you to use it as a briefcase, shoulder bag or backpack. The main pockets can store a laptop, tech accessories, books, notebooks and more. On the outside, there is a third, quick-access pouch where you can put sunglasses, a passport, car keys, or snacks. When you return from your travels, it also makes the perfect commuting bag.

“This bag hits the sweet spot between not enough organizational pockets and too many,” says Chez Chesak, the executive director of Outdoor Writers Association of America. “My last carry-on just had too many pockets going on, making getting something in or out of the bag a pain.”

Our rating: 8.5 | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Material: Recycled 900D poly TPU nylon | Dimensions: 10.2 x 28.2 x 9.5 inches

Best for:

• Travelers looking for a versatile and durable bag suitable for outdoor excursions
• Sturdy zippers

Skip if:

• You want more stylish colors and patterns

Some travelers prefer a big, wide-open duffel bag to checked luggage, as they’re usually much cheaper and lighter than a hardside suitcase. The well-designed Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel has external compression straps to keep your gear in place and a water- and abrasion-resistant exterior so you can toss it onto a bus without worry. If you want to carry it as a backpack, it has straps on the top panel. The 40-liter model listed above is carry-on compatible, but it also comes in 60-liter, 90-liter, 110-liter and 130-liter options, depending on how much space you need. “I love the durable simplicity of this bag,” says Chesak. “It’s strong and stands up to whatever abuse I throw its way.”