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When you hand your suitcase to the airline, you’re basically saying: “I trust you with my wardrobe, my gifts, and my dignity.” That’s a lot to ask of a bag. The good news? Consumer Reports’ latest luggage ratings show that several brands can take the hits, survive baggage handlers, and still roll out looking fresh. We’ve dug into CR’s 2025 test data and member surveys—plus warranty terms, price ranges, and durability testing—to find the best checked luggage for every kind of traveler.
How Consumer Reports Tests Luggage
To identify the best checked luggage, CR testers run a veritable obstacle course of abuse: zippers are opened and closed thousands of times, wheels are rolled across rough surfaces, and handles are yanked to mimic years of use. Meanwhile, more than 20,000 Consumer Reports members share their real-world experiences with over 13,000 suitcases, ranking them for durability, ease of carrying, wheelability, ease of packing, weight, and warranty satisfaction.
Durability consistently came out as the most important factor, followed by wheelability. Only about one-third of travelers said price was their biggest concern. Translation: your bag’s strength matters more than its sticker price—especially when it’s tumbling down a baggage chute at 2 a.m.
🏆 Top Checked-Luggage Brands of 2025
🥇 Away — The Frequent Flyer’s Favorite
Overall Satisfaction: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Away continues its winning streak in Consumer Reports’ 2025 luggage survey, topping the charts in nearly every category. Travelers love its smooth-rolling wheels, featherweight shell, and sleek aesthetic. With prices from $295–$745, it’s not cheap—but each piece comes with a limited lifetime warranty and minimalist design that’s become instantly recognizable in airport lounges everywhere.
Best for: Modern travelers who want a durable hard-shell with style points.
Pro tip: The internal compression system lets you bring two extra “souvenir” outfits you totally didn’t plan on buying.
🥈 Eagle Creek — The Adventure-Proof Workhorse
Overall Satisfaction: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Eagle Creek specializes in rugged soft-sided luggage built for adventure—think duffels with wheels, oversized handles, and reinforced corners. Its bags aced CR’s categories for durability and ease of packing. The lifetime “No Matter What” warranty isn’t just clever marketing—it really does cover damage from baggage handlers, bad luck, and baggage carousels with vengeance issues.
Prices range from $309 to $880, but these are buy-once, cry-once pieces of gear.
🥉 Rimowa — The Luxury Jetsetter
Overall Satisfaction: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Rimowa practically invented the premium luggage market. Its aluminum and polycarbonate cases scored near-perfect marks for durability and wheelability. CR survey respondents gave slightly lower marks for ease of packing (the internal dividers are beautiful but rigid). Prices run from $950–$1,950—that’s business-class money, but for some travelers, that’s exactly the point.
Best for: Flyers who want luggage that doubles as an Instagram prop.
Briggs & Riley — The Lifetime Legend
In the world of luggage warranties, Briggs & Riley is the unicorn. Their promise covers airline damage for life, no questions asked. That legendary warranty, combined with top-tier construction and surprisingly lightweight designs, keeps them near the top of CR’s rankings year after year. Most models score in the high 70s to low 80s across the board.
Expect to pay $600–$1,000, but remember: this might be the last suitcase you ever buy (unless you have a thing for color-coordinated collections).
Travelpro — Pilot-Tested, Passenger-Approved
Overall Satisfaction: Very High
Travelpro was literally invented by an airline pilot, and it shows. Its bags earned high scores for wheelability and value. Models like the Platinum Elite and Maxlite are particularly popular with flight crews and frequent flyers who don’t want to splurge on premium luxury but still expect high performance. With prices between $140 and $400, Travelpro punches above its weight—literally and figuratively.
Tumi — The Business Class Favorite
Overall Satisfaction: High
Tumi is the boardroom-to-runway brand, beloved by business travelers and consultants who can expense it. Its ballistic nylon shells resist tears, and CR testers give it top marks for construction quality and durability. Prices hover around $700–$1,500, but the materials and five-year warranty soften the blow.
Travel pun intended: With Tumi, your luggage might arrive more put-together than you do after a red-eye.
Delsey — The French Connection
Overall Satisfaction: Above Average
Delsey combines European design flair with real-world toughness. Models like the Helium DLX and Chatelet Air earned excellent CR ratings for wheel performance and usability. Midrange pricing ($140–$300) makes it one of the most accessible brands to crack the top ten. It’s elegant, affordable, and proof that Parisian chicdoesn’t have to be fragile.
Victorinox — The Swiss Army of Suitcases
From the makers of the iconic Swiss Army knife, Victorinox brings that same precision engineering to its luggage. The brand ranked high for construction quality, ease of carrying, and warranty coverage. Expect mid-to-high pricing ($400–$850) and timeless design—no gimmicks, just reliability.
Best for: Travelers who appreciate function over flash and can’t resist Swiss craftsmanship.
iFly — The Budget Overachiever
Overall Satisfaction: Top Tier (for value)
iFly continues to surprise Consumer Reports readers, earning standout durability marks and a 20-year warranty. Prices start near $80—less than some luggage tags cost at Rimowa. It’s proof that you don’t have to pay first-class prices for first-rate toughness.
Hartmann — Classic American Elegance
Founded in 1877, Hartmann remains synonymous with vintage luxury. The Herringbone DLX line earned high scores for ease of packing and design aesthetics. Soft-sided and tailored, Hartmann cases are as much fashion statements as travel tools. Pricing usually runs $300–$500.
Samsonite — The Trusty Workhorse
Overall Satisfaction: Favorable
Samsonite still dominates luggage carousels worldwide for a reason. It’s affordable, durable, and easy to find anywhere. Models like the Outline Pro and Freeform series earned strong CR test scores for impact resistance and usability. Prices start at $150, making it the default choice for travelers who just want something that works.
Traveler’s Choice — Big Value, Small Price
Often overshadowed by bigger brands, Traveler’s Choice quietly scored near the top tier for ease of packing and wheelability. It’s a great middle-ground option for casual travelers, with both soft and hard-shell designs and prices around $100–$250.
American Tourister — The Family Favorite
Owned by Samsonite, American Tourister earned favorable ratings for reliability and price. It’s a go-to for families who need multiple suitcases that won’t break (or break the bank). Colorful designs and cheerful price tags ($70–$180) keep it high on the list for casual travelers.
👛 Comparison Snapshot
| Brand | Type | Warranty | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Away | Hard-shell | Lifetime limited | $295–$745 | Frequent flyers who love modern design |
| Eagle Creek | Soft-side | Lifetime “No Matter What” | $309–$880 | Adventure and outdoor travel |
| Rimowa | Hard-shell | Lifetime (new) / 5-year (registered) | $950–$1,950 | Luxury and business class travelers |
| Briggs & Riley | Soft + Hard | Lifetime repair | $600–$1,000 | Frequent travelers, warranty seekers |
| Travelpro | Soft + Hard | 10 years | $140–$400 | Airline crews, budget-savvy travelers |
| Tumi | Soft + Hard | 5 years | $700–$1,500 | Business travelers |
| Delsey | Hard + Soft | 10 years | $140–$300 | Stylish travelers, midrange shoppers |
| Victorinox | Soft + Hybrid | 10 years | $400–$850 | Precision-minded travelers |
| iFly | Hard-shell | 20 years–Lifetime | $80–$200 | Budget travelers |
| Hartmann | Soft-side | 5 years | $300–$500 | Classic style and heritage design |
| Samsonite | Hard + Soft | 10 years | $150–$500 | Reliable all-rounder |
| Traveler’s Choice | Hard + Soft | 5 years | $100–$250 | Casual or family travel |
✈️ Packing Tips for Checked Luggage
- Pack smart, not hard. Heavy items near the wheels, soft stuff on top. Your bag will roll straighter and feel lighter.
- Skip the shrink wrap. It’s wasteful and TSA may unwrap it anyway. Use packing cubes for structure instead.
- Weigh before you go. A $30 luggage scale can save a $100 overweight fee. Math has never been so satisfying.
- Tag everything. A lost bag is 50% less stressful when it’s labeled with your phone and email. Bonus points for an AirTag inside.
- Don’t overtrust expanders. They’re great—until your bag won’t fit back in your rental car trunk.
Final Boarding Thoughts 🗭
In 2025, the luggage world has something for everyone—from minimalist Away shells to bombproof Briggs & Riley tanks. Consumer Reports data proves most brands are getting better, not worse, at surviving modern travel’s chaos. Whether you check a bag once a year or twice a week, pick one that rolls straight, closes smoothly, and comes with a warranty you can count on.
Because no one wants to spend their vacation buying duct tape at the airport gift shop.
Sources: Consumer Reports luggage testing and member survey data (latest update October 2025); CRwatchdog editorial analysis. Consumer Reports is a registered trademark of Consumer Reports, Inc. This article is for informational commentary only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Consumer Reports.
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