Luggage Brand Index

1. Rimowa Luggage Score: 7.40/10

The Cologne-based luxury luggage brand Rimowa can be crowned 2024’s most popular luggage brand. Their hardshell aluminum suitcases with parallel grooves have become a staple of the brand and a status symbol in airports worldwide. 

Scoring 7.40 out of 10 overall, the brand ranks highly for customer reviews, sharing second place for the factor, and ranks third for both “carry-on” and “suitcase” searches.  

2. Samsonite Luggage Score: 6.80/10 

Up next is Samsonite, with a luggage score of 6.80 out of 10. The brand scores particularly highly in "carry-on" and “suitcase” searches, ranking first and second for the factors, respectively. 

Founded in Denver in 1910, the brand is renowned for its innovative luggage designs packed with handy features. The brand also offers travel accessories like toiletry and makeup bags and even has a kid's range.   

3. Away Luggage Score: 6.53/10 

Away, one of the newest luggage brands on our list, takes third place. The New York brand’s carry-on range went viral when it launched for featuring a removable battery to charge phones on the go. 

The brand scores highly for “carry-on” searches, taking second place with 277,200 searches over the last 12 months. Away also ranks in the top five for “suitcase” searches, with 485,400. 

The worst luggage brands

1. DB Luggage Score: 2.60/10 

DB takes the unfortunate title of the worst luggage brand, scoring a meager 2.90 out of 10. The brand has the lowest number of Instagram posts on the list and the third-lowest number of "carry-on" searches.  

The brand’s minimalist designs are highly functional, with their hard shell luggage featuring an aluminum frame and a polycarbonate shell to provide protection. Designed with creatives in mind, DB’s luggage is perfect for protecting expensive camera equipment.

2. Horizn Studios Luggage Score: 2.87/10 

Up next is Berlin-based Horizn Studios, with a score of only 2.87 out of 10. The brand has cemented its status as a must-have for travelers with artist collaborations from DJ Seth Troxler and was the first to equip their luggage with a removable smart charger. 

Horizn Studios places second last for both “carry-on” and “suitcase” searches and ranks just outside the bottom five for the brand’s starting price. 

3. Carl Friedrik Luggage Score: 3.40/10 

Rounding out the top three is Carl Friedrik. The luxury luggage brand has been featured in the TV shows Succession and The White Lotus. The London brand’s elegant, understated designs are made with high-quality, durable materials, including Hinomoto wheels, which move silently. 

The brand scores poorly for “suitcase” searches, ranking in the bottom three for the factor. It also has one of the highest starting prices on the list at $485 (£385). 

The best luggage brands for… 

Instagram following - Louis Vuitton: 55.2 million

Louis Vuitton is by far the most popular luggage brand on Instagram, with a whopping 55.2 million followers. The luxury fashion brand began by making high-quality luggage for customers in Paris, and it's renowned worldwide for its craftsmanship and intricate design details, so it's no surprise it takes the top spot.   

Instagram posts - Gucci: 34.7 million

Another luxury fashion house, Gucci, takes the top spot for Instagram posts at 34.7 million. The brand, founded in Florence, has a well-established reputation when it comes to luggage, as the company initially only made bags and other leather goods before expanding into other products and becoming a global fashion icon. 

Trustpilot reviews - Carl Friedrik: 4.5 out of 5

Despite ranking relatively low in the index, Carl Friedrik has the highest Trustpilot review score, 4.5 out of 5. The brand, started by two Swedish brothers in 2013, offers a 100-day trial on all their luggage, which can be returned for a full refund if customers aren’t satisfied.

"carry-on" searches - Samsonite: 351,700 searches 

Samsonite tops the list for “carry-on” searches, with more than 350,000 over the last 12 months. Known for producing some of the most durable suitcases on the market, Samsonite uses cutting-edge materials like diamond-shaped polycarbonate to make their luggage scratch-resistant and sturdier overall.

"suitcase" searches - Tripp: 752,500 searches

When it comes to searches for “suitcase”, Tripp takes first place with just over 750,000 searches from February 2023 to January 2024. The company is one of the most popular luggage brands in the UK, thanks to its budget-friendly options and array of fashionable colors.

Lowest starting price - American Tourister: $49 (£39)

American Tourister is the most affordable luggage brand on the list, costing just under $50 (£39) for a small carry-on bag. Founded in Providence, Rhode Island, American Tourister is one of the world’s most popular luggage brands and offers a huge range of high-quality and durable luggage without the high price tag that other brands demand. 

Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, comments:

“Designer brands, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci, lead the pack on social media. Meanwhile, brands with a focus on affordability and functionality, like Tripp, are less popular on the platform. Unsurprisingly, more luxurious brands tend to have the highest customer review scores compared to more affordable alternatives. 

“Luggage companies with a more established reputation for high-quality suitcases, such as Samsonite and Rimowa, are the most sought-after in terms of Google searches compared to younger brands. Carl Friedrik, for example, despite being renowned for its high-quality luggage and high prices, only has around 13,000 annual searches, compared to Samonsite’s million.

“With so many choices, it can be hard to pick the right luggage for your next trip. With this in mind, here are some tips on what to look for in your perfect suitcase. 

1. Check the size and weight

“As airlines often charge exorbitant fees for overweight or oversized luggage, the weight and dimensions of your suitcase affect how much you can pack for your trip. The average weight restriction is around 23 kilos, so every kilo your empty suitcase weighs means one less you can pack. 

If you need extra packing space, opt for soft-sided luggage, as they’re lighter than hard-sided suitcases and have more give to fit your essentials. Ensure your luggage doesn’t exceed the size the airline allows, or you may be charged an excess baggage fee.  

2. Choose the right material

“Depending on how you’re planning on traveling and where you're going to store your luggage, choosing a suitable material is key in finding your perfect suitcase. Hard-sided luggage, usually made from durable plastic or aluminum, will protect your valuables from knocks and bumps during your travels. Many hard-sided suitcases are water-resistant too. 

Soft-sided luggage is better if you’re on a budget, as they’re often cheaper than their hard-shell counterparts. They’re also more flexible, making them easy to store away, and many soft-sided suitcases are expandable, giving you more room to pack. 

3. Look for extra features

“Staying organized is critical to a stress-free trip, so make sure to look for any extra features that can help you keep track of your belongings easily. Look for a suitcase with plenty of compartments to separate your luggage for easy access when you need it most. Luggage with internal straps is also great for keeping your belongings in the right place. Some suitcases come with vented sections to separate clean and dirty clothes.    

Wheels are one of the handiest features your luggage can have, making it easy for you to roll even the heaviest suitcases around. Four-wheeled suitcases are the most maneuverable, making them great for moving through tight spaces like airport queues, but they can roll downhill easily if you’re not careful. Luggage with two wheels won’t roll away when it's upright and can handle uneven terrain better but can only move forward and backward.  

If you’re opting for a wheeled suitcase, make sure it also has a sturdy retractable handle that is easy to hold and locks in place firmly when you’re using it.  

4. Make sure it's secure 

Every traveler wants to know their belongings are safe when they leave their sight, so security features are key in picking the right suitcase. Most suitcases come with internationally recognized TSA locks, so airport security staff can inspect your luggage without breaking the lock. However, as most thefts from luggage are committed by airport staff, you’ll need some additional security features too. 

Some suitcases come with hidden compartments to hide your valuables from potential thieves. Luggage brands also add anti-theft deterrents like puncture-resistant zippers to prevent bags from being slashed open. High-end suitcases can even come equipped with tracking devices.    

5. Choose your perfect style

Along with all the practical aspects of picking the perfect luggage for your trip, you should choose a suitcase that suits your style. Don’t just go for a boring old black bag. Choosing luggage that stands out will make it easier to spot on the luggage carousel, avoiding the stress of a potential mix-up with other travelers. Many luggage brands also offer dupes of designer brands, meaning you can travel in style without breaking the bank.”  

Methodology

Beginning with a list of luggage brands taken from list articles, including the planet D, we analyzed each one on the following factors. We then gave each luggage brand a normalized score out of ten for each factor before taking an average across each of these scores to reach our final overall score out of ten.

Instagram Followers

The total number of followers for the official account of each luggage brand on Instagram. 

Instagram Posts

The total number of posts using the hashtag “[luggage brand]” or “[luggage brand] luggage” according to Instagram. 

Trustpilot Reviews

The average review score for each luggage brand according to TrustPilot. 

"carry-on" searches

The total number of global Google searches for “[luggage brand] carry on” from February 2023 to January 2024, according to Google Ads.

"suitcase" searches

The total number of global Google searches for “[luggage brand] suitcase” from February 2023 to January 2024, according to Google Ads.

Lowest Luggage Price

The lowest price for a luggage item according to each luggage brand’s website.  

Currencies were converted using Xe.

All data is correct as of 13/02/2024.