Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Suitcase for Every Travel Circumstance in 2022

By

Back in the day, luggage was pretty basic, serving as little more than a boxy receptible in which to corral all your stuff over the course of your journey. It wasn’t until the 1970s that someone actually “invented” the concept of attaching wheels to a suitcase, thereby making travel forever easier. Since then, the best suitcases have featured an ever-growing array of slick features to make them more functional, and they’ve often become more pleasing to the eye to boot.

With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the best suitcases for venturing forth. These have been selected to suit a wide range of travel styles and needs, ensuring that you can pack the right bag for every circumstance.

Recommended Videos

Related Guides

Most Stylish Carry-on Suitcase: Arlo Sky The Zipper Carry-On Max with Front Pocket

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This is, simply put, a beautiful piece of luggage. From its finely crafted shell to its uniquely gorgeous color options, it’s a decidedly hip-looking bag. The Max edition means that it offers a bit more packing space, and the foldout front pocket not only provides great organization and protection for your laptop, but makes it easy to whip out your computer while passing through security. It also has a built-in charger for your phone and other devices and is super durable all-around.

Related

Best Carry-on Suitcase for Professionals: Level8 Pro Carry-on with Laptop Pocket

Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the professional traveler who needs unrivaled protection for their laptop while keeping everything accessible, you can’t beat this carry-on from Level8. The front laptop pocket not only folds out and provides stellar organization, but it locks shut and becomes virtually impervious to theft or impact. It also features an interior compartment for a power bank and looks great all-around.

Best Custom Suitcase: Roam The Jaunt XL

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you want a bag that truly represents your sense of style, check out this expandable carry-on from Roam. It allows you to choose the colors of the two different halves and trim, and add a personalized nameplate. The finished product looks amazing with its unique coloring and elegantly sculpted molding and will certainly stand out at the airport.

Best Aluminum Suitcase: Away Carry-on Aluminum Edition

Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a bag that grabs attention fast, we’d like you to meet the Aluminum Edition from Away. This snappy suitcase boasts a bold exterior that is available in four different colors, twin latch closures with TSA-approved combination locks rather than a zipper, and it can be equipped with an optional power bank. This is a perfect, one-of-a-kind suitcase for a business trip or weekend getaway.

Best Check-in Suitcase: Away The Large

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Away’s non-aluminum suitcases are great, too. The brand’s check-in luggage is big enough to pack along over a week’s worth of clothing, and it has a built-in compression pad and laundry bag to keep everything organized and clean. It’s also highly durable, and will last through a lifetime of travel.

Best Check-in Trunk Suitcase: Level8 Trunk

Level8 Trunk.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re looking to pack along a whole lot of stuff—and we mean everything plus the kitchen sink—this tremendous trunk from Level8 will get the job done. With a cavernous carrying capacity of 99 liters, it will hold just about everything you could want to cram in it. It’s also highly durable and has TSA-approved locks, so you can check it with peace of mind.

Best Wheel Backpack: Osprey Farpoint Wheeled Travel Pack Carry-on

Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a bag that is hyper-versatile in terms of how you travel with it, check out the Farpoint from Osprey. This multifaceted bag can be wheeled or carried like a suitcase, or you can bust out the shoulder straps and wear it as a backpack. This can be incredibly useful when navigating uneven surfaces like the cobblestones of Europe. It’s also as durable as they come, features well-organized pockets, and is available in larger check-in sizes if you need more space.

Best Underseat Suitcase: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside

Image used with permission by copyright holder

When you’re looking for a great underseat bag, less is more. You need it to be small enough to squeak under your seat, but you also want to carry as much as you possibly can. The Maxlite from Travelpro delivers on these needs dependably, providing a roomy bag that will still meet the size restrictions. It’s also highly durable and built to last.

Best Luxury Suitcase: Globe Trotter Centenary Medium Check-in

Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re looking to splurge—and we mean really live it large and travel in unrivaled style—then you must see the Centenary line from Globe Trotter. These elegantly crafted cases look beautiful, boasting a classic travel vibe. While they’re available in a range of sizes, the medium seems like a fine Goldilocks choice: Not too little and not too large.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Hilden
Nick Hilden
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Hilden is a lifestyle and culture writer whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Afar…
The 8 best packing cubes to organize your stuff with ease
Once you use one of these for packing, you'll never go back
Packing with packing cubes

Are you trying to be a more organized traveler? Packing and unpacking can be stressful unless you have the right traveling gear like packing cubes. If you know the last time you packed, your suitcase was not neat and organized, avoid all the tumbles and aimless searching on your next trip with tidy packing cubes. You won't have to deal with losing your items or the endless piles of clothes on the hotel room floor.

With one of the best packing cubes on your side, you can optimize your packing. A packing cube is one of the best travel accessories for long flights, road trips, and organized travel. Packing cubes are designed to separate and organize clothing, protecting them from wrinkles and offering optimum luggage organization. The organizer in you is going to love the way your clothing and accessories stay put, and you won’t be embarrassed to open your suitcase in front of someone else.
Our recommendations for packing cubes

Read more
This is the best travel spot to buy a winter vacation home
You'll want to return to these travel spots every winter
green and brown trees on snow covered mountain during daytime

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own winter wonderland retreat, you'll want to take note. According to a recent report by Vacasa, a leading vacation rental management company, the small mountain town of Big Sky, Montana, is emerging as the top destination for buying a winter vacation home in 2024.

While popular destinations like Colorado and Vermont often come to mind when it comes to winter vacation spots, Big Sky offers an unbeatable combination of world-class skiing, stunning natural beauty, and surprisingly affordable real estate.

Read more
The 15 best luxury hotel chains in the world in 2024
Marriott W Maldives hotel with pool on the water

When you're on vacation, whether celebrating an anniversary, visiting with family and friends, or exploring somewhere new, you deserve to be pampered. You're spending the money anyway, so why not stay somewhere luxurious and stylish that truly provides you with a transcendent experience? Break away from those four-star hotels or below and instead stay somewhere truly magnificent and wondrous. That's what we always say, and if that describes how you're feeling, you're in for a treat. In this guide, we're going to explore some of the best luxury hotel chains in the world, from the Four Seasons to Shangri-La and Six Senses. If you're planning to drink, you might want to pick a spot based on the locations of the best bars in all of America. Additionally, you might consider the best snorkeling spots in the U.S. or 10 incredible vacation destinations that won't break the bank.
The best luxury hotel chains

Stay at to see some of the most sought-after destinations in the world.
Stay at if you want a unique, unforgettable experience off the beaten path.
Stay at if you want to live in the lap of luxury during your time away.
Stay at the if you want a traditional hotel experience at any major international location.
Stay at a if you want an exotic yet relaxing place to rest your feet.
Stay at a if you want a cost-conscious five-star option.
Stay at an if you want a hideaway-style experience away from bustling city life.
Stay at if you want one of the most unique trips you'll ever have.
Stay at a if you want a renowned and longstanding industry staple.
Stay at a because it's glamorous and unparalleled in every way.
Stay at a if you want scenic views from your room and beyond.
Stay at a if you want enchantment, wonder, and kingly service.
Stay at a property if you care about sustainability, personal wellness, and local cultures.
Stay at a if you want unmatched cuisine from award-winning chefs, on property.
Stay at for some of the best staff services you'll find anywhere.

Read more