Travelling is expensive, but savvy frequent flyers know how to shave a few pounds off here and there. That could look like booking into a cheaper design-led hotel, opting for a stylish Airbnb, or swerving luxury luggage brands in favour of a reasonably-priced alternative.
Fortunately, spending less on a new suitcase doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality. We’ve tried many cases here at Conde Nast Traveller, and plenty of non-bank-breaking options have gained our approval after joining us on our regular trips around the globe.
Of course, you won’t find sleek aluminium Rimowas or Louis Vuitton’s iconic pieces in this list. But there is a solid mix of hard-side and soft shell options with liberal inner and outer pockets, plenty of packing space, impressive warranties and smooth spinner wheels. To balance quality and affordability, we’ve selected our favourite carry-ons at £200 and under and check-ins below £300.
Here is the Traveller edit of the best affordable luggage to shop now, ready to see you through your next getaway and all those after that.
The best affordable luggage at a glance
Jump to:
For more luggage advice and recommendations, the following guides feature more top picks:
- The best carry-on luggage
- The best luggage sets
- The best luggage brands in the UK
- The best hard shell suitcases
- The best suitcases on Amazon
- The best under-seat cabin bags
- The best travel backpacks
- The best packing cubes
- The best travel tote bags
The best affordable carry-on suitcases
Pros: Great price, fun colour range
Cons: On the heavier side for a carry-on case
Size: 55 x 37.5 x 20cm
Weight: 2.9kg
Nere is one of the most reasonably priced luggage brands on the market – even without taking into account its regular generous sales. Rather than polycarbonate, the brand uses ABS for its hard shell cases, which helps keep costs lower. Nonetheless, with a 10-year warranty, these suitcases should make a reliable companion for years to come. Cases stack inside each other for easy storage and come with a huge range of matching accessories, making it easy to create a complete luggage solution at a keen price point.
Pros: Lightweight, durable, and easy to move around and lift
Cons: Only available in a few standard colours and there really isn’t anything that stands out about it to help you know it’s yours.
Weight: 2.9kg
Dimensions: 54 x 38 x 23cm
Towards the bottom end of the price spectrum is this hard-side carry-on from Amazon. Thanks to its affordable price, roomy size, spinner wheels, and built-in TSA lock, it has racked up many positive reviews on Amazon. Our US associate commerce editor, Meaghan Kenny, agrees with those reviews, calling it “an overpacker’s dream suitcase.”
Pros: Very light, lockable exterior pockets
Cons: Only available in two colours
Weight: 2kg
Dimensions: 40 x 20 x 55cm
Samsonite’s soft shell Base Boost is a best seller for the brand and a reliable carry-on partner. Many of its popular styles fit within budget airline allocations and are available on Amazon, making it a quick and affordable option if you need a suitcase in a hurry.
Pros: Lightweight suitcase, great value price, large range of colour options, multiple compartments inside, luggage sets available.
Cons: Only one of the internal compartments can be fully zipped up, lighter colours are prone to scuffs and scratches.
Size: 55x40x20cm
Weight: 2.8kg
Antler's Clifton cabin bag is a winner if you're a frequent flyer looking for a zippy hard-shell suitcase. The durable yet lightweight polycarbonate case features a twist-grip telescopic handle, making it very easy to wheel it around the airport at speed. Not only is this case a great size and quality, but they also look smart, with seven subdued shades to choose from.
Editor review: “I have this case in the mineral colour as part of the full travel set. This case is the one I use the most and it's just a dream to travel with. I really love the two zip-up pouches inside. If you don't travel with packing cubes, these can do a similar job and are ideal for storing delicates and toiletries,” Lauren Burvill, commerce editor
Pros: Very light, impressively quiet, smooth action, scratch-resistant shell
Cons: Relatively small side, no laptop sleeve or additional pockets
Size: H54 x W36 x D19cm
Weight: 1.8kg
July asserts that this is the world’s lightest double-wheel suitcase, and while we can’t verify this claim, it’s undoubtedly the lightest one we’ve ever used. As such, we’re crowning it our best lightweight luggage pick. This was much appreciated when manhandling it in and out of the overhead compartments, as was its whisper-quiet action, even while trundling over a notoriously bumpy pavement. This was something that truly impressed me. There are nine colours to choose from, and all July carry-ons and checked bags can be personalised.
Editor review: “I recently took this case on a weekend trip to Palma and managed to fit four dresses, my washbag, straighteners, and two pairs of shoes. Next time, I’ll use some compression packing cubes to maximise capacity further. Overall, it feels expensive, with a sturdy handle and strong polycarbonate shell that withstood several knocks on its first outing.” Charley Ward, commerce writer
Pros: Lightweight, adjustable external straps, zip-up dividers, range of colours.
Cons: None that we can see.
Size: 51x32.5x23cm
Weight: 2.42kg
If you need a suitcase for weekend breaks, look for durable and roomy styles with trolley wheels that can handle pesky cobblestone streets. This Eastpak cabin case has clever adjustable straps on the outside to ensure your luggage fits within the allocated size allowance.
Pros: Lightweight, 100-day trial policy, unlikely to scuff
Cons: Colours appear brighter in real life, expandable handle is a little sticky.
Size: 50 x 33 x 23cm
Weight: 2.8kg
The Canadian brand famed worldwide for its sleek backpacks recently launched its heritage hardshell luggage collection, including checked luggage and a carry-on style. The compact and lightweight suitcases are made from a 100 per cent polycarbonate EcoSystem™ Hardshell, with 70% of each bag made from recycled road barricade material. Inside the carry-on, the case has one large mesh zip compartment with an additional smaller pocket and compression straps on the other. We love the simplicity of it all, but be warned: the colours appear much brighter in real life compared to online – the pastel yellow shade, in reality, is closer to a neon tennis ball.
Editor review: “This carry-on suitcase is on the smaller side, but it's perfect for me as I do a lot of short trips. It means I never have to worry about which airline I'm flying with and what dimensions they allow. I've taken this with me on multiple trips, and it's very durable, showing virtually no signs of wear and tear to date. I also personally love the cheerful, bright colour,” Sarah James, deputy digital editor
The best affordable check-in suitcases
Pros: Good colour range, sets available, nest for storage
Cons: Lighter colours prone to scuffs
Weight: 5kg
Dimensions: 35 x 52 x 80cm
British luggage brand Antler is an editor and reader favourite. Multiple Traveller editors regularly travel with its Clifton suitcases. At under £200 for a large case, this is a great, reasonably priced option with an impressive lifetime guarantee. Buy a luggage set and save an additional 15 per cent.
Pros: Good colour range, sets available, nest for storage
Cons: Made with ABS rather than polycarbonate
Weight: 5kg
Dimensions: 75 x 47 x 31cm
Editor review: “This is a very roomy option. You can absolutely pack comfortably for a three-week trip with this suitcase. So far, we’ve taken this Nere case to Canada, Thailand and the Maldives, and each time, it’s returned looking as good as new – no scuffs, knocks or dings to be seen. That’s not something I can always say, even for pricier cases. The pretty blue colour is also easy to spot on the carousel, making it feel joyful to use.” Charley Ward, commerce writer
Pros: Very light check-in case, cases nest for storage
Cons: Lighter colours prone to scuffs
Weight: 3.2kg
Dimensions: 64 x 47 x 27cm
This is the larger version of the Carry On Light featured above – with a few handy extras. It’s got the same extra-quiet double spinner wheels, aerospace-grade German polycarbonate shell, and YKK zips, plus three inner pockets and compression straps to keep your belongings safe and secure in the hold. July carry-ons nest inside for storage, too.
Pros: Includes a luggage tag and a water-resistant laundry bag, underside grab handle
Cons: On the heavier side in comparison to similar sized cases
Weight: 5.4kg
Dimensions: 74 x 52 x 32cm
Away’s cases tend to carry a more premium price tag, but its Large Check In happily fits our £300 and under bill. This 2015-launched brand has captured the imagination of travellers across the world – one of our editors used her Away case to move to another country, and it is a favourite of celebs, including the likes of Meghan Markle, who reportedly gifted guests an Away carry-on at her baby shower. The underside grab handle, a feature we’ve only seen on Away cases, is especially noteworthy – helping you manoeuvre it on and off the carousels when your luggage is stuffed to the brim.
Pros: Matching cases in range available, very good price for large suitcase, available on Amazon
Cons: Only two colours available
Weight: 3.8kg
Dimensions: 47 x 32 x 80 cm
Since 1933, American Tourister has made a name for itself as a reliable source of inexpensive luggage, which still holds today. Its Holiday Heat spinner case is our top large suitcase choice from the brand, coming in at under £150 for a two-week-plus holiday check-in case with a TSA-approved lock and 360-degree spinner wheels. As a bonus, American Tourister is available to shop on Amazon and thus benefits from the retailer’s regular sales – there’s a 20 per cent discount on all sizes right now.
Pros: Made from recycled materials inside and out
Cons: Price varies depending on colour choice on Amazon
Weight: 4.6kg
Dimensions: 52 x 31 x 75cm
Samsonite suitcases run the gamut from more premium aluminium offerings with luxury price tags to the affordable SCure line – our pick for those seeking a well-priced Samsonite. Pleasing price aside, these suitcases have good sustainability credentials: the polypropylene casing has been made from post-consumer packaging material (now you know what’s happened to your old yoghurt pot), and the inner is made from recycled plastic bottles. This line also makes some of the more attractive cheaper suitcases we’ve found.