Do you like to travel? If you do, you’re probably familiar with the fact that your suitcases can go through a lot during your trip, especially if you’re enjoying airline travel. Broken wheels, tears, failing zippers, and busted seams are a few of the most common ways a suitcase can fail to do its job. If you’re preparing for your next (or first!) trip, the right luggage can make all the difference.
Hard shell cases will hold up better against the “respectful handling” from airline workers, but soft shell cases are more flexible for people who feel that packing light is more of a suggestion than a rule. If you’re upgrading from a duffel bag, the wheels and extendable handle on a suitcase will 100% change the game.
After all this, we completely understand if you’re ready to buy a suitcase right now. They are must-haves for travel, but you’ll need to keep some things in mind before committing to the first design you see. Suitcases are not created equal. You’ll need to think about the weight, size, material, hard vs soft shell, number of wheels, number of storage compartments… the list goes on.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best luggage and suitcases in Canada in 2024 and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Best Luggage & Suitcases Right Now
Top Suitcase Pick: Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On
Upgrade Suitcase Pick: Monos Carry-On
Budget Suitcase Pick: Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase
Top Hard-Side Luggage Pick: Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley
Top Soft-Side Luggage Pick: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase
Our Top Pick for The Best Suitcase
Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On Review
What We Think of the Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On
What are the hallmarks of excellent carry-on suitcases? Lightweight? Yes. Integrated combination lock? Yes. Built-in ID tag? Yes. Durable exterior? Of course, yes. The Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On has all of these things and more. They’ll guarantee your bag will be securely closed and identifiable no matter what mode of travel you’re using.
As if those features aren’t enough, this suitcase also rolls around on four double wheels to make sure you never get stuck, and you won’t ever have to fight with it, even on rougher surfaces. Inside the suitcase, you can organize your things into two different compartments and store your smallest items in the little zippered pocket to make sure they don’t get lost.
Unfortunately, not even our top pick can be free of flaws. The size is too large to be used as a carry-on with some low-cost airlines, so please don’t forget to check the guidelines of your most-used airline before you buy! We also have a love-hate relationship going on with the top-facing combination lock. It’s great since you can make sure it’s secure all the time, but it is a bit more awkward to open when it’s lying flat on the floor.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On
Reviewers love the Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On. The wheels move well on every surface they’ve encountered, and the shell is super durable for every type of travel. It’s lightweight enough for kids to use as their personal suitcase, too. People have mixed feelings about the lock placement, though. It’s on the top instead of the side, and some people love it, but others don’t.
Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On Specifications
Carry-On or Checked: Carry-on
Dimensions: 21.25” x 15.25” x 10”
Weight: 6.5 lbs
Colour: White, sage green, black, white/grey, or amethyst purple
Hard or Soft Shell: Hard
Number of Wheels: 4
Expandable: Yes
Warranty: 10 years
Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On Pros and Cons
Pros:
One of the most lightweight suitcases available
Has an integrated TSA-approved combination lock
Comes with a built-in ID tag
Has two interior pockets, one with mesh screen and one with adjustable web straps, plus a pocket for small items
Cons:
Too large to be a carry-on for some airlines
Lock is located on top of the suitcase which may be awkward for some people
Our Final Thoughts on the Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Samsonite FreeForm Spinner Carry-On is the perfect fit for all of your travel needs on shorter trips. The top-facing lock may be an adjustment for you, but as long as you check your airline’s guidelines before flights, this carry-on suitcase won’t give you any trouble.
Our Upgrade Suitcase Pick
Monos Carry-On Review
What We Think of the Monos Carry-On
We love the Monos Carry-On. Have you ever heard of a 100-day trial for a suitcase? Well, you have now. If you don’t love the suitcase after 99 days, you can send it back for a full refund. We doubt you’ll want to, though. This hard shell option comes in 13 gorgeous colours to stand out in any suitcase crowd, and the integrated lock keeps your belongings secure.
A few features absolutely wowed us. A compression pad is included for one half of this suitcase, helping you keep your belongings flat and skip the step of sitting on your suitcase to get it closed. The telescopic handle can be set to four different heights, too, so you can find your most comfortable towing position no matter how tall you are. The lock button is placed underneath for a seamless design and easier pressing.
As much as we’d love to go on and on about the advantages of this suitcase, there are a couple of potential low points to mention. You won’t be able to expand this suitcase to accommodate more items, so what you see is really what you get. Also, the handle can become a bit tricky to move if you have too many things stuffed inside.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Monos Carry-On
Reviewers are completely in love with the Monos Carry-On. Even though it is the company’s most basic carry-on option, the quality of the design is unbeatable. The zipper colour even matches the shell colour! People really enjoy how customizable the handle length is, and every feature is noticeably well thought out. The integrated combination lock, the compression pad, the button placement on the underside of the handle… everything is spectacular.
Monos Carry-On Specifications
Carry-On or Checked: Carry-on
Dimensions: 22” x 14” x 9”
Weight: 7 lbs
Colour: 13 options
Hard or Soft Shell: Hard
Number of Wheels: 4
Expandable: No
Warranty: Lifetime + 100-day trial
Monos Carry-On Pros and Cons
Pros:
Wheels are incredibly quiet and move well on every surface
Has an integrated TSA-approved combination lock for security
Telescopic handle is very sturdy and can stop at 4 different heights
Has two interior components (one with mesh screen, one with web straps and a compression pad) plus a small zippered pocket
Cons:
Handle will not move well if the suitcase is over-filled
Doesn’t expand
Too large to be a carry-on for some airlines
Our Final Thoughts on the Monos Carry-On
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Monos Carry-On is the most advanced suitcase you’ll find in this size range. It’s more expensive than the average suitcase, but its lifetime warranty, build quality, and user-friendly features make it an easy choice if you’ve got the extra cash (or some time to save up for it).
Our Budget Suitcase Pick
Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase Review
What We Think of the Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase
In the suitcase world, the Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase is the best of the best for affordability. The extra-thick ABS material of the hard shell does a lot to kid-proof, airline-proof, and drop-proof this suitcase. No matter how much stuff you jam inside, the lightweight design will keep your luggage manageable.
If you don’t need to worry about airline restrictions, you can expand this suitcase for an extra 15% of packing space. In other words, you can pack an extra pair of shoes (or two). The interior of this suitcase is split into two even sections, so you can easily find your items and stay organized. The 4-wheel design will help you stay comfortable while walking around, too. There’s a lot of value in this budget option!
Of course, all the value has to be paired up with some downsides. Although the 4-wheel design is a great addition, they are pretty low quality, so you may struggle to move smoothly on carpet and similar surfaces. The handle isn’t the most stable thing on the planet either, so you’ll want to use a little extra care when you start moving.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase
Reviewers have mixed feelings about the Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase. Some people learned the hard way that not all international airlines will accept this as a carry-on size. The wheels and handle aren’t the best quality, either. People do enjoy how lightweight it is, though, and it’s quite durable. The interior design keeps things organized, which is a big bonus.
Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase Specifications
Carry-On or Checked: Carry-on
Dimensions: 21” x 9.5” x 13.6”
Weight: 7.3 lbs
Colour: Orange, black, light blue, or navy blue
Hard or Soft Shell: Hard
Number of Wheels: 4
Expandable: Yes
Warranty: 3 years
Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase Pros and Cons
Pros:
4-wheel design takes all the pressure off your hand and arm when moving
Can expand to provide an extra 15% of packing space
Extra-thick ABS shell is scratch-resistant and durable
Has two interior pockets, one with mesh screen and one with adjustable web straps, plus a pocket for small items
Cons:
Wheels aren’t very high quality and suitcase may be difficult to move on carpet and other surfaces
Handle wobbles when pushing the suitcase
Our Final Thoughts on the Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, the Amazon Basics N989 20-Inch Hardside Suitcase is the absolute best you can do for a suitcase under $150. Its wheels and handle might not be the sturdiest things ever, but the suitcase itself is built to withstand rough treatment and offers a great interior for staying organized during travel.
Our Top Hard-Side Luggage Pick
Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley Review
What We Think of the Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley
There are a lot of things we like about the Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley. It provides the absolute most space you can possibly get in checked-size luggage, and the dual-compartment design is the best for keeping your belongings organized and accessible. The double spinner wheels do a great job of keeping all that stuff moving along.
If you’re paranoid like us, you’ll love the integrated combination lock that keeps your zippers closed tight—it prevents theft and other baggage mishaps. Losing items is everyone’s worst nightmare, after all. If you’ve ever had a suitcase with a polycarbonate shell, you already know just how durable they are. Nearly indestructible, in fact.
No product is perfect, but we don’t think any of these shortcomings will be deal breakers. The large size of this option means you can easily exceed airline weight limits if you aren’t paying attention to what you’re packing. The hard surface is also easily scratched, so it won’t keep its picture-perfect style for long. Plus, the handle is not the most committed to working—it deserves a “handle with care” sticker.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley
Reviewers are pretty impressed with the usefulness of this suitcase. The dual-wheel design helps this suitcase glide like butter over all types of surfaces (even cobblestones!), and aside from some scratches, people aren’t running into any durability issues at all. The combination lock is a nice touch, too. The main red flag people keep mentioning is how easy it is to go over airline weight limits.
Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley Specifications
Carry-On or Checked: Checked
Dimensions: 19.5” x 12.5” x 29
Weight: 12.5 lbs
Colour: Platinum, black, blue, red, teal, or peony
Hard or Soft Shell: Hard
Number of Wheels: 4
Expandable: Yes
Warranty: 10 years
Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley Pros and Cons
Pros:
Has an integrated TSA-approved combination lock for security
Polycarbonate shell is extremely durable and resistant to cracking
Interior has two fully-lined pockets, one with webbing straps and one with a full mesh zipper cover
Double spinner wheels rotate 360 degrees
Cons:
Handle durability may be an issue if you travel a lot
Will show scratches/scuffs pretty quickly
Our Final Thoughts on the Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
All in all, the Delsey Helium Aero 29-Inch Expandable Spinner Trolley is a great choice for extra-long trips, especially if you’re travelling by car and don’t need to be concerned about weight limits. It may show scratches and scuffs fairly easily, but the actual body is nearly indestructible.
Our Top Soft-Side Luggage Pick
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase Review
What We Think of the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase
Do you love exterior access to your belongings? Or an adjustable handle? Or a well-balanced extension? If you answered yes to any (or all) of the above, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase is your dream come true. Two exterior pockets keep your important documents and items handy, the handle matches your height instead of the other way around, and the tip-proof extender keeps your suitcase upright—important, right?
One of our favorite things about this suitcase is the wheels. The 4-wheel design is a lifesaver when you have a heavy load, and the unique shape of the wheels keeps it rolling along over all of the bumps and cracks you may come across. We’re also a fan of the lifetime warranty—this might be the last suitcase you ever need to buy!
Unfortunately, we do have a couple of minor issues that we have to share with you. Although the soft shell style is great for packing the absolute most, it is more vulnerable to tears and exploding seams than other suitcases. Also, since the lining is made of recycled plastic (kudos for saving the environment) you may have to deal with an icky smell for a few days.
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase
Reviewers are incredibly happy with the quality of their Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcases. A couple of people haven’t been thrilled with the smell of the lining, but this isn’t a very common complaint. In general, people enjoy the comfortable handle and the large capacity. The highlight feature for most people is how well the wheels move—the suitcase almost pulls itself.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase Specifications
Carry-On or Checked: Checked
Dimensions: 27” x 18.5” x 11.5”
Weight: 7.3 lbs
Colour: Black
Hard or Soft Shell: Soft
Number of Wheels: 4
Expandable: Yes
Warranty: Lifetime
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase Pros and Cons
Pros:
360-degree swivel wheels move easily on all surfaces
Contoured PowerScope handle can stop at both 38” and 42.5”
Outfitted with two exterior pockets, a mesh interior pocket, two carrying handles, and adjustable hold-down straps
Expands by 2” with tapered shape for extra packing room without risk of tipping over
Cons:
Soft shell design is vulnerable to damage
Recycled plastic lining material may smell for multiple days after opening
Our Final Thoughts on the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Suitcase is a nearly flawless option. The fabric exterior is more vulnerable to damage than hard-side suitcases, but it is perfect for fitting absolutely everything on your packing list. It moves easily on every surface and has pockets for everything.
How to Properly Choose Your Luggage/Suitcase
Price
You’re likely going to be checking the price first. Luckily, most suitcases are listed under $250. You can find some options for under $150 if you’re really serious about saving.
Hard vs. Soft Shell
Hard shells give you extra protection against damage—a must if you’re a frequent airline traveller (we all know why)—and soft shells offer more flexibility for extra items. The choice is yours.
Expandable Compartment
Extensions are everything when it comes to suitcases. Whenever you need to throw in an extra pair of shoes, a just-in-case sweater, or any other last-minute additions, an extendable compartment can save your trip.
Number of Wheels
Many suitcases come with four wheels, but some only have two. If you want to do the least amount of work possible when moving your suitcase, a 4-wheel option should be your number one priority.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
