The 10 Best Luxury Luggage Pieces of 2023

Our top pick, Paravel's Aviator Carry-on Plus, is gorgeous and sustainable.

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 Best Luxury Luggage

Amazon / Tumi

Nice luggage can make your traveling experience more efficient and enjoyable. For those who want their baggage to be not only well-made with useful features but also stylish enough that onlookers can't help but notice, luxury models are where it's at.

If you're willing to pay a premium for the best of the best luggage, you've come to the right place. The Travel + Leisure team tried 70 pieces, including carry-ons, checked suitcases, weekenders, duffles, and underseat bags. Several high-end options stood up to our packing, rolling, lifting, and bat-hitting tests, and we researched a handful more worth considering.

Our favorite is Paravel's Aviator Carry-on Plus. Backed by a five-year warranty, this compact yet spacious suitcase has excellent organizational features and a sophisticated midcentury appeal.

Here's the best luxury luggage based on our testing and research.

Best Overall

Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus

4.7
Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus

Paravel

Our Ratings
  • Capacity
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Durability
    4.5/5
  • Value
    4/5

Why We Love It: This carry-on is sturdy, stylish, and easy to maneuver, with various organizational features Type A travelers will love.

What to Consider: There's no expander (but it's on the larger side for a carry-on).

Our top choice is the Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus. Our testers raved about this suitcase's "awesome capacity and organization," noting how easy it was to pack up. It doesn't expand, but it's already on the larger side for a carry-on. And, thanks to the dual-zippered compartments and compression pad, we could fit everything on our packing list without a fuss. There's also a removable bag for separating laundry or dirty shoes.

The sturdy polycarbonate shell comes in five tasteful colorways. While it sustained a few scuffs during our tests, this likely won't be as much of an issue with one of the darker colors. Overall, the durable design seems like it'll last a long time — and Paravel backs it with a five-year warranty. Our testers found the Aviator very easy to maneuver, explaining that the high-quality spinner wheels "rolled like a dream."

While Paravel luggage is pricier than average, it's among the most affordable in the luxury category. But there's more to love about the brand beyond stylish, smooth-rolling suitcases. All carriers are ethically produced by fairly paid workers in safe conditions. Not only that, but Paravel strives to offset its carbon emissions by incorporating recycled and eco-certified materials into its designs.

Price at time of publish: $375

Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds | Expandable: No | Smart: No

Paravel

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Carry-on

Tumi Continental Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-on

4.6
Tumi Continental Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-on

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Capacity
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Durability
    5/5
  • Value
    3/5

Why We Love It: This splurge-worthy spinner has a ballistic nylon exterior, impact-resistant sides, a USB port, and a chip that helps ensure your luggage is never permanently lost.

What to Consider: At nearly 12 pounds, it's heavy for a carry-on.

When it comes to high-end carry-ons, Tumi is tough to beat. The Continental Dual Access has impact-resistant side panels and a ballistic nylon exterior with a special coating to prevent damage. Sure enough, it passed our durability tests with flying colors, with no dents or scuffs after several bat hits. This suitcase also glides effortlessly on its spinner wheels.

The Continental Carry-On has multiple compartments, several pockets, a laptop sleeve, a garment sleeve, and an expander that adds 2 inches to the depth. It has a few premium features, too, including a TSA lock, lockable zippers, a USB port, and Tumi Tracer technology to help reunite you with your lost or stolen bag. You can build a luggage set with other pieces from the Alpha line, and Tumi's five-year warranty will give you peace of mind about your investment.

Price at time of publish: $975

Dimensions: 22 x 16 x 9 inches | Weight: 11.9 pounds | Expandable: Yes | Smart: Yes

Tumi Alpha Continental Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-on

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Checked

Tumi Alpha 3 Short Trip Expandable Packing Case

4.6
Tumi Alpha 3 Short Trip Expandable Packing Case

Tumi

Our Ratings
  • Capacity
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.5/5
  • Durability
    5/5
  • Value
    3.5/5

Why We Love It: The expertly designed Short Trip Packing Case has a sturdy shell, ample pockets, and a two-stage expansion system.

What to Consider: Due to all the premium features, it weighs over 15 pounds when empty.

We also like the Tumi Short Trip Packing Case. This checked bag has ample pockets, a removable garment sleeve with a fiberglass rod, and a roomy main compartment with a two-stage expander that provides up to 2.5 inches of additional space. There's also a security zipper, a TSA lock, and a Tumi Tracer chip.

At 15.5 pounds, this suitcase is somewhat heavy when empty, but the spinner wheels still glide smoothly. Owing to the ballistic nylon exterior and built-in bumper rails, our bat hits only left a few superficial scuffs — no scratches or dents to note. Tumi is a luxury luggage brand with exceptionally innovative designs and the patents to prove it. Plus, all suitcases are backed by a five-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: $1,095

Dimensions: 26 x 19 x 13 inches | Weight: 15.5 pounds | Expandable: Yes | Smart: Yes

Tumi Alpha Short Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Style

Bric's Bellagio V2.0 Carry-On Spinner Trunk

4.5
Bric's Bellagio V2.0 Carry-On Spinner Trunk

Saks Fifth Avenue

Our Ratings
  • Capacity
    4/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    4.5/5
  • Durability
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5

Why We Love It: Flaunting an elegant design with premium craftsmanship, this durable yet lightweight carry-on rolls easily on its spinner wheels.

What to Consider: The handle sometimes gets stuck.

If you're going to shell out more for high-end luggage, it should look like you spent more on it. The Bellagio V2.0 Spinner Trunk checks all the boxes, offering reliable durability and easy maneuverability without sacrificing style. "I fell in love with this bag the minute I started rolling it," said one tester. "Besides the fact that it works well, it's a really pretty bag that I would love to flaunt on my travels."

At just over 7 pounds, this carry-on is a breeze to lift overhead. It sustained zero dents from our bat swings and didn't scratch when we pushed it off a table. Just a heads up, the wheels roll smoothly and turn easily, but the handle sometimes gets stuck when you pull it out. Bric's is a family-owned luggage brand dedicated to elegant bags with premium craftsmanship — and it shows. Our testers said the quality speaks for itself, and if it's within your budget, "there's no reason not to get this suitcase."

Price at time of publish: $665

Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 8 inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds | Expandable: No | Smart: No

Bric's Bellagio V2.0 Carry-On Spinner Trunk

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Most Durable

Roam The Check-in

4.6
Roam The Check-in

Roam

Our Ratings
  • Capacity
    4/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Maneuverability
    5/5
  • Durability
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5

Why We Love It: Backed by a lifetime warranty, this checked bag has an incredibly resilient hard shell, water-repellent zippers, and a customizable design.

What to Consider: It's small for a checked bag, but you can customize it with an expander.

The Roam Check-In was, by far, the most durable model we tested. The rigid polycarbonate shell stood up to our hits and shoves, with no dents, nicks, scratches, or even scuffs in sight. For extra protection from potential damage, it has water-repellent exterior zippers. This suitcase is slightly small for a checked bag, but you can customize it with an expander, which adds 2.5 inches to the depth.

Our testers said it's extremely easy to push and pull on various surfaces, even gravel, and the grab handles help when lifting or loading it. The colorblock design is trendy but with a practical flair, and if you're not into the pre-curated hues, you can choose your own. With four suitcase sizes available, you also have the option to build a matching set. Two of Roam's founders also developed Tumi — a sign of top-quality, design-forward luggage, if you ask us. Lastly, the brand backs its bags with a lifetime warranty.

Price at time of publish: $595

Dimensions: 26 x 17.5 x 10 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes | Smart: No

Roam The Check-In Luggage

Travel & Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Best Splurge

Louis Vuitton Horizon 50 Carry-On

Louis Vuitton Horizon 50 Carry-On

Louis Vuitton

Why We Love It: This designer carry-on has a coated canvas shell with iconic logo detailing, and you can customize it with hot-stamped leather or colored stripes.

What to Consider: Custom pieces can take up to 12 weeks to ship, and the brand doesn't offer a warranty on luggage.

Louis Vuitton needs almost no introduction — the designer is practically synonymous with luxury luggage. If you're open to splurging on an upscale model, the Horizon 50 Carry-On is an excellent choice. This lightweight, compact suitcase has a coated canvas exterior with leather trim, a matching luggage tag, and lockable zipper closure. Since the handle canes are on the outside, the base of the interior is entirely flat. You can bet its smooth spinner wheels glide like butter too.

One thing to note is that Louis Vuitton doesn't offer a warranty on its luggage. However, the brand promises to cover the cost of repairs due to manufacturing errors. This suitcase is only available in deep brown with the iconic logo decal, but you can personalize it with a hot-stamped luggage tag, colored stripes, or a monogram. And if you want a full set, you can opt for the Horizon 55 and 70 as well.

Price at time of publish: $2,940

Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 8 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Expandable: No | Smart: No

Best Hardside

MVST Trek Aluminum Suitcase

MVST Trek Aluminum Suitcase

MVST

Why We Love It: With high-end appeal and a rugged flair, the virtually unbreakable Trek comes with a protective cover for extra peace of mind.

What to Consider: This suitcase is slightly heavier than average.

For a rugged vibe that still looks high-end, consider the MVST Trek. Boasting a heavy-duty aluminum-magnesium alloy shell with reinforced corners, this hardside suitcase is not only resistant to scratches and dents but virtually unbreakable. What's more, the zipperless closure features dual TSA locks and rubber seals to prevent water damage. But that's not all. It comes with a protective cover and a dust bag you can use for dirty laundry while away or storing your suitcase at home. You can count on it to glide effortlessly on its spinner wheels too.

As a direct-to-consumer brand, MVST is committed to designing first-class luggage without the markup, and all products are backed with a five-year warranty. The Trek is available in five sleek colors and three sizes. All sizes are slightly heavier than average, but this is often to be expected with a high-strength, metal design.

Price at time of publish: $395

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches, 27 x 19 x 9.5 inches, 29.5 x 21 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 9.8–14 pounds | Expandable: No | Smart: No

Best Softside

Mulberry Four Wheel Trolley

Mulberry Four Wheel Trolley

Mulberry

Why We Love It: This exceedingly lightweight suitcase has a bioplastic-sourced Scotchgrain exterior and fine-grain leather accents.

What to Consider: It's pretty small for the price, and the warranty is relatively short.

Interested in a softside model? Check out the Mulberry Four Wheel Trolley. Its leather-like Scotchgrain exterior is made of bioplastic materials and features a pebbled finish. The trim, handles, and luggage tag are super-soft, fine-grain leather. While it's small for the price, this suitcase is easy to pack up, thanks to zippered compartments, large internal pockets, and a stretchy compression strap.

At just 3.3 pounds, it's exceedingly lightweight, and the spinner wheels make pushing and pulling it a breeze. The Four Wheel Trolley is the only suitcase in the Scotchgrain collection, but you can combine it with a matching luxury duffle. Mulberry's 12-month guarantee is relatively short, though you can use the brand's repair services at any time for a fee.

Price at time of publish: $1,350

Dimensions: 22 x 16 x 7 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds | Expandable: No | Smart: No

Best Duffle

Coach Gotham Duffle

Coach Gotham Leather Duffle Bag

Coach

Why We Love It: The Gotham Duffle boasts a durable pebbled leather exterior with calfskin accents and protective feet that help it stand upright, even when empty.

What to Consider: It's pricey for a duffle but will likely last a lifetime.

Coach makes our favorite luxury duffle. The Gotham has a pebbled leather exterior that prevents and conceals blemishes, a detachable shoulder strap, snap-together grab handles, full-length zipper closure, and calfskin accents. Measuring 20 x 11.5 x 9 inches, this bag is nearly as spacious as a carry-on suitcase. Plus, its multifunctional pockets help you keep everything organized.

With five protective feet, you won't have to worry about potential damage from setting it on the ground, and it'll stand upright even when it's not packed full. Coach only offers a one-year warranty on luggage. However, the brand's bags are made to last, and you can send yours to the Coach Repair Workshop when it needs some TLC. You also have the option to trade it in with the (Re)Loved Exchange program.

Price at time of publish: $695

Dimensions: 20 x 11.5 x 9 inches | Weight: Not listed | Expandable: No | Smart: No

Best Underseat

Hartmann Tweed Legend Underseat Carry On Spinner

Hartmann Tweed Legend Underseat Carry On Spinner

Hartmann

Why We Love It: This ultra-compact carrier has a surprisingly spacious interior with pockets and compartments abound.

What to Consider: It comes in only one color.

Need something you can stash under the plane seat in front of you? The Hartmann Legend Underseat Spinner was designed for this exact purpose. This ultra-compact carry-on is just 18 x 14 x 9 inches, but the interior is surprisingly spacious for its size. A zippered panel, a padded electronics section, and pockets abound make it easy to organize and access your stuff. There's also a USB port and a designated powerbank pocket for on-the-go charging.

Backed by a generous 10-year warranty, this softside carrier has a stain-resistant nylon tweed exterior and full-grain leather accents. While it only comes in one color, the multi-tone textured brown is classically versatile. The Legend Spinner has four ball-bearing wheels and a 12-position handle with a contoured grip. It rolls with ease, turns on a dime, and won't slow you down when you're in a hurry. If you're interested in a matching luggage set, you can pair it with Hartmann's Legend Garment Bag.

Price at time of publish: $530

Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 9 inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds | Expandable: No | Smart: Yes

Our Testing Process

The T+L team tried more than 170 pieces of luggage in our New York City testing facility,  including checked suitcases, carry-ons, duffles, and underseat bags. To see how they'd perform in real-life settings, each model was packed up, rolled around, whacked with a baseball bat, shoved off a table, and hoisted into a makeshift overhead compartment.

Next, they were awarded a score for capacity, maneuverability, durability, design, and value. The high-end luggage with the highest average ratings was selected for this roundup, and we researched the luxury market to find a few more worth considering.

Tips for Buying Luxury Luggage

Remember durability is crucial

Durability is crucial, especially when you're paying top dollar for luggage. Your suitcase or bag should not only safeguard your belongings but also protect itself from potential damage. Polycarbonate, aluminum, ballistic nylon, and leather tend to be the sturdiest materials.

Softsided models should ideally have a special coating to prevent stains and scuffs. Some suitcases have additional durability features, like reinforced corners, impact-resistant side panels, waterproof zippers, or moisture-sealed seams.

Buy the size you need

Think carefully about what size luggage you need. Do you plan to check your bags or carry on? Are you going on a long trip or a quick getaway? Do you tend to overpack, or do you like to travel light? Will you have a chance to do laundry while you're away? Answering these questions can help you figure out what size suitcase to get.

Choose a brand you identify with

Let's be honest: One of the main reasons to buy luxury luggage is to be seen carrying it. With this in mind, we recommend choosing a brand you identify with. This might mean the company prioritizes sustainability or is known for high-end designs with practical appeal. Or it could simply be about rocking a recognizable logo.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Should I use a cover for luxury luggage?

    A luggage cover can safeguard your bag from scuffs, scratches, and dirt as it makes its way through the plane's cargo hold and baggage claim. This will help protect your investment from potential damage. However, a cover will also conceal the design of your fancy suitcase, and it can be a little tedious to get on and off.

  • How do I clean my luggage?

    You can clean the exterior of your luggage with a damp cloth and a mild soapy solution or an upholstery cleaner. A pre-moistened disinfectant wipe can also work. If your suitcase doesn't have a removable, machine-washable lining, you can wipe down the interior as needed with a damp cloth and a mild soapy solution or a pre-moistened wipe.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, commerce writer Theresa Holland compiled our in-house testing insights, researched high-end brands, pored over product manuals, and considered dozens of luxury luggage models with durable designs and standout features.

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