Are luggage covers TSA compliant?

If officers can easily open them, then yes. However, having a luggage cover won’t prevent security from getting into your stuff. If they’re nice, they’ll unzip it or peel off the Velcro. If not, they’ll slice right through.

How do luggage covers work?

After you’ve packed your stuff and zipped your bag shut make sure you have everything. Are you sure? Now, slide on the cover. PVC or fabric covers are secured shut at the bottom with Velcro, while elastic ones usually have a combo of a zipper and a buckle.

The 12 Best Luggage Covers of 2023

Not only is there no way to guarantee your checked bags will arrive on time and in one piece, longer trips usually do call for luggage beyond a carry-on. Anything could happen once a suitcase is out of your sight and, while a luggage cover can’t ensure the still-zipped bag is waiting for you on the carousel, it can help.

Made of either stretchy elastic material or transparent PVC plastic, luggage covers help your suitcase stand out on a conveyor belt. They also protect luggage from scratches and scuffs and are better for the environment than cling wrap since they can be reused.

If you’re looking for a reliable cover that fits most checked luggage, the 7-mi Travel Luggage Cover is a solid choice. It’s durable, secure, and even washable. But, if you’re not feeling that specific one, scroll down for more options.

Here is our breakdown of the best luggage covers on the market:

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

7-mi Luggage Cover at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Magik Elastic Suitcase Protector at Walmart

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Best Transparent:

Gigabit Luggage Protector at Amazon

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Best Prints:

Explore Land Travel Luggage Cover at Amazon

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Best Customizable:

Qyezwvo Custom Luggage Cover at Amazon

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Best Set:

Sadnyy 3 Pieces Luggage Cover at Amazon

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Best Washable:

Wujiaoniao Travel Luggage Cover at Amazon

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Best Cute:

Showudesigns Follow Your Dreams at Amazon

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Best Fabric:

Uxcell Fabric Luggage Cover at Walmart

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Best Luxury:

FPM Spinner Cover at Bloomingdales

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Amazon

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Why We Love It: It’s a great layer of protection for most bags.

What to Consider: It isn’t waterproof.

This luggage cover is made of a spandex/polyester blend, but it’s mostly polyester which makes it both stretchy and durable. When it’s on, the zipper and buckle allow you to secure it with relative ease (and so TSA can get into it without cutting it open). It’s also washable and comes in four different sizes for whatever size bag you own. It’s a solid, no-frills choice for most travelers.

Price at time of publish: $17-$26

Sizes:‎ 19-21, 23-25, 28-30, and 31-32 inches | Material: Spandex, polyester

Magik Elastic Luggage Suitcase Protector

Walmart

View On Walmart

Why We Love It: It’s affordable and will stand out on the conveyor belt.

What to Consider: It’s quite thin, so it won’t do much to pad against drops.

For less than 10 bucks, this cover will protect your luggage from scratches and scuffs during travel. Plus, it comes in six bold colors to help it stand out. Available in three sizes, the cover has holes for two handles and easily fits on with a Velcro strap.

Price at time of publish: $8

Sizes:‎ 18-20, 22-24, and 26-28 inches | Material: Polyester

Amazon

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Why We Love It: It’s waterproof and super easy to put on.

What to Consider: It may not fit perfectly snug depending on the size of your luggage.

Like a raincoat for your luggage, this cover is easy to slip on and stays snug with a large Velcro strap at the bottom. Contoured corners won’t get in the way of your wheels and it comes in four sizes. But the best part is this cover is transparent, so you can actually see your luggage.

Price at time of publish: $12-18

Sizes:‎ 20, 24, 28, and 30 inches | Material: PVC

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Explore-land.com

Why We Love It: You’ll always be able to spot your bag on the conveyor belt.

What to Consider: It’s very thin and isn’t waterproof.

With 15 prints to choose from, this elastic protector will have you rolling through the airport in style. The cover has double-stitched seams for added durability and comes in four different sizes that will suit many hard-shell bags.

Price at time of publish: $16-22

Sizes: 18-22, 23-26, 27-30, and 31-32‎ inches | Material: Spandex, polyester

Amazon

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Why We Love It: It’s a good-quality cover you can customize.

What to Consider: It won’t fit on luggage larger than 28 inches.

Can’t bring your pet with you on vacation? Why not print a photo of them and stretch it over your suitcase? This elastic case allows you to upload your own photos and is nice and stretchy, too. But it doesn’t just look cool, it also has a good-quality buckle and zipper to keep your cover secure.

Price at time of publish: $18-24

Sizes:‎ 18-21, 22-24‎, 25-28, and 29-32 inches‎ | Material: Elastic

Amazon

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Why We Love It: There’s one for three family members, or you and you and you.

What to Consider: The 28-inch option is the largest size.

If you have a luggage set, or if you want to make a single purchase the whole family can use and enjoy, this 3-pack of transparent PVC covers will keep your luggage dry and scratch-free. Simply slide it on and Velcro it shut.

Price at time of publish: $25-29

Sizes:‎ 20‎, 24, and 28 inches‎ | Material: PVC

Amazon

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Why We Love It: There are so many funky prints to choose from.

What to Consider: It isn’t waterproof.

This cover uses more spandex than other elastic models, making it stretchier but less durable. On the bright side, it uses a secure zipper and buckle-tightening design and comes in 23 different prints to suit your vibe.

Price at time of publish: $14-20

Sizes: 18-20, 22-24‎, 25-28‎, and 29-32 inches‎‎ | Material: Spandex, polyester

Amazon

View On Amazon

Why We Love It: The cuteness speaks for itself.

What to Consider: It’s available in one size only.

I mean, come on. Look at how cute this sloth is. And it says “follow your dreams” because sloths sleep all the time. Precious. It shuts with a zipper and is similar in function to others on this list in that it keeps your luggage free of scratches and dirt while remaining unique enough to easily spot at baggage claim.

Price at time of publish: $18

Sizes:‎ 22-24 inches | Material: Spandex, polyester

Uxcell Non-woven Fabric Travel Luggage Cover

Walmart

View On Walmart

Why We Love It: It’s a fabric alternative.

What to Consider: It’s available in one size only.

If you’re not into spandex or PVC, this cover comes in a non-woven fabric that keeps off dust and dirt. Just slip it on and Velcro it shut like a diaper for your luggage. Each order comes with four in each pack, so you can reuse them or toss one out after a trip.

Price at time of publish: $38

Sizes:‎ 26 inches | Material: Non-woven fabric

Harry Rosen

View On Bloomingdales View On Harryrosen.com

Why We Love It: It’s a luxe cover made of durable neoprene.

What to Consider: It’s specifically designed for the FPM luggage brand.

If you’re already the owner of an FPM Milano Bank Spinner, this sleek neoprene cover designed just for the spinner will have you traveling like a fashionista. A bottom-to-top zipper makes the cover easy to put on, and the 100 percent neoprene material adds slippery abrasion-resistance and style.

Price at time of publish: $88-$180

Sizes:‎ 20 and 22 inches | Material: Neoprene

Osprey Airporter Backpacker Travel Cover

Amazon

View On Amazon View On REI View On Moosejaw.com

Why We Love It: It’s perfect for checking bags without worrying about straps getting stuck or ripped off.

What to Consider: It’s pricey.

Backpackers, this one’s for you. Simply zip this on your bag or backpack and it becomes a duffel — no more worrying about the straps and buckles getting caught or breaking when checked. Made of durable, waterproof nylon, the Airporter has two handles as well as a shoulder strap and it can fold into a nifty little carrying case when you’re not using it.

Price at time of publish: $50-70

Sizes:‎ 50, 45-75, 70-110 liters | Material: Nylon

Amazon

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Why We Love It: It’s light and easy to slip on during a downpour.

What to Consider: It doesn’t fully wrap around the bag, so it doesn’t work with checked luggage.

If your carry-on or day bag is a backpack, this double-layered, PU-coated cover will protect it from rain, dust, and wind. It also acts as a deterrent for thieves and a reflector strip on the back will keep you safe from cars when walking at night. Each order comes with two covers, and several bright colors are available.

Price at time of publish: $10-13

Sizes:‎ 10-17, 18-25, 30-40, 45-55, and 56-70 liters | Material: Nylon

Tips for Buying Luggage Covers

Choose colors and patterns that won’t show wear and tear

While luggage covers protect your hardshell bag from scuffs, they can get banged up themselves — so opt for one that won’t show every little scratch and smudge. (Fortunately, it’s cheaper to replace a scuffed-up cover than your luggage.)

Choose the right size for your bag

Before clicking to purchase, make sure the size you’re getting fits your luggage. This is especially true for transparent PVC covers as they don’t stretch. Also keep in mind that each cover has different measurements for their small, medium, and large sizes so, shop accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are luggage covers TSA compliant?

If officers can easily open them, then yes. However, having a luggage cover won’t prevent security from getting into your stuff. If they’re nice, they’ll unzip it or peel off the Velcro. If not, they’ll slice right through.
How do luggage covers work?

After you’ve packed your stuff and zipped your bag shut make sure you have everything. Are you sure? Now, slide on the cover. PVC or fabric covers are secured shut at the bottom with Velcro, while elastic ones usually have a combo of a zipper and a buckle.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, T+L writer Joel Balsam, a frequent traveler who has visited more than 50 countries, researched, reviewed, and selected from the industry’s best luggage covers.

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