The Best Spinner Luggage for Effortless Rolling

By Patricia Doherty + Kendall Cornish
July 30, 2018
Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images

Lately, when you look around at the airport, you’ll likely notice most travelers walking through terminals with their luggage gliding smoothly beside them instead of trailing behind. Four-wheeled suitcases, called “spinners” because they can easily turn 360 degrees, are recently becoming more popular, mainly thanks to the ease of handling. Each wheel rotates completely so it's super simple to change direction.

Carry-on spinners roll down airplane aisles with little effort, and they can be pushed sideways to fit through narrow spaces. And unlike two-wheeled suitcases, spinners won't put weight on your shoulders or wrists as they move along. That feature is especially attractive for passengers in ever-expanding airline terminals, particularly in between a tight connecting flight.

Related: 17 Anti-theft Travel Bags That Will Protect Your Stuff in Style

Heavier check-in spinners feel almost weightless as they move, even when packed to capacity. When the situation requires — when you're walking over uneven ground, for example, spinner suitcases can also be pulled on two wheels — making them versatile. Because the wheels on spinner bags are exposed to an extent allow for turning, you'll want to pay extra attention to quality housings and materials to ensure their durability. Weight, construction, and packing space are considerations, as well.

Our research has turned up the below spinner suitcases as some of the top picks in each luggage category: hardside, softside, underseat, and beyond.

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The Best Carry-on Spinner Luggage

Courtesy of Away, Edited

The security of having your bag nearby gives you peace of mind and it speeds up the arrival process at your destination. These carry-on-sized pieces are roomy, easy to roll down airplane aisles, and they fit into most overhead bins.

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Travelpro Platinum Elite International Expandable Carry-on Spinner

Courtesy of eBags

The latest collection from Travelpro — the brand that originated the rollaboard — pulls out all the stops. Its four wheels are kept in line with magnetic technology, making it incredibly easy to roll, and thoughtful extras like a USB port, a TSA-sized toiletry bag, and an ergonomic handle grip are included. It’s also available in gray and black, but we like this heathered bordeaux.

To buy: ebags.com, $255

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Away The Carry-on: Aluminum Edition

Courtesy of Away

This gorgeous, 21.5-inch carry-on spinner boasts an unbreakable aluminum shell, an ejectable battery to charge your phone with, and a simple, yet smart, internal compression system. The 360-degree Hinomoto wheels make for a smooth ride. There are three larger sizes available, too — and did we mention Away’s luggage is guaranteed for life?

To buy: awaytravel.com, $475

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The Best Hardside Spinner Luggage

Courtesy of eBags, Edited
Fragile items are better protected — from bumps and inclement weather — in hardside luggage, a big advantage for some travelers. Also, it comes in a variety of colors and designs, making it easier to identify at baggage carousels.

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eBags Fortis Pro Traveler Hardside Spinner Carry-on

Courtesy of eBags

Made of polycarbonate, the most durable material available for hardside luggage, eBags' newest suitcase looks great with a mirror finish that comes in five attractive colors. Hinomoto spinner wheels provide smooth, dependable movement and an expandable gusset gives more room when needed while interior pockets and compartments make packing simple.

To buy: ebags.com, $250

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Bric’s Capri 30-inch Ultralight Large Spinner

Courtesy of Amazon

This roomy bag opens flat to two separate zippered compartments and one is equipped with tie-downs to keep contents in place. Impact-resistant polycarbonate keeps this attractive bag looking good, and dual wheels glide smoothly. For its size, it’s pretty lightweight at 11.5 pounds and is available in six colorways.

To buy: bricstore.com, from $425

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The Best Softside Spinner Luggage

Courtesy of eBags, Edited
Durable fabrics, lighter weight, and flexibility make softside luggage the preferred style for many travelers. Exterior pockets and expansion zippers are advantages, as well.

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Eagle Creek Tarmac AWD 26-inch Spinner

Courtesy of eBags

Along with being durable, softside luggage should feature a lightweight frame covered in puncture-resistant fabric. This spinner from Eagle Creek has all that and more, including a built-in bottle opener and jacket holder on top. And thanks to Bi-Tech Armor material, it’s also weather-resistant.

To buy: ebags.com, $409

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Briggs & Riley Baseline CX Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner

Courtesy of eBags

This highly rated luxury bag boasts a lightweight fiberglass frame, aircraft-grade aluminum handle, and outside-mounted handle for greater packing capacity. Corner guards, double wheels, and ballistic nylon exterior will keep it looking good through years of use.

To buy: ebags.com, from $599

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The Best Lightweight Spinner Luggage

Courtesy of Bloomingdales, Edited

Spinners are simple to move along, but there are always times when they’ll have to be lifted into or out of the overhead bin or a vehicle. That’s when travelers appreciate bags that minimize the weight.

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Lipault Paris Plume Avenue 20-inch Carry-on Spinner

Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Weighing only 4.6 pounds, this carry-on bag is the lightest on our list. The four-wheel spinner system makes it easy to glide down narrow aisles and through crowded spaces. The nylon twill exterior comes in pink, gray, blue, and black, and the fully lined interior with two zippered pouches and tie-down straps will keep you organized.

To buy: bloomingdales.com, from $280

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Tumi Latitude Short Trip Packing Case

Courtesy of Tumi

This luxurious, 27-inch bag is part of Tumi’s lightest collection yet. And the durability is stunning for weighing just over eight pounds: the design team equipped it with a flexible, self-reinforced outer shell, an aircraft-grade aluminum handle, and recessed spinner wheels with a brand new system that’s ultra-smooth to roll.

To buy: tumi.com, $850

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Underseat Spinner Luggage

Courtesy of eBags, Edited
A bag that can be stowed beneath the seat in front of you makes it easy to keep everything handy — headphones, snacks, reading material, and any in-flight entertainment you may need when there's no seatback screen.

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Samsonite Spinner Underseater

Courtesy of eBags

With unpacked exterior dimensions of 16.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches, this bag will fit under most airline seats. Multiple interior and exterior storage compartments allow for organized packing and a side pocket can store your water bottle. A rear smart sleeve lets you place this bag over the handle of a larger bag and there’s an internal USB port for you to connect a portable charger into, allowing you to power your devices without having to track down a plug at the airport.

To buy: ebags.com, from $130

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Travelpro Platinum ‘Magna 2’ Spinner Tote

Courtesy of eBags

At just 16 inches tall and 9 inches wide, this sleek little spinner will easily fit under your plane, train, or bus seat when it’s on it’s side. Still, it’s roomie enough to comfortably hold a laptop and a tablet, and with crash-guard and damage-resistant technology, you’ll never have to worry about your belongings inside.

To buy: ebags.com, $210

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Spinner Luggage Sets

Courtesy of Bloomingdale's, Edited
A matching luggage set always has a classy look, and it’s easier to identify and keep track of, especially when traveling as a family. You can just choose the size you need for your trip, or take them all on a longer journey. Here are some sleek options.

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Calpak Astyll Three-piece Marbled Luggage Set

Courtesy of Nordstrom

This trio from Calpak is more than just stylish; it's lightweight and roomy, too. In all three, the center zipper opens up to a fully lined, spacious interior with accessory pockets and a tie-down strap. They also feature a telescoping top handle in addition to top and side carrying handles.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $385 for a three-piece set

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Kenneth Cole ‘Reaction Out of Bounds’ 3-piece Luggage Set

Courtesy of Amazon

This set of three metallic spinners was made for travelers who appreciate style just as much they do function. Each lightweight piece in this hard-shelled collection is water-resistant, shock-absorbant, and easy to clean. Each spinner is also incredibly spacious inside, so you’ll have plenty of room for the essentials no matter what size you choose for your trip.

To buy: amazon.com, $185

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