The best travel hair dryers to pack in your suitcase
By Odinga FanuelJul 25, 2023
Protect your hair while traveling with a portable hair dryer. Here are our top picks to help you find a compact, yet powerful travel hair dryer.
Smart Shopper is reader supported. When you shop our picks, we may receive a commission.
Which affordable luggage is the best? We compare 6 top options
Whether you’re flying, taking a train, or road-tripping, choosing the right affordable luggage helps you reach your destination hassle-free.
Luggage is the unsung hero of any trip.
Whether you’re heading out for a long weekend, a longer business trip or an international vacation, the right luggage can make all the difference.
When choosing a suitcase, consider options that maneuver easily, protect your belongings — and stay closed even with rough handling.
But you shouldn’t pay an arm and a leg just for a bag, either. Travel is expensive enough as it is! That’s why our editors rounded up the best affordable luggage options for your next trip.
Whether you need a carry-on for a quick getaway or a checked bag for prolonged travel, we’ve narrowed down the top options so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
Read more: See our editor's picks of the top carry-on luggage
See the best affordable luggage here
Our top pick overall
Dimensions: 25.5 H x 16 W x 9 D in
Weight: 8.47 pounds
Material: Polyester
Pros & Cons
Spinner design makes it easy to maneuver
Three carrying handles for easy handling
Front pockets for easy access to small items
A bit smaller than other checked bags
Handle doesn’t feel especially sturdy
If you’re going on a longer trip and need a checked bag, this product from Skyline is the best option for you.
It’s a four-wheeled “spinner” suitcase, which means that it’s easy to pull along airport floors, bus stops, and even sidewalks. The soft-sided design means that it will hold up well to wear and tear from baggage handlers.
The pull-out metal handle is adjustable to multiple positions for comfort and convenience, and an interior strap system and zipper pocket provides you with plenty of options when you're packing for your trip.
It’s a medium bag, with an overall size of 51 linear inches and a capacity of 63 liters. This means it’s well within the size requirements of all major airlines.
The smaller size means you’re also less likely to overpack and accidentally go over the 50-pound limit that most airlines have on checked bags.
Best budget-friendly carry on
Dimensions: 14 H x 9.5 W x 23 D in
Weight: 8.5 pounds
Material: Durable ABS
Pros & Cons
Easily fits in all airline overhead bins.
Nine unique color options
ABS plastic shell provides good protection for your personal items
Might be too small for some travelers
Hard-sided design is susceptible to scratches, dents
If you need a smaller carry-on bag and you’re on a budget, this hard-sided suitcase from Protege is a good option.
It has a spinner design with four 360-degree wheels, so it’s easy to keep by your side throughout airports and other areas. This carry-on bag also features an extendable handle that fits flush into the bag when closed.
Lockable zippers keep the ABS plastic shell closed and the interior is fully lined with a zipper pocket and strap system to keep your stuff secure.
It’s even expandable if you need to fit in some extra stuff, which is a rare feature in hard-sided luggage.
Best hardside suitcase
Dimensions: 22.5 H x 14.75 W x 9.75 D in
Weight: 7.81 pounds
Material: Durable ABS
Pros & Cons
More packing space
Lightweight design makes for easy traveling
Fully lined with straps and zippered interior
Too big for international carry-on bins
Hard-shell is easily scratched and dented
This bag from Skyline is a good step up if you have a bit more money to spend and you’d like a high-quality hard-sided bag that has more packing space for longer trips.
It clocks in at 47 linear inches and has 48 liters of space. This means that it will hold plenty of stuff for domestic flights.
However, this also means that this bag is not suitable for international travel. It’s too big for most carry-on bins in other countries. It also may be too big for domestic flights if you use the optional expanding feature, so keep this in mind when you are packing for your travels.
Best large suitcase for less
Dimensions: 30.25 H x 19.75 W x 12 D in
Weight: 12.8 pounds
Material: Polycarbonate, ABS
Pros & Cons
Largest checked bag size allowable by most airlines
Durable, water-resistant shell
Lightweight, considering the size
Still heavier than a comparable soft-sided checked bag
Included locking feature can be finicky
For a long trip, you’ll want maximum cargo capacity, particularly if you’re traveling internationally or plan on bringing home lots of souvenirs and other items.
This hard-sided spinner suitcase from Made By Design is a great option for those looking for extra space. It comes in at 63 linear inches in size, which means that it’s the maximum size that most domestic and international airlines will accept.
It also only weighs 12.8 pounds, which means it’s easy to load this checked bag up with items and still keep it below the 50-pound weight requirement of most airlines.
The plastic shell is thick and durable, and will keep your stuff secure, while the four-wheeled spinner design makes it surprisingly easy to maneuver, even when the bag is fully loaded.
Most durable bag for travel
Dimensions: 22 H x 16 W x 22 D in
Weight: 6 pounds
Material: Polyester
Pros & Cons
Generous capacity and smart packing features
Integrated USB port for charging your devices
Sturdy, lockable, four-position handle
May be too big for international travel
Filling up the front pocket can cut into interior space significantly
It’s no secret that luggage that’s durable and truly built to last might cost a bit more.
However, with this spinner suitcase from American Tourister, you’re definitely getting a great deal for the price you’re paying.
It’s designed to fit into all domestic overhead bins and uses durable polypropylene plastic for the outer shell. This makes it very durable, though like any hard-sided suitcase, scratches and dings will still be usable with prolonged use.
You also get a few other flashy features like a smart interior organization system and a built-in USB charging port that can accept a battery pack. This bag also features a unique soft front pocket that provides easy access to a laptop, tablet, book or other small items.
Best value-for-money luggage set
Dimensions: 25-inch Softside Upright: 25.5 H x 15.5 W x 8.25 D in; Duffel Bag: 22 H x 11.25 W x 10 D in; Boarding Tote: 14 H x 9.75 W x 5.5 D in
Material: 600 denier polyester
Pros & Cons
Available in six color options
Includes three pieces of luggage for a low price
Interlocking zipper for extra security
Two-wheeled bag is less maneuverable than a four-wheeled “spinner”
Fabric is relatively thin compared to some competitors
If you want to travel in style, this set of products from Protege is a fantastic option.
It includes a two-wheeled expandable checked bag, as well as a 22-inch carry-on friendly duffel bag and a “personal item” boarding tote.
The products are all made from durable 600 denier polyester, and feature multiple storage compartments to keep your stuff organized while you travel.
The checked bag expands for extra storage and also features a lockable handle. The boarding tote can also be attached to the handle to help you keep your stuff all in one place as you roll around the airport.
Overall, this luggage is a fantastic deal, and you can mix and match each piece when packing for your trip, depending on how much stuff you need to bring.
How to pick the right luggage
Choosing the right bag for your traveling needs is no small feat. You need to balance size, maneuverability and durability.
Depending on where you’re going, you may also need to make sure your bag meets the requirements for airline travel both domestically and internationally.
Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind as you browse the best budget suitcases for your next trip:
Hard vs. soft-sided
Hard-sided luggage uses a plastic shell that provides great protection for your stuff.
However, hard-sided luggage usually has less capacity compared to soft-sided models, and becomes scuffed and dented quickly.
Soft-sided luggage is somewhat less durable, but typically holds up better to frequent use. Soft-sided bags are usually also expandable, and typically feature multiple exterior pockets to help you keep your stuff organized.
Four vs. two wheels
Usually called “spinners,” four-wheeled bags are the best for most travelers today. They sit upright on four wheels. This lets you roll your luggage easily beside you instead of pulling it behind you.
However, the wheels on two-wheeled luggage (sometimes called a “rollaboard”) are typically more durable, and two-wheeled models offer a bit more packing room.
The drawback is that two-wheeled models are not quite as maneuverable in tight spaces.
Checked vs. carry-on
Checked bags are a lot bigger than carry-ons, so a checked suitcase is good for longer trips or trips when you need to carry more stuff. They usually clock in at about 62 linear inches.
However, you will usually have to pay an extra fee to check your bag, and wait for it at the baggage claim.
Carry-ons are smaller at about 45 linear inches. They fit into overhead bins, and fly free on just about every U.S. airline, except for budget airlines like Frontier or Spirit.
If you pack light or you tend to take shorter trips, the best cheap suitcase for you will likely be a carry-on.
International or domestic carry-on
Carry-on requirements in the U.S. are a bit different than those in most other countries.
Without getting into the weeds too much, these carry-on requirements mean that you’ll need a slightly smaller bag for international travel.
This is why some carry-ons are marketed as “international” bags. These are a little smaller, and great for traveling in Europe and further afield.
However, if you’re mostly using a carry-on in the U.S., you should go for a domestic bag, since this will offer you a bit more space to pack your stuff.
Our top choices for budget-friendly luggage
There are tons of great bags out there, and we’ve picked the best of the best for this guide. That said, if you’re still not sure which to pick, we’ve narrowed it down to our top two favorites:
Skyline Softside Medium Checked Spinner Suitcase: This is our top overall pick if you want a checked bag. This suitcase offers a generous capacity of 63 liters, has plenty of pockets, and will hold up well to the rigors of frequent travel despite its affordable price.
Protege 20 Inch Carry-On Spinner Luggage: This is the best option if you want a carry-on bag. This luggage from Protege is easy to maneuver due to the spinner design. It’s very durable and stylish to boot, and the 20-inch size means that it will fit into cabins both in the U.S. and in just about every other country internationally.
Did you like this article? For more great deals and shopping ideas, find us now on your favorite social networks: Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!
Prices updated on 09/15/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Eric Liston
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Eric Liston is a freelance writer focusing on consumer product reviews, digital technology — and helping readers find the right items at the right price. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him gaming, cooking or disc golfing.
Specialized topics
Read more from Smart Shopper
We review the best luggage sets of 2023 from top brands
By Emma KalkaJul 25, 2023
Looking for the best travel luggage set that will last? Our editors have searched out the most durable sets to get you to your destination in style.
Need a new women’s backpack? These are 7 of the best to shop now
By Suman SridharJul 25, 2023
A backpack should be versatile, dependable and stylish. So whether you’re hiking or need something chic, read here to find the right backpack for you.
Shop the 7 best travel strollers that are lightweight & packable
By Beth CaseyJul 25, 2023
Navigate the world with your little one in a travel-friendly stroller, from local outings to global excursions. Maneuvering crowds will be a breeze.
Your guide to the best travel neck pillows for uninterrupted sleep
By Bijou AtteyMay 03, 2024
Looking to enhance your in-flight experience? We’ve rounded up the best travel neck pillows for comfort and improved sleep.
The 6 best luggage scales to avoid paying overweight baggage fees
By Judith HalishJul 25, 2023
It's easy to overpack for a trip, but you can avoid this costly mistake. Here are the best luggage scales to defend against dreaded overweight fees.