The best large suitcases you can rely on for long-haul flights and holidays - tried and tested

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• SHOP: Best cabin suitcases: Our travel team tried out 8 hand luggage size bags for short-haul flights and city breaks - these are the top brands to buy (and the ones to avoid)

Lugging a huge suitcase through the airport is never going to be convenient.

But the experience of travel can range from 'graceful swan gliding, celebrity-style, through the corridors of Heathrow' all the way to 'haggard, stressed family fumbling over broken suitcases while late for their flight'.

We're not saying a good suitcase can guarantee a perfect trip, but it's a travel essential for big trips and certainly a great start. 

Here, we've reviewed and rated some of the best hold-sized suitcases, based on performance, practicality and style. All of these suitcases pass our tests: they're sturdy enough to stay in tact for more than a few flights and glam enough to see you travel in style.

There are ultra-luxury options as well as budget-friendly ones, and a whole range in between. 

And we've found something for all different priorities, from super lightweight models to vintage-style designs and suitcases perfect for active adventurers who want more than a weekender bag.

Best suitcases at a glance

• Best suitcase overall: Horizn H7 RE Check-In Luggage 
• Best lightweight suitcase: Victorinox Airox Hardside Case
• Best stylish suitcase: Carl Friedrik Large Polycarbonate Suitcase
• Best budget suitcase: American Tourister Fast Forward suitcase
• Best high-end luxury suitcase: Bric's Large Trolley Bellagio
• Sturdiest suitcase: Ogio Renegade Vault Checked
• Best for features: Briggs and Riley Sympatico Large Expandable Spinner
• Best for regular travellers: Away The Large 

How we test

The Daily Mail's travel team has reviewed and rated some of the best large suitcases

When testing suitcases, we give them the sort of challenges they are likely to face on a typical journey - for example, wheeling along both smooth and bumpy surfaces and being lifted. 

As well as evaluating performance, we also look for style, space, size, weight and durability to get a true measure of their abilities. We also make sure all suitcase comply with popular airline sizing restrictions.

Together with a group of expert reviewers at the Daily Mail, we collate and compare how well each product performs, so you can choose the best suitcases for your travels.

When we try out various suitcases, we test how they fare on challenges associated with a typical journey

Why trust us?

Our team of travel writers and editors has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of products. With a focus on travel equipment, such as suitcases, we provide expertise on what travellers need on their journeys.

Our reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing. We take into consideration all budgets and lifestyles when reviewing products to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.

The best hold suitcases to buy in 2025  

1. Best suitcase overall: Horizn H7 RE Check-In Luggage 

Horizn's glossy mocha large suitcase is perfect for jet-setters looking for style and function

2. Best lightweight suitcase: Victorinox Airox Hardside Case

The Victorinox case is very glamorous and comes in a gorgeous range of colours

3. Best stylish suitcase: Carl Friedrik Large Check-In 4-Wheel Polycarbonate Suitcase

The Carl Friedrik model has a large capacity - as seen in comparison with cabin luggage 

3. Best budget suitcase: American Tourister Fast Forward suitcase

The American Tourister FastForward 78cm in a bold shade of blue is a great option

4. Best high-end luxury suitcase: Bric's Large Trolley Bellagio

Reminiscent of eras gone by, the Bellagio case is certainly a glam addition to your travels

5. Sturdiest suitcase: Ogio Renegade Vault Checked

6. Best for features: Briggs and Riley Sympatico Large Expandable Spinner

8. Best for regular travellers: Away The Large

Our verdict

If we were to buy any suitcase on this list, it would be the Horizn model or the Victorinox Airox Hardside Case. A perfect blend of style and function, they are both fab additions to your travels.

However, we'd be tempted by the American Tourister Fast Forward suitcase - it's the cheapest on the list, and still stands up very well in comparison to more expensive models.

We’d also highly recommend Bric's Large Trolley Bellagio for an extremely classy purchase that will last a lifetime, and mean you'll always travel in style.

The suitcase styles to avoid 

There are certain types of suitcases we recommend that you avoid.

For example, soft-shell ones can rip easily - hard-shell cases tend to be more durable. Also, some suitcases say they fit in the airline restrictions but don't, so make sure you double check with the requirements.

And plain colours may mean they your case could get lost or confused with other people's, especially if it's a popular design. We'd advise steering clear of plain black cases for this reason.

FAQs

What is the best hold luggage?

But it depends what your priorities are. For instance, if you're looking for a durable case, perhaps for active holidays, Ogio's offerings might be for you.

Is it better to have hard or soft shell luggage?

Soft-shell cases can rip easily - hard-shell cases tend to be more durable. 

However, soft-shell cases can also be more flexible, so it depends what matters most to you. 

What is the difference between a cabin bag and hold luggage? 

The difference between these cases is the size. 

Cabin bags can be taken on board with you, provided they fit airline restrictions, while hold luggage must be checked in before a flight and stored in the hold during the journey. 

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