Buying guide for best spinner luggage
There was a time when luggage didn’t have wheels. You had to carry it by the handles, hire a skycap to take care of it for you or rent one of those airport luggage carts. All that changed when wheeled luggage, such as spinner luggage, was invented. The best spinner luggage makes moving through an airport terminal, baggage claim or train station easier than any non-spinner bag ever could.
Spinner luggage gets its name from its unique wheels, which freely rotate a full 360 degrees on their struts. It can be pulled behind you, walked alongside you or pushed in front of you, and the spinner wheels move in any direction. Spinner luggage makes bringing large or heavy bags easier than carrying them by hand. They also put less strain on your arm and shoulder than two-wheeled roller luggage you need to pull behind you. Though spinner wheels and their struts are more vulnerable to damage than roller wheels, their mobility is second to none.
The BestReviews Testing Lab examined several of the top-rated and most popular spinner luggage on the market. The highly respected softside Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner won our top pick with its perfect testing scores, while the hardside Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner offers the best bang for your buck.
Which spinner luggage is best?
Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner
Best of the best
Product specificationsMaterial: Nylon | Capacity: 143.5 L | Dimensions: 21” W x 13.25” D x 32.5” H | Weight: 11.5 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
The top piece of luggage in our roundup for the best suitcases, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Spinner is also our top pick for spinner luggage overall. A softside checked-size suitcase, it scored perfectly in all the categories we tested, and despite its moderately high price, delivers a high level of value.
The Travelpro boasts four double-spinner wheels, two wheels per corner for eight wheels in all, that delivered an exceptionally quiet, smooth glide on multiple types of terrain in our testing. Their partially inset struts offer large mounts for stability and durability, and they magnetically self-align in whichever direction you’re heading. Because this bag does not have a clamshell design, it easily fits on a hotel luggage rack, even while open.
The Travelpro’s interior organization also stood out during testing, thanks to its built-in suiter (which keeps suits and dresses wrinkle-free) and plenty of pockets for small items, toiletries and sundries. Its retractable handle was smooth to grip and stable to use, and its treated nylon fabric showed zero damage after our travels. The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner comes with a built-in TSA combination lock and offers up to 2 inches of expansion with a tapered design that prevents the bag from tipping over no matter how much you stuff it.
Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner
Best bang for the buck
Product specificationsMaterial: Polypropylene | Capacity: 117 L | Dimensions: 31.1” H x 20.9” W x 13.8” D | Weight: 9.6 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
The biggest luggage brand in the world, Samsonite introduced the spinner wheel suitcase to the market in the early 2000s. While it’s not a budget brand by any means, many of its spinners, including the Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner, cost less than premium options while still offering excellent performance and value.
The Samsonite Freeform glides on four double-spinner wheels for increased performance and stability. It performed well during our terrain tests, albeit somewhat noisier than more premium competitors. Its 5-inch handle was easy to grip as well. Its light, textured polypropylene shell held up during our drop tests with minimal damage, and it comes in a variety of colors.
Interior organization was minimal but practical, with a full-zip pocket integrated into one compartment’s divider and cross-ribbon straps to hold items down in the other. It’s the kind of luggage we could imagine lasting for years.
Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner
Best softside carry-on
Product specificationsMaterial: Nylon | Capacity: 37 to 49 L | Dimensions: 15” W x 9” D x 21” H | Weight: 9.9 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
A premium spinner from a premium brand, the Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner is far from cheap, but its high-end materials and innovative features make it worth its price. With its expansion and compression, it fits more items than a regular carry-on would, which could pay for itself in saved check-in fees.
The Briggs & Riley’s double-spinner wheels feature a shock-absorbing design that allowed us to roll it smoothly and almost effortlessly even when overpacked. Its main trolley handle offers multiple stops and it also includes three pull handles on the top, side and bottom, ideal for pulling it out of an overhead bin. Its ballistic nylon shell resisted scratches, stains, tears and impact.
The most impressive thing about the Briggs & Riley Global carry-on is its “CX” compression system. The main compartment expands by pushing a pair of buttons, allowing us to fit one to three more outfits than we would have otherwise. After packing, you close the lid and push the Briggs & Riley back into its original size with a click, keeping it carry-on sized.
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Best hardside carry-on
Product specificationsMaterial: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 47.9 L | Dimensions: 22.7" x 15.4" x 9.6" | Weight: 7.9 lbs | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
One of the most popular spinners on the market, the Away Bigger Carry-On proved it’s more than just a fad during our testing. It has some of the smoothest wheels and most comfortable handles of any spinner we tested, and its minimalist design inside and out proved convenient and functional as well.
The Away’s double-spinner wheels are partially inset into its bottom for added integrity, something we inadvertently tested when it fell down a long escalator at the airport during our travel testing. Each strut holds two individual wheels for a total of eight in all, and they glided smoothly from terminal to pavement to cobblestone and onto public transport for us with no issues.
Thanks to its compression panel and straps, we managed to fit nearly two weeks’ worth of outfits into the Away, and its signature colorful polycarbonate shell held up well to our impact tests. It’s not expandable, and we wish it had an extra pocket than the three it comes with, but its looks, simplicity and performance were all top-notch.
Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner
Best cheap luggage
Product specificationsMaterial: ABS | Capacity: 23 L | Dimensions: 13.58” W x 9.45” D x 20.87” H | Weight: 6.9 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
Considering how affordable the Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner is, we weren’t expecting a whole lot. However, it pleasantly surprised us during testing. We found it a credible and attractive budget carry-on spinner with some features typically seen in costlier bags.
The Amazon Basics spinner rolls on double-spinner wheels similar to those of midrange and premium spinners, with two wheels per strut, supplying smooth motion that we verified when taking it out for a roll on city streets. The materials are the wheels’ only weakness; it’s made of a rubber-coated plastic that looked notably scuffed after our tests. Its trolley handle was also wobbly compared to higher-priced spinners, and it lacks any kind of lock.
Its thick ABS case held up well to knocks and drops, and its textured surface helped obscure scratches after testing. It was also highly water-resistant in our shower tests, and we appreciated its expandability and interior zip pockets.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Hardside Check-In Spinner
Best hardside checked luggage
Product specificationsMaterial: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 108 L | Dimensions: 17.5” W x 13.5” D x 27.5” H | Weight:12.3 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Hardside is not quite as exceptional as its softside counterpart, but we found it to have plenty of benefits that made it our favorite hardside check-in spinner.
The Travelpro hardside has a strong polycarbonate case with reinforced metal corners. It features the same magnetically aligning double-spinner wheels as the Travelpro softside, although we found these wheels a little louder during our testing. The trolley handle grip also felt marginally less comfortable than that of the softside version. The wheel struts are partially inset for their protection.
As a hardside, the Travelpro opens clamshell-style with two equal compartments, each kept closed by a full-zip divider that integrates two pockets per panel. Each compartment also offers adjustable elastic straps for security and compression.
July Checked Trunk
Best trunk
Product specificationsMaterial: Polycarbonate, aluminum | Capacity: 95 L | Dimensions: 16.34” W x 14.5” D x 28.35” H | Weight: 13.2 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
An outlier in our lineup, the July Checked Trunk combines the long, deep trunk design of yesteryear with the polycarbonate shell and spinner wheels of contemporary spinner luggage. Even considering its unusual configuration, we found it impressively maneuverable and practical in our travels.
The July Checked Trunk has a 20/80 compartment design, with a deep main compartment capable of holding bulky items like boots and a thinner compartment in the lid for flat-packed items. Its double-spinner wheels with partially inset struts were amazingly smooth and quiet, and its shape felt more maneuverable than that of a traditional suitcase. We loved its flat top for setting items on, and its 20-stop trolley handle with a comfortably soft grip was the most adjustable of all the suitcases we tested.
The July trunk offers interior Y-strap compression and a shell made of glazed polycarbonate on a sturdy aluminum frame. The 20/80 compartment division and straps were a little awkward for us but were minor issues in what is overall a high-quality piece of spinner luggage.
How we tested the best spinner luggage
In researching and writing this article, we picked some of the highest-rated and most popular spinner luggage on the market and then subjected them to rigorous testing.
Wheels and handles
- We rolled each piece of spinner luggage on a variety of surfaces and terrain, from indoor carpet to airport terminal flooring to rough outdoor pavement and cobblestone streets.
- We sent each spinner rolling along a path to note any curve or swerve in its motion.
- We studied the strength and stability of the trolley handles on each spinner and how well we could control the spinner while being pulled, pushed or walked.
- After fully packing the suitcase, we noted any tendency toward tipping or lack of balance.
Durability
- We subjected each spinner to drops of 3 feet and 6 feet onto flooring to simulate rough handling.
- We allowed each spinner to fall down a flight of stairs to simulate travel mishaps.
- We examined the spinner wheels for any excessive wear and tear or damage.
Functionality
- We used every feature offered by each spinner, including compression, expansion, security locks, extra compartments and organization.
- We packed and repacked each piece to simulate frequent or long-term use and to estimate their real-world capacity in terms of days packed or number of outfits.
Design
- We took note of the materials used in the construction of each spinner, paying attention to weight and portability.
- We observed the aesthetic appeal of each spinner, including how well they would stand out in a row or on a baggage-claim conveyor.
- With carry-ons, we noted if the spinner wheels or handles stuck out too much or interfered with sliding into overhead bins.
We also noted the warranties or guarantees offered by each brand and factored them into the value of each piece.
Key considerations
Wheels
All spinner luggage has four to eight wheels on struts, one strut per corner, that swivel 360 degrees.
- The wheel elements on spinner wheels are usually made of polyurethane, rubber or plastic.
- Look for spinner wheels that resemble those of inline skates, either single (four wheels per bag, one per strut) or double (eight wheels per bag, two per strut). These should offer smooth, durable performance.
- Watch out for poorly constructed wheels that may sag or bend under the weight of a fully packed suitcase. Avoid furniture-style ball casters.
- Bonus features include shock-absorbing wheels and wheels that lock in the direction you’re moving.
- Spinner-wheel struts extend either partially or fully from the bottom of the suitcase. Tall struts that are completely offset from the luggage bottom are more vulnerable to damage than partially inset wheels, but the wells of inset wheels take up some of the luggage’s internal capacity.
- The struts and strut mounts can be common places of breakage in spinner luggage. A reputable brand should offer repair or replacement of wheels to spinner luggage under warranty.
Our top picks: Wheels and maneuverability
- The Away Bigger Carry-On’s wheels withstood rough handling and moved smoothly on a variety of terrain, including European cobblestone streets.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner’s wheels magnetically align to each other while you’re moving and are impressively quiet on various terrains.
- The July Checked Trunk, despite its size, was one of the most effortless to roll of all the luggage we tested, with smooth action and straight motion.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On boasts shock-absorbing wheels that moved effortlessly in our testing.
Size
Spinner luggage comes in various sizes, from small underseat totes to massive trunks. Their spinner wheels make them highly maneuverable regardless of size, an asset when moving a large, fully packed checked-size suitcase.
Checked luggage
Checked spinner luggage, like all checked baggage, needs to have a total linear dimension of no more than 67 inches, length plus width plus depth, and a maximum weight when fully packed of 50 pounds. You can often be forgiven for having suitcases a little bit bigger than this maximum, but airlines can be strict about weight, so keep your spinner’s weight while empty in mind.
Carry-on luggage
Carry-on luggage for plane travel needs to fit into an airline’s size requirements for cabin baggage. Each airline has its own rules, but in general, carry-on spinners need to be at most 21 to 22 inches tall, including the wheels and struts; 14 to 15 inches wide; and 9 to 10 inches deep, with international flights having smaller, stricter requirements. A carry-on spinner needs to move smoothly down a cramped plane aisle and lift easily to and from an overhead bin.
Other forms of travel, such as trains, allow bigger luggage as carry-ons. Amtrak suggests luggage no bigger than 75 inches in total linear dimension, bigger than an airplane checked bag, while Eurail suggests a single longest dimension no larger than 85 centimeters.
Hardside vs. softside
One of the first questions asked when considering luggage is whether to get hard-sided or soft-sided pieces. Spinners come in both hardside and softside versions.
Hardside
Hardside luggage feature rigid shells that keep their shape under pressure. They protect their contents from crushing or impacts, but they’re prone to scratch and scuff. Contemporary hardside spinners are often made of polypropylene, ABS or polycarbonate plastic, combining strength with flexibility and light weight. Aluminum suitcases are more expensive, more rigid, heavier and more durable.
Softside
Softside spinners have walls made of sturdy fabric, usually high-density polyester or nylon. Softside luggage is known for being flexible, which is helpful if you need to pack more items than expected or squeeze a carry-on into an overhead bin. It's also more durable in that it resists scratches, but it won’t protect its contents from crushing or impacts unless it has a strong internal frame.
Expandability
We all know how clothes somehow double in volume between going on a trip and coming back. Expansion allows spinner luggage to accommodate this phenomenon and provide room for souvenirs or new purchases. Looking for a spinner that won’t become unbalanced when expanded is important. Carry-on spinners also still need to fit into the cabin size requirements or be strong enough to go into checked baggage.
Our top picks: Expandability
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner offers 2 inches of expanded depth and has a tapered design so that it’s thicker at the bottom than the top, maintaining balance.
- The Samsonite Freeform Large Checked Spinner has an unzippable baffle that expands its depth by 1.5 inches.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On’s innovative compression system expands the carry-on’s depth by 25% with the push of a button and then compresses back to its original size once you push it closed.
Handles
A spinner suitcase’s trolley handle is almost as important as the quality of its wheels when it comes to mobility. A flimsy, shaky or poorly designed handle makes it difficult to guide the spinner or control it the way you need it to.
- Trolley handles can have one or two retractable posts.
- Look for a trolley handle with several stops to suit not only your height but also different uses. For example, a lower stop is useful when walking your spinner beside you, while a longer stop helps when pulling it behind you.
- The handle itself should have a soft, padded or contoured grip that’s comfortable to use. Your hand will thank you if you ever have to run between terminals or go searching for your accommodations.
- A spinner suitcase should also have at least two pull handles, one at the top and one at the side. Expect these to retract close to or fully within the case so as not to count against size requirements.
- A third pull handle, between the wheels, can be a desirable feature for more nimble handling, especially in carry-on spinners.
Our top picks: Handles
- The July Checked Trunk has a handle that felt buttery soft and multistop posts that offer 20 different possible height settings.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner has a contoured grip that felt comfortable in hand during testing, plus leather pull handles that looked and felt premium.
Organization and compression
All luggage, including spinner luggage, can benefit from additional interior organization to maximize the capacity of their compartments. These features can also be used for compression, which fits more items more efficiently into a spinner’s space.
- Hardside spinners typically open clamshell-style into two compartments, while softside spinners have a top lid opening and a single main compartment.
- The compartments of hardside spinners are typically separated by panels and dividers.
- Straps hold contents in place and add a measure of compression. When used with panels, they become a common way to compress a spinner’s contents.
- Toiletry bags and pouches help hold liquids or cosmetics and may be removable and transparent for inspection.
- Zip pockets keep smaller or more delicate items separate and secure. Softside bags often have interior and exterior zip pockets in their top lid.
- Welcome extras include laundry bags, shoe bags and sundries pouches.
Our top picks: Organization and compression
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Large Spinner impressed us with its integrated suiter for business clothes or dresses, and we loved all its different pockets and compartments.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Spinner has the most advanced compression system we’ve found, with multiple panels, straps and a push-to-lock feature.
- The Away Bigger Carry-On includes compression panels and straps, multiple pockets and an included laundry bag.
Security
If you’re concerned about the privacy and security of the contents of your spinner luggage, a luggage lock is your best friend. Look for a TSA-compatible luggage lock, which TSA agents can unlock with a special key but which will thwart anyone else. Most mid-priced and premium spinner luggage includes a built-in combination TSA lock.
Another security issue you might overlook is your luggage tag. A luggage tag that has all contact info easily readable can be a privacy problem. Look for luggage tags that obscure your name, address and contact info unless specifically opened.
Our top picks: Security
- The Away Bigger Carry-On has a TSA combination lock located on its top for easy access that’s also almost flush with the case to minimize snags and damage.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Spinner comes with a TSA combination lock on a cable that allows you to secure all its external zip compartments.
FAQ
Q. Does spinner luggage usually include a warranty?
A. Most spinner suitcases do feature some type of warranty coverage, but it varies from bag to bag. Some models only offer a few years of warranty protection, while others provide up to 10. You can even find some spinner suitcases that feature a lifetime warranty, so the manufacturer will repair or replace the bag if necessary.
Q. Is spinner luggage a good choice if I have back or shoulder pain?
A. A spinner suitcase is actually an ideal option if you have back or shoulder issues. Because its wheels spin in every direction, you don’t have to pull the bag behind you when it’s heavy, which can put stress on your back and shoulder.
Q. Is spinner luggage suitable for children?
A. Spinner luggage actually works very well for kids old enough to handle their own bags. Because the wheels move in every direction, they’re able to push it, which is much easier than having to pull a fully packed suitcase.
Our expertise
Jmar Gambol has traveled internationally since the age of 7 with decades of experience navigating airports, train terminals, bus terminals, subway stations, taxi stands and hotels. He learned how to pack a suitcase at a young age and has enjoyed using and maintaining luggage for most of his life. He remembers the days before spinner wheels and can vouch for how spinners have transformed the ease of traveling with luggage. He has written for BestReviews for three years.
