Heading out on a trip is fun, but packing for it can be daunting. Your luggage needs to be lightweight while providing the most room. Some airlines allow one or 2 bags free, while other airlines charge for checked bags. Either way, there is a weight limit; checking your bags will cost extra money if you exceed that limit. For this reason, we will review the best rated lightweight luggage with the most packing capacity for your belongings and still meet the weight limit.
So without further delay, let’s look at the top 5 picks for lightweight options in the large checked size.
Quick Overview Of The Best Rated Lightweight Luggage (Updated List)
| Rating | Preview | Product | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 |   | Amazon Basics Oxford Expandable Spinner Best Rated Lightweight Luggage | More Details |
| 4.6 |  | Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable with Double Spinner Best Rated Lightweight Luggage | More Details |
| 4.6 |  | Delsey Paris Alexis Lightweight Luggage, Large Expandable Spinner Best Rated Lightweight Luggage | More Details |
| 4.8 |  | Briggs & Riley Torq Large Spinner Best Rated Lightweight Luggage | More Details |
| 5.0 |  | Tumi Tegra-Lite Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled | More Details |
Why You Should Get The Best Rated Lightweight Luggage
The biggest reason to get the best rated lightweight luggage is to pack as much as possible and keep it under the weight restrictions to save a hefty overweight fee. A pair of Levi’s 501 jeans weigh 12.5 ounces which means if your luggage weighs a pound less than others, you can pack more clothes.
Buying Guide For The Best Rated Lightweight Luggage
To help you make a well-thought-out decision, we will discuss features to look for when buying the best rated lightweight luggage.
Weight
Naturally, the weight is the most important aspect of the best rated lightweight luggage. Look for a piece of luggage with a low weight when it is empty. Many manufacturers will say their suitcase is lightweight, yet the empty weight is 14 or 15 pounds.
Material
Lightweight suitcases come in soft-sided and hard-sided luggage. Soft-sided luggage usually has a higher empty weight. The 5 pieces of lightweight checked baggage we will review are all hard-sided. The material used for hard side shells is ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and aluminum.
- Thermoplastic known as ABS Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene is ABS which is a thermoplastic material. It is the most lightweight but less durable.
- Polycarbonate and polypropylene are the most lightweight material, and both are durable.
- Aluminum is the most durable and heaviest hard-side material.
For lightweight luggage, the best choice is polycarbonate or polypropylene.
Convenience
Convenience comes in many shapes. Does it have wheels that glide easily and pockets for the organization? The weight of luggage does include the wheels, but a suitcase that glides and is lightweight is a huge benefit.
Did the manufacturer put some extra space into their suitcase to make it easier for you to pack and organize?
Best Rated Lightweight Luggage Product Reviews
Let’s get rolling on our review of our top 5 picks for best rated lightweight luggage.
Amazon Basics is the best rated lightweight luggage at an affordable price. It is a 30.1 inch 97-liter expandable large suitcase. As a lightweight piece, it weighs 10.76 lbs with an unspecified monochromatic pattern material. The pattern is scratch resistant and stated as durable.
It has a very nice telescopic handle with 2 adjustable height settings and a handle on the top and side for easy lifting. In addition, the wheels are smooth-riding dual spinners with 360-degree movement.
Internally you will find numerous pockets to organize along with mesh inserts on the inner zippered panel.
Benefits
- 30.1 inch 97-liter
- Expandable
- Dual spinner wheels
- 2-position telescopic handle
- A side and top handle
- Lightweight at 10.76 lbs
- Scratch resistant
- Multiple pockets to organize
- One side zippered panel to secure panel your clothes in place
- TSA approved locks
Drawbacks
- It does not have a cinch strap to secure clothes in place.
- It does not indicate the outer shell material
Samsonite designed their Freeform luggage to be extremely light and durable, combining the strength and ability to move easily with a truly unique design and thoughtful integration of features. It’s a new level of performance, offering greater packing capacity, a more streamlined profile, and intelligent features integration.
With over 100 years of experience, Samsonite outdid itself with the 28-inch Freeform expandable spinner suitcase that only weighs 9.5 lbs. The larger size with a smaller dimension is a great size to pack all your needs and expands to 31.1 inches when needed.
This hardshell case has a durable, long-lasting polypropylene shell with a scratch-resistant texture for years of use and dependability.
Exterior features include a telescoping wide push button handle, top and side handles, multi-directional 360-degree double wheels, a built-in ID tag, and TSA-approved locks for safety.
The inside is fully lined with a zipper flap on one side and chinch straps on the other to securely hold your items in place. Also, there are numerous pockets for organization.
It is available in 18 colors to serve each person’s desire.
In addition, you have a 10-year limited warranty.
Benefits
- Expandable spinner suitcase
- 9.5 lbs
- A built-in ID tag
- Telescoping wide push button handle
- Polypropylene shell durable material
- TSA-approved locks
- Fully lined inside
- Tie-down straps
- Zipper flap on one side
- Plenty of pockets
- 18 color options
- 10-year limited warranty
Drawbacks
- Needs instructions to set the TSA approved combination lock.
Best Rated Lightweight Luggage
With over 75 years in the luggage business, Delsey Paris is a well-known french designer of suitcases and luggage accessories. Their design of the Alexis is no different. The Alexis is a 29-inch expandable piece that ranks among the best in affordable and durable cases.
The expansion capability is up to 32 inches which makes this one large enough to handle any long trip or family trip, and it only weighs 10.3 lbs empty.
The outer shell is a durable ABS material with a striated design to keep up with the most expensive designer companies. The unique exterior shell design will help it appear newer for longer.
Easily move the Delsey Alexis around on dual multi-directional spinner wheels and a comfortable grip telescoping trolley handle that hides away when not in use. In addition, it has TSA-approved locks for added security.
Internally find a fully lined suitcase with multiple storages to make organizing easy and cinch straps to hold your items in place.
With a 5-year limited warranty, our best Delsey luggage review discovers a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Benefits
- 75 years of experience
- Expandable to 32 inches to increase packing space.
- 10.3 lbs empty
- Durable ABS material
- Beautiful sleek design
- Dual multi-directional spinner wheel
- Comfort grip telescoping trolley handle
- TSA approved locks
- Fully lined
- Multiple storage pockets
- Cinch straps
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- 5-year limited warranty
Drawbacks
- Delsey no longer makes this line, but they do stand behind it, which makes this suitcase a great price point.
Best Rated Lightweight Luggage
Briggs and Riley Luggage have almost 30 years of experience in the luggage business. They designed the Torq luggage line to stand up against the wear and tear from frequent world travel.
The features surpass most luggage with an outer shell of 3-layer Makrolon® polycarbonate material, making it a strong, lightweight case to withstand wear and tear and is scratch-resistant.
It is 30.5 inches and only weighs 10.5 lbs.
Briggs & Riley’s telescopic retractable handle is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and placed on the outside to allow more internal packing capacity. It features an ergonomic handle with 3 height positions.
YKK® RC zippers offer self-repairing with smooth zip and double pulls. In addition, it has TSA Compliant locks and a leather plate for monogramming to customize your luggage.
It provides a wide base with 360-degree ball baring double spinner wheels. Never worry about your luggage tipping over with these incredible features.
Internally, Briggs and Riley have pulled out all the luxuries with camouflage lining and cinch ties to secure your clothes. On the other side of this 70/30 opening, you will find a mesh pocket that zips in place to hold belongings.
In addition, the Torq has a built-in garment bag that holds 2 suits and holds them in place to prevent wrinkles.
Briggs & Riley are well known for its lifetime guarantee. If anything happens to your luggage, they will repair or replace it as long as you own it.
Benefits
- Weighs 10.5 lbs
- 3-layer Makrolon® polycarbonate material
- Aircraft-grade aluminum telescopic handle
- 3-height ergonomic handle
- YKK® RC zippers
- TSA Compliant combination locks
- Leather plate for monogramming
- 360-degree ball baring double spinner wheels
- Wide base
- Camouflage lining
- Cinch tie
- 70/30 opening
- Mesh pocket that zips in place
- Built-in garment bag
- Lifetime warranty
Drawbacks
- It is a bit pricey, but with a lifetime guarantee, what can go wrong?
Expandable 4 Wheeled
Best Rated Lightweight Luggage
With the Cadillac of all luggage comes the Tumi Tegra-Lite large suitcase, which is perfect for international travel. The outer shell material is Tegris, a composite of 100% polypropylene built for high impact with bumpers on the corners.
Although this suitcase does weigh a bit heavier at 13.5 lbs, it is 31 inches with a 118 L packing capacity. With the larger capacity, it can be heavier and still offer tremendous functional room.
It opens differently than traditional hard shell cases, which lie flat in the middle. The Tegra-Lite opens like a softshell case in a split design leaving more room to pack and a wide open mouth.
It offers a 2-inch expansion with an anti-warp zipper for longevity and strength.
The telescopic pull handle has 3 position adjustments to meet your height, and Tumi offers their famous Tumi tracer to track your luggage. In addition, this beautifully functional suitcase has 4 stable, smooth, gliding spinner wheels, TSA built-in locks, and luggage tags.
On one side, you have 4 small feet to protect your case when lying down to pack with a side and top carrying handle.
The interior boasts a lining of recycled materials and compression straps to help keep your items in place and prevent wrinkles. In addition, you can hang selected items on a hanger bracket inside your suitcase and a large mesh zipper pocket.
Tumi offers a 5-year limited warranty.
Benefits
- Tegris which is a composite of 100% polypropylene
- Bumpers on the corners
- 118 L packing capacity
- It opens with a split design
- 2-inch expansion for plenty of space
- Side protective feet
- Top and side carry handle
- 3-position telescopic handles
- Dual spinner wheels
- Tumi tracer
- TSA approved luggage locks
- Luggage tags
- The interior lining of recycled material
- Compression straps
- Large mesh zippered pocket
- Hanger bracket
- 5-year limited warranty
Drawbacks
- It does have a higher price tag because it is a luxury bag.
FAQs About The Best Rated Lightweight Luggage
Here are some commonly asked questions about the best rated lightweight luggage.
Is there a weight limit for luggage?
TSA has set a guideline of 50 lbs as the maximum weight for a checked bag. Each airline can set its weight limit, so please check the airline you fly for their guidelines.
What is the best checked luggage size?
TSA guidelines for checked luggage is 62 linear inches. To find the linear inches of your luggage, add the length, width, and height.
What size suitcase do I need for a 7 day trip?
The answer depends on how you pack. If you are a streamlined packer, you can go with a smaller bag, but if you pack all but your kitchen sink, then you will need a 28 to 32 inches suitcase.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on Luggage, here are some additional posts about Luggage:
Best Rated Lightweight Luggage – Conclusion
This concludes our review of the best rated lightweight luggage; although I prefer 2 of the 5 reviewed, all are excellent choices. Samsonite has great reviews and offers more for your money. At the same time, the Briggs and Riley have a great warranty and many incredible features.
Happy travels, my friends.
