Tech & Gear Luggage The 9 Best Luggage Items Under $300 of 2023 By Erika Owen Erika Owen Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Erika Owen is a self-proclaimed Professional Iceland Enthusiast, covering everything from boutique hotels to ATV tours. She's also a product reviewer who's tested out everything from airplane pillows to travel adapters for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 01/27/23 Share Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Choosing the right suitcase may feel overwhelming, as there have never been more options on the market. But one fantastic thing about that is you can find a solid piece of luggage at any budget. If you’re hoping to keep costs low, you won’t be forced to sacrifice all of the bells and whistles that come with more expensive options. From smart luggage and hardshell designs to chic duffel bags and bold softshell suitcases, there’s plenty of style to go around, no matter how much you’re looking to invest. Ahead you’ll find our favorite picks for luggage under $300, from massive duffle bags to an especially eye-catching carry-on suitcase. The Rundown Best Overall, Carry-On: Calpak Terrazzo 22-Inch Hard Shell Spinner Carry-On Suitcase at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Overall, Checked: Away The Medium at Awaytravel.com Jump to Review Best $100 or Below (tie): Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner at Amazon Jump to Review Best $100 or Below (tie): Kenneth Cole Reaction Hardside Spinner at Amazon Jump to Review Best Hardshell: Monos Carry On Plus Spinner at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Softshell: Lipault Plume Medium Trip Packing Case at Amazon Jump to Review Best Set: Traveler's Choice Pagosa Indestructible Hardshell Expandable Spinner Luggage Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Small Duffel: Calpak Luka Duffle Bag at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Large Duffel: Samsonite Tote-A-Ton Duffel Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall, Carry-On Calpak Terrazzo 22-Inch Hard Shell Spinner Carry-On Suitcase Calpak View On Nordstrom View On Calpaktravel.com What We Like TSA-approved lock Waterproof accessory bag Bold design What We Don't Like The handle sticks a bit Sometimes an eye-catching carry-on bag is exactly what you need to quell travel anxiety—after all, it is easy to grab someone else's bag when they all kind of look the same. This terrazzo-print suitcase from Calpak fits most airlines' requirements for carry-on luggage and is surprisingly lightweight. The multidirectional spinner wheels make it easy to drag this bag from terminal to terminal, plus there's an expansion sleeve built in so you have extra room for those unexpected souvenirs. Price at time of publication: $195 Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 21.5 x 15 x 10 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds Best Overall, Checked Away The Medium Away View On Awaytravel.com What We Like Great color options 360-degree spinner wheels Hidden laundry bag What We Don't Like Scratches easily Away has become a beloved travel brand for many reasons, but its low price point and minimalist design top the list. This is one of the brand’s checked suitcases, packing a ton of interior space—you can easily fit a week’s worth of essentials in this suitcase. The rich color options are also an unexpected quality of this budget-friendly piece of luggage, from a deep forest green to a sparkly saffron. The spacious interior pocket includes a compression system and a zippered mesh divider. The tough polycarbonate shell is durable, but the lighter colors of this suitcase will show scratches. Price at time of publication: $345 Capacity: 68.8 liters | Dimensions: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | Weight: 9.9 pounds Best $100 or Below (tie) Amazon Basics 26-Inch Hardside Spinner 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Smooth maneuverability Price point Nice design What We Don't Like Prone to scratching Amazon's hardside luggage could pass for a more glamorous brand like Away at first glance. And while it might not have all the features of a more upscale suitcase, it's got all the space, durability, and maneuverability you need at an incredible price point. The four-wheeled bag is expandable and comes in four attractive colors. During testing at the Lab, we could fit seven separate outfits, five dresses, a few sweaters, a couple of purses, three pairs of shoes, and some souvenirs. That was without opening the expander, which adds 2 inches more depth. It maneuvered skillfully on four wheels, except for a bit of sway. The biggest disadvantage was that scratches were highly visible after some durability testing. All-in-all, this is a good pick for a great price. Price at time of publication: $111 TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik Best $100 or Below (tie) Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds Hardside Spinner 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Great color options Durable design What We Don't Like Not expandable This hardshell suitcase from Kenneth Cole punches way above its weight class when it comes to quality. Made of a tough ABS polymer, it features protective guards on each corner of the case to help remove some of the shock from unexpected falls and bumps. The interior features a tear-resistant lining, an organization pocket, and compression straps. The durability, organization, and style boxes are all checked with this pick. And it doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to comfort, either. The handle measures 41 inches when fully extended, and the wheels spin in all directions for easy maneuvering. Price at time of publication: $100 Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 26 x 18.5 x 10.25 inches | Weight: 8.4 pounds Best Hardshell Monos Carry On Plus Spinner 4.7 Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Monos.com What We Like Telescopic handle Great style TSA-approved lock What We Don't Like May need to be checked on smaller airplanes Travel brand Monos packs a lot of style into its suitcases, and it's particularly true with its Carry-On Plus Spinner. Most hardshell carry-on suitcases are pretty rigid in design and don't offer much expansion when it comes to packing. This option is slightly bigger than the brand's classic carry-on suitcase, measuring 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches (easily enough for up to a week's worth of clothing). Plus, it's super durable, thanks to a polycarbonate shell. It was also designed to be stored in the larger suitcases from Monos, as well, which is a perk that can never be underestimated. Price at time of publication: $265 Capacity: 48 liters | Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 7.38 pounds The Best Carry-On Luggage of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Softshell Lipault Plume Medium Trip Packing Case Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Bold color options Comfortable handle Multidirectional wheels What We Don't Like Lighter color options show dirt and scuffs The color options for this suitcase from the French brand Lipault are absolutely stunning, from a cobalt blue to a saturated bordeaux. This suitcase comes with a bit of give when it comes to how much you can pack inside. There’s also a sleek and subtle zippered pocket on the front of this suitcase, making it hard for anyone to sneak into your things without you seeing them. The double wheels are also worth mentioning, as they were designed to keep your suitcase sturdy and upright on the tightest of turns. Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 24.8 x 17.8 x 9.8 inches | Weight: 5.6 pounds Best Set Traveler's Choice Pagosa Indestructible Hardshell Expandable Spinner Luggage 2-Piece Set Amazon View On Amazon What We Like USB port Great color options Expandable design What We Don't Like The wheels could be sturdier As the name suggests, this set of two suitcases is made of textured polypropylene, which is a wonderful surface for hiding scratches and scrapes. The set includes a 22-inch carry-on and a 26-inch checked bag, both expandable thanks to an adjustable zipper design. The carry-on suitcase also has a USB port built into the bag, making it easy to charge your devices on the go. Another underrated design detail: The interior features four pockets, which encourages better organization by default. Price at time of publication: $180 Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 22 x 14.25 x 9.25 inches and 26 x 17 x 11 inches | Weight: 6.3 pounds and 8.2 pounds The 8 Best Smart Luggage Items of 2023 Best Small Duffel Calpak Luka Duffle Bag Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Calpaktravel.com What We Like Scratch-resistant Shoe pocket Shoulder strap included What We Don't Like Lighter color options can stain Sometimes a duffel bag is a beat-up canvas sack that houses a tee shirt or two. Sometimes it’s a super-chic, ultra-organized powerhouse of packing. The Luka Duffle from Calpak is undoubtedly the latter. Made of a soft, scratch-resistant polyester fabric, its cloud-like exterior houses tons of pockets and a surprising amount of space. This lightweight duffel also has a zippered side pocket that works great for storing an extra pair of shoes. Another helpful detail: There’s a sleeve on the back of the bag, so you can pop it over your suitcase handle. Price at time of publication: $120 Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.95 pounds Tested: The 11 Best Weekender Bags of 2023 Best Large Duffel Samsonite Tote-A-Ton Duffel Bag 3.4 Samsonite View On Amazon View On Samsonite.com What We Like Easy storage Lots of packing space What We Don't Like Few pockets A duffel bag is always a good option when you need to pack a lot of (non-fragile) items together in one space. This option from Samsonite doesn’t lie: You can really store a ton of clothing in this bag. Available in 11 colors, this duffle also packs down super small so that you can slip it into a closet or under a bed. The biggest downside is that you won’t find many pockets built into this design (there is one zippered pocket on the interior and one on the outside of the bag). If you’re looking to travel with breakable items, this may not be your best option. It also makes a great gym bag. Price at time of publication: $40 Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 33 x 17 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 1 pound The 9 Best Samsonite Luggage Items of 2023 Why Trust TripSavvy Erika Owen is a frequent traveler and matching-set enthusiast (she owns the cobalt blue spinner from Lipault mentioned in this article…and a duffel in the same color). All of these suggestions have been tested or researched for durability, quality, packing space, and more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 9 below. Continue to 9 of 9 below.