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Whether your teen is off to their first year of college or traveling overseas for a semester abroad they’ll need a suitcase that can haul their essentials — preferably in style. The best luggage for college students and young adults is lightweight and roomy, but also has a streamlined design that doesn’t take up too much space in a dorm room or small apartment.
To find the best luggage for college students, I considered size, weight, material, and capacity. After going through dozens of options, these are our top ten picks. These make excellent grad gifts, too!
Our Top Picks:
- Best Budget Luggage: Amazon Basics 30-Inch Ripstop Wheeled Duffel – $79.16 at Amazon
- Best Checked Luggage: Samsonite 28-Inch Freeform Large Spinner – $178.49 at Amazon
- Best Splurge Luggage: Away 26-Inch The Medium – $345 at Amazon
- Best Luggage Set: Level8 Luminous Textured 2-Piece Set – $389.99 at Amazon
Reviews of the best luggage for college students
1. Best Budget Luggage: Amazon Basics 30-Inch Ripstop Wheeled Duffel
Duffels are great for college students because they can hold a lot and they fold flat for easy storage. The Amazon Basics Ripstop Wheeled Duffel is just that, plus it’s a great value at under $100 while still being especially spacious. The 30-inch size has an 87-liter capacity — for reference, that means it can fit at least three weeks’ worth of clothes and shoes! If you need even more space, it’s available in a 35-inch size, too.
And while bigger bags can get heavy fast, this one has large, durable wheels that make it easy to haul. For easier organization, there are several separate compartments, plus a front pocket where you can keep essentials within reach. When your student is not using it, they can fold the fabric down and slide the empty duffel under their bed so it doesn’t take up too much space in their dorm.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 33” L x 16” W x 14.5’’ H (with handle down)
- Weight: 10.6 pounds
- Capacity: 87 liters
- Material: 100% polyester
- Warranty: 1-year
The Pros:
- Budget-friendly price
- Large capacity
- Lies flat for storage
The Cons:
- Soft fabric isn’t as durable as hard shells
- Shorter warranty than others
What Others Are Saying:
The Amazon Basics Ripstop Wheeled Duffel has more than 6,300 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 stars.
Buy the Amazon Basics Ripstop Wheeled Duffel (30-Inch):
2. Best Checked Luggage: Samsonite 28-Inch Freeform Large Spinner
Checked bags can take a beating, so you want to invest in one that can resist scuffs and scratches. While some minor damage is inevitable, the Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner has an ultra-durable shell that reviewers say holds up well over time.
In addition to its durability, the size also makes this one a winner. This checked bag is spacious as is, but it also expands an additional 1.5 inches, so you can fit a lot inside. And despite its extra-large size, this bag still weighs under 10 pounds, so it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Other callouts are a 3-dial TSA-approved combination lock, a built-in ID tag, and double wheels that glide effortlessly. It’s also reasonably priced for a hardshell bag of this size and comes in 15 fun colors, from classic black to lilac purple.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 20.9” L x 13.8” W x 31.1” H
- Weight: 9.6 pounds
- Capacity: Not stated
- Material: Polypropylene
- Warranty: 10-year limited
The Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Scuff-resistant
- Comes in 15 colors
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- Some reviewers say the lock can be finicky
- Handle can be flimsy
What Others Are Saying:
Travel and Leisure named Samsonite one of the best luggage brands and called out the Freeform series specifically. This luggage also has a 4.3-star rating from over 17,000 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner:
3. Best Splurge: Away 26-Inch The Medium
If you have a little more wiggle room in your budget, you can’t go wrong with luggage from Away. It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular travel brands because the suitcases are modern and design-forward — a great fit for college students.
The Medium, which comes in 10 colors, can hold up to two weeks’ worth of clothes and has three mesh pockets and an extra hanging pocket for ultimate organization. Each bag also includes a polyester laundry bag, a nice bonus that can come in handy when traveling.
These bags are a bit heavier than similar-size options, but they have smooth-gliding wheels and an underside grab handle for easier lifting. And while this is an investment, you’re backed by a limited lifetime warranty, so if the luggage breaks down prematurely, Away will fix or replace it for you.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 18.5″ L x 11″ W x 26″ H
- Weight: 10.6 pounds
- Capacity: 68.8 liters
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
The Pros:
- Large capacity
- Covered by a lifetime warranty
- Comes in 10 colors
The Cons:
- Expensive
- On the heavier side
What Others Are Saying:
Wirecutter picked the Away The Medium as a Top Pick for hardside luggage for checking and CNN Underscored chose it as the best checked luggage overall.
Buy the Away The Medium:
4. Best Luggage Set: Level8 Luminous Textured 2-Piece
The Level8 Luminous Textured 2-Piece Set has a sleek, modern design that rivals higher-priced luggage. But it’s not just the aesthetic that makes this set stand out. There are two separate compartments on the inside for easier organization, plus compression X straps so your student can fit a lot inside, even though it’s not expandable. The telescoping handles also extend to four different heights and 360-degree spinner wheels make it easier to travel comfortably.
I like this 2-piece set specifically because you get a carry-on and the largest checked baggage, which has a huge 99-liter capacity. And while it’s definitely big, the carry-on nests inside of the larger bag for easier storage in a dorm. If your student needs more pieces, you can opt for a 3-piece set that includes a medium-sized checked bag, too.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 14.5” L x 9.2” W x 21.5” H (20-inch carry-on); 16.6” L x 13.3” W x 29.1” H (28-inch checked)
- Weight: 7.7 pounds (20-inch carry-on); 11.4 pounds (28-inch checked)
- Capacity: 40 liters (20-inch carry-on); 99 liters (28-inch checked)
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Warranty: 2 years
The Pros:
- Handles extend to four different heights
- Lightweight
- Can nest for storage
- Compression straps
The Cons:
- Not expandable
- Not scratch-resistant
- Warranty is shorter than others
What Others Are Saying:
This set has more than 3,600 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.4 stars.
Buy the Level8 Luminous Textured 2 Piece Set:
5. Monos Carry-On Plus (Amazon)
Monos makes extremely high-quality luggage that’s often recommended by professional product reviewers. This one offers aerospace-grade polycarbonate hard shell and whisper-quiet 360° spinner wheels that make navigating campus trips and weekend travel effortless, while the adjustable telescopic handle, TSA-accepted lock, and organized interior with compression straps help keep essentials secure and accessible.
With plenty of space for clothes, tech, and school gear, it meets most airline overhead bin requirements and combines sturdy construction with thoughtful design details.
6. Amazon Basics 28-Inch Hardside Spinner (Amazon)
This is an excellent option with a lot of reviews and a high rating. It’s a great budget-friendly option for college students traveling between campus and home or heading abroad for a semester. Its durable, scratch-resistant hard shell protects belongings, while the expandable design offers extra packing space.
Four smooth-rolling spinner wheels and a telescoping handle make it easy to navigate airports and train stations, and the built-in TSA lock adds an extra layer of security. Inside, a simple divider and zippered pockets help keep everything organized.
7. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Checked Luggage (Amazon)
This expandable spinner is a good option for those who prefer soft-sided luggage. It is a roomy checked suitcase that is perfect for longer breaks or semester moves — it expands for extra packing space, rolls smoothly on 360° spinner wheels, and has thoughtful interior organization with hold-down straps and accessory pockets to keep clothes and gear tidy.
8. TUMI 19 Degree Expandable 4-Wheeled Carryon (Amazon)
The TUMI 19 Degree Continental Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On is a lightweight, resilient carry-on for international and domestic travel. The carry on bag features four spinner wheels, a 3-stage telescoping handle, and a Low Profile Integrated Lock lock for secure, easy movement.
Built with high-quality materials and backed by TUMI’s trusted craftsmanship, this suitcase offers a monogramming option, integrated TUMI Tracer, and a built in USB-C charging port. This would be a splurge purchase but one your student or young adult would be thrilled to own.
9. SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller Luggage (Amazon)
This 21-inch carry-on with 360° spinner wheels and an expandable design makes packing for weekend trips easy. Made from durable polyester with a fully lined interior, it features handy organization like adjustable tie-down straps, a removable wet bag, and front pockets for quick access, while the telescoping handle and spinner wheels help you zip through airports with minimal effort.
10. NZBZ Vintage Luggage Sets for Women (Amazon)
This 3-piece set (20″, 24″, 28″) features classic crocodile-embossed faux leather, durable spinner wheels, TSA-approved locks, and a telescoping handle for smooth travel. Lightweight yet sturdy, each suitcase nests neatly for storage and comes with cross ribbons and dividers to keep belongings organized.
Bonus: a protective cover keeps luggage safe from dirt and damage. Ideal for weekend trips or longer adventures, and backed by a 5-year guarantee.
Why You Can Trust Us
I’m Madeleine Korn, a shopping writer and editor with years of experience researching the best products for teens, college students, and recent graduates. I stay up-to-date with trends and know which items are not only popular but also deliver real value. For this luggage guide, I developed a list of the best ideas for college students and young adults based on in-depth research. With recommendations from major retailers, trustworthy publications, and social media influencers, I selected a range of products, paying close attention to reviews and price tags.
I’m part of the Grown and Flown team, which includes three moms who’ve raised 8 young adults and have been working on product lists for over 14 years now, making them experts. When selecting products, they survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of over 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. They do opinion polls, surveys and ask open-ended questions. They search for products that combine reasonable prices with high quality and are recommended by our large following.
Everything to know before buying luggage
What to consider before buying luggage
When buying luggage for students or young adults, the most important considerations are size, weight, and durability. You’ll also want to think about how and where you’re going to store your luggage when you’re not using it.
Size: The first thing you should consider is the overall size of the luggage. How much space do they need, and how are they planning to travel? This can determine whether you should get a large, checked bag, or stick with a carry-on. You can also find mid-size bags that fit somewhere in between these two.
Weight: Weight is also important. When they are stuffing a suitcase full with their belongings, it’s going to get heavy, so you want to make sure the luggage itself doesn’t weigh too much. Weight is largely determined by the size of the suitcase, but the material (and the thickness of that material) plays a role, too. Try to stick to around 7 to 8 pounds for smaller bags and around 10 pounds for larger sizes.
Durability: If they’re going to spend a lot of time traveling or you anticipate their bag is going to take a beating, you want to make sure it’s made of a durable material. Polycarbonate hard shell suitcases are one of the most durable, but these can scuff or scratch pretty easily. If that bothers you, you may want soft-sided luggage instead.
Storage: You also want to think about how they’re going to store a bag when they’re not traveling. If they have extra space in a closet or under their bed, this may not be that big of a deal. But if they’re limited on space, you’ll want to get a suitcase that can fold, like a duffel. If you’re buying a set, you might also want to check if suitcases can nest inside of each other for storage.
How to pack things in luggage for college?
Packing for college is all about maximizing space. Since your teen likely won’t have a lot of storage space in their dorm or apartment, they’ll want to fit as much as they can into one or two suitcases instead of bringing a bunch of bags. One of the best things they can do is use packing cubes.
Packing cubes help compress your clothing so it takes up less space, and you can fit more. As an added bonus, they also help keep things organized. You can also roll your clothing instead of folding it, which can give you more room. And make sure to take advantage of extra pockets and compartments — fill all the space you can.
What size Is carry-on luggage?
The accepted size of carry-on luggage can vary between airlines. But generally, they should measure no more than 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that carry-on bags fit either in the overhead compartment or completely under your seat, and this is typically the maximum size that fits that bill.
What’s not allowed in checked luggage?
You can bring a lot on a plane, but there are some items that are off-limits. These include the following:
- any hazardous materials, like butane, bug repellent
- any flammable liquids or gels
- alcoholic beverages that are more than 140 proof
- any weapons of any kind or anything that could potentially be used as a weapon, like a baseball bat or box cutters
The TSA has a full list of restricted items you can double check. You may be able to bring some items in your checked baggage that you can’t put in a carry-on.
How to store luggage in a dorm?
This depends on the layout of the dorm room and how much space they have, but the best bets are usually under the bed or in a closet. Students can get bed risers to make more room under the bed, unless it is already lofted or they have a bunk bed. If they have more than one piece of luggage, they may be able to nest them inside each other to save some space.
They can also use luggage to their advantage when storing them — put items inside that they don’t have to use often, and then store the luggage under the bed. For example, if they’re going to school in an area with a changing climate, they can store jackets, scarves, and hats in the luggage for the summer and slide the whole thing under the bed.
Don’t forget to use the amazing IKEA Frakta bags as a way to transport bulky dorm things this fall. They are lightweight, durable enough to check and fold flat for storage inside a dorm until it is time to move out again.Finally, students should consider what their luggage needs are for the upcoming semester. If they are far from home and plan on flying home for the holidays, they might only need a carry-on bag, rather than a larger checked bag.
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Prices were accurate at time of publication.
