Best Lightweight Luggage 2026

Traveling light starts with lightweight luggage—that should also be durable and spacious. Our travel team researched dozens of popular models from reputable brands, and enlisted a panel of staff testers who evaluated our top selections on a variety of trips. Collectively, we determined that the best lightweight suitcase is the Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner, which weighs only 4.6 pounds, while the Travelpro Maxlite 5 is a great pick for value.

After road-testing 10 contenders on a variety of trips, we selected seven that performed the best during our travels.

Beyond weight, our panel testers evaluated each suitcase’s durability, organizational features, maneuverability and more. Below, find the best lightweight luggage for 2026, along with a useful buying guide to help you pick the right one for your next adventure.

After extensive testing, the Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-on Spinner earned the top spot on our list, thanks to its lightweight construction and durability. It weighs under 5 pounds, and the Roxkin exterior can take a beating, according to our tester. “I tested three different suitcases to see which one was more durable, and the Samsonite was the clear winner,” she says. “It fell down concrete stairs multiple times and barely had a scratch.” Beyond the smooth wheels, telescoping aluminum handle and integrated TSA-approved lock, it features a built-in USB port so you can easily charge your device on the go.

The July Checked suitcase is our travel team’s top lightweight pick for long-haul trips or when you need more packing space. This suitcase weighs a little over 8 pounds, meaning it won’t be too difficult to haul off the carousel, and its interiors offer an ideal amount of space for a two-week trip. It’s crafted from the same German polycarbonate shell as the rest of the brand’s suitcases, which protects your belongings in transit. “This bag came home from our two-week trip to France—which included planes, cars and trains—with just a couple of scratches on the corners,” says our tester. “Despite being lightweight, it was definitely durable. I was pleasantly surprised at how little it was scuffed through our travels.”

If you prefer traveling with softside luggage and value design, Calpak’s Terra Softside Carry-On has a recycled polyester shell that’s sleek, durable and water-resistant. There are a handful of pockets—two on the outside and three on the inside—to help you stay organized, though our tester noted that this model is better suited for short getaways. Another standout feature of this suitcase is the smooth, 360-degree spinner wheels and light frame, which enhance maneuverability. “I can rotate it in a 360-degree circle with one hand, and it smoothly glides along the floor,” says our tester, who used this bag on two trips to Denver and Nebraska. “It’s easy to make sharp turns in the airport and has an effortless pull.”

Despite this bag’s relatively affordable price, it scored high marks thanks to its lightweight material, durability and smooth-rolling wheels that make it easy to maneuver. It’s built with a heavy-duty polyester exterior, an ergonomic PowerScope handle and two exterior compartments for organization. “Aside from being super lightweight, the best part about this bag is its smooth rolling capabilities,” says our tester, who traveled with this suitcase on a trip to Madrid. “I have had a tried-and-true favorite suitcase for many years, and when I used this model I was shocked by the difference. I am also on the taller side, and appreciated that the handle came up to a comfortable height when fully extended.”

Weighing a mere 4.9 pounds, this elegant Rimowa suitcase is over two pounds lighter than nearly any other hardside luggage we evaluated (besides the Samsonite), and it glides effortlessly over any surface thanks to its celebrated ball-bearing mounted wheels. “I’ve never had a carry-on suitcase that’s so easy to lift into a tall overhead storage compartment,” says our tester. “It’s an excellent investment for a frequent traveler.” The suitcase is also made from a durable polycarbonate that will last for years, and Rimowa provides a generous lifetime warranty that replaces any damaged parts.

If you like to toggle between using a carry-on or checking luggage, or are planning to go shopping on your travels, you’ll appreciate this lightweight option from Away, which has a wraparound expandable zipper so you can squeeze in a few extra items like souvenirs on your return trip. “This quickly became my favorite suitcase to travel with,” one of our testers says. “It’s very lightweight and sturdy; I threw it into the back of cabs, tugged it over curbs and tossed it on the luggage rack in the hotel room with ease.” It includes the same features as the Away The Carry On, so expect an interior compression system, 360-degree spinner wheels and a durable polycarbonate shell.

The Monos Carry-On is a stylish, functional top choice with countless helpful features to make travel days easier. The aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell provides superior protection from rough baggage handling, and there’s a built-in TSA-approved lock and heavy-duty YKK zippers. “I’ve been using this for work trips or solo travel for years now, and it still looks practically good as new,” says our tester, who notes that she’s never checked it but has definitely thrown it around on her travels. The inside is lined with soft, anti-microbial polyester, and there’s a compression pad with nylon straps to help you maximize the available packing space.

Other Lightweight Luggage We Tested And Recommend

In addition to the seven suitcases featured above, there were other tested models that, while satisfactory, didn’t make our final list. Depending on what you’re looking for, they may fit your specific needs—which is why we included them here.

• Best For Occasional Travelers:Amazon Basics 21-Inch Expandable Carry-On: For travelers on a tight budget, this under-$100 option is durable enough to be tossed around one or two times a year. “This suitcase held up beautifully after several cross-country flights,” says our tester. However, since it’s made of ABS plastic rather than polycarbonate, its longevity may falter with heavy use.
• Best For Multi-Week Trips: Antler Soft Stripe Large (Discontinued For Antler Soft Stripe Large 2.0): Despite being one of the largest suitcases we tested, the Antler Soft Stripe Large is one of the lightest pieces of luggage on our list. “This suitcase is so lightweight that when it’s unpacked, it’s light enough to be lifted up with one finger,” says our tester. Its large size, though, makes it a worthwhile investment only if you’re going on a longer trip or need to pack multiple bulky items.

How We Tested The Best Lightweight Luggage

To determine the best lightweight luggage, our travel team sought out trustworthy suitcase brands, including top styles featured in our luggage guides, to find options that fit our criteria. Our selection process combined expert analysis with extensive field testing.

Initial Research And Shortlisting

We created a shortlist of 10 suitcases to evaluate. Our team analyzed key features to assess the overall value and help readers pinpoint the best option for their needs, specifically focusing on the following criteria.

• Materials and durability: Whether you prefer a soft or hard suitcase, we sought out suitcases made from durable materials that stand up to rough handling.
• Exterior dimensions: We ensured that our carry-on options fall within the size guidelines that most domestic airlines adhere to.
• Total weight: Since airlines have weight limits for checked luggage, we looked for the lightest suitcases so you can pack more weight inside.
• Interior organization: We prioritized suitcases with thoughtful features including compression systems and zippered pockets.

Real-World Field Testing

Our editors assessed feedback from staff testers, who took these 10 suitcases on short domestic journeys to long-haul international flights. Along the way, they made note of how each suitcase performed in real-world scenarios, highlighting particular strengths or drawbacks in the design.

Evaluation And Verification

To refine our list, we only included luggage that our panelists rated 4 stars or higher for the most important criteria: materials, weight, capacity and extra features (such as TSA-approved locks and interior organization). Additionally, our final selections were reviewed by deputy editor Jane Sung, who ensured that all the suitcases are high quality and fit their respective superlatives.

What To Consider In The Best Lightweight Luggage

“When it comes to choosing the right lightweight suitcase, it’s not just about finding the lowest possible weight—it’s about choosing an option that doesn’t compromise on performance,” says Juan Phillips, vice president of product design and innovation at TravelPro. Beyond the weight of the suitcase, size, material and additional features are other factors to consider.

Size

The size of your suitcase directly impacts its weight. Carry-on luggage, which is designed to fit in the overhead storage bin of airplanes, almost always weighs less than larger, checked luggage. However, carry-on suitcases offer less packing room, so they’re best suited to shorter trips, while checked suitcases are better for longer trips of a week or more.

Materials

The most common luggage materials for softside luggage include nylon and polyester, synthetic materials known for their strength, durability and water resistance. “Softside luggage is [typically] built with abrasion-resistant fabrics designed to take a beating and still look great,” says Phillips. “It’s also more flexible, which helps it absorb impact and handle the bumps and pressure of frequent travel with ease.” Softside luggage generally weighs less than hardside luggage, but there are lightweight hardside options out there, like the Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin, which weighs 4.9 pounds.

Hardside luggage is typically made from polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or aluminum. While hardside options can offer superior durability and excellent protection during in-flight turbulence, they’re typically heavier than softside options. Plus, hard materials like aluminum can be more susceptible to dents and scratches.

Extra Features

Most suitcases come outfitted with helpful features such as built-in TSA-approved luggage locks or a padded tech sleeve to store your laptop safely. Other useful extras can include packing cubes, a laundry bag, multiple interior pockets and an included luggage tag. Consider which elements will be most useful to you when evaluating different options.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted travel vertical contains researched, tested and expert-backed guides to help you make the most of your trip. We’ve published dozens of luggage roundups to help you select the best suitcase for all your journeys, near and far.

• Relatedly, we’ve rounded up the best luggage of 2026, the best carry-on bags, the best hardside luggage and the best luggage for international travel.
• Katherine Louie, the author of this piece, is a lifestyle editor with extensive experience covering travel and lifestyle topics. She has written multiple luggage guides, including the best softside luggage and the best underseat luggage.
• All of the picks in this story were reviewed by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the travel section. She edited this piece and provided long-term testing on a number of the models.

Our Experts

• Juan Phillips, vice president of product design and innovation at Travelpro.