Reliable luggage brands on a budget

Suitcases can cost as much as £1,000. But there's no need to spend a fortune. You can get a full-sized cheap suitcase from one well-rated brand for as little as £60 and cabin bags from another luggage manufacturer that punches above its weight for around £40.

We surveyed more than 1,300 people to find cheap suitcase and cabin bag brands that are durable, easy to use, and stylish.

Here are some of our favourite brands that won't break the bank and where you can buy them. Plus, one popular brand that's not worth the money.

Or head straight to our guides of the best suitcase brands and best cabin bag brands to get the full breakdown on brands from Eastpak and Samsonite to John Lewis and Primark.

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Best value for money suitcase brands

Tripp (81%): durable and light

Average price paid: £64

Tripp customers really like their Tripp suitcases. In our survey, they were found to be quiet to move around and easy to carry. They are light too, which is helpful when accommodating strict airline weight restrictions. The brand falters slightly on the choice of pockets on offer, but this is a common problem with hard-shell cases, which make up the majority of Tripp's designs. You might get a mark on the hard shell, but its materials, zips, handles and wheels are sturdy enough to last a while.

Tripp customers found that their suitcases are quiet to move around and easy to carry. The brand scored four star out of five for how light its cases are when empty, too, which is helpful for accommodating strict airline weight restrictions. The brand falters slightly for the lack of pockets on offer, but this is a common problem with hard-shell cases, which make up the majority of Tripp's designs. And while its hard shell designs do get scuffed, according to some members, its materials, zips, handles and wheels are sturdy enough to last a while.

On average, customers paid almost exactly half the price for a Tripp case compared to the top-scoring brand in our survey, Eastpak, but its customer score was only 2% lower. This makes the brand a real bargain.

Below we've listed some of the popular Tripp suitcases available at retailers. Click on 'view offer' to buy.

Soft-sided or hard shell? Four wheels or two? If you're not sure what design to go for, read our five top tips on what to look for in your next suitcase.

Marks and Spencer (78%): respectable suitcases for easy wheeling

Average price paid: £80

Marks and Spencer's cases didn't receive the same high praise as Tripp's for how easy they were to carry, but they secured four stars for a number of other features. They were found to be quiet and easy to move around, with robust materials, handles and zips.

You are currently unable to buy M&S suitcases online, but you can peruse the ranges and then shop in-store. 

See the full list of suitcase brands we recommend, including the more expensive brands that seriously impressed.

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Best affordable cabin bag brands

Cabin Max (83%): a practical long-lasting choice

Average price paid: £37

Cabin Max tries to take the confusion out of airline restrictions by naming their cabin bags after the airlines dimenions their meet. The brand makes numerous designs - from backpacks that fit neatly under the seat in front of you, to (slightly more expensive) cases with wheels for overhead lockers. 

Its reasonable prices don't mean you have to compromise on the important things. It scored five stars in our survey for how light and easy the bags are to carry, whilst having robust handles and zips. There are plenty of pockets, too, to help you maximise the space you have and organise your belongings. 

Compare prices of its popular cabin bags by clicking on the links below.

IT Luggage (83%): stylish and light

Average price paid: £39

IT Luggage's cabin bags are well-regarded by owners, but they didn't receive the same high praise as Cabin Max's for their pockets and storage space, or the durability of their handles. But they have other great features. For instance, IT Luggage sells fairly lightweight bags. Plus, one customer liked their case's clever design, telling us, 'the handle runs down the side instead of in the middle, making packing the case easier.'

Click through to retailers below to buy popular IT Luggage cabin bags.

We surveyed twelve cabin bag brands to separate the gems from the duds. See the full results in our best cabin bag brands guide.

A cheap but forgettable cabin bag brand 

Amazon Basic (69%)

Average price paid: £27

It might be tempting to buy a cheap cabin bag from Amazon Basics, but owners found that many of the features of their bags were mediocre. 

Customers told us cabin bags were light, but this didn't translate into being the easiest to carry. The straps and handles weren't the comfiest to hold and didn't stand the test of time. It was found to be the least stylish brand in our survey too, and while this doesn't affect its functionality, it's always nice to carry a smart bag. Spending a little more with the brands we've chosen above is a better investment.

To get access to our latest travel product survey results, as well as tips and advice on destinations and who to book with, join Which? Travel