In short
Three things decide which suitcase suits you: how long you're travelling, how much you're taking, and whether you're flying. For short trips, a cabin suitcase with around 40 litres is enough; for longer trips, a large suitcase from about 100 litres. If you'll be doing a lot of walking, a travel backpack or wheeled duffel bag works better.
Looking for a suitcase test? We don't run our own tests: this selection is drawn from our range, based on availability, features and product data. From ten reviews onwards, we also mention the average rating, though it doesn't factor into the selection. You can read how Stiftung Warentest rated cabin suitcases in the article Stiftung Warentest: Cabin Suitcases 2026.
Quick pick: What type of traveller are you?
Large suitcasesFor trips of a week or longer
Cabin luggageFor short trips by plane
Travel bagsFor sport, outdoor trips and rough terrain
Travel backpacksFor stairs, alleyways and light luggage
Kids' suitcasesFor young travellers
Large suitcases for longer trips
For trips of a week or more, or when travelling with family, a large suitcase pays off. All three are hard-shell cases with four wheels and a TSA lock; you'll find more of them among our large suitcases.
Samsonite
Samsonite Flux 75 cm
- 108 l
- 3.9 kg
- Polypropylene
For longer trips: the expansion zip is routed on the inside, with a built-in TSA combination lock. In our shop: 4.8 out of 5 (29 reviews).
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Titan
Titan Upgrade 75 cm
- 100 l
- 3.9 kg
- Polycarbonate
For anyone wanting scratch protection: matte hard shell made of 100% polycarbonate, scratch-resistant according to the manufacturer, with reinforced corner guards.
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Travelite
Travelite City 77 cm
- 113 l
- 4.5 kg
- ABS
For maximum volume: expansion gusset, TSA lock and a height-adjustable telescopic handle. The heaviest of the three.
ViewCabin suitcases for short trips
With some airlines, the trolley costs extra on the basic fare, and each airline sets its own size limits; you'll find an overview in Cabin luggage sizes and weight by airline. More models are available in the cabin suitcases collection.
Titan
Titan Upgrade S 55 cm
- 38 l
- 2.7 kg
- Polycarbonate
For short trips with a hard shell: 55 x 40 x 20 cm, four wheels with a 5 cm diameter and an integrated TSA lock.
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Travelite
Travelite Air Base S 55 cm
- 43 l
- 2.7 kg
- Polypropylene
For extra space on the way back: expandable to 50 litres. Measure the dimensions with the expansion unfolded.
ViewWheeled travel bags
Wheeled duffel bags are softer and more flexible than suitcases, making them a good fit for sport, leisure and outdoor trips. More choice is available among our wheeled travel bags.
Vaude
Vaude Rotuma 90
- 90 l
- 3.95 kg
- Tarpaulin
For long trips with soft luggage: opens along the middle, water-repellent, with replaceable wheels. In our shop: 4.8 out of 5 (29 reviews).
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Osprey
Osprey Sojourn 60
- 60 l
- 3.7 kg
- Nylon
For rolling or carrying: the back panel with shoulder straps and hip belt can be stowed away, while the aluminium frame and 90 mm wheels help on rough terrain.
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Travelite
Travelite Kick Off XL
- 120 l
- 2.9 kg
- Polyester
For sport and leisure: a wide opening and two large exterior pockets. In our shop: 4.8 out of 5 (10 reviews).
ViewTravel backpacks for light luggage
A travel backpack copes easily with stairs and cobblestones, and the Osprey models open from the front like a suitcase. More options are available among our travel backpacks.
Osprey
Osprey Farpoint 40
- 40 l
- 1.48 kg
- Nylon
For lightweight cabin luggage: cabin size 55 x 35 x 23 cm according to Osprey, laptop compartment up to 16 inches, adjustable back length (approx. 41 to 56 cm).
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Osprey
Osprey Fairview 40
- 40 l
- 1.47 kg
- Nylon
With a women's fit: same features as the Farpoint 40, adjustable back length (approx. 36 to 50 cm). Cabin-compliant according to the product data.
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Osprey
Osprey Farpoint 55
- 55 l
- 1.87 kg
- Nylon
With a daypack: approx. 40 l main backpack plus a 15 l detachable daypack. Only the main backpack is cabin-sized.
ViewKids' suitcases
A kids' suitcase needs to be small enough to pull and light enough for everyday use. You'll find more choice among our kids' suitcases.
Samsonite
Samsonite Dream2Go 52 cm
- 30 l
- 2.1 kg
- Polypropylene
For flying: hard shell with four wheels and a 2-point clasp, cabin-compliant according to the product data. In our shop: 4.97 out of 5 (36 reviews).
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Travelite
Travelite Minimover 44 cm
- 28 l
- 2.3 kg
- ABS
For weekends and overnight stays: four double wheels, telescopic handle and an exterior pocket.
ViewWhat to look for in a suitcase
Hard shell or soft-sided
Hard shells hold their shape and protect fragile items, while soft-sided luggage flexes and usually has exterior pockets. More on this: Hard shell or fabric.
Weight
The empty weight counts against your luggage allowance. Here: cabin cases 2.7 kg, large suitcases 3.9 to 4.5 kg, travel backpacks 1.47 to 1.87 kg. The lightest suitcases.
Volume
For expandable models, the product page states whether the litre capacity applies with or without the expansion. On trip length: Suitcase sizes at a glance.
Wheels
Four swivel wheels run alongside you and work well on smooth floors. Two wheels are designed for uneven ground, with the suitcase tilted and pulled along.
Lock
A TSA lock can be opened by US security staff with a master key, without damaging it. More on this: TSA lock.
Expansion and interior
An expansion zip creates room for souvenirs: on the Flux it's routed inside, while Travelite City and Air Base use an expansion gusset. Also check for a divider and compression straps.
All models compared
| Model | Litres | Weight | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsonite Flux 75 cm | 108 l | 3.9 kg | Polypropylene |
| Titan Upgrade 75 cm | 100 l | 3.9 kg | Polycarbonate |
| Travelite City 77 cm | 113 l | 4.5 kg | ABS |
| Titan Upgrade S 55 cm | 38 l | 2.7 kg | Polycarbonate |
| Travelite Air Base S 55 cm | 43 l (expandable to 50 l) | 2.7 kg | Polypropylene |
| Vaude Rotuma 90 | 90 l | 3.95 kg | Tarpaulin |
| Osprey Sojourn 60 | 60 l | 3.7 kg | Nylon |
| Travelite Kick Off XL | 120 l | 2.9 kg | Polyester |
| Osprey Farpoint 40 | 40 l | 1.48 kg | Nylon |
| Osprey Fairview 40 | 40 l | 1.47 kg | Nylon |
| Osprey Farpoint 55 | 55 l (approx. 40 l main backpack + 15 l daypack) | 1.87 kg | Nylon |
| Samsonite Dream2Go 52 cm | 30 l | 2.1 kg | Polypropylene |
| Travelite Minimover 44 cm | 28 l | 2.3 kg | ABS |
Dimensions, materials and weight come from the product data, and the ratings come from our shop reviews. Check the product page before buying for current colours and sizes.
This selection features Samsonite, Titan, Travelite, Vaude and Osprey: Samsonite and Titan build the large hard-shell cases, Travelite covers hard shells, kids' suitcases and travel bags, while Vaude and Osprey stand for wheeled travel bags and travel backpacks.
Frequently asked questions about this suitcase comparison
Hard-shell suitcase or soft-sided luggage: which suits me?
A hard shell encloses its contents rigidly and is made from polycarbonate, polypropylene or ABS, as with the Titan Upgrade, Samsonite Flux and Travelite City. Soft-sided luggage and wheeled travel bags like the Vaude Rotuma 90 usually have exterior pockets and squeeze more easily into tight storage spaces. Fragile items and air travel favour the hard shell, while car and train journeys with lots of small items suit soft-sided luggage.
What suitcase size do I need?
For short trips, a cabin suitcase with around 40 litres is enough, like the Titan Upgrade S with 38 litres. For longer trips, or if you're taking a lot with you, the large suitcases in this article offer 100 to 113 litres. You can find out which size suits which trip length in our guide, Suitcase sizes at a glance.
Which suitcase counts as cabin luggage?
Each airline sets its own rules, so you should check the dimensions and weight before booking. The two cabin suitcases in this article measure 55 cm in height. For the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40, the manufacturer states a cabin size of 55 x 35 x 23 cm that fits most airlines. For expandable models, it's best to measure with the expansion unfolded.
Do I need a TSA lock?
It's not a requirement. A TSA lock can be opened by US security staff with a master key, without having to break it open. If you're flying to the US or transiting through it, it's therefore a sensible choice. TSA locks are listed in the product data for the Samsonite Flux, Titan Upgrade, Travelite City and Travelite Air Base.
Travel backpack or suitcase?
A suitcase rolls along and protects its contents rigidly, while a travel backpack can also be carried up stairs, over cobblestones and through narrow alleyways. Travel backpacks like the Osprey Farpoint 40 open from the front like a suitcase and weigh 1.48 kg. If you're mainly travelling from hotel to hotel and bringing a lot of gear, a suitcase is the better choice.
Is there a test winner?
We don't test the suitcases ourselves, so we don't name a test winner. This selection is a comparison based on availability, features and product data, not a test verdict. You can find out how Stiftung Warentest rated cabin suitcases in our article summarising the Stiftung Warentest results.
Conclusion
A cabin suitcase is enough for short trips, a large hard-shell suitcase suits long journeys, and a wheeled travel bag or travel backpack is the better choice for uneven terrain. Compare volume, weight, wheels and lock against your travel plans. You'll find more choice among our suitcases and trolleys and business trolleys.
Discover suitcases: Cabin luggage · Hard-shell suitcases · Large suitcases · Suitcase sets. More choice: Buy suitcases at Markenkoffer
