The Best Luggage Sets for Traveling in 2022
Updated: Mar. 01, 2023When it comes to hitting the road or flying the friendly skies, one bag rarely does the trick. Smart travelers choose the best luggage sets specific to their needs and travel style.
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Frequent travelers know that the right suitcase makes or break your travel experience. And just because you’ve found the right bag for one trip, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll suffice on a different type of trip. Enter: Luggage sets. These bundled groupings of bags come in an array of sizes to ensure you’re covered on short and long trips. The best luggage sets are an ideal choice for couples and families who want to maintain a cohesive look with their travel gear. This strategy comes in especially handy when trying to identify bags on the airport carousel. Most importantly, you’ll often find a cost savings for multiple pieces, too.
Best Overall: Calpak Starter Bundle
Best Value: IT Luggage 3 Piece Pagoda Hardside Spinner Set
Best Build-Your-Own: Away Carry-On and Checked Mix and Match
Best Luxe: July Trunk Set
Best Expandable: Kenneth Cole Madison Square 2-Piece Chevron
Most Eye-Catching Design: Vera Bradley Small & Large Spinner Luggage Set
Best Tech Features: Wrangler Smart Luggage Set
Best Sustainability: Brandless Eco-Friendly Travel Bundle 2.0
Best Glam Set: Badgley Mischka 3 piece Snakeskin Hardside Spinner Set
Best Monogrammed: Pottery Barn Teen Luxe Hard-Sided Bundle
What should I look for in a good luggage set?
When selecting the best luggage sets for your traveling needs, always think about functionality first and foremost. Are you the type of traveler who has mastered the fine art of packing for a two-week international trip with only carry-on bags? Then don’t buy a set that includes a larger bag, as it may just sit around collecting dust. Do you like to have smaller pockets on the exterior of your bag to store travel documents and other easy-to-grab items? Then choose a soft-sided bag, as hard shell luggage won’t have that feature. You might even be surprised to learn that while it seems like hardsides are all the rage, most pilots only travel with soft-sided luggage.
The next item of business is to fixate on other practical features, like smooth-rolling wheels, durability at the seams and a sturdy handle that feels comfortable to your grip and hits at the right height. Finally, if you don’t rely on packing cubes—one of the brilliant buys travel pros never leave home without—then choose a bag that has some internal pockets and compartments for better organization. And, of course, the bag should spark at least a little joy design-wise. Travel is supposed to be fun, right?
How many pieces should a luggage set have?
The best luggage sets often have three pieces, which offers a nice amount of versatility and can usually accommodate a couple. But sometimes two-piece options are really all you need, so don’t overlook those paired down options until you’ve really assessed your travel habits. Other sets including matching carry-on bags, toiletry bags, packing cubes and other bonus accessories make travels easier.
Best Overall Luggage Set
Calpak Starter Bundle
The best luggage sets do it all. This stylish set from Calpak comes with everything you need for an easy travel experience: a carry-on bag, a larger bag to check, three packing cubes with breathable mesh, two pouches with drawstring closures (to store dirty clothes or shoes) and a luggage tag. The 360-degree spinner wheels make moving through airports and long hotel hallways a breeze, and the polycarbonate shell exterior holds up like a champ.
Pros:
- Includes eight pieces to mix and match
- Comes with three packing cubes and two pouches
- Built-in TSA-approved lock and integrated USB charging port
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Only available in two color options
- Pricey, but you get a lot of value
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Best Value
3-Piece Pagoda Hardside Spinner Set
Most travelers feel as though they’ve won the lottery when they can find one decent piece of luggage under $250, so this three-piece set from IT Luggage, which comes in at less than $230 total, is a real steal. While this bundle may fall into the category of cheap luggage sets price-wise, it sure doesn’t skimp on important features, offering telescoping handles, compression straps, a zippered divider and top- and side-carry handles.
Pros:
- Affordable price point for three pieces
- 360-degree spinner wheels
- Zippered center divider
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Only returnable by mail via Marshalls
Best Build-Your-Own
Away Suitcase Set
One of the best luggage brands, Away, doesn’t offer a traditional luggage set per se, but the brand does present something that many travelers feel is even better: a discount on mixing and matching suitcases to build their own customized set in a range of colors. Simply start with a carry-on. We love The Bigger Carry-On for four- to seven-day trips, and it still fits into the overhead bins of most major airlines. From there, add a Medium or Large suitcase and save $50 (or you can add a Medium and a Large and save $100). No matter which beautiful bags you choose (we’re also smitten with the Away polycarbonate Flex), it’ll have 360-degree wheels, a TSA combination lock, a durable shell, interior compression and a laundry bag.
Pros:
- Mix-and-match option allows you to create the exact set you need
- Stylish and sleek design with updated features
- 100-day trial, free shipping and limited lifetime warranty
- Personalize your luggage with up to three letters in a variety of colors
Cons:
- Only some of the models are designed to expand (like this Large Flex)
Best Luxe
July Trunk Set
One Carry On Trunk and one Checked Trunk and away you go! The Trunk Set from July is ready for action, thanks to its crush-proof polycarbonate shell and Euro-chic glazed poly finish. Packing big sun hats, boots and other bulky items has never been easier, because this trunk-style design has one extra-deep side that accommodates them and a Y-strap compression system to hold everything in place and create extra room for more vacation-ready outfits.
Pros:
- Gorgeous design meant to turn heads
- German polycarbonate shell is crushproof
- 80/20 split case for bulky items
- Lifetime warranty and 100-day return policy
- Twin latches unclip vs. a zipper design
Cons:
- Pricey, but the quality speaks for itself
- No expansion feature
Best Expandable
Kenneth Cole Madison Square 2-Piece Chevron Set
Fashion and function collide seamlessly in the best luggage sets and this Madison Square Chevron Set from Kenneth Cole is a prime example. The two-piece carry-on and checked luggage set has a coveted feature that’ll come in handy whether you’re an overpacker or forget to factor in souvenirs on your travels: expandable panels. There are also 360-degree spinner wheels, divided compartments and a retractable trolley handle.
Pros:
- Expands to provide more space
- Divided compartments
- Tear-resistant interior lining
- Chic design with gold zippers
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons:
- Only available in black unless pieces bought separately in navy or rose gold
Most Eye-Catching Design
Vera Bradley Small & Large Spinner Luggage Set
Pretty paisleys, soft florals and bold nature scenes—these are the types of luggage designs that’ll leave other travelers a little jealous of your superb style—and wondering why their bags are so boring). Vera Bradley is no stranger to cute designs, so the wow factor of this small and large spinner set is hardly a surprise. Inside you’ll find compartments and pockets, and a practical zip-out lining that can be washed. It’s one of the best luggage sets, period. The fun design is just a bonus!
Pros:
- Pretty patterns in multiple colors
- USB port attached to lock
- Small spinner is carry-on compliant
- TSA-friendly locks
Cons:
- Patterned luggage isn’t for everyone (there is a black option)
Best Tech Features
Wrangler Smart Luggage Set
Your phone is smart, your TV is smart, your car is smart and, now, you can have smart luggage with the Wrangler Smart Luggage Set. Carrying too many things and you’ve run out of room for your much-needed cup of joe as you race through the world’s busiest airport? Does your phone need a quick charge? Use the patented three-in-one cup holder to hold your device, charge it and cradle your coffee (though, not all at once).
Pros:
- Smart features, like a USB port and phone holder
- Expands for extra packing capacity
- Available in six colors
Cons:
- Exterior scratches easily
- Long-term durability may be an issue for the checked bag
Best Sustainability
Brandless Eco-Friendly Travel Bundle 2.0
If you’re looking for versatile luggage and a way to be a more sustainable traveler, look no further than the Eco-Friendly Travel Bundle 2.0 from Brandless, which includes two checked luggage pieces, a foldable backpack, four packing cubes and a travel pouch. Some components, like the lining, are made from recycled plastic bottles, keeping them out of landfills—making Brandless one of the best luggage sets. According to one happy customer the set is, “very lightweight, easy to maneuver and the compartments inside help with organizing and the zipper is nice and durable.”
Pros:
- Eco-friendly parts are made from recycled plastic bottles
- Includes packing cubes
- A full eight pieces to fit your travel needs
Cons:
- Only available in black
Best Glam Luggage Set
Badgley Mischka 3-Piece Snakeskin Hardside Spinner Set
For arriving in style with matching bubblegum pink hues (or one of the other three colors), choose Badgley Mischka’s 3-piece snakeskin set. Beyond the head-turning look, this set’s other big selling point is that the pieces all nest together, which means they won’t take up a bunch of room in your closet between trips. They have expandable bodies, spinner wheels and the interior has a few pocket options and a compress strap.
Pros:
- Fashion set made to turn heads
- Expandable body
- Separate compartments and a large mesh center pocket
- 10-year limited warranty
Cons:
- No leather
- No built-in lock
Best Monogrammed
Pottery Barn Teen Luxe Hard-Sided Bundle
There’s little chance someone will accidentally confuse your bag for theirs when your initials are monogrammed right on the front. This mint-colored luggage set does just that. The outside is made from thermoplastic and polycarbonate to hold up to the demands of travel, and the handle extends into two positions to accommodate your height comfortably. This set also makes a wonderful gift—it’s one of those personalized gifts that show how much you care.
Pros:
- Monogrammed option is stylish and functional
- Includes 14-inch carry-on spinner and 20-inch checked spinner
- Choice of 24 fonts and colors for personalization (extra cost)
- Top and side handles
Cons:
- No other color option for a set
