You're heading off for an exciting trip - yay!
...but your current travel bag just isn't cutting it any more. It's time to invest in a new one.
This time you'll be doing it properly, which means buying a bag that promises to withstand the overzealous handlers who throw around each suitcase as if they're feather pillows.
If you're a seasoned traveller, you'll know that the easiest way to get from A to B without looking like you've just run a marathon is to invest in a travel bag with wheels. Two wheels or four - it doesn't matter: the main thing is the ability to seamlessly glide from the terminal to your hotel without ever having to lift a finger.
But there are thousands of travel bags with wheels out there and you want to choose the right one. Before buying your next luggage companion, think about how long you'll be travelling and how much you need to pack. If you're a regular jet-setter, think about whether this specific bag investment will be your weekend warrior or your long-haul travel partner. Choose a size accordingly.
Something that's especially important, if it's the latter, is looking for a travel bag made of high-quality materials like ballistic nylon, polyester or carbon fibre. The bag should be sturdy and durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of travel, especially if you'll be using it often.
Arguably the most crucial part? The bag's wheels: Look for a bag with sturdy and smooth-rolling wheels that are large enough to easily manoeuvre over different terrains like carpets, concrete and gravel. Two wheels are good, four wheels are better.
Look for a bag with multiple compartments to keep your belongings in order. Some bags come with exterior and interior pockets, which are useful for storing items like passports, tickets and travel documents as well as separating clothes into clean and dirty piles or, if you're really organised, setting out your daily outfits.
Best wheeled travel bags at a glance
- Best for overall: Antler Clifton cabin in navy - £119, Antler
- Best for business: Samsonite Proxis 4-Wheel 55cm Expandable Cabin Case - £359, John Lewis
- Best for spotting from a mile off: travelite Basics Fresh Travel Bag with Wheels - £59.47, Amazon
- Best for easy storage: Lifeventure Expedition Duffle Bag - £68.83, Amazon
- Best for packing extra souvenirs: Bon Goût Large Wheely Travel Duffel Bag - £47.99, Amazon
- Best for going the distance: Eastpak Double Tranverz two-wheel large woven suitcase - £133, Eastpak
- Best for shielding your stuff: American Tourister Airconic 77cm Four-Wheel Large Suitcase - £169, Fenwick
- Best for compartmentalising: Tumi Tall 4 wheeled duffle packing case - £1450, Selfridges
- Best for budget: Argos Large Grey Wheeled Holdall - £30, Argos
- Best for distinctive style: Away The Bigger Carry-On - £129, Away
We've rounded up all of the best travel bags with wheels.
Antler Clifton cabin in navy
Best for: overall
From sets of three cases to overnight bags, Antler has a vast selection of premium luggage in a range of colours.
Offered in a selection of hues including a smart dark navy, the Clifton wheeled cabin bag features everything we could want from a suitcase. It is hand-finished, lightweight, and a colour-fast option, meaning that it will even retain its colour when it inevitably gets scratched. It also slots nicely into bigger bags in the same range making for easy storage of an entire set.
Buy now £119.00, Antler
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Best for: distinctive style
Away's limited edition colours add something special to the travel luggage industry. They’re also famed for being some of the sturdiest and come with a range of extra features that you’ll soon grow to appreciate as an essential rather than a luxury.
The Bigger Carry-On has a sleek coastal blue hue on a durable polycarbonate shell and includes a matching luggage tag. Its 360° spinner wheels ensure a smooth ride, while the interior compression system and water-resistant laundry bag make it easy to pack it all in. It is available in a range of colours.
Buy now £129.00, Away
Samsonite Proxis 4-Wheel 55cm Expandable Cabin Case
Best for: business
It’s hard to beat Samsonite if you’re someone who travels regularly and the brand’s Proxis 4-Wheel 55cm Expandable Cabin Case is a top choice for effortlessly carrying your belongings from A to B to C and then back again to A. The Proxis suitcase is a globetrotter’s dream, with a hidden section that expands to provide extra storage space, a TSA-approved lock for security, and four double wheels to ensure easy movement. Lightweight, and fitted with two carry handles, it’s also easily portable.
Buy now £359.00, John Lewis
travelite Basics Fresh Travel Bag with Wheels
Best for: seeing from a mile off
travelite’s bags come in a range of bright colours, making them a top choice for instantly spotting on the baggage carousel and wasting no time before heading off to your next destination. The brand’s Basics Fresh Travel Bag with Wheels won’t usually set you back more than £50 either, which means more money reserved for holiday souvenirs and other fun experiences. Despite its low price, this is a bag that promises to withstand a bit of wear and tear.
Buy now £59.47, Amazon
Lifeventure Expedition Duffle Bag
Best for: easy storage
The Lifeventure Expedition Duffle Bag might look like an oversized bag but, when it’s not in use, it can easily be folded away. Think of it as something akin to Mary Poppins’ bag, travel edition. One of the best wheeled travel bags no matter where you’re going, this Lifeventure Expedition Duffle Bag features two large and robust, smooth-rolling wheels to make this rolling duffle bag easy to handle and manoeuvre when you’ve accidentally overpacked.
Buy now £68.83, Amazon
Bon Goût Large Wheely Travel Duffel Bag
Best for: packing extra souvenirs
Bon Goût’s Large Wheely Travel Duffel Bag is perfect for short or long breaks due to its ability to expand. This wheeled holdall is easy and convenient to use. It’s an excellent alternative to a bulky suitcase, while also allowing a little extra room thanks to its soft-rimmed nature.
Another budget-friendly option, it’s lightweight but durable, featuring an aluminium frame with a telescopic push button handle. There are also padded carry handles and an additional grab handle at the top of the bag to allow for easy handling when it’s not being wheeled.
Buy now £47.99, Amazon
Eastpak Double Tranverz two-wheel large woven suitcase 79cm
Best for: going the distance
Eastpak makes a huge range of backpacks and, if you’re looking for a durable bag that promises to outlive many of your holiday memories, this is the brand to opt for. The Double Tranverz two-wheel large woven suitcase is a fusion of a duffle bag and suitcase, with a soft yet durable shell that promises to fit all of your clothes and possibly even the kitchen sink, too. It features a handle at the top and side, a telescopic handle at the top, a TSA lock with a three-digit combination, two zip pockets and two wheels.
Buy now £133.00, Eastpak
American Tourister Airconic 77cm Four-Wheel Large Suitcase
Best for: shielding your stuff
The American Tourister Airconic 77cm Four-Wheel Large Suitcase has a hard shell, which means it’s among the best for keeping your belongings packed tightly inside without any unexpected damage on arrival.
Constructed from a resistant polypropylene outer shell that can handle the rigours of any corner of the world you’re visiting, the double 4-wheeled design gives you extra rolling comfort through the terminal.
Buy now £169.00, Fenwick
Tumi Tall 4 wheeled duffle packing case
Best for: compartmentalising
Tumi’s Tall 4-wheeled duffle packing case might not be the most budget-friendly suitcase around. But this holiday-ready bag is one of the finest if security and durability are two of your priorities when it comes to choosing a new travel partner. This oversized case is also one of the largest around, making it a great choice for long-haul travel.
The Alpha 3 four-wheel duffle bag is made from FXT ballistic nylon and is fitted with bumper rails. Inside, you’ll also find five individual sections - perfect for differentiating between clean and dirty clothes.
Buy now £1450.00, Selfridges
Argos Large Grey Wheeled Holdall
Best for: budget
If you’re not fussed about a bag with all the bells and whistles and just need something sturdy with wheels attached, Argos’ Large Grey Wheeled Holdall is a great choice. This spacious bag opens like a traditional bag, making it a better choice for unpacking and taking out just one specific item rather than aimlessly rooting around inside an expansive duffle that only opens from the top.
Featuring two wheels and a retractable tow handle, this holdall is perfect for carrying your belongings through an endless stream of airports. It’s made from durable, splash-proof material.
Buy now £30.00, Argos
Verdict
Antler's Clifton comes in a range of cute colours with a strong but light polycarbonate shell and plenty of room in the compartments inside. Being set on four wheels means it's a dream to glide around while a TSA lock keeps all your precious things secure. For short trips and as hand luggage for long-haul trips, we'd reach for it every time.
