Pack More, Worry Less: The Ultimate Guide to 10 Expandable Suitcases
Got a little carried away with souvenir shopping? Been there, done that. That’s why we’re all about traveling with an expandable suitcase that gives you room to shop ‘til you drop completely worry-free—even when you’re an ocean away from home. Check out the best expandable suitcases for travel in 2024.
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11 best expandable suitcases for 2024
1. Best overall expandable suitcase: Travelpro
Whether you went overboard at the duty-free shop or simply want the peace of mind to overpack whenever you want, the Travelpro® x Travel + Leisure® Carry-On Expandable Spinner has got your back. It can expand up to 2” for more packing space when you need it. Plus, its 100% polycarbonate exterior hard shell is reinforced with zinc corner armor in high-impact areas so you can have confidence that all your over-packed goodies will stay safe from takeoff through landing. Best of all, Travelpro designed this expandable suitcase to fit in the overhead bins of most major domestic airlines. (But don’t forget to double-check the specific rules of your airline before flying!)
Price: starting at $545
2. Best collapsible suitcase: Rollink
Rollink’s Flex 360° Carry-On Suitcase combines durability and functionality with its collapsible design, allowing for easy storage and space-saving when not in use. With its 360-degree spinner wheels and ample storage capacity, this versatile suitcase is perfect for both short getaways and extended trips, offering hassle-free transportation and organization. Say goodbye to bulky luggage and embrace the flexibility and convenience of the Rollink Flex 360° Carry-On Suitcase for your next adventure.
Price: starting at $249
3. Best luxe expandable suitcase: Briggs & Riley
This one is for the die-hard fashionistas. If you can’t imagine traveling without a full wardrobe of IG-worthy outfits, then you need a suitcase that has space for it all—and the style to match. Look no further than the Global 21” Carry-on Expandable Spinner from Briggs & Riley. Featuring the brand’s unique one-touch CX® expansion technology, this luxe expandable suitcase can increase your packing capacity with just the touch of a button: Simply press the CX® buttons and pull up the sides to unlock extra space for more of your favorite garments. It’s even outfitted with a built-in tri-fold garment folder to prevent wrinkling and keep you looking chic.
Price: starting at $699
4. Best customizable expandable suitcase: Roam
Do you love to make a statement when you’re on the road? With this customizable expandable suitcase from Roam, you don’t have to make a choice between fashion and function. Instead, Roams lets you fully customize the Check-In and then expand it up to 2” whenever you need so you get the best of both worlds every time you fly. It all starts with the polycarbonate shell, which is available in nine different modern hues, like Carolina Lilac and Toledo Red. Pick which color you want and then move on to the zipper, binding, wheels, handles, and lining to fully customize your dream expandable suitcase from start to finish.
Price: starting at $650
5. Best expandable suitcase with shelves: Solgaard
Sometimes, having more room to pack really means having more room to make a mess inside your suitcase. But not with the Carry-On Closet from Solgaard! This innovative expandable suitcase was designed with the brand’s patented six-shelf shelving system to help you master the art of packing and staying organized no matter how many times you switch hotel rooms. Just open up the suitcase, pull up the shelf, and boom—you’ve got six shelves where you can neatly fold and store your clothes on the go, just as you would at home.
Price: starting at $345
6. Best carry-on expandable suitcase: July
An expandable suitcase is all fun and games—until your compact little carry-on surprises you by becoming too big for the overhead bin. And then the airline surprises you by charging you for a last-minute checked bag. Yikes. Avoid headaches at the boarding gate with the Carry-On Light Expandable from July. With a packing volume of 35L, this carry-on expandable suitcase gives you enough room to pack the essentials—without enabling the over-packer in you. But if you do need a little extra room to grow, you’ve got some leeway. Just unzip the sides to upgrade your packing capacity from 35L to 40L, giving you extra space to stash away souvenirs without pushing you outside the bounds of what’s considered a carry-on.
Price: starting at $265
7. Best lightweight expandable suitcase: Away
An expandable suitcase may give you room to pack to the max, but remember: Extra packing capacity also means extra weight to carry at the airport! To keep things manageable and give yourself room to grow without turning your suitcase into an impossible-to-carry heavyweight, start small with a lightweight expandable suitcase, like this pick from Away. At just 8.15 lbs, The Carry-On Flex makes traveling a breeze when you need to rush through crowded airports. And when it’s time to head home with an armload of souvenirs and duty-free goodies, just unzip this suitcase for an extra 2.25” of packing capacity, worry-free. So go ahead: Treat yourself to that Keep Calm & Carry On Sweatshirt. You’ve got the space for it.
Price: starting at $325
8. Best expandable trunk suitcase: Eagle Creek
This one’s for the real heavy hitters. If you’re preparing to pack to the max and you know that no carry-on (no matter how much it expands) will do, then it’s time to get your hands on the ORV 2-Wheel Trunk 36” Trunk from Eagle Creek. With weather- and abrasion-resistant Bi-Tech and Bit-Tech Armor fabrics, oversized treaded wheels, and multi-point grab handles, this expandable trunk suitcase was built for ultimate durability and ruggedness. It also features an expandable seam-taped wet/dry compartment, giving you extra room to (securely) store all the gear you need for your most daring travel adventures.
Price: starting at $449
9. Best budget expandable suitcase: Delsey Paris
Looking for more room to pack but don’t have more money to spend? No worries. The St. Tropez Hardside Expandable Suitcase from Delsey Paris gives you room to grow—even if your budget doesn’t. It’s made with lightweight, shock-resistant polycarbonate and features most of the bells and whistles of other, more expensive models, like TSA-approved combination locks, vegan leather accents, and spinner wheels. Best of all, this budget expandable suitcase unzips for an extra 2” of packing space, giving you more room to stash all those souvenirs you now have a bigger budget to splurge on.
Price: starting at $160
10. Best soft-shell expandable suitcase: Victorinox
Are you determined to squeeze just as much as possible into your carry-on suitcase? To maximize your packing space down to the last inch, opt for a soft-shell expandable suitcase instead of a hard-shell one. The soft-shell fabric has a little extra give, making it easier to stow away extra clothes or strange-shaped souvenirs. We particularly love the Werks Traveler 6.0 Frequent Flyer Carry-On from Victorinox. Made out of extra-strong, abrasion-resistant nylon, this soft-shell expandable suitcase expands by 4 cm for a total packing capacity of 40L—so get ready to hit the duty-free shop!
Price: starting at $525
11. Best expandable suitcase set: Samsonite
If you’re planning an extended vacation, then a simple carry-on or checked suitcase just won’t cut it. Instead, it’s time to pull out the big guns with an expandable luggage set, like the Omni 2 3-Piece Set from Samsonite. With a 20-inch carry-on suitcase, a 24-inch check-in suitcase, and a 28-inch check-in suitcase (all of which unzip to give you even more packing capacity), there’s no limit to what you can include on your travel packing list. Each piece is made out of scratch-resistant polycarbonate, features multi-directional spinner wheels, and includes a full-zip interior divider to help keep things organized no matter how much you want to stash away.
Price: starting at $333
Expandable suitcase - common FAQs
Are expandable suitcases good?
Expandable suitcases are one of the best hacks for efficient packing. With an expandable suitcase, you don’t have to worry if all your souvenirs will fit in your carry-on. If you love to shop when you travel, then an expandable suitcase is an absolute must.
How much can expandable suitcases increase in size?
Most expandable suitcases will give you a few extra inches of packing space. But bigger isn’t always better. The more your expandable suitcase increases in size, the less likely it will still be considered a carry-on by airlines—and you run the risk of having to check it on your return flight.
How much should I expect to spend on an expandable suitcase?
Most expandable carry-on suitcases will cost about $250 to $300. Luxury or check-in expandable suitcases will cost $500+. Expandable suitcases are a great investment because they give you flexibility and the option to scale up or scale down your go-to travel packing list.
