I test suitcases for a living and these are the only Prime Day luggage deals worth buying

This Amazon Prime Day, you can save big on luggage with carry-ons, checked bags, and luggage sets at their lowest prices of the summer.

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Summer travel is here and so are Prime Day luggage deals that will help you get a leg up on your vacation planning.

Amazon Prime Day is happening today, July 16, and tomorrow, July 17. We're keeping track of steep discounts on suitcases, backpacks, and packing cubes from Calpak, Samsonite, Travelpro, American Tourister, and other top retailers. These brands have made it into our best luggage and best carry-on guides — written by two travel editors who each take more than 50 flights a year — due to their impressive construction, convenient interior design, and overall durability. Keep an eye on this page for the latest luggage deals, or head on over to our main hub for all things Amazon Prime Day. 

• Shop all Prime Day luggage deals on Amazon.

This is a great time to invest in a quality suitcase set. One of the best deals we've seen is 47% off a set of Samsonite Centric Hardside Expandable suitcases. The 22-inch Centric is our top pick from our guide to the best carry-on bags, and while that size isn't included in this set, you'll get a pair of 20-inch and 24-inch bags designed with all the same features. We love the smooth-glide wheels and generous packing space of the Centric, which is already affordable at its normal price. Today's sale brings a set down to just under $190, essentially netting you two bags for the price of one.

Like all Amazon Prime Day sales, today's luggage deals are exclusive for Amazon Prime members. If you're not a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to test it out. We've also highlighted some deals from top luggage brands that are running competing sales, like Monos, which you don't need a Prime membership to shop. Monos' sale is one of the best we've seen from the brand and will net you up to 35% off sitewide with code FREQUENTFYLER.

Best Prime Day luggage deals

Right now, the best Amazon Prime Day luggage deals are on sets rather than individual suitcases. In some cases, like with Samsonite luggage sets, you're getting two suitcases for the usual price of one.  

How to choose the best luggage

Soft-sided vs. hard-sided

Hard-sided luggage is incredibly popular, but in our testing we've found it's no more durable than soft-sided bags (and more likely to show wear and tear). Soft suitcases have some stretch to hold more items and are easier to compress to fit in an overhead compartment; they're also more likely to have external pockets for holding items you may need in flight. Hard-sided luggage looks sleek and may offer a bit more protection from rough handling for fragile packed items. To learn more about the differences between soft-side, hard-side, and aluminum carry-ons, check out our guide to the best carry-on luggage.

Size

For carry-on bags, you'll want to stick with a maximum bag size of 22" x 14" x 9", which will fit most domestic and international airline carrier limits. For checked luggage, keep in mind that bigger isn't always better. You may be tempted to buy the biggest checked bag you can find, but extra large bags easily end up over the airline's max weight once packed. A checked bag with max dimensions of 29" x 20.5" x 12.5" will accommodate most trips without being too hefty.

Wheels

We recommend most people choose a roller bag with four wheels instead of two. The extra wheels make it easier to maneuver the suitcase. However, two-wheeled bags generally have more packing space and are better for navigating uneven terrain, making them a solid option if you anticipate frequently navigating city subways and streets with your suitcase.

Extra features

Many luggage brands aim to stand out by offering a fleet of special features. The features we find most useful are built-in combination locks and in-bag compression. Ejectable batteries are popular add-ons, but we find they're not often used and can be a bit of a pain to travel with: Most airlines do not allow these batteries to be checked into a plane's cargo hold. 

Are Prime Day luggage deals good?

Prime Day luggage deals typically echo savings you would find during major holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Black Friday. You'll be able to find savings on everything from travel backpacks to rolling luggage sets. Throughout the event, we'll be watching for new deals that go live and updating our articles with the best luggage discounts on Amazon and competing sites.

Shopping for more great Amazon Prime Day deals? Check out our roundup of all of the best deals here, or browse Amazon's website for more.