Best Early Black Friday Deals on Luggage

This CR Recommended carry-on from Delsey could be a good option if you’re looking for soft-sided luggage for your next trip. It got top marks in our tests for impact resistance and safety, so you won’t have to worry if it winds up getting checked at the gate. We also rated it very highly in our tests for usability, ergonomics, carrying and pulling, and construction quality.

At 5.7 pounds, the American Tourister Wavebreaker 20" Spinner is the lightest hard-shell carry-on in our ratings. Yet it’s a sturdy traveler. We found it to have top-quality construction, and it performed admirably in our evaluations of impact resistance, ergonomics, design, and safety. But with just two interior pockets, no built-in lock, and no expanding middle, it’s only so-so for usability. Its telescoping handle has only two positions, which contributes to a middling score for carrying and pulling. The manufacturer’s listed dimensions of 23x18x11 inches—with its telescopic handle stowed—are a bit bigger than the carry-on dimension requirements of most domestic airlines.

The Tumi hard-sided carry-on may be a good option for those looking for luggage that will be easy to spot on the baggage carousel. Its textured design is a bit different from other carry-ons, and the gray color available at Macy’s and Abt Electronics isn’t too flashy but will still stand out in a sea of mostly black bags. It gets top marks for impact resistance and construction quality, and it did almost as well in CR’s tests for usability, ergonomics, and safety. It had middling results for carrying and pulling.

This affordable Herschel weekender comes in fun, youthful colors and patterns (tie-dye! florals!). It’s water-resistant, light and easy to carry, and simple—no confusing bells and whistles here. A separate compartment for shoes keeps your clothes clean, but other than that, this is a straightforward, affordable bag to get you from point A to point B.

There are a few colorways on sale right now. We’ve seen this duffle get discounted for 50 percent off, so there’s a chance the price could get better for Black Friday.

The Bagail 8Set Packing Cubes won over CR’s evaluator with the sheer number and variety of cubes it offers. In addition to three packing cubes (medium, large, and extra large) that have mesh on the top panels to help you identify the contents inside quickly, it also comes with two zipper bags, a cosmetics bag, a shoe bag, and a drawstring bag that you can use to separate your dirty laundry. The extra organizational features were ultimately what gained Bagail the edge over the other packing cubes CR tried.

There are 14 different color options, but not every variation is on sale for as low as the price highlighted. Check the coupon box to get the full savings.

Veken Packing Cubes provide great bang for your buck, though they are a few dollars more than we’ve seen recently. This set has the largest capacity among the cubes we tried, and you get eight different ones to stay organized: four sized small, medium, large, and extra large; a laundry bag; a shoe bag; a toiletries bag; and an accessories bag. The laundry bag, in particular, is on the larger side, which can be a real asset when you’re on a longer trip.

Prices may vary by color.

The Nishel Travel Toiletry Bag for Women is a hanging organizer, meaning you can hang it on the bathroom door with every compartment laid out in full view. This bag is an antidote to disorganization. It has several compartments, two of which have different-sized mesh pockets. Our evaluator also noted that it has a large capacity but still zips up easily even when full. The low price is reflected in the quality of the material, however, so if you don’t mind the fabric looking a little on the cheaper side (the reviewer noted theirs attracted a lot of dust), this could be a great choice.

The CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack has two quick-release straps that allow you to attach a rain slicker or another light outer garment, and its rear pocket has decent internal organization, where you can store an energy bar, snacks, and a multitool. Keep in mind: Its reservoir—smaller than some others we tried—is harder to dry out, and sometimes its drinking tube would kink. Otherwise, it’s a great pared-down pack for a young person.