Samsonite vs Travelpro: Who makes better luggage? | Expert Advice

Samsonite and Travelpro both have excellent reputations in the world of travel and are known for their great build quality. However, when compared, Travelpro is nowhere close to Samsonite in terms of market share but is still considered a better alternative for travelers. Both of these brands seem similar, but in reality, they differentiate each other in many aspects.

In this guide to Samsonite vs Travelpro, we’ll compare both brands on different parameters to find out who offers better durability and which luggage brand comes with better functionality and performance, ultimately offering better value for money.

A Quick Overview of Samsonite

Samsonite has now become one of the most popular brands in the luggage industry. It has a long history that started in 1910, which means the brand has been on the market for more than a hundred years.

Initially, Samsonite started manufacturing wooden suitcases, but with time, they evolved and started producing lightweight luggage. By the end of 1950, they had become one of the most popular brands in the world. They adapted themselves according to demand and focused on widening their product range, which included backpacks, duffel bags, laptop bags, luggage, and under seat luggage.

The beauty of Samsonite is that it is not only affordable, targeting medium budgets, but also without compromising on material quality or features. Further, Samsonite did not stop there; they acquired some other brands like American Tourister, Tumi, Hartmann, and many others, but Samsonite, being the biggest brand, generates the largest portions of their revenue.

A Quick Overview of Travelpro

Travelpro, founded by a Northwest Airlines pilot in the 1980s, is also one of the most popular luggage brands, especially known for softside luggage for flight crews and pilots. But when we compared Travelpro with Samsonite, we found that Travelpro is nowhere close to Samsonite in terms of revenue and market share.

Let’s talk about some data. We noticed a little decline over the last few years; however, when we talk about last year, 2022, Samsonite alone, excluding all other acquired brands, generated 1444 million dollars, and on the other hand, Travelpro’s yearly revenue lies between 10 and 100 million dollars.

That means Travelpro generates only 0.69 to 6.9% of what Samsonite alone generates. Noticeably, we’re not talking about the brands that are acquired by Samsonite.

But revenue does not decide everything, and it does not mean that Travelpro is not a good and reliable brand. That’s totally wrong. Travelpro is also an excellent brand with a different marketing approach. They are really popular among frequent travelers, business travelers, pilots, and flight crews, especially for their softside suitcases.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Samsonite

The Pro

• Build Quality: Samsonite is excellent in terms of durability because they most prefer polycarbonate, which is the most durable plastic material. That’s why their suitcases rarely get complaints about durability and longevity.
• Waide Range of Products: This is where no brand is close to Samsonite, because Samsonite has a wide variety of stuicase and other products. They have plenty of different designs and color options, so whatever you need, you’ll find something valuable.
• Useful Features: Samsonite offers all the features that you might need during your travels. From TSA lock, expansion, and adjustable handle to single or dual wheels, they offer everything. They even offer USB charging ports in some of their models.
• Reliable Warranty: Samsonite offers different types of warranties, but what you mostly get on your luggage is the ten-year warranty. Most importantly, they only cover manufacturing defects and don’t cover any damage caused by airlines or improper use.
• Customers’ Reviews: In this regard, no brand is close to Samsonite because they’re among the oldest brands. They’ve now got a huge loyal customer base throughout the world who always prefer Samsonite over any other brand.

The Cons

• Limited Packing Capabilities: The major drawback of Samsonite is that most suitcases are limited in packing capabilities. They don’t have enough organization pockets, like small pockets for better organization.
• A few models are overpriced. Samsonite is really an affordable brand, but a few of their models are really expensive. In fact, I’d say they’re overpriced and not worth the money.

Benefits and Drawbacks of TravelPro

The Pros

• Quality and Durability: In terms of quality, Travelpro is even more durable than Samsonite. But the main difference is that Travelpro is widely known for softside luggage, and their hardside luggage is undeniably more durable but at the same time more expensive.
• Lifetimes Warranty: Travelpro is better than Samsonite in terms of warranty and clearly outperforms Samsonite because it offers a lifetime warranty, which is not the case with Samsonite. If you register your luggage within 120 days of purchase, they’ll also cover the shipping cost.
• Price and Value: Some models of Travelpro are affordable, while others are really expensive. Especially those made of polycarbonate and nylon are overpriced, but those made of polyester are affordable. In terms of polyester luggage like Maxlite 5, it’s affordable and worth it.
• Essential Features: They offer many conveniences, like a laptop pocket, an adjustable handle, and dual spinner wheels. The quality of the elements is really excellent, but they don’t offer TSA locks and charging ports in their affordable suitcases.
• Customers’ Review: They have plenty of positive reviews. Those who prefer intimate durability and airline crews always love Travelpro’s suitcases. Most of the customers who like traveling with soft luggage always preferred Travelpro, and they praised the durability and longevity that Travelpro offers.

The Cons

• Monotonous Design: If you prefer a suit that is simple and professional-looking, Travelpro is surely a good choice, but if you want something more colorful and stylish, you should look towards Samsonite, American Tourister, or Delsey.
• Some models are overpriced. They offer some affordable suits, but their polycarbonate and nylon suits are really expensive and not worth the money.

Major Differences: Samsonite vs Travelpro

Who offers better durability: Samsonite or Travelpro?

Samsonite manufactures most hardside suitcases and is known for its hardside luggage. On the other hand, Travelpro is known for its durable softside suitcases, and its hardside luggage portfolio is very low compared to that of Samsonite.

Samsonite, in most of their models, like the Samsonite Winfield 2 and Omni PC, uses polycarbonate material, which is known for its ultimate durability, but in some of its models, like the Samsonite Freeform, they also prefer polypropylene and even sometimes ABS material, which is the cheapest and least durable material.

So when it comes to Samsonite, you see from bottom to top all types of material, from least durable to most durable. But that’s not the case with Travelpro; they always prefer polycarbonate in their hardside suitcases; therefore, their hardside luggage is more durable even when compared to samsonite polycarbonate luggage.

When it comes to softside luggage, Samsonite uses polyester, which is comparatively less durable, while Travelpro uses polyester only in their budget and affordable luggage like Travelpro Maxlite 5, but in the premium segment, they always use either nylon or ballistic nylon, which are known for their ultimate durability.

Summing up, both brands are excellent in terms of durability. If you’re considering Travelpro, you can go with it with no worry, but with Samsonite, you’ll have to double-check if it’s polycarbonate or not in the case of hardside luggage. If you’re planning for softside luggage, go to Travelpro.

Which brand comes with superior functionality?

Samsonite and Travelpro both come up with all the essential features on most of their suitcases, such as a telescopic handle, spinner wheels, an expandable zipper, and a TSA combination lock. You’ll get all the basic features that you can expect from medium-range luggage.

Noticeably, Travelpro most of the time offers dual spinner wheels on their suitcases for better stability, while Samsonite offers it only in some of their models, like the Samsonite Omni 2 and Samsonite Centric 2.

Another drawback about Samsonite is that they offer pretty much the same features on all their suitcases, whether it’s their premium and expensive luggage or their budget luggage. They don’t come up with something significant in terms of features.

But that’s not the case with Travelpro; they offer extra features for extra money. In their premium suitcases, such as the Travelpro Crew Versapack and Platinum Elite, come with a USB charging port, dual spinner wheels, better compartments, additional pockets for better organization, and a laundry bag.

Which brand makes lighter luggage: Samsonite or Travelpro?

Cleverjourney has done in-depth research on both brands and has come up with the data mentioned above in the graph. You can see that generally, Samsonite suitcases, including under seats, carry-ons, and large checked suitcases, are a little heavier than those of Travelpro, but the additional weight is not that much.

But it never means that every Samsonite suitcase is heavier than Travelpro; some of the Samsonite suitcases are even lighter than those of Travelpro.

Which of the brands has earned better customer reviews?

Samsonite and Travelpro both gained thousands of positive customer reviews. On Amazon, Samsonite suitcases scored 4.57 starts on average out of 5, and Travelpro, on average, gained 4.69 starts out of 5. That shows that both brands are excellent.

But comparatively, Travelpro gained a slightly better review than Samsonite. That doesn’t mean that Samsonite didn’t score well. We should understand that Samsonite is a bigger brand and sells thousands of products every month, so maintaining positive customer reviews becomes an even bigger challenge, unlike Travelpro.

And Samsonite has also nailed it.

Warranty Terms and Conditions: Samsonite vs Travelpro

Travelpro and Samsonite both offer pretty much the same warranty and customer service. Both brands cover only manufacturing defects. They don’t cover airline damage, accidental damage, or normal wear and tear caused by regular use.

What sets Travelpro apart from Samsonite is the warranty duration. Travelpro offers a lifetime warranty, while Samsonite offers only 10 years. That’s a big setback for Samsonite.

Let’s talk about shipping. Here, Travelpro outperforms Samsonite, and you don’t have to pay any shipping costs if you register your product within 120 days. That’s a big plus. On the other hand, Samsonite does not provide these solutions; you’ll have to pay around $10–$15 for shipping.

Everything except the warranty duration and shipping cost is the same, and both brands come with thousands of positive reviews about customer service.

Who offers excellent value for money?

Samsonite suitcases are less expensive when compared to Travelpro. There is a considerable difference we can’t ignore, but it never means that all of the suitcases from Travelpro are more expensive. Some luggage, such as the Travelpro Maxlite 5, is similarly priced, like the suitcases from Samsonite.

Travelpro’s suitcase comes at a higher price just because of the material, durability, and additional features. In my experience, the most affordable product from Travelpro is the Maxlite 5, which offers better value for money.

Their premium pieces of luggage, such as the Platinum Elite and Travelpro Crew Versapack, are a little more expensive than other alternatives from the Samsonite brand, but still worth the money because they’re extremely durable and are built to last.

Samsonite is also known for its affordability, but some of its models are way more expensive and don’t offer better value for money. But Samsonite’s medium-range luggage, like the Samsonite Winfield 3, Samsonite Freeform, and Omni PC, are excellent examples that offer great value for money. They’re considerable, especially when it comes to hardside luggage.

Final Verdict: Which one should you consider: Samsonite or Travelpro?

Summing up, both Samsonite and Travelpro are good enough and have different positives, but when compared, Travelpro definitely becomes a much better option. Though it’s comparatively smaller than Samsonite, it still makes more durable luggage with better material.

They also offer better features, especially the lifetime warranty. But the negative about Travelpro is that their quality suitcases, like the Travelpro Platinum Elite, are a little more expensive than Samsonite.

So if you’re planning for softside luggage, you should surely go with the Travelpro. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 and the Travelpro Crew Versapack are excellent and considerable luggage options. But for hardside luggage, you should look towards Samsonite since the Samsonite Winfield 2, the Omni PC, and the Freeform are excellent and more affordable options than Travelpro.