Samsonite vs Delsey Paris: Who Makes Better Luggage? | Senior Opinion

Samsonite and Delsey Paris are two of the most popular brands in the luggage industry. When it comes to buying a reliable suitcase, the first and second names that come to mind are the Samsonite and the Delsey, respectively, as both of them make durable and reliable luggage.

Both brands are similar in some aspects while differing from each other in others. But as a serious buyer, you may have a question about which one is actually better, or who makes the best luggage, the Samsonite or the Delsey?

In this article on Samsonite vs Delsey, we’ll compare both luggage brands and take you to a final conclusion so that you can make a better choice and ultimately end up buying the most suitable piece of luggage for you.

Samsonite vs Delsey: Brand History and Reputation

Samsonite was established in 1910, and with time, great effort, and dedication, the company became one of the largest luggage companies under the same parent company, Samsonite International S.A. Samsonite also owns some other world-famous brands like Tumi, American Tourister, High Sierra, Hartmann, eBags, and many more.

Samsonite has been known for durable and quality luggage while still maintaining affordability so that they can diversify their products and reach out to a maximum number of people. They are so popular that you can even find a Samsonite retail store within a few kilometers of your home.

Delsey, on the other hand, is a French company that was established in 1946 after 36 years of Samsonite establishment. Since then, it has also been growing and has now become a competitor of Samsonite because it also offers the same quality of luggage and sometimes even better.

Undoubtedly, Delsey is not as popular as Samsonite but still has a loyal customer base. It also has a large number of authorized dealers in 70+ countries, so you can find one easily within a few kilometers of your home. Delsey has established its market and gained recognition because of its innovative, unique design, appearance, and lightweight construction.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Samsonite Brand

The Good

• Excellent Built Quality: Samsonite most of the time prefers using polycarbonate, which is the most durable plastic material. Not only is it durable, but it is also flexible and lightweight. It easily withstands the ups and downs of travel. You can take it anywhere you want with no stress.
• Features and Convenience: Samsonite is really good at features; they offer almost all the features you might need during your travel. These features include a TSA-approved lock, an adjustable wheel handle, single or dual spinner wheels, and even a USB charging port in some of their models, like the Samsonite Omni 2 and Centric 2. They also offer carry-on laptop pockets like the Samsonite Omni 2 Pro.
• Customers’ Review and Rating: It’s been more than a century since Samsonite was in the game. Their achievements are remarkable in terms of customer retention and acquisition. Customers love their products so much that they repeatedly buy from them. On average, their products are rated around 4.5 stars out of 5, which is really excellent.
• Affordable Prices: The biggest selling point of their products is their affordability. They might seem a little expensive, and of course, some of their models are, but if you compare their normal products with those of other medium-class brands like Delsey and Travelpro, you’ll find that Samsonite is really affordable.
• Wide Range of Products: Another thing that Samsonite is known for is the availability of hundreds of products with different and unique designs. They also offer plenty of color options for their models, so you can easily get whatever you prefer.
• Reliable Warranty and Support: Samsonite Warranty—I’d not say the best, but good enough. They offer three types of warranties, but what you’ll mostly get with your luggage is a ten-year limited warranty. They’ve got excellent support, but sometimes the response is slow.

The Bad

• Limited Packing Features: This is a problem with almost all affordable luggage; however, their premium suitcases are really good and offer excellent packing features. But affordable suitcases with only basic packing features.
• A Few Overpriced Models: Most Samsonite suitcases are really affordable, but some of their models are really expensive; in fact, I’d say they’re overpriced and they really aren’t worth it.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Delsey Paris Brand

The Good

• Great Durability: Samsonite is great in terms of durability, but Delsey is even better than Samsonite. They also use polycarbonate in their suitcases, like Samsonite, but the final outcome and finish are even more appealing and long-lasting.
• Satisfied Customers: Delsey doesn’t have as huge a customer base as Samsonite, but they still have a large loyal customer base who love their products and always stay with them. Delsey also has thousands of reviews and ratings but is nowhere close to Samsonite. Their product can also be categorized between 4.3 and 4.6 stars out of 5.
• Unique Design and Aesthetics: Their suitcases look really elegant and appealing, especially if you look at the Delsey Paris Helium Aero. They sometimes give a glossy finish and sometimes a matte finish and both of them feel really eye-catching and appealing.
• Features: Not only does Delsey offer all the features that Samsonite offers, but also some additional features like a broken system with wheels and a laptop pocket in some of their models.

The Bad

• Some models are expensive: Delsey suitcases are generally more expensive than those of Samsonite. If you take a look at the Delsey Chatelet and the Hyperglide, they are no doubt quite durable but very expensive. They’re worth it only when they go on sale.
• Packing features could be improved. This is not applied to all the suitcases from Delsey, but those that are affordable are really bad in terms of packing capability. They just come with elastic straps and a zipper divider, which is a very basic organization.

Read Next: Samsonite vs. American Tourister Luggage Brands

Main Differences: Samsonite vs Delsey Paris

Which brand has a wider range of products? Samsonite or Delsey?

Samsonite offers an extensive range of luggage options that cater to all types of travelers, from high-class to low-class people with different budgets. Samsonite mostly focuses on hardside luggage as they are in trend and offer better durability, but that does not mean that they don’t consider softside luggage. They do have some options worth considering for softside luggage, but they are less common than hardside luggage.

Generally, every model of Samsonite comes in three different size options, including carry-on and check-in luggage. From traditional backpacks and duffel bags to luggage, Samsonite assures to cover the tastes of all types of people of different ages.

Similarly, Delsey also comes up with a great range of products, including duffel bags, carry-on bags, and luggage. Delsey also has some specialized collections for business travelers, frequent travelers, and adventure travelers. Everything at Delsey is the same, but the range of products, especially when it comes to luggage, is not as extensive as at Samsonite.

With Samsonite, there is an assurance that you’ll get something according to your taste and needs, but with Delsey, you may not always get what you want.

Which brand is better in terms of quality and durability?

Durability is one of the biggest factors to consider when comparing Samsonite and Delsey. Generally, the quality and durability of both brands’ luggage are similar, but some models of Delsey Paris are better than those of Samsonite.

Both brands use polycarbonate, which is the most durable, especially when it comes to the best hardside materials for luggage. Apart from polycarbonate, Samsonite also uses polypropylene material in some of its luggage, which is less durable than polycarbonate but lighter.

This was about hardside luggage, but when it comes to softside luggage options, both brands use polyester material in most of their softside luggage. They rarely use nylon in their suitcases. Nylon is more durable and a little heavier, but they don’t use it to make their luggage more affordable.

If you need softside luggage, you can surely have a look at Samsonite or Delsey luggage made from polyester. Although they are not as durable as nylon, they still last for a longer period of time.

If you’re someone who wants the most durable softside luggage made of nylon and is ready to spend a little more, you should take a look at the Travelpro brand. Their softside luggage is more durable because Travelpro mostly focuses on softside luggage and is specialized in softside.

The main notable distinction between the two brands lies in the fact that Delsey’s luggage leans towards being bulkier and thicker, which results in slightly more weight but offers slightly better durability.

When it comes to other elements of a suitcase, Samsonite often excels in the department of handles; generally, their handles are better than those of Delsey. On the other hand, when we talk about zippers and wheels, Delsey does much better, but that does not mean that Samsonite’s zippers and wheels are not good; they are good enough but not as durable as those of Delsey. However, this is a general observation that we noticed, and it solely depends on what model you prefer and how you care for it.

Also Read: Samsonite and Away Luggage Brand Comparison Guide

Who comes with better features and convenience: Samsonite or Delsey Paris?

All the features of both brands are the same, but Delsey goes one step ahead and offers some additional features that Samsonite does not offer. So in terms of feature availability, Delsey clearly takes the lead.

Features that Samsonite generally offers are a TSA-approved lock, 360-degree single or dual spinner wheels, an expandable zipper, a multi-stage adjustable handle, and the same interior divided into two main compartments, one with compression straps and the other with a zippered fabric cover. You also get a USB charging port on some of its models, such as the Samsonite Omni 2.

Even If you buy an expensive and premium piece of luggage, you’ll still get the same level of features and slightly better quality material, not more than that.

When it comes to Delsey, you get all the same features that Samsonite offers, including a TSA combination lock, 360-degree single or dual wheels, an adjustable handle, an expandable zipper, and the same interior. However, Delsey’s features are better, such as the fact that they frequently offer double-spinner wheels with a rubber coating that reduces the impact caused by jerks and bumps on the roads. The zipper offered by Delsey is also of better quality and can’t be opened with the help of a pen.

Additionally, you’ll get some unique features in different models; for example, if you buy a carry-on version of the Titanium or Helium Aero, you’ll get a laptop padded sleeve that you can use to put your laptop up to 15.6 inches. That’s really helpful, especially if you’re a businessman or someone who most of the time relies on a tablet or laptop.

Similarly, another unique feature that comes with Delsey Chatelet is wheels with a locking mechanism, and you’ll also get a smart luggage USB charging feature in some of its models. These features usually don’t come with Samsonite suitcases.

Which brand has received more positive reviews: Samsonite vs Delsey?

When I headed to Amazon, I found the most popular suitcase from Samsonite has a 4.6-star rating out of 5. The people who gave it 1 star are approximately 5%, which is really a good sign. This means that thousands of people are satisfied with the brand, which indicates that the Samsonite brand is trustworthy.

When it comes to Delsey luggage, I did the same thing as I did with Samsonite, and I found that the best-selling luggage of Delsey has a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, which is slightly lower than that of Samsonite. Similarly, a 1-star rating is the same as Samsonite, which means Delsey is also doing great.

Another thing I want to mention here is that, as I mentioned above, Delsey does not have as wide a range of products as Samsonite does; only a few pieces of luggage from Delsey are doing great, while Samsonite has more products that are doing well and gaining customer trust.

Read Next: Samsonite vs Tumi (Detailed Comparison)

Which one offers better value for money?

As the below chart shows everything clearly, on average, Delsey luggage suitcases are slightly more expensive than Samsonite because Delsey uses slightly better materials and elements, and obviously, better material means a higher cost. This is a general observation. It does not mean that Delsey luggage is always more expensive; some of its models are cheaper than Samsonite luggage.

Both luggage brands also have some luggage that is, in my experience, overpriced and does not offer any extra value. However, Delsey does have some affordable models that offer great quality and essential features at the same time. These affordable options are the Delsey Paris Helium Aero and Delsey Paris Titanium. These are the two luggage models that are most loved and compete directly with Samsonite’s Omni PC, Omni 2, Freeform, and Winfield 2.

So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that is reliable and durable, then you can have a look at any of the above; all of them are great and offer the best package with a medium budget.

Comparison of both brands in terms of Warranty and Service

Both brands offer similar terms; their warranties last for 10 years, which is impressive, but their warranties focus on manufacturing defects. That means they cover issues like faulty zippers, wheels, handles, and soft or hard shell construction.

So if you face loose seams, stuck wheels, or any other defect caused by improper manufacturing, don’t worry; you’re covered. However, they don’t cover damages resulting from accidents caused by transportation or regular wear and tear.

You’ll be glad to know that both brands offer a 30-day return policy. Within this period, you can ship the suitcase back to either Samsonite or Delsey.

Also Read: Lucas vs. Samsonite Luggage Brands Comparison

The Final Verdict: Which One Should You Prefer, Samsonite or Delsey Paris?

Both brands are very similar in terms of quality, durability, performance, and features. Whether you choose Samsonite or Delsey, you’ll surely get a durable product in the medium price range that will last for years, even with frequent use. However, there are a few notable differences between both brands that you must be aware of before making any final decisions.

Let’s first talk about Samsonite. Samsonite luggage is surely lighter and cheaper when compared to that of Delsey. They’ve got a wider range of satisfied customers and a better brand reputation.

Samsonite offers a wide range of suitcases with multiple size options, starting from $80 to $250. That’s really cheaper if you compare it with any other brand or even Delsey. In terms of quality, durability, and features, Samsonite is very close to Delsey, but undoubtedly, Delsey does a better job, and obviously, Delsey costs you a little more than Samsonite.

Delsey’s Suitcases are slightly more durable and offer some additional features in some of their models. No doubt, Delsey is a little more pricey, but it’s worth it for slightly better quality and features. They are also better at meeting airline size restrictions for both carry-on and checked luggage.

When it comes to warranties, both Samsonite and Delsey offer nearly identical terms; however, Samsonite surpasses Delsey with a wider network of repair centers and authorized dealers.

Related: Samsonite vs Traveler’s Choice (Detailed Comparison)

Frequently Asked Questions