Head-to-head · Best Carry-On Luggage

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner vs Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.7 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about frequent business traveler doing 30-plus trips a year who wants one carry-on for the next 15 years and values warranty coverage that survives airline damage without paperwork — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Carry-On Luggage

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner

4.7

$729

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Baseline Essential 88/100 (third of seventeen) and the Baseline Domestic 82/100, with NYT Wirecutter naming Briggs & Riley its 2025 upgrade pick. The CX expansion compresses an entire extra outfit back to carry-on dimensions, and the no-questions lifetime guarantee covers airline damage with no proof of purchase. At $729 it's the bag for the traveler who'll keep one carry-on for the next 15 years.

Strengths

— Patented CX compression expands the bag 30% then ratchets back to carry-on dimensions
— Simple as that lifetime guarantee covers any damage including airline damage — no proof of purchase
— Premium ballistic nylon with YKK self-repairing zippers, aircraft-grade aluminum handle

Watch-outs

— $729 list is the highest price in this roundup outside of TUMI premium variants
— 10 lbs empty makes it the heaviest carry-on tested in Outdoor Gear Lab's roundup
— Exterior ballistic nylon absorbs water rather than repelling it in rain tests

$729 · Buy at briggs-riley.com Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Carry-On Luggage

Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

4.3

$145

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Samsonite Freeform 73/100 with the verdict 'a perfectly priced hardshell that doesn't sacrifice style or performance,' while Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10 and CNN Underscored called it 'a terrific option for budget-conscious travelers.' At $145, the polypropylene shell delivers most of what a hardside should — light weight, impact absorption, smooth-rolling dual spinners — but you give up water resistance and interior organization compared to bags twice the price.

Strengths

— $145 starting price is roughly half the Away Carry-On and a fifth of Briggs & Riley
— 6.6 lbs empty is the lightest bag in this roundup
— Polypropylene shell flexes under pressure and absorbs impact better than ABS plastic

Watch-outs

— 23 x 15 x 10 in dimensions risk failing strict 22" sizers on regional jets and European LCCs
— Water-resistance testing showed one-third of the interior took on water through the zipper
— Top and side grab handles are 'thin and lack a comfortable grip' (Pack Hacker)

$145 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner

Heavier than every other bag in this roundup (10 lbs vs. Samsonite Freeform 6.6 lbs and Away 7.5 lbs), but the only one whose warranty literally says airline damage is covered with no proof of purchase. The CX compression delivers a real 30% expansion vs. the Travelpro Platinum Elite's 2-inch zipper expansion, which is closer to 15%.

Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

Lightest bag in this roundup at 6.6 lbs vs. the Away Carry-On at 7.5 lbs and Briggs & Riley Baseline at 10 lbs. Polypropylene flexes more dramatically than the Away's polycarbonate — that's an impact-absorption feature, but it feels less rigid in the hand. Interior is simpler than the Travelpro Platinum Elite's four-exterior-compartment layout.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner	Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
Material	Premium ballistic nylon with YKK self-repairing zippers	Polypropylene hardshell
External Dimensions	22 x 14 x 9 in (expands to 11.5 in deep)	23 x 15 x 10 in
Packing Capacity	37-48 L (CX expansion)	41.2 L
Weight	10 lbs	6.6 lbs
Wheel Type	4 dual 360-degree spinner wheels	4 oversized dual 360-degree spinner wheels
Compression System	Yes, patented CX ratcheting	—
TSA Lock	Yes, combination cable	Yes, recessed combination
Sub-Compartments	Built-in tri-fold garment folder, SpeedThru pocket, HideAway ID tag	—
Warranty	Simple as that lifetime — covers airline damage with no proof of purchase	10-year limited
Expandable	—	Yes

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