Best Affordable Luggage Under $50: Traveling On A Budget

Hardside Suitcases

American Tourister Sunset Cruise

The Sunset Cruise is a pretty good suitcase. It’s from American Tourister, whose parent company is Samsonite. Therefore, it’s actually pretty good quality, especially for the price.

As of right now, only the Apple Green and Pink Berry colors are under $50.  That’s actually a really good deal since the original price of this suitcase is some $80.

This suitcase is made from ABS plastic, which is lightweight and has good scratch resistance. It might not be as durable as a polycarbonate suitcase, but that’s something you need to worry about with checked baggage. And since this is a small, 20” suitcase, I don’t think you will ever have to check it at an airport.

Additionally, the capacity of this suitcase is expandable by 1.5” inches. So, you can even do a little shopping while you’re away, without worrying that it won’t fit in your luggage.

The Sunset Cruise hard side is equipped with single spinner wheels and a telescopic wheel handle. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a lock and that’s pretty much the only downside to it. But if you’re looking to get a carry-on, a lock is not something you need to be too concerned with.

The interior is divided into two packing compartments. One of them features a full-sized zippered divider, while the other one has elastic cross straps. And there’s also a small zippered pocket in the bottom compartment.

Olympia Apache Ii 21"

The Apache suitcase is available in six different colors, and all of them are currently under $50. Which is pretty amazing, considering that they are discounted from $150!

One thing that’s great about this suitcase (and Olympia luggage in general) is that it features a hidden zippered compartment. This is Olympia’s patent, so you won’t really see it on other suitcases. The compartment is great for the valuable items that you want to keep safe and protected at all times.

The exterior of this suitcase is made from 100% ABS plastic, so it’s pretty sturdy. There are four single spinner wheels on this luggage, which roll smoothly and quietly. And the telescopic wheel handle, which is made from aluminum, will make moving around with the Apache a breeze.

The interior of this suitcase features two fully lined packing compartments with expandable capacity. The bottom compartment has two elastic cross straps and a small zippered pocket, while the top compartment features shoe pockets and a divider with a large mesh pocket. Those, in addition to the hidden compartment, make this suitcase a great choice for people who like to travel organized.

By the way, this brand has a few more affordable suitcases in their range and you can check them out in our detailed review of Olympia luggage.

AmazonBasics Vienna Luggage

The Vienna suitcase is an amazing option if you like to be organized. The red version is under $51, which is a pretty good deal considering just how good this suitcase is.

Its scratch-resistant exterior has faux leather accents, which actually makes this suitcase look more expensive than it is.

This is actually one of the few suitcases that features double spinner wheels. I prefer these to single spinner wheels because they are a bit more stable, and just give you better maneuverability of your luggage.

The telescopic wheel handle also helps with that, as it locks into an extended position. There are also two grab handles that are riveted onto the suitcase, so they can handle quite a lot of weight.

The top compartment features a full panel zippered divider, with two mesh pockets on it. In the bottom compartment, you have elastic cross straps and a small zippered pocket, which is perfect for any small items you don’t want to misplace. And this suitcase has an expandable capacity, so you’ll be able to fit quite a lot of stuff inside it.

*Note: Most AmazonBasics suitcases are under $50. If you want to see some more options, check out our detailed review on AmazonBasics luggage.

Travelers Club Luggage Chicago

The Chicago suitcase is one of the most affordable checked luggage options in this review. It’s under $40, with only one color being $5 more expensive.

For the money, it’s a pretty excellent piece of luggage. The shell is made from ABS plastic, which has great scratch resistance. And it’s rather lightweight, at only 5.6 lbs. But what I really like about this suitcase is that the corners of the shell are reinforced, which significantly increases its durability and impact resistance.

The Chicago features four single spinner wheels and a telescopic wheel handle that locks into an extended position. Some pretty standard features, which you expect from any hard side, regardless of the price tag. There are also grab handles on the top and the side, and they are pretty sturdy and comfortable.

The interior of this suitcase is also pretty standard. It’s divided into two packing compartments with expandable capacity, both of which are fully lined. The top compartment has a full-panel zippered divider (no pockets), and the bottom compartment features elastic cross straps with a single zippered pocket.

There are no locks on this suitcase, and that’s pretty much the only downside to it.

Overall, if you’re on a really tight budget, this is probably the best suitcase you can buy.

Kenneth Cole Reaction High-Lite

This suitcase is definitely not a great fit for everyone because it only comes in bright neon colors. But if you like to be different and stand out at crowded airports, then this is an awesome option for you.

The exterior of the High-Lite is made from ABS plastic, which is textured for improved scratch resistance. And it features a very simple brand tag on the front, which contrasts nicely with the bright neon color of the shell.

What I really like about this luggage is that they also put that pop of color inside the suitcase. Both packing compartments are fully lined, and all the accents inside them match the color of the shell.

And the interior also features two pockets, one inside the bottom compartment and one on the zippered divider in the top compartment. The bottom compartment is also equipped with elastic cross straps, which are designed to keep your belongings in place.

Unfortunately, the capacity of this suitcase is not expandable. So, you will need to be thoughtful when packing, as you don’t have the option to get more space if you need it. And there are no locks on the High-Lite, but I don’t think that’s too big a deal.

*Note: Kenneth Cole Reaction has a couple more affordable suitcases. If you’re interested in seeing more options, check out our detailed review of Kenneth Cole luggage.

Affordable Softside Luggage

Rockland Luggage 19 Inch Spinner

The Rockland suitcase is a great option for people who are looking to get a softshell suitcase. It’s available in a variety of different colors, some of which are heavily discounted (65%) at the moment. You can get this suitcase for less than $35 – a deal you definitely don’t want to miss out on.

This suitcase is carry-on sized. It is 21” tall with wheels and a handle, and most international airlines will accept it inside the cabin. The dimensions listed in the box below are the dimensions of the body of the suitcase.

It is made from polyester, and it features four single spinner wheels. The double-barrel wheel handle is made from aluminum, so it’s rather sturdy and lightweight. And it locks into the extended position with a push of the button.

The interior of this Rockland suitcase is fully lined. There’s one packing compartment with expandable capacity, which features two tie-down straps, but not a pocket. However, there is a large zippered pocket on the cover of the suitcase, which is pretty standard for softshells.

And there are two external pockets as well. Both are pretty small, so they’re okay for any last-minute necessities or items you want to have easily accessible. In general, this suitcase is great for organized travelers, since you do get more pockets than in any of the hard sides.

IT Luggage Los Angeles Suitcase

IT Luggage claims that this is the world’s lightest suitcase. And, at only 3.8 lbs, it just might be. It is a great option for people who don’t want to be weighed down by a heavy suitcase or struggle with back pain when lifting heavy objects.

Another thing that’s amazing about this suitcase is the wheel handle. It’s unlike anything else you’ve seen in this review. It is wide, and it does not protrude in the packing compartment at all. You can’t lock it into position when extended, and that’s a shame. Additionally, you can’t really extend it too high, which means that very tall people will have to bend to be able to grab it.

One other thing I’m not a huge fan of is the wheels. They are in-line skate wheels, and you have to tilt your suitcase to get them rolling. So, you won’t have amazing maneuverability of your luggage. But, at least the wheels are smooth and silent.

And you do get plenty of space inside the packing compartment, especially because the wheel handle doesn’t take up any space inside. The interior of the suitcase is fully lined, and it features two tie-down straps. Also, there are four slip pockets on the cover of Los Angeles, which allows for plenty of organization.

And there are two zippered external pockets, for anything you want to have handy.

This suitcase is available in six different colors, three of which are less than $50. If you like it, grab it while it’s still so cheap!

*Note: IT luggage has a few more affordable suitcases in their range. You can read more about them in our detailed review of IT luggage suitcases.

Jetstream 20 Inch Lightweight Suitcase

The Jetstream is a small, inexpensive soft side carry-on. It is made from 500-denier water-resistant polyester, and it features a retractable wheel handle and two in-line skate wheels. There are no pockets in the packing compartment, but there are two zippered pockets on the exterior of the suitcase.  

One thing to keep in mind about this suitcase is that it is really small. It’s smaller than most other carry-ons, so you can’t fit a lot inside it. But that could be a good thing – if you’re ever in a situation where you have to check your suitcase if it can’t fit under your seat, the Jetstream will definitely come in handy.

And one reason why it looks so small is that its wheels are only partially exposed. Which does mean the maneuverability of your suitcase won’t be exceptional since they are in-line skate wheels.

There is one big downside to this suitcase, and that’s the price. Although it’s pretty inexpensive at only $35, it comes with a $22 price tag. And that feels like a rip-off. However, some people who bought the suitcase did manage to get a refund, so you can always try complaining to the seller.

Overall, it’s a good piece of luggage if you want something that you’re guaranteed to bring on an airplane without any additional fees. Or for a 2-3 day trip.

U.S Traveler Rio Two Piece Set

The Rio two-piece set is a cheap luggage set that is also amazing value for money. It’s available in six different colors, all of which are under $50. But you can get the set for less than $39, which is a really good deal for two bags.

You get two carry-ons – a 21” suitcase that can fit into overhead bins, and a small travel tote that fits comfortably under your seat. And that tote has a luggage strap, which allows you to mount it to the top of your suitcase and move around the airport with ease.

Both bags are made from polyester, so they’re pretty durable. The suitcase is a pretty standard softshell – it features two in-line skate wheels, a retractable wheel handle, and a single packing compartment with expandable capacity. There’s a large mesh pocket on the cover of the suitcase, as well as two external zippered pockets.

The other bag is 14”, and it has a single external pocket. It’s great for cosmetics or any smaller items that won’t fit into your suitcase. The two bags combined allow you to travel organized, and give you plenty of space even for some longer trips.

One downside to the suitcase is that it’s not exactly lightweight. At 6.6 lbs, it’s even heavier than most hard sides I showed you in this review. But that’s because of the EVA padding on the front panel, which is there to improve the impact resistance of the luggage.

AmazonBasics Lightweight Softside Spinner

If you want a cheap suitcase that looks and feels premium, then this one is the best choice. The AmazonBasics softside spinner is under $50, and it has all the features of luggage that cost 10 times more.

It’s made from polyester, and it looks very sleek and professional. Great for business trips! It features four single spinner wheels that roll quietly and smoothly, and there’s also a telescopic wheel handle that locks into an extended position.

On top of that, this suitcase is equipped with a TSA lock as well, meaning you can have some peace of mind if you’re ever forced to check it at an airport. This should not happen, since this is carry-on sized.

The interior of this spinner is very spacious, and it has expandable capacity. There are two small zippered pockets on the top part of the suitcase, as well as a big one behind those two. And then you also have two external pockets, for the items you forgot to pack inside.

This suitcase is available in four colors, and all of them are under $50 for the 22” size. Even the 27” version is very affordable, as it costs around $55.

Overall, this is definitely one of the most polished softside suitcases you can get in this price range. And if you want something that doesn’t look cheap at all, you should consider Amazon’s softside spinner.

Luggage Value Sets

Luggage sets are the best value for money if you need more than one suitcase. Because, even if you get just two cheap suitcases, the total will come to some $100.

And for $100 (in some cases even less), you can get three suitcases of different sizes. Additionally, luggage sets are pretty much the only way to get a 28” or 30” suitcase for under $50.

TBWYF Luggage Set 3 Piece

This luggage set is definitely the best value for money. It includes three hard sides (20”, 24”, and 28”), in the $90-120 price range. That comes down to $30 or $40 per suitcase, which is a really great deal. The Rose Gold version is the cheapest one – and the prettiest one, if you ask me.

All three suitcases are made from ABS plastic and feature spinner wheels with a telescopic wheel handle. They also have two packing compartments (one pocket), and a lock.

SHOWKOO Luggage Set

Here’s another great deal. For $95-110, you can get three hard-side suitcases (20”, 24”, and 28”), which is $35 per suitcase on average.

The Showkoo suitcases are made from ABS plastic, which has excellent scratch resistance. They are equipped with spinner wheels and feature a telescopic wheel handle that locks into multiple height positions.  And they have the expandable capacity, as well as a lock to the packing compartments.

DAVIDJONES Vintage Print 4 Piece Luggage Set

If you really want a softshell, then this is a set you should consider. It includes 4 pieces of luggage, for just a little under $120 – an amazing deal. The suitcases included are 20”, 24” and 28”, and you also get a small versatile bag.

The suitcases feature a spacious packing compartment, an EVA padded front panel for extra durability, and regular in-line skate wheels. Sadly, you don’t get pockets, locks, or expandable capacity. But for $30 per bag, I can live with that.

Some other value sets worth considering:

• Merax Newest 2 Piece Luggage Set
• Coolife Luggage 3-Piece Set
• AmazonBasics Softside 3-Piece Set

Affordable Luggage For Children

If you are looking to get a suitcase for your child and you don’t want to spend too much money on it, I would recommend you check out American Tourister. They have a collection of suitcases for kids, which feature a very fun design.

Maybe your daughter is obsessed with Elsa? Then get her a suitcase with Elsa’s character!

Anyway, I will show you two suitcases here, and both of them are by American Tourister. Be sure to check them out on Amazon, as they are both available in a variety of designs.

American Tourister Kids Hardside

This is an awesome suitcase for kids. It’s just the right size so that they can carry it on their own, and they will just love the design.

The hardside suitcase is made from a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate, so it’s pretty durable. It features in-line skate wheels, a retractable wheel handle, and two packing compartments, but no pockets.

American Tourister Kids Softside

The softside suitcase is approximately the same size as the hard side, but it’s even cheaper. It’s available in lots of cartoon designs, so you’ll easily find something your child loves.

This one is a bit better for the organization, as it features two pockets. It also has in-line skate wheels and a retractable wheel handle, and it’s small enough that your child can carry it without your help.