Delsey vs Samsonite: Who Makes The Best Suitcase?
There are so many suitcase brands out there, it is hard to know which one to buy. Some of the best like Delsey and Samsonite are often tough to compare because they are so similar.
Your suitcase needs to be easy to carry or push, fit all your stuff easily, not be too heavy and not cost an arm and a leg.
At A Glance: Our Favorite Suitcases
- Best Budget Suitcase
Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion HS SpinnerJump To Review - Best Carry On
Delsey Helium TitaniumJump To Review
That is why in this post I am going to show you exactly what matters with these suitcase brands, and you can then easily figure out which one is right for you.
Delsey vs Samsonite Price
Both Delsey and Samsonite offer luggage in a variety of price categories and have everything from budget to expensive luggage. However, Delsey tends to be slightly more expensive in most cases.
Lowest Samsonite Prices
For example, the cheapest Samsonite we could find on Amazon was the Winfield 2 which was just under $100 at the time of writing. And on Samsonite’s website – the Carbon 2 Carry-on Spinner at $99.
Lowest Delsey Prices
On Amazon, the cheapest Delsey suitcase was about $10 more, with the Delsey Paris Sky Max 2.0 Softside. However, keep in mind this is a soft-side suitcase which tends to be cheaper on the whole. The Delsey Comet 3.0 hardside on the other hand was another $40 more expensive.
So, as you can see, there is not much in it. However, Samsonite tends to be cheaper overall. And they have more models to choose from, so you are bound to find one on sale somewhere!
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Samsonite Suitcase Reviews
Samsonite is the king of luggage. They are extremely well known, and for good reason.
They produce a quality product and were even voted best suitcase on Tripadvisor in 2016.
When it comes to materials, Samsonite usually uses top-quality materials for both the case, the interior linings, and the zippers.
As a result, these cases will last a long time which often offsets the extra money you have paid for the case (if you think the price per year of use).
Now, let’s take a look at a couple of the most popular and top-quality models of Samsonite suitcase.
Samsonite Omni PC Suitcase
The Samsonite Omni PC range of suitcases are pretty darn good. They are quite simple, but also strong, durable, and have enough features to keep most travelers happy.
Let’s start on the outside…
Suitcase Material
The Samsonite Omni suitcases use a polycarbonate material this is super strong.
It is also very light and flexible, which makes it easy to lift and also not so prone to damage. So, when you push on the case it just flexes, instead of denting. Great for increasing the lifetime of your case.
The other cool thing I like about the Omni series is the micro-diamond texture of the material (you can see it in the cut-out in the image). Not only does this look great, but it saves it from getting lots of scratches.
If you travel on planes a lot like me, this is perfect. Other hard cases may look nice and shiny, but after a few trips through the luggage carousel, they tend to get scratched and lose their “new look”. The diamond pattern on the other hand is far more scratch-resistant.
Suitcase Handles
The Samsonite Omni has you covered when it comes to suitcase handles. It comes with:
- Side handle (not on the 20inch model)
- Top handle
- Telescopic handle
The top and side handles are nicely aligned for keeping the weight centered when you lift this baby. They also have a cool retracting feature when you lift them, they move up a bit to let you grab them, and when you let go, the retract.
Note: The 20in does not have a side handle, but given it’s small size, it’s not necessary.
They are also made out of a quite nice plastic material which does not punish your hands. Although personally, I do not like lifting my suitcase much. Just in and out of the car, or upstairs. For the rest, I use the wheels and telescopic handle.
On the Omni, the telescopic handle is quite well designed. The telescope elements are metal and the handle a durable, strong plastic.
On the larger cases, it is all one piece, which makes it a lot strong of course. On the 20in it is two parts, which is a bit of a weakness, but then again, it is a lighter case that holds less, so should not be an issue.
Inside The Suitcase
The Samsonite Omni suitcases have a nice separation between the two sides of the case when it is open.
On the bottom, you have a nylon-lined section with a zippered side pocket. This section also has elastic straps to keep all your luggage secure once it’s packed.
The top has a zippered mesh cover to help keep your luggage in when you open/close the case. Once you have used such a setup, you will wonder how you lived without it.
Simple, flexible, and easy to pack.
The only thing you have to watch out for is that the bottom section is not as “secured” as the top, so if you have smaller/loser items in there, they can come lose around the straps. But, if you think about what you pack where it won’t be an issue.
Other Suitcase Features
The 4 spinner wheels. They are not the most rugged things I have seen
The zippered expander. Running around the case is another zipper (you can see the red tab of the zipper in the image for the lock below) that allows you to expand your case if it is getting too full. This is great as it gives you flexibility – leave it zippered if you don’t need the space (securing your luggage better) or expand it to give more room.
TSA Lock
The Omni cases also come with a built-in TSA-approved lock, that allows you to slide in the zippers and lock it.
This is great if you don’t want to bother with a separate lock or lose it. As it is attached. It is also TSA approved, which means they can open it if they want.
The only downside I find is that it is quite a pain to get the zippers into it, and it is not the most secure lock I have ever seen (a 3 numbered code lock). I personally still use a more secure, separate TSA lock on my cases.
You can also get a quick rundown of the features in the video below:
Product Information
- 20 inch: 22.0" x 15.0" x 9.5" at 6.8 pounds
- 24 inch: 26.5" x 18.5" x 11.5" at 8.3 pounds
- 28 inch: 30.5" x 21.5" x 13.5" at 10.35 pounds
- 5 Colors: Black, Teal, Carribean Blue, Radiant Pink, Burnt Orange
- Polycarbonate micro-diamond (scratch resistant) exterior
- Nylon-lined interior
- TSA Approved code lock built in
- Expandable zipper for more luggage space
Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion HS Spinner
Another popular model from Samsonite is the Winfield Fashion 2 Spinner.
This model is quite similar to the Omni above, but the outer case is a lot shinier and comes without the micro-diamond pattern.
The rest of the features are pretty similar, so I won’t spend a lot of time talking about them (if you jumped to this review first, read about them in the Omni review above).
The noteworthy features include:
- Polycarbonate hard case that is light, flexible, and strong
- 3 handles for easy carrying and pulling with the wheels
- 4 wheeled spinner for more relaxing luggage transport
- Smart interior straps and covers to keep your luggage secure during transport (including two extra pockets on the mesh divider)
- Built-in TSA Code lock
- Expandable case using a zippered expander
So, there is really not that much difference between this case and the Omni, only the outer shell and look. This one is obviously a little more stylish with the shiny brushed exterior, but just keep in mind it is more prone to scratches and will look old and used far sooner (I have a diamond-patterned case that still looks good after 20+ flights, whereas many people complain the shiny ones scratch too easily).
The other noticeable feature difference is in the inner mesh divider for the top part of the bag, It has two extra zippered pockets
The Winfield is also a little heavier, and in the two larger models, also a bit longer in overall size (end to end).
You can see all the feature in detail in the video review below:
Product Information
- 20 inch: 23.0" x 14.5" x 9.5" at 6.7 pounds
- 24 inch: 27.0" x 17.5" x 11.75" at 9.3 pounds
- 28 inch: 31.0" x 20.0" x 12.75"at 11.5 pounds
- 4 Colors: Charcoal, Orange, Deep Blue, Purple
- Polycarbonate brush-stroke exterior
- Nylon-lined interior
- TSA Approved code lock built in
- Expandable zipper for more luggage space
Delsey Suitecase Review
These days, the Delsey suitcases are on par with Samsonite in terms of quality
There is also very little difference between them in terms of features, so often the choice comes down to price, color, or other small things that may be important to you.
I have used Delsey almost exclusively for years and traveled all around the world with them, and they are almost unbreakable. The only thing that did break was the zipper tabs/pulls. That meant I had to attach some zip-ties to replace them. Annoying. But otherwise, they were bulletproof!
The Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Spinner
The Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Spinner is a great choice for a suitcase.
It has almost all the features you could want and is made of quality materials that should last you for years.
Just like the Samsonite reviews above, I am going to break down this first suitcase into areas, to show you exactly what you get.
Suitcase Material
Just like the Samsonite Omni suitcases, the Delsey Aero has a durable and scratch-proof Polycarbonate material. Delsey has also made the pattern of the suitcase in an undulating (up and down) kind of wave to help reduce scratches over time.
The Delsey Helium Aero has the three luggage handles you would expect from a quality suitcase:
- Side handle
- Top handle
- Telescopic handle
And noteworthy here is that even the smallest 20 inch has the side handle, which Samsonite chose to leave off their cases.
The top and side handle is also super strong and uses the same retractable system that lifts up to fit your hand under when you lift, but otherwise moves back to a more flat position. This is great for keeping them out of the way.
The telescopic handle for using with the wheels is also good quality aluminum, with a hard plastic handle and locks into position when expanded.
Inside The Suitcase
The Delsey Aero opens like a clam, as well as all the other suitcases due, which is great for packing on two sides.
On one side you have elastic straps to hold your luggage in and on the other a zippered compartment.
Where the Delsey goes a little further is to add a zippered pocket to the top of the divider panel on the upper side. This is usually only seen on more expensive luggage
They also have a zippered pocket on the open side, which is great for smaller items like jewelry.
Other Suitcase Features
The Delsey is pretty much a direct competitor to the Samsonite and has the exact same features (more or less) so it’s no surprise when I mention these other things.
Expandable Zipper. An extra zipper around the case allows you to expand your case up to 2 inches (depends on the model). This gives you lots of flexibility in packing and securing your luggage.
There is also the very popular TSA-friendly combination lock on this suitcase, which makes securing your suitcase a breeze. And a big bonus – no keys to lose.
Oh, and last but certainly not least, it has smooth double spinner wheels for easy rolling in the airport! Again something I am surprised to see on such an affordable case.
Product Information
- 19 Inch (International):19 x 13 x 9.5 inches, 8 lbs
- 20 inch: 21 x 14.5 x 10 inches, 8.4 lbs
- 25 inch:25 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches, 10.2 lbs
- 29 inch: 19.5 x 12.5 x 29 inches, 12.5 lbs
- Colors: Matt Black, Titanium, Teal, Cobalt Blue, Textured Blue, Red, Green Pink, Purple
- Durable 100% Polycarbonate
- Nylon-lined interior
- Expandable zipper for more luggage space
Delsey Helium Titanium
Comparing the Delsey to the Samsonite we have to take a look at the Delsey Helium Titanium, which is a direct competitor to the Samsung Winfield.
Again, this model is on par with the Delsey Comete above, but its outer material is a bit harder and looks shinier (maybe even nicer).
For the rest, it’s again pretty similar to the rest of the cases in this review, but it has probably the most frills of all of them.
The noteworthy features include:
- Polycarbonate hard case that is light, flexible, and strong
- 3 handles for easy carrying and pulling with the wheels
- 4 smooth spinner wheels for easy luggage movement
- Interior: one side with straps, the other with a zippered compartment (and pockets)
- Built-in TSA Code lock
- Expandable case using a zippered expander
The Delsey Helium Titanium is a great-looking suitcase that has all the features, that is for sure.
t’s a little more expensive than the Comete, but it also comes with a few more features.
But, it is certainly a quality suitcase that will fill your needs and last a long time.
Delsey Helium Titanium Carry On Variation
The Helium Titanium also has a variation in the smallest 19-inch models that has a zip-out/tiltable pocket so you can easily get to your electronics.
It only comes in the smallest model and is of course meant for carry-on. So, you won’t find it in the larger models.
Some people might like it, but it also intrudes on the packable space you have in the main compartment so think about whether you really want or need it before buying it. It also adds to the weight of the case with the extra material and zipper.
The video below is an overview of the Delsey Helium Titanium features:
Product Information
- 19 inch: 22 x 14.8 x 10 inches at 7.5 pounds (front zipper variation)
- 21 inch: 20.8 x 14.2 x 10.2 inches at 8.7 pounds
- 25 inch: 24.5 x 17.2 x 11.5 inches at 13.2 pounds (shipped weight)
- 29 inch: 29.2 x 19.5 x 12.5 inches at 17.5 pounds (shipped weight )
- 4 Colors: Sliver, Navy Blue, Black Cherry, Graphite
- Polycarbonate exterior
- Nylon-lined interior
- TSA Approved code lock built in
- Expandable zipper for more luggage space
- Note: Weights on this model are hard to compare as I took them from Amazon and not the manufacturer (I could not find them) so they include other packaging in most cases.
Suitcase Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing between a Delsey or Samsonite suitcase there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- Size
- Weight
- Durability (material)
- Features (like pockets, wheels, handle)
- Price
Size
Before you start comparing suitcases you need to know roughly what size (or sizes) you need.
Most brands tend to have 3 sizes such as a 20, 24, and 28-inch suitcase. Each of these has its own uses, and this is how I tend to think of it:
- 20 inch is a small carry on that should fit almost anywhere (overhead bins etc)
- 24 inch is a mid-size that might fit on large planes as a carry-on and is good for smaller trips (less than a week)
- 28 inch is the big suitcase you take on longer trips and is always checked in
I usually have two of these sizes so that I can choose depending on the trip.
If you travel alone, you could go with the 20 and 24 inches (one for carry-on and one for check-in).
If you are a couple or family the 28 inch is a must. Maybe even two for a family.
Weight
These days suitcases are not nearly as heavy as they used to be.
This is because of the materials that the suitcase manufacturers have started making out of Polycarbonate. This is a super-light material that is still very strong and is one of the ways lightweight Samsonites are always made.
However, you want to watch the overall weight of the suitcase because:
- First, you need to be able to carry it
- If it is heavy, to begin with, the final weight will be heavier, and faster, and you might exceed the airline limits
- Heavier also means more strain on the handles, wheels, and other areas of the case, meaning it won’t last as long
Durability
Most of these suitcases are made from very strong and durable materials, which makes them perfect for the knocks they have to take during travel.
However, you want to watch out for the small things that are going to break over time. For me, the first thing that usually goes is the zipper or at the very least the zipper tab. It tends to get caught in things like the luggage belts or just crushed under other suitcases on a plane.
The handles are another weak point as they have to take the load, and in the case of the telescopic handles, the manufacturers often like to save money and use cheaper materials.
Features
Suitcases are pretty simple things, but there are a few areas that you want to be sure are covered so that it is as versatile and comfortable to use as possible:
- Luggage compartments with securing straps or zippered covers (to help sort and keep things tidy and folded)
- A variety of handles so you and the luggage guys can carry your luggage with ease (top, side, and telescopic handles)
- Zippers that are high quality, large, strong, and also include an expandable section to give you more room if you need it (if you have less, you zip it up, if you need more, you unzip it)
- Wheels – these days we are talking 4 wheeled “spinner” suitcases, that is easy to roll vertically (so you don’t need to pull) but can also be tilted and used with 2 wheels on more difficult terrain (I do this all the time when walking from home to the bus)
Price
Last but certainly not least is price. A lot of these suitcases are quite similar and the price is just down to the brand. Not always, but most of the time.
A brand like Samsonite for example has a great reputation, so you tend to pay for the brand. Delsey (a top European brand) on the other hand is not as well known (in the USA at least) but produces cases that can last for years (I have had quite a few and even the old more used ones are still kicking).
In the end, you have to decide how much you are willing to fork out and if there is any major difference that worth the price of one over the other.
Which Suitcase To Choose?
Tough choice I know.
There is not much between the different brands and models.
For me, there are just a few minor things separating them:
- Exterior material (micro-diamond or shiny)
- TSA Lock built-in
- Extra pockets on mesh on the inside
Both the Samsonite Omni and the Delsey Aero are great base model buys. The Omni is more of a matt color so will look good for longer. But, the Aero looks way more stylish out of the box!
The Samsonite Winfield is another model that has been a top-seller for Samsonite for years and for good reason. It has all the features you need, a super-stylish exterior, and will last you for a very long time.
Also, keep in mind, that once you start checking out the models (all shown again below) you will see some similar models on Amazon which you can also check out now that you know what to look for! Both Samsonite and Delsey have huge ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
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