American Tourister and Samsonite provide distinctive advantages and cater to several types of vacationers. However which one fits your journey greatest?
As a seasoned traveler who’s lived out of a suitcase for months at a time, I’ve put my baggage by means of each conceivable check. Over time, I’ve zipped and unzipped, packed and repacked, and rolled dozens of suitcases throughout a number of continents. My hands-on expertise with each American Tourister and Samsonite means I can provide insights not simply from product specs, however from real-world sturdiness and performance.
Plus, in 15 years of testing, the TravelFreak workforce has rated over 150 suitcases utilizing our comprehensive data-based methodology. We’ve spent years honing our experience within the discipline and studying what makes the distinction between a superb suitcase and an important one.
What you could not know is that American Tourister is definitely owned by the Samsonite Company. Nonetheless, simply because the 2 manufacturers are made by the identical firm doesn’t imply they’re equal. American Tourister is offered because the extra budget-friendly different to Samsonite, which suggests cheaper supplies, easier designs, and fewer high-end choices.
And that’s the important thing distinction. For those who’re searching for a good suitcase on a budget, American Tourister has you coated. If you’re keen to spend a bit extra for higher-quality baggage, Samsonite is best.
It’s not essentially so simple as simply choosing a value level, although. I’ll share my experiences with each manufacturers and show you how to perceive the precise commerce offs you may anticipate between them.
Why You Can Belief Us
The TravelFreak editorial workforce has examined dozens of suitcases over time, and we’ve realized loads about what separates a top quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed funds baggage, luxurious suitcases, and all the things in between.
We all know how onerous it’s to search out the right suitcase, and we need to make the method simpler for you. So our workforce of drugs junkies and product engineers developed probably the most complete luggage test methodology attainable.
We examined and rated 5 American Tourister suitcases and 15 Samsonite suitcases, together with carry-ons and checked luggage from each manufacturers.
We evaluated each one in all these suitcases on 31 metrics throughout eight classes. We gave all of them the identical remedy and rated them on the identical standardized scales. This makes it straightforward for us (and also you) to check the benefits and drawbacks of every.
At a Look
American Tourister vs Samsonite: Fast Solutions
- Sturdiness: Monos baggage is mostly extra sturdy and well-built total.
- Worth: American Tourister is a funds model with very low costs. Samsonite is dearer total and has extra premium fashions.
- Guarantee: American Tourister and Samsonite have a nearly equivalent 10-year restricted guarantee.
- Sustainability: Samsonite is significantly better for those who prioritize sustainability. They use recycled supplies and have packages to scale back their power consumption and carbon footprint.
- Supplies: American Tourister makes use of low-cost supplies like ABS on most of their suitcases. Samsonite makes use of a variety of supplies, together with extra sturdy choices like polycarbonate.
- Design and Fashion: American Tourister baggage is colourful and flashy with enjoyable print designs. Samsonite baggage is extra understated {and professional}.
- Inside Group: American Tourister suitcases are quite simple and bare-bones inside, whereas Samsonite has designs with extra inner pockets and group options.
- Expandability: Each American Tourister and Samsonite have suitcases that may develop.
- Wheels: American Tourister usually makes use of flimsier single spinner wheels, whereas many Samsonite fashions have stronger double spinner wheels.
- Telescopic Deal with: Samsonite baggage usually has stronger and extra adjustable handles than American Tourister.
- Colour Choices: American Tourister baggage is available in an enormous vary of vivid colours and designs, whereas Samsonite’s shade decisions are extra restricted.
American Tourister vs Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase?
Purchase American Tourister for those who…
- are on a decent funds.
- don’t journey ceaselessly.
- primarily take home flights inside the US.
- want baggage for summer time holidays or cruises.
- are shopping for baggage for a kid or for touring with a household.
Purchase Samsonite for those who…
- journey extra ceaselessly.
- usually journey internationally.
- journey for work.
- need a suitcase that may final for years of journey.
- care about shopping for extra sustainable journey gear.
- want checked baggage for long-haul journeys.
Supplies & High quality
American Tourister is solidly a funds model, and which means you shouldn’t anticipate the identical high quality and sturdiness you’d get from a high-end model like Briggs & Riley (which is likely one of the best luggage brands on the market).
Now, don’t get me fallacious. An American Tourister bag will survive lengthy airplane rides and bumpy baggage carousels simply positive, and for those who use it proper, it might final for years of journey. However selecting American Tourister over Samsonite does include some tradeoffs.
Right here’s what I imply.
Most American Tourister hardside suitcases are made with ABS plastic. This is likely one of the most typical plastics on the planet; it’s utilized in all the things from LEGOs to hoover cleaners to your laptop computer’s keyboard. It’s a good materials all-around, nevertheless it’s lower than ideally suited for baggage.
The multi-directional spinner wheels, zippers, and handles are additionally cheaper and flimsier than those Samsonite baggage makes use of.
As a result of Samsonite has such a variety of merchandise, they use lots of completely different supplies. Their cheaper hardside suitcases are manufactured from polypropylene, which is light-weight and versatile. It’s usually higher than ABS, however it’s nonetheless a funds materials, and isn’t notably sturdy.
For a bit of more cash, you may get a superb high quality carry-on or checked suitcase made with polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is the gold-standard materials for hardside luggage proper now, and is utilized by many luxurious manufacturers.
With Samsonite, you may get a lot higher-quality baggage than American Tourister. Nonetheless, as a result of Samsonite merchandise are all so completely different, you must do your analysis into a person suitcase earlier than shopping for it. A number of fashions I extremely suggest are the Outline Pro, a mid-range hardside carry-on, and the Armage II, which is manufactured from sturdy nylon material. Each of those luggage are sturdy and dependable.
If you would like a light-weight suitcase that may take some severe abuse, take a look at the Samsonite C-Lite. It’s made in Europe from an revolutionary woven composite hardshell materials that absorbs impacts higher than another baggage materials I’ve encountered.
If sturdiness is your fundamental concern, Samsonite is the very best baggage model of the 2, scoring a mean of seven.9 for Construct High quality in comparison with American Tourister’s 6.6.
Design & Options
Truthfully, my favourite factor about American Tourister is the enjoyable designs. They’ve received kids carry-ons with Disney character prints, night sky patterns, and an enormous checked bag printed with Mickey Mouse pants. Plus, their non-printed baggage comes with fascinating textures and an enormous vary of colours.
This isn’t nearly making a mode assertion; it’s sensible, too.
Ever tried recognizing your black bag amongst a sea of comparable ones? It’s not enjoyable. Think about for those who’ve received a large print of Darth Vader in your suitcase, although. No method you’re going to overlook that.
After all, not everyone likes to be the focus. For those who dislike vivid, eye-catching colours in your baggage, Samsonite’s extra conservative, minimalist designs will likely be extra up your alley. Their baggage items are extra dialed-in and complex than something from American Tourister, and their higher-end luggage undoubtedly don’t appear like low-cost merchandise you picked up at Goal.
Functionally, American Tourister suitcases are fairly easy and primary, and I actually suppose that’s a superb factor. When funds manufacturers attempt to pack in too many options, you simply find yourself with extra issues to interrupt.
You’ll discover zippered dividers, just a few inner pockets to maintain issues organized, and adjustable telescoping handles. None of that’s groundbreaking, nevertheless it will get the job carried out.
For those who like having numerous pockets and compartments to maintain issues organized, you’ll like Samsonite way more than American Tourister. A few of their suitcases are nonetheless fairly easy, however others (just like the Outline Pro) have revolutionary designs with a number of dividers and loads of pockets for smaller gadgets.
Samsonite baggage additionally has extra bells and whistles. Constructed-in TSA locks, detachable toiletry pouches, garment folders, and USB ports are widespread throughout Samsonite’s product line. I like that these little particulars are included, they usually actually made my touring simpler.
American Tourister solely scored 7.3 for performance, and Samsonite scored a lot larger at 8.9 on common.
Worth for Your Cash
If you’re strapped for money and saving each penny for air journey, American Tourister sells a few of the least costly baggage available on the market. They scored 10/10 for our Worth-to-Efficiency class. Samsonite scored decrease at 8.6.
American Tourister is likely one of the greatest baggage manufacturers for ultra-cheap baggage, which makes it simpler so that you can purchase your carry-on suitcase, pay for airfare, and nonetheless have some money left over for journey equipment.
After all, you shouldn’t anticipate the standard to be the identical as higher-end manufacturers. For those who journey loads, an American Tourister bag may not final very lengthy, and having to exchange it type of defeats the aim of saving cash within the first place.
Samsonite suitcases do value extra, however they may even last more.
For those who simply want a bag for infrequent journeys, American Tourister will likely be positive, however for those who journey extra ceaselessly, you’ll get monetary savings in the long term by going with Samsonite.
Guarantee and Shopping for Expertise
Since each manufacturers are owned by the identical firm, their warranties are just about equivalent. They even have the identical wording on their guarantee pages.
Most American Tourister and Samsonite suitcases include a restricted 10-year guarantee. This undoubtedly doesn’t compete with manufacturers with full lifetime warranties like Travelpro or Briggs & Riley, however each American Tourister and Samsonite have a good fame for repairing or changing suitcases on guarantee.
That stated, they particularly state that their guarantee doesn’t cowl injury attributable to regular put on and tear or airline baggage handlers, solely manufacturing or materials defects.
After all, with American Tourister’s low prices, any form of guarantee is good to have.
Model Affect & Sustainability
If shopping for extra sustainable merchandise is necessary to you, the selection is easy. Samsonite is much forward of American Tourister relating to model affect and sustainability. Samsonite scored 6.2 for sustainability, whereas American Tourister solely scored 4.5.
Samsonite makes use of recycled supplies in its material luggage, studies its carbon footprint, plans to make use of 100% renewable power by 2025, and donates to environmental and social charities.
Last Ideas
Despite the fact that Samsonite and American Tourister are owned by the identical firm, these two baggage manufacturers are very completely different they usually cater to several types of vacationers.
Samsonite scored higher than American Tourister in virtually all of our testing metrics, and I believe it’s fairly clear that they make higher baggage total. Samsonite model suitcases are extra sturdy and have extra sensible options and designs. For many vacationers, Samsonite would be the more sensible choice.
However that doesn’t imply there’s no cause to decide on American Tourister.
A kind of causes is value. American Tourister baggage is affordable, and for those who be careful for offers, it may be actually low-cost. For those who don’t journey ceaselessly, American Tourister offers you higher bang to your buck.
Another excuse to purchase American Tourister is for those who simply actually need one in all their enjoyable print designs. I imply, it’s onerous to say no to a Monster’s Inc. carry-on. If you’re shopping for baggage for a kid (or simply to your personal internal little one), it’s onerous to beat American Tourister.
So it comes all the way down to this, are you a extra severe frequent traveler who wants a dependable suitcase, or somebody who travels much less ceaselessly and simply desires a enjoyable bag for these occasional getaway journeys?
American Tourister vs. Samsonite FAQs
Can American Tourister baggage be used for frequent journey?
Sure, American Tourister baggage is designed to resist the pains of journey.
How does the guarantee evaluate between American Tourister and Samsonite?
Samsonite sometimes affords longer and extra complete warranties, protecting numerous defects and damages.
Are there any eco-friendly baggage choices from these manufacturers?
Samsonite has launched collections emphasizing environmental accountability with out compromising high quality or sturdiness.
Is American Tourister the identical high quality as Samsonite?
No, Samsonite affords higher-end supplies and options, whereas American Tourister focuses on affordability.
Which suitcase model is greatest?
It relies on your wants. Samsonite baggage affords high quality and extra options whereas American Tourister supplies extra budget-friendly choices.
Does the burden of the suitcase matter?
Sure, a lighter suitcase means you may pack extra with out going over airline weight limits.