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American Tourister and Samsonite supply distinctive advantages and cater to several types of vacationers. But which one fits your journey finest?
As a seasoned traveler who’s lived out of a suitcase for months at a time, I’ve put my baggage via each conceivable take a look at. Over the years, 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 supply 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 area and studying what makes the distinction between a very good suitcase and an awesome one.
What you might not know is that American Tourister is definitely owned by the Samsonite Corporation. However, simply because the 2 manufacturers are made by the identical firm doesn’t imply they’re equal. American Tourister is bought because the extra budget-friendly various to Samsonite, which implies cheaper supplies, less complicated designs, and fewer high-end choices.
And that’s the important thing distinction. If you’re in search of a good suitcase on a budget, American Tourister has you lined. If you might be prepared to spend a bit extra for higher-quality baggage, Samsonite is best.
It’s not essentially so simple as simply selecting a value level, although. I’ll share my experiences with each manufacturers and enable you to perceive the precise commerce offs you’ll be able to count on between them.
Why You Can Trust Us
The TravelFreak editorial workforce has examined dozens of suitcases through the years, and we’ve discovered so much about what separates a top quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed price range baggage, luxurious suitcases, and every little thing in between.
We understand how laborious it’s to seek out the proper 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 baggage take a look at methodology attainable.
We examined and rated 5 American Tourister suitcases and 15 Samsonite suitcases, together with carry-ons and checked baggage from each manufacturers.
We evaluated each one among 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 simple for us (and also you) to match the benefits and downsides of every.
At a Glance
Scores |
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Average Overall Score | 7.7 | 8.8 |
Average Build Quality Score | 6.6 | 7.9 |
Average Ease of Use Score | 6.8 | 8.2 |
Average Functionality Score | 7.3 | 8.9 |
Average Water Resistance Score | 8.2 | 8.0 |
Average Brand Impact Score | 4.5 | 6.2 |
Average Buying Experience Score | 7.1 | 6.8 |
Average Warranty Score | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Average Price-to-Performance Score | 10.0 | 8.6 |
Specs | ||
Type | Hardside, Softside | Hardside, Softside |
Warranty | 10-year | 10-year |
Returns | Pay for return transport, 60-day | Pay for return transport, 90-day |
Manufacturing Location(s) | India, China, Vietnam | India, China, Hungary |
Browse American Tourister | Browse Samsonite |
American Tourister vs Samsonite: Quick Answers
- Durability: Monos baggage is usually extra sturdy and well-built total.
- Price: American Tourister is a price range model with very low costs. Samsonite is costlier total and has extra premium fashions.
- Warranty: American Tourister and Samsonite have a nearly similar 10-year restricted guarantee.
- Sustainability: Samsonite is a lot better when you prioritize sustainability. They use recycled supplies and have packages to scale back their vitality consumption and carbon footprint.
- Materials: 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 Style: American Tourister baggage is colourful and flashy with enjoyable print designs. Samsonite baggage is extra understated {and professional}.
- Interior Organization: American Tourister suitcases are quite simple and bare-bones inside, whereas Samsonite has designs with extra inside pockets and group options.
- Expandability: Both American Tourister and Samsonite have suitcases that may increase.
- Wheels: American Tourister usually makes use of flimsier single spinner wheels, whereas many Samsonite fashions have stronger double spinner wheels.
- Telescopic Handle: Samsonite baggage usually has stronger and extra adjustable handles than American Tourister.
- Color Options: American Tourister baggage is available in an enormous vary of shiny colours and designs, whereas Samsonite’s colour selections are extra restricted.
American Tourister vs Samsonite: Which Should You Buy?
Buy American Tourister when you…
- are on a good price range.
- don’t journey incessantly.
- primarily take home flights throughout the US.
- want baggage for summer season holidays or cruises.
- are shopping for baggage for a kid or for touring with a household.
Buy Samsonite when you…
- journey extra incessantly.
- typically journey internationally.
- journey for work.
- desire a suitcase that may final for years of journey.
- care about shopping for extra sustainable journey gear.
- want checked baggage for long-haul journeys.
Materials & Quality
American Tourister is solidly a price range model, and which means you shouldn’t count on the identical high quality and sturdiness you’d get from a high-end model like Briggs & Riley (which is likely one of the finest baggage manufacturers on the market).
Now, don’t get me flawed. An American Tourister bag will survive lengthy airplane rides and bumpy baggage carousels simply positive, and when you use it proper, it might final for years of journey. But selecting American Tourister over Samsonite does include some tradeoffs.
Here’s what I imply.
American Tourister gives strong hardside suitcases made with ABS plastic. This is likely one of the commonest plastics on the planet; it’s utilized in every little thing from LEGOs to hoover cleaners to your laptop computer’s keyboard. It’s a good materials all-around, however it’s lower than very best for baggage.
The multi-directional spinner wheels, zippers, and handles are additionally cheaper and flimsier than those Samsonite baggage makes use of.
Because Samsonite has such a variety of merchandise, they use a number of completely different supplies. Their cheaper hardside suitcases are made from polypropylene, which is light-weight and versatile. It’s usually higher than ABS, however it’s nonetheless a price range materials, and isn’t notably sturdy.
For just a little more cash, you may get a good high quality carry-on or checked suitcase made with polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is the gold-standard materials for hardside baggage proper now, and is utilized by many luxurious manufacturers.
If sturdiness is your essential concern, Samsonite is one of the best baggage model of the 2, scoring a median of seven.9 for Build Quality in comparison with American Tourister’s 6.6.
And because Samsonite merchandise are all so completely different, you must do your analysis into a person suitcase earlier than shopping for it. Here are a number of Samsonite merchandise I extremely suggest:
- Outline Pro: a mid-range hardside carry-on
- Armage II: Made of sturdy nylon material. Both of those baggage are sturdy and dependable
- Samsonite C-Lite: a light-weight suitcase that may take some critical abuse
Here’s an in depth have a look at the finest Samsonite baggage that can assist you select the precise one on your wants.
Design & Features
What really units American Tourister aside is its enjoyable, vibrant designs (when you’re Gen Z, you completely get the hype.)
Here are a number of of the good printed carry-on picks that you could be love:
Of course, not all people likes to be the focus. If you dislike shiny, eye-catching colours in your baggage, Samsonite’s extra conservative, minimalist designs will probably be extra up your alley. Their baggage items are extra dialed-in and complicated than something from American Tourister, and their higher-end baggage undoubtedly don’t appear to be low-cost merchandise you picked up at Target.
Functionally, American Tourister suitcases are fairly easy and fundamental, and I truthfully suppose that’s a very good factor. When price range manufacturers attempt to pack in too many options, you simply find yourself with extra issues to interrupt.
You’ll discover zippered dividers, a number of inside pockets to maintain issues organized, and adjustable telescoping handles. None of that’s groundbreaking, however it will get the job executed.
If you want having numerous pockets and compartments to maintain issues organized, you’ll like Samsonite far more than American Tourister. Some of their suitcases are nonetheless fairly easy, however others (just like the Samsonite Outline Pro) have modern designs with a number of dividers and loads of pockets for smaller objects.
Samsonite baggage additionally has extra bells and whistles. Built-in TSA locks, detachable toiletry pouches, garment folders, and USB ports are frequent throughout Samsonite’s product line. I really 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 increased at 8.9 on common.
Value for Your Money
If you might be 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 Price-to-Performance class. Samsonite scored decrease at 8.6.
American Tourister is likely one of the finest 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.
Of course, you shouldn’t count on the standard to be the identical as higher-end manufacturers. If you journey so much, an American Tourister bag may not final very lengthy, and having to interchange it sort of defeats the aim of saving cash within the first place.
Samsonite suitcases do price extra, however they will even last more.
If you simply want a bag for infrequent journeys, American Tourister will probably be positive, however when you journey extra incessantly, you’ll lower your expenses in the long term by going with Samsonite.
Warranty and Buying Experience
Since each manufacturers are owned by the identical firm, their warranties are just about similar. They even have the identical wording on their guarantee pages.
- American Tourister guarantee gives a restricted international guarantee (which is dependent upon the product) that covers manufacturing defects however received’t assist in case your bag will get wrecked by an airline, mishandled, or simply worn out over time. Of course, with American Tourister’s low prices, any form of guarantee is sweet to have.
- Samsonite guarantee additionally covers materials and workmanship defects however not harm from tough dealing with or common use.
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 status for repairing or changing suitcases on guarantee.
Brand Impact & Sustainability
Samsonite is much forward of American Tourister on the subject of model influence and sustainability. The model makes use of recycled supplies in its material baggage, studies its carbon footprint, plans to make use of 100% renewable vitality by 2025, and donates to environmental and social charities.
Samsonite scored 6.2 for sustainability, whereas American Tourister solely scored 4.5.
Final Thoughts
Even although 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 most vacationers, Samsonite would be the more sensible choice.
But that doesn’t imply there’s no cause to decide on American Tourister.
One of these causes is price. American Tourister baggage is affordable, and when you be careful for offers, it may be actually low-cost. If you don’t journey incessantly, American Tourister offers you higher bang on your buck.
Another cause to purchase American Tourister is their enjoyable print designs. If you might be shopping for baggage for a kid (or simply on your personal inside little one), it’s a improbable choice.
So it comes right down to this, are you a extra critical frequent traveler who wants a dependable suitcase, or somebody who travels much less incessantly 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?
Yes, American Tourister baggage is designed to resist the pains of journey.
How does the guarantee examine between American Tourister and Samsonite?
Samsonite sometimes gives longer and extra complete warranties, masking numerous defects and damages.
Are there any eco-friendly baggage choices from these manufacturers?
Samsonite has launched collections emphasizing environmental duty with out compromising high quality or sturdiness.
Is American Tourister the identical high quality as Samsonite?
No, Samsonite gives higher-end supplies and options, whereas American Tourister focuses on affordability.
Which suitcase model is finest?
It is dependent upon your wants. Samsonite baggage gives high quality and extra options whereas American Tourister gives extra budget-friendly choices.
Does the load of the suitcase matter?
Yes, a lighter suitcase means you’ll be able to pack extra with out going over airline weight limits.