American Tourister and Samsonite supply distinctive advantages and cater to various kinds 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 way of each conceivable take a look at. 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 supply insights not simply from product specs, however from real-world sturdiness and performance.
Plus, in 15 years of testing, the TravelFreak staff has rated over 150 suitcases utilizing our complete data-based methodology. We’ve spent years honing our experience within the area and studying what makes the distinction between a great suitcase and an ideal one.
What it’s possible you’ll 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. In case you are 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 assist you to perceive the precise commerce offs you possibly can anticipate between them.
Why You Can Belief Us
The TravelFreak editorial staff has examined dozens of suitcases over time, and we’ve discovered quite a bit about what separates a high quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed price range baggage, luxurious suitcases, and the whole lot in between.
We all know how onerous it’s to seek out the right suitcase, and we need to make the method simpler for you. So our staff of drugs junkies and product engineers developed probably the most complete baggage take a look at methodology potential.
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 in every of these suitcases on 31 metrics throughout eight classes. We gave all of them the identical therapy and rated them on the identical standardized scales. This makes it simple for us (and also you) to match 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 general.
- Value: American Tourister is a price range model with very low costs. Samsonite is costlier general and has extra premium fashions.
- Guarantee: American Tourister and Samsonite have a nearly similar 10-year restricted guarantee.
- Sustainability: Samsonite is significantly better if you happen to prioritize sustainability. They use recycled supplies and have applications to cut back their vitality 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 Model: 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 broaden.
- Wheels: American Tourister typically makes use of flimsier single spinner wheels, whereas many Samsonite fashions have stronger double spinner wheels.
- Telescopic Deal with: Samsonite baggage typically has stronger and extra adjustable handles than American Tourister.
- Coloration Choices: American Tourister baggage is available in an enormous vary of vibrant colours and designs, whereas Samsonite’s coloration selections are extra restricted.
American Tourister vs Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase?
Purchase American Tourister if you happen to…
- 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.
Purchase Samsonite if you happen to…
- journey extra incessantly.
- typically 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 price range model, and meaning you shouldn’t anticipate the identical high quality and sturdiness you’d get from a high-end model like Briggs & Riley (which is without doubt one of the greatest baggage manufacturers on the market).
Now, don’t get me incorrect. An American Tourister bag will survive lengthy airplane rides and bumpy baggage carousels simply tremendous, and if you happen to 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 without doubt one of the most typical plastics on the planet; it’s utilized in the whole lot from LEGOs to hoover cleaners to your laptop computer’s keyboard. It’s a good materials all-around, nevertheless it’s lower than splendid 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 fabricated from polypropylene, which is light-weight and versatile. It’s typically higher than ABS, however it’s nonetheless a price range materials, and isn’t notably sturdy.
For a bit more cash, you may get a great 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.
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, it’s best to do your analysis into a person suitcase earlier than shopping for it. A couple of fashions I extremely suggest are the Define Professional, a mid-range hardside carry-on, and the Armage II, which is fabricated from sturdy nylon material. Each of those baggage are sturdy and dependable.
In order for you a light-weight suitcase that may take some critical abuse, try the Samsonite C-Lite. It’s made in Europe from an progressive woven composite hardshell materials that absorbs impacts higher than another baggage materials I’ve encountered.
If sturdiness is your major concern, Samsonite is one of the best baggage model of the 2, scoring a median 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 acquired children carry-ons with Disney character prints, night time 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 method assertion; it’s sensible, too.
Ever tried recognizing your black bag amongst a sea of comparable ones? It’s not enjoyable. Think about if you happen to’ve acquired an enormous print of Darth Vader in your suitcase, although. No manner you’re going to overlook that.
After all, not all people likes to be the focus. For those who dislike vibrant, 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 complex than something from American Tourister, and their higher-end baggage undoubtedly don’t seem like low-cost merchandise you picked up at Goal.
Functionally, American Tourister suitcases are fairly easy and fundamental, and I actually assume that’s a great 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, just a few inner pockets to maintain issues organized, and adjustable telescoping handles. None of that’s groundbreaking, nevertheless it will get the job completed.
For those who like having plenty of pockets and compartments to maintain issues organized, you’ll like Samsonite far more than American Tourister. A few of their suitcases are nonetheless fairly easy, however others (just like the Define Professional) have progressive designs with a number of dividers and loads of pockets for smaller objects.
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 increased at 8.9 on common.
Worth for Your Cash
In case you are strapped for money and saving each penny for air journey, American Tourister sells among the least costly baggage available on the market. They scored 10/10 for our Value-to-Efficiency class. Samsonite scored decrease at 8.6.
American Tourister is without doubt 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 quite a bit, an American Tourister bag won’t final very lengthy, and having to interchange it type of defeats the aim of saving cash within the first place.
Samsonite suitcases do price extra, however they may also last more.
For those who simply want a bag for infrequent journeys, American Tourister will probably be tremendous, however if you happen to journey extra incessantly, you’ll lower your expenses 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 similar. 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 type of guarantee is sweet to have.
Model Impression & Sustainability
If shopping for extra sustainable merchandise is necessary to you, the selection is easy. Samsonite is much forward of American Tourister in the case of model influence and sustainability. Samsonite scored 6.2 for sustainability, whereas American Tourister solely scored 4.5.
Samsonite makes use of recycled supplies in its material baggage, stories its carbon footprint, plans to make use of 100% renewable vitality by 2025, and donates to environmental and social charities.
Remaining Ideas
Although Samsonite and American Tourister are owned by the identical firm, these two baggage manufacturers are very completely different they usually cater to various kinds of vacationers.
Samsonite scored higher than American Tourister in nearly all of our testing metrics, and I believe it’s fairly clear that they make higher baggage general. Samsonite model suitcases are extra sturdy and have extra sensible options and designs. For many vacationers, Samsonite would be the better option.
However that doesn’t imply there’s no purpose to decide on American Tourister.
A kind of causes is price. American Tourister baggage is reasonable, and if you happen to be careful for offers, it may be actually low-cost. For those who don’t journey incessantly, American Tourister provides you higher bang to your buck.
Another excuse to purchase American Tourister is if you happen to simply really need one in every of their enjoyable print designs. I imply, it’s onerous to say no to a Monster’s Inc. carry-on. In case you are shopping for baggage for a kid (or simply to your personal inside baby), it’s onerous to beat American Tourister.
So it comes all the way 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?
Sure, American Tourister baggage is designed to resist the pains of journey.
How does the guarantee examine between American Tourister and Samsonite?
Samsonite usually affords longer and extra complete warranties, overlaying varied defects and damages.
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