Choice compares carry-on suitcases | Daily Mail Online

Any frequent flyer will be aware of the benefits of a good carry-on suitcase.

But while you might think you’re in good hands if you turn to one of the reputable suitcase brands, in fact you might be able to save yourself some valuable cash if you opt for something from a budget discount retailer.

Australian consumer organisation, Choice, recently took a look at carry-on luggage from the likes of Samsonite, Antler, Delsey, Flylite, Aldi’s Skylite and Kmart.

They compared each suitcase for water resistance, durability, stability, performance, puncture and ease of use – and while many did well, what they found might surprise you.

Australian consumer organisation, Choice , recently took a look at carry-on luggage from the likes of Samsonite, Antler, Delsey, Flylite, Aldi’s Skylite and Kmart (stock image)

Options from Flylite (left) and Samsonite (right) were compared on the grounds of water resistance, durability, stability, performance, puncture and ease of use

Coming out on top, with 87 per cent in Choice’s ratings, was the American Tourister Curio suitcase, which retails for AUD $239 (stock image)

How Choice conducted their suitcase test

* The consumer organisation’s testers conducted several tests to assess each suitcase’s performance. The performance score is made up of the lift and drop test (60 per cent), stability test (20 per cent), rain test (10 per cent) and puncture test (10 per cent).

* For the puncture test, a heavy pointed cylinder was dropped on to the suitcase surface to see whether any damage occurred.

* For the rain test, Choice placed the suitcase upright under a custom-made shower rig for 10 minutes to simulate a downpour and check how wet the newspaper was inside.

* For the stability test, their testers packed the cases with 4kg of clothing and placed them on a tilting platform. The suitcases were tilted until they tip. They then recorded the angle the cases were at when they tipped over.

* Lastly, ease of use was assessed by three triallists scoring each suitcase on aspects like balance and manouverability. They also wheeled the cases with a 5kg load over a range of surfaces including grass, carpet, stairs, asphalt and footpaths.

Coming out on top, with 87 per cent in Choice’s ratings, was the American Tourister Curio suitcase, which retails for AUD $239.

Featuring a dual wheel spinner, expandable features, a lightweight frame and a range of available colours, the case scored an impressive 87 per cent in Choice’s ratings – the best of all 16 products tested.

This was followed by several products, all of which scored 86 per cent.

In second place, the consumer organisation cited Flylite’s Pro Lite 54-centimetre suitcase, which normally retails for $200 – but is currently reduced to $119 online.

Samsonite’s 72-hour DLX option – reduced from $329 to $195 – also scored 86 per cent and an impressive 91 per cent performance score.

The popularity of this option is in no small part down to its ease of use.

Weighing in at less than two kilograms, it’s perfect for those who struggle to pack light.

Interestingly, Kmart’s soft lightweight case – which retails for just $49 – also scored 86 per cent.

For less than $50, this is one of the cheapest options on the market.

Two Kmart products (left and right) rated extremely in the rankings – costing just $49 and $38 they came in fourth and sixth place

For the rain test, Choice placed the suitcase upright under a custom-made shower rig for 10 minutes to simulate a downpour and check how wet the newspaper was inside (stock image)

Choice’s carry-on suitcase ratings

1. American Tourister Curio – $239 – 87 per cent (all overall).

2. Flylite Pro-Lite 54cm – $200 – 86 per cent.

3. Samsonite 72 Hours DLX – $329 – 86 per cent.

4. Kmart Active & Co – $49 – 86 per cent.

5. Big W Jetstream – $70 – 86 per cent.

6. Kmart Hard Case – $38 – 86 per cent.

7. Skylite 56cm Spinner Carry On – $40 – 86 per cent.

8. Delsey Chatelet 55 cm – $499 – 85 per cent.

9. Delsey Montmartre Air – $289 – 85 per cent.

10. Antler Oxygen – $289 – 85 per cent.

11. Crumpler Vis-a-Vis, Cabin – $349 – 84 per cent.

12. Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 – $579 – 84 per cent.

13. Samsonite Octolite – $299 – 84 per cent.

14. American Tourister Applite 3.0 S – $219 – 84 per cent.

15. Australian Luggage Co So Lite 2.0 AIR3033/18″ – $160 – 82 per cent.

16. Flylite Quartz 20″ case – $199 – 49 per cent.

Source: Choice

Discount retailer, Aldi , also did well with their Skylite 56cm Spinner Carry On – which costs $40 and came in seventh place (left) – Big W’s Jetstram (right) came fifth

Kmart also featured at number six in the list of cases, with their $38 Hard Case ranking highly with 86 per cent.

Both of these options came above pricey alternatives from Delsey – which cost both $499 and $289 and scored 85 per cent – still a good score, but not as high as Kmart’s.

Discount retailer, Aldi, also did well with their Skylite 56cm Spinner Carry On – which costs $40 and came in seventh place.

Many cases came above pricey options from Delsey (left and right) – while both of these cases scored 85 per cent, they did not rate as well as Kmart’s

Samsonite’s Cosmolite and Octolite (left and right) came in twelfth and thirteenth place, both scoring 84 per cent

Bringing up the rear of the competition were cases from the likes of Antler (left) and Crumpler (right) – these scored well but performed worse than some others

Bringing up the rear of the competition were cases from the likes of Antler and other options from Samsonite, which did also rate well – but not as well in the tests as others.

There was one case Choice advised consumers to stay away from however, the Flylite Quartz 20″.

This case scored just 28 per cent in performance overall.

For more information about Choice’s reviews, visit their website here.

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