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Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner vs Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-On Spinner (21")
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner ranks higher (#2 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on wheels & handle, packing & capacity, toughness, warranty & support. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-On Spinner (21") wins on light weight.
The biggest complaint about the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner is very expensive; for the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-On Spinner (21") it's mixed durability reports. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner | Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-On Spinner (21") | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in carry-on luggage | #2 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Softside spinner | Softside spinner |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 10% | 10% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 3.8 |
| Wheels & handle | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Packing & capacity | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Light weight | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| Toughness | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Warranty & support | 5.0 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–350 · $$$ over $350. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner
- Very expensive
Good Housekeeping lists 'very expensive' as a con at $729, and CNN calls the price very high. Amazon owners disagree on value for money.
- Heavy
At 10 lb, it is the heaviest bag Wirecutter recommends. Good Housekeeping also calls it on the heavier side, and CNN found the 2-wheel version the heaviest of five it tested (9.7 lb).
- Exposed handle rails, harder to roll when full
Wirecutter felt the outside handle rails scrape on stairs and found the handle loose at first (on purpose, says the brand). CNN saw wear on the outside handle. A Condé Nast Traveler editor says it doesn't roll as easily when full, and Amazon owners disagree on maneuverability.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-On Spinner (21")
- Mixed durability reports
Amazon's review summary says some owners find it holds up without wear while others say it broke after three trips. OutdoorGearLab's drop tests left only faint scratches.
- Size is off from the listing
Amazon owners give mixed size feedback, with some saying it is smaller than the listed dimensions. OutdoorGearLab measured it 1-1.5 inches too long for domestic carry-on limits, though it still fit the overhead bins it tried.
- Wobbly on rough ground, weaker warranty
OutdoorGearLab found more chatter and lower clearance on cracks and gravel and some wobble when full. Wirecutter notes airline damage and shipping are covered only for the first year.
Source: OutdoorGearLab review, Wirecutter
Who should pick which
Pick the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner if
Very frequent flyers (Wirecutter suggests 25,000+ miles a year)
Packing suits and dresses with less wrinkling
Buy-it-for-life buyers (a 2-wheel version holds more)
Skip it if: You need a light bag to lift overhead; You're on a budget; You want a bag that rolls easily when stuffed full
Pick the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-On Spinner (21") if
Anyone who struggles to lift a bag overhead
A trusted brand for around $150-170
Simple, no-frills packing
Skip it if: You roll over cobblestones and gravel a lot; You want long airline-damage coverage; You want extras like a garment folder or USB port
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