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Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner (21") vs Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner (21") ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on wheels & handle, light weight. Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner wins on packing & capacity, warranty & support.
The biggest complaint about the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner (21") is zippers and wheels breaking; for the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner it's very expensive. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner (21") | Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in carry-on luggage | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Softside spinner | Softside spinner |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 9% | 10% |
| Overall score | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Wheels & handle | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Packing & capacity | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Light weight | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Toughness | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Warranty & support | 4.5 | 5.0 |
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
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner (21")
- Zippers and wheels breaking
Amazon's review summary says durability gets mixed feedback, with some owners reporting wheels breaking off and multiple reports of zippers breaking. Wirecutter notes a 2019 front-pocket zipper problem that Travelpro fixed.
- Weak skid plate, steering complaints
Wirecutter says the skid protection is small and not very protective when you pull the bag up stairs or curbs. Some Good Housekeeping testers said it was hard to steer.
Source: Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping - Pricey, dated look, clunky warranty claims
Some Amazon owners call it overpriced at about $400, and some Good Housekeeping testers thought it looked old-fashioned. Wirecutter is tracking reports that starting a warranty claim is onerous, though it has not heard of many denials.
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.
Who should pick which
Pick the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner (21") if
Frequent flyers who want airline damage covered
Packing five days of clothes into a standard carry-on
Lots of outside pockets (a 2-wheel Rollaboard version holds a bit more)
Skip it if: You drag bags up stairs and over curbs a lot; You want a sleek hard-shell look; You don't want to register a bag for warranty coverage
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
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.