Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch vs Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside
Both made our Best Checked Luggage shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner if you want compression system flattens contents without zippers straining under an overpacked bag. Choose the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner if you'd rather have hardshell handles wet climates and rough tarmac loading better than softside at this price. Overall we rank the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Checked Luggage list.
Winner overall: Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner
Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner vs Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 3 in Best Checked Luggage | #3 of 3 in Best Checked Luggage |
| Pick label | ||
| Brand | Briggs & Riley | Samsonite |
| Key features | 28-inch expandable softside shell; Four double-swivel spinner wheels; One-touch compression system | 24-inch expandable polypropylene hardshell; Dual 360-degree spinner wheels; TSA-approved combination lock |
| Biggest strength | Compression system flattens contents without zippers straining under an overpacked bag | Hardshell handles wet climates and rough tarmac loading better than softside at this price |
| Main trade-off | Feels heavy once fully packed, closer to checked weight limits than lighter competitors | Polypropylene shell scratches and shows scuffs more visibly than textured competitors |
| Best for | international travel | international travel |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick
Choose the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner if…
- Compression system flattens contents without zippers straining under an overpacked bag
- Lifetime guarantee covers airline damage indefinitely, the strongest warranty in this list
- Double-swivel wheels roll smoother than single-caster wheels over uneven cobblestone and tile common abroad
Best for: international travel
Prefer the alternative? See the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner section.
#3 pick
Choose the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner if…
- Hardshell handles wet climates and rough tarmac loading better than softside at this price
- 8.5-pound empty weight leaves more of the checked weight limit for actual belongings
Best for: international travel
Prefer the alternative? See the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner section.
Pros and cons of each
Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner
Pros
- Compression system flattens contents without zippers straining under an overpacked bag
- Lifetime guarantee covers airline damage indefinitely, the strongest warranty in this list
- Double-swivel wheels roll smoother than single-caster wheels over uneven cobblestone and tile common abroad
Cons
- Feels heavy once fully packed, closer to checked weight limits than lighter competitors
- Understated styling, no bright colorways for easy carousel identification
Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner
Pros
- Hardshell handles wet climates and rough tarmac loading better than softside at this price
- 8.5-pound empty weight leaves more of the checked weight limit for actual belongings
Cons
- Polypropylene shell scratches and shows scuffs more visibly than textured competitors
- Single-caster style wheel housing wears faster than the double-swivel wheels on premium bags
- 10-year warranty is limited, not the unconditional coverage of Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner vs Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner: common questions
Which is better, the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner or the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner?
Choose the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner if you want compression system flattens contents without zippers straining under an overpacked bag. Choose the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner if you'd rather have hardshell handles wet climates and rough tarmac loading better than softside at this price. Overall we rank the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Checked Luggage list.
What is the difference between the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner and the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner?
The Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner stands out because compression system flattens contents without zippers straining under an overpacked bag, while the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner stands out because hardshell handles wet climates and rough tarmac loading better than softside at this price. The trade-offs differ too: the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner's main caveat is that feels heavy once fully packed, closer to checked weight limits than lighter competitors, and the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner's is that polypropylene shell scratches and shows scuffs more visibly than textured competitors.
Is the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner worth it over the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner instead if feels heavy once fully packed, closer to checked weight limits than lighter competitors is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner instead of the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner?
The Samsonite Freeform 24-Inch Medium Hardside Spinner suits international travel, while the Briggs & Riley Baseline 28-Inch Large Expandable Spinner is best for international travel.