Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner vs Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner
Bottom line: Pick the Samsonite Freeform 21" if you want a hard shell; pick the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact if you want a bag that fits more airlines, a lighter bag and a smaller bag.
Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner
Best for occasional trips, families
- Weight
- 6.5 lb
- Size in
- 23 × 15 × 10
- Warranty
- 10 yr
- Our score
- 6.4/10
- AA: too big
- DL: too big
- UA: too big
- WN: fits
- B6: too big
- AS: too big
- NK: too big
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Samsonite's best-selling hardside: double spinner wheels, a built-in TSA lock and a 10-year warranty, but it's bigger than most US carry-on limits.
- Weight
- 5.1 lb
- Size in
- 22 × 14 × 9
- Warranty
- Lifetime
- Our score
- 8.4/10
- AA: fits
- DL: fits
- UA: fits
- WN: fits
- B6: fits
- AS: fits
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: fits
One of the few spinners that truly measures 22 × 14 × 9 in with wheels and handles, and it's very light.
Key differences
- Size: the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact is 22 × 14 × 9 in; the Samsonite Freeform 21" is 23 × 15 × 10 in.
- The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact is lighter: 5.1 lb vs 6.5 lb.
- Shell: the Samsonite Freeform 21" is hard; the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact is soft.
- The Samsonite Freeform 21" has a tsa lock; the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact's tsa lock isn't listed.
- The Samsonite Freeform 21" has no laptop / front pocket; the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact's laptop / front pocket isn't listed.
- The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact has the longer warranty: lifetime vs 10 yr.
- Airline fit: the Samsonite Freeform 21": fits 2 of 9 US airlines; the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact: fits 9 of 9 US airlines.
Specs side by side
| Spec | Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner | Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 23 in (58.4 cm) | 22 in (55.9 cm) |
| Width | 15 in (38.1 cm) | 14 in (35.6 cm) |
| Depth | 10 in (25.4 cm) | 9 in (22.9 cm) |
| Empty weight | 6.5 lb (2.9 kg) | 5.1 lb (2.3 kg) |
| Shell | Hard | Soft |
| Wheels | 4 | 4 |
| Expandable | Yes | Yes |
| TSA lock | Yes | Not listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec) |
| Laptop / front pocket | No | Not listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec) |
| Warranty | 10 yr | Lifetime |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, the Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner or the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner?
Overall we rate the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner higher (8.4/10 vs 6.4/10, airline fit included). One of the few spinners that truly measures 22 × 14 × 9 in with wheels and handles, and it's very light.
Which is lighter, the Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner or the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner?
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact is lighter: 5.1 lb vs 6.5 lb.
Which fits more airlines?
The Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner: fits 2 of 9 US airlines. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner: fits 9 of 9 US airlines. Based on published size limits.
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