Samsonite Freeform 28" Large Spinner vs Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner

Bottom line: Pick the Samsonite Freeform 28" if you want a hard shell; pick the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" if you want a lighter bag, a smaller bag and a soft shell.

Samsonite6.2/10
31.1 in 20.9 in 13.8
Weight
9.6 lb
Size in
31.1 × 20.9 × 13.8
Warranty
10 yr
Our score
6.2/10
Fits 1 of 9 US airlines
  • AA: too big
  • DL: too big
  • UA: too big
  • WN: too big
  • B6: too big
  • AS: too big
  • NK: too big
  • F9: too big
  • G4: fits
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Big and tough with a 10-year warranty, but its true size is 31 inches tall and over most airlines' 62-inch limit.

Airline fit (US)
1.1/10
Durability
8/10
Packing space
9/10
Rolling & handling
7/10
Value
6/10
Travelpro★ Our verdict
31 in 21 in 13

Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner

Best for families, frequent flyers

Weight
8.5 lb
Size in
31 × 21 × 13
Warranty
Lifetime
Our score
6.8/10
Fits 1 of 9 US airlines
  • AA: too big
  • DL: too big
  • UA: too big
  • WN: too big
  • B6: too big
  • AS: too big
  • NK: too big
  • F9: too big
  • G4: fits
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Huge and surprisingly light at 8.5 lb, with a lifetime warranty. Like most big bags, it's over the 62-inch limit.

Airline fit (US)
1.1/10
Durability
8/10
Packing space
10/10
Rolling & handling
8/10
Value
7/10

Key differences

  • Size: the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" is 31 × 21 × 13 in; the Samsonite Freeform 28" is 31.1 × 20.9 × 13.8 in.
  • The Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" is lighter: 8.5 lb vs 9.6 lb.
  • Capacity: 142 L for the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29"; not listed for the Samsonite Freeform 28".
  • Shell: the Samsonite Freeform 28" is hard; the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" is soft.
  • The Samsonite Freeform 28" has a tsa lock; the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29"'s tsa lock isn't listed.
  • The Samsonite Freeform 28" has no laptop / front pocket; the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29"'s laptop / front pocket isn't listed.
  • The Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" has the longer warranty: lifetime vs 10 yr.

Specs side by side

SpecSamsonite Freeform 28" Large SpinnerTravelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner
Height31.1 in (79 cm)31 in (78.7 cm)
Width20.9 in (53.1 cm)21 in (53.3 cm)
Depth13.8 in (35.1 cm)13 in (33 cm)
Empty weight9.6 lb (4.4 kg)8.5 lb (3.9 kg)
CapacityNot listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)142 L
ShellHardSoft
Wheels44
ExpandableYesYes
TSA lockYesNot listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)
Laptop / front pocketNoNot listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)
Warranty10 yrLifetime

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better, the Samsonite Freeform 28" Large Spinner or the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner?

Overall we rate the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner higher (6.8/10 vs 6.2/10, airline fit included). Huge and surprisingly light at 8.5 lb, with a lifetime warranty. Like most big bags, it's over the 62-inch limit.

Which is lighter, the Samsonite Freeform 28" Large Spinner or the Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner?

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" is lighter: 8.5 lb vs 9.6 lb.

Which fits more airlines?

The Samsonite Freeform 28" Large Spinner: fits 1 of 9 US airlines. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 29" Expandable Spinner: fits 1 of 9 US airlines. Based on published size limits.

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