Ciao Luggage and Amazon Basics Luggage are both brands very similar to Samsonite or American Tourister luggage, though perhaps not as well known. What this should mean to you is that both of these companies specialize in hardshell very durable luggage – especially sets – which are made from some of the best materials and have undergone rigorous testing to allow extra packing room without forcing you over those pesky airline weight restrictions. However, between the two brands, especially when both Ciao and Amazon Basics have so many good options, which should you choose to protect your belongings and represent your style?
A Brief Review of Ciao Luggage
The Ciao luggage range includes mostly hardshell options for checked bags, it also offers an equally wide range for carry-ons and under-the-seat bags. In the soft department, Ciao typically offers some duffel bag options, though these are not their specialty. For each suitcase Ciao Luggage includes the finest materials for added durability against all the hazards of travel, they also include rolling spinner wheels for easy portability, and tons of unique style choices for traveling in fashion.
A Brief Review of Amazon Basics Luggage
Born out of the online Amazon shopping platform, AmazonBasics is a brand which produces general home necessities. Their rapidly expanding catalogue of this and that has also grown to provide some impressive luggage options for the avid traveler. From what we’ve seen, most of their bags are hardshell originals designed to create safe traveling for all your belongings. Though they do offer some great softside options for even lighter traveling, the best of these are their carry-on’s and under-the-seat choices.
How we Organized our Research
From what you might have noticed these are both brands that specialize in hardshell protective luggage and bags for your carry-on and underseat quick-access needs. In researching and comparing these brands we took a hard look at their catalogue and chose only the best bags to compare against each other. Organized below in three different categories – Best Hardshell Sets, Best Underseat Luggage, and Best Carry-On – we’ve included nothing but the facts so that you might more easily choose the best bag (and brand) for your travels.
Best Hardside Luggage
The real clincher between these two brands might be the level of quality they promise vs. the level of quality they deliver. For the best hardshell sets you want a mixture of three things: durability, purpose, and space. By purpose, what we mean is that no bag in a set should seem non-essential; for durability the most durable hard bags use aluminum or polycarbonate, while materials like ABS are lighter and a close second; and finally, space is a must and the more packing you can do with a set, the better.
Ciao Luggage Voyager 3 Piece Hardside Spinner Suitcase Set Collectio
Suitcase Storage
Besides being a stylish choice for the high seas or a cruise destination, this set includes a 20-inch carry on, 24-inch medium, and 28-inch large. Together that’s well over 200 liters of packing space for up to easily a month of packed clothing and longer. All suitcases include a fully lined interior and single deep zippered pocket recessed into the divider of the bag.
Materials/Durability
Made more specifically for lightweight easy traveling and striking quite the bold fashion statement, these bags are designed from scratch resistant ABS which, though not as durable as heavier materials, will protect your belongings in a pinch. Additionally, this bag comes with self-repairing zippers and thicker reinforced corners.
Additional Features
Purchase includes 4 very durable spinner wheels and a telescopic pull handle.
Size Options
As mentioned before, this set comes with a carry-on at 20-inches, a medium bag at 25-inches, and a large checked bag at 28-inches. Style options include six unique color choices.
Amazon 3-Piece Hardshell Spinner Luggage Set
Suitcase Storage
The three suitcases in this set offer up to 15% additional packing room with their included zippered expansions; however, watch the weight limits on that 20-inch carry-on and make sure it can still fit in a standard overhead bin. Together the carry-on, medium, and large checked bags in this set allow for a well-prepared month-long getaway with extra room to spare.
Materials/Durability
Much like the Ciao example, these bags sacrifice some durability for a lighter ABS frame that is thicker along the reinforced sides but more liable to scratch and dent from collisions to the bags middle. For checked bags this really shouldn’t be a problem as these options are water tight and made extra-thick, but where you can avoid major collisions such as dropping your luggage down a flight of steps.
Additional Features
Purchase comes with a very organized interior that offers a central divider, tie-down straps, and a mesh zippered pocket for extras. Additionally, this bag runs on 4 double spinner wheels for ensured smooth rolling with a push-button released telescopic handle.
Size Options
This set comes with three bags, a 20-inch carry-on option, 24-inch medium checked bag, and 28-inch large. Style options come with 4 different color choices for a truly unique set.
Best Underseat Luggage
Most people think of underseat luggage as the ‘personal item’ you’re allowed to bring on the plane which allows you a little extra packing space in a limited bag. Ciao and AmazonBasics are especially good at designing these tight packing options to provide plenty of room for small neccesities while still tucking nicely under your seat and not resulting in extra charges.
Ciao Carry-on Wheeled Underseat Airplane Weekender
Suitcase Storage
With a very light construction this bag allows for three separate outside zippered pockets (one on the side) and an interior with enough room for two changes of clothes and three more zippered organizers.
Materials/Durability
Made from 100% ballistic nylon this is a very trustworthy item for protecting your belonging while on the move. It’s durability is unapparelled and yet its still small enough and light enough to count as a personal item alongside your carry-on luggage.
Additional Features
For easy portability this small weekend bag includes a long telescopic handle and it moves on in-line skate wheels alongside your carry-on.
Size Options
This 15-inch bag weighs four pounds and comes in three colors: black, Ciao black, and Ciao Navy.
Amazon Basics Underseat Luggage
Suitcase Storage
This weekend bag comes with a ready spacious main compartment that can comfortably fit two outfits or a single outfit and thick sweater. On the exterior it has and extra zippered side pocket and two shallow body pockets. Inside there is a single mesh pocket for makeups and other
Materials/Durability
Designed from polyester materials with a fully lined polyester interior liner, this bag is extremely lightweight and easy to fold and press into small spaces, however what it trades for being light is its overall durability. This bag is great to have alongside you but more likely to rip or scratch easily.
Additional Features
For easy portability this bag includes two in-line skate wheels and a long telescopic handle.
Size Options
At 13.4 inches this is an impressively small underseat item with tons of packing space, it comes in black and navy blue with separate quilted options for added style sense and extra padding to protect your things.
Best Carry-On Luggage
Often the best carry-on luggage depends on the kind of traveler you are and whether you can get by with less packing. Additionally, what you want to carry on to the plane might depend on if you have checked a second bag with the rest of your things. Nonetheless, these options should still offer a high durability but be light enough to avoid incurring extra charges and thin enough to fit into any overhead bin. Ciao and Amazon Basics produce very different things for your carry-on needs and so the best suitcase between the two will depend on what you’re looking for.
Ciao 15'' Expandable Under Seat Bag (Black)
Suitcase Storage
This carry-on option is also a great underseat bag when not packed to full capacity. At 15 inches and with a square shape design it can easily fit a sweater and a day’s worth of clothing while on the run. It’s equipped with three outside zippered pockets and interior mesh organizers. Last but not least, a zippered extension allows for 50% greater packing capacity for an extra outfit or things you might buy on your weekend getaway.
Materials/Durability
Fashioned from a durable nylon material, this suitcase is lightweight because its so small and also capable of handling anything your travels might throw at it. The interior is fully lined and watertight and all zippers are self-repairing with strong pull tabs.
Additional Features
This convertible bag can be extended to pack more and then fit into an overhead, or it can be flattened with less items and slid right under your seat. It comes with a long telescopic handle and in-line skate wheels for smooth portability around a crowded airport.
Size Options
From Ciao this type of bag can also be purchase with a more rounded shape specifically designed for under-the-seat purposes.
AmazonBasics Softside Spinner Luggage - 21-inch
Suitcase Storage
Including the wheels this carry-on option sits at 21-inches and is a fully body soft item with rigid edges that can fit up to a 4-days’ worth of clothing (depending on how you pack). Additionally, this option can be folded down further to fit into smaller spaces. Exterior features include one deep zippered pocket; the suitcase interior is fully lined with tie-down strips and one long pocket situated into the ceiling of the bag.
Materials/Durability
This suitcase is composed of 150 denier rated polyester which should protect your bag against scratches and minor tears but isn’t nearly as protective for your belongings as cotton fabric or nylon materials would be. The 360 degree spinner wheels are also more likely to damage easily, where spinner wheels are stronger.
Additional Features
This suitcase includes a securely mounted side haul handle, solid strong zippers, and a telescopic push-button handle.
Size Options
Carry-on suitcase is the smallest option from a 3-piece set that also includes a 25-inch medium bag and 29-inch large bag. These sizes come in navy blue or black colors.
Ciao Luggage vs Amazon Basics – Which is the best pick?
Between Ciao Luggage and Amazon Basics there is a wide range of bags you could pick from, however although both brands offer high quality luggage for your travels their hardside options and softside options aren’t exactly equal. For hardshell bags you’ll get a heavier final weight by choosing Amazon Luggage, however these bags are fairly more durable than those from the Ciao brand. On flip side however, Ciao appears to offer lighter and stronger solutions for both their carry-on items and underseat suitcases. It all depends on how you travel.
Summary
Ciao Luggage and Amazon Basics both have something to offer when it comes to quick weekend bags or full set extended travel solutions. The major difference between them are the materials they use to get the job done and provide either storage space or lightweight easy portability. For your next carry-on or hardside protective solution, one of these brands could be your final destination for all your luggage needs.
