One of the true battles of traveling is finding a suitcase that will withstand the rigors of airport luggage throwers (otherwise known as baggage handlers) and all the bumps and scrapes the average piece of luggage experiences during travel.
An accessory you might want to investigate before your next trip is a suitcase cover, which has become an increasingly common sight on airport conveyor belts. A luggage cover is exactly what it sounds like: a stretchy or elastic cover designed to protect luggage during travel.
Read on to learn more about baggage covers, including how to choose a cover, the benefits of using one, and how to find the best luggage cover for your next trip.
Best Luggage Covers for Travel
| Baggage Cover | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Guardify Luggage Covers for Suitcase TSA Approved | Easy to use, inexpensive, keeps suitcases dry | $ |
| Dudietry Luggage Protector Suitcase Cover | Lots of styles, multiple sizes, celebrates people of color | $$ |
| xhrefvo Custom Travel Luggage Cover | Customizable, multiple sizes, highly elastic | $ |
| Moslion Owl Travel Luggage Protector | Multiple sizes, several designs, appropriate for many age groups | $$$ |
| TRAVEL KIN Luggage Cover Suitcase Cover | Many sizes, different designs, machine washable | $$ |
| 7-mi Travel Suitcase Protector Trolley Case | Rare solid black option, medium price, holds up great over time | $ |
| MosaiRudo Thicker Luggage Cover Elastic Suitcase Cover | Fun travel-oriented designs, strong material, requires careful measuring | $ |
| GIVIMO 3 Pieces Clear Luggage Cover 20/24/28 Inch Set | Set of three luggage covers, clear design, sturdy construction | $$ |
| Arasrsey Double-sided Printed Luggage Cover Ocean Turtle | Variety of sizes, several sea-life designs, double-sided | $$ |
| Coloranimal Luggage Cover Suitcase Protector Cover Trunk Case | Ginormous array of designs, fits 22″ to 32″ luggage, runs small | $ |
Everything You Need to Know About Luggage Covers
Different Types of Luggage Covers
Luggage covers you can buy are generally similar to one another and wrap snuggly around your luggage, as long as you’ve measured your suitcase appropriately (that means measuring your suitcase WITHOUT the wheels and handles).
The major difference between different luggage covers is the material and pattern. Some may feature a solid color, while others may feature a stylish or notable pattern. The main materials used in commercially available baggage covers are PVC-coated polyester or spandex.
Benefits of Using a Suitcase Cover
The primary and most obvious benefit of using a luggage cover protector is the protection it affords your suitcase. Luggage covers aren’t impenetrable, but they’re certainly less expensive to replace than entire suitcases. With the rough and tumble nature of the average baggage claim area, a suitcase cover can help you get a few extra years out of your suitcase for minimal investment.
An ancillary benefit of luggage covers is that they’re the easiest way to affordably personalize your suitcase. Not only can you choose a color you enjoy for your suitcase cover, but you may also design your own personalized luggage cover – some companies that offer that service.
How to Find the Best Luggage Covers for Your Trip
Choosing a suitcase cover is one-half employing measuring tape and one-half personal taste. On the one hand, you’ll need to measure your suitcase to find the right size. On the other hand, you’ll get to choose a color and style that suits your personal taste.
Simply perform a luggage cover search on Amazon or a suitcase cover search on REI and take a look at the different colors, features, and price tags of the available covers. If you plan to travel via airplane with your suitcase, make sure the suitcase cover you choose is TSA-approved. You may want to look for features like double-stitched seams, anti-slip material, and zippers that offer easy access to your belongings.
How to Care for Your Suitcase Cover
A luggage cover works to take some hits and bumps during travel, so it’ll become worn and dinged over time. Although you might find the scratches that appear annoying, it’s better for your luggage cover to sustain that damage than your luggage.
To determine the best care for your baggage cover, simply look at the tag on the cover or the instructions provided with it. You should see recommendations for cleaning, which may include handwashing or machine washing. Routine cleaning is generally all you’ll need to keep the cover in great shape. Not all luggage covers are machine washable, so always read the instructions.
See Related: Best Carry-On Essentials for Travel
Top 10 Suitcase Covers
1. Guardify Luggage Covers for Suitcase TSA Approved
The Guardify Luggage Cover is a clear luggage sleeve for 20” suitcases. Constructed of PVC material, you can machine-wash this cover to keep it in good condition between your travels. This baggage cover features a pair of openings for the top handle of the bag, as well as an additional opening for the side handle.
The manufacturer boasts that the baggage cover is heat-resistant, and users report that the cover is easy to use and affordable whether you travel frequently or just once or twice a year. If you use a cloth suitcase, this luggage cover will keep your suitcase dry in the event you fly somewhere with torrential rains.
2. Dudietry Luggage Protector Suitcase Cover
The Duetry Luggage Protector Suitcase Cover comes in a virtually endless number of different patterns, as well as five different sizes for a carry on or larger checked bags. The cover is made of 85 percent polyester and 15 percent spandex. The super-elastic cover prevents scrapes and scratches to your suitcase.
Although the case is a little tricky to figure out the first time you wrap it around your luggage, it’s easy to use once you learn the basics. The vibrant colors make it a breeze to figure out which one of the gazillion suitcases on the baggage carousel is yours.
See Related: Tripped Travel Gear Review: Accessories for Your Next Trip
3. xhrefvo Custom Travel Luggage Cover
The xhrefvo Custom Travel Luggage Cover is the best choice when you want to personalize your baggage cover. Not only can you insert a big block of text onto the cover, but you can upload an image of your choice for the ultimate personalization.
You might upload a picture of your pet or one of the faraway locales to which you’ve traveled. Check the sizes carefully when you order to make sure you’re getting a cover that will fit snugly around your luggage. The durable polyester fabric should last you many trips, whether you’re traveling across the state or across the world.
4. Moslion Owl Travel Luggage Protector
The Moslion Owl Travel Luggage Protector comes in four different sizes for luggage that varies from 18 inches to 32 inches. Made of elastic polyester, the cover is reusable and washable. The bright design makes it easy to spot on a luggage carousel.
The company offers a money-back guarantee, so you can return the cover if it doesn’t suit your needs. Some of the fun designs you can select with this suitcase cover include a large rooster, beautiful flower, fiery baseball, or giraffe.
See Related: BÉIS Luggage Review: Are They Worth the Price?
5. TRAVEL KIN Luggage Cover Suitcase Cover
The TRAVEL KIN Luggage Cover Suitcase Cover is offered in four different sizes for luggage ranging from 18 inches to 32 inches. The available designs vary from bright and flamboyant to fun travel-themed designs with images of internationally renowned destinations like Paris, Rome, and Beijing.
The company that manufactures the baggage covers will consider special requests for unusually sized luggage, but you have to order a significant quantity of the covers to get a special size. Users report high satisfaction with their TRAVEL KIN covers but recommend sizing down for the snuggest fit.
6. 7-mi Travel Suitcase Protector Trolley Case
The 7-mi Travel Suitcase Protector Trolley Case is made of 15 percent spandex and 85 percent polyester. The highly elastic luggage sleeve comes in four sizes and a small array of bright designs that include a giraffe, flowers, or a human face.
If you’re looking for a travel suitcase that’s not flashy and blends in with everything else on the conveyor belt, you can also choose a simple black suitcase cover. Most luggage covers feature bright or zany designs, but 7-mi makes sure to satisfy those customers who don’t want a tremendously flashy cover.
7. MosaiRudo Thicker Luggage Cover Elastic Suitcase Cover
The MosaiRudo Thicker Luggage Cover Elastic Suitcase Cover is the ideal choice when you want to showcase your love of traveling on your luggage with a fun world map or city skyline design. The luggage case is available in four different sizes, but you may need to size down for the perfect fit.
The manufacturer indicates their luggage covers are machine washable and designed to remain vibrant and colorful even after several washings. These spandex luggage covers are made of 92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex for a nice yet firm level of stretch with their thick material.
8. GIVIMO 3 Pieces Clear Luggage Cover 20/24/28 Inch Set
The GIVIMO 3 Pieces Clear Luggage Cover 20/24/28 Inch Set is another option for travelers who don’t want a flashy luggage cover. The covers come in a set of three, too, so you can outfit all of your traveling cases when you travel with multiple pieces of luggage.
Users of the luggage covers report that they hold up well during overseas travel and that they’re easy to clean with a simple washcloth and some water. The luggage covers are also ideal for travelers headed to rainy locales who don’t want their luggage to get wet.
See Related: Away Luggage Review: Is It Worth the Price?
9. Arasrsey Double-sided Printed Luggage Cover Ocean Turtle
The Arasrsey Double-sided Printed Luggage Cover Ocean Turtle is reversible, which is a rare feature for luggage protectors. The protector is offered in four different sizes and more than ten designs that feature sea life, nature, or flowers.
If you’re headed to the Caribbean, the South Pacific, or Seychelles, you may find it amusing to choose a suitcase cover that features a large, vibrant image of an ocean creature like a turtle or starfish. Users report that the covers run a little small, so measure carefully when you buy.
10. Coloranimal Luggage Cover Suitcase Protector Cover Trunk Case
If you want to spend some time trying to design what luggage protector pattern you like most, you’ll definitely spend the most time trying to choose a Coloranimal Luggage Cover Suitcase Protector Cover Trunk Case.
The prints available for this suitcase cover are exceptionally fun and varied, with designs like psychedelic mushrooms, pug dogs, red hearts, cows, and pineapples. Like the other luggage covers on this list, the Coloranimal Luggage Cover Protector is an approved style under TSA rules.
FAQ
Can you buy customizable or DIY luggage covers?
Baggage covers are sold in a vast array of colors, strengths, patterns, and sizes, so it’s usually easy to find a cover that pleases you. However, some companies do offer personalized baggage covers where you can choose a personalized image or short text message for printing on the cover to make it instantly recognizable on the conveyor belt.
What materials are commonly used for luggage covers?
Luggage cover manufacturers usually employ spandex or PVC-coated polyester as their materials of choice. These materials are meant to resist scratches and provide a super tough outer layer around the suitcase. They’re a greener and more permanent solution versus wrapping your suitcase in plastic cling wrap.
How does a luggage cover influence airport security checks?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States allows baggage covers on checked baggage, but the TSA officers may need to remove the cover to inspect the contents of your baggage. Inspection teams for airports around the world also usually allow baggage covers, but it’s helpful to check out the official policy for travels outside the U.S.A.
Are baggage covers machine washable?
A luggage cover is often machine washable but may need a solo wash the first time you put it in the washing machine because the colors may bleed. In most cases, you shouldn’t use bleach or try to dry clean your luggage cover. A luggage cover is also best hang-dried as it can warp when placed into a dryer.
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