2-Wheel vs 4-Wheel Suitcase | Tips for Picking the Right Bag

A couple of things about this video....you assume that a traveler is taking it onboard an airplane...I don't plan on doing that. I am looking for a checked bag. That being said, your con of pivoting in the aisle of an airplane (for a two wheel bag) goes away altogether. What's more a big con of a 4 wheel bag whether checked or carry on is that you now have a wider profile than dragging a two wheel bag behind you. You effectively become more of an airport or cruise terminal road hog. Then there is the steering of a four wheel bag which is in my mind a significant con you failed to mention. More effort goes into having to steer a four wheel bag as they tend to wander...with two wheel bag, there is little effort in pulling it behind you. All in all for a checked bag, I believe the two wheel bag is far better than the four wheel bags.

I've spent the last 25 years as a service engineer travelling for work. I would only ever buy a two-wheeled case. I have a two-wheeled old samsonite that I reckon has been on 700 aircraft and it is still in perfect working order. Sadly, I don't think modern Samsonite look quite as robust as the old ones, so I will look elsewhere when I have to replace it.
The wheels on the four wheel designs look really exposed and flimsy to me. Nope, two wheels all the way for me.

I've been researching suitcases for a couple weeks. Trying to decide between hard vs soft, 2 wheels vs 4, and of course durability, wear and tear and price. I like the sleekness of the hardside, but don't like the the no pockets on the outside and the proneness to scratches. I like the soft side for their pockets and more diverse styles and they don't show minor scuffs and scratches. I prefer 2 wheels, because I'm a "puller" and like rugged, integrated wheels.
So I ended up purchasing the Rick Steve's RAVENNA Hardcase Suitcase. It's actually a hard/Soft case hybrid. Hard case on the sides with soft side front and back panels. It has my pockets, 2 durable wheels and because it is a hybrid, has a little more of a unique look. The hardcase provides the assurance you don't over pack so it will always fit in the overhead bins. But it is expandable if you need it to, then you can check it in instead. Haven't received it yet.

Next time make it an 5 or 7 question survey, 3:3 is a cop out. Haha

This video is quite a No-Brainer, the final answer is: Your Call !!!!

Sorry to say it, but 4 wheels are for wimps.

Soft shell suitcases compress when other cases are piled on top of them on luggage wagons at airports; this presses wrinkles into clothing.

Always 2 wheel

My daughter and I have traveled quite a bit with the travelpro maxlite 5, and have had good success with them.

Yes. I got all of my suitcases(which I had to replace) from Ross as a matter of fact.

My new suitcases are all 4 wheels I believe. But the 2 wheeled ones are very durable and less expensive like you said!😊

Always 2 wheel because 1. we dont know bag will hit what type of terrain. The surface is not always flat. hence durability is important. 2. Stays in its place on a slope and don't run like 4 wheels do on a slope, 3. offers more storage space 4. with lesser height so fit in well in every car boot. 5. cheaper.

I had the best experience with "High Sierra"- i am using it 300 days out of 365 days in a year since 10 years, no complaint on wheels, handles etc. another brand was "Travel house"- i had a set of 3 pcs from them, ultra light weight and durable since last 12 years now- only on longer travel.

I heard that 4 wheeled suitcases break easier is that true? I want a four wheel luggage but I'm second guessing myself.

4 wheels is ok for carry ons, but if you have a heavy checked 4 wheel bag, the wheels will get ripped off. It is not fun trying to leave an airport with a 50lb bag on 3 wheels.

tail between the legs in saying choice forthright - is the result. 2 wheel is great when you are out of the airport railway stations where the roads footpaths are having rough surface cobbled streets etc. Unidirectional movement is easier to handle . Accept it.

Very good summary. My dad is a pilot. He has been using the two wheels for the past 25 years but he couldn’t tell me why other than all his colleagues use two wheels too

Professional photographer with a 4 wheel camera bag. Main difference is carpet! 4 wheels are a breeze on hard ground but much harder on carpet!

I am searching for the 4 wheeler that rolls easiest on different surfaces or transitioning from hard to carpet. I need the 4 wheel carryon because I just cannot drag it sideways down the aisle of the airplane. And I have not found a review comparing these.

Why they never make hard shell suitcase with 2 wheels? Only soft case has 2 wheels.. I travel to the airport on public transport, so I like 2 wheels case as I don’t like my cases to roll around

The best one is unfortunately not made anymore. And if it is, I am yet to find it: hard side with 4 strong wheels made like the inline skates. Anyone that has had to use a carryon through European cobble stone roads or in cape streets/sidewalk will tell you the 4 tiny wheels get shredded in no time. Then you are left with a true "carry on" that has to be carried everywhere!!!

Wheeled suitcases? I think you'll find that REAL MEN don't get the Earth to help carry their luggage. They carry it themselves.

If your travel is confined to airports and hotels, a 4 wheel "spinner" is probably fine. If you ever need to drag your bags over curbs, up and down concrete stairs, and across two miles of cobblestone streets or down dirt and gravel paths, that little 4 wheel spinner is going to last about five minutes. For the casual traveler or someone looking for a light weight carry-on, the 4 wheels is fine. For me, two wheels only. I'm on 6 flights a week and I often have no idea what I'm in for when i get where I'm going. I expect a quality suitcase to last a couple of years before I pull the handle off of it.

Does anyone make Hard side 2 wheel luggage?

Your 4 wheel is more stable because it's hard sided. I had multiple 4 wheel spinner softsided carry-ons that tip over constantly. Hard sided 4 wheel spinners tend to be more evenly balanced due to the split clamshell design. My travelpro 2 wheel Maxlite 5 has way more stability.

Great overview, thanks!

This was super helpful! Thank you.

interesting how you show a NEGATIVE on 2 wheels falling over, yet it was a cheap one without the front foot stand. Then when showing the how they take up room at bottom on the 4 wheel con, you show a proper 2 wheel. Either to show there is not much difference, to make it a weak con or, IDK what in the world you are doing? Its not Hard Shell vs soft, its Hard shell material. Avoid brands not disclosing the material. ABS is OK, but Poly Carbonate is superior and will last long and take impacts. ABS cant handle sunlight hitting sitting on the airport tarmack for long periods over time. Polycarb is great, and I see Samosnite label it when its a ABS/Polycarb. But who know what is the ABS and the PC material?!! SO maybe that is BS also. Few list as Polycarb, as they are poly carb.

You should add that four wheel rollers are more difficult to move on airport carpeted surfaces. I always pull the four wheelers on non-titled floors.

A four-wheeled suitcase should never be drag on two wheels as this will invalidate the warranty.

I preferred four wheeled luggage as I needed more mobility.

Good report. The choice would depend on the traveler. If you spend more time in airports and little time on the street, 4-wheel might be better. On uneven ground, especially on city streets the four wheel suitcases will be destroyed in a shorter time than two wheeled since the wheels are less durable.

On an added note, there are 4 wheel and 8 wheel spinners. 4 wheel are cheaper and lighter, but not as stable or durable. 8 wheel, two wheels on each caster, are more stable and usually more durable, but weigh slightly more and usually found on higher end luggage. This doesn’t mean Rimowa, but likely not found at Wal-Mart.

The problem with 2 wheels on a carry on is the airplane aisle.

What about cobbled streets or degraded side-walks (I live in one) ? Four-wheel suitcases are a hell in them ! And it is not true that one can turn a 4-wheel suitcase into a 2-wheel one ! They don't behave the same at all !

I am an older woman having travelled with both and I can assure you I far prefer a GOOD 4 wheel spinner. A crappy one is useless. I struggle to pull my 2 wheeler carry on down the airplane isle and usually end up carrying it as it travels behind me and I cannot watch it and it constantly gets caught on the seats.

2 wheels all day long. 4 wheels just don’t have enough space and it seems the wheels are always breaking. On rough ground the 2 wheels are much better.

I would use a two-wheel for a carry-on or under-seat case because you will need the extra space. It is also small and light enough to carry should you need to. I bought a four-wheel Samsonite carry-on, but it tipped over to the front, especially if you add a bag to the handle. I like the easy rolling of a four-wheeler next to me for a checked-in heavier suitcase.

My favorite is MVST Trek Aluminum. I don't want no stinking zippers.

I prefer the two wheel the SPACE also mine is a hybrid soft top hard plastic bottom VERY durable but when I a cramped hotel or room I can open the top so much easier than a clamshell that’s why soft side is my preferred

2 wheel rollaboard style bags are easier to bring up and down a flight of stairs then a 4 wheeled trolley.

Can those soft shell bags support a 14kg / 30 pounds Backpack resting on top of them? (Hooked to the handle)

Four-wheelers are over-all superior as a carry on for the following reasons: they are more stable when placed upright unlike the two-wheeled that's prone to tip over; you can glide them in upright position thus relieving your arm of stress with constantly dragging them behind, and this is very important on long walks; they can be maneuvered in tight spaces because the four wheels rotate 360 degrees so you can move them sideways (very important in airplane isles). They are totally very easy to move around in general because they can spin, thus, the two-wheeled carry on had lost favor among baggage users.

Anybody here knows about the trolley bags with wheels(2 or 4) that can be tucked in when not in use.

Another con with 2 wheels is your hand is going to be solely occupied because you need to pull the luggage, you only have 1 more hand to carry other stuff like coffee, bag or food. Pushing a 4 wheel on smooth floors like in airports gives both hands more room to hold on to other things.

The content, video and sound quality and points are well articulated in this video...kudos....BUT the plugs for the brand and YOU TUBE style Phising for likes and follows is annoying...of course it is common... but after watching so many videos in a week it gets o be tiresome...everyone knows to sunsribe and like if they want to so why tdo people repeatedly plug their channels?

And I agree with most seasoned travelers 4 wheels dont cut it. Especially in Japan where you will encounter "tenji blocks" the blind peoples yellow bumps on platforms everywhere. as well as getting on and off trains because they have a gap....in the country side of the US maybe it will work because you are going from airport to car.

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Let me know what style of suitcase you prefer? Also, what brands do you recommend? 😎