The world's most in-depth and scientific reviews of outdoor gear

AmazonBasics Oxford Expandable 20" Review

Great suitcase for the infrequent flyer on a budget.
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Price:  $59 List | $59.68 at Amazon
Pros:  Inexpensive, Integrated TSA lock, two separate sides, lightweight
Cons:  Very small, not very durable, no exterior pockets
Manufacturer:   AmazonBasics
By Cassandra Marin ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 16, 2019
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67
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#7 of 8
  • Ease of Transport - 25% 6
  • Storage - 25% 6
  • Features - 20% 7
  • Durability - 10% 6
  • Weight - 10% 9
  • Style - 10% 8

Our Verdict

Several hard-sided, four-wheeled bags were tested for this review, and we feel that the AmazonBasics Oxford 20 did not stand up to the rest of the pack. We thought we would grow to love this bag, but it did not perform up to our standards. It was unable to roll over uneven terrain and only seemed to roll on polished floor. It is incredibly lightweight and is among the smaller of the bags that we tested. It has integrated TSA lock and was one of the only bags to have this feature. It has a chic look and comes in a variety of colors but was only able to store enough for a long weekend. Our chief complaints about this bag include: there are no exterior pockets, scratches show up easily, and the quality does not seem up to par.


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award  
Price $59.68 at Amazon$254.99 at Amazon$183.99 at Amazon$299.00 at Amazon$118.99 at Amazon
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Star Rating
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Pros Inexpensive, Integrated TSA lock, two separate sides, lightweightExtremely easy to maneuver, stylish design perfect for business trips, durableFair price, durable, easy to use, easy access outer pocketsLoaded with features, easy to travel with, large storage capacity.Lightweight, spacious, expandable.
Cons Very small, not very durable, no exterior pocketsHeavier modelMay need to check if expander is used"Technical" styling not for everyone.Has a very nondescript look, not the most durable.
Bottom Line Great suitcase for the infrequent flyer on a budget.A high-end bag built to make travel easy and to last a lifetime.This easy roller offers a little luxury at a nice priceA non-conventional carry-on for the outdoor enthusiast.Inexpensive bag when purchased at the usual "street" price.
Rating Categories Oxford Expandable 20" Platinum Elite 21" Expandabl... Crew 11 21" Expandable Spinn... Tarmac AWD Carry-On Maxlite 5 22 Expandable Roll...
Ease Of Transport (25%)
10
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6
10
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10
10
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10
10
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9
10
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7
Storage (25%)
10
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6
10
0
10
10
0
10
10
0
8
10
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8
Features (20%)
10
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7
10
0
10
10
0
9
10
0
10
10
0
6
Durability (10%)
10
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6
10
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10
10
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10
10
0
9
10
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6
Weight (10%)
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
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8
10
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7
10
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9
Style (10%)
10
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8
10
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5
Specs Oxford Expandable... Platinum Elite 21"... Crew 11 21"... Tarmac AWD Carry-On Maxlite 5 22...
Measured Weight 6.45 lbs 7.81lbs 7.20 lbs 8.13 lbs 6.31 lbs.
Dimensions 14.8" x 9.4" x 21.6" 22" x 14" x 9" 22" x 14" x 9" 22" x 13" x 9" 22" x 14" x 9"
# of Wheels 4 4 4 4 2
Number of interior pockets 4 5 4 4 2
Number of exterior pockets 0 2 2 3 2
Compression system Compression straps Compression straps with integrated accessory pockets Compression straps Compression straps Compression straps
Lock Yes No, but lockable No, but lockable No, but lockable No
Main Material ABS and PC material with a resilient, subtly-patterned finish for scratch-resistance and reduced abrasion visibility High-density nylon fabric with DuraGuard® coating resists stains and abrasions. High-quality ballistic nylon fabric with DuraGuard® coating for stain and abrasion resistance 1000D Helix Poly Twill and Polycarbonate shell Polyester fabric with water and stain resistant coating
Unique features TSA integratted lock Removable toiletry pouch and dedicated power bank pocket Dedicated power bank pouch Hybrid hard/soft-sided design, coat keeper strap, expandable zipper, add-a-bag strap Expandable zipper
Handle height (inches) 36”, 38”, 40” and 42.5” 38”, 40” and 42.5” 37", 39", and 41" 38" and 42"
Other Versions 20", 25", 28" 26"
Warranty Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime Limited lifetime

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


This bare-bones model is adequate for the infrequent traveler who doesn't want to pony up for an expensive bag that they'll only use once a year. Frequent flyers need not apply.

This Luggage offers a sleek look at a very inexpensive price tag.
This Luggage offers a sleek look at a very inexpensive price tag.

Ease of Transport


We love four-wheeled bags, but this bag has a low-quality swivel compared to the others in our testing group. It comes equipped with much larger wheels than most of the competition, but we were unable to push this bag easily over uneven surfaces. When you hit an obstacle or harsh surface this bag nearly stops in its tracks and likes to tip over, but handles polished surfaces flawlessly. It is incredibly compact, and you never have to worry about catching a seat on the plane while boarding and getting off the aircraft.

Even though the AmazonBasics Oxford (left) had just as big of wheels as our Editors' Choice they failed to be anywhere are durable and easy to move.
Even though the AmazonBasics Oxford (left) had just as big of wheels as our Editors' Choice, they failed to be anywhere are durable and easy to move.

Storage


We would suggest watching how much you purchase because even with the expander, this bag is pretty small. If you're a heavy packer and prefer hard-sided luggage, check out the Delsey Shadow 3.0 21, which has more internal storage and an expandable zipper.

We packed every bag with a weeks worth of clothes including 10 shirts 4 pairs of pants 4 shoes 2 sweaters/jackets 2 toiletry bags and one set of nice clothes.
The AmazonBasics Oxford Luggage held a lot more than we thought it would but did not have a place to keep our business attire wrinkle free or an outside pocket for our passport.
Although the AmazonBasics Oxford held more than we thought it would it couldn't fit the last pair of shoes and didn't seem to have an appropriate space for our passport or computer.

Features


This bag has a more simplistic look and not too many features especially in comparison to the Eagle Creek Tarmac AWD. Overall, it ranked lower on our feature metric, but we appreciated the features it did have. We also appreciate the integrated TSA lock that is simple to set up and use. One thing our testers missed on this bag is an exterior pocket. None of the hard-sided bags we tested had easy to access exterior pockets to stash last-minute items.

The AmazonBascis Oxford luggage was the only luggage that had an integrated TSA approved lock.
The AmazonBasics Oxford Luagge comes with compression straps and a divider between the two sides of the luggage.

Durability


This bag rated similar to the other hard-shelled models we tested, but we are unimpressed with how easily it scratched. The hard outer shell of the AmazonBasics Oxford 20 is an ABS and PC material with a resilient, which is less durable than other plastics like polycarbonate. The Oxford has a subtly-patterned finish for scratch-resistance and reduced abrasion visibility but still shows scratches easier than a nylon bag. The zippers on the bag are sounds and easy pull. The handle was the most rickety of all our bags in this review, and the wheels did not seem like they would last for a long time.

This model is completely water-resistant with its hard shell.
This model is completely water-resistant with its hard shell.

Weight


A frequent flyer will appreciate this lightweight model. It weighs 6 pounds 45 ounces on our scale and was one of the lightest bags in the group.

Style


This is a sleek bag with a professional look and is more attractive than the SwissGear Neo Lite 20. You'll look like a pro the next time you fly.

During our testing this luggage showed the most wear and tear as in scratches on the hard shell.
During our testing, this luggage showed the most wear and tear as in scratches on the hard shell.

Best Applications


You'll want to keep this bag in exclusively in tame, urban environments. the wheels just aren't up to the task on any other type of terrain.

The AmazonBasics Oxford luggage rolled best on smoother surfaces.
The AmazonBasics Oxford luggage rolled best on smoother surfaces.

Value


This bag is listed for only $48 on Amazon and can only be purchased through Amazon. It also comes in various sizes and colors. Although you get what you pay for here, this is a great buy for an infrequent traveler or someone on a tight budget.

Conclusion


If you are looking for a hard-sided, four-wheeled bag on a tight budget, this is a great bag. Although it doesn't roll as smooth as others in the testing group if you are not a frequent traveler, we think this is a decent choice for small luggage.

One of the lightest and cheapest bags we tested.
One of the lightest and cheapest bags we tested.


— Cassandra Marin