Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Spinner 20-inch Review

Built of lightweight, scratch-resistant micro-diamond polycarbonate, the handsome Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Spinner delivers an open layout design paired with a backbone of core strength and versatility that would suit business travelers and globetrotting vacationers alike. It's a great pick for anyone looking for an affordable carry-on with stamina and smooth roller-flow, and it's our pick for Best Buy among hardshell carry-ons.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

Several things surprised us with the Samsonite Omni Carry-On. First, this compact hard-sided case is built out of polycarbonate yet is one of the lightest bags in the bunch and feels notably unsubstantial underhand, with sides that flex upon pressure as if built of a far flimsier material. But there's no error here. It's just smart minimalist engineering on a bag meant to maximize space and deliver a smooth ride without a whole lot of embellishment. That means you can pack at leisure, using the space as suits you best while knowing you won't have to sacrifice the safety of your back and shoulders in carrying.

Similarly, its four 360-degree wheels were some of the smallest in diameter of any spinners in the test group. They are also built of a single-wheel design, which is often associated with less maneuverability and a bumpier ride once in motion. Yet once again, the Samsonite delivered unexpected results, consistently flowing with confidence right alongside us whether we were rushing to catch a shuttle bus or squeezing between the crowd in a security line. We also noted that the Omni PC boasted some of the highest clearance in the bunch (unexpected given the smaller dimensions of its rollers), which in turn made bumping over stairs or dashing across sidewalks all the less painful.

Finally, we were pleasantly surprised to see internal features, like the mesh enclosure panel and restraint straps, built of far heavier gauge material than we saw in other hard-sided cases, and offering a far stronger restraint hold underneath. Combined with a notably sturdy and easy-on-the-arm set of handles, heavyweight easy-glide zippers, and an embedded TSA-compliant lock, we felt ready to tackle any obstacle in our way. We only had one complaint about the design of the Samsonite: it lacks a side loading handle (a feature sorely missed whenever stairs appear). While many carry-ons allow you to flip the case onto its side to shorten its reach and allow for improved weight distribution underarm, the Samsonite requires you to carry it topside up. Not the most comfortable or functional, and a choice we would suggest they reconsider.

Packability

When it comes to packing, the Samsonite Omni PC's open layout is standard fare and pretty much exactly what you'd expect from nearly any hard-sided bag. Its opening zipper splits down the middle, with one-half of its spacious clamshell offering a mesh-enclosed compartment that can be zippered shut to hold items in place, particularly important for opening and closing the bag to transport. The other half shell features a very small – dare we say, tiny – hanging accessory pocket plus a pair of cross-body restraint straps to help contain the bulk of whatever belongings you have left. A color-coordinated zipper-pull then marks the extension panel release along the middle closure, just in case you need additional storage to stash even more.

Although this carry-on doesn't offer anything in the way of real compression features, nor does it have an abundance of organizational features, there is a marked amount of room inside to stuff your belongings with confidence in addition to commendable strength in materials among internal organizational elements — zippers, mesh, straps. We managed to squeeze every last item from our 7-day Summertime Getaway packing list into this case without great strain, and without implementing the full expansion zipper. Once we advanced to the specialized gear category and the many bulky items that particular packing list required, we did have to become a bit more thoughtful in how we approached the task. But the simple boxy structure of the Samsonite was easy to fill, and the expansion option allowed us to add the helmet into the mix without complaint, with even more space available if we'd so desired.

Design

What we love about the lightweight Samsonite Omni PC is its small yet effective footprint and the thoughtful details incorporated into the construction. While not visually trendsetting, the refined micro-diamond polycarbonate exterior is scratch and abuse-resistant and well equipped to protect your belongings against the traumas of travel without showing the signs of immediate wear.

Matched with a collection of other high-caliber materials – solid single-wheel spinners, hefty easy-glide zippers, sturdy load and roll handles, and high-grade interior fabric and mesh – you should feel both polished and confident whenever rolling this bag by your side. And with the added TSA-approved lock embedded into its side, you can move about public spaces with greater ease. Also, even though the case features some of the smallest sets of spinner wheels in the bunch (made of a single-wheel construction no less), the case delivers some of the highest ground-to-base clearance among the bags we tested. So you should have no problem bouncing over curbs or tackling unfinished driveways and cracked sidewalks.

The open layout pairs quite nicely with a set of packing cubes, but also provides just enough internal organizational features (an accessory pocket, mesh liner, and restraint straps) to allow for relatively careless packing on the go. And a solid variety of contemporary and attractive colorways are available so you can retain a clean, modern aesthetic while still easily eye-balling your bag amid the crowd from across the room. Interestingly, like other cases in the test group, the advertised dimensions of the Samsonite Omni PC exceed U.S. airline compatibility requirements (1 inch too wide and 3/4 inches too deep). But, chances are high it won't stir up any trouble with airline staff as long as the expansion feature remains "closed."

Durability

The Samsonite Omni PC is an expandable hardshell built for the harsh realities of the road, with materials clearly chosen for their brawn as much as for their functionality and integration into a lightweight design. For this reason, we had high hopes this would be a top performer when it came to the durability testing. But as is so often the case, vulnerabilities present themselves wherever small exposed components are built into the structure.

In this case, the Samsonite withstood all the bang-ups and bumps we served up during the first stages of testing. But, when it came to greater extremes (specifically, drop testing from heights of three and six feet), the single 360-degree caster spinner wheels were ill-equipped to resist such targeted force. Three feet resulted in little more than a bit of exterior scratching around the roller-handle housing. But at six feet there was noticeable damage to one of the case's spinner wheels and suddenly we were experiencing a much more jittery roll (and even a bit of shuddering underhand while trying to maintain a straight line). With continued use, the issue did seem to right itself (perhaps movement allowed the wheels to realign within the housing?). So we're glad to report the issues don't seem to be permanent. But the temporary damage cost the Samsonite points for durability.

Should You Buy the Samsonite Omni Carry-On?

We understand price is a top priority for most shoppers, no matter what product is under discussion. But when it comes to travel it becomes equally as important to talk about the quality of construction and functionality. How much wiggle room do you have to risk breakage or breakdown on the road? Do you have the patience and muscle to accommodate discomfort when loading, lifting, or rolling our packs between locations? We believe the Samsonite Omni PC Expandable Carry-On strikes a good balance between affordability and performance, all within a classically attractive yet modern shell. If you need a solid case that delivers well across the board but won't break the bank, this is a great hardshell carry-on to consider. And it would equally suit the needs of any business traveler as well as those heading out on a quick vacation with the family.

What Other Carry-On Should You Consider?

The Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Spinner 20-inch is a great choice for anyone who is trying to balance reliability, cost, and day-of travel needs. Although not the most affordable option in the bunch nor the case that boasts the most amenities, innovative features, or even colorway choices, it is a hardshell carry-on that can deliver road-worthy confidence, useful tools, and reliable performance at an affordable price.

If hardshells are your jam, but you want to step up your look and dial in your packing experience, the higher-end but pricier Away Carry-On is the way to go. Or, if you need more pockets to get you through your travel days, the SwissGear Sion will have everything you need for a very similar price point.