From the iconic Louis Vuitton Alzer to Globe-Trotter’s signature trunks, the last word in high-end luggage was once craftsmanship: travelers craved hand-stitched luxury, with each piece pored over for hours on end by expert ateliers and specialists creating products for generations to come. As technology continues to integrate seamlessly into our lives, the need for precision, dedication, and care still exists—but with a clever new twist. Smart luggage—which has existed in various forms since the 2010s—has been supercharged over the last few years in both style and substance. The ascent of AI and the proliferation of devices infiltrating every corner of our lives means there’s opportunity for reinvention—and our favorite luggage brands are taking note.
This new generation of luggage is more high-tech than high-fashion, but it’s still possible to look sleek and put together while embracing the latest innovations. And with features like self-weighing cases and app-integrated GPS tracking, it’s easier than ever to know if your overfilled suitcases are going to push you into extra charges—and where to look if your bag goes missing. These thoughtfully designed features help make stressful travel days a whole lot simpler, and can be well-worth-it upgrades to your luggage collection—if you pick the right products. Read on for five cutting-edge trends in smart luggage tech we’re excited about right now.
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Luggage compression
The struggle is always real when it comes to deciding not only what to pack, but figuring out how much you can physically fit in your suitcase while staying within TSA’s allowance. The smart luggage evolution has embraced this dilemma, and there are a range of options with built-in features to help remove some of those check-in uncertainties.
If overpacking is your weakness, then the genius compression technology from Airback can help avoid straining seams and jack-in-the-box unpacking moments. “We set out to solve the simplest but most frustrating problem in modern travel: space,” says Maarten Roodenburg, founder of the adventure luggage brand. “Airlines are charging more, rules are stricter, and traditional luggage hasn’t kept up. Rather than making travel more complicated with tools or tricks, we designed travel gear that solves the problem by itself—compressing everything inside with ease.” The patented built-in vacuum removes air, shrinking luggage and increasing capacity for those extra accessories.
Weight indicators
Luggage weight allowances are typically top of mind for every traveler when they’re deciding which outfit staples make the cut. Luckily, the entire range of runway-ready suitcases from Béis are designed with a sleek self-weighing feature. There’s no need to dig out your luggage scale, because the tech is built in—the handle on the entire range glows red if you exceed the pre-programmed 50-pound weight limit.
And Béis isn’t alone in their quest for check-in-scale nirvana. Hotel Collection’s carry-on luggage contains not only a built-in digital scale, but a GPS tracker and portable USB charger too. Crafted from durable polycarbonate, the sleek design also features 360-degree spinner wheels, making it perfect for a chic dash from the lounge to the boarding line.
Hotel Collection
Carry-on luggage
Airline-integrated AirTag tracking
The launch of the Apple AirTag in 2021 changed the way we protect our valuables, with everything from pets to handbags becoming instantly trackable at the flick of a thumb. And with over two million pieces of luggage lost by airlines in the US every year, it’s no surprise that popping a tracking device in your suitcase before it disappears into the distance at check-in has become an essential step for many travelers.
