Whether the product is suitable for carry-on (for most airlines) or check-in only.

The suitcase's exterior style.

We recommend currently available suitcases with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 85% or more.

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is made up of test results for performance (60%) and ease of use (40%). Weightings are in brackets.

We conduct technical tests to assess each suitcase's performance. The performance score for carry-on suitcases is weighted differently to check-in suitcases. For check-in suitcases, the score is made up of the lift-and-drop test (60%), stability test (20%), rain test (10%) and puncture test (10%). For carry-on suitcases, the weightings are 30% for both rain and lift-and-drop tests, 20% for stability and 20% for puncture.

Ease of use is assessed by three triallists (including our expert tester). They score each suitcase on aspects like balance and manoeuvrability. They also wheel the cases (with a 5kg load for carry-on and 15kg load for check-in) over a range of surfaces including grass, carpet, stairs, asphalt and footpaths.

Our testers pack carry-on cases with 4kg of clothing and check-in cases with 15kg clothing and place them on a tilting platform. The higher the score, the more stable the suitcase.

A heavy pointed cylinder is dropped onto the suitcase surface. The higher the score, the less visible damage.

We see how much water gets into the suitcases. The higher the score, the less likely rain will get into your case.

Carry-on suitcases are loaded with 4kg of clothing and check-in suitcases are packed with 15kg of clothing. We then subject our suitcases to 300 rounds of our lift-and-drop test, then grade the damage. Suitcases with no damage receive 100%. Those with substantial damage are heavily penalised (for example, a missing wheel and major cracks decreases the score by 50 percentage points).

Manufacturer's stated warranty. You also have rights under Australian Consumer Law.

'Tested model' refers to suitcases that are currently available in shops and online. 'Discontinued model' refers to suitcases that are no longer available in shops, but may be available second-hand.

We list the recommended retail price where possible for each suitcase. Shop around: in many cases, we found suitcases that were significantly cheaper than the recommended retail price.

This is the price we paid at retailers, which is often far less than the RRP.

The overall weight of the suitcase is important particularly when considering carry-on limits.

Based on our in-house measurements, including wheels.

Based on our in-house measurements.

Based on our in-house measurements.

We measure suitcases in their standing position. When calculating the height, we include the wheels. We round up our measurements to the next highest cm, so there may be some variations between our calculations and the ones provided by manufacturers.

Manufacturer's claimed composition.

A TSA lock is a security system whereby passengers can lock their luggage while still allowing security authorities to inspect the luggage without damaging the lock.