The Kmart item rated higher by Choice than luxury brands
Economic Kmart suitcases, costing less than $50, are among Australia's best, out-ranking leading brands with prices up to $579.
It's good news for budget-conscious holiday-makers, as leading consumer advocacy group Choice revealed paying top dollar doesn't always guarantee the best.
Affordable carry-on suitcase options from Kmart and Big W out-ranked luxury brands like Antler and Samsonite, leaving consumers more room in the travel budget to spend on their holiday.
Sixteen top luggage options were put to the test and rated for water resistance, durability and stability - with two Kmart suitcases achieving an 86 per cent rating, either in line or out-ranking others priced $200 to $579.
A $49 soft body Kmart Active & Co suitcase and a $38 Kmart Hard Case came off strong after the tests to withstand different weather conditions and bumps along all sorts of surfaces, according to Choice.
The $49 case's overall performance score of 86 per cent was equal to the study's $239 top performer the American Tourister Curio, however the price tags are marginally different.
Another top performer was the $70 hard case Big W Jetstream also rating high for its performance and ease of use.
The Choice list
American Tourister Curio: 87 per cent score. RRP $239
Flylite Pro-Lite 54cm: 86 per cent score. RRP $200
Samsonite 72 Hours DLX: 86 per cent score. RRP $329
Kmart Active & Co: 86 per cent score. RRP $49
Big W Jetstream: 86 per cent score. RRP $70
Kmart Hard Case: 86 per cent score. RRP $38
Skylite 56cm Spinner Carry On: 86 per cent score. RRP $40
Delsey Chatelet 55cm: 85 per cent score. RRP $499
Delsey Montmartre Air: 85 per cent score. RRP $289
Antler Oxygen — 85 per cent score. RRP $289
Crumpler Vis-a-Vis, Cabin: 84 per cent score. RRP $289
Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0: 84 per cent score. RRP $579
Samsonite Octolite: 84 per cent score. RRP $299
American Tourister Applite 3.0 S: 84 per cent score. $219
Australian Luggage Co So Lite 2.0 AIR3033/18″: 82 per cent score. RRP $160
Flylite Quartz 20″ case: 49 per cent score. RRP $199
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