As the world is slowly lifting its travel ban, you must be wondering where to go on your next vacation. In order to enjoy your voyage to the fullest, you will need to bring out the luggage that’s been sitting on your cupboard collecting dust.

Or, you might be considering getting a new one for your next giveaway. We know how confusing it gets as there are unending options out there in the market. But if you are in a hurry, don’t worry because we have done our homework and found out just what you need. Let us introduce you to smart bags for travel that are worth every penny.

What are smart bags for travel?

Smart bags for travel are usually suitcases that offer additional “smart” features other than carrying your luggage. These bags have a solid exterior and have cables and batteries plugged into them for you to charge your devices. Some bags have a power supply of their own.

If you are someone who attends a lot of business meetings or is tech-savvy, you will love these bags. They give you a little extra benefit than ordinary traveling bags. Some bags even come with security and tracker systems. The bags come in different sizes, so you can pick the one that caters to your needs.

What does a smart bag do?

A smart bag functions differently than a normal carry-on bag. Here is a list of exciting features a smart bag has to offer:

Tracking baggage

Smart bags have trackers in them, and you can follow where your luggage is on your phone through an application linked to the tracker. The feature comes in handy when you lose your luggage or in case someone steals it.

Sensors

Some smart bags for travel have sensors that calculate how close you are to your luggage. If you are away from a specific range, the app will notify you that you are away from your carry-on. This is life-saving for people who forget to take their bags. For example: If you forget your bag at the airport. However, this can be an agitating feature if you decide to take it as checked baggage.

Batteries

These bags come with lightweight lithium batteries. You can connect your device to the bag and charge it while traveling to your destination. Some bags come with only one cable, while others come with multiple cables. These batteries either have to be recharged or changed. The facility is significant for those who often travel in busses and trains where there isn’t any power source available while traveling.

Luggage Scales

We are well aware of how annoying it can be to weigh your heavy luggage repeatedly. Therefore, these bags come with built-in scales. You can see how much your bag weighs using the app linked to your phone.

RFID-blockers

We know how essential it is to keep our information safe. So some smart suitcases come with these blockers so that hackers can not scan your luggage from the outside,

Are smart bags allowed on planes?

There is a concern regarding smart bags for travel on airplanes. The lithium battery in the smart bag can explode while traveling in the air. In the past, multiple accidents have taken place where lithium batteries exploded.

Therefore, there is a new policy that states that travelers can carry these secure travel bags only if they can remove the lithium battery. If they fail to remove it, they will have to leave the bag at the boarding gate.

You must be wondering which airlines have banned the use of smart travel bags. To answer your query – Delta, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines all have policies prohibiting passengers from checking smart bags.

They all allow you to bring smart bags on board, but you have to check them, and in case you don’t have a removable battery, you’re going to have a difficult time.

What are the best smart luggage brands that are legal?

When the smart luggage ban was implemented, all smart luggage manufacturers suffered significant losses. BlueSmart and Raden, two of the most popular smart baggage brands, announced their closures in 2018.

Another smart baggage brand with inbuilt batteries was Away, although they rapidly included the option to remove the battery pack. You have the option of following their DIY instructions or creating your own.

Here is the list of secure travel bags that are currently allowed:

  • Away luggage
  • G-RO
  • Incase
  • Planet Traveler
  • Modobag
  • Genius Pack
  • Arlo Skye
  • Marlon
  • Samsara

Are smart bags expensive?

No, not all smart bags are expensive. There are smart bags of all ranges out there in the market. There are affordable ones and high-end ones. However, if it is your first time getting a smart bag, we will suggest investing in a good one. Some smart bags have a cheap exterior that gets damaged very easily, so they will not last a very long time. Therefore, we would suggest getting one with a durable exterior. We also recommend getting a long-lasting battery so that you can charge your device multiple times while traveling. We also suggest you keep in mind your lifestyle and profession before choosing the bag you want to purchase.

Popular Options Of Smart Bags For Travel

We have done intensive research and made a list of the bags you would like to check out. The pros and cons are also stated for your convenience.

Samsonite Centric 2-Hardside Expandable Luggage

For the first smart bag, we have the Samsonite Centric expandable luggage. It comes in 6 different colors, and it is 24 inches. The packing dimensions are: 24″ x 16.5″ x11″, and the overall dimension of the bag is 26.5″ x 17.75″ x11″.

The shell is made of polycarbonate texture, so it protects the bag from scratches. The bag also comes with cross straps so that you can keep your luggage separate. The travel bag can accommodate luggage up to 9.0 lbs.

The Samsonite, the unchallenged leader in luggage, is dabbling in the area of smart baggage. Again, we’re not fans of the battery pack being sold separately, but the plug outlets are conveniently located at the top of the bag and are very easy to use when using the bag as an airline under seater.

I strongly recommend this bag if you have to have a child so that you can pack their belongings with you using the bag.

Pros:

  • Very spacious
  • Comes in various color choice options
  • You can customize the space to your need

Cons:

  • Little heavy to carry

TPRC 15-Inch Smart Under-Seat Carry-On Luggage

These bags come with a USB port but do not have a power Bank attached to them to charge your devices. However, these bags are great for light packers because you can easily slip this bag beneath your seat in an airplane.

This product is also great for trains and buses because they will not take much of your space and you can just keep it in your cabin. Unlike other bags, they are made of polyester fabric, so the bags are washable.

We will recommend you to read the instructions first before cleaning it. These bags come with very smooth wheels so that you easily glide the suitcase to your destination. It also has pockets. If you travel alone a lot, then we highly recommend the bag for you.

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Comes with multiple pockets
  • Polyester fabric will last a long time

Cons:

  • Little small
  • The fabric can get wet in the rain

Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside

This expandable carry-on spinner suitcase with an external USB port and dedicated power bank pocket meets the faa standards for carry-on and checked baggage. There is no power bank provided. The capacity is 46 liters.

For precise control and effortless roll, the precision glide system comprises a contoured grip, a four-stop adjustable power scope handle, and magnetic spinner wheels. Using a fold-out suiter, you can keep your garments wrinkle-free.

This bag is highly suggested for those who like to travel for a long time as the smart suitcase will fit in a lot of necessary things at once. The pockets in the bag are TSA-approved, and they come with locks so that you can secure your bag.

This bag is highly commendable for those who attend business meetings because they need to keep a lot of important documents while they travel.

Pros:

  • Comes with great wheels
  • Has a power bank pocket
  • Provides warranty

Cons:

  • Only available in one color

Final Verdict

If you are planning on making your traveling special, you will surely need the best travel bags. A good smart bag will last for a long time and will make your voyage memorable for a lifetime.

We hope you enjoyed our article on the most popular smart bags for travel. We wish you the very best in finding the right safe travel bag for you and hope it fulfills all your demand.