When buying a suitcase you are faced with the question of whether you should choose a model with 2 or 4 wheels. The decision is not easy, because both models have advantages and disadvantages. BUT: I have a clear favorite.
About the author
My name is Sebastian and I write about luggage since 2017. I am always on the hunt for the best suitcases.
Suitcase with 4 Wheels
Suitcases with 4 wheels are the most common today. This is because they bring many benefits. The biggest advantage is the maneuverability of the case. The wheels can be rotated 360 degrees and the case does not have to be tilted. This makes it much easier to maneuver a suitcase with 4 wheels around curves. This is particularly useful in narrow aisles and in crowds.
Another benefit of 4-wheel suitcases is product selection. The range of models is significantly larger than models with 2 wheels. Large suitcases are often only available with 4 wheels.
A suitcase with 4 wheels also has disadvantages. If you move it over a longer distance on bumpy roads, suitcases with 4 wheels quickly reach their limits.
Another disadvantage: If you park a suitcase with 4 wheels, e.g. in the subway, you always have to hold it, otherwise it will roll away very quickly. You have the same problem with sloping roads.
Advantages of 4 Wheels
Disadvantages of 4 Wheels
Purchase recommendation with 4 wheels
The test winner Samsonite Neopulse has the best roles in my suitcase test. The 4 wheels are very large, stable and rubberized. The rolling behavior is very pleasant and smooth-running. In addition, the roles can be changed very easily if necessary.
The American Tourister Soundbox delivers outstanding value for money. It features four large rubberised double wheels for smooth rolling. Moreover, it’s crafted from high-quality polypropylene and boasts comfortable amenities. Its capacity is also notably generous.
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Samsonite Neopulse Spinner 55, available in 4 sizes | £255.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-12-09 at 11:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Partnernet
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American Tourist Soundbox 55, available in 3 sizes | £145.00 £104.35 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-12-09 at 11:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Partnernet
Suitcases with 2 Wheels
Suitcases with 2 wheels offer one major advantage in particular: in most models, the two wheels are larger than in cases with 4 wheels. If you have to pull the case over longer distances and also on uneven paths, it is usually much more comfortable with 2 wheels.
Suitcases with 2 wheels also have disadvantages. For example, the suitcase must always be tapped so that it rolls. This can quickly become exhausting, especially with large suitcases weighing over 20 kg. Unlike suitcases with 4 wheels, most of the weight is then in your hands. This also makes the case less manoeuvrable.
Another disadvantage is the smaller product range. While you can still find a few models in hand luggage size S, it looks very rare with large suitcases. Hard-shell suitcases in particular are usually only available with 4 wheels.
Advantages of 2 Wheels
Disadvantages of 2 Wheels
Purchase recommendation with 2 Wheels
Two suitcases with good test results are the Samsonite Spark (4th place) and the Samsonite Base Boost (6th place). Both soft-shell cases are available with 2 or 4 wheels. Above all, they impress with their low weight and additional outer pockets. Both suitcases were also able to achieve very good results in terms of capacity.
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Samsonite Base Boost Upright 55 | £104.25 £101.25 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-12-09 at 11:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Partnernet
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Samsonite Spark SGN Upright 55 | £139.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-12-09 at 11:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Partnernet
Conclusion: 2 or 4 Wheels?
There is no general answer to the question “2 or 4 wheels”. You should make the choice depending on the size of the suitcase you need and the routes you want to use the suitcase on.
I personally prefer a suitcase with 4 wheels on almost all trips. I usually travel by train, plane or car and mostly only have to pull the suitcase short distances. A suitcase with 4 wheels is very convenient, especially at train stations and airports.
A suitcase with 2 wheels is only an option for me if I’m traveling with a small suitcase (size S) and have to pull it over longer distances.
Even more important than the number of wheels is the quality. When buying, be sure to pay attention to the size of the rolls, the material and the construction. Ideally, the wheels are also interchangeable so that you can quickly change them yourself in the event of a defect and you don’t have to buy the whole suitcase again.
Vote now: Which one do you like better?
Do you prefer 2 or 4 wheels? Vote now and you will immediately see the voting result. Feel free to share your opinion with the community in a comment.
Another disadvantage of 4-wheel suitcases is the wasted space around the wheels. This is particularly important for cabin luggage since the allowable onboard size includes the unusable space between the wheels.
That’s an interesting point you raise. It’s probably not possible to make a blanket statement, as 2-wheel suitcases don’t always automatically have more capacity than 4-wheel suitcases. However, within a luggage series, this is almost always the case.
For example, the Samsonite Base Boost featured in this post can be purchased with either 2 or 4 wheels. Despite identical dimensions, the Upright version with 2 wheels offers a whole 2 liters more volume.
Thank you for your addition.
Thank you for your excellent articles.
My own experience with four wheels has not been positive; two damaged four wheel (supposedly good quality) suitcases later and I would not get another one. Furthermore, I personally don’t find them as maneuverable or versatile as two wheels.
As you say, four wheels are good for short level distances but just can’t cope with rougher terrain. I rarely need to take a taxi from home as I live 10 minutes away from a tube station and even the short walk on the old London pavements causes problems.
My destinations tend to be smaller places or older European cities and even if I take a taxi from the airport an amount of walking on surfaces such as cobblestones or track is often necessary. I had a Samsonite four wheel that lasted one trip and the wheels got damaged, it was returned under warranty but the next one had similar issues just three trips later, so I went back to two wheels (I’ve never had these problems in 40+ years of travelling all over the world with two wheels, my previous suitcases have simply died of old age).
Maybe there’s a model out there with hybrid wheels? two larger and more robust ones at the back that can cope with rougher terrain?
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience!
It sounds like a two-wheeled suitcase is indeed more suited to your needs, especially considering the types of terrain you often encounter. Your feedback highlights an important factor for many travelers to consider when choosing luggage.
As for a suitcase with hybrid wheels, I’m not aware of any that combine different wheel types to address this issue. It’s an interesting idea, though likely technically challenging to implement.