Briggs & Riley Baseline CX 22-inch Carry-On vs Rimowa Essential Cabin Carry-On (2026)

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Briggs & Riley Baseline CX 22-inch Carry-On

9.3/10 Excellent

4.7★ (2,400 owners)

Outsider compression handle, CX expansion, lifetime warranty unconditional, ballistic nylon. The forever bag.

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Rimowa Essential Cabin Carry-On

9.2/10 Excellent

4.6★ (3,200 owners)

Polycarbonate grooved shell, Flex-Divider, multi-wheel, TSA, German luxury. The aspirational carry-on.

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At a Glance

	Briggs & Riley Baseline CX 22-inch Carry-On	Rimowa Essential Cabin Carry-On
247Verdict Score	9.3/10	9.2/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (2,400)	4.6★ (3,200)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Briggs & Riley Baseline CX 22-inch Carry-On: Outsider compression handle, CX expansion, lifetime warranty unconditional, ballistic nylon. The forever bag.. Rimowa Essential Cabin Carry-On: Polycarbonate grooved shell, Flex-Divider, multi-wheel, TSA, German luxury. The aspirational carry-on.. Choose based on your specific needs.

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Briggs & Riley Baseline CX 22-inch Carry-On

Unconditional lifetime warranty — damage during airline handling? Briggs & Riley fixes or replaces, no questions
Outsider compression handle system compresses overpacking by 25% — fits more without changing dimensions
CX expandable compartment adds 20% more packing capacity for return journeys
Ballistic nylon construction withstands a decade of airline abuse without structural failure
The warranty is unique: no exclusions, no conditions, no expiration — Briggs & Riley guarantees it forever

£500+ is a premium investment — the warranty is the product
Heavy at 3.8kg — maximising packing space comes with weight penalty
Less glamorous aesthetic than Rimowa — functional engineering over visual design

Rimowa Essential Cabin Carry-On

Grooved polycarbonate shell is the most recognisable luggage design — Rimowa's unmistakable aesthetic
Flex-Divider interior packing system divides case into organised sections with compression capability
Multi-wheel system with 360° rotation is among the smoothest of any reviewed carry-on
RIMOWA electronic tag (optional) replaces paper boarding passes permanently
German engineering from Cologne since 1898 — 125 years of luggage manufacturing heritage

£500+ is luxury pricing — Samsonite Lite-Box delivers equivalent travel function for 20% of the cost
Grooved shell is distinctive but shows scratches more visibly than matte alternatives
RIMOWA's brand premium is entirely about design and prestige — not technical superiority