After using all kinds of suitcases over the years, from bargain buys that barely survived a weekend trip to premium cases that rolled smoother than some airport trolleys, I have arrived at a simple conclusion. Before I tell you if a smart suitcase is worth spending your money on, it helps to understand what it actually is and who it is designed for.

Think of smart luggage the way you would think of high heels. Plenty of people love them, swear by them and cannot imagine life without them. Plenty of others try them once and immediately decide they are not for them. Neither side is wrong. A smart suitcase is not a must-have travel item. It is a niche product built for a very specific kind of traveller. Usually, that is someone who spends a lot of time in airports, works on the move, relies heavily on their devices, or simply wants fewer small annoyances during a trip.

So before we get into battery packs, charging ports, and all the fancy features, the real question is not "Is a smart suitcase good?" The real question is, "Is a smart suitcase good for you?" Let's get into the nitty-gritty and find out.

First things first. What exactly is a smart suitcase?

Before I tell you which ones are worth considering, it helps to understand who these products are designed for. Think of smart luggage the way you would think of high heels. Some people absolutely love them and cannot imagine life without them. Others try them once and wonder what all the fuss is about. A smart suitcase is not an essential travel purchase. It is a niche product aimed at people who spend a lot of time moving through airports, rely heavily on their devices or simply want to remove a few common travel frustrations.