Briggs & Riley Rhapsody Underseat Spinner vs Briggs & Riley Sympatico 3.0 Large Spinner

These are not rivals so much as two different jobs. The Rhapsody is a compact under-seat bag for a night or two, with a padded 13-inch laptop sleeve, tablet slip pocket, RFID-shielded SpeedThru pocket and a removable shoulder strap. The Sympatico 3.0 is a large hard-shell checked spinner with 131 L of capacity, a TSA lock and expansion, built for long trips. Both carry Briggs & Riley's lifetime guarantee and the Outsider handle on the Rhapsody; owners of the Sympatico line praise the tough polycarbonate shell and smooth four-wheel glide, while Rhapsody owners like how much fits under the seat.

• Choose the Rhapsody Softside Underseat Cabin Spinner if you fly carry-on only, need your laptop and a change of clothes with you, and want a bag that slides under most airline seats.
• Choose the Sympatico 3.0 Large Expandable Spinner if you are checking a bag for a long trip and want a hard shell, a TSA lock and room to expand.