Bipedal or quadrupedal? If mankind walks on two legs, wouldn’t to two-wheeled suitcase be superior? In reality, the choice between two and four wheels comes down to preference and use cases. There aren’t a whole lot of factors to consider when choosing the best two- or four-wheeled suitcase, but we’ll lay it all out for you to ponder.

Two-Wheel Pros

Although suitcases with two wheels are less common than their four-wheeled counterparts, there are still a lot of options out there. Whether you need a good case for a carry-on, check-in, or road trip bag, you’ll have plenty of good options in the two-wheel department. That means it’s still easy to get your preferred color and exterior material (whether that’s a hard or soft shell).

Also, since two-wheel suitcases typically have some sort of braking structure on the opposite side of the wheels, you don’t have to worry about your bag rolling away. When you’ve got an itch to scratch, your phone starts ringing, or your otherwise occupied hands need to be unoccupied, just park the bag. Even on an incline, your suitcase should stay put. This also makes the two-wheeler bag a decent seat when you’re tired! (Although this isn’t recommended—don’t want to break anything.)

Two-Wheel Recommendations

Four-Wheel Pros

The four-wheel suitcase gives a little more freedom when it comes to mobility. Whereas its two-legged cousin is almost exclusively dragged behind, the four-wheeler can be kept upright and pushed or pulled in any direction. It’s not uncommon to see a flight attended gently guiding an upright four-wheeled suitcase by their side, much like an obedient puppy at their heels.

The enhanced upright maneuverability also allows for a bit more luggage transportation. If you have any smaller bags with straps, such as a backpack or a purse, you can leash one or two to the telescoping handle of the suitcase and set them on top. As long as you’ve balanced things properly, you can carefully guide your mini tower of luggage around the airport. Of course, this works for road trips too, but you’ll usually be moving your bags just to the hotel room and back. Shoulder fatigue isn’t much of an issue there.

Four-Wheel Recommendations

The Winner: Everybody!

The two-wheel suitcase and the four-wheel suitcase are really so similar that you can’t go wrong either way. Four-wheelers tend to be a little better for journeying through the airport, but other than that, they’re both great options! It really comes down to personal taste. In-line vs. spinner wheels, though, is another debate.