The 12 Very Best Hard-Side Suitcases
Not all hard shells are created equal.
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As someone who has never managed to take a vacation without purchasing something bulky and delicate to take home with me (vinyl records, ceramics, bottles of wine — you name it, I’ve packed it), I see the virtues of hard-shell suitcases oversoft-sided options. Ahard-side suitcasewill shield what’s inside of it from sudden drops or bangs, where a soft-side offers far less protection. Many of the experts I’ve spoken to agree: They say that hard-side suitcases are easier to wipe clean and slide from luggage racks. They’re harder to repair than soft-side suitcases (a crack will be fatal), but that’s what warranties are for.
Hard-side suitcases are usually made from either polycarbonate plastic or a plastic called ABS (but there are also some made from old-fashioned aluminum). Polycarbonate plastic is more durable than ABS, so it tends to cost a little more, but I’ve tracked down and tested cases made from both types of plastic that areaffordable and reliable. I also spoke with more than 20 travel professionals about the brands and styles they recommend. While you’re here, I’ve also written guides to the bestweekend bagsand the besttravel pillows.
Updated on March 13, 2026
I named July’s CaseSafe luggage as our best trackable hard-side luggage and included new testing notes and photos forAwayandRimowa’s hard-side luggage.
Whatwe’relookingfor
Material
The material best for you will largely depend on the kind of trips you plan on taking. If your vacation involves long weekends at a friend’s beach house, you can get away with a lighter case made of less durable ABS. But if you’re plane- and train-hopping through Europe for the summer, you might want to invest in a sturdier case (like one made of polycarbonate) that can take a knock or two.
Capacity
Longer trips need bigger suitcases. For ease of comparison, I’ve focused on carry-on options here, but most companies make these suitcases in larger sizes too. Size and weight allowances for carry-on cases will vary by airline, and most companies I looked into (including Alaska and Delta) measure the dimensions or weight of cases. You canread hereto learn more about carry-on regulations.
Wheels
Four spinner wheels glide in all directions and are the most convenient for modern air travel. For bumpier trips, you might want to consider acarry-on backpackor two-wheeledsoft-sided suitcaseinstead.
Warranty
Pecorella says it’s important to do your homework when it comes to warranty because, once a hard-side case cracks, it’s pretty tough to repair. “This is what we tell our customers all the time: If you are a regular traveler, really look into the luggage brand’s warranty and see what they are covering and what they are not covering,” he says. All of the cases on this list have a lifetime warranty, which covers your case for life, or a limited lifetime warranty, which means your case is covered for a certain number of years.
Best hard-side suitcase overall
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Away the Bigger Carry-on
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Away The Medium
Material:Polycarbonate hard-shell| Capacity:49 L (carry-on), 72 L (medium checked)| Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels| Warranty:Limited lifetime warranty
Made from thick polycarbonate, I’m impressed with how sturdy yet lightweight Away’s ubiquitous suitcases are. I’m more than comfortable with packing breakables inside of one and am always confident that its handles and wheels will survive the perilous trip from the cargo hold to the luggage carousel. Cute as well as functional, Away suitcases are available in bright colors as well as neutral ones, and any scratches can be touched up with the brand’s eraser, which is included with each purchase. Away’s hard-side luggage is available in a few sizes; the Bigger Carry-on is the most popular. That’s because it has a huge 49-liter capacity, but it still fits inside mostoverhead bins. (Though on some budget and most European airlines, it’s too big to class as a carry-on — you’d have to opt for the smaller size.)
Away’s luggage has the same features that you’d expect from any$300 suitcase, but each feature has been executed perfectly. The 360-degree spinner wheels, for example, make light work of any cobbled street you drag them along. And the telescopic handle is remarkably sturdy, which means you can use it to occasionally give up and drag your suitcase up and down stairs.
Numerous Strategist staffers have owned and used Away suitcases for years and years. You can also just look around the airport for proof of durability: The brand switches up its colorways seasonally, but I frequently see long-discontinued shades on the baggage carousel or nestled overhead on flights.
Best (less-expensive) hard-side suitcase
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Material:Polycarbonate| Capacity:40 L (carry-on), 76 L (medium checked)| Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels| Warranty:Limited lifetime warranty
Quince, the six-year-old start-up that seems to make alittle bit of everything, makes some great rolling luggage. I’ve been testing out the brand’s carry-on-size suitcase as well as its larger, checked one, both made from the same durable polycarbonate that Away uses. In terms of weight and feel, Quince’s affordable suitcases are surprisingly similar to Away’s, although the Quince luggage plastic isslightlyflimsier. When I nudged an Away Bigger Carry-on and Quince Carry-on across my apartment floor side by side, their wheels carried them about the same distance, and their retractable handles are almost identical in form and function. Both brands use YKK zippers and TSA-approved combination locks. Inside, the compression compartments and removable laundry bag are also essentially the same. And Quince recently introduced a limited lifetime warranty on its suitcases that offers protection against defects like broken handles and zippers — mimicking Away’s famous replacement guarantee. Just note that Quince’s small carry-on can hold less stuff than Away’s equivalent suitcase, as it has a 40-liter capacity compared to the rival brand’s 49 liters.
Best hard-side suitcase with internal organization
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Material:Polycarbonate hard-shell| Capacity:39 L (carry-on), 68 L (medium checked)| Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels| Warranty:Two-year limited warranty
Calpak’s Hue cases are constructed from durable polycarbonate, as with the Away and Quince options above, although they’re slightly smaller in capacity. But inside, things look a bit different. As well as the two main compartments (one of which has thick compression straps to hold down yourpacking cubesfull of clothes), there’s an additional separator sleeve with four zippered sections in which you can store smaller items and dirty laundry. The suitcase can also expands an additional two inches by use of a second zipper, which means it can function as both a budget airline-sized carry-on as well as a standard one. I’ve been testing out this suitcase over the past month and enjoy how the extra compartments help me feel more organized — it’s a bit like using the suitcase version of aCotopaxi Allpa. The Hue’s handle and spinners feel solid, although the wheels are slightly less recessed than those on the Away and Quince suitcases, which means they’re less protected from bumps. Calpak offers a two-year limited warranty, which is definitely not as generous as a lifetime one — if you know you’ll be traveling frequently, that’ll become more relevant.
Best hard-side suitcase with brakes
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Aer Carry-On Max
Material:Polycarbonate hard-shell| Capacity:48 L| Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels| Warranty:Lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects
Aer makes a few of our favorite travel products, including a rugged Dopp kit made from ballistic nylon. So when the brand launched its first suitcase about a year ago, I immediately requested a test unit and have been wheeling it around ever since. Speaking of wheels, the Aer’s are its mostimpressive feature. They’re even smoother than Away’s spinners, and a one-button braking system below the handle means you can set your suitcase (and the personal item stacked on top of it) down without worrying about it scooting away. While I’ve never been particularly bothered by runaway suitcases, this is a thoughtful design feature that makes airport transfers slightly less stressful. Other small but well-considered details include a hidden luggage tracker pocket, added puncture resistance around the zipper, and a magnetic fastener on the internal compression strap that means you can pack your suitcase one-handed. The scuff-resistant exterior also looks very sleek and luxe, albeit with a price tag ($25 higher than Away’s!) to match.
Best ABS hard-side suitcase
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Material:ABS hard-shell |Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels |Capacity: 34 liters |Warranty:Limited warranty
A hard-side suitcase made from ABS rather than polycarbonate will always be the most affordable option. This Amazon Basics case is ideal for budget travelers, Griffiths says:“In my experience, it’s rare to find a case that costs under $100 that can compete with more expensive brands. I was surprised by how thick and sturdy the suitcase feels —it has a nice thud when you knock against the exterior.” As well as being thick, the exterior isalso scratch resistant, and the case also has a well-designed handle, smoothly rolling wheels, handles for comfort, and a built-in lock.The warranty is where this bag falls slightly short, though (and may explain the cheaper price tag): It’s only a three-year limited warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship.
Best lightweight hard-side suitcase
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Material:Polycarbonate hard-shell| Capacity:36 L (carry-on), 62 L (medium checked)| Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels| Warranty:Limited lifetime
The Rimowa Essential line of suitcases was a very close second to Away — more than ten people mentioned the brand in our survey of thebest rolling luggage— but it lost out on the top spot due to its price. This suitcase is less durable than the classic aluminum version, but it shares a long history: Rimowa was the first brand to release a polycarbonate suitcase in 2000, so it has had more than 20 years to perfect its design. And it’s a great mix of durability and weight: This carry-on is more than a pound lighter than Away’s Bigger Carry-On, although it is also more than ten liters smaller, being sized for European airlines.
Owners especially praise the wheels. “I won’t pretend to understand all the physics behind the bearings and axles on Rimowa’s bags, but I do know they spin amazingly well through the airport,” Summer Hull, director of travel content atthe Points Guy, says. Fellowtravel writer Hillary Eatonalso told me she had no problem lugging the case on a 48-hour journey from Vancouver to Machu Picchu by “tiny floatplane, three long-haul flights, a five-hour bus, and a two-hour train ride.” Several owners also pointed out how easy it is to get this suitcase repaired if anything goes wrong. And after facing stiff competition from Away, Rimowa recently started offering a lifetime guarantee on its products.
Best aluminium hard-side suitcase
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Material:Aluminum hard-shell| Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels| Capacity:35 liters (carry-on), 71 liters (medium checked)|Warranty:Limited lifetime warranty
Aluminum cases are as durable as a hard-side case gets — they’re less likely to crack and usually use clamps instead of a zip (which can fall apart at the seams, burst, or even be slashed open). Several travelers I chatted with recommended the Rimowa case in aluminum for this reason. However, it costs well over $1,000 anddoesn’t really do much beyond what this Away— which is half the price — does. The aluminum Away carry-on is similar to the polycarbonate one in many respects, from its great-quality handles and wheels to its ample storage space. One major difference is the lock, though: It’s still TSA-approved, but has the lock code on more secure clamps rather than a zipper. Travel writerSarah Greaves-Gabbadon, who travels every single week for work, calls it her “work horse.”
Best hard-side suitcase for overpackers
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Material:Polycarbonate hard-shell| Capacity:49 L (carry-on), 78 L (medium checked)| Wheels:360-degree spinner wheels| Warranty:Limited lifetime warranty
I’ve included this case for its simply ingenious weight indicator. If you’re an overpacker, it takes a lot of the stress out of checking a bag. The indicator is activated when you lift the case, and a red mark will appear if the luggage weighs over 50 pounds — saving you from an unexpected fee at the airport. (This is especially important as the bag has an additional zipper that allows it to expand a couple of inches for squeezing an extra potentially heavy few bits inside.) Other features include a built-in laundry and shoe bag, as well as several other pockets that help keep things organized and a TSA-approved lock. “They’ve really thought of everything,” says travel blogger Ciara Johnson.
Best hard-side suitcase for underpackers
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Material:ABS hard-shell| Capacity:31 L| Wheels:360-degree spinner, removable |Warranty:One-year limited
I first learned about this teeny-tiny hard-side case while researching the bestpersonal-item-size luggage. It came recommended byJasmine AndersonandNatasha Wilson, travel agents and co-hosts of the podcastTravel Fly Sexy, as well as packing expertLauren Kelly.They all praise its snap-off spinner wheels that can slide miraculously into the cruelest of budget-airline baggage sizers. (“Frontier lately is charging people for wheels and handles sticking out of the sizers,” says Kelly. “That means $100 extra for each leg of the trip.”) Measuring 18 by 14 by eight inches, the suitcase’s rectangular shape maximizes space and allows you to use packing cubes: “I have put a laptop and a week’s worth of clothes in the Take Off,” says Anderson. Kelly agrees that “it will give you the most packing space if your goal is a weeklong trip where you pack a personal item only.” The suitcase comes with a small bag to put its wheels in while your bag is being sized by airline staff; you can also just stash them in your pockets. And yes, it will slide right under the plane seat in front of you, which means no competing for overhead bin space.
Best trackable hard-side suitcase
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Material:Polycarbonate hard-shell| Capacity:42 L (carry-on), 80 L (medium checked)| Wheels:Four skateboard wheels| Warranty:Limited lifetime warranty
Australian luggage designer July is known to some as the “Away of the Down Under,” but there are a few key design differences between the two popular brands. July’s carry-on was recently upgraded with built-in Bluetooth tracking that’s compatible with Apple’s “Find My” and Google’s “Find Hub” features, which is a great idea that Away has yet to implement. (Of course, you can always just add your own tracker — I’ve previously written about myfavorite ones for travel.) July’s smallest carry-on weighs less than Away’s, even though they both have similar liter capacities, and the July’s polycarbonate plastic shell is actually slightly thicker. In fact, if you’re perusing this list because you travel with a lot of breakable stuff, this is the suitcase I’d recommend most, as it isextremelysolid and even has corner bumpers to lessen impact as it gets thrown around. I still prefer Away’s spinner wheels and price point, but July is worth considering, especially if you’re scarred from previous lost-luggage experiences.
Best horizontal hard-side suitcase
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Material:Polycarbonate hard-shell| Capacity:43 L| Wheels:Four skateboard wheels| Warranty:One-year warranty
Roverlund’s unusual horizontal suitcase is designed to better accommodatepet carriers. Chef, food writer, and former Strategist senior editor Kiki Aranita balances her Chihuahua Coconut’s carrier atop hers and says it makes traveling with her furry friend far easier. “Coconut justglides,”she says. “Even over bumpy sidewalks and badly tiled floors.” As well as providing more room for the carrier to sit on, the suitcase sports a “very sturdy” handle that Aranita says wobbles much less than others she’s tried. The generously sized external laptop pocket also makes it ideal for work trips. Yes, there’s a learning curve to this suitcase: The horizontal shape can feel unwieldy at first and be hard to open flat within confined spaces. And the smooth skateboard-style wheels means that it can quite literally roll away at the slightest nudge. (Perhaps the next version of this suitcase should take inspiration from the brake-equipped Aer carry-on above?) But now that Aranita has gotten used to these quirks, she says it has become her default luggage for all trips, even those sans Coconut.
Other hard-side suitcases we’ve written about
Our Experts
•Jasmine Anderson, travel agent and co-host ofTravel Fly Sexy
•Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, travel writer
• Ciara Johnson, travel blogger atHeyCiara
•Lauren Kelly, packing consultant
•Natasha Wilson, travel agent and co-host ofTravel Fly Sexy
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