We Found the Best Hardside Suitcases for Every Type of Traveler

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While there's no right way to travel, if you want to protect your belongings as they make their way from point A to point B, there's no more convenient and sturdy option than a top-rated hardside suitcase. With a solid outer shell that keeps your things from getting squished, the best hardside luggage is also lightweight with 360º spinner wheels for easy navigation, interior pockets for optimal organization and built-in TSA locks for added safety.

To find the best hard shell suitcases for every type of traveler, including checked bags and carry-ons, we talked to several travel experts to get their recommendations as well as advice on what to look for in a high-quality hardside roller, from design and durability to capacity, maneuverability, special features and, of course, aesthetics. We then used this criteria to scour online reviews and unearth the best hardside luggage for your money.

Learn more about our top picks ahead, and find more expert shopping advice and answers to frequently asked questions about hardside suitcases at the end of this article. Looking for more of our favorite products that make traveling so much easier? Check out our roundups of the best luggage on Amazon and the best travel backpacks.

Ambeur Rolling Spinner Carry-On

CALPAK's Ambeur carry-on is our top pick thanks to its sleek and stylish exterior and exceptionally organized interior with two separate packing compartments. The zippered divider on the left side features two elasticized slip pockets along the bottom (great for shoes!) with a mesh zipped pocket above. The open right side is secured with stretchy straps that buckle in the middle. The 22-inch-tall case is also protected by a TSA-approved combination lock to help keep your belongings safe.

While we're partial to the trendy rose gold color pictured here, you can also find this hard shell suitcase in four additional hues on CALPAK's website. Reviewers rave about the multidirectional wheels that they say make it easy to maneuver along all sorts of surfaces, as well as the expansion sleeve that adds two extra inches of packing space. All in all, it's a lightweight piece of hardside luggage that makes an ideal carry-on. Just note that while this bag meets most domestic carry-on size limits, you'll want to double-check with your airline before boarding to make sure.

Chicago Hardside Expandable Spinner Luggage

Available in 13 different colors, this hard shell roller suitcase is a popular pick amongst Amazon shoppers. Over 16,000 reviewers have awarded it five stars, largely due to its durable and expandable design, which sits atop 360º spinner wheels. While it doesn't offer lots of bells and whistles, it's a lightweight and functional suitcase that offers great value for the price. Plus, you can purchase on its own or as part of a three- or five-piece travel set, should you want to match your luggage for the adventures that await.

The Bigger Carry-On

The Away Bigger Carry-On is a popular piece of hardside luggage for a couple of reasons: For starters, it's slightly larger than most carry-on rollers, though still designed to fit in the overhead bins of most domestic airlines. The other thing that sets it apart? For an extra $20, it can come with a removable USB charger so you never have to worry about running out of juice on your phone or tablet. It also features 360º spinner wheels, a hidden interior laundry bag and comes in five basic colors plus rotating seasonal color options.

Check-In Roller

Béis' hardside roller is popular on social media for its looks and its capacity. Recently launched in several bright, fun colors — like Creamsicle and Barbie Pink — users say this piece of hardside luggage is equipped for long vacations or even packing for multiple people in one case.

Where the left compartment of the 26-inch interior is zippered in, the right features a compression panel and adjustable straps to keep everything in place. It also comes with several interior zip pockets and laundry bags. The case itself is expandable, so you can let the straps out to max capacity inside if you find yourself needing to bring home a few souvenirs. As wonderful as the storage capacity is, we especially love that this luggage has a weight indicator. When you lift it by the handle, a small panel next to the handle will turn red if it's over 50 pounds — so handy! And if you need a little extra space, Béis sells a 29-inch version, too.

Smart Luggage Carry-On

Nearly 7,000 Amazon shoppers gave this 20-inch hardside luggage by Wrangler five stars. In addition to its sturdy design set atop 360º wheels, this suitcase features three conveniences combined into one unique feature: On the back of the luggage, there's a pop-out phone stand. Beneath it, a USB charger. Beneath that, another pop-out that turns the phone stand into a cup holder. Genius, no?

Future Spinner Suitcase

This 28-inch piece of hardside luggage will definitely make a statement. The shiny neon exterior opens to reveal a tie-dye interior complete with a main zippered compartment lined with two smaller zip pockets. The other side showcases two interesting features not often seen in most luggage: built-in interior shoe pockets and a detachable wet bag to store damp bathing suits.

An expansion zipper offers two extra inches of packing space when needed, and 360º double wheels make for easy maneuverability. While this model is meant to be checked, you can also opt for Vacay's 20-inch Future Spinner if you're looking for a carry-on — or check out the full Vacay collection for even more fun color options.

3-Piece Luggage Set

If you like for all your luggage to match and have an upcoming trip where you plan to bring more than just a carry-on, the COOLIFE's luggage set offers some of the best bang for your buck.

For less than $200, you get three solid pieces of hardside luggage, all of which feature telescopic handles, 360º wheels, sturdy top and side handles, built-in TSA-approved combination locks, and interior zip organization. No wonder over 19,000 Amazon shoppers (!) have given the set, which is sold in 22 colors, a five-star review.

Hardshell Large Carry-On

Herschel Supply Co. is synonymous with laidback, cool-girl style, which makes the brand's new line of lightweight, hardside luggage an especially trendy option. The no-frills carry-on features a durable outer shell and a well-organized interior, complete with zippered and buckled sides. Available in six colors, Herschel also sells a smaller version of this bag if you're looking for something more compact.

Medium Check-In Spinner Luggage

If you're a frequent traveler looking to invest in a piece of hardside luggage that's built to last, consider adding the 27-inch Monos Check-In Spinner to your cart. This roomy bag features the typical interior set-up of one fully-zippered side and one compression panel side. The big difference here is that the compression panel also features two zippered pockets, offering even more built-in organization. Plus, this luggage just looks good. It's sleek and streamlined, which makes it look impossibly chic. Reviewers also rave about this suitcase's super-smooth wheels, the adjustable handle and the high level of durability it offers.

What to look for when shopping for hardside luggage

✔️ Material: There are so many types of hardside luggage on the market, some more attractive than others. But don't let looks rule your decision. Start by focusing on lightweight silhouettes and go from there. “When looking for hardside luggage, the ideal suitcase would be something lightweight but extremely strong,” says ski travel expert Jonathan Alder, CEO of luxury travel management company Jonathan’s Travels. “To achieve this, heavy-duty plastic composites are the best. No matter how trendy it may look, metal suitcases are the last thing you want. The weight of a metal suitcase alone will take up so much of your luggage allotment before you even start packing.” Instead of al for suitcases made of polycarbonate, ABS plastic, polypropylene or a mixture of these materials.

Hardside luggage made of super lightweight polycarbonate or ABS plastic is also a popular due to these materials being both lightweight and durable. “These materials offer durability and strength, ensuring that your luggage can withstand rough handling and protect your belongings,” says Jeannie Shin, CALPAK's director of marketing. “Polycarbonate is particularly known for its impact resistance and lightweight properties.”

✔️ Maneuverability: Rolling luggage has come a long way in the past decade or so. Now, 360º spinner wheels exist and they make travel so, so, so much easier. When shopping for hardside luggage, make sure the case you choose is equipped with this type of wheels if you want to be able to move about with ease. Telescopic handles, which extend from the suitcase, that are easy to open and close are also key.

✔️ Compartments and key features: Think about what you need from your luggage. Perhaps it’s compression, extra organization, or expansion. Whatever it is, you’ll want to ensure your luggage is equipped with all the necessities. “Look for a well-structured and sturdy shell that maintains its shape while providing ample internal space,” Shin suggests. “Pay attention to details like reinforced corners and a reliable locking mechanism to enhance the luggage's overall durability and security, as well as the ability to expand the suitcase for added items you pick up on your travels.”

FAQ

• What's the best way to pack hardside luggage? “Plan around your shoes,” Away Chief Design Officer Cuan Hanly says. “Shoes are typically the least malleable thing in my suitcases, so I pack them first in shoe cubes along with toiletries and other hard or bulky items on the zippered side of my suitcase. Hanly also recommends keeping clothing and softer items on the other side of the bag to ensure you're best utilizing every inch of space.

• What's the best way to keep hardside luggage from getting scuffed? “Unfortunately, luggage is there to get scuffed so your stuff stays safe,” Alder says. “You can always have it shrink-wrapped in the airport or get a luggage cover for the outside, but a suitcase shows its life and its travels through those marks. Don’t be ashamed of having scuff marks on your suitcase — that just means you travel often and well.”
  

• Is hardside luggage carry-on approved? It depends on the size of your luggage and the airline you're flying. There are many pieces of hardside luggage that can fit in the overhead bin on an airplane.
  

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