AWAY, OPEN STORY
You put even the best luggage to the ultimate test with each trip you take – pulling it from the depths of your closet, stuffing it with your new vacation clothes, throwing it in the trunk, rolling it across the airport conveyor belt and finally shoving it into the carry-on luggage compartment. And who knows what actually happens to your suitcase if you decide to leave it at the check-in counter instead? To keep your belongings a little safer from being bent and squished while you're traveling, consider opting for a suitcase with a hard shell.
Hardside or hardshell luggage is made of plastic or metal materials that hold their shape to encase and protect your belongings. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we have tested dozens of models of hardside luggage from well-known brands in our Textiles Lab, analyzing them for factors like durability, water-resistance and ease of use. We've put together a list of picks including lightweight and durable options and hard cases with unique features that we think are worth your buying. Here is the best hardside luggage of 2022.
Our top picks:
Best Overall Hardside Luggage
The Large- Lightweight yet durable shell
- 100-day return policy
- Smooth rolling
- Handle isn't as sturdy as some other picks
Away luggage is all over social media and for good reason. This pick is made of polycarbonate material, which means it's lightweight yet durable. Several of our Lab experts have been using Away luggage for years and have found them to stand the test of time. Our consumer testers thought the wheels on Away suitcases rolled smoothly and agreed they were easy to maneuver. In Lab packing tests, our analysts were impressed by the compressive panels meant to keep your belongings in place and the hidden laundry bag meant to separate your dirty clothes. And it's available in trendy colors like pastel pink, lavender and emerald green. If you use the suitcase and decide it isn't right for you and your travels, the brand offers a 100-day return policy for any reason.
• Listed Dimensions: 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches
• Weight: 11.6 lbs
• Material: Polycarbonate
Best Value Hardside Luggage
30-Inch Hardside Spinner- High-performing wheels
- Affordable option
- Testers agreed handle is flimsy
We found Amazon Basics luggage to be spacious in our Lab tests, with the tested bag receiving perfect scores for easy packing. And we're not the only ones who love the bags — Amazon Basics' hardside luggage has amassed over 22,000 five-star ratings. These suitcases are made of ABS plastic, which isn't as durable as other hard materials, but it is light and affordable. The luggage is available in three sizes so you can have matching carry-on and checked bags, and you can buy the bags together as a set for added value.
• Listed Dimensions: 12.7 x 21 x 30.7 inches
• Weight: 12.21 lbs
• Material: ABS
Best Carry-On Hardside Luggage
Hardside Carry On Spinner Suitcase- Top-performer in Lab tests
- Built-in USB port
- Stylish colors
- Surface showed slight marks in scratch tests
Target's line of hardshell luggage performed well overall in our Lab tests, and this bag received the title of best overall in our carry-on luggage test! The luggage includes some extra features like a laundry bag and a built-in USB port for charging your phone to keep you from being stranded in the airport with a dead battery. Our testers thought the bags had a modern look and loved that the TSA-approved lock is embedded at the top of the suitcase instead of on the side. The suitcase aced our drop tests for durability, but the polycarbonate did show some marks in our scratch test — but that's a small tradeoff for an overall great quality hardside suitcase at a great price.
• Listed Dimensions: 21.5 x 14 x 9.75 inches
• Weight: 7.9 lbs
• Material: Polycarbonate
Best Hardside Luggage Set
Ambeur 3-Piece Luggage Set- Tester favorite
- Sturdy handle
- Prone to scuffing
These hardshell suitcases are made of a combination of ABS plastic and polycarbonate, offering a good balance between lightweight and affordable materials that are still durable. Good Housekeeping Institute's consumer testers loved Calpak's Ambeur luggage, earning it the title of "tester favorite." The telescoping handle aced our tests for ease of use, with one tester saying it was the "smoothest handle by far" out of all of the luggage she had tested. Other testers agreed, claiming the padded handles were comfortable to lift and use for steering. You do have the option to purchase the different sizes separately, but the sets of two or three are an amazing value.
• Listed Dimensions: Large – 29.5 x 19 x 12.5 inches, Medium – 25 x 16 x 11 inches, Carry-on – 21 x 14 x 9 inches
• Weight: Large – 10.3 lbs, Medium – 8.6 lbs, Carry-on – 6 lbs
• Material: Polycarbonate and ABS composite
Best Hardside Luggage for Business Travel
Freeform Hardside Expandable- Smooth rolling wheels
- Top-tested brand
- Carrying handles are small
Samsonite is a high-quality luggage brand that we have always found to perform well in our tests, specifically in terms of durability and ease of use. Consumer testers of the Freeform hardside suitcase agreed that the wheels were smooth and performed nicely. In Lab tests, the bag received perfect scores for being effortless to open and close. The combination of it being easy to maneuver and easy to open and close makes it perfect for someone who is traveling often for work and just needs to pack their things and go. Our consumer testers did note that the carrying handles are on the smaller side but thought the bag was easy to pick up, so if you do choose this suitcase, it's best to roll it rather than carry it. It's available in three different sizes and can also be bought as a set if you'd like both a carry-on and checked bag option.
• Listed Dimensions: 27.95 x 19.6 x 13.4 inches
• Weight: 8.48 lbs
• Material: Polypropylene
Best Lightweight Hardside Luggage
Airox Hardside Case- Large bag weighs only 9 lbs
- Durable brand
- Easy-access compartments
- No interior storage bags or straps
- Handle is less ergonimic
Most "lightweight" large hardshell luggage still weighs in at at least 10.5 lbs, but this pick from Victorinox is only 9 lbs. We love the unique "butterfly open" interior, which allows you to fold the divider panels out of the way for easy access to the main compartments. Although we haven't tested this particular bag in the Lab, we have tested many other bags from Victorinox that have received perfect scores in our drop tests and rate highly for ease of use. This bag is made of the same polycarbonate material and is designed with many of the same features, though you may notice the unique design of the telescopic handle. It's a T-shape that helps keep the weight down, though it does make it less comfortable to pull long dintances.
• Listed Dimensions: 29.5 x 19.7 x 12.6 inches
• Weight: 9 lb
• Material: Polycarbonate
Best Hardside Luggage with Front Pocket
The Zipper Carry-On Max with Front Pocket- Held up well in Lab drop tests
- Built-in USB port with removable battery
- Testers found collapsible handle to be squeaky
Arlo Skye's carry-on luggage is designed with a feature most hardside bags don't have — a zippered front pocket. If you love the durability of a hardside bag but miss the convenience of easy-access front storage that comes with soft shell bags, the Zipper Carry-On Max may be the suitcase for you. This pick is a favorite of Senior Lab Analyst Emma Seymour. She adds, "After testing 50+ carry-on suitcases, this Arlo Skye carry-on is the one I keep coming back to. I use the front pocket for items I'll need in the airport or while traveling." The bag also held up well in Lab drop tests and scored well for its smooth wheels.
• Listed Dimensions: 23.0 x 15.0 x 10.3 inches
• Weight: 8.1 lbs
• Material: Polycarbonate
Best Fashion Hardside Luggage
Fashion Spinner 30"- Stylish prints and patterns
- Four mesh storage pockets
- Scratches easily
If you're looking for a stylish hardshell suitcase that also holds up to repeated travel, try this pick from Heys. Other Heys hardside bags have been put to the test in our Textiles Lab and have received high ratings for ease of use. Their bags are a favorite of one Lab expert whose Heys luggage set has held up for over a decade, but it's important to note they do scratch easily. If blue isn't your color, the Fashion Spinner is available in pink tie-dye and white and black camo. The brand also partners with artists to create unique and bold prints for their bags, so you'll always be able to spot yours on the luggage carousel.
• Listed Dimensions: 30 x 20 x 12 inches
• Weight: 11.1 lbs
• Material: Polycarbonate composite
Best Expandable Hardside Luggage
Maxlite Air Medium Check-in Expandable Hardside Spinner- Expands for 2 inches of additional space
- Rolling handle locks at two heights
- Carrying handles are tight
Travelpro designs luggage for frequent travelers and primarily offers soft fabric luggage, but they do have a few hardside pieces including the Maxlite Spinner. This bag has a roomy luggage compartment and features a 2-inch expandable panel, lending you extra room for all of your souvenirs on the trip home or all of your things on the way there if you're an over-packer. In our Lab tests, Travelpro bags were easy to pack with a full list of clothing and travel gear and performed well with high durability ratings.
• Listed Dimensions: 27.5 x 17.5 x 11 inches
• Weight: 8.5 lbs
• Material: Polycarbonate
Most Durable Hardside Luggage
Aileron Carry-On- Aluminum exterior is especially durable
- Double locks for extra security
- Aluminum is heavier than other hardside materials
Ricardo Beverly Hills has performed exceptionally well in our Lab and consumer tests for durability with their fabric and polycarbonate luggage, and this suitcase from Ricardo Beverly Hills should be even stronger because it's made with aluminum that the brand claims to be "impenetrable" and features corner guards for added security. And if that's not enough to protect your belongings, there are two TSA-approved clamp locks to keep your things extra secure. Inside, you'll find compression straps and zippered storage pockets. We didn't test this pick in Lab but other suitcases from the brand were tested and performed well for being easy to pack and being able to withstand our drop tests. Our consumer testers also tried other suitcases from this brand and raved about the suitcases' sturdy handles and smooth wheels.
• Listed Dimensions: 22 x 15.5 x 10 inches
• Weight: 11.2 lbs
• Material: Aluminum
Best Hardside Luggage with Organization
Large Trip Expandable Four-Wheeled Packing Case- Front pocket for extra storage
- Removable garment bag
- Great customer service
Tumi is a luxury travel brand that offers high-quality hardside luggage, and the Expandable Packing Case is filled with features to help keep you organized. The front pocket is great for storing items you need to easily access while traveling. And inside, there are zipper pockets and a removable garment bag to keep all of your things separated and in place. Textiles Product Analyst Grace Wu says, "I love the removable garment sleeve for keeping more delicate items or blazers separate from the rest of my items and the other convenient compartments." Their customer service is top-notch, as well, providing unique services like repairs and help finding lost luggage.
• Listed Dimensions: 29 x 20 x 12.5 inches
• Weight: 14.6 lbs
• Material: Tegris (polypropylene thermoplastic composite)
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Textiles Lab experts test luggage using specialized equipment, like our drop tester, which you can read more about and see in action below. We then have a team of consumer testers put the luggage through an obstacle course and document their experiences.
In the Lab, we measure the size and weight of each suitcase to ensure that all online size claims are accurate, and we place carry-on bags in a 22" x 14" x 9" area to check if they meet TSA size requirements.
We also test how easy it is to open and close each suitcase, which is what Textiles Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs is shown doing here. We load each suitcase with a standard number of items including clothing, shoes and toiletries to analyze how well the suitcase can be packed and the layout and function of the internal compartments. Once the bag is packed, we roll it over different surfaces like tile, hardwood, linoleum and carpet and lift it up onto counters to get a feel for the handles and wheels.
More formal Lab tests include drop testing, scratch resistance and water resistance testing. Our drop tester (shown in action) releases luggage from a set height of 3 feet with the pull of a lever. Once the luggage falls, we analyze it for any cosmetic or structural damage. To measure scratch resistance, our Lab experts drag wires over hardside luggage and make note of any scuffs or marks. And to analyze water resistance, we line the inside of each suitcase's zippers with absorbent materials and pour water over the zippers. Then we weigh how much water has soaked through the zippers to the absorbent material.
For consumer tests, we set up an obstacle course that simulates a travel experience. Each suitcase is filled with a set amount of weight to mimic it being packed, and testers maneuver through the obstacle course with their suitcases. They lift the suitcases over curbs, walk through twisting halls and roll the suitcases over different types of flooring. Our consumer testers also rate their opinions concerning wheel performance and maneuverability, comfort, ease of use and sturdiness, and they have the opportunity to share other feedback with Lab experts.
When shopping for a hardside suitcase, here are a few things to keep in mind:
✔️Material: Not all hardside suitcases are made with the same hard material, and the material can impact performance, weight and price. These are the most common:
- Aluminum is the most durable material for hardside luggage but is much heavier than other options and can be pretty expensive.
- Polycarbonate is the most popular material for hard luggage and is both lightweight and durable, but it can scratch easily.
- ABS is a plastic material that is more affordable and even more lightweight than polycarbonate, but it is a bit less durable.
- Polypropylene is another type of plastic that is even lighter than and slightly stronger than ABS plastic. It's fairly durable and affordable, as well.
- A composite or mixture of polycarbonate, ABS and/or polypropylene combines aspects of each material. Most composite suitcases are made with an ABS base coated in polycarbonate material. This adds extra durability, but it still isn't quite as durable as a suitcase made of 100% polycarbonate.
✔️Wheels: Wheels with 360° spin receive the best maneuverability scores in our Lab tests and with consumer testers. These wheels allow the luggage to rotate fully and move side to side in addition to moving straight ahead.
✔️Compartments: Internal compartments aren't necessary, but they can be helpful when it comes to packing and securing your belongings. Interior pockets are often made with mesh panels to allow your belongings to breathe and to help you see what's inside. There are zip pockets to hold extra belongings and zip panels to keep clothing separated inside the suitcase – think of keeping your running shoes away from your nice dress. Some hardside suitcases also come with removable compartments like a laundry bag to contain dirty clothes or a garment bag to hang clothing.
Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. She tests and reports on home and apparel products in the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from swimwear to blackout curtains. She holds a Master of Science in Consumer Sciences from The Ohio State University, along with undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and marketing communications. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, she served as a lecturer at The Ohio State University, teaching fashion and textiles courses and conducting research.
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Best Hardside Luggage for Traveling in 2022 - Hard Case Suitcases - Good Housekeeping
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