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A hardshell suitcase keeps your stuff safe and un-squished. Cold Seal Film
Even the best luggage gets put 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 when you bring checked luggage and leave it at the check-in counter instead? To keep your belongings a little safer while you're traveling, consider opting for a suitcase with a hard shell. Over the years, we've tested luggage from more than 80 brands to find the best hardside suitcases on the market.
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 evaluate hardside luggage in the Textiles Lab, analyzing them for factors like durability, water resistance and ease of use. Plus, we share them with consumer testers who take them on their own trips and share real-world feedback. 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.
At the end of this guide, you can read more about how we evaluate luggage in our Lab and our consumer tester process — plus everything you need to know about shopping for hardside luggage.
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Samsonite's high-quality luggage has continued to perform well in our tests over the years, specifically in terms of durability and ease of use. The brand's Freeform hardside suitcase is a favorite of our consumer testers who agree that its wheels roll smoothly and that the bag is easy to maneuver around twists and turns. It also received perfect scores in Lab tests for being a breeze to open and close.
Inside, you'll find a zippered panel and an adjustable cross strap to keep your belongings in place, and we fit our entire packing load in the bag with room to spare. Our consumer testers did point out that the carrying handles are on the smaller side, but they still thought the bag was easy to pick up. There are three different sizes to choose from, or you can buy a set including a carry-on and a checked bag.
With more than 31,000 five-star reviews and a 4.6-star average rating, Amazon Basics' hardside luggage is a favorite of real users and GH analysts alike. When we tested this bag in our Lab, we found it to be spacious, and it received perfect scores for easy packing. Online reviewers agree, adding that they can fill the suitcase with more than enough clothing and essentials for their trips.
The suitcase is made with ABS plastic, which isn't as durable as some other hard materials, but it is lightweight and keeps the price low. Testers appreciated the luggage's wheel performance, sharing that the bag is easy to maneuver, but they found the telescopic handle to be flimsier than other models they tried. This suitcase comes in three different sizes and is available in two and three-piece sets for an even better value.
One of the top performers in our Textiles Lab evaluations, the hardside spinner from Open Story at Target is available for an incredible value. The carry-on model is loaded with useful features like a built-in USB port to charge your phone (battery not included), a removable laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes separated and three internal mesh pockets for organization.
Our testers loved the bag's modern look and trendy color options. They also appreciated that the TSA-approved lock is embedded at the top of the suitcase for easier access instead of on the side. When we put the bag through our repeated drop testing in our Lab, the polycarbonate didn't dent or show major signs of damage, but the hardside material did show some marks in our scratch test.
Travelpro designs luggage for frequent travelers and primarily offers soft fabric luggage, but the brand does have a few hardside pieces including the Maxlite Spinner. This bag has a roomy luggage compartment with two zippered panels, and it can be expanded by 2 inches, lending you extra room for all of your souvenirs on the trip home.
In our Lab tests, Travelpro bags were easy to fill with a full load of clothing and travel gear like toiletries and shoes. They also performed well and earned high durability ratings. Testers loved the cushioned telescopic handles which lock at two different heights. We did find the carrying handles to be on the tighter side, which can make the bag difficult to lift into an overhead bin.
Several of our Lab experts have been using Away luggage for years and have found them to stand the test of time. This pick is made of polycarbonate material, which means it's lightweight yet durable. In our testing, we dropped it repeatedly from a 3-foot height, and there were no major signs of damage.
Our consumer testers thought the wheels on Away suitcases rolled smoothly and found they were easy to maneuver, but the handle isn't as sturdy as some other styles. In our packing tests, we were impressed by the compressive panels meant to keep your belongings in place and by the hidden laundry bag you can use to separate your dirty clothes. If you use the suitcase and decide it isn't right for you, the brand offers a 100-day return policy for any reason.
For luggage that's equally fashionable and functional, Calpak's Ambeur suitcases are a great option. The hardshell bags are made with a blend of ABS plastic and polycarbonate that's both lightweight and durable, but we did find the metallic colors scuffed easily. In Lab evaluations, the luggage was dubbed our "tester favorite" because consumer testers were so wowed by the design and ease of use.
The telescopic handles aced our tests, with one tester sharing that it was the "smoothest handle by far" out of all of the bags available for testing. Other testers agreed, explaining that the padded handles were comfortable to lift, pull and push. Plus, the Ambeur luggage aced our packing tests. If you don't need a set of three bags, you can opt for a two-piece set or choose from any of the five styles available.
Monos' less-is-more approach to design results in a sleek, timeless look that our testers love. The durable polycarbonate luggage may have a simple appearance but doesn't skimp on quality or useful packing features. Inside, you'll find two spacious compartments: one zipper-enclosed compartment and one with an adjustable compression panel. There are also additional zipper pockets inside for even more organized storage space.
The large checked version of this bag was a GH 2023 Family Travel Awards recipient. It aced our durability tests, resisting major dents and damages after being dropped repeatedly from a 3-foot height, but it did show some signs of wear in our scratch tests. When testers tried it in our luggage obstacle course, they were impressed by how easy the bag was to maneuver and how smoothly the spinner wheels rolled around twists and turns. The brand offers sets for an even better value and a generous 100-day return policy.
For a fun suitcase that's easy to spot on an airport luggage carousel, try one of Heys' Fashion Spinners. Choose from cute character designs, trendy animal prints, watercolor scenes and bold graphic patterns.
The brand's suitcases are made of a polycarbonate and ABS plastic composite — primarily ABS with a polycarbonate coating for protection. They weren't the most durable in our evaluations and showed some scratches in our tests, but they earned high scores for ease of use. The bag's interior is filled with organizational pockets and compression panels to easily pack all of your belongings. One GH analyst who has owned a Fashion Spinner set for over a decade said the long-lasting bags were spacious and could fit everything needed for a trip, even before using the zippered expansion system.
This innovative suitcase from Briggs & Riley is full of features to make packing for an international trip easier. On the outside of the hardside suitcase is an easy-access pocket for your phone and ID. The bag unzips into one large packing space that's fully lined and contains three zip pockets for easy organization. Plus, the bag utilizes Briggs & Riley's unique expansion system, which allows you to expand the bag for additional packing space and then compress it to its standard size once the bag has been filled — with just the push of a button. Our testers recently tried a softside bag from the brand with the same system and were blown away by how much they could fit inside, sharing that there was way more room than expected.
When we tested Briggs & Riley's hardside suitcases in the Textiles Lab, they performed well, receiving high scores for durability, water resistance and ease of use. Testers also shared that the brand's bags were easy to maneuver through our obstacle course and said the telescopic handles were sturdy. Although we didn't experience this issue, some online reviewers have shared that the zipper pulls are prone to breaking with regular use.
Rimowa only makes hardside luggage, and it's a cutting-edge brand that continues to impress our Textiles Lab experts. The Original line is made with aluminum, which is more durable than other hard materials like ABS plastic and polycarbonate. This style of suitcase features the brand's iconic grooved design and has a zipperless closure, opting for locking latches instead — TSA-approved, of course.
When you open the suitcase, you'll find two spacious packing compartments and two adjustable compression panels to keep your belongings in place. Rimowa's suitcases are much more expensive than other brands, but they are among the best in our tests with high ratings for packing space, durability and maneuverability.
Most large "lightweight" hardshell luggage still weighs at least 10.5 lbs, but this pick from Victorinox is just 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 durability tests and have been rated highly for ease of use. This bag is made of the same polycarbonate material and is designed with many of the same features as the bags we've tested, though you may notice the unique design of the telescopic handle. It's a T-shape which helps keep the weight down, but it does make it less comfortable to pull long distances.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test luggage using specialized equipment in our Textiles Lab and with consumer testers. When we review luggage, we consider these factors:
✔️ Size and weight: In the Lab, we measure the size and weight of each suitcase to ensure that all online size claims are accurate. We place carry-on bags in a 22" x 14" x 9" area to see if they meet TSA size requirements.
✔️ Extra features: We make note of any additional features or components that make the luggage stand out, like carrying handles, built-in locks and telescopic handles that adjust to different heights.
✔️ Ease of use: We rate how easy it is to zip and unzip each piece of luggage (pictured here) and consider the accessibility of any packing compartments. We also consider features like telescopic handles and wheels.
After packing each bag, we roll it over different surfaces including tile, carpet and hardwood and test the carrying handles by lifting the bag onto a countertop.
✔️ Packing: We fill each bag with a standard packing load for a two-night trip including clothing, accessories and toiletries (picture here) and then score the suitcases based on how much they're able to hold.
✔️ Drop testing: Each piece of luggage is filled with a standard weight and dropped from a 3-foot height from different angles to mimic real use (pictured here). We then analyze the luggage for signs of damage like dents or cracks.
✔️ Consumer testing: Consumer testers take part in our obstacle course that involves rolling the bags over different surfaces like carpet, tile and wood flooring (pictured here), lifting the bags, maneuvering the bags around cones and more. They also share their thoughts on properties like ease of use, sturdiness of the handles and wheel performance.
We share suitcases with testers who are able to take the bags on their own trips and provide us with real-world feedback about their experiences.
When shopping for a hardside suitcase, here are a few things to keep in mind:
✔️ Material: Not all hardside suitcases are made from the same hard material, and the material can impact performance, weight and price. These are the most common:
✔️ 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.
✔️ Handles: There are two types of handles you should consider: telescopic handles and carrying handles. Telescopic handles extend from the suitcase so you can push and pull the bag around. Check to see if the handle is easy to open and close, whether or not it can be adjusted and if it's padded for comfort. If you're going to be lifting and lowering your bag often, make sure the side and top carrying handles are large enough for you to easily grip them.
✔️ 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 – so you can keep 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.
✔️ Returns and warranties: Luggage warranties tend to only cover manufacturer defects, which can often be difficult to prove. If you're worried about spending money on luggage you won't love, opt for a brand that offers a trial period or generous return policy so that you can test the bag before committing, especially if you're shopping online without seeing it in person first.
Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. She's tested luggage in the Textiles Lab, including carry-ons, duffels and travel backpacks and has shared suitcases with dozens of consumer testers for real-user feedback. She has also covered the best luggage on Amazon, hardside luggage, checked luggage and kids' luggage.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
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