The Best Hardside Luggage, Rigorously Tested For Durability

Dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 7.4 pounds | Colors: 13 total, including Coast Blue and Olive Green | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: 100-day return policy and limited lifetime warranty

What you’ll love:

• Built-in compression system
• Sleek, contemporary look
• Easy to clean

Keep in mind:

• It’s not expandable

Away’s Bigger Carry-On is an excellent overall choice for the traveler looking for a reliable hardside suitcase at a reasonable price point. Its durable polycarbonate hardshell is simple to clean and its 360-degree spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver on days when you really need to book it to your gate. It also comes with a built-in compression system, an ejectable USB for charging electronics on the go and a foldable laundry bag. The brand is known for its modern, sleek design and has a handful of color options to choose from as well as options for check-in sizes. I own this suitcase and have traveled with it to over a dozen countries—and it’s still holding up beautifully. It’s so easy to clean and I’ve never had issues with the zipper snagging, despite stuffing it to the brim multiple times.

Dimensions: 21.7 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Colors: 4 total, including Black and Dark Olive | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

What you’ll love:

• Integrated wheel brake system prevents it from rolling
• Interior compression system
• Durable polycarbonate shell

Keep in mind: 

• No exterior pocket

If you’re headed on an international trip, you’ll never have to worry about your belongings being damaged, as Aer’s lightweight polycarbonate shell is highly durable. “It’s a lightweight bag that was easy to pick up and lift with a smooth telescoping handle and an easy-to-grasp side handle,” says our tester, who used this suitcase on a recent work trip to Germany. The suitcase is the ideal size for international airline cabins, and can also easily be slid into the overhead bin on trains. It features an internal compression system, a hidden smart tracker pocket, a built-in TSA-approved combination lock and ball-bearing wheels that glide silently over any surface. Its standout feature is undoubtedly its unique integrated brake system, which allows you to lock the wheels when standing still, preventing your suitcase from rolling away—a surprisingly helpful feature.

Dimensions: 26.5 × 18.5 × 11.2 inches | Weight: 10.1 pounds | Colors: 3 total, including Ocean Blue and Storm Grey | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

What you’ll love:

• Expandable design
• Telescopic handle has four height settings
• Internal compression straps and divider

Keep in mind: 

• Limited color options 

I’ve been a big fan of Monos luggage and have used the brand’s suitcases on many trips—so I was excited when the brand announced a line of expandable luggage last year. The Monos Expandable Check-In Medium features an expandable zipper that provides an extra 1.6 inches of packing space, as well as an aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell protects your belongings and 360-degree spinner wheels. I traveled with this bag on a three-week Europe trip to Greece, Albania and Slovenia, and I was surprised by how much I could fit into it. It has great compression, and its mesh divider offered plenty of interior storage. Its color options are limited, but the three neutral options (dark blue, grey and black) should work well with any existing luggage you might have. 

Dimensions: 23 × 15 × 10 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Colors: 6 total, including Navy and Amethyst Purple | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Limited 10-year global warranty

What you’ll love:

• Under $150
• Expandable design 
• Built-in ID tag and TSA lock 

Keep in mind: 

• No exterior pocket

The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Spinner is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a durable, high-quality and versatile suitcase. (It earned a top spot in our guide to the best carry-on luggage.) This pick clocks in under $150 and offers travelers many valuable features, including a built-in ID tag, a TSA-approved combination lock, a double-wheel design and a zippered 1-inch expansion panel. “As a chronic overpacker, I love that it’s expandable and has organizational pockets to help separate my clothes and essentials,” says our tester. “It’s so convenient that I typically opt to bring it over a weekender bag even for short trips.” We also appreciate the interior divider with pockets, which helps keep your items organized.

Dimensions: 22 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 4.6 pounds | Colors: 5 total, including Silver and Honey Gold | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Limited 10-year global warranty

What you’ll love:

• Lightweight and maneuverable
• Integrated USB port
• Expandable design

Keep in mind: 

• Textured exterior may not suit everyone’s style
• No exterior pocket

Another Samsonite pick, the lightweight Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner earned high marks from our testers. It features a proprietary, multi-layer material called Roxkin, which is incredibly sturdy and can withstand rough handling—without any of the heaviness. “The suitcase was very light, which made it easy to maneuver,” says our tester, who also noted that even after this suitcase was tossed down a set of concrete stairs, it barely had a scratch on it. Our tester also appreciated the many extra features that made travel days hassle-free: “It has a lock for the zipper that was simple to lock and unlock, and there’s also a USB port to charge your devices.” The interior also feels remarkably organized, with two fabric dividers, removable cross straps and a small zippered pocket for electronics.

Dimensions: 21.6 × 14.5 × 9 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | Colors: 4 total, including Black and Gray/Cognac | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

What you’ll love:

• Timeless, elegant appearance
• Textured exterior hides scuff marks
• Built-in compression straps

Keep in mind:

• You have to open the entire suitcase to access your items

Named the most stylish luggage on the market today in our best luggage round-up, Carl Friedrik’s carry-on is sure to turn heads at the airport. The brand has gained a loyal following thanks to its elegant aesthetic and Italian leather trimmings that provide a chic and refined look. This suitcase features 360-degree silent spinner wheels, two zippered interior pockets, a set of compression straps, and a pad to maximize packing space. Our tester traveled with this suitcase on several recent trips and is a fan of its smooth wheels and design. I’ve personally traveled with this bag on trips to Mexico City and Rome and love that it has a textured exterior, so scuffing is hard to notice. I normally prefer zip-around bags, but this bag’s lock clicks open and closed so easily and feels very secure. If, like me, you prefer a zip-around bag, the bag also comes in a zipped version.

Dimensions: 22.1 × 17.8 × 9.9 inches | Weight: 10.4 pounds | Colors: 3 total, including Silver and Black | TSA-approved lock: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

What you’ll love:

• Holds enough luggage for multi-week trips
• Durable aluminum shell protects fragile goods
• Height adjustable interior divider

Keep in mind:

• Only three color options
• Expensive

Durable and lightweight, Rimowa’s luxury bags have a reputation for craftsmanship and innovation, and its line of Original Cabin suitcases arguably put the aluminum suitcase on the map (the brand is credited with creating the very first aluminum suitcase in 1937). I traveled with this bag on a West Coast trip to California and Oregon, and was very impressed by its smooth-rolling wheels—a feature the brand is particularly celebrated for. I also loved its easy-to-grab handle and Velcro compression system, which made it easy to pack and unpack. While a Rimowa suitcase is definitely an investment, each bag comes with a lifetime guarantee that covers any damage, meaning you’ll be able to keep for life. For more of my thoughts on this suitcase, read my full review here.

Included: 3 pieces | Dimensions: 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches (Carry-On), 26 x 18.75 x 11 inches (Checked), 30.25 x 19.75 x 12.5 inches (Checked Plus) | Weight: 7.4 pounds (Carry-On), 8.3 pounds (Checked), 10.5 pounds (Checked Plus) | Colors: 7 total, including Sand and Navy | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

What you’ll love:

• Great value
• Unique color options
• Lifetime warranty

Keep in mind:

• You can’t mix and match luggage pieces

Having used July’s Carry-On Trunk  on several trips, I highly recommend July luggage for its well-made and sleek-looking offerings. Its wheels, in particular, are incredibly smooth and buttery, and both its carry-on and checked options are realtively lightweight. Investing in a solid luggage set can simplify your shopping list and save you money, given that many luggage bundles come at a lower price than buying each suitcase individually, and July’s trio of Carry-On, Checked and Checked Plus bags is a great choice. Each suitcase is equipped with thoughtful extras like laundry bags and TSA locks. You can choose to use all three bags for yourself or share with your family or partner.