Sleek, light and zippy, hardside suitcase styles are quickly becoming the norm when it comes to investing in a suitcase. The current styles on the market utilise the latest in polycarbonate, polypropylene or similar materials – sometimes recycled – to create a strong and durable yet lightweight shell, making them a breeze to lift and manoeuvre. They’re more water-resistant than softside offerings and increasingly becoming more stylish via chic colour schemes that are easily spotted on the baggage carousel.
As we mention in our guide to the best luggage brands , we prefer using a hard shell suitcase for our check-in luggage. While they tend to cost more, hard-side suitcases are designed to be more durable, offer better protection and are easier to clean than soft fabric styles. While for carry-on luggage , we prefer softside styles or hard shell luggage with outer pockets.
Every case on this list has been independently tested and reviewed by our editors, Charley Ward and Lauren Burvill, or our colleagues from Traveler US . We run each hard shell suitcase through a test in office, and then pass the cases on to members of the wider team to take with them on a flight for further testing. When testing, we look for overall quality, spinner wheels, TSA-approved locks, design features such as exterior pockets, charging ports or laptop compartments, and value for money.
We also assess the weight and size, overall function and visual appeal. Below are the stand-out cases we’ve .
