13 best suitcases for your next holiday, tried and tested

Score: 89/100

Scarred by a soggy suitcase from your past? Let this spacious hard shell spinner reassure you. It impressed in our waterproof tests, becoming slightly damp immediately around the zip but spreading no further. And there are internal pockets for safe storage.

Lightweight for its size, it stays balanced on all surfaces and easily swaps between two and four wheels. It comes in a choice of colours to suit all travellers, but may crack or dent if repeatedly bashed about.

Score: 87/100

This pod-like suitcase from Delsey comes with a generous host of useful features. Everything we packed fitted in easily, with sufficient space for souvenirs. It’s secure, too, with a TSA-approved combination lock, additional top and bottom locks and three interior pockets.

We found it easy to manoeuvre on a variety of surfaces and liked how effortlessly it goes from two wheels to four when navigating narrow spaces. However, it suffered a few bumps and dents on test and, despite its waterproof claims, a little moisture soaked through the top.

Score: 85/100

Available in a range of colours, this is the case to go for if you’re after luggage that’s as stylish as it is sturdy. Its premium interior has ample space and pockets for your luggage, and there’s a compression pad to help you squeeze in more. It comes with a water-resistant laundry bag, a leather identity tag and even a melamine sponge to remove scuffs from its exterior (which impressed our testers a lot with its effectiveness).

The zips proved a bit fiddly to use and lock, and they let water in but luckily our clothes remained dry. The wheels lagged a bit on carpet and cobbles too, but they were agile everywhere else. While their protective caps got damaged during our drop test, the shell proved impressively sturdy. Plus, the case comes with a 100-day trial and a lifetime guarantee.

If you prefer a soft case, we've also tested Away's The Softside Large, which scored 84/100.

Score: 84/100

This is among the most premium suitcases we've tested, so what does almost £500 buy you? Security, for a start – an aluminium locking frame means all your precious belongings are thoroughly protected. It also has a TSA-approved lock, and the zip-less design proved watertight on test. In fact, the only downfall of the metal frame is that it will eat into your luggage allowance more than most.

Its other appeal is the quality finish – internal dividers make packing effortless, while the wheels are sourced from Japan and remained scratch-free throughout testing. The shell proved less durable though, sustaining some damage during our drop tests. But we do test based on worst case scenarios, and if it’s quiet luxury you’re after, note that this range was spotted in an episode of Succession. Well, if it’s good enough for the Roys...

The brand has also partnered with Hackett London to create a timeless (but limited edition!) navy version – if you're a fan of the classic colourway, get yours while you can.

Score: 83/100

Antler has given its luggage range an overhaul, but this sleek suitcase (complete with a lifetime warranty) still boasts the premium design the brand is known for. Testers liked the wipe-clean exterior, mesh dividers, and sturdy, comfortable handles. Using the compression zip was a smooth process, too.

Generally, it wheeled along smoothly and kept most water out. It fared well in our drop tests too – it only sustained scratches on its corners and slight chips to the wheels (they still worked fine). There was also lots of space to pack everything neatly. And the classy colours available will help you spot it on the luggage belt, too.

Score: 82/100

Tripp offers great value luggage, and this latest iteration of its most popular case is no exception. Our testers praised its spacious interior (even if it’s more basic than some, with just a divider and elasticated straps), finding there was ample rooms for a souvenir or five.

It moved smoothly over most surfaces, although lagged a little on carpets and cobbles. It turned corners seamlessly though, proving well-balanced. While we recommend being careful not to scuff it on kerbs, testers were impressed with its overall durability; it sustained limited damage when thrown about – the wheel rims popped off but they went back on with ease.

And best of all, it’s lightweight, so if you do pack it full of souvenirs, you should have the luggage allowance to do it.

Score: 82/100

This minimalist suitcase emulates the design of old-fashioned trunks, but it certainly doesn’t lack any of the mod-cons. For starters, the compression packing system meant testers had room to spare when packing enough clothes for a long holiday. Pockets kept things neat, too. Once packed, it moved quietly and effortlessly around our test centre, with the wheels proving robust when dragged up kerbs and steps.

The lining is water-resistant, so although the zip absorbed water in our rain simulation, nothing inside was wet. And the shell proved durable and fairly scratch-resistant – not to mention, July offers a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind when travelling. Testers found the side handle a tad uncomfortable to use when the suitcase was full, but we’re nitpicking really. This suitcase’s good looks are backed up by real substance.

Score: 81/100

Another great lightweight suitcase with a roomy interior, this has two internal dividers for organised packing and an external pocket for any non-valuables. Testers found it had ample space for their packing list, and still closed easily. Its wheels navigated a range of terrains swiftly and smoothly too.

As you may expect with a softer case, it wasn’t as sturdy as some – our experts noted some minor damage during our drop tests. But this was largely cosmetic, and it fared well in our waterproofing tests, making it an overall good buy, especially if you don’t tend to travel by plane and are looking for something spacious and easy to manoeuvre for train or car journeys.

Score: 81/100

Our winning hard shell case – the American Tourister Airconic Spinner Suitcase – is a fraction lighter, but this Tripp option still only takes up 3.6kg of your weight allowance. Our packing list fitted with room to spare, and all items stayed in place throughout testing despite its lack of internal pockets.

It survived our durability tests almost entirely unscathed, with just the expected minor scuffing. Impressively for such a lightweight case, the main panels emerged pristine after dropping and any dents popped out immediately.

The handle felt comfortable and its quiet wheels moved smoothly. Some water sneaked through the zips but for under £70, it's a steal.

Score: 81/100

Though not an obvious purveyor of luggage, Amazon has been successfully branching out with own-brand ranges – and this suitcase is a trusty pick. Our testers found it roomy inside, with ample packing space for two people for a shorter getaway, or one person for a longer break.

It proved sturdy, only sustaining some cosmetic damage towards the end of our extensive drop tests and still functioning perfectly – no mean feat given how roughly we treated it. Its wheels trundled quietly across all surfaces and its ergonomic, telescopic towing handle extended well to suit a range of heights. The zip let a bit of water through, but this is undoubtedly another great value buy.

Score: 81/100

This spacious suitcase from Samsonite performed well during testing, easily fitting everything you’d need for a two-week holiday inside. The 105-litre capacity is expandable up to 112.5 litres, the internal divider and two sets of elasticated packing straps kept items securely in place, and the padded front pocket offered easy access to documents.

It moved over all terrains with ease, staying well-balanced and quiet, even on cobbles. Unfortunately, our water-resistance test disappointed, with moisture soaking through the exterior pocket and leaking through its centre. So, it's best saved for warmer climes. Rain showers aside, it’s a sturdy and robust model that fully withstands bumps and knocks.

Score: 78/100

Large and spacious, this hard-shell suitcase is an excellent choice for your next family holiday. It’s made from tough polypropylene (a type of plastic), which proved durable in the lab, suffering only minor scrapes and minimal damage when dropped from a height and wheeled up kerbs.

Inside, there’s plenty of room for all your clothes with a full zip cover on one side and two pockets on the other. Despite having straps to hold everything in place, our belongings did shift slightly when we dragged the suitcase around, plus it’s lacking extras like a laundry bag and padded pocket for a laptop or tablet. However, give its affordable price tag, we’re happy to compromise.

Score: 76/100

For a hard shell case at an affordable price, try Aerolite. Its large capacity and selection of pockets make packing easy, and it’s roomy enough for you to pack for every eventuality. The telescopic handle can sit at a range of different heights too, adjusting well to you and the surface it’s on.

Unsurprisingly given its cheaper price, it’s not as robust as many of the pricier cases, sustaining notable damage when bashed around. It wasn’t watertight either, and some of our luggage did get wet. It has a five-year warranty though, making it a good buy if you need a substantial case and don’t want to shell out a lot.

Score: 75/100

If you buy this case in “golden yellow”, you’ll spot it the moment it arrives on the luggage belt. As well as appealing to style-conscious travellers, it will also work for practical ones. The expandable design is robust and roomy. It manoeuvred well on concrete and carpet too, but wasn’t so keen on tarmac and cobbles, making a right din. The outer shell proved mostly water-resistant, but rain soaked through the zipper and dampened a few of our belongings.

It’s super durable, though, surviving our drop tests without any major denting or scuffing. We found the top handle comfortable to hold, but it felt slightly flimsy when pulling along a full case. It’s ideal for a two-week trip.