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The best hard shell suitcases to stop your belongings getting squished
Only the most durable and sturdy will do
With each trip you take, your luggage is put to the ultimate test — first pulling it from the depths of your closet, then cramming it full of your new holiday clothes, throwing it in the boot, rolling it across the airport travelator and finally shoving it into the carry-on luggage compartment.
And who knows what actually happens to your case when you check it in and leave it in the hands of the airline?
To keep your belongings a little safer while you're travelling, it's worth considering a hard shell suitcase. These are typically made of durable plastic or metal, so are more likely to hold up against knocks and bangs when travelling from A to B.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we've tested a wide range of larger cases as well as cabin bags, so we know what to look for in a great piece of luggage. We've combed through our testing results to bring you the best hardshell suitcases for all occasions.
These are the ones we think are worth your money but keep reading for our full reviews.
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How we test suitcases
Each suitcase and cabin bag is put through a series of rigorous real-life tests in our lab. For larger suitcases, we weigh them when empty before packing them with a fortnight’s worth of clothing and essentials to see how well they hold their contents. We do the same for cabin bags, but pack just enough for a long weekend instead.
We judge each case’s manoeuvrability across different terrains such as tarmac, concrete, carpet and cobbles to see how stable they are and how easy they are to pull. We then put them through multiple drop tests to assess the durability of the wheels, casing and corners, as well as a rain shower to check for water resistance.
These are our experts' top-rated hard shell suitcases for totally confidence when you travel.
Score: 89/100
Despite its large 101L interior, this hard shell case proved lightweight and easy to manoeuvre in testing. It stayed well-balanced across all surfaces too and excelled in our waterproof tests, staying largely dry except for a slight dampness around the zip. Inside, two pockets and a strap will keep your belongings secure.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H77 x W49 x D31 |
|---|---|
| Type | Checked suitcase |
| Volume | 101L |
| Weight | 3.2kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polypropylene |
| Expandable | No |
Score: 89/100
Our winning carry-on bag features wide compression straps to help you fit more items in, as well as different compartments and a hidden laundry bag for storing dirty clothes on the way home.
It coped well in our drop tests, only sustaining the odd scuff and small dents on the corners, but this shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you’re planning on placing it in the overhead locker rather than checking it in.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H55.1 x L36.7 x D22.9 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cabin bag |
| Volume | 39.8L |
| Weight | 3.4kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polycarbonate |
| Expandable | No |
American Tourister Bon Air Spinner Hand Luggage
Score: 87/100
If you’re known for running late to flights, this carry-on case is a smart buy. Its sturdy wheels ran smoothly across different surfaces in our lab and their 360-degree manoeuvrability makes dashing through the airport a breeze.
The zip let it down slightly though – a small amount of water seeped when we put it in the shower, but just avoid deluges and you'll be fine. That aside, the durable, lightweight design makes it a worthy buy.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H55 x L40 x D20 |
|---|---|
| Type | Carry-on |
| Volume | 35.5L |
| Weight | 2.5kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polypropylene |
| Expandable | No |
Score: 87/100
On long journeys, you’re always at risk of running out of phone battery, but with this cabin bag, you’re treated to an accompanying charging pack to keep you powered on the go.
The interior compartments are made of recycled materials, and it comes with a compression pad, which is designed to neatly press your clothes and optimise space. We found it durable too, with the shell only succumbing to a few knocks in test. Note, it may be too large for some cabin restrictions, so it’s best to check with your airline before flying.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H55 x L40 x D20 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cabin bag |
| Volume | 35L |
| Weight | 3.1kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Polycarbonate hard shell |
| Expandable | No |
Score: 87/100
This cabin bag will be your best friend on work trips and long weekends. It has a spacious front laptop pocket with a TSA-approved lock and, inside, there’s plenty of packing straps and pockets to keep your belongings organised.
In the lab, it proved largely waterproof, except round the zip where some water leaked in, and the drop test only resulted in a few dents. The lightweight design and four double wheels ensure it moves well too.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H55 x L40 x D20 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cabin bag |
| Volume | 37L |
| Weight | 2.8kg |
| Lock | TSA combination lock |
| Casing | Polycarbonate hard shell |
| Expandable | No |
Score: 87/100
Another offering from cult favourite, American Tourister, this cabin bag comes in a range of vibrant colours, making it easy to spot on the carousel if you decide to put it in the hold. You can feel confident doing so too as it emerged practically unscathed from our durability test.
For breezing through the airport, it’s also a winner. The double spinner wheels rolled smoothly, and testers loved the ergonomic handle. A little water seeped through the zip at the top but that’s not a huge cause for concern considering it goes under a shower in the lab.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H55 x L40 x D20 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cabin bag |
| Volume | 38L |
| Weight | 2.5kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polypropylene |
| Expandable | No |
Score: 87/100
Testers loved this suitcase for its innovative design. The interior pockets can be removed and popped into the washing machine to give it a refresh after carrying your dirty clothes home. Everything can be neatly packed too, thanks to the expandable design, zippered pockets and adjustable straps.
It suffered a few dents to its corners in our drop test but came out of the shower completely leak-free. A smart buy.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H55 x L35 x D25 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cabin bag |
| Volume | 43L + 9L (expandable) |
| Weight | 3.3kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polycarbonate |
| Expandable | Yes |
Score: 85/100
This large suitcase was easy to manoeuvre across every surface. It’s fairly lightweight for a checked bag (which means you can pack more clothes in), but we found the handles weren’t very comfortable, so it’s best to get it checked in as soon as you can.
Some of the corners dented when we dropped the case, but we were able to push a few of them back out – although this left stress marks in the plastic after a couple of tries. The case is waterproof though and it's made with recycled materials, getting a big thumbs up from us.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H75 x W51 x D32 |
|---|---|
| Type | Checked bag |
| Volume | 104L |
| Weight | 4kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polypropylene |
| Expandable | No |
Score: 85/100
Away suitcases are incredibly popular (and quite often out of stock) thanks to their durable and stylish designs. This checked bag is made to carry around two weeks' worth of clothes and comes in a range of bright colours, making it easy to spot at baggage reclaim.
The wheels dragged a bit on carpet but rolled smoothly on tarmac and testers were impressed with the durability of the hard shell exterior. Inside, you’ll find plenty of space for your belongings as well as a compression pad to help you squeeze in souvenirs on the way home. It comes with a water-resistant laundry bag, leather identity tag, and a melamine sponge to remove any scuffs too – very clever.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H73.6 x W52.1 x D31.7 |
|---|---|
| Type | Checked bag |
| Volume | 99.2L |
| Weight | 5.5kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polycarbonate |
| Expandable | No |
Score: 84/100
While this has a premium price tag, its lifetime warranty ensures you’ll only need to invest once. You can be confident in its quality too, as both the hard shell and the wheels scored nearly full marks on our durability tests. The wheels did lag a little on carpet though as well as making a clicking sound going over cobbles.
The interior is just as impressive as the outside though, made using recycled materials and designed with dual-zippered mesh compartments and adjustable straps to keep everything secure. Water seeped through the zip during testing, but this was minimal and didn’t make any of our belongings damp. Overall, it’s a worthy investment.
Key specifications
| Dimensions (cm) | H77x W52 x D28 |
|---|---|
| Type | Checked bag |
| Volume | 90L |
| Weight | 4.7kg |
| Lock | TSA-approved |
| Casing | Hard-sided polycarbonate |
| Expandable | No |
What to look for when shopping for the best hardside luggage
When you're in the market for a hard shell 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:
- Aluminium is the most durable material for hardside luggage, but it's much heavier than other options and can be pretty expensive.
- Polycarbonate (a durable plastic) is the most popular material for hard luggage. It's both lightweight and resists scratches better than ABS but can still show signs of scuffing.
- ABS is a plastic material that's more affordable and even more lightweight than polycarbonate, but is a bit less durable and more prone to scratching.
- Polypropylene is another type of plastic that's even lighter, 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 sturdy as a suitcase made of 100% polycarbonate.
✔️ Wheels: Wheels with 360° spin provide the best manoeuvrability as they can 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 zippered pockets to hold extra belongings and zippered 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: Suitcase 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.
Is hardside luggage better than softside?
Both hardside and softside suitcases have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Here are a few key differences between the two types of luggage.
Protection: Hardside suitcases are most often made with polycarbonate or ABS plastic which are better at keeping your belongings safe from being squished while travelling. However, hardside luggage is prone to scuffs and scratches that are sometimes difficult to clean. Softside suitcases are more susceptible to wear and tear over time, and your belongings aren't encased in a sturdy shell, which can lead to damages.
Flexibility: What you see is what you get with a hardside suitcase. Unless the bag is equipped with zippered expansion, there isn't much wiggle room to overstuff your bag. Softside luggage is more flexible, so you can really fill it to the brim. It's also easier to compress down to pack away when not in use.
Compartments: The majority of softside suitcases unzip to one primary packing compartment and are often covered in external pockets for easy access to essentials like your phone, keys and even a laptop. On the other hand, hardside suitcases typically have a butterfly opening, which means the suitcase unfolds into two main packing spaces with compression panels and straps for better organisation, and they tend to lack external pockets.
Weight: Hard side suitcases, especially those made of polycarbonate or ABS plastic, are typically lighter weight than soft side suitcases, making them easier to hoist into an overhead bin or lug around on your trips.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We've been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for 100 years so we know what to look for when it comes to the best products.
Each suitcase is rigorously tested by our team of experts, from popping them in the shower to dropping them from a height, before the results are handed to our homes writer, Megan Geall. She compiles everything you need to know into a detailed review, so you can feel confident when you shop.
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.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
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