The best hard-shell carry-on luggage of 2024, tested by editors

There are hundreds of carry-ons on the market these days, from established luggage brands and from newcomers hoping to disrupt an expensive industry with affordable, high-quality gear.

With tons of options to choose from, picking the right bag for your trip can be overwhelming. We’ve already tested the best checked luggage for your travel plans. Now, after researching dozens of cases, we zeroed in on 19 of the most popular luggage bags with especially high praise from users and professional reviewers, and then put them through the wringer to determine the best carry-on suitcase.

For this piece, we focused exclusively on hardside (or “hard-shell”) luggage, as in our experience this has proven to be the best at actually protecting your stuff. New materials mean today’s hardside luggage is also often incredibly lightweight and flexible enough to pack to the brim. We also only tested four-wheel spinner cases, as these are generally easier to maneuver than two-wheel cases (and any difference in packing space is negligible). For those interested in lighter, expandable luggage pieces, we’ve taken a separate look at soft-sided carry-on bags.

After several weeks of testing, we’ve named five hard-shell cases that will serve nearly any traveler’s needs. Take a look at our picks, rationale and testing process below.

Best hard-shell carry-on luggage

The?Away Carry-On?has it all. Not only that but Away’s offering stood up very well to our abuse, handling being kicked, jumped on and dropped down stairs with only minor scuffing and zero lasting dents. This is due to the materials it’s constructed with: The outer shell is 100% polycarbonate, an extremely strong yet lightweight and flexible material that’s become the gold standard for hardside luggage.

Away?also utilizes smooth YKK zippers, an aluminum telescopic handle and the Rolls-Royce of luggage wheels — four double Hinomoto spinners — which in our testing glided seamlessly on pavement, hardwood and grass alike. The bag also never felt like it was going to tip over, even when fully loaded.

To be fair, Away’s top and side carry handles are a bit flat and stiff — a minor issue since the bag will typically be rolled rather than carried, but an issue nonetheless. The telescopic handle was also one of the wobbliest we tested. That said, Away claims the handle is meant to be this flexible to better absorb shock, and no issues with the handle actually arose in our testing. We also liked that the handle itself is black rather than the brushed steel color typical of most cases, as this better matches the trim and detailing on the bag.

Away really shines, however, when it comes time to actually pack it. The case features the best internal design of the bunch — a simple yet effective system that will keep your stuff organized without overcomplicating things or clogging up valuable packing space. One side consists of a deep pocket covered by a full-zip divider, good for hard or bulky items; the other side is topped by a removable, buckle-down compression board that helps you wring every bit of space out of the 39.8-liter bag. The compression board also features a larger zip pocket that’s the perfect size for sliding your laptop into it; since the board is meant to sit atop your clothing, this automatically offers extra padding for your delicate electronics.

Thoughtful touches like this helped push the?Away Carry-On?into our top spot. For instance, a lot of bags also feature clamshell designs with one fully zipped side and one with some sort of strap to hold clothing down. But with the Away, that zippered side has a mesh covering, meaning you can actually see what you’ve packed without having to dig around in your bag. The inclusion of a hidden, water-resistant laundry bag and leather luggage tag are nice touches as well.

Whether or not you want a smart suitcase is a matter of preference, but it’s nice to have the option. Away was the only case we tested that actually comes with a battery pack (a 10,000mAh travel-friendly charger, to be precise). It also has the easiest battery removal process of the cases tested by far, since you can simply pop the battery out of the case while it’s still shut. The case also has two charging ports, whereas all but one other we tested (the Genius Pack Supercharged) had only a single port.

At 8.1 pounds, the?Away Carry-On?certainly wasn’t the lightest bag in our testing, but we think the extra (literal) baggage is a fair trade-off given everything else you get. And if you’re positive you don’t want a smart suitcase, just purchase the Away without the battery pack to save a little weight.

Finally, Away’s lifetime warranty and free and easy returns for 100 days shows that the company stands by its product. And of course, that product looks fantastic. With a sleek design and nine tasteful color options (plus frequent limited-edition shades), you can pick something that won’t look like every other black suitcase on the conveyor belt.

If you think you’ll be returning from a trip with a ton of souvenirs, it’s worth considering grabbing an expandable case like the?Calpak Ambeur, or upgrading to?Away’s Bigger Carry-On?(bearing in mind the risk that this might not meet all international carry-on requirements). Otherwise, the?Away Carry-On?is the hardside suitcase we’d reach for most often. As essential as a good travel pillow, this bag will serve almost all travelers’ needs for years to come and will look fantastic while doing it.

Other top hard-shell carry-ons we recommend

How they compare

How we tested

Suitcases need to be able to withstand a fair amount of abuse, fit a lot of stuff and roll without a hitch. We broke up all the factors that matter to travelers into categories and then evaluated how each case held up.

Materials and durability

Capacity and Organization

Performance

Style

Additional Features

In addition to the above, we also factored in the price of each bag.

A note on rankings: Differences in volume and materials were often so minor as to be negligible. An extra liter of space or a few ounces of weight here and there aren’t going to make a meaningful difference for the average traveler. Some cool features also have downsides. Expandable cases are obviously going to offer you more room, but that comes at the cost of potentially tipping the scale for what’s allowed in your carry-on bag (not to mention the fact that the expandable portion of the case is less durable than the rest of the shell). Charging, too, is really a matter of preference.

That’s not to say that some bags aren’t significantly better bets than others. It’s just to remind you to think about how you’ll actually be using a piece of luggage before getting too bogged down in very minor differences that probably aren’t going to affect your travel experience.

Finally, a note on polycarbonate versus ABS outer shells. If you’re curious as to if polycarbonate is really worth the major jump in price, the answer is usually yes. It’s not only more durable but it’s also lighter and more flexible than ABS. That means you can often squeeze a few more things into the case, dents pop out more easily, and you can trust that your bag isn’t going to crack in baggage handling.

We ultimately considered each bag with all of the above in mind, taking care to determine what factors would really matter to the most travelers.

Other hard-shell carry-on luggage we tested

Away The Bigger Carry-On

$295 at Away

This beefed-up version of our top pick, the Away Carry-On, provides an extra few inches of dimensional space all around while still sticking to domestic carry-on size requirements (although it may need to be checked on extra-small planes). It also adds a removable 10,000mAh battery pack with two USB-A charging ports — a feature our top pick leaves out — so you and your travel partner won’t have to hunt for power outlets during unexpected travel delays. The internal compression board and heavy-duty straps help keep your items secure and organized, and the water-resistant dirty-laundry bag is always a nice perk.

Away The Bigger Carry-On Flex

$345 at Away

If you’re looking for even more storage space than the Away Bigger Carry-On provides, maybe for souvenirs you plan on acquiring on your trip, this “flex” model will come in handy. Opening the secondary zipper provides an extra 2.25 inches of space, and since your load will likely be heavier than usual if you’ve loaded up all that space, a recessed bottom handle helps when picking it up and lifting it into overhead storage bins. The fully loaded bag is bulky, though, and be warned: Depending on your airline and destination, the Flex may not qualify as a carry-on if expanded and, thus, may need to be checked on your way home.

Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

$146 at Amazon

We appreciate the value for money of the Samsonite Freeform spinner, as well as its light 6.6-pound weight, but some design issues kept it out of contention. The telescoping handle is flimsier than most and also features a smooth plastic grip, unlike most pieces that have more comfortable rubber coverings. The glossy finish also scuffed easily in our abrasion test. It does offer an impressive 14 color options, though.

TravelPro Platinum Elite Compact Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner

$314 at TravelPro and Amazon

The TravelPro Platinum Elite spinner checked all our boxes in the durability department, with a polycarbonate shell that stubbornly refused to scuff or scratch during our abrasion tests and aluminum corner caps to protect against drops and dings. The wheels were also some of the smoothest that we tested and had a thick, tacky, Rollerblade-like feel to them. External USB-A and USB-C ports allow for convenient charging, although you’ll need to provide your own power bank to store inside. Despite the telescoping handle being extremely comfortable to use, the top- and side-mounted carrying handles had almost no flexion and were easily some of the most uncomfortable handles we’ve come across.

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On

$165 at Calpak

If your storage needs are small or you are just packing for an overnight trip, consider the super-compact Calpak Hue Mini. In fact, Calpak claims that it actually fits underneath most airplane seats, eliminating the need for overhead bin wrangling altogether. We love the amount of storage options inside, and in addition to the compression strap, it features a zippered interior divider with several pockets and compartments for smaller items. Naturally, the small size of this bag is convenient to lift and carry too, thanks to the extremely comfortable top-mounted handle and recessed bottom handhold. Calpak’s textured exterior shell holds up really well to drops, scrapes and scuffs, and the wheels do a fine job of maneuvering around smoothly. The main drawback to this model is its telescoping handle, which, due to its long length, lacks the sturdiness of full-sized bags and has a flimsy, rattly feel to it.

Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On

$265 at Calpak

The expandable front pocket of the Calpak Hue Carry-On provides easy access to your laptop, snacks or reading material, and the hard-sided construction offers protection of these items during transit. Although this additional storage is convenient, it does monopolize the internal storage space, so that’s a compromise you’ll have to deal with. The top and side handles are super comfortable to use, but we wish the rolling handle had some kind of soft or rubber coating for extra grip. Calpak’s textured exterior is extremely durable, and even when dragged along the sidewalk, it suffered minimal visible damage, making this an attractive option for those who want to avoid that “banged-up” look as long as possible.

MVST Trek Aluminum Suitcase

$395 at MVST Select

This MVST case is made of an aluminum/magnesium alloy, which gives it a cool, classic look while still remaining lightweight. The soft-close handles are a nice touch and help contribute to its high-end appearance. This alloy finish does scratch pretty easily, though, and also lacks the heavy-duty feel of 100% aluminum cases like the Away Carry-On: Aluminum Edition. The handle also wasn’t as sturdy as other models and rattled around more than I would have liked. Inside, the two latched compression dividers and their mesh pockets provide plenty of organizational options, and the exterior latches were easy to close and lock everything up nice and tight.

Monoprice FORM Aluminum Carry-On

$160 at Walmart

This Monoprice carry-on has a slightly cheaper, lighter-duty feel than the other aluminum cases I tested, but it’s also priced considerably lower. Its soft-close handles also take longer to lay flat, and the flimsy, rattly handle lacks the stability you’d expect from a metal case. The wheels were surprisingly smooth and quiet, and the dual compression straps and pocketed mesh divider provide all the internal storage basics. If you’re intent on choosing an aluminum case and want to spend as little as possible, the Monoprice FORM Aluminum Carry-On is probably your best bet.

Monos Hybrid Carry-On

$325 at Monos

If you’re interested in the security and durability of a zipperless carry-on but still want the minimal, low-profile look of a polycarbonate model, take a look at this Monos hybrid option, which wraps a polycarbonate base in a metallic top layer. It offers a ton of features inside too, with a zippered divider, compression board with a large mesh pocket and two big, beefy straps for extra security. The heavy-duty latches lock nice and tight, and the top and side carrying handles lie flat when not being used. Two aluminum corner guards absorb the brunt of accidental drops, but when scratched, the metallic finish chips off, which doesn’t look great cosmetically.

Paravel Aviator Carry-On

$395 at Paravel

We loved the Aviator’s internal design and compression system, which is actually quite similar to the Away Carry-On’s. We also loved that the Aviator is made from recycled materials and looks like an old-timey trunk. We’d be happy to use this case, but it lacks Away’s lifetime warranty and charging capabilities, despite being about the same weight and more expensive. If price isn’t an issue and you don’t care about smart features, or you’ve simply fallen in love with the look of the bag and Paravel’s mission, it’s still a good pick.

Delsey Aero Expandable Carry-On

$135 at?Amazon

The Aero is another case that performed well in most of our tests and had a huge capacity. The super-shiny exterior was also somewhat prone to scratches, however, and the case itself was rather heavy and bulky compared with our top picks.

Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin

$760 at?Rimowa

This beautiful bag is truly, shockingly light. But for this price, we’d want something perfect, and unfortunately, this isn’t perfect. There’s no side carry handle, and the single barred telescopic handle, while space saving, put a major strain on our hand when dragging the case behind us.

Briggs and Riley International Expandable Spinner

$649 at?Briggs & Riley

This bag excelled in our durability tests and features both a fantastic warranty and beautiful craftsmanship. The internal compression-expansion system is pretty cool too. What we didn’t like, however, was the disparity in packing space once you open up the bag. One side is much deeper than the other, which resulted in more layers when packing — and meant more digging through our stuff to find anything once the bag was opened.

American Tourister Moonlight 21-Inch Hardside Expandable Spinner

$76 at Amazon

At its sale price, the Moonlight isn’t a bad value. It has lots of packing space, a simple yet useful internal design and tons color and design options. But this bag also dented and scuffed very easily when jumped on. (It’s entirely ABS rather than polycarbonate, which certainly had something to do with that.) The outer coating quickly crinkled up, and marks remained quite visible after any dents were popped back into place. Part of the draw of this case is its look, but you can’t expect it to stay pristine for long.

AmazonBasics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner

$88 at Amazon

Though very affordable, this was our least least favorite case. It’s a “basic” case, and it sure feels like one. This, like the American Tourister case, features a less durable ABS shell that dented quickly and retained lasting marks after our tests. Inside is lined with a very crinkly polyester, and the expandable side is also the side with a full-zipper divider — an odd design choice that made packing less efficient. To use the case’s full capacity, you have to basically zip it shut and then pile things awkwardly on top of that zippered compartment, which oddly, also wasn’t flush with the outer edge of the bag. Overall, we’d rather shell out for a more expensive case that will last longer and feel nicer to use; travel is uncomfortable enough as it is.