Top 5 compared
The best suitcases
A week or a fortnight’s packing in one hard-shell case that takes the knocks of the baggage hall.
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The top 5 at a glance
A check-in suitcase travels in the hold, so it has to take the knocks of conveyor belts and carousels. Hard shells come in polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate or a blend of ABS and polycarbonate. Most zip shut, a few close on latches with no zip at all, and some expand with an extra zip when there’s more to bring back.
The case itself counts towards a checked-bag allowance, so a light one leaves more room for packing. Makers measure capacity differently, some inside the shell and some by its outside size, so the dimensions say as much as the litres. Most here have a TSA lock, which US airport security can open without breaking. For bags that go under the seat, see our cabin bags list.
What matters
- Four spinner wheels, for steering through a crowded terminal.
- Strong zips from a named maker, such as YKK.
- Packing straps and a divider to keep both halves tidy.
- The length of the warranty.
#1COOLIFE 28-inch Large Hard Shell Suitcase
£75–£100
A shell of ABS and polycarbonate with YKK zips, an aluminium handle and rubber-coated spinner wheels that stay quiet over cobbles and carpet. The link opens on a lemon yellow that’s hard to miss on the carousel.
What owners say: Owners find it sturdy enough for the hold, roomy inside and smooth on its wheels, and like how the yellow stands out at baggage reclaim.
A closer look: Weigh it once it’s packed: the case alone is about 4.5kg, so it takes a fair share of a checked-bag allowance before anything goes in. The handle stops at several heights, which suits tall and short travellers alike, and the side handle makes lifting it into a car boot easier.
- Quiet rubber-coated spinner wheels
- YKK zips
- Aluminium telescopic handle
- Top and side carry handles
Best for: A case that’s easy to spot
- Size
- 77 x 52.5 x 30cm
- Capacity
- 93L
- Weight
- 4.5kg
- Shell
- ABS and polycarbonate
- Expands
- No
#2Kono 28-inch Expandable Hard Shell Suitcase
£50–£75
An ABS and polycarbonate shell in cream with brown stripes, YKK zips and a built-in TSA lock, and a zip round the middle that lets the case out for the trip home. Kono sizes it for seven to ten days away.
What owners say: Owners say it comes out of the hold without scratches and rolls easily on its spinners, and one found the extra room from the expander handy for holiday shopping.
A closer look: Leave the expander zipped on the way out and open it for what comes back, bearing in mind the case grows deeper as well as fuller. Inside, packing straps hold one half and a zipped divider closes off the other, with mesh pockets for tickets and documents. Set your own TSA combination before the first trip.
- Built-in TSA lock
- YKK zips
- Packing straps and zipped divider
- Mesh pockets for documents
- Three-stage telescopic handle
Best for: Bringing back holiday shopping
- Size
- 75 x 47.5 x 29.5cm
- Capacity
- 108L
- Weight
- 4.38kg
- Shell
- ABS and polycarbonate
- Expands
- Yes
#3RMW 24-inch Medium Hard Shell Suitcase
£30–£50
A medium case in polycarbonate, the lightest here at 3.6kg, with a TSA combination lock on the zips, four spinner wheels and a lining backed with a thin layer of foam to cushion what’s inside.
What owners say: Owners find it roomy for its size and easy to steer, and one says it lifts onto trains and into luggage racks without a struggle.
A closer look: At 65cm tall it’s a medium, so it suits a week rather than a fortnight; for longer trips one of the 28-inch cases holds more. Set the three-digit TSA combination before you leave, and with the handle up a small bag can ride on top while you wheel it.
- TSA combination lock
- Foam-backed lining
- Four spinner wheels
- Zipped divider and mesh pocket
Best for: A week away, packing light
- Size
- 65 x 43 x 27cm
- Capacity
- –
- Weight
- 3.6kg
- Shell
- Polycarbonate
- Expands
- No
#4Samsonite S’Cure Spinner Suitcase, 75cm (large)
£100–£150
A zip-free polypropylene shell held shut by a three-point lock, with a seal against damp, sized for about two weeks away. Samsonite was founded in Denver in 1910 and takes its name from Samson, the Biblical strongman.
What owners say: Owners say it rolls easily and keeps its looks over time, with one reporting it came through long-distance travel intact.
A closer look: With no zip round the middle it closes on its three-point lock, so pack it as two halves and let the zipped divider hold one side in place. Set your own number on the TSA lock before the first trip, and fill in the built-in ID tag while you’re at it.
- Zip-free, three-point locking
- Seal against damp
- TSA combination lock
- Built-in ID tag
- Four double spinner wheels
Best for: Fortnight holidays and frequent flights
- Size
- 75 x 52 x 31cm
- Capacity
- 102L
- Weight
- 4.6kg
- Shell
- Polypropylene
- Expands
- No
#5ATX 28-inch Large Hard Shell Suitcase
£30–£50
A 110-litre ABS case that weighs about 4kg empty, with a TSA-approved lock, dual spinner wheels, soft side handles and a divider inside to keep shoes away from clothes.
What owners say: Owners like how much it holds for its weight and how sturdy it feels, though durability is mixed: some cases came through several flights, while others cracked.
A closer look: ATX rates it for up to 25kg packed and sizes it for two weeks or more away, so it’s usually the airline’s weight limit you’ll meet first. The soft side handle makes lifting it off the carousel or into a car boot easier, and the divider keeps shoes in their own half.
- TSA-approved lock
- Divider keeps shoes apart
- Soft side handles
- Dual spinner wheels
Best for: Packing heavy for long trips
- Size
- 75 x 48 x 29cm
- Capacity
- 110L
- Weight
- 4kg
- Shell
- ABS
- Expands
- No
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1COOLIFE 28in | #2Kono 28in Expandable | #3RMW 24in | #4Samsonite S’Cure 75 | #5ATX 28in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best budget | |||
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| Price | £75–£100 | £50–£75 | £30–£50 | £100–£150 | £30–£50 |
| Size | 77 x 52.5 x 30cm | 75 x 47.5 x 29.5cm | 65 x 43 x 27cm | 75 x 52 x 31cm | 75 x 48 x 29cm |
| Capacity | 93L | 108L | – | 102L | 110L |
| Weight | 4.5kg | 4.38kg | 3.6kg | 4.6kg | 4kg |
| Shell | ABS and polycarbonate | ABS and polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | Polypropylene | ABS |
| Expands | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Best for | A case that’s easy to spot | Bringing back holiday shopping | A week away, packing light | Fortnight holidays and frequent flights | Packing heavy for long trips |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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