9 Best Hardside Luggage Options in 2025

The Affordable Pick: Quince Hard-Shell 21″ Carry-On

This popular Away “dupe” is almost a full pound lighter than its counterpart and less expensive, too. That said, while the bags are remarkably similar, the inner material of the Quince model feels a little less high-end than Away’s, which makes sense considering the price point. We also can’t attest to its durability as we can for Away, although Quince does offer a limited lifetime warranty. The bag expands by one inch in case you need a little more space on your return journey, and it comes in six colorways, including a really nice dark green. When I unzipped this bag for the first time, I was struck by how similar it is to the Away version, but I did notice the polyester material felt flimsier and less luxe. However, the Quince bag held everything I needed for a long weekend—two pairs of shoes, toiletries, a couple of outfits, and a few workout options. It spins and wheels easily and otherwise performs well.

Best Luxury Pick: Rimowa Classic Cabin

Rimowa is a celeb- and expert-fave brand for a reason: These aluminum bags are instantly identifiable, making them a total status symbol. Yes, you’ll shell out a lot of cash for one, but with the brand’s lifetime guarantee, maybe it’s worth it. There are also several luxe touches, like the leather handles and complimentary leather luggage tag, for example. The “stageless” handle allows you to adjust it to your height, which I think is a smart feature, and it comes in silver or grey. At 9.5 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than its polycarbonate counterparts, but worth considering if you’re interested in maximizing weight allotments (although this likely won’t be as big of a factor with a carry-on as it would be for a larger bag). “The Rimowa Classic Cabin is made from durable aluminum, which has held up so well during many of my trips over the years,” says Marchant, who says that since he’s a light packer, he uses this for all of his travels. “It’s sleek, sturdy, and incredibly lightweight, allowing me to move effortlessly from place to place. I’ve had it for many years, and it’s held up through many adventures.”

Most Stylish: Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 Medium Spinner

This bag gets top reviews on Amazon: It’s sitting at 4.4 stars with over 800 reviews as of this writing. It’s a nice medium size and only weighs just over nine pounds on its own, so we don’t think grossing out would be likely to happen before you fill it up. If you’re not a fan of the white (which likely would start to show its age and use sooner), the bag also comes in navy, black, and pink. My first impression when this bag arrived was that it almost gives old-school Louis Vuitton trunk-style luggage vibes—almost. It’s definitely the most distinct-looking luggage of the bunch, which could make it easier to spot on the baggage belt. The variety of inside zippered compartments offer lots of organization potential and overall the bag feels sturdy and like a good choice for a trip of up to a week.

Best Medium Hardside Luggage: NOBL Check-In All-in-One 28″

Nobl

Check-in: All-in-One 28″

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Pros

• Sweet spot size at 99L
• High-quality hardware
• Great color selection

Cons

• Pricey, but often on sale

If you’re heading on a trip that needs an amount of packing space somewhere between carry-on and “that massive suitcase in the back of your closet you keep all your duffel bags in,” a medium-sized hardsider like NOBL’s Check-in: All-in-One is the smart pick. It’s got a hefty 99L capacity along with an interior compression system to help you maximize every square inch of real estate. It also has dual TSA-approved combo locks, slow-release handles, and smooth 360-degree spinner wheels that make toting it in airports and getting through security a breeze. Plus, there’s a 100-day return policy and a lifetime warranty that covers “any damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, and many other functional elements” of the bag. The best part? Ten sweet color options to help you stand out at baggage claim.