A good-quality hard suitcase should be with you for years or even decades, so it's important to find one that will serve you well. Compared to their soft counterparts, hard shell suitcases are sturdier and offer better protection for your belongings, which is why they're popular options for frequent flyers.
We've assembled this guide to help you find the ideal hard suitcase for your travelling needs, holding all of your essentials while remaining lightweight and easy to move around. We'll compare size, volume, security and more in our search for the 10 best hard suitcases in the UK, so you can pick one that ticks all your boxes and find a new travel companion for life!
Choosing a luggage size depends on the type of trips you'll often embark on. If you frequently travel by bus or train, make sure to choose a size that will fit the designated luggage compartment. Size and weight allowances vary by airline so remember to check the guidelines when you book a flight.
Also consider whether you want the option to take your case as a carry-on. Cabin-size bags generally need to be 55 x 40 x 20 cm or under. But again, this differs from airline to airline so do check before you buy. When shopping for larger luggage, consider how its size will impact your journey. If you're travelling to the airport by car, bus or train, how easily will it fit? Will you be able to manoeuvre it through crowds?
Looking for something bigger? We've ranked the best large suitcases too.
Looking up the volume (in litres) alongside the dimensions will also be helpful when deciding on the suitcase size that fits your travelling needs. Here is a guide to which capacities, on average, suit which trip lengths:
Finding out the weight of the suitcase is particularly important if you're travelling by air. Because as we know, airlines impose weight limits for check-in luggage and these days, cabin bags too. Excess baggage fees are famously extortionate so before you set off, make sure that it is within the relevant weight limit. If you fly often, we suggest investing in luggage scales.
The lighter your suitcase is when it is empty, the more you can pack! Therefore, if you're someone who struggles to pack light, go for a lightweight hard suitcase that weighs 2-3 kg when empty. Anything more than that will also be difficult to lift and manoeuvre, especially once it's fully loaded.
A suitcase with multiple compartments, pockets, and straps can help you to better organise your packing. Most hard cases these days have at least two main compartments. But if want to stay truly organised, search for additional pockets such as a sleeve for your laptop or to keep important documents crease-free.
Got a lot of beauty items, accessories or gadgets to pack? The more pockets you have, the better! Moreover, check if the suitcase comes with luggage straps or zippers to keep everything secured in place, even after being transported and tossed around.
For those who want to get seriously organised, check out these packing cubes.
Fortunately for your arms and back, almost all hard suitcases these days have either two or four wheels for easy mobility. Two-wheelers are easier to pull behind you while walking so if you're ever in a rush, your bag will be able to keep up. They're also better for use across all types of terrain.
In addition to checking the number of wheels, find out the type to see how convenient and reliable your suitcase will be to travel with. We recommend searching for suitcases with four double wheels as they offer excellent stability. Plus, you have both the option of pulling and rolling them. 360-degree spinner wheels can turn in any direction, so your bag can smoothly glide anywhere you want it to.
Most suitcases today come with a lock, usually in the form of a combination system. This is much easier than having to buy a separate padlock and risk losing the key, so look out for these if you want to keep your belongings extra safe.
You may also encounter the term TSA-approved, which stands for the Transport Security Administration. A TSA-approved lock meets strict security requirements and can be opened and re-locked by TSA screeners using special tools. So if the authorities wish to inspect your luggage, you won't end up with a broken lock or be rushed to the luggage department prior to your flight.
If you're buying a bag without a lock, browse our best TSA-Approved luggage locks.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of hard suitcases available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Samsonite | 2 ![]() American Tourister | 3 ![]() Tripp | 4 ![]() American Tourister | 5 ![]() Suitline | 6 ![]() Aerolite | 7 ![]() Featherstone | 8 ![]() Samsonite | 9 ![]() Cabin Max | 10 ![]() Rimowa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | S'Cure | Bon Air | Holiday 6 4-Wheel Suitcase | Sunside | Expandable Cabin Trolley | Classic Vintage Hard Shell Suitcase | 4-Wheel Hard Suitcase | Magnum Eco Spinner | Anode Cabin Suitcase | Original Cabin Spinner Luggage |
Features | A Robust Yet Lightweight Hard Shell Suitcase of Exceptional Quality | Durable Yet Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for a 1-2 Week Trip | A Pretty, Compact and Quiet Case With a 5-Year Guarantee | Lightweight and Expandable, Ideal for Those Who Can Never Pack Light | A Cabin-Sized Essential for Business Trips and Weekend Getaways | Vintage Design Meets Modern Features and Craftsmanship | An Affordable Yet Durable Pick From Argos | Solid, Secure and Stunning, Made With Recycled Materials | Ultra-Lightweight and Versatile for Those Who Are Always on the Go | A Luxury Buy Crafted With Aluminium for Maximum Robustness and Longevity |
Price | £219.00 | £80.00 | £69.50 | £169.00 | £79.95 | £59.99 | £50.00 | £159.00 | £49.95 | £965.00 |
Dimensions | L: 75 x 52 x 31 cm; S, M and XL available | L: 75 x 54 x 29 cm; S and M available | M: 66 x 45 x 26 cm; L available | L: 77 x 50 x 31 cm; M and S available | Pilot: 38 x 42 x 22 cm; business, hand, medium and large also available | Cabin: 55 x 35 x 20 cm; M and L available | M: 57 x 43 x 25 cm; S and L also available | Cabin: 55 x 40 x 20 cm; M and L also available | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | Cabin: 55 x 40 x 23 cm; 9 other sizes available |
Volume | L: 102 litres | L: 91 litres | M:. 66 litres | L: 106 - 118 litres | Pilot: 29 litres | Cabin: 32 litres | M: 61 litres | Cabin: 38 litres | - | Cabin: 35 litres |
Weight | L: 4.6 kg | L: 3.4 kg | M: 3.2 kg | L: 4.5 kg | Pilot: 2.4 kg | Cabin: 2.7 kg | M: 3.3 kg | Cabin: 2.6 kg | 2.2 kg | Cabin: 4.3 kg |
Wheels | 4 double wheels | 4 double 360° spinner wheels | 4 wheels, fixing strap | 4 double spinner 360-degree rotating wheels | 2 (other sizes have 4 wheels) | 4 twin-spinner 360-degree wheels | 4 360-degree swivel wheels | 4 double wheels | 4 multi-directional spinner wheels | Multiwheel® System - 4 wheels |
Compartments | Zipped divider pad, large side pocket, fixing strap | 3 internal and 3 external pockets, fixing strap | 2 | Zipped apron pocket, zipped divider with 2 pockets, fixing strap | 4 lined compartments, laptop sleeve | 3 | 2 | Top and bottom compartment with divider pads and pockets, fixing strap | 2 sections with 2 zippered pockets, fixing strap | 4 |
Built-In Lock | Yes, TSA-approved | Yes, TSA-approved | Yes, TSA-approved | Yes, TSA-approved | Yes, TSA-approved | No | No | Yes, TSA-approved | No | Yes, 2 TSA-approved |
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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Large
£219.00
Dimensions | L: 75 x 52 x 31 cm; S, M and XL available |
---|---|
Volume | L: 102 litres |
Weight | L: 4.6 kg |
Wheels | 4 double wheels |
Compartments | Zipped divider pad, large side pocket, fixing strap |
Built-In Lock | Yes, TSA-approved |
Large
£80.00
Dimensions | L: 75 x 54 x 29 cm; S and M available |
---|---|
Volume | L: 91 litres |
Weight | L: 3.4 kg |
Wheels | 4 double 360° spinner wheels |
Compartments | 3 internal and 3 external pockets, fixing strap |
Built-In Lock | Yes, TSA-approved |
Medium
£69.50
Dimensions | M: 66 x 45 x 26 cm; L available |
---|---|
Volume | M:. 66 litres |
Weight | M: 3.2 kg |
Wheels | 4 wheels, fixing strap |
Compartments | 2 |
Built-In Lock | Yes, TSA-approved |
Large
£169.00
Dimensions | L: 77 x 50 x 31 cm; M and S available |
---|---|
Volume | L: 106 - 118 litres |
Weight | L: 4.5 kg |
Wheels | 4 double spinner 360-degree rotating wheels |
Compartments | Zipped apron pocket, zipped divider with 2 pockets, fixing strap |
Built-In Lock | Yes, TSA-approved |
Pilot
£79.95
Dimensions | Pilot: 38 x 42 x 22 cm; business, hand, medium and large also available |
---|---|
Volume | Pilot: 29 litres |
Weight | Pilot: 2.4 kg |
Wheels | 2 (other sizes have 4 wheels) |
Compartments | 4 lined compartments, laptop sleeve |
Built-In Lock | Yes, TSA-approved |
Cabin
£59.99
Dimensions | Cabin: 55 x 35 x 20 cm; M and L available |
---|---|
Volume | Cabin: 32 litres |
Weight | Cabin: 2.7 kg |
Wheels | 4 twin-spinner 360-degree wheels |
Compartments | 3 |
Built-In Lock | No |
Medium
£50.00
Dimensions | M: 57 x 43 x 25 cm; S and L also available |
---|---|
Volume | M: 61 litres |
Weight | M: 3.3 kg |
Wheels | 4 360-degree swivel wheels |
Compartments | 2 |
Built-In Lock | No |
£159.00
Dimensions | Cabin: 55 x 40 x 20 cm; M and L also available |
---|---|
Volume | Cabin: 38 litres |
Weight | Cabin: 2.6 kg |
Wheels | 4 double wheels |
Compartments | Top and bottom compartment with divider pads and pockets, fixing strap |
Built-In Lock | Yes, TSA-approved |
£49.95
Dimensions | 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
---|---|
Volume | - |
Weight | 2.2 kg |
Wheels | 4 multi-directional spinner wheels |
Compartments | 2 sections with 2 zippered pockets, fixing strap |
Built-In Lock | No |
£965.00
Dimensions | Cabin: 55 x 40 x 23 cm; 9 other sizes available |
---|---|
Volume | Cabin: 35 litres |
Weight | Cabin: 4.3 kg |
Wheels | Multiwheel® System - 4 wheels |
Compartments | 4 |
Built-In Lock | Yes, 2 TSA-approved |
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