The Best Hardside Checked Luggage for Your Next Big Trip

Cabin luggage might be the star of modern travel, but there are situations when not even the best carry-on can do the trick. So, when a longer trip comes in, make sure you do it right with a roomy checked suitcase that’s strong, stylish, and doesn’t slow you down.

If sturdiness and sleek appearance are priorities on your next big trip, look no further than our hand-picked selection of polycarbonate, aluminum, and hybrid cases below.

From minimalist cult favorites to innovative designs, here you have the best hardside checked luggage to pack in 2023:

Nomatic Check-In

• Size: 29″ x 18.5″ x 9″
• Weight: 12.32 lb
• Volume: 78L – 90L (expanded)

Built from lightweight yet durable 100% Makrolon polycarbonate and complete with an expandable design that increases its volume from 78L to 90L, the Nomatic Check-In makes an ideal piece of luggage for men on the move.

And it gets even better: best-in-class Hinomoto wheels & handles make travel effortless; YKK zippers and TSA lock give you peace of mind; and a custom compression system – with magnetic straps, packing cubes, and an innovative folding panel – makes packing for business trips a breeze. Mixing sleek looks, unparalleled durability, and amazing interior organization, it is not hard to see why this was our pick for the best checked luggage last year.

Db Ramverk Pro Check-in Luggage Medium

• Size: 26.5″ x 18.3″ x 11″
• Weight: 13.2 lb
• Volume: 67 L

It’s no secret that international airlines, especially budget ones, often have more strict rules when it comes to luggage. So, for your next trip abroad, look no further than the new Db Ramverk Pro Check-in Luggage Medium, which combines style, performance, and peace of mind into the perfect mid-size suitcase.

Lightweight and sturdy, this award-winning bag on wheels is made of two polycarbonate shells held together by a robust, uniquely designed aluminum frame with numeric TSA locks. This offers unmatched protection and lets you do something no other suitcase does – open the bag and access its contents while it stands upright.

The smart details don’t stop here, though. The cool-looking case is equipped with ultra-silent 360 wheels, customizable retracting webbing handles, and plenty of interior organization to keep all your stuff in place and easy to find. It also comes with Db’s patented hook-up system that lets you strap the backpack to the front of the suitcase for hands-free mobility.

Monos Hybrid Trunk

• Size: 29.9″ x 15.7″ x 14.3″
• Weight: 13.2 lb
• Volume: 89 L

Recently launched, the Monos Hybrid Trunk is as much a statement piece as it is a practical check-in suitcase for long trips, family travel, and overpackers. Its taller frame with deeper packing compartments allows for the storage of bulkier items, while its sleek, classically inspired silhouette recalls the voyages of early explorers, albeit with a modern polish.

Pairing a lightweight polycarbonate shell with a durable zipperless aluminum frame, the roomy case has a luxe, minimalist look with a smooth metallic finish in Silver, Champagne, and Obsidian (black). Dual Y-shaped compression straps, a divider, and anti-microbial laundry and shoe bags keep packing items nice and tidy inside while TSA-approved locks secure your belongings, giving you peace of mind.

And the good news doesn’t stop here – as expected from the Canadian design-forward luggage brand, this rolling trunk is packed with high-end elements, from the whisper-quiet Hinomoto wheels to their patented handle design with the release button placed underneath.

Lojel Voja Large

• Size: 30.3″ x 21.3″ x 12.8″
• Weight: 12.1 lb
• Volume: 112 L

In the market for a zipperless checked suitcase that will keep your belongings safe on extended vacations? Designed by Japan-born luggage manufacturer, Lojel, the Voja Large will offer you all the security and peace of mind you need thanks to its especially sturdy injection-molded polypropylene shell complete with a three-point lock system.

Besides that, the case features a modern dual-wheel system for effortless maneuverability, zippered interior pockets, and a TSA-approved combination lock. Apart from being nearly indestructible, the thermoplastic shell is scratch and scuff-proof and comes in a range of bold primary colors that will surely stand out on the baggage claim carousel.

Rimowa Original Check-In L Twist

• Size: 31.2″ x 20.1″ x 10.7″
• Weight: 13,7 lb
• Volume: 82 L

Who else would make the best aluminum luggage if not the brand that started the trend? While still sporting Rimowa’s signature grooved aluminum shell, the Original Check-In L Twist sees the addition of elegant brown leather trim on the handles, locks, and seal.

Crafted from high-end anodized aluminum, this large, luxurious suitcase will last a lifetime without getting out of style. Packing is easy thanks to its two evenly split compartments, both with height-adjustable flex dividers, and maneuvering even more so by virtue of its four ball-bearing mounted wheels and stage-free telescoping handle.

July Checked Plus

• Size: 30.25″ x 19.75″ x 12.5″
• Weight: 10.5 lb
• Volume: 110 L

If you want a spacious, stylish hardshell suitcase built to protect contents while staying scratch-and-scuff-free, the July Checked Plus is the way to go. Its aerospace-grade German polycarbonate case is both durable and lightweight and comes in a unique curved eggshell design with anodized aluminum bumpers for extra protection.

Made for the 21st century, the 110L bag includes a multi-stop telescopic handle with over 20 heights, a TSA lock, and the brand’s proprietary butter-soft SilentMoveTM wheels. Its internal compression system maximizes packing space, while a hidden, odor-proof laundry bag keeps worn items separate from clean ones.

This piece is backed by a lifetime warranty that covers any manufacturing faults and is available in a slew of modern, matte colors that include Sand, Clay, Moss Green, Shadow Lavender, and Marigold Yellow, among others.

Briggs & Riley Torq Large Spinner

• Size: 30.5″ x 20″ x 12.5″
• Weight: 10.5 lb
• Volume: 112.7 L

If you travel for work regularly, you’ll want to invest in luggage that combines looks, quality, and functionality in equal measure.

Our pick for the best suitcase for business travel, Briggs & Riley’s Torq Large Spinner, performs admirably on all levels. Not only does its 3-layer Makrolon polycarbonate outer shell exude professional vibes, but it’s lightweight, scratch-resistant, and will last many years. The bag relies on four double swivel wheels that will have you breezing through airports, conference centers, and hotel lobbies, and handling couldn’t be more convenient thanks to the aircraft-grade aluminum telescoping handle that adjusts to your ideal height.

Complete with cinch-down garment panels and a mesh lid pocket, the fully lined interior fits all your professional outfits and makes it easy to compartmentalize your smaller belongings. There’s even a built-in mesh suiter with a removable, adjustable foam roll bar designed to keep your suits/shirts wrinkle-free and meeting-ready.

Solgaard Check-In Closet

• Size: 27″ x 15.5″ x 13.75″
• Weight: 11 lb
• Volume: 91 L

An unbreakable polycarbonate shell and a removable built-in shelving system make this large check-in suitcase a dream come true for organized packers who like everything in its place.

The Check-In Closet is the larger, checked-luggage version of the best-selling Carry-on Closet from sustainable luggage company Solgaard. Just like its baby brother, it’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and smooth rolling. But most importantly, it makes packing easy and efficient (and unpacking even more so) thanks to its 5 collapsible shelves that can be hung from a closet rod once you arrive at your destination.

We’re also fans of the case’s one-hand pinch opening mechanism and the brand’s ethical ethos. For every product sold, they remove one pound of plastic from the ocean and use it to make the interior lining for their luggage.

Level8 Voyageur Check In 26″

• Size: 27.3″ x 17.1″ x 13.3″
• Weight: 11.8 lb
• Volume: 93 L

Why settle for boring luggage when you can stand out with this bright, sunny suitcase from Level 8?

Constructed with impact-resistant Germany Makrolon polycarbonate, the Voyageur Check In 26″ is strong, lightweight, and creatively functional. Weighing in at just over 11 lbs, it’s surprisingly roomy and can fit all your essentials for a two-week vacation. It’s also extremely easy to maneuver thanks to the four smooth & quiet 360° wheels with an anti-shock design and its unique wide handle designed to increase both stability and packing space.

For convenient, organized packing, this modern case has two roomy compartments and a pair of zipper pockets for small items. There’s even a wet section so you can stash those soaked bathing suits and keep your other items dry.

Horizn Studios H7

• Size: 30.3″ x 20.4″ x 11″
• Weight: 10.3 lb
• Volume: 90 L

A well-thought-out checked suitcase, the Horizn Studios H7 packs maximum functionality in a stylish, minimalist package that’s sure to receive a lot of compliments. Its Aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell offers the ultimate combination of lightweightness, flexibility, and impact resistance. Meanwhile, the integrated TSA combination lock ensures that no one (except for the TSA agents) will be able to break into your luggage.

Add a multi-stage telescoping handle, exceptionally smooth 360-degree Japanese wheels, and a spacious fully-lined interior, complete with a compression pad and laundry bag, and you have one of the best checked suitcases in 2023. It offers all the quality and attention to detail you would expect from a German manufacturer, and it’s downright beautiful!

Béis The 29″ Large Check-In Roller

• Size: 30.5″ x 18.75″ x 12″
• Weight: 11.84 lb
• Volume: 112 L

One of the best check-in suitcases for women on the go, The 29″ Large Check-In Roller by Béis rolls smoothly on Hinomoto 360-degree wheels and comes with the brand’s famous weight limit indicator to help you avoid extra charges at the airport.

Crafted from 100% virgin polycarbonate, the company’s largest suitcase to date is not only lightweight and durable, but also effortlessly chic. Its contemporary shell in multiple colors offers 2 inches of optional expansion and is finished with a telescopic handle and a TSA-approved combination lock. The inside provides ample storage space for everything you need, making it easy to stay organized on your travels thanks to thoughtful features like compression straps, pocketed dividers, and a built-in laundry bag.

Whether it’s a longer work trip, a girls’ getaway on the other side of the world, or your carefully planned honeymoon, this function-meets-fashion checked luggage pick will take you there in style.

Paravel Aviator Grand

• Size: 28″ x 18.25″ x 11″
• Weight: 11.8 lb
• Volume: 105.9 L

Paravel is a game-changer when it comes to sustainable luggage. Not only are they offsetting the carbon emissions generated from the bags’ production and shipping, but their stylish suitcases are made using eco-friendly materials.

A check-in version of one of our favorite carry-on bags, the Aviator Grand has all the cool features we love about the original, including its durable, smooth-rolling wheels, TSA-approved lock, and timeless good looks. Sustainability-wise, the suitcase boasts recycled zippers, a telescopic handle made from recycled, aircraft-grade aluminum, and a soft, silky lining woven with fibers sourced from 21 plastic water bottles.

Though not the largest checked piece on the list, its interior is roomy enough to fit 8-10 days’ worth of clothes and accessories and includes smart details like a compression board and a removable laundry bag. Lastly, the ultra-chic recycled polycarbonate body trimmed with classy vegan leather details will make every trip feel like a glamorous getaway.

Bric’s Capri 32″ Spinner Expandable

• Size: 32″ x 22″ x 12.5″
• Weight: 11 lb
• Volume: 135 L

The ideal size for big-family trips or long-term travel, Bric’s Capri 32″ Spinner Expandable features a lightweight & durable polycarbonate construction with top-quality 360° wheels, an adjustable trolley handle, and a built-in TSA lock.

Its elegant outer shell has a classic, almost vintage-like feel and is adorned with genuine Tuscan leather details for a subtle dose of style and sophistication. Inside you’ll find fully-lined double-deck compartments, two zippered pockets, as well a zippered panel that secures your belongings en route while providing additional, easy-access storage.

Last but not least, the bag expands up to an extra 1.5 inches of packing capacity thanks to its adjustable zipper design.

Samsonite Stryde 111 Large Glider

• Size: 26.3″ x 24.5″ x 13″
• Weight: 14.3 lb

For those trips that require more than a carry-on but not your entire wardrobe, the Samsonite Stryde 111 Large Glider is a smart, practical option. Through its unique design and innovative details, this medium-sized suitcase is bound to revolutionize the way you travel.

Engineered horizontally, it stands out primarily for its wider body, whose lower gravity center allows for better maneuverability but gets extra points for its great packing organization. With multiple removable packing cubes, a shoe bag, a toiletry kit, and even a fully detachable, padded trifold garment carrier, it really has a place for everything you need to bring along. Other design features that set it apart include a magnetic ID tag, integrating VisionGuide LED lights on both sides of the handle, and an interior lining fabric woven from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

Steamline Luggage Hunter Green Diplomat Check-In Spinner

• Size: 27″ x 16″ x 9.8″
• Weight: 12.1 lb

Part of Steamline Luggage’s elegant Diplomat collection, The Hunter Green Check-In Spinner fuses premium materials with innovative features in a vintage trunk-inspired silhouette that’s sure to make a style statement wherever it lands.

Wrapped up in luxurious green leather and adorned with gold hardware and rich brown leather straps, this glamorous suitcase may evoke a sense of old-world adventure, but its retractable trolley handle, silent-glide wheels, TSA lock, and padded, satin-lined interior ensure it’s made for the modern streets.

The ample interior features a sleek equestrian-inspired lining in tans and cream, a removable door-hanger washbag, and zippered lid compartments to keep your belongings organized when on the go.