Advertisement
This article may return revenue to Yahoo Lifestyle Australia. For more great shopping content, check out our online shopping page.

The 12 best hardside checked luggage that will keep your belongings safe and secure while traveling

Let's be honest — travel season's now an all-year affair. For many, that means upgrading their travel bags and suitcases to some of the best hardside checked luggage options on the market.

Quick overview
See 7 more

There are many reasons why many prefer hardside luggage over softside options. Ranking high on the list is their massive durability, rugged build, expandable form factor and sleeker design.

Most shoppers prefer hardside luggage when checking in bags for flights because, unlike carry-on bags, they need an extra layer of security since it's not on their person. Once handed over to baggage handlers, checked bags are usually frivolously tossed around and aren't handled with care or consideration of what's inside.

This hard outer shell keeps the suitcase's contents secure, safe and intact no matter how aggressively it's tossed around.

To make your shopping experience a bit easier, we've taken the guessing game out of shopping for the best hardside checked luggage options on today's market.

For instance, if you're looking for the best pick for a vacation trip, but don't want to check a huge checked luggage piece, the Monos Check-In Medium is the ideal size. Plus, it's practically indestructible.

Looking for the most affordable, the iFLY Spectre Versus Rainforest Hardside 24-Inch Checked Luggage is a Walmart favorite and it's on sale for just $49 — a price you don't see often!

From the best overall option to the best pick for overpackers, we've got you covered below.

1. Best Overall: Monos Check-In Medium, $325 (Orig. $362)

Monos' best-selling Check-In is arguably the best all-in-one and most secure option you can buy. It comes in both medium and large and features an unbreakable polycarbonate shell, so it will maintain its shape while being tossed around.

It also features an ultra-sturdy telescopic handle, a TSA-approved built-in lock, whisper-quiet spinning wheels, vegan leather details, an anti-microbial laundry bag, two shoe bags and a vegan leather luggage tag.

Also, if you have the Monos Carry-On, it neatly nests inside of the Check-In for easy storage. This one comes in 10 colors and patterns.

$325 at Monos

2. Highest Reviewed: Samsonite Winfield 2 28-Inch Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels, $177.15 (Orig. $309.99)

It's no secret that Samsonite is one of the most respected and trusted luggage brands ever, so it should be no surprise that its Winfield 2 28-Inch Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels has over 19,000 reviews on Amazon.

Made specifically for tough handling and longer trips, this hardside suitcase has everything we love about premium luggage: multi-directional spinner wheels, a retractable pull handle, a TSA-compatible lock and more.This hardside piece is made specifically for tough handling and longer trips.

$263 at Amazon

3. Best Medium Checked Suitcase: The AWAY Medium, $345

AWAY is one of the leading authorities in hardside luggage and if you're looking for the perfect suitcase that isn't too big for a short trip (we're talking one to two weeks), The Medium from AWAY is our top recommendation.

The Award-winning suitcase is a part of the brand's Classic series and features a recently updated design that has a few thoughtful elements like top and underside handles. This feature is one of my personal favorites since it takes away the strain when pulling the suitcase off the conveyor belt at baggage claim.

This bag also has a lightweight, durable hard shell that's been tested to withstand the aggressive rigors that come with baggage handling. It also comes with AWAY's signature interior compression system that helps you pack, organize and protect your things, allowing you to pack more due to the built-in compression.

I recently tested The Medium in the Olive color and it's quickly become by go-to hardside suitcase for quick travels that require more space than a carry-on can withstand, but less than a large checked bag allows. This is one you definitely need in your arsenal. You'll also use it for years and years to come.

$345 at AWAY

4. Most Popular: SwissTech Navigation 23-Inch Hard Side Check Luggage, $92 (Orig. $109)

This one is for those who want a high-quality option without spending over $100! SwissTech is one of the most trusted and versatile luggage brands in the country, and its Navigation 25-Inch Hard Side checked suitcase is a staple for many. With over 800 reviews on Walmart's website, it's a clear best seller.

Choose from three different sizes (21-inch, 25-inch and 29-inch) to make this the perfect piece to add to your collection.This one is for those who want a high-quality option without spending over $100!

$92 at Walmart

5. Best Pick for Overpackers: Béis 26-Inch Check-In Roller, $308

If you often find that your luggage is usually always overweight or super close to it, it's best to invest in a piece that lets you know when you've gone overboard.

The best-selling Béis 26-Inch Check-In Roller has a built-in weight limit indicator that saves you embarrassment even before you leave for the airport.

Here's how it works. When you lift your suitcase, the clear strip on the side of the handle will either remain clear or turn red. If it turns red, that indicates that your bag is overweight, and you need to take a few things out to lighten the load a bit and save yourself the airport embarrassment.

$308 at Béis

6. Most Affordable: iFLY Spectre Versus Rainforest Hardside 24-Inch Checked Luggage, $49 (Orig. $99)

One of the biggest misconceptions about hardside luggage is that they're extremely pricey and unattainable for those on a budget. Proving that this couldn't be further from the truth, Walmart's customer-favorite iFLY Spectre Versus Hardside Checked Luggage is only $49.

Choose between the 24-Inch or 28-Inch Checked or the 20-Inch Carry-On, which all come in three colors: blue, purple cosmo and rain forest.

$49 at Walmart

7. Best Expandable Pick: DELSEY Paris Helium 29-Inch Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, $165.73 (Orig. $253.92)

If you're looking for an option that's expandable and also extremely lightweight, the DELSEY Paris Helium 29-Inch Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage is the one to buy. In addition to its gorgeous exterior and build, it features the largest capacity possible for a check-in suitcase. However, you won't be able to tell unless you expand it with the hidden zipper.

The inside is fully lined and features two compartments with multiple pockets for easy access and packing organization. This one also features a TSA-accepted lock and multi-directional spinner wheels.

I've owned the DELSEY Paris Helium 29-Inch Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage for over six years and have used it at least four times. It still looks brand new and barely has a scratch, proving that it's built to last.

$198 at Amazon

8. Most Valuable Set: Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, 2-Piece Set, $106.97 (Orig. $340)

For those looking for the best bang for their buck, the Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage 2-Piece Set is the best bet. This option has thousands of shopper reviews and comes in two colors.

$107 at Amazon

9. Sleekest Pick: The Away Large Suitcase (Aluminum Edition), $745

Away features some of the most beautifully crafted hardside luggage available, and its Large Aluminum suitcase is one of its most stunning designs to date.

The largest option in the brand's entire line, this suitcase features a striking aluminum hard shell that's tough enough to handle just about anything thrown at it — literally. It also includes Away's signature interior compression system and a hidden laundry bag for effortless packing. If you're a frequent traveler, this one is definitely worth the investment.

$745 at Away

10. Best for Organization: Royce & Rocket Castle Classic, $595

This hardside suitcase is unlike any you've seen. It's one of the strongest on the market and will also keep you organized during your stay.

Royce & Rocket's Castle Classic suitcase has a durable polycarbonate shell that protects your items from rough baggage handling. It also has sleek Hinomoto Lisof 360 wheels that slide easily on any surface without skidding.

The most innovative part about this suitcase is its Castle Shelves, which pair perfectly with the piece's compression system to keep you organized. These three lightweight and durable shelves are built inside the suitcase to perfectly display and store your clothing while stowing flat to ensure maximum space. This feature is perfect for those who need to live out of their suitcase temporarily.

Royce & Rocket's Castle Classic has a 31-inch design and comes in three colors: black, burgundy and silver.

$595 at Royce & Rocket

11. Best Sustainable Option: Paravel Aviator Grand Checked Luggage, $475

This one-of-a-kind suitcase is "a world's first." Paravel offset all of the carbon emissions generated from creating and shipping this checked luggage piece. In addition to being one of the smoothest gliding large suitcases on the market, the Paravel Aviator Grand is made using sustainable materials.

It has a durable recycled polycarbonate exterior, recycled zippers, a lining made from 21 upcycled plastic water bottles, vegan leather details and more. Also, in terms of storage, it packs eight to 10 days' worth of clothes and four pairs of shoes.

$475 at Paravel

12. Most Thoughtful Design: LEVEL8 Voyageur Check-In, $309.99

LEVEL8 is one of the most innovative and modern luggage brands on the market, with its Pro Carry-On with a built-in USB port being one of the most thoughtful designs of any suitcase.

The brand continues to prioritize thoughtfulness with its Voyageur Check-In luggage line, with one main design change made in response to shoppers' previous complaints. To ensure that you're able to fit more items in the suitcase, LEVEL8's made a wider handle design that offers a maximized base for increased packing space.

Like most other high-end suitcases, it also comes with a TSA-approved combination lock, a durable, scratch-resistant hard-shell exterior, an interior compression system to keep your things organized and ultra-quiet 360-degree spinner wheels.

$310 at LEVEL8

If you enjoyed this story, check out the 12 best carry-ons that will definitely fit in the overhead compartment.

More from In The Know:

This $9 shampoo is the industry's best-kept secret for curing bald spots and dryness: 'It's a miracle, actually!'

This $9 hair oil is 'miracle grow' for your hair and the industry's best-kept secret for curing dryness and split ends

The best weekender bags you can buy, separated into 12 categories — as low as $43

Compression packing cubes let you fit 2 large suitcases' worth of clothes in 1 — shop the 5 best sets

The post The 11 best hardside checked luggage that will keep your belongings safe and secure while traveling appeared first on In The Know.