14 best suitcases for durability, packing space, security and style, tried and tested

Score: 85/100

Available in a range of colours, this is the case to go for if you’re after luggage that’s as stylish as it is sturdy. Its premium interior has ample space and pockets for your luggage, and there’s a compression pad to help you squeeze in more. It comes with a water-resistant laundry bag, a leather identity tag and even a melamine sponge to remove scuffs from its exterior (which impressed our testers a lot with its effectiveness).

The zips proved a bit fiddly to use and lock, and they let water in but luckily our clothes remained dry. The wheels lagged a bit on carpet and cobbles too, but they were agile everywhere else. While their protective caps got damaged during our drop test, the shell proved impressively sturdy. Plus, the case comes with a 100-day trial and a lifetime guarantee.

If you prefer a soft case, we've also tested Away's The Softside Large, which scored 84/100.

Score: 84/100

This is among the most premium suitcases we've tested, so what does the high price tag buy you? Security, for a start – an aluminium locking frame means all your precious belongings are thoroughly protected. It also has a TSA-approved lock, and the zip-less design proved watertight on test. In fact, the only downfall of the metal frame is that it will eat into your luggage allowance more than most.

Its other appeal is the quality finish – internal dividers make packing effortless, while the wheels are sourced from Japan and remained scratch-free throughout testing. The shell proved less durable though, sustaining some damage during our drop tests. But we do test based on worst case scenarios, and if it’s quiet luxury you’re after, note that this range was spotted in an episode of Succession. Well, if it’s good enough for the Roys...

The brand has also partnered with Hackett London to create a timeless (but limited edition!) navy version – if you're a fan of the classic colourway, get yours while you can.

Score: 83/100

Antler has given its luggage range an overhaul, but this sleek suitcase (complete with a lifetime warranty) still boasts the premium design the brand is known for. Testers liked the wipe-clean exterior, mesh dividers, and sturdy, comfortable handles. Using the compression zip was a smooth process, too.

Generally, it wheeled along smoothly and kept most water out. It fared well in our drop tests too – it only sustained scratches on its corners and slight chips to the wheels (they still worked fine). There was also lots of space to pack everything neatly. And the classy colours available will help you spot it on the luggage belt, too.

Score: 82/100

Our testers praised this suitcase's spacious interior (even if it’s more basic than some, with just a divider and elasticated straps), finding there was ample rooms for a souvenir or five. It's lightweight too, so if you do pack it full of souvenirs, you should have the luggage allowance to do it.

It moved smoothly over most surfaces, although lagged a little on carpets and cobbles. It turned corners seamlessly though, proving well-balanced. While we recommend being careful not to scuff it on kerbs, testers were impressed with its overall durability; it sustained limited damage when thrown about – the wheel rims popped off but they went back on with ease.

Score: 82/100

This minimalist suitcase emulates the design of old-fashioned trunks, but it certainly doesn’t lack any of the mod-cons. For starters, the compression packing system meant testers had room to spare when packing enough clothes for a long holiday. Pockets kept things neat, too. Once packed, it moved quietly and effortlessly around our test centre, with the wheels proving robust when dragged up kerbs and steps.

The lining is water-resistant, so although the zip absorbed water in our rain simulation, nothing inside was wet. And the shell proved durable and fairly scratch-resistant – not to mention, July offers a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind when travelling. Testers found the side handle a tad uncomfortable to use when the suitcase was full, but we’re nitpicking really. This suitcase’s good looks are backed up by real substance.

Score: 81/100

Our winning hard shell case – the American Tourister Airconic Spinner Suitcase – is a fraction lighter, but this Tripp option still only takes up 3.6 kg of your weight allowance. Our packing list fitted with room to spare, and all items stayed in place throughout testing despite its lack of internal pockets.

It survived our durability tests almost entirely unscathed, with just the expected minor scuffing. Impressively for such a lightweight case, the main panels emerged pristine after dropping and any dents popped out immediately.

The handle felt comfortable and its quiet wheels moved smoothly. Some water sneaked through the zips but for the price, it's a steal.

Score: 81/100

Though not an obvious purveyor of luggage, Amazon has been successfully branching out with own-brand ranges – and this suitcase is a trusty pick. Our testers found it roomy inside, with ample packing space for two people for a shorter getaway, or one person for a longer break.

It proved sturdy, only sustaining some cosmetic damage towards the end of our extensive drop tests and still functioning perfectly – no mean feat given how roughly we treated it. Its wheels trundled quietly across all surfaces and its ergonomic, telescopic towing handle extended well to suit a range of heights. It doesn't have a lock, and the zip let a bit of water through, but this is undoubtedly another great value buy.

Score: 81/100

This light and spacious suitcase from Samsonite performed well during testing, easily fitting everything you’d need for a two-week holiday inside. The 105-litre capacity is expandable up to 112.5 litres, the internal divider and two sets of elasticated packing straps kept items securely in place, and the padded front pocket offered easy access to documents.

It moved over all terrains with ease, staying well-balanced and quiet, even on cobbles. Unfortunately, our water-resistance test disappointed, with moisture soaking through the exterior pocket and leaking through its centre – so it's best saved for warmer climes. Rain showers aside, it’s a sturdy and robust model that fully withstands bumps and knocks.

Score: 78/100

Large and spacious, this hard-shell suitcase is an excellent choice for your next family holiday. It’s made from tough polypropylene (a type of plastic), which proved durable in the lab, suffering only minor scrapes and minimal damage when dropped from a height and wheeled up kerbs.

Inside, there’s plenty of room for all your clothes with a full zip cover on one side and two pockets on the other. Despite having straps to hold everything in place, our belongings did shift slightly when we dragged the suitcase around, plus it’s lacking extras like a laundry bag and padded pocket for a laptop or tablet. However, given its affordable price tag, we’re happy to compromise.

Score: 77/100

This Tripp suitcase is another great value option from the brand that put in a solid performance across the board in testing. There’s ample room for two weeks’ packing, although internal organisation is basic with just one zip divider and straps. It manoeuvres smoothly on most surfaces, staying stable and quiet and handling kerbs with ease – it’s just a little noisy on cobbles.

When we drenched it in the shower, we found it let in quite a lot of water through the zips – so this is a case best suited to warmer climes. Durability is a strong point though – we spotted only minor cosmetic damage after our drop tests – and compared to the similar Tripp Retro III, this model edged ahead overall thanks to its sturdier shell. A great value all-rounder.

Score: 76/100

If you’re considering Tripp’s Horizon II above, the Retro III shares the same size, weight and basic design, but has stylish vertical ridges on the shell instead (and a few more colour options). Organisational extras are still fairly basic, but everything stayed secure in transit and it rolled smoothly across most surfaces, handling kerbs well.

The Retro suffered minor dents and scuffs during our drop tests, emerging slightly more damaged than the Tripp Horizon. However, it performed a little better in our water-resistance test – we noticed some leaking through the zips, but the centre of the case remained dry. Overall, this is another reliable value buy.

Score: 75/100

Buy this case in the golden yellow colourway and you’ll spot it the moment it arrives on the luggage belt. It isn’t all about looks, though – the shell is super durable, surviving our drop tests without any major denting or scuffing. The spacious, expandable design lets you pack plenty of outfits, too.

In our shower tests, the outer shell proved mostly water-resistant, but water soaked through the zip and dampened a few of our belongings. It manoeuvred well on concrete and carpet, but wasn’t so nimble on tarmac and cobbles, where it needed a firm pull and made a lot of noise. Overall, though, this is a sturdy and eye-catching case for a two-week trip.