So you've seen the shiny pictures, and you're intrigued. But you might not know what's so great about it or how to choose the best aluminum luggage. Well, we're here to help!
Generally, most travel gear is crafted from synthetic materials like plastic, polycarbonate, nylon, or polyester. While some of the cases on this list use those, too, the primary material we're working with here is aluminum, a naturally occurring element that, in theory, can be recycled and used again once you finish using it as a suitcase.
What Are the Benefits of Aluminum Luggage?
In addition to being more natural, aluminum is considerably more durable than most people's polycarbonate hard-sided luggage. Tapping the side of these cases feels like knocking on a knight's shiny, protective armor, whereas tapping polycarbonate feels like you're playing the bongos. Aluminum will last significantly longer than polycarbonate, and that's worth considering.
Most people won't have an issue with their polycarbonate hard-sided luggage breaking; however, it scratches incredibly easily and scuffs up without much effort. Aluminum alloy and anodized aluminum are much tougher to scratch and bang up, so luggage made with those materials looks nicer for longer. Plus, it isn't as noticeable when it does get an imperfection.
On top of its durability, aluminum luggage is an aesthetic choice. It might not be the vibe everyone is going after; however, aluminum is unique and is a solid way to ensure your gear makes it from point A to point B in one piece. As illustrated by the cases on Deal or No Deal and next-gen Bikini Bottom in the episode where Squidward goes 2,000 years into the future, chrome is desirable!
That said, aluminum luggage has a few downsides, and we'd be remiss not to mention them in this post.
Weight is a big issue for some travelers, and, on average, aluminum rolling luggage is significantly heavier (sometimes twice as much) as our favorite hard and soft-sided bags. Some travelers don't mind the weight, but it would be foolish not to consider it, as many airlines are cracking down on weight restrictions.
Cost is another huge factor when buying luggage, and aluminum cases are some of the most expensive. Yes, they'll last longer, but spending over $1,000 on rolling luggage isn't realistic for everyone.
However, if you're looking for an investment and want to buy one piece of luggage to last a lifetime, we found some of the best aluminum luggage for your next trip. And if you're looking for something else, we have guides to many other types of carry on and checked luggage for you to check out! If you like hard-sided luggage made with different materials, we've got a guide for that. Or, if you've decided to go the polar opposite of aluminum luggage, we've got a soft-sided rolling luggage post, too. If you accidentally stumbled upon this and were looking for something without wheels, you should consider our travel backpack guide. And last, but certainly not least, toast.
Why You Should Trust Us
We’ve had our hands on hundreds of carry-on luggage bags and have traveled across the globe using various travel gear, from personal item bags to vast checked luggage. In that time, we've learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn't, and all of that information has informed our choices about which aluminum luggage is best for your next trip.
Things We Considered
Weight Our primary concern is weight. Though all the cases have an aluminum exterior, they have different components and internal organization, so checking out how much each bag weighs and what that means for your packing list is essential.
Components We also tested other components on the bags. Buy-it-for-life aluminum luggage is great, but will it last that long if it has flimsy hardware? By understanding the extras, we can better assess whether the bag, as a whole, is worth it.
The Away Carry-On: Aluminum Edition is 10.1 pounds, or just over 4.5 kilograms, which is about average for this list. At the time of writing, the case comes in Onyx Black, Silver, and Rose Gold, which offers a pop of color and can match your vintage iPhone if you’ve still got one with the Rose Gold colorway.
The plastic buckles and handles feel cheaper than some of the other cases we’ve tested; however, this is one of the most affordable options on the list. Still, for over $600, we hope for more. That said, we don’t feel they’ll break anytime soon, and they function similarly to hard-sided rolling luggage buckles and handles. Both sides of the interior have dividers, which are handy for stowing smaller gear, socks, and underwear.
We wish the telescopic handle had more than two heights, but it feels solid, and the wheels are smooth, even on uneven surfaces. The weight of the case seems to help the wheels stay grounded, and you’ll be rolling this thing when it’s full, so we have no complaints there.
Why We Like It- The wheels are quite smooth, making for an easy carry through the airport
- It’s more budget-friendly without sacrificing features
- The hardware feels cheaper than we were expecting
- There are only two heights on the telescopic handle
The TUMI 19 Degree Aluminum International Carry-On is 11 pounds, or 4.99 kilograms, which is on par for this list. The case comes in a range of colors at the time of writing, such as Matte Black, Silver, Blush, and Forest Green, the latter of which we dig because it feels earthy and futuristic at the same time.
We dig the external shell of the 19 Degree Aluminum International Carry-On because it has a unique texture and design. If you bash the case into something or check it and an airline worker throws it a little too hard, a dent won’t be as noticeable on the exterior as if it were smooth. Any bump or knock will just add to the design, which adds to the longevity of this case’s good looks. The interior has two covered sides with zippered compartments, which keep things organized and prevent them from falling out when you open the case.
This luggage has plastic handles and feet, which are durable for travel. The buckle is unique, made of a mixture of plastic and metal. You hit the release button, and the metal piece pops out, which is incredibly satisfying. If you’re bored at the airport and want a break from using your phone, you can likely play with it for at least three minutes before you get bored and have to move on to something else.
The telescopic handle is sturdy but only has three height options, which feels lacking, especially for a case that is more than a grand that you could use for traveling instead of on luggage. Still, we found the system to be comfortable, mainly thanks to how smooth the wheels are. They also have a protective casing around them to ensure their longevity. Why We Like It- There are unique colorway options that make the unique textured exterior pop
- The wheels have built-in protection
- This case is on the heavier side, which can get tiring on longer trips
- There are just two height options on the telescopic handle
The RIMOWA Original Cabin Carry-On Aluminum Suitcase is one of the lighter options on this list, coming in at 9.5 pounds or 4.3 kilograms. In the scheme of things, a half pound is negligible when working with that much weight, but it might make a difference to some travelers. At writing, the case comes in Silver, Emerald Green, Black, Silver (with an optical illusion), and Titanium, which are more options than most other brands.
The handles are plastic but feel durable and are easy to use. The side handle has a plastic stopper to prevent it from snapping back and slamming onto the metal frame. The top one doesn’t have this, and we find that in the right circumstances, it will make a loud noise when it bounces back. The buckles are plastic and feel generic, but they work well and are durable enough for travel. The interior has dividers and compression capabilities, which we dig for fitting more gear inside when it matters most.
Typically, telescoping handles have several drilled holes where a pin can pop out and secure two metal beams together. The RIMOWA system appears to use a different process, as you can let go of the button at any time, and it’ll stop without shifting up or down into a hole. It allows for precise customization for your specific height needs, which we dig. Essentially, there are infinite options, which beats the heck out of the sometimes minimal offerings from other brands. The wheels are smooth, too, making the experience of using the RIMOWA Original Cabin feel flawless.
Why We Like It- It’s one of the lightest aluminum luggage options we’ve tested
- There’s a plastic stopper to prevent the handle from slamming into the metal side
- Even with excellent features, the price is jarring
- Certain plastic components may not be the most durable long-term
The Level8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On Luggage weighs 10 pounds or 4.5 kilograms, which is somewhat light for this list but pretty average overall. The case comes in Grey and Silver, which isn’t anything special compared to other options we’ve seen. That said, at under $450 at the time of writing, this is the cheapest option in our first round of testing by far, which is handy for travelers who want the durability of aluminum without the price tag.
This case’s components are plastic yet feel up to the task at hand, though the handles aren’t the most comfortable in use. Still, they feel durable enough for the bumps and knocks of travel. The flexible dividers are handy for ensuring your clothing and gear stay put and stop extra goodies from falling out of the case when you have to open it to grab something at the airport.
The telescopic handle has four heights, which is probably enough options for most travelers, though it isn’t the most customizable we’ve tested. The plastic wheels are smooth and durable but aren’t the greatest at turning. We think it might be due to the weight of the case bearing down on them; however, it only becomes an issue when turning sharply.
Why We Like It- It’s one of the cheapest aluminum luggage options on the market at the time of writing
- The wheels are smooth on flat ground while moving straight ahead
- The handles aren’t the most comfortable that we’ve tested
- The wheels are a little loud, especially when turning
The Zero Halliburton International Carry-on 33L is 11 pounds, or 4.99 kilograms, which is around average for the aluminum luggage on this list. Still, if you’re used to regular hard-sided cases, the extra weight will take some getting used to.
The luggage comes in Silver, Black, and Gold, which are fairly standard colorways for this list. There is plastic hardware; however, it feels better than most of the other stuff we’ve tested for this post. The plastic handles are dense and durable, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking or cracking against the metal body. Unlike most other aluminum luggage, the buckles to open and close the case are metal, too, which is more durable and makes a satisfying noise when you use them.The telescopic handle has over 20 height options, and that’s more than we could have asked for. No matter your height, you’ll likely be able to find a spot that works for you. The wheels are smooth and feel sturdy, which will make your trip to the airport more manageable. Overall, this case is durable, sleek, and has features to make your experience more comfortable. Inside, the case has two compression panels, which is unique.
Why We Like It- The buckles are metal, which isn’t typical for aluminum luggage
- The telescoping handle has over 20 height options
- The wheels don’t do amazing on uneven surfaces
- There’s some plastic hardware, which feels like a bummer on a metal case
The Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-On Max: Aluminum Edition weighs 10.5 pounds, or 4.76 kilograms, which is about average for the aluminum bags on this list. The case comes in Monochrome Silver, Champagne, and Black as of writing, offering choice but nothing too out of the ordinary. That said, aluminum already stands out in a sea of black polycarbonate or polyester suitcases, so a vibrant colorway isn’t always necessary.
Most of the components of this case are plastic and feel semi-cheap. For example, the buckles don’t feel as if they’ll break at a moment’s notice, but they don’t feel as premium as the aluminum exterior. The leather handles are unique compared to those on other aluminum cases we’ve tested. Leather adds a softness we weren’t expecting from metal rolling luggage and is more comfortable than most other bags on this list. Still, it could get dinged up more easily than the plastic options. One side of the interior has a compression strap, and the other uses a divider, offering a versatile organization system with different methods of keeping your bag clean.
The wheels are smooth enough to handle slightly uneven surfaces. The telescoping handle has three levels, which allows you to switch things up but does not offer sweeping options for tall and short travelers. Still, it’s a comfortable experience, even if you can’t find the perfect height.
Why We Like It- The leather handles are unique and comfortable
- Even on uneven surfaces, the wheels perform well
- The telescoping handle has just three levels
- There aren’t unique colorways, like many others on this list
Hopefully, by this point, you better understand what sets the best aluminum luggage apart from the pack and have found one for your next trip. If not, you can still go with toast. Enjoy the trip!
