Top 7 Best Affordable Hard Shell Luggage Under $150 USA 2023

Top 7 Best Affordable Hard Shell Luggage Under $150 USA

A durable suitcase that can withstand air travel, road trips, and unplanned overseas adventures is essential if you want to spend more time away from home in the New Year. So we’ve compiled a list of the best hard-side luggage, according to Amazon’s most enthusiastic reviewers, for a variety of journeys.

Both carry-on and checked bags have numerous alternatives, and they are two quite different sorts of luggage. Instead of having a single best-rated pick, we have two: one for carry-on luggage and another for checked luggage.

Here’s the list of Best Affordable Hard Shell Luggage Under $150

1. Kenneth Cole Reaction Hardside 4-Wheel Spinner Travel Suitcase, 20”

• Fitted with premium 4-wheel multi-directional spinners that allow for smooth effortless 360°-degree free-weight maneuvering.
• Luggage is made of a durable, lightweight hard ABS exterior with reinforced protective molded corner guards that absorb shock for maximum impact resistance and durability.
• The Interior main compartment is fully lined with a tear-resistant lining and features double-sided packing, a zippered organization pocket, and garment restraint straps to hold your clothes in place.

“This suitcase is incredible. “It seems small on the outside, but it’s bigger on the inside, like the TARDIS,” writes one reviewer, who was able to fit “a month’s worth of clothes plus extras.” This Kenneth Cole suitcase, they claim, “makes my soft huge one useless,” and they admire how its “hard case enclosure” is more “wear and tear-resistant.”

Others claim they were astonished by how much they could fit within the bag, with one saying it’s “compact enough to fit the carry-on constraints yet big enough to pack a week’s worth of clothes, a pair of flip-flops, a pair of sneakers/joggers, a microfibre towel, and my toiletries in it.

” A third reviewer, who has owned this suitcase for two years and has used it on roughly 15 business trips, loves how it “always fits in the [overhead] and because it’s hard and won’t break easily, I’m never frightened to pass it over to planeside check.”

They claim they aren’t “renowned for packing light,” but because “you can squeeze [this case] shut,” they’ve been able to use it “for up to five-day travels.” And no matter how hard you press on the zipper, it stays in place!”

2. Rockland Melbourne Carry-On Spinner Wheel Luggage, 20”

• Carry-On meets these airlines’ size restrictions: United, American, Delta, Southwest, Allegiant
• Lightweight yet extremely durable ABS material
• Multi-directional double spinner wheels
• Sturdy ergonomic aluminum telescoping handle
• Interior mesh zip pocket and elasticated pocket

People appreciate the surprisingly big interior of this carry-on in almost 2,000 five-star ratings, despite the fact that it’s small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of many major airlines. “It’s really light,” says one reviewer, “which is crucial because when I fly alone, I don’t have my partner to help me get it into the overhead compartment.” which, by the way, it fits wonderfully.” It’s still as sturdy as ever, except some slight scuffing.” Other reviewers are astounded by the bag’s low price, given its great quality.

One says, “I needed a bag that was light but strong, easy to roll, and didn’t cost a fortune.” This bag has served me well.” “I have used this solely as my sole bag for the past two years,” says another reviewer who claims to have traveled approximately 100,000 miles with this suitcase.

3. Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside Expandable Luggage, 21

• Modern suitcase featuring scratch-resistant matt finish and external fully integrated handle system
• Perfect roll double spinner wheels assure smooth maneuverability
• Recessed TSA-accepted combination lock. You set the combination; no keys are required
• Brake system

As more than 1,500 five-star reviews indicate, this Delsey Paris carry-on is a small but mighty workhorse. “I’ve virtually lived out of luggage and hotels for the past so many years, so believe me when I say Delsey makes a fantastic bag,” writes one reviewer, a seasoned flight attendant. They travel with this suitcase for personal reasons, but “wish I could use it for work.”

You’ll be “overweight (> 50 lbs) before you completely load it up,” according to one reviewer, while one more figured out how to fit “three T-shirts, three shirts, two sweaters, socks, a PC, two computerized cameras, a convenient battery back, misc wires, earphones, and a couple of shoes” into it. Trying to explain it would sound like witchcraft; nonetheless, it is possible.” Another reviewer claims that his Delsey Paris case has lasted “over 300 journeys” and is still “functioning beautifully, no difficulties.”

4. Level8 Grace Carry On Hardside Suitcase, 20”

• EXPANDABLE Grace EXT (6576 Series) for more packing capacity.
• FRONT LAPTOP COMPARTMENT for easily accessing electronics. Separate electronics from clothes. Expandable case design for added packing capacity. Suggested laptop 15.6 inches.
• LIGHTWEIGHT YET DURABLE shells made of PC+ABS materials, designed with 3-layer micro-diamond textured surface make it solid and anti-scratch.
• 8 RUBBER-COVERED 360-DEGREE SPINNER WHEELS and sturdy ergonomic aluminum telescoping handle for effortless mobility.

Nearly 80% of reviewers gave this Level8 suitcase a five-star rating, with several of them praising the open front compartment for storing your laptop and other electronic accessories. “The outer pocket was the major reason I got this,” adds one reviewer, who “fit both my iPad and ThinkPad laptop, as well as both chargers and the Apple Watch charger” into the compartment. They like that they “don’t have to lug about the electronics all the way down my purse” with this easy setup.

Another reviewer says they use this case on their daily commute to work and that the “open front pocket is a requirement” since it allows them to “access some of my belongings without having to unzip the full carry-on.” They particularly appreciate the “plethora of pockets and compartments to store pretty about everything. 

It appears to be well-thought-out, as seen by the excellent marks.” In addition, a business pilot who “often packs[s] for 3–5 day trips” prefers this suitcase. This bag is large enough to hold everything I need… The suitcase is significantly lighter and easy to travel with than my previous luggage. I’m looking forward to taking this backpack on many future vacations.”

5. Delsey Paris Helium Aero Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels, 21”

• Lightweight and Durable: Made of 100% Polycarbonate, which is a material that is extremely resilient to cracking or breaking, with a deep metallic finish
• Superior Maneuverability: The double spinner wheels assure exceptional maneuverability and keep ZERO weight on your arm.
• Largest Capacity: This suitcase expands up to 2 inches for additional packing space. This feature is great for packing souvenirs on return journeys

“I traveled halfway across the world, and these wheels have held up with tremendous force,” says another Delsey devotee. They make getting about a lot easier, especially on bumpy ground, around curves, and up and down slopes. I mean, with this baby, I basically scaled a mountain in Hong Kong (but never again)!

” Several other reviewers were pleased to bring this carry-on with them on international vacations, and it meets the size limits of a variety of airlines. It’s also durable: “I was in Brazil, trying to maneuver down the side of the highway to the airport (which was stopped due to protesters),” recalls one reviewer.”This fantastic bag rolled like a champion the entire six kilometers to the airport!”

6. AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage, 30”

• Interior capacity: 105 Liters
• Weight: 11.75 lbs.
• Premium hard side spinner luggage for weekend getaways or international carry-on; built-In TSA lock
• Protective hard shell made of supremely durable, yet flexible, polycarbonate material (instead of ABS like the original); choice of stylish color
• Fully lined interior with divider; compression pad helps free up space; 150D-polyester interior organizer with 3 zippered pockets for securing smaller items
• Expandable for up to 15% additional packing capacity

“As someone who doesn’t know their luggage from their elbow,” one luggage shopper says, “I just went with the most affordable-looking option,” but happily, this spur-of-the-moment purchase panned out nicely. They mention the luggage’s durability, as do hundreds of other reviewers.

“My bag voyaged roughly 10,000 miles from New York to Rio de Janeiro and back, all over four stairwells toward every path, with me hitting it against pretty much every progression,” they add.”The main ‘harm’ is a dull scrape blemish on the lower part of our transport from another person’s baggage wheel slipping across it.”

“I dragged [it] all around Spain and Portugal on the cobblestones and on four planes and two trains and it held up great,” another customer claims. More than 100 reviewers mention the internal compartments – it includes “several zipped pockets, plus a section for keeping shoes” — as another great feature across all sizes. 

It’s also light, according to one flight attendant, who claims that “my arms and back feel absolutely zero stress” even with a smaller suitcase on top. It appears to be floating!”

7. COOLIFE Luggage Suitcase PC+ABS Spinner Built-in TSA Lock, 28”

• The suitcase benefits hugely from its ABS+PC hard plastic shell.
• 2-year warranty. With a built-In TSA lock, you can make sure your valuables are secure and safe.
• Quiet airplane spinner wheels and an adjustable 3-level 100%pure aluminum telescoping handle.
• Make packing clothes easy with the fully lined interior and the multi-use organizational pockets.

One reviewer comments, “The bag is every bit as cool as the name,” and goes on to praise the luggage’s robust interior lining. However, the majority of consumers believe the built-in TSA lock is the suitcase’s most notable feature. One explains, “The zippers snap onto the side of it and lock into the TSA lock.”

“This way, only me or the TSA can get in if the suitcase needs to be searched at the airport.” This was especially beneficial for one reviewer, who stated that the bag “went with me to Porto Velho, Brazil, and withstood a theft attempt in Sao Paulo, Brazil… They tried prying and breaking the locks but were unable to obtain admission.

They then attempted to cut the reinforced zippers but were unable to get entry.” While one reviewer believes that the locks work well and are simple to use, make careful to set them before discarding the tag: it contains the instructions.