The Best Aluminum Suitcases for Every Trip

Aluminum suitcases are a travel conundrum. In some ways, they offer what every hard-sided suitcase buyer cares about – i.e., the ultimate amount of protection for their personal items. Many are also very repairable, allowing them to last for decades. 

But these unique bags are also tremendously impractical and expensive compared to other luggage options. The truth is, most aluminum suitcases ding easily, aren’t expandable, and weigh a hefty 9 to 12 pounds.

Still, denying their aesthetic appeal and sense of substance in a world increasingly drowning in plastics is difficult. 

If you’re interested in traveling with an aluminum suitcase on your next adventure, here are the carry-on options we’ve tested, researched, and recommend to suit various budgets and use cases.

How We Tested Our Aluminum Suitcase Recommendations

Evan Malachosky

Our tester took several suitcases all over the continental US — from Austin, Texas to New York City. They assessed how easy the suitcases were to pack, but also roll through security, lift into the overhead bin, lock, load back into the car and unload, too. They also surveyed how the suitcases faired after a fall down a luggage carousel or after being pushed into the rear of a luggage hold.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

The Best Overall Aluminum Suitcase

Away

Best Overall

Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition

Specs

Exterior Dimensions	21.5" x 13.5" x 9" (Including Wheels)
Interior Dimensions	19" x 12.5"
Capacity	35L
Weight	10.7 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime Limited Warranty

Pros

• Excellent value and price, plus free shipping and returns
• Has hidden pockets and comes with a laundry bag
• Simple and stylish design

Cons

• Divider easily becomes misshapen through use
• Wheels aren’t as solid as other options on this list

• $645 at Away

If you’re a serial over-packer, turn to the roomy interior of Away’s The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition, a heavy-duty option that’ll earn its fair share of dents and dings. Because Away sells directly to consumers, they can drop costs by cutting out the middlemen. That makes Away an excellent value.

Our tester found the hidden pockets and included laundry bag helpful, and the bag comes case comes with a complimentary leather name tag, too. Plus, these wheels are some of the best of the bunch, but not quite as sturdy as Sterling Pacific’s.

Evan Malachosky

As for packing it, it’s easy to do, but it’d be easier if both sides were identical, our tester says. The mesh, tube-formed divider eventually becomes misshapen, especially if you overpack it a few times. The other side, on the other hand, stays true to form, and helps keep the contents packed tightly down.

For a deeper look at the larger version, read our full review of the Away Large Carry-On.

The Most Iconic Aluminum Suitcase

Rimowa

The Most Iconic Aluminum Suitcase

Rimowa Classic Cabin Carry-On

Specs

External Dimensions	21.7" x 15.8" x 9.1" (Includes Wheels)
Capacity	34.8L
Weight	9.5 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime Guarantee

Pros

• Built to last, thanks to its grooved aluminum body and ball-bearing mounted wheels
• Interior dividers help compress excess cargo
• Network includes warranty service from in-hotel concierges
• Spacious and roomy for packing however you’d like

Cons

• Telescopic handle doesn't feel on par with the rest of the suitcase
• Despite its price, it’s still prone to dings and scratches

Read our full review of the Rimowa Classic Cabin Carry-On

• $1,430 at Rimowa

This is the status suitcase. Recognizable by its ridged aluminum exterior, Rimowa’s Original Cabin Carry-On is a go-to for first-class, full-time and famous travelers. (You’ve probably seen plenty of touring musicians with theirs covered in stickers. It’s the cool thing to do.) The German brand dates back the late 19th century and production still takes place in Cologne, where the company is headquartered. It is now, however, owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH.

What does that mean? Well, the quality hasn’t changed, but the conversations around the suitcases have. LVMH elevated the brand, making it as much a cultural touchpoint as it is a celebrated titan of consumer product design. You’ll appreciate its all-aluminum exterior, but the handles, which are hard plastic, feel lackluster in comparison.

Evan Malachosky

But Rimowa’s aluminum suitcases are well-regarded for good reason. The shiny silver cases can take a beating, but they show their bruises boldly. This look’s not for everyone, especially if they bought the $1,400 suitcase for how it looks mint, fresh out of the box upon delivery.

The dents and dings, though, are a good thing, a constant reminder your case is actually working. These dents could’ve been cracks if you were rolling a polycarbonate option. As such, think of aluminum, despite its connotations, as the ultimate choice: a material meant to be put to the test, because it’ll pass with flying colors.

Read our full review of the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On.

An Affordable Option with Aluminum-Aesthetics

Monos

Best Affordable Option with an Aluminum Look

Monos Hybrid Carry-On

Specs

External Dimensions	22" x 14" x 9" (Includes Wheels)
Internal Dimensions	20" x 12.95
Weight	8.81 lbs
Capacity	36 L
Warranty	Lifetime

Pros

• Boasts plenty of scuff protection and corner bumpers
• Solid styling and available in multiple colors
• Telescopic handle has four height settings, including one appropriate for children

Cons

• Easily acquires scuffs
• Not actually made from Aluminum

• $325.00 at Monos

(Shhhhh… this bag is actually polycarbonate. How else could it be this affordable?) OK, the secret’s out. This option isn’t aluminum and as such, we debated whether it should be even included in this list. However, it has an aluminum frame. The front and back plates are cut from aerospace-grade polycarbonate, which Monos says proves just as indestructible. Everything’s tonal here, too, meaning all aluminum-colored everything.

Our tester says it’s nearly indistinguishable, though, and despite only taking it on a few trips so far, they haven’t run into any issues, even when they were forced to check it at the gate. It arrived with fewer literal dents, but it did show signs of damage nonetheless: a few dark-colored scuffs.

A Truly All-Aluminum Suitcase

Sterling Pacific

A Truly All-Aluminum Option

Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case

Specs

External Dimensions	22.5" x 14" x 8.5"
Capacity	35L
Weight	11.5 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime, including free repairs

Pros

• Made from 100% Aluminum
• Minimal two-wheel design reduces the number of possible failure points
• Rectangular design makes it easy to pack
• Attractive, eye-catching design and leather handles

Cons

• Quickly attracts scuffs
• Very expensive
• Two-wheel design can be more of a hassle to roll vs. four-wheel options
• Heavy

• $1,950 at sterlingpacific.com
• $1,950 at Amazon

Unlike many options on this list which liberally integrate plastic into their designs, Sterling Pacific’s 35L Cabin Travel Case is made from 100 percent aluminum: an aerospace-grade aluminum body, reinforced aluminum corners, aluminum wheel housings and an aluminum trolley.

It also stands out for its two wheel design and unusual shape: a slender lid offsets a deep trunk, where you can stow quite a lot. But its deviations from the norm, if you will, aren’t without reason. The two-wheel design reduces the number of possible failure points, and the rectangular shape makes it easier to pack.

Sure, it’s a little wonky-looking, but it was easy to adjust to after a few rolls, our tester says, plus the suitcase is less likely to snag on a cracked sidewalk or tile floor, like four-wheeled designs do.

Evan Malachosky

The $1,950 suitcase is extremely expensive and may not come with the luxury recognition of a brand like Rimowa, for example, but that’s also part of its appeal. Sterling Pacific is carving its own lane, catering to elite travelers with high standards — and staying with them through the life of their suitcase, offering a lifetime warranty and endless complimentary repairs.

Read our full review of the Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case.

A Great Aluminum Suitcase for Charging Modern Devices

Arlo Skye

Best for Charging Modern Devices

Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-On Max: Aluminum Edition

Specs

Exterior Dimensions	23" x 15" x 9.6" (Includes Wheels & Handles)
Interior Dimensions	21" x 14" x 9.6"
Capacity	45L
Weight	10.5 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime
Integrated Charger Details	10,050 mAh charger, 18W USB C & A ports (PD plus QC 3.0)

Pros

• The shell, wraparound frame, corner caps and hinges are all made from aluminum alloys
• Full grain leather handles
• Very smooth, quiet wheels
• Antimicrobial odor-fighting lining
• Has built-in USB-C and USB-A charging ports

Cons

• Thinner aluminum shell
• Battery must be removed before each flight

• $695.00 at arloskye.com

Founded by former execs from luggage specialists Tumi and Louis Vuitton, Arlo Skye brings luxurious touches to its approach-ably priced bags.

Its aluminum carry-on features an antimicrobial lining, sports a built-in USB-C and -A charging port and some of the quietest wheels of all the bags on the market, reviewers say. It also boasts the largest capacity of any bag on this list, is available in champagne and all-black aluminum color ways too, and features more parts made from aluminum as well as premium-feeling full grain leather handles.

One of our testers wished the aluminum shell was slightly thicker, though, which would help deter dents. They were upset that the suitcase returned from its first journey with a sizable wound, even though that’s a part of the art of aluminum suitcases.

An Affordable Option Actually Made from Aluminum

LEVEL8

Affordable Option Made from Aluminum

Level8 Gibralter Aluminum Carry-On

Specs

External Dimensions	22'' x 15'' x 8.4''
Capacity	36 L
Weight	10 lbs
Warranty	Lifetime Warranty

Pros

• Mesh interior pocket divider
• Handles made of metal alloy, not plastic
• Noiseless handles with slow release to prevent pinching
• Line-free exterior that looks different

Cons

• Some users say internal straps broke after a few uses
• Several users say its frame and depth is not large enough

• $430 at level8cases.com
• $429 at Amazon

Aerospace-grade aluminum magnesium alloy is a material known for its lightweight and its ability to resist corrosion and other damage. As such, it makes for an ideal frame for any suitcase. Level8 applies it to its zipper-less lock closure suitcase, which has super-quiet wheels and an alloy handle, too.

The interior dividers were identical, too, which made packing easy, but they can be removed as well if you prefer to pack without them. Our tester found despite the slight frame of this suitcase, it still packed quite a bit.

This bag is also the most affordable option on our list that’s actually made from an aluminum magnesium alloy, instead of using plastic to merely mimic aluminum’s metallic look. To some degree, you’ll get what you pay for quality-wise, but we appreciate that Level8 includes a 4-piece packing cube set and suitcase cover protector with the purchase price.

The Most Distinctive Aluminum Suitcase

Tumi

Most Distinctive

Tumi 19 Degree Continental Carry-On

Specs

Exterior Dimensions	22.0" X 16.5" X 9.0"
Capacity	35 L
Weight	11.8 lbs
Warranty	5 years

Pros

• Smooth, 360-degree wheels
• Unique style makes it stand out from others on this list
• Option for Monogramming

Cons

• Can be too small for longer trips
• Heavy for its size

• $1,295 at Tumi
• $1,295 at Nordstrom

There’s a kinetic beauty to the fluid lines of Tumi’s aluminum luggage — it looks like it’s moving even when it’s standing still. With a 35L capacity, it can comfortably hold everything you need for a few days away, but not much longer, and that’s the primary complaint from reviewers. That and this suitcase’s weight.

It’s fairly heavy for a small-sized suitcase, but that helps it roll smoother, a perk plenty praised online. If you want the lightest suitcase, this isn’t it.

This suitcase does also technically have the shortest listed warranty of the options on this list (along with Zero Haliburton), but then again, it’s hard to know how some of the newer luggage brands will follow through on their promises, and Tumi has been in business since 1975.

The bottom line is if you want something different from a brand that’s made luggage longer than any other company on this list save Rimowa, Tumi’s the right fit for you.

A More Durable Aluminum Suitcase Option

Zero Halliburton

A More Durable Option

Zero Haliburton Pursuit Aluminum International Carry-On

Specs

External Dimensions	22" x 14" x 9"
Weight	11.5 lbs
Capacity	32 L
Warranty	5 years

Pros

• Solid, heavy-duty construction
• Comes with plenty of internal dividers and pockets

Cons

• Heftier dividers would better support packing
• Distracting blue-hued handles
• Heavy for its size

• $1,045 at Zero Haliburton
• $1,045 at Amazon

Zero Halliburton is one of a handful of American-made brands whose wares have been to space. Its latest edition features the same hard-sided protection as the bags it started making in 1938 and carries a 5-year warranty.

Reviewers like that the suitcase has handles on all sides, making lifting it into an overhead bin or up off of a luggage carousel easy. But some cited the coated handles as, well, a little too distracting from the silver suitcase. Many say it’d fare better if the handles were leather or even silver plastic, not the distracting, shiny blue hue. As for packing it, heftier, more helpful dividers would’ve been nice, they say, to keep everything in its correct place.

One Bag to Be Wary Of

Anyone researching aluminum luggage will likely come across the MVST. Select Trek Aluminum Suitcase. The luggage looks quite similar to the iconic Rimowa Classic Cabin carry-on included in this guide but costs a mere $395, making it immediately appealing to many. 

While we have yet to test the bag directly, there is enough online chatter from previous customers to indicate the bag may be too good to be true. 

Previous buyers complain of not being notified about long shipping delays and more concerning quality control issues such as broken wheels and hinges after only a few trips. 

The Main Benefits of Traveling with Aluminum Suitcases

Matthew Stacey

• Aluminum suitcases tend to protect packed contents better and won’t crack like polycarbonate suitcases or tear like soft-sided options.
• Aluminum suitcases are repairable, meaning they can have a much longer usable lifespan if they are maintained well. Many polycarbonate suitcases aren’t repairable at all and will wind up in the trash sooner.
• Aluminum suitcases will patina overtime as you take on adventures, creating a unique look that’s all your own.

The Main Downsides of Using Aluminum Suitcases

Matthew Stacey

• Aluminum suitcases are usually more expensive than similarly-sized hard-sided plastic luggage.
• Aluminum suitcases will show dings and dents over time.
• Aluminum suitcases are often heavier than plastic hard-sided suitcases.
• Aluminum suitcases cannot be overpacked, even more so than other hard-sided bags made of plastic.
• Aluminum suitcases tend to be more flashy and may draw unwanted attention to your belongings while traveling.

A Quick Word on What Aluminum Luggage Warranties Actually Cover

Many luggage companies proudly tout lifetime warranties, but in most cases, these lifetime warranties apply only to defects that may result in critical components breaking.

They do not cover the dings, dents, and scratches a piece of aluminum luggage will invariably pick up over time, which may look alarming but are just cosmetic issues.

A Handy List of Approved Carry-On Sizes for Major U.S. Domestic Airlines

Approved Carry-on sizing reference table last updated 4/9/2024

To learn more about how big (or heavy) your carry-on can be, refer to our broader guide to the best carry-on suitcases for every trip.

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