Best Aluminum Suitcases (Including Some Budget Options)

TUMI 19-degree Aluminum Continental Carry-On Suitcase

Tumi 19 Degree luggage is an excellent option for an aluminum suitcase. In addition to the durable aluminum construction, the Tumi suitcase also boasts a height-adjustable wheel handle, zipperless closure with two TSA-approved locks, and smooth spinner wheels.

The suitcase has two packing compartments, each with a zippered divider and a pocket. The top divider also features tie-down straps and a convenient travel hanger. Tumi also includes a set of travel-inspired stickers with this luggage, allowing you to customize the suitcase a bit and really make it your own.

Additionally, this aluminum luggage has reinforced corners with aluminum plates, for even better durability and impact resistance. Overall, the 19 Degree suitcase is certainly one of the best aluminum suitcases you can buy, if you can afford the four-digit price tag.

Another thing to note is that this luggage is available in standard silver and black colors, but also a beautiful rose gold and an even prettier dark denim color. Tumi is one of few brands that actually take the time to offer their aluminum luggage in unique colors, whereas most other brands just stick with classic silver.

Rimowa Original Cabin

Rimowa is the brand that invented aluminum luggage in the first place, so of course they deserve a spot on this list. They’re without a doubt one of the best luggage brands out there, the only problem is that they’re so expensive that many people just can’t afford them.

The Original collection from Rimowa features 10 aluminum suitcases, from a compact underseat bag to a massive, 32” trunk. The Cabin suitcase is the best carry-on from this collection, as it’s small enough that even major international airlines will accept it inside the cabin.

What’s special about this suitcase is that it weighs only 9.5 lbs, which is pretty impressive for aluminum luggage. That’s just two pounds more than an average plastic suitcase, so it’s really a minimal difference.

Other features of the Rimowa aluminum carry-on include smooth double spinner wheels, two TSA-friendly latch locks, and an adjustable aluminum telescoping handle. It’s important to note that the wheel handle offers stageless adjustment, so you can lock it in any height you want.

The Rimowa Cabin suitcase has a roomy interior with two packing compartments. There’s a height-adjustable Flex Divider with a zippered pocket in each compartment, for effortless organization. Overall, if the price isn’t really an object and you can get any luggage you want, this is probably the best aluminum luggage money can buy.

Monos Hybrid Carry-On

The Monos Hybrid Carry-On Luggage is great for travelers who want the durability of aluminum but prefer the weight of polycarbonate. Unlike other aluminum suitcases, this luggage features an aluminum frame and corner guards, but a shell made from pure polycarbonate.

That means that you get the best of both worlds – aluminum’s durability and impact resistance on the weakest points of the luggage, but the light weight and flexibility of polycarbonate.

This luggage also features double spinner wheels, TSA-friendly latch locks, and a height-adjustable wheel handle. The luggage is lined with anti-microbial lining inside, and it comes with a convenient laundry bag.

Additionally, the Monos suitcase has an interior compression system that helps you pack more items than you might think will fit in the luggage. The compression pad in the bottom compartment is adjustable and removable, plus it features two convenient zippered pockets.

The top compartment is equipped with a full panel divider and a zippered pocket for organization. Overall, this luggage is a great alternative to suitcases fully made from aluminum, mostly because of the reduced weight and price.

Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case

Sterling Pacific offers a different take on an aluminum suitcase, and it’s certainly an option worth considering if you’re looking for the most durable luggage money can buy. For starters, this luggage is made from aerospace-grade aluminum, with aluminum corner guards and stainless steel rivets.

It also features in-line wheels as opposed to the spinner wheels of most other luggage. While this does mean that you need to tilt the suitcase to maneuver it and that you will feel its weight while dragging it behind you, there’s no denying that in-line wheels are significantly more durable. Even the best and most expensive aluminum luggage will struggle with the durability of the wheels, and spinner wheels are usually the first component that gets damaged in transport.

Additionally, the Sterling Pacific luggage also boasts Italian leather accents on the handles, as well as durable, TSA-approved latch locks. The interior of the luggage features one main packing compartment with tie-down straps and multiple pockets on the top cover.

Another thing to note is that Sterling Pacific includes a care kit with all of their luggage. You will get wax to treat the leather handles, a convenient carry bag, and a premium aluminum pen.

LEVEL8 Gibraltar Aluminum Frame Carry-On Max 20"

The Level8 Gibraltar luggage is a great alternative to standard silver suitcases. The luggage is made from aluminum magnesium alloy, and the shell boasts excellent durability and impact resistance. 

The Gibraltar suitcase is zipperless, with two TSA-approved latch locks for improved security. It also features double-spinner wheels and a height-adjustable wheel handle. One thing to note about this luggage is that the shell is entirely smooth, which is a bit of a downside since scuffs and scratches will be easily noticeable. 

This suitcase from Level8 also boasts a spacious interior with two roomy packing compartments. There’s an adjustable divider in each compartment, as well as removable pockets for easy cleaning and maintenance. 

One of the best things about the Level8 aluminum luggage is that it’s more attractively priced than other brands. If you like the idea of an aluminum suitcase but can’t really afford the brands with four-digit price tags, this is certainly a great alternative.

Away Carry-On Aluminum Edition

Away is another great brand for durable aluminum luggage, especially if you prefer to have options when it comes to the color of the shell. In addition to offering multiple sizes for their aluminum luggage, Away makes all suitcases available in silver, black, and rose gold colors. The shell also boasts corner reinforcements, for ultimate durability and impact resistance.

In addition to the exceptionally durable aluminum shell, this luggage is also equipped with smooth and silent double-spinner wheels, dual TSA-friendly locks, a height-adjustable wheel handle, and ergonomic top and side grab handles.

Each of the compartments has a built-in compression pad inside, with a total of three zippered pockets. The compression pads are height adjustable, allowing you to squeeze more items inside this luggage than you might think is possible.

Overall, Away Luggage is certainly a premium brand, and its aluminum suitcases are top-of-the-line. They’re very similar to Rimowa in terms of build quality and features but are significantly more affordable. It’s still expensive luggage, but if you want premium quality and performance, you need to pay premium prices.

ZERO Halliburton Pursuit Aluminum Case

Zero Halliburton is another premium brand that manufactures top-of-the-line luggage. They incorporate their innovative ZH Concave Edging design into the shell of their aluminum luggage, which significantly improves the overall impact resistance of the suitcase, and further protects it from dents and scratches.

This luggage is made from brushed aluminum with leather accents on the handle and the name tag. The thing I like best about this luggage is that it’s absolutely packed with features. You get all the standard features – the spinner wheels, the TSA locks, and the adjustable wheel handle, but you also get some unique features that you won’t really find on other aluminum luggage.

A hook that allows you to add a bag to the top of this luggage is one of those features. It will make your life easier when traveling with multiple pieces of luggage, especially if you’re carrying a bag that doesn’t have a built-in luggage sleeve.

Additionally, there are garment hooks inside the suitcase, which you can use to secure hangers. This luggage also features a convenient grab handle at the bottom, two spacious packing compartments, and multiple dividers and zippered pockets inside the case. Compression straps will hold all your clothes in place, while the removable mesh pockets do wonders for organization and are also very easy to keep clean.

Coolife Aluminum Frame Luggage

Coolife is an affordable luggage brand that is generally a popular option among travelers on a tighter budget. This suitcase is very affordable, but it’s important to note that it is not entirely made from aluminum. Instead, it features an aluminum frame and corner guards, while the rest of the shell is made from durable polycarbonate.

This means that you get the protection of aluminum for the weakest points of the luggage, but also the light weight of polycarbonate. The shell is textured for better scratch resistance and the luggage is available in a total of four colors.

The weight is the best thing about this Coolife luggage because the 26” checked bag weighs just 10.2 lbs. That’s lighter than some aluminum carry-ons featured here, and you get double the packing space inside.

The interior of this luggage is roomy with tie-down straps in one compartment and a full-panel zippered divider in the other. The divider also features zippered pockets, for easy organization. Also, I have to point out that this luggage retails for less than $150, which is an absolute steal for polycarbonate luggage, let alone a PC suitcase with an aluminum frame and corner guards!