Best Hard-Shell Carry-On Luggage of 2025, Rigorously Tested
Top pick
If you want a hard-sided carry-on that skips the zipper yet is lighter and blends in more easily than a traditional aluminum suitcase (and is less expensive than our upgrade pick), we like the Monos Hybrid Carry-On.
It’s a hybrid of polycarbonate and aluminum. This bag blends a lightweight polycarbonate shell with aluminum corner guards and latch closures, so it feels secure and clean. It mimics luxury-tier, all-aluminum bags without the steep price tag or heavy weight.
It closes with latches, not zippers. Like the larger Hybrid Trunk (which we recommend in our checked-luggage guide) and the Carl Friedrik bag, the Monos bag has two aluminum latches and a hinge frame, instead of a zipper. This creates a tighter seal, with no risk of zipper blowouts or breaks. The latches have TSA-approved locks, and they feel sturdy. With bags of this design, there’s potentially some risk of the aluminum frame being bent out of alignment from a hard knock, but after several years of testing we’ve yet to see that happen. There’s something about latching a suitcase shut that is undeniably pleasant. It is, I believe, a tactile thing: something synaptic in the snapping shut that feels deeply resonant, like breaking twigs in the hands.
It feels well made. The Hybrid Carry-On is one of the better made bags we’ve tested in this price range (about $100 more than our top pick, the Away). The polycarbonate has a dense, slightly matte finish, and the aluminum accents help reinforce impact zones. The wheels are smooth and quiet, the telescoping handle is stable, and the whole bag feels solidly built without being flashy. Monos was one of the original competitors to Away, so it’s unsurprising that the two bags look so similar. Between the two brands’ comparable zippered-luggage models, we think you’re better off with the Away bag. But if you’re looking for luggage that has a latching design, with the aluminum structure and the small touches (like reinforced corners,), then the Monos hybrid is the clear choice.
It’s easy to pack, and it comes in two sizes. The two interior compartments are symmetrical, with compression panels on both sides to help keep things tidy. The lining is minimalist but pleasant, and Monos’s clamshell version is easier to live with than most — largely because of the flat internal surfaces and clean hinge layout. There are two styles: the standard carry-on and the carry-on plus (which has more internal volume than a typical international-size bag, at 46 liters versus 39 liters). The larger model can make a real difference on longer trips. Most US airlines will accept so-called “plus” models as carry-ons, but they may be a tight fit in the overhead bins on older or regional planes.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This bag is heavier than a zippered bag. The aluminum and frame make the Monos carry-on heavier than zipper-based competitors, like the Away. The weight is not excessive (about 8.8 pounds, or 9.25 pounds for the plus size), but it’s worth noting if you’re close to airline weight limits or just trying to pack lightly.
The warranty isn’t quite as generous as it seems. Monos advertises a “lifetime warranty,” but it covers only manufacturing defects. You have to pay extra ($35 or $65, for two different levels of coverage) for a separate “baggage protection plan” covering actual travel damage, like cracks, broken wheels, or dented corners. This is not a dealbreaker, but it feels a little misleading compared with the warranties for bags from brands like Away, whose coverage is more comprehensive by default.
