You'll never have to manhandle a zipper again, thanks to the best zipperless luggage.
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5 Best Zipperless Luggage Pieces: We Tested These Suitcases in Airports and Beyond
Updated Sep. 24, 2024
Closing a suitcase can be quite a feat, especially if you’re an overpacker. And if you’ve ever had to throw all of your weight onto a suitcase so that you can wrangle the zipper closed, then you know all too well how fragile those zippers can really be. It turns out there’s another solution: zipperless luggage. The best zipperless luggage is constructed of durable materials like aluminum or polycarbonate and is equipped with built-in latches and Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-approved combination locks instead of zippers. In addition to being incredibly durable, this zipperless system is more likely to deter thieves who want to rummage through your bags.
We did our homework and found some of the best zipperless luggage on the market. Then, our shopping editors and testers packed them up and took them on planes, trains and automobiles to see if they lived up to the hype. We tested a variety of zipperless, hard-shell luggage, including large suitcases and carry-on bags. We even tested some smart luggage for tech-savvy travelers. Here are our top picks for the best zipperless luggage.
Best overall zipperless luggage
Monos Hybrid Check-In Large
Pros:
- Impressive 97-liter volume
- 360-degree spinner wheels
- Two sturdy TSA-approved combination locks
- Aerospace-grade, water-resistant polycarbonate hard shell
- 100-day trial
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Scuffs and scratches easily
- Pricey
When it comes to the best luggage, Monos is a brand that’s known for its durability and attention to detail. From the sleek designs and fun colors to the brand’s signature unbreakable polycarbonate shell, you’d be hard-pressed to find something the brand hasn’t gotten right. That extends to its zipperless Hybrid Collection. Each piece of luggage in this collection has a zipperless aluminum frame and hard polycarbonate shell that come in three luxe finishes. Our senior shopping editor, Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, opted for the Monos Hybrid Check-In Large for two recent family vacations, and while she wasn’t quite sure what to expect at first, it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with this luggage.
“Up until this point, I had never used a zipperless suitcase, so I wasn’t sure if I would feel strongly one way or the other once I did,” explains Fitzpatrick, who has always opted for soft-sided luggage. “Since this is a hard-shell model, I was concerned that the lack of flexibility would be an issue, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed.”
A self-proclaimed overpacker, Fitzpatrick was impressed by how much she was able to cram into this suitcase (the large version has an impressive 97-liter volume) and how easy it was to close. “I found that it was easier to close my stuffed suitcase with the zipperless model when compared to the soft-sided zippered pieces I’ve used in the past,” she says. To help fit even more, this bag’s interior has adjustable Y-shaped compression straps to hold clothes in place. It also has a divider with organization pockets and comes with an anti-microbial, silver ion-coated laundry bag, two shoe bags and a vegan leather luggage tag to keep everything neat and tidy while you travel.
So how, exactly, does this zipperless suitcase work? Rather than a zipper that goes all the way around the suitcase, this Monos luggage has two TSA-approved locks on the far ends of the length of the suitcase. Each suitcase comes with an initial code that you can change once you’re ready.
Best budget zipperless luggage
MrPlum Carry-On
Pros:
- Budget-friendly price
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Has a USB charging port
- Built-in TSA-friendly locks
- Has a cupholder and phone holder
Cons:
- External laptop compartment takes away interior storage space on one side
These days, quality luggage can be a significant investment, especially the best zipperless luggage, which we found tends to be more expensive than traditional zippered pieces. The good news? You can snag a solid piece of zipperless luggage at an affordable price. Enter the MrPlum Carry-On. This budget-friendly suitcase features a zipperless aluminum frame, a durable polycarbonate frame with an exterior laptop pocket, a standard telescoping handle and spinner wheels.
This suitcase also has several convenient features that you won’t find on even the most luxe bags. “This is where this bag really shines,” says deputy shopping editor, Reina Galhea. “Not only does it have the aforementioned exterior laptop pocket, it’s also got a drink holder on the opposite side of the bag and a phone holder that pops out of the handle. It makes all the waiting you do while traveling so much more comfortable and hands-free.”
In addition to its convenient features, Galhea was especially impressed by how easy this Amazon luggage was to maneuver. “It rolls like a dream and is very light,” she says. Packing it, on the other hand, was a bit more challenging. According to Galhea, the interior only has half the depth on one side because of the external laptop compartment. “The items you pack on the side of the bag with the laptop compartment push outward, making the slot to place your computer rounded vs. flat,” she explains. And while you could simply place your computer in the free space of the compartment instead of the dedicated pouch, Galhea points out that it could be dangerous for delicate electronics. The solution? She advises packing flat items on that side of the bag to keep everything safe.
For Galhea, this design quirk isn’t a dealbreaker. “When using the laptop compartment, it eliminates the need to bring a separate backpack—which I always do when carrying my computer because it’s too big for a purse—so there’s give and take,” she explains and notes that efficient packers and travelers looking to travel with just one do-it-all bag will appreciate this suitcase.
Best splurge zipperless luggage
Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition
Pros:
- Luxe aluminum shell
- Dual TSA-approved combination locks
- 360-degree spinner wheels
- Meets most major airlines' requirements for carry-on luggage
- Personalization and ejectable USB charger available
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- No external pockets
If any luggage is worth a splurge, it’s Away’s The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition. This leveled-up version of the brand’s beloved Bigger Carry-On will have you traveling in style for years to come. It features a durable aluminum shell with a flat top design, an interior compression system and clip-in pocketed panel for packing more in, a removable laundry bag that folds up into a separate side zippered pouch, 360-degree wheels for a smooth ride, dual TSA-approved combination locks and a leather luggage tag. Want even more features? For an additional $20, you can add a universal serial bus (USB) charger; for an additional $50, you can add personalization.
“Overall, I really like it,” says our tester, Nancy Snyder. “It not only looks good (I received compliments on it from friends I was traveling with), it’s very compact while still holding a lot.”
When her suitcase arrived, Snyder noted that it was smaller than she had expected, however, she was delighted to discover that all of her belongings fit comfortably inside. “Thanks to its individual packing compartments, it holds more than I expected,” she says. “While I only went on a quick weekend trip, the weather was colder, so I packed some heavier coats and two sets of boots along with a plethora of layers, and it held everything nicely.” According to the brand’s website, this bag is ideal for a three- to five-day trip, and it’s designed to hold five to seven outfits.
Snyder appreciated how easy it was to access her belongings during her travels. “I love that the individual compartments help to keep items separate yet more compactly contained, thanks to the interior compression feature. If I needed to access something from just one area, I didn’t need to dig through the entire thing,” she says. And when it comes to this bag’s lack of zippers, Snyder found that she didn’t miss them at all. “I initially thought that having zipperless luggage would prove noisier, as if I was obnoxiously opening and closing a loud briefcase. But that wasn’t the case,” she explains. “It was nice not having to fumble with zippers. The buckles made it more convenient to open and close at just the press of two buttons.”
Worried about what happens if you forget the combination to your zipperless luggage? You’re not alone. Snyder explains that Away’s instructional booklet cautions, “Please note that once you set your lock, no one else will know how to get in your bag—and that includes us.” That being said, the combination locks are TSA-approved, meaning they can safely be opened, inspected and relocked by security authorities at the airport if necessary and without damage. Snyder opted not to set the combination on her locks, which also made opening them a breeze.
Best zipperless carry-on
Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-On
Pros:
- Sized for smaller planes
- Lightweight at just 8.1 pounds
- Two TSA-approved clasp combination locks
- USB charger
- 360-degree spinner wheels
Cons:
- Opening the locks can be a bit of a learning curve
- Only a five-year limited warranty
If you prefer avoiding the hassles and headaches that come with checking your luggage, then a durable carry-on is a must. Arlo Skye’s The Frame Carry-On is designed to fit in the overhead bins of small, medium and large aircrafts. Caroline Lubinsky, senior shopping editor, shares, “It passed muster on a Spirit and Frontier flight, and they’re pretty stringent about having the right size.”
Lubinsky was impressed by how easy this suitcase is to maneuver, saying the wheels moved through the airport like butter. She also appreciated the bag’s convenient features, including the dual TSA-approved clasp combination locks, laundry and shoe bags and a removable USB charger, which can charge your phone to halfway in under 30 minutes. “I intend to make this my primary carry-on bag because of the handy dandy charger,” says Lubinsky.
As someone who had never used zipperless luggage before, Lubinsky points out that opening the locks can take some getting used to. “I think the way the locks opened was a bit of the learning curve because you have to push it down and then up to open after entering your code,” she explains. “Otherwise, I think it kept the bag secure, which is all I really care about.”
If you’re like Lubinsky and want to be sure your bags are secure while you travel, you’ll want to add one of these anti-theft bags to your collection.
Bsst zipperless closet system
Solgaard Carry-On Closet
Pros:
- Has a built-in shelving system
- Integrated USB charging port
- Durable polycarbonate shell
- Available in nine colors
- Meets the size requirements for all international airlines, including European budget carriers
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Not ideal for shorter trips
At first glance, Solgaard’s Carry-On Closet may look like an ordinary suitcase, but as soon as you open it up, you’ll realize that it’s anything but. That’s because this suitcase, which has a zipperless aluminum frame and tough polycarbonate shell, features a five-shelf insert that hangs to function as a closet on the go. “The five compartments act like packing cubes, allowing you to separate and organize your clothes,” writes Alice Chen, our tester, in her full Solgaard Carry-On Closet review.
In addition to the patented five-shelf shelving system, this suitcase boasts a two-latch system, an ergonomic handle, 360-degree spinner wheels and an integrated USB charging port to make travel a breeze. According to Chen, who managed to fit an entire week’s worth of clothes comfortably in this suitcase, it’s ideal for people jetting off on longer trips. “It can be difficult to keep things tidy when your carry-on is packed to the brim. This option from Solgaard combines compression cubes and a portable closet in one sleek and durable suitcase,” she says. “The Carry-On Closet is a spacious solution for organization while you’re away from home.”
This Carry-On Closet is available in two sizes and nine colors. Better yet, the medium-size bag, which weighs just 7.5 pounds, is accepted by all international airlines, including European budget carriers. The large-size bag, which clocks in at 8.1 pounds, is accepted by all U.S. airlines.
What to look for when buying zipperless luggage
When shopping for the best zipperless luggage, here are a few things to take into consideration:
- Size: Look for a suitcase that’ll suit your travel needs. Those who pack light or simply prefer not to check a bag should look for a carry-on that meets the size requirements for your preferred carrier. If you’re an overpacker or a parent who has mastered the art of packing cubes and packing the entire family’s belongings in one suitcase, then look for a large bag that you can check.
- Material: Most zipperless luggage is made of lightweight polycarbonate, aluminum or a combination of the two. These materials are exceptionally durable and built to last.
- Locks: Zipperless luggage uses latches and TSA-approved combination locks in lieu of zippers. This means you’ll have to either remember or write down your combination to access your luggage. Granted, you can use these suitcases without setting a combination, but then your luggage won’t be as secure.
Why you should trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers and testers with expertise and experience in their field. Luggage can be a significant investment, which is why we want to make sure you choose the best suitcase for your needs and budget. Our goal is to recommend the very best products using honest and fair testing practices and never recommend a product we don’t love, regardless of how popular the brand or model is.
How we found the best zipperless luggage
To decide which suitcases to test, our team analyzed the zipperless offerings from various top luggage brands, including traveler favorites Monos and Away. Our editors and testers spent over 183 hours packing and traveling with these zipperless bags to assess their maneuverability, durability and overall ease of use. They detailed their experiences—both positive and negative—with each suitcase. They noted if these suitcases made packing and traveling easier and if they actually held up during the journey. Based on their findings, we narrowed down the options to the five best zipperless models.
FAQ
Is zipperless luggage better?
Zipperless luggage is most often made from long-lasting, durable materials, such as aluminum, polycarbonate or a combination of the two. The hard shell coupled with the fact that there are no zippers to wrangle with (or break) mean that these suitcases will be sure to last a long time. That being said, they’re not as flexible as soft-sided luggage and not every traveler wants to worry about remembering their combination. Ultimately, it boils down to your personal preference and travel style.
Is zipperless luggage more expensive?
The zipperless options offered by each brand we tested are more expensive than the zippered models. Among the brands we tested, we found that zipperless carry-on suitcases cost anywhere from $98 to $370 more than the zippered carry-ons.
Is there soft-sided zipperless luggage?
Zipperless luggage is typically hard-sided. It’s most often made of lightweight polycarbonate or aluminum.
Originally Published: July 08, 2024
