Many friends are faced with a wide variety of trolley cases and don''t know how to choose! In this special topic, we have integrated the opinions of trolley case experts to teach readers how to select a good case that suits them! So, in what aspects does the practicality of a trolley case lie? Let''s find out together.
I. Size Matters
Q: How big should a suitcase be to be sufficient?
A: An important point when buying a trolley case is to clearly consider how large a case you actually need. According to the editor of the trolley case brand ranking list, a suitcase with a size of less than 20 inches is a boarding case. The principle is that the sum of its length, width, and height should not exceed 115 centimeters. It is generally used for a two-day and one-night trip or as a second piece of luggage. Since it can be carried with you, it is suitable for placing valuable items such as cameras and computers.

For a personal trip within a week, a small-sized case of 23-24 inches can be chosen. For two people sharing or a long-distance journey, a medium-sized case of 25-27 inches is suitable. A case of 28-32 inches is appropriate for long-distance trips, studying abroad, or other extended stays overseas. In our opinion, the 25 and 26-inch cases sold on the market are the most practical in size as they can handle short-term, medium-term, and long-term trips due to their moderate volume.
Q: Why do suitcases of the same size vary greatly in actual dimensions?
A: Many friends may not know that there are several ways to calculate the size of a suitcase. Some only count the body of the case, while others include the wheels and handles. That''s why, for example, when people buy a 20-inch boarding case, some can take it on the plane while others are refused. Because some airlines calculate based on the entire outer appearance rather than just the body of the case.
The editor often answers questions in these aspects. Not only do many people in China have such troubles, but there are also multiple standards for calculating the size of suitcases abroad. Moreover, the types of cases are becoming more diverse nowadays, and the design of height, depth, and corners will affect the volume. It''s better to ask clearly when making a purchase.
Q: Is it more cost-effective to buy a larger trolley case?
A: Since the price difference between large and small cases is not significant, some consumers think it''s more cost-effective to buy a large case, but they may suffer as current airlines have strict regulations on luggage transportation weight, usually limiting it to 20-30 kilograms. A large case is likely to be overweight. Additionally, it''s strenuous to pull and push, and it may lead to inefficient storage. It''s better to buy according to the needs of the journey.
II. Differences between Soft-shell and Hard-shell Cases
Q: Is a soft-shell case better or a hard-shell case better?
A: There is no absolute superiority between a soft-shell case and a hard-shell case; it depends on the needs of consumers. A soft-shell case is made of fabric. Its advantage is that it can increase the space by 20-30%. In our view, especially for older consumers, they particularly like this "plus one" function. Moreover, the fabric case has good storage flexibility. When there are too many items, they can be squeezed in, and there are multiple additional storage bags on the outside, allowing people to take items flexibly.
A hard-shell case can withstand impacts and heavy falls, providing good protection. It also won''t have the problems of being scratched or cut like a fabric case. Its appearance is fashionable and diverse, which is deeply loved by young people. However, a hard-shell case is usually heavier. To reduce the weight, some hard-shell cases replace the traditional heavy aluminum frames with zippers. But in our opinion, many customers who are used to hard-shell cases may worry that the zippers may be damaged and still trust the protection provided by the aluminum frames.
Q: Is it better to have a case that opens from the side or from the top?
A: Generally, the opening of a soft-shell case is set at the upper part when the case is placed horizontally. After opening, it is like the case body plus the case cover, and the storage space is complete. However, most hard-shell cases open from the side, dividing the space into two halves. Some consumers believe that in a hotel room with limited space, there is not enough room to lay out a side-opening case, making it inconvenient to use. Also, visually, the storage space seems smaller. This situation usually occurs in places like Japan and Hong Kong, while in the spacious rooms on routes to Europe and America, there is no such trouble. In addition, people who are really good at organizing their belongings prefer the side-opening design of hard-shell cases because it allows for clearer and more organized classification, and clothes are less likely to get wrinkled due to squeezing.
Q: Is a hard-shell case too heavy?
A: In recent years, hard-shell cases have been continuously lightweighted. They are not as heavy as one might imagine. According to the trolley case brand ranking list, for soft-shell and hard-shell cases of the same size, there is actually only a difference of 500 grams to 1 kilogram. And the new PC bulletproof plastic carbon fiber can achieve an ultra-light weight, reducing the weight by 800 grams to 2 kilograms compared to ordinary hard-shell cases. But don''t think that a lightweight case is not impact-resistant. The thickness does not affect its toughness. Of course, you get what you pay for, and it''s hard to say about the quality of a very cheap lightweight case.
III. Key Small Details
Q: How to choose the handle?
A: It''s impossible to always carry a suitcase by hand; it almost always relies on the handle for movement. Therefore, the material of the handle is very important. The trolley case brand ranking list recommends choosing aluminum alloy, which is not easy to rust. Moreover, aluminum does not have the embrittlement problem like carbon steel at extremely low temperatures, and it is easy to recycle and remelt, which is in line with the concept of environmental protection. In addition, it''s necessary to test the sensitivity and smoothness of the handle joint.
Q: Are more and larger wheels better?
A: In addition to paying attention to the smoothness and noise level of the wheels, some consumers think that the more wheels, the better, but this is a wrong concept. Some people are used to pulling the luggage behind them. For a four-wheeled suitcase, only the rear two wheels will be worn out. So, a two-wheeled suitcase is sufficient in this case. If you are used to pushing the suitcase flat, then a four-wheeled suitcase is more suitable as it is more labor-saving to pull and push. In addition, don''t think that larger wheels are necessarily better. Each brand will match the wheels according to the type of case. The size is not the most important; the key lies in the material. Generally, cases with PU gold wheels have low noise when pulled, and they are not likely to get stuck even after being pulled multiple times.