Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner Review

The Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner is as simple and straightforward a four-wheel suitcase as you could imagine at one of the lowest price points we've seen in this category. But like many inexpensive items, this low-cost bag comes paired with an equally low set of expectations. Still, we were surprised by its decent performance, though we would not count on its reliability in the long term. But if your needs are short, simple, or infrequent, it's got all the basics to navigate in the short term.

Performance Comparison

Capacity

Based on our interior measurements, the Hardside Spinner's main compartment offers 84 liters of packing volume, with an expandable zipper option, that makes this clam-shaped suitcase even more massive and well-suited to a long journey or a big move.

We tested the 30-inch case. It also comes in 26 and 20-inch options.

The main compartment is large and ready to accommodate any mountain of clothing or gear you can toss at it, including bulkier items. One-half of the clamshell is restrained by a full-sized zip panel featuring a set of mesh zip pockets for interior organization. A small hanging zippered accessory pocket marks the split. During our tests, we found that the Showkoo Expandable Hardside Set and Travelers Club Chicago were more lightweight and offered more packing space than the Hardside Spinner. They also ship as sets of three and five (respectively). However, we felt the Amazon Basics model bested both when it came to construction quality.

While the restraint straps that sit on the other half of the clam serve little value in terms of compression, they do ensure items are held in place well enough to keep things from popping out upon arrival or during an unexpected airline inspection. And if your shopping habits run hot, rest assured the bag is ready. Just unzip the expandable fold of fabric around the middle of the suitcase and gain 15% more packing room for your effort.

Ease of Transport

This case surprised us with how smoothly it moved over hard surfaces. With four 360-degree spinners, each built of a rubberized outer layer covering two wheels that connect on a single axis, the Hardside Spinner glides reasonably well alongside you when covering distance at the airport or maneuvering furniture in a hotel lobby.

During our testing, we noticed that the Hardside Spinner had a tendency to move away from the body at around 45 degrees when fully loaded and on the move, a strange performance result that seems to be tied to internal weight redistribution once in motion and discovered in several of the hard-cased spinners we tested.

Like all other spinners in our test group, technical terrain doles out some trouble in transport. Cobblestones and light gravel slowed us down just a bit in testing. For average use, you ought to have no problem. But when presented with aggressively irregular pathways featuring rocks, grass, mud, potholes, or foliage, this suitcase struggled.

The telescoping pull handle is of average appearance and performance, with its single-button operation serving us well enough around town. The addition of two well-placed haul handles at the top and side of the bag provides good grab-and-grip options when loading up a car trunk or settling in on the shuttle bus at the airport. However, they appear notably weak in design and leave us questioning how long they'll serve before breaking, particularly if the bag is packed to full capacity.

As we continued to test the Hardside Spinner, we found that, although smooth, its wheels do tend to drift a little, which requires a little bit of course correction from time to time. Although not overwhelming, it was noticeable, and it became even more apparent during our simple rolling test.

Contruction Quality

Where this low-priced case scores positive points in transport, it disappoints when evaluated for quality of construction. And even though the materials and features held up during initial testing without notable failure, the combination of visual inspection and negative past client reviews gives us pause and leaves us questioning how well it is likely to perform over the long — or even short — term.

At first look, all the critical parts are in order, though they are not individually or collectively impressive. The unassuming ABS outer hard shell withstood our drop and stairwell testing with flying colors and showed no cracking and only minimal scratching and scuffing for the effort.

Similarly, the 150D polyester interior liner held up to several packings at full weight without suffering. Even the zipper and pulls are far more substantial in size than what we saw in some other cases within the test group. The Hardside Spinner is certainly not impervious to water. During our water tests, we did have considerable pooling inside the main compartment. Since the shell itself doesn't leak, this lack of water resistance is due to the lower-quality zipper and zipper tape.

All in all, testing gives the impression that there may be more life to this bag than the price indicates. But with inspection, it seems equally chock-full of vulnerabilities. To start, the four wheels function remarkably well on flat urban terrain, similar to other high-quality cases, even if they jiggle a bit in their housings. We attribute this smoother-than-average ride to the double “tire” construction of each spinner and their rubberized outer surfaces. But the cheap, unprotected plastic wheel housings and caster attachments don't breed much confidence.

The aluminum pull handle is average in appearance but slides well between positions and doesn't flex even when the bag is fully loaded, although it does jiggle a good deal within the housing. Still, the quality is much of what you'd expect from a budget suitcase, and after reading numerous reports of failure, we are left wondering how many trips we'd log before having to address a similar concern. Still, we didn't have any issues during our testing period.

Likewise, the two rubberized loading handles are comfortable in hand and well-placed for use, even if they appear weak and unlikely to hold the weight of a full bag. A simple plastic fitting affixes each into the top or side of the case without much give, leaving the impression that both are flimsy and easily breakable. And, although very smooth, the Hardside Spinner's zippers also raise some concerns regarding their long-term durability. Additionally, the zipper pulls are void of locking loops, so there's no possible way to lock the suitcase. This is unfortunate when traveling by air, but also if you arrive early to the hotel and need to store your luggage before check-in.

Design and Functionality

What comes to mind when you say roller suitcase? This is probably it: simple, generic, and just a touch little less shiny than some similarly boxy spinner options out there.

While the old luggage staples of black and navy won't ever go out of style, this suitcase is unlikely to last well into your world-traveling future. So why not give a bright orange or sea blue a go? You'll draw eyes cruising through the airport to check in and then spot your bag easily coming off the carousel when you land.

Should You Buy the Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner?

Despite questions of longevity due to its lower-quality materials and craftsmanship overall, this low-priced suitcase offers all the volume you'll need to pack a complete all-season wardrobe for any long-distance move or future urban getaway. If you don't plan to ride hard or to push any of the bag's features to their max, this inexpensive yet surprisingly durable beast of a case should carry you through at least a few trips without problems.

What Other Suitcases Should You Consider?

The four-wheeled Amazon Basics 30" Hardsided Spinner is just what most deal-seekers are looking for. However, the Coolife Hardside Expandable 28" is also a good deal but has cheaper wheels. If you prefer higher construction quality, we recommend the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29". It is reasonably priced and offers a better quality. The Delsey Paris Titanium Hardside 29" also has a decent price tag, is made well, and comes with more stylish features.