American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Luggage Review — Is It Worth It? [Video]

In the 80 years since it first launched, American Tourister has become one of the leading brands in the luggage industry. Producing both hard-side and soft-side pieces, as well as several other helpful accessories, the brand has become a favorite among both casual and seasoned travelers.

The Soundbox Hardside line we’ll be looking at today is one of the best examples of the company’s ability to produce practical, versatile, and affordable luggage.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Luggage

American Tourister’s Soundbox Hardside luggage collection comprises high-quality, trusty pieces that won’t break the bank, especially for frequent travelers. These handy pieces were made to be lightweight and versatile, so they’re suited for all types of trips.

Whether you’re looking for a spacious suitcase to take with you on your next long getaway or something sleek that will look professional at a company retreat, the Soundbox Hardside range has something for you.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Luggage Review

We tested the medium checked suitcase from the Soundbox Hardside line for this review. While not a flashy bag, it has just enough customizable and stylish touches to make it fashion-forward without looking too trendy or potentially dated.

Where this bag truly shines, however, is its space. There’s plenty of room in this bag to pack everything you need for at least a week, and it won’t take much effort to keep all your belongings organized while on the go.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Overall Rating

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Style and Look

American Tourister’s suitcases are known for their utilitarian and understated look, but the Soundbox line elevates this simplicity.

Though the suitcase is still highly streamlined, the brand’s typical horizontal ridged texture is swapped out for a concentric circle pattern, which gives the bag a more visually interesting and dynamic appearance. This allows the bag to stand out from others produced by the brand and makes cases in this line stand out in a sea of luggage.

The baggage in this range comes in standard colors like black and blue, but the Soundbox also offers a variety of other, more vibrant shades, so anyone can express their personal style.

While this bag is more stylish than others from American Tourister, it still has a timeless and sleek look, so you don’t have to worry about it looking out of place on a business trip or family vacation.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Size and Compartments

The medium Soundbox measures 26.4 x 18.3 x 11.4 inches. While it’s not the largest checked bag on the market, it’s also nowhere near the smallest, and we’re confident that most travelers will find this size to be close to ideal for their needs.

If needed, the bag can even extend an extra inch via an expansion zipper, though you need to be careful not to unzip the main compartment since both zippers are the same color.

We were really impressed with the Soundbox’s weight. When empty, it weighs just over 8 pounds, leaving plenty of room for packing before even coming close to the standard 50-pound limit for most airlines.

Since it’s a hard-side case, there are only 2 main packing areas, and the case itself opens like a clamshell. One side of the case has a compression strap to help keep clothing in place and help prevent wrinkling. However, it’s not overly reliable, so make sure you have access to an iron or travel steamer if you’re packing clothes that crease.

This compartment is separated from the other packing area via a dividing panel, which completely closes the second packing space. So this side is perfect for loose items that you don’t want spilling out when opening.

There are also a few small pockets in the suitcase. The dividing panel has a mesh pocket, though this is really only useful if you’re packing flat or soft items that will pack down. There’s also a small zippered pocket for accessories that’s useful for jewelry or small tech.

If you’re a stickler for organization, we recommend using packing cubes since this suitcase doesn’t come with integrated options like a wet pocket or shoe compartment.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Durability and Materials

Since the Soundbox is a hard-side suitcase, it’s durable enough to keep packed items safe from damage if they are tossed around during travel. Like many of American Tourister’s hard cases, the Soundbox is made of polypropylene. This plastic resists dents and cracks while still being lightweight and is a more cost-effective alternative to polycarbonate.

The suitcase’s matte finish, combined with a circular ridged pattern, seems to help the pieces in this line resist scratches and scuffs.

We’re confident the suitcase should be able to withstand most typical wear and tear, but repeated stress could eventually damage the case.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Wheels

Overall, we were pleased with the wheels on the medium version of the Soundbox. There are 4 double-spinner wheels on the bottom of the bag, so it can roll in any direction and change routes without sticking or skidding on the floor. We tested them on multiple surfaces, including outdoor terrain, and didn’t have issues with their maneuverability.

They didn’t rattle, either, and we’re confident they’ll stay securely attached and won’t come off midjourney.

We’re a little less sure about how long they’ll last. While the wheels themselves seem to be pretty durable, they’re not recessed, so they stick out quite a bit, which leaves them exposed and potentially bumped or ripped off in transit.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Handles

There are 3 handles on the medium Soundbox, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The telescopic handle is the one we used the most during our tests. It has 2 height settings, which are adjustable via a button. We didn’t have too many issues with changing between heights, and the button was pretty responsive.

When fully extended, the telescopic handle felt reasonably sturdy and didn’t rattle around much, but we wouldn’t recommend lifting the bag with it unless it’s completely empty.

There are 2 different carrying handles on the top and side of the bag. When not in use, they lie flat against the shell to maintain a streamlined appearance. We didn’t have any issues getting a grip on them, either, and they have enough elasticity to comfortably pass your fingers through.

However, while the handles are fairly comfortable, they’re not cushioned, so carrying the suitcase for any extended period would be uncomfortable.

American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Locks and Zips

We found the medium case in the Soundbox line to be pretty secure and reliable. When we tested the zipper, it opened and closed smoothly, without snagging on anything in the case, even when it was packed full. The material also felt thick and durable, so we don’t think it would be prone to straining or ripping under normal circumstances.

We were equally impressed by the zipper pulls. Despite their large size, they didn’t rattle annoyingly and were comfortable to grip and tug.

The zipper is also a key part of the bag’s integrated lock mechanism. We were happy to find out that the bag has its own lock and is TSA-approved, so it should pass most security checks.

Hot Tip:

Are you unsure about your airline’s checked luggage size limits? Our handy guide will help.

American Tourister Brand Warranty and Customer Service

A limited global warranty protects all American Tourister bags. This guarantee covers all manufacturing defects for 3 or 10 years, depending on the specific warranty.

However, you’ll need to provide proof that the damage that needs repairing was caused by a problem with the bag itself, which might be a little tricky. We’re also a little concerned about how easily redeeming the warranty might be after the first few months of owning one of the luggage pieces.

Other American Tourister Soundbox Hardside Luggage

The Soundbox collection also includes a carry-on and a large checked suitcase. Although the range is fairly small, with only 3 luggage pieces, it covers the general needs of most travelers.

While we have no complaints about the range, we think the addition of a few more items, like a tech bag or more sizes, would take this collection to a new level.

Final Thoughts

Over the years, American Tourister has become a trusted name in the midrange luggage market. Its reputation for producing high-quality pieces that don’t break the bank is evident with the Soundbox Hardside line.

While not the most intuitively organized bag, this suitcase has plenty of things going for it, from styles to size, making it an overall practical and handy piece of luggage for travelers.