Casetify's first carry-on promises durability and style. But is it worth $399?

CNN

15-04-2025

Casetify is well known for its durable phone cases and recently branched into luggage with the launch of Casetify Travel. The brand's jump from phone cases to carry-ons was unexpected, but it makes sense. If it can keep your phone secure, surely it could design something to protect your belongings from drops or tumbles during travel. So, I ditched the Betsey Johnson carry-on I've had since high school to test a customized Casetify Bounce Carry-On Suitcase on a recent trip to Texas.
This carry-on was an instant upgrade from my very weathered suitcase, especially since I added a packing cube set and an attachable organizer to the bag. Unfortunately, the Bounce Suitcase was not as scratch-resistant as I would have liked, and it felt constricting at times.
From rolling it through TSA checkpoints to hauling it into overhead bins, here's what it was like to travel with the Casetify Bounce Suitcase, as well as some other travel options to consider when you're looking to upgrade your carry-on.
Casetify Custom Bounce Carry-On Suitcase
This hard-shell carry-on can be personalized to match your style and is built to keep your belongings protected on your travels. At 21 inches tall, it easily fits into most planes' overhead compartments and has interior lining pockets to organize your essentials. Designed for compact organization
I immediately noticed the attention to detail of the Bounce Suitcase, especially when it came to organization. You can tuck things in with magnetic buckles on the right side and conceal your belongings with a zippered pocket on the left. The inner linings of the bags also unzip so you can see the inside of the shell. The Casetify packing cubes fit neatly into the bag and can be expanded for extra room. I included the detachable Casetify Tech Pack Organizer and still could zip the carry-on comfortably. I didn't keep any chargers or tablets in the panel, but it held extra socks nicely.
Durable and convenient
I found the Bounce Suitcase easy to roll through the airport. In my testing, I also took the bag across pavement and tile, and had no issues with snagging or getting stuck. Thanks to its compact size, it easily fit into the overhead bin on my Southwest flight to Houston. To test the four bumpers at the top of the shell, I placed a glass bottle in the bag and rolled it down a few patio steps (see video below). The bottle did not break, and though you aren't likely to intentionally fling a suitcase down a flight of stairs to see what will happen, this small durability test shows that the carry-on's hard shell did its job.
Along with durability, the Bounce Suitcase sports 360-degree wheels and a collapsible handle; both worked well as I pulled the bag through the Burbank and Houston airports. The 360-degree wheels made it especially easy to maneuver through airport pedestrian traffic. I did find that the handle would get stuck in place occasionally, but for the most part, it was easy to adjust to my desired height.
Customized to your style
Along with the promise of ultimate protection, the Bounce Suitcase stands out for its customization. You can pick from various fonts, colors and patterns to make the bag your own. I chose a black suitcase and added my initials in orange to the bottom right corner for a pop of color. While I opted for a simplistic look, stripes and camouflage are available upon request. Choosing how to make the bag your own was a nice touch. Adding these design elements to your bag does not add any extra charge and is an easy way to make the carry-on unique.
Warranty
Construction aside, the carry-on is expensive, so I was pleased that Casetify offers a limited lifetime warranty. Wheels breaking off, handles not working and zippers not functioning are some things you can expect covered (as long as you use the suitcase as intended). Just be sure to keep the original packaging in case you need to activate the policy. You'll need to submit a form and provide proof of damage.
It's pricey, yet quick to tarnish
My concerns with the Bounce Suitcase stem from the price. There's no denying it's a durable carry-on; however, for $399, it's not as revolutionary as I thought it would be.
For example, I would expect this suitcase to be scratch-resistant for the price, especially after only one flight. But unfortunately, the bottom of the suitcase was quick to scuff. After one flight, I immediately noticed white scratch marks on the bottom of the bag. This was disappointing. Of course, hard-shell bags are prone to scratches, but I was gentle with the suitcase and waited to do additional durability testing until I returned from my trip. By then, the bag was already looking far more weathered.
At this higher price point, I would have expected the bag to look new after only a few trips to the airport. I did not check the bag once and can only imagine what it would look like if I had.
Pricey accessories
The accessories available with the suitcase are nice additions but add to the already high price point. You can purchase a Tech Pack Organizer with clips to attach inside the Bounce Suitcase and a set of packing cubes (one large, one small) to include in the bag. While these accessories add to the bags' organization or provide additional mesh and magnetic pockets, I was not sold on spending another $75 to maximize the suitcase's storage.
Though this feature made me feel like I was upgrading my carry-on, it wasn't necessary for how I travel. The fact I'd potentially need to add another element to the suitcase for extra organization is also a drawback. For a product costing almost $400, I'd like to think Casetify thought of everything and then some. There was space for my things to be stored compactly, but without the extra packing cubes, I would have felt a bit limited with how to use the space provided.
It's similar to a less expensive editor favorite
I asked the friend I was visiting in Houston to pull out her Away Carry-On to confirm my suspicions that these suitcases were similar. They are. The bags have related technology like TSA-approved zipper locking systems, and their logos are even placed in almost the same areas. Though Casetify distinguishes itself with a small interior pocket to hold a smart tracker, the two suitcases otherwise have the same kind of storage. While you can't customize luggage from Away similarly, throwing a few stickers on it could give you the same personal touch.
The price difference between the two brands is stark. The Away Carry-On comes out to almost half the price of the Bounce Suitcase. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland recently highlighted Away's The Bigger Carry-On as an All-Star product for its practicality and durability. It's a larger bag but still priced lower than the Bounce Suitcase.
I don't have an Away Carry-On, so I contacted Underscored editors who swear by them to get more information. Beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw says she can always fit what she needs in her Away luggage. 'The different compartments, pockets and included laundry bag (or at least I use it for laundry) help keep me organized throughout my travels,' she said. 'And I never worry about my suitcase getting too beat up. The hard-shell case has traveled around the world with me and barely has any marks to show for it.'
After comparing testimonials from Away luggage to my experience with the Casetify Bounce Suitcase, it seems like Away offers more for less.
8.23 lbs.
7.5 lbs.
7.9 lbs.
6.2 lbs.
17 x 11.5 x 6 in.
20.1 x 13.9 x 7.5 in.
20.9 x 15 x 7.9 in.
20 x 13.5 x 9 in.
21 x 13.9 x 9 in.
21.7 x 14.4 x 9 in.ches
22.7 x 15.4 x 9.6 in.
23.5 x 14.25 x 10 in.
Limited lifetime warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
10-year limited warranty
3
14
14
2
Yes
No
No
No The Casetify Bounce Suitcase is a durable hard-shell carry-on I enjoyed using on my recent trip to Texas. It fared well in my durability test but was prone to scratching, even after a single flight. Testing proved that it's well constructed and keeps your belongings organized, though you have to purchase extra accessories for it to reach its full storage potential.
While Casetify Travel lets you express personal style through custom designs, this is the main feature that distinguishes it from others in the market. Your items will be protected on your travels with the Bounce Suitcase, but there are similar (if not the same) types of carry-on for far less money.
What size should a carry-on be?
What size should a carry-on be?
While requirements can vary per airline, you can expect the standard approved carry-on size to be 22 inches in height, 14 inches in width and 9 inches in depth. Our guide to carry-on bag requirements breaks down the qualifications per airline.
Does Casetify Travel have a warranty?
Does Casetify Travel have a warranty?
Yes, there is a limited lifetime warranty for the Bounce Suitcase.
What kind of customization does Casetify offer for the Bounce Suitcase?
What kind of customization does Casetify offer for the Bounce Suitcase?
Casetify offers various backgrounds, fonts and colors to choose from when customizing its Bounce Suitcase. You cannot upload any of your own imagery or patterns, but there is lots of variety in the included designs they offer.
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test the products we review and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this article, associate testing writer Gareen Puglia brought this luggage with her on a recent trip to test the carry-on in two airports. Traveling with the bag was important for Puglia to assess the new luggage properly. Along with her trip, Puglia put this bag through various durability tests and did competitor research for comparison.