Nobl All-in-One suitcase review: A built-in cupholder and purse hooks are just the beginning

As someone who tests luggage for a living , I end up conducting a lot of official and unofficial field research whenever I travel. I recently spent several hours at JFK and Copenhagen airports and a certain aluminum carry-on suitcase caught my eye several times. No, I'm not talking about luxury status symbol brand Rimowa of $1,500 suitcase fame — I'm talking about Nobl , the sleek, shiny, bold luggage brand founded in 2023 that looks just as luxe, but costs half the price.

The brand's biggest draw, arguably, is its stylish suitcases decked out with genius, travel problem-solving features. Social media is abuzz over the Nobl All-in-One suitcase's external laptop compartment (rare on a hardside suitcase !), external cupholder, built-in phone mount and feet that double as hooks for your bag or sweater. Basically, it's poised to be the travel assistant you've always needed in bag form. And while it's not an exact dupe of the luxury $1,625 Rimowa Classic Cabin suitcase , it has a very similar ribbed design and shiny, utilitarian metallic exterior that scratches the same itch without draining your bank account.

Sounds great in theory, but how does the luggage hold up in practice? We got our hands on two sizes of the polycarbonate and aluminum luggage to conduct a full Nobl review on the All-in-One Carry-On and All-in-One Check-In bags. We put each through a multi-step evaluation to see if they performed functionally in addition to all those bells and whistles. We found that the stylish, premium exterior was actually quite sturdy but some of the features didn't hold up the way we would have preferred… but you'll have to keep reading to find out more.

How we tested Nobl luggage

In order to get an accurate read on how Nobl suitcases perform, we started with multiple units each of the All-in-One carry-on and All-in-One checked luggage . One set was put through our standardized luggage test , which involves measurements, packing, obstacle courses, agility tests and durability trials.

The second set of bags were sent into the real world with expert testers who took them to the airport and on multi-day trips to see if the suitcases were able to hold up in real life. Carry-on testers reported on whether or not the bag could fit a) all the clothing they needed for a weekend trip and b) into overhead bins, plus how easy it was to roll quickly through TSA stanchions.

Testers of the checked size stuffed the large suitcase full with bulky clothing and transported it through a series of stairs, sidewalks and car trunks. Testers reported back on everything from maneuverability to ease of use, and whether or not the bag arrived at their destinations with minimal damage. All told, we gathered 40+ data points from our three testers.

Nobl All-in-One carry-on luggage review

Aesthetics

There's no denying that the shiny, sexy, monochrome exterior is just a flat-out compliment magnet. One tester noted that a stranger complimented her bag as soon as she got to the airport. "It's sleek and fun, like a modern steamer trunk," they wrote.

Each suitcase features a matte ribbed polycarbonate exterior and a shiny aluminum frame, latches and handles with color options that range from classic black, white and silver to fire engine red and muted pastels. It's easily one of the most eye-catching styles in our lineup of 100+ travel bags that we tested.

Design

The All-in-One carry-on's features are its biggest draw for most. Here's the breakdown:

• Laptop compartment:Hidden in plain sight on the front of the suitcase is a compartment for easy laptop access. It sits notably flush against the exterior and doesn't bulge out at all, which gives the suitcase an extremely sleek look. Most hard-side suitcases lack external pockets entirely, and having an quickly-accessible within your carry-on is an enticing prospect. However, we quickly discovered that not only does the built-in pocket not fit a 16" MacBook Pro, it also eats into a good two inches of suitcase space if you choose to use it. The suitcase fit our standard packing load without a laptop, but not with one.

• Cupholder: On the back of the bag, there's a useful little compartment that flips right out with a tap. It's a great size for holding a paper coffee cup or a plastic water bottle, although it won't hold wider tumblers or oversized mugs. One tester called it "nothing special" and I too would have written it off as frivolous until I recently had to roll two carry-ons with a hot matcha in hand and really could have used an extra hand. Keep in mind you have to roll your suitcase on four wheels rather than dragging it on two when the cupholder is in use.

• Hooks: Look closely and you'll see that two of the carry-on's luggage feet are actually hooks that are designed to hold a bag. They sit about 2/3 up the bag, which testers found a little too low to the ground. "The hooks on the side weren't very useful because your bag has to have very short straps otherwise it drags on the floor," one wrote. They could be useful for smaller bags or items.

  

• USB ports:The bag features USB and USB-C ports on the top of the bag for easy device charging on the go. It doesn't come with a built-in battery pack — instead, you slip your own portable charging device into the front pocket of the bag and plug that into an internal cord which then powers the external ports. We didn't find this to be the most useful feature — it's nice when used in tandem with the phone holder handle (more on that below) but otherwise it's more inaccessible than simply carrying around a portable in personal item , especially since you aren't able to access your suitcase during flight. Plus, if you end up checking the carry-on at any point, you'll need to remove the power bank before doing so.

• Phone holder: The large, angled hand piece on the telescopic handle is magnetic and doubles as a flip-down phone mount. That means you can leave it there hands-free while scrolling or catching up on your favorite show while waiting for your flight. It's close by the USB ports at the top of the suitcase, too, so you can easily charge it up all the while. It's nice if you need somewhere to prop up your phone while sitting around at your gate and can be used at any of the five handle heights but ultimately can't be deployed if you need to grip the handle which limits its usefulness to anytime the suitcase isn't in motion.

• Nobl Air:According to the website, each bag comes with a tracking device called the Nobl Air, which looks like an Apple AirTag, fits into a hidden side pocket along the suitcase lining and helps you keep tabs on your bag's location at all times. It's not built in — it comes in a separate box — but if you don't see it, it's worth contacting customer service as some Redditors did mention not receiving their Nobl Air with their order. And the biggest downside to keep in mind? Although the Nobl Air comes with the bag for no additional cost, the tracking subscription to actually keep an eye on your bag costs $139. Womp, womp. If you're an Apple user, it's more economical to purchase some AirTags and throw them into your bag without the extra subscription cost.

• Pockets: There are three unremarkable interior pockets (two zippered pockets and a small pouch) as well as four pockets within the external laptop compartment. The external pockets are handy for keeping your passport or other small items within arms reach, but you really can't overstuff them or the compartment won't close.

Size

Nobl reports exterior dimensions of 20.5" × 15.5" × 10" for its carry-on but when we measured it ourselves, we found it to be 23.25" x 15.5" x 9.5". Why the major gap in the height measurements? Nobl's listed height doesn't include the wheels. Turns out, though, that wheels must be included in measurements to align with TSA and airline regulations.

With accurate measurements, the suitcase clocks in at 1.25 inches larger than we generally recommend for a carry-on. Our tester was able to get theirs on board, they noted that the wheels "were so big that the bag almost didn't fit in an overhead bin — but to be fair it was a small commuter jet where hardly any rolling suitcase fit."

Capacity

Our standard carry-on packing load that simulates 3-6 days of clothing easily fit in the carry-on. That said, when the bag was fully-packed with the packing load, there wasn't enough remaining space to utilize the external laptop compartment.

The bag lacks compression features, like a full compression panel or adjustable straps, and it doesn't have an expansion zipper either. One tester noted that it didn't fit as much as they're used to: "I could fit two weeks' worth of clothing and shoes in my usual carry-on, but for this one, I struggled to fit four days' worth." Noteworthy: this tester didn't use compression packing cubes , which may have helped.

Weight

Testers agreed the bag was on the heavier side, ultimately giving it a 3/5 for feeling easy and manageable to lift when fully packed. Still, even when packed to the brim, the carry-on weighed just under 26 pounds which is under regulation for most airlines and a similar weight to the other carry-ons that we tested. Testers found other luggage easier to lift overhead likely due to more ergonomic and compact designs.

Durability

The Nobl suitcase seems weighty and durable, and our tests confirmed that perception. The bag received a perfect 5/5 for impact resistance and sturdy construction, tied with the Cotopaxi Coraza suitcase for a truly strong exterior shell with just a little bit of flexion to prevent cracking.

One tester noted that the shell felt "cheaper" than expected, but when we pushed the 26-pound suitcase down two flights of metal stairs and dragged it across a bumpy sidewalk, we found that it only sustained some light marks and scuffs on the raised hinges and ridges, earning a 4/5 for scratch- and scuff-resistance.

Stability

One of the biggest upsides of the heavier feel of the suitcase is that it made the bag very stable. When rolling it over different types of flooring, its heft of it helped it smoothly transition over raised carpet edges, a point where many other suitcases struggled. Its weight ended up being a plus for easy navigation and it was fairly well-balanced.

Maneuverability

When we sent it through our trajectory tests, which serve to confirm whether the bag has a tendency to track straight or veer off-course. This helps us to assess how compliant a roller bag will be when you're trying to steer it through a crowded airport.

When pushed down a 10-foot path unassisted, the Nobl earned a 2/5 for pulling hard to the right, which might get frustrating at airports. However, testers didn't report any issues with the wheels (one even described them as "easy to roll"). We gave the wheels a 5/5 for being extremely silent and they notably self-adjusted whenever they were misaligned or a little stuck.

We also found the bag a little trickier to navigate through our obstacle course with the handle at full extension; testers from 5'3" to 5'7" unanimously preferred to utilized the handle at hip height. Even so, the bag was both performant and enjoyable to use.

Features

The wheels, handles, clamps and internal zippers all performed really nicely. The inner zippers ran smoothly without snagging and the handles feature a soft-close mechanism that felt extremely luxurious.

The clamshell suitcase closes via TSA-locking clamps rather than a traditional zipper, which is often one of the first things to break on a suitcase. The clamps were extremely easy to use, especially when compared to other clamp suitcases that had more of a learning curve. They stayed securely closed, even when the suitcase was being thrown around.

Nobl All-in-One checked luggage review

Design

Though just as attractive as its decked-out little sister, the large checked 28" All-in-One is significantly less feature-rich. "It's really more of a traditional suitcase rather than having all of the bells and whistles of the carry-on," one tester said.

It lacks the external cup-holder, USB/USB-C charging ports and the laptop pocket that the carry-ons have although it does still have the side hooks. Our tester noted, though, that the hooks felt less useful on this size bag. "I'm not spending a ton of time sitting around with my checked luggage, so the hooks didn't feel quite necessary." If you do use them, though, they're infinitely more useful since they're higher off the ground than the carry-on.

Aesthetics

What remains on the checked bag is the same gorgeous design and reliable frame of the carry-on. Our expert evaluator gave this checked bag a 5/5 for appearance.

It's available in 20 different colors, most that are either instantly recognizable due to the bold shades of red, pink, blue, silver and more, or because of the utilitarian, metallic design that differentiates it from other smooth polycarbonate or fabric suitcases that it rides around the baggage carousel with. You're not likely to miss it (or mistake another bag for it) at luggage pick-up.

Size

The All-in-One checked bag measures 30.6" x 20.8" x 11.6" and is just $91 more than the carry-on but offers significantly more packing space and capacity for the price jump. "The trade-off for those high-quality materials: It's heavy," one tester wrote.

"Even empty, I found it a little tricky to lug around," which is why it only got a 2/5 for ease of lifting. "That may be the case with any bag of this size, though," they added. On the bright side, the larger wheels are a non-issue with the checked bag, which doesn't need to fulfill the same type of size restrictions as a carry-on.

Capacity

"This thing is huge," one tester noted of the bag's whopping 90 liter capacity, giving it a 5/5 for being a "useful, convenient and reasonable size. "I was able to fit nearly every pair of boots I own into it, including my bulky winter boots." And there's no external luggage compartment to eat into the internal space either.

Weight

The checked bag weighs a little over 12 pounds empty, making it on the heavier side. You may lose a few pounds of your allocated 50 pounds of packing weight and the bag may require some elbow grease to lift and maneuver but it's a small price to pay to know that your belongings are safe inside your bag no matter how it's being handled.

Durability

The Nobl's sturdiness and durability is a standout, but it's particularly needed for its checked size. That's because you can't control how aggressively a baggage handler throws your luggage into the belly of the plane or how swiftly it slides down the carousel into a metal guardrail. The polycarbonate and aluminum design earned 5/5 for impact resistance and sturdiness, making it a great choice for folks who need ultimate durability from their bags.

"This is one of the highest-quality suitcases I've tested, IMO," one expert tester wrote. "This luggage is seriously durable and spacious," raved another tester. "The shell feels extremely sturdy and well-made — definitely thicker and more durable-feeling than others I've tried." However, it's worth noting that the spots where we saw minor scratches and scuffs were the raised areas — the protruding latches, handles and raised bumps on the exterior of the suitcase.

In our tests, the slight surface damage didn't affect the internal contents or the actual functionality of the suitcase in any way, but if you care strongly about keeping your bag pristine, we recommend opting for the carry-on that you can keep by your side rather than the checked bag that you leave at the mercy of airport baggage handlers.

Stability

The bag's stability and ability to transition over bumpy terrain is only magnified in the heavier checked version of the All-in-One. While the weight is a downside as far as maximizing baggage allowance, it actually helps to stabilize the wheels and prevent the bag from getting stuck while transitioning from one type of flooring to another.

Maneuverability

Despite its hulking size, the bag's quiet, large wheels help it to roll smoothly on various surfaces. We found it's fairly well-balanced too, even if you're placing a large weekender on top — the suitcase earned a 5/5 for staying upright unassisted. "I had zero concerns about whether or not this thing would topple over," said one. "I had full confidence in its stability." However, testers gave the bag a 3/5 for ease of rolling and maneuvering due to its weight and size.

Features

While it's not feature-rich, the ones it does have deliver. The zippers and pockets are well-made and durable, according to testers. "It seems very well-made with soft-close handles and smooth-operating clamp closures," said one tester. They raved about the quality of the interior materials, saying, "It was a relief to not feel worried about tearing the fabric or breaking a zipper, even over bulky and oversized loads."

However, testers also noted that the fact that the bag's clamp closure meant it couldn't fit as much as a zippered bag that can be forced shut more easily. "The sit-and-zip method doesn't work here," explained one. "Even if you force it closed, the clamps will pop open." Over-packers, take notice. One more thing to keep in mind, if you're in a hurry: while testers noted that the slow-close handles had "an expensive vibe," they were "actually kind of annoying when I was rushing around."

Nobl luggage FAQs

How is Nobl's customer service?

On Nobl's website, you have the option of getting in touch via live chat, which upon further inspection is a bot that offers auto-responses rather than a true live agent. Buried in the FAQs section of its Contact page , I was able to find a customer support email — hello@nobltravel.com — for issues like warranty claims, reporting order defects (which notably needs to be done within 7 days of receiving the item), refunds and exchanges, etc. You also can get immediate assistance via its toll-free support line at +1-877-313-7309.

A quick search revealed a fair number of Reddit complaints about "poor quality" of customer service and a :lack of transparency" around final sale items, shipping timelines, and more. One Redditor mentioned that the phone number listed is wrong, although we were able to easily get through to Nobl's customer service via the phone number above. Several others noted issues with purchases being processed for weeks or not showing up at all, with some even going so far as to file claims with the Better Business Bureau.

All said, it seems like Nobl has some bumps to smooth out in its customer service department. If you order, be sure to pad in plenty of turnaround time and don't bank on any super-quick, last-minute turnaround orders.

What is Nobl's return policy?

Nobl has a 100-day window for returns that can be initiated by emailing hello@nobltravel.com or via live chat. Some customers on a Reddit thread left complaints about being hit with return shipment fees and occasionally restocking fees that weren't initially advertised as well as some failures to deliver e-gift cards that were promised. It doesn't seem like the company has responded to these claims.

Bottom line: Are Nobl All-in-One suitcases worth it?

Nobl suitcases are truly a premium offering. Not only are they gorgeous and easy to use and wheel, they are exceptionally sturdy and high-quality with one of the most durable exteriors we saw in our 100+ suitcase test. Features like the soft-close handles and quiet wheels make it feel like a well-engineered luxury.

But on the other hand, each one is fairly heavy and the carry-on is a bit larger than some airlines allow in an overhead bin (especially for commuter or small international planes). And some of its buzziest features skew gimmicky since they actually impinge on the suitcase's usefulness (e.g. a fully-packed bag renders the laptop compartment unusable).

And it's hard not to balk at the price point of these bags. There are really great, albeit slightly less sturdy suitcases out there for half the price — our top pick for the best carry-on overall is the $245 Calpak Ambeur that's spacious and sturdy with an expansion zipper for extra flexibility, or the top-loading ArloSkye trunk that features better weight distribution and is far easier to maneuver than the Nobl Checked Bag. I would recommend both of those bags over their Nobl counterparts purely based on functionality and price, though you would lose some of the viral features like the purse hooks, cupholder, USB charging ports and phone mount.

On the other hand, Nobl bags look comparable to luxury aluminum suitcases that are triple the cost — so if the aesthetic is a non-negotiable for you, this is a more affordable way to achieve it. And if you do so, we recommend purchasing these suitcases as a set to keep costs as low as possible. While the carry-on will run you $620 and the large checked will cost $722, the set is currently priced at $565 which is an almost 70% off discountfrom the original price tag. At just a couple hundred bucks per suitcase, suddenly the offerings become much more attractive and the downsides much more bearable.