10 Best Camera Hard Cases in 2023 (For Travel & Protection)

A camera hard case is the best way to protect your gear. Photography equipment is fragile and expensive. Even small knocks and scrapes can cause costly damage to your camera or lenses. For pro photographers, it can affect your livelihood. That’s why you need the best camera hard case.

The Pelican Air 1525 is our top choice. Its tough exterior and foam-padded interior keep your gear safe and secure. It’s big enough for your camera and accessories without being bulky. It’s the ideal choice if you travel with your camera. But check out the full list of camera hard cases.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Camera Hard Case

Pelican Air 1525 Carry Case

Vanguard SUPREME 46F Carry Case in Black

Nanuk 935 Roller Case in Black

10 Best Camera Hard Cases for Camera Equipment

Traveling with your camera and gear can be a nerve-racking experience. But having a quality camera hard case sets your mind at ease. You can travel with your camera equipment safely stowed away. And you’ll have no nasty surprises when you reach your destination.

Here’s a quick overview of our best camera hard cases. We’ll take a closer look at each one in the section below. We show dimensions in length (L), width (W), and depth (D).

Our Top Choice

Pelican Air 1525 Carry Case

Good choice of interior protection
Lightweight but still provides excellent protection
Watertight sealing and crushproof exterior
Purge valve to regulate interior air pressure

Best for Adventure Travel

Vanguard SUPREME 46F Carry Case in Black

Pick 'n' Pluck customizable foam interior
Excellent case depth for extra storage
Waterproof down to 16.5 ft (5 m)
Survives temperatures down to -40 C

Most Convenient

Nanuk 935 Waterproof Hard Case

Enough storage space for several cameras, lenses, and accessories
Padded dividers for organizing and protecting your gear
Retractable handle and wheels for easy transportation
Pressure equalization valve

Best for Long Trips

Pelican Air 1560 Roller Case

Large enough for big projects and long trips
US Military-level protection for your gear
Customizable foam interior

Best for Short Trips

SKB iSeries 1309-6 Carry Case

Perfect size for DSLR or Mirrorless body with lenses
Military-grade tough exterior casing
Gasket seals make it completely watertight

Best Pro Carry-On

Manfrotto Reloader Tough L55

Retractable handle and roller wheels for easy transport
Padded dividers are easily adjusted for a custom interior
Small enough for hand luggage with most airlines

Most Spacious

Vanguard Supreme 53D Roller Case in Black

Padded divider section is removable
Outer case can withstand 120 kg of pressure
Secure latches and padlock receptacles

Best Customization

Pelican V200 Carry Case in Black

Small but highly secure camera hard case
Interior foam can be shaped to fit your gear
Strong steel lock hasps and pressure valve for air travel

Great Value

Monoprice Weatherproof Carry Case in Black

Can stay submerged over 30 minutes without risk of leakage
Comfortable rubber handle
Protects against the cold down to -40 C

Best Small Carry-On

MEIJIA Portable All-Weather Carry Case in Black

Convenient size with excellent protection
Customizable foam interior so your gear has a snug fit
Pressure valve for secure air travel

1. Pelican Air 1525

Brand	Brand Pelican
Material	Material Plastic
Dimensions	Dimensions 55.8 x 19 x 35.5 cm
Weight	Weight 2717 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Foam, padded dividers, or TrekPak dividers

Pelican is the leading brand for camera hard cases. And the Air 1525 hard case is their best all-around protective case. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and offers excellent protection for your photography gear.

The exterior dimensions (L x W x D) are 21.96 x 13.97 x 7.49 inches (55.8 x 35.5 x 19 cm). And the interior dimensions are 20.5 x 11.31 x 6.75 inches (52 x 17.14 x 28.7 cm). It’s spacious enough for multiple cameras and many lenses and accessories.

The option we’ve listed includes padded dividers. They hold your equipment in place and stop them from banging together. And the Velcro dividers are adjustable. So you can customize the interior space.

The Air 1525 is 40% lighter than Pelican’s previous cases but can still take a beating. It’s completely crushproof and watertight. And the purge valve regulates the air pressure inside.

If you want something solid, you can’t go wrong with this Pelican case. The Air 1525 is the best model in their range. And it’s the best camera hard case out there!

2. Vanguard Supreme 46F

Brand	Brand Vanguard
Material	Material Plastic
Dimensions	Dimensions 56 x 50.2 x 23.3 cm
Weight	Weight 6800 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Pick 'n' Pluck foam

Camera cases don’t get much harder than the Vanguard Supreme 46F. It’s slightly heavy, but your camera equipment is safe and sound when packed into this hard case.

The exterior dimensions (L x W x D) are 22.05 x 19.76 x 9.17 inches ( 56 x 50.2 x 23.3 cm). Interior dimensions are 18.9 x 14.6 x 7.9 inches (48 x 37 x 20 cm). It’s big enough for several cameras and a selection of camera accessories.

The hard case comes with interior foam, which you can change. You create a foam pocket for each piece of equipment by cutting away the sections you don’t need. This system ensures each item has a snug fit and doesn’t move around.

It’s ideal for air travel and adventure gear. The automatic pressure equalization valve ensures no damage is done when the bag is on the plane. And it can take pretty much anything Mother Nature can throw at it.

It’s waterproof down to 16.5 ft (5 m). And it can survive temperatures down to as low as -40 C.

If you want a hard camera case with a foam interior, the Vanguard Supreme 46F won’t let you down.

3. Nanuk 935 Carry-on

Brand	Brand Nanuk
Material	Material Nylon
Dimensions	Dimensions 55.9 x 35.5 x 22.9 cm
Weight	Weight 5189 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Padded dividers or cubed foam

The Nanuk 935 is a hard case for photographers who need to travel. It’s spacious enough for all your essential camera kit. And you can travel without fear of damaging your equipment.

The exterior dimensions (L x W x D) are 22.0 x 14.0 x D 9.0 inches (55.9 x 35.5 x 22.9 cm). And the interior measures 20.5 x 11.3 x 7.5 inches (52 x 28.7 x 19 cm).

The case includes a padded divider insert. It keeps your camera and accessories neat and tightly packed. The lid interior also has foam padding for extra protection. Plus, the padded inserts are removable. So you can transport larger items that need protection.

The Nanuk 935 has a two-stage retractable handle and wheels on one end for easy mobility. It makes traveling through airports and train stations hassle-free. And it’s fairly lightweight.

It’s waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof. And the purge valve equalizes the pressure when you take the case as hold luggage. Safety isn’t a problem. You can padlock the case using the two built-in latches.

The Nanuk 935 is a great all-around hard camera case. It’s durable and easy to transport. So it’s one of the best camera cases for traveling photographers.

4. Pelican 1560 Roller Case

Brand	Brand Pelican
Material	Material Nylon
Dimensions	Dimensions 56 x 26.5 x 45.5 cm
Weight	Weight 7710 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Foam

The Pelican 1560 roller case is another top camera case from Pelican. If you see the name Pelican, you can be sure you have a case made for rough handling. It can hold a boatload of equipment. And it’s suitable for longer journeys.

The exterior size (L x W x D) measures 22 x 17.4 x 10.9 inches (56 x 45.5 x 26.5 cm). The interior is 19.7 x 11 x 7.6 inches (50.5 x 38 x 22.7 cm). No matter what photography gear you need to pack, it’s big enough for a long trip.

Protection is what this case is all about. It’s waterproof and crushproof, even meeting the standards for the US military. The equalization valve stabilizes pressure inside the case and keeps water out.

The Pelican 1560 has a firm foam interior. It’s called Pelican’s Pick ‘n’ Pluck foam. It lets you customize the interior to meet your needs. So you can create a perfectly sized pocket for each camera, lens, and accessory.

The wheels and extendable handle make travel comfortable and easy. The 1560 is a reliable and robust hard camas case for a hard life on the road. It isn’t the cheapest option, but you always get your money’s worth with Pelican.

5. SKB iSeries 1309-6

Brand	Brand SKB
Material	Material Canvas
Dimensions	Dimensions 34.8 x 23.4 x 19.1 cm
Weight	Weight 2563 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Foam

The SKB 3i-1309 is one of the smaller cases on this list. But SKB makes no compromises when it comes to the build quality. It’s a handheld hard case that offers fantastic protection for your photography gear.

The interior (L x W x D) measures 13.7 x 9.2 x 7.5 inches (34.8 x 23.4 x 19.1 cm). This is enough to store a DSLR or mirrorless camera. You can also pack two extra lenses and other accessories. And you still won’t have a cramped case.

When it comes to protection, the SKB 3i-1309 has military-grade toughness. The outer hardcase is extremely tough. The gasket seal makes it completely watertight. And the foam inserts and lid protector keep your equipment safe.

The SKB iSeries 3i-1309 is a brick. Small cases don’t get much tougher than this. It’s perfect for short trips and small enough to take as hand luggage if you need to fly. Considering this camera case’s tough and reliable, the price is very reasonable.

6. Manfrotto Reloader L55

Manfrotto Reloader Tough L55 Roller Case in Black

Brand	Brand Manfrotto
Material	Material Canvas
Dimensions	Dimensions 35 x 20 x 55 cm
Weight	Weight 5329.7 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Removable padded dividers

The Manfrotto Reloader Tough L55 is made to make carrying a lot of gear easy. And, as you can tell from the name, it’s a hard case made to protect. It’s ideal for long photography trips and big productions.

The interior is big enough for several cameras with plenty of accessories and extras. The measurements (L x W x D) are 22 x 14.8 x 8.9 inches (55 x 35 x 20 cm). The padded interior is included, and you can adjust the Velcro dividers to meet your needs.

There’s no need to worry about the weight. You can easily travel using the wheels and extendable handle even when loaded with gear. It was made for life on the move, so the wheels are large and secure. And it is small enough for hand luggage.

It isn’t the cheapest case on the list. But it is spacious and secure. Manfrotto is a reliable brand that produces excellent gear. This L55 camera case is up to the job of professional photography.

7. Vanguard Supreme 53D Roller

Brand	Brand Vanguard
Material	Material Canvas
Dimensions	Dimensions 63 x 52 x 24 cm
Weight	Weight 11200 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Removable padded dividers

The Vanguard Supreme 53D offers the same excellent safety and protection as the 46F. Vanguard doesn’t make bad hard camera cases. But the 53D is bigger and more spacious.

The case’s dimensions (L x W x D) are 25 x 20 x 9.5 inches (63 x 52 x 24 cm). So you don’t have to decide which cameras to take or leave behind. There’s plenty of room for all.

The padded interior section has enough pockets for all your gear and lenses. And the padded insert is removable, transforming it into a versatile hard case for travel.

The durability isn’t in question. It’s waterproof and crushproof, and it can withstand 120 kg of external pressure. There’s added safety with the padlock receptacles and thick latches.

As a larger camera case with excellent protection, the Supreme 53D is one of the best.

8. Pelican V200 (Vault)

Brand	Brand Pelican
Material	Material Plastic
Dimensions	Dimensions 39.1 x 33.2 x 15.6 cm
Weight	Weight 2300 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Foam

The V200 (Vault) is another hard case from Pelican. It’s a handy little carry case with an ultra-durable design. It’s a convenient size for a camera and lens. And you can rest easy knowing your gear is safe and protected.

This case can withstand long periods in tough conditions. The moisture and dust sealing protect everything inside. It’s resistant to wet conditions. But that doesn’t mean it’ll protect your camera as you dash from one place to another in the rain.

The external dimensions (L x W x D) are 15.4 x 13 x 6.1 inches (39 x 33 x 15.6 cm). That’s enough space for a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera. And you can squeeze a few accessories in there. It’s a handy size and won’t take up much space when traveling.

The Vault V200 comes with interior foam. You can cut the foam to fit your gear exactly. This ensures each piece of equipment has a snug compartment. Plus, they don’t move around in transit. Everything is held in place by the protective foam.

The V200 has a heavy-duty handle. The steel lock clasps keep the case tightly locked. You also have a pressure valve for air travel. It’s a small case but gives you ultimate protection.

9. Monoprice Weatherproof

Brand	Brand Monoprice
Material	Material Plastic
Dimensions	Dimensions 55.7 x 19.9 x 34.8 cm
Weight	Weight 4990 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Foam

This Monoprice hard case is one of the best-value camera cases on the market. It has ample storage space and offers excellent protection for your camera gear.

You can store several cameras with an interior (L x W x D) of 22 x 14 x 8 inches (55.7 x 35 x 20 cm). Plus, you can customize the interior foam.

That way, your camera bodies can have perfectly measured sections. When each piece of gear has a snug fit, there’s no need to worry about anything moving in transit.

The Monoprice camera case gives protection at temperatures as low as -40 C. And it can survive underwater for over 30 minutes without risk of leakage.

You have limited carrying options, as you only have the rubber handle. It’s comfortable enough. But it can weigh you down after a while.

This is a weatherproof hard camera case if your budget is a bit tight. It’s perhaps not as indestructible as some other hard cases. But it still offers excellent protection when you’re on the move.

10. MEIJA Portable All-Weather

Brand	Brand MEIJIA
Material	Material Canvas
Dimensions	Dimensions 40.6 x 33 x 17.4 cm
Weight	Weight 2720 g
Waterproof	Waterproof
Interior Protection	Interior Protection Foam

The MEIJA camera case gives you strength and durability in a small package. It’s a handheld camera case for photographers who like to travel light.

The external dimensions (L x W x D) are 16 x 13 x 6.85 inches (40.6 x 33 x 17.4 cm). With camera bodies, you can only get one in there. But there is extra space for a lens or two.

The MEIJA camera case has a solid construction. It can take a beating while the foam interior keeps your gear safe. It can withstand any weather, and it’s completely waterproof.

You can customize the foam interior. Each piece of equipment has its own pocket for protection. And there’s also a pressure release valve. So you can use the case for air travel.

It doesn’t give you the same capacity as a larger case. But this all-weather MEIJA camera case is protective and easy to carry. It’s not for big professional jobs. But it’s great for everyday use.

Open Pelican Air 1525 camera hard case — A look inside our top pick, the Pelican Air 1525

Conclusion: Best Camera Hard Cases

If you’re a professional photographer, keeping your gear safe must be a top priority. If your camera breaks on the way to a shoot, you will be pretty useless when you arrive. Your camera is your source of income. You must keep it safe.

That’s why even more photographers use hard camera cases to transport their equipment. They’re also perfect for international work travel and everyday photo jobs.

The Pelican Air 1525 is our top camera hard case. It has the best build quality of any hard case. And the protective outer case and padded interior keep your gear safe and sound. Pelican makes cases you can trust. And it’s a convenient size for car, train, or plane travel.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Camera Hard Case

Pelican Air 1525 Carry Case

Vanguard SUPREME 46F Carry Case in Black

Nanuk 935 Roller Case in Black