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 cut-to-fit TrekPak dividers 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.
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).
Three questions get you to the right one. How does it travel? If you carry it, the Pelican Air 1525 or the SKB 3i-1309-6 are the light options; if you wheel it, the Nanuk 935 goes in the cabin while the Pelican 1560 and Air 1615 go in the hold; if it rides in a vehicle, the Pelican 1600 holds the most without wheels. Foam or dividers? Plucked foam (Pelican 1600, 1560, 1400, Air 1615, Monoprice, MEIJIA, and the Nanuk in the version we link) is cheaper and grips harder; cut dividers (Pelican Air 1525, SKB 3i-1309-6) are faster to reconfigure and use the depth better. How wet does it get? Everything here is IP67-rated except the Pelican V200 Vault, which is weather-resistant only.
- Maximum airline check-in dimensions with a 29.59-inch-long interior
- Pick n Pluck foam cushions and separates a large kit
- Crushproof and dustproof HPX resin shell with a watertight O-ring
- Wheels, extending trolley handle and Pelican lifetime warranty
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 (52.1 x 28.7 x 17.2 cm). It’s spacious enough for multiple cameras and many lenses and accessories.
The option we’ve listed comes with Pelican’s TrekPak system rather than foam. You lay the gear in, cut the rigid divider panels to length with the supplied tool, and lock them together with steel U-pins. It holds heavier lenses upright far better than Velcro walls do, and you can re-cut it whenever your kit changes. Pelican also sells the 1525 Air with Pick ‘n’ Pluck foam, padded dividers or empty if you prefer one of those.
Pelican’s Air cases are up to 40% lighter than its other polymer cases, and this one is 5.99 lb (2.72 kg) empty. It’s crushproof and IP67-rated, the lid seals on an O-ring, and the automatic purge valve regulates the air pressure inside.
If you want something solid, you can’t go wrong with this Pelican case. It is the best camera hard case for most photographers. The one thing it doesn’t have is wheels, so if you regularly drag 30 lb of gear across an airport, look at the Nanuk 935 or the Pelican 1560 below instead.
The Pelican 1600 is the case you take when the shoot is a long way from a road. It’s from Pelican’s original Protector line, the one the brand built its name on, and it holds more gear than anything else on this list.
The interior (L x W x D) measures 21.51 x 16.54 x 7.99 inches (54.6 x 42 x 20.3 cm), which is 1.65 cubic feet of usable space. The exterior is 24.39 x 19.36 x 8.79 inches (62 x 49.2 x 22.3 cm). Two bodies, four or five lenses, a flash and a laptop go in without a fight.
The foam is Pelican’s Pick ‘n’ Pluck. You pull out the pre-scored cubes to build a pocket that matches your kit exactly, and the lid carries its own layer of convoluted foam on top. When you change bodies, you pluck a new pocket rather than buying a new case.
The polypropylene shell is crushproof and IP67-rated, the lid seals on a silicone O-ring, and the automatic purge valve equalizes the pressure so the latches still open after a flight. Pelican backs it with a lifetime guarantee.
The drawback is obvious the moment you lift it: 13 lb (5.9 kg) empty, 14.11 lb (6.4 kg) with the foam in, and no wheels. It is too big for any cabin, so it flies as checked baggage. If you carry your own gear through airports, take the Pelican Air 1525 above or the Nanuk 935 below instead. The 1600 is for a car, a boat, or a porter.
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 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 version we’ve listed comes with cubed foam. You press out the pre-scored cubes to build a pocket around each body and lens, and the lid carries its own foam layer on top. It’s the configuration to buy if your kit changes often, because reshaping it costs you nothing. Nanuk also sells the 935 with a padded divider insert, or empty, if you’d rather have soft walls you can move.
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. Bear in mind that it is 11.6 lb (5.3 kg) before you put anything in it, which is most of a budget airline’s cabin allowance on its own. If you fly with carriers that weigh hand luggage, the Pelican Air 1525 saves you almost 6 lb.
The Pelican 1560 is the Protector line’s big wheeled case, and it’s the one to buy when you want the 1600’s capacity without carrying it. 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 22.07 x 17.92 x 10.42 inches (56.1 x 45.5 x 26.5 cm). The interior is 19.92 x 14.98 x 9 inches (50.6 x 38.1 x 22.9 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 crushproof and IP67-rated, and Pelican certifies it to MIL-STD-810G and DEF STAN 81-41. The automatic equalization valve stabilizes pressure inside the case while the silicone O-ring 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 camera case for a hard life on the road. It isn’t the cheapest option, but you always get your money’s worth with Pelican. What it is not is a carry-on. At 22 x 17.9 x 10.4 inches it goes in the hold, so pack anything you cannot replace on the road in a smaller case as well.
The SKB iSeries 3i-1309-6 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 13.38 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches (34 x 24.1 x 16.5 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 3i-1309-6 is certified to MIL-STD-810H. The outer hardcase is extremely tough. The gasket seal makes it completely watertight, and there’s an automatic pressure equalization valve for flying.
The version we’ve listed is the 3i-1309-6DT, which ships with Think Tank Photo’s padded dividers and a lid organizer rather than foam. That’s the right choice for camera gear: you move the Velcro walls when your kit changes, and the lid pockets swallow batteries, cards and cables that plucked foam has nowhere to put. SKB also sells the same case with cubed foam or empty.
The 3i-1309-6 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. But it weighs 4.75 lb (2.15 kg) for 6.5 inches of depth, so a body with a big zoom mounted will not stand up in it, so plan on unmounting the lens.
The Pelican 1400 is the smallest case in Pelican’s Protector line, and it is the one to buy if you only ever travel with one body. It gives a single camera and a couple of lenses the same shell that protects the big cases higher up this list.
The interior (L x W x D) measures 11.81 x 8.87 x 5.18 inches (30 x 22.5 x 13.2 cm). That is a mirrorless or DSLR body with a lens mounted, plus a second lens and a charger, or a body and three primes if you pack them nose to tail. The exterior is 13.37 x 11.62 x 6 inches (34 x 29.5 x 15.2 cm).
It comes with three layers of Pick ‘n’ Pluck foam, so you shape the pockets yourself with your fingers rather than a knife. The polypropylene shell is crushproof and IP67-rated, the lid seals on an O-ring, and there’s an automatic purge valve and two stainless padlock protectors.
At 3.97 lb (1.8 kg) empty and 4.41 lb (2 kg) with the foam, it’s light enough to carry all day and small enough to go under an airline seat as a personal item. But 0.31 cubic feet is genuinely small. A second body will not fit, and the 5.18-inch depth means a 70-200mm f/2.8 has to lie flat with the hood off. If you shoot two bodies, or carry a pile of accessories, buy the Air 1525 at the top of this list instead.
The Pelican V200 Vault is Pelican’s budget line, sold as a medium pistol case and quietly excellent for a camera. 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.
The interior (L x W x D) is 14 x 10 x 5.5 inches (35.6 x 25.4 x 14 cm), inside an exterior of 15.41 x 13.08 x 6.16 inches (39.1 x 33.2 x 15.6 cm). That’s enough space for a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera with a lens on it. And you can squeeze a few accessories in there. It’s a handy size and won’t take up much space when traveling.
The V200 comes with four layers of protective foam that you pluck 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, two push-button latches and padlock eyelets. There’s also a purge vent, so the lid still opens after a flight. Made in the USA, like the rest of the range.
There is one trade-off. Pelican rates the Vault line as crushproof, dustproof and weather-resistant, not the IP67 watertight rating the Protector and Air cases carry. It will shrug off rain and dust; it is not the case to strap to a kayak. If your gear ever goes near open water, spend the extra on the Air 1525.
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 (55.9 x 35.6 x 20.3 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 is IP67-rated, so it survives 30 minutes under a meter of water without leaking, and it’s made from a UV- and impact-resistant polymer.
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.
The MEIJIA 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 MEIJIA camera case has a solid construction. It can take a beating while the foam interior keeps your gear safe. It’s IP67-rated, so dust stays out and a downpour is a non-event.
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 MEIJIA camera case is protective and easy to carry. It’s not for big professional jobs. But it’s great for everyday use. MEIJIA is also an Amazon-only brand with no service network behind it, so there’s nothing like Pelican’s lifetime guarantee if a latch ever snaps.
10. Pelican Air 1615
| Brand |
Brand
Pelican
|
| Material |
Material
Lightweight HPX resin
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
32.58 x 18.4 x 11.02 in exterior; 29.59 x 15.5 x 9.38 in interior
|
| Weight |
Weight
14.06 lb (6.38 kg)
|
| Waterproof |
Waterproof
Watertight O-ring seal
|
| Interior Protection |
Interior Protection
Pick 'n' Pluck foam
|
The Pelican Air 1615 is the largest rolling option on this list. Pelican designed its exterior around the maximum airline check-in size, so it suits photographers who need to check a large camera or video kit.
The exterior measures 32.58 x 18.4 x 11.02 inches (82.8 x 46.7 x 28 cm). Inside, you get 29.59 x 15.5 x 9.38 inches (75.2 x 39.4 x 23.8 cm). That long interior gives you room for large lenses and support gear that will not fit in the carry-on cases above.
This version includes Pelican’s Pick ‘n’ Pluck foam. You remove the pre-scored cubes to make a fitted compartment for each item, while the foam absorbs shocks and stops the equipment moving in transit.
The lightweight HPX resin shell is crushproof, dustproof, and sealed by a watertight O-ring. An automatic purge valve balances the air pressure after a flight. Stainless-steel-bearing wheels, an extending trolley handle, double-throw latches, and rubber overmolded handles make the large case easier to move. Pelican also covers it with a lifetime warranty.
The drawback is its size and weight. It is 14.06 lb (6.38 kg) before you add any gear, and it is far too large for a cabin. Buy it when you need maximum checked-baggage capacity. Choose the Air 1525 or Nanuk 935 if you need to keep the case with you on the plane.
A look inside our top pick, the Pelican Air 1525
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Take a Camera Hard Case as Carry-On Luggage?
Some of them. The Pelican Air 1525, the Nanuk 935 and the SKB 3i-1309-6 are all built to cabin dimensions, and Nanuk states outright that the 935 is carry-on approved for most airlines. The Pelican 1560, Pelican 1600, and Pelican Air 1615 are not, so they go in the hold. Always check your own airline’s size and weight limits, because a hard case spends a lot of your allowance on itself.
Is Foam or a Divider System Better for Camera Gear?
Plucked foam grips harder and costs less, so it suits a kit that rarely changes. Divider systems such as Pelican’s TrekPak, SKB’s Think Tank inserts and Nanuk’s padded divider are quicker to reconfigure and waste less depth, so they suit a kit that does. Most of these cases are sold in both configurations, so check which one the listing is for before you buy.
What Does IP67 Mean on a Camera Case?
It means the case is completely dust-tight and survives 30 minutes under a meter of water. Every case on this list carries that rating except the Pelican V200 Vault, which Pelican rates as weather-resistant instead. IP67 says nothing about impact. That is what the MIL-STD-810 certifications cover.
Do I Still Need a Padlock?
The latches on these cases are secure, but they aren’t locks. Every case here has padlock eyelets, and the Nanuk’s are 0.34 inches across and take a TSA-approved lock. Use one if the case is going into the hold, and put the lock through both latches rather than just one.
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 shell and cut-to-fit TrekPak dividers keep your gear safe and sound. Pelican makes cases you can trust. And it’s a convenient size for car, train, or plane travel.
If you’re buying today, do it in this order. Measure your longest lens with a body attached, add an inch, and check that against the interior figures above, not the exterior ones. Then decide whether you will ever wheel it, because that choice is expensive to reverse. Finally, weigh the empty case against your airline’s cabin allowance if it’s going in the overhead locker: the Nanuk 935 is 11.6 lb before you pack anything, and the Air 1525 is 5.99 lb.
