Stiftung Warentest Carry-On Suitcase Test 2026: The Models That Failed on Toxic Chemicals
6 min read
Five out of 17. That's how many models the Stiftung Warentest carry-on suitcase test 6/26 rated "Mangelhaft" (poor). Germany's consumer watchdog published the results on 22 May 2026. Not because wheels snapped or zips jammed. The problem was the material itself: partly carcinogenic PAHs in the carry handles and banned PFAS in the outer fabric.
According to test.de, the lineup was 11 hard-shell and 6 soft-shell cases, bought in November 2025, with prices checked again in March 2026: anywhere from €50 to €710. Ten of them earned a "Gut" (good). The five that flopped? Almost all soft-shell. Honestly, that one surprised me, since fabric cases usually get pitched as the more forgiving carry-on option. If you'd rather play it safe on your next purchase: hard-shell cases came out ahead across the board. Details in our hard-shell suitcase test and our hard-shell vs. soft-shell suitcase comparison.
Which Stiftung Warentest carry-on suitcases failed?
Four of the five brands are named in the freely available coverage. The fifth sits behind test.de's paywall, and I'd rather not guess.
| Brand | Pollutant | Where it was found | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delsey | PAHs and PFAS | Carry handle and outer material | Mangelhaft (poor) |
| Tchibo | PAHs | Carry handle | Mangelhaft (poor) |
| Roncato | PFAS | Outer material | Mangelhaft (poor) |
| Stratic | PFAS | Outer material | Mangelhaft (poor) |
As of Stiftung Warentest test 6/26, 22 May 2026. The PAH and PFAS findings in handles and outer materials were also confirmed by cleankids.de on 25 May 2026, three days after the original report.
Delsey gets hit twice. Handle and fabric.
The weighting is the interesting bit. Per test.de, pollutants only count for 5% of the overall grade, next to durability at 40%, handling at 45% and environmental properties at 10%. Still enough for a "poor". And I think that's fair. A suitcase that lasts a decade doesn't do you much good if you spend that decade gripping a contaminated handle.
What are PAHs and PFAS, anyway?
PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are classed by Germany's Federal Environment Agency as carcinogenic, and they can damage genetic material. They often get into rubber and plastic through mineral-oil softeners. On a suitcase, that means the handle. The one part you're holding all the way to the gate.
PFAS are a different story. It's a family of more than 10,000 substances that make fabric shed water and dirt, which is exactly what you want from a soft-shell case. The catch? They barely break down, according to the Federal Environment Agency, hence the nickname "forever chemicals". In the Delsey, Roncato and Stratic cases, testers found variants that are now banned.
Who won the test?
According to markenkoffer.de, citing test 6/26, the winner is the TITAN UPGRADE S20 with a grade of 1.8 ("Gut"). The same source names the travelite Air Base 4w S (grade 2.0) as the best-value pick. Whether other models tied for the top spot, I couldn't confirm from freely readable sources. To be clear, we didn't test any of these suitcases ourselves. Every grade here comes from Stiftung Warentest. For a running overview of dimensions, weight and airline compatibility, see our carry-on luggage test 2026.
What if you own one of these?
No need to panic. But don't shrug it off either. If you want to keep the case, wrapping the handle in grip tape keeps it off your skin. And if it turns out the handle itself needs replacing: that's often cheaper than buying new. Our repair guide shows you how. That's not official advice from Stiftung Warentest, just common sense. Whether your retailer takes it back is something you'll have to ask them about; I can't promise anything there.
For your next purchase, Germany's Verbraucherzentrale consumer centre suggests looking for labels like "PFC-free" or "fluorine-free". If you want to lean toward lower-pollutant materials on your next buy, our guide to sustainable luggage covers what to look for. And if you're shopping for new cabin luggage anyway, keep in mind that airline limits often differ from the IATA recommendation of 55x40x20 cm. Our carry-on size limits by airline make it easy to check.
What bugs me most is that Delsey, a name plenty of travellers trust, is on the list. So the brand name alone won't protect you. The Stiftung Warentest carry-on suitcase test makes that clear. A suitcase can be cheap. It can even rattle a bit. It just shouldn't be contaminated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which carry-on suitcases failed the Stiftung Warentest test?
In test 6/26, 5 of 17 models were rated "Mangelhaft" (poor). The brands named publicly are Delsey, Tchibo, Roncato and Stratic. The freely available coverage doesn't name the fifth model. The reason was pollutant contamination, not durability.
Why are PAHs in a suitcase handle a problem?
PAHs are considered carcinogenic and can damage genetic material. A handle is in constant contact with your skin, often for long stretches. That's what makes the handle such an unpleasant place to find them.
Are hard-shell or soft-shell suitcases more affected?
According to Stiftung Warentest, it was almost exclusively soft-shell cases. That lines up with the PFAS findings, since these chemicals are used to make fabric repel water and dirt. For more on the trade-offs between the two materials, see our hard-shell vs. soft-shell suitcase comparison.
Which suitcase won the Stiftung Warentest test?
The TITAN UPGRADE S20, with a grade of 1.8 ("Gut") in test 6/26 from 22 May 2026. That's Stiftung Warentest's result, not a test we ran ourselves.
Where can I read the full test results?
On test.de, Stiftung Warentest's own site. The summary is free to read, but the full table with every individual grade is paywalled.
