Aluminium luggage has long been a status symbol, mostly because of what it costs. Rimowa’s ribbed metal cases sell for well over $1,000 even at cabin size. Xiaomi’s new Mijia Metal Suitcase goes after that look for a fraction of the price: the 20-inch carry-on costs 1,699 yuan, or about $255, through a crowdfunding campaign on Xiaomi Youpin. Shipping is set to begin on October 29, 2026.
The main shell is a 5000-series aluminium-magnesium alloy, and the internal frame uses stiffer 6000-series aluminium-magnesium-silicon. Xiaomi has also dropped the visible rivets found on most metal suitcases. The company says this rivet-free construction takes 150 manufacturing steps and produces a smooth, flush exterior without weakening the metal. The corners are reinforced with zinc alloy to take impacts, and the horizontal stripes from earlier Mijia luggage carry over. It comes in Light Silver and Titanium.
Xiaomi is also highlighting how quiet the suitcase is. It rolls on HINOMOTO spinner wheels, which use metal bearings, a TPE rubber coating and 6mm of shock absorption. Xiaomi says SGS testing measured them below 43dB, and that its own tests showed less than 2mm of tread wear after 72km. Those figures come from Xiaomi and SGS, not independent long-term use. Still, quiet wheels make a real difference to anyone who has dragged a noisy case through an airport terminal late at night.
The rest of the suitcase covers the basics. The telescopic handle is 6000-series aluminium with four height settings and a microfibre leather grip, and Xiaomi says it has been tested for 18,000 extensions. Inside are 37 litres of space split into two compartments with U-shaped zips, plus two accessory pockets. Xiaomi suggests that’s enough for a three- to five-day trip. The lining is a peach-skin velvet treated to inhibit 99% of common bacteria, according to the company. A TSA-approved combination lock opens both clasps at once.
The big unknown is weight, which Xiaomi hasn’t confirmed. Aluminium cases are usually heavier than polycarbonate ones, and that matters on airlines with strict carry-on limits. It’s also not yet clear whether the suitcase will be sold outside China. Xiaomi’s lifestyle products often reach global stores months later, if they reach them at all.
The case also shows how far Xiaomi’s ecosystem now extends beyond phones and smart home gear. Days earlier the company released its lightest Mijia backpack yet. At this price, the Metal Suitcase could undercut much of the premium metal luggage market, if it holds up after a few years of rough baggage handling.
