Delsey Paris’ suitcases are known for their tasteful aesthetics and the Delsey Paris Helium Aero 25-inch Checked Suitcase is no exception. It features a classic, metal-like hardshell, a deluxe interior compartment, and top-of-the-line maneuverability. This makes it great for style-conscious travelers who want to pack light without leaving their creature comforts at home.
In this Delsey Paris Helium Aero 25-inch Checked Suitcase review we’ll go into the suitcase’s durability, packing features, and more. We’ll also talk about what makes it great compared to other suitcases at its price point and in what ways it falls short.
The Good
- Waterproof polycarbonate exterior
- Four twin double spinner wheels
- Two packing compartments
- TSA lock
The Bad
- Zippers get stuck from time to time
- Can develop cracks over time
Quick Take
The Delsey Paris Helium 25-inch Checked Suitcase is a great suitcase for its price. It has all the basic features you would want from a suitcase at this price point without compromising on your suitcase’s appearance. While the hardshell case has some drawbacks, it’s still an otherwise well-built suitcase with above-average build quality.
It comes with a TSA-approved combination lock, an expandable zipper, smooth-rolling spinner wheels, and a roomy main compartment. The Helium’s flashy looks will be perfect for leisure travelers, but it can also withstand frequent travel.
Full Review
Dimensions & Weight (7/10)
The Delsey Paris Helium 25-inch Checked Suitcase comes in at 25 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches (63.5 x 44.45 x 29.21 cm). It’s above the maximum size allowed for carry-on luggage so you’ll have to bring a smaller bag for your valuables. For checked luggage, which needs to be under 62 linear inches, it’s pretty much spot on, measuring only at 54 linear inches. In terms of clothing, you should be able to pack everything for a 7-14 day vacation, depending on your packing habits.
It weighs 8.98 pounds (4.07 kg), which is just 0.01 lbs over the average weight of medium-checked hardside suitcases. So while it isn’t the lightest hardside suitcase, it isn’t the heaviest either. For checked luggage though, weight isn’t really too important because the weight restrictions are somewhat forgiving (usually, 50 lb or 70 lbs), so this isn’t a huge issue.
Materials & Water-Resistance (13/15)
As we’ve said above, the Helium Aero has a polycarbonate hardshell. This makes it resistant to weather conditions and temperature changes, ensuring that your items stay intact no matter what season it is in the countries you travel to. If you’re the type who likes to bring home gifts from your trip, you can count on this suitcase to keep your snacks and knickknacks safe.
The bag also has exceptional water resistance that prevents rain from soaking your items. This makes it great for people who often travel for business since you can trust that your documents won’t end up soggy and illegible.
Plus, unlike other polycarbonate suitcases, the Helium is scratch-resistant which keeps it looking new even after several international trips.
Durability (16/20)
Because the Helium is made from polycarbonate, the shell bends when pressed. That’s completely normal and it’s meant to be that way – its flexibility reduces the chances of getting cracks. In fact, polycarbonate is considered the most durable hardside luggage plastic.
That said, there have been a few reports from some owners that the suitcase developed cracks after extended use. Additionally, other users mentioned that the zippers may occasionally get stuck. Before that scares you off, though, keep in mind that these complaints are few and far in between, meaning that it’s likely to be a QA issue rather than a problem with the suitcase itself.
Everything else about this suitcase is on-point. The handle feels solid and is comfortable to hold and the wheels support the weight of your luggage well without dragging on the floor — a good sign for its longevity.
Moveability (13/15)
Its four double spinner wheels make traveling with this suitcase a breeze. Not only do they let you move in all directions and on most surfaces, but they distribute weight along the bottom of the suitcase so well that it feels like you’re carrying nothing.
If you don’t like the thought of getting your suitcase dirty, there’s a handle on the side and top of the suitcase that you can use for carrying your luggage across the stairs. That said, it doesn’t have a bottom handle, which means that it’s a bit awkward to lift up to the overhead compartments on trains.
Additional Features (7/10)
Although the Helium Aero doesn’t come with a lot of advanced features, the ones that it does have are extremely well done. Sure, it doesn’t have a lot of custom organization options, but its spacious interior is divided into two compartments by a sturdy divider. This way, you can easily sort your worn and fresh clothes for the trip home.
The bag also has a secret trick up its sleeve: It can expand up to 2 inches to give you additional space. This special feature can come in handy for packing extras that don’t fit your typical medium checked suitcase but aren’t large enough to call for a bigger suitcase. You also won’t have to worry about your extra packed items spilling out of your bag thanks to its TSA lock.
Design (8/10)
Delsey Paris always delivers on the design aspect of its suitcase and with the Helium, they’ve knocked it out of the park. The metal Delsey Paris logo and handles of this suitcase have a matte finish that gives this suitcase a premium feel. The logo even has the Delsey Paris name engraved along its outer portion, reminiscent of logo designs for luxury cars.
Though the bag isn’t made of aluminum, the corrugated hardshell and its sheen make it hard to tell that it’s polycarbonate at first glance. It manages to mimic the appearance of pricier suitcases without looking tacky. If you go with the darker color variants, you’ll have an easy time matching your bag to your suit.
Warranty (6/10)
When you get this suitcase, remember to keep the warranty certificate and bill of sale. Also, make sure that there’s a product reference and date of sale on your suitcase as Delsey Paris won’t cover your bag under its warranty otherwise.
The Helium is covered by a Worldwide Limited 10 Year Warranty which is the maximum that Delsey Paris offers. If you ever have problems with the Helium, you can reach out to Delsey Paris and they’ll decide whether your item can still be repaired or if it needs replacing. However, the warranty doesn’t renew with your replacement so if you get your Helium replaced after a year, you’ll only have nine more years of warranty coverage.
If your suitcase qualifies for repairs under warranty, Delsey Paris will cover the costs of taking it to the nearest repair center. You won’t have to pay for shipping your suitcase or for additional service fees.
Some Helium owners have reported that Delsey Paris refused to repair or replace their suitcase because the damage happened during transport. If you’d like a more generous warranty, you’re better off picking a suitcase from a different brand, such as Travelpro, Tumi, or Briggs & Riley.
Value (7/10)
Quality-wise, the Delsey Helium Aero 25-inch checked suitcase is just right for its price and that’s on top of looking a few dollars above its actual price point. It has most of the standard features we’ve come to expect from suitcases at this price point and while it doesn’t have much to offer beyond that, the suitcase doubles down on what it does well.
It’s a no-frills suitcase that you’ll love if you’re looking for something reliable for your business trips and weekend getaways. There are a ton of other suitcases that have a few more tricks, but those are pricier. If you’re not going to use those extra features regularly, this one will do the job.
How Does Delsey Helium Aero Compare to Similar Suitcases?
The Helium reminds us of another Delsey Paris suitcase that’s known for its luxurious looks: the Delsey Paris Chatelet Hardside. The Chatelet is made for travelers who really want to look like they’re on their way to or from a fashion show. It’s a gorgeous suitcase with a white hardshell, leather trim, and red interior compartments.
The two suitcases are about the same size but the Chatelet is a little smaller as it’s only 24 inches tall. Despite this, the Chatelet weighs 11 pounds, making it much heavier than the Helium’s 8.98 pounds. If that’s not a deal-breaker for you, the price might be because the Chatelet costs nearly twice as much as the Helium. However, if you think that’s worth it for a nicer look, a brake system, and a recessed lock, you’ll want to go with the Chatelet.
Another comparable suitcase is the Samsonite Centric 24-inch Spinner which also has a 10 Year Limited Warranty and hardshell. It’s not as unisex friendly as the Helium, but its industrial-inspired design makes the cut for a work travel suitcase. Unlike the Chatelet, there’s not a lot to differentiate this suitcase from the Helium and since it only has single spinner wheels, many users would much rather have the Helium’s four twin double spinner ones.
Our Verdict
Whether the Delsey Paris Helium Aero 25-Inch Checked Suitcase is worth the money is ultimately up to you, but our two cents is that this is one of the best suitcases you can get for its price. Like we’ve mentioned before, there are better options if you want a truly luxurious suitcase or one that has better warranty coverage, but most travelers will find this suitcase more than enough for their needs.
The zippers get stuck every now and the polycarbonate shell might eventually develop some cracks, but other than that, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something lacking.
The suitcase looks amazing on its own and even better with a smart business casual outfit. Its waterproof, scratch-resistant hardshell makes it perfect for frequent travelers. If you’re the type to pack a lot of stuff, this suitcase is practically made for you. It expands to accommodate extra items and its top-notch double spinner wheels take the weight off your arm. Even carrying this suitcase is easy because of the handles at the top and side that are secured to the body of the suitcase with metal attachments.
(5 votes, average: 4.60 out of 5)
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