How Much Should You Spend on a Road Case?

If you’re in the market for a new road case, the widely varying prices out there can lead to stress and confusion. Should you budget a few hundred dollars, or a few thousand?

Size, complexity, materials, and customization all play a role in the price of a road case. However, the quality of the case makes the biggest difference.

Common Misconceptions About Buying Road Cases

Misconception #1. Nearly all road cases look the same: black laminate with silver hardware. Judging by appearance alone, you might think most are about equal quality. But if that’s the case, why are some $200 while others are $500?

Online retailers like Amazon have flooded the market with cheap road cases. When you get used to seeing that low price, the cost of a high-quality case can be shocking — especially when the photos look the same. But when you consider the time, expertise, and materials that go into high-quality cases, their pricing makes sense.

Misconception #2. Another misconception is that case quality doesn’t make a huge difference. As long as your equipment is packed away, it should be fine, right?

Wrong. You wouldn’t keep your fine china in a cardboard box, so why would you store your delicate equipment in a flimsy case? Your equipment can still get damaged or broken even inside a road case — if the case is poorly made or falls apart. The superior protection of a high-end case is priceless.

Manufacturing Differences Between High-End and Low-End Road Cases

Not all cases are created equal. The build process matters, and it sets high-quality cases apart from those unknown-origin cases on Amazon.

Here’s where you’ll notice a strong difference. A high-end case has:

• Thicker material (⅜″ or ½″ laminated plywood) that holds up against travel, forklifts (to an extent), and more.
• Stronger latches that keep the case tightly closed during transport.
• Casters that consistently handle the case’s weight without bending.
• More rivets to hold the case together securely.
• Denser, professionally installed foam to keep items safe.
• A lid that lines up correctly every time.
• A dozen other details that make a long-lasting case.

Plus, low-end manufacturers often can’t cater to your exact needs, and tend to only offer base models. If you need anything customized, you’re out of luck.

By contrast, high-quality manufacturers follow a more flexible build process so you can get the perfect design for your needs.

The best cases are built by true masters. Anyone can buy a package of top-tier hardware, but only experts can make consistent, reliable, sturdy cases with it every time.

Here at Kangaroo Cases, a master carpenter makes each case by hand. That’s why every case we produce is built to last, and protects like a mother.

When to Invest in a High-End Case

When it’s all about the bottom line, many businesses consider cost before they consider quality. Buying a cheaper case is a great way to stay below budget initially, but is it worthwhile in the long run?

If you only occasionally need to take your equipment up or down an elevator between uses — and you store it in an ideal environment — then you might be able to get away with using a cheaper, low-end case. If you’re on the move, though, that case can start having issues after a few months.

When you need a reliable case that stands up to the wear and tear of your environment, you won’t regret investing in quality. It will last for years, and you won’t have to worry about breaking a caster in the middle of an important event.

You’ll get even more value out of a high-end road case if you need multiple, large, or complex cases. They’re especially worthwhile if cases aren’t your or your company’s core competency — you can leave everything to experts who know cases inside and out.

Can You Build Your Own Road Case?

Still struggling with the price tags on the best road cases? Maybe you’ve considered saving money with the DIY approach.

While it is possible to build your own road case, keep in mind that the process can be labor intensive. Once you factor in design time, build time, and the general headache of correcting mistakes you make along the way, you could be looking at countless hours lost to trial and error.

Also, while you can save money by purchasing your own materials, you may need to budget for specialized tools as well. In the end, the price difference between professionally made and homemade could be negligible.

When you buy a road case, you’re not paying for only the labor and materials; you’re paying for the expertise of master craftsmen. Better, you also get the peace of mind that your case was built correctly and will protect your equipment for years to come.

The Bottom Line

A well-built, high-quality road case is worth every penny — but exactly how many pennies are we talking about?

You may be able to get a low-end case that fits your equipment for $200–$300 dollars. But if you want a long-lasting case that protects your equipment from shocks and jostles, the budget for one small case will likely start around $500. Expect a higher price if you need a larger case or a specialized design.

If you’d like to learn exactly how much you should spend on a road case, contact our experts today to get a quote.