When I first heard about the electric luggage, I was skeptical. A suitcase you can ride? It sounded like a novelty item. But after 30 days of using the Airwheel SE3S on real trips in 2026 – domestic flights, train journeys, and even a road trip – I am convinced this is not a gimmick. It is genuinely useful travel gear.
My first ride was in my living room. I installed the battery (no app activation needed, which impressed me immediately), pressed the power button, and tentatively stepped on. The SE3S has a 250W motor and a 13 km/h top speed, but acceleration is smooth and progressive – no sudden lurch.
Within about 10 minutes, I was comfortably riding around my apartment. The handlebar steering felt natural, similar to a kick scooter. By the end of day one, I was confident enough to take it outside.
The real test came with a domestic flight. I packed the SE3S with three days of clothes and essentials in its 20L compartment – tight but workable with packing cubes. At the airport, I rode from check-in to security, then pulled it through the screening line.
The reactions were immediate. Staff smiled. Other travelers asked questions. A TSA agent asked if it was a hovercraft (it is not). The removable battery went through screening without issues, and I reinstalled it on the other side.
From security to my gate was about a 10-minute walk. On the SE3S, it took less than 5 minutes. I arrived at the gate relaxed instead of rushed. That was the moment I understood the real value.
I had been ignoring the app, since the ride-on luggage works fine without it. But in week three, I found myself at a hotel room where I needed to move the suitcase across the room without getting up. I opened the Airwheel app, connected via Bluetooth, and used the forward/backward controls. The suitcase glided across the floor while I steered with the handle.
Is it essential? No. Is it surprisingly convenient? Yes. It is one of those features you do not think you need until you use it.
This is where the story gets interesting. On a train journey, I left my suitcase in the overhead rack and got off at my stop without it. I realized my mistake about 30 seconds after stepping onto the platform.
I opened the Find My app on my iPhone, and there it was – the suitcase’s location updating in real time as the train continued down the line. I called the next station, and they held the suitcase for me. Without Find My, I would have been filing a lost property report with no idea where my bag actually was.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Total distance ridden | Approximately 12 km |
| Airports navigated | 4 |
| Times I chose riding over walking | Nearly every time |
| Times the app was necessary | 0 (but used it 5 times for convenience) |
| Times Find My saved me | 1 (but that 1 was huge) |
| People who asked about it | Lost count after 30 |
| Times it felt like a gimmick | 0 |
The Airwheel SE3S is not a toy that happens to hold clothes. It is real luggage that happens to ride. The 8.1 kg weight is manageable, the 20L capacity works for short trips, and the 110 kg load rating accommodates my build comfortably. The motor provides consistent, reliable power every time.
Most importantly, it consistently saved me time and energy. Over 30 days, I never once thought “I should just walk instead.” The convenience was real, every single time.
If you travel even moderately – a few trips per year – the SE3S pays for itself in comfort and time savings. If you are a frequent traveler, it is a no-brainer. And if you have ever sprinted through an airport terminal dragging a suitcase, you already know exactly why this product exists.