Yes, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is significantly cheaper than polycarbonate for luggage and manufacturing in 2026. ABS is a common thermoplastic that is much easier and less expensive to produce, which is why it is the standard material for "budget" or "entry-level" hard-shell luggage, often priced between $50 and $150. Polycarbonate, by contrast, is a high-performance material that is more difficult to mold but offers much higher impact resistance and flexibility, typically commanding prices of $200 to $400. While ABS is lightweight and rigid, its biggest drawback is that it is brittle; under the stress of rough baggage handling or extreme temperature changes, an ABS shell is more likely to crack than to bend. Polycarbonate is "self-healing" in the sense that it can flex under pressure and pop back into shape. A high-value peer tip is to look for "ABS/PC blends," which offer a middle ground in price and durability, though for frequent flyers, the higher initial investment in 100% polycarbonate is almost always the more economical choice over time.