Regardless of how frequently you fly, a cabin-size bag is an essential piece of travel kit if you’re looking to avoid baggage charges and luggage carousels.
With carry-on luggage you can keep your gear safe, secure and by your side, breezing from terminals to taxi ranks in the shortest time possible. Your choice of bag will probably be determined by your budget and type of trip. Essentially, you’ll want to strike a balance between practicality and portability, and get the most out of the space dictated by your airline’s size and weight allowance.
Whether you need a protective hard-shell suitcase or want the flexibility of a soft-sided backpack to throw under the seat in front, we’ve looked at cases and backpacks from our most-trusted brands to compile a list of the best carry-on bags you can buy.
All of these carry-on bags comply with the size restrictions laid out by airlines including BA, easyJet and Jet2 (see our handy chart at the bottom of the article), but it’s best to double-check with individual airline policies before you travel. We’ve also included a bag that complies with the new Ryanair baggage restrictions, brought in on 15 January.
How to buy the best cabin-size bag for you
Is it better to buy a suitcase or a backpack?
This really comes down to personal preference and how you tend to travel. If you’re travelling for business, you might want a suitcase with packing compartments to keep smart clothes neat and outer pockets to store documents and laptops for easy access. For speedy travel, a backpack is the best option, as you can store it underneath the seat in front of you. It also leaves both hands free for when you’re moving around. If you have back problems or trouble lifting, then a lightweight suitcase would be the best option.
Should I go for a hard-shell or a soft-sided suitcase?
If you’re travelling with precious cargo, expensive gadgets or plan to buy fragile souvenirs, then you should consider the material the case is made from. A hard-shell suitcase will offer the best protection for your items and, although it might pick up a few scuffs, it won’t see as much wear and tear as a canvas or polyester bag. Hard-shell cases rarely feature outer pockets, though, which can be handy for storing easy-to-grab items. A good soft-sided suitcase should come with compression straps that allow you to keep things secure and to reduce the overall size of the bag depending on how much you’ve stuffed inside.
How many wheels should my suitcase have?
A four-wheel “spinner” suitcase is the easiest to move around. Weight is spread evenly across four corners of the case and, as the spinner wheels can move in all directions rather than just back and forth, you’ll be able to glide through airports with a smooth 360-degree motion. You may prefer the simplicity of two fixed wheels, though, and this does tend to be the cheaper option. You’ll also shave off an all-important couple of centimetres from the overall case dimensions.
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The best cabin-size bags to buy in 2018
1. Eastpak Tranverz S Wheeled Luggage: The best soft-sided case
Price when reviewed: £100
Eastpak is well known for its street-smart and functional rucksacks and cases. Having initially produced bags for the US military, it knows a thing or two about producing durable, hard-wearing pieces, and all cases come with a reassuring 30-year warranty. This two-wheeled case features two large inner compartments, making it easy to organise your gear, and a handy front pocket for smaller items such as passports, iPads and chargers.
The lightweight telescopic handle and the padded handles on the top and side are easy to grip, and the strong double-stitching protects against airport-security scuffs. The exterior compression straps let you pack things down neatly and securely, depending on how much you’re carrying, and the soft sides fold down for easy storage when it’s not in use. There are loads of colours and designs on offer, too, from business-friendly black to bold graphic prints.
Key specs – Dimensions: 51 x 32.5 x 24cm; Weight: 2.3kg; Capacity: 41.5L; Number of wheels: 2
2. Cabin Max Backpack: The best budget hand luggage
Price when reviewed: £28
Designed in the UK, this compact carry-on backpack weighs less than 1kg but is deceptively roomy, with a 44-litre capacity. It opens like a suitcase rather than a traditional rucksack, so you don’t need to squish all of your gear into it from the top down. A large front zip pocket has handy compartments for accessories, as well as an easy-access pocket for your valuables, and the side compression straps keep things neat.
It complies with most European budget airline hand-luggage rules and its nifty soft-sided design means it’s easy to stow under the seat in front of you. And if you’re schlepping across town with it, you’ll appreciate the adjustable padded straps and top carry handle. The showerproof 600D polyester material will protect your possessions from the elements, too.
It’s functional rather than fashionable (although there are 30+ colours/designs to choose from) and it’s not as robust as some of our other picks. However, for a no-frills, cabin-friendly bag to accompany you on weekend escapes, you can’t go wrong with this budget buy.
Cabin Max Metz Backpack Flight Approved Carry on Bag 44 Litre Travel Hand Luggage - 55x40x20 (Black)
Key specs – Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20cm; Weight: 0.7kg; Capacity: 44L; Number of wheels: 0
3. IT Luggage World’s Lightest Small 4 Wheel Suitcase: Best lightweight case
Price when reviewed: £35
With an ultra-lightweight design (1.75kg) and a wide easy-grip trolley handle, this cleverly designed piece of kit is a breeze to wheel through airport terminals. The four easy-glide skate wheels allow for smooth 360-degree movement, and although it might not seem sturdy, it features a solid fibreglass frame and comes with a ten-year guarantee.
Tidy travellers will appreciate the four internal mesh pockets for neat storage and the two external pockets for easy-to-access items. The extra-wide handle can take a bit of getting used to if you’re more familiar with telescopic handles, but it’s easy to manoeuvre and is fitted with silica-gel padding for comfort and an easy push control.
Key specs - Dimensions: 55 x 35 x 20cm; Weight: 1.75kg; Number of wheels: 4
4. Antler Atom Suitcase: Best hard-shell case
Price when reviewed: £130
If you’re looking for heavy-duty hand luggage, this hard-shell case from historic British brand Antler fits the bill. Made from Armordon, a self-reinforcing polypropylene manufactured in the UK from North Sea oil, this hard-wearing case features an eye-catching hexagonal design and comes with a ten-year warranty. While it’s decidedly sturdy, it weighs less than 2kg and its four hinomoto rotating wheels mean it glides like a dream.
The interior is split into two sections: one concealed with a zip and an open area secured with elastic straps. As with the majority of hard-sided cases, there are no exterior pockets to whip things in and out of, but if the main aim is to keep your items safe and secure, this robust case is hard to beat. And all Antler cases are fitted with a fixed TSA combination lock for added peace of mind.
Key specs – Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20cm; Weight: 1.9kg; Capacity: 44L; Number of wheels: 4
5. Samsonite Neopulse Suitcase, 4 Wheel Spinner: Best for style
Price: £147
With a striking geometric design in a range of matte and metallic options (the metallic sand case has a cool art-deco look), Samsonite’s Neopulse suitcase scores highly in the style stakes. Beyond its beauty it has plenty of brawn, with a hard shell made from Makrolon polycarbonate and an innovative design said to reduce the visibility of scratches and protect corners from wear and tear.
The two interior compartments are lined with divider pads and the bottom compartment features strong elastic ribbons to keep items in place. It’s slim and portable, with a side carry handle and a lightweight double-tube wheel handle that can be adjusted for travellers of all sizes. The integrated three-digit TSA combination lock and concealed address label at the back of the case are handy extras.
Key specs – Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20cm; Weight: 2.2kg; Capacity: 38L; Number of wheels: 4
6. American Tourister Bon Air Spinner: Best all-rounder
Price: £77
Made from 100% polypropylene, this hard-shell case is strong and sturdy but surprisingly light and easy to manoeuvre. Available in a range of bright colours, all with a sleek ridged design, the American Tourister Bon Air is both functional and fashionable and easy to spot on the carousel if it happens to get bumped to the hold.
Inside there are two roomy sections: a zipped compartment with two outer mesh pockets (great for liquids) and an open-sided area that can be secured with elastic ribbons. The four wheels make for smooth 360-degree rolling and for added security there’s a fixed three-digit lock and a discreet address label at the back of the case.
Key specs – Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20cm; Weight: 2.5kg; Capacity: 30L; Number of wheels: 4
7. Members Essential On-Board Bag: The best hand luggage for Ryanair
Price: £14
If you want to travel with hand luggage on a Ryanair flight and avoid baggage charges altogether, you’ll need to squish your possessions into a bag with dinky dimensions (35cm x 20cm x 20cm). This simple Members Essential holdall is just the ticket and will fit easily under the seat in front of you. The main compartment seems surprisingly roomy (although you’ll need to really hone your packing skills) and you can store your passport and travel documents in the front pocket. It features double carry handles and a removable shoulder strap, and is available in a range of retro polka-dot designs.
Key specs – Dimensions: 35 x 20 x 20cm; Weight: 0.5 kg; Capacity: 12.5L; Number of wheels: 0
Airline baggage allowance dimensions
| Airline | Cabin baggage allowance | Maximum dimensions | Maximum weight |
| British Airways | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 56 x 45 x 25cm; small bag: 40 x 30 x 15cm | 23 kg |
| easyJet | 1 cabin bag | 56 x 45 x 25cm | No weight limit |
| Norwegian | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 23cm; small bag: 25 x 33 x 20cm | 10 kg |
| Jet2 | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 56 x 45 x 25cm; small bag: handbag/laptop bag that must fit under the seat in front | 10 kg |
| Aer Lingus | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 24cm; small bag: 25 x 33 x 20cm | 10 kg |
| Flybe | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 55 x 35 x 20cm; small bag: handbag/laptop bag that must fit under the seat in front | 10 kg |
| KLM | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 55 x 35 x 25cm; small bag: 40 x 30 x 15cm | 12 kg |
| Lufthansa | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 23cm; small bag: 40 x 30 x 10cm | 8 kg |
| Thomas Cook Airlines | 1 cabin bag and 1 small bag | Cabin bag: 55 x 40 x 20cm; small bag: handbag/laptop bag that must fit under the seat in front | 6 kg |
| TUI Airways | 1 cabin bag | 55 x 40 x 20cm | 5 kg |