Discover my top picks for cabin luggage with this handy guide – these are the best on the market right now.
Whether you’re looking to avoid baggage fees or simply want to travel light, travelling carry on only can make life a lot easier. I’ve rated and reviewed the best carry on luggage to help you choose.
Best Cabin Luggage: At A Glance
| Best Cabin Luggage For… | Cabin Luggage |
| Overall Best Cabin Luggage | Samsonite Omni PC Spinner |
| Best Budget Cabin Luggage | Tripp Holiday Case |
| Best Carry on Backpack | Osprey Farpoint 40 / Fairview 40 |
| Best Stylish Carry-On Suitcase | American Tourister Stratum XLT |
Best Carry On Luggage
Samsonite Omni PC Spinner – Overall Best Carry On Luggage UK
So, what is the best carry on luggage or the best cabin hand luggage? Well, the Samsonite Omni PC Spinner 24-inch combines form and function for a stylish hand luggage case that is practical and durable to make the best cabin bags for you.
So what’s so special about it? Samsonite is renowned for its well-designed suitcases, but the Omni PC Spinner is one of the best hard shells they’ve produced. It’s comfortable to transport and looks great too.
The hard shell four-wheeled case has 360-degree double wheels for ease of transport. Its polypropylene shell is tough and wears well – managing to look brand new after several outings.
The weather-resistant shell makes it a great all-round option. It’s sleek; its futuristic look stands out from the typical hard-shell case. It’s accompanied by a double tube handle that is comfortable to handle, even for long periods of time.
Meanwhile, the lined interior has all of the practical solutions you’d expect from a Samsonite suitcase.
The Omni PC Spinner boasts a zippable divider pad, a large hinge pocket and elasticated ribbons to help secure your items inside the case. With a 37 litre capacity (44 when expanded), this best cabin case is roomy enough for longer trips, particularly when combined with packing cubes.
You can choose from a number of colours, more traditional ones include white, black and navy. Alternatively, opt for a splash of colour and opt for Burnt Orange or Caribbean Blue.
Is this the best flight bag ever? In my opinion, yes. At least, it’s the best Samsonite hand luggage around.
Samsonite Omni PC Spinner: Pros
- Expandable – helpful if you need more room
- Very durable
- Good selection of colours
- 5 year limited warranty
Samsonite Omni PC Spinner: Cons
- Quite expensive
- Quite heavy (3.7 kg)
DELSEY Paris Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels – Best Mid-Range Carry On Luggage
The DELSEY Paris Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels is the best cabin luggage option if you’re looking for lightweight cabin baggage at a mid-range price. Delsey is a well-known luggage brand, so you can expect the same attention to detail and luggage expertise as you can from across its range.
Delsey has focused on making the bag as lightweight as possible. That said, the Delsey Helium Aero Spinner is surprisingly strong – thanks to an injection moulded base tray.
It’s comfortable to use – the four wheels glide smoothly and the retractable ergonomic handle is nice and tactile. There are also handles on the side and at the top of the case, so you can grab it and go without difficulty.
One of the big benefits of travelling with a hard shell case like the Delsey Aero Hardside is the fact that will protect your belongings from knocks and bumps as you travel. This can be invaluable when you’re flying (we’ve all seen luggage being handled in airports).
We’re not huge fans of some of the louder colours, but there’s enough choice for you to find a colour that suits – and it doesn’t detract from the overall specs and excellent value.
Internally, there is a mesh pocket, several zippers as well as elasticated packing straps to help you keep all your items neat and tidy while you are on the go. The monogrammed lining makes a nice statement – though obviously, it’s not going to be seen by most.
DELSEY Paris Helium Aero: Pros
- Very tough
- Looks great
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic handles
DELSEY Paris Helium Aero: Cons
- Some colours are unnattractive
Tripp Holiday Case – Best Budget Cabin Luggage
The Tripp Holiday Case is fantastic value for money when it comes to having the best hand luggage. Unlike more flashy, expensive cases, this cabin bag is all about practicality and sturdiness – one of the best hard cabin luggage bags for a fantastic low and affordable price.
Tripp is one of the best hand luggage brands around; they certainly make some of the best carry on luggage in the UK. It’s a renowned and reliable company that always produces sturdy and high-quality travel products and the Tripp Holiday Case is no different.
It comes in a range of different colours, from simple jet black to turquoise, flamingo, and even watermelon. So, despite its plain and practical design, you can opt for a more colourful one to add some dazzle to your budget cabin luggage.
This is a small carry-on case (H: 55, W: 40cm, D: 20cm), ideal for the cabin and for a week-long holiday (if packed well). Its solid sturdiness is its best feature, along with the extra security you get from a combination TSA lock.
Though it is a little on the heavy side, weighing 2.7kg with nothing inside. But you’re paying for strength here, which you need if you’re thinking about bringing home some valuable and breakable souvenirs from your trip. This makes it one of the best budget hand luggage options and the best 4 wheel cabin luggage choice around right now.
Tripp Holiday Case: Pros
- Four wheels, for ease of movement
- Strong and sturdy
- An affordable budget price of £45
Tripp Holiday Case: Cons
- Heavier than other cabin luggage options
- A slightly bland design
Samsonite Pro Travel Softside – Best Soft Carry On Suitcase
The Pro Travel is Samsonite’s best-selling soft suitcase. This generation has been redesigned to provide extra volume at a lighter weight.
The Samsonite Pro Travel one of the best cabin luggage options if you want a soft-shell suitcase that is light, portable and long-lasting.
The 100% Ballistic Nylon exterior is tough, and doesn’t show signs of wear even after extensive use.
Soft side cases do tend to hold more than their hard-shell comparators and the Spark is no exception, with a capacity of 48.5 litres. Definitely something to bear in mind if you want to travel carry on only for longer trips.
One of the big pluses of the Pro Travel is the wireless charging pocket – perfect for charging wireless phones and other wireless charging electronics on the go.
Another plus is the large number of compartments in the suitcase, although this could be a negative unless you’re incredibly organised.
There are handles on the top, bottom and side of the case – a nice touch that comes in handy during transportation.
The same thing goes for the top and front pockets – being able to access travel documents and necessities quickly is much more practical when you don’t have to open the whole case to access them.
Samsonite Pro Travel Softside: Pros
- Large capacity for its size
- Expandable
- Good value
- Wireless charging pocket
Samsonite Pro Travel Softside: Cons
- Lots of compartments can get confusing
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable – Best Rated Cabin Bag
Hardshell suitcases are generally the more expensive option – but if you’re looking for a hard shell that’s well worth the money the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable is the case for you.
The sleek and professional exterior of this best cabin suitcase comes in one of three colours: understated black and grey or a bright blue for those looking for something a little bit more colourful.
The four-wheeled best hand luggage suitcase is very portable – the wheels glide smoothly and the carry handle is reasonably comfortable for wheeling for longer periods of time. The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable withstands the usual knocks and bangs of travel without showing any signs of wear.
Capacity wise, there are carry on cases with better numbers – but the Samsonite Freeform’s 33 litres is more than adequate for a weekend away – longer if you pack smart and use packing cubes.
Samsonite clearly set out to make the best hard cabin luggage that will meet travellers’ needs and that’s exactly what they have achieved here with the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable. You can see why this is one of Amazon’s best-selling carry on suitcases.
Samsonite Freeform Hardside: Pros
- Excellent value
- Looks good
- Highly rated
Samsonite Freeform Hardside: Cons
- Pricey
Herschel Novel Duffle – Best Carry On Duffle Bag
A stylish alternative to a suitcase, the Herschel Novel Duffle is the perfect option and the best cabin bag for those who are travelling light and want luggage that will provide maximum flexibility.
The duffle comes with two strong carrying handles as well as a removable shoulder strap. Classy, classic and understated – it’s been designed for maximum durability without sacrificing any style.
We’re the first to admit that a duffle isn’t a practical option if you are carrying heavy items. However, their lack of structure makes them perfect for fitting into smaller or more awkward spaces – a real bonus when you are trying to find space in the overhead lockers.
Duffles can get a bit jumbled as you are travelling – but Herschel’s handy shoe compartment goes a long way to helping you keep your items in pristine shape.
You should be aware that at maximum capacity, the Herschel Novel will be slightly too large to bring on as carry on. The most obvious workaround for this is not to fill it to capacity. That’s going to be tough if you are away for longer than a weekend as the capacity is only 39 litres anyway.
Overall, the Herschel Novel Duffle is a good option for short weekend trips but isn’t the most practical option for travelling long term. It may not be the best budget hand luggage or the best cheap cabin luggage, but it is definitely one of the best cabin carry on luggage options around.
Herschel Duffel: Pros
- Easy to transport
- Flexible
- Stylish
Herschel Duffel: Cons
- Not suitable for heavier items
- Slightly larger than cabin dimensions when full
Osprey Farpoint 36 – Best Convertible Suitcase Backpack For Hand Luggage
Suitcase or backpack for carry on? It’s a valid question. Why not both? The Osprey Farpoint 36 converts from a suitcase to a travel pack in a flash – meaning wheels, and a handle for ease of transport, with padded shoulder straps for maximum flexibility.
Osprey is one of the leading manufacturers of travel gear – particularly backpacks. So it’s safe to say that they know what they’re doing when it comes to creating lightweight luggage that is tough and durable. The Farpoint 36 is no exception.
With an ultralight frame, the ABS polymer plastic exterior is ready for pretty much any challenge you can throw at it as you travel from A to B.
One of the real standout features of the Farpoint 36 is the well-thought-out storage options inside.
The standard front panel pocket is accompanied by a number of inside pockets to help keep your luggage tidy. There’s also an internal compression strap to help you make use of the space as efficiently as possible.
The T-shape handle is ergonomically designed and one of the most comfortable I’ve tested. Weight-wise, the Osprey Farpoint 36 also shines. Weighing a tiny 1.84kg, you get to use your carry on luggage allowance on the things that count.
Osprey Farpoint 36: Pros
- Extra lightweight
- Practical design for maximum flexibility
- Durable
Osprey Farpoint 36: Cons
- Relatively expensive
Osprey Farpoint / Fairview 40 – Best Carry On Travel Backpack
Another one from Osprey, but a straight-up backpack this time. The Osprey Farpoint 40 (for men) and the Fairview 40 (for women) are the best hand luggage backpacks.
Why? They’re light, tough and durable but are spacious enough to cover pretty much any trip.
As travel bags go, the Farpoint / Fairview 40 are two of my favourites. They’re certainly the best lightweight cabin luggage around. Small enough to be used as a day pack if necessary, it’s well-designed to make use of every inch of available space.
They’re two of the most comfortable backpacks you will find. Cushioned carry handles and straps prevent any digging or sore points, while the ventilated back panel allows air circulation as you carry them around.
Like the Farpoint 36 above, the Fairview / Farpoint 40 comes with a number of handy internal pockets for storing items as you travel (including a useful laptop sleeve).
There’s also a compression strap to help you pack smart and maximise the space available. The lockable zipper for the main compartment is a smart anti-theft feature – so it’s pretty much as secure as a case would be.
The Fairview / Farpoint 40’s unstructured exterior allows for maximum flexibility. So you can poach the small spot in the overhead locker but still have 40 liters of capacity to work with.
Overall, they’re a great choice for those looking for the best carry on luggage for longer trips or simply want the greater portability of a backpack without sacrificing any of the convenience of a well-designed cabin bag.
Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40: Pros
- Lightweight
- Well-designed
- Long-lasting
Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40: Cons
- Heavily branded
American Tourister Stratum XLT Expandable Hardside Luggage Sonar Suitcase – Best Stylish Carry On Suitcase
If you’re looking for a carry-on suitcase that will turn a few heads, and what might be a bold choice for the best business carry on luggage, the American Tourister Stratum XLT Expandable Hardside Luggage is the best cabin luggage for you. With its distinctive near-breakable exterior – this is one of the most stylish cabin suitcases available.
Take your pick from a range of colours: it looks just as good in all of them.
Unlike some other hard-shell suitcases, the Tourister Stratum is lightweight, weighing only 2.4kg for the cabin version. Combined with its easy glide 360 degree rotating wheels and grip handles, it’s every bit as practical as you’d want for your travels.
I’ve knocked and thrown this case around on more than a few trips but it’s barely been scratched. That tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the Tourister Stratum’s durability – turns out, it’s a lot more than a stylish exterior.
The American Tourister is one of the most expensive suitcase on this list. However, it also comes with an impressive 10 year warranty – this is a product that has been built to last and it’s the most stylish cabin luggage around.
American Tourister Stratum: Pros
- Very tough
- Well-designed
- Looks great
American Tourister Stratum: Cons
- Quite expensive
Practical Tips for Buying Carry On Luggage
Size
Check the luggage size and weight allowance of your airline. Each airline can have different rules for size and weight allowance.
Especially Ryanair! If a bag advertises itself as ‘suitable for cabin’ that is almost always true, but not for Ryanair; their size limits are even smaller than other major airlines, so be careful.
Features
Before purchasing cabin luggage, decide which features are most important. Do you need luggage which has room to expand and contract? If, like me, you often have to lug your laptop around, do you need luggage with extra security? You also need to think about practical details: size and dimensions, colour and design, weight.
Here’s what else to consider…
Questions to Consider When Buying Carry On Luggage
- Do you need strong and sturdy luggage or extra lightweight luggage?
- Consider what is most important for your travel needs: strong and sturdy luggage?
- Consider your price range: how much are you willing to spend?
- How much do you need to spend to get the kind of cabin luggage you’re after?
- Do you need two wheels or four?
- What kind of lock mechanism is preferable for you?
- How many pockets and compartments do you need inside your luggage?
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