Best carry-on luggage for 2025, tested by a travel writer

This bag is suitable for budget airlines with the toughest size restrictions, but it still offers a range of useful features. The carry-on is light and compact, but can be extended to provide extra packing space for premium airlines. One of the best features is that you can charge your devices via the port below the handle, which prevents you from unpacking all your cables in the middle of the airport.

The bag feels sturdy, and the quality is apparent in the small details, such as the zips and internal lining. The only cons here would be the price and the overall look, which is not as modern or chic as other hard-shell bags we tested, such as those from Aer or Paravel. Of all the bags we tested, though, this carry-on stood out for its sturdiness and versatility, which ultimately secured it the top spot.

Finding a good travel bag that will stand the test of time but won’t break the bank is not an easy task. I tried several budget options, but many seemed too flimsy to be worth the initial savings on the price. This 40l bag from Cabin Max, however, is relatively inexpensive, costing just a little more than £50, and it meets the specs for most of the big budget airlines. If you want something that meets the tight 40cm x 30cm x 20cm allowance of Wizz Air, there’s also a 24l version (Amazon.co.uk).

The simple bag doesn’t offer the cool looks or luxury finish of those from the likes of July or Carl Friedrik, but I found it to be a decent, practical option for annual trips away. It features spinner wheels, making it easy to cart around, and comes with a built-in combination lock to keep your possessions safe. Although more-expensive hard-shell bags will offer more in the way of sturdiness, if you’re not a frequent flyer looking for extra durability, this bag should make for a great travel companion.

This case may have a simple design but I found it answers all travel needs. It opens completely to allow for easy packing and fits an incredible amount of clothes for a hand luggage bag. I managed to fit two pairs of trousers, three tops, a light jumper, underwear, a toiletry bag, a pair of shoes and my 13in MacBook (and many cables) with room to spare.

There’s a padded pocket that can fit a 16in laptop, and plenty of other pockets to store all your travel essentials. There’s even a handy detachable key clip. The zip is sturdy and runs smoothly, even when the bag is packed to the brim. The shoulder strap is wide and padded enough to be comfortable while trekking through airports.

The bag is available in eight colours, and I have even used the versatile design as a gym bag – it’s very handy when you have a full day out and are carrying a lot with you. It’s a little expensive, but one of the most versatile bags you can buy.

This hybrid two-in-one duffel captured my attention thanks to its practicality, quality and great design. It can be used as a duffel or a backpack, and switches between the two styles in seconds. There is a separate and expandable shoe compartment, a removable small, see-through, waterproof pouch for passports and cash, and a good number of pockets for everything you might need during a short trip.

The look is on the sporty side, but I was genuinely impressed with the amount of clothes I could fit inside this bag. It’s a great, quality product overall, but the higher price point makes it much less accessible than some alternatives. If you want the very best duffel around, this is the one, but if you’re on a budget, there are better options. It’s also one centimetre longer than most companies’ length requirements. I didn’t have any issues getting it on a plane, but if you’re a nervous flyer and worry about a fine, this might not be for you.

Considering the price, I can’t help but be impressed by this backpack. It fits under plane seats and complies with the stricter airline allowances, including easyJet’s free small bag dimensions and Wizz Air’s free bag dimensions. It’s also extremely light and features plenty of pockets.

On the back, there is a padded laptop sleeve and a hidden pocket for storing passports and phones. Inside, there are two compartments, complete with compression belts. It fits plenty for its size. The quality is far from that on offer from the likes of Aer or Briggs & Riley, so it may not last for years, and might not hold up for frequent fliers. If you just need something for the odd city break, however, this is an excellent product at an incredible price point.

This backpack is made for travelling. It opens completely, making it easy to pack, and features two compartments, a separate sleeve for shoes, and two additional pockets. There is a separate padded sleeve that can hold a laptop and a tablet, as well as additional documents or magazines. There are two extra pockets on the front to store travel essentials and, on the back, a trolley sleeve.

I managed to fit quite a lot inside, including clothes, various daily essentials, and tech – I found I could squeeze even more inside when using packing cubes. This bag is perfect for those who prefer to have their hands free when travelling, and it’s a good option for commuters. All compartments are well-padded, so any tech or fragile items would be safer in this bag than some other options included in this lineup. It’s expensive, but I think it’s worth every penny for a durable, effective bag.

Featuring a water-resistant, stain-proof lining, a sturdy polycarbonate shell, and a built-in, detachable charger located below the handle, this carry-on bag complies with most major airlines' size restrictions and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Inside, zippered mesh compartments and compression straps helped keep my belongings organised and in place during testing.

However, there are no front pockets or laptop sleeves included here, so this is perhaps not the best bag if you have to fly for work. For those who like their luggage to stand out from the crowd, though, this bag comes in 13 different colourways, providing much more choice than many competitor brands.

This bag is the epitome of understated luxury. Here, it’s all in the details. Below the handle, there’s a wheel lock that prevented the carry-on from rolling away from me when my hands were busy.

I found its wheels are almost silent, too. Inside, there’s a hidden pocket for your AirTag, a leather luggage tag, plenty of pockets that helped me organise my belongings efficiently, and a sleek compression belt. Overall, this is a well-made, functional bag that’s perfect for design-led travellers.

A favourite among flight attendants, Briggs & Riley is a safe choice when looking for luggage, but the brand’s bags come with hefty price tags. So, what do you get for your money? This bag oozes quality and comes with plenty of nice features: the extendable handle mechanism is external, which means there are no annoying ridges inside the bag, and there’s a small external pocket that’s perfect for carrying a foldable umbrella.

The bag can be expanded with a click, too – once it’s zipped up, you can compress it again by pushing down on it, which worked perfectly during testing and meant I could fit a lot more inside compared with some other bags. Another unusual but welcome feature is the built-in tri-fold garment folder, which is useful if you are travelling for an event and need your outfit to remain wrinkle-free.

Not everyone will want to spend £600 on a cabin bag, but for those happy to splurge, there are plenty of details here that make packing and travelling that little bit easier. However, it’s one centimetre longer than Ryanair’s baggage limit. You might want to risk it, but you could be fined.

I was dubious about how much I’d be able to fit inside this smaller carry-on, but I found it held everything I needed for a weekend away – and it’s much easier to handle than your average cabin bag thanks to its compact size.

Unlike many of the other options included in my list, this bag is small enough to qualify as hand luggage with some airlines, but still manages to fit wheels and an extendable handle into its design. Meanwhile, the double-layered front pocket features a laptop sleeve, and there’s a built-in combination lock to help keep everything secure. Even though it’s far from the priciest option on my list, this bag also comes with a lifetime guarantee. The only drawback is that its 30l capacity is less than a standard cabin bag. It’s a great choice for a city break, but might not work for a package holiday.

This colourful bag is made from 19 recycled plastic bottles, it’s water-resistant and, most importantly, it can easily be squashed down to fit into small spaces or be stored away when not in use. Another big plus for me is the fact that this bag is machine washable, which helps keep it in pristine condition.

It features a detachable strap, a trolley sleeve, an internal water bottle holder, and a key hook. The major downside of this bag, though, is that it lacks a padded pocket for tech, which is a significant issue for someone who carries a laptop everywhere. That said, it’s very spacious. The company doesn’t specify the volume, but I’ve done the maths and it’s around 33l. If you are travelling without size restrictions, I found it can be filled with two weeks' worth of clothes and accessories.

Although the small details here might not be as refined as some other carry-ons from the likes of Aer, this American Tourister offering is still a fabulous product at a relatively affordable price.

This simple, hard-shell suitcase meets most airlines’ size requirements and has a modern, playful look. Inside, the bag is divided into two sections, with four pockets, and I found it offers plenty of space to play with – you should have no problem packing the essentials for a weekend away.

It’s not often you find a hard-shell bag that meets strict low-cost airline requirements, but Cabin Max offers one at a great price point. This bag was designed with Ryanair policies in mind, so, even though the rigid design can’t be squashed down, you won’t have any nasty surprises once you get to the gate.

The bag has a sturdy shell and two internal compartments. It also comes with a detachable shoulder strap, a comfortable handle and a luggage sleeve. Overall, this is a very handy bag that fits a decent amount of items and will get you through the gate without a fine.

If you only travel occasionally and don’t want to spend much on hand luggage, this bag should do the job nicely. It fits a good amount of belongings – I packed two full summer outfits, a pair of flats, a medium-sized washbag, chargers, socks, and other accessories.

However, it’s not the best choice for carrying a laptop, as it doesn’t have a dedicated laptop pocket. Options from brands such as Aer or Cabin Max are much better for transporting tech for work trips. It’s also not the most comfortable to carry, as it doesn’t have a shoulder strap, only hand straps. That said, if you need something for short-haul city breaks, this is very hard to beat for the price.

Considering the price, quality and overall look of this cabin bag, it has become a firm favourite. Any functional damage to the bag, such as a broken wheel or ripped zipper, is covered by a lifetime guarantee, which means this could be the last bag you have to buy. Aesthetic wear and tear is not covered under the guarantee, but a scuff eraser is included with the bag.

Inside, there is a handy laundry bag and a compression board to help you get the most out of the available space. However, unlike Carl Friedrik’s carry-on, the board can’t be removed. One addition that helps set this bag apart is an underside grab handle, which makes it a lot easier to position this bag in overhead bins. This is a rare but thoughtful feature that I usually see in much pricier carry-ons, such as Briggs & Riley’s. Overall, this cabin bag offers great quality for the price. Just bear in mind that it’s a couple of centimetres wider than Ryanair’s baggage allowance.

It’s worth noting this bag is slightly wider than some other options, so it might not get past eagle-eyed Ryanair employees. However, the weekender is still accepted as hand luggage on most airlines. I used it on an easyJet flight to France and had no problems.

The structure is semi-rigid, so it keeps its shape, but it can be squished into a smaller space, if necessary, as the base is flexible. I was able to fit a couple of summer outfits, flip-flops, a pair of heels and my laptop inside, along with other essentials.

There is a padded internal pocket, one main compartment and two little inside pockets, as well as a secret magnetic pocket for storing your passport and boarding pass securely. This is a very simple design that does the trick, but you can get it monogrammed for extra personalisation.

This bag is made of soft neoprene, so it’s easy to stash it under your seat (and into airline bag sizers). It comes with plenty of straps, enabling you to carry it as a duffel, a tote, or a backpack, which is useful when you want free hands during a trip or if you have to walk around for a prolonged period.

There is space for a 15in laptop inside, while two side pockets can hold water bottles, and a few smaller pockets provide extra storage. The bag can hold quite a lot, in fact – I packed a gym set, a pair of flats, two trousers, a few tops and all the usual essentials inside.

On the back, you’ll find a trolley sleeve that can be zipped up to become an additional pocket for even more storage. The holdall also comes with a separate bag for shoes or dirty laundry, which is a nice touch. I particularly like the versatility of this bag, which is also great as a gym bag or an everyday, fits-all option.

Briggs & Riley is a safe bet if you are looking for luggage that will last a lifetime. This bag is made of strong ballistic nylon fabric that is extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear. The sides are rigid, so the bag maintains its shape and doesn’t fold in on itself when half empty, making it easier to find what you're looking for.

Inside, there is plenty of space, including a small pocket. On the outside, there are two very spacious side pockets and one hidden small pocket. The front pocket can hold a 13in laptop, but there isn’t a lot of padding to it. On the back, you’ll find a trolley sleeve and a secret pocket that holds an address tag.

The price may be steep but I think it’s justified by the quality of the craftsmanship and the fact the bag comes with a lifetime guarantee, with no need for proof of purchase.

Produced from recycled plastic bottles, this is a great bag if you're travelling for business and need a backpack that will fit all your essentials and safely store your laptop while looking smart and professional. The main section of the bag is lockable to keep your belongings safe, plus, among the many pockets, there’s one designed to hold an AirTag for extra peace of mind. You’ll also find space for two large bottles of water.

I wouldn’t use this particular bag when going on holiday, as it doesn’t fit as much as other options I tested. However, if you are travelling for business, this is a really good, smart-looking option.

Inside this bag, you’ll find plenty of space, a removable interior compression board and incredibly strong straps, which helped to keep my belongings in place. Made of polycarbonate and aluminium, this case looks and feels like it wouldn’t break even if you threw it from the fifth floor (I didn’t go as far as to test that theory, though). The TSA-approved lock closure is secure and elegant, and the 360-degree spinner wheels were extremely smooth and silent during testing.

The front pocket opens completely, which makes it easier to pack, and there is a padded space for a laptop. Other small pockets are ideal for documents, notebooks, passports and pens, which helps make this bag ideal for those travelling for business. The only downside is that the bag is slightly too big for some low-cost airlines with strict size restrictions. It’s technically .6cm too big for Jet2, easyJet, and British Airways, but you could probably get away with it. It’s a great option for a cabin bag when travelling further afield, but might not work for cheap trips in Europe.

At first glance, this duffel bag is very unassuming, but I was pleasantly surprised when I tested it. The issue with duffel bags is that they often lack pockets or space for a laptop, but this one has a padded front pocket that was perfect for protecting tech. The fabric and zips are waterproof, too, making this design even more practical. On the other side of the bag, another compartment has an AirTag pocket and space for the usual essentials, such as keys, passport and phone.

The main compartment of the bag is spacious, but there is the option to expand it, too – two zips located at the base enabled us to expand the bag twice, which I found very handy when cramming clothes inside. The only downsides to this design are the price and the fact that, as with any typical duffle bag, it can become heavy to carry, as there are no wheels to help you transport it from A to B.