We’ve all been in situations where we’ve needed to bring a carry-on bag but didn’t want to spend a fortune on it. When you’re at an airport, train station, or other transportation hub, the last thing you want is for your luggage to fail you.
So what do you do? Learn about the best budget carry-on luggage and choose a winner for your next trip!
Pros:
✅ Lightweight, sturdy luggage set
✅ TSA lock included, with a handy combination dial
✅ Hardshell construction and polyester fabric make it durable and weather-resistant
Cons:
⭕ The wheels are quite small, so this isn’t the best choice if you’re moving a lot of stuff around
Pros:
✅ The suitcase is lightweight and easy to carry.
✅ Has a lot of space to accommodate your belongings.
✅ The material is strong and durable.
Cons:
⭕ The wheels aren’t that durable, but they’re easy to replace with another set of wheels if you want them to last longer.
Pros:
✅ It’s lightweight and easy to carry.
✅ It can expand for more space when you need it.
✅ The spinner wheels make it super easy to move around.
Cons:
⭕ It’s not as durable as some other suitcases, so if you’re rough on your bags, this one might not last as long.
Pros:
✅ Looks great, especially the silver color
✅ Lightweight and easy to maneuver
✅ Easy to fit in overhead compartments or under the seat on a plane
Cons:
⭕ Straps are thin and not very durable
What We Test
We researched the market and found the best carry-on luggage for frequent travelers. We tested and reviewed the best carry-on luggage based on a number of factors, including:
- Which carry-on luggage is most durable?
- Which carry-on luggage is versatile enough to be used as a checked bag or as your main piece of luggage?
- Which carry-on bags have innovative features that make them easy to use?
What We Look for in the Best Carry-On Luggage
We look for the best carry-on luggage by considering size, weight, wheels, material, and price.
Size
The first thing to consider when buying a carry-on is how much space you need. Most airlines allow passengers to bring one piece of checked baggage per person and one personal item, such as a laptop bag or purse. The larger your personal item is, the smaller your check-in bag will be.
The Best Budget Carry-On: AmazonBasics Hardside Carry-On Spinner
If you’re not looking to spend much on a new bag but still want something that’s well-designed and functional, this is the best budget carry-on for you.
Why it’s great: The AmazonBasics Hardside Carry-On Spinner is a reliable product from an established brand. Its price point makes it more affordable than many of the other high-quality options on our list, and since it’s hardside, it will protect both your belongings and yourself if you have to gate check your bag at the last minute. It comes in 7 different colors (including some pretty cool ones like bright yellow or orange), so there’s something for everyone here!
How much does it cost? $49.99 for this hard-sided spinner bag; get one here!
The runner-up budget carry-on is the Travelpro Crew 11 22″ Expandable Rollaboard Suiter Suiter suitcase.
Travelpro Crew 11 22″ Expandable Rollaboard Suiter
The Travelpro Crew 11″ x 22″ Expandable Rollaboard Suiter is a bag that can fit in the overhead bin on most flights and is great value for money. It’s made of durable 600-D polyester with a water-resistant coating to protect your belongings from rain and spills. It comes with a TSA lock, so you can feel safe about leaving it at the airport while you travel by train, bus, or taxi. The two external pockets let you keep your smaller items organized and easy to access.
The Best Cheap Carry-On Bag: Travelpro Crew 11″x20″ Expandable Rollaboard Suiter Suitcase
If you’re looking for a cheap carry-on bag, this is the one we recommend. It’s got everything you need in a roll-around suitcase and nothing you don’t.
The Travelpro Crew 11-20″ Expandable Rollaboard Suiter comes in at $199.99 through Amazon Prime (if you don’t have Prime, it’ll cost you $218). It measures 20 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches, which is standard for most airlines’ maximum dimensions. It weighs only 7 pounds and has an expandable gusset that adds another 5 inches to its height for extra storage space perfect for those last-minute shopping sprees before heading home from vacation! The luggage also comes with four wheels and two telescoping handles, so it’s easy to maneuver around airports and hotels alike!
What makes this carry-on bag stand out from the others? For starters, its lightweight design means not having to pay any extra fees when going through security checkpoints at airports across America; plus, it features an interior divider panel so clothes don’t get wrinkled during travel time! “Lastly but certainly not leastly (that’s not even a word), this suitcase also comes with an automatic locking system that prevents unauthorized access while still allowing TSA agents access when necessary.”
The Best Premium Carry-On Luggage: $400+ Price Range: Away, The Carry On, Large, and Small (now available in color!)
The Away carry-on luggage is a great choice for frequent travelers looking for a premium bag. It comes in two sizes: large and small, each of which includes four wheels, an extendable handle, and a TSA-approved lock.
The Large is large enough to comfortably hold most laptops and clothing items you’d need while traveling. The Small is smaller than the average carry-on suitcase but still big enough to hold all your belongings without being too bulky or heavy to lift through security checks or into overhead bins on planes. Both sizes come in 14 different colors (the larger one also comes in black), so you should be able to find something that suits your style!
Upgrade to Premium Carry-On Luggage for $400+ Price Range: Ricardo Beverly Hills Luggage Montecito Micro 21″ Hardside Spinner ($327)
At the top of our list is the Ricardo Beverly Hills Luggage Montecito Micro 21″ Hardside Spinner ($327). This carry-on is one of the best out there for frequent travelers. It’s built like a tank and has a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, so you can be sure it will last for years to come. It comes in black, brown, blue, and red, so you can pick one that matches your style.
It also has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon from over 940 reviews at the time this article was written, which should give you some peace of mind if you’re thinking about purchasing this product.
If we were going to nitpick (because why not? ), we would say that it’s slightly heavier than some others in its category because it’s made with thick plastic instead of aluminum or stainless steel but keep in mind that this makes it more durable than most other hardside luggage options available today!
Our Favorite Inexpensive Hard Case Luggage Set: Samsonite Omni PC Hardside 3-Piece Set Spinner 20/24/28 ($300)
We think this is the best value for your money, and it’s well-suited to international travel. It will fit in the overhead bins on planes, or you can check it as a bag if you need to save weight in your carry-on. We also love that this case is sturdy enough to be used by people who are rough with their luggage and want something that will last more than one trip.
The Samsonite Omni PC Hardside 3 Piece Set Spinner 20/24/28 ($300) comes in four sizes ranging from 20 to 28 inches, so there’s something for everyone here you can find just about any size of case here! It comes in three pieces (a twenty-inch carry-on spinner suitcase, a twenty-four-inch carry-on spinner suitcase, and a twenty-eight-inch expansion garment bag), all made out of hard plastic that feels very durable it feels like it could take some abuse without breaking down too much.
It also has an automatic locking system built into each suitcase, which means you don’t have to worry about losing any screws while traveling simply turn them until they’re tight enough not to come loose during flight! This feature also makes packing easy because once everything is locked up tight, there won’t be anything rattling around inside as you move through security at the airport. ”
Choose carry-on luggage that is budget-friendly and suits your personal travel needs.
You want to choose carry-on luggage that is budget-friendly and suits your personal travel needs. A good carry-on bag should be lightweight, durable, and easy to use.
It’s important to remember that you will be carrying this bag around with you wherever you go, so it’s wise to invest in quality over quantity.
