The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?ExtrasIndyBestTravel & outdoorsLuggageFrom duffel bags to suitcases and backpacks with wheels, these are the carry-ons I recommend These handy travel companions have racked up the miles (The Independent)Our Top Picks1Antler cabin suitcaseRead review£1852M&S Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcaseRead review£953Bellroy transit carry-onRead review£2794Briggs & Riley global carry-on expandable spinnerRead review£4995July carry-on with casesafeRead review£2456Stubble & Co wheeled duffelRead review£1577Troubadour apex travel duffelRead review£2698Tripp holiday 8 cabin suitcaseRead review£489Eastpak travelpackRead review£100The secret to travelling light? Choosing the right cabin bag. After years of frequent travel, I’ve put dozens of bags and luggage brands through their paces in real-world conditions to find the standouts for every type of traveller, trip and budget.The first thing to check when choosing a cabin bag is that it meets your airline's size restrictions. To help you avoid extra fees or gate-checking your luggage, I've noted which airlines allow each bag as a free carry-on. Keep in mind that allowances can vary by ticket type.A good cabin bag should be comfortable to carry and easy to manoeuvre, from cobbled streets to busy train stations. It should also offer enough room for a few days’ worth of outfits, with packing cubes helping to maximise space.Whether you prefer a classic duffel bag, a backpack, a wheeled suitcase for easier journeys, or a versatile hybrid design, I’ve found the cabin bags that are built to go the distance. Need more room? Our team of reviewers has also tested the best check-in suitcases for bigger trips.Read more: Best backpacks with wheels for a smooth rideI assessed capacity, durability and design (Alessia Armenise/The Independent)The best cabin bags for 2026 are:Best overall – Antler cabin suitcase: £185, Antler.co.ukBest budget buy – M&S Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcase: £95, Marksandspencer.comBest hard shell – Bellroy transit carry-on: £279, Bellroy.comBest soft shell – Briggs & Riley global carry-on expandable spinner: £499, Briggs-riley.co.ukRead more: Best packing cubes to keep your suitcase organised1Antler cabin suitcaseBest cabin bag overallSize 55cm x 40cm x 20cmWeight 2.7kgAirlines (free allowance) Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet, British AirwaysWhy we love it Budget airline compliantSturdyComfortable to moveTake note PriceyHandle mechanism isn't the smoothestShow moreThe best cabin bag hails from Antler. It’s compliant with all airlines, including budget options (Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air), which is where most high-quality bags fall short. The size of Antler’s cabin suitcase is the compliant with budget airlines (Alessia Armenise/The Independent )The outer shell feels very sturdy and resistant. The wheels glide without an issue on any surface, and while the handle might not feel as stable as that of more expensive options, it is comfortable to grab and never gets stuck. Inside, there is a zipped compartment with two mesh pockets, and on the other side, there’s an internal compression strap to keep your belongings in place. There’s also a small pocket on the inner side, which I found great for storing extra cables.At £185, it’s relatively accessible, sitting in the mid-range, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Overall, this is a great staple to have in your travel arsenal.Back to top2M&S Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcaseBest budget cabin bagSize 55cm x 36cm x 20cmWeight 2.5kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it Lighter than the average cabin bagReinforced zipsGlides smoothlyTake note Quality is not comparable to high-end optionsShow moreHighstreet stalwart M&S is a brilliant shopping destination if you’re looking for luggage at accessible prices. The least expensive cabin bag is the Vienna (£30, Marksandspencer.com), but the Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcase is the best budget-friendly cabin bag I tested.(Alessia Armenise/The Independent )Its zips are reinforced and glide fairly smoothly. The wheels do a good job too, but they aren’t comparable to the wheels I’ve used with cases from more high-end brands. The handle doesn’t feel as sturdy and comfortable as Bellroy’s or July’s, but the price difference is enough to justify the slight wobble. The suitcase holds a good amount of clothes. Inside, both sides of the case can be zipped up, which creates two compartments. There are also a few inner pockets. It’s about 1kg lighter than the average cabin bag, ideal if you’re bringing heavy souvenirs on a return flight. Despite the price tag, I’d expect it to last quite a few trips, too. Back to top3Bellroy transit carry-onBest hard-shell cabin bagSize 55.5cm × 35cm × 22.5 cmWeight 3.1kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it High-end finishVery durableDetachable packing cubesShow moreBellroy’s transit carry-on is not only the best hard-shell cabin bag, it’s the most beautiful piece of luggage I have ever used. Every little detail has been carefully curated so, if you like a travel set that is high-quality, practical and looks fabulous on the conveyor belt, I can’t recommend it enough. It comes in two sizes – I tested the transit carry-on, which will be accepted by almost all airlines. There’s also the transit carry-on large (£299, Bellroy.com), which is slightly more spacious but will definitely be a liability when it comes to budget airlines.The curved hard shell is incredibly durable (Alessia Armenise/The Independent )It’s incredibly durable, and it makes travel as hassle-free as possible. On the outside, the hard shell is curved for extra protection from bumps and scratches. The two handles are made of a resistant yarn that feels nice to the touch, while the zippers are strong, and the wheels are silent and smooth, even when running on uneven surfaces. It’s spacious, too, with plenty of pockets to separate clothes. On one side, there’s a traditional closed space with an extra mesh pocket, but on the other side, instead of a hard compression panel, there are two detachable packing cubes, which can also be used as a divider – an unusual feature that I really appreciated. It’s not Ryanair compliant, like a lot of higher quality cabin bags, so if you mostly travel with the budget airline, opt for the Antler, M&S or Tripp instead. If not, this Bellroy bag would be my number one choice.Back to top4Briggs & Riley global carry-on expandable spinnerBest soft-shell cabin bagSize 53.3cm x 38.1cm x 22.9cmWeight 3.6kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it Extremely durableUseful compression and expansion featuresPlenty of pocketsTake note Pricey compared to othersShow moreIf you’re looking for the best soft-shell cabin bag, then I’d recommend Briggs & Riley’s global carry-on expandable spinner. Ideal for frequent travel, it feels almost impossible to break or ruin, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee. This case is particularly good for compression (Alessia Armenise/The Independent )Compression power is impressive. Inside the bag, there’s a very effective, semi-rigid compression panel, but extra compression comes from the expansion feature. This can be zipped down to make the case more compact, while unzipping it provides five additional centimetres of space. Thanks to the sturdiness of the case, it’s fairly easy to squash it back into place while creating 25 per cent more space for your clothes.This is the only cabin bag I’ve used that doesn’t have internal handle rails, which means there’s a completely flat surface to lay your clothes on. There are also plenty of pockets to play with, and as expected from a high-end brand, the case has smooth 360 degree spinner wheels, resistant zippers and an impressively sturdy handle.Back to top5July carry-on with casesafeBest tech-forward cabin bagSize 55cm x 38.5cm x 21.5cmWeight 3.4kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it Trackable TSA-approved lockCan be used to charge your phoneSturdySmooth wheelsShow moreJuly’s carry-on with casesafe is sturdy and sleek, but its technical features are what caught my attention. It features an integrated ejectable battery with USB-C for phone charging, as well as an integrated, trackable TSA-approved lock that is compatible with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks. In general, I only ever use a tracker for my checked bags, but if an airline asks you to check in your cabin bag, this offers extra peace of mind. The TSA-approved lock is compatible with (Alessia Armenise/The Independent )Other notable features include the bag’s very resistant shell with reinforced corners, a built-in compression panel and smooth wheels. However, it’s worth noting it’s slightly too big to be used as a carry-on with budget airlines like Ryanair. Back to top6Stubble & Co wheeled duffelBest cabin bag for versatilitySize 53cm x 38cm x 24cmWeight 2.9kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it Straps transform it into a backpackLightweightSturdy handle and wheelsTake note Backpack isn't the most comfortable for long walksShow moreStubble & Co’s wheeled duffel wins at versatility, as it features wheels as well as straps that transform it into a backpack. It’s perfect for a multi-destination trip requiring different means of transportation, but especially good for railway journeys. I plan to use it for this on an upcoming trip to China. I’d recommend this for railway journeys (Alessia Armenise)It features a sturdy handle, two wheels that look like they were created for a four-by-four, and four handles (three soft and one made of hard plastic) – one on each side of the bag. I wouldn’t recommend using it primarily as a backpack, though, as the wheels and hard plastic won’t be the most comfortable, on a hike, for instance. But for occasional emergencies like running for a train, walking around a cobbled-street city or having to carry multiple bags at once, the straps are a very nice perk to have.Back to top7Troubadour apex travel duffelBest duffel cabin bagSize 45cm x 26cm x 23cmWeight 1.52kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it ExpandablePadded straps make it comfortable to carryWaterproof fabricPlenty of pocketsTake note Pricey for a duffle bagShow moreI’ve tested quite a few duffel bags, but none of them have come close to the Troubadour apex travel duffel when it comes to comfort and versatility. I’ve used it a lot in the past year, not just for travel but moving house, too. It’s pricey, but if you plan to travel often with your duffel, your shoulders and back will thank you. Its so comfortable to carry that it’s worth the splurge (Alessia Armenise/The Independent )The outer is made from a resistant, waterproof fabric, while the zips are waterproof and very smooth. There’s one pocket on the front, with a designated space for your phone and an AirTag, plus another big padded pocket on the back to safely store your laptop. Even the luggage sleeve zips up for when you need an extra pocket. Inside, there’s one roomy mesh pocket and a smaller pocket for extra accessories. The bag also features two magnetic pockets to keep bottles in place. Plus, the comfortable padded shoulder strap, which doesn’t dig into my skin, and the expandable capacity has meant I’ve been using this on repeat.Back to top8Tripp holiday 8 cabin suitcaseBest colourful cabin bagSize 55cm x 40cm x 20cmWeight 2.7kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it LightweightBright colourwaysTake note Not as sturdy as some more of the expensive options testedShow moreTripp is well known for its suitcases, but I’m a big fan of its cabin bags too. Like M&S’s cabin bag, the Tripp holiday 8 cabin suitcase is a budget-friendly pick but it comes in more colourways (seven), from bright blue to pink. It comes in bright colourways (Alessia Armenise/The Independent )Its features are that of a very standard hard-shell bag. Inside, one side has a zipped mesh panel, while the other features packing straps that do a good job of keeping things in place. The outer shell is fairly sturdy, but can’t be compared to the quality of Bellroy’s or July’s.While it won’t last a lifetime, for less than £100 it’s a functional option, and it adheres to Ryanair Priority luggage restrictions (when you purchase cabin baggage). Back to top9Eastpak travelpackBest backpack cabin bagSize 51cm x 33cm x 23cmWeight 1.5kgAirlines (free allowance) Jet2, British AirwaysWhy we love it Doubles as a duffle and a backpackSpaciousPlenty of useful pocketsTake note Can't be wheeledShow moreI spent my entire twenties travelling with an Eastpak on my back, so I can attest to the brand’s durability. The Eastpak travelpack is built like a normal backpack-style cabin bag, and it doubles as a duffel bag, thanks to the extra straps. These straps can be concealed with zipped pockets when not in use. Eastpak’s backpack is ideal for hands-free travel (Alessia Armenise/The Independent )There’s a large outer pocket where you can put extra clothes, notebooks or miscellaneous travel necessities. The pocket isn’t padded or big enough for a laptop, but there’s a lightly padded inner pocket you can use. There’s also a bottle holder on the side and another big pocket on the back. Inside, there are two zip-up halves, which are spacious enough to be filled with clothes. I’d recommend Eastpak’s travelpack for on-the-go and hands-free travellers, who need more space than what typically comes with a regular cabin bag backpack. Back to topYour questions about cabin bags answeredWhat is the best cabin bag? If, like me, you’re a frequent traveller, then it might be worth investing in a few different options to suit different trips and modes of transport. For most travellers, Antler’s cabin suitcase strikes the best balance between durability, price and airline compatibility – it’s a very sturdy product at a fair price. If your budget is less than £100, though, both M&S’s Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcase and Tripp’s holiday 8 cabin suitcase fit Ryanair luggage restrictions. If you are looking for a duffel, nothing beats the quality and comfort of Troubadour’s apex travel duffel, while Eastpak’s travelpack is a great backpack-style option. Or for the best of both worlds, Stubble & Co wheeled duffel transforms into a backpack, too. How I tested cabin bagsI tested each cabin bag on at least one trip, and in some cases, over years of use. My top picks cover options for different journeys, travel needs and restrictions. .After testing dozens of bags for different types of journeys and travellers, I drew up a final list of favourites from the following criteria:Capacity: I filled each case with roughly the same amount of clothes and personal items, both with and without packing cubes, to see how much I could fit inside. Value for money: Luggage can be expensive, so I ensured I found options that performed well at every budget. Durability: I checked brands’ durability claims by scratching the bags, dunking them in water and bumping them against all sorts of hard surfaces. Size compliance: Budget airlines are the most commonly used for short trips around Europe, so it was important to find options that were compliant with popular airlines.Extra features: Travel needs vary between people and types of travel, so I made sure to look for bags that would offer unique features – from Ryanair-friendly sizing to smart accessories – to appeal to a wide range of travellers.What are the cabin bag allowances for different airlines?Ryanair: A free cabin bag of 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, a paid bag of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm Jet2: A free cabin bag of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm Wizz Air: A free small cabin bag of 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, a paid cabin bag of 55cm x 40cm x 23cmEasyjet: A free small cabin bag of 45cm x 36cm x 20cm; a paid cabin bag of 56cm x 45cm x 25cmBritish Airways: A free cabin bag of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm As well as the above, passengers with these airlines can also take small personal items, such as a handbag or laptop case, on board.Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsAlessia Armenise is a travel journalist. Her work as a travel writer means she has years of experience carting cabin bags onto countless planes and trains around Europe. She knows exactly what makes for a sturdy, comfortable bag after testing these products over thousands of miles. And if you want to make the most out of your luggage space, she’s also written our guide to the best packing cubes.Want more recommendations? Check out our guide to the best travel backpacks