When it comes to finding the best cabin bag for your next holiday, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, especially now that airlines have different size allowances. You might have to choose your bag not only based on the nature of your trip but also on the airline with which you fly.
When flying with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz, you need the right cabin bag. Exceeding the luggage limits by even 1cm will mean paying a hefty fee. Other airlines, such as British Airways and Emirates, are slightly more accommodating when it comes to cabin bag sizes, though.
On top of that, you need a bag that works for you. You need something strong and sturdy with plenty of storage for clothes and chargers.
Whether you are setting off on an adventure and need a spacious bag you can carry on your back, or you’re a frequent flyer on the hunt for a bag that will last a lifetime, we have found the best cabin bags for all budgets and types of travellers.
How we tested
We took each bag on at least one trip across Europe. We filled the bags with the exact same amount of clothes and personal items, both with and without packing cubes, to see how much we could fit inside, while also testing how easy the full bags were to carry around with us. We were looking for bags that would be spacious, convenient, durable, and pleasing to the eye. We considered various bags for different types of journeys and travellers, before drawing up a final list of favourites.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alessia Armenise is a travel journalist. As a travel expert, she has plenty of experience carting cabin bags on planes and trains, so she knows exactly what makes for a good bag.
The best cabin bags for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Victorinox airox advanced global carry-on: £395, Victorinox.com
- Best budget buy – Cabin Max anode suitcase: £54.95, Amazon.co.uk
- Best compact case – Antler soft stripe under-seat bag: £130, Antler.co.uk
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Victorinox airox advanced global carry-on
Best: Overall
Size: 55cm x 20cm x 40cm
Weight: 2.9kg
Capacity: 35l, expands to 40l
Why we love it
- Versatile
- Sturdy
Take note
- Expensive
- Old-school look
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 our top spot.
Buy now £395.00, Selfridges.com
Cabin Max anode suitcase
Best: Budget buy
Size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Weight: 2.5kg
Capacity: 40l
Why we love it
- Ryanair-friendly
Take note
- Not as sturdy as some other hard shells
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.
The simple bag doesn’t offer the cool looks or luxury finish of those from the likes of July or Carl Friedrik, but we 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.
Buy now £54.95, Amazon.co.uk
July carry-on
Best: For frequent travellers
Size: 55cm x 38.5cm x 21.5cm
Weight: 3.4kg
Capacity: 42l
Why we love it
- Lifetime warranty
- Built-in charger
Take note
- No front pocket or laptop sleeve
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 our belongings organised and in place during testing.
However, there’s no front pocket or laptop sleeve included here, so this is perhaps not the best bag to opt for if you’re looking for a cabin bag for frequent work trips. 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.
Buy now £196.00, July.com
Briggs & Riley baseline global carry-on expandable spinner
Best: Soft-shell case
Size: 55.9cm x 35.6cm x 22.9cm
Weight: 4.6kg
Why we love it
- Practical and expandable
Take note
- Expensive
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 we 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.
Buy now £599.00, Briggs-riley.co.uk
Aer carry-on
Best: Design
Size: 55cm x 35cm x 23cm
Weight: 3.7kg
Why we love it
- Sleek and modern
- Wheel lock
Take note
- No front pocket or laptop sleeve
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.
Buy now £299.00, Aersf.co.uk
Antler soft stripe under-seat bag
Best: Compact case
Size: 45cm x 35cm x 20cm
Weight: 2.2kg
Capacity: 30l
Why we love it
- Compact
- Lightweight
Take note
- Smaller capacity than an average cabin bag
We were dubious about how much we’d be able to fit inside this smaller carry-on, but we 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 our 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 our 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.
Buy now £130.00, Antler.co.uk
American Tourister bon air
Best: For eye-catching colours
Size: 40cm x 20cm x 55cm
Weight: 2.5kg
Capacity: 31.5L
Why we love it
- Low-cost airlines friendly
- Available in fun colourways
Take note
- The finishes aren’t as refined as those of more-expensive bags
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 we found it offers plenty of space to play with – you should have no problem packing the essentials for a weekend away.
Buy now £71.62, Amazon.co.uk
Away the carry-on
Best: Hard-shell case
Size: 55.1cm x 36.7cm x 22.9cm
Weight: 3.4kg
Why we love it
- Great quality for the price
Take note
- No front pocket
- Interior compression board isn’t removable
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 we are only used to seeing in much pricier carry-ons, such as Briggs & Riley’s. Overall, this cabin bag offers great quality for the price.
Buy now £265.00, Awaytravel.com
Carl Friedrik the carry-on X
Best: For business travel
Size: 56.6cm x 37.6cm x 26.5cm
Weight: 4.3kg
Why we love it
- High-end finish, inside and out
Take note
- Not low-cost airline friendly
- Expensive
Inside this bag, you’ll find plenty of space, a removable interior compression board and incredibly strong straps, which helped to keep our 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 (we 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 for us 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 low-cost airlines with strict size restrictions. It’s a great option for travelling further afield, but might not work for short trips in Europe.
Buy now £465.00, Carlfriedrik.com
Troubadour Goods apex travel duffle
Best: Duffel-style bag
Size: 49cm x 28.5cm x 23cm
Weight: 1.52kg
Why we love it
- Expandable
- Multi-functional
Take note
- No wheels, so it can get heavy to carry
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.
Buy now £299.00, Troubadourgoods.com
Cabin bags FAQs
What are the cabin bag allowances for different airlines?
Ryanair: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Jet2: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
Wizz Air: 55cm x 40cm x 23cm
Easyjet: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
British Airways: 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.
The verdict: Cabin bags
The Victorinox airox advanced global carry-on takes our top spot, thanks to a mix of thoughtful design, quality materials and versatility. Meanwhile, Briggs & Riley continues to be one of the best and most durable travel brands out there, and we were impressed with its excellent soft-shell spinner.
The incredibly sleek design of Aer’s bag won us over with its attention to detail, while Carl Friedrik and Paravel proved cabin bags can also be fashion statements. That said, we were also very impressed by Cabin Max, which delivers a great bag for less than £60.
Want more recommendations? Check out our guide to the best packing cubes
