Travelling light is a fine art that calls for one of the best cabin bags. As someone who travels for a living, I’ve tested dozens of cabin bags under real-world conditions, sometimes for years, and I’ve hand-selected my firm favourites for every type of packer, journey and budget.
When it comes to choosing the right cabin bag, the first box to tick is that its size is compliant with your airline luggage restrictions. To help you avoid extra fees, or being forced to check your bag at the gate, I’ve noted airlines that allow the bags I’ve reviewed as a free carry-on. These restrictions can be laxer for certain ticket types, so its still worth checking. Tripp’s suitcase exceeds Ryanair’s free cabin bag allowance, but will be accepted for Ryanair Priority, for instance.
They need to be comfortable to move around, whether that’s while they’re being dragged across cobbled streets or hauled around a train station. And, they need to be big enough, perhaps with help from a packing cube, for a couple of day’s worth of outfits at least.
Whether you’re looking for a simple duffel bag, a backpack-style option for going hands-free, a wheeled suitcase to lighten the load or, for ultimate versatility, a combination of these, keep reading to find out which cabin bags will go the distance. Need some more space? We've also expert-tested the best check-in suitcases for your next big trip.
Read more: Best backpacks with wheels for a smooth ride
The best cabin bags for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Antler cabin suitcase: £185, Antler.co.uk
- Best budget buy – M&S Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcase: £95, Marksandspencer.com
- Best hard shell – Bellroy transit carry-on: £279, Bellroy.com
- Best soft shell – Briggs & Riley global carry-on expandable spinner: £499, Briggs-riley.co.uk
How I tested
I 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. I assessed capacity, durability, and more. You’ll find a more detailed breakdown of my testing criteria further down this review.
Read more: Best packing cubes to keep your suitcase organised
Antler cabin suitcase
Best: cabin bag overall
Size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Weight: 2.7kg
Airlines (free allowance): Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet, British Airways
Why we love it
- Budget airline compliant
- Sturdy
- Comfortable to move
Take note
- Pricey
- Handle mechanism isn't the smoothest
The 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 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.
Buy now £185, Antler.co.uk
M&S Oslo four wheel hard shell cabin suitcase
Best: budget cabin bag
Size: 55cm x 36cm x 20cm
Weight: 2.5kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- Lighter than the average cabin bag
- Reinforced zips
- Glides smoothly
Take note
- Quality is not comparable to high-end options
Highstreet 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.
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.
Buy now £95, Marksandspencer.com
Bellroy transit carry-on
Best: hard-shell cabin bag
Size: 55.5cm × 35cm × 22.5 cm
Weight: 3.1kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- High-end finish
- Very durable
- Detachable packing cubes
Bellroy’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.
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.
Buy now £279, Bellroy.com
Briggs & Riley global carry-on expandable spinner
Best: soft-shell cabin bag
Size: 53.3cm x 38.1cm x 22.9cm
Weight: 3.6kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- Extremely durable
- Useful compression and expansion features
- Plenty of pockets
Take note
- Pricey compared to others
If 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.
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.
Buy now £499, Briggs-riley.co.uk
July carry-on with casesafe
Best: tech-forward cabin bag
Size: 55cm x 38.5cm x 21.5cm
Weight: 3.4kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- Trackable TSA-approved lock
- Can be used to charge your phone
- Sturdy
- Smooth wheels
July’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.
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.
Buy now £275, July.com
Stubble & Co wheeled duffel
Best: cabin bag for versatility
Size: 53cm x 38cm x 24cm
Weight: 2.9kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- Straps transform it into a backpack
- Lightweight
- Sturdy handle and wheels
Take note
- Backpack isn't the most comfortable for long walks
Stubble & 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.
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.
Buy now £225, Stubbleandco.com
Troubadour apex travel duffel
Best: duffel cabin bag
Size: 45cm x 26cm x 23cm
Weight: 1.52kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- Expandable
- Padded straps make it comfortable to carry
- Waterproof fabric
- Plenty of pockets
Take note
- Pricey for a duffle bag
I’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.
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.
Buy now £269, Troubadourgoods.com
Tripp holiday 8 cabin suitcase
Best: colourful cabin bag
Size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
Weight: 2.7kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Bright colourways
Take note
- Not as sturdy as some more of the expensive options tested
Tripp 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.
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).
Buy now £47.5, Tripp.co.uk
Eastpak travelpack
Best: backpack cabin bag
Size: 51cm x 33cm x 23cm
Weight: 1.5kg
Airlines (free allowance): Jet2, British Airways
Why we love it
- Doubles as a duffle and a backpack
- Spacious
- Plenty of useful pockets
Take note
- Can't be wheeled
I 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.
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.
Buy now £100, Eastpak.com
Your questions about cabin bags answered
What 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 bags
After testing dozens of bags for different types of journeys and travellers, I drew up a final list of favourites from the following criteria:
What are the cabin bag allowances for different airlines?
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 reviews
Alessia 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