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Amy Axworthy is a travel journalist and product reviewer. She was shortlisted for Best News Writer at the BSME Talent Awards in 2023 for uncovering consumer harm.
In this article
Our latest survey reveals the best brands for large hand luggage and underseat bags that help you pack the most for even the stingiest of cabin limits.
Finding the best carry-on luggage for your needs can be tricky. Budget airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet and Wizz Air have strict restrictions on the size of underseat and overhead locker cabin bags they allow onboard. If either bag is deemed too big at the gate, you may face a hefty fee.
So you can find something to suit your travel plans and help navigate airline specs, we asked 1,811 travellers about their experience with carry-ons. Some were bags built to fit under the seat in front of you. Others were small suitcases, holdalls and large backpacks for when you need more space, designed to fit in the overhead locker.
Our results show that finding a quality bag doesn't need to cost a lot. In our rankings of underseat cabin bag brands, customers told us that multiple makes cost them the same on average, but one brand had much higher ratings. Investing in an upscale label brand for your large cabin bag can pay off, but only to a certain extent. Even a premium brand such as Samsonite was outperformed by more affordable alternatives.
Read on to see the full results below and check popular airline cabin bag allowances before you travel, so you're not caught out.
Looking for a large suitcase to go in the hold? See what brands more than 1,500 travellers rated in best suitcase brands to buy.
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We’re editorially independent and don't accept freebies in return for good reviews - so you can trust our scores. We asked UK holidaymakers who have owned a cabin bag from each brand to tell us about their experiences. As well as receiving excellent ratings from customers, Which? Recommended Brands also had to meet our expectations on warranties and returns policies.
Just looking to buy the best? See our reviews of the best overall cabin bags using the links below. Or look at our full list of cabin bag results to compare all the brands we surveyed.
RECOMMENDED BRAND John Lewis (35) | 84% | £60 | |||||||
RECOMMENDED BRAND Cabin Max (111) | 83% | £37 | |||||||
M&S (35) | 82% | £39 | n/a | ||||||
Aerolite (61) | 79% | £30 | |||||||
It Luggage (52) | 79% | £37 | |||||||
Samsonite (84) | 79% | £87 | |||||||
Amazon Basics (100) | 78% | £30 | |||||||
Antler (59) | 78% | £75 | |||||||
Tripp (57) | 78% | £35 | |||||||
Mountain Warehouse (36) | 77% | £30 | n/a | ||||||
American Tourister (35) | 74% | £60 | n/a |
Table notes: Results from a survey of 918 members of the Which? Connect panel and members of the public who told us about underseat cabin bags they’d owned in the past five years. Research was carried out in January and February 2026. N/A indicates that we didn’t receive enough responses to report on a company in that category. Average price paid is based on what respondents told us they paid for their luggage. Customer score is based on satisfaction and whether respondents would recommend the brand. The survey was distributed to a representative sample of people. The final data has not been weighted and may not be representative of the target population.
Antler (91) | 85% | £83 | |||||||
Samsonite (233) | 85% | £125 | |||||||
RECOMMENDED BRAND Eastpak (70) | 84% | £84 | |||||||
RECOMMENDED BRAND Tripp (111) | 83% | £40 | |||||||
M&S (42) | 81% | £45 | |||||||
Cabin Max (50) | 80% | £50 | |||||||
John Lewis (81) | 80% | £75 | |||||||
It Luggage (129) | 79% | £38 | |||||||
Aerolite (50) | 78% | £43 | |||||||
American Tourister (67) | 77% | £69 | |||||||
Amazon Basics (57) | 72% | £40 |
Table notes: Results from a survey of 1,195 members of the Which? Connect panel and members of the public who told us about large cabin bags they’d owned in the past five years. Research was carried out in January and February 2026. N/A indicates that we didn’t receive enough responses to report on a company in that category. Average price paid is based on what respondents told us they paid for their luggage. Customer score is based on satisfaction and whether respondents would recommend the brand. The survey was distributed to a representative sample of people. The final data has not been weighted and may not be representative of the target population.
Our experts have scoured the market to bring you the best luggage deals.
Underseat bag customer score: 84%
Average price paid for underseat bags: £60
Verdict: Robust luggage designed for easy handling and to maximise space
John Lewis makes backpacks, small suitcases and holdalls that are designed to fit neatly under airline seats. Its bags came top of the table and got great scores across the board in our survey, helping travellers maximise every inch of space and keep their belongings organised.
Customers were satisfied with the durability of their luggage, with one describing their bag as 'well-stitched and not flimsy'. Owners also told us how the bags are 'easy to handle' and 'lightweight', making them ideal for a quick break. A customer who bought a bigger cabin bag described theirs as 'well designed', and they appreciated that it had 'handles on the front surface as well as top edge and sides'. This is helpful when lifting it in and out of overhead lockers.
Owners said that there are bags to fit multiple airline size restrictions exactly as advertised, so you can be confident that you won't be asked to pay if the gate agent asks to measure yours. Plus, you can have peace of mind with John Lewis’ 10-year guarantee on its luggage (five years for bags in cheaper ranges).
You can buy cabin bags from John Lewis online or in its shops.
Underseat bag customer score: 83%
Average price paid for underseat bags: £37
Verdict: Wallet-friendly cabin bags that make every bit of room count
Cabin Max was launched when its founder couldn’t find anything that maximised the dimensions permitted by Ryanair and wanted to avoid the baggage carousel scrum. That means Cabin Max bags are designed to maximise space within strict airline cabin restrictions, and they’re hard to beat on price. Features such as compression straps and unpadded pockets make the most of every possible inch. One customer said: ‘For a small underseat bag it can pack a lot in, and the number of separate sections makes it easy to organise.’ Many of its designs don’t have wheels, so they’re built to be lightweight, and one holidaymaker was pleased that theirs was good-looking enough to double as a small day pack on holiday.
You can filter its products online by the name of your airline to match its cabin restrictions. One customer told us that their bag ‘is semi-rigid, which prevents a bulge and busting the sizer’. A smart design like this can ease your mind if its size is checked.
Best of all, its products are cheap and have one of the lowest average prices in our survey, with holidaymakers telling us they paid just £37. When we checked its website, we found underseat bags for that price, while slightly larger cabin bags were closer to £50 – still a bargain.
Given that Cabin Max landed second in our underseat cabin bag table, it's a tempting buy. A fun range of colours, such as orange, teal and graphite, is the cherry on top.
Compare retailer prices above or shop Cabin Max bags direct.
Discover the best value for money luggage brands
Large cabin bag customer score: 84%
Average price paid for large cabin bags: £84
Verdict: Incredibly durable and a smart investment
Eastpak was one of the highest-rated brands and beat Antler on one key area - durability. It achieved a full five stars for all its durability ratings in both our suitcase and cabin bag surveys. Readers praised its tough and durable wheels, zips and handles, which isn't surprising when you learn that Eastpak started out making robust gear for the US military in the 1950s.
One customer told us that its cabin bags have an ‘indestructible’ feel, but importantly, they don't compromise on being easy to carry or wheel and have comfortable handles.
There are lots of styles across backpacks, duffle bags and small suitcases, and the designs help you maximise packing space. One owner said: 'Now I use this bag, I would not use any other. It has a hard base and a soft top with straps that pull tight and make for a very flexible and capacious bag.' Plus, it is a brand that's significantly cheaper on average than popular classic brand Samsonite and was rated four stars for value for money vs Samsonite's three stars.
We've curated some of the brand's most popular cabin bags you can buy at retailers above. Or go direct to Eastpak to shop.
Amazon Basics is a popular brand for cheap cabin bags, with owners in our survey finding them affordable and sized well to fit airline dimensions. But our results revealed that Amazon Basics bags aren't as good as the other brands in our survey for two main reasons: durability and the quality of pockets and storage. Customers described handles as 'a little flimsy', and two found that their zip broke. Another said: 'It isn't very durable, so it's a buy-twice kind of item rather than something that will last a long time'.
On some of its styles, the pockets weren't as useful as they could be. One found the front pocket on their bag too small and thought it could have had more pockets, so much so that they found themselves using plastic containers and sandwich bags to separate items.
Large cabin bag customer score: 83%
Average price paid for large cabin bags: £40
Verdict: Outstanding value
For a reliable and affordable carry-on, Tripp's large cabin bags are hard to beat. They are easy to manoeuvre, glide across floors with ease, and one customer appreciated how 'the handle extends out well for pulling or pushing'. The pockets work well to organise belongings, and one traveller found they could fit more than they expected inside. Another remarked that 'the thin shell means there is plenty of internal space'.
Travellers found Tripp's small cases to be durable, too. One newer customer explained: 'This was our first Tripp bag and it has been very well used without any damage or problems and has travelled many thousands of miles with us.' A returning customer said: 'They are so sturdy and reliable, I always buy Tripp if I need a new case'. Although they're made from tough materials, they are also light enough to put into the overhead locker easily.
Tripp makes soft-shell cases but is best known for hard-shell styles. For the same £40 average price paid as a lower-rated Amazon Basics bag in our survey, you'll likely find a bargain in one of Tripp's many sales. So it's no surprise that it achieved a four-star rating in value for money.
Tripp suitcases are available to buy at Next, Amazon or directly from Tripp's website.
Large cabin bag customer score: 85%
Average price paid for large cabin bags: £83
Verdict: Pricey but elegant luggage that glides effortlessly on the move
Antler luggage was well-liked in our survey, combining durable features with being easy to pack and manoeuvre. Although it’s expensive, especially if you buy a matching set, many customers consider it money well spent.
However, if your bag has a fault that’s covered under warranty, you have to pay to send it for inspection. We don’t think this is an expense customers should pay, so Antler isn’t a Which Recommended Brand.
Shop directly at Antler.
While a cabin bag traditionally meant a miniature wheelie suitcase, the term has evolved to accommodate stingy airline allowances. EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have roughly halved the size of free cabin bag allowances since 2018. So, unless you pay for a bigger carry-on, you’ll have to cram more clothing into less space and store your bag under the seat in front of you.
Some airlines’ free bag allowance dimensions are so tiny that most brands don’t make wheeled cases that small, so we’ve had to turn to backpacks and duffel bags.
The good news is that all the cabin bag brands in our survey sell mini suitcases and either backpacks or holdalls, so you have options.
| Short-haul airline | Free carry-on bag size (economy) |
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25cm (max 23kg) plus handbag/ laptop bag |
| easyJet | 45 x 36 x 20cm (max 15kg) |
| Jet2 | 56 x 45 x 25cm (max 10kg) plus handbag/ laptop bag |
| Ryanair | 40 x 30 x 20cm (max 10kg) |
| Wizz Air | 40 x 30 x 20cm (max 10kg) |
Head to all our travel product reviews to find our other top recommendations from sun creams to outdoor clothing.