Best Budget-Friendly: Rockland London Hardside Sprinner Wheel Luggage

Let’s talk carry-on luggage.

With the skies crowded with passengers and the airlines full, it makes sense to make sure your luggage fits the rules—that way you can make sure it makes it on the plane, instead of being gate-checked for being an inch too big here or there.

When we say “airline approved” carry on luggage, you might ask: which airlines?

And that is the rub: each has its own rules.

The most common carry-on limits are 22″ by 14″ by 9″. For example, that is United’s rules. Ditto for Delta. 

To our surprise, we found some airlines are more generous: Frontier Airlines lets you bring on a bag that is 24″ by 16″ by 10″. Spirit is 22″ by 18″ by 14″.

On the other extreme are foreign carriers, which are usually more stingy. Take Lufthansa, for example. The maximum carry-on can only be 21.6″ by 15.74″ by 9″. And when they mean 21.6″ in height, they don’t mean 22″ or 23.”

The key take-home message: when we say “airline approved,” your mileage may vary! Always double check with your airline to find their specific rules.

Another key point: most carry-on luggage today is their spinner variety—the kind that has the wheels that stick out on the bottom. Be aware that some measurements for carry-on bags include the wheels . . . and some do not. (We’ll note the complete dimensions in this article for the bags we recommend.)

When it comes to budget-friendly luggage, we looked at seven different brands before picking this one that came recommended by quite a few of our readers: Rockland’s London luggage. It combined the best overall quality and durability . . . at a price that didn’t break the bank. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Lightweight at 7.5 lbs.

• 22″ length includes the wheels—that’s important to fit in the size. Total dimensions are 22″ x 13.5″ x 10.”

• Expandable by 2″

• Easy to maneuver.

• Lots of colors to choose from.

• Ample room for a few days of travel.

• Smooth wheels.

What Needs Work

• 10″ in depth may not work for some airlines. And especially if you expand it!

• Zippers could be more durable. Take care to not jam them.

Best Lightweight: Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage

Some airlines (we are looking at you, Hawaiian), have weight limits for carry-on bags. In Hawaiian’s case, it is 25 lbs. That can be a problem, because some carry-on bags we researched weigh in at 12 or 13 lbs. Yes, that means you’ve used up half of your carry-on baggage allowance before packing a single stitch of clothes.

We looked at several lightweight carry-on bags that are airline approved in terms of dimensions before picking the Rockland Melbourne. This super popular bag weighs just 7.5 lbs. That gives you plenty of room to pack more clothes and shoes before you hit the weight limit.

What We Liked

• Compact depth (9″) perfect for airlines that are picky. Overall dimensions are 22″ by 13.5″ by  9″ including the wheels.

• Expandable by 2″.

• Easy to move through an airport.

• Handle easily extends and retracts.

• Affordable.

• ABS material is durable.

What Needs Work

• Expanded suitcase at 11″ may run afoul of carry on rules.

Best Easy-to-Spot: Coolife Luggage Expandable Suitcase PC +ABS Spinner 20in

True, most luggage looks very similar—and there is something to be said for having a bag that stands out at the baggage carousel (assuming you have to check your bag). Even if you carry this luggage on a plane, having an easy-to-spot bag is helpful when you need to figure out which bag is yours in the crowded bins.

We liked the Coolife Luggage 20″ bag for its stand-out colors, including this model. Good quality and durability.

What We Liked

• Wheels are excellent.

• Fits in most overhead compartment with ease. Overall dimensions with wheels are 22.4″ by 15.4″ by 8.7.” 

• Roomy inside.

• Full zip interior and zippered divider make organizing clothes easier.

• Lightweight at 8.18 lbs.

What Needs Work

• Not best choice for European airlines. At 22.4″ in length, it is about 1″ too big for Lufthansa, for example.

• Not expandable.

• A bit pricey.

Best For International Trips: Travelers Club Chicago Hardside

As we discussed above, international airlines tend to be stingier when it comes to carry-on baggage, both in terms of dimensions and weight.

Take Aer Lingus, the airline that flies to Ireland from many US airports. Their carry-on limits are 21.5″. by 15.5″ by 9.5″ with a weight limit of a mere 22 pounds.

When it comes to international flights, we looked at several carry-on bags that come close . . . but it needs to be spot on. After asking our readers and doing more research into quality, we pick the Traveler’s Club Chicago bag as the best bet. 

At 5.6 lbs., this bag is one of the lightest on the market. And the overall dimensions including the wheels is 20″ by 13″ by 8″. That’s perfect for international trips, assuming you are flying an airline based in Europe.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Sturdy.

• Lightweight at 5.6 lbs.

• Double spinner wheels make bag roll easily.

• Spacious inside.

• Affordable.

• Expandable.

What Needs Work

• A few reports from readers that the handle can get stuck.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!