What size carry-on fits most US airlines?

Most major US carriers publish a limit around 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, but budget airlines and regional jets can be stricter. Always compare the bag's external dimensions on the Amazon listing with your airline's current rule before you fly.

Is hardside or softside carry-on luggage better?

Hardside shells shrug off rain and protect breakables, and most have a 50/50 clamshell layout. Softside bags usually weigh less, squeeze into tight bins and offer an exterior pocket for a laptop. Choose based on how you pack and whether you need fast access at security.

Do I need a TSA lock on a carry-on?

Not legally, but a TSA-accepted lock lets agents open the bag with a master key instead of cutting the lock. Many spinners on this page include one built in; check the Amazon listing for the current spec, since some older versions ship without it.

Buying guide · updated for 2026

Best Carry-On Under $100

You do not need a $300 suitcase to fly comfortably. These are the carry-on bags under $100 that pass our bar for wheels, zippers and warranty, pulled from our carry-on, underseat and personal-item rankings.

3 picks · compare in under 2 minutes · how we pick

Our picks

Amazon Basics 21 inch hardside carry-on spinner in black on a hotel floor

Best Value

Amazon Basics Hardside 21″

Best for: Occasional flyers and students who need a cheap carry-on spinner for a few domestic trips a year

Lowest cost route to a four-wheel hardside carry-on
Compact enough for most domestic overhead bins
Wheels and handle wear faster under frequent use

About $49Check price

Best Overall

Samsonite Underseat Spinner

Best for: Short-trip business travelers on mainline aircraft who want a rolling personal item

Smooth spinner wheels and a tall telescoping handle
Front organizer plus padded laptop sleeve
Wheels and handle reduce packing space

About $99Check price

Best Value

Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack

Best for: Light packers and hikers who want a packable personal item that becomes a day bag at the destination

Doubles as personal item and day bag
Fits in a jacket pocket when packed
No laptop padding or structured back panel

About $48Check price

Decide in 2 minutes

Who each pick is for, its main selling point, the reason you might skip it and the price.

Pick	Product	Best for	Main selling point	Potential drawback	Price
Best ValueCarry-On Luggage	Amazon Basics Hardside 21″	Occasional flyers and students who need a cheap carry-on spinner for a few domestic trips a year	A no-frills 21 inch hardside spinner from Amazon's own label that undercuts nearly every name brand while still giving you four wheels, a hard shell and a recognizable seller behind it.	Wheels and handle wear faster under frequent use	About $49
Best OverallUnderseat Luggage	Samsonite Underseat Spinner	Short-trip business travelers on mainline aircraft who want a rolling personal item	The Samsonite Underseat Spinner gets the fundamentals of underseat luggage right: four smooth wheels, a front organizer for documents and a laptop sleeve, in a softside body shaped to slip under the seat on mainline airc	Wheels and handle reduce packing space	About $99
Best ValuePersonal Item Bags	Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack	Light packers and hikers who want a packable personal item that becomes a day bag at the destination	The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack folds down to the size of a grapefruit and opens into a real daypack with a hip strap and mesh pockets, giving you a cheap personal item for the flight and a day bag for the destination.	No laptop padding or structured back panel	About $48

How to choose

Measure the full external size including wheels; airline limits count every inch.
Four spinner wheels roll easier in terminals, but two wheels cope better on cobblestones.
A lighter empty bag leaves more allowance for what you pack.
Hardside protects fragile items; softside with a front pocket gives faster laptop access.
Expandable zippers add room but can push the bag past carry-on limits when open.
A TSA-accepted lock saves you from a cut lock after an inspection.
Budget matters less than the warranty: check the listing for what the brand covers.

Watch out: External dimensions run 23 x 15 x 10 in, so check especially restrictive airlines before flying.

Frequently asked questions

What size carry-on fits most US airlines?: Most major US carriers publish a limit around 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, but budget airlines and regional jets can be stricter. Always compare the bag's external dimensions on the Amazon listing with your airline's current rule before you fly.
Is hardside or softside carry-on luggage better?: Hardside shells shrug off rain and protect breakables, and most have a 50/50 clamshell layout. Softside bags usually weigh less, squeeze into tight bins and offer an exterior pocket for a laptop. Choose based on how you pack and whether you need fast access at security.
Do I need a TSA lock on a carry-on?: Not legally, but a TSA-accepted lock lets agents open the bag with a master key instead of cutting the lock. Many spinners on this page include one built in; check the Amazon listing for the current spec, since some older versions ship without it.

Explore the full rankings

Every pick on this page comes from one of these comparisons.