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The GHI has pushed (and pulled) each cabin case to its limits to bring you the best holiday companions

Roomy enough for long weekends and city breaks, towable cabin bags are an ideal substitute for bulky backpacks.

Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, these small suitcases fit into a plane’s overhead lockers, meaning you can skip any long delays at the baggage carousel and start enjoying your holiday.

To take the stress out of luggage shopping, the Good Housekeeping Institute tested 33 towable suitcases to find the best cabin bags you can buy. Here are our top packing picks at a glance:

Confusingly, each airline has its own hand luggage restrictions, meaning one size might not fit all.

Complementary hand luggage allowances are also being tightened, with many budget airlines limiting theirs to one bag per customer that must fit under the seat in front of you. To take more on board, you’ll have to pay.

If you’re in need of a cabin bag’s worth of luggage, and the flexibility to travel with different airlines, look for a suitcase that meets the strictest requirements. Or, if you’re a frequent flyer, choose a cabin bag that adheres to the requirements of your favoured airline.

A cabin bag that measures 55 x 40 x 20 cm should suffice for most budget airlines. But for a full breakdown of size and weight restrictions, as well as whether a carry-on is included in your airfare, see our Suitcase Buying Guide.

If you regularly fly to the USA, look for a padlock featuring the red Transport Security Administration (TSA) logo. The TSA has a master key for these locks, meaning security staff can open your bag without damaging it.

Every cabin bag listed here features a TSA-approved lock, so you can rest assured that your luggage will stay in one piece!

Cases with handles on the top and sides are easier to manoeuvre and lift. Most top handles are telescopic, extending into two or three different positions to suit your height, and retracting into the case for easier storage.

All our listed cabin bags are four-wheelers, also known as spinner suitcases. In practical terms, this means you can wheel it alongside you instead of tilting it to tow.

Two-wheeled suitcases tend to have slightly larger wheels. They can be easier to pull up and over kerbs, but we generally find spinners better balanced and more versatile.

Most cabin bags feature internal pockets to help keep your packing neat and organised. These often include small integrated pockets, removable laundry bags and larger pouches that can fit a laptop.

External pockets for stowing easily accessible items are usually only found in soft-sided suitcases.

Though more commonly a feature of full-size suitcases, some cabin bags have expandable panels that unzip for additional packing space.

The Delsey Segur 2.0 provides a generous 20% extra capacity, making it ideal if you struggle to resist those last-minute gifts and souvenirs. Just remember to check that its extended size doesn’t exceed your airline’s limit.

Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute put every cabin bag through a series of rigorous tests to see how they fare in real-life scenarios. They weigh them when empty, then pack enough luggage for a long weekend, utilising any internal or external pockets, packing straps and dividers.

Next, they judge each case’s manoeuvrability across common terrains – including tarmac, concrete, carpet and cobbles – to check how stable they are in motion and how easy they are to pull.

They test the durability of the wheels, casing and corners by conducting a thorough drop test, and test their water resistance by simulating rain in a shower – all this so you can head off on holiday feeling confident that your belongings will be safe.

This joint top-scorer impressed with its durable, sturdy and reliable design. Two compartments and a generous 38-litre capacity give you plenty of room to pack tidily, before tucking in any trinkets from your travels.

It proved entirely water resistant and withstood our tough durability tests like a trooper. It's on the pricey side, but this trusty cabin bag can’t be beaten.

Key specifications Dimensions (cm): H55 x L40 x D20 Volume: 38L Weight: 2.3kg Lock: TSA-approved Casing: Hard-sided polycarbonate Storage: 2 zippered dividers, 1 set of elasticated packing straps

Another star performer, this stylish suitcase ticked all our boxes. With ample room for all your holiday essentials, it’s smartly designed for a weekend getaway or longer (if you can pack lightly, that is).

It doesn’t sacrifice robustness for good looks, either; it scored just shy of full marks in our durability tests, only losing points for the odd dent – which easily pushed out – and some slight scuffing at the corners. Given how rarely we check in a cabin bag, this wouldn’t deter us. It’s a great all-rounder.

Key specifications Dimensions (cm): H55 x L40 x D23 Volume: 43L Weight: 2.9kg Lock: TSA-approved Casing: Hard-sided polycarbonate Storage: 1 internal pocket, 2 zippered dividers, 1 set of elasticated packing straps

If you’re all about savvy design, stop scrolling now. This suitcase’s detail is what makes it special; it features a compression system to fit more luggage in, a hidden laundry bag to store dirty clothes separately, and even a leather luggage tag.

It navigated bustling streets easily, gliding across a range of surfaces smoothly. It fared well in our durability test, with little more than a scuff here and there (these wiped away with ease) and a small tear on the binding (this was merely cosmetic and didn’t impact its performance). It’s a high-end choice, but it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Key specifications Dimensions (cm): H55 x L35 x D23 Volume: 40L Weight: 3.2kg Lock: TSA-approved Casing: Hard-sided polycarbonate Storage: 3 internal pockets, 1 zippered divider, 1 set of adjustable packing straps

Available in a selection of vibrant colours, this case’s hard shell belied its low price tag and proved durable on test, withstanding rough handling. Even when our testers took it to the extreme by dropping it repeatedly, it only picked up a few scuff marks. Its sturdy wheels offer a smooth run as you dash across tarmac, too.

The only real disappointment was its zip. It moved well but let a small amount of water into the case – something to bear in mind if you get stuck in the rain. Still, this jolly bag is roomy inside and boasts three internal pockets, so you can definitely sneak in a souvenir or two.

Key specifications Dimensions (cm): H55 x L40 x D20 Volume: 35.5L Weight: 2.5kg Lock: TSA-approved Casing: Hard-sided polypropylene Storage: 3 internal pockets, 1 zippered divider, 2 sets of elasticated packing straps

The lightest suitcase on test at just 2.3kg (alongside our winning Samsonite), this should easily carry everything you need without weighing you down. It has multiple compartments and a wet pocket, allowing you to keep your packing organised.

It didn’t sustain any damage in our durability tests and it manoeuvres well across most surfaces, bar wobbling a bit on cobbles. The design has a smart, premium feel, with leather finishes and a shiny exterior. It’s expensive, but it should last you years.

Key specifications Dimensions (cm): H55 x L40 x D20 Volume: 36.5L Weight: 2.3kg Lock: TSA-approved Casing: Hard-sided polypropylene Storage: 3 internal pockets, 2 zippered dividers, 1 set of elasticated packing straps, removable laundry/shoe bag

If you need a cabin bag that will withstand the perils of the hold as well as the overhead lockers, consider this great value spinner. It moved smoothly and emerged from our durability tests practically unscathed – quite the feat given how much our testers bashed it about.

It felt spacious, with comfortable handles, but some water seeped through the zip at the top. That aside, it’s a reliable design, available in a swathe of cheerful colours at a reasonable price.

Key specifications Dimensions (cm): H55 x L40 x D20 Volume: 38L Weight: 2.5kg Lock: TSA-approved Casing: Hard-sided polypropylene Storage: 4 internal pockets, 1 zippered divider, 2 sets of elasticated packing straps

Every item can be neatly packed into this clever expandable suitcase. You’ll need to check that it still complies with cabin regulations before flying, but it’s ideal if you want something flexible for holidays that don’t involve plane travel.

It impressed in our waterproofing test, letting no liquid in, and its interior lining can be removed and popped into the washing machine. It suffered a few minor dents to its corners after repeated dropping, but it proved robust in every other way.

Key specifications Dimensions (cm): H55 x L35 x D25 Volume: 43L + 9L (expandable) Weight: 3.3kg Lock: TSA-approved Casing: Hard-sided polycarbonate Storage: 1 internal pockets, 4 external pockets (in front opening), 1 zippered divider, 1 set of adjustable packing straps