We’ve tried and tested the best carry-on luggage for easy travel this summer

When it comes to carry-ons, we’ve found that some brands are guilty of sacrificing practicality for aesthetics. This case from IT Luggage succeeded impressively on both fronts. We love its stylish aesthetic, capacity and value. We’ve now tested this bag three times, and each time we were impressed by its surprisingly spacious interior – easily enough room for packing essentials for four to five days. If you tend to overpack or plan to do some retail therapy during your travels, the expandable zippered section unveils an extra inch of depth which gave us wiggle room to fit shopping and souvenirs we wanted to take home. If you need an affordable suitcase that checks all the boxes, this one’s a no-brainer.

Coming in at under £30, this case is ideal for those looking for a budget cabin bag. The hard shell is sturdy but lightweight, and the size makes it perfect for the cabin requirements of airlines including easyJet and Jet 2. We liked that it had a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved lock on the side. However, for it to work, the zips had to be lined up perfectly which took some effort – but for such an affordable case, this really wasn’t an issue. We love the vibrant bright blue colour because it really stands out, so your case is always easy to spot in a busy airport. Overall, this budget-friendly choice is impressive. It looks sleek, feels hard-wearing and is the perfect size for short getaways.

This is a sleek and practical cabin case. Its expandable design offers additional packing space when needed – ideal for overpackers. The standout feature of the case is the handy front pocket that provides easy access to travel essentials such as documents or electronics. This was a real game changer! The interior of the case is really practical, with multiple compartments, compression straps, and a removable laundry bag to keep belongings organised. We also loved the smooth 360º spinner wheels that made it a breeze to move around the airport. At nearly £300, this isn’t a cheap option, but for frequent travellers it is a great investment as it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The first thing we noticed about this case was how lightweight it was. It’s a soft-fabric case, which is something we were initially hesitant about as we usually prefer hard shell, but the material is really durable and is definitely the reason it’s so easy to lift. Manoeuvring was effortless, as the wheels moved smoothly and quietly, even on bumpy terrains. The internal mesh dividers made packing a breeze, and the optional lockable zipper on the main compartment protected all our belongings. Despite being compact in size, we were able pack lots into it – enough for about four days away. However the slight issue with this case is that if it’s packed too full and the weight isn’t evenly distributed, it does have a tendency to topple over – so be careful.

This super-stylish large cabin case certainly looks the part. We are keen overpackers and struggle to pack lightly so this generously sized cabin case appealed to us straight away. It’s sleek in design but offers much more space than a regular sized case, so ideal for a long weekend away. We used it for a one-night trip for two people and were impressed with just how much we could fit in. The inside of the case has a good selection of pockets and dividers so everything kept tidy with minimal creasing. It has spinner-style wheels, making it easy to manoeuvre, and is lightweight, so easy to lift even when it was packed full to the brim! The only thing to note is that it may be too big for some airlines, so worth checking before you fly.

We love a case that is both stylish and practical. The shiny rose-gold hard shell is hard wearing and is also so easy to spot amongst a sea of dark coloured luggage. Inside there are compression straps and a zip compartment to organise all of your clothes. We have used this case on multiple short breaks and it easily fits a weekends worth of clothes and shoes. There is a three digit combination barrel padlock to lock the zips which is great for added security. The 360 degree wheels are smooth and feel really sturdy.

For such a sturdy hard shell, we were so pleasantly surprised by how lightweight this case is. We love how well thought out the inside of this case is - it has a built-in laundry bag, compression straps and zip pockets - everything you could possibly want in a cabin case. Thanks to its handy design, we were able to fit about four days worth of clothing in the case as well as a pair of trainers and toiletries bag. The wheels are so smooth the handles on both the top and sides are really comfortable. This case is definitely more on the pricey side - but the efficient design really makes it worth it.

This case is definitely an investment, but for frequent travellers or those who truly appreciate some boujee baggage, this case is worth splashing the cash on. With a lifetime warranty for peace of mind, it comes with two integrated TSA- approved locks and has a robust polycarbonate shell. Our favourite thing about this case is how different it is, it really does scream quiet luxury. The handles are made from a luxe-feeling vegetable-tanned leather and the wheels glide seamlessly. Whilst using the case we received so many compliments on it! The inside is equally impressive with compressions straps and two zipped interior pockets.

Fitting cabin size for most major airlines, this bright blue case certainly stands out from the crowd. With a hard shell and smooth spinner wheels - it's a breeze to travel with. We love the design of the front of the case, it looks really funky and modern. On the inside there are two straps for keeping clothes in place and there is also a mesh divider. For a more budget friendly case, we were so impressed with the feel and quality - the integrated security lock also feels really robust which is a huge plus.

This case is ideal for frequent business travellers. The best feature about it is the handy front pocket that easily holds laptops and iPads, as well as important documents for easy access during travel. This is great as it means that you don't have to fully open up your case every time you want to get your essentials out. We love the combination lock for security and the hard shell feels really protective and hard-wearing. It's also a really sleek looking case, if you need something professional-looking for business travel. We were able to store a few days of clothes into this case with ease. As with most Aerolite cases, it's extremely lightweight.