What I consider to be the best carry on luggage changes depending upon my family’s needs. As my kids grow, our luggage needs are changing so I have begun updating some of our cabin baggage. As with most purchases I make, I have been checking out a few carry on luggage reviews to see what everyone is currently recommending for the top carry on luggage.
If you are also on the lookout for the best carry on luggage bag, especially if you would like the best lightweight carry on luggage, then you have come to the right place!
Based on my own research I have put together this guide which contains information on all the best buy travel suitcase brands to help you choose the best cabin luggage Australia offers that meets your current needs.
Click here to see the best carry on luggage in Australia now!
Whether you are after the best luggage for international travel, good cheap carry on luggage or even the lightest carry on luggage 2023, in the best luggage reviews below, I will provide you everything you need to know to make the right choice for you.
Contents
Comparison Chart: Best Carry On Luggage Australia 2023
| Name | Image | Size (Length) | Weight | Capacity | Wheels | Price | Features | Rating (/5) |
| Samsonite B-Lite 4 Spinner Suitcase |  | 55 cm | 2.1 kg | 30L | 8 | Check | Samsonite quality, budget buy, spinner wheels | 4.5 |
| Delsey Paris Grenelle Cabin Carry-On | 55 cm | 3.1 kg | 38L | 8 | Check | 10 year warranty, double spinner wheels, expanding section | 4.0 | |
| Samsonite Guardit Rolling Tote |  | 46 cm | 2.5 kg | 24L | 2 | Check | Underseat storage, in-line wheels, laptop pocket | 4.0 |
| American Tourister Curio Carry On |  | 55 cm | 2.7 kg | 40-45L | 8 | Check | Stylish colours, lightweight yet roomy, zipped pocket | 4.0 |
| Victorinox Avolve 3.0 Global Carry-On Luggage | 55 cm | 2.6 kg | 33-35L | 4 | Check | Scratch resistant, organised interior, 360 spinner wheels | 4.5 | |
| American Tourister Applite 3.0 Cabin Bag | 50 cm | 1.8 kg | 38L | 2 | Check | Retro style, fits most size restrictions, ultra lightweight | 4.0 | |
| Antler Juno Cabin Roller Case |  | 56 cm | 3.1 kg | 40-43L | 8 | Check | Upmarket styling, compression and expansion systems, ultra strong | 4.0 |
| IT Luggage The Lite Carry On Luggage | 54 cm | 1.9 kg | 31-40L | 4 | Check | 360 degree wheels, lined interior, top and side grab handles | 4.5 | |
| Delsey Paris Montmartre Air Carry-On | 55 cm | 2.2 kg | 37L | 8 | Check | Top brand, laptop and wet lid pockets, washable lining | 4.0 | |
| Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds Hardside Carry-on Spinner Luggage |  | 51 cm | 2.8 kg | 42L | 4 | Check | Easy to clean, Sturdy frame, swivel wheels, multiple inside pockets | 4.5 |
| Rockland Wheeled Underseat Carry-on Luggage |  | 38 cm | 1.8 kg | 40L | 2 | Check | Underseat storage, various designs, internal pockets | 4.5 |
| Wanderlite 20″ Carry On Luggage | 57 cm | 2.6 kg | 40L | 8 | Check | Corner guards, 360 degree wheels, grab handles | 3.5 |
Top 10 Best Lightweight Carry On Luggage Australia
Handy reference list to the best carry on luggage 2023 – see all best carry on suitcase reviews below!
- Samsonite B-Lite 4 Spinner Suitcase, 55cm
- Delsey Paris Grenelle Cabin Carry-On, 55cm
- Samsonite Guardit Rolling Tote, 46cm
- American Tourister Curio Carry On, 55cm
- Victorinox Avolve 3.0 Global Carry-On Luggage, 55cm
- American Tourister Applite 3.0 Cabin Bag, 50cm
- Antler Juno Cabin Roller Case, 56cm
- IT Luggage The Lite Carry On Luggage, 54cm
- Delsey Paris Montmartre Air Carry-On, 55cm
- Rockland Wheeled Underseat Carry-on Luggage, 38cm
Choosing The Best Lightest Carry On Luggage 2023 Australia Offers
What makes the best travel bags for you will depend on a few things.
Firstly, is the carry on bag going to be your only piece of luggage? Does it need to carry all your items or is it simply to supplement your checked in luggage? If it is your only bag you may want the largest possible bag which still meets the airline’s carry on requirements.
Is the bag intended to carry items for multiple people onboard, like your children, or simply for your own personal items? If the bag is intended to store items for various people you may like separate compartments, so items are easily accessible. If the bag is just for you, a smaller bag may do the trick.
It is always important to check the airline’s carry on requirements as many have become stricter and it does differ from airline to airline. Unfortunately, there is no standard carry on size.
Size
With many customers saving money by making the most out of carry on only luggage deals, airlines are becoming increasingly strict with the size of cabin baggage. For this reason, it is really important to check the size of the luggage you are purchasing. You don’t want to be made to check in your bag because it is a few centimeters over their requirements.
Most airlines in Australia have carry on baggage restrictions anywhere from 48cm to 56cm.
Also consider what you are likely to carry in your bag. If your cabin bag is supplementing checked baggage don’t go and buy the biggest bag that meets the airline’s restrictions. Ideally, you want a bag that is just the right size for what you intend to carry in it.
With so many people looking for the best buy luggage brands online chances are you won’t physically see your bag before you purchase it. When purchasing online, it is important to do your homework before making your purchase so you are not disappointed when your bag is delivered.
Weight
With airlines being strict on the weight of carry on baggage, it is super important to choose luggage which is lightweight. Some bags can be heavy, eating into your precious baggage allowance. If your bag is over the limit you may be asked to check your luggage in which can add an unexpected expense.
In the below reviews, I have included the best lightweight luggage brands for international travel and the table above includes the weight of all luggage reviewed below.
Type
When wheeling a bag around a busy airport you want luggage that is easy to manoeuvre. Believe me, if you are going to buy carry on luggage it is worth investing a little extra for this, particularly if you are travelling with children. Luggage that doesn’t easily go where you want it to will leave you frustrated and stressed before you even board your plane.
Two-wheel
Once upon a time the standard carry on suitcases just came with two wheels, now only cheap luggage bags have two wheels, with the standard for quality cabin luggage being four wheels.
A two wheel suitcase, also known as rollers, require you to tilt it to wheel it and it doesn’t easily go around corners or through narrow spaces. They also have a tendency to fall over when left unaided and are impossible to pull more than one.
However there still are some advantages of using a two wheeled suitcase over a four or more wheeled one. Two wheel suitcases are usually easier to pull behind you and quite often once you leave the airport you will tend to want to pull your case rather than push it. Two wheel cases tend to be able to handle cobblestones and uneven surfaces much better than other cases.
Four-wheel (Spinner) / Eight-wheel (Double Spinner)
Four-wheel suitcases, also known as spinners, are now becoming the standard and are far easier to manoeuvre around busy airports. Having four wheels means the suitcase can easily move in any direction, including going around corners with ease.
A light push on the handle is all that is usually required to move the suitcase around the airport. This is super practical particularly when travelling with small children as you are not required to hold any of the weight. Four wheeled suitcases are also far easier wheeling through a narrow plan aisle than two wheeled suitcases.
Some suitcases even come with eight wheels. These are referred to as double spinners.
Luggagerate has more guides to what to look for in luggage.
Other Features
Handles
It’s important that your carry on luggage has an easy to use handle. Some handles can be difficult to use in that they don’t retract quickly and easily which is not ideal when you are walking through a busy airport or trying to load your bag quickly onto an airplane.
Also if you are a particularly tall person, you want to ensure the handle extends long enough for you.
Internal and External Pockets
Some of the best luggage comes with various compartments and pockets for your smaller belongings. A common feature these days is a dedicated compartment for your laptop which is designed to keep your laptop safe and secure as well as easily accessible whilst travelling.
If you are purchasing laptop carry on luggage, be sure that the laptop compartment is not hidden right at the back of the suitcase as this will make it difficult to remove whilst going through security checkpoints at airports.
Hard Shell vs Soft Shell Carry On
Soft shell bags are more common and are much easier to squeeze into overhead compartments than the hard shell bags. Soft shells can also often come with expandable pockets, as can hard shell bags.
However the best hard case luggage will provide better protection for your belongings. The disadvantage with a hard shell suitcase is that it is likely to weigh more than a soft shell case. If you prefer a hard shell suitcase be sure to look for lightweight cabin luggage, as you don’t want to use too many of those precious kilograms for your suitcase in lieu of your items.
Of course another great advantage for hard shell suitcases is having your own portable seat when waiting in unexpected lines or anywhere that doesn’t have seats – perfect for families travelling with young children.
Expandable Compartments
Suitcases with expandable compartments are great. Expandable compartments provide you with a place to store your various purchases during your travels. No need to buy an additional bag – you simply unzip the expandable compartment for more space.
Another trick we use when travelling is ensuring everyone’s bag, including the children’s, are evenly weighted for air travel in order to meet the airlines weight restrictions. Once we arrive at our destination we expand the adult bags and remove some of the heavier items from the children’s bags, so the kids are able to carry their own packs with ease.
Water Resistance
A water-resistant bag gives you extra protection when travelling in wet weather. While water resistant bags aren’t designed to be waterproof, they do give you that extra bit of time to seek shelter or pull out a rain cover without having your personal belongings get wet.
Top 10 Carry On Luggage Reviews Australia 2023
Samsonite B-Lite 4 Spinner Suitcase Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 55 cm
- Weight: 2.1 kg
- Capacity: 30L
- Wheels: 8
The Samsonite B-Lite is a soft case perfect for travellers wanting all the features but at a low price.
Made from the same 100% polyester and nylon material, the Samsonite offers quality at a budget price. This is perfect for travellers looking for the best discount travel luggage but still wanting quality.
Inside the bag is a fully lined interior with cross straps designed to protect your belonging from moving about as well as zippered pockets to help keep your smaller belongings organised.
Other great features of this bag include the TSA approved combination lock for peace of mind and the 4 multi directional wheels for getting around with ease.
According to various Samsonite carry on luggage reviews, this is a great bag and would suit a range of travellers such as those looking for the best carry on luggage for business travel as well as family travel.
Benefits:
- Samsonite build quality
- Pocket-friendly price tag
- Multi-directional wheels for control
Drawbacks:
- Plain design
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Delsey Paris Grenelle Cabin Carry-On Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 55 cm
- Weight: 3.1 kg
- Capacity: 38L
- Wheels: 8
Our Delsey Paris Grenelle review found a fantastic hard case bag which is TSA approved.
This is a great sized bag and is lightweight and durable. It is made from 100% polycarbonate which is super resilient to cracking. For security conscious travellers, there is a side mounted TSA lock which is designed for airport personal to open your bag without damaging it.
You will love how easily this carry on is to manoeuvre around the airport. The double spinner wheels, as well as the two-position handle system, make getting around a breeze. This is a perfect choice as the best carry on luggage for women and men travelling with children or for regular business travellers wanting to get around the airport quickly.
Other great features include the expandable pocket perfect for storing those souvenirs you purchase whilst travelling as well as the two extra-large fully lined pockets inside the case perfect for organising all your belongings. There are two side handles perfect for carrying the case when required such as lifting it into overhead bins or in and out of the car.
Our Delsey Grenelle review concluded this is a great mid-range bag which also comes with a ten year warranty for peace of mind.
Benefits:
- 10 year warranty
- Double spinner wheels and telescopic handle
- Expandable pocket plus two large lined sections
Drawbacks:
- Higher price
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Samsonite Guardit Rolling Tote Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 46 cm
- Weight: 2.5 kg
- Capacity: 24L
- Wheels: 2
The Samsonite Guardit Rolling Tote is one of the lightest bags in these reviews and is perfect for travellers looking a weekend travel bag or a carry on to supplement their checked baggage.
This bag has various compartments to store all your belongings. Compartments include a laptop/tablet pocket and several organiser pouches.
Being one of the smaller cabin bags in this review and as the name of the product suggests, you can easily store this bag under the seat in front of you, which is perfect if you want to access your belongings during a flight. It is great for families with young children who find themselves needing things throughout a flight.
This bag is made from durable polyester blend, with other great features including in-line skate wheels designed for smooth rolling and straps for organisation.
This Samsonite bag is a great choice for best carry on luggage for men and women travelling with children or those going away for the weekend or anyone looking for light carry on luggage.
Benefits:
- Stores under seat in front
- In-line ‘skating’ wheels for smooth rolling
- Interior pocket for laptop or tablet
Drawbacks:
- Smaller size
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
American Tourister Curio Carry On Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 55 cm
- Weight: 2.7 kg
- Capacity: 40-45L
- Wheels: 8
For those travellers wanting a super light, high quality suitcase, the American Tourister Curio is a fantastic choice.
This case is made from high quality polypropylene material providing extra protection for your belongings. The case also comes in some funky colours to ensure it standouts if you do choose to check it in.
The special base structure, combined with the 4 multi-directional spinner wheels, gives you excellent control of your carry on case while moving through airports and making it easy to get to your departure gate on time.
Other features include a push button retractable telescopic handle, side carry handles, interior tie down straps, zippered mesh pocket and a TSA approved lock. The case is super light so you will have heaps of room your for belongings while remaining within baggage weight restrictions.
If you check out any of the American Tourister reviews, it is clear this bag is well suited to people wanting a high-quality case that is super easy to manoeuvre.
Benefits:
- Stylish looks and choice of colours
- Lightweight yet very roomy
- Zippered mesh pocket and straps
Drawbacks:
- Less recognisable brand
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Victorinox Avolve 3.0 Global Carry-On Luggage Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 55 cm
- Weight: 2.6 kg
- Capacity: 33-35L
- Wheels: 4
The Victorinox Avolve is a fantastic super lightweight case for someone on the search for a high quality case built to last.
With an extremely scratch resistant texture on the exterior of the case, it is sure to withstand all the usual wear and tear inflicted by harsh airport elements. Not only is this case super durable, it also looks elegant and stylish.
This bag is also great for keeping your things organised with a full zip interior, divider and cross-straps to ensure everything stays where it is supposed to. Your belongings will fit comfortably in the case while you are still able to separate items for extra protection or to make them easily accessible during flights.
Other features include a retractable handle, a laptop pocket and a side mounted TSA lock for extra security while travelling. All this as well as the 360 spinner wheels makes this a great and easy option for carry on luggage.
This carry on bag would suit people wanting to look professional and stylish while keeping all their belongings organized and well protected.
Benefits:
- Super durable and scratch resistant outer
- Full zip interior, cross straps, laptop pocket and divider
- 360 degree spinner wheels for manoeuvrability
Drawbacks:
- More expensive to buy
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
American Tourister Applite 3.0 Cabin Bag Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 50 cm
- Weight: 1.8 kg
- Capacity: 38L
- Wheels: 2
The American Tourister Applite is a great value bag made from a light yet tough material ensuring protection of your luggage. If you are looking for the lightest carry on suitcase then you need to read this review!
With storage on the interior and exterior, this bag is perfect for keeping your carry on luggage organised and easy to access during the flight. Its unique design also means it’s easy to spot.
Although this bag is super lightweight, it is strong enough to protect your valuable luggage. It also has a durable, crease resistant material making the case more long lasting in the long run.
Other features include comfortable touch points for easy carrying options and a dual position trolley system for 2-wheel use and a TSA approved lock.
This case is perfect as it will fit nearly all airline height restrictions at just 50 cm and is available in 4 different colours. It’s also the lightest cabin luggage 2023 option that we could find that was worth being on a best carry on bags Australia list.
Benefits:
- Unique retro styling
- Fits almost all airline size restrictions
- Ultra lightweight
Drawbacks:
- Only 2 wheels
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Antler Juno Cabin Roller Case Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 56 cm
- Weight: 3.1 kg
- Capacity: 40-43L
- Wheels: 8
The Antler Juno is top carry-on luggage, made of strong material and space maximising features.
The bag features an internal compression system to ensure you get the absolute maximum space out of your carry on luggage. A separate expandable zip also means you won’t ever need to leave anything behind.
Made from a durable material and super strong luggage zips, you will feel relieved to know that your belongings are as protected as they can be.
This one of the best hand luggage bags is perfect for frequent travellers who want high quality budget luggage and peace of mind knowing that their bag and everything inside will last the distance.
Benefits:
- Upmarket Antler branded case
- Internal compression system and expandable section
- Super strong build quality
Drawbacks:
- Higher price than some
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
IT Luggage The Lite Carry On Luggage Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 54 cm
- Weight: 1.9 kg
- Capacity: 31-40L
- Wheels: 4
The IT Luggage The Lite is the perfect ultra-lightweight carry on bag that boasts many convenient features, perfect for anyone looking for the best onboard luggage.
The four wheels, for easy 360 manoeuvrability, along with the telescopic top handle make getting through airports with your carry on luggage a breeze. You won’t feel weighed down by your belongings at all while this bag glides along beside you as you make your way to the departure gate.
This bag is also a fantastic way to make sure you stay super organised with an interior and exterior zip pocket for your travel documents. It’s a great way to keep all the important information handy, safe and easily accessible.
Other features of this bag include a fully lined interior with tie down straps and a large zip mesh pocket to hold everything in place securely. It also has easy grab top and side handles to make getting it in and out of cars and overhead lockers as smooth as possible.
If you are someone who likes to be super organised while travelling, want a lightweight carry on suitcase and also want an affordable and reliable bag to manoeuvre around airports, then this is the bag for you!
Benefits:
- 4 wheels with 360 degree manoeuvrability
- Fully lined interior with straps and pockets
- Grab handles to top and sides
Drawbacks:
- Lesser known brand
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Delsey Paris Montmartre Air Carry-On Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 55 cm
- Weight: 2.2 kg
- Capacity: 37L
- Wheels: 8
The Delsey Paris Montmartre Carry-On is a super affordable, lightweight yet tough bag with great features.
With lots of pockets and compartments, included a padded laptop pocket, and internal mesh and wet lid pocket there is room for everything in your carry on luggage. All the compartments will keep everything separated and very well organised making it easy to find and pull things out mid-flight.
The interior lining is both removable and machine washable making it great for mishaps. This bag features four spinner wheels, side handles and an easy to grab bottom handle which will make getting through customs at airports as painless as possible.
Other great features of this bag is the option to expand it to allow for extra luggage, self repairing interlocking zippers, a TSA approved lock and a 5 year warranty.
Perfect for travellers looking for all the must have features in the best carry on bags while still wanting the best affordable carry on luggage.
Benefits:
- Affordable top brand carry-on case
- Laptop and wet lid pockets
- Machine washable lining
Drawbacks:
- Fairly plain appearance
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds Hardside Luggage Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 51 cm
- Weight: 2.8 kg
- Capacity: 42L
- Wheels: 4
Among the most durable carry on luggage on this list, the Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 20″ bag is a great carry on bag for those under tight carry on restrictions. It offers 42 litres of space at just 2.8kg.
The main draw point of this bag is in its construction. The corners are reinforced for protection, and the exterior features an impact resistant shell. The swivel wheels and sturdy frame make the bag easy to move. However, there is room for improvement as it does not include a lock.
Another great feature includes the multiple interior compartments to make sure all your carry on luggage is organised and to easy to access.
This is a great choice for the best carry on suitcases for travellers looking for functional carry on luggage with added protection and durability.
Benefits:
- Easy to clean carry-on case
- Sturdy frame and swivel wheels
- Multiple inside pockets
Drawbacks:
- Doesn’t include a lock
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
More Best Cabin Luggage Reviews
Rockland Wheeled Underseat Carry-on Luggage Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 38 cm
- Weight: 1.8 kg
- Capacity: 40L
- Wheels: 2
Few things could be more convenient while traveling than storing your bag directly underneath the airplane seat. The Rockland Wheeled Underseat luggage is unique in that it is one of the few wheeled carry on options compact enough to do exactly that, ensuring your valuables stay in sight and stopping you from having to deal with overhead bins.
The bag is constructed with soft, padded polyester and comes in a range of designs, with internal and external front and side pockets for organising documents, clothes, shoes, accessories and more. The bag obviously isn’t super roomy, but there is still a surprising amount of space for a bag that can be placed under the seat!
The bag includes a telescope handle (which is convenient but can get stuck) and two wheels. It’s rare to see this level of convenience on a bag that fits under the seat.
This is the ideal best hand luggage 2023 option for a weekend or overnight bag!
Benefits:
- Fits directly under a standard airplane seat
- A range of designs
- Internal pockets for organising
Drawbacks:
- The handle could be sturdier
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Wanderlite 20″ Carry On Luggage Review
Rating: 3.5
Specifications:
- Size (Length): 57 cm
- Weight: 2.6 kg
- Capacity: 40L
- Wheels: 8
Another great suitcase to take on board the airplane is this Wanderlite 20” case. This Wanderlite carry on case is 57cm high so fits nicely into overhead lockers and has some great internal storage to keep all of your luggage organised.
The case is made from lightweight ABS and has added corner guards so your luggage won’t be damaged even if it gets knocked around mid flight. The 360 degree double spinner wheels give great manoeuvrability and the telescopic pull out handle, side and top handles give a few different carrying options.
The Wanderlite case also comes with a built in TSA approved lock so you can travel with the confidence that your case valuables are safe and sound. The interior has a few different pockets to keep luggage organised and one side is able to be zipped separately, making for easy packing.
Coming in black or blue, the Wander lite is another great option for the best cabin bag 2023 for you.
Benefits:
- Corner guards for added protection
- 360 degree spinner wheels
- Various handles and inside pockets
Drawbacks:
- Relatively unknown brand
>>Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
I hope you enjoyed and found this best carry on luggage guide useful. Looking for more travel or camping essentials? Read about the best travel backpack or the best hiking backpack you can bring with you. Also find more product guides here.
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