Jump to: FAQ | Buying Guide | Awards | Best Underseat Suitcases | Best for Ryanair | Best hard shell | Best soft shell | Best backpack
Elite Travel Blog is supported by our readers using affiliate links where we make a small commission at no extra cost to you (also helps to keep the site ad-free). Find out how we research and choose the best products for our lists.
And the award goes to…
Take Off – Editor’s Choice
While the Take Off is one of the most expensive underseat suitcases on the list, there are several reasons why it may be worth investing more.
For versatility, the Take Off Luggage offers the unique feature of being able to take the wheels off. That means you can still wheel your suitcase around the airport and then quickly take the wheels off at the gate in order to slide in under the seat in front of you. The hard shell and corner protectors also keep your belongings from being crushed, together with a TSA approved lock for extra security and easy customs check.
- Removable wheels to fit personal item size restrictions like Spirit airlines
- Wheels off – 45 x 35 x 20 cm
- Wheels on – 50 x 35 x 20 cm
- 3.2kg
- Expandable version also available
Amazon Basics – Versatility winner
So it turns out Amazon make very good suitcases that are well reviewed. This Amazon Basics features 3 easy access external pockets (one large enough to fit a 14″ laptop). Inside you’ll find one large compartment for storing clothes and even a removable washbag that you can hang up in your bathroom hotel. It’s also lightweight at just 2.1kg and has a trolley sleeve to attach to larger rolling suitcases.
The only downsides are it’s 2 wheeled and about £30 more expensive than the average underseat suitcases on this list.
- 34 x 24 x 36cm
- 2.1kg
- Polyester
- 3 year warranty
Travel Ready – Ryanair approved winner
Wow it was hard finding a Ryanair approved underseat suitcase with 4 wheels and with more than 4 stars (there are only 5 on this list). But I’m very happy with my recommendation. This Travel Ready is fully collapsible for easy storage when not in use, features a trolley sleeve and 2 easy access front pockets. It’s made from splash proof ripstop polyester making it the lightest suitcase on this list at 1.1kg. It’s also one of the cheapest on the list too. The Cabin Max Narvik was a close second in this category.
- 40x25x20cm
- 1.1kg
- Polyester
Jump down to see my other top picks
Are underseat luggage worth it?
If you’re only going away for a day or two, but don’t want the hassle of carrying a bag on your shoulder, these mini rolling suitcases with telescopic handle and wheels are perfect. Underseat suitcases (or pilot suitcases) are also ideal for getting around paying for cabin luggage fare or if you have a fragile item that you don’t want to check in and prefer to have your eyes on it at all times like a laptop (some even have front pockets for easy access).
If you’re looking to pack even more clothes in your underseat suitcase, I recommend this pack of vacuum bags which saves a ton of space in my underseat luggage. It also comes with a portable suction device so you don’t have to borrow a hoover.
Underseat suitcases aren’t the easiest product to find when searching on Amazon, so I’ve spent ten hours researching and reading user reviews and compiled a list of the best to buy for all circumstances.
What to consider when buying the best underseat suitcase for you?
- Purpose of trip – You’ll want to maximise the small amount of space available, so the first consideration is do you need to carry clothes or work items like a laptop? Many underseat suitcases which have a front pocket have a filing system organisational setup inside ideal for notebooks etc (which isn’t ideal for packing clothes). Vice versa, many underseat suitcases perfect for storing clothes don’t have a front pocket, so you’ll have to trade off. For something in between, I’d recommend the Amazon Basics.
- Material – how protected do you need your items to be? If it’s just clothes, you’ll probably be fine with just a soft shell. For any fragile items I’d recommend looking at hard shell.
What are the best dimensions for underseat suitcases?
The best size for underseat suitcases is 40cm x 20cm x 25cm as this is inside most airlines regulations. Remember to include the wheels when considering your purchase. Many forget and a caught out when trying to fit their suitcase under the seat! If you’re flying Easyjet or British Airways, you can have a slightly larger underseat suitcase.
Here is a list of airline underseat dimensions by smallest first:
- Aer Lingus – 33cm x 25cm x 20cm
- Ryanair – 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
- Wizz Air – 40cm x 30cm x 20 cm
- British Airways – 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
- Easyjet – 45cm x 36cm x 20 cm
More suitcase buying guides
If you’re looking for new luggage before you travel, check out our buying guides: best suitcase deals | suitcases under £50 | ultra lightweight suitcases | checked luggage for international travel | aluminium suitcases | zipperless suitcases | extendable suitcases | suitcases for cruises | extra large suitcases | durable suitcases | Tripp suitcases. And for essential travel accessories, we recommend: compression suitcase packing cubes | GPS luggage tracker | passport covers | vanity cases
Best underseat suitcases
Best Ryanair approved underseat suitcases
- Polyester
- 1.6kg
- 2 wheels
- Anti-scratch, water resistant ABS shell
- 1.9Kg
- Includes 3-digit combination barrel padlock
- 4 wheels
- 5 year warranty
- Anti-scratch, water resistant shell
- 2.2kg
- 2 wheels
- 3 year warranty
Best hard shell underseat suitcases
Three’s not a lot separating the best rated hard shell underseat suitcases on Amazon. They all meet Easyjet’s underseat size restrictions, have 4 spinner wheels, a telescopic handle, similar storage inside and priced similarly too. One differentiator to consider is the warranty available should a part break. It’s really a case of picking the most aesthetically pleasing to you. I’ve ordered these by my favourite.
- Anti-scratch, water resistant ABS shell
- 2.55Kg
- 45x36x20cm
- Includes 3-digit combination barrel padlock
- 5 year warranty
- Anti-scratch, water resistant ABS shell
- 2.3kg
- 44.5x36x20cm
- Built-in 3 Digit Lock
- 1 year warranty
- ABS
- 2.3kg
- 44.5x36x20cm
- ABS
- 2.3kg
- 45x36x20cm
- Built -in TSA lock
- ABS
- 2.2kg
- 45x36x20cm
- Built -in TSA lock
- Trolley sleeve to attach to another suitcase
- 2 wheels
Best soft shell underseat suitcase
If you need easy access pockets for your laptop, tablet or book, I recommend these soft shell suitcases.
- Recycled Polyester
- 2kg
- 45x36x20cm
- Includes padlock and keys
- 4 wheels
- 5 year guarantee
- Polyester
- 2.68kg
- 45x36x20cm
- Trolley sleeve to attach to another suitcase
- Built-in USB charging port
- 2 wheels
- 5 year guarantee
- Polyester
- 1.99kg
- 42x32x20cm
- Trolley sleeve to attach to another suitcase
- 2 wheels
- 5 year guarantee
Best backpack underseat suitcase with wheels
And if you prefer the versatility to carry your suitcase as a backpack, these are the best rated on Amazon.
- Polyester
- 1.9kg
- 45x36x20cm
- Includes covers for the wheels to protect your back when wearing
- Fits up to 13″ screen devices
- Trolley sleeve to attach to another suitcase
- Water bottle side pocket
- 2 wheels
- 3 year guarantee
- Polyester
- 1.7kg
- 45x36x20cm
- Water bottle side pocket
- 2 wheels
- 3 year guarantee
Last update on 2025-07-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You might be interested in
