Some links in this article may be affiliate links. We only recommend products we'd genuinely travel with ourselves.
The $60 to $150 carry-on market has gotten significantly better over the past few years. Polycarbonate shells, TSA locks, and smooth spinner wheels used to require spending $200 or more. Today you can get all three for under $100 - the question is which bags actually survive multiple trips and which ones fall apart at the wheels after six months.
We've tested budget carry-ons and tracked what travelers report over time. These are the ones worth buying.
Quick picks:
- Best overall under $100: American Tourister Airconic (21.7 × 15.8 × 7.9 in, 4.4 lbs, $84–$140)
- Best softside budget option: SwissGear Sion 21" (22.75 × 14.25 × 10.25 in, 7.3 lbs, $130)
- Lightest budget hardside: Amazon Basics 20" Hardside Spinner (21.65 × 15.75 × 7.87 in, 3.8 lbs, $54)
- Best for strict-limit airlines: Bugatti Singapore (21 × 13 × 9 in, 5.7 lbs, $80)
What to expect in the budget carry-on range
Before getting into specific bags: some trade-offs are non-negotiable at this price. Budget carry-ons typically have:
- Plastic rather than metal zippers. They work, but they're more likely to fail than YKK metal zippers on premium bags. Don't force a zipper on a full bag.
- Wheel quality variance. Spinner wheels on $54 bags spin, but they don't roll with the same smooth resistance as Rimowa or Travelpro wheels. For occasional travel, this doesn't matter. For weekly flyers, it gets noticeable.
- Limited warranty coverage. Most budget brands cover defects for 1–2 years. Airline damage is universally excluded.
- ABS or thin polycarbonate shells. These dent rather than shatter, which is actually useful behavior - but they'll show damage over time.
None of these are reasons not to buy a budget carry-on if you travel a few times a year. They're reasons not to expect a $84 bag to perform identically to a $390 bag over a 5-year period.
American Tourister Airconic - best value under $100
The American Tourister Airconic ($84–$140, 4.4 lbs) is the standout in this range. At 4.4 lbs, it's lighter than most carry-ons at twice the price - the Travelpro Platinum Elite runs 7.8 lbs; Away's Carry-On is 7.5 lbs. The polypropylene shell handles airport handling well, and the dual spinner wheels work consistently.
Dimensions: 21.7 × 15.8 × 7.9 inches. It fits within standard US domestic airline limits (Delta, United, American) and has been sizer-tested. The TSA-approved integrated lock is a nice addition at this price.
The interior is practical: a bucket main compartment with elastic tie tapes and a mesh pocket on the lid. Nothing fancy - but nothing missing either.
What you give up: wheel smoothness compared to premium bags, and the zipper pulls are plastic. The warranty covers defects for the first year. At $84, it's hard to argue with the value.
Check price at American Tourister
Amazon Basics 20" Hardside Spinner - lightest budget option
The Amazon Basics 20" Hardside Spinner ($54, 3.8 lbs) is the lightest bag on this list and the cheapest. At 21.65 × 15.75 × 7.87 inches and 3.8 lbs, it's genuinely light - lighter than many premium softside bags.
The ABS shell is not as resilient as polycarbonate under serious pressure, but it handles standard overhead bin life without issue. The spinner wheels are adequate for short trips. The integrated TSA lock works.
The honest limitation: build quality shows at this price. The telescoping handle has more wobble than higher-end bags, and the zippers are not the quality you'd expect on a $150+ bag. For occasional travelers - 2 to 4 trips per year - it's a reasonable buy. For weekly flyers, it won't hold up.
SwissGear Sion 21" - best softside budget option
The SwissGear Sion 21" ($130, 7.3 lbs) is the budget bag that OutdoorGearLab named its "budget best buy" in their 2026 carry-on roundup. That's meaningful because OGL does extensive in-person testing rather than spec-comparison.
At 22.75 × 14.25 × 10.25 inches, it's technically over the standard 22 × 14 × 9 inch domestic limit. In practice, it boards on major US carriers without issue when not overstuffed - but if you're flying a strict-sizer airline, know that it's not designed to fit sizers perfectly.
The softside polyester shell is scuff-resistant and expandable. The interior has a large mesh lid pocket and compression straps, which is more organizational utility than most hardside bags at this price offer. The four spinner wheels are smooth for a bag in this range.
The main limitation: at 7.3 lbs empty, it's among the heavier bags on this list. If weight matters to you - for airline limits or personal preference - look at the Airconic instead. The Sion is best for travelers who want maximum interior space and don't mind the weight trade-off.
Bugatti Singapore - best for strict-limit airlines
The Bugatti Singapore Carry-On ($80, 5.7 lbs) fits the standard US domestic limit at exactly 21 × 13 × 9 inches - and at 13 inches wide, it's narrower than most carry-ons, which helps in situations where airlines enforce strict overhead bin limits.
The hardside polycarbonate shell spins quietly on four wheels. It's a straightforward bag without extras: no USB port, no dual handles, no compression panel. It does what a carry-on needs to do at a price that's easy to justify.
At 5.7 lbs, it sits between the ultra-light Airconic and heavier options. For travelers who want a clean, no-features hardside that fits strict limits, it's a solid pick.
What to look for when buying a budget carry-on
Dimensions first. US domestic standards converge around 22 × 14 × 9 inches for carry-ons. If you're flying strict-limit airlines (Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair), check their specific sizer dimensions - many budget bags are tested to domestic US standards, not European standards. See our airline size guide for current limits by carrier.
Check the weight before the features. A 3.8 lb bag gives you roughly 3.4 lbs more to pack on a 7.2 lb personal-item limit (Frontier) compared to a 7.2 lb bag. A 4.4 lb bag gives you 2.8 lbs. Weight affects how much you can bring, not just how easy the bag is to carry.
Spinner wheels vs. two-wheel rollers. For airport use, spinner wheels (360° rotation) are significantly more practical. Almost all modern carry-ons use spinners. If you see a two-wheel roller, make sure it's intentional - some travelers prefer them for uneven terrain.
TSA lock integration. Not having a TSA lock isn't a deal-breaker, but it means you can't lock a checked carry-on and have TSA inspect it without destroying the lock. If you're checking your carry-on on occasion (due to full overhead bins), a TSA lock is useful.
Comparison at a glance
| Bag | Price | Weight | Dimensions | Shell | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Tourister Airconic | $84–140 | 4.4 lbs | 21.7 × 15.8 × 7.9 in | Polypropylene | Most travelers |
| Amazon Basics 20" | $54 | 3.8 lbs | 21.65 × 15.75 × 7.87 in | ABS hardside | Occasional travelers |
| SwissGear Sion 21" | $130 | 7.3 lbs | 22.75 × 14.25 × 10.25 in | Softside polyester | Max interior space |
| Bugatti Singapore | $80 | 5.7 lbs | 21 × 13 × 9 in | Polycarbonate | Strict-limit airlines |
FAQ
What is a good budget carry-on luggage brand?
American Tourister (owned by Samsonite) is the most consistently recommended budget carry-on brand for its combination of weight, build quality, and price. Delsey Paris NOW! Hardside ($98) is another reliable option with a French heritage brand behind it. At the lowest price tier, Amazon Basics performs adequately for occasional travelers.
Can I get a good carry-on for under $100?
Yes. The American Tourister Airconic ($84), Amazon Basics 20" ($54), and Bugatti Singapore ($80) are all under $100 and cover the basics reliably. The trade-offs compared to $250+ bags are wheel smoothness, zipper durability over time, and warranty coverage.
What is the lightest budget carry-on?
The Amazon Basics 20" Hardside Spinner at 3.8 lbs is the lightest on this list. The American Tourister Airconic (4.4 lbs) is close and offers better overall build quality. For context, premium carry-ons like the Travelpro Platinum Elite weigh 7.8 lbs - budget hardside bags are often significantly lighter.
How long do budget carry-ons last?
Honest answer: 2 to 5 years for typical travelers (4–8 trips per year). The failure points are usually wheels and zippers. If you travel weekly, a budget carry-on will show wear significantly faster. For occasional travelers, the $54–$140 price point is easy to justify even if the bag lasts 3 years - that's $18–$47 per year for functional luggage.
Are budget carry-ons allowed on international flights?
Most budget carry-ons meet the dimensions for US carriers. International carriers vary - especially European low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet, which have stricter limits. Check the specific airline's carry-on policy before flying internationally. The Bugatti Singapore (21 × 13 × 9 in) is the best option here for fitting strict European limits.
Final pick
For most travelers, the American Tourister Airconic ($84–$140) is the right buy in this range. It's light, it fits standard US airline limits, the TSA lock works, and it's backed by a brand (Samsonite-owned) with the supply chain to make consistent quality at scale.
If you want the absolute cheapest functional carry-on: Amazon Basics at $54. If you want the most interior space: SwissGear Sion. If you're flying strict-limit international routes: Bugatti Singapore.
None of these bags are the last carry-on you'll ever buy. But for the price, they'll get you where you're going.
