Best cabin suitcases: Our travel team tried out 10 hand luggage size bags – and they make great gifts for globetrotters

Review by Erin Deborah Waks

This is, without a doubt, my personal favourite suitcase I’ve ever used.

For a start, it’s super stylish, with a sleek design – and it comes in a range of subtle and tasteful colours.

But it’s not all about how it looks.

This case glides so smoothly, even over lumps and bumps on the terrain, which is essential when travelling to different destinations.

The inside is very neat and good quality, with compartments to organise your belongings and, as always, the security zip is great for peace of mind.

At 3.12kg it’s pretty light, and it’s not the most expensive option, either – given their £250 price tag, this case is definitely worth its cost.

Bear in mind, though – with a depth of 23cm, it might be slightly too big for certain airline regulations.

Reviewed by Erin Deborah Waks

Sleek, minimalist and elegant, Horizn’s H5 Essential case is perfect for seasoned travellers.

It’s not cheap, but it certainly feels durable.

And its modern colours and design make it practical and versatile.

However, there are a limited number of options in terms of colour, so aside from the Dusk Yellow most of the options are quite neutral.

For me, I found it a little less convenient to pack – there aren’t many pouches or sections to tuck things away, and it is only divided into two main sections.

Also, it felt a little flimsier than other options.

But it’s a great suitcase for all travellers.

Review by Erin Deborah Waks

As the cheapest suitcase I reviewed, this lilac-shelled durable suitcase is pretty decent value for money.

Given its lower price point, it’s safe to say I was impressed. It has most of the features available on more high-end suitcases: zip lock, smooth rolling wheels, expandable spaces.

It comes in a range of colours, from Barbie-style candy pink to pretty lilac and simple black, so there’s something for all tastes.

On the downside, it doesn’t have many interior departments to organise your belongings.

And it might fall slightly short in terms of that tangible luxury some of the pricier options provide – but it is nonetheless a great option for budget travellers.

Review by Erin Deborah Waks

Impressive suitcase – but you’d hope so, given the near £600 price tag.

This option is a real taste of luxury. It glides smoothly and, what’s more, almost silently.

It also lets you expand the case for 25 per cent more space, which is a real bonus for international travel.

With all the bells and whistles – internal pockets, sturdy wheels and exterior shell, a personalised leather monogram nameplate, lockable zip, and plenty more – it’s a well-designed, high quality case.

However, the drawback of the case is its weight. At 4kg, it’s one of the heaviest cases I’ve reviewed, and I found carrying it harder than some of the other options.

Review by Erin Deborah Waks

Lightweight, water-resistant, and pretty much silent to wheel along, this cabin suitcase is a classy, sleek travel companion.

Weighing just 2.8 kg, it’s impressively easy to wheel around and carry – making it a great carry-on option, given how easily you could hoist it into an overhead compartment.

The shell means it doesn’t scratch easily, too.

The brand offers a lifetime warranty – which is a plus, because given how lightweight it is, I’d be a tad worried about wear and tear if you’re a frequent traveller.

On the down side, this case might be slightly too big for certain airlines – however this does mean it has large capacity to hold your belongings.

Review by Erin Deborah Waks

This no-added-frills suitcase, inspired by the brand’s popular backpack design, is functional and practical.

I found the number of pockets to be useful. Not only is it spacious on the inside, but it also has a padded valuable pocket as well as interior and exterior pockets, great for packing smart – and for chucking in any last-minute essentials without having to repack your bag.

In terms of security, it does have safety zippers to prevent theft, which is always a bonus.

It’s also a good, waterproof option if you don’t like a hard-shell case.

However, it does fall short of some of the other suitcases in terms of style, so might be a better option for sporty or active travellers. It rolls slightly less smoothly, as well – meaning it does not glide quite as effortlessly as some of the other options.

Review by Harriet Sime

Travelling light is a struggle for most. But The July’s Carry On Light Expandable certainly makes things easier.

As the world’s lightest suitcase, the carry on weighs just 2.2kg, offers 40L capacity and features 360 dual spinner wheels, which are whisper-quiet and make it a joy to handle even on bumpy pavements.

It’s also incredibly chic and comes in eight colours, including moss, sand (a peachy pink) and, my favourite, clay (a midtone orange).

Inevitably, it’s incredibly light – but it is on the smaller side, even with its expandable zip. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for a short-haul weekend trip away.

Review by Harriet Sime

A ride-on suitcase that transforms into an in-flight bed for your child? The Stokke JetKids BedBox is a dream for travelling parents.

The revolutionary suitcase, designed for children aged 3-7, seamlessly switches between a ride-along suitcase to a lie-flat bed once on board, allowing children to rest comfortably and sleep during long and short-haul flights.

I tested it out on my six-year-old nephew, who decorated his purple-coloured suitcase with space-themed stickers and his name, before speeding through the house with glee.

With ample storage, the BedBox holds your child’s in-flight must-haves, comes with a comfortable packable mattress, and is transformed into a bed in five simple steps by extending the seat surface with the expandable lid.

The suitcase comes in six different colourways.

Reviewed by Erin Deborah Waks

When I first unpackaged the Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Case, I was enamoured. Similar to the iconic Rimowa suitcase in terms of its iconic silver case adopted by every cool celeb, this case oozes glamour.

It’s not just a pretty face, either.

It wheels very nicely, smoothly gliding along corridors, and can survive a certain amount of bashing – essential when you’re purchasing a suitcase of this size.

But at £2000, it might cost more than your holiday itself.

It’s certainly not for everyone, but it is a lifetime purchase that is perfect for any ultra-luxury lovers, regular flyers or business travellers looking to travel with real style.

Reviewed by Erin Deborah Waks

The Bellroy Lite Carry-On is a great option if you like a soft-shell carry on.

Super lightweight, it also glides easily, with rollerblade-inspired, impact-absorbing wheels.

What’s more, it’s easy to pack, with various compartments, making it great for a weekend away.

But soft-shell cases aren’t for everyone, and the simple design might not be for the more stylish, luxurious traveller.