Quick answer: For carry-on, a 20-inch hard shell spinner covers most trips. Check your airline's stated size limit before buying, since allowances differ between carriers and change over time. After size, the decisions that matter are shell material (ABS+PC is tougher than plain ABS), wheel type (four spinner wheels for airports), and whether you want front-opening access.

Luggage listings tend to lead with colour and price. The specifications that decide whether a case survives three years of airports are further down the page.

This guide covers each one, with examples from our luggage collection.

What size carry-on should I buy?

Check your airline's published cabin baggage limit first — it's the only number that matters. Allowances vary by carrier, route and fare type, and budget airlines are typically stricter than full-service ones.

As a general guide to how sizes are sold:

• 20 inch (about 51 cm) — the standard carry-on size, sold as cabin luggage.
• 24 inch — a compact checked bag; too large for most cabin allowances.
• 26 inch (about 66 cm) — a full checked suitcase for longer trips.

Some cases are sold across a range so you can pick. A front-opening hard shell spinner is available from 20 to 26 in, letting you choose cabin or checked from the same design.

Hard shell or soft: which is better?

Hard shell protects contents better and wipes clean; soft-sided luggage flexes to fit tight spaces and usually has external pockets.

Most modern carry-ons are hard shell, and the material matters:

Shell material	Characteristics	Found on
ABS	Lightweight and affordable, less impact-resistant	2-piece hardshell set with makeup case
ABS + PC	Polycarbonate adds impact resistance and flex without much weight	20-inch ABS+PC carry-on set
Nylon / Oxford	Light, flexible, packs into tight overhead bins, more pockets	Nylon carry-on tote set

If you fly often, pay for ABS+PC. Plain ABS is fine for occasional trips, but polycarbonate is what stops a shell cracking when a bag is dropped from a height.

Do spinner wheels actually matter?

Yes — four 360° spinner wheels are noticeably easier in airports, where you're pushing the case upright alongside you rather than dragging it behind.

Two-wheel cases handle rough pavements better and have wheels tucked inside the shell, so they're less likely to snap off. But for terminal floors, spinners win comfortably. Every hard shell case in our range uses 360° spinner wheels for this reason.

What is front-opening luggage, and is it worth it?

A front-opening case has a hatch on the front panel, so you can reach a laptop or documents without laying the case flat and unzipping the whole thing.

It's genuinely useful at security and in cafes, and it's the single feature most likely to change how you travel. The compact front-opening spinner combines it with a telescopic handle, cup holder and USB port.

The trade-off: a front hatch takes up some internal packing space and adds a seam. If you pack to absolute capacity, a plain clamshell holds slightly more.

What do the extra features actually do?

• TSA-friendly combination lock — lets security open your case without cutting the lock. Worth having on any bag you check, and present on both our 2-piece sets.
• USB charging port — an external port wired to a pocket inside. Important: it does not include a battery. You supply the power bank, and most airlines require it to travel in the cabin, never in a checked bag.
• Cup holder — a moulded external holder. Small thing, surprisingly useful in a queue.
• Handle material — aluminium alloy handles are lighter and less prone to sticking than iron. Worth checking, since a wobbly handle is the most common luggage failure.
• Trolley sleeve — on bags, a strap that slides over a suitcase handle. Essential for a personal item you'll carry alongside a case.

Do I need a case, a backpack or a bag?

It depends on the trip, not on preference:

• Wheeled case — anything over two nights, or any trip where you're crossing an airport.
• Travel backpack — short trips, stairs, cobbles, or when you need hands free. A carry-on travel backpack in Oxford fabric with a padded laptop sleeve and trolley sleeve doubles as a personal item.
• Weekender or duffel — one or two nights with no laptop. A nylon duffel packs flat when empty, which a hard case never will.
• Tote with shoe compartment — gym and overnight use, where separating shoes from clothes matters.

Which carry-on should I choose?

Best for	Option	Why
Frequent flyers	Front-opening compact spinner	Quick laptop access, ABS+PC shell, telescopic handle
One case for cabin and checked	20–26 in front-opening hard shell	Same design across cabin and checked sizes
A matched travel set	20-inch ABS+PC set with cosmetic bag	TSA lock, USB port, aluminium alloy handle
Value with organisation	Carry-on plus 14-inch makeup case	Two pieces, TSA lock, aluminium handle
Hands-free travel	Carry-on travel backpack	Laptop compartment and trolley sleeve
Weekends and festivals	Nylon travel duffel	Lightweight, packs flat when not in use

How do I look after a suitcase?

• Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Hard shells shouldn't be washed — that's the stated care instruction on our cases.
• Don't overpack. Strain on the zip is what kills most cases, not impact.
• Store empty with the lid ajar so nothing trapped inside develops a smell.
• Check wheels after each trip. Hair and grit in the axles is what makes a spinner drag.
• Remove power banks before checking a bag with a USB port.

For organising the inside, cosmetic bags and cases keep toiletries contained, and a waist pack handles documents and a phone at the airport.

Frequently asked questions

What size suitcase counts as carry-on?

It varies by airline, so check your carrier's published cabin baggage dimensions before buying. A 20-inch case is what's generally sold as carry-on size; 24 and 26-inch cases are intended to be checked.

Is a hard shell or soft suitcase better?

Hard shells protect contents better and clean easily. Soft luggage flexes into tight overhead bins and usually has more external pockets. For a carry-on you'll fly with regularly, hard shell in ABS+PC is the more durable choice.

What is the difference between ABS and ABS+PC luggage?

ABS alone is light and affordable but more brittle. Adding polycarbonate gives the shell flex and impact resistance, so it absorbs a knock rather than cracking. ABS+PC is worth the difference if you fly often.

Are spinner wheels better than two wheels?

For airports, yes — four 360° wheels let you push the case upright with far less strain. Two-wheel cases cope better with rough pavement and have better-protected wheels.

What is a TSA-friendly lock?

A lock security staff can open with a master key, so your case can be inspected without the lock being cut off. Useful on any bag you check.

Can I fly with the USB port on my suitcase?

The port itself is just wiring — no battery is included. The power bank you connect to it must travel in the cabin under most airline rules, so never leave one inside a checked bag.

Is front-opening luggage worth it?

If you carry a laptop or need documents at security, yes. The trade-off is slightly less internal packing space compared with a plain clamshell.

How do I stop my suitcase wheels from sticking?

Clear hair and grit out of the axles after trips. Most spinner wheel problems are debris rather than mechanical failure.

Key takeaways

• Check your airline's cabin size limit before buying — allowances differ by carrier.
• 20 inch is the standard carry-on size; 24 and 26 inch are checked luggage.
• ABS+PC resists impact better than plain ABS; nylon flexes into tight spaces.
• Four spinner wheels are easier in airports; two wheels survive rough ground better.
• Front-opening designs speed up laptop access at the cost of a little space.
• A USB port is wiring only — the power bank must fly in the cabin.
• Aluminium alloy handles are lighter and less prone to sticking than iron.

Conclusion

Start with the size your airline allows, then choose the shell material based on how often you fly. Spinner wheels and a TSA lock are near-standard now; front-opening access is the feature genuinely worth deciding on, because it changes how you use the case day to day.

Compare sizes, shells and features across our full luggage range.