I travel often for work and recently came to the realization that I was being accosted by my luggage. That might sound dramatic, but after months of lugging a heavy carry-on duffel through the airport, I started to notice red marks all over the crook of my arm and my back was a little out of whack.
While I loved my roomy duffel and didn’t like the thought of giving it up, the toll it was taking on my body forced me to search for something a little easier to take around the airport. That’s when I started looking into rolling underseat bags. I’m not sure why I waited so long to hop on this particular bandwagon, but now that I have, I’ll never go back.
A rolling underseat bag is truly every frequent traveler’s dream — especially when it’s well-made and smartly organized. While I don’t mind splurging on really good luggage, I was beyond excited to find a well-reviewed choice on Amazon with a price that starts at only $51 right now (along with a 4.4-star rating across 10,000+ ratings from Amazon shoppers). If you’ve been looking for an affordable travel bag that ticks all the boxes, look no further.
I usually reserve Amazon for my smaller goods shopping — bodycare, household items, and sometimes even skincare. When I was looking for a rolling underseat bag, though, this one came up on Google as a highly-rated option. I figured I didn’t have much to lose if it was only $50 and Amazon’s generous return policy wouldn’t let me down if I ended up not liking the suitcase. (Luckily, I’m totally happy with it.)
I’m not someone who likes to bring both a personal item and carry-on on the plane. I pretty much always check a bag, so I like to keep things simple by taking only one item with me. Getting a rolling underseat bag made the most sense so I would never have to throw anything in the overhead bin. What I love most about this bag is how roomy it is without being overly bulky. At 15 inches and with a 2.3-liter capacity, it fits so many things while still fitting under the seat. Even if you’re someone who likes to bring a carry-on, it’s still great to use because it can fit multiple outfits along with other essentials like a water bottle or tablet. There’s even a zip compartment for your small toiletries.
Another thing I love about this bag is that it has a USB port that allows you to charge your phone. While the power bank and cord aren’t included, I think this is so handy at the airport if you aren’t able to find a seat near a plug to charge your phone. It has saved me multiple times when I was running on 5% battery and needed to charge before the flight. And, the beauty of buying on Amazon is that you can snag a portable charger to go with it when you purchase the bag.
The 1,680-denier polyester material on this bag is also super thick and durable. It’s definitely made to last and I know it’ll be a great travel companion for years to come. I love having the dark purple color as well because any dirt on the bottom or marks won’t become too visible. I will say, though, that I’ve used it quite a few times over the past year and there are hardly any scuff marks due to the thick, highly stain-resistance polyester fabric. The interior is also just as impressive. The various pockets make organization a breeze and I can easily grab my phone, tablet, or other in-flight accessories without too much wrestling which is a huge plus to me.
The push-button telescopic handle is also really easy to push up and down. After wheeling the suitcase so easily through the airport instead of lugging around a duffel, I quickly realized how much much better this was for my back and arms. It also frees up more arm space to carry other things through the airport like a coffee and my phone without too much fumbling. One of my other favorite features of the bag is that it also has a secure strap on the back that makes it easy to stack on top of a regular checked or carry-on-sized suitcase (by sliding the extended handle of your larger suitcase through the strap and resting . That way you don’t have to roll two separate things around the airport and it fits really securely.
I only have two small complaints about this bag. One, I wish it had four wheels instead of two, making it a spinner I could maneuver around the airport even more easily. Two, it does get a little top heavy if you stand it up on its own — meaning, it tends to lean forward unless you hold on to it from the back. Having four wheels would also solve this issue I think. Other than that, it’s truly the perfect travel bag and it comes with me on every flight now. If you’ve been looking for something that’s easier on your back and arms that’s under $100, look no further. This roller will make your life ten times easier.
Still shopping for luggage? Former shopping writer Kristen Adaway created a list of some of the highest-rated lightweight luggage you can get at Amazon.
A lightweight hardshell suitcase from Kenneth Cole Reaction
This suitcase strikes the happy medium between durable and lightweight. The molded corner guards protect your belongings from travel's wear and tear without adding too much extra heft. We also love the side handle which makes it easy to lift into an overhead bin or grab from the back of a cab.
You can get the design in 24-inch and 28-inch checked bags, or the carry-on friendly 20-inch.
Promising review: "Sturdy, easy to handle, and surprisingly roomy. Lightweight enough for everyday use, big enough for family trips." — Andrea Toledo
A hardside spinner from Travelers Club Chicago
Zip around the airport with ease while this lightweight spinner glides with you. It expands, giving you more room to pack extra belongings, and has a push-button lock system on the handle. It comes in multiple colors, including blue, red, purple, black and green, and as a singular 20-inch carry-on and in sets of three and five pieces.
Promising review: "It’s surprisingly lightweight. I really appreciate the extra zipper that allows this suitcase to expand upwards which provides more space to the interior. Streamlined design makes using as carry on luggage, a breeze." — E. Green
A streamlined spinner from Amazon Basics
This hugely popular — and highly-rated — Amazon Basics suitcase comes with a protective, extra-thick hard shell and a scratch-resistant finish, along with double spinner wheels that ensure smooth mobility. It comes in five colors and in 21-, 26- and 30-inch sizes.
Promising review: "Perfect carryon for older traveler because it is lightweight and easy to manage. Holds enough clothing for two weeks in the tropics." — Judy
Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 softside spinner
If softside luggage is more your preference, this expandable suitcase fits the bill. It has spinner wheels that rotate 360 degrees for a smoother rolling experience and a lightweight design. It comes in sizes of 19, 20, 21, 25 and 29 inches and in multiple colors.
Promising review: "My wife has a weight restrictions on what she can do lift and pull. This is very lightweight and is easy for her to maneuver. She used it to travel across country. She said it was perfect." — Keith
A cult-favorite Away suitcase
Reviewers say this cult-favorite Away suitcase is “incredibly light” and “not easily marred.” The new-to-Amazon brand has developed a devoted following since its social media-fueled launch in 2015, and its Bigger carry-on is designed with a polycarbonate shell, a quick release trolley handle and full-circle spinner wheels that promise a smooth ride throughout your travels.
Promising review: “This has been my go to bag for traveling. I've been managing to travel with clothes for up to 7 days + my suit without worrying about space or my clothes being crammed and wrinkled. No need to be checked as it fits the requirements for most US airlines. It is incredibly light, the locks work perfectly and the wheels are incredibly smooth. I just wish they had the kids colors for adults!” — Tiago Corrêa de Oliveira Freitas
A Wrangler spinner with an external cup holder
Both stylish and extremely functional, this lightweight, expandable spinner suitcase has a built-in 3-in-1 cup holder, USB port and phone holder on the back. No more struggling to juggle airport coffee and your phone while maneuvering around! It comes in multiple colors. You get this piece as part of 2-piece and 3-piece sets as well.
Promising review: "Lightweight, easy to pack in everything I needed. The extra pouch hidden for the charging pack was awesome. For a carry on, I fit more than a weeks work of clothing and a TON of souvenirs to bring home from an overseas trip." — Erin McAvoy
Coolife’s 3-piece hardside spinner set
This lightweight three-piece luggage set includes two carry-on pieces and one larger checked bag, each one fitted with TSA-accepted security locks, spacious dual-compartment interiors and silent multi-directional spinner wheels. The set comes in numerous colors, including white, blue, green and orange. You can also opt for a 4-piece assortment.
Promising review: "Gets the job done. Super cute. We got the yellow set. While on vacation, we were asked where we purchased the set from. Lightweight and easy to maneuver even when loaded to the brim. Will be purchasing a second set in the same color." — Amazon customer
A patterned hardside spinner from American Tourister Moonlight
You'll have no trouble spotting this gorgeous suitcase at baggage claim. It comes in multiple styles and in 21-, 24- and 28-inch sizes. (You can also purchase it in a set of two or three.) It expands up to 1.5 inches, giving you more space to fit travel essentials.
Promising review: "I have never been happier with a suitcase! It is lightweight, has a 360 spin radius, and is a beautiful color. I never have a problem finding my suitcase when traveling. After 6 airline trips and checking the bag, it has very minimal scratching or damage! No untreading of any zippers. It expands easily and holds enough clothes for 2 adults for 6 days! I took it to Scotland for 12 days, 1w outfits and was the only bag I used." — Heather B
A sleek hardside spinner from Delsey Paris
This highly-rated Amazon find comes in a variety of fun colors and has several appealing features. It's lightweight and durable, plus it has spinner wheels, an expandable mid-section and a TSA-approved lock. Get this in a wide variety of sizes and sets.
Promising review: "Perfect lightweight luggage for travel. We used ours for two weeks in Italy and it was just right! Easy to maneuver, sturdy and the perfect size providing you pack well (use cubes)." — E
Samsonite’s Omni polycarbonate suitcase available in tons of distinct colors
Available in 20, 24 and 28 inches and multiple-piece assortments, this lightweight yet durable spinner has side-mounted TSA locks, a scratch-resistant exterior and interior expansion to fit more items.
Promising review: "I’ve used this for multiple trips and am super happy with it. The quality has stayed intact - zippers still work well, it doesn’t scuff, and the straps hold well. It fits a lot, and is lightweight for its size, so I’m never in danger of going over the checked bag weight limit." — Danielle D
Rockland Melbourne’s horizontally-designed hardside spinner
This sleek spinner-wheel suitcase comes in 24 and 28 inches, or a set of three that includes 20-, 24- and 28-inch pieces. It's available in several bright, unmissable colors to reduce the likelihood of a mixup at baggage claim. (We’ve listed the starting price for a 28-inch suitcase below.)
Promising review: "Lightweight and beautiful blue color. Looks like much more expensive luggage. I bought this luggage for a gift, but I have this set in another color and the luggage has lasted through several trips." — Amanda