If you’re like most airline travelers, you keep busy during flights: working, reading, catching up on your favorite T.V. series — although sometimes you might just take a nap.
No matter how you choose to spend your time, with underseat carry-on luggage, you can keep everything you need — your electronics, headphones, chargers, books, games, sweaters, and snacks — conveniently and securely nearby.
Related: Smart Luggage Options That Will Transform Your Travel Experience
The best small carry-on bags will fit under the seats in most aircraft, although sizes and configurations vary. You can even pack for a short trip in these underseat bags or carry that well-advised emergency change of clothes without taking up space in the overhead bin. The flight attendants will love you.
The bags we have listed here are well within the average airline’s underseat area (about 17 x 11 x 20 inches) and have been selected for their versatility, looks, and durability at various price points. The convenience and comfort of having your important items nearby will be worth the sacrifice of a little legroom.
Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 Spinner Tote
In black or olive nylon, this versatile bag has an open packing compartment for clothing, a padded laptop or tablet sleeve, and exterior zipper pockets for easy access to your in-flight essentials. Dual spinner wheels, a contoured handle, and leather top and side grips make handling so easy you'll think the bag is empty.
To buy: ebags.com, $280
Samsonite Eco-Nu Wheeled Underseater Carry-on
The fabric of this lightweight underseater is actually made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles — 24 of them to be exact. It's part of Samsonite's new Eco-Nu line and has a large main compartment, a convenient organizer with padded slots for your tech, and a large exterior zippered pocket. Available in magenta, gray, and blue, it’s a compact and practical bag.
To buy: amazon.com, $180
Briggs & Riley Rolling Cabin Bag
The outsider handle on this bag provides an inner compartment with more capacity and a flat surface for packing. Interior pockets, larger exterior zippered sections, a padded tablet area, and end pockets keep belongings organized. Available in black or olive nylon, this bag is both attractive and durable.
To buy: ebags.com, $349
Delsey Quilted Rolling Underseat Tote
This stylish polyester bag has a roomy main compartment with interior pockets for small items. A padded section for tablets or e-readers and easy access front pocket keep contents accessible. It’s easy to handle with inline wheels, and it can be slipped over the handle of a larger bag as well.
To buy: amazon.com, $90
Kenneth Cole Reaction Renegade 16-inch Underseater Bag
If you prefer a hard-sided carry-on bag, this Kenneth Cole–designed pick is the way to go. It's made with a lightweight and super durable ABS exterior and the four spinner wheels allow you to navigate with ease.
To buy: zappos.com, $180
Travelon 18-inch Wheeled Underseat Bag
In black, red, blue, purple, or teal ballistic polyester, this attractive carry-on bag is practical too, with a roomy main compartment and a padded pocket for an iPad or tablet. Mesh and open-top pockets of various sizes keep your belongings in order, and a water bottle side pocket folds flat when it's not needed.
To buy: amazon.com, from $67
Nomad Lane Bento Bag
If you prefer a duffel to a wheeled suitcase, Nomad Lane's new Bento Bag is the way to go. It's small enough to tuck snugly beneath the seat in front of you, but big enough to have a spot for all of your short-trip essentials — and it includes a TSA-ready toiletry bag, a tech organizer cube, and a shoe bag. It's currently available for discounted rates on IndieGogo for the launch, with an estimated ship date of December 2018.
To buy: indiegogo.com, $169 (originally $229)
Lipault Plume Business 17-inch Spinner Tote
Weighing in at just under five pounds, Lipault’s water-resistant nylon tote is as stylish as it is easy to use. There’s enough room for a 15-inch computer and the front pocket’s organization components make it easy to keep track of all of your smaller essentials. It also comes equipped with detachable backpack straps so you can carry it easily in case you happen to have to sprint through the terminal to make that tight connection.
To buy: ebags.com, $229
Steve Madden Wheeled Underseat Bag
With an array of colors and patterns to choose from, you’ll be able to find one you love with this practical, attractive bag. Front, interior, and side pockets along with an open inner compartment provide lots of space. Plus, the telescopic handle tucks away when you want to use the carry straps.
To buy: amazon.com, $80
eBags Kalya Rolling Tote
This lightweight nylon bag has a place for everything you want in your underseat carry-on bag, with large interior packing compartment, double outside pocket with accessory sections, a smartphone pocket, side zipper pockets, and a water bottle holder. There's a USB port to attach a power bank to and the add-a-bag sleeve slides over the handle of a larger bag for easy transport.
To buy: ebags.com, $80
Eagle Creek Expanse Wheeled Tote Carry-on
Treaded wheels and heavy-duty housing add durability to this wheeled tote, and its padded tablet sleeve and accessory sections make it easy to stay organized. In gray, black, or red polyester, it has an open inner compartment for clothing and zippered pockets for smaller items.
To buy: ebags.com, $149
