The 12 Best Underseat Luggage Bags in 2024
The great thing about traveling with underseat luggage is that it helps you avoid lost bags and keeps you from fighting for precious overhead space. How’s that for a win-win? Keep reading for our list of the best underseat luggage in 2024 in a whole slew of different categories.
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12 best underseat luggage bags for women
1. Best duffel underseat luggage: CALPAK
CALPAK’s Compakt Duffel has strength, flexibility, and style all rolled into one smart design. This bag is made using water-resistant, nylon fabric — meaning it’s lightweight yet incredibly durable at the same time. Highlights of this duffel include its crossbody strap (for easy carrying), multiple interior/exterior pockets (for peak organization), and a trolley sleeve (for improved mobility). But the best part? This bag collapses into itself for the most compact storage possible!
Price range: starting at $56
2. Best laptop underseat luggage: Lo & Sons
In our opinion, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful laptop bag than The O.G. 2 from Lo & Sons. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, this design is super functional, too. There’s a place to store your laptop, a separate shoe compartment, and plenty of pockets to keep all your belongings organized. We’re also fans of the premium nylon material, buttery leather accents, and the water-resistant zippers that’ll keep moisture away from your computer.
Price range: starting at $378
3. Best hardside underseat luggage: Away
For anyone who prefers hardside luggage, we’d recommend The Daily Carry-on from Away. This unassuming suitcase has everything you could want from a rolling carry-on — there’s a roomy exterior pocket, built-in interior compression, 360° wheels, and a complimentary laundry bag to keep all your dirty clothes separate from your clean items. And if that wasn’t enough, this design also has a TSA-approved combination lock for extra safety (and extra peace of mind).
Price range: starting at $245
4. Best durable underseat luggage: Travelpro
Travelpro’s Maxlite underseat carry-on has been specifically designed for mobility and convenience. This softside bag is made from stain-resistant and water-repellent fabric that’s not only easy to clean, but will provide lasting durability for countless years (and trips) to come. Other notable features of this luggage include its lightweight handle, performance skate wheels, removable hanging organizer, and padded laptop sleeve to protect your electronics.
Price range: starting at $149
5. Best backpack underseat luggage: Arden Cove
Even though we’re ranking this design from Arden Cove as the best backpack, the truth is it can also be used as a handbag, shoulder bag, or crossbody style. Talk about versatility! But on top of all that, this convertible backpack also boasts detachable (and adjustable) shoulder straps, detachable top handles, a front wallet pocket, and built-in RFID protection. We love that this design is so practical, but will still look super chic while you’re out bopping around town.
Price range: starting at $250
6. Best expandable underseat luggage: NOMATIC
The Travel Pack from NOMATIC is an excellent choice whenever you’re headed out of town. This design is made with durable, water-resistant materials and comes with tons of unique features: magnetic water bottle pocket, cord pass through, mesh divider, and hidden RFID-safe pocket. Plus, it has amazing expandability not seen with any other bags on our list — it starts at a 20-liter capacity, but can expand to a whopping 30 liters of storage for longer trips.
Price range: starting at $300
7. Best splurge-worthy underseat luggage: Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley’s luggage is nothing short of stunning, and their Cabin Spinner design is certainly no exception. This sleek carry-on has a spacious interior compartment for maximum organization, plus multiple pockets that are ideal for storing smaller items and/or accessories. There’s also a telescoping handle (with several height stops) and four spinner wheels with 360° maneuverability. In other words, you can move through any terminal with exceptional ease.
Price range: starting at $499
8. Best budget-friendly underseat luggage: TPRC
Don’t let the low price point on this TPRC luggage fool you — this pick is well-made, highly rated, and has a surprisingly large packing capacity. Made from durable polyester, this bag has zippered pockets inside and out, as well as an open pocket on the side for holding all your small must-haves. What’s more, the telescoping handle comes with a convenient, push-button mechanism, while the in-line skate wheels will make navigating the airport a breeze.
Price range: starting at $49
9. Best two-wheel underseat luggage: Baggallini
This underseat style from Baggallini is beautiful, well-crafted, and ready to change the way you travel. That’s because it’s equipped with (two) smooth-rolling wheels, an adjustable telescoping handle, a built-in trolley sleeve, plus a padded laptop pocket that’ll protect your computer through any length of travel. And if you need any more reason to click ‘add to cart,’ this design has interior organization with both RFID card slots and a specialty passport pocket.
Price range: starting at $132
10. Best spinner underseat luggage: Samsonite
You really can’t go wrong with any Samsonite purchase, but we’re pretty partial to this little spinner design ourselves. Along with this bag’s effortless mobility (thanks to its 360° wheels), it also has quick stash exterior pockets, a padded laptop compartment, and a USB port that lets you charge your electronics on the go. And in case you need any more convincing, this style has a ‘smart sleeve’ on the back that can be placed over the handle of your upright luggage.
Price range: starting at $115
11. Best garment bag underseat luggage: Swissgear
The beauty of this Swissgear luggage is that it ‘combines the functionality of a garment bag with the portability and simple elegance of a luxury duffel bag.’ What’s not to love, right? This sporty, lightweight design is perfect for a weekend getaway or a quick overnight trip. In addition to this bag’s side sleeve for your shoes, there’s also designated (wrinkle-free) garment storage, an adjustable padded strap, and an internal accessories pocket for your travel-sized essentials.
Price range: starting at $100
12. Best weekender underseat luggage: Nomad Lane
Nomad Lane’s Bento Bag is the perfect combination of chic style and high functionality. Despite its weekender shape, this bag opens down the middle like a standard suitcase and comes with a handy trolley sleeve that’ll slip over the top of your roller luggage. In addition, this purchase includes a detachable shoulder strap, a clear toiletry pouch, a tech organizer, and a TSA-approved charging port that’ll help bump up your battery while you’re on the move.
Price range: starting at $298
Underseat luggage - common FAQs
Is underseat luggage a personal item?
Technically speaking, a personal item is a type of hand luggage you can bring on the plane that’s smaller than what goes in the overhead bin. Based on this definition, underseat luggage is easily included in the personal item category, as well.
What size bag can fit under an airplane seat?
While the baggage weight and dimensions you’re allowed depends on who you’re flying with, most underseat bags should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches. With that said, make sure to check with your airline about their specific luggage requirements before the date of your departure.
Can you bring a carry-on and an underseat bag?
According to FAA regulations, each passenger is allowed to bring two items on the plane: a carry-on bag and a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. So the short answer is, yes. You can bring both a carry-on bag and underseat luggage with you on your next flight.