Underseat bags for EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz that go free

If you're nipping off on a quick 48-hour break, it's always worth trying to save money by just using your free cabin bag allowance. But beware: every airline, not just the budget ones, has slightly different rules about what's allowed on board free of charge. It pays to check before you fly, to avoid having to pay luggage fees at the airport when your bag doesn't fit into the baggage sizer. Ryanair now allows an underseat bag of 40 x 30 x 20cm, while Wizz Air matches those dimensions but adds a 10kg weight limit. easyJet is the most generous on size, with a free underseat allowance of 45 x 36 x 20cm and a 15kg weight limit. (By the way, British Airways is a little different: its personal item is smaller at 40 x 30 x 15cm, but that's because its economy fares include one carry-on case of up to 56 x 45 x 25cm.) One last consideration: you need a capacity of 20-30 litres for a summer two-night break, 30-40 litres if you're packing heavier shoes and woollies. Here's our pick of the best Ryanair, Wizz and easyJet underseat compliant bags.

Ryanair and Wizz: maximum 40 x 30 x 20cm

Tripp Superlight Flight Bag, £18 With a capacity of only 15 litres, this is really an overnight bag. But it's rather stylish, isn't it? Also available in grey or black, 40 x 25 x 20cm

American Tourister Take2Cabin two-wheel underseat cabin backpack, £65 Well balanced bag made from recycled plastic. 24 litres, 40 x 30 x 20cm

Yankony travel backpack, £21.99 A clever waterproof bag that packs a lot in to a small space: padded shoulder straps, burstproof zips, an anti-theft compartment at the rear, a water bottle pocket and a waterproof compartment. Comes in five other (less girlie) colours. 20 litres, 40 x 30 x 20cm

The Onward Original Cabin Bag, £129.95 If you want a mighty 40 litres of luggage, this is the bag for you. It's possible because it's got a vacuum compression compartment. Just fill it up and then connect it to your hoover. It's got a waterproof exterior, a built-in lock, padded laptop sleeve and a built-in USB-C charging port. An impressive bit of kit. 40 x 30 x 20cm

Cabin Zero classic cabin backpack, £55 Devised by a former backpacker and it shows in the careful, thought-through design. It's self-standing for easy access and protection from dirt, the shoulder straps have an airflow system, it's lockable and comes in ten other colours. 28 litres, 40 x 30 x 20cm

Samsonite cabin pack, £115 The boxy shape maximises the space in this water-resistant backpack, which would look as at home in the city as in the country. Available in four other colours, it has ergonomic shoulder straps and more pockets than you could shake a stick at. 29 litres, 40 x 30 x 20cm

Mountain Warehouse Metz underseat cabin bag backpack, £19.95 A clean sweep of five-star reviews from Mountain Warehouse's customers (bar one). A lightweight design that's comfortable and easy to wear. Excellent value, especially now it's in the sale. 20 litres, 40 x 25 x 20cm

Cabin Max Equator underseat cabin bag, £36.96 A pleasingly summery bag that's well designed. It opens out flat for packing, has a plethora of pockets – easy access on the front, a hidden anti-theft compartment and one for a water bottle – plus a comfortable top handle and a luggage strap for securing to a case. Yes, yes, yes. Available in six other colour, 24 litres, 40 x 25 x 20cm

Cabin Max Memphis Switch convertible backpack/holdall, £29.95 This is in the EasyJet section but could equally be used on Ryanair. Use it as a 30 litre holdall on easyjet (45 x 36 x 20cm) or zip up the bottom section to turn it into a 20 litre holdall (40 x 20 x 25cm) for use on Ryanair or Wizz. Genius.

Calpak Hue mini carryon luggage, £200 A hardshell case with 360 degree spinner wheels for easy manoeuvrability. With a built-in lock, it comes in 13 colours – this is Glazed Kale. 28 litres, 40 x 35 x 22cm

Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 two-wheeled case, £203 A sleek, smart option perfect for work trips. It's lightweight, and an extra zipper allows for 2.5cm expandability. 29 litres, 38 x 37 x 24/27cm (if expanded)

Antler Urban Light overnight bag, £125 Lightweight and, with its leather handles, easy to carry, it also comes with a shoulder strap. There's a hidden pocket at the back for valuables and documents, plus a wide-opening zip for decreased rummaging time. 25 litres, 45 x 28 x 20cm

Briggs & Riley Cabin Spinner, £419 The luxe option, but built to last. And designed intelligently. There's a front slip pocket for a tablet, four spinner wheels so it handles like a dream, a leather top-grip handle and well-thought through pockets internally. It's also go self-repair zips by Japanese zip wizards YKK. Also available in blue and black, 24 litres, 42 x 36 x 21 cm

Samsonite Ecodiver duffle with wheels, £179 Sunshine yellow to get you in the holiday mood, but also available in navy and dark green. Soft-sided case made of waterproof recycled nylon and plastic, it has matching suitcases. If you're the matchy-matchy kind. 30 litres, 45 x 36 x 20cm

Lipault Lost in Berlin rolling tote, £239 This has tasteful Parisian DNA in its veins. A smart design that would be good for work trips, it comes in this tasteful taupe or black. There's a front laptop compartment, and the interior, lined in a rich burgundy, has straps to keep everything secure in transit. 26 litres, 41 x 35 x 20cm

Nomad Lane Bento Bag, £226 A really stylish option made from nylon, with leather handles. Comes with a shoulder strap and toiletry and tech pouches. 24 litres, 43 x 25 x 20cm

EasyJet: maximum 45 x 36 x 20cm

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