Best hardside carry-on suitcases with spinner wheels

Top pick: Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Spinner — a true carry-on at 23 x 15 x 10 in and 6.5 lb, so it clears most overhead bins and stays light to lift. The expandable shell gives you slack for a return-trip haul, and Samsonite's spinner wheels roll smoothly on carpet and cobbles.

Who the others suit:

• Samsonite Uplift Hardside Spinner — if you want a sturdier-feeling shell and a bigger cabin bag; it's heavier, so better for travelers who don't lift it much.
• Montecito 2.0 Carry-On Expandable Spinner — a step up in finish and hardware if you'd rather pay more for a nicer-feeling case.
• Protege Vacationer 20-inch — a budget-friendly first hardside for occasional trips.
• Travelhouse 20" Underseat — for short hops where you want the smallest possible bag under the seat.

Check each airline's carry-on limit before you fly: sizes vary, and a 23-inch case is fine on most major US carriers but tight on some budget ones.