Samsonite Sahora Brights 20-in Spinner Upright

Tests confirm that the four wheels make this Samsonite 20-inch carry-on easy to maneuver and easier on the back than two-wheeled luggage, though it can get out of control on slopes. This hybrid bag, which combines polyester fabric with polycarbonate sides, gets better reviews than most budget-priced spinner bags. It meets carry-on requirements but expands if you need more space (though it will then be too wide to qualify as a carry-on). The 8-pound weight is a big plus, and the split-case design opens like a clamshell to make it easy to see contents. It's hard to find this luggage in any color except black, but this may be a blessing, since owners report that the bright colors show scuff marks. The less expensive two-wheeled Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley (*Est. $75) comes in five colors, has more pockets and shows scuffs and dirt less.

We found the best tests covering the Sahora Brights 20-inch Spinner Upright at Wired magazine, where it's rated in comparison with four other lightweight rolling bags. TheTravelInsider.com also compares it with other carry-on bags, but without any ratings. We found the most owner-written ratings and reviews at eBags.com, where more than 185 owners review the Sahora Brights 20-inch Spinner Upright, and other sizes in the series also get reviewed. Fewer owners review this luggage at LuggageOnline.com and at Amazon.com, but their comments still add useful information.