AmazonBasics Luggage Review (2024): Is It the Best Bag?

I first came across the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner while I was researching for a cheaper alternative to Away’s gorgeous Bigger Carry-On bag.

At under $100, it was a simple decision to order this suitcase when I desperately needed an extra bag after doing too much shopping on a recent trip.

But was my impulse buy of the AmazonBasic Hardside Spinner going to be a good move in the long run? 

I needed a durable new carry-on bag since my decade-old go-to was slowly falling apart. But to be totally honest, I wasn’t sure a bag this cheap would hold up in the long run.

This AmazonBasics luggage review will give everyone searching for an affordable carry-on bag all the details they need to know about this basic travel bag.

Overview of the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner

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Amazon launched its own private label AmazonBasics in 2009 to sell generic electric products.

They quickly expanded to producing more than just basic electronics, and now offer over 2,000 products.

Most of those products fall within the top 100 best-sellers, with their batteries selling the best.

Amazon has a clear advantage compared to other sellers, especially since they can easily place their products as top choices when consumers are searching the Amazon site for products. 

In the luggage category, AmazonBasics is one of the most affordable options for a hardshell carry-on bag. 

The suitcase also has 360-degree spinner wheels that make navigating through airports a breeze!

Thanks to its lower price point and assortment of colors, it’s a popular choice amongst Amazon shoppers.

At the time of writing, the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner comes in at about half the price of the mega-popular Away Bigger Carry-On, the chic bag that is a hit with everyone on social media.

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner 20 Carry-On

The AmazonBasics Hardside Carry-On Spinner is a stylish suitcase that’s ideal for a casual traveler looking for an affordable well-made bag.

Check Best Price on Amazon

If you click this link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Things to Consider Before Buying an AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner

Before you invest in new luggage, it’s important to consider what features you need in an ideal bag.

If you’re a frequent traveler, or you’re looking for a suitcase with a charger, the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner isn’t for you since it’s built without a charging port and could be made out of sturdier hardshell materials. I’d suggest investing in a more durable bag like the Away Bigger Carry-On.

Amazon’s low-key luggage is ideal for people who rarely travel, and don’t want to spend a ton of money investing in a bag made of quality durable material with all the bells and whistles. 

Their luggage keeps you organized and gets you from place to place. Anyone who takes one or two trips a year could easily get a few years of use out of this bag.

If you don’t need all the extra features and don’t care about having a suitcase from a well-known brand, this is a great bag to consider.

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner 20 Carry-On

The AmazonBasics Hardside Carry-On Spinner is a stylish suitcase that’s ideal for a casual traveler looking for an affordable well-made bag.

Check Best Price on Amazon

If you click this link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Unboxing

My favorite part of ordering this bag was how quickly it arrived at my door, thanks to Amazon Prime. 

I also really appreciate the built-in compartments inside the bag and the multiple color choices available when ordering.

You really get what you pay for with this bag—there aren’t any extras included in this purchase.

Hardware and Design Features

The AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner has exterior measurements of 4.9 x 10 x 21.6 inches. 

The bag’s ABS hardshell provides a lightweight and fairly durable exterior. ABS provides Amazon with a more affordable and lightweight exterior compared to other brands that use polycarbonate to build their hardshell luggage. 

ABS is great for companies that want to produce a bag that weighs less, though the material isn’t as durable as polycarbonate. ABS doesn’t have the flexibility in its structure to handle any major bumps or tumbles that the luggage encounters.

Amazon notes they make their bag with an “extra-thick ABS” compared to competitors.

The handle feels unsteady compared to other bags that I use and the 360-degree spinner wheels make the suitcase easier to navigate in crowds. 

Overall, the product is lightweight with a very minimal design.

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner 20 Carry-On

The AmazonBasics Hardside Carry-On Spinner is a stylish suitcase that’s ideal for a casual traveler looking for an affordable well-made bag.

Check Best Price on Amazon

If you click this link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Performance

After seeing all the glowing reviews on Amazon, I was eager to give this little suitcase a go in the wild.

While packing, it felt pretty easy to organize my clothes, accessories, and shoes with no major hassle.

I loved that the suitcase is expandable up to 15%. That was absolutely helpful when it came time to zip up the over-packed bag.

The 360-degree wheels were great for navigating the airport in a hurry, and the suitcase fit into the overhead with no issues.

The side handle on the bag was wonderfully helpful for lifting my bag into the overhead bin. Normally I struggle to lift my suitcase, but this bag felt light enough that I could hoist it up pretty easily, especially considering I had some heavy items in there.

I was a bit annoyed that my bag did get scratched up pretty quickly. It also would’ve been nice to have a USB port easily available.

Overall, the bag performed well, though I think I’d only use it for short trips, since it doesn’t seem like it will hold up well with tons of use. 

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Alternatives 

Genius Pack Hardside Luggage Spinner

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• Genius Pack Hardside Luggage Spinner : This luggage is like the Hardside Spinner but gives you the bonus of a secluded laundry compartment, and a 5-year warranty. The price is about twice what you’ll pay for AmazonBasics, but it’s worth it for the higher quality materials.

Bric's B/Y Ulisse 21 Expandable Spinner

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• Bric’s B/Y Ulisse 21” Expandable Spinner: This luggage offers a lot of the same features as the Hardside Spinner with a price tag that’s not much more expensive. It boasts wheels that rotate 360-degrees, a beautiful hardshell that comes in a variety of colors, plus a built-in USB port. The downside is that it requires you to purchase your own portable battery to use with the USB port. For a bit of extra cash, the USB port and stylish exterior are well worth it.

Away Bigger Carry-On Bag

The Away Bigger Carry-On is a stylish well-built suitcase that’s ideal for frequent travelers who want a bit of extra space.

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• Away Bigger Carry-On: The Away Bigger Carry-On is a stylish, well-built suitcase that’s ideal for frequent travelers who want a bit of extra space. It’s also over twice the cost of the Hardside Spinner. But for the extra money, you get a built-in battery, durable hardshell, laundry bag, and a bit of extra space thanks to the bag’s larger dimensions.

My Thoughts Overall On the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner

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AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner 20 Carry-On

The AmazonBasics Hardside Carry-On Spinner is a stylish suitcase that’s ideal for a casual traveler looking for an affordable well-made bag.

Check Best Price on Amazon

If you click this link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

FAQs

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner 20 Carry-On

The AmazonBasics Hardside Carry-On Spinner is a stylish suitcase that’s ideal for a casual traveler looking for an affordable well-made bag.

Check Best Price on Amazon

If you click this link and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.