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Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner Review

A well-priced and reasonably spacious hardshell carry-on with limited organizational features and dubious long-term viability
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Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner Review
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Price:  $66 List
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Manufacturer:   Amazon
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 1, 2025
61
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 18
  • Capacity - 35% 7.0
  • Ease of Transport - 25% 6.0
  • Construction Quality - 20% 5.0
  • Design and Functionality - 20% 5.5

Our Verdict

The Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner is another in a long line of “acceptable but not great” carry-on luggage pieces trying to capture your interest with a low price point. While it has the simple clamshell design I know and expect among hardshell bags overall, the lack of organizational extras means there's little to counterbalance its shortcomings in design and performance. It joins the ranks of “carry-ons” that are actually larger than airlines' acceptable carry-on dimensions — though those are rarely enforced. However, for the infrequent traveler who just needs to get from A to B, there's still value in this very simple hardshell. See how the Amazon Basics 20-Inch fares next to its rivals in our best carry-on luggage review.
REASONS TO BUY
Great price
Decent storage
Rugged shell
Great grab handles
Large spinner wheels
Smooth zippers
REASONS TO AVOID
Durability concerns
Rattly trolley handle
Basic interior storage
No locking system

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Carry-On Luggage for a Tight Budget
Best Buy Award
Great Value for a Hardside Carry-On
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Softshell Carry-On
  
Price $66 List
$65.99 at Amazon
$200 List
$139.88 at Amazon
$120 List
$119.99 at Amazon
$90 List
$79.99 at Amazon
$50 List
$37.00 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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55
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A great bargain bag perfect for shorter jaunts and basic travelOne of our favorite bargain hardshell models — it looks great, rolls smooth, and doesn't break the bankA host of useful features combined with a durable foundation and solid functionality make this reasonably priced softshell an easy choice to meet your carry-on needsNot the sturdiest option, but still a great choice for travelers who need a stylish option that is good enough for basic, infrequent travelA simple, less-expensive choice for basic travel needs to nearby destinations
Rating Categories Amazon Basics 20-In... Samsonite Freeform... SwissGear Sion Soft... Coolife Hardside Ex... Travelers Club Chic...
Capacity (35%)
7.0
8.4
7.4
7.0
7.1
Ease of Transport (25%)
6.0
7.0
6.3
5.0
5.0
Construction Quality (20%)
5.0
6.5
6.6
5.0
4.0
Design and Functionality (20%)
5.5
6.0
6.7
5.0
5.0
Specifications Amazon Basics 20-In... Samsonite Freeform... SwissGear Sion Soft... Coolife Hardside Ex... Travelers Club Chic...
Weight (Measured) 6.6 lb 6.6 lb 7.3 lb 5.7 lb 6.1 lb
Exterior Dimensions 22.0" x 14.8" x 10.0" 23.0" x 15.0" x 10" 23.0" x 14.1" x 10.0" 19.0" x 13.5" x 9.0" 19.0" x 14.0" x 8.0"
Main Compartment Volume (Measured) 36.0 L 41.2 L 40.5 L 34.5 L 35.0 L
Exterior Material ABS hardshell Polypropylene Polyester Polycarbonate and ABS ABS hardshell
Number of Wheels 4 4 4 4 4
Pull Handle Heights 2 (33", 41") 1 (41.5") 3 (28", 34.5", 43") 3 (31", 35", 39") 2 (36", 40")
Opening Style Half shell Half shell Top lid Half shell Half shell
Locking System None Combination/TSA lock Zipper loop Combination/TSA lock Zipper loop
Number of Exterior Pockets None None 2 None None

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Amazon Basics 20-inch Hardside Spinner's greatest appeal is its price. It's a very basic double-wheeled spinner that offers ample space and performs well enough to get you through light travel.

Comparative Details Across Carry On Luggage
 Measured VolumeNumber of WheelsLocking MechanismExterior Pockets
Amazon Basics Hardside36.0 L4NoneNone
Coolife Hardside Expandable34.5 L4Combination/TSA lockNone
Travelers Club Chicago35.0 L4Zipper loopNone
Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds32.5 L4Zipper loopNone
Showkoo Hardside (Set)35.0 L4Combination/TSA lockNone

Performance Comparison


amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner - the amazon basics spinner has the basic shiny good looks you'd...
The Amazon Basics Spinner has the basic shiny good looks you'd expect from a hardshell carry-on.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Capacity


The Amazon Basics isn't going to offer up a lot of extra features when it comes to storing your gear.


Based on my own measurements, this 6.6-pound spinner provides 36 liters of internal storage. This is on the lower end when directly compared against the rest of the bags on our list. However, it is still adequate real estate for most needs, but if you need a little more volume, the Delsey Paris Helium Aero (42.5 liters) or SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable 21-Inch (41.2 liters) are two reasonably priced hardshells that will get you there.


In standard form, one half of the bag is enclosed with a fabric panel, while the other is home to a small accessory pocket and two crisscrossed elasticized restraint straps.


A couple of additional mesh pockets are inlaid in that same interior panel as well, although I found they yielded limited benefits due to their smaller size. In short, the Amazon Basics does, in fact, serve up the basics.

Small mesh pockets on the interior half-clam enclosure seem like...
Small mesh pockets on the interior half-clam enclosure seem like they'd be a good idea, but we found them far too small to be particularly useful.
The small accessory pocket inside the Amazon Basics Spinner is only...
The small accessory pocket inside the Amazon Basics Spinner is only large enough to hold the tiniest of items.
This bag has very modest storage features, including a few simple pockets that were sometimes too small to hold what I wanted to put in them.

Ease of Transport


The Amazon Basics isn't going to wow you with special features or a liquid-smooth ride. However, I was somewhat impressed with its large, double-wheeled spinner wheels. Generally, bags at this price point sport the same undersized, inadequate, rattly wheels.


During testing, I found that this bag's wheels offered significant clearance and decent maneuverability across standard flat terrain. However, they definitely fell short on quality and performance when I compared them side by side with the double spinners on the Away The Carry-On — a moderately priced carry-on that was one of our favorites.

After deeper consideration, I realized this bag is more protected than I first thought. Both grab handles sit higher on the case, giving them the ability to also function as bumper rails.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Reasonable haul handles make carrying the case a relatively comfortable task when dealing with spaces and distances or loading it into cars or planes. Additionally, the top and side handles sit high on the bag and double as impromptu bumper rails if the bag takes an accidental tumble down a flight of stairs.

Ease of Use of Specific Carry-On Luggage Features
ProductTracking AbilityWheel SmoothnessTelescopic Handle SmoothnessBalance
Best5555
Average3.33.43.63.8
Amazon Basics Hardside3334
Worst2121.5

The Amazon Basics is pulled by a very basic trolley handle. It offers three height settings and is a little wobbly, although my tests proved it to be sturdy enough during many weeks of tugging, yanking, and throttling. On the negative side, this bag's shell has zero protection and makes direct contact with stairs and curbs. Many hard-sided carry-ons avoid this problem with a broader wheelbase, which allows the spinners themselves to act as bumper rails. The Amazon Basics wheels sit directly under the case, so the bag itself grinds against surfaces. The resulting damages are only cosmetic, but I still felt this lack of protection was not ideal.

amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner - screech! testing how our amazon basics performs on stairs. things...
Screech! Testing how our Amazon Basics performs on stairs. Things got a little up close and uncomfortable.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

During the weeks of rolling my Amazon Basics in airports, sidewalks, and even dirt roads, I noticed it has a rather smooth, steady ride. This bag certainly doesn't have the cruising ability of the premium bags on our list, but it does roll rather well. Additionally, I appreciated not having to constantly correct its flight path, as it rolls relatively straight, without pulling to one side or the other. During our more controlled tests, I saw the same results. The Amazon Basics was able to walk the line well, though it did tend to twirl.

Slow and steady. I was impressed with this bag's ability to stay the course during our rolling test. It even stayed straight during a twirl.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Construction Quality


The Amazon Basics I tested was passably durable. Generally, bags at this price point have flimsy shells that are easily damaged. However, for a period of time, this bag's shell was constructed of higher-quality polycarbonate. Unfortunately, the current specs on the bag show that the manufacturer has returned to using a weaker, inferior form of plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which left me questioning its overall resilience.


The Amazon Basics performed well during my drop and tumble tests. I dropped this bag flat onto its back from three feet in the air and then pushed it down a flight of concrete stairs a few times. Neither test produced any major damage, but I did see some scuffs.

When push came to shove, this bag stood its ground against concrete steps.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

I also found the Amazon Basics to be somewhat watertight. During my water tests, I drenched it with hose water for six minutes and then checked its interior for moisture. I was very pleased to find it mostly dry. The paper towel I had placed in its storage compartment was only slightly dotted with water.

amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner - the top corner of our moisture-detection system (paper towel) was...
The top corner of our moisture-detection system (paper towel) was the only place affected by our water test.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Design and Functionality


As previously stated, the Amazon Basics holds true to its name: it's basic. It has a standard interior, average fabrics, common construction, and middle-of-the-road performance. Few bragging rights came to mind when I considered this bag for its overall design and function.


Although there are no stand-out features worth mentioning, I can say this bag has a nice look. In fact, its corrugated exterior makes it appear a little more expensive than its true cost. And although it doesn't stand out as excellent, it also isn't half bad. It's simply a very basic bag made for very uncomplicated, infrequent travel.

amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner - the amazon basic has smooth zippers, but it lacks the ability to be...
The Amazon Basic has smooth zippers, but it lacks the ability to be locked.
Credit: Abriah Wofford


Should You Buy the Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner?


If you don't travel frequently and you are looking for a cheap carry-on for that once-in-a-decade trip, the Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner performs well enough to get you where you're going. Additionally, if you're planning a family trip and are facing the daunting task of outfitting everyone with carry-on luggage, this bag is an affordable option, especially for kids. However, it is far from being indestructible, so use it with care. This bag isn't designed for extensive travel, so I wouldn't recommend it to jet-setters who routinely circle the globe.

amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner - an inexpensive option for those who just need the most basic option...
An inexpensive option for those who just need the most basic option for infrequent travel on a budget.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

What Other Carry-On Luggage Should You Consider?


Hitting the pavement with the Amazon Basics carry-on isn't particularly noteworthy for any reason other than price. So, if you'd prefer better construction quality, please note that for a small uptick in cost, you can score a sturdier bag that will hang equally well on quick work retreats or long weekends away with friends. Check out the versatile soft-sided SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable 21-Inch that offers similar quality and functionality at a reasonable price. I also really liked the Delsey Paris Helium Aero. Some people are opting out altogether on traditional carry-ons. So, if a small traditional backpack is more your vibe, take a look at our review on the best daypacks.

amazon basics 20-inch hardside spinner - i was able to fit almost all of the items from my bulky gear...
I was able to fit almost all of the items from my Bulky Gear packability test into the Amazon Basics Spinner by employing the expansion system.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Jason Wanlass