Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On vs Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner

Bottom line: Pick the Amazon Basics 21" Hardside if you want a bag that fits more airlines, a smaller bag and better value; pick the Samsonite Freeform 21" if you want a lighter bag, better durability and better rolling & handling.

Neither fully fits 22 × 14 × 9 in on US majors, but the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact does.

Amazon Basics★ Our verdict
21.7 in 14.8 in 10

Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On

Best for occasional trips, budget airlines

Weight
7.7 lb
Size in
21.7 × 14.8 × 10
Warranty
Not listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)
Our score
6.7/10
Fits 3 of 9 US airlines
  • AA: too big
  • DL: too big
  • UA: too big
  • WN: fits
  • B6: too big
  • AS: too big
  • NK: fits
  • F9: fits
  • G4: too big
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The carry-on from the same Amazon Basics family as their 30" bag: very cheap and expandable, but 10 in deep, over the 9 in limit most US airlines use.

Airline fit (US)
3.3/10
Durability
7/10
Packing space
7/10
Rolling & handling
7/10
Value
9/10
Samsonite6.4/10
23 in 15 in 10

Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner

Best for occasional trips, families

Weight
6.5 lb
Size in
23 × 15 × 10
Warranty
10 yr
Our score
6.4/10
Fits 2 of 9 US airlines
  • AA: too big
  • DL: too big
  • UA: too big
  • WN: fits
  • B6: too big
  • AS: too big
  • NK: too big
  • F9: fits
  • G4: too big
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Samsonite's best-selling hardside: double spinner wheels, a built-in TSA lock and a 10-year warranty, but it's bigger than most US carry-on limits.

Airline fit (US)
2.2/10
Durability
8/10
Packing space
7/10
Rolling & handling
8/10
Value
7/10

Key differences

  • Size: the Amazon Basics 21" Hardside is 21.7 × 14.8 × 10 in; the Samsonite Freeform 21" is 23 × 15 × 10 in.
  • The Samsonite Freeform 21" is lighter: 6.5 lb vs 7.7 lb.
  • The Samsonite Freeform 21" has a tsa lock; the Amazon Basics 21" Hardside's tsa lock isn't listed.
  • Warranty: 10 yr for the Samsonite Freeform 21"; not listed for the Amazon Basics 21" Hardside.
  • Airline fit: the Amazon Basics 21" Hardside: fits 3 of 9 US airlines; the Samsonite Freeform 21": fits 2 of 9 US airlines.

Specs side by side

SpecAmazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-OnSamsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner
Height21.7 in (55.1 cm)23 in (58.4 cm)
Width14.8 in (37.6 cm)15 in (38.1 cm)
Depth10 in (25.4 cm)10 in (25.4 cm)
Empty weight7.7 lb (3.5 kg)6.5 lb (2.9 kg)
ShellHardHard
Wheels44
ExpandableYesYes
TSA lockNot listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)Yes
Laptop / front pocketNoNo
WarrantyNot listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)10 yr

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better, the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On or the Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner?

Overall we rate the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On higher (6.7/10 vs 6.4/10, airline fit included). The carry-on from the same Amazon Basics family as their 30" bag: very cheap and expandable, but 10 in deep, over the 9 in limit most US airlines use.

Which is lighter, the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On or the Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner?

The Samsonite Freeform 21" is lighter: 6.5 lb vs 7.7 lb.

Which fits more airlines?

The Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On: fits 3 of 9 US airlines. The Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner: fits 2 of 9 US airlines. Based on published size limits.

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