Best Carry-On Bags for Ryanair & Wizz Air in 2026
Bags that fit Ryanair's 40×20×25 cm and Wizz Air's 40×30×20 cm free allowances. Avoid gate-check fees with these exact-fit picks.
Ryanair and Wizz Air have the strictest carry-on size rules in Europe — and they enforce them with sizers at the gate. Get this wrong and you pay a gate-check fee that costs more than your ticket. This guide covers bags specifically sized to fit each airline's free allowance, so you board without paying extra.
Understanding the size rules
Ryanair (non-Priority passengers): One free personal item up to 40×20×25 cm. Priority passengers (or those who buy the larger bag option) can also bring a 55×40×20 cm cabin bag into the overhead locker.
Wizz Air (WIZZ Go and above): One cabin bag up to 55×40×23 cm in the overhead locker. Standard (WIZZ Basic) fare passengers get one personal item up to 40×30×20 cm under the seat only.
The key measurement that trips people up is depth. At 20 cm, Ryanair's free personal item sizer is shallow. Most backpacks and bags marketed as "personal items" are 25–30 cm deep and will fail the sizer.
Use the CarrySizer bag fit checker to verify any bag against your specific booking before travelling.
Our top picks
1. Cabin Max Metz — Best for Ryanair non-Priority
Dimensions: 40×20×25 cm | Weight: 0.5 kg | Material: Polyester
The Cabin Max Metz is built to Ryanair's exact non-Priority sizer dimensions. It has a structured frame so it holds its shape when measured, unlike soft totes that get squeezed in or out. Despite being only 20 cm deep, it packs 20 litres — enough for a weekend trip if you pack efficiently. Cabin Max publishes the exact dimensions on the bag tag, which has reportedly helped travellers at Ryanair gates.
Best for: Ryanair travellers on Basic or Standard fares who want to avoid buying Priority boarding.
Pros:
- Precisely sized to Ryanair's 40×20×25 cm sizer
- Structured frame holds shape — won't be squeezed outside the sizer
Cons:
- 20 cm depth is genuinely restricting — won't fit bulky items or thick clothing
- No padding for laptop — bring a laptop sleeve if needed
2. TIGON Cabin Bag — Best for Wizz Air standard fare
Dimensions: 40×30×20 cm | Weight: 0.6 kg | Material: Oxford nylon
The TIGON is one of the few bags marketed specifically to Wizz Air's under-seat allowance (40×30×20 cm for Basic fare passengers). It fits under most aircraft seats, has an internal laptop sleeve, and the zipper extends fully around three sides for easy packing and access. It packs around 24 litres — more than Ryanair's personal item equivalent.
Best for: Wizz Air Basic fare passengers who want the maximum underseat allowance without paying for WIZZ Go.
Pros:
- Built to 40×30×20 cm — fits Wizz Air under-seat gauge
- Internal laptop sleeve up to 15 inches
Cons:
- Not suitable for Ryanair non-Priority — 30 cm depth exceeds their 20 cm limit
- Soft construction means it can bulge if overpacked and may fail a strict sizer check
3. Aerolite 55×40×20 cm Cabin Bag — Best for Ryanair Priority
Dimensions: 55×40×20 cm | Weight: 1.8 kg | Material: ABS hard shell
If you have Ryanair Priority (included with Plus fares and above), your larger cabin bag allowance is 55×40×20 cm — note the 20 cm depth, shallower than most standard carry-ons. The Aerolite is one of the only hard-shell bags built to exactly this measurement. The four-wheel spinner and TSA combination lock are included.
Best for: Ryanair Priority passengers who want the full 55×40×20 cm overhead allowance in a hard-shell bag.
Pros:
- Precise 55×40×20 cm build for Ryanair Priority overhead bins
- Hard shell protects against rough aircraft baggage handling
- Four-wheel spinner handles are easier than two-wheel uprights
Cons:
- Hard shell means no compression — if you overfill it, zipping becomes difficult
- ABS plastic is less crack-resistant than polycarbonate under impact
Buying guide: which size do you need?
| Fare type | Airline | Free bag allowance | Bag to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (no Priority) | Ryanair | 40×20×25 cm under seat | Cabin Max Metz or equivalent |
| Priority / Plus | Ryanair | 55×40×20 cm overhead | Aerolite or similar |
| WIZZ Basic | Wizz Air | 40×30×20 cm under seat | TIGON or similar |
| WIZZ Go and above | Wizz Air | 55×40×23 cm overhead | Standard cabin bag |
Key tip: Always measure your bag with everything packed. Soft bags bulge. A bag that measures 19 cm when empty may measure 22 cm when full of clothes — and that's a gate-check fee waiting to happen.
What counts as "dimensions"? Both Ryanair and Wizz Air include all protrusions — wheels, handles, pockets, feet — in their measurements. A bag with protruding feet or a chunky carry handle can push you over the limit even if the bag body itself is within gauge.
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