Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been debating between the 21in and the 19in for a while and ultimately purchased both to test them out. I want something that will pass as carry-on no questions asked, and I think the 19in bag will do that. The 19in bag is definitely roomier than it appears, it just requires a good bit of maneuvering and some rolling of clothes to accommodate the annoying bars where the handle retracts inside the bag. For its ability to hold things, I give it a solid 5/5. I tested a summer wardrobe trip and a winter wardrobe trip with shoes to see how it could hold up. Note, I'm smaller, so I was probably able to pack a bit more than perhaps an adult man could. For summer, I was able to pack: 2 light dresses, 2 rompers, 2 SS tshirts, 2 athletic shorts, 4 nicer shorts, 6 tops, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 bathing suits, 1 pair of sz 8 wedges, 1 pair of flat sandals, my makeup bag, a baseball hat, my nook, and undergarments. I did not open the expander for the summer clothes. I used the outside laptop area to store undergarments in the zipper pocket, my nook, my hat, and my makeup bag (this would also be where I'd store my liquids, since there was room). I probably could have fit a thin laptop inside as well if I really wanted to try. For winter, I was able to pack: 3 thick sweaters, 3 thin sweaters, 1 LS and 2 SS tshirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of cords, 1 pair of leggings, 1 pair of athletic shorts, 1 pair of sz 8 booties, 1 pair of flats, undergarments, my nook, and my makeup bag. I did have to open the expander to fit it all, but after zipping the main compartment closed, I also zipped the expander closed easily. This was a tighter fit and I would not have been able to carry a laptop in the bag but I would've been able to fit a liquids bag. My only complaints are: (1) that there is no bottom handle on this model, which can make it more difficult to handle when lifting it from car trunks or from above your head in an overhead bin, and (2) the bag is heavier than I'd like. Someone answered that it's 6lb 4oz, and I can tell you that's not true. Ebags says it's 7 lb 8 oz, and that's definitely more accurate. I held a suitcase that weighed mid 6 lb and this was clearly heavier. The wheels move well on carpet and hardwood, and I found the handle to be sturdier than the Traveler's Club Voyager suitcase I was also considering at BBB. The dimensions are 21.5 x 14 x 9.5 including the top handle and wheels (no expansion), but you could probably squeeze the suitcase into a size check bin by squeezing the sides in a smidge if you haven't overpacked it. The 21 in suitcase was about 22.5-23in x 15 x 10. Between the two, I'm planning to keep the 19 in since the 21 in, while much roomier, also exceeds the current carry on limits, and I don't feel like playing Russian Roulette baggage fee style with the gate staff every time I fly. I've included pics of the two side by side, in case any of you are wondering how they compare. The 4th pic is the 19in suitcase's laptop compartment, which the other suitcase does not have.