---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/vfr1o0y105/black-ember-citadel-18/"
title: "Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs Black Ember Citadel 18"
description: "Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs Black Ember Citadel 18: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/vfr1o0y105/black-ember-citadel-18/"
---
1.  [Home](https://onebag.travel/)
2.  [Carry-On Travel Backpacks](https://onebag.travel/carryons/)
3.  Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. Black Ember Citadel 18

# Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. Black Ember Citadel 18

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

## [Black Ember Citadel R3 25](https://onebag.travel/carryon/m0gizsp8la/black-ember-citadel-r3-25/)

by [Black Ember](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Black Ember)

![Front facing view of the Black Ember Citadel R3 25](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990475/carryons/black-ember-citadel-r3-25-m0gizsp8la.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>25 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.6 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>50×31×18 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>91%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$280</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| Black Ember Citadel R3 25 | Feature | Black Ember Citadel 18 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry |
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside |
| 14in | Laptop | 14in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside |
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>421 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66</td><td>420 VELOCITY CORDURA re/cor RN66</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [Black Ember Citadel 18](https://onebag.travel/carryon/vfr1o0y105/black-ember-citadel-18/)

by [Black Ember](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Black Ember)

![Front facing view of the Black Ember Citadel 18](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990474/carryons/black-ember-citadel-18-vfr1o0y105.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>18 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.3 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>43×29×16 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>95%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$240</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the Black Ember Citadel R3 25 and Black Ember Citadel 18

-   **Main compartments:** 4 on the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; 3 on the Black Ember Citadel 18.

Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.

## Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 172 accept both. 0 accept only the Black Ember Citadel R3 25, and 8 accept only the Black Ember Citadel 18.

### Only the Black Ember Citadel 18 fits

Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.

## Black Ember Citadel R3 25 vs. Black Ember Citadel 18: which should you pack?

The **Black Ember Citadel R3 25** carries 7L more than the **Black Ember Citadel 18** (25L vs. 18L), while the **Black Ember Citadel 18** is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **Black Ember Citadel 18** fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Black Ember Citadel R3 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Black Ember Citadel 18 is the better call.