We Tested the 8 Best Carry-On Luggage Bags for Compact Packing and Travel
Updated: Jul. 08, 2024
We tested the best carry-on luggage and bags for every budget to simplify the packing process and make traveling a breeze.
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Ditching your checked suitcase in favor of the best carry-on luggage? A compact carry-on can still provide plenty of packing space and allow for effortless maneuvering in bustling airports. Plus, these suitcase superstars accommodate extended trips lasting more than a night or two. The best luggage brands incorporate helpful extras, such as 360-degree spinner wheels and an ergonomic handle, to make getting to your destination that much smoother.
When deciding which models to test for ourselves, our team looked at smart carry-on luggage options, which may include built-in ejectable batteries to power up your devices while on the go and other handy additions. We also considered affordable luggage picks for budget-conscious travelers. So, whether you’re preparing for a cruise or an airplane adventure, these best carry-on luggage options will suit your travel needs.
Best overall carry-on luggage
July Carry-On Pro
Pros:
- Front pocket fits up to a 15-inch laptop or iPad Pro
- Detachable padded sleeve, TSA lock, ejectable battery and hidden laundry bag
- Sleek and sturdy hard-shell construction
- Personalization available
- 100-day free trial
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Pricey
- Handle is wider than other brands, which can made it hard to get a trolley strap over it
You can’t go wrong with the July Carry-On Pro, which is considered the top carry-on luggage option. This smart luggage is equipped with a handful of noteworthy features. Among them include a detachable padded sleeve (ideal for storing your laptop and other trusty tech and travel essentials), a built-in hidden laundry bag (to keep clean and dirty clothes separated), a Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-approved lock (for added security) and an ejectable battery (for on-the-go charging). The exterior features a durable polycarbonate shell while the interior is equipped with a water- and stain-resistant nylon lining.
“The July Carry-On Pro is a solid choice for any serious traveler, especially one traveling on a business trip for three to four days. The integrated laptop pocket and portable charger are incredibly convenient, and its durable shell and high-quality wheels make it seem like this investment will hold up for years to come,” writes Jill Schildhouse, our tester, in her detailed review.
According to Schildhouse, who took this bag on an 18-day excursion of back-to-back European cruises, this bag was easy to maneuver through multiple airports, held up well to scuffs and scratches and fit easily in the overhead bin on her domestic and international flights. She was especially impressed by this bag’s handy portable battery and front pocket, which stores up to a 15-inch laptop or an iPad Pro.
While there’s no doubt that this sturdy little carry-on will make your travels infinitely less stressful, there’s always room for improvement. As far as Schildhouse is concerned, this bag is on the pricier side. “I think the price is a bit steep, especially when both Away and Béis offer similar bags with a higher volume capacity for less money,” she explains. That being said, this bag is only $30 more than the Away Bigger Carry-On Bag that Schildhouse references, so we’re not talking big bucks. And since these bags made our list of the best carry-on luggage, you can’t go wrong either way.
Best budget carry-on luggage
Canway 65-Liter Travel Duffel Bag
Pros:
- Affordable with free Prime shipping
- Extendable and foldable design
- Padded straps provide added comfort
- Multiple pockets for optimal organization
- Durable water- and tear-resistant material
Cons:
- No wheels, so it can get heavy if you tend to overpack
This durable, do-it-all duffle bag from Canway is chock-full of functional features at a superb cost. In addition to its foldable and extendable design, the duffel boasts several pockets, including ones solely designed for shoes, to stay organized. Its water- and tear-resistant material will last for years to come. Just ask our newsletter editor, Cameron Songer, who took this affordable suitcase on a four-day trip to Chicago.
“Overall, this is a good duffel that comfortably stored more than enough for a long weekend away from home. Fully packed, it’s big but manageable and still fits in an overhead bin with no problem,” he says. While Songer was able to comfortably fit four to five days’ worth of clothes in the bag, he points out that you might not be able to fit as much if you’re packing bulky clothing or packing for a longer trip. Though even if you could make everything fit, you may not want to.
This duffel bag features thick, durable straps and handles that Songer describes as fairly comfortable, but since it doesn’t have wheels, it can become heavy if you overpack. According to Songer, this bag seems pretty durable, but he wouldn’t recommend dragging it through an airport. “Because it fits in the overhead bin, you can take it on an airplane, but you might prefer a piece of luggage with wheels for going through the airport,” he says.
Songer also would have preferred metal connectors for the shoulder straps over the bag’s plastic connectors. “I would feel more confident in this bag’s longevity if they were metal. The plastic was also a little bit squeaky—it wasn’t loud enough to bother my traveling companion, but it was noticeable to me when the bag was on my shoulder,” he explains.
According to Songer, this budget-friendly pick would be ideal for a road trip because it’s tough, flexible and not too large. Choose from over 10 color options so you can travel in style. While this design holds 65 liters, there are four other sizes to accommodate your particular trip.
Best expandable carry-on luggage
Briggs & Riley Global 21
Pros:
- Expansion-compression system increases packing capacity
- Four-way spinning wheels to easily push or pull
- Mesh and zip pockets for optimal storage
- Free monogramming available
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Pricey
- Limited color options
This Briggs & Riley global carry-on is expandable, providing up to 22% more packing space, making it a solid choice for longer international flights. It’s also equipped with a built-in power bank and lock, both of which are TSA-approved. Its lightweight polycarbonate exterior offers resilience, too. Plus, the protective drawstring fabric bag helps keep your suitcase in top shape between travels.
Shopping editor, Madi Koetting, took this bag on a four-day trip and was impressed by how much she was able to pack. “As an expandable suitcase, the interior compression panels make so that it quite literally expands to accommodate for overpackers like myself,” she says. “I was shocked to discover this baby holds enough for a five- to seven-day trip…I was able to fit seven outfits.”
Though this carry-on suitcase was smaller than Koetting’s usual bag, it didn’t meet the airline’s size guidelines and she was made to check it. “I was able to put the suitcase through the test of being banged and thrown around for a total of eight hours while in transit to and from Charleston, which is the true test of any luggage,” she says. We’re happy to report that this bag passed the test with flying colors. According to Koetting, this suitcase did encounter some scratches in transit, but they were nothing a Magic Eraser couldn’t handle. “I can happily report the exterior shell has held up better than my $100 suitcase,” she adds. Overall, Koetting dubs this a high-quality pick if you’re looking to splurge on a trusty suitcase.
Best lightweight carry-on luggage
Monos Carry-On
Pros:
- Weighs just 7.01 pounds
- 360-degree wheels
- Comes with internal laundry and shoe bags
- Inner lining is antimicrobial
- Available in a variety of colors and patterns
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Online colors may appear differently in person
The Monos Carry-On suitcase is the epitome of the best carry-on luggage. Weighing just 7.01 pounds, this lightweight travel companion provides ample room for both lengthy journeys and quick getaways. It’s equipped with exceptional details, like a built-in TSA-approved lock, a sturdy telescopic handle, stylish vegan leather accents and whisper-quiet spinner wheels. Plus, the brand calls its polycarbonate shell “unbreakable,” and its lifetime warranty ensures it’ll last forever.
Caroline Lubinsky, senior shopping editor, was amazed by how easily this suitcase was to maneuver through an airport. Not only because of its lightweight design, but also thanks to its four spinner wheels that move an impressive 360 degrees. “So yes, if you suddenly realize you need an iced caramel latte from Starbucks before your flight, you can quickly pivot your suitcase without issue,” writes Lubinsky in her detailed Monos review.
Lubinsky, who has a tendency to overpack (don’t we all!), appreciated how much she was able to cram into this bag. “I was also impressed with the bag’s built-in compression pad, which helps you stuff every last T-shirt into your bag. To be honest, this was the lifesaver I didn’t know I needed, and it might be for you, too, if you’re a chronic overpacker,” she quips.
And finally, Lubinsky points out that Monos paid careful attention to detail when constructing this durable piece of luggage, from the fun colors and patterns to the antimicrobial inner lining and the brand’s Climate Neutral Certification. It’s no wonder Monos is hailed as one of the best luggage brands out there.
Best carry-on luggage for overpackers
Béis The Carry-On Roller
Pros:
- Expandable design lets you pack more
- Built-in scale helps you avoid overweight fees
- Built-in TSA-approved lock
- Available in nine matte colors and two glossy colors
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Lighter colors tend to get scuffed
- $10 handling fee for returns
The Béis The Carry-On Roller effortlessly combines style and functionality with its expandable design and built-in scale, making it an ideal choice for those who tend to overpack. The scale allows you to weigh your luggage in advance, ensuring you avoid any hefty baggage fees. Meanwhile, the expandable design adds an additional 2 inches of packing space, allowing you to fit in more essentials. This best carry-on luggage pick also includes various pouches for organizing shoes, laundry and personal items.
In her detailed Béis carry-on roller review, Schildhouse admits to being skeptical of the viral brand. “Lately, my Instagram and TikTok feeds have been inundated with influencers and content creators raving about the Béis Carry-On Roller. They all claim it’s the ‘best bag ever,’ and I’ve done little more than roll my eyes at what I perceived to be a knock-off of my beloved Away The Bigger Carry On Suitcase,” she writes. “I fully expected to end up with a laundry list of complaints about its various shortcomings. Turns out, and this is tough for me to admit, this skeptic actually loves it.”
So what’s there to love? Plenty, according to Schildhouse, who was blown away by the bag’s weight limit indicator which turns red if the bag weighs over 50 pounds. She also raves about its retractable bag attach strap that holds any bag up to 15 pounds, cushioned handle and expandable zippered section. Plus, at $238, you’re guaranteed to get your money’s worth. “The fact that this suitcase offers so many useful features for nearly $100 less than its closest competitors is rather mind-boggling,” says Schildhouse. And at such an affordable price, you can easily pair it with the Béis Mini Weekender in the same hue.
Best carry-on luggage for long trips
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Pros:
- Spacious interior (but still fits in most overhead bins)
- Built-in TSA-approved lock
- Lightweight at just 7.9 pounds
- Durable polycarbonate hard shell
- Beautiful color options
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Few organizational compartments
Designed to maximize space, this Away suitcase is an excellent choice for longer trips. Its durable polycarbonate shell ensures the utmost protection for your belongings while the interior compression system, multiple compartments and built-in laundry bag help you stay organized. With the added convenience of a TSA-approved lock, your items remain secure throughout your journey. Furthermore, this suitcase offers a range of beautiful color options, from charming baby blue to neon green and timeless basic black, allowing for a touch of personal style. Schildhouse snagged this suitcase in Paradise Pink, a limited-edition color from the brand’s summer Neon Collection.
Schildhouse, who travels 90 nights a year and has tried countless luggage brands, has named Away’s The Bigger Carry-On as her favorite. “My Away suitcase has since traveled all over the world with me,” she writes in her full review. “It certainly lives up to the social media hype, and it’s the travel companion I can always rely on. In fact, I also bought the Away Medium Flex for longer trips, because the brand has completely raised the bar on my travel standards.”
So, what is it about this suitcase that makes it the go-to bag for frequent fliers? According to Schildhouse, Away boasts that its luggage is designed by travelers, for travelers. In other words, the brand just gets it. This carry-on is durable, stylish, well designed and has tons of room for all of your travel essentials. Plus, it comes with extras like a leather luggage tag, a water-resistant laundry bag and a lifetime warranty, which covers functional damage to the shell, wheels, handle and zipper. Unfortunately, that warranty doesn’t extend to the inevitable scuffs and scratches your bag is sure to receive, which Schildhouse refers to as proof of a life well traveled.
Best carry-on luggage set
Kenneth Cole Reaction Chelsea Two-Piece Bundle
Pros:
- Includes one soft-sided suitcase and a matching backpack
- Backpack loops over the telescoping carry-on handle
- Carry-on is expandable and features a wet garment compartment
- Stylish chevron
- Great value
Cons:
- Carry-on has only has a single storage compartment
- No extra features, like a built-in lock
This Kenneth Cole luggage set includes a soft-sided carry-on and a matching backpack. Crafted with a stylish chevron-patterned fabric, both pieces are lightweight and fashion-forward. The tear-resistant interior provides an added layer of security for your belongings. The rolling Amazon luggage is expandable, allowing for an extra 1.5 inches of storage capacity. On the other hand, the backpack features a padded laptop compartment and numerous pockets, offering hands-free convenience for storing personal items and in-flight essentials.
Our tester, Kelsey Mulvey, took this set on a series of back-to-back trips and was impressed by its lightweight construction and multi-directional four-wheel spinners. “Suddenly, what was once a mad dash from one end of a busy airport to another felt like I was gliding,” she writes in her comprehensive review. Not only was it easy to move around, but Mulvey was pleasantly surprised by how well these bags held up after a month of rigorous use.
“I was skeptical about this luggage set’s design,” she admits. “Since I typically travel with a hard-shell suitcase, I worried that a soft-shell alternative would show more wear and tear. However, after a month of consistently testing this product, I’m pleased to report that I haven’t noticed any major signs of rips, tears or damage. Besides a few superficial scuffs on the front of my backpack, the set looks as good as new.” That’s especially impressive given this luggage set’s affordable price tag.
Mulvey’s only complaint? During her travels, she found that the telescoping handle would sometimes get stuck. “Though it was a rare occurrence, a finicky handle was frustrating when I was trying to move around quickly,” she says. Another thing to consider is the fact that this luggage set doesn’t include any fancy extras like a built-in lock, luggage tag or removable laundry bags. But if you don’t mind not having those odds and ends, then this set offers a lot of bang for your buck and is sure to make traveling a breeze. Speaking of sets, complete this one by adding the matching Kenneth Cole 28-inch Chelsea suitcase to your cart.
Best underseat carry-on luggage
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Rolling Underseat Bag
Pros:
- Designed to fit under the seats of most major domestic airlines
- Many organizational pockets
- Padded laptop/tablet sleeve
- Stain-resistant and water-repellant coating
- Available in several color options
Cons:
- Clunky straps
If you’re jetting off for a quick weekend trip, then a piece of underseat luggage will usually suffice. Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 carry-on rolling underseat bag is a tried-and-true option. In fact, it was named the Best Overall Underseat Luggage because of how well it performed in our Testing Lab and how perfectly it fits under the seats of most major airlines, including American, Spirit, Frontier, Southwest and JetBlue.
In the lab, our testers crammed this bag with a weekend’s worth of clothing and accessories before rolling it around various floor types and over cords, curbs and steps. Our team found this bag easy to maneuver and didn’t tip over on sharp turns. And though it took considerable effort to close the bag once it was packed, they had no concerns about the bag tearing, snagging or breaking due to its overall sturdy construction. “The durability is apparent in the handle, zipper and wheels,” says our Product Testing Team.
What our team didn’t love, however, were the handles on this carry-on bag. “They’re the clunky Velcro kind that, in order to be easy to hold, should ideally be Velcro-ed together, which takes a bit of time to do,” explains the team. And given the amount of time spent wrangling these handles, our team notes that this particular design isn’t ideal for busy security lines. They also note that if the handle isn’t Velcro-ed closed, then the lower half of the handle is close to dragging along the ground.
In spite of our team’s feelings about this particular design aspect, none of this was a dealbreaker, given this bag’s overall durability and functionality. In fact, it received top scores in almost every category, earning it a top spot on several lists, including best carry-on luggage.
What to look for when buying carry-on luggage
When shopping for the best carry-on luggage, there are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration:
- Expandability: Consider your travel needs and style. Are you a serial overpacker? If so, then look for an expandable carry-on so you can fit everything inside without having to climb on top of it.
- Maneuverability: If you’ll be hustling through a lot of airports and cities, look for a lightweight suitcase with 360-degree spinner wheels, as these can easily be pushed or pulled in any direction.
- Price: Carry-on luggage can cost anywhere from $40 to over $500, so it’s essential to find quality luggage that fits your budget. Compare prices, styles and features to ensure you’re getting the best value for your budget.
Why you should trust us
Our editors are frequent travelers of all types, from road trippers to frequent flyers. We’re made up of parents, pet owners, solo adventurers and weekend group trippers. And we have used bags, backpacks and suitcases of all types to get us there. Through our travels, we’ve tested all of the top luggage brands in real-world conditions and ranked the best carry-ons, underseat carry-on luggage, weekenders, luggage sets and affordable suitcases. Our team also regularly tests travel accessories, like neck pillows, toiletry bags, packing cubes and luggage racks. If there’s one thing you should know for sure, it’s that we tested all eight of the best carry-on luggage picks featured on this list.
How we found the best carry-on luggage
To decide which carry-on luggage pieces to test, our team combed through thousands of social media videos and user reviews to see which brands real travelers use. We then analyzed the carry-on selection from top luggage brands based on their size, durability, maneuverability, features and price. From there, our shopping editors and testers packed these suitcases and took them on their own travels to see how they held up in various airports and cities around the world. Based on their findings, we narrowed down the options to the eight best pieces of carry-on luggage.
FAQ
What kind of carry-on luggage is best?
When it comes to the best carry-on luggage, the options are plentiful. Consumers can choose from hard-shell luggage, soft-sided suitcases, underseat bags (which—you guessed it—are small enough to fit under the airplane seat), duffel bags (some with wheels, some handheld) and travel backpacks (which offer hands-free convenience). Ultimately, the choice is yours—though you should consider if you’re packing for a cruise, long trip or short excursion.
What are the dimensions for carry-on luggage?
Each airline has its own carry-on luggage size restriction. American, Delta, JetBlue and United, for example, allow 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Be sure to check your airline’s luggage size details before packing for your trip.
What is allowed in carry-on luggage?
In addition to clothes and shoes, TSA allows you to pack the following items in your carry-on bag:
- Liquids under 3.4 ounces
- Breast milk, formula and baby food
- Medicine
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Food and snacks
- One lighter or one packet of safety matches
- Lithium batteries
- Cowboy spurs
- Bowling balls
- Fishing poles (no hooks)
- Antlers
Additional reporting by Lauren Dana Ellman.
Originally Published: March 12, 2024
