TheBest Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

BEST hardshell CARRY-ON OVERALL

Samsonite Voltage DLX Global Carry-On Spinner

Samsonite is practically synonymous with the luggage category, and the brand’s Voltage DLX Global carry-on spinner won’t disappoint. It measures 22 inches tall and has compression straps, a USB port and plenty of organizational compartments inside (including a liquid-friendly pocket). It expands up to one inch and you’ll get to benefit from Samsonite’s 10-year limited warranty.

BEST SOFTSIDE CARRY-ON

Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-in. Carry-On Spinner

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Many flight attendants swear by soft-sided luggage, which they say is more durable that hard-shelled suitcases. (Take note of what they and pilots tend to bring, and it’s almost always soft bags.) This top-rated Travelpro Maxlite 5 soft-sided expandable luggage gets plenty of love from reviewers on Amazon for being lightweight and maneuverable. The interior is surprisingly spacious and keeps things simple with a zippered mesh pocket and compressive straps. Plus, it features slim exterior pockets to keep tablets, books, laptops or toiletries close at hand. This piece is available in a 19- or a 21-inch version, both in a range of colors.

Best Expandable Carry-On

Away The Bigger Carry-On Flex

Away’s best-selling Bigger Carry-On Flex luggage is one of the best suitcases for travelers who can never seem to pack their stuff back in (or who always manage to bring home extra souvenirs. Boasting the travel brand’s award-winning lightweight and durable polycarbonate shell, this piece unzips to expand an extra 2.25 inches. It’s got a convenient underside grab handle, compressive pockets and a built-in laundry bag to keep your things organized, and it’s roomy enough to hold up to a week’s worth of essentials.

BEST value

Bagsmart Carry-On Luggage

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Looking for a carry-on under $100? Best-selling Amazon brand Bagsmart’s new lineup of luggage has you covered. This compact 20-inch carry-on is lightweight, expandable, and features 360-degree spinner wheels. It comes in other stylish colors; the brad also offers an equally affordable expandable option.

best Carry-On Under $150

Quince Carry-On Hard Shell 20-In. Suitcase

For only $120, Quince’s 20-in. polycarbonate shell carry-on has 360-degree Japanese Hinomoto spinner wheels, a sturdy aluminum telescopic trolley handle with soft rubber for comfort, interior compression panels, TSA-approved locks and a removable laundry bag. The 40-liter capacity offers enough space for five to seven outfits, and there’s a 17-by-12-inch interior pocket for storage. It nests into Quince’s larger luggage for easy storage, and also comes in 21-, 24- and 27-inch sizes (including an expandable version for just $20 more).

Best with Built-in Scale

Béis The Carry-On Roller

If you’re known among friends for being someone who always travels in style, you’re probably already familiar with Béis. The Shay Mitchell-owned travel brand is known for its chic and functional luggage, and this carry-on roller is no exception. It’s one of the only suitcases in the market with a built-in weight indicator and comes in a range of eye-catching colors that ensure you always know which bag is yours. Plus, it has multiple interior pockets, compressive straps, and 360-degree wheels to get you from place to place smoothly. Did we mention there’s also an exterior strap that holds your purse and built-in TSA-approved locks?

Most Lightweight carry-on

Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin

One of the most lightweight carry-on suitcases we’ve found, Rimowa’s Essential Lite Cabin comes in at just under five pounds, making it a great investment piece for anyone who prioritizes craftsmanship and ease of travel. It also features a unique telescoping T-bar handle, easy-to-steer wheels and internal mesh dividers.

If you’re still not convinced, Rimowa offers a lifetime guarantee for all functional aspects of the suitcase, so this could be your new travel companion for a long, long time. The brand’s celebrity ambassadors include Rihanna and Patti Smith, and its luggage has been spotted at airports with Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

best carry-on for Little kids

Trunki Ride-On Kids Suitcase

Traveling with kids can be quite the adventure, and Trunki’s adorable ride-on suitcase adds some fun to a potentially stressful experience. Designed for kids ages 3 to 6, it comes in a variety of styles and has an 18-liter capacity. Little ones can sit on the luggage and scoot themselves or be pulled by their grown-ups with the handy pull strap. Indepedent kiddos will love carting it on their own, too.

best carry-on for Big kids

Fast Forward Hard-Sided Spinner

For the bigger kids who want to travel with their favorite characters, Fast Forward’s 20-in. carry-on suitcase features designs with Marvel or DC Comics superheroes, Disney princesses, Star Wars, Pixar, Paw Patrol and more. The 360-degree spinner wheels and lightweight ABS plastic case make this luggage lightweight and easy to maneuver, and the interior has plenty of organizers and dividers for efficient packing.

Best for traveling with pets

Roverllund Ready to Roll Cabin Carry-On

Designed with pets in mind, Roverllund’s carry-on roller is horizontal, making it easier to travel with your TSA-approved pet carrier atop your suitcase. The outside pocket is convenient for holding pet treats and leashes, too.

Best FLIGHT ATTENDANT-APPROVED SUITCASE

Calpak Ambeur Carry-On Luggage

JSX flight attendant Roshonda Payne previously told THR that the brand’s 21-inch Ambeur carry-on “is one of my favorite suitcases for travel because it’s lightweight and expandable. It’s hard-sided so it protects your items better and it comes with a built-in lock.”

The suitcase expands up to two inches and has carbon steel-bearing wheels, and it has a capacity of 43 liters.

Best Carry-On with built-in gps

Hotel Collection Carry-On

On sale for 30 percent off for a limited time, Hotel Collection’s smart carry-on luggage boasts a built-in digital scale, GPS tracker (compatible with Apple devices only), compression system, a portable USB charger and TSA-approved lock, to name a few appealing features. (It’s worth noting that the extras make this heaviest suitcase on our list at 19 pounds.)

Also available in check-in sizes and other colors, the travel-focused brand’s carry-on also features a 360-degree spinner wheels, interior organizers and a clear luggage cover.

BEST CARRY-ON UNDER $300

July Carry-On

If you’ve had bad experiences with suitcases that break after getting tossed around, consider July’s elegant carry-on that features aluminum bumpers on the corners and a “crush-proof” German shell. It also features an ejectable battery and external USB port so you can keep your phone or headphones charged while you wait to board your flight.

Best for outdoor travel

Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag 38L

Made from 100 percent recycled fabrics, Cotopaxi’s Allpa 38L roller bag is ideal for traveling in rugged conditions. It’s made of water-resistant recycled 840D TPU-coated and ballistic ripstop nylon, and we like the front interior mesh organizer pockets and outer adjustable compression straps for quickly cinching gear after packing. The wheels are durable enough for rolling on hard and uneven terrain, and there are several grab handles on the top and sides. And if you’ve got Cotopaxi’s hip pack, the suitcase’s front pocket is designed to easily hold your smaller carryall.

BEST carry-On Duffle

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, 40L

If you’re loyal to your duffel bag, consider Patagonia’s Black Hole backpack in the carry-on 55-liter size. (It also comes in a more compact 40L option.) The padded base and reinforced handles make it durable enough to slide into the overhead bins or take bumps outdoors, and the daisy chains on the sides let you easily clip on your gear. Outdoorsy travelers will love the durable, ripstop exterior material that’s weather-resistant. It’s also got plenty of organizational pockets and removable ergonomic shoulder straps to customize how you carry.

BEST OVERSIZED CARRY-ON WITH Front Pocket

Monos Carry-On Pro Plus

The most annoying thing about carry-ons is that you don’t always have easy access to your belongings. Monos’ sleek Carry-On Pro Plus luggage features an “unbreakable” polycarbonate exterior, an accessible pocket on the front to store your laptop or other small items, and three interior pockets to keep things organized. This bag also simply feels luxurious, thanks to the vegan leather detailing, smooth telescoping handle, and 360-degree spinner wheels.

BEST UNDER-SEAT CARRY-ON

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage

Calpak’s lightweight Hue Mini Carry-On is the definition of compact. At 16 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep, it can fit beneath most airline seats, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting it on the plane. The zippered interior pockets make it possible to pack everything you need for a long weekend in this sleek little bag.

BEST FOR STORING SUITS

TravelPro Platinum Elite 21-Inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner

TravelPro’s elegant piece of luggage is the perfect upgrade if you need a new carry-on. It has several impressive features, including a built-in USB port and a drop-in, fold-out suiter specifically designed to accommodate hanging clothes. Plus, it expands another two inches to offer some additional capacity for larger loads.

BEST Carbon-Neutral CARRY-ON

Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus

Travel the globe guilt-free with carbon-neutral travel brand Paravel’s Aviator Carry-On Plus, which features a polycarbonate shell, zippers, vegan leather, lining and aircraft-grade aluminum telescopic handle that are all made of recycled materials. This stylish luggage also boasts 360-degree carbon steel bearing wheels, an interior compression board, a TSA-approved lock and a removable accessories pouch and laundry bag. If you prefer more compact size for shorter trips, there’s also the regular carry-on for only $395.

Another thing to love? The company offsets the carbon emissions of sourcing, assembling and shipping each product as well as the equivalent of the suitcase’s first flight. Enjoy a 10-year warranty that covers structural damage, wear and tear and manufacturing defects.

BEST BUSINESS CLASS CARRY-ON

Carl Friedrik Carry-On

We love the luxe look of Carl Friedrik’s hardshell suitcase, which has a zipperless aluminum frame with two combination lock closures, super-silent 360-degree wheels and is finished with Vachetta leather details that add an extra professional-looking touch when traveling. Inside are compression straps on both sides and a removable compression pad with a pocket (you have the option to add a second pad). Designed to adhere to U.S., European and most other global airline cabin-size guidelines, this carry-on also comes with a removable battery to charge devices.

BEST Warranty

Briggs & Riley Baseline Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Besides the hassle-free Simple as That lifetime guarantee, we love Briggs & Riley’s Baseline Global 21-in. carry-on for its one-touch CX system that expands the suitcase up to two inches. Business travelers will appreciate the built-in tri-fold garment folder that keeps up to two suits wrinkle-free, and genius design touches include strategically-placed mesh lid zip pockets and compression garment panels. Outside, the SmartLink strap lets you conveniently connect another bag, while the SpeedThru pocket provides easy access to items during security checks.

As for that warranty, Briggs & Riley covers repairs on all functional damage on your luggage, no receipt required. That makes the investment worthwhile, as it saves you from having to splurge on a new suitcase if, say, the zipper breaks or the fabric tears. (Marissa Tomei is a brand ambassador.)

BEST FOR LONGER TRIPS

Tumi Alpha Continental Expandable 4-Wheeled Carry-On

Tumi is often spotted getting pulled by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and many other stars, but that’s not why the luxury travel brand is considered the best in class. The company was the first to introduce highly durable ballistic nylon in suitcases (as seen in this international-friendly carry-on), and its exclusive material features a special coating that’s “virtually abrasion-proof,” according to the brand.

Details like the impact-absorbing handle, bumper rails and wheels help keep your belongings safe and sound during long flights and rough baggage handling, while other frequent flyer-minded touches include side and bottom grab handles, up to two inches expansion, interior compression straps and pockets, a myriad of exterior and interior compartments and a built-in USB port. We like that Tumi offers the option to add accent colors and monogramming for easier identification at baggage claim. Last but not least, enjoy a five-year repair guarantee.

BEST WITH BUILT-IN SHELVES

Royce & Rocket Castle Expandable Carry-On

If organization is of utmost importance when you’re living out of a suitcase, then you’ll love Royce & Rocket’s one-of-a-kind Castle carry-on. The expandable design gives you an extra two inches of luggage depth, and the unique shelving system folds flat to ensure that you’ve got plenty of packing space. Once you’re ready to settle in, fold the shelves out and snap them in place to display and store your essentials with ease.

Best Aluminum Carry-On

Rimowa Cabin

Rimowa is an A-list favorite, with celebrity ambassadors including Rihanna, Lewis Hamilton and Blackpink’s Rosé and the likes of Billie Eilish, Rodger Federer, Martha Stewart and Spike Lee seen carting its luxe luggage. The brand’s best-selling Rimowa Cabin carry-on is among the best aluminum suitcases that’ll take on all of the hard knocks without adding too much extra weight.

Outside, the signature grooved anodized aluminum case, ball-bearing mounted wheels with cushioned axles and a smooth telescopic handle make it handsome and easy to transport. Inside, the adjustable flex divider helps keep belongings organized.