Buying guide for best carry-on luggage
Not so long ago, you could check your bags at the airport for free. But with baggage fees rising and baggage-handling incidents making the news, it’s cheaper and safer to travel with all you need in a carry-on bag.
While you may sacrifice a little convenience by bringing all your stuff on the plane with you, the best carry-on luggage smooths out those rough spots with fluid wheels, comfortable handles and durable construction. And if you care about style, some carry-on bags come in beautiful colors, finishes and designs to help you make a fashion statement.
We put together this guide based on testing and research from the BestReviews Testing Lab, where we picked some of the best carry-on luggage available, including hard-sided and soft-sided carry-ons, and tried them out in real-world scenarios. The critically acclaimed Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Spinner earned our top spot for its durable design, quiet spinner wheels and handy features to make your journey easier.
Which carry-on luggage is best?
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Spinner
Best of the Best
Product specifications: Compartments: 1 | Dimensions: 14.5” W x 9” D x 23.5” H | Capacity: 46 L | Weight: 7.8 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
When we tested the Travelpro Platinum Elite, it emerged with perfect scores across the board, leaving us with only one conclusion: The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Spinner is the best carry-on around.
When counting wheels and handles, the Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on is a shade longer than the requirements for cabin baggage. However, it should be accepted by all but the strictest airlines. The double-spinner wheels of the Platinum Elite line were unbelievably quiet on multiple terrains during testing and aligned with each other while rolling for a smooth, controlled glide. We loved the comfort of the trolley grip and the leather build of the grab handles.
Inside, there’s a suiter pack that folds out and drops back into the main compartment. Also included are a tie-down compression panel, multiple mesh pockets and a quart-sized, see-through toiletry bag. The nylon exterior is resistant to scuffs, scratches and stains, and it handled our drop tests with ease.
The Travelpro Platinum Elite is backed by a lifetime limited warranty and is built to last. Despite its moderately high price, we think it’s worth every penny.
Samsonite Freeform Expandable Carry-On Spinner
Best Bang for the Buck
Product specifications: Compartments: 2 | Dimensions: 15” W x 10” D x 23” H | Capacity: 48 L | Weight: 6.5 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
There’s no bigger name in luggage than Samsonite. The historic brand continues to dominate the luggage market with multiple collections. In our lineup, the easy-to-find Samsonite Freeform Expandable Carry-On Spinner provides the best balance of performance and price.
The Samsonite Freeform has a light, flexible polypropylene shell that resists cracking. We tested the checked version of the Freeform, and the hard-sided shell survived our drop tests with only minor scratches on its rough-textured finish. We liked the smoothness of the Freeform line’s double-spinner wheels and found the comfort of the trolley handle grip to be superior to those of other Samsonite luggage pieces we tested.
Inside the Freeform, organization is basic with a cross-ribbon strap on one compartment and a U-zip flap on the other with integrated zip pockets. These features do the job and keep things simple. Backed by Samsonite’s brand reputation and limited warranty, this moderately priced carry-on is packed with value.
Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Spinner
Most Premium
Product specifications: Compartments: 1 | Dimensions: 15” W x 9” D x 21” H | Capacity: 37 to 49 L | Weight: 9.9 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
Few soft-sided carry-ons feel as premium as the Briggs & Riley Global 21-inch Spinner. Its ballistic nylon shell in subtle, professional colors exudes quality. Inside hides an ingenious expansion-compression system that shrinks the carry-on back to its international flight-friendly dimensions.
Briggs & Riley CX compression lets you expand this carry-on up to 2.5 inches by pressing two buttons. Depending on how much you’ve added, you can zip it up and compress it back to its original width. It has compression panels, interior and exterior zip pockets, a back pocket for a power bank and travel documents and a third grab handle between its wheels.
During our testing, it rolled smoothly on its shock-absorbing double-spinner wheels, and the integrated garment bag was a treat to use. However, it is the heaviest of all our picks, so keep that in mind when traveling with an airline that imposes a carry-on weight limit.
Away the Bigger Carry-On
Best Hard-Sided Carry-On
Product specifications: Compartments: 2 | Dimensions: 15.4" W x 9.6" D x 22.7" H | Capacity: 47.9 L | Weight: 7.9 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
For a brand that only started in 2015, Away has become one of the most ubiquitous names in luggage. Its Bigger Carry-On is its most popular model, adding volume over its basic carry-on sibling while still being allowed on most U.S. carriers. We traveled with Delta and Virgin Atlantic with this as our carry-on and were never told it was oversized.
The Away’s polycarbonate shell, with its wide selection of colors and limited-edition drops, is made for social media fame, but its performance is just as good as its celebrity. The shell withstood our drop tests, including a long accidental fall down a tall escalator, with no dents or cracks and only minor scratching. Its wheels handled cobblestones and trains with ease, and it was easy to pull and manipulate, especially with its third grab handle next to the wheels.
Inside, we appreciated its minimalist design and simple, effective compression, though we wished it had one or two more storage options. It comes with a top-mounted TSA lock and a color-matched luggage tag.
Béis the Carry-On Roller
Best Away Alternative
Product specifications: Compartments: 2 | Dimensions: 14.5” W x 9.8” D x 21” H | Capacity: 49 to 61 L | Weight: 8.36 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
Béis (pronounced “base”) is a lifestyle brand made popular by social media star Shay Mitchell. We tested the Béis Carry-On Roller to see how it compared to Away and other fashionable, hard-sided carry-ons. It was one of the best we’ve tried with great build quality, organization and ease of use to match its style.
We loved the colors and gradient ribs of the polycarbonate shell. The wheels rolled smoothly during our travels. We also loved the silicone cushioning on the trolley handle, which withstood accidental damage when we dropped it down some stairs while extended. We were impressed by the interior organization and compression of the Béis as well.
This carry-on is well-made and thoughtfully designed. Its dimensions, particularly its depth, are bigger than strictly allowed, but we used it as cabin baggage with no issues.
Monos Carry-On
Sleekest Hard-Sided Carry-On
Product specifications: Compartments: 2 | Dimensions: 14" W × 9" D x 22" H | Capacity: 39.9 L | Weight: 7.01 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
With a couple of caveats, we endorse the Monos Carry-On, another stylish polycarbonate carry-on spinner. It is the only hard-sided carry-on in this lineup that meets the maximum standard size of U.S. airline cabin baggage.
The Monos is, if anything, sleeker than its primary competitors, the Away and Béis carry-ons. Its finely textured polycarbonate shell is decorated with a neat brand logo and gradient grooves. Inside, it offers plenty of organization and compression, including multiple pouches we found particularly useful. It rolls on smooth, double-spinner wheels.
Its handle pulled out smoothly and felt strong overall. However, we ran into difficulty retracting it when packing the Monos to the hilt.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner
Lightest Soft-Sided Carry-On
Product specifications: Compartments: 1 | Dimensions: 15.75” W x 7.75” D x 21.75” H | Capacity: 39 L | Weight: 5.3 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Soft-sided
Travelpro’s Maxlite line skips some of the high-end touches of its more premium Platinum Elite line. But it’s still plenty of carry-on for a soft-sided case, and you’ll often see flight crew using Maxlite bags as they walk from gate to gate.
It’s the lightest soft-sided and overall carry-on among our picks, and its compact dimensions make it a good choice for international travel. Even with its more compact height and depth, it still offers 39 liters of volume. Unlike the Platinum Elite, the Maxlite only has single-spinner wheels, but they’re light and smooth, and it has a comfortable, contoured grip for maneuvering.
Inside, you’ll find no compression, but hold-down straps and full-zip pockets make it easy to pack, and like its pricier counterpart, it comes with 2 extra inches of tip-resistant expansion.
AmazonBasics 20-Inch Hard-sided Spinner
Best Inexpensive Carry-On
Product specifications: Compartments: 2 | Dimensions: 14.9” W x 10” D x 20.7” H | Capacity: 36 L | Weight: 6.6 lb | Hard-sided/Soft-sided: Hard-sided
Maybe you’re a light traveler who only flies occasionally. Maybe you want a solid, basic bag that won’t break the $100 mark. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that the AmazonBasics 20-Inch Hard-sided Spinner scored well on all our tests. It’s probably the best hard-sided carry-on you can find on a budget.
The AmazonBasics spinner has a textured ABS shell that withstood our drop tests with no dents and few scuffs or minor scratches. Unlike some low-cost bags, it has double-spinner wheels that performed well on various surfaces and through sudden turns. At 6.6 pounds, it’s lighter than many pricier options, too.
We found the trolley handle somewhat wobbly, and inside, there are only two small zip pockets for organization. There’s no TSA lock, either, and only a single zipper. But you can’t argue with the price, and its performance is good enough for occasional trips.
How we tested the best carry-on luggage
BestReviews strives to evaluate products in our testing lab and the real world. We tested five of the brands listed here, judging them on durability, mobility, convenience and design. In some instances, we tested a checked-size bag but applied what we had learned to the carry-on version. For any model we didn’t test ourselves, we relied on consumer feedback and third-party reviews.
- Size: We measured each carry-on bag and compared it to TSA guidelines for carry-on baggage as well as the posted requirements of popular airlines for cabin luggage.
- Capacity: We compared the listed capacity of each carry-on in liters to a real-life total number of items or outfits we could fit inside.
- Wheels: We rolled each carry-on over a variety of surfaces including indoor flooring, carpet, city sidewalks and even cobblestone streets, noting how smoothly and quietly the wheels performed and if they were durable or easily damaged.
- Handles: We tested each carry-on handle for comfort, strength and convenience, noting the length and stops of the trolley handle and whether the pull handles affected the total dimensions.
- Durability: From heights of 3 and 6 feet, we dropped each carry-on onto a hard surface to simulate rough handling. We also let each one tumble down a flight of stairs.
- Packing convenience: We packed and repacked each carry-on multiple times using all organization features, including external pockets and compression.
- Travel: Whenever possible, we used each carry-on in real-life travel to see how it performed.
Key considerations
Size and airline compatibility
A carry-on bag must fit within the maximum allowed dimensions for cabin luggage and the overhead bin of a plane. Each airline has its own rules about this. Generally, major U.S. airlines expect carry-ons to be no bigger than 14 inches wide, 9 inches deep and 22 inches tall, including handles and wheels.
Non-U.S. airlines and international flights have slightly different requirements. Generally, the dimension limit here is 9 inches deep and 21 inches tall with widths varying from just under to almost an inch over 15 inches.
In our experience, carriers often give you an inch or so of leeway. But this is never guaranteed, and ground staff or flight crew have the authority to require you to check a carry-on bag they deem too big.
Global airlines may express their requirements in total linear dimensions, which means the total length plus width plus depth. Some airlines, such as those in Asia, also have weight limits for their carry-ons. These can be as low as 15 pounds or as high as 22 pounds.
How do you know if your carry-on meets your airline’s requirements? Check their website, or contact customer service to learn their policies.
Our top picks: Size and airline compatibility
- The Monos Carry-On dimensions, including handles and wheels, allow it to fit into most major U.S. airlines and many international airlines without the need for leeway.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-inch Spinner satisfies many major international airline requirements and should be just fine on most major U.S. carriers as well.
- The handles on the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner edge its length just above 22 inches. Otherwise, it meets the requirements of most major airlines.
Material and durability
Carry-on luggage comes in a variety of shapes and materials. Carry-on suitcases may be hard-sided or soft-sided. Duffels, backpacks and totes are generally soft-sided and may or may not have internal structure.
Popular hard-sided carry-on materials include lightweight, flexible plastics with impact resistance. The best material is polycarbonate, pioneered as a baggage material by the luxury brand Rimowa in 2000. Other hard-sided plastics include ABS and polypropylene. Aluminum is another option for high-end luggage from Rimowa and others, but it is expensive and heavy.
Soft-sided carry-ons and backpacks commonly have polyester or nylon fabric shells. These fabrics are spun and woven to be tough and dense. Their toughness is measured in denier: The higher the denier, the tougher the fabric.
Nylon materials used in luggage include Cordura, ballistic nylon and ripstop. Brand-name Cordura is known for its scratch resistance; ballistic nylon is somewhat glossy and is the strongest option; ripstop is the lightest.
Duffels and totes may also be made of canvas or leather. Vintage suitcases were made of cardboard or even wood.
Hard-sided vs. soft-sided
The choice between hard-sided and soft-sided luggage is a matter of personal preference. Hard-sided carry-ons have become extremely popular. They are highly protective of their contents and allow you to make a fashion statement with their colorful, textured shells. Soft-sided carry-ons tend to let you pack more than hard-sided carry-ons, and they withstand knocks and scratches better.
Our top picks: Material and durability
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner displayed no damage from our usage testing. It’s made of high-density, stain-resistant nylon.
- The Away Bigger Carry-On polycarbonate shell survived a long fall during testing with minor damage.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-inch Spinner’s ballistic nylon shell showed no dents, scratches or abrasions after our travel tests.
Mobility and wheel design
Smooth-rolling wheels transformed luggage when they were first popularized. While some hardened travelers swear by the durability of a travel backpack or duffel, it’s safe to say most business and leisure flyers would rather avoid the strain of carrying their luggage, especially when trying to make a connection on the opposite side of the airport.
- Spinners have four to eight wheels on rotating struts. Popularized by Samsonite in the early 2000s, they are the most popular wheeled-luggage pieces on the market. The wheels move in any direction, and the cases can be pulled, pushed or walked. Spinner wheels and their struts are notably susceptible to rough handling and damage from rough terrain.
- Two-wheeled carry-ons, also called rollers or rollaboards, were invented by Travelpro’s founder in the 1990s. They only move forward and backward, but the large, strutless wheels damage less easily than spinner wheels and handle uneven terrain better.
- The more wheels you have, the more stable your ride. When shopping for spinner luggage, look for those with two wheels per strut, or eight wheels in total. These are often called double-spinner wheels.
- Good luggage wheels are made of polyurethane or rubber. They may be spoked and have some kind of shock absorption, or they may be solid and resemble the wheels on inline skates. Avoid small wheels like ball casters, as they won’t roll smoothly on textured terrain.
Our top picks: Mobility and wheel design
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner has double-spinner wheels that, during our testing, magnetically aligned with each other and quietly glided.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-inch Spinner wheels have shock absorption built in and maneuver well around corners and spots.
- The Away Bigger Carry-On’s spinner wheels survived a fall without damage and handled cobblestone and public transport with aplomb.
- The Béis Carry-On Roller’s Hinomoto wheels glided easily in our testing and didn’t jam or get stuck at any time.
- We felt that the exceptionally quiet wheels of the Monos Carry-On were some of the best we’d tested.
Storage and organization
Because carry-on sizes are limited, you need to make the most of what you’ve got. Bag volume is typically measured in liters.
- Compartments: Hard-sided carry-ons usually open clamshell-style or butterfly-style into two compartments. Soft-sided carry-ons and duffels generally have one main compartment and additional pockets.
- Exterior pockets: The external pockets on carry-ons count against your bag’s overall size, so be careful not to overstuff them, or you might be asked to gate-check.
- Interior organization: In our testing, we appreciated carry-ons with multiple interior pockets, pouches or other means of organization. Instead of just taking up space, they helped us use our space efficiently.
- Compression: A compression system uses straps, panels, dividers or other means to minimize the volume taken up by items like clothes. This frees up space for additional items, maximizing the limited volume of a carry-on.
Our top picks: Storage and organization
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner makes the most of its volume with a drop-in suiter for formalwear, tie-down compression and a removable, see-through toiletry bag.
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-inch Spinner’s expansion and compression system lets you pack more than 2 inches deeper. After zipping, it compresses back to its original size.
- The Béis Carry-On Roller impressed us with its interior organization, which includes two separate drawstring pouches, a see-through pocket in the compartment liner and a pocketed compression panel.
- We also liked the organization offered by the Monos Carry-On, including three travel bags.
Handles and ergonomics
A carry-on needs handles that are comfortable to hold. Wheeled luggage needs a sturdy and dependable trolley handle, while two or more grab handles on the bag itself make using it more convenient.
- Trolley handles extend from the top of wheeled rollers and spinners. They have one or two telescoping, retractable posts. Look for padded, contoured and comfortable grips; multiple stops to accommodate different heights and uses; and construction made of strong metal or other material. Avoid thin, flimsy trolley handles that could bend or break.
- Grab handles, also called pull handles, should be located at the top and side of a suitcase carry-on. They shouldn’t extend too far out, as they count against a carry-on’s allowed size, but they should be comfortable to grip whenever you need to lift your carry-on.
- An additional grab handle between the wheels on the underside is helpful when removing a carry-on from an overhead bin.
- Tote bags, duffels and carry-ons without wheels need comfortable handles or straps to carry them over longer distances without breakage.
Our top picks: Handles and ergonomics
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner has a contoured, grippy handle that we found effective in maneuvering. We also liked the leather trim on the grab handles.
- The Away Bigger Carry-On and Briggs & Riley Global 21-inch Spinner each offer a third grab handle between their wheels.
- The 5-inch-wide trolley handle on the Samsonite Freeform Hard-sided Spinner was more comfortable and easier to grip than other Samsonites we tested.
- The Béis Carry-On Roller’s silicone-cushioned handle was the most comfortable handle our tester ever used. It wasn’t even damaged when it fell down some stairs while extended.
Innovative features and security
Carry-ons continue to evolve. Some include pockets for power banks to charge phones and other devices. Others have integrated trackers to keep track of their location, although we think a separate luggage tracker is a better idea. Most carry-on suitcases offer TSA locks for security, and at least one, the Béis Carry-On Roller, has an integrated weight indicator.
Our top picks: Innovative features and security
- The Briggs & Riley Global 21-inch Spinner’s pull-up, push-down expansion and compression system makes it one of the most innovative carry-ons we’ve seen. It comes with a security cable and TSA lock for securing all its zip compartments, not just its main one.
- The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner has an integrated USB cable that can run from a user-supplied power bank pocket to a separate charging pocket for your phone or tablet.
- The Béis Carry-On Roller’s side handle has an indicator that turns red if the bag’s weight exceeds 50 pounds.
FAQ
Q. In terms of luggage theft, is it safer to travel with a carry-on or checked bag?
A. If you’re packing for a long trip, you may have to check one of your bags. However, a carry-on is less susceptible to theft, and because you have it with you, it cannot become lost in baggage handling. If preventing theft is your primary goal, carry-on luggage is generally the safer way to go.
Q. Is it better to buy luggage in sets or as individual pieces?
A. Most of the time, luggage sets offer better prices per piece than buying individually. On the other hand, you may not need all the pieces that come in a luggage set. Or, you may wish to buy a different brand for your checked bag than your carry-on.
If you like matching luggage, get a luggage set. If you want to pick and choose each piece, buy them individually.
Q. What happens if my carry-on is too large or heavy?
A. If you discover your carry-on is too big or heavy, you may be asked to gate-check it. Gate-checking means your carry-on will be pulled aside and taken to the plane’s luggage hold. You won’t be able to access anything inside it until you get off the plane, and you’ll have to remove any rechargeable batteries, medication or in-plane accessories you want to have with you.
On the other hand, gate-checking that is initiated by the ground crew or flight crew is free. So, you won’t have to pay the usual checked bag fee.
Our expertise
Jmar Gambol has traveled internationally since the age of seven. He has experienced travel by large and small airlines as well as trains, buses and ferries, and has used both wheeled and non-wheeled carry-ons as cabin baggage. He remembers traveling before wheeled luggage or spinners and doesn’t miss those days one bit. He has written for BestReviews for three years.
