The Best Carry-On Suitcases We’re Toting Right Now

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The Best Carry-On Suitcases We’re Toting Right Now

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CHECKING BAGS CAN be the straw that breaks the stressed-out traveler’s back. Between long check-in lines, more waiting at baggage claim, and the chance of luggage being damaged or lost, carry-on bags are often the right choice for short trips.

At a Glance: The Best Carry-On Luggage

Luckily, carry-ons have come a long way: Some of the best carry-on luggage can fit up to a week’s worth of stuff in one lightweight, easy-to-maneuver package. Best of all, you can skip the check-in line, stroll past baggage claim, and rest assured that your stuff is always close by.

If you’re in need of a new carry-on bag, read on. We’ve rounded up the best carry-on luggage that you can order online, plus a few tips on finding the right bag.

The Best Carry-On Luggage to Buy Right Now

Editor’s pick

Away The Bigger Carry-On

You’ll see Away at (or near) the top of almost every carry-on roundup, and we think it deserves the praise. The durable, modern-looking valise boasts incredible organizational capabilities, allowing us to haul more stuff without playing Tetris. Several (well-traveled) journalists on our staff use an away suitcase as their go-to carry-on, including Senior SEO Manager Morgan Greenwald, who reviewed the brand. “The Bigger Carry-On has been my go-to travel companion since I first bought it in 2018,” she says. “I have relied on my Bigger Carry-On alone for week-long work trips, bachelorette trips, and more; on average, I can fit up to eight or nine outfits in my bag, but that number gets smaller depending on how many larger items I need to bring with me.”

best duffel

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

If you want to go the duffel route, Patagonia’s Black Hole is the way to go. Although it’s called a duffel bag (and features the typical drop handles), the Black Hole also has shoulder straps that let you wear it like a backpack. The bag’s durability is very impressive, boasting a recycled ripstop polyester fabric with a water-repellent treatment for weatherproofing. I’ve been using this exact Black Hole for years, and it’s perhaps the most resilient bag I’ve owned long-term. Plus, despite its durability, the bag weighs a feathery two pounds when empty. You also get plenty of room for clothing and gear with 40 liters of space and, because it’s a fabric bag, it’s easier to cram stuff in at odd angles. — Oscar Hartzog, Commerce Editor

stylish pick

Carl Friedrik Carry-On

This Carl Friedrik carry-on has been one of my go-tos for about a year, and I think it’s one of the best-looking suitcases out there. It’s elegant without being flashy or boring, so when I’m lucky enough to be upgraded, it feels right at home in fancy lounges or business-class cabins. The organizational setup is minimal but effective: Each side of the hard case features compression straps and a compression pad, which do an excellent job of maximizing space. — Oscar Hartzog, Commerce Editor

best for laptops

Monos Carry-On Pro

Monos’ Carry-On Pro is a great option for shorter trips. Monos says the Carry-On Pro was designed for trips up to five days, and we found it to be the perfect size for a long weekend getaway. It holds a little less than the other carry-ons in this guide, but we like it for its outside pocket, which can be used as a laptop holder, saving space in our backpack. This compartment also has dedicated mesh pockets for tech accessories like battery packs or cables. If you like to pack light and want a piece of hard-shell carry-on luggage that suits that style, Monos’ Carry-On Pro is an excellent choice. — Oscar Hartzog, Commerce Editor

luxe pick

Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On

A friend once told me that he upgraded to a Rimowa suitcase as a way to command respect at the airport and I was immediately intrigued. Do people treat you better simply because of the bag you’re rolling up with? While my Rimowa suitcase has not garnered me any free upgrades or perks just yet, I do enjoy the looks and nods of approval from savvy travelers, who respect the classic aluminum construction, distinctive side panel grooves, and sleek tone-on-tone colorway. I chose the Original Cabin, which has more than enough room to hold a weekend’s worth of stuff. The hard siding makes you feel like you can beat up your suitcase without worry (though the comfortable handle and wheels eliminate any unwanted bumps). As for color? While Rimowa is known for its iconic silver colorway, I chose to get my Original Cabin in black just to be a little different. But hey, if you know, you (will still) know. — Tim Chan, Associate VP Commerce

Carry-On Luggage Buying Guide

Small differences in size, weight, and design can make or break a carry-on bag. Here are a few things to think about while shopping for the best carry-on luggage.

Style: First, you’ll want to choose between a roller or a duffel bag. Roller carry-ons are the most popular option for good reason: They don’t put stress on your back or shoulders, and you can leave them standing in the restroom or while paying for things at the airport.

But duffel bags (which sometimes have optional backpack straps) shouldn’t be forgotten. Duffels can typically fit more clothing without the added bulk of the wheels and telescoping handle, and they’re easier to carry up a flight of stairs or on rough streets (think, cobblestone in Europe).

Hard vs Soft-Shell: Another decision is soft or hard-shell. Soft-shell luggage is actually more durable and longer-lasting (as it can’t be dinged or cracked), but hard-shell suitcases usually look better, and it’s easier to compress clothing and fit more inside a hard suitcase. For this reason (and the fact most of us treat our carry-ons quite nicely), most people opt for a hard-shell carry-on suitcase.

Size: In general, the best carry-on luggage measures around 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and nine inches high, maximum. Carry-on size restrictions vary between airlines, so always check before flying. If you’re a frequent flier with one airline, check their rules before buying a new carry-on bag.

Weight: Lighter is always better when it comes to luggage, leaving you more weight for your own clothing and gear before hitting the airline’s carry-on weight limit.

Organization: As any seasoned traveler knows, packing is an art. The best carry-on luggage accounts for this with an organized setup. Some bags feature extra pockets for shoes, suits, dirty clothes, or gadgets that you need to access quickly. Others have compression systems to squish down clothing and make more room. All of these are worth looking for.

How We Chose the Best Carry-On Luggage

Our staff of product journalists all fly at least once a month (usually more), so we get the chance to test new carry-on suitcases constantly. Our testing begins in the packing phase when we see how much of our stuff we can easily fit into a suitcase. Compression straps, organization pockets, and other similar features all help to maximize space. Next, we’ll see how well a suitcase holds up to multiple trips, and a few intentional drops and scrapes (some lesser-quality suitcases will scuff more easily or even burst open if dropped). After testing a suitcase ourselves, we’ll pour over reviews from other travel experts and customers to see if our experiences align. All the final products you see above passed our tests with flying colors, and feature an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.