For frequent fliers or light-packing vacationers, these are the best carry-on bags.

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Any regular traveler needs a reliable carry-on. You’ll be happy to have one on hand even if you don’t travel frequently. Beyond enabling you to avoid checked baggage, what distinguishes a premium carry-on bag? It comes down to capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design, in our opinion.

In order to determine which models meet all the requirements, we examined 442 carry-on bags, including weekenders, duffels, suitcases, backpacks, and underseat bags. To test how well they would stand up in a real-world situation, we rolled them over different surfaces, packed them up, twirled them around, lifted them above, and struck them with a baseball bat. Before our editors use each bag on actual journeys to check how it holds up over time, we also constructed an airplane set in our lab in New York City to lift them into overhead bins. The greatest carry-ons available today were selected by taking into account the outcomes of these tests in addition to factors like price, weight, dimensions, materials, and clever features.

(Image credit: Travelandleisure)

1.Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner

Best Overall

The Details

Hardside

21 x 15 x 10 inches

5.6 pounds

Expandable

Polycarbonate

4 dual spinner wheels

10-year limited warranty

Todays Best Deals

We tested a number of great luggage, but the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner, which is a lightweight, strong, and extensible carry-on, was the clear winner. It performs above and beyond expectations in every test we conducted. It rolls smoothly on a variety of surfaces, including carpet and hard flooring, and is simple to navigate on two or four wheels. The aluminum telescopic handle’s ability to extend and lock with a single button press is another feature we like.This all-star bag stretches a few inches to provide additional capacity when needed, and it has multiple compartments inside the main area. No need for enlargement, we were able to fit in enough clothing for a four-day excursion, including two pairs of shoes, many jackets, and two toiletry bags. This carry-on has a divider to keep your shoes separate from your clean items, but we wish it had a zippered pocket or additional bag for dirty laundry.

We adored the Freeform’s smooth, minimalist-modern style, available in over a dozen colors, including white, mint, and merlot. The high-strength thermoplastic polycarbonate shell hardly showed any traces of scuffs even after being hit with a baseball bat. This bag has not shown any indications of wear and tear even after six months of frequent travel, and we were able to polish off any small scuffs that had developed. For regular travelers and anyone in need of a high-quality carry-on, we believe it’s a wonderful option because of its affordable pricing, sturdy construction, and roomy capacity.

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2.Tumi Alpha International Dual Access Carry-on

Best Overall, Runner-up

The Details

Softside 

22 x 14 x 9 inches

10.7 pounds

35-liter capacity

Expandable

USB port

Ballistic nylon

 4 dual spinner wheels

5-year warranty

Todays Best Deals

The Samsonite Freeform was the clear winner, with the Tumi International Dual Access carry-on coming in second. The telescoping handle and four smooth-gliding dual spinning wheels allow it to move like a dream on a variety of flooring types. The wheels of the backpack never stuck on anything, even after three months of use. This made it simple to rush through airport security or find my way around a new city. It likewise passed our baseball bat test with flying colors because it is made of the brand’s recognizable ballistic nylon.

Everything fit neatly into the bag’s numerous pockets, and we appreciated how the detachable suiter allowed us to travel with more formal clothes. In addition, the clamshell design has multiple inside pockets and compression straps on one side to securely carry our packing list for a four-day vacation. When the main suitcase isn’t packed to the gills, the front-access section can accommodate a sweater or light layer with ease. Alternatively, you can utilize it for tech accessories or a compact beauty bag.In addition, there are two external pockets for smaller goods like an umbrella and an integrated USB port that may be used to connect a power bank (separately available). Even if it costs more than a lot of other carry-ons, this is an investment in a carrier that is definitely of the highest caliber and will endure for many years.

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3.Away The Carry-On Flex

Best Expandability

The Details

Hardside

21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches

8.15 pounds

39.8-liter capacity (unexpanded), 46.7-liter capacity (expanded)

Expandable

Polycarbonate

4 dual spinner wheels

Limited lifetime warranty

Todays Best Deals

Two sizable internal compartments and a practical compression method allow this sturdy carry-on to be both small and lightweight while yet providing an abundance of inside space. Using the mesh pockets to organize and store smaller goods, you can zip your belongings on one side and buckle them on the other.Any overpacker will tell you that sometimes all you need is a few extra inches of room. The Carry-on Flex has a zipper expander that offers an extra 2.25 inches if you find yourself needing to fit every trinket you bought on a trip home. The increased dimensions of the bag are 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches, therefore be cautious of your airline’s overhead bin limitations as utilizing the expander may make your carry-on one inch too large and oblige you to check it.

The handle’s adjustable height, the smooth wheels that travel in any direction, and the slot on the underside of the bag that makes it so much easier to take out of a car trunk, into an overhead bin, or off a luggage carousel were some of the other features we adored during testing. During testing, we repeatedly hit the bag with a baseball bat and hurled it off counters, yet it still felt quite strong and resilient with hardly any scratches or dents.

(Image credit: Travelandleisure)

4.Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner

Best Budget

The Details

Hardside

22 x 15 x 10 inches

6.3 pounds

Expandable

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

4 dual spinner wheels

Todays Best Deals

Go no farther than Amazon if you’re looking for something less expensive. We discovered that this reasonably priced hardside suitcase manages turns with ease and moves quite smoothly, even on carpet and across uneven surfaces. Furthermore, the scratch-resistant casing surprisingly withstood our drops and bat tests. Though there is still room to spare, we are reassured that we can accommodate four days’ worth of clothes, shoes, and toiletries without needing to enlarge the luggage. We discovered after six months of frequent use that the backpack was the ideal size for weekend getaways. In many aspects, the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner surpassed our expectations. Even though it only comes in four colors, we really like the clean, basic design.

(Image credit: Travelandleisure)

5.Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner

Best With Laptop Compartment

The Details

Hardside

22 x 14 x 9.3 inches

7.9 pounds

Expandable

USB port

Polycarbonate

4 dual spinner wheels

Limited 10-year warranty

Todays Best Deals

The Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner is especially useful if you frequently travel with a laptop and other electronics since it has a tech organizing panel at the front of the bag that you can unzip and unfold to conveniently store and retrieve your belongings. This panel includes numerous zippered storage pockets, a wireless charging pocket, a USB charging port, a padded tablet sleeve, a document sleeve, and a 15-inch laptop sleeve. Both the main compartment and the laptop section are secured with locks, and the bag also has detachable packing cubes for further organization.

Even after we packed it, the luggage felt a little heavier, but it was still incredibly light and glided smoothly over curves and across various surfaces. We whacked it with a baseball bat and threw it off countertops, so it got some minor scratches and peels on the outside as well as on the wheels. Even if one of the upper corners was very little dented, it’s likely that you will place this carry-on in the overhead bin rather than inspect it to lessen the amount of knocks it receives, especially if your laptop is inside. Ample built-in tech compartments, adjustable compression straps, and additional packing cubes make this a great spot to store all of your belongings.

Tips for Buying Carry-on Luggage

Consider hardside vs. softside luggage

You can choose from a variety of hardside and softside carry-on luggage options. Hard shell suitcases tend to be easier to clean and offer superior protection from crushed items. However, they may scratch easily, depending on the color and material.

Conversely, softside luggage is usually less heavy, more adaptable if you tend to overpack, and frequently just as strong as its hardside equivalent. Although cleaning a textile shell can be more difficult, it also might not reveal as much dirt or scuffs and is probably not going to dent like a hardside bag. For additional information, see our explanation of the differences between hardside and softside bags.

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Look for lightweight construction

When selecting a carry-on, lightweight luggage is essential. Before making a purchase, make careful to check the suitcase or bag’s empty weight. Heavy models will make a tightly packed carrier much more difficult to maneuver. Weight has an impact on your ability to lift it into the overhead bin of the aircraft as well as your mobility. The weight of the wheeled carry-on luggage that we examined varied from 4.36 to 12.9 pounds. For many people, anything heavier than that will be too heavy.

Decide if you want extra organizational features

Certain carry-on bags are quite simple, consisting of a main compartment and one or two pockets. Nonetheless, a lot of duffel bags, weekenders, and luggage offer extra organizing capabilities that make storing and retrieving your belongings much simpler. This might have multiple zipped compartments, outside pockets, a wash bag, a shoe separation, a laptop sleeve, and even charging capability.

Choose between handheld, spinner, or two-wheeled luggage

Take your packing requirements and travel preferences into consideration before selecting the ideal carry-on bag for you. Whether you’re rushing to your airport gate or exploring a new city, spinner luggage with its four 360-degree rotating wheels is easy to manoeuvre. If you intend to stroll with your luggage for extended periods of time, spinner wheels are a terrific alternative because they make rolling over different surfaces relatively easy. They make it easier for you to move fully loaded extendable luggage.Though they might not be as durable, bags with two wheels will allow you to pack with a few additional inches of more room. Additionally, two-wheeled bags are typically marginally lighter than four-wheeled ones. Last but not least, going with a weekender or carry-on backpack allows you to travel light and allows you to manoeuvre the entire weight on your shoulders or back rather than rolling it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the accepted dimensions for carry-on luggage?

Airlines have different policies, but generally speaking, carry-on bags can only be 24 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. Some have a maximum of 22 x 14 x 9 inches, which is a little tougher. Remember this the next time you use the expander on your suitcase, as those extra few inches could push you past the size limit. Check the airline’s website if you’re unsure.

Is there a weight limit for carry-on luggage?

A carry-on bag can only weigh approximately 35 pounds on some flights. However, many domestic airlines don’t have any limit as all, and this is frequently not strictly enforced. Remember that some foreign aircraft might not allow carry-ons weighing more than 22 pounds. In any case, make sure you can lift your bag by yourself; if not, it’s obviously too heavy.

Can makeup and liquids go in my carry-on?

For carry-on luggage, all liquids—including lotion, makeup, and other cosmetics—must be in containers no bigger than 3.4 ounces. (You can bring almost any size for checked baggage.) Generally speaking, larger containers are acceptable for bar soap, solid deodorant, and powdered makeup. Carry-on luggage is also allowed to have illuminated makeup mirrors. It is advisable to place any liquid cosmetics and personal hygiene items in a transparent plastic bag prior to passing through airport security. The official TSA guidelines for liquids are available here.

Are AirTags allowed in carry-on luggage?

Both checked and carry-on baggage may have an AirTag. These trackers are safe and TSA compliant because they use low energy Bluetooth. If you use a GPS tracker that uses more power than others, you should verify with your specific airline to make sure it is permitted.

Why Trust Trusty Picked

Theresa Holland, a commerce writer, meticulously examined the results of in-house testing for numerous bags before cross-referencing product descriptions and user manuals to create an exhaustive list of the top carry-on baggage available right now. She possesses carriers and portable accessories from Away, Tumi, Paravel, Amazon Basics, and Mono among the aforementioned brands.Theresa Holland, a commerce writer, meticulously examined the results of in-house testing for numerous bags before cross-referencing product descriptions and user manuals to create an exhaustive list of the top carry-on baggage available right now. She possesses carriers and portable accessories from Away, Tumi, Paravel, Amazon Basics, and Mono among the aforementioned brands.