Checking your luggage may seem convenient, since you won’t have to deal with lugging a heavy suitcase and finding a spot for it in the overhead compartment. However, a lot more things can go wrong when you don’t have control over your luggage, which is why many people prefer traveling with a carry-on suitcase.
Most carry-on luggage have very similar capacities, since they’re, basically, limited to what airlines will allow you to bring into the flight. However, the best carry-on suitcases also manage to be easy to pack, reasonably lightweight, and durable enough that you can rely on them through multiple trips. We’re particularly fond of carry-on suitcases that have integrated organizational features, as well as those with external pockets for getting to some of your gear mid-flight.
Should aesthetics matter when it comes to carry-on suitcases? It depends on your individual tastes. Sure, a homely-looking luggage that accommodates your gear and fits in the overhead compartment does the job well enough, but it does feel much nicer strolling to the airport while dragging one of those stylish aluminum suitcases. Good news is, you don’t need to spend hundreds (or thousands, in some cases) to get good-looking, quality carry-on suitcases, although you will need to shop around a bit to find one that will perfectly suit your needs. Of course, if you want the nicest-looking, most durable suitcases with all the bells and whistles, you’ll probably need to fork out serious dough, but there are plenty of options out there at much more affordable price ranges.
These are the best carry-on suitcases to get for your next flight.
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
This carry-on suitcase arguably offers the best bang for the buck in this list, delivering an excellent combination of good looks, reliable build, and essential features, while coming in at a very affordable price. We like the interior divider and pockets, which makes it easier to organize stuff and keep them in place, while an expandable panel lets you add an extra inch of room for those times you’re struggling to fit those extra items of clothing inside. The polypropylene body is incredibly lightweight and holds up well to the usual bumps of travel (the finish, for whatever reason, just doesn’t scratch that easily), although it’s absolutely not as impact-resistant as aluminum suitcases, so you don’t want to go too crazy throwing it around. We especially love the little details, from the push-button handle and the 360-degree spinner wheels to the side-mounted TSA-compatible lock.
Calpak Hue Carry-On Luggage
Calpak describes this carry-on suitcase as “ultra-minimalist,” which is definitely the case with its simple yet elegant hardside exterior. Despite the minimalist looks, it doesn’t skimp on function, with a spacious interior that features dividers, straps, and even internal pockets, as well as an expandable design that adds an extra two inches of width when you need all the space to accommodate all the extra trinkets you picked up during the trip. According to the outfit, it has a 44L packing capacity when expanded, which sounds a tad too much for a carry-on, although it fits into the overhead compartment without much fuss, so we guess other suitcases that pack less just weren’t maximizing their interior room. We also love the 360-degree spinner wheels, built-in TSA locks, and the light 7.5-pound empty weight, although it doesn’t seem to have a protective finish, so it doesn’t take much to accumulate scratches on its surface.
Monos Carry-On Pro
We love the look of this carry-on suitcase, whose polycarbonate shell gets a finish that bears more of a resemblance to leather than plastic, giving it an overall more premium feel. It just looks nice. The big differentiating feature here, though, is a zippered front pocket that comes with three laptop-sized sleeves and three smaller zippered pockets, giving you a place to organize stuff you want to keep within easy reach, making it especially useful for things you might want to take out from the bag while you’re still in flight. Do note, the contents of the front pocket do push through to the main compartment of the bag, which, we guess, is necessary, so you don’t end up overstuffing it that you end up struggling to squeeze it in the overhead bin. Some of the other nice touches include 360-degree spinner wheels, a heavy-duty handle with four height settings, an anti-microbial lining, a removable compression pad, and TSA-approved combination lock (only for the main compartment, though, so you can’t lock the front pocket).
Away The Carry-On
There’s a reason Away disrupted luggage in a major way when they debuted eight years ago – their suitcases just did things the right way. Their polycarbonate shell is arguably one of the most hardwearing we’ve seen in the category, while being able to stave off most nicks and scratches that would have left a mark on many other suitcases with the same build. Inside, it gets a double-buckle compression pad, three mesh pockets, one hanging pocket, and a water-resistant laundry bag, while smooth-gliding 360-degree wheels, a quick-release trolley handle (two height settings), and a TSA combination lock sit on the outside. Everything about this luggage just feels well made, which, we guess, is why it’s been a massive hit with younger travelers, not to mention its relatively affordable price.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Rollaboard
Some people prefer hard-sided carry-on suitcases simply because they look so much more premium compared to those covered in soft-shell fabric materials. Problem is, those hard shells accumulate nicks and scratches over time, so they rarely look as good in the long run as they did in the start. That’s not the case with soft-sided luggage like this one, whose nylon fabric shrug off bumps without incurring any marks, all while being able to expand pretty naturally, in case you decide to overpack on the trip back (careful, though, as this suitcase already pushes up to the limits of what airlines allow for carry-on). We also appreciate little details like the four handle heights, built-in suit bag, and power bank pocket with external USB port. Do note, this only has two wheels, so those more accustomed to four-wheel suitcases will probably need to get used to maneuvering it on the go.
Solgaard Carry-On Closet Original
Don’t like taking off your clothes from the suitcase and hanging them in the hotel closet? Well, you’ll probably do better switching to this carry-on luggage, which comes with its own pull-out shelving system that, essentially, turns the suitcase into its own organized closet. Specifically, it comes with five shelves where you can arrange your clothes during packing, then use the system to compress it down (yes, the shelves are, basically, compression cubes) to fit the whole thing inside the main compartment. It’s incredibly unique and surprisingly effective, allowing you to pack a heck of a lot of clothes without having to do extra work rolling and squeezing everything together. The rest of the suitcase is, actually, pretty nice, too, from the durable construction (aluminum frame with polycarbonate shell) and the frictionless wheels to the ergonomic handle and integrated USB charging port.
The North Face All Weather 4-Wheeler 22”
Apparently, North Face makes a pretty mean carry-on suitcase with this model, which combines a polycarbonate shell with thick exterior ribbing that should help it fend off scratches and absorb impact much better. Each side of the clamshell interior holds 12L of clothing and gear (one has a compression divider, the other has a mesh divider), giving you decent room to accommodate your gear, all while being completely sealed with gaskets (no zippers here), ensuring you can walk out into the rain without worrying about getting its contents wet. Other details include two TSA locks, a removable liner for dirty laundry, and spinner wheels. Despite having less capacity than many other luggage in the list, it’s a little heavier at just under 10 pounds when empty, which, we guess, is the price you pay for the reinforced ribbing and those rubber gaskets. If you want a truly durable, waterproof suitcase, though, this is the way to go.
Zero Haliburton International Carry-On Case
It’s the details that make this carry-on suitcase stand out. The concave ribbing accents and concave edging, for instance, give the matte polycarbonate exterior a more elegant appearance, while the rubber-lined 360-degree wheels allow you to tow it comfortably even walking on bumpy outdoor grounds. The handle’s unique shape also makes it extremely comfortable to tow along, with the three height settings allow you to tailor it to your exact liking, while feet on the side allow you to set it down sideways without leaving it nicked and scratched. Inside, it gets dividers with zippered pockets on either side, as well as wide-panel tie-down straps for holding stuff down and a full-clip closure compression panel with extra pockets. Granted, this feels priced a little too premium for a polycarbonate suitcase, but it’s also as premium a plastic hardcase luggage as we’ve seen, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin
Yes, Rimowa doesn’t just make those classic aluminum suitcases – they make more affordable polycarbonate ones, too, with the same classic styling as their signature luggage. This 38L carry-on suitcase, for instance, feels just as elegant as their metal counterparts, all while being significantly lighter at just 4.9 pounds. Yes, it has a 38L capacity, which is one of the most spacious we’ve seen for a carry-on and it still fits in overhead compartments, too, which is pretty impressive. It uses the same proven wheels with cushioned axles and three-stage T-bar handle as their more premium line, while zippered mesh dividers keep your clothes and gear on their side of the clamshell at all times. Obviously, this isn’t as hardwearing as their regular aluminum luggage, but if you want a lightweight suitcase with that classic jet-set look, this definitely gets the job done.
Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On
If you want to truly travel in style, you pack your stuff inside one of these classic carry-on suitcases (and maybe dress it with a luggage harness), which has long been the airport status symbol for the globe-trotting crowd. It’s not all about the clout, either, as this is seriously some good luggage, with its 34.8-liter capacity, TSA-approved locks, and high-grade anodized aluminum shell combining to offer one of the most reliable suitcases around. It also integrates the same reliable multi-wheel system and T-bar handle the outfit’s used through the years, although we do wish they’d finally swap out the plastic grips for something more premium. We mean… at this price range, we really want as little plastic as possible, since it just seems out of place in contrast with its shiny silver exterior, signature ribbing, and overall vintage aesthetic.