The Best Carry-Ons for Every Type of Traveler, From Under-$150 Finds to Star-Loved Spinners

From classic rollers to backpacks, these compact suitcases by Samsonite, Away, Calpak, Tumi and others will get you through the airport and beyond with ease.

By Jamie Ballard, Danielle Directo-Meston

November 26, 2024 2:06pm

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Best Carry-On Luggage

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The difference between an easy travel day and an irritating one often comes down to your suitcase. If you’re dragging a carry-on with broken zippers, sticky wheels or a busted handle through the airport, it’s basically a guarantee that you won’t arrive at your destination in the most pleasant of moods. If it’s time for an upgrade, we’ve rounded up some of the best carry-on suitcases to buy for 2024.

Related: The Best Toiletry Bags for Every Type of Stylish Trip

The standard carry-on size for domestic flights is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including the wheels and handle), but it may vary by airline. For most major airlines, a 22-inch suitcase fits carry-on requirements.

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Luggage brands like Tumi, Rimowa, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, Away and Shay Mitchell’s Béis offer some of the best carry-on suitcases that are TSA-approved and meet most size requirements. In addition to roller bags, we’ve also highlighted a couple of options for carry-on backpacks and weekender bags for more rugged adventures (including ones from Patagonia and Calpak). With one of these bags, plus a clear toiletry case to keep your bag organized, getting through the airport is easier than ever. You might even be relaxed enough to catch some sleep on your flight.

Related: The Best Luggage Brands For Your Next Adventure

In this update, we swapped the previous lightweight pick with Samsonite’s new Proxis suitcase — it’s a few ounces lighter and has more features than the more expensive option it replaced (and even survived a launch to the edge of space.) We also removed some suitcases to streamline recommendations.

From luxe pieces that last a lifetime to affordable rollers, here are some of the best carry-on suitcases at every price point to shop now — including many on sale during the holidays.

At a Glance: The Best Carry-On Suitcases (Plus Top Black Friday Deals)

Away Carry-On Flex

Best OVerall

Away Carry-On Flex

$325 at Away

Away Carry-On Flex Specifications

Samsonite Voltage DLX Global Carry-On Spinner

Samsonite

BEST hardshell CARRY-ON OVERALL

Samsonite Voltage DLX Global Carry-On Spinner

$120 $190 37% off

Buy at Samsonite

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.

Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

BEST SOFTSIDE CARRY-ON

Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-in. Carry-On Spinner

Save $5.75 with Amazon coupon

$136 $170 20% off

Buy at Amazon

Buy at Travelpro

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.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 21″ Carry-On Specifications

Away Bigger Carry-On Flex Suitcase

Away

Best Expandable Carry-On

Away The Bigger Carry-On Flex

$345 at Away

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.

Away The Bigger Carry-On Flex Specifications

Bagsmart Carry-On Luggage

BEST value

Bagsmart Carry-On Luggage

$95.99 $105.99 9% off

buy at Amazon

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.

Bagsmart Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Royce & Rocket

BEST WITH BUILT-IN SHELVES

Royce & Rocket Castle Expandable Carry-On

$430 at Royce & Rocket

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.

Royce & Rocket Castle Expandable Carry-On Specifications

Quince Carry-On 20-inch suitcase

Quince

best Carry-On Under $150

Quince Carry-On Hard Shell 20-In. Suitcase

$120 at Quince

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).

Quince Carry-On Hard Shell 20-In. Suitcase Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Beis

Best with Built-in Scale

Béis The Carry-On Roller

$238 at Béis

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?

Béis The Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Most Lightweight

Samsonite Proxis Carry-On

$400 $600 33% off

buy at Samsonite

Samsonite’s newly-released Proxis carry-on — made of a new and resilient Roxkin shell material created from recycled plastic water bottles — knocked Rimowa out of the top spot for the most lightweight carry-on by a few ounces. At just 4.6 pounds, this piece is also affordable and meets airline carry-on size guidelines. We like the USB port and inner pocket for adding a phone charger and expansion zipper that adds an extra half-inch of space.

It’s worth noting that there’s no interior lining — likely a necessary sacrifice to keep the weight down. You still get fabric dividers and interior organizers, plus cross ribbon straps for compression. If all of that won’t convince you, know that the suitcase flew 130,000 feet up directly to the edge of space after Samsonite sent it up into the air using stratospheric balloon technology — now that’s a drop test.

Samsonite Proxis Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

best carry-on for Little kids

Trunki Ride-On Kids Suitcase

$70 AT AMAZON

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.

Trunki Ride-On Kids Suitcase Specifications

Fast Forward Hard-Sided Spinner

best carry-on for Big kids

Fast Forward Hard-Sided Spinner

$100 at Amazon

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.

Trunki Ride-On Kids Suitcase Specifications

Roverllund Ready to Roll Cabin Carry-On

Best for traveling with pets

Roverlund Ready to Roll Cabin Carry-On

$389 at Roverlund

Designed with pets in mind, Roverlund’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.

Roverlund Ready to Roll Cabin Carry-On Specifications

Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag 38L

Best for outdoor travel

Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag 38L

$350 at Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi’s Allpa 38L roller bag is our new go-to for traveling in rugged conditions — or when we just want durable option that’s easy to stuff and compress. 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 we appreciate the convenient grab handles on the top and sides. If you’ve got Cotopaxi’s hip pack, the suitcase’s front pocket is designed to easily hold your smaller carryall.

Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag 38L Specifications

Hotel Collection Carry-On Luggage in Navy

Hotel Collection

Best with built-in gps

Hotel Collection Carry-On

$180 $300 40% off

buy at Hotel Collection

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 has 360-degree spinner wheels, interior organizers and a clear luggage cover.

Hotel Collection Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

BEST carry-On Duffle

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, 55L

$169 at Patagonia

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.

Patagonia 40L Black Hole Duffel Specifications

Monos Carry-On Pro Plus Luggage

Monos

BEST OVERSIZED CARRY-ON WITH Front Pocket

Monos Carry-On Pro Plus

$259 $315 18% off

Buy at Monos

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.

Monos Carry-On Pro Plus Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Calpak

BEST UNDER-SEAT CARRY-ON

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage

$165 at Calpak

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.

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Travelpro

BEST FOR SUITS

TravelPro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Carry-On

$344 $430 20% off

Buy at travelpro

Buy at Amazon

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.

TravelPro Platinum Elite 21-In. Expandable Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Paravel

BEST Carbon-Neutral CARRY-ON

Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus

$425 at Paravel

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 a 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.

Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Carl Friedrik

BEST BUSINESS CLASS CARRY-ON

Carl Friedrik Carry-On

$495 at Carl Friedrik

Want to impress at the airport lounge (without spending a fortune)? We love the luxe look of Carl Friedrik’s hardshell suitcase with its zipperless aluminum frame, super-silent wheels, two combination lock closures and Vachetta leather details for an extra professional-looking touch. 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.

Carl Friedrik Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Briggs & Riley

BEST Warranty

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

$699 at Briggs & Riley

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.)

Briggs & Riley Baseline Global 21-In. Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Tumi

BEST FOR LONGER TRIPS

Tumi Alpha Continental Expandable 4-Wheeled Carry-On

$975 at Tumi

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.

Tumi Alpha Continental Expandable Carry-On Specifications

The Best Carry-On Suitcases 2024: Away, Tumi, Beis, Bagsmart

Best Aluminum Carry-On

Rimowa Cabin

$1,430 at Rimowa

Rimowa is an A-list favorite, with celebrity ambassadors including Rihanna, Lewis Hamilton and Blackpink’s Rosé; the luxe luggage has also been seen carted by Billie Eilish, Rodger Federer, Martha Stewart, Spike Lee, Gigi Hadid and others. 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.

Rimowa Cabin Carry-On Specifications

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