After years of navigating airports, overhead bins and tight connections, our travel team knows what separates a great carry-on from the rest. We put that experience to work—combining our own firsthand testing with insights from other well-traveled Forbes Vetted staffers to identify the best carry-on luggage. Our top pick overall is Away’s The Bigger Carry-On for its useful organizational features, built-in compression and generous packing capacity, which provides enough space for a full week. If you’re looking for value, the Samsonite Freeform has all the essential features for less than $150, while the Monos Carry-On Pro is well-designed for business travel. Below, we’ve rounded up 13 carry-ons that help you pack smarter and travel more efficiently.
Our travel editors have been using Away suitcases for over a decade, and they top many of our travel roundups, including the best hardside luggage. The brand’s Bigger Carry-On is a crowd-favorite for good reason.
Ample Compression To Maximize Space
Its compression system is truly strong enough to squeeze multiple overstuffed packing cubes; it also has comfortable grab handles, an integrated TSA lock and great accessories, like a laundry bag. Away’s website states that this suitcase can fit up to nine outfits and enough clothing for up to seven days, but I feel its capacity is undersold. I traveled with the Bigger Carry-On on a ski trip to Switzerland, and I was able to fill it with eight days’ worth of bulky sweaters and layers.
Spacious Capacity, Affordable Price
At 49 liters, it has an incredible capacity for being a carry-on suitcase—I’ve slid it into dozens of overhead bins on a variety of different airlines and never had a problem with its size. The only other suitcase on this list to beat it in terms of capacity is the Béis Carry-On Roller, which provides 61 liters of space after expanding it—after which it may be too big for stricter carry-on limits. It’s also one-third of the price of a Briggs & Riley carry-on, so when it comes to excellent value, the Away Bigger Carry-On tops them all.
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Carl Friedrik’s The Carry-On stands out for its high-end craftsmanship (that chic trimming is Italian leather) as well as 360-degree spinner wheels that are silent as a whisper. Part of its sleek look is thanks to the absence of a zipper; it’s built with a snap locking system that means it clicks open and closed instead. The lock closures felt both super secure and easy to open when it was time to unpack.
Stylish Exterior, Compressed Interior
The suitcase’s stylish design makes it a great option for travelers who want their bags to stand out from a sea of solid black suitcases. For overpackers, it comes with durable compression straps as well as a pad that helps maximize packing space. While this carry-on only features a zipped interior on one of its sides, you can also put your clothing in packing cubes and secure them inside the suitcase using the compression straps.
A high-quality suitcase doesn’t have to cost a lot: The Samsonite Freeform costs less than $150 and has a wealth of useful features, including a built-in TSA lock, elastic straps and a zippered 1-inch expansion panel. “I’ve been using this Samsonite carry-on for the past six years and it never lets me down,” says one of our panel testers. “As a chronic overpacker, I love that it’s expandable and has organizational pockets to help separate my clothes and essentials.”
Lightweight Feel And Smooth-Rolling Wheels
At 6.5 pounds, this suitcase is more lightweight than most options on our list and the 360-degree wheels make it easy to maneuver. “It’s so convenient that I typically opt to bring it over a weekender bag even for short trips,” our tester says. Keep in mind that the shell is made of polypropylene rather than polycarbonate; while this contributes to both its lightness and its affordable price point, it’s not as durable as some of our other hardside picks like the Away Bigger Carry-On.
A longtime Forbes Vetted luggage favorite brand, Briggs & Riley stands out for its durable construction, dependable performance and generous lifetime warranty. The Baseline Essential Carry-On has a versatile, expandable design (this model was also named the best softside pick in our roundup of the best luggage.)
Extra Features For Easy Organization
Among its handy features, the built-in garment folder in particular comes in handy for wrinkle-free clothing. A large pocket on the front allows for quick, easy access to a sweater or scarf, while a smaller, additional pocket is designed to hold your cell phone and charging cables. It has a pop-up expandable feature, but due to its soft exterior, you may find you can squeeze even more clothing into it.
Long-Lasting Exterior
While it’s on the pricier side, it’s made of a ballistic nylon exterior and aerospace-grade aluminum handle that’s designed to withstand wear and tear over time. However, this one is the heaviest option on this list, weighing 10 pounds.
A carry-on for frequent travel needs to be constructed with durability in mind: The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner’s exterior fabric feels so sturdy that I confidently recommend it for all kinds trips. The chrome zippers, in particular, feel extra durable. After stuffing it with clothes on three different trips, I understood why this brand is a favorite of pilots and flight attendants.
Plenty Of Pockets, Sturdy Handle
The carry-on is outfitted with interior compression straps, accessory pockets, a water-resistant toiletry bag and a fold-out garment organizer (specially designed to keep suits looking crisp). The handle has a rubber contour grip and four adjustable heights, plus a top handlebar with padding that helped me hoist the suitcase into overhead bins with ease.
Functional Look Compared To Other Options
Compared to other minimalist options that made our list, like the Béis, Monos and Away hardside suitcases, this suitcase certainly looks more utilitarian than stylish. However, for a well-made case that is sleek enough to bring everywhere, fans of softside luggage would be remiss to cross this option off the list.
At under 8 pounds, the Monos Carry-On Pro is fairly lightweight, yet feels far from flimsy. I’m so impressed by this suitcase’s heft that I asked several friends to roll it around to experience it themselves. They all agreed: This suitcase feels solid enough to leave momentarily standing without fear of it rolling down hill.
Durable Polycarbonate Shell
Its polycarbonate shell feels equally tough. I traveled with this suitcase on three domestic trips and noticed barely any scuffing afterward, even though it was Sage Green, one of the lighter colors available. That durable exterior provides a layer of confidence around the suitcase’s laptop compartment, which is spacious enough to hold a 15-inch laptop along with a few other small travel accessories. The suitcase’s 360-degree spinner wheels are incredibly smooth, and I appreciate that its telescopic handle stayed firm after blocks of bouncing across Boston’s cobblestone streets. This suitcase also comes with a helpful laundry bag and two shoe bags to make packing easier, and an integrated TSA lock for enhanced security.
Enough Room For Up To Five Day Trips
The brand’s website advertises this suitcase as spacious enough for up to five-day trips, but the laptop pocket does subtract some of that space. After multiple trips, I would recommend three-to-four days as the sweet spot. Another thing to note is that the handles tend to lock up if you pack this suitcase to the brim, so overpackers may want to opt for an expandable option, like the Briggs & Riley or Béis suitcases that also made this list.
The Away Carry-On Flex expands a generous 2.3 inches, which makes it great for packing any souvenirs you pick up during your trip. Unexpanded, the luggage stands at 22 inches, masking its more spacious interior.
Generous Expandability
After using this on two trips to Stockholm, this became one of our testers’ favorite: “The expandability allows it to be spacious enough for five to six days of travel, and it has an excellent compression system. It was also very durable: I threw it into the back of cabs, pulled it over curbs and threw it on the luggage rack of the hotel room with ease.”
High-Quality Construction For A Reasonable Price
Aside from its general roominess, the Away Carry-On Flex has the signature sleek polycarbonate shell and comes in nine sophisticated colors. Its smooth-rolling spinner wheels are comparable to others on our list—but in terms of value, the construction of this suitcase simply can’t be beat.
If traveling minimally is your priority, the Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner clocks in at an impressive 4.6 pounds: the lightest on our list. That’s due to the outer shell’s strong but flexible material that springs back into shape and keeps the suitcase lightweight yet durable.
Built-In USB Port And Dual-Spinner Wheels
Our tester made good use of the integrated USB port during a five-day glamping trip. “The built-in slot for the portable charger was convenient for keeping our devices charged on the go,” she says. The rubber-lined dual spinner wheels also rolled with ease across a variety of terrain, from gravely footpaths to grassy fields.
Lacking In Packing Space
Where this luggage excels in lightness, it falls short in other areas: namely, its less-than-roomy interior. This pick is expandable (a considerable 0.5 inches), but suffers from minimal compression (it comes with cross straps, instead of the traditional pad). That might not be a dealbreaker if you’re using this suitcase for shorter trips—but if you need to pack a lot, we recommend checking out more spacious alternatives like the Away Bigger Carry-On and Béis Carry-On Roller.
Our tester found the Calpak Terra Softside to be so lightweight that she had no trouble lifting into an overhead bin. “It’s compact and easy to lift and carry over your head,” she says.
Sustainably Crafted
Along with its minimal weight, it’s sustainably constructed: The entire suitcase is made of 29 recycled bottles. Inside, three pockets add a bit of extra room, although our tester notes there isn’t space for a whole lot: “It’s on the smaller side—on my trip to Colorado in the winter I only had room for one large winter jacket,” she says.
Lightweight Maneuverability
Still, we recommend its worth trying out for those shorter, two-to-three day and weekend trips. Above all else, its lightweight construction makes it one of those most maneuverable luggage on our list—our tester gave it plenty of high marks for that category. “I can rotate it in a 360-degree circle with one hand, and it smoothly glides along the floor,” she says. “It’s easy to make sharp turns in the airport and has an effortless pull.”
Béis makes one of the best expandable carry-on suitcases on the market today, with 2 inches of extra space to allow you more room on your return trip if needed. The suitcase also comes with a built-in weight limit indicator: When you lift it by its side-carry handle, a red mark will appear if the luggage is over 50 pounds, meaning you’ll know in advance if your suitcase exceeds most airlines’ weight limit, giving you a chance to take a few items out rather than pay a fee.
Cushioned Handle For Smooth Carrying
The suitcase’s cushioned handle is another reason why it earned its spot on this list. If you’re rolling a heavy suitcase from one end of the airport to another, the soft, plush fabric attached to this handle eases the journey. Factor in smooth-rolling wheels and a variety of great colors, and this luggage is a true winner.
Refreshed With Updated Features
Béis recently updated this suitcase to make it about 7% lighter than its previous iteration, while still having the same capacity. This was an improvement our tester appreciated: “In the past, I’ve had to check the original suitcase a handful of times due to its size—it took up too much room in the overhead bin. When flying with this new version, I was able to fit it with ease.” To make even more room in the interior, the compression pad in the previous version was replaced with wider straps, a feature our tester also appreciated. “The updated compression straps really flattened and secured my items; I was never worried about things moving out of place in transit.” However, the addition of an AirPods pocket felt unnecessary, she said, as she normally carries earbuds in her personal item bag.
The Rimowa Essential Cabin’s high-quality construction makes it ideal for those who want an investment piece, built to last for years. It features the brand’s signature grooved exterior and the polycarbonate shell adds significant durability. “After using it on multiple rideshare and car trips and two coast-to-coast flights, there were no scuffs, scratches or any signs of wear and tear,” says our tester.
Thoughtfully Crafted Construction
The standout aspect of this suitcase is its maneuverability; our tester says it’s the smoothest luggage she’s ever traveled with. It rolls on ball-bearing wheels with cushioned axles, making for effortless movement. “It glides with ease, especially over bumpy floors at the airport and elevator door tracks,” she says. The polycarbonate shell, meanwhile, keeps the suitcase light enough to easily pick up and carry. “It was a breeze to toss into the back of rental cars and place in the overhead compartment,” she says. The telescopic handle also locks in at various heights, so you’ll never have to lug it around at an awkward angle.
Minimal Depth But Maximum Compression
Overpackers may want to skip this pick, though; our tester had to get creative to fit her large toiletry bag and high-heel shoes. It does, however, have well-designed compression features. “The compression panel on one side and zip cover on the other made it easy to pack the case completely full, especially since the zippers are extremely robust and do some of the work for you,” says our tester.
Aer is known for its sleek and modern travel pieces, and its compact Carry-On is no exception. It has durable zippers, a built-in TSA lock and three interior pockets, including one pocket made just forAirTags and other luggage trackers. “It’s a really nice looking piece of luggage, and it handles nicely,” says our tester, who took the carry-on with her from New Jersey to Germany for a business trip. “The lock was a cinch to program, and the zippers held even when I crammed it full on my return.”
Locking System To Park Your Luggage
Our testers appreciate this suitcase’s locking wheel system, which can easily be slid on or off and prevents your luggage from rolling away. The brake system allows you to lock the wheels of your suitcase and essentially “park” it, so that you don't have to worry about it going anywhere if you’re on an incline or uneven spot.
Rolls Best Over Smooth Terrain
While the wheels rolled “exceedingly smoothly” through the airport, our tester noted that the suitcase struggled to get over bumpy sidewalks and a few doorways with raised frames. The handle design could also be improved upon: Aer’s handle grip isn’t as comfortable as some of the other suitcases on the list (in particular, the Béis Carry-On, which stands out for its padded handle).
Measuring just 17.5 inches tall, this miniature version of the Travelpro Maxlite 5 is ideal for overnight trips when you only need an outfit or two. Despite its small size, it’s equipped with a laptop sleeve and a hanging wet pocket for toiletries. And while it rolls smoothly through the airport on two wheels, it’s compact enough to fit neatly underneath the seat in front of you.
Removable Pocket And Rear Strap Add Versatility
For those who don’t need the extra organization, the inside can be configured to suit your needs. “Since I don’t travel with much formalwear, I liked that I could remove the suitcase’s interior garment pocket and have an open cavity to put in clothes and a pair of shoes,” says our tester, who included it in our list of the best underseat luggage. “It leaves more than enough real estate for a second change of clothes.” Additionally, a built-in rear strap gives you the option to secure this on top of your full-sized spinner suitcase.
Water-Resistant In Unpredictable Weather
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 underseater features a durable polyester shell with a water-resistant coating, which repels moisture and stains. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling in inclement weather or with spill-prone companions.
Other Carry-On Luggage We Tested
There are five additional suitcases that didn’t quite make our list of winners. However, they may still be a fit for your needs.
- July Carry-On Trunk: Australian luggage brand July is known for its sleek aesthetics, and this carry-on trunk is no exception. Its glossy exterior looks ultra-elegant in person, and its glide is extremely smooth. This style comes with a lock that is not as intuitive to use as Carl Friedrik’s Carry-On, which is why we left it off our list.
- Briggs & Riley Sympatico Essential Spinner: This suitcase has an aesthetically pleasing gloss and feels solid and durable. Aside from a sturdy shell and built-in TSA lock, it’s also super spacious. However, we weren’t sure it provided enough value for its nearly $700 price tag, compared with some less expensive options on this list.
- Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0: This features a sturdy hardshell, is relatively lightweight and lasts for years. Compared to many of the other ultra-minimalist hardside options on this list, it’s not as sleek, which is why it didn’t make our final cut—but some may appreciate its unique style.
- Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage: Calpak is a favorite among Forbes Vetted readers and editors, and its Mini Carry-On is something uncommon—a hardside suitcase that can fit underneath an airplane seat. We also found it to be a smooth-rolling alternative to a backpack; although it has a little more capacity, it does weigh slightly more than our lightweight underseat pick, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Underseat Bag.
- Cotopaxi Coraza Carry-On: Cotopaxi is well-known for its hard-wearing travel gear in fun contrasting colors. Its new hardshell Coraza suitcase has detachable wheels that can be swapped out for different colors, allowing you to infuse a bit more personality into your luggage. Other features include dual TSA locks on its latch closures (which our tester found to be a little tricky to handle) and a removable interior organizer.
How We Tested The Best Carry-On Luggage
To determine our list of contenders for the best carry-on luggage, we sifted through top brands and considered a wide variety of options to accommodate different travel preferences.
Testing Panel
Several Forbes Vetted team members road tested suitcases for this article, including senior travel editor Sunshine Flint, lifestyle editorial assistant Whitney Bruno, deals writer Bianca Alvarez and deputy editors Jane Sung and Rose Gordon Sala.
Real-World Field Testing
Over the course of two years and counting, our editors have tested 25 candidates on multiple domestic and international trips, ranging from weekend getaways via car, plane or train to week-long European escapes. Below are the specific criteria we use to evaluate each suitcase during any testing period.
- Packing capacity: We attempt to pack at least five days’ worth of belongings into each suitcase and take note of how much more or less we could fit comfortably.
- Maneuverability: We evaluate how each suitcase feels rolling through an airport and how the wheels and handle function over a variety of different terrains, from cobblestone streets to snowy or rainy sidewalks.
- Durability: We assess whether each suitcase handles the same way after a few trips and if there are any obvious scratches or dings after use.
Additional Features
We take note of each suitcase’s special features, such as internal compression functions, built-in phone-charging ports and expandable zippers. Luggage with the most useful features are considered for our best overall pick.
What To Consider In The Best Carry-On Luggage
In addition to our testing criteria above, there are several key factors to keep in mind when picking out a carry-on suitcase. Here are some additional points to consider.
Hardside Vs. Softside
Carry-on luggage comes in a range of hardside and softside options. A hardside case needs to be both strong and flexible and able absorb impact without cracking. Many are made from polycarbonate: an impact-resistant and durable thermoplastic that comprises the majority of our picks. While aluminum is also durable, it’s heavier and more expensive than polycarbonate and can be more prone to denting. Softside suitcases, on the other hand, are typically made of strong, rip-resistant nylon or polyester fabrics. They’re also lightweight and can be flexible enough for both overhead or underseat storage.
Color
Most brands feature carry-on options in black and navy, but a few—including Away, Rimowa and Monos—come in a wide range of colors. Lighter, brighter hues stand out at the airport carousel, but keep in mind that they’ll show dirt and markings more easily. Suitcases in dark, neutral tones are popular for a reason; they hide scuff marks and are easy to keep looking fresh. However, they’re also going to blend in with the crowd, so we recommend adding a colorful luggage tag if you go this route.
Additional Features
A nice-to-have design element is a zippered front compartment, which can hold electronic devices, charging cables or, in the case of the Monos Carry-On Pro, a 15-inch laptop. Another useful addition is a TSA-approved lock that can be opened by airport security officials using a master key. Options like these can ease your journey.
Warranty
A high-quality carry-on can be an investment, which is why we recommend buying one with a warranty that covers unexpected damages. Luggage warranties range from five years post-purchase to the full lifespan of your suitcase and many don’t cover normal wear and tear or accidental or airline damage. Policies differ by brand, so make sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what to expect from your warranty.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has researched and published dozens of travel stories, with a particular focus on luggage topics informed by rigorous research and firsthand testing.
- This story was coauthored by former senior travel editor Astrid Taran, who has eight years of experience writing and editing travel content.
- All picks in this story and every update was reviewed by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung. A lifestyle industry veteran, she oversees our travel, beauty and fashion verticals and has covered travel gear and destinations for over a decade.
- We monitor this story to ensure accuracy and reevaluate our picks. It was last updated in August 2026 by lifestyle editorial assistant Whitney Bruno, who added the Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner and Rimowa Essential Cabin, and reviewed by senior travel editor Sunshine Flint.