10090807060504030201
Lifestyle

Top 10 Carry-On Luggage

Here's A Look At The Highest-Rated Carry-On Luggage You Can Buy Right Now

Image credits: paravel

Life is all about the comings and goings, which is why it's important to have some high-quality luggage to take you from coast to coast. More specifically, a durable and functional carry-on. However, finding such is always easier said than done.

Generally speaking, it’s a pain to pack small, but the 10 suitcases ahead certainly lessen the burden. Supremely stylish and made to navigate through streets and crowds easily, these carry-on suitcases will set you apart from the sea of other travelers’ gear. We’ve got a wide variety of styles to choose from, so any jet setter's style will be represented wherever they go.

What To Look For In A Carry-On

When shopping for your next carry-on suitcase, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help ensure you find the right one for your travels. 

First, there’s the exterior, which typically comes in either a hard or soft option. A hard exterior has a solid outer shell and is more protective if you’re traveling with fragile goods. A soft exterior typically comes with more compartments than a hard one and offers more flexibility when it comes to packing. We always seem to come back from trips with more than we came with, right? If that sounds like you, we suggest opting for a soft expandable option. Don’t forget about the interior of the suitcase, either. Make sure it offers plenty of space or compartments that can accommodate all of your clothing and belongings.

Next, take a look at the wheels. If you like a more traditional appeal, you may want to opt for a two-wheeled suitcase. If you’re looking for something that offers more rolling ease, then a four-wheeled suitcase might be the one for you. A four-wheeled carry-on, or spinners, as they’re called, comes with wheels that can spin 360 degrees. This means that you aren’t limited to pulling your suitcase while navigating airports, planes, or other crowded areas. With spinner luggage, you can push or pull your suitcase, have it right by your side or even quickly spin it in any direction.

Size is also an important factor to consider, especially when it comes to carry-ons. Each airline has its own specific size requirements for their overhead compartments, but a good size to aim for is 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches, as these are the required dimensions for a few of the major airlines. Keep in mind that this includes the wheels, exterior compartments, and retracted handle. In addition to size, airlines may also judge the weight. Travel experts recommend that carry-on luggage should also be no more than 7.5 pounds in order to accommodate belongings and still be within the size limit.

How To Choose The Right Carry-On

The first thing to consider when shopping for carry-on luggage is what kind of traveler you are. In other words, how often will you be using this suitcase, and for what purpose? Are you a frequent traveler? Do you travel for business or for pleasure? Domestic or international? From the amount of space to the convenience and accessibility, determining what works best for you is based on what kind of needs you have for your carry-on. If you’re looking for carry-on luggage for business trips, you might need a suitcase that’s more functional than stylish—one that offers a lot of space, compartments, a quality handle, and additional features for packing convenience. On the other hand, if you’re just looking for a small carry-on bag to bring with you on your next vacation, a sleek and minimal one with just the right amount of space would do the trick.

Why People Love These Carry-Ons

Both frequent travelers and occasional vacationers alike can find a good carry-on that will suit their needs on the list ahead. Whether you’re looking for a small suitcase to tuck into an overhead bin easily, a lightweight suitcase to haul around, or a carry-on with spinners to glide with you through the airport with ease, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in the carry-on luggage on this list. Customers just like you have rated, reviewed, and loved the following bags—and from that data, we’ve found the 10 best carry-on bags for you to shop from. From tried and true to reliable and accessible, there’s a suitcase on this list for everyone, no matter your travel style.

How We Found The Best Carry-On Suitcases

Here's how it works: With the help of our data-powered algorithm, we vet products in a given category in order to determine which ones deserve to be crowned the best. Our Top 10 lists consider information from social media, reviews, industry reports, and more, so you can trust that the recommendations you're getting are unbiased and research-backed. With that in mind, if you're planning on jet-setting somewhere soon and you need a reliable way to transport your things, look no further than the 10 top-rated carry-on suitcases below.

Jump To Products

December 15, 2023

Written By:Sierra Rogers

Product Expert:Georgia Jones

FacebookPinterest logoTwitter logoEmail icon

Top 10 Lists serve as unbiased shopping guides to the most trusted product recommendations on the internet. Products are scored and ranked using an algorithm backed by data consumers find most valuable when making a purchase. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.

The Rankings


10
Image credits: rimowa
Rank & Style Approved

rimowa

Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On Aluminum Suitcase

Overall Score

4.4

10

Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On Aluminum Suitcase

4.6

2 User Reviews

2.1

Best Seller

3

Industry Recognition

3

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Learn More
arrow

Best Investment Carry-On

DEFINING FEATURES
Rimowa's Original Cabin Carry-On Roller Bag has everything you need to smoothly navigate long travel days. With TSA-approved locks, a telescopic handle, and a flex divider that makes organizing your things a breeze, it's no wonder this suitcase has earned icon status.

NEED TO KNOW
In addition to silver, this suitcase is available in black and titanium. Plus, it comes in small and plus versions.

More Colors

More Colors


Beis The Carry-On Roller Suitcase

Overall Score

4.5

09

Beis The Carry-On Roller Suitcase

4.8

5481 User Reviews

3.3

Best Seller

3

Industry Recognition

3

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Stylish Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
As beautiful as it is functional, Beis' Carry-On Roller Suitcase is built with 360° wheels, a cushioned trolley handle, and an expanding storage compartment (perfect for all of your souvenirs). Not to mention, with colors like beige, pink, and maple to choose from, they've managed to make carry-on luggage cute.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"This is a wonderful carry-on bag. It has so many features I never even thought of. Brought it on a four-day trip across the country, and it held everything I needed and then some. Paired so well with my Béis everyday bag for traveling. Will probably buy a set of them if they all have this many features."

More Colors

More Colors


Monos Carry-On

Overall Score

4.55

08

Monos Carry-On

4.9

1248 User Reviews

3.1

Best Seller

3

Industry Recognition

3

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Durable Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
Don't expect this baby to fail you—it's made with an unbreakable polycarbonate shell and an ultra-sturdy telescopic handle, plus a TSA-approved lock and whisper-quiet wheels. Even better? The gorgeous colors it comes in (think olive green, rose quartz, and blue haze).

NEED TO KNOW
When you’re not traveling, this carry-on suitcase nests inside any of the brand's check-in sizes for easy storage.

More Colors

More Colors


Calpak Ambeur Carry-On Luggage

Overall Score

4.55

07

Calpak Ambeur Carry-On Luggage

4.67

371 User Reviews

2.8

Best Seller

3

Industry Recognition

4

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Metallic Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
Calpack's Ambeur Carry-On Luggage is a sleek suitcase that comes with a zippered divider to create two separate packing compartments. It also has an expansion sleeve that unzips to increase the packing capacity and is fitted with a set of four multidirectional spinner wheels that make navigating the airport a breeze. Plus, the metallic color options give it the look of aluminum for way less.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I LOVE my Calpak. I traveled to four different countries in Europe with this carry-on for two weeks and overpacked, and I still had some room to stuff my souvenirs."

More Colors

More Colors


July Carry On

Overall Score

4.6

06

July Carry On

4.9

1351 User Reviews

3.1

Best Seller

3

Industry Recognition

4

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Lightweight Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
Aside from the super lightweight design, there are so many reasons to love this gorgeous carry-on. To name a few, it can charge both your phone and laptop, comes with 60-degree spinner wheels, and it's customizable.

NEED TO KNOW
The personalization options available for this carry-on suitcase are endless—you can choose from tons of different fonts and colors.

More Colors

More Colors


Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable With Double Spinner Wheels

Overall Score

4.7

05

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable With Double Spinner Wheels

4.57

10537 User Reviews

5

Best Seller

3

Industry Recognition

3

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Expandable Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
With a hard shell, durable exterior, and double-spinner wheels, this suitcase makes quick trips a breeze. It's also expandable, meaning you'll have some extra room should you do a little shopping while you're away.

NEED TO KNOW
This carry-on roller bag is designed with cross ribbons and a divider to make organized packing simple. And thanks to the multiple pockets, your belongings will always stay right where you want them.

More Colors

More Colors


Away The Bigger Carry-On

Overall Score

4.75

04

Away The Bigger Carry-On

5

3300 User Reviews

3.3

Best Seller

4

Industry Recognition

4

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Large Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
Away's Bigger Carry-On is a best-selling, perfectly-sized bag no matter your traveling plans. Built for convenience, its design includes an ejectable USB charger, 360° spinner wheels, and a durable hard shell exterior.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I absolutely love this piece. It’s lightweight, fits perfectly in the overhead compartment of an airplane, and especially the battery charger! What a game-changer it is to not need to search for electrical outlets at an airport."

More Colors

More Colors


Paravel Aviator Carry-On

Overall Score

4.8

03

Paravel Aviator Carry-On

4.8

116 User Reviews

5

Best Seller

4

Industry Recognition

3

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Sustainable Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
Paravel's Aviator Carry-On Suitcase is engineered for a smooth ride on any terrain. Thanks to 360-degree rotating wheels and an advanced dual design, you won't run into any hiccups with this bag.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"This is a perfect size and designed so well. I love that it's made using sustainable materials and still looks and feels so so good! Happy traveler right here!"

More Colors

More Colors

Eco Friendly

Eco Friendly


AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Suitcase

Overall Score

4.8

02

AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Suitcase

4.6

38212 User Reviews

5

Best Seller

4

Industry Recognition

4

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Affordable Carry-On

DEFINING DETAILS
This carry-on may look small, but it is mighty—it expands to offer up to 15% more packing capacity. Bonus: It's one of the most affordable options on the list at just over $90.

NEED TO KNOW
Here's something worth mentioning: This carry-on luggage has 29,000+ 5-star reviews. Plus, it's durable enough to be checked but small enough for the overhead compartment. 

More Colors

More Colors


Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase

Overall Score

5

01

Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase

4.8

549 User Reviews

5

Best Seller

5

Industry Recognition

5

Social Buzz

About Our Scoring System

In order for any product to be featured on Rank & Style, it must first meet the requirements set by our algorithm—a vetting process that allocates points based on consumer and industry data to score and rank products within a given category.

Best Carry-On Overall

DEFINING DETAILS
This built-to-last carry-on roller bag features Japanese-crafted Hinomoto 360-degree wheels, a TSA-approved lock, a smooth gliding telescopic handle, and YKK zippers. If you aren't typically a carry-on traveler, this bag might just make you one.

NEED TO KNOW
If, for any reason, you're not happy with your carry-on, they offer a gracious 365-day return policy.

View All Top 10 Lists
Arrow white

The Latest

Image credits: stanley

Kitchen

Top 10 Insulated Tumblers

The Very Best Insulated Tumbler Brands For Keeping Your Beverages The Perfect Temp

View All Lifestyle
arrow

Straight-to-the-point emails to make finding what you love even easier.