Every traveler, from the seasoned frequent flier to the occasional vacationer, understands the value of a reliable carry on travel bag. Beyond just skipping checked baggage fees, the right carry-on offers convenience, saves time, and keeps your essentials close. But with countless options on the market, how do you choose the best carry on travel bag for your needs? It boils down to key factors: capacity, maneuverability, durability, and thoughtful design.
To simplify your search, we rigorously tested 454 carry on bags, encompassing a wide range of styles including classic suitcases, versatile duffels, weekend-ready bags, practical backpacks, and space-saving underseat models. Our comprehensive testing process involved packing them to capacity, navigating obstacle courses, assessing wheel performance on various surfaces, and even subjecting them to baseball bat strikes to simulate real-world travel wear and tear. We even constructed a mock airplane cabin in our New York City lab to evaluate how each bag fit into overhead bins. Beyond lab tests, our editors took these Carry On Travel Bags on actual trips to assess their long-term performance. The results, combined with considerations of price, weight, dimensions, materials, and smart features, allowed us to narrow down the very best carry on travel bags available today.
Luggage Testing at a Glance
454 Carry-on bags tested
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123 Luggage brands evaluated
3 Years of testing
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
SALE
Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner at Amazon $200 $136
Best Overall, Runner-up:
SALE
Tumi Alpha International Dual Access Carry-on at Amazon $975 $779
Best Expandability:
Away The Carry-On Flex at Away Travel $325
Best Budget:
Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside 21-inch Spinner at Amazon $66
Best Design:
Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage at Dagnedover.com
Most Durable:
Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner at Samsonite
Most Spacious:
Best Softside:
Away The Softside Bigger Carry-On at Away Travel $245
Best Compression:
Briggs & Riley 22 Inch Spinner at Amazon $649
Best With Brakes:
Best Overall
Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner
PHOTO: Amazon
$200 $136 at Amazon View on Samsonite $140 at Ebags
Why We Love It: This top-rated carry on travel bag boasts a generous capacity, a robust thermoplastic shell, and effortlessly smooth wheels.
What to Consider: It lacks a dedicated zippered compartment for separating dirty clothes.
The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner emerged as the clear frontrunner among numerous excellent suitcases we evaluated. This lightweight, durable, and expandable carry on travel bag exceeded expectations in both our rigorous lab tests and real-world travel scenarios. Having tested it twice in our lab, including a recent re-evaluation to confirm our initial impressions from two years prior, we consistently found it to be exceptional. Its maneuverability is outstanding, whether using two or four wheels, and it glides smoothly across diverse surfaces such as carpet, hard flooring, and curbs. The user-friendly aluminum telescoping handle extends and locks with a simple push-button mechanism.
Inside, this all-star suitcase features a well-organized main compartment with multiple pockets and expands to provide extra packing space when needed. We successfully packed enough clothing for a four-day trip, including two pairs of shoes, several jackets, and two toiletry bags, without even utilizing the expansion feature. While it includes a divider to separate shoes from clean clothes, a dedicated zippered section for dirty laundry would be a welcomed addition. However, a quality travel pouch can easily solve this minor drawback.
The Freeform’s sleek, minimalist-modern aesthetic is appealing, and it is available in over 12 colors, from classic white to trendy mint and rich merlot. Durability testing, which included baseball bat impacts during both test rounds, demonstrated the resilience of the polycarbonate (high-strength thermoplastic) shell, which remained virtually scuff-free and showed minimal signs of damage. Even after six months of regular travel use, our test bag showed no significant wear and tear, and minor scuffs were easily buffed out. Considering its reasonable price point, robust construction, and ample capacity, the Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and anyone seeking a high-quality carry on travel bag.
The Details: Hardside | 21 x 15 x 10 inches | 5.6 pounds | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
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PHOTO: Jhett Thompson
Best Overall, Runner-up
Tumi Alpha International Dual Access Carry-on
PHOTO: Tumi
$975 $779 at Amazon View on Tumi.com $779 at Bloomingdales
Why We Love It: This carry on travel bag offers dual access points and includes a removable garment bag, ideal for suits or dresses.
What to Consider: When the front-access section is fully packed, it can reduce space in the main compartment.
The Tumi International Dual Access carry on travel bag was a close second to our top pick, the Samsonite Freeform. Its four smooth-gliding dual spinner wheels and comfortable telescoping handle ensure dream-like movement across various flooring types. Even after three months of consistent use, the wheels never snagged, facilitating effortless navigation through airports and new cities alike. Constructed from Tumi’s signature ballistic nylon, this carry on travel bag also excelled in our baseball bat durability test.
We found ample space within the bag’s numerous compartments and appreciated the inclusion of a removable suiter, perfect for trips requiring formal attire. The clamshell design, coupled with several interior pockets and compression straps on one side, easily accommodated our four-day packing list. The front-access section provides convenient storage for a sweater or light jacket when the main compartment isn’t overfilled, or can be used for tech gadgets or a small makeup bag. Two exterior pockets offer quick access to smaller items such as a travel umbrella, and a built-in USB port allows connection to a power bank (sold separately). While it represents a higher price point compared to many other carry on travel bags, the Tumi International Dual Access is an investment in a high-quality carrier built to last for years.
The Details: Softside | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 10.7 pounds | 35-liter capacity | Expandable | USB port | Ballistic nylon | 4 dual spinner wheels
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida
Best Expandability
Away The Carry-On Flex
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PHOTO: Away
Why We Love It: This carry on travel bag is already quite spacious, but the expansion zipper adds an extra 2.25 inches of packing depth.
What to Consider: When fully expanded, it might exceed carry-on size restrictions for some airlines.
The Away The Carry-On Flex is a durable carry on travel bag that masterfully balances compact portability with generous interior space. Featuring two large interior compartments and an effective compression system, this bag allows for organized packing. Secure your items on one side with a zipper and buckle them in on the other, utilizing mesh pockets for smaller items. For overpackers, or those accumulating souvenirs, the Carry-on Flex offers a zipper expander, adding 2.25 inches of extra depth. However, be mindful of airline overhead bin size restrictions, as expansion could increase the bag’s dimensions (expanded dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches), potentially requiring gate checking.
How We Test Luggage
Other notable features discovered during our tests include smooth, multi-directional wheels, a handle with adjustable height settings, and a convenient notch on the bag’s underside for easier lifting from car trunks, overhead bins, or luggage carousels. The bag’s robust construction was evident, withstanding counter drops and baseball bat impacts with minimal damage – barely a scratch or dent.
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
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Best Budget
Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside 21-inch Spinner
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: This affordable carry on travel bag offers a scratch-resistant shell and a surprisingly spacious interior.
What to Consider: Color options are limited to four, and it lacks smart features or a combination lock.
For travelers seeking a more affordable carry-on, the Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside 21-inch Spinner is an excellent option. This budget-friendly hardside suitcase demonstrates remarkably smooth maneuverability, even on carpet and over uneven surfaces. The handles are exceptionally responsive. Moreover, the scratch-resistant shell held up impressively well during multiple bat and drop tests. Similar to the Samsonite Freeform Carry-on, we were so impressed that we re-tested this carry on travel bag recently to ensure its continued quality. While minor scuffing was observed after the second baseball bat test, these marks were easily buffed out.
During testing, we comfortably fit four days’ worth of clothing, shoes, and toiletries without needing to expand the bag, and the expandable feature offers additional peace of mind. After six months of regular use, we found it to be an ideal size for weekend getaways.
Travel + Leisure senior editor Jasmine Grant noted this carry on travel bag as “an excellent choice for a budget suitcase. It’s light, durable, and expands to fit way more than you might assume at first glance.” The Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner exceeded our expectations in several ways. While available in only four colors, its simple, sleek design is a major plus.
The Details: Hardside | 22 x 15 x 10 inches | 6.3 pounds | Expandable | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Best Design
Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage
PHOTO: Dagne Dover
Why We Love It: This attractive carry on travel bag is packed with smart design features, including a front pocket providing main compartment access without fully opening the bag.
What to Consider: It’s relatively heavy and bulky for its size, and maneuverability can be challenging when fully packed.
Having long admired Dagne Dover’s range of stylish bags, we were excited to explore their inaugural luggage collection launched last summer. We put every piece to the test and were particularly impressed with the Smaller Seattle Carry-on. While it’s among the smaller carry on travel bags in terms of size, its intelligent design maximizes space, making it ideal for travelers seeking a compact option. Despite lacking an expansion feature, we successfully packed for several days, a feat largely attributed to the abundance of pockets. Exterior features include a small zip pocket on the back for passports and two generously sized front pockets. The larger front pocket opens wide, revealing numerous slots for stowing a laptop (up to 13 inches), tablets, documents, and other essentials.
A standout design element is a zipper on one of the front pockets that provides direct access to the main compartment, similar to a hatchback car’s trunk access from the backseat. This allows for quick retrieval of items like a sweater or makeup bag without fully opening the suitcase, a particularly useful feature in busy airport environments. The main compartments split evenly in a clamshell design, with compression straps on both sides to secure contents. While we noted it to be somewhat heavy for a carry on travel bag, potentially challenging for some to lift into overhead bins when fully packed, this weight likely contributes to its durability, stemming from the thick outer material and reinforced bumpers. Overall, the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on is a great choice for shorter trips or as a stylish supplement to checked luggage.
The Details: Softside | 20.5 x 13 x 8.75 inches | 9.13 pounds | 33-liter capacity | Recycled 900D polyester | 4 dual spinner wheels | 13-inch laptop sleeve
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Most Durable
Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner
PHOTO: Samsonite
Why We Love It: This carry on travel bag is exceptionally lightweight yet remarkably durable, acing our tests without a single scratch.
What to Consider: The price is steep for travelers who don’t require NASA-level durability.
Upon learning that the Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-on had been sent into space and dropped from 130,000 feet without any damage, we knew we had to test it ourselves. Right away in our lab, we were impressed by its featherlight weight – under 5 pounds, making it remarkably lightweight. Despite its light weight, durability is not compromised. While we couldn’t replicate a space drop, we subjected it to metal baseball bat strikes and jumped on it repeatedly, resulting in zero scuffs, scratches, or damage. “I would absolutely trust this bag to withstand baggage handler treatment,” commented T+L’s associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker.
Beyond its weight and durability, this carry on travel bag has much more to offer. The two zippered halves feature multiple organizational pockets and cross straps on one side to secure contents. We were able to neatly fit a surprising amount of items without using packing cubes, despite its compact size. It also expands by half an inch for added space while still fitting comfortably in overhead bins when expanded. This carry on travel bag rolls smoothly across various surfaces, and the handle feels sturdy despite its light weight. While it’s a premium purchase, the durable construction, lightweight design, and smooth wheels justify the investment for many travelers.
The Details: Hardside | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 4.7 pounds | Expandable | Roxkin material | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Most Spacious
July Carry-on Max
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PHOTO: July
Why We Love It: This carry on travel bag has the largest capacity on our list and includes a packable tote bag for extra space.
What to Consider: Maneuvering can feel slightly clunky around corners once fully packed.
The July Carry-on Max offers the largest capacity of any carry on travel bag featured here, boasting an impressive 50-liter capacity (62 liters when expanded). Weighing just over 8 pounds, it’s not overly heavy, though we did notice a slight clunkiness in maneuverability (especially around tight corners) and lifting when fully packed, compared to smaller July suitcases we’ve tested. However, this is a minor trade-off for maximizing packing space, making it a great option for those prioritizing capacity. It even includes a packable tote bag for extra space on return trips.
Interior features are fairly basic, including a zippered cover on one side and a compression panel with a pocket on the other. Aside from a small pouch, organizational pockets are limited. While more pockets would be beneficial given the capacity, packing cubes can effectively address this. The handle is sturdy and adjustable to 20 different heights. Durability testing, including baseball bat impacts, showed no signs of damage. Keep in mind that depending on the airline, this larger carry on travel bag may need to be checked.
The Details: Hardside | 23 x 16 x 9 inches (23 x 16 x 10.6 inches when expanded) | 9.07 pounds | 50-to-62-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels | Packable tote included
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Best Softside
Away The Softside Bigger Carry-On
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PHOTO: Away
Why We Love It: This carry on travel bag is surprisingly stylish and durable for a softside model.
What to Consider: It leans towards the larger end of carry-on sizes and may not fit overhead bins when expanded.
Recently crowned our top pick in our best softside luggage test, the Away The Softside Bigger Carry-On outperformed dozens of competitors. Its stylish, puffy padded front panel allows it to blend seamlessly with sleek hardside luggage, maintaining Away’s signature modern aesthetic. The interior offers a spacious main compartment with a compression pad, attached mesh pockets for organization, a front pocket, and expandability.
Beyond aesthetics, this carry on travel bag proved remarkably durable in our tests. It withstood throwing, baseball bat impacts, and even stomping without visible damage. “The fabric felt heavier than other softsides, suggesting durability even if checked,” remarked associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker.
Even when fully packed, maneuverability remained excellent across surfaces and around tight corners. Our only caveat is its expanded size, which might prompt stricter gate agents to check it; caution is advised regarding overpacking. Nevertheless, it’s an outstanding softside option from a reputable brand.
The Details: Softside | 23 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches | 9.8 pounds | 38.3-to-44.3-liter capacity | Expandable | Water-resistant nylon | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Best Compression
Briggs & Riley 22 Inch Spinner
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PHOTO: Briggs & Riley
$649 at Amazon $649 at Briggs & Riley $649 at Bloomingdales
Why We Love It: The expansion system is user-friendly, adding or retracting 10 liters of space in mere seconds.
What to Consider: The bag’s bottom scratched when pulled over a curb during testing.
While carry on travel bags typically offer less space than checked luggage, the 22-inch spinner from Briggs & Riley maximizes every inch. Its expanded capacity is among the largest on our list, reaching up to 51 liters. However, its standout feature is the innovative expansion system that adds 25 percent more room. Instead of a traditional zipper, internal buttons raise panels, expanding the bag from 41 to 51 liters instantly. Compressing it back to the original size is equally swift.
Even without expansion, the bag is spacious, easily accommodating our packing list with room to spare. The interior features one deep main compartment, capable of holding bulky items like boots when expanded. The top compartment includes two mesh pockets, and a compression pad within helps secure clothes. A back exterior pouch can hold a power bank and small electronic devices for on-the-go charging. This carry on travel bag rolled smoothly across various terrains, from carpet to concrete, and through obstacle courses. The hardside shell proved durable, resisting dents from baseball bat impacts, though some scratching occurred on the bottom when pulled over a curb. Overall, it’s a sturdy, spacious bag with smart compression features, ideal for overpackers.
The Details: Hardside | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 8.6 pounds | 41-to-51-liter capacity| Expandable | Recycled polycarbonate, recycled polyester | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Best With Brakes
Aer Carry-On Max
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PHOTO: Aer
Why We Love It: This unique carry on travel bag incorporates a brake system, preventing unwanted rolling.
What to Consider: Opt for a darker color if you’re concerned about dirt and marks.
If you’ve experienced the embarrassment of a runaway bag rolling away, the Aer Carry-on offers a solution. Its standout feature is the Hinomoto wheel brake system, effectively stopping unwanted movement. “It’s an incredibly unique and helpful feature, especially on public transport or inclines, securely holding the bag in place,” notes associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker, a bag owner herself. The wheels spin effortlessly and quietly, while the brake engages to prevent rolling. Parker also highlights its “exceptionally smooth wheels, even when fully packed.”
The 48-liter capacity is generous for a carry on travel bag, ideal for those needing maximum space. The bag feels robust throughout, from double-layer zippers to the internal compression system. Top and side handles include carabiner attachment points for other bags or belongings. Available in five colors, our white test bag did acquire some scuff marks, but most were easily buffed out.
The Details: Hardside | 22.7 x 15 x 9 inches | 8.4 pounds | 48-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Most Stylish
Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 21-inch Spinner
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Delsey Chatelet Carry-on Plus Spinner. PHOTO: Delsey
$330 $260 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $660 at Macy’s
Why We Love It: The Chatelet Air 2.0 exudes vintage Parisian charm while maintaining functionality and durability.
What to Consider: It’s not expandable, making its compact design better suited for shorter trips.
For travelers prioritizing aesthetics, the Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 is a prime choice. Inspired by Parisian architecture, its unique lines, contrast stitching, and vintage appeal are visually striking. Beyond its sleek design, functionality remains excellent. It features a fully zippered compartment on one side, compression straps on the other, multiple pockets, and even a USB port.
Zippers operate smoothly, and its four spinner wheels glide effortlessly across carpet, hard floors, and stone pavers. Durability is also noteworthy, showing no visible damage after three months of use, including two international flights where it was checked. This standard-size carry on travel bag accommodated our packing list, though it’s best suited for shorter trips due to limited spare space.
The Details: Hardside | 22 x 15 x 10 inches | 7.74 pounds | 44-liter capacity | USB port | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Best Trunk
July Carry On Trunk
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PHOTO: July
Why We Love It: This trunk-style carry on travel bag is sleek and stylish, featuring a power bank and customizable handle height.
What to Consider: Packing requires more intention due to its non-expandable trunk design.
This stylish carry on travel bag trunk features a clamshell design that opens down the middle, unlike the 30/70 split common in many trunks. Luxury touches include zipperless clasp closures, an ejectable power bank, and a multi-stop rubber handle adjustable to any height. Maneuverability is excellent across surfaces like carpet and concrete pavers, rolling effortlessly on four wheels. Two-wheel rolling slightly slowed it down, but movement remained easy, and weight distribution felt even.
The glossy finish did attract some scuff marks during real-world testing, but these wiped away without permanent damage. Baseball bat impacts resulted in minor, barely noticeable dents. Being a hard-shell, clasp-closure trunk, overpacking is not possible, requiring more selective packing.
The Details: Hardside | 21.5 x 14.75 x 8.75 inches | 8.4 pounds | 42-liter capacity | Ejectable USB-C battery | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Best Aluminum
Tumi Aluminum International Carry-on
PHOTO: TUMI
$1,195 at Amazon $1,295 at Nordstrom View on Tumi.com
Why We Love It: This sleek aluminum carry on travel bag is as durable as it is visually stunning.
What to Consider: Weighing over 11 pounds, it’s on the heavier side for a carry-on.
This striking Tumi carry on travel bag makes a statement in any airport, available in four metallic colors with a durable aluminum shell for superior protection. As the priciest option here, the Tumi label comes at a premium, but its high quality justifies the investment. This smaller 31-liter bag, like most aluminum bags, is heavier (over 11 pounds), but its built-in organization impresses.
Both halves feature fully zippered closures and compression straps – ideal for maximizing packing and reducing zipper strain. Two smaller zippered flaps on each side accommodate smaller items, along with an internal card pocket and hanger bracket. Wheels are very sturdy, even with direct baseball bat hits, and leather-wrapped handles offer comfortable pulling. Latches include two TSA-approved combination locks with push-button opening, and monogramming is available.
The Details: Hardside | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 11.2 pounds | 31-liter capacity | Aluminum | 4 dual spinner wheels
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Best Waterproof
Rains Texel Cabin Trolley
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PHOTO: Rains
$350 at Amazon View on Rains.com
Why We Love It: The padded laptop sleeve on the front is entirely waterproof.
What to Consider: It’s on the larger side and may be a tight fit in overhead bins when fully packed.
For travelers wanting to prepare for unexpected rainstorms, the Rains Texel Cabin Trolley is ideal. Both its hardside shell and front pocket are fully waterproof, ensuring belongings stay dry. The main shell is tough polycarbonate, while a padded front laptop pocket uses waterproof PU fabric, safely storing laptops and tablets up to 15 inches. A large front strap with a buckle closure secures the front pocket.
Capacity proved impressive in our tests. Deep interior compartments easily fit our packing list, and mesh dividers offered ample space for smaller items. Despite lacking expandability, we didn’t feel cramped for space. The compression strap effectively secured clothing. When fully packed, fitting this carry on travel bag into our test airplane overhead compartment was snug, suggesting caution against overpacking. Rolling smoothness was excellent on both two and four wheels, with even weight distribution. Mindful packing makes this a great choice for waterproof protection.
The Details: Hardside with a padded front pocket | 22 x 10 x 13.2 inches | 8.75 pounds | 42-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels | Waterproof
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Other Carry-on Bags We Liked
While our top picks represent the best carry on travel bags we tested, several others nearly made the list but fell short in maneuverability, capacity, design, durability, or overall value.
Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 Carry-on: Its large capacity and expandability are appreciated, but oversized wheels make overhead bin fit challenging.
Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-on Max With Front Pocket: Despite no expansion, it fit our packing list and resisted bat damage, but rolling wasn’t as smooth as other models. Like other Arlo Skye luggage, it includes a removable power bank.
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Samsonite Tru-frame Carry-on Spinner: We admired its futuristic, zipperless design and durability, though it felt slightly smaller than more spacious carry on travel bags on our list.
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July Carry On Pro: Aesthetically pleasing, spacious, and maneuverable, it’s feature-rich but very similar to the Away Carry-on with slightly less effective compression.
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Calpak Ambeur Front Pocket Carry-on Luggage: A stylish, metallic option under $300 with a front laptop compartment. However, the compartment bulges when packed, and the zipper is stiff.
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Zero Halliburton Classic Aluminum 3.0 International Carry-on: One of the most durable we tested, but felt small for a carry on travel bag. We preferred the Tumi aluminum option as our top aluminum pick.
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Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus: After six months of regular use, we loved its capacity and built-in compression, but it’s large for a carry on travel bag and lacks expansion.
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People/Jhett Thompson
Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Carry-On Spinner: Impressive durability for a 45-liter carry on travel bag, but ultimately outranked by the Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner for durability, though it remains a solid, well-priced option.
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Nex Hawaii Edition Pioneer Carry-on: Lightweight and excellent maneuverability over curbs and uneven surfaces. Durable and stylish, but lacked unique standout features.
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Bagsmart Roamer Expandable 20-inch Carry-on Luggage: An affordable carry on travel bag with liked features like light weight, smooth zippers/wheels, and helpful dividers/compression straps.
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Our Testing Process
The T+L team conducted extensive luggage tests in our New York City lab, evaluating capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design for each carry on travel bag. We packed each bag with four days’ worth of clothing and essentials, including six shirts, three pairs of pants, five pairs of socks, five pairs of underwear, two jackets, two pairs of shoes, and two toiletry bags (small and large), assessing cargo handling.
Maneuverability testing involved rolling bags on pavement and carpet, navigating human obstacle courses for tight turns, and recreating an airplane cabin to evaluate overhead bin and underseat fit. Durability was tested by subjecting fully packed bags to metal baseball bat strikes and table drops to simulate real-world wear and tear.
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Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim
Following lab tests, T+L editors took the bags on six-month real-world travel evaluations. Considering price, size, adjustability, features, and unique qualities, the highest-scoring carry on travel bags were selected for this roundup, which we will continue to update with new tests.
Tips for Buying
Consider Hardside vs. Softside Luggage
Choosing between hardside and softside carry on travel bags depends on your priorities. Hardside suitcases offer better protection against crushing and are easy to clean, but can scuff depending on color and material.
Look for Lightweight Construction
Lightweight luggage is vital for carry on travel bags. Check the empty weight before purchase, as heavier designs become cumbersome when packed. Weight impacts maneuverability and overhead bin lifting. Our tested wheeled carry on travel bags ranged from 4.36 to 12.9 pounds; heavier bags can be challenging for many.
Decide if You Want Extra Organizational Features
Carry on travel bags range from basic main compartments with minimal pockets to feature-rich designs. Consider desired organizational features like laptop sleeves, shoe separators, laundry bags, zippered sections, exterior pockets, and charging capabilities based on your packing style.
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Choose Between Spinner, Two-Wheeled, or Handheld Luggage
Select your carry on travel bag style based on travel style and packing needs. Spinner luggage (four 360-degree wheels) offers easy maneuverability in busy airports and cities, ideal for longer walks with luggage. Two-wheeled bags can be less sturdy but offer slightly more packing space and are often lighter. Weekenders or carry-on backpacks offer maximum mobility and compactness but require carrying weight on your back or shoulders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
(This section could be expanded with common questions related to carry-on travel bags if needed for length or SEO, based on user search queries. For now, keeping the structure as per the original article)
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Writer Theresa Holland, drawing on in-house testing and product details, compiled this best carry on travel bag list. Her extensive writing background includes travel essentials for top brands. She personally owns carry on travel bags and accessories from Away, Tumi, Paravel, Amazon Basics, Monos, and July.
Edited by Jackie Cucco, a Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure with expertise in product testing and travel-related reviews, and updated by Anne Taylor, an Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure and avid traveler with extensive product testing experience.
The 8 Best Carry-on Duffel Bags, Tested and Reviewed
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Edited by Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a testing editor at Travel + Leisure, where she plans product tests and writes/edits travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a degree in journalism, and has over eight years of experience covering products and gift guides. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends.
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Anne Taylor
Anne Taylor is an updates writer at Travel + Leisure where she keeps articles fresh and up to date. As an avid traveler who has been to 23 countries, she is always testing new products to make her trips even better. She has a bachelor’s degree in news media and has been a writer and editor for over seven years.
