The Best Carry-on Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner

$180 $137 at Amazon $150 at Samsonite $140 at Ebags

We tried lots of excellent suitcases, but the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner was a clear winner as a lighweight, durable, expandable carry-on. We've now tested this bag twice in our lab, recently retesting it to make sure we still loved it as much as we did two years ago when we first tried it out. Exceeding expectations during both lab tests and when we took it out for real-world testing, too, we found that it's easy to maneuver on two or four wheels and rolls smoothly on various surfaces, including carpet, hard flooring, and over curbs. We also like that the aluminum telescoping handle extends and locks with the push of a button.

This all-star suitcase has various pockets within the main compartment, and it expands a couple of inches when you need extra space. We were able to pack enough clothes for a four-day trip, including two pairs of shoes, multiple jackets, and two toiletry bags — no expansion needed. And while it does have a separator to keep your shoes away from your clean clothes, we wish this carry-on had a zippered section or removable bag for dirty laundry, though your favorite travel pouch would do the trick.

We loved the sleek, minimalist-modern design of the Freeform, which comes in more than 12 hues ranging from white to mint to merlot. After hitting it with a baseball bat during both tests, the polycarbonate (high-strength thermoplastic) shell remained scuff-free and showed virtually no signs of damage. Even after six months of regularly traveling with this bag during our travels, it shows no signs of wear and tear, and we were able to easily buff out any minor scuffs it had accumulated. Considering the reasonable price, durable construction, and spacious capacity, we think it's a great choice for frequent fliers and anyone in need of a high-quality carry-on.

The Details: Hardside | 21 x 15 x 10 inches | 5.6 pounds | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Overall, Runner-up

Tumi Alpha International Dual Access Carry-on

View on Amazon $975 at Nordstrom $975 at Zappos

The Tumi International Dual Access carry-on was a close runner-up to the Samsonite Freeform. It moves like a dream on various types of flooring, thanks to the four smooth-gliding dual spinner wheels and comfortable telescoping handle. Even after using the bag for three months, the wheels never got caught on any surfaces, making it easy to run through the airport or navigate a new city. Made of the brand's signature ballistic nylon, it also passed our baseball bat test with flying colors.

We were able to pack everything into the bag’s various compartments and loved the flexibility of a removable suiter for trips with dressier attire. The clamshell design also features several interior pockets and compression straps on one half to easily hold our four-day-trip packing list. The front-access portion can easily fit a sweater or light layer when the main suitcase isn’t stuffed full, or you can use it for tech items or a small makeup bag instead. There are also two pockets on the exterior for smaller items like a travel umbrella, as well as a built-in USB port you can connect to a power bank (sold separately). Though the price is higher than many other carry-ons, this is an investment in an undoubtedly high-quality carrier that will last for years to come.

The Details: Softside | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 10.7 pounds | 35-liter capacity | Expandable | USB port | Ballistic nylon | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Expandability

Away The Carry-On Flex

$325 at Away Travel

This durable carry-on manages to be compact and portable while still offering a ton of space inside thanks to two large interior compartments and a helpful compression system. You can zip your items in on one side and buckle them in on the other, using the mesh pockets to store smaller items for organization. As all overpackers know, sometimes you just need a few extra inches of space — and The Carry-on Flex features a zipper expander that adds an additional 2.25 inches if you happen to buy one souvenir too many on a trip and need to fit it all in on the way home. However, be wary of your airline’s overhead bin allowances because using the expander may make your carry-on one inch too large, and you may be forced to check it (the expanded dimensions of the bag are 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches).

Other highlights we loved during testing included the smooth wheels that can roll in any direction; the different height options of the handle; and the notch on the underside of the bag that makes it so much easier to lift out of a car trunk, into an overhead bin, or off of a luggage carousel. The bag also felt very sturdy and tough with no dents and barely a scratch after we threw it off counters and hit it repeatedly with a baseball bat during testing.  

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

Best Budget

Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside 21-inch Spinner

$70 $63 at Amazon

For something more affordable, look no further than Amazon. We found that this budget-friendly hardside suitcase maneuvers really smoothly, even on carpet and over bumps, and the handles turn like a champ. Not only that, but the scratch-resistant shell held up surprisingly well through our bat and drop tests on more than one occasion — like the Samsonite Freeform Carry-on, we loved this bag so much that we tested it a second time recently to make sure it was still up to our standards. We did notice some minor scuffing after our second round of hitting the bag with a baseball bat, but we were able to buff them out with a finger easily.

During testing, we were able to fit four days worth of clothing, shoes, and toiletries without having to expand the bag, though we're comforted by the fact that there's room to spare. After six months of regularly using the bag, we found it to be the perfect size for weekend trips.

Travel + Leisure senior editor Jasmine Grant noted that this carry-on is "an excellent choice for a budget suitcase. It's light, durable, and expands to fit way more than you might assume by just looking at it." The Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner exceeded our expectations in more ways than one. And while it only comes in four colors, we're big fans of the simple, sleek design.

The Details: Hardside | 22 x 15 x 10 inches | 6.3 pounds | Expandable | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | 4 dual spinner wheels

Most Spacious

Briggs & Riley 22 Inch Spinner

$649 at Nordstrom View on Briggs & Riley View on Bloomingdales

While carry-ons typically have less room than checked bags, the 22-inch spinner from Briggs & Riley lets you get the most bang for your buck. It has the largest capacity on this list when fully expanded, offering up to 51 liters of space. Our favorite aspect of the bag, though, has to be the clever expansion system that adds 25 percent more room. Instead of using a zipper like a traditional suitcase, you simply press two buttons located inside the bag to raise panels that take it from a 41-liter bag to a 51-liter bag in seconds.

The bag is plenty spacious without the expander as well, and we were able to fit our full packing list with room to spare during testing. The bag has one large compartment inside that is pretty deep and becomes large enough to fit bulky items like boots once expanded. The top of the bag has a small compartment with two mesh pockets for storage, and there is a compression pad inside to pack down clothes. There is also a pouch on the back exterior of the bag that can store a power bank and a small electronic device for charging on the go. The carry-on rolled smoothly on various terrains when we wheeled it from carpet to concrete and through our obstacle course. The hardside shell seems quite durable and didn't dent after we hit it multiple times with a metal baseball bat, although it did scratch on the bottom when going over a concrete curb during testing. Overall, we think it's a sturdy bag that has plenty of space 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

Most Stylish

Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 21-inch Spinner

$330 $297 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $330 at Bloomingdales

If luggage aesthetic is a top priority, Delsey's Chatelet Air 2.0 might be your best bet. Inspired by traditional Parisian architecture with unique lines, contrast stitching, and a vintage appeal, this suitcase is a sight for sore eyes. Sleek design aside, it's exceptionally functional. There's a fully zippered compartment on one side and compression straps on the other, plus pockets throughout and even a handy USB port.

What's more, the zippers open and close smoothly, and it glides effortlessly with the four spinner wheels on carpet, hard floors, and even stone pavers. It's durable, too, sustaining no visible damage after three months of use including two international flights in which the bag was checked. This bag is a standard carry-on size, and we were able to fit everything on our packing list. However, it’s probably best for short trips as there wasn't really any room to spare when we finished.

The Details: Hardside | 22 x 15 x 10 inches | 7.74 pounds | 44-liter capacity | USB port | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Softside

Samsonite Elevation Plus Carry-on Spinner

View on Samsonite

We frequently recommend Samsonite luggage for its durability and design, and this carry-on is no exception. Voted our favorite bag in our softside luggage test, we were impressed with how well it performed in our tests. After pushing it off a table and hitting it with a baseball bat repeatedly, it showed no signs of damage — not even dirt or minor scuff marks. We rolled this bag over multiple terrains and found that it was easy to maneuver and reroute, although it wobbled a bit during tight turns.

This is a fairly small carry-on, but it fit our entire packing list during testing, although we did have to use some elbow grease to squish the last few things in (but then again, softside suitcases tend to have more flexibility to fit extra items). It comes with external bags to help with organization, which was a thoughtful detail we appreciated. The outside of the bag has two large zipper pockets, while the interior features a two-section pocket that you can detach and reattach with snaps. It also comes with a bag that you can use for shoes or dirty laundry, as well as another flat, removable pocket. The bag even has a built-in space for an Apple AirTag or another small luggage tracker. All the zippers worked well even when it was packed quite full. In the end, we think this is a great option for fans of softside luggage who want a durable bag that will last them a long time.

The Details: Softside | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 6.7 pounds | Recycled rPET | 4 dual spinner wheels

Most Durable

Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Carry-On Spinner

$545 at Travel Pro

Durability is important with any bag, and we were impressed with how this 45-liter Travelpro carry-on stood up to being thrown around. Despite being slightly flexible, it was rock-solid when it came to durability, surviving our drop and bat tests without a single scratch. We think this makes an excellent investment for frequent flyers with top-notch organization inside, including two split-case compartments with two separate zippered divider panels, multiple accessory pockets, and a removable pouch. We were also impressed with the quality of the compression straps, which were adjustable and stylish without sacrificing durability. It's also quite spacious, providing plenty of room for our packing list during testing. Plus, it has a generous two-inch expander if you need more room. While some hardside bags are very rigid, we noticed that this one has a bit of give if you do need to pack it extra full.

The Details: Hardside | 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches | 8.6 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Trunk

July Carry On Trunk

View on July.com

This stylish carry-on trunk features a clamshell design that opens right down the middle rather than the 30/70 design that many trunks typically have. It feels like a luxury bag thanks to the zipperless clasp closures, ejectable power bank, and multi-stop rubber handle (you can customize the handle to sit at any height you want). We found the trunk super easy to maneuver over different surfaces like carpet and concrete pavers during testing, and it rolled effortlessly on four wheels. When we rolled it on two wheels, it did slow down slightly, but it was still easy to move, and the weight felt evenly distributed through the bag and handle.

The trunk had no scuffs after we pushed it off a counter three times, though it did collect black marks during our real-world travels, but we were able to easily wipe them away without permanent damage. We did manage to give it a few very small dents after hitting the trunk with a baseball bat, but they were barely noticeable. One thing to note is that this trunk has no give because of its hard shell and clasp closures, so you cannot overstuff it, and you have to be more picky with your packing list.

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

Best With Laptop Compartment

Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner

View on Samsonite

If you tend to travel with a laptop and other devices, the Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner is especially handy with a tech organizational panel that you can unzip and unfold at the front of the bag to easily store and access your valuables. This panel features a 15-inch laptop sleeve, a padded tablet sleeve, a document sleeve, a wireless charging pocket, a USB charging port, and plenty of zippered storage pockets. There are locks for both the main compartment and the laptop compartment, and the bag also comes with removable packing cubes for additional organization.

Though the suitcase felt a bit heavy after we packed it, it was very easy to maneuver, gliding through turns and different terrains beautifully. It suffered some minor marks after we threw it off counters and hit it with a baseball bat, including some peeling and scratching on the exterior and the wheels. One of the top corners was ever so slightly dented as well, but chances are you’ll stick this carry-on in the overhead bin rather than checking it so it won’t get banged around as much, especially if you have your laptop inside. All of the built-in tech compartments, elastic compression straps, and bonus packing cubes are an excellent way to keep all of your valuables in place. 

The Details: Hardside | 22 x 14 x 9.3 inches | 7.9 pounds | Expandable | USB port | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best With Brakes

Aer Carry-On

View on Aersf.com

If you’ve ever had a bag roll away from you like a runaway train (forcing you to run after it so it doesn’t hit someone), you know it’s a humbling experience. The most noteworthy thing about the Aer Carry-on is that it has a Hinomoto wheel brake system to stop it in its tracks. “It's such a unique feature and helpful if on public transport or stopping on an incline with bags since it securely holds the bag in place,” says T+L associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker, who owns this bag. The wheels spin easily and soundlessly, and then you can pop the brake on to stop them from rolling. In fact, Parker says it has “some of the smoothest wheels I've used in a carry-on, even when packed full.” 

The 48-liter capacity is quite large for a carry-on — perfect for those who need all the space they can get — and the bag feels sturdy all-around, from the double-layer zippers to the internal compression system. The top and side handles have a hole to which you can attach other bags and belongings with a carabiner. The bag comes in five colors; we traveled with a white one, and though it got beat up a bit, we were able to buff out most of the scuff marks.

The Details: Hardside | 22.7 x 15 x 9 inches | 8.4 pounds | 48-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Aluminum

Tumi 19 Degree Aluminum International Carry-on

View on Tumi.com $1,295 at Neiman Marcus $1,195 at Bloomingdales

This stunning Tumi carry-on will make a statement in any airport, with four metallic colors to choose from and a durable aluminum shell to protect your belongings. As the priciest option on this list, you are paying for the Tumi label, but we can confirm that this is a high-quality piece that is worth the investment. This 31-liter bag is on the smaller size for a carry-on — and like most aluminum bags, it feels quite heavy (weighing more than 11 pounds) — but we were impressed by the built-in organization that makes it easy to pack. Both halves of the suitcase have fully zippered closures and compression straps — an ideal combination because you can use the compression straps to get the contents as tightly packed as possible and put less strain on the zippers when you ultimately zip each side closed. There are two smaller zippered flaps on each half of this suitcase so you can fit smaller items in there, as well as an internal card pocket and a hanger bracket to hang garments. We thought the wheels were very sturdy (both when rolling the bag and when hitting the wheels directly with a baseball bat), and the leather-wrapped handles are comfortable to pull. The latches feature two TSA-approved combination locks with push buttons to open them, and you can also monogram the bag with custom initials.

The Details: Hardside | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 11.2 pounds | 31-liter capacity | Aluminum | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Compression

Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus

$475 at Amazon $425 at Tourparavel.com $425 at Maisonette.com

For highly organized travelers that want to fit a lot in a carry-on, we recommend the Paravel Aviator. After regularly traveling with the bag for six months, we really love the exceptional capacity and organizational features. Even though it's not expandable, the built-in compression board makes it easy to fit everything into the zippered compartments. It also comes with a removable laundry bag for dirty clothes.

Inspired by retro luggage with a modern twist, this classy carry-on is gorgeous. Not only that, but the durable polycarbonate exterior feels sturdy and sustained just a few minor scuffs during our tests. It's super easy to maneuver, too. Although the Paravel Aviator is somewhat steep in price, we think it's a worthwhile investment for those in the market for a high-quality suitcase. While updating your luggage collection, lovers of vintage-inspired design and organization should also consider a train case.

The Details: Hardside | 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches | 8.5 pounds | 46.6-liter capacity | USB port | Recycled polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Waterproof

Rains Texel Cabin Trolley

View on Rains.com

No traveler wants their stuff to get wet unexpectedly, so be prepared for surprise rainstorms with this carry-on from Rains. Both the hardside shell and the front pocket of this bag are fully waterproof, making this a safe way to transport your belongings. Tough polycarbonate forms the majority of the outer shell, while a padded laptop pocket in the front is made from waterproof PU fabric that can safely store laptops and tablets up to 15 inches. There is also a large strap on the front of the bag that attaches with a buckle closure to keep the front pocket nice and secure.

We found the capacity of this bag to be impressive during testing. The inside compartments were deep enough to fit everything on our packing list, and the mesh dividers allowed plenty of room for things like underwear and socks. Even though there is no expandable feature, we didn't feel like we were tight on space. The compression strap on the other side of the bag helped to pack down clothing and was easy to use. We did notice that when fully packed, this suitcase is a tight squeeze into the overhead compartment on our test plane set, so we would be careful not to overpack it to make sure it fits. The bag rolled smoothly during testing on two wheels and four, and the weight of the suitcase felt evenly distributed. As long as you're mindful of the packed sized of this bag, we think it's a great option for anyone who wants to make sure their things stay dry.

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