The 10 Best Carry-on Suitcases With a Separate Laptop Compartment, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X

View on Carlfriedrik.com $545 at Selfridges.com

We love the high-quality materials and intuitive design of the Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X suitcase. Crafted from a polycarbonate shell with a sleek gunmetal gray finish and Italian leather details, this case is compliant with most airline restrictions and features a stylish, zipperless aesthetic. The aluminum locking mechanism for the main compartment keeps your belongings secure as well.

This carry-on suitcase is ideal for the regular traveler who needs durability and functionality and prefers not to check a bag. We think the standout feature is that the hardside laptop compartment is located in a separate section at the front of the bag so it doesn’t eat into the real estate of the main compartment. No matter how fully packed the interior of the bag is, travelers will still be able to fit their laptop in the roomy front pocket. The flat pocket on the compression straps assist in maximizing this space and extra organization is possible with smaller zipped pockets. You can feel confident storing your electronics inside the hearty laptop compartment while wheeling this carry-on around and putting in the overhead compartment for your flight.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | 22.3 x 14.8 x 10.4 inches | 9.5 pounds | 43-liter capacity | Makrolon polycarbonate with leather details

Best With Removable Sleeve

July Carry On Pro SnapSleeve

View on July.com

We love the sturdy yet lightweight July Carry On Pro SnapSleeve for its fantastic maneuverability, detachable laptop sleeve, and internal pockets for chargers and other cords. While it did take a few minutes to figure out how to remove the laptop sleeve (it slides upward as opposed to snapping off), it was easy to use once we knew how it worked, and it would make accessing your laptop a breeze during security checks or in case you need to check your bag due to full overhead bins. The sleeve is well padded and protected the laptop throughout our drop tests, but the whole sleeve did slide off during one drop, so we recommend you move your laptop to your personal item before placing the suitcase in the overhead bin.

It comes with a removable power bank, which is great for charging on the go via USB-C or USB ports. Other highlights include the twin strap compression system and hidden laundry bag inside. You won’t have to struggle to wheel this bag around either; the quiet spinner wheels and multi-stop telescopic handle with comfortable grip are a real treat — it has the makings of a great international carry-on.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches | 8.6 pounds | 42-liter capacity | USB and USB-C ports (includes charger) | Polycarbonate

Best Design

Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage

View on Dagnedover.com

We fell in love with Dagne Dover's soft yet sturdy neoprene bags a long time ago, so we were ecstatic when the company launched its first luggage line in June 2024. This small carry-on impressed us with its design, offering a sleek-looking bag that has plenty of organizational features to make up for this size. Even though it's one of the smallest carry-ons we've tested, we were able to fit a full packing list inside, including several pairs of pants, shirts, a toiletry bag, a fanny pack, undergarments, two pairs of shoes, and a laptop. It was a tight squeeze, so we recommend using packing cubes to keep everything neat.

The interior of the bag splits like a clamshell, and both sides have compression straps to lock everything into place. One side also has a panel that zips shut for added organization, with two mesh pockets on top. The outside of the bag has a small zip pocket on the back and two large pockets on the front that we found particularly useful for holding items like a laptop, paperwork, or other essentials. The back of this pocket can also unzip to allow you access to the main compartment of the bag, which is a feature we love because it gives you easy access to those items without opening your entire suitcase on the floor of the airport. The bag did feel a little heavy and clunky for its small size, but it was easy to maneuver on various terrains and we never had issues with the zippers or wheels. "It's a beautiful softside bag that feels sturdy and durable," our Travel + Leisure testing editor Jackie Cucco said after trying this bag for the first time. "It's worth the hype if you can swing the price."

The Details: Fits laptops up to 13 inches | 20.5 x 13 x 8.75 inches | 9.13 pounds | 33-liter capacity | 900D polyester, recycled polyester

Best Softside

Calpak Luka Carry-on

View on Calpaktravel.com

The Calpak Luka Carry-on gives softside luggage lovers the lightweight benefits of this style with the addition of a padded laptop sleeve for safe transport — and it's the largest laptop compartment of all the bags we tested. Multiple exterior pockets, in addition to the laptop compartment, make organizing your items a breeze, and with a 41-liter capacity, you’ll have the opportunity to fit belongings for up to a week inside (depending). Everything will stay secured thanks to the TSA-approved lock, too. After hitting the suitcase with a bat multiple times, the exterior only showed minor scuffing that was then easily buffed out. The 360-degree spinner wheels easily navigate the airport, so you don’t have to struggle as you make your way to your gate. Despite offering a spacious capacity, it’ll fit in most overhead bins, with the extra flexibility for squeezing it up there that a hardside case just can’t offer.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 17 inches | 21 x 13.75 x 9 inches | 6.6 pounds | 32-liter capacity | Polyester

Biggest Capacity

Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-on Max

View on Arloskye.com

We love the Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-on Max with Front Pocket for its spacious interior as well as its spectrum of appealing colors. The hardside smart suitcase is equipped with a speedy, removable charger that is compatible with USB-C and A ports — a thoughtful design feature found in several of our favorite Arlo Skye luggage pieces. This model allows you to overpack a little (because we’ve all been there) with its flexible zipper technology. The included laundry and shoe bags help keep those items separate from the rest of your belongings, which you can expertly organize in the main compartments, complete with anti-microbial interior fabric to keep odors and germs at bay. We noticed that the compression straps helped with packing puffier clothes. The front hardside laptop compartment stores your computer and other fragile items safely and securely so if you do overpack and have to gate-check your luggage, you can feel confident.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | 23 x 15 x 10.3 inches | 8.1 pounds | 47-liter capacity | Portable charger included | Polycarbonate

Best Expandable

Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner

View on Samsonite

This spacious bag packs everything you'll need for a weekend trip or long vacation alike. We love that it's expandable by 1.5 inches, so you don't necessarily have to be too strategic about your organization (especially on the return journey). The external laptop compartment is large enough to fit three devices so you can store your laptop, tablet, and even an extra item, knowing they're well protected. The tech organization panel makes it easy to keep all of your valuables in designated slots, and the bag also comes with a removable pouch and a USB port. We love how easy the suitcase is to maneuver through crowds and over various surfaces. Even on just two wheels, it glides smoothly. After we tossed it over a counter and hit it with a bat numerous times, the external shell is a bit scratched up, but all of the items inside remained completely protected.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | 22 x 14 x 9.3 inches | 7.9 pounds | Expandable | USB port | Polycarbonate

Best for Organization

Calpak Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage

$195 at Nordstrom View on Calpaktravel.com

We always love Calpak for the number of pockets the suitcases and bags have, and the Calpak Ambeur is no exception. This bag's interior was roomy and offered plenty of space to stow travel items, while the front pocket was a convenient spot to store tech, folders, and other slim-fitting things. The laptop sleeve is secured with a single strap, and the front pocket opens up almost like a clamshell for easy access. We did find, however, that the laptop was pushed out slightly (possibly because of the single strap closure) as the carry-on was packed full, though we didn’t feel like it was in danger of being damaged. Inside the laptop sleeve, there are two pockets to slip the laptop through on one side (secured by a Velcro strap), a mesh pocket on the other side of the laptop compartment, and an additional zippered compartment for plenty of organization.

While the zipper on the front pocket was a bit stiff, all other zippers on this carry-on worked well. We also loved that the polycarbonate siding kept this bag light and helped prevent dings and dents. Another standout feature was the wheels, which handled sharp turns incredibly well and made maneuvering over different surfaces, including carpet, a breeze. In order to keep the exterior in tip-top shape, we wouldn’t recommend checking this bag.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | 21 x 14 x 9 inches | 8 pounds | 43-liter capacity | Polycarbonate

Best Budget

Coolife ABS+PC Spinner Trolley

$100 at Amazon View on Coolifeluggage.com

For a carry-on with a front tech pocket that offers solid value, the Coolife Carry On with Pocket fits the bill. It’s one of the more lightweight bags we tested, and it's durable as well. We noticed the exterior materials were flexible and hearty enough to stand up to multiple tests, like when we hit it with a baseball bat and shoved it off tabletops without paint chipping, denting, or scratching. While the price is the lowest of all our picks, we found that the 360-degree spinner wheels were not as easy to maneuver when compared to other bags we tested. The bag rotated smoothly around tight corners only when all four wheels were used, but had some issues traveling smoothly over bumps unless only two wheels were used. The interior materials for the zip pockets don’t have much flexibility, so there could be a risk of ripping them if the bag was overpacked. The laptop compartment only fits a computer or tablet up to 13.3 inches, and if the interior is overpacked, it’s possible it’d be too tight to fit the laptop safely.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 13.3 inches | 19.29 x 30.71 x 12.6 inches | 6.7 pounds | 38-liter capacity | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate

Best Color Variety

Monos Carry-On Pro

View on Monos.com

We love the upgraded Monos Carry-on with the Pro version’s secure laptop storage, designed to fit in almost any overhead compartment, on any flight. It’s a very sturdy and durable, dent-resistant case that houses your laptop behind an all-over, aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell. Quiet, spinnable wheels and vegan leather are just some of the high-end materials used in crafting this cabin-friendly suitcase. We especially love all of the stylish yet understated color options that are fun without being too in-your-face, such as rose quartz, desert taupe, sage green, blue haze, and more.

We noticed the wheels rolled easily over a wide array of surfaces, including gravel, cobblestones, dirt, grass, and asphalt on a trip to Japan. The wheels have an impressive weight capacity, too, enduring when we used the carry-on as a scooter to roll down a hill. The fact that the carry-on comes with a laundry and shoe bag is an added bonus. The front laptop compartment does infringe on one side of interior space but offers zippered pocket storage for additional items such as your passport, charging cords, e-reader, and more, while giving you quick access to those things. Although the outside scuffs easily, we found the material easy to clean with soap and the included eraser sponge. Overall, we think it's a sleek, minimalistic carry-on that's perfect for anyone who cares about style and function.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | 22 × 14 × 9 inches | 7.8 pounds | 36-liter capacity | Polycarbonate

Best Waterproof

Rains Texel Cabin Trolley

View on Rains.com

When you have your laptop stored in a front pocket, the last thing you want is for it to get wet in the rain. This Rains Texel Cabin Trolley is sure to protect your tech with a durable, waterproof material that can withstand the wear and tear of travel. Its features a front webbing compression strap and a large front pocket crafted from waterproof PU fabric that can safely store laptops and tablets up to 15 inches. 

Its two spacious compartments, equipped with an elastic and mesh closures, were able to fit all of our essentials when we packed the bag full. When the suitcase was fully packed we noticed that it was a bit of a tight squeeze into the overhead compartment on our airplane set, so it may be considered too big of a carry-on for certain airlines. The suitcase glided smoothly on two wheels and four, and its weight felt evenly distributed, which leads us to believe it’ll be easy to maneuver around hectic airports. We also loved how padded the front laptop sleeve felt and how the strap on the front made our electronics feel even more secure when we attached the buckle closure.

The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | 22 x 10 x 13.2 inches | 8.75 pounds | 42-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Waterproof