The Very Best Carry-on Luggage

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Weight and capacity: 7.3 lbs, 37 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Compressed compartments | Warranty: Three-year warranty

This budget-friendly case is a favorite of writer Robin Reetz. It’s cheaper than the options above because it’s made from ABS, which is a less durable plastic than polycarbonate. But when former Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths tested it, she was struck by how durable the shell felt (and even punched it a few times for good measure, to a satisfying thud sound).

Although the case is made of cheaper materials, both Reetz and Griffiths found that its compartments and 360-degree spinner wheels perform very well. “It’s really perfect for a weekend or a four-to-five-day trip,” Reetz says. “I’ve traveled recently with friends who have Away and Delsey luggage, and all of them are now thinking about getting this bag.” It feels noticeably smaller, though, and as Griffiths was attempting to squeeze her boots inside, she did find herself longing for the extra few liters of her Away case.

Weight and capacity: 7.1 lbs, 37 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Flexible compartments | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

A Rimowa case is like the Frette sheets of luggage: luxurious but expensive. Part of the luxury is how it streamlines common annoyances. It slots seamlessly into overhead bins and glides through the airport on its resilient spinner wheels.Taymoor Atighetchi, the founder and CEO of Papier, put it simply: “Nothing beats Rimowa’s smooth wheels.”

You also get the brand’s Multiwheel system, adjustable dividers, a sturdy telescopic handle, and TSA-approved locks. The Essential Cabin’s polycarbonate shell makes it much lighter than a classic aluminum Rimowa. This means you can almost treat it like a checked bag, without the weight, according to fashion content creator Isabel Tan, who recently squeezed 15 outfits into hers for a trip to Bali. Stylist Tina Leung, who fills her case to the brim, agrees.Like Away, Rimowa offers a lifetime guarantee on its cases, and Leung told us that almost every destination she has traveled to has a place to pop in for repairs. “If the wheels break off or something, it’s so easy to just go and get it fixed,” she says. “There’s pretty much one in every major city.”

Weight and capacity: 8.25 lbs,39-liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Compression shelving | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Solgaard’s polycarbonate closet case is an absolute revelation. I first heard about it from Kiki Reginato, New York Magazine’s senior director of e-commerce operations. “This case has space — and then some. I have the smallest one, and I’ve taken it on many ten-day trips,” she says. The case has a set of compression compartments that unfold to create a makeshift closet — eliminating the need to unpack into a real closet. The Solgaard had space for the weekend essentials: three tops, jeans, a skirt, a dress, two bikinis, underwear, socks, pajamas, a bulkier jumper, toiletries, trainers, and a hair dryer. And when she tested it, she could clearly see where everything was. And compressing the clothes is satisfying, too. “Once you pack everything, you can pull the straps on the side and it presses everything into this compact mass of clothing,” says Reginato. “It’s kind of like a vacuum seal.” Most airlines worldwide accept her medium 39-liter bag, and you can take the large-size case on most U.S. airlines.

Weight and capacity: 8 lbs,60-liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with handles and shoulder straps | Compartments: One main compartment, external zipper compartments | Warranty: Limited lifetime repair and replace warranty

A four-wheel spinner suitcase will weightlessly glide across tarmac and polished airport terminal floors, but two-wheelers are more reliable on uneven surfaces. This is especially relevant if you’re traveling in Europe, where the cobblestoned streets pose dangers to your expensive luggage, says Mark Smith, founder of legendary online train travel guide The Man From Seat 61. He’s been using this Eagle Creek suitcase for the past 15 years and never worries about its recessed wheels snapping off. In fact, the suitcase looks as good as it did when he bought it; he has yet to encounter so much as a loose thread. (Eagle Creek offers a robust repair-and-replace program if he ever finds one.) Tuckable straps mean it can also be worn as a backpack, should the terrain become too jittery.

Weight and capacity: 10.1 lbs,35 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided | Compartments: Laundry bag and compression bands | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Aluminum cases have plenty of attractive qualities. They’re far more durable than both polycarbonate and soft-side cases, there’s less chance they’ll crack, and they often use clamps instead of zips, making them even more secure. Less attractive, though, is their price point — the classic Rimowa aluminum case is an eye-watering $1,500.

But just like its polycarbonate case, the Away aluminum version is worth the money: It actually has the same features as the more expensive Rimowa for a fraction of the price. When I compared the Away aluminum Carry-on with Rimowa’s Original Cabin Carry-on, I found that Rimowa’s wheels were slightly smoother than Away’s, but the difference isn’t noticeable enough to pay extra for. Furthermore, Away’s interior layout is much more sophisticated and intuitive, especially for overpackers. All in all, it’s a great and relatively affordable option for any travelers who have their heart set on aluminum. Just remember that metal suitcases are a few pounds heavier than their plastic counterparts.

Weight and capacity: 7.7 lbs, 47 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft sided | Compartments: Laundry bag, shoe bags, compression pockets, waterproof pocket, exterior pockets | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Travelpro’s new VersaPack+ suitcase is more aesthetically pleasing than some of the brand’s other durable but rather utilitarian-looking luggage pieces.It has additional design features too: Each suitcase comes equipped with an internal compression packing cube system, two shoe bags, and a laundry bag.There’s also a completely waterproof compartment for toiletries. I like that this suitcase is fully equipped for adventure and that you don’t need to purchase additional packing cubes to complete your system.I’m also very impressed by the sturdy metal telescoping handle and smooth spinner wheels, which also happen to match the exterior fabric color. This is a nice touch that makes the suitcase look much more elevated.Travelpro is a brand that’s used and recommended by flight crews around the world because its products last a long time and can also be easily repaired. I feel really confident that mine will last me for many years.

Weight and capacity: 5.4 lbs, 46 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft sided | Compartments: Two exterior compartments, lid pocket, and device pocket | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 has the same build quality and limited-lifetime warranty as the VersaPack+ above — it just lacks the interior packing compartments and cute colored wheels. Still,TripSavvy’s former general manager Molly Fergus is a big fan of this “basic but effective” suitcase, and Strategist readers are too. It’s one of the best-selling picks in our story on the best rolling luggage, while also being a best seller from our Travel Hall of Fame (a list of all the best travel items we’ve ever written about.) Fergus is easily able to squeeze her clothes and essentials inside, and she says that the wheels are tough enough to be “dragged across sand, dirt, and cobblestones.” As the name implies, this suitcase is also very lightweight, which is helpful for overpackers or people with back issues.

Weight and capacity: 8.25 lbs, 45 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Hard-sided shell with soft-sided pockets | Compartments: Dedicated laptop pocket | Warranty: Two-year warranty for manufacturing faults

This case’s shell and wheels are hardy, and the pocket is “great to quickly tuck in your laptop and get it out fast through security,” says Brittany Allyn, founder of Thirty Waves. It also rolls along quickly and smoothly. As Allyn puts it, “having a bag that can fit as much as possible (because I’m an overpacker and not afraid to say so) and can get me to my gate ASAP is most important.” The bag is also a tried and tested favorite of Strategist deals editor Sam Daly, who’s been traveling with it since 2019. Daly appreciates the steadfast lock and a small but mighty selection of colorways (the sage green looks similar to Rimowa’s Bamboo).

Weight and capacity: 8.36 lbs, 49 – 61 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Polycarbonate hard-shell | Compartments: Three internal pockets, laundry and shoe pouches | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Béis’s luggage is designed for souvenir shoppers. By unzipping an internal section, this carry-on suitcase expands by up to three inches — meaning you can shove all those new purchases inside.More stuff means a heavier bag, but Béis’s built-in weight-limit indicator ensures you don’t teeter over the weight restriction for carry-on bags that many international airlines have recently started enforcing. A red mark will appear if the luggage is over the limit, which should save you some stress and money. As well as appreciating the water-resistant zipper, travel blogger HeyCiara told me she likes how the case also has a TSA lock, a handle with ergonomic support, and a built-in laundry and shoe bag to prevent your clothes from getting soiled. Our friends over at the Cut are fans of this suitcase, too.

Weight and capacity: 8.4 lbs, 48 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Polycarbonate hard-shell | Compartments: Two main compression compartments | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

We like lots of Aer’s travel accessories, especially its rugged Dopp kit made from ballistic nylon. The brand’s carry-on suitcases are similarly nice-looking and durable with extra-smooth spinner wheels that easily rival Away’s and Rimowa’s. Most impressive, though, is the one-button braking system below the handle that means you can set down your suitcase (and the personal item stacked on top of it) without worrying about it scooting away. Aer launched this feature before Away did, although the latter brand has now caught up. Other small but well-considered details include a hidden luggage-tracker pocket, added puncture resistance around the zipper, and a magnetic fastener on the internal compression strap that lets you pack your suitcase one-handed. The scuff-resistant exterior also looks very sleek and luxe. If you want brakes but would like to save a few dollars over an Away or prefer this brand’s features, here’s an ideal option.

Weight and capacity: 2.7 lbs, 40 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with handles and shoulder straps | Compartments: Various handy pockets | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

We recently named the Black Hole by Patagonia the best overall weekend bag as praised by Strategist editors and frequent travelers. To give you an idea of how much you can fit inside, Pruzan co-founder Lexy Copithorne told us she packed “everything for a two-week trip, including city and surfwear” inside her Black Hole. “That included two sweaters, several fitted tanks and running sets, two pairs of sneakers, boots, a few swimsuits, and my toiletry bag,” she says. While the bag is lightweight (at less than three pounds) and water resistant thanks to a waxy coating, the strap design is what makes it a thoughtful travel companion. If you’ll be trekking far, the over-the-shoulder strap can be switched out for backpack straps to give your shoulders respite.

Weight and capacity: 3.7 lbs, 35 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with shoulder straps | Case vs. bag: Bag with shoulder straps | Compartments: Mesh packing cubes sewn in | Warranty: Lifetime repair and replace

The Cotopaxi Allpa is one of those rare products that’s as good as the people on TikTok say. Essentially a soft suitcase with backpack straps, it’s easy to organize as it has built-in packing cubes made from colorful see-through mesh and, unlike most backpacks that just unzip at the top, a butterfly opening allows you to see and rummage around those cubes easily. I took mine on a train trip through Morocco a few years ago, and it earned many admirers on the journey. And writer Margaret Eby used it to take a change of clothes, a laptop, snacks, a sun hat, a jewelry case, a day purse, and even a crochet project on a ten-day trip to Italy. The brand recently came out with a larger, modular Allpa design for extended trips that’s worth checking out.

Weight and capacity: 4.5 lbs, 40 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with shoulder straps | Case vs. bag: Bag with shoulder straps | Compartments: Large main compartment, adjacent zipped mesh compartment, laptop sleeve | Warranty: Lifetime

As a longtime listener of the wellness podcast Poog, I was excited when Jaqueline Novak and Kate Berlant revealed their favorite travel gear to the Strategist. The two comedians are on the road constantly, and it turns out that they opt for Tom Bihn’s 45-liter Aeronaut backpacks rather than the sleeker hard luggage you might expect. Novak calls the very practical-looking Aeronaut her “ultimate touring bag”; Berlant refers to it as her “absolute ride-or-die travel companion.” After hearing a lot of similar praise around the internet, I tested out one of these bags for myself and liked it a lot. The Aeronaut holds more stuff than the Cotopaxi Allpa and rejects its clamshell concept completely, instead unzipping in a U-shape around the top like a duffel bag. It also has a compartment on either end for quarantining items like shoes or dirty laundry — though you can also choose to remove the dividers in order to create one large packing zone. It is durable, comfortable, and customizable. I’d highly recommend it to frequent carry-on-only travelers.

Weight and capacity: 1.25 lbs, 33 liter | Hard-sided or soft-sided: Soft-sided with padded shoulder straps | Case vs. bag: Bag with shoulder straps | Compartments: Large main compartment, four external pockets, inner zip pouch | Warranty: One-year

Made from lightweight but durable nylon, Baggu’s travel bag can hold a lot more stuff than your magazine subscription tote can, and the bright colorways stand out in a sea of boring navy duffels at the airport. Puffy shoulder straps make standing in line at security a bit more tolerable, and external pockets on three sides are handy for stashing a book or water bottle. The Cloud Carry-On slips easily over the handle of a checked suitcase, if you’re traveling with one, and folds away into an included pouch when not in use. I love this bag and have used it for many casual weekend trips. If you’re looking for something more compact that’ll squish under the seat in front of you and can technically count as a personal item, Baggu now makes a smaller size (16.5- 12.5-by-6.5 inches) with the same comfortable padded straps and removable zipper pouch inside.

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