If you’ve spent any time scrolling luggage reviews, you already know the honest truth: there is no single best carry-on for every traveler. The best carry-on suitcase for a woman traveling the cobblestone streets of European cities is not the same one for the business traveler who needs a laptop sleeve and a built-in TSA lock. And the best carry-on luggage for someone who wants heirloom-quality engineering is a completely different animal than the best carry-on bags for someone who just wants something reliable under $200.
So instead of pretending there’s a single perfect answer, I put together this guide that highlights 9 brands I use and love. With over a million miles flown, I have enough mileage to actually back up these recommendations — each of these bags has been tried, used, and tested by me. What follows are the nine pieces I’d actually recommend to a friend, in the order I’d recommend spending on them.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer replacing a piece of luggage that finally gave out on the luggage carousel, or you’re buying your very first piece of grown-up luggage, this list of the best carry-on luggage on the market right now should have an option that fits your travel style and your budget.
A quick note before we dive in: “carry-on” isn’t one fixed size. Airlines vary slightly on their exact carry-on size requirements, so always double-check the specific dimensions against the airline you’re flying before you buy. Most of the suitcases below fall within the standard 21–22 inch range, but a few offer an expansion zipper that can push them past that threshold once they’re fully packed.
This isn’t a “best value” or “best durability” ranking. It’s organized by price, from the biggest splurge to the most budget-friendly. The right choice depends on your price range, how often you travel, and what a great price means for you. A $900 suitcase can make sense for someone who flies every week, but not for someone who takes two trips a year. Keep your travel habits in mind as you read through these.
Let’s get into the best carry-on luggage on the market today, starting with the ultimate splurge.
Quick Comparison: The 9 Best Carry-on Luggage Picks at a Glance
Before we get into the full breakdown, here’s a snapshot of where each piece of luggage lands on price, weight, and standout feature, so you can jump straight to the one that fits your travel style.
| Brand & Model | Price | Weight | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rimowa Salsa / Essential Cabin | ~$925 | 7–8 lbs | Iconic polycarbonate shell |
| Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential | ~$729 | 10 lbs | Lifetime warranty + CX® expansion |
| Longchamp Boxford Small Carry-On | ~$650 | ~8 lbs | Canvas & leather trim, front pocket |
| Monos Carry-On Pro | ~$345 | 7.8 lbs | Front-pocket laptop compartment |
| July Carry-On | ~$295–$345 | 3.9–4.9 lbs | Ultralight polycarbonate shell |
| Away Bigger Carry-On | ~$295 | 7.5–7.9 lbs | Compression straps, 49L capacity |
| CALPAK Ambeur Carry-On | ~$248 | — | Metallic finish, expandable option |
| Béis The Carry-On Roller | ~$218–$238 | 7.9 lbs | 61L expanded capacity |
| Delsey Helium Aero | ~$160 | 8.2 lbs | Front pocket + laptop sleeve |
Now let’s dig into why each one earned its spot on this list of the best carry-on luggage available right now — and why, brand for brand, these are simply the best carry-on luggage and best suitcase options at each price point. If you’re still deciding how much space you actually need, a travel capsule packing strategy can also help you determine which carry-on is right for your packing style.
Best Carry-on Luggage Picks: Splurge-worthy to Save-worthy
1. Rimowa Salsa / Essential Cabin — The Investment-Grade Splurge
Price: ~$925
If you’re looking for the best carry-on money can buy, full stop, Rimowa is where that conversation starts. This is German-engineered luggage with a reputation that precedes it — the kind of suitcase that flight attendants and road warriors alike will clock the second it comes down the escalator at baggage claim. The Rimowa Salsa (recently rebranded under the Essential line) is a piece of hardside luggage made from a polycarbonate shell that’s engineered to flex under impact and spring back into shape rather than crack, which is exactly the kind of durability you want when your suitcase is getting thrown around by a baggage handler on international flights.
Standout feature: The outer shell itself. Rimowa’s signature grooved polycarbonate isn’t just a design flourish — it’s structurally reinforced to resist the dents and scuffs that show up on cheaper hardside luggage after a single trip.
- Weight: Roughly 7–8 lbs depending on the exact style
- Colors: Mostly neutral and metallic finishes — silver, black, matte tones
- Wheels: Smooth-rolling multiwheel system that glides across uneven surfaces and tight spaces alike
- Front pockets: None — this is a clean-shell design, not a front-pocket case
- Who it’s for: Someone who wants one incredible piece of luggage for the next twenty years, not someone chasing this season’s trendiest color
This is not the best value pick on this list — it’s genuinely one of the more expensive options here — but if your main reason for upgrading your luggage is that you’re tired of replacing suitcases every few years, this is the smart choice that ends that cycle for good, and it’s routinely called out as one of the most durable options in the entire travel essentials category.
It’s also worth noting that Rimowa’s resale value tends to hold up better than nearly any other luggage brand, so even if you eventually sell it, you’re likely to recoup a meaningful chunk of what you paid. For someone weighing whether it’s worth spending nearly a thousand dollars on a carry-on, that resale factor is part of what makes this the best carry-on for a genuine long-term investment rather than a one-and-done purchase. If your search for the best carry-on suitcase keeps circling back to durability above all else, this is where that search ends.
2. Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Expandable Spinner — The Business Traveler’s Best Carry-On
Price: ~$729
If Rimowa is the fashion-forward splurge, Briggs & Riley is the best carry-on luggage for people who travel constantly and need their suitcase to actually perform under pressure. This brand has quietly built one of the most loyal followings among business travelers and frequent flyers, largely because of one simple promise: a genuine lifetime warranty with no receipt needed, covering damage from normal wear, airline mishandling included. I’ve heard from more than one flight crew member that this is the suitcase they trust with their actual job, which says a lot about how it holds up to the wear and tear of near-daily domestic flights and international travel.
Standout feature: The one-touch CX® expansion system, which lets you expand the case for up to 25% more packing capacity with the push of a button, then compress it right back down to standard carry-on size before your flight home.
- Weight: 10 lbs
- Material: Ballistic nylon exterior with a durable, structured build
- Dimensions: 22″ x 14″ x 9–11.5″ exterior; interior capacity expands from roughly 39 to 51 liters
- Interior: Built-in tri-fold garment folder with a foam roll bar that holds one to two suits without wrinkling — a genuine standout feature for anyone packing for meetings
- Extras: USB pass-through pocket for charging on the go, exterior checkpoint-friendly pocket with bright interior lining so you never leave anything behind at security
- Who it’s for: Frequent flyers, business travelers, or anyone who wants the peace of mind of a suitcase that’s designed to be repaired rather than replaced
This is a genuinely great price for what you’re getting when you consider the lifetime warranty essentially removes “replacing your luggage” from your future travel budget entirely. If you fly enough that a broken zipper or a cracked wheel actually happens to you every few years, doing the math on repair versus replacement makes this one of the smartest purchases on this entire list, even at a premium price point. Ask any airline pilot or flight crew member what the best carry-on for constant travel actually is, and there’s a good chance this is the name they say first.
3. Longchamp Le PliLongchamp Boxford Small Carry-On — The Designer Crossover Pickage Expandable Travel Bag — The Designer Crossover Pick
Price: ~$650
Longchamp isn’t a traditional hard-sided luggage brand, and that’s exactly the point. The Boxford Small Carry-On is a two-tone recycled canvas suitcase trimmed in Russian leather, and it’s the piece I recommend to anyone who wants their carry-on to look as put-together at the gate as their outfit does. It’s soft-sided, which means it flexes into tight overhead bin space in a way that hardside luggage can’t, and the expandable double-zip main compartment gives you real extra room when you need it without the bag ever looking overstuffed.
Standout feature: The genuine front pocket with its own double-zip closure — a rare, functional detail on a soft-sided suitcase this polished, letting you grab a passport or phone without opening the main compartment.
- Weight: About 8 lbs
- Dimensions: 13.75″ x 21.75″ x 9.5″, expandable to 11″
- Colors: Black, Navy, and Brown, plus rotating seasonal colors
- Wheels: Four multi-directional wheels with a retractable telescopic handle
- Front pockets: One large front pocket with its own double-zip closure, plus a zippered pocket on the front handle
- Who it’s for: Someone who travels light-to-medium and wants a piece of luggage that reads more “designer bag” than “suitcase”
Because it’s soft-sided rather than hardside luggage, this travel bag is also a great option for anyone who’s found that hard-shell cases don’t quite squeeze into smaller regional-jet overhead bins the way a flexible bag can. I’ve personally reached for this one on short trips where I know I’ll be moving through multiple modes of transportation — a taxi, a train, a walk up a few flights of stairs to a hotel room — and having something soft and structured instead of a rigid case makes those transitions noticeably easier.
It won’t be the best carry-on for someone who needs maximum structure and protection, but for polished, in-between travel, it’s one of the best carry-on bags in this entire lineup. Maximum structure and protection, but for polished, in-between travel, it’s one of the best carry-on bags in this entire lineup.
4. Monos Carry-On Pro — Best for the Design-Minded Traveler
Price: ~$345
Monos has become one of the most talked-about direct-to-consumer luggage brands for good reason: this is genuinely well-engineered hardside luggage at a price point that undercuts the legacy brands by hundreds of dollars. The Carry-On Pro uses an aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell reinforced with an aluminum frame and corner guards, which means it holds up to the kind of abuse regular travel dishes out, from getting jammed into an overhead compartment to sliding down a baggage carousel.
Standout feature: A front-pocket laptop compartment that fits up to a 15″ laptop, so you can grab your computer at security without unpacking the whole main compartment — a small detail that makes a real difference for business travelers moving through TSA lines.
- Weight: 7.8 lbs
- Dimensions: 22″ x 14″ x 9″ exterior; 39.9L capacity that expands to 46L
- Colors: 11 total, including Desert Taupe and Blue Haze — more color range than most hardside brands offer
- Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels with a smooth, quiet roll
- Lock: Built-in TSA lock, integrated cleanly into the shell
- Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a genuinely modern, well-built suitcase without paying Rimowa or Briggs & Riley prices
Between the price point and the feature set, this is one of the best value picks on this entire list — it’s hard to find another hardside case in this price range with this level of thoughtful design. The two TSA-approved locks and the antimicrobial recycled-polyester lining are the kind of small details that don’t show up in a photo but that you notice on every single trip once you own it. It’s frequently cited as the best carry-on for design-conscious travelers who still want serious functionality baked in.
5. July Carry-On — The Lightweight Contender
Price: ~$295–$345
July has built its whole identity around one main reason travelers switch: weight. Depending on the specific style, the July Carry-On Light comes in as low as 3.9 lbs — among the lightest double-wheel hardside suitcases on the market — which matters enormously if you’re flying internationally on carriers with strict weight limits, or if you just don’t want to fight your own suitcase into an overhead bin after a long flight.
Standout feature: The German aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell keeps the weight down without sacrificing the durability you’d expect from a heavier case, and the Original version adds a removable power bank with USB and USB-C ports, so you’re never hunting for an outlet at a crowded gate.
- Weight: 3.9–4.9 lbs depending on the exact model
- Interior: 42L capacity with dimensions of roughly 20″ x 14.5″ x 8.5″ — enough for 5–7 days of clothing for most travelers
- Colors: Wide range, with new colorways released seasonally
- Wheels: Smooth, quiet-rolling spinner wheels that hold up well on uneven surfaces
- Who it’s for: Frequent flyers and anyone who prioritizes shaving every possible pound off their packing weight
This is a strong middle-of-the-road pick between the higher-end splurges and the more affordable options further down this list, and it’s one of the more popular options among people newly switching from checked bags to a carry-on-only travel style. The lighter your empty suitcase is, the more actual packing weight you have to work with before you hit an airline’s weight limit.
It is the whole reason this piece consistently comes up when people ask what the best carry-on for frequent international travel actually is. For anyone whose primary complaint about their old suitcase was that it felt like dead weight before they’d even packed a single outfit, this is the best carry-on luggage swap you can make.
6. Away Bigger Carry-On — The Category Classic
Price: ~$295
You cannot write a guide to the best carry-on luggage without including Away — this is the suitcase that arguably created the modern direct-to-consumer luggage category in the first place, and it remains one of the most recognizable names in the space. The Bigger Carry-On earns its name honestly: at 49 liters, it has one of the largest interior capacities of any suitcase that still meets standard carry-on size requirements.
Standout feature: The internal compression system, which uses compression straps to flatten down even an overstuffed pile of clothes so you can zip the case closed without a fight — genuinely useful for anyone who tends to overpack for a short trip.
- Weight: 7.5–7.9 lbs
- Material: Durable polycarbonate outer shell
- Colors: One of the widest color ranges in the hardside luggage category
- Lock: Built-in TSA-approved combination lock
- Wheels: 360-degree spinner wheels
- Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a reliable, well-reviewed, easy-to-recommend suitcase without doing a ton of research first
If you only remember one name from this whole guide, it’s probably going to be this one — and there’s a reason it’s become the default answer to “what’s a good carry-on to buy” for so many travelers, with countless Away suitcases visible on any given luggage carousel on a Monday morning.
It also helps that Away sells matching packing cubes and accessories, so if you like the idea of a fully coordinated travel system rather than piecing one together from different brands, this is an easy place to build that out. When people ask me for the single best carry-on luggage to buy without overthinking it, this Away carry-on is usually where I point them first.
7. CALPAK Ambeur Carry-On — Best for Standing Out at Baggage Claim
Price: ~$248
CALPAK has built a loyal following by leaning hard into a look that most other hardside luggage brands avoid: a genuinely eye-catching metallic finish. The Ambeur Collection comes in Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Black, and a limited-edition Copper, and if you’ve ever lost sight of your suitcase circling the luggage carousel, you’ll understand the appeal instantly.
Standout feature: It’s not just about looks — the Ambeur expands for 2 additional inches of packing space, and a front-pocket version is available for travelers who want quick, easy access to a laptop or other essentials without opening the full case.
- Material: Durable hardside shell with a polished, high-shine metallic finish
- Expansion: Up to 2″ of additional depth for extra space when needed
- Colors: 5 core finishes, including the limited Copper colorway
- Who it’s for: Travelers who want their carry-on to double as a style statement, not just a functional piece of luggage
Between the price point and the visual impact, this is a genuinely good option for someone building out their first “adult” luggage set on a reasonable budget. One thing worth knowing before you buy: the shinier finishes show fingerprints and light scuffing more readily than a matte shell would, so if you’re someone who’s rough on your belongings, you may want to budget a little extra time for wiping it down between trips. If your idea of the best carry-on bags includes turning heads at baggage claim, this one delivers on that front better than almost anything else here.
8. Béis The Carry-On Roller — Best Expandable Capacity for the Price
Price: ~$218–$238
Béis, the brand from actress Shay Mitchell, has become one of the most talked-about entries in the affordable luggage space, and The Carry-On Roller earns its spot on this list on pure capacity alone. At 49 liters standard and up to 61 liters expanded, this suitcase holds more than nearly anything else in this price range — the only bag on this entire list that beats it in capacity is the Away Bigger Carry-On before expansion.
Standout feature: The sheer volume of color options — 14 total — makes this one of the most customizable picks here, which matters if you’re trying to match a suitcase to your personal travel style.
- Weight: 7.9 lbs
- Dimensions: 22.7″ x 15.4″ x 9.6″
- Material: Polycarbonate shell
- Colors: 14 options
- Who it’s for: Anyone who wants the most packing volume for their dollar without stepping up to a $300+ price point
This is a genuinely great price for the amount of interior space you’re getting, and it’s a smart choice for anyone who consistently finds themselves needing extra space on a short trip or a weekend trip that somehow turned into a week’s worth of outfits. Béis also sells a coordinating weekender and duffle bag in matching colorways, which is worth considering if you want your carry-on and your personal item to look like they were bought as a set. For sheer packing volume per dollar, this is arguably the best carry-on luggage on this entire list.
9. Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Carry-On — The Budget-Friendly Front-Pocket Pick
Price: ~$160
Rounding out this list at the most affordable price point is Delsey’s Helium Aero, and it earns its spot for one specific reason: it’s one of the only hardside luggage options in this price range that includes a genuine exterior front pocket with a padded laptop sleeve — a feature usually reserved for pricier softside luggage. That means easy access to your laptop, passport, or headphones without needing to open the entire main compartment at security or on the plane.
Standout feature: The large front-access pocket with a padded sleeve that fits up to a 15.6″ laptop, plus two zippered mesh pockets for smaller items — genuinely rare at this price point.
- Weight: 8.2 lbs
- Dimensions: 21″ x 14″ x 10″ exterior; 41L capacity
- Material: 100% polycarbonate shell with a modern, deep metallic finish
- Expansion: Expands up to 2″ for additional packing space
- Lock: Integrated 3-dial TSA-accepted combination lock
- Colors: Brick Red, Steel Grey, Brushed Metal, and more
- Who it’s for: Anyone building a first carry-on on a real budget who still wants front-pocket convenience and a legitimate 10-year warranty
For under $200, this is genuinely one of the best value picks on this list, and it’s proof that you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a smart, well-designed piece of luggage. It’s a great option for a college student heading off on their first solo trip, a gift for a new traveler in your life, or simply a reliable backup suitcase to keep around for when your everyday piece is already packed for a different trip. If your entire search comes down to finding the best carry-on luggage under $200, this is the one I’d point you toward without hesitation.
My Take: After all the miles I’ve flown, I’ve learned that reliability matters more than extra features. I want a carry-on that feels easy to handle, even when it’s fully packed and I’m tired from a long travel day. Good wheels, a sturdy handle, and smart organization are the things I notice most in real use. I’d rather invest in one suitcase I’ll reach for trip after trip than replace a cheaper one every few years.
How to Choose the Best Carry-On for Your Travel Style
Choose a carry-on based on how you pack
If you’re someone who tends to overpack even for a short trip, avoiding common packing mistakes can be just as important as choosing the right suitcase. Prioritize expandable options with compression straps or an expansion zipper — the Briggs & Riley, Away, CALPAK, and Delsey all offer this. If you’re a minimalist packer, weight and sleek design probably matter more to you than extra capacity, which points you toward the July or the Longchamp. There’s no wrong answer here, but being honest with yourself about your own packing habits will save you from buying the wrong suitcase twice. The best carry-on for an overpacker looks nothing like the best carry-on for someone who travels with a single capsule wardrobe.
Consider how often you actually fly
If you’re a genuinely frequent flyer — multiple trips a month, international flights mixed with domestic flights — investing in something like the Briggs & Riley or the Rimowa pays for itself over time through durability and warranty coverage alone. If travel is more occasional for you, a piece in the $150–300 range will serve you just as well without the bigger upfront cost, and honestly, it’s probably the smarter financial decision. This is really the single biggest factor in determining the best carry-on for your specific life, more than any individual feature on this list.
Decide between hardside and softside luggage
Hardside vs. softside is a real decision, not just an aesthetic one. Hard-sided luggage (Rimowa, Monos, Away, CALPAK, Béis, Delsey) tends to protect your belongings better and is easier to wipe clean, but it doesn’t flex the way soft-sided luggage does when you’re wedging it into a tight overhead compartment. Softside options like the Longchamp or the softside Briggs & Riley lines can squeeze into tighter spaces, which matters more than you’d think on smaller regional planes with notoriously tight overhead bins.
Look beyond the main luggage features
Don’t skip the small details. A built-in TSA lock means one less thing to buy separately. Front pockets with a laptop sleeve can save you real time at airport security, since you won’t need to dig through your main compartment to pull out electronics. And a genuine lifetime warranty — like Briggs & Riley offers — can make a pricier suitcase the actual best value option over a five- or ten-year period, even if the sticker price looks steep upfront. These are exactly the kind of details that separate the best carry-on bags from luggage that just looks nice in photos.
Think about your personal item and packing setup
The best carry-on doesn’t travel alone. If you typically also bring a personal item like a tote or a duffle bag, think about how the two pieces work together and what travel essentials for your flight you’ll want within easy reach. Some of these suitcases pair with a matching weekender or duffle bag that has a built-in trolley sleeve, which lets you stack your personal item on top of your rolling case through the airport instead of carrying it separately. Packing cubes are also worth factoring in regardless of which suitcase you choose; they make the difference between a chaotic overhead bin situation and genuinely easy access to everything inside your main compartment.
Factor in warranty and repairability
A suitcase with a lifetime warranty, like the Briggs & Riley on this list, or even a strong limited warranty like several of the mid-range options offer, can shift the math significantly. A $250 suitcase you replace every three years costs more over a decade than a $700 suitcase you never have to replace at all. It’s worth running that math for your own travel frequency before deciding where in this price range you want to land.
Pay attention to the handle and wheels
A sturdy telescopic handle and a comfortable grab handle matter more than most people expect until they’re hauling a fully packed regular carry-on through a crowded terminal. Suitcases with 360-degree wheels tend to glide through tight spaces far more smoothly than two-wheel designs, especially on the uneven surfaces you’ll hit in older airports or cobblestone European streets. The first thing I check on any new piece of luggage is how the wheels feel rolling across a hard floor loaded with weight — it tells you almost everything about how the suitcase will behave in real airports, not just in a showroom.
Check the external pockets for easy access
A front pocket or exterior pocket that lets you grab small items — your passport, a phone charger, headphones — without opening the whole main compartment is a genuine time-saver at security and on the plane. It sounds like a small thing until you’re the person holding up the line digging through a fully packed main compartment for your boarding pass.
Consider how your suitcase will look after real use
Glossy, dark hardside luggage tends to show scuffs more visibly than matte finishes or lighter colors — something to weigh if a pristine appearance matters to you, or if you’re comfortable with a suitcase that shows a little visible wear as proof of a life well-traveled.
frequently asked questions
A Final Word on Buying the Best Carry-On for You
There’s no universal right answer here — the best carry-on luggage for a business traveler flying every week isn’t necessarily the best carry-on for someone who travels twice a year. If you prefer traveling light, a capsule wardrobe can also help you decide how much space you actually need.
What I hope this guide gives you is a clear-eyed look at nine genuinely strong pieces of luggage across a real range of price points, so you can pick the one that actually fits how, and how often, you travel — not just what’s trending this month.Whatever you land on, look for the fundamentals: a durable outer shell, wheels that roll smoothly across uneven surfaces without catching, a lock you trust, and dimensions that actually fit the overhead bin on the airlines you fly most. Get those right, and you’ll have found the best carry-on for you — not just the best carry-on for someone else’s trip.
And if you’re still torn between two options on this list, my honest advice is to think less about which suitcase photographs best and more about which one solves the actual problem you’ve had with your current luggage. That’s usually the fastest way to land on the right answer.
You can also explore my other travel essential posts for more of my tried-and-tested recommendations.
