ByAstrid Taran,

Former Sr. Travel Editor

andWhitney Bruno,

Editorial Assistant.

Reviewed ByJane Sung,

Deputy Editor.

With the holiday rush fast approaching, our travel team set out to round up the best carry-on luggage to help you maximize your space and avoid the bag-check counter. We tapped well-traveled Forbes Vetted editors to share insights on the bags they’ve used and tested over the years. Our top carry-on pick overall isAway’s The Bigger Carry-On thanks to its generous capacity, great organization features and built-in compression, providing enough packing space for a whole week.

Based on rigorous testing, I determined the Away Bigger Carry-On to be the best carry-on luggage overall.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

After researching 18 contenders and weighing feedback from the team’s collective testing over time, here are the 10 best carry-on bags.

To evaluate these carry-on bags, we focused on factors such as durability, maneuverability and style. Other luggage that scored high marks includes theMonos Carry-On Pro—a hardside option with a spacious laptop compartment for business travel—as well as theTravelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner, a durable softside suitcase with plenty of pockets. Below, find our favorite carry-on bags to take along on your travels this year and beyond.

RECOMMENDED BYFORBES VETTED

Away Luggage Black Friday Sale: Take 25% Off Editor-Approved Suitcases

ByBianca Alvarez

The Best Luggage Of 2025: 11 Suitcases We’ve Traveled With, Ourselves

ByAstrid Taran

I have been using Away suitcases since 2018, and I often recommend the brand’s bags to others as a great option for those looking to dip their toes intohardside luggage. The brand’s Bigger Carry-On is the most-used suitcase in my carry-on collection.

Ample Compression To Maximize Space

Its compression system is truly strong enough to squeeze multiple overstuffed packing cubes into the bag; it also has comfortable grab handles, an integrated TSA lock and great accessories, like a laundry bag. Away’s website states that this suitcase could fit up to nine outfits and enough clothing for up to seven days, but I feel its capacity is undersold. I traveled with this bag on a ski trip to Switzerland, where I couldn’t check a suitcase due to having back-to-back connections on different airlines (I wouldn’t recommend doing this, by the way). I was able to stuff the Bigger Carry-On with eight days’ worth of bulky sweaters and layers, with no zippers harmed in the process.

Spacious Capacity, Affordable Price

At almost 48 liters, it offers incredible capacity for being a carry-on suitcase—I’ve slid it into dozens of overhead bins on a variety of different airlines and never had a problem with its size. The only other suitcase on this list to beat it in terms of capacity is theBéis Carry-On Roller, which offers 61 liters of space—but only after you expand it. Since the Away Bigger Carry-On is not expandable, it’s all the more impressive that it can pack in so many things. It’s also one-third of the price of a Briggs & Riley bag, so when it comes to true bang for your buck, the Away Bigger Carry-On tops them all.

The 2025 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards are here: Explore our 150 top-recommended items across categories after extensive research and testing.

I mostly travel with hardside luggage because it feels more impact-resistant, but I tested the Briggs & Riley Essential Baseline after it came highly recommended by other travel editors and writers I know, as well as my colleagues. (This model was named the best softside pick in our roundup of thebest luggage.)

Extra Features For Easy Organization

I was impressed by its features—the built-in garment folder in particular came in handy for wrinkle-free dresses. A large pocket on the front allows for quick, easy access to a sweater or scarf, while a smaller, additional pocket is designed to hold your cell phone and charging cables. It has a pop-up expandable feature, but due to it soft exterior, I felt that I could squeeze even more clothing into it.

Long-Lasting, Chic Exterior

While it’s definitely pricey, friends of mine who have used it have told me that their bags have lasted for years. I also think it has a very sophisticated look. However, this suitcase is the heaviest option on this list, weighing 10 pounds.

A carry-on for international travel needs to be constructed with durability in mind: The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner’s exterior fabric feels so sturdy that I confidently recommend it for longer, international trips. The chrome zippers, in particular, feel extra durable and tug-proof. After stuffing it with clothes on three different trips, I understood why this brand is a favorite of pilots and flight attendants.

Plenty Of Pockets, Sturdy Handle

The carry-on is outfitted with interior compression straps, accessory pockets, a water-resistant toiletry bag and a removable suiter system (specially designed to keep suits looking crisp). The handle has a rubber contour grip and four adjustable heights, plus a top handlebar with padding that helped me hoist the suitcase into overhead bins with ease.

Less Stylish Compared To Other Options

Compared to other chic, minimalist options that made our list, like theBéis,Monos andAway hardside suitcases, this bag certainly looks more utilitarian than fashionable. Other softside options on the market have a bit more panache, like theBriggs & Riley Essential Baseline. However, for a well-made bag that is built to handle international travel, fans ofsoftside luggage would be remiss to cross this option off the list based on style alone.

At under 8 pounds, the Monos Carry-On Pro is fairly lightweight, yet feels far from flimsy. I’m so impressed by this suitcase’s satisfying heft that I asked several friends to roll it around to experience it themselves. They all agreed: This suitcase feels dependable enough to leave momentarily standing without fear of it rolling down a hill.

Durable Polycarbonate Shell

Its polycarbonate shell feels equally tough. I traveled with this suitcase on three domestic trips and noticed barely any scuffing afterward, even though I used one of the lighter colors, Sage Green. That durable exterior provides a layer of confidence around the suitcase’s laptop compartment, which is spacious enough to hold a 15-inch laptop along with a few other small travel accessories. The bag’s 360-degree spinner wheels are incredibly smooth, and I appreciate that its telescopic handle stayed firm after blocks of bouncing across Boston’s cobblestone streets. This suitcase also comes with a helpful laundry bag and two shoe bags to make packing easier, and an integrated TSA lock for enhanced security.

Enough Room For Up To Five Day Trips

The brand’s website advertises this bag as spacious enough for five-day trips, but the bag’s laptop pocket does subtract some of that space, which is why I deducted points. After multiple trips, I would recommend three-to-four days as the sweet spot. Another thing to note is that the handles tend to lock up if you pack this suitcase to the brim, so overpackers may want to opt for an expandable bag, like theBriggs & Riley orBéis suitcases that also made this list.

Affordable With A Plethora Of Perks

A high-quality suitcase doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg: The Samsonite Freeform costs less than $150 and offers a wealth of useful features, including a built-in TSA lock, elastic tie-down straps and a zippered 1-inch expansion panel. “I’ve been using this Samsonite carry-on for the past six years and it never lets me down,” says one of our panel testers. “As a chronic overpacker, I love that it’s expandable and has organizational pockets to help separate my clothes and essentials.”

Lightweight Feel And Smooth-Rolling Wheels

At 6.5 pounds, this suitcase is more lightweight than most options on our list and the 360-degree wheels make it easy to maneuver. “It’s so convenient that I typically opt to bring it over a weekender bag even for short trips,” our tester says. Keep in mind that the shell is made of polypropylene rather than polycarbonate; while this contributes to both its lightness and its affordable price point, it’s not as durable as some of our other hardside picks like the Away Bigger Carry-On.

Generous Expandability

The Away Carry-On Flex expands a generous 2.5 inches, which makes it great for packing any souvenirs you pick up during your trip. Unexpanded, the luggage stands tall at a modest 22 inches, betraying its more spacious interior. After using this on two trips to Stockholm, this became one of our testers’ favorite: “The expandability allows it to be spacious enough for five to six days of travel, and it has an excellent compression system. It was also very durable: I threw it into the back of cabs, pulled it over curbs and threw it on the luggage rack of the hotel room with ease.”

High Quality Construction For A Reasonable Price

Aside from its general roominess, the Away Carry-On Flex has the signature sleek polycarbonate shell and comes in nine sophisticated colors. Its smooth-rolling spinner wheels are comparable to others on our list—but in terms of value, the construction of this suitcase simply can’t be beat.

Compact, Lightweight And Sustainably Crafted

Our tester found the Calpak Terra Softside to be so lightweight that she had no trouble lifting into an overhead bin. “It’s compact so it easily fits, plus easy to carry over your head,” she says. Along with its minimal weight, it’s sustainably constructed: The entire suitcase is made of 29 recycled bottles. Inside, three pockets add a bit of extra room, although our tester note there isn’t space for a whole lot: “It’s on the smaller side—on my trip to Colorado in the winter I only had room for one large winter jacket,” she says.

Seamless Maneuverability

Still, if overpacking isn’t an issue, we recommend its worth trying out for those shorter, two-to-three day trips. Above all else, its lightweight construction makes it one of those most maneuverable luggage on our list—our tester gave it plenty of high marks for that category. “I can rotate it in a 360-degree circle with one hand, and it smoothly glides along the floor,” she says. “It’s easy to make sharp turns in the airport and has an effortless pull.”

For cold weather trips or vacations that call for layers, an expandable suitcase is key. Béis makes one of the best expandable carry-on suitcases on the market today, with two inches of extra space to allow you to stuff in what you need (and maybe even what you don’t). I’ve traveled with this bag on several week-long trips and filled it with sweaters, jackets and more—and still had room left over after I zipped open its expandable space. The suitcase also comes with a built-in weight limit indicator: When you lift it by its side-carry handle, a red mark will appear if the luggage is over 50 pounds, meaning you’ll know in advance if your bag exceeds most airlines’ weight limit, giving you a chance to take a few items out rather than pay a fee.

Cushioned Handle For Smooth Carrying

The suitcase’s cushioned handle is another reason why this bag has earned its spot in my permanent rotation. Oftentimes, I’ll find myself lugging a heavy suitcase for blocks and blocks, and the soft, plush fabric attached to this handle eases the journey. Factor in smooth-rolling wheels, an integrated TSA combination lock and a variety of great colors, and this bag is a true winner. At over eight pounds, this bag is just a bit heavier than Away’s The Bigger Carry-On, which is why I didn’t select it as my best overall pick.

One Of The Most Expandable Options On The Market

While the Away The Bigger Carry-On is also incredibly spacious, travelers who don’t trust themselves enough to not squeeze in one more thing will want to opt for an expandable option, which is far more forgiving. Beis’ Carry-On Roller offers far more capacity than theAway The Bigger Carry-On Flex, which comes in at 47.9 liters at its largest size.

Carl Friedrik’s The Carry-On stands out for its high-end craftsmanship (that chic trimming is Italian leather) as well as 360-degree spinner wheels that are silent as a whisper. Part of its sleek look is thanks to the absence of a zipper; it’s built with a snap locking system that means it clicks open and closed instead. While I usually only use zippered bags (I’m terrified of accidentally getting locked out of my things), this lock felt both super secure and easy to open when it was time to unpack. With just a click of a sturdy button, I was confident that my bag wasn’t going to swing open on the stairs of the airport.

Stylish Exterior, Compressed Interior

While this suitcase’s stylish exterior makes it an excellent gift for the business traveler in your life, it’s a good fit for any type of excursion, as it’s sized to slide into the overhead bin of both domestic and European cabins. For overpackers, it comes with durable compression straps as well as a pad that helps maximize packing space. While this carry-on only features a zipped interior on one of its sides, you can store your clothing in packing cubes and secure them inside the bag using the compression straps.

Also Available In Aluminum

For other suitcases with a lock closure, Away’s Bigger Carry-On comes in analuminum version that also features easy-to-use snap lock closures (you can find a full Forbes Vetted review of that baghere). Note that the aluminum Bigger Carry-On clocks in at 10 pounds, which is much heavier than this Carl Friedrik.

Made From Ultra-Soft Polyester

Our top-testedpersonal item bag doubles as a traditional carry-on if you’re packing light enough. I’ve personally used it as a weekender bag, and loves making the most of its handy shoe compartment and ample pocket space. Calpak designers constructed the bag from a pillowy-soft polyester to ease any potential strain that duffels are infamous for.

Water Resistant To Withstand Tough Conditions

Another perk: Its exterior is water- and scratch-resistant. If you’re traveling with multiple suitcases in tow (which you may have to due its fairly limited capacity), you can use its trolley sleeve for a smoother ride. Many of our testers confirm it withstands unpredictable travel conditions with ease and it provides excellent value.

Aer is known for its sleek, chic and modern travel pieces, and its compact Carry-On is no exception. It has durable zippers, a built-in TSA lock and three interior pockets, including one pocket made just forsmart luggage trackers like the Apple AirTag. “It’s a really nice looking piece of luggage, and it handles nicely,” says our tester, who took the Carry-On with her from New Jersey to Germany for a business trip. “The lock was a cinch to program, and the zippers held even when I crammed it full on my return.”

Locking System To “Park” Your Luggage

Our testers appreciate this suitcase’s locking wheel system, which can easily be slid on or off. We’ve all had moments where we turn away for a moment and turn back to find our luggage sliding away. This brake system allows you to lock the wheels of your suitcase and essentially “park” it, so that you don't have to worry about it going anywhere if the ground is uneven.

Rolls Best Over Smooth Terrain

While the wheels rolled “exceedingly smoothly” through the airport, our tester noted that the suitcase struggled to get over bumpy sidewalks and a few doorways with raised frames. The one aspect I think could be improved upon most is the handle design: Aer’s handle grip isn’t as comfortable as some of the other suitcases on the list (in particular, theBéis Carry-On, which stands out for its padded handle).

Cubby System With Built-In Laundry Compartment

The No Reception Club Hideaway has built-in organization, thanks to a removable cubby system, laundry compartment and insulated cooler. “This duffel is especially designed for parents but is ideal for anyone who wants to stay organized,” says one of our testers, a parent of two. “And unlike many duffels, which can be flimsy and shapeless, this one is relatively structured for easy packing and added protection of its contents.”

Can Be Carried In Various Ways

The Hideaway can be carried a variety of ways: You can wear it as a backpack, sling it over the shoulder or hold it by one of its smaller hand straps. Alternatively, it has a trolley sleeve that allows you to slip it onto the handle of your wheeled suitcase. The exterior is constructed out of 100% recycled polyester that’s water-resistant. It’s available in three neutral colors: Black, Olive and Navy.

Other Carry-On Luggage Worth Considering

Wondering what else didn’t make the cut? Here are the other bags we tested that didn’t quite make our list of winners, but they may be a fit for your needs.

Best Less-Expensive Trunk-Style Bag:July Carry-On Trunk ($455):Australian luggage brand July is known for its sleek aesthetics, and this carry-on trunk is no exception. Its glossy exterior looks ultra-elegant in person, and its glide is extremely smooth. This style comes with a lock that is stylish but not as intuitive to use asCarl Friedrik’s Carry-On, which is why we left it off our list.

Best Extra-Roomy Bag:Briggs & Riley Sympatico Essential Spinner ($695): This suitcase has an aesthetically pleasing gloss to it and feels solid and durable. Aside from a sturdy shell and built-in TSA lock, this bag is also super spacious.

Best Hardside Bag With Unique Style:Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 ($245):This features a sturdy hardshell, is relatively lightweight and lasts for years. Compared to many of the other ultra-minimalist hardside options on this list, it’s not as sleek, which is why it didn’t make our final cut—but some may appreciate its unique style.

Best Ultra-Compact Bag:Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage ($148):Calpak is a favorite among Forbes Vetted readers and editors, and its Mini Carry-On offers something that’s hard to come by—a hardside suitcase that can fit underneath an airplane seat. We found it to be a smooth-rolling alternative to a backpack, but its size was just a bit too small for anything longer than a weekend trip.

How We Tested The Best Carry-On Bags

To determine a list of contenders for the best carry-on luggage, we sifted through top brands and considered a wide variety of carry-on options, both hardside and softside, to accommodate different preferences. Over the course of six months and counting, our editors tested candidates on multiple domestic and international trips, ranging from weekend getaways via car, plane or train to week-long European escapes, and we ultimately chose the 10 best options to include on our list. Here are the criteria we used during testing:

• Packing capacity: How much stuff can we fit in each suitcase? We attempted to put at least five days worth of belongings into each suitcase and took note of how much more or less we could fit comfortably.
• Ease of use:How each suitcase felt rolling through an airport and how the wheels and handle functioned over a variety of different terrains, from bumpy cobblestone streets to snowy or rainy sidewalks.
• External size and maneuverability: Each suitcase’s ability to fit into a range of airline overhead bins, and how easy or difficult they were to lift overhead and wheel down an airplane aisle.
• Durability:Whether each suitcase handled the same way after a few trips and if there were any obvious scratches or dings after reasonable use.
• Features: How many special features each bag offers and how well they work, such as hardside, internal compression functions, phone-charging batteries, expandable zippers, etc. Bags with more and better features were considered for best overall.
• Style:How nice (or not) each bag looked and whether we felt stylish when wheeling them around. We took note of any compliments received while in transit.
• Value: Based on how well the bag functions, how sophisticated it looks, how well it holds up to travel and the special features it offers, does the bag justify its price tag?
• Overall impression: How much we liked using each suitcase, and whether we found ourselves reaching for it again after testing.

What To Consider In The Best Carry-On Luggage

In addition to our testing criteria above, there are several more key factors to keep in mind when picking out a carry-on suitcase. Here are some additional points to consider.

Materials

Carry-on luggage comes in a range of hardside and softside options. According to Monos co-founder Hubert Chan, “A good hardcase shell needs to be both strong and flexible–protective, yet able to absorb impact without cracking.” For a great material that fits the bill, he recommends polycarbonate: an impact-resistant and durable thermoplastic that comprises the majority of our picks. While aluminum is also durable, it’s heavier and more expensive than polycarbonate and can be more prone to denting. Softside suitcases, on the other hand, are typically made of strong, rip-resistant nylon or polyester fabrics.

Color

Most brands feature carry-on options in black and navy, but a few—including Away and Monos—offer a wider range of colors. Suitcases in dark, neutral tones are popular for a reason; they hide scuff marks and are easy to keep looking fresh. However, they’re also going to blend in with the crowd, so we recommend adding a colorfulluggage tag if you go this route. Lighter, brighter hues stand out at the airport carousel, but keep in mind that they’ll show dirt and markings more easily.

Additional Features

Monos co-founder Victor Tam is a firm believer in customized add-ons: “The best carry-on suitcases are outfitted with extra features that bring ease to your journey,” he says. One of the most useful inclusions for a carry-on is a TSA-approved lock: This is a combination lock that can be opened by airport security officials using a master key. Another nice-to-have design element is a zippered front compartment, which can hold electronic devices, charging cables or, in the case of theMonos Carry-On Pro, a 15-inch laptop.

Warranty

A high-quality carry-on can be an investment, which is why we recommend buying one with a warranty that covers unexpected damages. Luggage warranties range from five years post-purchase to the full lifespan of your suitcase. Policies differ by brand, so make sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what to expect from your warranty.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team has researched and published dozens of travel stories, with a particular focus onluggage topics informed by rigorous research and firsthand testing.

• Our travel team has covered niche suitcase topics across the board, including thebest softside luggage,best lightweight luggage,best checked luggage,best luggage for international travel,best luggage overall and more.
• This story was written by former senior travel editorAstrid Taran, who has eight years of experience writing and editing travel content, from hotel reviews to in-depth luggage guides. Taran has visited over 35 countries throughout the course of her career and flies twice a month. She always tries her best to never check a bag—meaning she knows her way around a carry-on suitcase.
• This article and all picks featured were reviewed by Forbes Vetted deputy editorJane Sung. A lifestyle industry veteran, she oversees our travel, beauty and fashion verticals and has covered travel gear and destinations for over a decade. Sung provided her own recommendations, including theCalpak Luka Duffel.
• For expert commentary, we reached out toMonos co-foundersHubert Chan and Victor Tam for additional insight on what to look out for in the best-carry on suitcases.
• We regularly monitor this story to ensure all product information is accurate and relevant. It was last updated in November 2025 by lifestyle editorial assistantWhitney Bruno, who reevaluated winner picks and incorporated expert insights.

We reevaluated our winning picks and added theCalpak Terra Softside Carry-On, theAway The Carry-On Flex and theCalpak Luka Duffel. We also incorporated additional insights from luggage experts.

We added more details around our selection process and refreshed our section of FAQs.