The Best Carry-On Luggage
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Last summer, I checked two bags on a family vacation at the worst airport in the world, which is Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia. (Never going there again! See ya, Dulles!) After waiting in innumerable long, confusing lines with big bags and small children, watching my husband sprint around in vain attempts to figure out some mysterious shortcut, I made a solemn vow to never, ever check a bag ever again.
Even if you're not a frequent flier, having a good carry-on at hand (or several) can save you so much time and energy. Would you prefer to not even mess with the overhead bin? Check out our guide to How to Fly With Only a Personal Item. You may find our other buying guides useful, like the Best Wireless Headphones or the Best Gifts for Travelers.
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How We Tested
Members of the Gear Team have taken at least two flights with each of the bags in this roundup. Each bag has different features, and we look at materials, weight, and size. We test the durability of the materials by stuffing bags into overhead bins and under seats. We check how well and how smoothly the wheels glide; if the handle feels sturdy and if it accommodates a wide range of heights; whether the straps are durable and can fit our hands; and if the zippers will stand up to frequent overstuffing.
Check the Airline Size Requirements
If you take one tip away from this guide, let this be it: Save yourself the aggravation at the airport, check the size requirements, and grab a tape measure. If you're in doubt, pick a soft-sided bag so you can squeeze it into the airline’s sizer box when you're about to board. Each airline has different requirements; we've included several airlines here.
| Airline | Size Requirements |
|---|---|
| American | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Ryanair | 22 x 16 x 8 inches |
| Delta | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| EasyJet | 17.7 x 14 x 7.8 inches |
| Alaska | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Frontier | 24 x 10 x 16 inches |
| JetBlue | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Air Canada | 21.5 x 9 x 15.5 inches |
- Photograph: Away
The Best Carry-On
Away Carry-OnSince Away's inception in 2015, it has changed the luggage business entirely. Begone, boring business suitcases from the likes of Samsonite and Tumi! Away took design and marketing inspiration from hip, fast-growing, direct-to-consumer companies like Warby Parker and, despite some questionable business practices, has outlasted them all. It has increased in price since we first tested it, but multiple WIRED staffers still use the classic Away hard-shell carry-on (9/10, WIRED Recommends) as their travel suitcase.
The classic Away carry-on has a light polycarbonate shell, which looks sleeker than its soft-shell counterparts and protects fragile items better. The Away weighs 7.5 pounds, which is standard. When I tested it, I liked that it had multiple height settings and that the polycarbonate shell wiped clean and stayed mostly scuff-free (it helped that my tester was in the darker navy color). Away's suitcases also come with a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, four spinner wheels capable of rotating 360 degrees, and an included laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate. The handle did feel a bit wobbly, though.
★ Alternatives: Away spawned a whole series of competitors with similarly sleek-looking suitcases. We tried options by Monos ($255) and July ($295). July's aluminum bumpers protect fragile belongings, but they add weight. The Monos' handle rolls out more smoothly, but the July's pebbled surface doesn't show scuffs as badly. I have put these suitcases in the overhead bin and checked them multiple times, and both have also been ridden by two small children with no damage. You should get whichever one of these three suitcase brands is offering the best sale when you're shopping.
Specs Material: Polycarbonate | Exterior dimensions: 21.7" x 14.4" x 9" | Weight: 7.5 lbs - Photograph: Amazon
The Best Budget Carry-On
Travelpro Maxlite 5Look around any airport—if you see flight attendants or pilots, they will probably be rolling around a Travelpro suitcase. Travelpros aren't the most fashionable accessory, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. They're durable, light, and not too expensive.
The Maxlite 5 costs a little over $100, and at 5.4 pounds, it's very light! The exterior toiletry pocket is a nice touch for when you go through security and need to take out your liquids, and the zippers are quite strong. The wheels rolled nicely on both the spinner and roll-aboard versions. Former WIRED reviewer Matt Jancer did note that the aluminum handle extensions sometimes stuck and that the main grab handle on the bag is only single-stitched, which may cause durability issues down the line. This is probably the best bag you can get in the $100-to-$150 price range.
Specs Material: Polyester | Exterior dimensions: 21" x 14" x 9" in | Weight: 5.4 lbs
- Photograph: Adrienne So
The Iconic Carry-On
Rimowa Original CabinGetting a few scratches and dings on the iconic Rimowa suitcase is like buying a preseasoned cast iron pan. Rimowa cases have a cult following among travelers precisely because of how elegantly they wear their miles. The whole point of these nearly indestructible anodized aluminum boxes is to batter them in Bali, scrape them up in Sicily, then cover the wounds in stickers. WIRED tech director Martin Cizmar tested the bag on a trip to New York and appreciated the fine-tuned details in construction. The seal is tight enough to keep the contents dry on a rainy tarmac, and the wheels are uncommonly strong and balanced. The Rimowa feels indestructible, and every attempt to break it only improves that patina.
Specs Material: Aluminum | Exterior dimensions: 21.7" x 15.8" x 9.1" | Weight: 9.5 lbs - Photograph: Adrienne So
Best for Kids
State Logan Carry-OnIf you fly with older children, then yes, each kid needs their own suitcase if you want to avoid the dreaded checked luggage line. My kids are 7 and 9, and every attempt to cheap out on their luggage has resulted in a garage that is now a kids' luggage graveyard. They almost instantly busted the zippers on this generic rolling backpack off Amazon (which was much cheaper than when I bought it). The Target version is only 6 pounds and very cute, but the plastic shell and hardware are as fragile as a bird egg.
I would've saved so much money if I'd just bought them both State bags at the start. The Logan comes in a mini, carry-on, and checked size, and the carry-on has more or less the same dimensions as my carry-on. However, it has a number of child-friendly features. The prints are amazing; my kids love theirs. The front pocket is big enough for a snack box and their iPads, which means I can quickly usher them to their seats and unpack everything they need into the front pocket. There are two straps on the side that are ideal for tucking in Yellow Blanky and Truck Blanky when we have to move quickly at the gate. And it still weighs less than my own carry-on.
Specs Material: Polyester | Exterior dimensions: 18.7" x 13.4" x 9.45" | Weight: 6.44 lbs
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- Photograph: Amazon
Best Expandable Carry-On
Briggs & Riley Baseline CXOne common situation that I find myself in with a carry-on is going on vacation, buying too many souvenirs, and then realizing that I need to get them all home again. Sometimes I put a packable duffel in my bag, fill it up, and check it, as I did when I went to Ireland and bought my whole family fluffy wool sweaters. But another solution is to get a soft-sided, expandable carry-on.
This is when you want a Briggs & Riley, which is one of the few bags that is both expandable and will stand up to the rigors of international travel. A Briggs & Riley carry-on was my first and only post-college purchase, and right now, it has lasted over 20 years. Periodically, I bring it into the one Briggs & Riley–approved dealership in my town to get a zipper pull put back on, and it's fixed for free in a few days. Its components are top-of-the-line. The face fabric is a heavy-duty ballistic nylon that’s water-repellent and abrasion-resistant. Mine is a gleaming red that has been dragged all over the globe, from the Philippines to Turkey to Iceland, and shows almost no sign of wear. The low-profile wheels and handles have never broken. The grab handles are also luxuriously smooth and padded, and there's an interior folding garment bag for my husband's suits.
Specs Material: Ballistic nylon | Exterior dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" | Weight: 9.7 lbs - Photograph: Amazon
Best Soft-Sided Carry-On
Yeti Crossroads 35LYeti's coolers and cups are famous for being bombproof. The company's Crossroads 35L is a 22-inch roller bag that's carry-on size for most major airlines. WIRED tech director Martin Cizmar spent a week dragging the Crossroads up and down grimy subway station escalators, thumping it across cobblestones, and scrunching it into overfull overhead bins during a trip to London, Paris, and Brussels. The blue 700-denier nylon on the front and sides looks just as fresh as it did out of the box while the molded polycarbonate shell on the back has a few well-earned battle scratches. The two extra-large fixed wheels roll smoothly and hopped up curbs. It also has a half-dozen well-placed pockets and sturdy zippers that stood up to eight days' worth of tugging and smooshing.
Specs Material: Tuffskin nylon | Exterior dimensions: 22” x 14“ x 9” | Weight: 7.54 lbs
- Photograph: Beis
Best Tote
Beis Convertible WeekenderThe Convertible Weekender is the bag that converted me into a Beis stan. A step up from the OG weekender, the standout feature is the removable bottom compartment that doubles as a packing cube (for shoes, hair tools, dirty clothes), complete with a mesh zip cover. I love that I can detach that part when I need it to fit under an airplane seat. Without the extra compartment, it usually qualifies as a personal item, but the Mini Convertible might be a better option for people who don’t want to sacrifice that feature.
Alongside the signature Beis details—a removable laptop sleeve, a trolley pass-through, and a key leash—the weekender also has a surplus of pockets. I use this bag for overnight stays and as a personal item for flights (minus the bottom compartment). I would say the only drawback is that it can feel heavy on the shoulder when full, but that’s partly due to the high-quality canvas material. Also, I would opt for a darker color because the lighter shades tend to dirty quickly, especially at the airport. —Boutayna Chokrane
Specs Material: Poly canvas | Exterior dimensions: 16" x 19" x 10" | Weight: 3.86 lbs - Photograph: Adrienne So
Best Teeny Tiny Personal Item
Take Off Personal Item 2.0The Take Off suitcase is a regular roller bag, just in a teeny-tiny size that can fit under the seat in front of you. The standout feature is wheels that can pop off so it fits. On a recent trip with Alaska Airlines, however, I didn't bother to take the wheels off and it fit, and no one hassled me about it.
In addition to being adorable, this miniature suitcase works really well. The bumpers show no nicks or bangs, and I am very hard on suitcases. The wheels are easy to remove, and you can put them in your pocket in a pinch. The grab handles fit my hands and are sturdy, and the telescoping handle extends a full 21 inches, which is the standard height of a suitcase handle. I do have a few caveats: If you're taller than I am (5' 2"), you may find that it's a bit hard to pull behind you without knocking it with your heels. Because the wheels are latched on, they rattle louder than other suitcase wheels, especially if you're walking on a rougher surface. It's so freaking loud. And despite its tiny size, it's not terribly lighter than other full-size carry-on suitcases. However, it's worth it if you're trying to save a few bucks by flying with Spirit or another budget airline.
Specs Material: Polycarbonate | Exterior dimensions: 13.5" x 7.5" x 17.5" | Weight: 6 lbs
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- Photograph: Tom Bihn
The Best Convertible Bag
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45Seattle-based Tom Bihn makes the legendary Aeronaut 45, which converts from a duffel to a backpack to a shoulder bag. It's expensive, but you get everything from a Tom Bihn bag that you pay for. It’s made of incredibly sturdy 1050-denier ballistic nylon, with bombproof YKK zippers. It has both hidden backpack straps and an extremely comfortable cross-body strap. This is WIRED tech director Martin Cizmar's bag, and he has tossed it around and lugged it down rough streets and through crowds where roller bags are a liability. He owns two, and the first lasted for more than a decade. This is the bag that both he and I would use if we didn't have to constantly test other bags.
Specs Material: Ballistic nylon | Exterior dimensions: 21.9" x 14" x 9.1" | Weight: 2 lbs, 15 oz - Photograph: Six Moon Designs
Most Versatile Travel Backpack
Six Moon Designs All Day Carry Travel BackpackThis outstanding travel backpack from Six Moon Designs ends an eternal struggle of picking your back based on the plane ride or the backpacking trip. It's the first bag I've used that can max out your allotted carry-on space but remain comfortable enough to tote 10 or 20 miles in a day. The bag has a square shape with a suitcase handle and was designed to fit inside the size restriction box at the gate. But with fully adjustable shoulder straps from a company that makes bags for Triple Crown thru-hikers, it's easily the most comfortable travel backpack I've ever used—and I've lugged backpacks to Turkey and New Zealand. The best feature of all, though, is the well-considered pockets that have the right combination of zippers, mesh, and loops. Because this is a real trail-ready backpack, you'll find webbing and an expandable stretchy pouch on the back of the pack and a padded harness with water bottle holders and zipper pouches on the front. —Martin Cizmar
Specs Material: Ballistic nylon | Exterior dimensions: 21.9" x 14" x 9.1" | Weight: 2 lbs, 15 oz
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- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best Work Travel Pack
Aer Travel Pack 3Aer’s Travel Pack 3 is about as close to a travel-bag Swiss army knife as you can get. It’s a practically indestructible backpack made of 1680-denier ballistic nylon! It’s a sophisticated briefcase with a handle! It’s a tech organizer and a laptop bag and a suitcase! Though it might be over-engineered for some (“almost too much bag,” according to my husband), the Travel Pack has a sleek, unisex design (available in black, gray, navy, or olive) and utility that make it usable for everything from day-to-day work to business trips to international backpacking.
There’s a roomy, clamshell-style main compartment that fits shoes and about two outfits, or more with a couple of packing cubes, plus a separate divided laptop compartment for two computers. The front unzips to reveal two rows of pockets reminiscent of a miniature over-the-door shoe organizer, perfect for pens, power cords, snacks, or notepads. There are compression straps on both sides to cinch it down to a more manageable size. It should be noted that even when not compressed, the 21.5 x 13-inch profile is still small enough to be stuffed under an airplane seat. Both main compartments have zippers that can accommodate a lock, and a loop on the bag allows it to fit sideways over a suitcase handle. The only detractor is that the water bottle holder is bizarrely small, even when unzipped to its full capacity. It barely fits a 40-ounce ThermoFlask, and the included magnetic strap won’t even fit halfway around it. As long as you don’t get thirsty, this is a pretty solid bag that I think most people would be happy with. —Kat Merck
★ Alternative: I recently took Travelpro's Altitude travel backpack ($280) on a work trip. I loved the full-access, flat-top opening, which saves space in a small hotel room. I also loved that it has structure, so you can pack it like a suitcase, and it's expandable so you can bring home a large book or a library souvenir T-shirt if you really want to.
Specs Material: Ballistic nylon | Exterior dimensions: 21.5" x 13" x 9" | Weight: 4.12 lbs - Photograph: Adrienne So
The Best for Hippie Voyagers
Cotopaxi Allpa 28LWhen the 35-liter version of Cotopaxi's now-ubiquitous travel backpack first launched, I had trouble wrapping my head around why you wouldn't … just use a duffel bag. Now soft, frameless travel packs are ubiquitous, but Cotopaxi's colorful deadstock version will always be one of the best.
The company recently launched a 28-liter version, which fits better on my 5' 2" frame. The 15-inch laptop compartment is accessed via the side, and it's both padded and lined. There's now also a luggage pass-through that fits onto the handle of my Aer roller bag. I've been using it for camping weekends all summer and I love that it works well for both rugged weekend adventures and for more civilized ones. For work trips, I much prefer the stiff structure of the Travelpro backpack above—the internal zipper pockets have an annoying, tiny lip that seems designed to get small items caught—this bag is extremely light and very popular. Every time I go to the airport, I find myself standing behind one of these backpacks at least two or three times.
Specs Material: Deadstock nylon and polyester | Exterior dimensions: 19" x 12" x 9" | Weight: 2 lbs, 4 oz
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Honorable Mentions
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We try a lot of bags! Here are others that just did not earn a place in our top picks.
- Aer Carry-On for $319: Aer's admittedly more expensive carry-on has very nice Hinamoto ball bearings as well as wheel locks, for when you're taking the shuttle to the car rental office.
- Beis Carry-On Roller for $238: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell tried the viral Beis suitcase and loved its sleek looks, variety of colors, and extras like a built-in weight gauge and a retractable strap that lets you clip a backpack or duffel to the front.
- Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside Carry-On for $63: Getting on a plane in two days and need a functional roller bag you don't have to drop a lot of money on? This Amazon Basics bag will totally do the trick. The wheels certainly don't roll like a Rimowa and the zippers far too often snag, but it's very light and the textured ABS shell doesn't scuff easily.—Martin Cizmar
- Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200: This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. The interior fabric is made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, and it has a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.
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