Forbes Vetted – The Best Carry on Luggage

Whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway or a long-haul international trip, the best carry on luggage will make your travels easier. Forbes Vetted editors have tested dozens of bags to find the suitcase that can handle everything you need and fit in airline overhead bins.

Look for a bag with smooth-rolling spinner wheels and plenty of interior compartments. A zipper expander best carry on luggage that adds 2.25 inches of space is also a plus for those who tend to overpack.

1. The Briggs & Riley Monos Pro Plus

If you’re looking for carry-on luggage that fits the overhead bins of most major airlines around the world and has the durability to last, look no further than Briggs & Riley. The US-based company has a wide variety of bags in its line, all of which come with a lifetime guarantee and telescoping handles that can be extended, making it easy to navigate busy airport terminals. Briggs & Riley also has some of the best hard-sided luggage on this list, with polycarbonate and ballistic nylon options available depending on your needs.

In addition to a sturdy design, the Monos Pro Plus has several smart features that make traveling with it easier than ever. The Outsider handle allows for a completely flat interior that helps avoid wrinkled clothes and the one-touch CX expansion system adds up to 34 percent more packing space in minutes, thanks to a specialized compression mechanism.

The Polycarbonate shell is surprisingly lightweight, even considering how durable it is, and the spinner wheels work well on all surfaces, including carpet. The zippers are smooth and sturdy, opening and closing easily during our lab tests and travel tests. The only downside to this otherwise excellent bag is its relatively high price point, though it’s still cheaper than some premium bags like Rimowa. Still, if you can afford it, the Monos Pro Plus is the best carry-on luggage for travelers in the market.

2. The Samsonite The Carry-On Flex

Whether you’re a business traveler who needs a suitcase with plenty of compartments to store documents and electronics or an adventure seeker who loves a lightweight, durable bag that easily maneuvers across different surfaces, the Samsonite The Carry-On Flex fits the bill. This softside set has a spacious main compartment with a built-in divider and a zippered laundry pocket to keep clothes separate from other clothing. It also features a tech organizational panel that’s designed for a laptop or tablet, a wireless charging pad, and a USB port. This best-selling luggage bag is easy to move on the go with smooth-gliding 360-degree double spinner wheels that won’t get caught up on airline or city sidewalks.

The best Samsonite carry-on luggage is made from a tough polycarbonate or high-grade nylon that resists travel wear and tear while also offering smart features like expandability, interior organization, and exterior pockets for on-the-go essentials. A TSA-compatible combination lock, a mono-tube retractable handle, and 360-degree spinner wheels make this brand’s models easy to maneuver and sturdy enough for even the busiest airports.

It’s also crucial to note that not all carry-ons are created equal. Be sure to check the dimensions of your desired bag against those outlined by your preferred airlines to ensure it can fit comfortably in overhead bins and under seats while remaining within size restrictions.

3. The Travelpro Lay-Flat Garment Bag

Whether you pack it with a suit and tie or simply a few dress shirts, this rolling garment bag will keep your wardrobe wrinkle-free. It’s easy to maneuver on its smooth, high-performance in-line skate wheels and has a durable PowerScope Lite handle that’s height adjustable. Other features include a handy padded suiter to hang 1-2 suits, a zipped front pocket for accessories and a hidden ID tag and wet compartments for toiletries.

If you’re looking for a carry-on garment bag that will fit into the overhead bins of most airplanes, this is a solid choice. It’s also light enough to be comfortably carried with its double handles, and it fits well inside a suitcase when you’re ready to check it at the airline counter.

Designed by frequent fliers, this garment bag folds flat for packing and has a suiter to hang up to three jackets or dresses. It’s crafted from lightweight and durable nylon fabric and has many interior and exterior pockets for stowing small items like socks, undergarments and ties. If you travel with a laptop, this garment bag has an external slip that holds most sizes of 15-inch computers. It’s a bit heavier than other models on this list, but it’s an excellent value for those who fly frequently with dressy attire. It’s also an excellent choice for business travelers who want to save money by checking their luggage at the airport.

4. The Away Carry-On Spinner

Designed by travelers, for travelers, the Away carry-ons are the millennial travel set’s newest darlings. Away’s hard-sided bags are lightweight, durable and come with a sleek design, premium interior materials and sturdy zippers. Their telescoping handles are comfortable to grip and can be adjusted for multiple height options. Plus, they come with a TSA-approved lock.

When it comes to comparing Away’s luggage to other brands, one of the most important factors to consider is durability. “The best suitcases are made to withstand the rigors of travel,” says Hull. “They should be able to withstand repeated trips on different airlines with heavy or overpacked baggage, bumps in the road and a beating from the X-ray machines.”

Another crucial factor is weight. Generally, lighter luggage is easier to maneuver on stairs and into overhead bins. The backpack wholesale suppliers Away Carry-On is less than 3 lbs empty, making it a light pick for most travelers.

If you’re a frequent flyer who needs more space, Away also offers The Bigger Carry-On, which is 15% larger than The Carry-On and still fits into the overhead bins of domestic flights. And if you want to stack your Away pieces, the regular and The Bigger carry-ons nestle inside each other like Russian dolls for easy storage at home or while traveling. To save even more time, the Away carry-ons are available for convenient online ordering and free shipping to your doorstep.