18 Best Carry On Suitcases for 2025 for Easy Travel

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If you’re a seasoned jet-setter, then you know that how well you pack can be a total travel game-changer. And whether you’re planning the perfect spring break or summer getaway, or simply just traveling for work, packing better starts with a better carry-on suitcase. It could be a quick flight for a beach vacation or a long-distance plane ride to explore a new city—no matter where you’re heading, the right bag is a travel essential. But finding the best carry-on suitcase can be a lot harder than it sounds. The bag should be lightweight, durable, and easy to roll through busy airports, but also have good pocket space and compression. This all combines to create a better travel experience, where you don’t have to sacrifice unnecessary suitcase space. Luckily, we did the research for you to find the most highly-rated options on the market.
When shopping for your carry-on luggage, we have a few tips to find your perfect option: Look for features like smooth 360-degree spinner wheels that make navigating crowds a breeze, extra pockets for easy access to must-haves like your phone charger and paperback, and strong compression straps to keep your items secure. A TSA-approved lock is also a good idea for peace of mind, and if you need to have your phone handy at all times, a built-in USB port is a nice add-on. We found suitcases with all of these features and more, so you can buy knowing your investment will be worth it. While spring break is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a new bag, these carry-ons are made to last well beyond your vacation. (Bonus: Don’t forget about a reliable personal item bag, packing cubes, travel makeup bags, and a neck pillow to keep you comfy!)
01
DELSEY Paris Chatelet Air 2.0 Hardside Carry-On Luggage
Amazon
$197.28
This carry-on suitcase is a traveler’s dream, featuring a sleek, lightweight polycarbonate shell and stylish faux leather accents that can handle any bumps along the way. Glide effortlessly through the airport with smooth dual-spinner wheels and stay powered up with a built-in USB port. The spacious interior keeps your essentials organized, with a laundry bag and mesh pockets for extra convenience.
02
Samsonite Just Right Wheeled Weekend Duffel Bag
Bloomingdale’s
$219.99
Is it a duffel? Is it a suitcase? Get the best of both worlds with this rolling duffel that transforms effortlessly thanks to a retractable handle and removable padded shoulder strap. With plenty of thoughtful pockets, it keeps your tech and travel essentials organized and easily accessible. Plus, the exterior USB charging port and luggage sleeve make getting around that much easier.
03
Carl Friedrik The Carry On Spinner Suitcase
Bloomingdale’s
$545.00
Travel stress-free in style with this sleek cabin case with a tough aluminum frame and impact-resistant polycarbonate shell to keep your belongings safe. With smooth 360-degree spinner wheels, a TSA lock, and a hyper-organized interior with compression straps, packing and getting through the airport has never been easier.
04
The Carry-On
Away
$275.00
Since Away Travel launched nearly two decades ago—leading the way for so many other direct-to-consumer brands on our list—loads of critics and consumers have hailed The Carry On as one the best carry on roller bag around. While the sleek silhouette and vibrant colors look fantastic, we especially love traveler-friendly details like 360-degree wheels, interior compression technology, and multiple interior pockets,
05
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Amazon
$200.00
Merging the portability of a backpack and the organizational style of a suitcase, Cotopaxi’s Allpa is a perfect choice if you’re looking for the best carry on luggage for international travel. (Especially where you might encounter cobblestone streets and steep stairways that aren’t great for wheeled luggage.) This colorful bag is equipped with thoughtful bells and whistles like a weight-distributing harness system, security zippers, hidden interior compartments, and even a rain cover to ensure your gear stays dry no matter the weather.
06
SwissGear Sion Softside Carry-On
Amazon
$119.26
Prefer soft-sided carry on luggage? With 360-degree wheels, a locking retractable handle, scuff-resistant fabric, and loads of interior and exterior compartments, it’s no wonder that this popular option has racked up over 14,000 five-star Amazon reviews and counting.
07
The Garment Duffel 45L
Halfday
$98.00
08
Tumi 19 Degrees Expandable Spinner Carry-On
Nordstrom
$750.00
If you’ve ever owned a Tumi, then you know that this high-priced luggage is as functional as it is stylish. In addition to sporting a textured, glossy exterior, this piece also contains several interior compartments. This eliminates the need for you to pack extra pouches for small items like makeup, toiletries, underwear, and socks.
09
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-On
Amazon
$139.99
Amazon’s best-selling carry on suitcase comes from none other than Samsonite, a brand that has been synonymous with high-quality luggage for more than a century. Available in a rainbow of eye-catching colors, this piece incorporates modern features like 360-degree wheels, recessed zippers for added security, expandable capacity, and a scratch-resistant hard shell—all at just 6.5 pounds.
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10
Carry On Pro
July
$325.00
Direct-to-consumer darling July makes six different styles of carry on luggage, but our favorite is the Carry On Pro for its zippered front pocket and ejectable power bank. This hardshell suitcase offers easy access to your laptop, tablet, charging cords and other essentials, eliminating the need to lug around a big tote or backpack to stuff under the seat in front of you.
11
Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside Carry-On Luggage
Amazon
$69.97
Much like the entire Amazon Basics line, this affordable carry on suitcase incorporates lots of the coveted features of its more expensive counterparts, from multi-directional wheels to interior pockets to a convenient retractable handle. It’s even expandable if you need a little extra packing room—and all for under $100.
12
The Carry-On Roller
BÉIS
$218.00
The Carry-On Roller from Beis is the luggage equivalent of your favorite dress with pockets. It’s packed with functional interior bags and compartments that fit together to keep your gear organized. It can even expand two inches if you need a bit of extra room, and we love the retractable strap that holds your handbag.
13
Cabin Plus
Rimowa
$1,550.00
If you’re ready to splurge on luggage that oozes status, look no further than the Cabin Plus from Rimowa, a 125-year-old German brand prized for its exceptional craftsmanship. The interior divider sports a flexible design that enables you to adjust the height of each compartment as needed, and the anodized aluminum shell is the perfect combination of durable and lightweight.
14
Carry-On Closet Original
Solgaard
$275.00
15
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Carry-On Luggage
Amazon
$144.49
Thousands of satisfied Amazon customers heap praise on the Travelpro Maxlite 5, raving about everything from its “maneuverability” to its “sturdy and lightweight style.” Since it opens like a duffel bag instead of a clamshell, you can fit larger items more easily than with some of the other pieces on our list.
16
Herschel Supply Co. Heritage Softshell Large Wheeled Carry-On
Nordstrom
$200.00
17
Terra 35L Soft-Sided Carry-On Luggage
Calpak
$215.00
A handful of airports still require you to remove electronics and food from your carry on at security. But luckily, this gorgeous piece from Calpak saves you the hassle of rifling through your bag in front of a line of impatient travelers. This sturdy soft-sided suitcase has multiple outside pockets to offer easy access to whatever you might need before or during your flight.
18
Carry-On Pro
Monos
$295.00
The Carry On Pro from Monos sports loads of features we adore, like a water-resistant polycarbonate hard shell, antimicrobial lining, and vegan leather accents. Grab your laptop and charger from the exterior pocket before you stow your bag, and you’ll be ready to get to work as soon as the captain gives you the all-clear.
Carry-On Q+A
What is the TSA approved carry-on size?
The standard TSA-approved carry-on size is typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including handles and wheels), though it can vary a bit depending on the airline. Some airlines are stricter than others, so it’s a good idea to double-check the size limits for your specific airline before you pack to avoid any issues at the gate. If you’re not sure, always opt for a slightly smaller bag to avoid any surprises.
Is hardside or softside luggage better for carry-on?
What are some other features to look for in a carry-on?
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