The Best Carry-On Luggage to Buy in 2023

We most recently reviewed this guide in April 2023 to ensure all picks, tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab experts, were in stock and correctly priced. We also added new picks from Lo & Sons and The North Face.

Checking your luggage can be a pain – spending the extra time to drop it off, stressing that it may get lost during your flight and then having to pick it up from the baggage claim at your destination isn't always worth the trouble. Not to mention the exorbitant fees airlines charge for checked bags. Investing in the perfect carry-on bag that can hold your entire load and is easy to carry through the airport seems like a no-brainer. Even if you aren't traveling by plane, a carry-on suitcase can be a great pick for car travel because it's easier to transport than larger luggage and is more compact, leaving more room for you and your passengers.

The Good Housekeeping Institute tests popular carry-on luggage from top-performing brands by evaluating their performance and durability. We measure each bag's size and weight, review how much each can hold with a standard load and test for properties like abrasion, scratch and water resistance using our standardized lab equipment. We also receive feedback on factors like comfort and ease of use from dozens of consumer testers who use the loaded luggage in an obstacle course. In recent years, our product testing experts have gotten hands-on with over 40 carry-on suitcases from popular luggage brands at price points ranging from $50 to $700, reviewing thousands of data points in order to choose the best carry-on bags for all of your upcoming travels.

Our top picks:

You can read more about how we evaluate luggage in our Textiles Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect carry-on — at the end of this guide.

Best Luggage Brands | Best Underseat Luggage | Best Hardside Luggage | Best Luggage on Amazon | Best Kids Luggage | Best Duffels | Best Smart Luggage | Best Travel Backpacks