Every Carry-on Luggage Item We've Tested
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Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples
We're constantly testing luggage from a variety of brands and price points to find the best luggage for you. We follow the same rigorous methodology with every test to make sure each bag is evaluated equally.
Below you'll find ratings and specs of every carry-on suitcase we've tested, broken into two categories: suitcases that fit into the overhead bin as well as ones that can be stowed under the seat in front of you. Each category below is organized starting with the highest rated — our top picks — down to the ones that didn't make the cut.
Carry-on Suitcases Tested to Date: 59
Brands Tested: Amazon, Arlo Skye, Away, Beis, Bric, Briggs & Riley, Calpak, Coolife, Delsey Paris, Eagle Creek, Hartmann, High Sierra, July, Kenneth Cole, Kipling, Level8, Lipault, Lucas, Monos, Nicole Miller, Nomad Lane, Paravel, Rimowa, Roam, Rockland, Samsonite, Steve Madden, SwissGear, TPRC, TravelPro, Tumi, Verage
Price Range: $59 to $975
Be sure to check back, as we'll update this page as we test more.
In addition to suitcases, we also test a variety of other types of luggage for every trip, including duffel bags and weekender bags and checked luggage.
Carry-on Suitcases
For more detailed reviews of the top carry-on luggage we recommend, read our full review.
Full Review:The Best Carry-on Luggage of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner
Price | $92 |
Weight | 6.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 x 15 x 10 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner
Price | $186 |
Weight | 5.6 pounds |
Dimensions | 21 x 15 x 10 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner
Price | $370 |
Weight | 8.5 pounds |
Dimensions | 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Away The Bigger Carry-On Flex
Price | $345 |
Weight | 7.2 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 x 14 x 9.5 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Travelpro Platinum Elite 21” Expandable Carry-On Spinner
Price | $370 |
Weight | 8.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 23.5 x 14.5 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Beis The Carry-on Roller
Price | $198 |
Weight | 8.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 15.75 x 22.8 x 9.8 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus
Price | $425 |
Weight | 8.5 pounds |
Dimensions | 14.7 x 22.7 x 9.6 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-on Spinner
Price | $200 |
Weight | 6.4 pounds |
Dimensions | 23 × 15 × 10 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Eagle Creek Expanse AWD International Carry-On
Price | $209 |
Weight | 7.6 pounds |
Dimensions | 8 x 13.75 x 21.25 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Carry-on
Price | $170 |
Weight | 7.05 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 × 15 × 9.75 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
July Carry On Pro
Price | $345 |
Weight | 7.9 pounds |
Dimensions | 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Monos Carry On Plus Spinner
Price | $275 |
Weight | 7.38 pounds |
Dimensions | 23 × 15 × 9.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Tumi Continental Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-on
Price | $1,050 |
Weight | 11.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 22.0 X 16.0 X 9.0 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Delsey Paris Clavel Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels
Price | $190 |
Weight | 5.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 21 x 13 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-On Max with Front Pocket
Price | $395 |
Weight | 8.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 23 x 15 x 10.3 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Bric's Bellagio V2.0 Carry-On Spinner Trunk
Price | $665 |
Weight | 7.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 21.7 x 15 x 7.9 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Delsey Paris Helium Aero Hardside Spinner Luggage
Price | $183 |
Weight | 8.4 pounds |
Dimensions | 21 x 14.5 x 10 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner
Price | $599 |
Weight | 9.2 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Coolife ABS+PC Spinner Trolley
Price | $110 |
Weight | 6.7 pounds |
Dimensions | 19.29 x 30.71 x 12.6 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Samsonite Black Label Lite-Shock Carry-On Spinner
Price | $550 |
Weight | 3.7 pounds |
Dimensions | 21.5 × 15.5 × 8 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Briggs & Riley ZDX 22-inch Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner
Price | $499 |
Weight | 7.4 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Calpak Ambeur Carry-On
Price | $195 |
Weight | 6 pounds |
Dimensions | 21 x 14 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Travelpro Maxlite Air Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner
Price | $169 |
Weight | 6.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Lipault Plume Cabin Spinner
Price | $245 |
Weight | 4.8 pounds |
Dimensions | 21.6 × 13.8 × 8.3 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner
Price | $699 |
Weight | 10 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Hartmann Luxe II Carry-On Spinner
Price | $320 |
Weight | 6.8 pounds |
Dimensions | 22.5 × 16 × 10 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Kipling Darcey Small Carry-On Rolling Luggage
Price | $199 |
Weight | 5.33 pounds |
Dimensions | 14 x 22 x 9.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Expandable Spinner
Price | $170 |
Weight | 5.4 pounds |
Dimensions | 23 x 14.5 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | softside |
Lucas Ultra Lightweight Carry-On Softside 20 Inch Expandable Luggage
Price | $130 |
Weight | 5.8 pounds |
Dimensions | 22.8 X 14 X 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Delsey Paris Chatelet Air 21-Inch Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
Price | $330 |
Weight | 7.9 pounds |
Dimensions | 20.25 x 9.5 x 14.25 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin S Lightweight Suitcase
Price | $700 |
Weight | 4.9 pounds |
Dimensions | 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Roam Luggage Large Carry-On
Price | $575 |
Weight | 7.7 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 x 16.25 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
SwissGear Sion Softside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
Price | $120 |
Weight | 7.96 pounds |
Dimensions | 22.75 x 14.25 x 10.25 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Level8 20 Inch Pro Carry-On With Laptop Pocket
Price | $210 |
Weight | 9.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 14.4 x 9.2 x 21.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Tumi 19 Degree Continental Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On
Price | $795 |
Weight | 8.2 pounds |
Dimensions | 21.8 X 15.8 X 9.0 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Rockland 22 Inch Rolling Duffel Bag
Price | $69 |
Weight | 4.34 pounds |
Dimensions | 26.77 x 13.78 x 12.01 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Rimowa Essential Cabin
Price | $875 |
Weight | 7.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Béis Soft-Sided Collapsible Carry-On Roller
Price | $198 |
Weight | 9.06 pounds |
Dimensions | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Samsonite Silhouette 17 Carry-On Hardside Spinner
Price | $290 |
Weight | 9.48 pounds |
Dimensions | 23 × 15 × 10 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Briggs & Riley International 21 Inch Carry-On Spinner
Price | $549 |
Weight | 6.9 pounds |
Dimensions | 21 x 14 x 9 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Underseat Luggage
For more detailed reviews of the top carry-on luggage we recommend, read our full review.
Full Review:The 8 Best Underseat Luggage Pieces of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage
Price | $165 |
Weight | 6.4 pounds |
Dimensions | 16 x 14 x 8.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Kenneth Cole Reaction Chelsea Luggage Expandable Underseater Spinner
Price | $140 |
Weight | 5.6 pounds |
Dimensions | 17 x 13 x 9 inches |
Expandable | Yes |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Samsonite Spinner Underseater with USB Port
Price | $145 |
Weight | 5.6 pounds |
Dimensions | 16.5 × 13.75 × 9 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Hardside |
Travelpro x Travel + Leisure UnderSeat Tote
Price | $245 |
Weight | 2.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 9.25 x 16.5 x 9 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 0 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Lightweight Underseat Carry-on Travel Tote Bag
Price | $100 |
Weight | 1.6 pounds |
Dimensions | 11 x 18 x 8 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 0 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Nicole Miller Underseat Luggage
Price | $100 |
Weight | 6.25 pounds |
Dimensions | 15.5 x 15 x 10 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater Luggage
Price | $180 |
Weight | 4 pounds |
Dimensions | 9 x 14 x 15 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Steve Madden Underseat Wheeled Bag
Price | $180 |
Weight | 5 pounds |
Dimensions | 15 x 9 x 14 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
TUMI Voyageur Oxford Compact Carry-On
Price | $650 |
Weight | 6.6 pounds |
Dimensions | 14 x 22 x 9 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
DELSEY Paris Chatelet Soft Air Luggage Under-Seater
Price | $580 |
Weight | 6.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 14.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Rolling Underseat Compact Carry-On Bag
Price | $150 |
Weight | 5.5 pounds |
Dimensions | 17.5 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Briggs & Riley Baseline Rolling Cabin Spinner
Price | $499 |
Weight | 7 pounds |
Dimensions | 14 x 9.5 x 7 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Nomad Lane Bento Bag V 3.0
Price | $298 |
Weight | 2.9 pounds |
Dimensions | 17 x 8 x 10 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 0 |
Shell Type | Softside |
BRIC’S X-Travel Pilot Case
Price | $235 |
Weight | 5.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 14.2 x 15.9 x 6.3 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
SWISSGEAR Checklite Underseat Carry-On Suitcase
Price | $100 |
Weight | 5.3 pounds |
Dimensions | 16 x 13.75 x 9 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | No |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
VERAGE Spinner Carry-On Underseat Luggage with USB Port
Price | $130 |
Weight | 5 pounds |
Dimensions | 14.4 x 13.3 x 8.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 4 |
Shell Type | Softside |
TPRC 15-inch Smart Under Seat Carry-On Luggage
Price | $59 |
Weight | 6 pounds |
Dimensions | 14 x 15 x 8.5 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
Samsonite Carrier Underseater
Price | $100 |
Weight | 5.9 pounds |
Dimensions | 17 × 14.6 × 9.8 inches |
Expandable | No |
Smart | Yes |
Wheel Count | 2 |
Shell Type | Softside |
How We Test Carry-on Luggage
All our recommendations are based on rigorous, hands-on evaluation conducted both in our product testing lab in New York and by editors when they travel. We also interview experts in the luggage space — manufacturers, products designers, brand reps, and even pilots and flight attendants — to get their insider advice on what to look for in a piece of luggage. Based on our initial research, we scour the internet for the most popular and top-rated luggage items on the market to purchase those for our testing lab.
During testing, we follow a rigorous and consistent methodology to make sure that all products, regardless of brand, price point, or style, are evaluated fairly. We start by inspecting the bag for surface-level observations, such as any useful features that stand out, the style and aesthetic, and more, and then we weigh and measure each bag — every ounce counts when it could save you money in overweight baggage fees! Next, we pack each bag with items you would need on a trip to test capacity: clothing, shoes, toiletries, cosmetics, and a few breakable souvenirs for good measure. We then evaluate how well they maneuver or transport — how well does a suitcase roll over concrete floors versus cobblestone streets? Are there sufficient handles for lifting it into an overhead bin? Lastly, we test their durability by throwing them off of high surfaces and striking them with baseball bats — the latter is as fun as it sounds, but you may be surprised at how well some bags hold up to a blow from a bat.
Finally, we analyze all insights and data from each test to recommend the best products for your trip. Only when we decide we really love a product (and that it offers value for your money) do we recommend it to you.
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