Best Carry-On Luggage 2025 – Forbes Vetted

Dimensions: 22.7 x 15.4 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Capacity: 47.9 liters | Colors: 12 total, including Coast Blue and Olive Green | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Six-to-eight-day trips
• A thoughtful interior compression system
• A comfortable underside grab handle

Skip if:

• You prefer a suitcase with a front pocket

I have been using Away suitcases since 2018, and I often recommend the brand’s bags to others as a great option for those looking to dip their toes into hardside luggage (first-time Away user and Forbes Vetted senior reviews editor Anna Perling tested The Carry-On on trips to Paris, Austin and New York earlier this year).

Dimensions: 21 × 14.5 × 9.8 inches | Weight: 8.4 pounds | Capacity: 61 liters | Colors: 8 total, including Beige and Maple | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Five-to-seven-day trips
• Built-in weight indicator and two inches of expansion
• A soft and comfortable handle

Skip if:

• You need a lightweight option

For cold weather trips or vacations that call for layers, an expandable suitcase is key. Béis makes one of the best expandable carry-on suitcases on the market today, with two inches of extra space to allow you to stuff in what you need (and maybe even what you don’t). I’ve traveled with this bag on several week-long trips and filled it with sweaters, jackets and more—and still had room left over after I zipped open its expandable space. The suitcase also comes with a built-in weight limit indicator: When you lift it by its side-carry handle, a red mark will appear if the luggage is over 50 pounds, meaning you’ll know in advance if your bag exceeds most airlines’ weight limit, giving you a chance to take a few items out rather than pay a fee.

Dimensions: 21.6 × 14.5 × 9 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | Capacity: 40 liters | Colors: 4 total, including Black and Navy | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Five-to-seven-day trips
• Travelers who like the security of a snap locking system
• Business trips that call for sophisticated design

Skip if:

• You prefer a traditional zip-around suitcase

Carl Friedrik’s The Carry-On stands out for its high-end craftsmanship (that chic trimming is Italian leather) as well as 360-degree spinner wheels that are silent as a whisper. Part of its sleek look is thanks to the absence of a zipper; it’s built with a snap locking system that means it clicks open and closed instead. While I usually only use zippered bags (I’m terrified of accidentally getting locked out of my things), this lock felt both super secure and easy to open when it was time to unpack. With just a click of a sturdy button, I was confident that my bag wasn’t going to swing open on the stairs of the airport.

Dimensions: 15.3 x 10 x 21.3 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Capacity: 34 liters | Colors: 5 total, including Amethyst Purple and Black | Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

Best for:

• Budget-conscious travelers
• Staying organized
• Overpackers

Skip if:

• You need a front pocket
• You prioritize having a USB port

A high-quality suitcase doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg: The Samsonite Freeform costs less than $150 and offers a wealth of useful features, including a built-in TSA lock, elastic tie-down straps and a zippered 1-inch expansion panel. “I’ve been using this Samsonite carry-on for the past six years and it never lets me down,” says one of our panel testers. “As a chronic overpacker, I love that it’s expandable and has organizational pockets to help separate my clothes and essentials.” 

At 6.5 pounds, this suitcase is more lightweight than most options on our list and the 360-degree wheels make it easy to maneuver. “It’s so convenient that I typically opt to bring it over a weekender bag even for short trips,” our tester adds. Keep in mind that the shell is made of polypropylene rather than polycarbonate; while this contributes to both its lightness and its affordable price point, it’s not as durable as some of our other hardside picks like the Away Bigger Carry-On.  

Dimensions: 21 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 7.8 pounds | Capacity: 46 liters | Colors: 8 total, including Shadow Black and Bordeaux | Warranty: 5-year limited warranty; covers cost of repair for damage by airline if registered within first 120 days of purchase

Best for:

• Five-to-seven-day trips
• Durable material and sturdy zippers
• Two large exterior pockets

Skip if:

• You prefer a modern aesthetic

A carry-on for international travel needs to be constructed with durability in mind: The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner’s exterior fabric feels so sturdy that I confidently recommend it for longer, international trips. (This suitcase is also featured on our list of best luggage as the top pick for international travel, based on additional testing by Forbes Vetted’s editorial director, Brinda Ayer.) The chrome zippers, in particular, feel extra durable and tug-proof. After stuffing it with clothes on three different trips, I understood why this brand is a favorite of pilots and flight attendants.

Dimensions: 22 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 7.8 pounds | Capacity: 36 liters | Colors: 13 total, including Desert Taupe and Blue Haze | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Three-to-four-day trips
• Smart organization and built-in compression
• Laptop users seeking a padded front pocket

Skip if:

At under 8 pounds, the Monos Carry-On Pro is fairly lightweight, yet feels far from flimsy. I’m so impressed by this suitcase’s satisfying heft that I asked several friends to roll it around to experience it themselves. They all agreed: This suitcase feels dependable enough to leave momentarily standing without fear of it rolling down a hill.

Its polycarbonate shell feels equally tough. I traveled with this suitcase on three different domestic trips and noticed barely any scuffing afterward, despite the fact that I was using one of the lighter colors, Sage Green. That durable exterior provides a layer of confidence around the suitcase’s laptop compartment, which is spacious enough to hold a 15-inch laptop along with a few other small travel accessories. The bag’s 360-degree spinner wheels are incredibly smooth, and I appreciate that its telescopic handle stayed firm after blocks of bouncing across Boston’s cobblestone streets. This suitcase also comes with a helpful laundry bag and two shoe bags to make packing easier, and an integrated TSA lock for enhanced security.

The brand’s website advertises this bag as spacious enough for five-day trips, but the bag’s laptop pocket does subtract some of that space, which is why I deducted points. After multiple trips, I would recommend three-to-four days as the sweet spot. Another thing to note is that the handles tend to lock up if you pack this suitcase to the brim, so overpackers may want to opt for an expandable bag, like the  Briggs & Riley or Béis s uitcases that also made this list.

Dimensions: 22 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 8.8 pounds | Capacity: 35 liters | Colors: 2 total, including Olive and Black | Warranty: 5-year warranty

Best for:

• Six-to-eight-day trips
• Durable nylon exterior
• Zipper expansion up to 2 inches

Skip if:

I recently traveled with this suitcase and I love its best-of-both-worlds construction. Although it’s technically a softside suitcase (the shell is made of FTX ballistic nylon), it’s built more like a hardside suitcase. And while it doesn’t have the largest capacity of the suitcases on this list, its innovative design allows you to pack an impressive amount. A zipper expansion system offers up to two inches of extra space, for a maximum depth of 11 inches. It also has removable garment sleeves for organizing outfits, and ensuring they stay wrinkle-free while in transit. Thanks to its dual-entry feature, you can access your belongings through the front lid or the split-case zip entry. I also found the handle to be comfortable.

Another feature I loved: Both halves of the suitcase are deep enough to store shoes separately from clothes, which is rare for softside luggage. While this suitcase is on the pricier side, I found the quality to be impeccable. It has all of the extras you’d expect from a bag in this price range, including a built-in TSA lock, built-in USB-C port, impact-resistant side panels and ultra-smooth spinner wheels. If you’re looking to pack a good deal of clothing but still value a compact suitcase, I highly recommend this one. 

Dimensions: 22 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Capacity: 37 to 48 liters | Colors: 4 total, including Plum and Navy | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Business travelers
• Those who want a suitcase that will last for years
• Overpackers

Skip if:

• You’re traveling with fragile items

I mostly travel with hardside luggage due to it feeling more impact-resistant, but I tested the Briggs & Riley Essential Baseline after it came highly recommended by other travel editors and writers I know, as well as my colleagues. (This model was named the best softside pick in our roundup of the best luggage, and was additionally tested by Forbes Vetted branded content editor Luke Fater.) 

I was impressed by its great features—the built-in garment folder in particular came in handy for wrinkle-free dresses. A large pocket on the front allows for quick, easy access to a sweater or scarf, while a smaller, additional pocket is designed to hold your cell phone and charging cables. It has a pop-up expandable feature, but due to it soft exterior, I felt that I could squeeze even more clothing into it. 

While it’s definitely pricey, friends of mine who have used it have told me that their bags have lasted for years. I also think it has a very sophisticated look. This suitcase is the heaviest option on this list, coming in at 10 pounds; if you end up needing to check your bag, you’ll want to keep this in mind so you stay within your airline’s luggage weight requirements. 

Dimensions: 9 x 14 x 22 inches | Weight: 5.3 pounds | Capacity: 38 liters | Colors: 5 total, including Orchid Pink and Slate Green | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Taller travelers
• Trips lasting three to five days
• Light packers

Skip if:

• You prefer a sleeker aesthetic

Clocking in at 5.3 pounds, the Travelpro Maxlite Carry-On is the lightest suitcase on this list, which is especially convenient if your travel includes lugging your bag into overhead bins and taxi trunks. “In the past, I’ve stayed away from softside luggage, as I found it sometimes difficult to slide into the overhead compartment when fully packed,” says one member of our testing panel. “However, this specific model has the perfect amount of structure to not allow for odd bulges that limit overhead compatibility.” If you do find yourself reaching capacity, you can expand the suitcase by 2 inches with a zippered panel. Inside the suitcase, you’ll find a pair of compression straps and a lid pocket to maximize your space. 

A standout feature our tester loved while traveling is the height-adjustable handle. “I am quite tall, as is my partner, and we both could not stop raving about the handle height,” she says. “It doesn’t feel like I am dipping my shoulder to glide my bag through the airport, which is a huge plus for us.” Our tester also described the wheels as the “most quiet and smooth” she’s ever used. However, her one drawback for this model is its overall aesthetic, which isn’t particularly chic when compared to the Briggs & Riley Essential Baseline Carry-On.

Dimensions: 22 × 13 × 9 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Capacity: 42 liters | Colors: 2 total, including Black and Olive | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Parents
• Staying organized
• Weekend trips 

Skip if:

• You don’t have the need for built-in organizers

In some cases, a duffel bag is more suitable than a suitcase; if you need unfettered access to your belongings, a duffel is the more convenient of the two. The No Reception Club Hideaway is a thoughtfully designed bag that offers unparalleled organization, thanks to a removable cubby system, built-in laundry compartment and insulated cooler. “This duffel is especially designed for parents but is ideal for anyone who wants to stay organized,” says one of our testers, a parent of two. “And unlike many gym duffels, which are flimsy and shapeless, this one is relatively structured for easy packing and added protection of its contents.” 

The Hideaway can be carried a variety of ways: You can wear it as a backpack, sling it over the shoulder or hold it by one of its smaller hand straps. Alternatively, it has a trolley sleeve that allows you to slip it onto the handle of your wheeled suitcase. The exterior is constructed out of 100% recycled polyester, which is water-resistant. It’s available in two neutral colors: Black and Olive. 

Dimensions: 21.7 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Capacity: 41 liters | Colors: 4 total, including Fog White and Dark Olive | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

Best for:

• Trips lasting three to four days
• Light packers
• Train travel

Skip if:

• You want an expandable suitcase
• Your destination has a lot of uneven roads

Aer is known for its sleek, chic and modern travel pieces, and its compact Carry-On is no exception. I have tried the larger version of this suitcase, the Carry-On Max, and found it to be spacious and stylish. It has durable zippers, a built-in TSA lock and three interior pockets, including one pocket made just for smart luggage trackers like the Apple AirTag. “It’s a really nice looking piece of luggage, and it handles nicely,” says our tester, who took the Carry-On with her from New Jersey to Germany for a trade show. “The lock was a cinch to program and the zippers held even when I crammed it full on my return.”

Dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds | Capacity: 46.6 liters | Colors: 6 total, including Safari Green and Scout Tan | Warranty: 10-year limited warranty

Best for:

• Five-to-seven-day trips
• Those looking for a bag that’s both stylish and durable
• Smooth wheels and a comfortable handle grip

Skip if:

• You need a wide variety of color options

Paravel’s carbon-neutral suitcases not only do good, they look good, too. The brand has gained a loyal following among eco-conscious travelers thanks to the post-consumer recycled materials used in the manufacturing of its bags. But Paravel’s focus on eco-friendly materials doesn’t mean it’s ignored the fashion aspect. The Aviator Carry-On Plus is one of the better-looking carry-on bags on the market today; after traveling with it to Mexico City, I got more than a few compliments leaving the airport.

While there are plenty of fashion brands out there leaning into design-forward luggage, this carry-on actually feels very sturdy and well-made. It features a vegan leather wrap around its handle that makes for a comfortable grip, and it has an integrated TSA lock for added peace of mind. In addition, it comes with built-in compression that allows it to hold up to a week’s worth of clothing and its wheels never snagged on any of the carpets in the airports I passed through (a major pet peeve of mine).

While Paravel’s Aviator may not have as many color options as other suitcases on this list, like Away and Monos, the six color palettes that the brand does offer are incredibly elegant in person. I own the  Scout Tan color, which I feel elevates the traditional white suitcase with a vegan leather lining. I also think the brand’s  Safari Green and  Boxcar Red colors are much more sophisticated-looking than the more playful shades of green and red on other hardside suitcases I’ve used.