Keep calm and carry on: The best carry-on luggage for every kind of trip
Editor's Note
From frequent travelers to fashionistas, there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to carry-on luggage.
If you fly so often that you are on a first-name basis with your local airport's Transportation Security Administration agents, you need a carry-on suitcase that is durable enough to withstand repeated use.
Your carry-on bag should be as stylish as you are, so you'll want an eye-catching option that expresses your unique personality. But if you are backpacking through Europe or headed for the great outdoors, you'll need a carry-on bag that's both rugged and comfortable.
Related: Airline carry-on luggage size: Everything you need to know
Regardless of how often, where or how you travel, we've rounded up the best of the best to help you find the carry-on bag that fits your lifestyle.
Best elevated basic: July's Carry On Essential
Size: 21.5 inches by 15 inches by 8.5 inches
Price: $275
Buy now: July website
Before bringing its product to market, July pored over thousands of customer reviews of other luggage brands to determine what it could do to out-design the competition. The result is a carry-on suitcase that is crush-proof, scratch-proof and sophisticated.
This no-nonsense bag has only the essentials: a sleek shell with a TSA lock, an interior compression system and a hidden laundry bag. July sells bags that are made to last, and it stands by that promise with a lifetime warranty and a 100-day return policy.
For an additional $50, you can order an upgraded version that includes metal bumpers, an expandable zipper and a packable travel tote.
Best personal item: Delsey Paris' Helium DLX Wheeled Underseater
Size: 14.25 inches by 9 inches by 15.25 inches
Price: $159.99
Buy now: Delsey Paris website
Although we wish they didn't, some airlines do charge for carry-on baggage. Even those that charge let you bring a personal item for free, though. This personal bag also comes in handy if you find yourself in a situation where your carry-on suitcase isn't quite big enough to hold everything.
A personal item needs to be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, and the Delsey Helium DLX Underseater does just that.
Despite its small size, this bag still has several smart features, like silent rolling wheels, a TSA-compatible lock, interior and exterior organization, and a trolley sleeve.
Best trackable suitcase: July's CaseSafe Carry On
Size: 21.5 inches by 15 inches by 8.5 inches
Price: $325
Buy now: July website
We've advised adding an AirTag to your luggage since the product launched in 2021. Since then, several airlines have integrated AirTag tracking service to help expedite the process of reuniting travelers with lost bags. But July has introduced something even better — the world's first trackable suitcase.
July created its CaseSafe line in consultation with Google and Apple to create a top-of-the-line, tech-forward and sleek-looking solution to lost luggage. The suitcase's battery-operated lock is fully compatible with Apple's Find My network and Google's Find Hub network, allowing travelers to track their luggage directly from their phone.
You may not think you need tracking functionality in your carry-on. However, you never know when you'll be asked to gate check your bag or when you'll buy too many souvenirs and need to check a bag in order to bring your shopping bags on the plane.
Best for kids: State's Logan Carry-On Suitcase
Size: 18.7 inches by 13.4 inches by 9.45 inches
Price: $225
Buy now: State's website
Most kids reach an age where they want to pack and carry their own suitcases. Unfortunately, many pieces of luggage geared toward kids look better than they perform. That's where State bags stand out from the rest.
State bags are durable, functional and come in fun prints that kids (and most adults) will love. This bag has interior organization (including a zipper pocket to keep dirty clothes separate), an exterior pocket and a side strap that can hold a water bottle, jacket or stuffed animal. It's also easy to maneuver with smooth-rolling, 360-degree wheels.
State offers accessories like lunch boxes, toiletry kits, duffel bags and backpacks in the same eye-catching prints as its luggage pieces for kids who love to coordinate.
Best large carry-on: Away's The Bigger Carry-On
Size: 22.7 inches by 15.4 inches by 9.6 inches
Price: $295
Buy now: Away website
This larger version of the original Away Carry-On isn't just bigger — it's better. The Bigger Carry-On is large enough to hold enough clothing for a four- to seven-day trip.
It's also made with a durable polycarbonate shell and has a slew of functional features like 360-degree spinning wheels, a TSA lock, an interior compression system and a waterproof laundry bag. Just as important, the Bigger Carry-On from Away comes in a range of colors, including limited-edition hues released throughout the year.
Whether you're looking for a suitcase in your favorite color or you want something that stands out in a sea of black luggage, you are sure to find what you're looking for.
Add more personalization with monograms and luggage tags in an array of colors and styles.
Best for subways and city life: Aer's Carry-On
Size: 22.7 inches by 15 inches by 9 inches
Price: $299
Buy now: Aer website
When I polled my TPG co-workers on their favorite carry-on bags, I was shocked to learn that I had never heard of a carry-on bag with brakes on the wheels. TPG senior editor Lyndsey Matthews opened my eyes to the Aer Carry-On.
The San Francisco-based company is known for its durable travel backpacks, but it launched its first wheeled carry-on in 2024. "The Aer Carry-On has similarly durable details like puncture-resistant YKK zippers and CORDURA ripstop liners," Lyndsey said. "Plus, its ultrasmooth Hinomoto wheels come with a brake system, so you don't have to worry about your luggage rolling away on a subway platform or into a busy street."
Lyndsey also loves that the Aer Carry-On comes in "a rainbow of colors." (Go for the Safety Orange if you want to stand out in a crowd ... and on the baggage carousel.)
Best unbreakable shell: Monos' Carry-On
Size: 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches
Price: $275
Buy now: Monos website
With its sleek, rounded design and vegan leather accents, it may be hard to believe the Monos Carry-On is unbreakable and water-resistant. In fact, it performs as well as it looks in every aspect, from the telescopic handle with four adjustable height settings to the antimicrobial interior fabric.
Other standout features include a TSA-approved lock, a built-in compression system, a laundry bag, two shoe bags and a vegan leather luggage tag. Get it in standard colors like black, white and gray or have a little fun with pink, forest green, sky blue or one of Monos' limited-edition prints.
Best luxury luggage: Rimowa's Original Cabin carry-on bag
Size: 21.7 inches by 15.8 inches by 9.1 inches
Price: $1,500
Buy now: Rimowa website
If you want a bag that can stand up to hundreds of thousands of miles of travel by air, by land and by sea, the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On is the gold standard ... and not just because it comes in a lineup of metallic shades.
In addition to its durability, the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On has TSA locks, a unique multi-wheel system and adjustable interior dividers.
The Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On has a significantly higher price tag than others on this list, but you could probably use it for a decade (or more) before needing a new one. Rimowa backs up the longevity of its iconic aluminum suitcases with a lifetime guarantee.
Related: Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Rimowa
Best budget-friendly basic: Quince's Carry-On Suitcase
Size: 22.8 inches by 9.8 inches by 15.6 inches
Price: $129.90
Buy now: Quince website
At less than half the price of many competitors, the Quince Carry-On Suitcase packs major bang for your buck. This bag has a sturdy polycarbonate shell, interior compression panels, a removable laundry bag, 360-degree spinner wheels and a TSA-compatible lock. It's also spacious enough to hold several days' worth of clothing, yet still compact enough to fit in the overhead bin on most airplanes.
Best carry-on backpack: Baboon to the Moon Small Go-Bag
Size: 10.5 inches by 20.5 inches by 12.5 inches
Price: $199
Buy now: Baboon to the Moon website
While 360-spinner wheels come in handy at the airport, sometimes you need a bag that you can throw on your back and go.
The small version is the perfect size for a carry-on; it holds three to five days' worth of clothing and fits in the plane's overhead bin. The bag has an easy-to-clean, weatherproof exterior as well as lockable zippers and several organizational elements, such as a passport pocket and several interior pockets.
Bottom line
No matter where you're headed or how you plan to get there, you need a carry-on bag that can smoothly navigate terrain (even if that terrain is the airport's moving walkway) and hold everything you need for your adventures.
Every bag on this list looks good and performs well enough that you'll likely find one that deserves a spot in your closet.
Related reading
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.