If you ask most of us at Travel + Leisure, we’d tell you: carry-on suitcases are the way to go. They make traveling so much easier. You don’t have to wait at baggage claim or worry about your suitcase getting lost. You skip those annoying checked bag lines and avoid extra fees. And if you’re traveling to multiple cities, dragging around a huge checked bag can be a real pain—especially on stairs or bumpy cobblestone streets (I’ve learned that the hard way).
No matter how often you travel or how much stuff you pack, there’s a perfect carry-on suitcase out there for you. The trick is to choose one that helps you fit as much as possible while still meeting most airline size limits. Over the past few years, we’ve tested 454 carry-on bags from a variety of brands and price ranges. First, we check if they fit in overhead bins using a mock airplane setup in our NYC lab, and then we take them out into the real world to see how they perform. We pay close attention to how much they hold, how easy they are to pack, how well they roll, how tough they are, and whether they’re worth the price.
🥇 Best Overall
Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner
Why we love it:
It holds more than you’d expect for its size.
Something to consider:
After a few months of use, the outer shell showed some scratches.
The Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner has been our top pick for a couple of years now—and for good reason. Every time we test it in our NYC lab, we’re impressed by how much it can hold. It’s roomy enough to pack for up to a week, and if you tend to overpack or love shopping on vacation, the expandable zipper adds an extra inch of space. We packed clothes for a four-day trip—two pairs of shoes, a couple of jackets, and two toiletry bags—without even using the expander.
It also moves really well, turning tight corners easily and handling rough surfaces like a champ. We even hit it with a metal baseball bat, and while the shell bent slightly, it didn’t dent or damage what was inside—great if you ever need to gate-check it. Over six months of travel, it did get some surface scratches, but overall, it’s still our gold standard for hard-sided carry-ons. Just a heads-up: it might be too big for certain airline overhead bins, so double-check your airline’s size rules before flying.
The Details:
Hardside | 23 x 15 x 10 in | 6.5 lbs | Expandable (1 in) | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
Samsonite Freeform 21-Inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage
Also Read: What are the Pros and Cons of Using Smart Luggage Options?
🥈 Best Overall Runner-up
Tumi Alpha International Dual Access Carry-on
Why we love it:
It has handy quick-access pockets and comes with a removable garment bag.
Something to consider:
It’s a bit heavier than other softside bags because of its protective features.
Right behind Samsonite is the Tumi Alpha Dual Access Carry-on. It just missed the top spot because it’s a bit heavier and has less open space, but it’s one of the most organized and well-designed bags out there. It features a front access pocket so you can grab your travel essentials quickly, and another smaller pocket for things like umbrellas. It also includes a USB port where you can connect your power bank to charge your devices.
One standout feature is the removable garment sleeve—perfect for business trips or destination weddings. But those extra pockets and sleeves do take up space inside, so you’ll need to pack smart. Luckily, the expandable zipper gives you two extra inches if you need it.
In our durability test, it held up incredibly well. Associate Editorial Director Morgan Ashley Parker (a longtime Tumi fan) even hit it with a bat, and there wasn’t a scratch or dent. “My current Tumi has lasted over 16 years,” she says. “This one’s just as tough. Even though it’s soft-sided, it feels as strong as a hard case.”
Tumi bags are a splurge, but they’re built to last. And with a five-year warranty, you get some peace of mind too.
The Details:
Softside | 22 x 14 x 9 in | 10.7 lbs | 35L capacity | Expandable (2 in) | USB port | Ballistic nylon | 4 dual spinner wheels
TUMI – Alpha International Dual Access 4-Wheeled Carry
Also Read: What is the Best Travel Backpack for Budget Travelers?
💰 Best Budget
Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside 21-inch Spinner
Why we love it:
It’s light, roomy, and affordable.
Something to consider:
Color choices are limited.
If you think a budget suitcase means cutting corners on quality, think again. The Amazon Basics 21-inch expandable spinner impressed us big time. It holds just as much as some pricier suitcases, and inside you’ll find helpful features like a mesh divider and compression straps to keep everything in place. It even has four little feet on the side to keep it upright on a scale or in your trunk.
The handle felt a bit wobbly but was still easy to adjust. Just keep in mind: once expanded, it might look wider than usual, so airline staff could flag it.
We tested it three separate times over the years, and even though it picked up some scratches during our bat tests, they were easy to rub out. For under $100, it’s hard to beat.
The Details:
Hardside | 21.7 x 14.8 x 10 in | 6.8 lbs | 34L capacity | Expandable (2 in) | ABS plastic | 4 dual spinner wheels
Amazon Basics 21″ Hardside Carry-On Luggage
Also Read: What are the Top‐Rated Anti‐Theft Backpacks for City Travel?
🧳 Best Compression
Briggs & Riley 22-Inch Spinner
Why we love it:
Its smart expansion system gives you 25% more space with the push of a button.
Something to consider:
It didn’t pass all our durability tests with flying colors.
Briggs & Riley is known for top-tier luggage, and this 22-inch spinner didn’t disappoint. It’s a classic hard-shell suitcase with a clever twist: a built-in compression pad that helps you fit a lot more inside. Instead of a basic zipper expansion, it uses a unique push-button system that adds 25% more room.
There’s a pocket on the back for your power bank, letting you charge your phone through an outer port while you wait to board. It even has a spot for your luggage tag.
Other nice touches include aircraft-grade aluminum handles, super quiet wheels, and a sleek drawstring storage bag. It rolled smoothly in our tests and didn’t dent when we hit it with a bat—but it did get a little scratched on the bottom after going over a concrete curb. Still, it’s a fantastic pick for frequent travelers who want quality and don’t mind spending a little more. The lifetime guarantee is a huge bonus—you can get repairs for free, no receipt needed.
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Hardside Luggage
The Details:
Hardside | 22 x 14 x 9 in | 8.6 lbs | 41L capacity (unexpanded), 51L (expanded) | Expandable | Recycled polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels
