Keep calm and carry on: The best carry-on luggage for every kind of trip

1 month ago 8

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.

Regardless of how often or where you travel, we've rounded up the best of the best to help you find the carry-on bag that fits your travel style.

Best elevated basic: July Carry On Essential

Size: 21.5 inches by 15 inches by 8.5 inches

Price: $275

Buy now: July.com

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.

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The no-nonsense July Carry On Essential 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 $40, you can order an upgraded version that includes metal bumpers and a portable power bank.

Best personal item: Delsey Brochant 3.0 Underseater

Size: 15.25 inches by 8.75 inches by 14.75 inches

Price: $118.99 (regularly $169.99)

Buy now: Delsey.com

As much as 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 Brochant 3.0 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 for kids: State Logan Carry-On Suitcase

Size: 18.7 inches by 13.4 inches by 9.45 inches

Price: $220

Buy now: Statebags.com

Most kids reach an age where they want to pack and carry their own suitcases. Unfortunately, a lot of luggage geared toward kids looks better than it performs. 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 The Bigger Carry-On

Size: 22.7 inches by 15.4 inches by 9.6 inches

Price: $221 (regularly $295)

Buy now: Awaytravel.com

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 four to seven days' worth of clothing.

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. For easy portable charging, you can pay an additional $20 to add a USB charger to your 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 just 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 color coordinating: Beis The Carry-On Roller

Size: 22.8 inches by 15.7 inches by 9.8 inches

Price: $238

Buy now: Beistravel.com

Beis bags are made to look just as good on their hundredth trip as they did on their first. They also help you glide through the airport with ease and navigate even the bumpiest cobblestone streets.

The Carry-On Roller from Beis comes in more than a dozen colors that coordinate with other Beis products, so you can mix and match or go for the monochromatic look.

Beis' The Carry-On Roller also has just the right amount of bells and whistles, with smooth-rolling 360-degree wheels, a cushioned trolley handle for comfort, a TSA lock, interior compression and a built-in weight indicator.

Also, because it's almost guaranteed you'll come home with more than you left with, this Beis bag expands with the simple pull of a zipper.

Best for subways and city life: Aer Carry-On

Size: 22.7 inches by 15 inches by 9 inches

Price: $319

Buy now: Aersf.com

When I polled my TPG coworkers 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: $240 (regular price $255)

Buy now: Monos.com

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 Original Cabin Carry-On

Size: 21.7 inches by 15.8 inches by 9.1 inches

Price: $1,430

Buy now: Rimowa.com

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 metallic shades of gold, silver and black.

In addition to durability, the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On has TSA locks, a unique multiwheel system and adjustable interior dividers.

The Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On has a much steeper price tag that others on this list, but it could potentially be a decade (or more) before you need a new one. Rimowa backs up the longevity of its iconic aluminum suitcases with a lifetime guarantee.

Best bang for your buck: Calpak Evry Carry-On Luggage

Size: 21 inches by 13 inches by 9 inches

Price: $126.75 (regularly $195)

Buy now: Calpaktravel.com

Calpak's Evry hard-sided carry-on bag comes in a variety of sophisticated shades, ensuring you look great when rolling it through the airport toward your next adventure.

TPG managing editor Madison Blancaflor often turns to her trusty Calpak Evry when she travels, even choosing it over more expensive options.

"It's a good, basic carry-on that works well and fits a lot. Plus, it still has a lot of the goodies like a TSA-compliant lock, expandable zipper, internal organization and a multiheight handle," Madison said. "And compared to the price tags on some of the other fan favorites, it's a much more budget-friendly pick for those of us who just can't justify shelling out nearly $300 for a carry-on."

Madison recommends picking up this bag as part of the Evry Starter Bundle. Along with the carry-on, you'll get a checked-bag-size suitcase, a packing cube set and a luggage tag.

Best budget basic: Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner

Size: 21.7 inches by 14.8 inches by 10 inches

Price: $62.99 (regularly $69.99)

Buy now: Amazon.com

The 21-inch Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner has a budget-friendly price tag but doesn't sacrifice style or function. This hard-sided carry-on has an extra-thick textured finish designed to keep scuffs and scratches at bay. It also comes in various colors that coordinate with other pieces in the collection.

The double spinner wheels ensure a smooth ride, and the expandable zipper can net you up to 25% more space — perfect for those times when you just can't quite fit everything unless you sit on your suitcase to force it closed.

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: Baboontothemoon.com

While 360-spinner wheels come in handy at the airport, sometimes you just need a bag that you can throw on your back and go. That's why TPG associate photo editor Emilia Wronski has her eyes on the Go-Bag from Baboon to the Moon. "I am a big fan of bags I can throw onto my back versus needing to be able to wheel one around," she said.

The small version is the perfect size for a carry-on; it holds three to five days' worth of clothing and fits in the 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 the 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.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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