When you’re going to be flying somewhere on vacation or business, it’s important to make things as convenient as possible for yourself. If you want to have the best experience, then owning the best carry-on luggage is imperative. If you have a good carry on, you’ll be able to protect your belongings while packing as much as you possibly can. It can help you to avoid hefty checked bag fees as well.
Today we are going to take a look at the top five best carry-on luggage options. You’ll be able to see which ones are worth your time so that you can make an informed decision. All of the carry-on luggage options on this list are very good, so you really can’t go wrong either way. Just take the time to read all of the details and you’ll be able to go buy the perfect carry-on soon enough.
[earnist_link ref=”amazonbasics-hardside-spinner-luggage” id=”12875″]AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage Carry On[/earnist_link]
[earnist ref=”amazonbasics-hardside-spinner-luggage” id=”12875″]
If you are hoping to buy carry-on luggage at an affordable price, then this offering is really going to suit you well. This is a cost-effective piece of luggage brought to you by Amazon. It comes in four different colors as well, so it looks pretty nice overall. This is a 20-inch carry-on that can fit many things inside of it.
The protective hard shell of this luggage is actually rather impressive. It has a scratch-resistant finish that will keep it from looking dinged up after cramming it into an overhead compartment a few times. This has the strength and durability to stand up to regular use. If you travel a lot, then you won’t have to worry about whether or not this carry-on can keep up with you.
You’ll also be able to enjoy a fully-lined interior that has a divider. This makes it as easy as possible to pack all of your things neatly. There is a 150D-polyester interior organizer with three zippered pockets. This is going to be perfect for any small items that you’re taking with you on your travels.
The four double spinner wheels are very nice and will make it easy to get around an airport swiftly. They never get stuck or feel like they’re going to give you problems. You should be able to roll this luggage around smoothly throughout your trip. Combine this with the telescoping handle and you have a carry-on that works fantastically.
Pros
- Very durable hard shell
- Scratch resistant
- Fully-lined interior with divider
- Wheels that roll smoothly
- Very affordable
Cons
- Not quite as stylish as some more expensive options
- Might be a little big for airlines with a 9” thick carry-on limit
[earnist_link ref=”travelpro-luggage-maxlite-5-lightweight-expandable-suitcase” id=”12939″]Travelpro Luggage Maxlite 5 22” Lightweight Expandable Carry On[/earnist_link]
[earnist ref=”travelpro-luggage-maxlite-5-lightweight-expandable-suitcase” id=”12939″]
If you want to have a carry-on that can fit a lot of stuff without feeling too heavy, then you’ll like this option. This is a carry-on that is ultra lightweight while also being quite durable. You’ll be able to pack a lot of stuff in this and will still be able to pick it up easily or roll it around smoothly.
This is made out of a polyester fabric that is both stain resistant and water repellent. This is possible due to a special duraguard coating. It also has a strong and well-designed zipper. This ensures that the carry-on can be used regularly without giving you any problems.
You will want to keep in mind that this is an expandable carry-on as well. You can expand it up to 2” to pack even more stuff. The bag comes with two exterior compartments, a full-length interior lid pocket, and a side accessory pocket.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Very durable
- Several different compartments to use
Cons
- A bit pricier than other similar options
[earnist_link ref=”coolife-luggage-suitcase-set-2-piece” id=”12940″]Coolife Luggage Suitcase Set Carry-on with Laptop Pocket[/earnist_link]
[earnist ref=”coolife-luggage-suitcase-set-2-piece” id=”12940″]
Those looking for a suitcase set that contains a carry-on will be very happy with this product. For the price of most carry-on suitcases, you’ll be able to purchase a two-piece set of luggage. One of the pieces of luggage is 28” and the other is 20”, making it a perfect carry-on size. Both of these pieces of luggage are very durable.
A lightweight hard shell material has been used to make this luggage. It’s very flexible and can also absorb an impact when necessary. It makes it a reliable piece of luggage that can survive being bumped around a bit in the overhead compartment of an airplane. The textured finish of the suitcase also prevents scratches, meaning that it will stay looking nice for a long time.
The interior of this suitcase is really good, too. It has an interior front pocket with a crossed fixing band and net pockets. It’s perfect for storing small essential travel items, as well as certain valuables. The carry-on also has a front pocket that is specifically meant for your laptop. It fits up to 15” laptops and is very easy to access.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Comes with two pieces of luggage at a low price
- Convenient front pockets
- Has a spot for your laptop (up to 15 inches)
Cons
- Doesn’t have as much space as some other carry-on options
[earnist_link ref=”delsey-paris-luggage-carry-on-international” id=”12941″]DELSEY Paris Luggage Carry-On International[/earnist_link]
[earnist ref=”delsey-paris-luggage-carry-on-international” id=”12941″]
This carry-on has been made with international travelers in mind. It is designed to fit in the overhead bins of most domestic flights. Whether or not it will work well for you will depend on the dimensions allowed on the flight that you’re going on. It’s worth checking ahead of time just to be sure.
You’ll love how maneuverable this carry-on is. It has a four-wheeled design that makes it easy to get around an airport fast. It ensures that you’re not putting any weight on your arm while pulling it. This is among the best wheel designs on this list.
This carry-on is also notable for its large capacity. There is a lot of space in this suitcase and it is even expandable, giving you a further 2” of space. People who are thinking about bring souvenirs home might really like this bag over the other options on the list. It makes it easy to fit as much as possible while still being the right size for many airlines.
The bag also has two large fully-lined compartments. There are multiple pockets in these compartments that make it simple to organize your belongings. You’ll also be able to make use of web straps and a zippered divider to help keep your clothes from becoming wrinkled.
Pros
- Very easy to maneuver
- Large capacity
- Many convenient storage compartments
Cons
- May not be the right size for some airlines
[earnist_link ref=”samsonite-winfield-2-hardside-luggage” id=”12942″]Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage[/earnist_link]
[earnist ref=”samsonite-winfield-2-hardside-luggage” id=”12942″]
Samsonite is offering a very good 20-inch carry-on here. There are many standout features that make this a carry-on that is worth owning. For example, it has a lightweight locking telescopic handle that is going to make it easy to use. Also, this carry-on has four multi-directional wheels that are easy to roll around, ensuring you’ll have a pleasant experience while trying to get to your next gate.
The full-zip interior divider is really nice as well. This even comes with cross straps to help you to keep things more organized. You should be able to pack the essentials in this carry-on without having any problems, but it may not have room for too much more than that. This is a design that is going to fit the regulations of most major domestic airlines for carry-on baggage.
This model also has a really convenient side-mounted TSA lock. This keeps people from being able to get into your luggage. It gives you peace of mind and TSA will still be able to access things if it is necessary to do so. You’ll feel better knowing that your belongings are safe and that makes this a worthwhile feature.
Durability is also important and this suitcase is pretty tough. It’s even been designed to help hide scratches and scuffs. It’ll still look presentable even after being used many times.
Pros
- Great telescopic handle
- Multi-directional wheels
- Side-mounted TSA lock
Cons
- Doesn’t fit a ton of stuff beyond the essentials
Features to Consider When Buying Carry On Luggage
You’ll want to consider certain features when looking for the perfect carry-on. We’re going to go over a few of the most important things to look out for when you’re in the market for carry-on luggage. This will allow you to narrow your focus a little bit to make things easier.
Durability
The durability of your carry-on luggage matters quite a bit. If you travel frequently, then you have no doubt seen people trying to cram their bags into the overhead compartments with little care for the baggage of the other passengers. This is annoying, but it’s going to happen and there’s nothing you can do about it. Having durable baggage allows you to feel confident that your belongings will be safe.
Buying one of the hard shell carry-on options is usually a good idea. It’s also nice when a carry-on bag is flexible as well. This allows it to avoid cracking or getting damaged when it is pushed up against other items with force. It’ll also be able to survive getting jostled around during turbulent flights.
Good Wheels
Buying a carry-on bag with good wheels is a must as well. Since you’re going to be carrying this bag with you to your gate, you want it to be easy to maneuver. Baggage that is easy to roll around is going to be preferable. Some of the less expensive bags may wind up having wheels that get stuck or don’t turn easily.
You can avoid problems such as this by buying baggage with multi-directional wheels or double-spinner wheels. These wheels should roll smoothly during your travels. It makes it a lot easier to get around and you won’t have to worry about whether you can move fast enough to make your flight.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity is definitely going to be one of the primary concerns when purchasing a carry-on bag. You want to be able to fit as much as you can while staying within the carry-on dimensions that are required for your flight. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you look up the dimensions ahead of time, before making a purchase.
Some bags are going to allow you to fit more stuff than others. Certain bags will also make it simpler to organize and store your items. Consider the storage options and whether or not the bag has enough pockets to meet your needs.
Laptop Sleeve Availability
Laptop sleeves are another important thing to consider. Many of the best carry-on bags will come with laptop sleeves. You’ll want to check to make sure that your laptop is going to fit in the sleeve, too. Some bags may only have a sleeve that will fit up to a 15” laptop, meaning that your 15.6” laptop might not fit perfectly.
As long as you keep this in mind, it’ll be easy to find a good option. Having a laptop sleeve makes it easier to access your laptop when necessary. It’ll also keep your laptop safe from harm during your travels. Remember this when you’re deciding which bag to purchase if your laptop is important to you.
Decision Time: Which is the Best Carry On Luggage for You?
Truthfully, each one of the carry-on options above is pretty good. The [earnist_link ref=”amazonbasics-hardside-spinner-luggage” id=”12875″]AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner[/earnist_link] Luggage stands out as one of the most cost-effective options. If you’re looking for a truly reliable carry-on without having to pay out too much money, then it’s easy to recommend. Otherwise, the [earnist_link ref=”travelpro-luggage-maxlite-5-lightweight-expandable-suitcase” id=”12939″]TravelPro Luggage Maxlite[/earnist_link] has proven to be a very good choice as well, even if it is a bit pricier.
One more option that wasn’t mentioned above is Away luggage. It’s more expensive but does come with a built-in battery and a lifetime warranty. If those features are interesting, you can read our full Away luggage review.
Whatever you wind up choosing, you should be able to have a much easier time at the airport. Take the time to pick out your preferred option and you’ll be ready to go to the airport. It pays to be prepared and you’ll feel much better having a good carry-on to take with you. They aren’t overly expensive and they make traveling by air that much easier.