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The 10 Best Carry-On Luggage to Make Traveling a Breeze

Say goodbye to the baggage claim.

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Traveling can be exhausted. Between the overpriced water, dealing with TSA, searching for decent snacks at the newsstand, and the inherent dread of delays, it's not always easy. Whether you've been on a plane once or are a frequent flier, you get it. So that's why you need to get traveling down to a science. And the first and foremost part of the equation is to get your hands on the best carry-on luggage.

Paying to check in your luggage pre-flight, and then waiting in baggage claim once you land, isn’t best practice, especially if your trip is short. Choose from the holy trinity: Soft-side, duffle, or hard-side. But regardless of the exterior (it really comes down to personal preference in this regard), compact luggage with wheels and a sturdy handle is what you need to breeze through the airport. The most important thing to consider is the parameters: 22" x 14" x 9" is the standard size for most domestic flights. Anything over that, even by the smallest measure, may require you to check in your bag.

Before you book your flight, make sure to check out some of the best carry-on luggage below, and get your belongings to your destination soundly and in style.

Most Popular Carry-On Luggage

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage

Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage
Most Popular Carry-On Luggage

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage

$399 at Amazon$810 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Pros
  • Combination locks
  • 360 spinner wheels
Cons
  • The 20" does not expand

Whether you buy the three-piece set, or the single carry-on, Samsonite's Winfield 2 collection is made to get you through the airport with no fuss. The spinner wheels allows you to move with ease, and the brand has made sure that every size fists the carry-on restrictions of the leading airlines.

Dimensions28"H x 19.75"W x 12.5"D
Weight27.6 lbs (set)
Most Durable Carry-On Luggage

Herschel Heritage Hardshell Luggage

Heritage Hardshell Luggage
Most Durable Carry-On Luggage

Herschel Heritage Hardshell Luggage

Pros
  • Made with 70 percent recycled material
  • Silent wheels
Cons
  • Does not expand

You might already have a Herschel backpack or duffle bag, which is all the more reason to consider an impact-resistant carry-on suitcase. The rollers have the same sort of everyday, sporty feel as the rest, but don't require a shoulder to hang on.

Dimensions21.3"H x 14.2"W x 9.5"D
Best Carry-On Duffle

Lululemon Wunderlust Duffle Bag

Wunderlust Duffle Bag
Best Carry-On Duffle

Lululemon Wunderlust Duffle Bag

Pros
  • Water-repellant
  • Trolley compatible sleeve
Cons
  • Can get heavy to carry

If you're a duffle kind of guy, Lululemon makes one that's not just for the gym. There's a plethora of pockets, including one for your shoes, another for sweaty gear, and a third for a water bottle. With a padded pocket for your laptop, Lulu has really thought of everything.

Dimensions21.7"L x 9.8"H x 10.8"D
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Most Professional Carry-On Luggage

TUMI International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On

International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On
Most Professional Carry-On Luggage

TUMI International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On

Pros
  • Can get it monogrammed
  • USB port
Cons
  • Smaller capacity than others

Businesspeople have come to love Tumi. From the hard-to-beat selection of polycarbonate hardshell to the bevy of packing compartments to the integrated TSA lock, it's no why the brand has effectively become the go-to for suit-types who fly frequently.

Dimensions21.8"H x 14.0"W x 9.0"D
Weight7.9 lbs
Best All-Around Carry-On Luggage

Rimowa Cabin S Carry-On Luggage

Cabin S Carry-On Luggage
Best All-Around Carry-On Luggage

Rimowa Cabin S Carry-On Luggage

Pros
  • Flex divider
  • Multi-wheel system
Cons
  • Scratches easily

Rimowa is the ultimate fashion-person suitcase. And the signature Cabin S, which comes in silver aluminum, is a standout. Don't fret about the occasional dent or scrape—and the handmade leather handles won't fail you mid-trip. In fact, we love Rimowa so much that we did a whole story just about it.

Dimensions21.7"H x 15.7"W x 7.9"
Weight9.3 lbs
Best Hard-Side Carry-On Luggage

Away The Carry-On

The Carry-On
Best Hard-Side Carry-On Luggage

Away The Carry-On

Pros
  • Lightweight shell
  • Interior compression system
Cons
  • Less capacity than others

Away's selection of luggage is built to make travel less stressful. The designs are usually made of a polycarbonate hard shell and feature 360° spinner wheels, which will you jet from one terminal to the next with ease. They also come in every conceivable color, which means that there is one for everybody.

Dimensions21.7"H x 13.7"W x 9"D
Weight7.1 lbs
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Best Expandable Carry-On Luggage

Victorinox Swiss Army Werks 6.0 Frequent Flyer Suitcase

Swiss Army Werks 6.0 Frequent Flyer Suitcase
Best Expandable Carry-On Luggage

Victorinox Swiss Army Werks 6.0 Frequent Flyer Suitcase

Pros
  • Removable garment sleeve
  • USB port
Cons
  • More old fashioned look

Best believe that Victorinox, the maker of the iconic Swiss Army Knife, has a carry-ons that, too, are efficient and multi-purpose. The 6.0, for example, has organizational dividers, an enclosed apparel compartment, compression abilities, and is able to expand if you need the extra space.

Dimensions22"H x 14"W x 9"D
Weight7.2 lbs
Best Luxury Carry-On Luggage Collaboration

Globe Trotter Aston Martin F1 Carry-On

Aston Martin F1 Carry-On
Best Luxury Carry-On Luggage Collaboration

Globe Trotter Aston Martin F1 Carry-On

Now 68% Off
Pros
  • Extremely durable
  • Elegant design
Cons
  • No pockets

Taking inspiration from the AMR23 car, the craftsmanship and innovation behind this bag is one of deep intricacy. This unique collaboration is for the person that appreciates the finer things in life, in particular luxury cars and travel. Tougher than leather and lighter than aluminum, this guy is built to last.

Dimensions22H" x 16.5"W x 8.3"D
Weight9.3 lbs
Best Soft-Sided Carry-On Luggage

Briggs & Riley Baseline Compact Spinner Suitcase

Baseline Compact Spinner Suitcase
Best Soft-Sided Carry-On Luggage

Briggs & Riley Baseline Compact Spinner Suitcase

Pros
  • Expands for more capacity
  • 360 spinner wheels
Cons
  • A bit bulkier in shape

Are you an overpacker? Well, this durable rolling luggage from Briggs & Riley is what you need. The exterior is made of ballistic nylon that withstands moisture and dirt, and the bag is able to expand to allow for more space.

Dimensions17H" x 14"W x 7.88"D
Weight9 lbs
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Best Aluminum Carry-On Luggage

Zero Halliburton Continental Carry-On Case

Continental Carry-On Case
Best Aluminum Carry-On Luggage

Zero Halliburton Continental Carry-On Case

Pros
  • Zip in or out separator
  • Air flow mesh inside
Cons
  • Heavier than others

The label behind iconic damage-resistant aluminum briefcases also happens to make mighty fine options with wheels and an extending handle. So if you expect your luggage to go the long haul and stay scratch-free, make sure to cop the Continental Carry-On.

Dimensions22"H x 16.5"W x 9"D
Weight12.5 lbs
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