Top Carry-On Luggage Picks for 2024

Gone are the days of clunky wheels and flimsy handles; now, stylish and robust luggage options have taken center stage as the top choices for short trips. These compact rolling carry-ons—and alternatives like backpacks and duffel bags for those who dislike wheels—are vibrant and spacious enough to hold everything you need for a brief getaway.

Before buying a new carry-on, think about your travel style and the features that matter most: Do you favor hard shell or soft shell luggage? Would you rather have two wheels or four? Are you going to a bustling city or an off-the-beaten-path location where dragging a suitcase over rough terrain could be troublesome? If it's a work trip, do you need a bag with a laptop sleeve? And most importantly, will it fit in the airplane's overhead compartment? (Carry-on size limits differ by airline, but typically, domestic airlines permit bags up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches in the overhead bins.)

With all the options available, the pressing question is: Which one suits you best? We assessed 13 of our favorite carry-on bags to help simplify your choice.

The Bigger Carry-On from Away

Best in Class

Weighing in at 7.4 pounds, the Bigger Carry-On from Away has recently undergone a thorough redesign in 2023, reflecting customer input over the years. The latest version retains its signature hard polycarbonate shell, now divided into two spacious clamshell sections that provide an impressive 47.9 liters of storage. Features include TSA-approved locks, a concealed laundry bag, and an internal mesh compression system to minimize bulky items. Notably, it now boasts an underside grab handle for easier lifting from overhead compartments or baggage carousels. The trolley handles have also been redesigned for improved comfort and stability.

Additionally, this bag is one of the most affordable options on our list. Despite its budget-friendly price, it boasts a sleek appearance and is equipped with Hinomoto wheels—widely regarded as the best in the luggage market, featuring ball bearings for a remarkably smooth glide. Moreover, Away offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, and more. The polycarbonate exterior is available in a variety of matte and gloss colors, including clay pink, black, orange, and multiple shades of green.

Carry-On from July

Second Place

Essentially Australia's equivalent of Away, July began offering its luggage online in the U.S. in 2021. Constructed with a crush-resistant German polycarbonate shell, the standard July Carry-On provides ample storage (42 liters) while weighing just 7.4 pounds and adhering to domestic airline size regulations. Available in nearly a dozen matte shades, from elegant forest green to fashionable pink clay, these bags feature a multi-height telescoping handle, proprietary SilentMove 360° spinner wheels, and aluminum bumpers to protect the corners from impact.

The bags feature a removable USB-C battery, built-in TSA locks, a concealed laundry bag, and a Y-strap compression system to maximize packing efficiency. Looking to customize your bag? For an additional $50, you can have your name or initials added in a variety of fonts and styles. July luggage comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and includes a 100-day trial period in case you change your mind for any reason.

Original Cabin Carry-On from Rimowa

Best in Aluminum Carry-On Luggage

Rimowa, a brand with German roots, is renowned for its aluminum-shell luggage designed to endure the rigors of travel while being flexible to adapt to different conditions. Weighing 9.5 pounds and offering 35 liters of space, the Original Cabin carry-on features just two clamshell compartments inside. While it may lack extensive internal organization, it compensates with striking exterior aesthetics and remarkable durability. Its robust handle easily extends and retracts, catering to travelers of all sizes, and its zipperless design along with TSA-compliant locks reduces concerns about unauthorized access.

However, the standout feature is its wheels: Rimowa’s innovative Multiwheel system incorporates ball-bearing-mounted wheels with cushioned axles. For the average user, this translates to the smoothest roll of any suitcase we've experienced—not only on airport floors but also on uneven pavement, thick carpets, and even dirt paths. Additionally, all new Rimowa suitcases purchased from July 25, 2022, come with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty covering all functional elements of the suitcase.

Carry-On Pro Plus from Monos

Top carry-on with laptop compartment

The Monos Carry-On Pro Plus is the bag that ultimately persuaded Michelle Baran, Dinogo’s senior travel news editor, to switch from Team Checked Luggage to Team Carry-On. "What I adore about this ultra-lightweight spinner is its exterior pocket that accommodates a 15-inch laptop," Baran shared. It is available in eight standard colors along with a few limited-edition options, including the highly praised Terrazzo pattern that mimics the much-loved tile of the same name. An added perk: Monos is committed to sustainability, utilizing vegan materials and recyclable packaging, while donating 1 percent of their revenues to nonprofits focused on 'preserving and restoring the natural world.'

Carry-On from Aer

Top wheeled carry-on with brakes

Established in San Francisco in 2014, Aer focused on creating straightforward travel backpacks crafted from durable Cordura ballistic nylon. These stylish, minimalist bags include compartments for all essentials (passport, laptop, etc.) and can be worn as a backpack, shoulder bag, or briefcase. In 2024, it introduced its first wheeled suitcase, maintaining its commitment to using ultra-durable materials and intelligent design. Offered in five colors, the 48-liter Aer Carry-On features an internal pocket for an AirTag, a trolley handle with four adjustable height settings, Cordura recycled ripstop interiors, and, most importantly, a Hinomoto wheel brake system to keep the suitcase secure and prevent it from rolling away.

Grand Carry-On from Samsara

Top smart carry-on suitcase

Samsara luggage boasts all the qualities you would anticipate from a high-end suitcase—smooth 360° spinner wheels, a telescoping handle, TSA-approved combination locks—and some unexpected features like a clever built-in compartment for securing an Apple AirTag (not included). This zipperless luggage also has a flat top that serves as a workspace and includes a compression system to keep your clothes neatly in place. Available in black, yellow, or white.

This hybrid carry-on is crafted from a blend of polycarbonate and recycled (and recyclable) aviation-grade aluminum for added durability. Additionally, Samsara offers a five-year warranty on the suitcase body and a one-year warranty on parts (including the handle, wheels, and locks) for peace of mind.

Arlo Skye's Frame Carry-On

Top hybrid carry-on luggage

Weighing in at 8.1 pounds, Arlo Skye’s Frame Carry-On is somewhat heftier than most hard-shell suitcases, yet its hybrid polycarbonate shell, reinforced with an aluminum frame, makes the weight more manageable. This zipperless, 40-liter suitcase secures with two TSA-approved combination locks and comes equipped with a compact charging station, portable charger, charging cable and adapter, two shoe bags, and a laundry bag. It rolls smoothly and features an antimicrobial lining infused with natural silver fibers to inhibit germ growth and odors. While the bag has an industrial look, the stylish color options—black, navy, and champagne with silver accents—ensure you’ll travel through the airport in flair.

Travelpro's Maxlite 5 22” Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard

Top soft-sided carry-on luggage

Travelpro is a trusted choice among flight attendants for good reason. Its robust black nylon suitcases are nearly indestructible, carry a timeless style, and are beloved by two-wheeled and soft-sided luggage fans. Weighing in at a mere 5.4 pounds, the Maxlite 5 carry-on is designed to fit most domestic airline carry-on size restrictions. With one spacious main compartment and two exterior front pockets for easy access, this soft-shell suitcase is both practical and versatile. For added packing capacity, it can expand by up to two inches, with a tapered expansion zipper that keeps the center low to avoid the tipping common in some two-wheeled bags. Should anything go wrong with your Travelpro suitcase, it comes with a limited warranty that covers issues such as broken zippers, wheels, handles, and more.

Cubo Small by Lojel

Top-rated top-loading hard-shell carry-on

Unlike most hard-shell suitcases that utilize a clamshell design—which can be a matter of personal preference—the standout feature of Lojel's carry-on is its convenient top-loading opening. Additionally, it boasts impressive attributes such as being crafted from durable polycarbonate made with 50 percent recycled materials, 360° spinning wheels, a two-inch expansion option, TSA-approved locks, and a front compartment for easy access to essentials like laptops and wallets. Available in nine striking colors: burgundy, rose, off-white, mustard, navy blue, warm gray, black, stone blue, and cactus. Each suitcase comes with a 10-year warranty.

The Turenne 2.0 Carry-On by Delsey Paris

Top business carry-on

Since 1946, this French luggage brand has been innovating ways to enhance travel gear. The Turenne 2.0 Carry-On features a 100 percent polycarbonate hard shell and builds upon the success of the original Turenne model by introducing even more tech-savvy options. Like its predecessor, this suitcase is equipped with a USB port (power bank sold separately), integrated TSA locks, and antibacterial laundry and shoe bags. The updated design also includes an interior AirTag holder (device not included), a front pocket for quick access to electronic devices, and a removable lining that can be easily washed between trips.

These carry-ons come in four stylish matte colors: navy blue, light blue, red, and black. With scratch-resistant exteriors, they are tough enough to endure drops without showing any signs of wear. Additionally, they feature Delsey Paris’s Securitech zippers, which boast three times the resistance to intrusion compared to standard zippers, as claimed by the brand.

The standout feature of this bag is its shock-absorbent 360-degree spinner wheels, allowing for effortless travel across various surfaces. Whether on gravel, carpet, tile, or anything in between, this luggage will keep your belongings rolling smoothly. This model from Delsey Paris also comes with a 10-year limited warranty for peace of mind.

Wingman Travel Backpack Duffel by Timbuk2

Top-rated carry-on backpack

The Timbuk2 Wingman offers versatility, allowing you to carry it as a backpack, shoulder bag, or duffel thanks to its hidden compartments that keep straps tucked away, ensuring a polished look. Its main section features a wide zippered opening that wraps around three sides for easy access. The lower cargo pocket is perfect for stashing shoes or wet items separately from your clothing. For keeping essential travel items like your passport, laptop, cords, and water bottles organized, there are four smaller pockets positioned around the sides and top. Available solely in black, this bag is crafted from a robust blend of Cordura canvas and rubberized nylon, making it simple to clean after each journey.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L

Top-rated carry-on duffel bag

Patagonia’s Black Hole duffels are a favorite among outdoor lovers, and it's easy to see why. This eco-conscious brand offers sturdy and lightweight duffels crafted from 100 percent recycled polyester fabric, lining, and webbing, all of which is water-repellent. While they come in four different sizes, the compact 40L version is the only one designed to fit in an overhead compartment, though you might manage to bring the larger 55L bag on domestic flights.

The spacious main compartment features a full-length zippered opening for easy access to all your items at once. An ample mesh pocket inside the lid helps organize smaller items like toiletry bottles, charging cables, or socks, while a zippered exterior side pocket allows for quick storage on the move. Padded backpack straps prevent shoulder fatigue and can be removed if you prefer using the traditional duffel handles. For convenient storage at home, the entire bag can be packed away into its own pocket.

The Castle Carry-on Expandable by Royce & Rocket

Top pick for a carry-on with shelves

Equipped with two fold-down shelves that lay flat when not in use, the Castle Carry-on is ideal for those who find organization challenging—perfect for arranging packing cubes and toiletry bags once you reach your destination.

Both the carry-on and the check-in-size Classic Bag are crafted for maximum efficiency and functionality. In addition to the dual shelves, they feature a compression system and numerous pockets (our favorite being the discreet pocket for added privacy). The bags include a TSA-approved lock, can expand up to two inches, and are equipped with Hinomoto Lisof Silent Run 360° Wheels. Available in black, burgundy, and silver, customers can select a tobacco or pink interior color.

From an eco-friendly perspective, all of Royce & Rocket’s products come with 100 percent recyclable packaging. These suitcases are also backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects involving the wheels, zippers, handles, compression straps, shelves, and cracks in the polycarbonate shell, ensuring it’s a suitcase that lasts for years.

Bailey Berg, Michelle Baran, and Cat Sposato contributed additional reporting to this article. Originally published online in 2019, this piece was most recently updated on June 18, 2024, to reflect current information.