We love a weekender bag as much as the next jet-setter. But sometimes, you want luggage you can roll through the airport (rather than lug around on your shoulder). The best carry-on suitcases hold all of your vacation essentials and easily fit in the overhead compartment. They’ll save you on last-minute bag check fees and might even make you a more organized packer.
Still, not just any suitcase will do for your next flight, cruise, or road trip. Below, SELF staffers and flight attendants weigh in on which carry-ons are worth investing in for your travels.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Beis The Carry-On Roller, $268
- Best Expandable: Away The Carry-On Flex, $325
- Smartest Design: Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage, $265
- Best Lightweight: July Carry On Light Expandable, $275
- Best Soft-Sided: Travelpro Crew Classic Carry On Luggage, $270
In this article
Shop the best carry-on suitcases
They’re sleek, chic, and super spacious.
Best Overall: Béis The Carry-On Roller
To say I’m a huge Béis fan is an understatement (in addition to The Carry-On Roller, I own The Large Check-In Roller, The Weekender, The Work Tote, and The Cosmetic Case). This suitcase is my getaway go-to because it’s so easy to bring with me on the train or plane. I can fit a week’s worth of clothes on one side, thanks to the compression panel, and I can fill the zippered side with my toiletries, shoes, and any bits and bobs that I want safely secured.
Mostly, I love all of its thoughtful details: a padded handle to keep my fingers comfortable, four large wheels that roll smoothly, two included drawstring bags (one specifically labeled for dirty laundry), a lock to keep my items safe, and a built-in weight indicator (in case I decide to check it). I rave about this suitcase to anyone who will listen—I even bought one for my mom.
Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.7 x 9.8 inches | Weight: 8.36 pounds | Capacity: 49 to 61 liters | Body material: Polycarbonate | Warranty: Lifetime
Best Expandable: Away The Carry-On Flex
Never leave a one-of-a-kind souvenir behind again. “Because it expands from a large carry-on to a medium suitcase, this luggage has saved me from having to buy a bigger bag at my destination after too many shopping trips more than once,” says SELF’s managing editor, Alessandra Foresto.
And if you bought anything valuable on your shopping spree? “It has a built-in lock, so you can check it last-minute without having to worry about keeping your belongings safe,” Foresto adds. Like some of our other picks, it comes with a laundry bag, luggage tag, and compression panel for squeezing more stuff inside. Also, peep that hidden handle on the bottom side—it makes grabbing and carrying the suitcase even easier.
Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Capacity: 39.8 liters | Body material: Polycarbonate shell | Warranty: Lifetime
Smartest Design: Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage
Calpak
Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage
Don’t you just love when everything you’re packing has its own place? Unlike most hardshell suitcases, this carry-on has a padded pocket in front that keeps your laptop or tablet handy. (“Anyone who doesn’t have TSA PreCheck knows how annoying it is to take their laptop out for security,” says Jenna Ryu, SELF’s lifestyle writer.)
Sarah Felin, SELF’s senior commerce editor, also swears by this bag. “It fits a ton of stuff and has convenient pockets inside that help me keep my smaller essentials separate from my clothes and shoes,” she says. “Plus, it’s tough—I’ve lugged it around on multiple trips over the last year, and it’s barely scuffed at all.”
Dimensions: 21 x 13.75 x 9.75 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds | Capacity: 38 liters | Body material: Polycarbonate | Warranty: Two years
Best Lightweight: July Carry On Light Expandable
July
Carry On Light Expandable
You’ll feel a difference when you lift this bag into the overhead bin. SELF’s senior health writer, Erica Sloan, has been toting a previous version of it around for years—and she thinks this new, larger iteration is even better. “It’s extremely lightweight and easy to roll and lift,” she says, adding that it feels super durable. “Plus, it’s very cute and easy to pick out amongst a crowd.”
Dimensions: 21.25 x 14.17 x 8.66 inches | Weight: 4.9 pounds | Capacity: 35 liters | Body material: Polycarbonate | Warranty: Lifetime
Best Soft-Sided: Travelpro Crew Classic Carry On Luggage
Travelpro
Crew Classic Lightweight Softside Expandable
When Lauren Wolfe, a flight attendant and content creator, told us that Travelpro makes the best suitcases, we were all ears. “They don’t call it the go-to choice for flight crews for nothing!” she says. “It’s super lightweight and durable, the wheels glide smoothly, and the interior is designed for practical packing, so I can maximize space without feeling disorganized.”
The only soft-sided suitcase on our list, this bag gives you a little more flexibility with its fabric exterior. It also has easily accessible pockets to hold your passport, keys, or snacks. Just ask Wolfe: “I’ve been a flight attendant for four years, and I’ve flown thousands of miles with this carry-on bag—it hasn’t failed me yet.”
Dimensions: 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Capacity: 52 liters | Body material: Polyester | Warranty: Three years
More great options
Not quite sold on a suitcase? We also love these carry-on bags.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
Patagonia
Black Hole Duffel
You can fit a ton in this spacious duffel: camping gear, a travel steamer, you name it. “This has been my go-to carry-on bag for a decade,” SELF’s associate social media manager, Katie Gunderman, says. “The name really says it all—I can pack for trips up to two weeks in this bag. I’m the type of girl who needs an outfit for every occasion, and somehow, I can always fit them in here.”
Even better? It converts into a backpack, if you’ve got a lot of walking to do. “I did an eight-mile hike down into the Grand Canyon with it and seriously had no issues,” Gunderman says. “I’ve put it through the ringer for 10 years, and it shows no signs of quitting on me anytime soon.”
Dimensions: 22.8 x 13.3 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Capacity: 55 liters | Body material: Polyester | Warranty: N/A
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Dagne Dover
Dakota Neoprene Backpack
This Dagne Dover backpack comes up in any conversation our team has about travel gear. SELF’s editor in chief calls it “the GOAT of travel.” It has 10 pockets, a laptop compartment, a trolley sleeve, and a shoe bag—just to name a few of its cool features.
“This bag fits so much—I usually stash my liquids and toiletries, a change of clothes (or two), snacks, a Kindle, laptop, and more inside when I travel,” says one SELF tester. “I think the neoprene material is a big part of why it can hold so much stuff: The bag has some stretch to it, so I can really cram everything in.”
Dimensions: 13.25 x 5.25 x 17.5 inches | Weight: 2.75 pounds | Capacity: 20 liters | Body material: Neoprene | Warranty: Two years
L.L.Bean Adventure Rolling Duffle Bag
L.L.Bean
Adventure Rolling Duffle Bag
One SELF tester has pushed this duffle-suitcase hybrid to its limits. “My bag has traveled through rain, snow, sleet, sun, heat waves, and hail; in cars, buses, planes, and trains, and the heavy duty (but not heavy in weight) fabric has held up through it all,” she says.
She loves that it has several exterior pockets for her essentials and three handles—one on the top, side, and front—that make it easy to pick up from any angle. And when she needs a little more room, a zipper expander gives it to her. “I’m a thousand percent confident while traveling with my L.L.Bean bag,” she says.
Dimensions: 9 x 22 x 12 inches | Weight: 5.2 pounds | Capacity: 40 liters | Body material: Polyester | Warranty: Lifetime
How we chose the best carry-on suitcases
We asked frequent flyers on the SELF team to share which carry-on bags make their packing process easier, and they delivered. We also sourced recs from a flight attendant (because who else knows exactly what’ll fit under your seat or in an overhead compartment?).
What should you look for when choosing a carry-on suitcase?
You have two main options when it comes to a suitcase: a soft-sided option made from a durable fabric like polyester, or a hard-sided bag, typically made from polycarbonate. It comes down to your preference—soft-sided bags tend to be lighter and may have exterior pockets that are great for items you want easily accessible. Hard-sided suitcases might protect fragile items better and are easier to wipe clean.
Both soft- and hard-sided suitcases can be really durable, especially if the fabric on a softshell one is waterproof. But your suitcase’s material isn’t the only way to determine whether it’s built to last. “It’s important to have a reliable handle that won’t wobble, jam, or come loose after a few trips, especially when my bag is heavy and packed to the brim,” Wolfe says. Plus, you want zippers that won’t break or get stuck on you. Some suitcases have a YKK zipper, which is known for being a sturdier option.
Before you make a purchase, check for extra features that’ll make your packing easier and traveling easier. Want to fit as much stuff as possible? Compression panels, pockets, and expanders are your best friend. Need to run to your next gate during a layover? Three hundred sixty–degree wheels will keep you moving. Other nice-to-haves that can make the difference between a good suitcase and one you can’t travel without include storage bags for shoes and dirty laundry and a built-in lock, for peace of mind.
What is the TSA-approved carry-on size?
TSA doesn’t set the approved dimensions for carry-on bags—airlines do. The suitcases on our list are designed to comply with most airlines’ size regulations. Still, you might find that your bag is over the limit when you’re using the expansion zipper. Your best bet is to check with the airline you’re flying with before you depart.
Related:
Get more of SELF’s stellar product recommendations delivered right to your inbox (for free!).
