Best Carry-On Bags
If you've ever had to drag a stubborn carry-on across the terminal or gate-check a bag that just won't fit in the overhead compartment, it may be time to upgrade your travel luggage. From tech-savvy features like charging ports and butter-smooth wheels to space-saving design and space-age materials that can withstand the rigors of the airport, we've lined up the top carry-on bags. Get ready to roll in style!
These 10 carry-on bags were selected by our featured panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.
1. Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Carry-On Expandable Spinner | Ricardo Beverly Hills
Your flight will get an upgrade with a Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Carry-On from Ricardo Beverly Hills. You'll see modern design from every angle: the shell is virtually unbreakable, the zippers are well engineered and the USB port keeps your tech charged. An externally mounted handle gives you more space inside, where you'll find all kinds of removable pouches to organize your travel gear.
2. Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner | Travelpro
Self-aligning wheels, a power bank pocket, USB-A and -C ports—you'll find techy enhancements galore in the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner. A favorite among airline crews, this hardworking bag has a tapered design to prevent tipping, a suit bag to keep your outfits wrinkle-free and an incredibly adjustable telescopic handle. With plenty of pouches, an expandable panel and touches of leather, it's as practical as it is refined.
3. The Carry-On Flex | Away
With nearly a dozen fun colors, sturdy 360-degree wheels (they stand up to cobblestone!) and a small size that fits in most overhead bins, Away's Carry-On Flex could become your favorite piece of luggage. Need a bit more space? The bag expands to add an extra two inches. Its lightweight hard shell and grab handle underneath help with lifting and maneuvering from the airport to your rideshare.
4. Baseline Global 21" Carry-On Expandable Spinner | Briggs & Riley
Add the luxury of Briggs & Riley to your travel with a Baseline Global 21" Carry-On. The spinner wheels, expandable panels and exterior-mounted handle (no more bars inside your suitcase!) reveal the innovation that goes into every bag. You can even add a monogram, making your carry-on stand out from the rest. And if anything happens to it, the company has you covered with a lifetime warranty—no receipt required.
5. Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-On Spinner | Delsey Paris
You'll feel très chic as you roll through the concourse with your Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-On Spinner from Delsey Paris. The bag's sturdy hard shell, dual wheels and lightweight design make it perfect for a jaunt to France, especially since it fits in the smaller carry-on compartments of international flights. It's not just pretty; it's tech-savvy too: you can plug your devices into the built-in USB port.
6. Freeform Carry-On Spinner | Samsonite
One of the top luggage brands in the world, Samsonite has a bag for every type of journey. The lightweight and oh-so-affordable Freeform Carry-On Spinner can roll with you on adventures with its expansion zipper (great for fitting the souvenirs you collect along the way), plenty of interior pockets and excellent maneuverability. It's both slim and roomy so you can put in that extra outfit and still easily stow it.
7. Voyageur Carry-On 20" | Level8
Want happy colors and modern design in your luggage? Then meet the Voyageur Carry-On 20" from Level8. The bag's wide handle makes it super stable (and removes those pesky bars that take up interior space), and its scratch-resistant hard shell keeps it looking good from one airport to the next. You'll appreciate the two zippered compartments for keeping clothes in place and the wet pocket for getting damp swimsuits home.
8. Dolce Italia Cortina Duffle | Bosca
Be the envy of the airport with Bosca's Dolce Italia Cortina Duffle, which is lovingly made in Italy. Rich, hand-stained Italian leather and brass-finished hardware create a timeless look—you may wish you were heading for a Tuscan getaway every time you pack your bag. The leather handles and fabric shoulder strap are fully adjustable, and its compact size will fit into any overhead compartment.
9. Carry-On Plus | Monos
Monos believes in mindful travel, and the Carry-On Plus reflects that with its simple elegance and high quality in every detail. The aerospace-grade hard shell is virtually indestructible, giving you peace of mind if you decide to check your bag. There's also a built-in sleeve for your laptop to keep it secure. And the best part? You're getting top-end design and lots of color choices at a very reasonable cost.
10. International Dual Access 4-Wheeled Carry-On | Tumi
Looking for luxury on wheels? You've found it with Tumi's International Dual Access 4-Wheeled Carry-On. Designed for global travel, this elite bag made of ballistic nylon features multiple exterior pockets and grab handles. Inside, you'll find lots of zip pouches, a garment sleeve and a hanger bracket that can hold a suit. A USB-C port and Tumi Tracer, the company's luggage tracking app, add tech to this sophisticated carry-on.
About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards
Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.
Our Featured Panelists
Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.
Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.
Ava Roxanne Stritt is a top authority on luxury travel and is called the most influential person in the world regarding spa travel. Followers of @SpaTravelGal will tell you she is responsible for transforming the idea of a spa day into a wellness adventure! Her passion for unique experiences has carried her around the world from "taking the waters" in Europe's thermal spas to hiking waterfalls in the rainforests of Ecuador for a massage surrounded by hummingbirds. She is the founder of Spa Travel Gal and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and Wellness Tourism Association.
Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.