The holiday travel months are here! For the first time in a long time, a large number of prospective travelers are looking to upgrade their luggage collections – particularly their carry-ons.
Now more than ever, how big your carry-on luggage matters. Not only are airlines now charging for checked bags across the board, however, many have even begun charging for carry-ons, especially those that don’t fit the size requirements for that plane’s overhead compartment.
To avoid falling into this group and to steer clear of the guessing game, we’ve outlined 11 of the best carry-on bags that will fit in almost any airline’s overhead compartment effortlessly.
For context, according to Travel + Leisure, the standard domestic carry-on luggage dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9 in., including a handle and wheels for roller bags. If you may find one inch or a couple of difference among airlines, these dimensions usually affect most major aircrafts.
- Best Overall: Monos Carry-On Pro
- Most Lightweight: Monos Hybrid Carry-On
- Most Popular: Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
- Best Softside Option: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage
- Most Affordable: Protege Regency Carry-On 2-Wheel Upright Luggage
- Best Expandable Pick: Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels
- Most Sustainable Option: Paravel Aviator Carry-On
- Sleekest Pick: The Away Carry-On
- Most Modern: LEVEL8 Pro Carry-On With Laptop Pocket
- Best Option With Built-In Organization: Nomatic Carry-On Classic
- Best Handheld Option: Troubadour Embark Compact Duffle
At the moment, airlines set their own carry-on restrictions and guidelines. However, it’s easier to be secure than sorry and stick as closely to those dimensions as possible in case guidelines change in the future.
There are tons of options – from hardside and softside luggage to duffles and expandable picks – which will provide you with that extra reassurance and costs start at just $49. Browse the most from Monos, Away, Samsonite, Protege and much more.
1. Best Overall: Monos Carry-On Pro, $256.50 with code ‘CYBERWEEK2023’ (Orig. $289)
Monos’ best-selling Carry-On Pro is by far the most user-friendly and stylish from the bunch. Measuring 22 x 14 x 9 in. – the conventional carry-on dimensions – this hardside piece includes a built-in front compartment for simple access when you travel. There, you are able to store your passport, headphones, wallet and more.
The front compartment also fits a 15-inch laptop and keeps it protected under the same aerospace-grade polycarbonate as the rest of the case. In fact, the shell is actually unbreakable. Have it while it’s for sale for $256.50 during Monos’ Cyber Monday Sale.
Right now, the Monos Hybrid Carry-On Plus Spinner carry-on and also the standard Carry-On Spinner carry-on are also in-stock at Nordstrom.
2. Most Lightweight: Monos Hybrid Carry-On, $283.50 with code ‘CYBERWEEK2023’ (Orig. $325)
Over recent times, Monos has become among the best luggage brands, especially if you’re looking for pieces which are durable, indestructible, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing.
This year (2023), Monos added the Hybrid Carry-On to its roster, and it’s the lightest and most resilient suitcase in its lineup, even beating the best-selling Carry-On Pro.
So, why is mtss is a “hybrid?” The company took the most sought-after features of aluminum and polycarbonate luggage and merged them right into a sleek and absolutely stunning carry-on suitcase that stands out for the right reasons. What sets this one apart from all of the others on this list, however, is its zipperless aluminum frame, aluminum corner guards and unbreakable shell.
Also, measuring 22 x 14 x 9 in. – the conventional carry-on dimensions – the Monos Hybrid Carry-On fits perfectly in the overhead bin. It’s available today in three colors: champagne, obsidian and silver.
3. Most Popular: Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels, $154.53 (Orig. $199.99)
Samsonite is among the most trusted luggage brands of all time, so it’s no surprise the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels is really a major customer favorite.
Measuring 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 in., this best-selling carry-on meets size restrictions on United, American, Delta, Southwest and Allegiant Airlines. It’s super lightweight, comes with a 10-year limited warranty and is currently on sale on Amazon for 23% off.
4. Best Softside Option: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, $117.53 (Orig. $169.99)
Hardside luggage isn’t everyone’s bag. If you like softside suitcases, this Travelpro option is a well known Amazon pick. It’s arguably probably the most lightweight on the list, features four spinning wheels that smoothly rotate 360 degrees and even expands as much as 2 inches to maximise packing capacity.
Also, if you’re searching for a carry-on that’s compartment-heavy, this one’s the very best pick. It features two exterior compartments, a full-length interior lid pocket and a side accessory pocket. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage measures 23 x 14.5 x 9 in.
5. Least expensive: Protege Regency Carry-On 2-Wheel Upright Luggage, $49
You can’t beat the cost of this sturdy piece. At just $49, it’s a steal, but don’t let the price tag fool you – the Protege Regency Carry-On 2-Wheel Upright Luggage is actually premium in every way.
This Walmart exclusive deal features two low-profile in-line skate wheels, an interlocking zipper system to maintain your belongings safe, interior mesh pockets, a padded top and a compression strap to keep your items secure. It measures 22 x 7 x 14 in. and is available in black and red.
6. Best Expandable Pick: Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, $119.99 (Orig. $159.99)
If you’re a light packer and purchase a lot of souvenirs or clothes in your trips, this one’s for you personally. The Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels is among the best expandable options you can buy.
In addition to this useful feature, its micro-diamond, polycarbonate exterior causes it to be ideal for the frequent traveler as it’s scratch-resistant and stays looking new even with regular deterioration.
7. Best Sustainable Option: Paravel Aviator Carry-On, $263 (Orig. $350)
Dubbed “probably the most sustainable carry-on you’ll ever own,” the Paravel Aviator Carry-On suitcase is a to begin its kind. The company offsets all the carbon emissions generated from creating and shipping an Aviator Carry-On, causeing this to be the most sustainable carry-on you are able to buy.
Also, adding to its environmentally conscious mission, it has a durable recycled polycarbonate exterior, recycled zippers, a lining made from 15 upcycled plastic water bottles and more.
It’s also just the right size, fitting two to four days’ worth of clothes and something to 2 pairs of shoes. Best of all, it fits easily in the overhead compartment of any airline, thanks to its 13.7 x 21.7 x 9 in. measurements.
Shoppers love that this carry-on is extremely smooth and has 360-degree spinner wheels with carbon steel bearings, an interior compression board, a removable laundry bag and much more.
8. Sleekest Pick: The Away Carry-On, $275
Not keen on all of the bells and whistles and prefer something sleek and simple? If this sounds like your sentiment, the Away Carry-On is the perfect option. There’s not really a lot to this one, aesthetically speaking. Its gorgeously understated outer design makes it beautiful to look at and, not to mention, it’s super lightweight.
Measuring 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 in., the carry-on fits in the overhead bin on most major airlines and is compact enough for train and car rides. For your extra luxe feel, additionally, it features leather details and comes with a black leather luggage tag.
9. Most contemporary: LEVEL8 Pro Carry-On With Laptop Pocket, $209.99
LEVEL8 is known for designing some of the most modern, well-engineered and sturdiest suitcases available on the market. In fact, its Pro Carry-On With Laptop Pocket won a Red Dot award for its premium design and make.
This stylish carry-on is finely crafted with aerospace-grade Bayer Makrolon, is water-resistant, lightweight and it has a durable hard-shell casing to protect your items. It also has got the usual 360-degree ultra-quiet spinner wheels most high-end carry-ons have now.
What sets it apart from others, though, is its built-in USB port and an interior compartment for any power bank that makes it ideal for charging your devices when traveling.
10. Best Option With Built-In Organization: Nomatic Carry-On Classic, $279.99 (Orig. $399.99)
Most folks opt for packing cubes to have their clothes, shoes and valuables organized and compartmentalized in their carry-ons, but those come in an extra cost. Nomatic’s Carry-On Classic comes with built-in organization compartments that do the same task.
Described as “an expert of organization,” this sleek and durable carry-on lets you maximize capacity inside a virtually indestructible case. Also, it falls in line with the standard carry-on size measurements, has silent wheels, and it has both TSA-locking YKK zippers and magnetic compression straps.
11. Best Handheld Option: Troubadour Embark Compact Duffle, $220 (Orig. $275)
For people who prefer a duffle form and may do without the wheels and extra surface area, the Troubadour Embark Compact Duffle will do the job and is ideal for uses past the airport.
This the first is extremely stylish, versatile and practical. It’s lightweight, waterproof and can fit a 16-inch laptop within the zipped-and-padded pocket. Additionally, it has a waterproof-lined pocket to keep your shoes so that they don’t touch all of your other belongings. On top of that, if you opt to make use of this as the personal item and a roller carry-on, the bag features a trolley sleeve that slides over your luggage handles.
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