Best Carry-On Luggage 2023

Calpak Ambeur Rolling Spinner Carry-On

Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 9 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: Yes | Warranty: 2-year limited warranty; accident protection can be purchased

Looking for a trendy yet functional carry-on for your Instagram-worthy travels? Calpak has you covered with its Ambeur 20-inch Rolling Spinner Carry-On, available in black and three shimmering metallic colors. Practicality-wise, it features an integrated TSA-approved lock, interior compartments and the ability to expand an extra 2 inches, giving you plenty of space to stuff souvenirs. It’s also incredibly lightweight. Says one Vetted editor, who owns the Ambeur, “It fits a TON of stuff. It’s like a Mary Poppins bag.”

If you’re an avid traveler who’s rough on your luggage, consider purchasing 2-, 3- or 5-year accident protection for $23 to $44 dollars; it covers the repair of stains, rips, broken pieces and more.

Dimensions: 21.7 × 15.8 × 9.1 inches | Weight: 9.5 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: Yes | Warranty: Register online for a 5-year manufacturer’s guarantee

This aluminum shell suitcase is ultra durable for the most avid (and rough-on-their-luggage) travelers. It’s also proof that you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for utility. While you’ll pay a pretty penny for this bag, you’ll enjoy effortless maneuverability with its innovative multi-wheel system and telescopic handle. Inside, there’s a flex divider for organization and a built-in TSA-approved lock for extra security no matter where your travels take you.

The Cabin automatically comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty, but if you register online, it extends to 5 years. Just keep in mind that the width and depth of this pick may be slightly bigger than some airlines allow, so be sure to double-check the flight guidelines before purchase. That being said, there are some smaller versions of this suitcase that you can check out instead.

Dimensions: 20.9 x 13.4 x 7 inches | Weight: 3.17 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: No | Warranty: Lifetime warranty

If you’re looking to travel light with only a carry-on backpack, the Peak Design Travel Backpack makes it possible. It’s roomy enough to fit a couple of packing cubes stuffed with clothes, but small enough that you can carry it around town when you reach your destination. But it’s way more functional than a standard backpack: The back compartment zips open so you can lay it flat to pack it full, the laptop compartment is easily accessible as you navigate security and the main compartment expands with a zipper if you need to carry more gear. It’s also versatile—the backpack straps stash behind the padded back panel which has a discreet handle so you carry it like a duffel (I use the Travel Backpack as my work bag and rely on this feature everyday when I toss it in my car.)

The interior is also thoughtfully designed. As our Vetted gear editor notes, “The mesh zipper pockets that line the interior walls of the pack are strategically placed to maximize space, and the soft pocket holds more fragile items like sunglasses or a phone.” The one drawback is that, when stuffed to the brim, it’s hard to fit a large water bottle in the expandable side pockets. This bag comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and breakage, but it does not cover cosmetic damage or breakage due to neglect.

Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 6 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: No | Warranty: None; unused items may be returned within 30 days

While virtually any backpack within size guidelines qualifies as a carry-on, the key is to keep your in-flight necessities easily accessible. Plus, you probably want something that looks polished and grown-up (as opposed to a book bag you’d shlep to school). Of course, durability should be top-of-mind, too. Enter, Parker Clay’s Atlas Backpack, which checks all the boxes and then some.

Made of supple Ethiopian leather, the Atlas is handsome, tough and designed with travel in mind. Although it’ll sustain creases and scuffs—as all leather does—its unique patina will bear the marks from your travels. Inside you’ll find convenient pockets for stashing must-haves like an iPad, smartphone and business cards. The cherry on top is that Parker Clay is a company worth supporting; it provides fair employment to women in Ethiopia so they can safely support their families. However, due to its small size, you can’t fit an entire weekend’s worth of goods in here. It’s best suited as a personal item to pair with your checked bag or carry-on suitcase.

Dimensions: 22 × 14 × 9 inches | Weight: 9.7 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: Yes | Warranty: Lifetime Guarantee

Travel expert Amy Brueckner never leaves home without this soft shell suitcase. “I love, love, love my Briggs & Riley Baseline carry-on in black,” says Brueckner. “It has a lifetime guarantee, it expands [and] it has a hanging bag element for when I’m packing dresses, etc. It has a little pouch in the back that holds my umbrella so I’m never without one on the road.”

This suitcase is expandable and features two rolling wheels, an extendable handle and a built-in TSA-approved lock. Because of its clever trifold garment feature, this case is especially suited for anyone traveling for business or a formal occasion. While it’s certainly an investment, the brand’s Lifetime Guarantee covers repairs free of charge, meaning you can confidently take this bag wherever your job (or life) takes you.

Dimensions: 21.25 × 15.25 × 10 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: Yes | Warranty: Limited 10-year global warranty

Recommended by o ur Vetted deals editor (who “loves” this bag), the Samsonite Freeform Spinner is compact but expandable for when you need a little extra packing room. It also has interior pockets and a divider to keep everything in its place. Four wheels make it easy to tote and a push-button handle pulls out and retracts as needed.

Other notable features include a recessed TSA-approved lock, a built-in ID tag and a modern color palette that includes amethyst purple, sky blue and this sleek all-black colorway. In short, it’s everything you need with an under-$200 price tag.

Dimensions: 22 x 14.9 x 10 inches | Weight: 7.34 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: No | Warranty: None

If you’re not a frequent traveler, you may not need to invest in super long-lasting luggage that’s lightweight, sophisticated or rife with features. Instead, you might simply need a no-frills option like this hard-shell Amazon piece that features the basics: Four double-spinner wheels allow you to move efficiently when you need to rush to your gate and a thick outer shell protects all your belongings. The interior divider and zipper pockets mirror the features of more pricey luggage.

While you won’t get any of the bells and whistles (like a built-in lock) found on higher-quality luggage, this carry-on checks all our boxes for under $100. As one Amazon reviewer noted, “The size of this suitcase is perfect for me. The hard shell protects my travel fan while still providing plenty of room for three pairs of shoes.” However, the dimensions will be cutting it close for many airline when the time comes to hop on an international flight.

Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: Yes | Warranty: 5-year warranty on manufacturing defects

If you’re looking for a carry-on that really stands out, check out the Arlo Skye X Dusen Dusen Zipper Carry-On Max, a favorite of Vetted’s data director for this very reason. In addition to its eye-catching sunshine yellow shade—courtesy of a limited-edition collaboration—the Carry-On Max is equipped with a TSA-approved lock and an antimicrobial material that’s as chic as it is functional. Techies will also enjoy its “blazing-fast” built-in charger, which can fill a phone battery halfway in 30 minutes.

For easier access to your in-flight necessities, upgrade to the front pocket version for $25 more and you can grab your stuff without unzipping the entire suitcase.

Dimensions: 18.5 x 13 x 9 inches | Weight: 2.31 pounds | TSA-Approved Lock: No | Warranty: Limited lifetime

Duffel bags aren’t as convenient as traditional carry-ons, especially if you have to cover distances between airport gates or hotels on foot. However, they’re lightweight and flexible, meaning you can make space for those hard-to-pack items without worrying about the constraints of a rectangular case. Thule’s Spira Weekender Duffel Bag strikes a balance that’s hard to come by. It’s structured enough to stack on top of your roller bag while walking through the airport thanks to the flat bottom panel, but it’s also pliable enough to shove into a small overhead bin.

The water-resistant fabric keeps your belongings safe in any weather, and the small metal feet keep this bag upright whenever you need to set it down. The interior features a padded pocket for a tablet, and there’s a zippered pocket on the exterior to stash your essentials like a phone and passport so you don’t need to go digging through your bag. Best of all, this bag is as stylish as it is functional, plus it comes in three colorways—Black, Legion Blue and Rio Red.

Silver & Riley’s Italian-made Convertible Executive Bag is more than just good looks. In addition to its leather construction and luxe gold hardware (it’s also adorned with a working lock and key), it’s cleverly designed so you can wear it four ways. You can tote it by the top handles or wear it as a shoulder bag, crossbody or backpack with its accompanying long strap; just reconfigure it into strategically-placed metal rings for an easy transformation. As a structured bag, it offers a roomy interior, lined with a handful of pockets and snapping straps to fit (and secure) all your carry-on essentials—including a 13-inch laptop.

Adding to its versatility is its sleek style and just-rights size that’s suitable for everyday wear. And unlike your typical suitcase, the aptly named Executive Bag is suitable for work, shopping trips or use as a “mom bag” for schlepping a family’s worth of must-haves in the chicest way possible.