20 Best Carry On Suitcases for 2026 for Easy Travel

Our contributor Amy has this carry-on, and loves how it travels: “Away’s The Carry-On has been my faithful travel companion for nearly a decade, and I don’t plan on breaking up anytime soon. No matter how much I fill each of the two compartments, the sides always zip closed. The sleek silhouette and vibrant colors look fantastic, and I especially love traveler-friendly details like the 360-degree wheels, interior compression technology, and telescope-style retractable handle. And while I do have the original version, friends with The Bigger Carry-On tell me they never have a problem fitting it in the overhead bin.”

This beautiful piece from Level8 has plenty of features we love, but the best part might just be the affordable price tag that makes it a smart buy for a range of budgets. It’s hard-sided, with an easy-access front compartment that puts your laptop and electronics in easy reach. It comes in standard 20-inch and expandable 20-inch sizes, or as a matching set with 24-inch and 28-inch options.

This carry-on suitcase is a traveler’s dream, featuring a sleek, lightweight polycarbonate shell and stylish faux leather accents that can handle any bumps along the way. Glide effortlessly through the airport with smooth dual-spinner wheels and stay powered up with a built-in USB port. The spacious interior keeps your essentials organized, with a laundry bag and mesh pockets for extra convenience.

Just when we think we can’t love Away any more, they surprise us with something new that we didn’t know we needed. This version of The Carry-On opens from the top rather from the middle, so you pack in one deep compartment to fit larger items. It also features the innovative StopLock wheel brake system to keep it from rolling away when you’re on an incline or a bumpy train.

Is it a duffel? Yes. Is it a suitcase? Also yes. Get the best of both worlds with this rolling duffel that effortlessly accommodates whatever you need. With plenty of thoughtful pockets, it keeps your tech and travel essentials organized and easily accessible. One 5-star review titled “The Perfect Getaway Bag” reads, “Love the way it looks and fits everything I need. It’s very sturdy and easy to carry.”

Travel stress-free in style with this sleek cabin case with a tough aluminum frame and impact-resistant polycarbonate shell to keep your belongings safe. With smooth 360-degree spinner wheels, a TSA lock, and a hyper-organized interior with compression straps, packing and getting through the airport has never been easier.

Merging the portability of a backpack and the organizational style of a suitcase, Cotopaxi’s Allpa is a perfect choice if you’re looking for the best carry on luggage for international travel. (Especially where you might encounter cobblestone streets and steep stairways that aren’t great for wheeled luggage.) This colorful bag is equipped with thoughtful bells and whistles like a weight-distributing harness system, security zippers, hidden interior compartments, and even a rain cover to ensure your gear stays dry no matter the weather. 

Prefer soft-sided carry on luggage? With 360-degree wheels, a locking retractable handle, scuff-resistant fabric, and loads of interior and exterior compartments, it’s no wonder that this popular option has racked up over 14,000 5-star Amazon reviews and counting.

With Halfday’s Garment Duffel, you don’t have to schlep both a duffel and a garment bag for that destination wedding, business meeting, or other trip where you want to dress your best. This ingenious invention combines both bags into one easy-to-carry, stylish carry on.

If you’ve ever owned a Tumi, then you know that this high-priced luggage is as functional as it is stylish. In addition to sporting a textured, glossy exterior, this piece also contains several interior compartments. This eliminates the need for you to pack extra pouches for small items like makeup, toiletries, underwear, and socks.

Amazon’s best-selling carry on suitcase comes from none other than Samsonite, a brand that has been synonymous with high-quality luggage for more than a century. Available in a rainbow of eye-catching colors, this piece incorporates modern features like 360-degree wheels, recessed zippers for added security, expandable capacity, and a scratch-resistant hard shell—all at just 6.5 pounds. 

Direct-to-consumer darling July makes six different styles of carry on luggage, but our favorite is the Carry On Pro for its zippered front pocket and ejectable power bank. This hardshell suitcase offers easy access to your laptop, tablet, charging cords and other essentials, eliminating the need to lug around a big tote or backpack to stuff under the seat in front of you.

Much like the entire Amazon Basics line, this affordable carry on suitcase incorporates lots of the coveted features of its more expensive counterparts, from multi-directional wheels to interior pockets to a convenient retractable handle. It’s even expandable if you need a little extra packing room—and all for under $100.

The Carry-On Roller from BÉIS is the luggage equivalent of your favorite dress with pockets. It’s packed with functional interior bags and compartments that fit together to keep your gear organized. It can even expand two inches if you need a bit of extra room, and we love the retractable strap that holds your handbag.

If you’re ready to splurge on luggage that oozes status, look no further than the Cabin Plus from Rimowa, a 125-year-old German brand prized for its exceptional craftsmanship. The interior divider sports a flexible design that enables you to adjust the height of each compartment as needed, and the anodized aluminum shell is the perfect combination of durable and lightweight. 

This carry on suitcase from Solgaard takes the “un” out of unpacking. Just expand the interior compartment when you get to your destination, and voilà! You’ll have five instant shelves already filled with your clothes, shoes, and accessories.

Thousands of satisfied Amazon customers heap praise on the Travelpro Maxlite 5, raving about everything from its “maneuverability” to its “sturdy and lightweight style.” Since it opens like a duffel bag instead of a clamshell, you can fit larger items more easily than with some of the other pieces on our list. 

The Herschel Heritage Softshell suitcase looks like the brand’s classic backpack on wheels, but it’s actually so much more. The front pocket puts your laptop and other electronics at your fingertips, while the inside is divided into two compartments to keep you organized.

A handful of airports still require you to remove electronics and food from your carry on at security. But luckily, this gorgeous piece from Calpak saves you the hassle of rifling through your bag in front of a line of impatient travelers. This sturdy soft-sided suitcase has multiple outside pockets to offer easy access to whatever you might need before or during your flight.

The Carry On Pro from Monos sports loads of features we adore, like a water-resistant polycarbonate hard shell, antimicrobial lining, and vegan leather accents. Grab your laptop and charger from the exterior pocket before you stow your bag, and you’ll be ready to get to work as soon as the captain gives you the all-clear.