The 15 Best Carry-On Luggage Pieces, Editor-Tested Over 45,000 Miles (with Photos)

At PureWow, basically the only thing more popular than the editor with gummy bears on their desk is hearing about where and when one of us is traveling next. Destination weddings, Disney family jaunts, weeks-long Euro tours, Caribbean cruises—we've all got wanderlust, bad. So I'm thrilled to introduce these jetsetters' selections for best carry-on luggage for domestic and international trips.

Hardside cases with wheels, rolling soft zip luggage, tote bags and even an underseat mini case—it's all here. Top brands like Away and TravelPro are assessed, as well as the affordable-case-that-could from Amazon Basics. We didn't stop there though. This list also includes luggage with a range of special features, like expandable bodies, compression boards—there's even an aluminum model and another design with shelves. Read on for the editor-tested details and original photos of the 15 best carry-on luggage options to shop now.

When vetting the best carry-on luggage, our editors considered several top-rated luggage brands and tested a variety of rolling suitcases, duffel bags and backpacks. We used them for tons of travel, for everything from multi-week international vacations to shorter day trips. We took them across airports, over cobblestone streets and packed them into cars, while assessing multiple features, including size, durability, weight and more, to find you the best of the best.

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• Size: Each domestic carrier makes its own rules about the dimensions they accept for on-board luggage, but generally, they require that a bag’s dimensions be no more than 45 inches total—most commonly, 22 inches tall x 14 inches wide x 9 inches deep. (There are exceptions, including Frontier Airlines, which requires that carry-on bags stay under 40 inches combined.) Internationally, a number of major airlines such as Air France, ask that luggage be no more than 21 inches tall, and total less than 45 inches combined (Air France’s combined measurements are 43 inches). Exceptions abound, so check with your airline before boarding. And remember, expandable carry-on luggage pieces are great…until you realize that once you stuff all your new purchases in your bag its dimensions no longer fit within airline parameters.
• Four Wheels or Two: Two-wheeled luggage pieces used to be the gold standard in rolling luggage, since the two parallel wheels allowed you to pull the case behind you, yet the non-wheeled front corners of the bag let it stand obediently in place when parked. Four-wheeled suitcases, known as spinner luggage, allow the bag to be pushed alongside you. According to Travelpro, the luggage manufacturer founded by a former pilot who patented a two-wheeled suitcase in the early 1990s and now sells spinner luggage, deciding between the two types depends on your needs. Two-wheeled luggage allows for greater speed, since you can really make time running across a concourse with it gliding behind you; spinner luggage, on the other hand, gives users greater agility, since its four externally-mounted wheels have 360-degree motion and easily stop and start as you weave your way through a crowded gate.
• Hard-Sided or Soft: Hard-sided luggage is typically made of injection-molded plastic in bright colors and finishes, while soft-sided cases are made of durable fabrics with external pockets. Hard cases are usually designed as two clamshell halves that bind together using a zipper in the middle, while soft cases are generally a single chamber that’s opened using a zipper on one end. Are you a person who usually packs over a bag’s capacity, then sits on the suitcase to get it to close? If so, you might want to opt for a soft case, since they have more “give” than a hard-shell case. Conversely, do you like the secure feeling of your suitcase contents being ding-proof under a hard surface? Then go for the molded plastic.
•  Warranty: Do you want to invest in a bag that’s going to last you next-to-forever or do you like to swap in a fresher model every few years? If you’re the former, then opt for one of the brands that offer longer warranties. They’re a little pricier, but you’ll know your investment is covered.