Discover the best carry-on luggage for your next getaway
By Beth CaseyJul 25, 2023
Planning your next vacation or business trip? Time to elevate your travel bag to something chic and modern. Check out our top seven picks here.
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Ready to shop the best luggage of 2023? Check it out here
Ready to shop for new luggage? We scoured the best brands and models to bring you the best suitcases and travel bags of the year.
Buying new luggage is an investment. That’s why it’s essential to find travel bags that function great and will last you for a long time. And of course, it doesn’t hurt if it looks nice, too.
With so many impressive luggage brands on the market, researching to find the best suitcases at the right price can be a time-consuming process. And who has time for that? Well, we do.
Our editors are obsessed with hunting for trendy new travel products that will enhance your travel experience. Whether you take the occasional getaway or travel regularly for work, we’ve rounded up the best luggage of 2023 to shop now.
Read more: Shop these essentials and pack your suitcase like a pro
Our top picks for the best luggage
Top choice for international travel
Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On Spinner
Our top picks for the best luggage
Best overall suitcase set of 2023
Specifications
Dimensions: Carry-on 22 in; Medium 28 in; Large 32 in
Capacity: Carry-on 44.6 L, Medium 93.6 L, Large 173.4 L
Pros & Cons
Carry-on has USB port
Lightweight
Low price point
Only two color options
USB port battery not included
Made from durable polycarbonate, the Samsonite Centric 2 luggage set comes with three lightweight suitcases. It boasts a stylish textured surface to help prevent scratches while looking stylish.
There are two colors to choose from, each suitcase has a mesh divider for easy packing — and they have easy-to-maneuver dual spinner wheels. Oh, and we can’t forget about the built-in TSA-approved locks and the USB port for powering up devices.
Best lightweight luggage
Specifications
Dimensions: 22 H x 14 W x 9 D in
Capacity: 48 L
Pros & Cons
Lightweight
Lifetime warranty
Four color options
Reports of wobbly wheels
High price point
Briggs & Riley is for travelers whose main concern is top-performance. While expensive, this high-quality luggage is designed to last you a lifetime because it comes with a lifetime guarantee. So, should it break or need repairs, you’re covered. While this suitcase by Briggs & Riley is one of the most expensive on our list, it comes with extra features to make it worth your while. It’s got one-touch CX expansion, which instantly expands the suitcase while the PowerPocket easily stores a battery pack for convenient charging.
For easier packing, it has cinch straps to help compress clothing before you zip everything up. Plus, the built-in trifold garment folder keeps your clothing wrinkle-free.
Top choice for international travel
Specifications
Dimensions: 22 H x 14 W x 9 D in
Capacity: 39 L
Pros & Cons
10 year warranty included
Four available color options
Sizer bin tested to fit most major US airlines
Battery not included for charging port
Made from high-density nylon with DuraGuard, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On Spinner is one of the nicest luggage pieces on our list. It has the patented PrecisionGlide System, which gives you decisive control of the eight MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels.
Inside, there’s a removable quart-size wet pocket to hold toiletries or damp items. Plus, this suitcase comes in four stylish colors.
Best carry-on luggage
Specifications
Dimensions: 21.5 H x 13.75 W x 9.25 D in
Capacity: 45 L
Pros & Cons
Front compartment for devices
Dual spinner wheels
Minimalist design
Only a two-year warranty
Front compartment takes up some of the interior space
The Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage is perfect for digital nomads. It comes with a hardside front compartment that fits devices of up to 16 inches.
There are also pockets for all your important documents, making them more easily accessible at the check-in counter. Plus, it has TSA-approved locks to keep your things safe and secure.
Made from durable polycarbonate and available in five classic color options (plus one limited-edition color), this minimalist-design bag ticks all of our boxes.
Our favorite luggage set
Specifications
Dimensions: The Carry-On & Carry-On Flex: 21.7 in; The Bigger Carry-on & Bigger Carry-On Flex: 22.7 in; Medium & Medium Flex: 26 in: Large & Large Flex: 29 in
Capacity: The Carry-On & Carry-On Flex: 39.8 L, The Bigger Carry-On & Bigger Carry-On Flex: 47.9 L; Medium & Medium Flex: 68.8 L; Large & Large Flex: 99.2 L
Pros & Cons
Interior compression
Expandable
Includes laundry bag
No external compartment on carry-on
Exterior may scratch easily
Away is a favorite brand among reviewers for their reliable yet awesome-looking luggage. Its suitcases are simple, stylish and reasonably priced.
Each one comes with interior compression, thoug,h you can opt for their Flex series to get an extra 1.75 inches of space if needed. Plus, the 360 spinners provide a smooth glide as navigate the airport.
Depending on the set, you can choose between one to six color options. Most are made from durable polycarbonate, though you can opt for those made from aluminum. The carry-ons easily nest inside the checked bag and you’ll get a limited lifetime warranty with each piece.
Best hardside suitcase
Specifications
Dimensions: 21.5 H x 15 W x 8.5 D in
Capacity: 42 L
Pros & Cons
Lifetime warranty
Ejectable power bank
Higher price point
If you’re on the hunt for a hardside carry-on, this one by July is a top choice for durability. Made from polycarbonate, it also has aluminum bumpers on the corners to prevent damage.
Other great features include the removable power bank, so you can easily charge your devices. For easy navigation, it has SilentMove 360-degree spinners for a smooth, quiet ride. And when packing, it has a Y-strap compression system to allow you to pack more. Plus, to ensure you find your perfect match, this suitcase comes in nine standard colors and five limited-edition shades. And inside, there’s a stain-resistant lining to protect against any accidental toiletry spillage.
Top luxury luggage
Specifications
Dimensions: 21.7 H x 15.8 W x 9.1 D in
Capacity: 36 L
Pros & Cons
Multiwheel system
Aluminum exterior
Customizable features
High price
While it may be a hefty investment, the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-on is a handcrafted suitcase that majorly delivers on function and fashion.
Crafted from high-end anodized aluminum, this suitcase is built to last for years — and if it doesn’t, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Featuring a multi-wheel system, this suitcase is easy to maneuver through the airport — and it comes with TSA-approved locks. If we’re being honest, at a price point like this, it should. But we thought we’d point it out.
This bag comes in four colors: Arctic Blue, Silver, Titanium and Black.
Best smart luggage
Specifications
Dimensions: 22.5 H x 15 W x 9.5 D in
Capacity: 43.5 L
Pros & Cons
Built-in AirTag compartment
Doubles as a portable workstation
Polycarbonate exterior with aluminum frame
Only three color options
AirTag not included
You won’t have to worry about losing your bag with this smart luggage. The Samsara Grand Carry-On comes with a hidden, interior compartment that’s AirTag compatible, so you can track your suitcase from your phone.
If you have a long layover and want to get some work done, just slide down the telescopic handle and use the flat top as a portable workstation. The suitcase is made from polycarbonate and aluminum, so it’s sure to last you many trips.
Questions to ask before you buy luggage
If you intend to invest in good, quality luggage, there are definitely a few things you should consider before pulling out your credit card. To make things easier, here are some questions that you can ask yourself.
Do I want it to expand?
For some, this may be an immediate “yes,” though it’s worth thinking over. While it’s nice to have a suitcase that can expand when you go a little overboard on shopping, this could take you from a carry-on to a checked bag as expansion typically adds more weight.
What are my travel needs?
Consider how often and what kind of trips you plan to take before investing in any luggage. If you go on a lot of longer vacations, you might want to look into a set to save money. However, if you take a lot of short trips then you can probably get by with just a carry-on.
Is this a trusted brand?
Hear us out. We’re not saying you need to get a designer brand to get quality luggage but it’s worth it to invest in a trusted luggage brand. From our research, longstanding brands tend to have better quality and value for the price, and most trusted brands provide a lifetime warranty.
Which luggage gets our vote?
While our editors stand by all of the suitcase choices in this roundup, we understand how important it is to find the perfect luggage — especially if you travel frequently. To help you narrow the selection, our top picks are the following:
Away Luggage Set: For a solid set of luggage that will last and isn’t super expensive, you can’t go wrong with Away. The compression system means you can fit more in, and they look good too. Away is always a reliable brand.
Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage: We love a good carry-on built for all our tech. While this Calpak carry-on is small, it fits exactly what you need for that business trip.
Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Emma Kalka
A former music writer, Emma Kalka works to help customers find little ways they can save at their favorite brands. Emma previously worked at The Korea Herald and Groove Korea. Today, she lives in Florida and writes murder mysteries in her free time.
Specialized topics
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