The 13 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024, Tested by PureWow Editors

Ready for your next trip? You’ve got your spa day scheduled, restaurant reservations made and your airplane outfit picked out, but what about your carry-on? Whether you’re renting a beach house and a duffel (was $159, now $129) would come in handy to accommodate all your essentials or you’re visiting Paris and need wheels that will hold up ($395) against the wobbly cobblestone streets, you’ll want to opt for luggage that has all the features to make your travel experience as stress-free as possible—because we all know TSA never helps with that. Lucky for you, our editors have tested tons of luggage from some of the top-rated brands like Béis, Paravel and more, and have come up with the 13 best carry-on luggage options you can shop below.

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.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), approved carry-on sizes vary by aircraft carrier. A few of the maximum carry-on sizes of popular airlines include:

• Allegiant: 22 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches
• American Airlines: 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches
• Delta: 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches
• JetBlue: 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches
• Southwest: 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches
• Spirit: 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches
• United: 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches

For most carry-on luggage, no maximum weight applies, except in specific locations, so it’s best to check with your airline for confirmation before you travel.

If you’re questioning a specific item you want to pack, you can search for it in the TSA’s comprehensive “What Can I Bring?” list, which displays the rules for tons of items you may consider packing. However, some standouts include:

• Food: While food is generally allowed by TSA in your carry-on luggage, some foods such as breast milk, canned items and fresh fruits and vegetables may require special instructions, so be sure to refer to the “What Can I Bring?” list or contact your airline for guidance.
• Liquids: TSA allows one quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes per carry-on bag, however the products in the bag must not exceed 3.4 ounces each. (This also applies to beauty products!)

It really comes down to your personal preference on whether to choose a hardside or softside carry-on. However, Béis points out a few important differences to keep in mind: 

• Cleaning: Generally, hardside luggage is easier to wipe down and, because it’s less porous, it’s less likely to absorb water and trap smells or mold.
• Accessibility: Softside luggage may be easier to access quickly if you need to grab something out of it, since hardside luggage often needs to be fully opened to take anything out (though, this could be avoided if you choose a hardside carry-on with a front pocket).
• Protection: If you travel with fragile items like a laptop, tablet or delicate souvenirs, it may be beneficial to opt for a hardside carry-on, which doesn’t squish down as easily as softside options, giving your items a bit of extra protection and keeping them from being smashed in transit.