The Best Carry On Suitcases 2024 (Best Luggage 2024)

Ready to save time and money and never check a bag again?  With the right carry on suitcase and careful planning, you can fit everything you need for your trip.

I began traveling with my family when I was young, and packed everything I possibly could, into a hard to manage extra-large suitcase. This suitcase didn’t have rollers, so I couldn’t carry my own bag.

In college, I used a cheap backpack to travel around Europe. I stuffed it full with way more than I needed, so it was super heavy and uncomfortable to carry.

I didn’t realize the difference it would make to pack carry on only into a nice functional carry on suitcase.

In my adult years, I realized, that I didn’t wear half the clothes I was packing. I got tired of waiting in line (and spending money) to check my bag, then having to wait for up to an hour for my bag at my destination airport.

Dragging my heavy suitcase from one place to another was not fun.

I challenged myself, and my family, to pack carry on only for a month-long trip to Europe. I bought the best new carry on bags, planned out my outfits, and packed my new suitcase.

We never checked a bag again, and we love using high quality carry on luggage from the best luggage brands!

Learn how to pack a carry on bag!  Get a FREE Carry On Packing Checklist download, by signing up on the right

Below are the 10 best carry on suitcases for international and domestic trips!  All of these options are considered to be the best carry on luggage for women and most of the suitcases are the best carry on luggage for men as well.

Here are some of the important things that I consider when deciding on the best carry on bag for international travel or domestic travel.

  • The best rolling luggage (with easy-rolling wheels)
  • The most lightweight luggage
  • Luggage with a solid and easy to raise the handle
  • The most convenient pockets and compartments
  • Luggage that looks nice
  • Expandable, so I can bring home more than I left with

See the carry on suitcase that I use for international travel here

Important Packing Tip!

Make sure to go to the website of the airline/s you are flying, and read the carry on baggage policies. There is a small range of the maximum size allowance as well as weight restrictions.

Some airlines (like United) have stopped weighing bags, but many of them still do.  Because I had recently been policed on my suitcase weight by a United agent, I made sure to have the airline carry on bag policy ready on my phone during my next passport check at the gate.

Most airlines allow you to carry on a second bag that needs to fit under the seat. To keep your suitcase under the weight restriction, you can pack the heavier items, such as toiletries, into this bag.

Keep reading to find out the best carry on luggage 2024 (the best cabin luggage)…

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The Best Carry On Luggage Reviews

Best International Carry On Suitcase (& Best Lightweight Carry On Luggage)

Travel Pro Maxlite 5 Carry On Suitcase

For women and men

Size: 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches

Weight: 5.4 pounds

*Multiple colors are available

Click here to check the latest prices and reviews

This is one of the best travel bags!  The lightweight, durable, rolling suitcase that I use for my international travel. Weighing in at just over 5 pounds, it’s one of the lightest suitcases out there. It’s super roomy inside, and it’s expandable by 2 inches if you do some shopping while abroad (just check your airline’s website for the max size for carry on).

Packing is easy and organized with two exterior front pockets, a full-length interior lid pocket, a side accessory pocket, and adjustable hold-down straps. The PowerScope Lite handle and high-performance wheels make for quick and easy gliding through the airport!

See this Travel Pro Carry On Suitcase on Amazon here

Best Hard Side Carry On Suitcase

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Expandable Suitcase   

For women and men

Size:  23 inches x 14.5 inches x 9.5 inches

Weight:  6.3 pounds

*Multiple colors are available

Click here for the latest prices and reviews

The best hard shell luggage (aka hard case luggage) is the Travel Pro Max Lite.  It is one of the most lightweight hard shell bags out there.  It is expandable and has smooth rolling with spinner wheels that rotate 360 degrees, there are top and side handles for carrying or easy lifting. 

This suitcase has lots of room in the main compartment, with two Interior zippered divider panels, and an accessory pocket, so you can keep your things organized.  The bonus is that the interior lining is made of recycled plastic water bottles

See this Travel Pro Carry On Suitcase on Amazon here

*If you are looking for a hard side suitcase with USB A and C ports, this is a similar Travel Pro.  The charger adds weight, so it is over 8 pounds.

*Multiple colors are available

Click here to see the Travel Pro Hardside Suitcase with USB Ports

Best Soft Side Carry On Suitcase

Briggs & Riley 22-inch Baseline Essential Carry-On

For women and men

Size: 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches

*Multiple colors are available

Click here for the latest prices and reviews

This Briggs and Riley suitcase seems to have it all- an aluminum telescope handle with an ergonomic hand grip,  a “Speedthru pocket” for quick and convenient access to all things needed at security checkpoints, a large front pocket, and shock-absorbing 360-degree spinner wheels that absorb shock! 

Inside there is lots of room for your clothes and toiletries, which gets bigger with the expansion feature. There are two mesh pockets on the divider for organization and a trifold garment holder for hanging clothes.

See this Briggs & Riley Carry On Suitcase on Amazon here

Best Cute and Pink Carry On Suitcase

Delsey Paris St. Tropez Hardside Expandable Luggage

For women

Size:  21 inches x 13.5 inches x 10 inches 

Weight: 7.7 pounds

Click here for the latest prices and reviews

Lightweight and shock resistant, this cute and pink suitcase will add style to anyone’s vacation.  With its special patented zipper, it’s three times more resistant than a standard zipper.  The dual-spinning wheels will ensure smooth rolling through the airport. 

This suitcase is expandable, which is great for taking less to your destination and shopping while you are there!  There is a 3-dial TSA lock to keep your bag secure.  The roomy and washable interior has tie-down straps, and a zipped divider with pockets, which will fit your shoes.

See this Delsey Paris Carry On on Amazon here

Best Rolling Carry On Suitcase with Spinner Wheels

Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage

For women and men

Size: 22 inches x 15 inches x 9.5 inches

Weight: 6.8 pounds

*Multiple colors are available

Click here for the latest prices, reviews, and color options

The best spinner luggage is this super spinner, rolling hard side suitcase that is fashionable and state-of-the-art, with lots of great color options available. This lightweight luggage has oversized multi-directional wheels, so it glides through the airport.

The shell is made of highly impact resistant and is scratchproof.  There is a mounted TSA combination lock. The interior is fully lined, with a mesh divider and cross straps, and it is expandable to give you more room if you need it.

See this Samsonite Carry On on Amazon here

Best Affordable Carry On Suitcase (Cheap Carry On Luggage)

For women and men

Amazon Basics Carry On- Hardside and Softside Carry On Luggage

Size: Hardside= 20 inches, Softside= 21 inches

Weight: Hardside= not stated, Softside= 6.3 pounds

Click here for the latest prices and reviews 

The affordable Amazon Basics suitcases are popular, with good reason. They are fashionable, functional, and some of the cheapest luggage out there.

The har and softshell suitcases come in various colors and will work well for international or domestic travel.

See this Amazon Basics Carry On here

Best Stylish Designer Carry On Luggage

For men and women

TUMI 19 Degree International Trip Carry-On

For men and women

Size: 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches

Weight: 8 pounds


*Multiple Colors are available

Click here for the latest prices and reviews

Tumi is one of the top designer luggage brands out there and is the best carry on bag for a woman or man who likes designer brands. This stylish suitcase has so many great features including a USB port, an integrated TSA lock, retractable top, and side carry handles, a bottom grab handle, a telescoping handle, zipper expansion, and 4 recessed dual spinner wheels.

The inside has zip pockets, with a dual-compartment zip pocket, compression straps, and a TUMI Tracer.

This luggage is perfect for international and domestic travel. I like the streamlined design, the stylish colors, and the built-in tracer!

See this TUMI Carry On Suitcase here

Best Backpack Suitcase

Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack

For women and men

Size:  21.5h x 14w x 9d,  46L total volume

Weight:  3 pounds


Click here for the latest prices and reviews

This backpack is a favorite among world travelers.  There is a U-zip zip, which gives you access to the main compartment, and lockable zippers on the main and laptop compartments.  The comfortable padded shoulder straps and hip belt can be tucked away when not in use.

The compression straps tighten up the backpack to a smaller size.  Inside, there are pockets with zippers and a key clip.  There are also cord locks to attach the daypack-  Click here to see the Osprey Daylite Backpack.

See this Carry On Backpack on Amazon here

Best Underseat Suitcase

Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Spinner with USB Port

For women and men

Size: Fits under most airplane seats

Weight: 5 Pounds


Click here for the latest prices and reviews

This efficient suitcase is so compact that it fits under most airline seats (make sure to ask the airline you are flying with.)  It’s so convenient to have your things at your feet and not have to get into your bag in the overhead bin.  The USB port allows you to always be able to charge. 

With four spinner wheels, this under seat carry on bag easily glides through the airport. There are pockets on the outside of the bag for extra storage and for things you need to quickly grab.  The main compartment has a padded laptop compartment (which fits up to 13.3 inches) with a secure strap. 

If you are taking another carry on suitcase with you, there is a sleeve on the back so it can be placed over the handle of most suitcases.

See this Samsonite Carry on Amazon here

Best Carry On Suitcase for Kids and Teens

Rockland Carry On Luggage

For Girls and boys

Size: 20 inch Hardshell

Weight:

Click here for all of the color and pattern options

Looking for fun kids carry on luggage (or for teens)? Rockland has so many great options! From leopard, polka dots, and heart prints, to more conservative solid colors, there is something for everyone.

These suitcases are lightweight and easy to roll with their multidirectional spinner wheels. Other features include an aluminum telescoping handle and an interior mesh zip pocket. Perfect for any trip!

See the Rockland Carry On on Amazon here

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