The 7 best carry-on luggage of 2026, tested by travel pros

It's been 13 years since I last checked a bag. I staunchly believe that a carry-on is the perfect size for any length trip in any climate, whether that's three months in Europe, two weeks in Hawaii or a week in snowy Maine followed by a week in sunny Florida (all true stories). It's a bragging right that's only partly owed to my packing skills — I'd be nowhere (or more specifically, idling at baggage claim) without the best carry-on luggage out there.

They're not all created equal, you know: A good carry-on has thoughtful pockets and compartments to keep your things organized and secure, and compression features to make the most out of its limited space. It rolls easily over not only glossy airport flooring and nubby carpet, but cobblestones, brick and pavement. It's sturdy and durable, standing up to being crammed into overhead cabins or into trunks, but lightweight enough to lift in and out of both. In our testing to find the best carry-on luggage , we considered all of this and more.

As a professional product reviewer, my near-decade of experience testing various items paired with my borderline obsession with carry-ons makes me uniquely qualified. Still, I spoke with other experts too: travel guides, tourism business owners, CEOs and founders of travel companies and fellow light-packing obsessives who weighed in on what makes the best carry-ons, including the best hard-side bags , top-tested duffels and travel backpacks, below.

Best carry-on luggage of 2026

How we test carry-on luggage

To find the best carry-ons, our team of professional product reviewers did extensive research and testing.

• Research: We interviewed travel experts and spent 12 hours evaluating top carry-on brands; we reviewed product claims, user reviews and Reddit threads to get a good read on the market and separate the good from the bad. I spoke with travel professionals, tour guides, business-owners and fellow carry-on warriors who work in the travel industry and know all the ins and outs. I also polled my colleagues, who test products for a living, for insight on their favorite brands and attributes.

• Expertise: As a career product tester and editor who has reviewed travel accessories for nearly a decade, I decoded marketing claims to cut through the fluff. And let's not forget my personal deep category knowledge of carry-ons (remember, I haven't traveled with anything larger since 2012). Those 13 years trying bags, testing brands and volleying from backpack to weekender to roller board and back again served me well in creating this list.

• Performance: After whittling down the vast market to a pool of about 20 carry-on pieces, we made further cuts based on performance data gleaned from experts and staffers. We polled our editors for feedback on ease of use, durability and maneuverability, considering how easy each bag was to handle, lift and wheel through varied terrain. We collected information on packing loads and bag usability, from pockets and compartments to add-ons like locks, batteries and accessories. And of course, durability: whether or not each bag held up to repeated use, and how its contents fared.

• Value: We considered the price of each bag to make selections that balance performance with cost. Some carry-ons are excellent but cost-prohibitive; others are affordable but lack in performance and durability, leaving your belongings and the case itself at risk. Our list sits at the middle ground: reasonable price, impressive performance.

Factors to consider when choosing carry-on luggage

✓ Weight: How much a carry-on weighs when empty is extremely important since you'll need to be able to lift it and remove it from the overhead bin. Reviewers tend to agree that anything over 7 pounds starts to feel weighty (and potentially cause issues at the gate if you pack heavily). It's generally true, though, that the lighter the weight, the less durable it is. Keep that trade-off in mind.

✓ " Durabilityis crucial for withstanding rough handling during transit," said Ritesh Raj, CEO of travel website CuddlyNest . If you want ultimate durability, we recommend a suitcase made of hard polycarbonate, like Away's Carry-on or July's Casesafe . It's a highly durable, crush-resistant and long-lasting material that you "can confidently toss around (and let get tossed around by airport baggage workers) without worrying it'll break or let anything inside break," said Madison Blancaflor , managing editor at The Points Guy .

✓ " Maneuverabilitycan greatly impact your travel comfort," Raj said. If it's on wheels, the luggage should roll smoothly, stay upright whether it's packed full or light and be easy to pull and push. The handles (both the telescopic and/or side helper handles) and straps should feel well-placed and comfortable to use and adjust.

✓ Expansion capability: If you're wont to stock up on souvenirs or over-pack, the ability to expand your luggage can be extremely helpful: Just be sure the expanded measurements of the bag still fit within the airline's carry-on restrictions. Of our top picks, Travelpro and Amazon Basics both offer expandability to the tune of two inches of extra space.

✓ Built-in battery: It's smart to opt for a carry-on that has built-in batteries as a failsafe, said Hamdy. Travel days can be chaotic, and it's good to have the option to recharge your devices during a long-haul flight or a travel delay. July's Casesafe is the only luggage on this list that features a built-in battery. Remember that to be carry-on compliant, the batteries must follow these TSA restrictions :

• Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) battery: 2 grams of lithium or less

• Lithium ion (rechargeable) battery: 100 watt hours (Wh) or less

✓ A TSA-approved lock"adds security and peace of mind," said Jeremy Tarr , digital editorial director at Fodor's Travel . Away and July both feature locks, while the rest on our list don't. Locks may seem less important for carry-on luggage that stays with you for most of your travel time, but keep in mind your bag may be gate-checked and susceptible to mishandling. Depending on your destination and company, you may prefer to lock your bag upon arrival too.

Carry-on luggage FAQs

What's better, hard-shell or soft-shell carry-ons?

It ultimately depends on your preferences and travel style. A quick litmus test:

• If durability is your chief requirement, go hard-side."Hardshell luggage weighs more, but it is far more durable and has a tough exterior, which will offer more protection, keeping your things safe," said Meg Jerrard, travel writer at Solo Female Travelers . Soft-side luggage is lighter, while hard-side bags are heavier but can offer more durability.

• If you want something lightweight and flexible, opt for soft-side.The materials used for soft-side luggage are naturally lighter-weight than polycarbonate, and the flexibility of "soft-shell luggage may allow you to shove a few extra pieces in," said Victor Tam, co-founder and CEO of luggage brand Monos .

• If you want something weatherproof and easy to clean, go hard-side."If you get caught in the rain or snow, [hard-shell bags] are much more weatherproof than soft-shell options, giving your stuff protection from getting wet," said Jerrard. I also like that you can take a disinfecting wipe to the luggage as needed.

• If you want something with easy access and exterior compartments, opt for soft-side."Most "come with exterior pockets, offering convenient storage for items you may need quick access to," said Brad Foley, travel blogger at Foley Exploring. It's rare to find a hard-side bag with exterior compartments, though they do exist.

Carry-on size limit guidelines

What size carry-on is best?

While airlines have various guidelines for acceptable sizes, we recommend a carry-on no larger than 22" x 14" x 9",which is the smallest allowance for domestic flights.

What carry-on is best for international travel?

For international travel, you might want to opt even smaller: The recommended carry-on size for international travel is 21.5" x 15.5" x 9".

Most international airlines have carry-on weight restrictions that combine your personal and carry-on items, and some even weigh bags at the gate in my experience. Foley says for that reason alone, "soft-shell is better, particularly for international travel [since] they're generally lighter than hardshell, allowing you to maximize your baggage weight with more belongings."

Meet our experts

• Madison Blancaflor , managing editor at The Points Guy

• Peter Hamdy , owner of Auckland and Beyond Tours

• Meg Jerrard, travel writer at Solo Female Travelers

• Ritesh Raj, CEO of travel website CuddlyNest

• Jeremy Tarr , digital editorial director at Fodor's Travel

Feb. 6, 2026 : We updated this article to reflect current product availability and pricing. Our picks remain unchanged.