If you are a frequent flyer or a savvy traveler, then you probably know the importance of traveling light. Pulling a full-on 2 wheeled suitcase with you everywhere is no fun. It can also be really expensive having to pay for all the extras on checked luggage (which never arrives on time at baggage). But luckily, we now have carry on luggage bags for that. These bags are small and compact enough to fit onboard and light enough to carry anywhere at your convenience.
With your very own carry on luggage, you can manage all your necessities in one basket. Whether you are looking for a designer piece, a practical backpack, or a more professional one with the hard side to accommodate all your technology, theres a carry on luggage out there for you. They come in materials and sizes, small or large, that you can choose depending on your particular nature of travel.
As with everything competition, more and more carry on luggage brands are coming up, each building its little variations. Because of this, choosing one may be a hustle. For this reason, we have handpicked our very best carry on luggage bags, and we are sure you will find what you seek in the list below.
Top 10 Carry On Luggage Of 2020 Reviewed
1. Samsonite Luggage Winfield 2 Fashion HS Spinner 20
The Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion HS Spinner is made out of 100% polycarbonate with sharp molded details and features a full-zip interior divider with organizational pockets, a side-mounted TSA lock, oversized #10 zippers, and 4 multidirectional spinner wheels. The brushed pattern not only makes the luggage look modern and stylish, it cleverly hides scratches and scuffs that your luggage will eventually get while traveling. And it anyones wondering, the small case can fit around 4-5 days worth of clothes.
Pros:
- Rolls smoothly
- Fits any overhead compartments
- Lightweight
Cons:
- The case attracts dust and dirt very easily
- Case also gets banged up pretty easily
- No side handle for carrying like a suitcase
2. Travelpro Platinum Magna 2
Carry On Luggage For Business Travel
The Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 22 Expandable Rollaboard Suiter is the perfect blend of capacity, durability, maneuverability, and price. This carry on luggage can hold 5 days worth of clothes, including a suit which you can store in the suiter with its trifold garment folder, with quite a bit of room to spare. It also features utility straps with pouches and the patented PowerScope handle that stops at 38, 40, and 42.5 which makes this a perfect choice for people of different heights. And its backed with the Platinum Magna 2 Worry Free Warranty
Pros:
- Smooth rolling
- Expandable
- Plenty of organizational options
Cons:
- Curved handle takes up unnecessary space inside the bag
- The secondary bag holder is unwieldy
- Needs more crash protection along the length of the bag
3. Olympia Luggage 22 8 Pocket Rolling Duffel Bag
If duffel bags are more your style, then this carry on from Olympia Luggage is your best bet. Made out of 100% polyester, the bag features one large compartment plus 7 small pockets. You get a telescopic handle (does not lock in place), an in-line skate wheel system, a top carry handle, and two wheels to help you roll it where youre going. The material is durable and the wheel frame is sturdy; you can be sure that whether its a carry on or checked luggage, itll survive the rigors of travel.
Pros:
- Lots of room
- Affordable
- Can be compressed to easily fit in the overhead compartment
Cons:
- Cant stand on its own
- It can exceed carry on limits if you fill it up
- Telescopic handle does not lock in place and is a bit short for tall people
4. Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 4
Carry On Luggage For International Travel
The Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 20 Spinner is a lightweight yet spacious and durable carry on. Did we also mention stylish and easily maneuverable? It is made out of polycarbonate ABS with reinforced corners for maximum impact resistance. And it weighs less than 8lbs empty and has 4 wheels that will allow you to push or pull your carry on wherever it is you want to go. It features handles on the side and the top for easy lifting to an overhead compartment. And then theres the fully lined interior that provides water and oil resistance.
Pros:
- Spacious compartments can hold a weeks worth of clothes
- Small size, fits in small overhead spaces
- Durable
Cons:
- The wheels are for smoother terrains
- The handle has been reported by some users as a bit flimsy
- No exterior pockets providing easy access storage for travel documents or electronics
5.Travelpro Crew 10 22 Inch Expandable Rollaboard Suiter
The Travelpro Crew 10 22 Suiter is almost the same as our number one pick, the Platinum Magna 2, with just a few key differences. One, the price is lower (around $40 cheaper at the time of this review). Two, the Crew does not have the Worry Free Warranty. Three, the straps holding your stuff have no extra pouches to offer. Four, the telescopic handle only has two stops 38 and 42.5. And five, theres no secondary bag hook. Not really deal breakers and if youre on a budget, this would make the Crew 10 a better option.
Pros:
- More affordable version of the Platinum Magna 2
- Spacious interior
- Lightweight
Cons:
- The garment bag (suit inside) is a little hard to store in its compartment once folded
- Some of the screws on the wheels are not tight
- The interior straps are a bit flimsy
6.Tumi Alpha 2 Continental Expandable 4 Wheel Carry-On
Are you a regular traveler? What you need is a compact, functional carry-on bag, which comes with a built-in USB port so that you remain connected while on the go. Even though compact, the bag has a zipper expansion that provides additional space by up to 2 inches for extra luggage. The built-in garment sleeve is perfect for accommodating a suit or two. This is a durable suitcase, given that it is made from proprietary ultra-durable FXT ballistic nylon.
One thing you will love about this bag is its four wheels, which make it easy to move the bag around. It comes with a hanger bracket to help you tack it away when you finish using it. For your security, the bag has a dedicated TSA lock one each for the main as well as front opening. It is integrated with the TUMI Tracer program, which comes in handy if you happen to lose it or someone steals it. Some of the greatest features of this luggage include a mesh zip pocket, exterior organizer pockets, and interior pockets.
Pros:
- Has a built-in TSA lock
- An integrated USB port for continuous connectivity
- Expandable by up to 2 inches
Cons:
- Some buyers received broken bags
- Complaints about poor customer service
- Costlier than any other luggage
7.Delsey Luggage Helium Aero
The Delsey Helium Aero is a sleek and stylish piece of luggage to accompany you on your travels. Made out of 100% polycarbonate, it features a glossy metallic finish, a large front compartment with a padded sleeve for a 15.6-inch laptop and zippered mesh pockets, double spinner wheels, top and side handles, and two large fully-lined compartments with web straps and a zippered divider. The main compartment is also expandable up to 2 inches. The carry on also features a TSA-accepted lock on the hardside and comes with a Worldwide Limited 10-year Warranty.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy access padded storage for laptop
- Rolls very smoothly
Cons:
- Smaller than some carry-ons
- The front compartment uses up part of the interior space for clothes and other stuff
- Scratches very easily
8.Briggs & Riley Baseline International
Carry On Luggage Design
The Briggs & Riley Baseline International is the perfect investment for a frequent flyer. Its made of 100% nylon and features a very roomy garment folder, compression panels to provide a wrinkle-free tie-down system, self-repairing YKK zippers, and an external pocket. The tracks of the handle is located outside of the luggage so you get a flat inner back wall to put your stuff on. The best thing about it is its compression system. You can expand the bag fully to fit in all of your stuff, close it, and then use the compression system to resize your carry on back to its original dimensions.
Pros:
- CX Expansion Compression System
- Lifetime Performance Warranty (including airline damage)
- Compression panels secure your stuff and keeps it wrinkle-free
Cons:
- Expensive
- Wider than the maximum width of most airlines (but usually overlooked)
- The handle feels loose and shaky
9.A. Saks EXPANDABLE 20 Rolling Trolley Duffel
Heres another duffel bag for you. This one is made of strong 420D nylon, weighs 4.5lbs, and features an extra strong T26 handle system. The bag has quite a lot of space and can even be expanded up to 17 inches deep). The main compartment features two tie-down straps, no zippered pockets but there are two small exterior pockets for extra storage (not that youd need it). Its lightweight, flexible enough to fit in an overhead compartment, and it even stays upright!
Pros:
- Stays upright with the handle up
- Loads of space
- Rolls really well
Cons:
- Lack of interior pockets for organization
- The bag folds in on itself when empty so packing takes a bit more effort
- The exterior pockets are not that useful
10.Samsonite Luggage Inova HS Spinner 20
The Samsonite Inova is made of 100% polycarbonate with four Spinner wheels with 360-degree easy-pivot mobility. It features a lined divider with cross straps to keep your stuff in place. You also get an integrated 3-digit TSA lock, flush-mounted handles for more interior space. The carry on is lightweight, rolls smoothly, and provides you with a lot of space for your stuff.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Rolls smoothly
- Spacious
Cons:
- Lacks compartments
- The handle feels flimsy
- Easily scratched
How To Choose The Best Carry On Luggage: the Ultimate buying guide
If youre going to be traveling light, then you need to find a carry on luggage that will be able to transport all of your stuff, fit in the planes overhead compartment, and roll around easily as you go from point A to point B. While it may seem to be an easy thing to look for, with so many products to choose from, itll be a lot easier to choose the wrong carry on. So, what does one really look for in a good carry on? Lets get down to features.
What are its Dimensions?
Before you can even consider how much stuff your potential carry on can carry, you need to make sure that itll pass whatever eyeball estimate, measuring tape, or cage the airline uses to determine whether you carry or you check it. Most American carriers have maximum dimensions set at 22 x 14 x 9. However, these standards do change so make sure that you check the airlines website before you click on that buy button.
Also, keep in mind that you need to make sure these dimensions stay the same when your bag is packed to the brim. Some carry ons like the Briggs & Riley Baseline International are expandable but its compression system allows you to bring it down to the airlines standard dimensions.
Two Wheels or Four?
Now, this is a matter of preference. Some people believe that rollaboard luggage (two wheels) such as the Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 is much sturdier, less prone to wheel damage. While this may be true, having only two wheels means you can only pull your luggage behind you. Four-wheeled carry ons like the Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 4 are more maneuverable because the wheels turn 360 degrees. You can easily navigate it in tight spaces such as an aisle on a plane plus you can choose to pull it, push it, or wheel it beside you as you stroll along the airport or wherever it is youre going.
Whats the Handle Like?
Not all humans are created equal. Some are taller than others. What this means is, you need to make sure that the telescoping handle adjusts to a height where you are comfortable holding it without having to bend down at an awkward angle. Similar to our number one pick, the Tumi Alpha 2 Continental Expandable 4 Wheel Carry-On has 3 stops which will fit different people of varying heights.
How Much Can it Carry?
The design of a carry on can limit the amount of space available in the main compartment. While most carry-ons have the same external dimensions, not all of them have the same internal volume. Some carry-ons such as the Olympia Luggage 22 8 Pocket Rolling Duffel Bag and the A. Saks EXPANDABLE 20 Rolling Trolley Duffel offer quite a lot of space but lacks organization inside the bag.
Others like the Delsey Luggage Helium Aero can fit fewer clothes but it does have a front pocket with a padded sleeve for your laptop and other computer accessories. The Samsonite Luggage Winfield 2 Fashion HS Spinner 20, for example, can fit 4-5 days worth of clothes and features organizational pockets on the divider for additional storage. Of course, youd have to consider where the handles rails are located and how big a handle the carry on has because it also takes up valuable real estate inside your luggage.
How Much Does It Weigh?
We already know that the bag will be a bit heavy with all the stuff youll be cramming in. But does the carry on itself contribute to how heavy your load will be? A lot of our picks are lightweight such as the Travelpro Crew 10 22 Inch Expandable Rollaboard Suiter which means that you can easily lift it to an overhead compartment or over a puddle (or something similar) without breaking your back. According to the experts, a good carry on should weigh no more than 7.5lbs.
Of course, there are other features you also might want to look at such as front pocket big enough for travel documents, another exterior pocket for liquids for easy access during TSA inspections, and a secondary bag attachment. And then theres the price. Keep in mind that quality and price do not always go hand in hand. Some of our picks cost less than $100 while others are worth around $500. Thankfully, there are a number of really good carry-ons offered in a range of prices that will fit any budget. Now that you know how to pick the best carry on luggage, what are you waiting for? Youve got a flight to catch!
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