Best Carry-On Luggage to Buy in 2019

Most airlines nowadays charge anywhere from $25-$50 to check a bag. Another expense on top of your flight, hotels, and meals is the last thing you want when traveling. The best way to avoid this fee? Take a carry-on suitcase instead. You might be thinking, “there’s no way I’ll be able to fit everything I need for my trip in a tiny carry-on!”. Luckily, most airlines allow a pretty substantial sized bag on the plane and if there are people who can travel for a year with just a carry-on, you can certainly make it work for any trip length. In this article, we’ll be reviewing the best carry-on luggage to buy in 2018 in the hopes that you’ll find the perfect fit for your travel needs.

If you’re not sure what to look for in a carry-on suitcase, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be covering a range of options that suit many different preferences and travel styles. Whether you prefer extra space in your bag, something simple and easy to use, a designer look, or one that comes with special features, you’ll be sure to find it here. Here are the top 10 best carry-on suitcases as of 2018.

Editors Pick

Pros:

• Double spinner wheels for upright rolling
• Wheel braking system to prevent roll-away
• Built-in TSA-approved lock
• Two interior compartments for organized packing
• Comes in Champagne or Chocolate

Cons:

• Hard surface scratches and scuffs easily

Overall Recommendation:

• The Delsey Chatelet Hard+ Carry-On was made for the luxury traveler. It’s attractive design comes in two beautiful colors and is sure to stand out on the luggage carousel, if ever checked. The TSA-approved lock ensures the security of your items when your suitcase is out of sight and the spinner wheels will make rolling through the airport simple and stress-free.

Pros:

• Lightweight for easy lifting
• Multi-directional spinner wheels
• Interior organization straps and pockets
• Handle locking mechanism with ergonomic grip
• Expandable compartment for additional packing space

Cons:

• No built-in contact card for lost luggage
• Soft material can get dirty easily

Overall Recommendation:

• The Caribbean Joe Carry-On was made for the overpacker. With a large interior and the option to expand, you’ll have plenty of room for all your clothes and extra space for souvenirs. Even when completely full, this bag is easy to roll throughout the airport and lift into overhead bins.

Pros:

• Handle locking mechanism with two positions
• Multi-directional spinner wheels for easy rolling
• Lightweight and durable
• Interior compression straps for maximum packing space
• Ergonomic handle for a comfortable grip

Cons:

• When full, might not meet European airline size limits
• Can easily roll away on inclines

Overall Recommendation:

• The Travelpro Maxlite3 Carry-On was made for the uncomfortable traveler. If the thought of traveling makes you sweat because you hate running through airports, standing in line at security, and sitting in tiny airplane seats, this suitcase is for you. It takes some of the stress out of traveling by making you a little more comfortable during the journey. The ergonomic, contoured handle grip and multiple positions make it easy on your arm for comfort while standing in lines. The 360 degree spinner wheels allow for easy maneuverability when running through the airport and its lightweight feel will make getting on the plane a painless process.

Pros:

• Unique expansion-compression mechanism
• Exterior handle to allow flat packing
• Handle locking mechanism with four positions
• Mesh garment panels and hanger for wrinkle-free packing
• Nylon fabric is dirt and scratch resistant

Cons:

• Suiter is not removable
• Expensive

Overall Recommendation:

• The Briggs & Riley Baseline Carry-On was made for the business traveler. It was made with wrinkle-free packing in mind from its mesh garment panels, to its suiter with hanger, to its exterior handle that allows for flat packing. With this suitcase you’re guaranteed to arrive in your destination without having to use the hotel iron. The suitcase itself also caters to business travelers with its multiple exterior pockets. You’ll find two in the front for a laptop and travel documents and one in back between the handle for your mobile phone and earbuds.

Pros:

• Comes in a variety of fun, colorful patterns
• Lightweight and durable
• 360 degree spinner wheels for easy rolling
• Ergonomic handle
• Affordable

Cons:

• The handle is too tall for very young kids

Overall Recommendation:

• The Rockland 20 Inch Carry-On was made for the young traveler. The bright, colorful patterns are perfect for young children and even for older women. The suitcase itself is small and the perfect size for a child to fit all their items. It’s light and easy for children to roll with its multi-directional spinner wheels. If your child is ready for their first suitcase, this is the best choice. The fact that it’s very affordable is just the cherry on top!

Pros:

• Multi-directional spinner wheels for smooth rolling
• Handle locking system with two positions
• Contoured handle for a comfortable grip
• Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
• Made with water and stain resistant fabric

Cons:

• The expansion zipper only expands the bottom of the bag

Overall Recommendation:

• The Travelpro Maxlite 4 Carry-On was made for the frequent traveler. The stain resistant fabric will allow this suitcase to last many flights without looking worn out and dirty. The limited lifetime warranty guarantees that if your luggage is damaged by the airline, you’ll still be covered. Great for the person who takes multiple long-haul flights every year.

Pros:

Affordable
360 degree spinner wheels for maneuverability
Lightweight, durable, and firm
Hard casing protects items from water and other liquids
Ergonomic handle for comfortable gripping

Cons:

Handle isn’t very sturdy

Overall Recommendation:

The Goplus Globalway 20” Carry-On was made for the minimalist traveler. It’s a simple bag with no special bells and whistles, but it is a durable carry-on that will fit everything you need in its organized interior. If you’re looking for a cheap, dependable suitcase that will get you from A to B then this is the right choice for you.

Pros:

• Lightweight and durable
• Comes in several fun, bold patterns
• 360 degree spinner wheels for smooth rolling
• Ergonomic handle for comfortable gripping
• Affordable

Cons:

• Hard casing scratches and dents easily

Overall Recommendation:

• The Rockland 20 Inch Carry-On was made for the flashy traveler. It comes in many bright, fun patterns which is sure to be noticed by everyone in the airport. Also makes it easy to identify on the luggage carousel, if ever checked. This bag is very affordable so you get what you pay for, but if animal print and bold patterns are your style then this suitcase is for you.

Pros:

• Multi-directional spinner wheels for easy maneuvering
• Lightweight and durable
• Made with ABS material to prevent scratches and scuffs
• Organized interior for easy packing
• Affordable

Cons:

• Wheels get stuck easily

Overall Recommendation:

• The Goplus 20” ABS Carry-On was made for the simple traveler. You don’t need any special features or bells and whistles, just a sturdy suitcase that can get bumped around and keep your belongings safe. This suitcase is very easy on the wallet and holds up very well when checked. If you’re looking for a cheap and simple carry-on, look no further.

Pros:

• Comes in many different colors
• Multi-directional spinner wheels
• Lightweight and easy to maneuver
• Hard shell exterior and tear-resistant interior
• Corner guards for shock resistance

Cons:

• No external pockets for easy access

Overall Recommendation:

• The Kenneth Cole 20” Carry-On was made for the long-term traveler. This suitcase is overall a great bag that is reliable, easy to use, and affordable. If you’re someone who takes long trips and needs to fit a lot of items in one bag, this carry-on is the best choice. It may look small but the interior is actually quite roomy. You can easily fit a month’s worth of clothing in while maintaining its lightweightedness and maneuverability. It is shock-resistant and tear-resistant, overall making for a reliable and sturdy suitcase.

SUMMARY OF TOP TEN CARRY-ONS

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Material

Suitcases tend to be made either with soft fabric or a hard shell. Soft fabric suitcases can get dirty and stained when going through security or if it’s checked onto the flight and hard case suitcases can easily get scratched, scuffed, or dented. You want your suitcase to last for years to come and you want it to continue looking new even after many years of flights. So when determining which suitcase to buy you should look for soft cases that are stain resistant and hard cases that are scratch resistant. Most of the carry-on suitcases we discussed in this article claim to be stain or scratch resistant, which is one of the reasons they made it to the top ten list. If a suitcase you’re considering purchasing doesn’t mention anything about stain or scratch resistant materials, be prepared to have a worn out looking suitcase after one or two flights.

Size

When it comes to picking a carry-on suitcase, size definitely matters. If you’re planning for this to be your main suitcase whenever you travel, you need it to be big enough to hold all of your belongings. A smaller carry-on is great for short trips or as an additional bag to your checked suitcase. So you’ll need to determine the type of traveling you’ll be doing and how much you normally like to pack for a trip. You also need to ensure that the carry-on will adhere to various airline size limitations. The suitcases mentioned in this list should all work just fine for American domestic airlines, but the larger ones probably will need to be checked when in Europe or Asia.

Wheels & Handles

Navigating an airport is a stressful and chaotic thing that most people don’t enjoy. Make your life a little easier and get a bag with 360 degree spinner wheels. It is so much easier to roll than a bag with only two wheels and takes all the weight off of your arm. Every single bag on this list comes with spinner wheels so you are safe to choose from any of them. Many bags nowadays are also made with special handle mechanisms that allow you to set them at the height you would like. If you are a bit taller than average you’ll appreciate being able to fully extend the handle to suit your height so you’re not forced to bend over. And those who are shorter will love having the handle at a lower position so their arm can more comfortably relax at the appropriate height. Make traveling a little easier and opt for the spinner wheels and handle locking systems.