Honorable Mentions
We try a lot of bags! Here are others that just did not earn a place in our top picks.
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Carl Friedrik Carry-On for $595: This British brand positions itself as a quiet luxury bag. It has a distinctive appearance, with leather accents and typical high-end features like smoothly rolling Hinamoto wheels, a built-in lock, and well-functioning latches. This is what you get if you want a classy appearance but don’t want disgruntled baggage handlers to target your Rimowa.
Aer Carry-On for $299: Aer’s admittedly more expensive carry-on has very nice Hinamoto ball bearings as well as wheel locks, for when you’re taking the shuttle to the car rental office.
Casetify Bounce Suitcase for $699: Casetify’s phone cases always earn a spot in our phone case roundups because they’re cute and customizable. So is the company’s first piece of luggage, which is adorable and which you can monogram. Unfortunately, it’s also smaller and much more expensive than most of our other picks.
Courtesy of Beis
Beis Carry-On Roller for $268: WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell tried the viral Beis suitcase and loved its sleek looks, variety of colors, and extras like a built-in weight gauge and a retractable strap that lets you clip a backpack or duffel to the front.
Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside Carry-On for $52: Getting on a plane in two days and need a functional roller bag you don’t have to drop a lot of money on? This Amazon Basics bag will totally do the trick. The wheels certainly don’t roll like a Rimowa and the zippers far too often snag, but it’s very light and the textured ABS shell doesn’t scuff easily.—Martin Cizmar
Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $210: This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. The interior fabric is made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles, and it has a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.
FAQs
Are you a recent convert to the carry-on life? Let us help you out.
What Is the 3-1-1 Rule for Carry-Ons?
The 3-1-1 rule is an easy mnemonic (supposedly) from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that refers to what liquids you can in a carry-on. You can bring liquids that are smaller than 3.4 ounces in one, clear, quart-sized bag, with one per person. I usually fit mine inside my toiletry bag, but many people put theirs in the external toiletry pocket for quick extraction if TSA needs to check.
Should I Get a Softshell or a Hardshell Suitcase?
Truthfully, quality hardware matters much more than the material. Any spendier suitcase with a better warranty will last you longer than a cheaper suitcase. Softshells usually have front pockets and they’re softer and easier to expand and squish into smaller compartments. However, the fabric can be permeable to water, and they’re easier to slash open. Hardshells are usually lighter, but you’re a little less flexible with regards to storage. I prefer softshells, but I don’t ever leave my luggage unattended.
What Size Suitcase Can I Bring?
If you take one tip away from this guide, let this be it: Save yourself the aggravation at the airport, check the size requirements for your airline, and grab a tape measure. If you’re in doubt, pick a soft-sided bag so you can squeeze it into the airline’s sizer box when you’re about to board. Each airline has different requirements; we’ve included several airlines here.
| Airline | Size Requirements |
|---|---|
| American | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Ryanair | 22 x 16 x 8 inches |
| Delta | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| EasyJet | 17.7 x 14 x 7.8 inches |
| Alaska | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Frontier | 24 x 10 x 16 inches |
| JetBlue | 22 x 14 x 9 inches |
| Air Canada | 21.5 x 9 x 15.5 inches |
Members of the Reviews Team have taken at least two flights with each of the bags in this roundup. Each bag has different features, and we look at materials, weight, and size. We test the durability of the materials by stuffing bags into overhead bins and under seats. We check how well and how smoothly the wheels glide; if the handle feels sturdy and if it accommodates a wide range of heights; whether the straps are durable and can fit our hands; and if the zippers will stand up to frequent overstuffing.
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