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The Best 5Aggregated review·13 sources·updated October 11, 2026·checked September 14, 2026

Best Carry-On Luggage

Top carry-on suitcases ranked by aggregate score from 13 published reviews.

This guide aggregates 13 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 2. How we rank.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Quick answer

Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner is our top pick for carry-on luggage — an averaged 5.0/5 across 1 published review at about $390. Runner-up: Away The Carry-On (~$275).

Read the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner review →$390 · Check Price on Amazon
At a glance5 products ▾
1Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On SpinnerTop Pick
1 source
$390Best for: frequent business traveler who flies enough to amortize the price across many trips and wants charging ports plus a garment suiter without going up to TUMI or Briggs prices
$390 · Check Price on Amazon
2Away The Carry-On
2 sources
$275Best for: weekend leisure traveler who wants a stylish polycarbonate shell in a specific color, takes 3-5 day trips, and values brand-direct customer service over the lowest possible price
$275 · Check Price on Amazon
3Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner
1 source
$729Best for: frequent business traveler doing 30-plus trips a year who wants one carry-on for the next 15 years and values warranty coverage that survives airline damage without paperwork
$729 · Buy at luggagepros.com
4Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
2 sources
$129.99Best for: budget-conscious leisure traveler who wants a name-brand hardside under $150, takes 2-4 trips a year, and doesn't need a garment suiter or USB charging integration
$129.99 · Check Price on Amazon
5Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage
2 sources
$64.77Best for: budget conscious infrequent traveler making one or two trips total and unwilling to spend more than $100, with the understanding the bag may not survive 20-plus flights
$64.77 · Check Price on Amazon

The full ranking

How we rank →
Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner
#1 · Top Pick
Best for: frequent business traveler who flies enough to amortize the price across many trips and wants charging ports plus a garment suiter without going up to TUMI or Briggs prices
Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner
1 source$390as of Sep 25
▾Why it's ranked here

OutdoorGearLab scored the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch 92 out of 100 and made it their top carry-on recommendation, crediting the self-aligning MagnaTrac wheels, the 40-litre main compartment and the built-in USB charging. Consumer Reports gave it high marks for usability and pulling ease. This is a business traveller's bag — garment suiter, charging ports, lifetime warranty — with one real catch: a 23.5-inch overall height that does not clear the strictest gate sizers.

Strengths
  • — Integrated USB-A and USB-C ports plus a dedicated FAA-compliant power bank pocket
  • — Drop-in fold-out garment suiter keeps a dress shirt or jacket wrinkle-free
Watch-outs
  • — Overall 23.5" height (including wheels) exceeds the strict 22" sizer on some smaller regional jets
$390 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Away The Carry-On →
Away The Carry-On
#2
Best for: weekend leisure traveler who wants a stylish polycarbonate shell in a specific color, takes 3-5 day trips, and values brand-direct customer service over the lowest possible price
Away The Carry-On
2 sources$275as of Oct 11
▾Why it's ranked here

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Away Carry-On 82/100 and called the polycarbonate shell 'one of the best we've seen,' while Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10, praising the interior compression system and the stylish exterior. At $275 it sits below premium hardsides like Rimowa or TUMI and above value brands like Samsonite, which makes it the default pick for travelers who want polycarbonate durability without aluminum-case prices.

Strengths
  • — Built-in compression system with double-buckle pads adds usable packing volume
  • — TSA-approved combination lock and 360-degree spinner wheels are standard equipment
Watch-outs
  • — Indented zipper track makes the shell feel flexier than premium hardsides like Monos or Rimowa
  • — Side grab handles are slim and difficult to grasp when the bag is full
$275 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner →
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner
#3
★ Premium Pick
Best for: frequent business traveler doing 30-plus trips a year who wants one carry-on for the next 15 years and values warranty coverage that survives airline damage without paperwork
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner
1 sourceOne review so far, so ranked one place lower$729as of Oct 10
▾Why it's ranked here

OutdoorGearLab scored the Baseline Essential 91 out of 100, second of sixteen carry-ons it ranked, and two features earn that placing. The CX system lets you overpack by an outfit and then ratchet the bag back to carry-on dimensions, and the Simple As That guarantee covers damage including airline damage, with no proof of purchase required. At $729 and ten pounds empty it is the heaviest and priciest bag here, which only makes sense if you intend to keep one carry-on for a very long time.

Strengths
  • — Simple as that lifetime guarantee covers any damage including airline damage — no proof of purchase
  • — Built-in tri-fold garment folder with a foam roll bar minimizes wrinkles in dress clothes
Watch-outs
  • — 10 lbs empty makes it the heaviest carry-on tested in Outdoor Gear Lab's roundup
  • — Exterior ballistic nylon absorbs water rather than repelling it in rain tests
$729 · Buy at luggagepros.comFull review →vs. Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner →
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
#4
Best for: budget-conscious leisure traveler who wants a name-brand hardside under $150, takes 2-4 trips a year, and doesn't need a garment suiter or USB charging integration
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
2 sources$129.99as of Sep 25
▾Why it's ranked here

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Samsonite Freeform 69/100 with the verdict 'a perfectly priced hardshell that doesn't sacrifice style or performance,' Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10, and CNN Underscored called it 'a terrific option for budget-conscious travelers.' At $145 the polypropylene shell covers most of what a hardside should: light weight, impact absorption, smooth-rolling dual spinners. What you give up is water resistance and interior organization compared with bags twice the price.

Strengths
  • — 6.6 lbs empty is the lightest bag in this roundup
  • — Recessed TSA combination lock and four oversized dual spinner wheels are standard
Watch-outs
  • — 23 x 15 x 10 in dimensions risk failing strict 22" sizers on regional jets and European LCCs
  • — Interior is single-compartment with minimal organization vs. Travelpro or Away
$129.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner →
Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage
#5
Best for: budget conscious infrequent traveler making one or two trips total and unwilling to spend more than $100, with the understanding the bag may not survive 20-plus flights
Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage
2 sources$64.77as of Sep 25
▾Why it's ranked here

At $80 it's the cheapest functional hardside in this roundup: fine for occasional travel, wrong for anyone who flies more than 4-5 times a year. Buy it if you need a carry-on for a single trip and don't want to pay $145 for the Samsonite.

Strengths
  • — Expandable for up to 25% more interior space
  • — Built-in recessed TSA combination lock keeps the front face uncluttered
Watch-outs
  • — Newer production batches use ABS plastic instead of polycarbonate — more brittle, less impact-absorbent
  • — Interior organization is minimal — a divider and three small zip pockets
$64.77 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner →
Reviews aggregated from
OutdoorgearlabConsumer ReportsPackhackerAltmanluggageCnnunderscored

Spec comparison

5 products
vs
SpecTravelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On SpinnerAway The Carry-On
MaterialPremium ballistic nylon with DuraGuard coating100% polycarbonate
External Dimensions23.5 x 14.5 x 9 in (with wheels)21.7 x 14.4 x 9 in
Packing Capacity40 L (46 L expanded)41 L
Weight7.8 lbs7.5 lbs
Wheel Type8 MagnaTrac self-aligning dual-spinner wheels4 dual-spinner 360-degree wheels
TSA LockYesYes, combination
ExpandableYes, 2 inches—
WarrantyLifetime limitedLifetimeCare with 5-year complimentary repairs
Compression System—Yes, double-buckle pads

Frequently asked questions

What's the top pick among carry-on luggage right now?
Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner is the top pick for carry-on luggage — 5.0/5 averaged from 1 published reviews. OutdoorGearLab scored the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch 92 out of 100 and made it their top carry-on recommendation, crediting the self-aligning MagnaTrac wheels, the 40-litre main compartment and the built-in USB charging. Consumer Reports gave it high marks for usability and pulling ease. This is a business traveller's bag — garment suiter, charging ports, lifetime warranty — with one real catch: a 23.5-inch overall height that does not clear the strictest gate sizers.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in October 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.