9 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2026

The Monos Carry-On ranks first because it is one of the few bags here whose published overall size, wheels and handles included, is exactly 22 x 14 x 9 in., the limit that American, Delta and United publish. Monos says it fits the sizers and bins of all major airlines in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. The shell is polycarbonate with a built-in TSA-accepted lock and YKK reverse coil zippers. Inside, one half has a compression pad with ballistic nylon straps and the other a zippered panel for shoes. At 6.60 lb it is lighter than the Away, July, Calpak and Béis hardside bags we compared. The limits are capacity and coverage: 39.9 L is below the 46 L Travelpro bags, there is no expansion zipper, and airline damage cover is sold separately as Lifetime Warranty+. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

The Maxlite 5 is the value pick. Travelpro lists it at 5.4 lbs, about 2 lbs lighter than premium peers by its own count, and that matters on international carriers that cap cabin bags at 15 to 22 lbs. It still holds 46 L and expands by 2 in., and the fabric is water and stain resistant. Travelpro is open about size: the case is 21 x 14 x 9 in., but the overall size with wheels and handles is 23 x 14.5 x 9 in., which is over the 22 x 14 x 9 in. figure many airlines publish. Travelpro says the bag has been sizer bin tested for overhead space on most major US airlines, and warns that a fully expanded bag may not meet limits. At $148 on sale with a 100-day trial and the Built for a Lifetime Limited Warranty, it is the cheapest bag here. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

Away The Carry-On costs the same $275 as Monos and gives a little more room at 41 L. Away lists the exterior at 22 x 14.4 x 9.1 in. with handles and wheels and describes it as its standard international-compliant size; the width and depth are a fraction of an inch over the 14 x 9 in. figure, which most sizers tolerate but strict gate agents may not. The shell is 100% polycarbonate with a TSA-approved lock, 360-degree wheels and a quick-release handle with two heights. Away's strongest point is coverage: LifetimeCare covers functional damage from manufacturing defects or rough travel, repairs are free for the first five years, and Away will provide up to one replacement in that period if a repair is not possible. Returns of unused bags are free within 100 days. At 7.5 lbs it is heavier than Monos. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

The Platinum Elite has the most built-in organization of the bags we compared. Travelpro lists integrated USB A and C ports with a pocket for your own power bank, a drop-in suiter that folds out as a garment bag, a removable quart-size wet pocket for toiletries, and a tie-down system. The nylon has a DuraGuard coating against stains and moisture, and the aluminum handle stops at four heights from 36 to 42.5 in. Capacity is 46 L with a tapered 2 in. expansion. The catch is size: the overall dimensions are 23.5 x 14.5 x 9 in., and Travelpro states the bag is sizer bin tested for most major US airlines rather than within 22 in. The Built for a Lifetime Limited Warranty covers wheels, zippers and handles, and registering within 120 days adds airline damage repairs and shipping. At $390 it costs more than double the Maxlite 5. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

July's Carry On is the tech pick among hardside bags. It has an ejectable battery with USB-C that July says charges both a phone and a laptop and is allowed anywhere a mobile phone is, plus an optional CaseSafe tracker built into the TSA lock that works with Apple Find My and Google Find Hub. The shell is German polycarbonate with anodised aluminium bumpers, the handle stops at 20 heights, and a Y-Strap compression system holds clothes down. July lists the exterior at 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 in. with wheels, or 115 cm in total, and says that is approved as a carry-on under international standards; the 15 in. width is still 1 in. over the 14 in. figure some US airlines publish. It weighs 7.4 lbs and holds 42 L. The bag was $236 in a 20% off sale, down from $295, with a limited lifetime warranty and 100-day returns. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

Briggs & Riley Baseline has the strongest coverage of any bag we compared. The Simple as that lifetime guarantee says that if the bag is ever damaged, even by an airline, Briggs & Riley will repair it for life, free and without proof of purchase. The bag is built for the US domestic limit at 22 x 14 x 9 in. closed, and the CX system expands it to 11.5 in. deep for 48 liters, then compresses back so it fits the sizer again. The Outsider handle sits on the outside of the bag so the inside packs flat, and the shell is ballistic nylon on shock-absorbing spinner wheels. The costs are real: $729 is more than any other bag here, and at 10 lbs it is the heaviest, which eats into weight limits on international carriers. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

The Calpak Ambeur is the mid-priced hardside option that stays inside the US limit. Calpak lists the exterior at 21.5 x 14 x 9 in. including wheels, with a 19 x 14 x 9 in. interior, so it clears 22 x 14 x 9 in. even before you account for sizer tolerance. It weighs 7.6 lbs, holds 39.2 L and expands by up to 2 in., with a polycarbonate shell, a TSA-approved lock and 360-degree spinners. At $196 on sale, down from $245, it costs less than Monos or Away. The trade-offs are coverage and returns: Calpak gives a 2-year limited warranty, the shortest of the bags we compared, and the Dark Cherry color is final sale. Check the return policy for the color you want before ordering. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

Samsonite Freeform is the cheapest hardside bag here at $149.99, 32% below the $219.99 comparable value Samsonite shows. The polypropylene shell keeps it at 6.5 lbs, lighter than every polycarbonate bag we compared, and it comes with a limited 10-year global warranty. It expands by 1 in., has a recessed TSA 3-dial lock and double wheels, and the interior has a cross ribbon, divider and pockets. The problem for this list is size. Samsonite lists the exterior at 23 x 15 x 9.75 in., or 47.8 linear inches, which is over the 22 x 14 x 9 in. limit in every direction, and Samsonite itself says carry-on allowances vary by airline. It suits travelers on carriers with roomier limits, such as the 24 x 16 x 10 in. Southwest figure Travelpro cites. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.

The Béis Carry-On Roller packs the most of any bag we compared: 49 L, or 61 L with its 2 in. expansion. It adds practical extras such as a built-in weight indicator, a TSA-approved lock, a bag hook that holds up to 30 lbs for a tote or personal item, and a hidden AirTag pocket, and it carries a Limited Lifetime Luggage Warranty. It ranks last here because of the angle of this list. Béis lists the exterior at 22.83 x 15.70 x 10 in. (58 x 40 x 25.4 cm), which is larger than 22 x 14 x 9 in. in every direction, so expect gate checks on strict carriers. Béis recommends checking your airline before booking. At 7.81 lbs it is also heavier than Monos, Away and July. The 35 L Hybrid Carry-On Roller at 14 x 22 x 9 in. is the Béis size to consider for strict limits. We compared documented features and published prices and did not test the bag.