15 Best Carry-Ons for Stress-Free Travel in 2025

The Carry-On Pro Rose Quartz from Monos blends style and function — during our review the padded front pocket securely held a 15-inch laptop, which is a real convenience for business travelers. It’s lightweight and rolls smoothly on spinner wheels, but in our testing the 36-liter capacity felt tight for longer trips and the $295 price is higher than some rivals. If you want a polished, well-built case for short getaways, this is a fashionable pick, though not the best value.

Lightweight travelers will like Samsonite's Outline Pro Carry-On Spinner, which scored 7.5/10 in our testing and impressed us with its featherweight 6‑lb build and handy integrated USB charging alongside a TSA lock. In our testing the 39‑liter capacity packs efficiently and the spinner wheels make gate-to-gate cruising easy, but our experience shows the glossy shell can scratch after minimal use. Also be aware that the dimensions may exceed stricter airlines' carry-on limits, which could lead to gate-checking.

Away's The Bigger Carry-On in Navy Blue scored 8/10 and in our testing stood out for its durable polycarbonate shell and roomy 47.9‑liter interior that swallows over a week's worth of clothes. We found the smooth 360° spinner wheels make navigating terminals effortless, though our experience shows the glossy exterior scratches more easily than matte finishes and the lack of specialized compartments can leave small items loose. Also note its slightly larger dimensions may not fit overhead bins on smaller aircraft.

The Global 21" Carry-On Spinner earned a high score (9/10) in our testing for its strong construction, versatile storage and seamless spinner wheels. We appreciated the expandable capacity (37–49 liters) and SmartLink™ strap for towing two bags together, plus self-repairing YKK RC zippers that add real peace of mind. During our review the bag felt slightly heavier and the strap attachment was fiddly at times, but overall it justifies the premium price for serious travelers who want reliability.

The CHATELET AIR 2.0 Carry-On Plus Spinner looks great and impressed us with roomy, lined compartments that fit bulkier items like coats — in our testing the 44-liter interior was thoughtfully organized. Its spinner wheels glide well for side-by-side rolling, but we found lighter colors scuffed and showed wear faster than expected, and a handful of users reported wheel stalls. If you value style and compartmentalization, it’s appealing, though durability and lack of expansion hold its score down.

The Osprey Wheeled Duffel is a rugged, travel-ready option that proved durable in our testing thanks to tough fabric and sturdy zippers. We liked the roomy 38-liter capacity for weekend gear, but our experience shows the fixed wheels and a handle that needs two hands to extend reduce maneuverability through crowded terminals. If you prioritize durability and a duffel profile over slick handling, this is a solid mid-range choice, though it’s not as easy to spin around as a true spinner bag.

This Carry-On Luggage offers practical bells like a built-in digital scale that we found handy in our testing to avoid overweight fees. The spinner wheels and expandable design are useful for variable packing needs, but during our review interior components felt fragile and compression strap clips can break easily. Our experience shows this is a budget-friendly option with nice features, yet its durability concerns leave it ranking lower than more robust competitors in this guide.

Travelpro's Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner is a premium-feeling option that earned a 7/10 in our testing — we praised its magnetically aligning wheels for delivering one of the smoothest, straightest rides through terminals. We found the 46‑liter interior and array of extra features give real packing flexibility, and the expandable shell is handy when you bring back souvenirs. That said, during our review the case felt heavier than many competitors and its dimensions can exceed some airlines' carry-on limits, which may cost you time at the gate.

Samsara's Carry-on blends a sleek, modern aesthetic with smart features — during our review we liked the built-in charger and touch-sensitive lock for on-the-go convenience. In our testing the 36‑liter interior is appropriate for short trips, but our experience shows the 10.8‑lb weight makes lifting into overhead bins tougher than lighter rivals. The 360° spinners roll smoothly on flat airport floors but struggle on uneven terrain, and at a score of 6/10 this bag feels stylish yet compromised by those practical drawbacks.

Arloskye's The Frame Carry-On Max earned an impressive 8.5/10 in our testing thanks to its impact-resistant polycarbonate shell with an aluminum frame and a removable 10,050 mAh fast-charging power bank that really comes in handy. We found the 44‑liter interior balances capacity with organization and the 360° spinners run about 15% quieter than standard wheels. Our experience shows trade-offs include a heavier 8.7‑lb build, a stiff frame that can make packing odd-shaped items tricky, and a premium $475 price tag.

The Samsonite Freeform Carry-On earned a solid 8/10 in our testing by balancing affordability, a 34-liter lightweight design (6.5 lbs) and four oversized spinner wheels for effortless travel. We appreciated the built-in TSA lock, but during our review the exterior showed scratches more easily and the handle can feel a bit flimsy compared with the rest of the build. Overall, it’s a dependable everyday carry-on that delivers excellent maneuverability for the price, especially if you don’t need exterior pockets.

The Camel Carry-On Roller offers a protective hard-shell and comfy cushioned silicone trolley handle that made long walks through terminals easier in our testing. We also liked the smooth 360° spinners and the expandable 2-inch option for extra packing, but our experience shows the bag’s 8.36-pound weight and potential to exceed some airline size limits when fully expanded are real drawbacks. Priced at $268, it’s a well-built choice if you prioritize protection and comfort over ultralight travel.

Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 Carry-On Spinner impressed in our hands with a lightweight feel and a surprisingly spacious 46-liter interior that stands up well to regular use. During our review the construction held up solidly and the spinner wheels were effortless, though some users reported a persistent chemical odor and the expandable section adds only limited extra room. Our experience shows it’s a practical, budget-friendly pick — versatile for many travelers, even if it’s not completely flawless.

The Original Cabin Plus is a show-stopping aluminum carry-on that feels built to last — in our testing the hard-shell exterior shrugged off bumps better than many polycarbonate cases. We found the 49-liter interior holds a surprising amount for a non-expandable bag, and the smooth spinner wheels make airport jaunts easy. That said, during our review the suitcase’s weight and the plastic handles stood out as compromises, and at a 6/10 score it’s an aspirational pick that’s very expensive for what you get.

The Aviator Carry-On Suitcase is a sleek, eco-conscious option made from recycled materials and featuring a compression pad that helped us compact clothes during testing. We loved how light it felt and how smoothly the wheels rolled, but our experience shows the lack of expansion and susceptibility to white scuff marks in the overhead bin are real negatives. If sustainability and maneuverability matter most, it’s a strong mid-pack choice, though packers who need extra space may want to look elsewhere.