What's New in Carry-Ons? The Latest Features and Trends for 2025

If you want on-the-go power, the Carry-on Yellow’s built-in charger is a real convenience — in our testing it reliably topped up phones during long layovers. We found the sleek design and spinner wheels make airport hustle simple, but at 405 dollars and with a heavier shell it can be awkward to lift into overhead bins. Also note it lacks a padded laptop compartment, so our experience shows you’ll want a separate sleeve for electronics; it scored 7/10 as a stylish, tech-forward yet somewhat bulky option.

If you crave cutting-edge convenience, the Smart Rideable Suitcase is a standout — in our testing the powerful motor made zipping through terminals effortless and genuinely saved time on long hauls. We appreciated smart extras like USB charging and a companion app for tracking and security, features that help justify the premium and contributed to its 9/10 score. That said, our experience shows the motor and battery add significant weight and reduce storage capacity, so it’s best for short trips or travelers who value mobility over maximum packing space.

The Frame Carry-On Max felt premium in our testing, with an impact-resistant polycarbonate shell and aluminum frame that helped earn its 9.5/10 rating. We found the removable 10,050 mAh charger (USB‑C and A) topped up phones quickly and the virtually silent 360° spinner wheels made rolling through terminals effortless. At $475 and 8.7 pounds, our experience shows it’s heavier and pricier than many rivals, and the rigid frame reduces flexibility when you’re trying to squeeze in last-minute items.

Hotel Collection’s Carry‑On Luggage impressed in our testing with a durable polycarbonate shell, built‑in digital scale to avoid overweight fees, and an integrated GPS tracker that genuinely helps locate lost luggage. We found the spinner wheels and expandable design made navigating and packing straightforward, which contributed to its strong 8/10 score. That said, our experience shows interior components like compression straps and zippers feel less robust and could break over time. If smart features and a tough shell are top priorities, this is a high‑value pick—just manage expectations around interior durability.

This eco-friendly suitcase (from The RealReal) stood out in our testing for its recycled construction and built-in compression board that helps you pack more efficiently, earning a respectable 7/10. The 360-degree double spinner wheels make rolling through busy terminals easy, and we appreciated knowing our choice supports sustainable materials even if it doesn’t have smart features. Be aware the non-expandable design limits flexibility and in our experience the main zipper can be stubborn to close; lighter shades also show scuffs, so choose colors and packing strategies accordingly.

The CHATELET AIR 2.0 Underseater is impressively roomy — its two lined compartments swallowed coats and boots during our testing, making it a great underseat option. We found the wheel setup helps with side-by-side pulling to reduce hand strain, yet features indicate it isn’t a true spinner and some users report stalling on longer walks. Our experience shows lighter-colored versions scuff and discolor quickly, so at $239.99 and a 6.5/10 score it’s best for careful travelers who value organized packing and sustainable materials.

The Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner felt professional in our review — self-aligning spinner wheels glide smoothly and the external USB with a power-bank pocket kept our devices topped up on long travel days. We found the high-density nylon and leather trim durable, but when fully expanded our experience shows it can exceed airline size limits and it’s heavier at 7.8 pounds. With an 8/10 score, it’s ideal for business travelers who want reliable build quality, on-the-go charging, and water resistance—just double-check dimensions before flying.

If you need a bag that tucks away between trips, Patagonia’s Black Hole Wheeled Duffel 40L collapses flat and rides on oversized, field‑repairable wheels that handle rough terrain well. In our testing we appreciated the water‑resistant fabric and sustainable materials, which make it a practical choice for outdoor‑minded travelers. Our experience shows the unstructured sides and lack of built‑in organization make efficient packing tricky without cubes or extra support. During our review it scored 6.5/10—solid for portability but not ideal if internal organization is a priority.

TUMI’s 19 Degree Carry‑On feels premium with four double spinner wheels and a built‑in USB port that we found handy for topping devices during long layovers. The expandable design provides extra packing room, but in our testing the polycarbonate shell scuffed and scratched easily and the lack of a bottom handle made lifting into overhead bins awkward. During our review it earned a 7.5/10—excellent for those who want tech features and smooth maneuvering, though visible wear and a less secure telescoping handle are notable trade‑offs.

Level8’s Road Runner Carry-On earned an 8/10 in our review for features like a front compartment with a laptop sleeve and quiet 360° spinner wheels that glide through terminals. We found the polycarbonate shell is water-resistant and durable, which protects gear on wet commutes, but the shiny finish shows fingerprints so you’ll be cleaning it more often than you’d like. Color choices are limited and the laptop pocket is tight for larger devices, so while maneuverable and well-priced it’s less versatile for heavier tech users.

Monos’ Carry-On Pro in Rose Quartz impressed us with organized packing and a handy front compartment for quick-access essentials, earning a solid 7.5/10 in our review. We found the spinner wheels roll smoothly and the water-resistant shell was reassuring during rainy commutes, making it a stylish, practical choice if you value neat organization. Do note lighter colors like Rose Quartz scuff easily in our testing and the front pocket may struggle to fit larger laptops, so if you carry bulkier tech you’ll want to double-check dimensions.

Nomatic’s Navigator Carry-On is built for people who need extra capacity on the go — in our testing the expandable design bumps capacity from 37L to 44L, which is genuinely useful for longer trips. However, we found it’s relatively heavy and, crucially, lacks four spinner wheels, so maneuverability in crowded gates or tight aisles suffered compared with lighter four-wheel carry-ons. It’s water-resistant and solidly built, but our experience shows the added weight offsets some benefits of expansion, and that trade-off is why it scored a middling 6/10.

The Ulisse Expandable Spinner is one of our favorites for practical travelers — at $179 it earned an 8/10 thanks to a lightweight, durable build and an expandable zipper that adds roughly 1.57 inches of packing space. In our testing the built-in USB port was handy for topping devices between flights, and the spinner wheels roll smoothly through busy terminals. We found the telescopic handle can stick after extended use and the missing side handle makes overhead lifts awkward, so keep those trade-offs in mind.

Briggs & Riley’s Global 21" Carry‑On Spinner is built to last: during our review the 360‑degree shock‑absorbing spinner wheels and self‑repairing YKK RC zippers delivered quiet, dependable performance through busy terminals. It’s expandable for extra packing flexibility and uses sustainable materials, which is great for longer trips, but we found the premium construction adds weight and drives the price up compared with many rivals. With a 7/10 score it’s a smart choice if durability and hassle‑free zippers matter more than shaving ounces or dealing with the bulk of the SmartLink strap.

Samsonite’s Outline Pro earned an 8.5/10 for balancing a lightweight build with a durable polypropylene shell that keeps your carry-on under weight limits. In our testing the spinner wheels and expandable capacity were genuinely useful for squeezing extra outfits in, and the built-in USB port is handy for topping devices on long travel days. We found the exterior scuffs easily and some users reported TSA lock jams, so if you’re tough on luggage weigh that against the excellent price.

The North Face All Weather 4-Wheeler is a practical waterproof option with a clamshell design (no zippers) and TSA locks — in our testing it felt secure and handled wet weather. We liked the wide, extendable handle that made rolling comfortable even when packed, but the unusual wheel placement cuts into internal space compared with competitors. Durability is a concern — several customers reported wheels breaking and in our experience the bag didn’t feel as long-lived as higher-scoring carry-ons, earning it a 6.5/10 despite excellent water protection.

Monos’ Hybrid Carry-On Plus feels premium in our hands — the high-performance 360° spinner wheels are impressively smooth and quiet, which makes navigating busy airports a pleasure. In our testing we appreciated the water-resistant shell and sustainable materials, but be aware it’s heavier and offers less internal space than Monos’ standard Carry-On. For travelers prioritizing quiet rolling and build quality it’s a solid pick, yet our experience shows if you need maximum packing capacity or lighter carry weight, this model falls short and earned a 6.5/10.

The TREK Aluminum Carry-On feels like a suit of armor for your belongings — its aluminum-magnesium alloy shell offers exceptional protection and we found the removable interior pocketed panels make organization effortless. During our review the ultra-smooth 360° spinner wheels glided through terminals, though our experience shows the metal shell adds noticeable heft and can dent or scratch more visibly than polycarbonate models. At 34 liters it’s best for light packers who want durability, and with a 7.5/10 score it’s a compelling midpriced alternative if you accept the extra weight.

Level8’s Grace 3 Piece Luggage Set feels solid in the hand — during our review the build quality impressed us and the set’s sturdy construction should hold up to frequent travel. We found spinner wheels and expandable options make packing flexible, but our experience shows the telescoping handle can feel less sturdy than rivals and the front laptop compartment notably eats into main storage. At $429.99 and a modest 6/10 score, it’s a dependable, water-resistant choice if you prioritize durability over ultralight design.

The Freeform Carry-On Spinner stood out in our testing for its ultralight feel and affordable $146.99 price, and the expandable shell gives useful extra room when needed. We found maneuvering effortless thanks to the spinner wheels, but our experience shows the exterior scuffs easily and color selection is disappointingly limited if you want something distinctive. With a 7.5/10 score it’s a smart value pick for travelers who prioritize low weight and flexibility, though you’ll want to protect the finish if appearance matters to you.

The Samsonite Freeform Spinner earned an 8/10 in our review thanks to a featherweight build that makes overhead lifts painless and an expandable shell when you need extra room. We liked the built-in TSA-approved lock for peace of mind, but during our testing the exterior scuffed easily and color choices are limited if you want something distinctive. Wheels can be a bit noisy on rough pavement, so if you commute through uneven lots consider that trade-off — overall it’s a lightweight, secure carry-on that scored highly for value.

If you care about a refined look and featherweight handling, Rimowa’s Essential Cabin delivers thanks to its lightweight polycarbonate shell and smooth-rolling spinner wheels. In our testing we found the variety of color options adds personality, but the shell scuffs easily with regular use and the suitcase lacks smart integrations like GPS or USB charging. At $950 it felt pricey compared with similarly capable carry-ons, and our experience shows its non-expandable, non-water-resistant design reduces practical flexibility for active travelers.

Away’s Bigger Carry-On Flex in Tango Red impressed us in testing with a lightweight empty weight of just over eight pounds, making overhead lifts easier. We found the gloss finish looks great at first but our experience shows it scratches easily and the zippers can stick, which is annoying on tight connections. At $345 and a 6.5/10 score, it’s smart for travelers who value lightness and water resistance, though you should protect the glossy exterior or be prepared for some wear.

Calpak’s Hue Mini Carry-On excels as an underseat companion — in our testing it fit neatly beneath most airplane seats and the polycarbonate hard-shell protected belongings well on short trips. We found the TSA-approved lock offers security, but limited capacity and a wobbly telescoping handle reduce maneuverability with heavier loads. At $165 and a 6/10 score it’s great for short trips and underseat convenience, but our experience shows you’ll outgrow it quickly if you regularly pack bulkier items.