A sturdy carry-on suitcase is a staple for every traveler, especially if you usually opt out of checking in any bags. Standing at baggage claim wondering if your luggage made it is not fun, but choosing a good carry-on bag is no easy task either.
First of all, it has to be the right size and weight. The last thing you want is to be charged an overweight fee at the airport or to be told your suitcase would not fit in the overhead compartment and therefore you have to check it in. And second, your carry-on luggage needs to be spacious enough to fit at least a few days worth of clothes and have a couple of separate compartments that will keep your belongings organized. If you are a business traveler, then you'll absolutely need a padded pocket for your laptop or other electronics, too.
Related: 11 Surprisingly Roomy Pieces of Underseat Luggage
Next, you'll need to decide if you prefer a hard-sided suitcase or a softer structure. Both have their advantages — hard-shell cases are better if you are carrying fragile items or if you are concerned about water damage. Soft-sided suitcases and bags are more flexible and usually feature more side and front pockets.
Looks are important, too. If you are a fan of classic exteriors, opt for carry-on luggage in black or another timeless neutral and simply add a bold luggage tag to make it stand out. Or if you don’t mind a little color, go for a funky print or a bright hue such as mint green, red, or sky blue.
And finally, it’s always convenient when you can find a good selection of positively reviewed carry-on luggage at a good price all in one place. And in this case, we're talking about Amazon.
Here, we rounded up the most popular carry-on luggage options, as ranked by the online retailer.
Delsey Paris Expandable Spinner Trolley
Perfect for business travelers, this carry-on suitcase has a spacious front compartment with an integrated padded sleeve for a 15-inch laptop and two zippered mesh pockets. On top of that, it expands two inches for additional packing space.
To buy: amazon.com, $120
Baosha Weekender Bag
Headed somewhere warm? This canvas and faux leather weekender lends a chic summer vibe to your travels, thanks to its pretty marinière print.
To buy: amazon.com, $36
Samsonite Spinner Underseater With USB Port
This smart carry-on spinner fits under the seat as well as in most overhead compartments and features multiple interior pockets and an integrated charging port.
To buy: amazon.com, $90 (originally $120)
Goplus 20-inch Carry-on Suitcase
This waterproof and scratch-resistant spinner will protect your belongings while you’re on the road. It comes in vivid colors like teal and lavender.
To buy: amazon.com, $46
Rockland ‘Melbourne’ 20-inch Expandable Carry-on Luggage
Rockland’s extremely affordable carry-on suitcase features multi-directional spinner wheels and two separate interior compartments.
To buy: amazon.com, $47 (originally $50)
5 Cities 16-inch Carry-on Duffel Bag
This classic duffel is designed specifically to be a “personal item bag” and fits the size requirements of even low-budget airlines.
To buy: amazon.com, $17
Lucas ‘Outlander’ Carry-on
This expandable carry-on suitcase is crafted from scratch-resistant material and at just 6.5 pounds, you won’t need to worry about baggage weight limits.
To buy: amazon.com, $70
Aimee Kestenberg Rolling Bag
This is the perfect carry-on bag for business travelers — it has a padded laptop compartment and numerous pockets in addition to the spacious main compartment. We also love the fact that it looks more like a handbag than a suitcase.
To buy: amazon.com, $75 (originally $100)
Kenneth Cole Reaction ‘Out of Bounds’ 20-inch Upright
Amazon users are impressed by how much you can fit into this compact, hard-sided suitcase.
To buy: amazon.com, $60
American Tourister Disney Minnie Mouse Spinner
Disney fan or not, you have to admit this Minnie Mouse–printed suitcase will definitely stand out at baggage claim. P.S. We've got more Disney-themed luggage for adults and children right this way.
To buy: amazon.com, $80 (originally $100)
Lily Bloom Carry-on Bag
This patterned bag fits under the seat on most airlines and features an ergonomic handle and wheels for easy rolling.
To buy: amazon.com, $70
Uppababy ‘Vista’ Travel Bag
Parents, this nylon bag will protect your stroller from damage while you travel and the exposed wheels will make rolling it a breeze.
To buy: amazon.com, $130
