A carry-on suitcase can really make or break your travel day. Whereas a checked bag is out of your hair once it’s tagged and checked in, a carry-on is coming with you. At large airports like JFK, there’s a long road to travel before you get to your gate, and a rickety wheel or oddly shaped handle can quickly become a nuisance. Then there’s the matter of getting it up into the overhead bin (or luggage rack, if you’re on a train or bus). With all of this in mind, we here at Condé Nast Traveler are on a perpetual mission to test and review as many carry-ons as we can get our hands on to find the best of the best to recommend to you.
We put them to work on planes, trains, and automobiles, using them in conjunction with checked bags for longer trips and as our main piece of luggage along with a backpack or tote bag on shorter ones. We consider their functionality: How easy is it to get something out? Is there a pocket to stash last-minute additions? Are the wheels smooth and handles comfortable to grip? We also weigh the aesthetics—does it look nice? Does it scratch or show wear easily? There’s really no way to avoid some wear and tear when you’re on the road, but if something breaks or dents right out of the gate (no pun intended), it’s not a winner in our book.
Below, find the 21 carry-on suitcases our editors and contributors love most, from the bag I’ve been using regularly for 10 years to the recently upgraded model of another longtime team favorite.
Suitcase
Dimensions
Capacity
Expandable?
Away The Bigger Carry-On
23″ x 15″ x 10″
48L
No
Antler Lightest expandable carry-on
22″ x 14″ x 9″
37L
Yes
Amazon Basics carry-on
21.5″ x 15″ x 9.5″
34L
Yes
TravelPro Crew carry-on
22″ x 14″ x 9″
38L
Yes
Béis The Carry-On Roller
23″ × 16″ × 10″
49–61L
Yes
This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Source: www.cntraveler.com
