The Best Carry-On Luggage for Every Kind of Traveler

Not only is this carry-on a great price at around $200 (and usually on sale for much less!), it's also one of the top-performing suitcases in our tests. The hard exterior is made of polypropylene—which is known for being exceptionally lightweight—and the suitcase as a whole weighs less than other carry-ons we recommend. It's also spacious; in fact, it aced our Lab's packing tests and has a 1-inch expandable zipper to increase packing capacity if you need it.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: The trade-off for it being so light is that the material wasn't as scratch-resistant as polycarbonate options, and the handle felt a bit loose in both Lab and consumer tests.

That being said, it was still fairly durable and testers enjoyed using it during our obstacle course; they gave feedback like "the wheels moved really well," "very smooth rolling" and "easy to pick up."

Ideal for frequent flyers, Travelpro's soft-sided suitcase is splurge-worthy, thanks to its durability and convenience. It especially stood out in our evaluations for its nylon fabric, which aced our abrasion and drop tests with no signs of wear. Its zippers kept contents dry in our water-resistance test. We also like that it uses sturdy components like leather trim and chrome zippers.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: It's built to keep you organized on the go, and one tester shared, "I love the amount of pockets!" On the inside, it fit every item in our packing test with room to spare, while its compartments made filling it a breeze. Consumer testers loved the exterior compartments, which made it easy to access their essentials, and it even has a USB port that you can use if you have a power bank on hand.

Some testers thought it looked old-fashioned (especially compared to the modern aesthetic of hard-sided cases), and there were mixed reviews on maneuverability. Some said they had issues steering it. But on the plus side, its contoured telescopic handle earned high marks for comfort and sturdiness.

With a unique compression system unlike any other mechanism we've reviewed, this carry-on lets you pack more than you can possibly imagine by looking at it. Unlike most cases that use a zipper expansion, this one has a button inside that raises the edges. Once you fill it and zip it closed, you compress the sides by pushing it down.

The nylon fabric proved to be durable in Lab tests, holding up to both abrasion and drop tests. Though the overall case weighed more than others when it was empty and it has a luxury price tag, the extra couple of pounds is a fair trade-off for the built-in features. It even has a garment folder that can hold dresses or suits on the go.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: Travel testers gave it perfect scores for holding everything they wanted to carry, and one told us, "It fit clothing and accessories for two people for a seven-day summer vacation." They also noted that it easily fit into an airline's overhead bin.

Beyond that, it was comfortable to roll and easy to maneuver on the go, according to testers. I've toted a similar hard-sided bag from the brand on trips abroad, including a five-country tour of Europe during the fall, and I was able to roll it over cobblestones and carry it up many, many flights of stairs. Plus, it held so many jackets, bulky shoes, and sweaters.

Easily the smoothest suitcase we've ever tested, this carry-on from July is a breeze to roll through a busy airport, over a bumpy sidewalk, or around sharp turns. The spinner wheels glided effortlessly across different types of flooring (wood, carpet, and tile) during our tests. Plus, the telescopic handle is angled for a better grip and locks at 20 different heights, making it even easier to maneuver.

Aside from the wheels, the suitcase held up well in our drop tests, resisting major dents, and the already durable polycarbonate material is reinforced with monochromatic aluminum at the corners for added protection. Though we didn't notice dents, the bag scuffed pretty easily, and some of the marks wouldn't come off.

Inside the suitcase on one side is a compression panel with an easy-to-use Y-strap, and on the other side is a fully zippered compartment for secure packing.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: Consumer testers couldn't get enough of the bag's wheels. One said, "I've tested many, many suitcases, but I've never used luggage that glided as smoothly through an airport as July's."

If you're looking for soft-sided luggage but don't want to spend several hundred dollars, this suitcase offers a great value. It's made of polyester fabric and has a no-frills yet roomy interior. It also expands if you need more packing space. And though polyester isn't quite as durable as nylon, Delsey's fabric has held up well in our Lab's durability tests.

Other perks: It has a removable lining that's machine washable for easy cleaning, and it comes with a removable organizing pouch that snaps into place inside the bag.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: Our analysts and testers also appreciated the bag's easy-access external sections. Its wheels weren't as smooth as others, and it doesn't look as luxurious as pricier picks, but overall it earned good scores during use and is a great intro into s0ft-sided bags.

My favorite part of using soft suitcases is the ability to cram a ton inside, since the fabric is flexible. With the added expansion, this suitcase holds a lot—enough for a several-days-long trip overseas.

If you're looking for a bag that's built to last and won't go out of style, consider this simple yet not-so-basic carry-on from Monos. It's made with a durable polycarbonate shell that withstood damage during our Lab's drop tests and real-world travels, despite some scuffing. It also held an impressive amount in both Lab packing tests and at-home tests.

Besides its durability and packing features, this suitcase stood out for being smooth and easy to use. The zippers opened and closed easily, while the wheels glided seamlessly during travel tests.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: One tester said that when using the bag, it didn't even feel like she was pulling it, but rather, it was rolling alongside her. Another tester shared, "I cannot say enough good things," adding, "It is sleek, lightweight, and comes with a ton of organization."

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Monos Luggage

Sleek in both appearance and maneuverability, Calpak has a metallic appearance that stands out from other hard-sided carry-ons. It also earned high marks from our consumer testers for its smooth wheel performance, sturdy padded handle, and easy maneuverability through our obstacle course.

The hard exterior is a composite with ABS plastic underneath and a polycarbonate coating. While the coating helps with durability, it didn't resist scratches as well as the 100% polycarbonate bags in our tests. Still, it held up to our drop tests without denting and impressed Lab experts with its roomy interior that was easy to pack. The interior also has a combination of zippered storage, elastic pockets, and compression straps to help you stay organized.

WHAT TESTERS SAY: When comparing it to dozens of other models, one tester said it had the "smoothest handle by far and didn't feel wobbly. I really liked the shape and how seamless it felt." Nearly every tester said they wanted to keep it for themselves, in part because of the stylish look.

I personally carried this set through the airport and received a few compliments on the sleek design. My parents were instantly jealous of my set when I brought it home and said it was nicer than anything they've used before—especially because of the smooth wheels.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Calpak Luggage