The 10 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024

The carry-on is the only piece of luggage that matters if you travel smart. Checking bags costs time, money, and the constant anxiety of lost luggage. These ten carry-ons fit major airline overhead bins, survive baggage handler abuse (because sometimes you have to gate-check), and look sharp doing it.

Away The Carry-On ($275) remains the direct-to-consumer standard. The polycarbonate shell absorbs impacts, the 360-degree spinner wheels glide effortlessly, and the interior compression system fits five days of clothes in a weekend bag. The ejectable battery in the shell charges your phone at the gate. It comes in 15 colors and has a lifetime warranty.

Rimowa Essential Cabin ($700) is the splurge pick, but the polycarbonate construction with the signature groove design has been the gold standard since Rimowa invented the format in 1937. The Multiwheel system rolls smoother than any competitor, and Rimowa offers a five-year warranty with global repair service. The matte black version is the one at https://www.rimowa.com.

Samsonite Freeform 21-inch ($180) delivers the best value on this list. The double-wheel system, polycarbonate shell, and cross-strap interior handle everything a $500 bag does. It weighs just 6.8 pounds and expands slightly for return trips when you inevitably overshop. Available at every luggage retailer.

Monos Carry-On Pro ($275) challenged Away's dominance with a slightly more refined design — quieter wheels, smoother zippers, and a German polycarbonate shell that resists scratches better. The built-in compression shelf is more intuitive than most systems, and the vegan leather luggage tag is a nice finishing touch.

July Carry On ($245) from the Australian brand brought design-forward minimalism to the hardside category. The antimicrobial lining, whisper-quiet wheels, and thoughtful interior layout — including a separate laptop compartment accessible from the front — make it the most functionally thoughtful carry-on available.

Completing the ten: Travelpro Platinum Elite ($245) for the frequent-flyer professional, Briggs & Riley Baseline ($579) for the lifetime-warranty loyalist, Db Hugger 40L ($279) for softside versatility, Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L ($300) for one-bag travel evangelists, and Tumi Alpha 3 ($695) for business travel bulletproofing. Ten carry-ons — pick the one that matches how you travel and stop checking bags.