A bag that fits a US bin can be too long for a lot of European and Asian airlines. For US domestic flights, a light 21-inch softside spinner like the Travelpro Maxlite 5 is the safe default, and if you fly international carriers, a 19-inch bag fits more cabin limits. Rules vary by airline, so check yours before you fly.
Our picks
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Spinner 21-inch
A light, roomy 21-inch softside spinner that fits most US bins, good for anything from a weekend to a week.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner 19-inch
A 19-inch softside spinner sized for the smaller cabin limits on many European and Asian carriers, so you're not crossing your fingers at the gate.
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
A hard shell with smooth spinner wheels and a built-in TSA lock for light packers, but at 23 x 15.3 x 9.8 in with wheels it's over the 22 x 14 x 9 in limit many US airlines list, so check yours.
BAGSMART 20-inch Carry-On Spinner
A basic 20-inch hardside spinner that does the job for occasional travelers on long weekends and short trips.
Osprey Farpoint 40
A 40L pack that opens flat like a clamshell, so with packing cubes inside you see everything at once.
Bellroy Lite Travel Pack 30L
A 30L backpack light enough for one-bag trips, for city travelers who pack light.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L
A 30L pack with camera dividers and a laptop sleeve, so your camera kit and the day's basics go in one carry-on.
Away The Bigger Carry-On
A 22.7-inch hardside spinner for frequent flyers who pack more than average and fly routes with lenient carry-on allowances.
Briggs & Riley Torq International Carry-On Spinner 21-inch
A front laptop pocket and a lifetime repair promise make sense for frequent business flyers, but a mid-priced hardside gets you most of the way.
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Essential 22" Carry-On Spinner
Roomy at 55 liters with a laptop pocket, but at 22 inches it's over many international carry-on limits, so keep it for US flights.
Briggs & Riley Baseline Global 2-Wheel Carry-On
The compression system and lifetime repairs are real strengths, but it's very heavy for a carry-on.
What should you look for in a carry-on?
Start with the tape measure, not the color. Many European and Asian carriers have smaller cabin bins than US airlines, so a bag that fits fine on a domestic flight can be too long abroad.
Then weight. On airlines with cabin weight limits, every pound of bag is a pound you can't pack. Softside bags with an expansion zipper also squeeze into tight bins more easily than a rigid shell.
Hardside or softside?
Hardside bags like the Samsonite Freeform roll smoothly and look clean. They also hold less, have no outside pockets and the shell scuffs. Softside bags like the Travelpro Maxlite 5 hold more and weigh less.
If you pack fairly light and like a hard shell, either works. If you need every liter, go softside.
Backpack or roller?
Trains and stairs are where a backpack wins, and it's the right call for one-bag trips. The Osprey 40L opens flat like a suitcase, and the Bellroy Lite Travel Pack is light enough for one-bag trips.
A roller wins on long airport walks. It's easier on your back, and it suits trips with smooth pavement and elevators.
Which carry-on features aren't worth paying for?
Premium carry-ons with lifetime repair promises are good bags. They're also heavy and cost several times more than a good mid-priced bag. Most people do better with a lighter bag and a long warranty.
The bigger trap is size. Bags sold as 22-inch carry-ons are over many international limits, so check the full measurements, wheels and handles included, before you fly abroad.
Questions people ask
What size carry-on is allowed on US airlines?
Most major US airlines take carry-ons up to about 22 x 14 x 9 inches, wheels and handles included. Limits change, so check your airline before you fly.
Is a 21-inch or 19-inch carry-on better?
The 21-inch holds more and fits most US bins. The 19-inch is the safer bet on many international airlines. Budget airlines are all over the place, and some charge for anything bigger than a small under-seat bag, so check first.
Is hardside or softside luggage better for a carry-on?
Softside usually holds more, weighs less and squeezes into tight bins. Hardside rolls smoothly and looks clean, but it scuffs and has no outside pockets.
Is a backpack a good carry-on?
Yes, especially for one-bag trips with trains and stairs. A 30 to 40 liter pack sized for carry-on limits handles a lot of trips, more so with packing cubes.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.