Black Friday Is a Great Time to Upgrade Your Carry-On — These Are the Best Options for Every Type of Traveler

Best OVerall

Away Carry-On Flex

BEST hardshell CARRY-ON OVERALL

Samsonite Voltage DLX Global Carry-On Spinner

Samsonite is practically synonymous with the luggage category, and the brand’s Voltage DLX Global carry-on spinner won’t disappoint. It measures 22 inches tall and has compression straps, a USB port and plenty of organizational compartments inside (including a liquid-friendly pocket). It expands up to one inch and you’ll get to benefit from Samsonite’s 10-year limited warranty.

BEST SOFTSIDE CARRY-ON

Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-in. Carry-On Spinner

Save $5.75 with Amazon coupon

Many flight attendants swear by soft-sided luggage, which they say is more durable that hard-shelled suitcases. (Take note of what they and pilots tend to bring, and it’s almost always soft bags.) This top-rated Travelpro Maxlite 5 soft-sided expandable luggage gets plenty of love from reviewers on Amazon for being lightweight and maneuverable. The interior is surprisingly spacious and keeps things simple with a zippered mesh pocket and compressive straps. Plus, it features slim exterior pockets to keep tablets, books, laptops or toiletries close at hand. This piece is available in a 19- or a 21-inch version, both in a range of colors.

• Dimensions 14 x 9 x 21 inches
• Weigh 5.4 pounds
• Capacity 46 liters
• Exterior material Polycarbonate
• Expandable Yes, up to 2 inches
• USB port/charger holder No
• TSA lock Yes
• Other features Exterior pockets
• Warranty Limited lifetime warranty, 1-year trusted companion promise on registered products

Best Expandable Carry-On

Away The Bigger Carry-On Flex

Away’s best-selling Bigger Carry-On Flex luggage is one of the best suitcases for travelers who can never seem to pack their stuff back in (or who always manage to bring home extra souvenirs. Boasting the travel brand’s award-winning lightweight and durable polycarbonate shell, this piece unzips to expand an extra 2.25 inches. It’s got a convenient underside grab handle, compressive pockets and a built-in laundry bag to keep your things organized, and it’s roomy enough to hold up to a week’s worth of essentials.

• Dimensions 14.7 x 9.6 x 22.7 inches
• Weight 8.55 pounds
• Capacity 47.9 liters
• Exterior material Polycarbonate
• Expandable Yes
• USB port/charger holder No
• TSA lock Yes
• Warranty 100-day return policy, limited lifetime warranty

BEST value

Bagsmart Carry-On Luggage

Save 10% with Amazon coupon

Looking for a carry-on under $100? Best-selling Amazon brand Bagsmart’s new lineup of luggage has you covered. This compact 20-inch carry-on is lightweight, expandable, and features 360-degree spinner wheels. It comes in other stylish colors; the brad also offers an equally affordable expandable option.

BEST WITH BUILT-IN SHELVES

Royce & Rocket Castle Expandable Carry-On

If organization is of utmost importance when you’re living out of a suitcase, then you’ll love Royce & Rocket’s one-of-a-kind Castle carry-on. The expandable design gives you an extra two inches of luggage depth, and the unique shelving system folds flat to ensure that you’ve got plenty of packing space. Once you’re ready to settle in, fold the shelves out and snap them in place to display and store your essentials with ease.

best Carry-On Under $150

Quince Carry-On Hard Shell 20-In. Suitcase

For only $120, Quince’s 20-in. polycarbonate shell carry-on has 360-degree Japanese Hinomoto spinner wheels, a sturdy aluminum telescopic trolley handle with soft rubber for comfort, interior compression panels, TSA-approved locks and a removable laundry bag. The 40-liter capacity offers enough space for five to seven outfits, and there’s a 17-by-12-inch interior pocket for storage. It nests into Quince’s larger luggage for easy storage, and also comes in 21-, 24- and 27-inch sizes (including an expandable version for just $20 more).

• Dimensions 14.4 x x 9.1 x 22 inches
• Weight 6.2 pounds
• Capacity 40 liters
• Exterior material Polycarbonate
• Expandable No
• USB port/charger holder No
• TSA lock Yes
• Warranty Limited one-year warranty, 100-day return policy

Best with Built-in Scale

Béis The Carry-On Roller

If you’re known among friends for being someone who always travels in style, you’re probably already familiar with Béis. The Shay Mitchell-owned travel brand is known for its chic and functional luggage, and this carry-on roller is no exception. It’s one of the only suitcases in the market with a built-in weight indicator and comes in a range of eye-catching colors that ensure you always know which bag is yours. Plus, it has multiple interior pockets, compressive straps, and 360-degree wheels to get you from place to place smoothly. Did we mention there’s also an exterior strap that holds your purse and built-in TSA-approved locks?

Most Lightweight

Samsonite Proxis Carry-On

best carry-on for Little kids

Trunki Ride-On Kids Suitcase

Traveling with kids can be quite the adventure, and Trunki’s adorable ride-on suitcase adds some fun to a potentially stressful experience. Designed for kids ages 3 to 6, it comes in a variety of styles and has an 18-liter capacity. Little ones can sit on the luggage and scoot themselves or be pulled by their grown-ups with the handy pull strap. Indepedent kiddos will love carting it on their own, too.

best carry-on for Big kids

Fast Forward Hard-Sided Spinner

For the bigger kids who want to travel with their favorite characters, Fast Forward’s 20-in. carry-on suitcase features designs with Marvel or DC Comics superheroes, Disney princesses, Star Wars, Pixar, Paw Patrol and more. The 360-degree spinner wheels and lightweight ABS plastic case make this luggage lightweight and easy to maneuver, and the interior has plenty of organizers and dividers for efficient packing.

Best for traveling with pets

Roverllund Ready to Roll Cabin Carry-On

Designed with pets in mind, Roverllund’s carry-on roller is horizontal, making it easier to travel with your TSA-approved pet carrier atop your suitcase. The outside pocket is convenient for holding pet treats and leashes, too.

• Dimensions 21 x 14 x 9 inches
• Weight 8.4 pounds
• Capacity 43 liters
• Exterior material Polycarbonate
• Expandable No
• USB port/charger holder No
• TSA lock Yes
• Warranty Limited one-year warranty

Best for outdoor travel

Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag 38L

Cotopaxi’s Allpa 38L roller bag is our new go-to for traveling in rugged conditions — or when we just want durable option that’s easy to stuff and compress. It’s made of water-resistant recycled 840D TPU-coated and ballistic ripstop nylon, and we like the front interior mesh organizer pockets and outer adjustable compression straps for quickly cinching gear after packing. The wheels are durable enough for rolling on hard and uneven terrain, and we appreciate the convenient grab handles on the top and sides. If you’ve got Cotopaxi’s hip pack, the suitcase’s front pocket is designed to easily hold your smaller carryall.

Best with built-in gps

Hotel Collection Carry-On

BEST carry-On Duffle

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, 55L

If you’re loyal to your duffel bag, consider Patagonia’s Black Hole backpack in the carry-on 55-liter size. (It also comes in a more compact 40L option.) The padded base and reinforced handles make it durable enough to slide into the overhead bins or take bumps outdoors, and the daisy chains on the sides let you easily clip on your gear. Outdoorsy travelers will love the durable, ripstop exterior material that’s weather-resistant. It’s also got plenty of organizational pockets and removable ergonomic shoulder straps to customize how you carry.

BEST OVERSIZED CARRY-ON WITH Front Pocket

Monos Carry-On Pro Plus

The most annoying thing about carry-ons is that you don’t always have easy access to your belongings. Monos’ sleek Carry-On Pro Plus luggage features an “unbreakable” polycarbonate exterior, an accessible pocket on the front to store your laptop or other small items, and three interior pockets to keep things organized. This bag also simply feels luxurious, thanks to the vegan leather detailing, smooth telescoping handle, and 360-degree spinner wheels.

BEST UNDER-SEAT CARRY-ON

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage

Calpak’s lightweight Hue Mini Carry-On is the definition of compact. At 16 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep, it can fit beneath most airline seats, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting it on the plane. The zippered interior pockets make it possible to pack everything you need for a long weekend in this sleek little bag.

BEST FOR SUITS

TravelPro Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Carry-On

TravelPro’s elegant piece of luggage is the perfect upgrade if you need a new carry-on. It has several impressive features, including a built-in USB port and a drop-in, fold-out suiter specifically designed to accommodate hanging clothes. Plus, it expands another two inches to offer some additional capacity for larger loads.

BEST Carbon-Neutral CARRY-ON

Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus

BEST BUSINESS CLASS CARRY-ON

Carl Friedrik Carry-On

Want to impress at the airport lounge (without spending a fortune)? We love the luxe look of Carl Friedrik’s hardshell suitcase with its zipperless aluminum frame, super-silent wheels, two combination lock closures and Vachetta leather details for an extra professional-looking touch. Inside are compression straps on both sides and a removable compression pad with a pocket (you have the option to add a second pad). Designed to adhere to U.S., European and most other global airline cabin-size guidelines, this carry-on also comes with a removable battery to charge devices.

• Dimensions 14.6 x 9.5 x 21.6 inches
• Weight 8.6 pounds
• Capacity 40 liters
• Exterior material Polycarbonate
• Expandable No
• USB port/charger holder Yes (includes charger)
• TSA lock Yes
• Warranty Limited lifetime warranty, 100-day return policy

BEST Warranty

Briggs & Riley Baseline Global 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

• Dimensions 15 x 9 x 21 inches
• Weight 9.9 pounds
• Capacity 49 liters
• Exterior material Ballistic nylon
• Expandable Yes
• USB port/charger holder Yes (does not include charger)
• TSA lock Yes
• Warranty Lifetime warranty

BEST FOR LONGER TRIPS

Tumi Alpha Continental Expandable 4-Wheeled Carry-On

Best Aluminum Carry-On

Rimowa Cabin

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day