The Best 5Aggregated review·13 sources·updated May 23, 2026·checked July 19, 2026

Best Carry-On Luggage

Top carry-on suitcases ranked by aggregate score from 13 published reviews.

This guide aggregates 13 published reviews across 5 products; the thinnest-sourced pick rests on 2. How we rank.

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Quick answer

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner is our top pick for carry-on luggage — an averaged 4.9/5 across 2 published reviews at about $729. Runner-up: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner (~$390).

Read the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner review →$729 · Buy at luggagepros.com

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review

#	Product	Rating	Price	Best for
1	Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On SpinnerTop Score	4.9 2 sources1 derived	$729	frequent business traveler doing 30-plus trips a year who wants one carry-on for the next 15 years and values warranty coverage that survives airline damage without paperwork	$729 · Buy at luggagepros.com
2	Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner	4.7 2 sources1 derived	$390	frequent business traveler who flies enough to amortize the price across many trips and wants charging ports plus a garment suiter without going up to TUMI or Briggs prices	$390 · Check Price on Amazon
3	Away The Carry-On	4.2 2 sources1 derived	$275	weekend leisure traveler who wants a stylish polycarbonate shell in a specific color, takes 3-5 day trips, and values brand-direct customer service over the lowest possible price	$275 · Check Price on Amazon
4	Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner	4.0 4 sources2 derived	$129.99	budget-conscious leisure traveler who wants a name-brand hardside under $150, takes 2-4 trips a year, and doesn't need a garment suiter or USB charging integration	$129.99 · Check Price on Amazon
5	Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage	3.3 3 sources2 derived	$68.84	budget conscious infrequent traveler making one or two trips total and unwilling to spend more than $100, with the understanding the bag may not survive 20-plus flights	$68.84 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

At a glance5 products ▾

1Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On SpinnerTop Score

4.9

2 sources1 derived

$729Best for: frequent business traveler doing 30-plus trips a year who wants one carry-on for the next 15 years and values warranty coverage that survives airline damage without paperwork

$729 · Buy at luggagepros.com

2Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner

4.7

2 sources1 derived

$390Best for: frequent business traveler who flies enough to amortize the price across many trips and wants charging ports plus a garment suiter without going up to TUMI or Briggs prices

$390 · Check Price on Amazon

3Away The Carry-On

4.2

2 sources1 derived

$275Best for: weekend leisure traveler who wants a stylish polycarbonate shell in a specific color, takes 3-5 day trips, and values brand-direct customer service over the lowest possible price

$275 · Check Price on Amazon

4Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

4.0

4 sources2 derived

$129.99Best for: budget-conscious leisure traveler who wants a name-brand hardside under $150, takes 2-4 trips a year, and doesn't need a garment suiter or USB charging integration

$129.99 · Check Price on Amazon

5Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage

3.3

3 sources2 derived

$68.84Best for: budget conscious infrequent traveler making one or two trips total and unwilling to spend more than $100, with the understanding the bag may not survive 20-plus flights

$68.84 · Check Price on Amazon

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

Reviews aggregated from

OutdoorgearlabConsumer ReportsPackhackerAltmanluggageCnnunderscored

The full ranking

How we rank →

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner

#1 · Top Score

★ Premium Pick

Best for: frequent business traveler doing 30-plus trips a year who wants one carry-on for the next 15 years and values warranty coverage that survives airline damage without paperwork

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner

4.9

2 sources1 derived$729as of Aug 1

OutdoorGearLab scored the Baseline Essential 88 out of 100, third of seventeen carry-ons it ranked, and two features earn that placing. The CX system lets you overpack by an outfit and then ratchet the bag back to carry-on dimensions, and the Simple As That guarantee covers damage including airline damage, with no proof of purchase required. At $729 and ten pounds empty it is the heaviest and priciest bag here, which only makes sense if you intend to keep one carry-on for a very long time.

Strengths

— Patented CX compression expands the bag 30% then ratchets back to carry-on dimensions
— Simple as that lifetime guarantee covers any damage including airline damage — no proof of purchase

Watch-outs

— $729 list is the highest price in this roundup outside of TUMI premium variants
— 10 lbs empty makes it the heaviest carry-on tested in Outdoor Gear Lab's roundup

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— Patented CX compression expands the bag 30% then ratchets back to carry-on dimensions
— Simple as that lifetime guarantee covers any damage including airline damage — no proof of purchase

Watch-outs

— $729 list is the highest price in this roundup outside of TUMI premium variants
— 10 lbs empty makes it the heaviest carry-on tested in Outdoor Gear Lab's roundup

$729 · Buy at luggagepros.com Full review →vs. Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner →

Best for: frequent business traveler who flies enough to amortize the price across many trips and wants charging ports plus a garment suiter without going up to TUMI or Briggs prices

Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner

4.7

2 sources1 derived$390as of Aug 1

OutdoorGearLab scored the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch 91 out of 100 and made it their top carry-on recommendation, crediting the self-aligning MagnaTrac wheels, the 40-litre main compartment and the built-in USB charging. Consumer Reports rated it 4.5 out of 5 with high marks for usability and pulling ease. This is a business traveller's bag — garment suiter, charging ports, lifetime warranty — with one real catch: a 23.5-inch overall height that does not clear the strictest gate sizers.

Strengths

— OutdoorGearLab scored it 91 out of 100 and named it their top carry-on pick
— MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels track straight even when the bag is packed unevenly

Watch-outs

— Overall 23.5" height (including wheels) exceeds the strict 22" sizer on some smaller regional jets
— $390 list is double the price of value softside competitors

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— OutdoorGearLab scored it 91 out of 100 and named it their top carry-on pick
— MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels track straight even when the bag is packed unevenly

Watch-outs

— Overall 23.5" height (including wheels) exceeds the strict 22" sizer on some smaller regional jets
— $390 list is double the price of value softside competitors

$390 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner →

Best for: weekend leisure traveler who wants a stylish polycarbonate shell in a specific color, takes 3-5 day trips, and values brand-direct customer service over the lowest possible price

Away The Carry-On

4.2

2 sources1 derived$275as of Aug 1

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Away Carry-On 81/100 and called the polycarbonate shell 'one of the best we've seen,' while Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10, praising the interior compression system and the stylish exterior. At $275 it sits below premium hardsides like Rimowa or TUMI and above value brands like Samsonite, which makes it the default pick for travelers who want polycarbonate durability without aluminum-case prices.

Strengths

— 100% polycarbonate shell flexes under impact and rebounds without cracking
— Built-in compression system with double-buckle pads adds usable packing volume

Watch-outs

— Indented zipper track makes the shell feel flexier than premium hardsides like Monos or Rimowa
— Side grab handles are slim and difficult to grasp when the bag is full

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— 100% polycarbonate shell flexes under impact and rebounds without cracking
— Built-in compression system with double-buckle pads adds usable packing volume

Watch-outs

— Indented zipper track makes the shell feel flexier than premium hardsides like Monos or Rimowa
— Side grab handles are slim and difficult to grasp when the bag is full

$275 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner →

Best for: budget-conscious leisure traveler who wants a name-brand hardside under $150, takes 2-4 trips a year, and doesn't need a garment suiter or USB charging integration

Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

4.0

4 sources2 derived$129.99as of Aug 1

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Samsonite Freeform 73/100 with the verdict 'a perfectly priced hardshell that doesn't sacrifice style or performance,' Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10, and CNN Underscored called it 'a terrific option for budget-conscious travelers.' At $145 the polypropylene shell covers most of what a hardside should: light weight, impact absorption, smooth-rolling dual spinners. What you give up is water resistance and interior organization compared with bags twice the price.

Strengths

— $145 starting price is roughly half the Away Carry-On and a fifth of Briggs & Riley
— 6.6 lbs empty is the lightest bag in this roundup

Watch-outs

— 23 x 15 x 10 in dimensions risk failing strict 22" sizers on regional jets and European LCCs
— Water-resistance testing showed one-third of the interior took on water through the zipper

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— $145 starting price is roughly half the Away Carry-On and a fifth of Briggs & Riley
— 6.6 lbs empty is the lightest bag in this roundup

Watch-outs

— 23 x 15 x 10 in dimensions risk failing strict 22" sizers on regional jets and European LCCs
— Water-resistance testing showed one-third of the interior took on water through the zipper

$129.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner →

Best for: budget conscious infrequent traveler making one or two trips total and unwilling to spend more than $100, with the understanding the bag may not survive 20-plus flights

Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage

3.3

3 sources2 derived$68.84as of Aug 1

At $80 it's the cheapest functional hardside in this roundup: fine for occasional travel, wrong for anyone who flies more than 4-5 times a year. Buy it if you need a carry-on for a single trip and don't want to pay $145 for the Samsonite.

Strengths

— $80 starting price is roughly half the Samsonite Freeform and a quarter of Travelpro
— Four spinner wheels and a telescoping handle make it functionally identical to mid-range hardsides

Watch-outs

— Newer production batches use ABS plastic instead of polycarbonate — more brittle, less impact-absorbent
— Telescoping handle and zippers feel cheaper than Samsonite or Travelpro under everyday use

▾Why it's ranked here

Strengths

— $80 starting price is roughly half the Samsonite Freeform and a quarter of Travelpro
— Four spinner wheels and a telescoping handle make it functionally identical to mid-range hardsides

Watch-outs

— Newer production batches use ABS plastic instead of polycarbonate — more brittle, less impact-absorbent
— Telescoping handle and zippers feel cheaper than Samsonite or Travelpro under everyday use

$68.84 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →vs. Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner →

Reviews aggregated from

OutdoorgearlabConsumer ReportsPackhackerAltmanluggageCnnunderscored

Spec comparison

5 products

Spec	Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner	Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner	Away The Carry-On	Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner	Amazon Basics 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Luggage
Material	Premium ballistic nylon with YKK self-repairing zippers	Premium ballistic nylon with DuraGuard coating	100% polycarbonate	Polypropylene hardshell	ABS plastic (newer production); polycarbonate in earlier batches
External Dimensions	22 x 14 x 9 in (expands to 11.5 in deep)	23.5 x 14.5 x 9 in (with wheels)	21.7 x 14.4 x 9 in	23 x 15 x 10 in	21.6 x 14.9 x 10 in
Packing Capacity	37-48 L (CX expansion)	40 L (46 L expanded)	41 L	41.2 L	41 L (51 L expanded)
Weight	10 lbs	7.8 lbs	7.5 lbs	6.6 lbs	7.7 lbs
Wheel Type	4 dual 360-degree spinner wheels	8 MagnaTrac self-aligning dual-spinner wheels	4 dual-spinner 360-degree wheels	4 oversized dual 360-degree spinner wheels	4 multidirectional spinner wheels
Compression System	Yes, patented CX ratcheting	—	Yes, double-buckle pads	—	—
TSA Lock	Yes, combination cable	Yes	Yes, combination	Yes, recessed combination	Yes, recessed combination
Warranty	Simple as that lifetime — covers airline damage with no proof of purchase	Lifetime limited	LifetimeCare with 5-year complimentary repairs	10-year limited	3-year limited
Expandable	—	Yes, 2 inches	—	Yes	Yes, 25% additional

Spec	Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner	Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-inch Expandable Carry-On Spinner
Material	Premium ballistic nylon with YKK self-repairing zippers	Premium ballistic nylon with DuraGuard coating
External Dimensions	22 x 14 x 9 in (expands to 11.5 in deep)	23.5 x 14.5 x 9 in (with wheels)
Packing Capacity	37-48 L (CX expansion)	40 L (46 L expanded)
Weight	10 lbs	7.8 lbs
Wheel Type	4 dual 360-degree spinner wheels	8 MagnaTrac self-aligning dual-spinner wheels
Compression System	Yes, patented CX ratcheting	—
TSA Lock	Yes, combination cable	Yes
Warranty	Simple as that lifetime — covers airline damage with no proof of purchase	Lifetime limited
Expandable	—	Yes, 2 inches

Frequently asked questions

What's the top-rated carry-on luggage right now?

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On Spinner holds the top score for carry-on luggage — 4.9/5 averaged from 2 published reviews. OutdoorGearLab scored the Baseline Essential 88 out of 100, third of seventeen carry-ons it ranked, and two features earn that placing. The CX system lets you overpack by an outfit and then ratchet the bag back to carry-on dimensions, and the Simple As That guarantee covers damage including airline damage, with no proof of purchase required. At $729 and ten pounds empty it is the heaviest and priciest bag here, which only makes sense if you intend to keep one carry-on for a very long time.

When was this guide last updated?

This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. Prices, links, and source ratings are re-verified on a rolling basis, and the ranking updates when the underlying scores change.

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