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We've all been tempted to skimp on our luggage purchases. Especially if travel is an occasional event, it's hard to justify spending good money for something that'll sit in your closet for most of the year. Think of it this way: Buying a dependable bag is buying peace of mind. A few yards of zippers and either hard plastic or nylon are the only barriers between your bag and the belly of an airliner, the conveyor belt of a baggage claim, and the trunk of a car. Make one thing easy on yourself and bring good luggage that's lightweight, rolls easily or fits comfortably on your back, and won't split open on the way to your destination.
For all but the longest trips, you can usually get by with a carry-on bag. Whether you're slinging a duffel into a car trunk for a weekend trip or packing for a whirlwind jaunt across Asia, we've got you covered. Need a bag for your passport or groceries? Don't forget to check out our other guides, like the Best Laptop Backpacks and the Best Recycled Bags, for more picks.
Updated August 2023: We've updated pricing and retailer availability, as well as added the Peugeot Voyages, Gregory Alpaca, and Skyway Epic Carry-On. We've also removed the discontinued REI Co-Op Stuff Travel duffel.
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The Travelpro Versapack system consists of modules that zip into the lidded half of the main compartment. It comes with a single compartment module that's good for separating dirty laundry, and others are available separately: one that folds into thirds to keep suits and shirts wrinkle-free (what's called a suiter), and another made of several small compartments. It has a sealed, clear-plastic pocket for toiletries that’s removable if you have to go through a security screening. I like it for the peace of mind. I’m always worried about a bottle breaking and soaking all my clothes when there’s not a way to separate items.
I give points to Travelpro for adding a pocket for a battery bank, with a pass-through for a cable. You can buy an Anker power bank and stuff it in there, and it'll probably work better than the ones other suitcase companies build into their bags.
The Crew Versapack is heavy at 7.9 pounds for the roll-aboard version, but it hasn’t been struck by Travelpro’s cost-cutting the way the Maxlite line has been. There are lots of pockets, and the handles are nicely padded, securely attached, and … kind of tight. The aluminum handle extensions are solid, smooth, and don’t get hung up. It's heavy but very tough and full-featured.
Away's newest bag is a version of its stalwart hard-sided Bigger Carry-On, with a twist: An expandable fabric section between the two polycarbonate clamshells allows you to grow your bag an extra 2.25 inches when you're coming back from a trip stuffed to the gills.
Hard-shell bags tend to be unforgiving when you need to cram extra stuff into them, so I enjoyed the ability to expand the Flex when needed and keep it small when I didn't. All the better for wedging it into overhead bins. There's a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, four spinner wheels capable of rotating 360 degrees, and an included laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from the rest of your stuff.
The Travelpro Maxlite 4 was a top pick of mine. The Maxlite 5 is still good but not perfect. At 5.4 pounds, it's “up to a half-pound lighter” than the older model.
Still, it’s very light for a rolling suitcase. The exterior toiletry pocket is a nice touch for when you go through security and need to take out your liquids. The zippers are also quite strong and don't tend to get stuck, which is a big problem with cheap suitcases. The wheels also rolled nicely on both the spinner and roll-aboard versions. Cheaper suitcase manufacturers will skimp on the wheels and pick ones that have too much rolling resistance.
The aluminum extensions for the handle have a tendency to stick, and the Maxlite 5's main handle is only single-stitched. I also worry about the durability of that handle and the fabric slit at the bottom of the suitcase that replaced the Maxlite 4's bottom-side handle. Despite this, it's made better than most everything else at this price, remains the best bet for a cheaper suitcase.
A Briggs & Riley carry-on was WIRED editor Adrienne So's first and most expensive post-college purchase. Its bags will almost certainly outlive you. B&R is one of the few companies with a lifetime unlimited warranty. She recently had to replace a busted zipper, but it was done for free at a nearby B&R retailer within a few days.
Its components are top-of-the-line. The face fabric is a heavy-duty ballistic nylon that’s water-repellent and abrasion-resistant, and hers is still as gleaming bright red today as when she bought it. The zippers have survived a decade of being yanked on, and the low-profile wheels haven't broken or fallen off. The grab handles are also luxuriously padded. Back when people used to travel, her husband had her carry his suits for him because they'd stay wrinkle-free. The only downside is that at 9.3 pounds, it’s pretty heavy.
For a long while, if you wanted an aluminum suitcase, you were going to spend four figures. Away's suitcase is not exactly affordable, but it is attainable (9/10, WIRED Recommends).
The metal is thick, and the fixtures are solid; Away didn't cheap out on the materials. Two organizer panels inside keep your stuff from shifting around, and there's a stowable interior laundry bag to keep dirty clothes off your clean clothes. There's also an option for an integrated power bank that's accessible through a flip-up door near the telescoping handle. I generally recommend a stand-alone power bank, but it's a $20 option on the Away, so you may as well get it.
An aluminum bag will dent and scratch over time, and you should accept that before you splash down big money on one. You may be able to baby it a little more if you never check it—don't count on that, because it's common these days for airlines to run out of carry-on room—but it's unlikely that you'll make it more than a few trips with it looking minty new. I'm hesitant to buy into marketed “authenticity,” but I have to agree with Away: A dinged-up and well-traveled bag ends up looking pretty sweet.
The Big Haul wins because it hits the right balance of robust build materials and pockets without being too heavy to lug around all day. The standout feature of the Big Haul series, which comes in 28-liter to 120-liter options, is the ability to easily reposition the carrying straps, which feature plastic fishhook-style ends that slip into fabric loops. You can connect one strap end-to-end or double up on two straps in an H pattern for more stability with heavy loads. Adding and removing the straps isn't super fast, but it's not difficult, either, and six low-profile loops seems less intrusive than six rattling plastic buckles.
Two small interior pockets and an exterior pocket keep small things organized, and water-resistant fabric—while not stiff—is thick and tough. All the sewing around the grab handles feels very robust too. Padded backpack straps hide away under a padded pocket on the top of the bag. This means that when you sling the Big Haul over your shoulders to give your arms a rest, your back is against the relatively clean top of the duffel, rather than a wet, dirty bottom side that's been set down on the ground. The current iteration of the Big Haul is also made with recycled nylon. What's not to love?
I've been trying to ruin my PR5 for almost a decade. It's my standard traveling bag, whether I'm taking it through an airport for a weekend trip or hauling a bunch of gear to a dirty base camp. I've used it for whitewater paddling trips and to lug mountain climbing equipment from coast to coast. I've tossed pointy, pokey things like ice axes and trekking poles into it and overloaded it beyond a reasonable weight; I still can't find a frayed thread.
Everything about Red Oxx is overbuilt. The zippers are huge, its thick pieces of nylon webbing are robustly sewn, and chunky metal rings hang the detachable carrying strap. All that said, it's not abominably heavy. At 3.4 pounds it's still lighter than many wheeled bags.
Wheeled duffels are a bit left of center. You've got your wheeled regular luggage and your normal duffels, and then there's this thing that's halfway between them.
On some models, like the Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible I also tested, you get the downsides of both. But on the Gear Warrior, you get the ability to cram its soft sides into tight spaces and also have a frame and hardware that can support a heavy load without flopping all over the place.
It weighs only 4 pounds, 14 ounces, making it a lot lighter than any rolling suitcase, but it also has about a quarter less storage space. The Gear Warrior has been going in and out of stock lately, but if you find it sold out at the moment, it should become available again soon.
Not every good product can snag a best-in-category title, but there are several more bags we've tested that get our thumbs-up and deserve a mention.
The North Face Base Camp for $129: Unlike most duffel bags these days, this is a cylindrical duffel bag. If you're a folder, it can be difficult to keep everything straight and wrinkle-free as you pack it into the Base Camp's curved bottom, although those who roll their clothes won't have any problems. The materials felt cheaper than other duffel bags in this guide. It's a workhorse used often by the outdoors crowd, so while the water-resistant fabric and the handles are durable, they just don't feel as nice to the touch.
Patagonia Black Hole 40L for $159: This is another great adventure duffel with a water-resistant fabric coating and backpack straps. Compared to the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler, though, less of the external fabric is water-resistant, and it's an inch and a half too thick in one dimension for US domestic carry-on requirements. But it's a duffel, so you can squish it to fit in an overhead bin if it's not completely packed full.
Gregory Alpaca 40 Duffel for $140: This one really impressed me. It weighs a scant 2.7 pounds, yet the water-resistant fabric and extraordinarily beefy (though plastic) buckles make it a solid bag for adventuring. It's not quite as burly as the Base Camp, Big Haul, and Red Oxx bags, and it lacks triple-stitching, but it feels tougher than most, including the Eagle Creek below. There's an exterior pocket for storing shoes or dirty clothes. The backpack straps don't tuck away for storage—you have to unclip them—but might be the most well-padded, comfortable straps I've encountered on a duffel yet. Colors are limited to black, red, and green, but the few that exist are very stylish, inside and out. Exterior daisy chains and an interior zippered pocket round out the impressive features list.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L for $149: Two things jumped out about the Cargo Hauler. First, it weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than air. Second, it has backpack straps that stow away in a front pocket. It's less heavy-duty than the other duffels in this guide, but it doesn't feel cheap by any means.
Skyway Epic Carry-On for $80: Cheap bags under $100 are usually dodgy junk. At 7.1 pounds, the Epic is on the lighter end of average. While it's a fair bit cheaper than the Maxlite 5, our favorite budget bag, it's also a couple of pounds heavier. The handle is a wee bit more finicky, and the Travelpro's wheels glide a little more nicely. Still, for under $100, the Skyway's zippers and wheels were of fine quality. These are areas cheap bags usually skimp on. I'd still encourage you to step up to the Maxlite 5 or wait for a sale if you can, but if you must spend less than a Benjamin on a bag, the Epic is a solid choice.
Solgaard Carry-On Closet Plus for $365: It's a tiny bit over what most airlines list as the maximum dimensions, but the difference is so small that it's accepted 95 percent of the time. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe praises its optional clip-in closet clothing organizer, which makes for efficient packing. The built-in TSA lock is easy to use, and there's an internal power-bank pocket. This suitcase is included in our Favorite Upcycled Products guide.
July Checked for $325: This bag uses a polycarbonate shell with aluminum bumpers, striking a good compromise between weight and durability. It’s lighter than the 16-inch Monos checked bag that Adrienne So also tested by about a pound, and it showed fewer scratches and rub marks on a trip. However, the Monos’ telescoping handle has a much smoother roll-out, and the surface is smooth, not pebbled.
Away Bigger Carry-On for $335: Away's larger size offers all the same handy interior organization modules as our top luxurious hard-shell pick, the Away Bigger Carry-On Aluminum Edition, but for less than half the price. And you can choose from a range of colors, from discrete navy blue to pink, green, or lavender. The optional, ejectable battery bank costs an extra $20.
Osprey Ozone for $280: Osprey's 4.4-pound bag is basically a backpack mounted on a lightweight aluminum frame, with two wheels stuck to the bottom, and it zips open like a suitcase. It fits everywhere and also has a laptop sleeve compartment for your work accouterments. Just be warned that its 40-liter capacity is about the size of a large backpack, too, so you better be able to pack light.
Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200: This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. Standout features include an interior fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage. Product reviewer Medea Giordano, a notorious overpacker, was able to fit an entire long weekend's worth of wardrobe in the Outline Pro.
Adidas Defender Duffel for $40: If you're looking for an inexpensive duffel that'll handle some light-duty traveling, this is a good way to save $100. The fabric is significantly thinner and less sturdy than that of other duffels in this guide, and it lacks backpack straps. If there's a chance you'll have to check it often, I'd look elsewhere. But for taking on the train or tossing into a car trunk, it'll do the trick.
Paravel Aviator International Carry-On for $395: This carry-on has an interior lining made of recycled plastic bottles, a telescoping handle made of recycled aluminum, and vegan leather trim to help it stand out from all the plain black bags at the airport. Product reviewer Jaina Grey really fell in love with its roomy interior and durable, anti-scuff hard-shell exterior.
Some bags just aren't worth the asking price, especially with so many good alternatives at all price points.
Peugeot Voyages Carry-On Spinner for $595: What a price tag for a plastic-case suitcase. You can see where Peugeot tried to imbue the Voyages with some luxury, such as the metal riveting and built-in travel locks. But the case itself felt no more solid than a budget hardside bag, and the USB charging port felt cheap, like an outlet you'd find built into a seat in an airport terminal. It also took me 20 seconds of prying attempts to get it open. They couldn't even mount it to the case straight. It was noticeably crooked. Seriously, Peugeot? For this kind of money, the telescoping handle felt cheap and flimsy. At least the wheels rolled particularly smoothly and quietly, and I'll give it a nod for the built-in locks and lux interior that comes with a zippered clamshell and mesh pocket to keep belongings from shifting around. But when its competition is Away's Aluminum model and Briggs & Riley, a nice interior isn't enough.
Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible International Carry-On for $469: This bag is an expensive answer in search of a question. At 6 pounds, 2 ounces, it's not exactly lightweight. There's a zip-off 19-liter backpack that you can separate from the rest of the 37-liter bag. But when they're zipped together, the combined size doesn't meet carry-on size restrictions, so you need to separate them and carry them like a conventional duo of luggage and backpack onto the plane anyway. Its soft sides mean less protection for your belongings than even a soft-sided piece of luggage like the Travelpro Maxlite 5. Eagle Creek had an inventive idea, but for that money we'd recommend you just bring a separate piece of rolling luggage and a backpack.
Ebags CTS Carry-On Spinner for $200: This one wasn't awful for the price, but there are much better options for the money. Its hard plastic sides felt more brittle than the hard-sided plastic Away suitcases, so although I didn't break it during my use, I'd worry about its resistance to shattering if checked by an airline. The handle rattled a lot, and it didn't roll quite as smoothly as the other bags. Still, its strong suits were that it came with several interior organizing cubes, and the exterior pocket had three sleeves with which to organize and separate small travel goods, such as tablets and toiletries.
Once you've got your bag, you'll want to pack it with a few more useful items:
Tripp One-Outlet Surge Protector for $10 protects your devices from power surges. Some countries have less reliable electrical infrastructure, and you never know how well that discount hotel's outlets are wired.
Eagle Creek Specter Pack-It Cubes Three-Pack for $30 keep everything inside your bags organized by allowing you to separate it into different cubes, so you won't ever have to hunt through seven pairs of socks to find your bathing suit again.
UrPower Portable Steamer for $24—Click the Coupon beats a travel iron because it's far lighter and you don't need to hunt down an ironing board at your hotel. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano and I both have been using UrPowers for years. For a tiny thing, it's powerful and effective at steaming practically anything. You just need to refill it often.
Ceptics Adapter Plug Set for $14 is my preferred go-to for plug adapters when I travel outside the US. It includes five of the most common adapters—for the UK, Japan, Canada, and several European outlets. Consider buying two sets, since you're likely to need to charge two devices at once. For more information, check out our Best Adapters guide.
Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale for $15 is handy to have when you're packing a heavy bag for an upcoming trip. Use it to weigh your luggage and make sure it's within the weight limits. International airlines are sticklers for carry-on weight, and even American airlines will be unforgiving about weight for checked bags.
Incase Sleeves for MacBook for $50 will keep your laptop from bearing the damage caused by airport security lines. Travel through an airport without a case and it's only a matter of time before a bare laptop or tablet picks up nasty scratches and dents. For tablets, check out the Zugu iPad Case for $50. Security agents tend to be rough with plastic bins, so protect your devices from banging around against keys, phones, and belts. Even if you don't normally use one, consider picking one up just for travel.
Apple AirTag for $29 is something we have mixed thoughts on, but if you have an iPhone, it's one of the best ways to keep a digital eye on your bags. These Bluetooth trackers utilize the sheer number of smartphones to report their location regularly back to your device. Even if you don't plan on checking your bag, you might end up having to gate-check it on crowded flights. Drop an AirTag into an interior pocket to make sure you and your luggage are reunited at your destination.
Every airline sets its own dimensional requirements for carry-on baggage. Broadly, they're split into two categories: domestic and international.
Domestic flights by US airlines (and a few others) have standardized on 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
International carry-on bag sizes tend to be about 21 inches tall and a bit narrower, but they're all over the place. It's tough, because many international airlines will measure your bags at the airport and reject anything even slightly bigger than the allowed size. If you fly outside the US a lot, you may as well buy a bag sized for international flights.
You'll also want to check each airline's weight limits. They vary wildly, but some international airlines restrict you to 15 or 20 pounds, including the weight of the bag itself. There are also East Asian airlines that limit carry-on bags to 11 pounds. Once you subtract 6 or more pounds for the bag, you're not left with much wiggle room to put stuff inside.
The other difference is how many wheels a bag has. Two-wheeled roll-aboard bags are lighter than ones with four spinning wheels, have more room inside, and their wheels are larger and more durable than spinners. That could come in handy on cobblestone streets when you're heading to your hotel.
For carry-on sizes, I prefer roll-aboard bags. Any extra space in a carry-on is precious, and suitcases this small tend to be easy enough to maneuver without spinning wheels. Most of the rolling suitcases we recommend are available in either configuration, although spinners tend to cost more.
Battery banks, also known as power banks, are a travel must-have. Whether you're using a tablet to watch movies on your flight or relying on your phone to coordinate rideshares, hotel check-in, and handle your boarding passes, you've got to keep those devices charged and topped up. Many bags, such as our Away Bigger Carry-On pick, offer a removable battery bank that slides into a special pocket or notch of the suitcase.
For carry-on luggage on a flight in the US, you're allowed to bring a lithium-ion battery of 100 Wh (watt-hours) or less. You don't need to remove it from the suitcase's pocket if you're storing your bag in the overhead bin.
Lithium-ion battery banks are not allowed in checked luggage. If you check your bag or have to gate-check it, make sure to remove the battery bank before you give your suitcase to the gate agent. Slip the battery bank into your purse, backpack, or pocket for the duration of the flight.
Primary testing was done by Matt Jancer. Adrienne So, Louryn Strampe, and Jaina Grey also contributed to this guide.
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