Tired of waiting in long lines at baggage claim? Investing in the right carry-on luggage can save you time and stress, especially for short trips or work travel. Buy from our curated list of the best lightweight carry-on luggage options to breeze through airports and avoid the hassle of checked baggage.
As much as we’d love to take our carry-ons everywhere, consider the limitations before buying one. Points to consider include the size of the bag, its capacity, and the weight (most airlines allow only up to 10 kg of total carry-on baggage). Discover the types of bags to determine which ones suit your needs. We have added a variety of options, ranging from backpacks to trolley bags, that you can comfortably carry in the aircraft and store in the overhead space.
Types of carry-on luggage and the best ones to buy
Duffle bags
Duffle bags are not only popular at the gym but also shine as stylish and practical travel companions. Their spacious interiors, made from durable materials like leather or polyester, can comfortably accommodate your belongings for short trips. The soft-sided construction allows for easy packing and ensures your items stay organised. Make sure to choose the best carry-on luggage for women and men with comfortable straps to carry it on your shoulder.
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Backpacks
One of the most feasible carry-on options is to stuff your belongings in a backpack or rucksack. Depending on your requirements, choose designs that come with specialised sections, such as laptop pockets or bags with shoe compartments. Additionally, the best carry-on backpacks let you carry your electronics safely, without having to drag them. The zipper closure and divisions give you easy access during a security check. If you pick a large one, it’ll have space for clothes, books, and other essentials for your trip.
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Cabin trolley bags
To maximise your storage capacity, go with trolley bags that can easily fit in the overhead storage. Suitable for short excursions or office trips, you can fill them with all you need on your overnight journeys. There’s a variety of options you can choose from, including hard-shell, soft-side, and best carry-on luggage with a laptop compartment. These cabin suitcases come with secure locks, protective construction, and smooth, spinner wheels to transport your luggage easily through the airport.
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How to choose the best carry-on luggage
Size and weight: Check the airline rules on permissible measurements and weight before choosing a lightweight carry-on luggage that best suits your needs.
Quality and durability: Pick bags crafted from materials that can withstand frequent use, can be easily cleaned, and don’t damage easily to protect your valuables.
Wheels: When picking cabin trolley bags, take extra care of the kind of wheels of the suitcase. Go for 360-degree spinner wheels, which have the best manoeuvrability.
Compartments: To stay organised and pack efficiently, choose backpacks and trolley bags with multiple pockets, each of them suitable for the items you wish to carry on your trip.
Selecting the best carry-on luggage for this list
Brands: Bags included on our list include options ranging from the best luxury carry-on luggage labels to premium brands. This ensures trustworthy construction, durability, high-quality design, and a reliable warranty or guarantee.
Type: A variety of designs of bags such as duffels, backpacks and trolley bags were considered. We’ve incorporated options with diverse features, including laptop pockets, shoe compartments, tech pockets, secure locks and more.
Related | The Best Luxury Luggage Bags To Travel The World In Style
(Featured image credit: Gustavo Fring/ Pexels)
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you shop through links on our site.
Prices of the products mentioned are subject to change.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
A 22” x 14” x 9” carry-on luggage is the most common size limit among global airlines, inclusive of the handle and wheels of the bag.
A hard case carry-on luggage has a sturdy construction that ensures protection against damage through impact, promising durability. Softside carry-on luggage, on the other hand, is made from flexible materials that allow enough room to carry your belongings. Additionally, these fabrics are lightweight, reducing the overall weight of the bag.
While two-wheel luggage offers more space than the four-wheel bags, the latter is more popular for its manoeuvrability as the wheels move 360 degrees.
The baggage weight typically allowed for cabin or carry-on purposes is limited to about 10 kg.
Generally, the size limit for international carry-on luggage is smaller than for domestic baggage.
You can spend approximately HKD 2500-30,000 on high-quality carry-on luggage.
Tom Ford, Brunello Cucinelli, Tumi, Christian Louboutin, Maison Margiela, Saint Laurent, Rimowa, Diesel, Briggs and Riley, Floyd, and Karl Lagerfeld are some of the best brands to buy carry-on luggage.
Only travel-sized containers weighing 100 millilitres or less per item are permitted in the carry-on luggage.
Any expandable carry-on luggage must be kept at their standard setting to avoid excess baggage charges.
Use a dry cloth to frequently clean your luggage. Either go with mild soap or an all-purpose cleaner to wipe stains, dirt, and dust. Avoid using damaging cleaners on leather bags.
Written By
Dinal Jain
An interior design graduate, Dinal is a writer by passion and profession. She is an avid traveller and ..Read More
