The best luggage of 2026, tested and reviewed by travel experts

Exterior dimensions: 21" x 13.75" x 9" | Interior dimensions: 19" x 14" x 9"  | Weight: 7.36 lbs | Capacity: 39.2 L | Expandable: Yes | Shell material: Polycarbonate | Interior pockets: 3 | Exterior pockets: 0 | TSA lock: Yes | On-board battery: No | Colors: 14

Why we love it: For airplane rides, train travel and weekend trips, it doesn't get better or more reliable than Calpak's Ambeur line. Named the best expandable suitcase for our 2026 Yahoo Travel Awards, this carry-on is a smooth roller and shows minimal scratching and scuffing after a year of consistent use. Plus, the metallic exterior gives it a luxury look (if you know, you know) without the luxury price tag.

What our experts say: Many bags push innovation so far to the point where it becomes both gimmicky and prohibitive, whereas the Ambeur's functionality is classic and well-rounded: medium-weight, fairly spacious and durable with buttery-smooth zippers. We put this suitcase through our standardized luggage tests after several of our travel editors had been using it as their personal luggage. It outperformed its more expensive counterparts in maneuverability and performance on different types of flooring.

What testers say: "This bag is so nice and fit everything I need for a week-long trip. I could've fit even more if I undid the expansion zipper," one tester wrote. "I was able to easily store it in the overhead compartments of my train cabin. The zippers are smooth and the overall look is gorgeous. Definitely going to be using this as my regular carry-on for some upcoming trips."

Keep in mind: This bag lacks compression features but our experts say they've never found themselves wanting for extra space between the well-proportioned size and the expandability. We also noticed that the wheels lift off the ground slightly on the initial push from stationary, so it's not perfectly balanced — but testers never noticed this throughout months of real-life use.

Exterior dimensions: 30" x 18" x 14" | Interior dimensions: 28" x 17" x 14" | Weight: 12.52 lbs | Capacity: 110 L | Expandable: Yes | Shell material: Polycarbonate | Interior pockets: 3 | Exterior pockets: 0 | TSA lock: Yes | On-board battery: No | Colors: 4

Why we love it: Top-loading designs have previously been limited to soft-side luggage, but Arlo Skye flipped the script with this hard-shell, top-down design. Rather than a traditional clamshell, this one marries the ease packing of a soft-side with the protection and durability of hardshell luggage, making it an excellent checked bag for extended trips where you might be packing bulky items like boots or winter coats. It's wildly easy to pack because of how deep it is, but it isn't so deep that it can't still be easily maneuvered.

What our experts say: This trunk suitcase primarily scored glowing 4's and 5's in several categories for its extremely quiet and smooth wheels, excellent spinning and great design. When fully packed for a two week trip, it weighed in at 49.18 pounds — close to the 50 pound limit for most airlines — but thanks to the beautiful weight distribution, it was far easier to maneuver and roll than expected. We particularly loved that it had a helper handle on the bottom as well as the side, an uncommon but extremely useful feature when loading the suitcase into a car or onto the check-in scale.

What testers say: "It looks super sleek and luxe, plus it rolls very smoothly," wrote one of our testers who used it for a six-day trip. "Super easy to maneuver [and] easy to pack since there is a ton of space to work with." Our tester added, " This thing is huge, which is both a pro and a con ... It's quite large to be schlepping around and I worry it can be too big for European cars. But if you need to carry a lot of stuff, then this is a good option."

Keep in mind: Its only middling scores were for its materials. The lining feels quality and is removable but the zippers to remove it are strangely backwards and lack zipper pulls — and while the suitcase is well-made, it flexes a little when you push down on the exterior. The price point is hefty as well but it's a standout in an already hard-to-find category which helps justify the splurge pricing from our perspective.

Exterior dimensions: 21.5" H x 14.75" W x 11" D | Interior dimensions: 16.7"L x 10.6"W x 25.8"H | Weight: 6.76 lbs | Capacity: 34 L | Expandable: Yes | Shell material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Interior pockets: 3 | Exterior pockets: 0 | TSA lock: None | On-board battery: None | Colors: 5

Why we love it: Luggage this affordable is hard to come by — it's basically a miracle when you find a decent quality option that won't break the bank. This Amazon Basics pick was the lightest out of the dozens of carry-ons that we tested, scoring a perfect 5/5 for ease of lifting. It's amassed over 20,300 five-star ratings from customers who raved about the value and smooth rolling.

What our experts say: The lightweight and compact size of this suitcase make it incredibly appealing for those (like us) who dread asking for help when lifting their bags overhead. It's pretty sturdy for the price with strong, reinforced corners. One downside is that it doesn't have compression, just a stretchy X-toggle, which leaves something to be wanted — but it packs well and is expandable which offsets the lack of compression features. and I love the fact that this expandable luggage comes in so many variations: There's a medium and large checked size as well as in a two- and three-piece set."

What testers say: "I'd consider this a great 'starter' suitcase," said one expert evaluator. "It's cute and small but fits everything you could need on a trip. It's not designer quality but I didn't expect it to be and I don't need it to be. It was reliable and a good size for my four day trip."

Keep in mind: Because it's so light, the suitcase felt a little imbalanced and wobbly when being pushed around with a duffle bag sitting on top, which caused the suitcase tipped over a few times. The wheels are a little noisy too, scoring a low 1/5 due to a "rolling dice" sound. So while this luggage is affordable initially, it may not last forever. "I have traveled quite a bit with this suitcase," said a realistic reviewer. "It has never failed me, though it is clear that it will soon and must be replaced. It is considerably cheaper than other suitcases and I suppose you get what you pay for." 

Exterior dimensions: 23" x 14.75" x 9.75" | Interior dimensions: 21.06” x 14.69" | Weight: 7.62 lbs | Capacity: 48 L | Expandable: Yes | Shell material: Polycarbonate | Interior pockets: 3 | Exterior pockets: 0 | TSA lock: Yes | On-board battery: No | Colors: 6

Why we love it: There's a time and place for a truly cheap suitcase, but then there are the suitcases that offer great value for what it costs — we're talking quality design that outperforms its affordable price point. This Quince suitcase is the latter. While it's not dirt cheap, it's more affordable than most popular carry-ons we tested at $170 while still offering no-frills functionality, good mobility and great value.

What our experts say: It passed our performance and maneuverability tests with an overall score of 4.65. It was never at risk of toppling over and it stayed the course reliably when we rolled it around our obstacle course with a bag on top — we can't say the same about other more expensive carry-ons. It's very spacious and fit our entire standardized packing load with room to spare. While it doesn't feel particularly luxurious, it never claims to be — this is a simple, efficient suitcase that won't break the bank.

What testers say: "I liked how roomy it was on the inside, you can fit a lot in this," said one of our testers. "The straps for compression on the inside were nice for larger jacket compression. I also liked that the handle was not nested so it was easier to pull up — however, that made it feel more flimsy." Testers also liked its built-in lock that was "easy to set up."

Keep in mind: Many consider this a dupe for the Away suitcase (Quince even compares itself to Away in its product listing). We found it to look as sleek as an Away suitcase but feel slightly under par in terms of quality, which is to be expected given that it's $100 cheaper. The material is a little thinner and more bendy. Still, one customer wrote, "I’m annoyed I spent so much on Away bags for so many years when these are just as great and half the price" and another raved, "We own the comparable Away version as well, and honestly they’re almost indistinguishable in both look and feel."

Exterior dimensions: 21.7" x 14.4" x 9" | Interior dimensions: 20.1" x 13.9" x 7.5" | Weight: 7.5 lbs. | Capacity: 39.8 L | Expandable: No | Shell material: Polycarbonate | Interior pockets: 4 | Exterior pockets: 0 | TSA lock: Yes | On-board battery: None | Colors: 7

Why we love it: Away is a standout luggage brand, and this ubiquitous hard-sided luggage is no exception. When we polled our team of experts for their favorite carry-on bag, this was by far the most popular (it even won a 2026 Yahoo Travel Award). Its popularity means it's common at the airport, so we love that you can get it personalized with your initials at an extra fee to avoid mixups at the luggage carousel.

What our experts say: One long-term tester who has traveled with this small suitcase for over five years raved about the wheels: "They turn in all directions like a dream and work just as well on carpet as they do on hard floors," she said. Meanwhile, another long-term tester loved that it includes a built-in combination lock and said it's the ideal size for most airline overhead storage, so there are "no worries about last-minute bag checks." (We confirmed this in our research: the smallest overhead bin size limit is 22" x 14" x 9".)

What testers say: "Very easy to maneuver with the spinners. Easy to pack and compact," said one of our testers who tried the regular, non-expandable version. "But I found the compact space to be a little restricting when getting into 4-day trips (and even long weekends when I had a good amount of accessories and/or toiletries)." Said another tester who tried Away's Bigger Carry-On: "It's nice that it's bigger than other carry-ons, but I've never had an issue with an airline accepting it. I'm able to fit quite a bit inside (especially with compression cubes)."

Keep in mind: While Away was once well known for having built-in chargers, it no longer includes batteries in its luggage. This model also doesn't offer any expansion and lacks external pockets, so you'll have to pack carefully.

Exterior dimensions: 31" x 21" x 13" | Interior dimensions: 29" x 20.5" x 12.5" | Weight: 8.5 lbs. | Capacity: 142 L | Expandable: Yes | Shell material: Polyester | Interior pockets: 5 | Exterior pockets: 2 | TSA lock: None | On-board battery: None | Colors: 7

Why we love it: This spacious pick (as in "142 liters" spacious) has that softshell flex that lets you cram in just a few more souvenirs while still clocking in under the maximum size for checked luggage (62 linear inches) — plus two inches of expandability, if you could possibly need more. And if that wasn't reason enough, it even won best soft-side suitcase for our 2026 Yahoo Travel Awards.

What our experts say: You think you don't need a large checked bag with room to spare... until you do. This is an excellent and honestly quite affordable softside suitcase that will do right by you for any travels that require lots of clothes or gear: think ski trips, puffer jackets, multi-week adventures, etc. The polyester exterior is treated with a weatherproof finish too, so while it's not as weatherproof as hard side luggage, it can still resist the elements more than you might expect.

What testers say: "I love that this is a no-nonsense, classic softshell," said one expert tester. "It doesn't have a lock or battery but it fits everything I need and then some. I like the contour of the ergonomically-designed handle which made it easier to lift even when it was packed to the brim."

Keep in mind: The trade-off for its lightness is durability that leaves something to be desired for some reviewers. "The material, while light, felt a bit too flexible for my liking," said one buyer. "It's great for keeping weight down, but it didn’t offer much structure or protection for items inside. It also didn't feel as durable as I'd hoped for something at this price point, especially for frequent travel."

Exterior dimensions: 22.75" x 15" x 10" | Interior dimensions: 20.25" x 13.75" x 9.75" | Weight: 7.7 lbs | Capacity: 44 L | Expandable: No | Shell material: Polycarbonate | Interior pockets: 2 | Exterior pockets: 0 | TSA lock: Yes | On-board battery: No | Colors: 4

Why we love it: Instantly recognizable at baggage claim and complimented by several editors in passing, the Delsey Chalet collection has a vintage-inspired design that taps into the old school glamour of travel (even if you're rocking a red-eye flight in economy). "It's actually really beautiful," one tester wrote. "The exterior has leather details and a chrome, extendable handle that lends a polished touch (the zipper hardware is chrome as well). The fabric and colors used in the interior feel really elevated."

What our experts say: This was one of the most stable bags that we tested. It scored a 4.63 and traveled almost perfectly in a straight line for at least six feet unassisted. It also earned a perfect 5/5 for scratch resistance after being thrown down the stairs and dragged face-down on the concrete sidewalk; shocking for a stark white suitcase, made even more so when compared to some of its darker-colored counterparts. And to top off the practicality of the stylish design, we were impressed to find that while the brown stripes are real leather, the corners are made of a durable, plastic material that can better bear the brunt of any potential damage.

What testers say: "I thought it looked really premium," said one testers who took it on a week-long train trip. "For being so lightweight, I was concerned the suitcase might look cheap or be less sturdy but I had no issues from my initial testing. It seemed well-made from my experience."

Keep in mind: The white hardshell body has a micro-hatch texture, so while the material should be easy to wipe down in theory, the woven lines ended up just shredding the paper towel we used. We recommend using a wet rag or microfiber towel instead. Also, the wheels are a little noisy.

Exterior dimensions: 21.5" x 14.5" x 9.5"| Interior dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 8.5 lbs | Capacity: Not listed | Expandable: No | Shell material: Recycled polycarbonate | Interior pockets: 2 | Exterior pockets: 0 | TSA lock: Yes | On-board battery: No | Colors: 3

Why we love it: Cotopaxi released the Coraza suitcase, its first-ever — and extremely adorable — venture into luggage just a month ago and it has already shot to the top of our list as one of the most durable bags. Its rugged shell is not only strong and tough materials, but this case also has interchangeable, colorful wheels that you can swap out yourself in the case of damage. That's a major plus, this wheels often break before other parts of the suitcase do, making this a meaningful and sustainable way to extend the bag's lifespan.

What our experts say: Don't be fooled by the fun colors — this suitcase survived our tossing-and-tumbling tests with only a few, extremely minor scuffs and zero real damage, outperforming most of the other carry-ons we tested. It's some of the best construction we've seen. The concrete drag test barely affected the exterior thanks to the reinforced top corners that kept the front face off the ground. And while it's a little on the heavier side, it earned perfect 5's for ease of lifting and manageability when fully packed due to its small, compact size. That said, it's the only unlined one in our entire testing line-up. Instead, it comes with two full-size packing cubes that can either be packed full, used as liners or removed entirely. While this makes the shell easier to clean, it also feels a little more bare-bones that what we usually expect when opening up a carry-on.

What testers say: "Not only is this a solid suitcase that seems like it could withstand a tornado, it's super stylish and fun which is important to me when I travel," said one tester. "I love that the brand brought its signature mix-and-match colors to this suitcase. I'll never mistake someone else's bag for my own again!"

Keep in mind: We found that the rubber wheels, while durable, cute and swappable, had a tendency to force wider turns than you're aiming for. They have some stickiness to them when turning on hardwood floors that required a firm hand. That said, the shock absorption capabilities of the rubber make these wheels ideal for rolling along uneven surfaces like cobblestone. Our testers also unanimously struggled with the clamp closures that replace a traditional zipper. Make sure the numbers on the locks are lined up; it won't close until they are!

Exterior dimensions: 20.3" x 13.8" x 10.6" | Interior dimensions: 20.3" x 13.8" x 8.7" | Weight: 8.6 lbs | Capacity: 34L | Expandable: Yes | Shell material: Recycled polycarbonate, recycled nylon, EVA foam | Interior pockets: 3 | Exterior pockets: 1 | TSA lock: No | On-board battery: No | Colors: 3

Why we love it: Peak design? Why yes, actually, it is! This carry-on is an expandable hybrid style, meaning that one side has a hardshell design that offers protection while the other side, a soft panel, gives you flexibility to stuff in extra items. It's decked out with helpful add-ons like internal pockets, an easy-access pocket, loops, bungee cords and even an AirTag compartment. It can even fit an entire camera organization insert that transforms it into a photography bag. One of our testers noted, "I was also pleasantly surprised that although the Peak is more compact overall than my Away carry-on, it held just as much and there are no bulky handle tubes eating into the main compartment so you get full use of the packing space."

What our experts say: While at first it didn't seem like our standardized packing load would fit, both the hard and soft panels had serious flexibility that actually made it easy to pack everything in. It was an extremely smooth and balanced mover on both hardwood and carpet. The wheels were a little noisy but it's not a dealbreaker on a suitcase that glides like butter.

What testers say: "I was genuinely impressed with this carry-on for several reasons. I’ve struggled with other carry-ons on airport carpet, but this one rolled effortlessly over both carpeted and hard floors, even when fully packed," raved one tester. "Storage is another standout. The top flap features an exterior pocket that fits a full-size laptop, plus a snap-closure pocket with a key tether for quick access to essentials like your phone or passport. Unzip the panel further and you’ll find additional space for bulkier items along with a hidden pocket for extra organization. There are also handles on all sides of this suitcase, making it very easy to pick up."

Keep in mind: That $600 price tag is hefty. It's definitely not cheap by any means of the imagination. Its lifetime warranty guarantees replacement if your bag breaks or becomes non-functional, but that's standard for most luggage brands today. But if you have the funds to invest in a forever product and want something that's decked out with pockets and organizational compartments, it's worth the splurge. And if not, there are far more affordable options on this list that are equally good carry-ons — they just won't boast the same unique design features.