Whether you are traveling for work or vacation, your carry-on is one crucial part of your luggage that needs extra thought. Aesthetically speaking, your carry-on luggage speaks for you.
This is why you need a convenient, durable, and accessible bag. In addition, an excellent carry-on bag must be one you can reach on a flight without stress. We have compiled a list of the best carry-on bags with a laptop compartment to accompany you on your next flight.
The Top 5 Carry-On Luggages
Here are some of the best carry-on luggage you’ll find in the market currently.
1. COOLIFE Luggage Suitcase Piece Set Carry
This 20 inches carry-on luggage has an ABS+PC shell, which gives it a lighter hard surface. In addition, it has an adjustable 3-step telescoping handle.
You can buy the 2-piece set separately in sizes 28 and 20. The interior has crossed-fixing and mesh pockets for easy accessibility and comes with a few color options.
This product is the best if you are a frequent flyer concerned about your luggage handle snapping in two when mishandled. The two-year worldwide warranty ensures you are covered no matter where your travel takes you.
2. Hanke Carry On Luggage, 20″ Suitcase with Front Laptop Pocket
This carry-on luggage is great for business trips as it has easily accessible padded front pockets for a laptop, iPad, and documents. This luggage’s convenient design won the Kapok design award.
The aluminum frame is made with sanding and scratch-prevention technology and has a 3-digit combination lock.
The design is minimalist, and it has a one-top lid that’s easy to close.
This product is excellent if you have zipper concerns. The zipper is durable, and the laptop pocket is larger than most.
3. LEVEL8 Grace Carry On Luggage, 20″ Hardside Suitcase
The Level8 Grace carry-on is a lightweight bag with a relatively spacious interior. The suitcase has a front laptop compartment for carrying electronics.
The unisex unexpandable bag has various size options. For example, you can buy a two-piece set in 20/24 inches or 20/28 inches or the complete set in 20/24/28 inches.
It has a recessed TSA combination lock for safety, and the wheels roll across most surfaces easily.
Level8 Grace luggage is an excellent choice if you want a bag with more interior space. The box is extendable, and it comes with tagging stickers.
4. Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage
Travelpro Platinum Elite is an expandable 41.3-liter space carry-on. It’s made with high-density nylon fabrics that protect it from abrasion and stains.
It has RFID-blocking internal pockets to protect your ID and passports. The carry-on comes in three sizes 19, 20, and 21 inches.
It has a 15 inches laptop space, a dedicated space for tablets, and a TSA-approved space for other accessories.
This product is excellent if you love to organize your bag and keep everything in a separate space. It has several areas for cards, a passport, a tablet, a laptop, and more.
5. High Sierra Endeavor Wheeled Underseat Carry-On
This bag is made from 600D heather Dolby polyester. It is expandable and comes in a dark gray color.
This product has molded front pockets and a padded handle for convenience. It’s designed to fit under an airplane seat. The inside of the main section is 15″ x12″ x5″ which fits most airlines’ 15″ x7″ x16″ dimension requirements.
High Sierra is an excellent choice for shorter people. It fits perfectly under airplane seats, so you don’t have to stretch every time or ask for help to reach the overhead compartment.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Carry-On Luggage
A carry-on suitcase is essential, and choosing the right one will enhance the quality of your international travels. An ideal carry-on luggage balances weight, capacity, and size. We will look at some of the most important considerations below.
Size
This is the most critical consideration for a carry-on suitcase. Choose a bag size you can handle quickly and slide conveniently on and off the overhead compartment. Of course, your bag should also fit into the compartment.
Instead of going for the largest bag, choose one that won’t slow you down.
Moreover, many airlines have weight restrictions, so you should look for a lightweight bag that doesn’t already weigh heavily when empty. Also, check the regulation of your most frequently used carrier and go with something similar.
Durability
You should find the highest quality bag within your budget. While there are several bags out there, not all of them will last long, especially with the rough handling at the airport.
Avoid bags that use thin thread, and have sparse stitching. If your choice is a hardback carry-on, you should check to ensure the material isn’t brittle. Instead, opt for high-quality, thick, and sturdy metalware.
Also, check for zippers. Many bags seem of good quality but have disappointing zippers, so you should test them out a few times to see that it’s smooth and not loose.
Multiple Compartments
Few things are as gratifying on a carry-on suitcase as having plenty of extra pockets and compartments. Good carry-on luggage should have a tablet and laptop padded sleeve each.
Some have exterior pockets, additional shoe compartments, ID pockets, key baskets, and document and book pouches. This is a convenient feature for people who love keeping things organized.
Hard Luggage vs. Soft Luggage
Soft luggage used to be more popular, but hard luggage has better protection value, so it has become more popular. In addition, soft luggage is expandable, so you’ll probably be able to fit in more stuff past the recommended capacity of the bag. This can come in handy if you are a shopper. However, there’s no point in over-stuffing your bag if it’s still going to get flagged at the gate.
So, it’s best to opt for hard luggage. These bags are usually lightweight and more durable as they are made with high-tech materials. They are also modern and sleek, and easy to clean.
Wheel Type
Two popular wheel types for carry-on luggage are two-wheeler and double-spinner wheels carry-on. Most two-wheeled luggage types have more inner space and work well on uneven floor types and cobblestones.
On the other hand, double-spinner wheels or four wheels are more popular. They are designed to roll smoothly alongside or in front of you. This luggage type is usually upright and offers more maneuverability.
Warranty
High-end companies offer limited lifetime warranties, but this may be hard to come by with more affordable options. Still, you should go for a brand that offers a two-year warranty. A bag will get thrown around at airports, so you want to ensure you get good value for your money.
Best Brands
Here are the best brands for carry-on luggage.
Coolife
Coolife was started in 1986. The company is in the luggage manufacturing business. The travel brand uses various materials to produce quality work consistently. They make soft side, hard side, single and sets.
Hanke
Hanke is a Chinese luggage brand. The award-winning company has excellent luggage and travel accessory designs.
LEVEL8
This company makes luggage, backpack, and travel accessories. It specializes in products that make adventuring and travel life more effortless. Level8 was established in 2008.
TravelPro
TravelPro is an American luggage brand that started in 1987. It was founded by Bob Plath, a commercial airline pilot. It has a subsidiary called the Atlantic Luggage Company.
High Sierra
High Sierra is a brand that focuses on making products that support adventures and new beginnings. This includes school backpacks, travel bags, and outdoor support items. High Sierra is in Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about carry-on luggage.
Is there a maximum weight for carry-on luggage?
Many airlines still have maximum weight restrictions for carry-ons, and the standard size is 22″ x 14″ x 9″ with strap and handles weight. For example, Philippine Airlines and Qantas Airlines have a 15 pounds limit, while Virgin Atlantic and AeroMexico have a 22 pounds limit.
However, major airlines like Air Transat and Air Canada have no such restrictions. Instead, you’ll be required to lift their carry-on to prove that it’s a simple suitcase for essentials and valuables rather than a way to sneak past the weight restrictions on the main luggage.
Can I take two carry-on bags on a plane?
You can have a personal bag and carry-on luggage, which technically makes it two bags. However, the personal bag should fit under the airplane seat, so it wouldn’t be an excuse to bring in an extra piece of luggage.
Try to pack only the essentials, but if you still need more space, you can hold onto items like small purses, camera-only cases, medication or medical equipment (oxygen tank, doctor’s bag), coats and garments, containers carrying life-sustaining special needs items (hearing aids, glasses case), diplomatic or consular bags, and all duty-free items purchased after check-in.
What is the best carry-on luggage?
There’s no specific carry-on luggage that we can tag the best. Instead, you need one that suits your particular needs. You should consider material type, color, and wheel type.
You should also check out set offers. You should spend more if you are constantly on the road to get high-quality luggage. The wheels may be two-wheel rollaboards or four-wheel spinners, so choose one that’s comfortable for you.
Also, you should confirm the correct dimensions with your preferred airline, as what defines carry-on luggage is that it’s allowed to go on the plane with you.
What is allowed in a carry-on bag?
In addition to the general restrictions on your main luggage, carry-on bags have additional rules, such as containers of liquid, paste, aerosol, gel, or cream larger than 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bags. You should also check the specific rules of your carrier to avoid dropping anything at the gate.
Final Thoughts
Your carry-on luggage is an integral part of your travels, and you need to pay special attention to it. While there are several options in size, color, and hard or softback, the most crucial consideration is the size.
Before setting out, confirm the generally permitted size and your carrier’s specific restrictions. With our top five recommendations of the best carry-on luggage with a laptop compartment, you’ll find something that works for you and enjoy a seamless traveling experience.
