Jet in style—these 10 best carry-on suitcases combine form and function for fashion-forward travelers who never check a bag.
The 10 Best Carry-On Suitcases for Stylish Travelers (2025 Edition)
Some people board planes in athleisure with roller bags that look like they’ve been dragged through TSA 100 times. And then there’s us — the traveler with a blowout, a cashmere wrap, and a carry-on that actually fits in the overhead without brute force.
Whether you’re jetting off to Italy for a long July weekend, or hopping up to Aspen for a summer escape, your suitcase should match your outfit: functional, sleek, and beautifully edited. And carrying one of these 10 best carry-on suitcases not only makes you stylish but also a travel expert.
After testing trips from Paris to Palm Springs, here’s our shortlist of the 10 best carry-on suitcases for stylish travelers — with the pros, cons, and personal picks that we actually use.
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Perfect for: Italy in summer, Aspen in spring
If you’ve flown at all in the last 5 years, you’ve seen this. Why? Because it works. It’s lightweight, spacious, and has an ejectable battery — essential for layovers with no outlets.
- Fits overhead on most U.S. and international airlines
- Compressible interior panel
- Lifetime warranty
We packed this for a 4-day trip to Lake Como and still had room for a backup pair of sandals, a curling iron, and two linen dresses.
$315
Shop here
Paravel Aviator Carry-On Plus
Perfect for: Charleston weddings, summer beach house weekends.
This one gets high marks for both eco-cred and aesthetics. Made with recycled
polycarbonate
and vegan leather trim,
it’s low-impact
but high-style.
- Built-in TSA lock + quiet wheels
- Extremely photogenic (yes, even in the security line)
We took this one to
Palm Beach —
it matched our
neutral capsule wardrobe
like it was part of the outfit.
$425
Shop here
Rimowa Essential Cabin
Perfect for: Long-haul Europe flights, Aspen weekends
This is the one if you’re
ready to invest
in forever luggage.
It’s lightweight
but feels indestructible.
The wheel system glides
like butter through
Charles de Gaulle.
- German-engineered polycarbonate
- Available in chic muted colors
- Scratch-resistant (mostly)
We’ve used this on 20+ international flights
and once rolled it through cobblestones in Florence — no complaints.
$900
Shop here
Beis The Carry-On Roller
Perfect for: Girls’ trips, Vegas weekends,
Cabo retreats
TikTok made it famous, but the smart storage design keeps it on our radar. Expandable, surprisingly roomy, and sleek for under $250.
- Built-in weight indicator
- Zipper pouches for makeup or chargers
- Best price-to-style ratio
$268
Shop here
Briggs & Riley Essential Carry-On
Perfect for: Business-class loyalists, NYC to LAX commuters
This one’s for the frequent flier who wants
luxury and function in equal parts.
It expands without bulging
and has the best
compression system we’ve used.
- Lifetime repair guarantee
- Clean exterior, executive feel
- Great for packing suits or longer dresses
$659
Shop here
Monos Carry-On Plus
Perfect for: Wellness retreats, weekend escapes, clean girl travel.
This one gives Away vibes with a softer aesthetic. It’s matte, minimal, and comes in dreamy colors like sage, sand, and rose quartz.
- TSA lock, laundry bag, and vegan leather details
- Durable enough for frequent flyers
- Sleek interior design
$360
Shop here
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner
Perfect for: Quick domestic getaways, under-the-radar style
Classic Samsonite quality, but sleeker and lighter than their legacy cases. A solid starter option for someone who doesn’t want to
splurge but still wants
glide-and-go wheels.
- Dual spinner wheels
- Deep interior
- Water-resistant lining
$300
Shop here
Tumi
Alpha Continental Carry-On
Perfect for: Luxury hotel check-ins, first-class flights
The high-performance option for serious travelers. Tumi has
the best security,
zipper system,
and structure we’ve seen — and the black-on-black option just screams “corporate upgrade.”
- Impact-resistant corners
- Tumi tracer for lost luggage
- Tech sleeve + garment compartment
$875
Shop here
Delsey Chatelet Air Carry-On
Perfect for: Paris in spring,
Provence weekends
If French-girl travel were
a suitcase, it’d be this.
The ivory exterior
and tan faux-leather
trim feel très chic.
- TSA locks + quiet wheels
- Scratch-resistant
- Gorgeous for short trips
$370
Shop here
Roam The Jaunt XL
Perfect for: Custom-color lovers, frequent flyers who want to stand out.
Roam lets you design your suitcase — colors, trim, zippers — for the ultimate match-your-aesthetic experience. Made in the U.S. and built to last.
- Personalize your luggage
- Durable, dual-zippered compression
- Quiet-glide wheels
$425
Shop here
Where We’ve Traveled With These Bags:
- Rome & Florence in July – The Away Bigger Carry-On and Rimowa both handled the cobblestones and humid train stations with ease.
- Aspen in June – Paravel and Monos were light enough to toss in a rental SUV but chic enough to roll through The Little Nell lobby.
- Paris in the Spring – The Delsey felt at home on Rue Saint-Honoré and didn’t look like luggage from a college dorm room.
- Cabo – Beis survived sunscreen spills and sand with zero stress.
If you’re heading to Cabo, this boutique hotel is a must — we stayed recently and it felt like the chicest hidden gem. Think sculptural interiors, bougainvillea-lined terraces, and the kind of poolside cocktails that make you forget you even packed a return ticket. It’s effortlessly luxe and exactly the vibe you want when traveling light. Take a look here.
What Makes the Best Carry-On Suitcases?
Style matters, but so does function. The best suitcase should:
- Fit overhead — always
- Glide through security without dragging
- Look like it belongs at Hotel Costes and JFK
- Pack what you need — and nothing extra
If you’re looking for a true upgrade, start with Away or Rimowa and add in a matching tote or weekender bag for day-trips and overflow.
And once your Paris looks are planned, don’t forget the finishing touch—pack them all in style with one of our picks from The 10 Best Carry-On Suitcases for Stylish Travelers.
