Best Carry-On Luggage of 2026
Carry-on limits look the same everywhere. Until they aren't. Most US airlines allow 22 × 14 × 9 in, but Air Canada, WestJet and many European airlines are smaller. We compare carry-ons by their published outside size, wheels and handles included, and show which airlines each one fits.
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Compare at a glance
Sizes include wheels and handles. The stub shows how many US airlines' carry-on limits each bag meets; see each bag for every airline we track.
- Fits
- Tight, may be gate-checked
- Too big
- No published limit
- Our pick
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner
Travelpro · Mid-range · Best for frequent flyers
- Weight
- 5.1 lb
- Size in
- 22 × 14 × 9
- Warranty
- Lifetime
- Our score
- 8.4/10
Fits 9 of 9 US airlines- AA: fits
- DL: fits
- UA: fits
- WN: fits
- B6: fits
- AS: fits
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: fits
Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Carry-On Spinner
Travelpro · Mid-range · Best for frequent flyers
- Weight
- 5.4 lb
- Size in
- 23 × 14.5 × 9
- Warranty
- Lifetime
- Our score
- 7.6/10
Fits 2 of 9 US airlines · tight on 5- AA: tight fit
- DL: tight fit
- UA: tight fit
- WN: fits
- B6: tight fit
- AS: tight fit
- NK: too big
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On
Amazon Basics · Budget · Best for budget airlines
- Weight
- 7.7 lb
- Size in
- 21.7 × 14.8 × 10
- Warranty
- Not listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)
- Our score
- 6.7/10
Fits 3 of 9 US airlines- AA: too big
- DL: too big
- UA: too big
- WN: fits
- B6: too big
- AS: too big
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner
Samsonite · Mid-range · Best for families
- Weight
- 6.5 lb
- Size in
- 23 × 15 × 10
- Warranty
- 10 yr
- Our score
- 6.4/10
Fits 2 of 9 US airlines- AA: too big
- DL: too big
- UA: too big
- WN: fits
- B6: too big
- AS: too big
- NK: too big
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Coolife Hardside Carry-On 20"
Coolife · Budget · Best for families
- Weight
- 7.3 lb
- Size in
- 22 × 15.2 × 8.9
- Warranty
- Not listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)
- Our score
- 6.3/10
Fits 3 of 9 US airlines- AA: too big
- DL: too big
- UA: too big
- WN: fits
- B6: too big
- AS: too big
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Our picks
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner
One of the few spinners that truly measures 22 × 14 × 9 in with wheels and handles, and it's very light.
Best for: Frequent flyers
- Weight
- 5.1 lb
- Size in
- 22 × 14 × 9
- Warranty
- Lifetime
- Shell
- Soft
- Our score
- 8.4/10
- AA: fits
- DL: fits
- UA: fits
- WN: fits
- B6: fits
- AS: fits
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: fits
Why we like it
- Truly 22 × 14 × 9 in including wheels and handles
- Only 5.1 lb
- Lifetime warranty
- Smaller packing space than 21-22 in "carry-ons" that don't actually fit
Our scores
Filter all 5 bags
By airline, shell, budget and features
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner
Travelpro · Mid-range · Best for frequent flyers
- Weight
- 5.1 lb
- Size in
- 22 × 14 × 9
- Warranty
- Lifetime
- Our score
- 8.4/10
- AA: fits
- DL: fits
- UA: fits
- WN: fits
- B6: fits
- AS: fits
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: fits
Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Carry-On Spinner
Travelpro · Mid-range · Best for frequent flyers
- Weight
- 5.4 lb
- Size in
- 23 × 14.5 × 9
- Warranty
- Lifetime
- Our score
- 7.6/10
- AA: tight fit
- DL: tight fit
- UA: tight fit
- WN: fits
- B6: tight fit
- AS: tight fit
- NK: too big
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner 21" Carry-On
Amazon Basics · Budget · Best for budget airlines
- Weight
- 7.7 lb
- Size in
- 21.7 × 14.8 × 10
- Warranty
- Not listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)
- Our score
- 6.7/10
- AA: too big
- DL: too big
- UA: too big
- WN: fits
- B6: too big
- AS: too big
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Samsonite Freeform 21" Carry-On Spinner
Samsonite · Mid-range · Best for families
- Weight
- 6.5 lb
- Size in
- 23 × 15 × 10
- Warranty
- 10 yr
- Our score
- 6.4/10
- AA: too big
- DL: too big
- UA: too big
- WN: fits
- B6: too big
- AS: too big
- NK: too big
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Coolife Hardside Carry-On 20"
Coolife · Budget · Best for families
- Weight
- 7.3 lb
- Size in
- 22 × 15.2 × 8.9
- Warranty
- Not listed (the brand doesn't publish this spec)
- Our score
- 6.3/10
- AA: too big
- DL: too big
- UA: too big
- WN: fits
- B6: too big
- AS: too big
- NK: fits
- F9: fits
- G4: too big
Nothing matches those filters. Try loosening one.
How to choose carry-on luggage
22 × 14 × 9 in is the US standard
American, Delta, United, JetBlue and Alaska all use it. Many bags sold as "carry-on" are slightly over; check the measurements with wheels.
Expandable doesn't count
An expanded bag usually won't fit the sizer. Treat the expansion as extra room for the trip home in a checked bag.
Hard vs soft shell
Hardside protects fragile things and looks sleek. Softside is lighter, has outside pockets and squeezes into a full overhead bin.
Watch the empty weight
Most US airlines don't weigh carry-ons, but many international airlines cap them at 7-10 kg. A lighter bag leaves more room for your things.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard carry-on size?
For most US airlines it's 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), including wheels and handles. Southwest and Frontier allow slightly more; Air Canada, WestJet and Lufthansa allow less width-wise or height-wise.
Is a 22-inch suitcase a carry-on?
A bag listed as 22 in is often 22 in without wheels, which makes it too tall. Look for a total height of 22 in or less including wheels.
Do airlines weigh carry-on bags?
Most US airlines don't. Many international and budget airlines do, with limits from about 7 to 10 kg (15-22 lb).