12 best carry-on suitcases perfect for the plane
With discounts on top brands like Samsonite and American Tourister, now is the time to pick up a brand new suitcase.
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A good carry-on option for the plane is key to making a journey easier and a LOT cheaper (no extra charges for hold luggage? Yes please).
Want to bag a deal on a new, er... bag? Amazon Prime Day has huge savings on luggage, including up to 52 per cent off Samsonite’s suitcases, backpacks and other travel essentials. Its Hi-Fi Spinner luggage has gone from $525 to just $259, while the Samsonite Guardit 2.0 Backpack simjust $152.95 (down from $259).
Shop all suitcases deals here.
- Save up to 52 per cent off Samsonite luggages, backpacks and more
- Up to 44 per cent on Samsonite suitcases
- 51 per cent off Samsonite Hi-Fi Spinner, $259 (down from $525)
- 44 per cent off Samsonite Oc2lite Suitcase, $189.05 (down from $335)
- 43 per cent off Samsonite Proxis Suitcase, $369.93 (down from $649.93)
- $136 off Samsonite Oc2lite Suitcase - Navy Blue, $199 (down from $355)
- $266 off Samsonite Hi-Fi Spinner - Sky Blue, $259 (down from $525)
- $116.05 off Samsonite Guardit 2.0 Backpack, $152.95 (down from $259)
- $85 off Samsonite Leviathan Backpack, $113.05 (down from $199)
- 40 per cent off American Tourister Light Max Suitcase, $144 (down from $240)
- $171.57 off American Tourister Curio 2 Suitcase, Fresh Pink - 80cm, $227.43 (down from $399)
- $131 off American Tourister Applite 4Eco Suitcase - Black/Mustard, $129 (down from $260)
- $197.75 off American Tourister Rollio Suitcase, Coral/Blue - 75cm, $261.25 (down from $459)
- $129.47 off American Tourister Urban Track Duffle, Dark Khaki - Medium, $169.53 (down from $299)
- 20 per cent off NINETYGO Carry on Luggage, Hardshell Spinner Suitcase, $151.99 (down from $189.99)
- 33 per cent off SHOWKOO Luggage Sets 3 Piece, $194.99 (down from $289.99)
- 20 per cent off COOLIFE Suitcase, Travel Bag and Toiletry bag, $159.98 (down from $199.99)
- $74 off INIU 140W Power Bank, $95.99 (down from $169.99)
- $49.96 off Anker Magnetic Battery, 10,000mAh Foldable Wireless Portable Charger with Stand, $79.99 (down from $129.95)
- 33 per cent off Bagail Compression Travel Packing Cubes (4-pack), $29.59 (down from $439.99)
- 30 per cent off VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank 10000mAh, 22.5W USB C Compact Portable Charger, $20.98 (down from $29.99)
- 25 per cent off VEEKTOMX Power Bank with Built in Cables 20000mAh Portable Charger with 5 Outputs & 2 Inputs (for iPhone/iPad/Samsung Galaxy and Travel), $37.49 (down from $49.99)
If your current carry-on luggage is looking a little worse for wear, or you just want an option that will work harder for you, we’ve created the perfect guide for you.
Whether you’re looking for hard, soft, affordable, functional, spinner or backpack carry-on options, here’s a list of the best on the market right now. We also put to the test one of Samsonite’s carry-on suitcases that comes with a seriously handy feature and Maison de Sabre’s duffle bag that we have dubbed the “perfect travel companion”.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST CARRY ON SUITCASE OVERALL
Samsonite Centric Expandable Hardside Carry On Luggage, $253.74 at Amazon Australia
Samsonite Centric Expandable Hardside Carry On Luggage
What You Need To Know
The carry-on suitcase is of appropriate size and weight, offering a scratch-resistant polycarbonate surface. It also promises to be easy to manoeuvre – which is always handy when you’re running through an airport – thanks to the four multi-directional oversized spinner wheels.
In terms of packing capability, this Samsonite offers a full-zip interior divider and cross straps to help you pack and keep your items inside separated – plus there’s an expansion side which allows you to fit even more inside.
Happy customers have said it’s “good value, looks good and is very manoeuverable” and it’s the “perfect product for a weekend away”.
BEST AFFORDABLE CARRY ON SUITCASE
Coowoz Large Travel Backpack, from $123.57 at Amazon Australia
Coowoz Large Travel Backpack
What You Need To Know
While it technically isn’t a suitcase, we HAD to include this TikTok-approved backpack – which actually zips open like a suitcase so it counts!
Made from a waterproof polyester material, this highly durable backpack offers two adjustable padded shoulder straps for lightweight carrying and to relieve the pressure on your shoulders. It features three main pockets, one 14-inch laptop compartment and multiple inner and side pockets for any extra bits and bobs.
It has a shoe compartment as well as a wet bag pocket that is specifically for keeping wet clothes and towels separated from your dry items.
Boasting a 4.6 rating with over 7000 five-star ratings and 1000 reviews, many shoppers have said the backpack is the “ultimate travel companion”.
“Lots of handy compartments, especially the vented shoe bag inside. Fits all your electronics and personal items with great pockets for passports etc,” one five-star reviewer wrote.
Another said: “The spacious interior and multiple compartments allow me to organise my belongings efficiently, while the durable and waterproof material ensures that my items stay safe and dry, even in unpredictable weather conditions.”
Available in a variety of colours and larger sizes, this backpack is a total catch.
BEST INVESTMENT CARRY ON SUITCASE
Samsonite C-LITE Spinner 55cm, $699 at Strand
Tried and Tested by Hannah Paine, news.com.au checkout editor
When it comes to luggage there’s no doubt Samsonite’s C-LITE range is an investment. But after testing out the C-LITE Spinner 55cm* on a recent four day trip, I can safely say it’s the best suitcase I’ve owned.
While my holiday was a road trip, I can see how this suitcase is designed for plane travel — it’s incredibly lightweight to help you maximise your suitcase weight count (perfect for overpackers like me) and would fit easily into a plane overhead locker.
Inside the suitcase there’s the main section with a narrow pocket that was perfect for storing my earbuds and charging cables, while on the other side was a zippable section that became my dirty clothes storage as the trip wore on.
I would have liked it to have a dedicated compartment for my laptop, but I was still able to secure it safety under the luggage straps in the main compartment. It has rolling double wheels that whizzed easily over multiple surfaces, including gravel as well as a built-in TSA-approved combination lock.
But by far my favourite feature was the USB charging port that you can access through a hidden hole and power from a pouch that held your portable charger to the outside. The feature fixes the all too common problem of your devices running flat while in transit if you don’t have easy access to a power outlet (or an adaptor). While I would have preferred if it was a USB-C port for faster charging, it’s still an incredibly handy feature that I know I will be making good use of on my next overseas trip.
My suitcase is in black but they recently released a Chilli Red colourway that’s eye-catching enough that you’ll never lose your luggage in a crowd.
BEST LUXURY AFFORDABLE SUITCASE
Samsonite Oc2Lite 55cm Spinner Suitcase, $201 (down from $335) at THE ICONIC
Samsonite Oc2Lite 55cm Spinner Suitcase
What You Need To Know
This Samsonite Oc2Lite Spinner Suitcase is worth the splurge featuring a durable hard-case construction and four easy-to-manoeuvre spinner wheels. Packing won’t be an issue as there are plenty of internal zip compartments to help you fit everything you need. The suitcase also offers a handy expandable design, which allows you to increase your packing space.
BEST SPINNER CARRY ON
American Tourister Light Max Spinner 55cm EXP, $168 (down from $240) at THE ICONIC
American Tourister Light Max Spinner 55cm Expandable
What You Need To Know
This one from American Tourister is designed to have big packing space at a low weight thanks to its ultralight polypropolyene technology make and expandable midsection. It offers four 360 degree spinner double wheels for ease of movement and inner zip pockets for organisation.
BEST HARD CASE CARRY ON
July Carry On
What You Need To Know
The July Carry On features a hard-case shell is supported with aluminium bumpers to reduce shock and damage. For those that aren’t familiar, July is an Australian owned and designed brand that has risen in popularity recently, with reviewers dubbing theCarry On suitcase “chic, light, and compact” and “easy to manoeuvre and highly functional.”
The Carry On offers cool features like an ejectable battery to charge your phone and laptop, a hidden laundry bag, a multi-stop handle and a Y-strap compression system. Plus, you can even personalise the bag by adding your initials or name.
BEST SOFT CASE CARRY ON
AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack, $52.28 (down from $89.90) at Amazon Australia
AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack
What You Need To Know
This carry-on backpack has been hailed the “perfect bag,” as well as a “fantastic carry on” and a “good bag with plenty of room” by Australian reviewers.
The main compartment provides internal and external compression straps, mesh space and more. It also comes with an internal zippered laptop sleeve, making it perfect for work trips, and front pockets to easily access your travel documents mid-flight.
Worried about it hurting your shoulders and back? There’s padded shoulder straps to relieve pressure, plus multiple straps to keep the backpack secured to your body.
BEST DUFFLE CARRY ON
Maison de Sabre The Duffle Bag, $599 at Maison De Sabre
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Deputy Editor
The aptly named ‘The Duffle’ from Maison De Sabre combines the two things I’m looking for in a travel bag: style and practicality. Not only is the all-leather bag a gorgeous pecan brown colour with gold hardware (you can also grab an ultra luxe all black colourway which I was seriously considering), it’s clearly been made with a lot of thought about what a traveller needs in a carry-on bag.
There are six (six!) internal pockets of varying sizes including a dedicated padded laptop sleeve as well as two external pockets, the back one which can be unzipped to create a trolley sleeve so you can easily slide the bag over the handle of your suitcase. This is such a handy detail and when not in use, it works as a convenient outer pocket to stash anything you need to have easy access to.
I’ve used this bag on an interstate plane trip and a weekend getaway road trip and let me tell you, this bag holds a lot more than you think while still being within the size limits for a carry on and easily stowed away in the overhead compartment. With a 35 litre capacity, the bag is super roomy and I can confirm it fits all you need for about a week away: multiple outfits, jackets and shoes, a big skincare and makeup bag as well as all your tech. While The Duffle is an investment, it’s excellent quality and able to withstand all the manhandling that comes with travel and still look brand new. I know it will last me for many more trips to come.
HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag, $24.99 at Amazon Australia
HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag
What You Need To Know
Described by five-star reviewers as being a “great travel bag” that “holds more than you think it would”, the HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag is a great pick to add to your collection. The perfect carry-on size comes with a range of features, including a variety of different sized pockets, a separate wet pocket with waterproof lining for a wet towel or clothes and a separate laptop compartment.
BEST BACKPACK CARRY ON
Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack, $65.99 at Amazon Australia
Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack
What You Need To Know
With an overwhelming 4000 five-star reviews, it’s safe to say this is a popular choice when it comes to travel backpacks.
This one in particular offers a pocket for your laptop, three custom-made storage bags, multiple pockets and hidden shoulder straps.
You can also choose between a range of classic colours like black, grey and blue.
BEST FUNCTIONAL CARRY ON SUITCASE
Victorinox Spectra 2.0 Dual-Access Global Carry-On, $799 at Amazon Australia
Victorinox Spectra 2.0 Dual-Access Global Carry-On
What You Need To Know
Featuring an innovative quick access door where you can store your laptop and other essentials as well as a larger section at the back, this suitcase is perfect for those who like to stay organised.
While it is on the pricier end, one reviewer says “it’s strong and protects your belongings, it is practical with it’s many compartments, and it’s the perfect size for carry-on.”
Others also praise the separate compartment at the front for your laptop. Another five-star review notes: “Super light weight, the multiple compartments and dividers make it flexible; if I am going straight to an office, rather than via a hotel, I like being able to access computer, notepad etc from the front section without opening the main part of the case.”
BEST DURABLE CARRY ON SUITCASE
Antler Clifton Cabin Case, $299 at Antler
Antler Clifton Cabin Case
What You Need To Know
Made with a strong polycarbonate shell, this suitcase features four double-wheel spinners, TSA locks, telescopic handles and multiple internal compartments. While it is sturdy, it’s also very lightweight – which many shoppers have raved about.
“This suitcase is thoughtfully designed with useful compartments and pockets. It’s very lightweight but also sturdy,” one five-star reviewer wrote.
“Excellent carry on bag. It is light and well designed. A must have for carry on only travel or short trips away,” another wrote.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products we believe are worthy of including in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY SHOULD YOU USE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE?
Bringing carry-on luggage instead of checking-in a suitcase can make your flying experience a lot easier and more convenient. But of course, this will only apply to shorter trips where not as much luggage is required.
Choosing to bring carry-on luggage over a checked bag means you’ll save time at the airport as you won’t have to brave the check-in lines.
It also means you have direct access to all your essentials at all times – whether that be your passport, travel documents, medication or toiletries.
WHAT SIZE CARRY-ON IS ALLOWED IN AUSTRALIA?
Most Australian airlines follow the same rule of thumb when it comes to carry-on luggage.
You can take one bag (56cm x 36cm x 23cm), with a maximum weight of seven kilograms.
You also have the choice of taking two carry-on bags (48cm x 34cm x 23xm), or one bag and one soft garment bag.
Keep in mind that when flying overseas, carry-on bag limits aren’t always consistent so it’s best to look at your airline’s policy before packing.
WHAT CAN’T YOU PACK IN CARRY-ON LUGGAGE?
- Dangerous goods
- Weapons
- Sharp items
- Household flammable goods
If you’re interested to see more, or still have a few more questions, check out this detailed guide on what you cannot take on a plane in Australia.
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*Product provided for a 100 per cent independent, honest review
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