Needless to say I am a big fan of carry on luggage. Taking only carry on luggage with us on flights can saves both time and money, and it also ensures that we don’t end up traveling with more than what we really need.
We are often asked how we transport our luggage from place to place – it’s by keeping things simple and having good carry on luggage to make the job easy and to ensure that we maximize the amount of luggage that we can take onboard. This is made more difficult by having kids luggage too, but as they get older it can be done!
To help you do the same, this is our list of the top carry-on luggage 2018 has to offer.
This guide will help you to find the best carry-on bag 2018 has available whether you want to travel carry on only like us or just want the best carry on bag to compliment the rest of your luggage.
You may also be interested in reading our carry on only packing list for Europe or our Trunki review – which is the perfect carry on luggage solution for kids.
Contents
The best carry on luggage 2018
Best carry on luggage comparison chart
To make finding the perfect carry on luggage easier, compare some the best available options below. To sort the table you can click on any of the column headings.
| Name | Image | Weight (lbs) | Dimensions (H x W in inches) | Type | Price | Our Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsonite Silhouette Sphere |  |
8 | 21 x 15 | Case | $$ | 4.5 | |
| Kipling Seoul Large Backpack |  |
1.5 | 17 x 12 | Backpack | $ | 4.5 | |
| Delsey Luggage Helium Aero Carry-On Spinner Trolley |  |
9.5 | 25 x 15 | Case | $$ | 4.5 | |
| Samsonite Wheeled Underseater Large |  |
7 | 16 x 13 | Bag | $ | 4.0 | |
| Travelon 18 inch Wheeled Underseat Bag |  |
7 | 18 x 14 | Case | $ | 4.5 | |
| Travelpro Luggage Maxlite3 International Carry-On Spinner |  |
7 | 20 x 14 | Case | $$ | 4.5 | |
| Samsonite Luggage Inova HS Spinner 20 |  |
6.5 | 20 x 15 | Case | $$$ | 4.5 | |
| American Tourister Ilite Xtreme Spinner 21 |  |
9 | 21 x 14.5 | Case | $ | 4.5 | |
| Kelty Women's Redwing 40-Liter Backpack |  |
3 | 15 x 22 | Backpack | $ | 5.0 |
What to look for when buying top rated carry on luggage
There’s a few things to think about when looking for the best carry on luggage for your needs. Not all luggage is aimed at the same type of traveller. Here’s some of the main things to think about when considering which of 2018’s carry on luggage is right for you.
Weight
Of course travelling light makes things a lot easier. Some people forget that the same goes for the weight of their bag.
The reason a lightweight carry on bag is so important is due to the strict regulations many airlines have. Since many airlines only allow a weight of up to 15 lbs., it is a good idea to minimize how much of that weight is used up by your bag – especially when you consider how expensive it can be to check in luggage on some airlines. In this guide to carry on luggage reviews, I have only listed the best lightweight carry on luggage 2018 has to offer.
Under the seat or overhead?
Personally, I prefer the convenience of stowing my bag under the seat as it saves me from having to find room in the overhead bin, and it means I have everything with me. Having the option to do this scores big points in my lightweight carry on luggage reviews.
This is not always possible on longer flights where you need to grab every bit of extra leg room that you can get. There is also the possibility of having the entertainment hardware under your seat, making storage impossible.
Storing items under the seat can be restricted to ‘personal items’ although I have found that often a backpack stores quite easily under the seat of most airlines. Some cases have also been designed specially to fit under the seat, and many of the top rated carry on luggage 2018 allow for this.
Backpack vs case
There is a long standing rivalry between the two contenders – backpacks and cases. Backpacks offer the convenience of being carried whilst cases can be wheeled behind you and offer more storage. There are many options for carry on luggage, but the best carry on bags 2018 are definitely cases, but both offer advantages.
Both a backpack and case can be suitable for people in different circumstances. Backpacks are great as they give you more flexibility, they are soft and can be stored and taken almost anywhere. However, they are often limited by lower size and weight restrictions.
Cases, however, certainly wouldn’t be the most suitable option for a hike, but they usually carry a lot more than a backpack does and can save your back. If these things are important to you then a case may be ideal. Although cases feature more prominently below, you will find both backpacks and cases in my carry on luggage reviews.
If you know you want a backpack, you can also read our guide to the best carry on backpacks.
Best carry on luggage reviews
Travelpro Luggage Maxlite3 International Carry-On Spinner review
Starting off the list of 2018 best carry on luggage is the Travelpro Luggae Maxlite. It’s not by coincidence that I’ve listed this bag first. It really is a great, affordable carry on bag.
The bag itself is a soft case bag, with a large and roomy interior to fit everything you need. The bag is stable and as sturdy as it looks, as it includes protection around the case from harsh treatment. The bag is one of the smallest carry on luggage with wheels, and you will find four of them that operate well and glide smoothly.
I was impressed with how tall the handle is, as it makes the bag suitable for taller people, with a 42.5″ and 38″ height level.
Do note though that some international airlines may deem the bag too large due to the wheels.
This is an affordable bag, available in both blue and grey and easily on the list of best carry on luggage 2018.
Samsonite Silhouette Sphere 2 Softside 21 Inch Spinner review
A list of the best carry on luggage 2018 has to include a Samsonite bag, and the Samsonite Silhouette Sphere is one of my favourites. This bag is the standard carry on size for most airlines, although for some international airlines it may not be suitable, and note that the bag dimensions do not include wheels and front zips.
The great thing about this bag is how easy it is to move. The four wheels do not get stuck and so dragging it behind you is not a chore and it is one of the smoothest wheeled carry on luggages for 2018.
The nylon fabric of the bag is waterproof and, as with other Samsonite products, the bag is very well constructed. It is compact enough to stow away while still sure to fit everything.
See the latest prices and read more about the Samsonite Silhouette Sphere here.
Kipling Seoul Large Backpack With Laptop Protection review
The first backpack in the list of the 2018 best carry on luggage reviews is the Kipling Seoul. The great thing about this backpack is its protective laptop sleeve.
As the bag is a backpack, it is incredibly lightweight and definitely wont take up too much of that precious carry on space. If carry on luggage without wheels appeals to you (as it does to me) then this bag is perfect. The bag is very durable, while still fitting comfortably under your seat so everything can be with you.
This bag comes in a range of different patterns and designs, making it great option for kids carry on luggage. There are enough zips and pouches so that everything has a place.
Definitely one of my favourite backpacks that not only holds a lot but is a fashionable carry on option.
See the latest prices for the Kipling Seoul Large Backpack.
Delsey Luggage Helium Aero Carry-On Spinner Trolley review
The next best carry on bag for 2018 is the Delsey Luggage Helium Aero. It is a hard case bag with a lock that is TSA approved.
For its size, this bag is very lightweight at 9.5 lbs, especially considering all that it can hold. In reality this feels incredibly light considering the size of the bag.
For many people the convenience of carry on luggage with wheels make sense. This bag has four wheels for easy transporting around the airport.
The advantage of the hard case is having things stay in the same position in rough environments. There is a spot for everything and this also stops it from looking bulky. Although hard, the bag remains flexible when packed.
This case is suitable for most US domestic flights.
Samsonite Luggage Inova Spinner 20 review
A list of the best international carry on luggage is not complete without the Samsonite Inova. I can honestly say I love this bag.
Firstly, appearance wise the bag scores top points. This is a very sleek and stylish bag, but what I love about it is just how strong it is. The bag feels incredibly tough, as if it can withhold anything. Because of this, you will be surprised by just how much you can squeeze in, especially considering how small it is. The bag can be packed on both sides and making it more accessible when it is under your seat.
This bag has the extras that you would expect in the top carry on luggage including a TSA approved 3 digit lock and 4 swiveling wheels.
This is my favorite bag, and one of the best rated carry on luggage.
Read more about the Samsonite Luggage Inova HS Spinner 20 and see the latest prices.
Want to read more luggage options? Check out our guide to the best luggage, best lightweight luggage and our guide to the best travel backpacks including many more carry on backpack options. You can also read our Trunki review – a cool kids ride on suitcase and our Europe packing list.
What’s your favourite carry on luggage option?
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