With airlines continually increasing checked luggage fees, investing in a quality carry-on travel bag makes more sense than ever. Whether you’re a business traveler, deal seeker, on-the-move wanderer, or fashionable traveler, there’s a carry-on suitcase to fit your needs.

Below we’ve rounded up the best 2018 carry-on luggage pieces to make your airport and travel experiences simple and stress-free.

Best Carry-On Luggage for Budget Travelers

Delsey Cruise Lite Hardside

Delsey is a luggage brand known for style and innovation, and its new Cruise Lite Hardside carry-on is no exception. Beyond the attractive design are useful features like the built-in, TSA-approved lock, multi-directional spinner wheels, ergonomic trolley handle, and a large front pocket for secure laptop storage.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 22”

If you’re a no-frills kind of traveler looking for a straightforward, reliable suitcase, the durable and stain-resistant Maxlite 5 is for you. The piece expands two extra inches to allow more room for overpackers or souvenir collectors, while the trolley handle features two stop positions to accommodate different heights. This affordable suitcase also features inline wheels with two stoppers to prevent tipping while waiting to board your flight.

Best Carry-On Luggage for Business Travelers

Briggs & Riley Sympatico

Brand-new to the market, the Sympatico carry-on is an excellent all-around suitcase. The interior compartment comes with a mechanism which expands for 22 percent more packing space while compressing to keep belongings secure and in place. Perfect for those who need to travel domestically or internationally. It also features a suiter with hanger to keep business attire pressed and wrinkle-free. American-made with a lifetime warranty, the Sympatico is sure to satisfy.

Travelpro Platinum Elite 22”

Need to ensure you’ll have constant juice for your devices on the business trip ahead? Travelpro’s Platinum Elite smart luggage will put those worries to rest with its built-in USB port and power bank pocket. However, the power bank is not included so be sure to pair your bag purchase with a quality power bank selection. The interior compartment features a full suiter to keep business attire wrinkle-free while the exterior has several pockets for easy access to a laptop or important documents. It also includes accessory packing cubes and a removable TSA-compliant toiletries bag.

Best Carry-On Luggage for Frequent Travelers

Bric’s Capri 21” Carry-On with Pocket

As a frequent jetsetter, you know that travel comes with its fair share of issues. Knowing your bag can handle your wanderlust will give you peace of mind. Made of durable, lightweight temperature-resistant polycarbonate, the Capri is an excellent choice for someone who takes at least five trips per year, international or domestic. Choose between a lovely matte black finish or blue with leather accents.

Reaction Kenneth Cole Fifth Avenue Carry-On

The new Reaction Kenneth Cole carry-on marries a sleek design with ultimate practicality. The hard ABS exterior shell keeps belongings and souvenirs safe through hundreds of flights while its unique dented style disguises the inevitable wear and tear of countless expeditions. An easy lift into the overhead bin and a pleasure to maneuver due to its 8-wheel spinners and 360-degree rotation, the Fifth Avenue makes it tempting to skip the day use hotel room and explore with it until your overnight accommodation is ready.

Best Carry-On Luggage for Fashionable Travelers

Delsey Chatelet Hard+

Few carry-on pieces make it feel like you’re headed to Paris Fashion Week, but Delsey’s Chatelet Hard+ is one of them. On the inside, neatly organized compartments keep your wardrobe organized, and a built-in lock keeps your belongings safe. Complement your style standards with gorgeous chocolate or champagne color choices.

Radon A22

The Radon A22 speaks to the modern, fashion-forward traveler. The simple design wows with a polycarbonate shell and high-gloss finish. Two USB ports provide 7800 mAh of charging power and remove to comply with the Airline Smart Luggage Ban. If you’re the type to bring multiple outfit choices for every day of your trip, built-in weight sensors sync with the Radon app to keep you within airline weight restrictions. The app also keeps track of your bag’s location, monitors your battery bank power level and logs all the places you’ve been via a digital passport feature.

When you find the best carry-on luggage bag for your travel needs, browse day hotel rooms in your next destination.

Whether you need a place to nap, bridge a layover, work or freshen up, HotelsByDay exists to deliver convenient, memorable travel experiences.

Book a day room with HotelsByDay for whatever your travel needs are and enjoy late afternoon checkout.

Featured Photo: “At the Gdansk Airport” by Michał Parzuchowski via Unsplash

The following two tabs change content below.

Julia Thompson

Julia is a corporate Account Manager turned Travel Writer. She spent 3 years in San Francisco as a Sales Rep for a tech startup before leaving the country to travel for a year on her own. She now owns a travel blog and works as a freelance writer for various clients.

Latest posts by Julia Thompson (see all)