Best Luggage Brands (2026): 8 Brands Compared on Weight, Fit, Price and Warranty
Travelpro is the best luggage brand for most travelers in 2026, because it pairs a limited lifetime warranty with a 24-model carry-on range that starts at 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) and a median price of $237.99. The other seven brands below win on a narrower point: Away on returns, Monos on front-pocket design, Briggs & Riley on repair coverage, IT Luggage on price.
Disclosure: NewCarryOn may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Specs come from the NewCarryOn catalog and from each manufacturer's product page. Prices were checked on October 12, 2026 and change often.
Quick verdict
| Brand | Best for | Model we feature | Overall size (H × W × D) | Weight | Price at last check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelpro | Most travelers | Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner | 23.5 × 14.5 × 9 in | 7.8 lbs (3.5 kg) | $390 |
| Away | Returns and exchanges | The Carry-On (Series 3) | Not verified for Series 3 | Not verified | $328 |
| Monos | Front laptop pocket | Carry-On Pro | 22 × 14 × 9.8 in (catalog) | 7.8 lbs (3.54 kg) | $250.75 to $295 |
| Béis | Capacity | The Carry-On Roller | 22.83 × 15.7 × 10 in | 7.81 lbs (3.55 kg) | $268 |
| Briggs & Riley | Repairs and longevity | Sympatico Essential 22" Carry-On | 22 × 14 × 9 in (catalog) | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) | $695 |
| Level8 | Hardside value | Luminous Textured Carry-On 20" | 21.5 × 14.5 × 9.2 in | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | $169.99 |
| CALPAK | Fits 22 × 14 × 9 in | Hue Carry-On | 21 × 13.75 × 9 in | 7.6 lbs (3.4 kg) | $161.25 |
| IT Luggage | Lowest price | Continuous Hardside Carry-On | 22 × 15.6 × 9.8 in | Not published | $99.99 |
How we compared the brands
The NewCarryOn catalog holds 525 bags from 56 brands. For this ranking we used the 454 carry-on-height bags (19 to 23.5 in tall, not discontinued) that have a full set of dimensions and a weight on file. Three numbers decided the order: empty weight, whether the bag fits inside 22 × 14 × 9 in, and what the warranty actually promises.
The catalog median carry-on weighs 7 lbs (3.2 kg) and costs $239.99. Only 130 of the 454 bags fit inside 22 × 14 × 9 in on the catalog's measurements, which is why every pick below states its exact size rather than a vague "carry-on size". Dimensions include wheels and handles whenever the manufacturer says so, because the gate sizer measures the whole bag.
| Brand | Carry-ons in catalog | Median weight | Median price | Share that fit 22 × 14 × 9 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelpro | 24 | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | $237.99 | 6 of 24 |
| Away | 10 | 9.2 lbs (4.2 kg) | $325 | 2 of 10 |
| Monos | 9 | 8.59 lbs (3.9 kg) | $325 | 3 of 9 |
| Briggs & Riley | 14 | 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) | $679 | 8 of 14 |
| Level8 | 10 | 8.8 lbs (4 kg) | $239.99 | 0 of 10 |
| CALPAK | 9 | 7.6 lbs (3.4 kg) | $215 | 5 of 9 |
| IT Luggage | 30 | 6.28 lbs (2.85 kg) | $109.99 | 5 of 30 |
| Béis | 3 | 8.36 lbs (3.8 kg) | $248 | 2 of 3 |
Travelpro: best luggage brand for most travelers
Travelpro is the pick because the brand sells a wide range of verified sizes at a median price just below the catalog median, and it backs the range with a limited lifetime warranty. The 24 Travelpro carry-ons in the catalog run from 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) to 9 lbs (4.1 kg), so you can choose weight over features or the reverse.
Photo: Travelpro
The model we feature is the Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner. Travelpro publishes two sets of numbers: the case measures 21 × 14 × 9 in, and the overall size with wheels and carry handles is 23.5 × 14.5 × 9 in (59.7 × 36.8 × 22.9 cm). It weighs 7.8 lbs (3.5 kg) and holds 46 L.
The honest negative is height. At 23.5 in overall, the bag is 1.5 in taller than the 22 in height limit that United, Delta and American publish, and Travelpro itself notes that the bag fully expanded may not meet airline restrictions. The catalog recorded $365.49 for this model earlier; Travelpro lists $390 today.
For a closer look at the line, read the Travelpro Platinum Elite review or the Travelpro vs Briggs & Riley comparison.
Away: best for returns and exchanges
Away is the brand to buy from if you want to test a bag at home. The company states a limited lifetime warranty and free returns and exchanges for the first 100 days on unused items.
Photo: Away
The Carry-On (Series 3) costs $328 on Away's site. The catalog entry for the earlier generation of The Carry-On lists 21.7 × 14.4 × 9 in (55.1 × 36.6 × 22.9 cm) and 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) at $275. Away's size guide did not load in our check, so we cannot confirm the Series 3 numbers and we are not repeating them as fact.
The negative is the median. Away's 10 catalog carry-ons weigh 9.2 lbs (4.2 kg) at the median, because the line includes aluminum and Bigger Carry-On versions. See the Away carry-on review for the long version.
Monos: best front laptop pocket
Monos builds a hardside bag with a built-in front compartment that fits a 16 in laptop, and that single feature is why it earns a place. The Carry-On Pro uses a polycarbonate shell, a TSA-accepted lock, and a limited lifetime warranty.
Photo: Monos
Monos lists the weight at 7.80 lbs (3.54 kg) and the volume at 36 L. The catalog records the size as 22 × 14 × 9.8 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 24.9 cm). Colors are priced at $250.75 for Desert Taupe, Rose Quartz, Blue Haze and Sage Green, and $295 for Olive Green and Ocean Blue.
The negative is depth. At 9.8 in, the Carry-On Pro is 0.8 in deeper than a 22 × 14 × 9 in limit, and the pocket makes it heavier than the 5.1 to 5.4 lb Travelpro Maxlite 5 line. Read the full Monos carry-on review before you buy.
Béis: best for capacity
Béis lists the largest capacity of the bags we could verify, and it publishes its numbers openly. The Carry-On Roller holds 49 L, expanding to 61 L with the 2 in zipper gusset.
Photo: Béis
Béis lists the exterior at 22.83 × 15.7 × 10 in (58 × 40 × 25.4 cm) and the weight at 7.81 lbs (3.55 kg). The price is $268 and the bag carries a limited lifetime warranty. Note that the catalog still shows 8.36 lbs for this model, so the manufacturer figure is the one to trust.
The negative is size. The bag is 0.83 in taller, 1.7 in wider and 1 in deeper than 22 × 14 × 9 in, so it will fail a strict sizer before it fails anything else. The Béis carry-on review covers how it holds up in use.
Briggs & Riley: best for repairs and longevity
Briggs & Riley is the most expensive brand here that is still a rational purchase, because the company's "Simple as that" lifetime guarantee is the centerpiece of every product page. If you keep a bag for ten years or more, the guarantee matters more than the sticker price.
Photo: Briggs & Riley
The Sympatico Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner is a hardside bag that the catalog lists at 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) and 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg). Briggs & Riley prices it at $695.
The negative is the price-to-weight ratio. At $695 it costs 2.9 times the catalog median and weighs 1.6 lbs (0.7 kg) more than that median. Compare it head to head in the Tumi vs Briggs & Riley comparison.
Level8: best hardside value
Level8 sells a German-made Makrolon polycarbonate shell at $169.99, which is the lowest price in this list for a lifetime-warrantied hardside. The Luminous Textured Carry-On 20" is listed at 21.5 × 14.5 × 9.2 in including handle and wheels (54.6 × 36.8 × 23.4 cm), 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg), and 40 L.
Photo: Level8
Level8 says the lifetime warranty covers the shell, wheels, handles and zippers. The negative is fit: none of the 10 Level8 carry-ons in the catalog fit inside 22 × 14 × 9 in, and the 14.5 in width here is 0.5 in over. The Level8 Luminous review has the long-term notes.
CALPAK: best for fitting 22 × 14 × 9 in
CALPAK is the pick when exact fit matters more than features. The Hue Carry-On measures 21 × 13.75 × 9 in (53.3 × 34.9 × 22.9 cm), which clears all three limits of 22 × 14 × 9 in, with the depth sitting exactly at 9 in, and it weighs 7.6 lbs (3.4 kg).
Photo: CALPAK
CALPAK listed the Hue at $161.25 on its product page at last check; the catalog recorded $215.
The negative is coverage. The catalog records a 2-year warranty for CALPAK, the shortest of the eight brands here, so budget for the bag to be replaceable rather than repairable. Read the CALPAK Hue review for the in-use verdict.
IT Luggage: lowest price
IT Luggage is the cheapest way to get a hardside carry-on from an established brand. The Continuous Hardside Carry-On starts at $99.99, and the brand states a 10-year warranty on wheeled luggage.
Photo: IT Luggage
IT Luggage lists the external size, including handles and wheels, at 22 × 15.6 × 9.8 in plus 2.5 in of expansion (55.9 × 39.6 × 24.9 cm).
The negatives are real. Only 5 of the 30 IT Luggage carry-ons in the catalog fit 22 × 14 × 9 in, and the Trustpilot UK score is 3.4 out of 5 across 6,250 reviews.
The warranty also excludes mishandling, including handling by third parties, and reviewers report that airline damage is not covered. Our IT Luggage review breaks down each model.
Big names we track but did not feature
Samsonite, Tumi, Rimowa and American Tourister are all in the catalog with verified measurements, and their manufacturer pages did not load for our spec check on October 12, 2026. We left them out of the picks rather than quote numbers we could not confirm against the current product page.
The catalog data is still useful.
- Samsonite: 25 carry-ons, 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) median weight, $199 median price.
- Tumi: 38 carry-ons, 10.7 lbs (4.9 kg) median weight, $975 median price.
- Rimowa: 16 carry-ons, 9.2 lbs (4.2 kg) median weight, $1,425 median price.
- American Tourister: 15 carry-ons, 6.5 lbs (2.9 kg) median weight, $83.99 median price.
Head-to-head reading is on the site already: Samsonite vs Travelpro, Samsonite vs American Tourister, Rimowa vs Tumi, and the Tumi carry-on review.
How to choose a luggage brand
- Start with your strictest airline. Check the limit on the carry-on size by airline chart, then compare it to the overall size, not the case size.
- Pick a weight ceiling. A 7 lbs (3.2 kg) bag is the catalog median. Only 25 of 454 bags weigh under 5 lbs (2.3 kg).
- Read the warranty terms, not the headline. "Lifetime" means free repairs at Briggs & Riley, a limited warranty at Travelpro and Monos, and a 10-year term with exclusions at IT Luggage.
- Choose hardside or softside last. The hard shell vs soft shell guide covers the trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best luggage brand overall?
Travelpro is the best luggage brand for most travelers. It has 24 carry-ons in the NewCarryOn catalog, a $237.99 median price, a limited lifetime warranty, and sizes starting at 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg).
Which luggage brand lasts the longest?
Briggs & Riley is the brand built around longevity, because its "Simple as that" lifetime guarantee is central to the product line. It is also the most expensive brand in this list, at $695 for the featured model.
Which luggage brand is cheapest?
IT Luggage is the cheapest brand here, at $99.99 for the Continuous Hardside Carry-On and a $109.99 catalog median. Read the IT Luggage review for the durability and sizing caveats.
Is hardside or softside luggage better?
Neither is better outright. Hardside shells resist crushing and water, while softside bags flex into tight overhead bins and often weigh less. In the catalog, 286 of 454 carry-ons are hardside.
Do luggage dimensions include wheels?
They should, because airline sizers measure the whole bag. Travelpro publishes both the case size and the overall size with wheels and handles, and the overall size is the one to compare with your airline's limit.
Where to go next
Open the NewCarryOn luggage catalog and filter by your airline's limit to see which of the 525 bags fit before you pick a brand.
