Luggage · Buying Guide

Best Carry-On Luggage of 2026: Picks Compared Side by Side

The six carry-on suitcases here are all hardside, and they are compared on shell material, lock, wheels, capacity, listed dimensions and weight.

By Bikram Nath, Founder and CuratorUpdated 2026-10-236 compared

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, KeenSift earns from qualifying purchases. Our links never affect our picks or the price you pay.

The short answer

Of the six carry-on suitcases in this guide, our top pick is the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Spinner 78255-1596, Navy: a polycarbonate shell, a built-in TSA-approved combination lock and a 10-year warranty, as listed on Amazon.com on 23 October 2026.

At a glance

Best Overall#1: Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Spinner 78255-1596, NavySee review
Top-opening lid#2: MILADA 20 Inch Top Opening Expandable Carry-On KD9631See review
Expansion stated in liters#3: LIGHT FLIGHT 20 Inch Carry On Luggage 22x14x9, Royal BlueSee review

Compare all 6 picks

The six carry-on suitcases here are all hardside, and they are compared on shell material, lock, wheels, capacity, listed dimensions and weight. Four have a polycarbonate shell and two an ABS shell, and one, the UKEIN, comes as a three-piece set with a travel backpack and a toiletry bag. All six were listed on Amazon.com as in stock when we read the listings on 23 October 2026 (delivery to a New York ZIP code), and every weight, dimension, capacity and wheel count below is taken from the product's own listing.

Ranked, best first

Our Top Picks

SamsoniteBest Overall

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Spinner 78255-1596, Navy

View on Amazon

The one to start with. It pairs a polycarbonate shell and a TSA-approved lock with a 10-year warranty, and at 6.5 pounds it is the lightest of the listings that give a weight.

Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)
Wheels: 4 spinner wheels
Lock: Built-in TSA-approved combination lock
Capacity: 34 liters (storage volume)
Dimensions: 23in x 15.3in x 9.8in (with wheels) (bullet); 21.25"L x 15.25"W x 21.25"H (table)
Interior: 20.5" x 14.5" x 9.8"
Weight: 6.5 pounds
Warranty: 10-year

What we like

Samsonite's listing states a 10-year warranty
Built-in TSA-approved combination lock, with a built-in ID tag listed among its features
6.5 pounds, the lowest weight among the five listings here that give one

Worth noting

The specification table gives its water resistance level as "Not Water Resistant"
The title says expandable, but the listing gives no figure for how much it expands

MILADATop-opening lid

MILADA 20 Inch Top Opening Expandable Carry-On KD9631

View on Amazon

The pick if you want to pack or grab items without laying the case flat. Its top lid stays open at a fixed angle.

Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)
Wheels: 8 spinner wheels
Lock: Built-in TSA-approved lock
Capacity: 35 liters
Dimensions: 14.76"L x 10"W x 21.85"H
Expansion: Adds 2 inches (up to 25% more space)

What we like

The listing says its "Stay-Open Lid" locks at a fixed angle for one-handed packing, with no need to lay the case flat
Inside: a deep main compartment, X-shaped compression straps, a clear mesh pocket and a water-resistant pocket for toiletries
An exterior double-hook design for hanging bags or coats, and double-layer zippers

Worth noting

No weight is given in the features or specifications we read
The listing does not state a warranty term

LIGHT FLIGHTExpansion stated in liters

LIGHT FLIGHT 20 Inch Carry On Luggage 22x14x9, Royal Blue

View on Amazon

Buy this if you want to know exactly how much the expansion adds: the listing gives 33L closed and 41L expanded.

Shell material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Wheels: 8 spinner wheels (table)
Lock: Combination lock
Capacity: 33L, expanding to 41L
Dimensions: 22" x 15.16" x 9.65" (bullet); 21.65"L x 9.57"W x 14.96"H (table)
Weight: 6.94 lbs (bullet); 6.9 pounds (table)
Handle: 3-stage telescopic

What we like

The listing says the expandable zipper takes capacity from 33L to 41L
Dual compartments with a buckle compression system
A 3-stage telescopic handle and 360° spinner wheels

Worth noting

The table lists a combination lock; the listing does not mention TSA
The title says 22x14x9, but the bullet gives 22" x 15.16" x 9.65", so check the width against your airline's limit

Amazon BasicsDivider and three pockets

Amazon Basics 21" Hardside Carry-On Luggage LN20164-20, Black

View on Amazon

A plain ABS carry-on with a divider and three zippered pockets, which the listing describes as best for 1-5 day trips. Choose another if you want a built-in lock.

Shell material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Wheels: 4 spinner wheels
Lock: No lock (table)
Capacity: 32 liters (Capacity row); 34 liters (Storage Volume row)
Dimensions: 14.8 x 10 x 21.7 inches including wheels (bullet); 13.6"L x 9.5"W x 20.9"H (table)
Weight: 7.7 pounds
Expansion: Up to 25%
Size label: 21" in the title; Style Name "20-inch" in the table

What we like

An interior divider and three zippered pockets
Expands for up to 25% more packing space, per the listing
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com when we checked

Worth noting

The specification table gives the lock type as "No lock"
7.7 pounds, the heaviest of the single suitcases whose listings give a weight

MGBLargest listed capacity

MGB Carry On Luggage Hardside PC 20 Inch YMMGBM25PC

View on Amazon

The one that lists the most space, 56 liters, at 6.6 pounds, though 56 liters is about the volume of a box of its listed outer dimensions (14.2"L x 11.4"W x 21.2"H). Check its 11.4"W figure against your airline's limit before ordering.

Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)
Wheels: 4 double spinner wheels
Lock: Built-in 3-dial TSA-approved combination lock
Capacity: 56 liters
Dimensions: 14.2"L x 11.4"W x 21.2"H
Weight: 6.6 pounds
Warranty: 3-year, against manufacturing defects

What we like

56 liters, the largest capacity stated in this guide
A 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects, per the listing
Built-in 3-dial TSA-approved combination lock

Worth noting

The listing does not mention an expandable section
The interior is described as one compartment with tie-down straps; the listing does not mention a divider

UKEINThree-piece set

UKEIN 3-Piece Luggage Set, 20in Carry On with Backpack 2304

View on Amazon

The pick if you also want a matching backpack and toiletry bag. The suitcase itself has a polycarbonate shell, 8 spinner wheels and a TSA lock.

Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)
Wheels: 8 spinner wheels
Lock: Built-in TSA lock
Capacity: 40 liters (Capacity row); 38 liters (Storage Volume row)
Dimensions: 22"L x 14"W x 9"H
Weight: 10.6 pounds (table)
Included: 20 inch carry on luggage, 18 inch travel backpack, toiletry bag

What we like

Comes with an 18 inch travel backpack, which the listing says has a back sleeve that attaches to the luggage handle, and a toiletry bag
Interior zippered divider panels, cross straps, mesh bags and a dry&wet separation bag
The listing includes steps to reset the TSA lock from its preset 0-0-0 combination

Worth noting

The table gives an item weight of 10.6 pounds and does not say whether that is the suitcase alone or the set
The listing does not mention an expandable section

Compare All 6 Picks

Side by side — tap any name to jump to the full review.

Ranked best firstTap a column to sort · scroll for more

					Award
1	SamsoniteSamsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Spinner 78255-1596, Navy View on Amazon	Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)	Wheels: 4 spinner wheels	Lock: Built-in TSA-approved combination lock	Best Overall
2	MILADAMILADA 20 Inch Top Opening Expandable Carry-On KD9631 View on Amazon	Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)	Wheels: 8 spinner wheels	Lock: Built-in TSA-approved lock	Top-opening lid
3	LIGHT FLIGHTLIGHT FLIGHT 20 Inch Carry On Luggage 22x14x9, Royal Blue View on Amazon	Shell material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)	Wheels: 8 spinner wheels (table)	Lock: Combination lock	Expansion stated in liters
4	Amazon BasicsAmazon Basics 21" Hardside Carry-On Luggage LN20164-20, Black View on Amazon	Shell material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)	Wheels: 4 spinner wheels	Lock: No lock (table)	Divider and three pockets
5	MGBMGB Carry On Luggage Hardside PC 20 Inch YMMGBM25PC View on Amazon	Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)	Wheels: 4 double spinner wheels	Lock: Built-in 3-dial TSA-approved combination lock	Largest listed capacity
6	UKEINUKEIN 3-Piece Luggage Set, 20in Carry On with Backpack 2304 View on Amazon	Shell material: Polycarbonate (PC)	Wheels: 8 spinner wheels	Lock: Built-in TSA lock	Three-piece set

Best for specific needs

Best carry-on luggage for every buyer

Best all-rounder

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Spinner 78255-1596, Navy

Polycarbonate shell, TSA-approved lock and a 10-year warranty at 6.5 pounds.

Top-opening lid

MILADA 20 Inch Top Opening Expandable Carry-On KD9631

A lid that stays open at a fixed angle for one-handed packing.

Expansion stated in liters

LIGHT FLIGHT 20 Inch Carry On Luggage 22x14x9, Royal Blue

Expands from 33L to 41L, per the listing.

Divider and three pockets

Amazon Basics 21" Hardside Carry-On Luggage LN20164-20, Black

An interior divider and three zippered pockets.

Largest listed capacity

MGB Carry On Luggage Hardside PC 20 Inch YMMGBM25PC

56 liters, the largest capacity stated here.

Three-piece set

UKEIN 3-Piece Luggage Set, 20in Carry On with Backpack 2304

Comes with an 18 inch travel backpack and a toiletry bag.

How we picked

How to Choose the Best carry-on luggage

Decide whether you want a lock built in. The Amazon Basics listing gives its lock type as "No lock". The Samsonite Freeform, MILADA, MGB and UKEIN listings describe a TSA lock. The LIGHT FLIGHT table lists a combination lock, and its listing does not mention TSA.
Check the shell material. The Samsonite Freeform, MILADA, MGB and UKEIN listings give polycarbonate (PC). The Amazon Basics and LIGHT FLIGHT listings give ABS.
See how much each one expands. LIGHT FLIGHT says its expandable zipper takes capacity from 33L to 41L. MILADA says its expansion adds 2 inches (up to 25% more space), and Amazon Basics says up to 25%. The Samsonite title says expandable but gives no figure, and the MGB and UKEIN listings do not mention expansion.
Measure against your airline's limit, and note how each listing measures. Samsonite's bullet gives 23in x 15.3in x 9.8in with wheels (its table row, 21.25"L x 15.25"W x 21.25"H, does not match), and Amazon Basics 14.8 x 10 x 21.7 inches including wheels. The LIGHT FLIGHT title says 22x14x9, but its bullet gives 22" x 15.16" x 9.65".
Compare weights where they are given. Of the five listings that give a weight, the Samsonite Freeform is listed at 6.5 pounds, the MGB at 6.6 pounds, the LIGHT FLIGHT at 6.9 pounds in its table and the Amazon Basics at 7.7 pounds. The UKEIN table gives 10.6 pounds and does not say whether that is the suitcase alone or the set. The MILADA listing gives no weight.

Editor's Note — how we research

Three things separate these suitcases. The first is the lock: four listings describe a TSA lock, the LIGHT FLIGHT lists a combination lock and the Amazon Basics lists none. The second is what is stated about space: the MGB lists 56 liters, the LIGHT FLIGHT gives 33L expanding to 41L, while the Amazon Basics and UKEIN tables each give two different capacity figures. The third is the extras: the MILADA's top-opening lid, the UKEIN's backpack and toiletry bag, and the 10-year warranty on the Samsonite Freeform. Listings were read on 23 October 2026 and can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these carry-on suitcases hardside?

Yes. All six listings give a hard shell. The Samsonite Freeform, MILADA, MGB and UKEIN listings give polycarbonate (PC), and the Amazon Basics and LIGHT FLIGHT listings give ABS.

Which carry-on suitcases here have a TSA lock?

The Samsonite Freeform, MILADA, MGB and UKEIN listings describe a TSA lock. The LIGHT FLIGHT table lists a combination lock without mentioning TSA, and the Amazon Basics table gives its lock type as "No lock".

Which carry-on suitcase holds the most?

The MGB lists 56 liters, the largest capacity stated in this guide. The LIGHT FLIGHT expands from 33L to 41L, per its listing, and the UKEIN table gives 40 liters in one row and 38 liters in another.

Will these suitcases fit in an overhead bin?

Samsonite's listing says the Freeform meets the cabin size restrictions of most airlines at 23in x 15.3in x 9.8in with wheels, and LIGHT FLIGHT's says its case meets the overhead compartment requirements of most airlines. The listings give different dimensions measured in different ways, so check each figure against your airline's own limit.

Where our specs come from

Sources

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, KeenSift earns from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.