The Best Lightweight Luggage for Travel in 2026

Travelpro is known worldwide for having some of the best quality lightweight luggage for over 25 years. The brand gained international recognition when its founder, a professional pilot, invented the world’s first upright rolling luggage.

Created for and most notably used by flight attendants and professionals, Travelpro is known for its constant innovation of soft-sided suitcases and intricate knowledge of the industry. They listen to the needs of professionals who are constantly traveling and adapt that knowledge to create luggage suitable for civilian use—which they’ve truly perfected with their Maxlite Luggage Collection.

Their Maxlite line has some of the lightest luggage (and most spacious) in the game, with unique features suited for frequent fliers. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 21’’ Expandable Carry-On Spinner has a high-tensile-strength expandable zipper that grants storage up to two additional inches

This bag is made with high-quality ballistic nylon and features a Duraguard coating that allows the luggage to remain water- and stain -resistant. High-quality spinner wheels grant you better maneuverability and easier control regardless of the terrain you’re conquering.

It has a full-length interior lid pocket, several side zippered pockets and adjustable hold-down straps to keep your things organized. The Maxlite Pro series comes in a variety of colors and offers matching checked suitcases for those who are traveling long distances.

Travelpro offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty for luggage under the Maxlite 5 collection. The warranty covers defective carrying and extension handles, zippers, and spinner wheels. If you register your suitcase within 120 days, you’re eligible for a first-year warranty upgrade under Travelpro’s Trusted Companion Promise.

A favorite among budget-conscious travelers, Amazon Basics’ 21-Inch Hardside Spinner offers a ton of value at a lower price point.

Let’s be honest, Amazon is one of the first places any budget shopper looks for the best affordable suitcases, and although sometimes the products aren’t as high-quality as other top-rated luggage brands, I will say their Softside bag is a winner in the travel community.

The AmazonBasics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner is lighter than most hard-shell luggage and can squeeze into some spaces that hard shells can’t, much like a duffel bag.

This luggage has four double spinner wheels and a double “tire” construction that offer a streamlined, buttery ride on the go. Plus, these multi-directional wheels also reduce the amount of strain on your shoulders and arms, so you can bid those painful trips to the airport goodbye.

This carry-on is highly expandable and can stretch up to 25 percent, giving you the extra storage space you need, and more. It also features a large exterior pocket that can easily house bigger items like a laptop or other items you may need quick access to. Inside, the luggage contains a 150D-polyester interior organizer with three zippered pockets that aid in storing smaller items.

When packed, this bag does tend to topple, so it’s best to load their heavier items at the bottom when packing to prevent this. It also comes with a basic telescopic handle, which does not offer any adjustability other than the preset height. This means that you will need to be careful before purchasing to make sure it’s the right height for you.

At just 3.9 lbs, July’s Carry-On Light prides itself on being the lightest double-wheel suitcase on the market. This is definitely one of my favorite carry-on luggage options, as it hits all of my preference boxes: it’s super lightweight, has smooth 360-degree double spinner wheels, 32L of packing capacity, and a stylish exterior.

All of the materials used to craft this luggage—the German polycarbonate shell, YKK Zippers, water-resistant and stain-proof nylon lining, PVC hinges and trimmings, and wheels—are vegan-friendly and extremely high-quality. you may expect the materials to be flimsier, but they really do pass the durability test.

Quality wheels are a non-negotiable for me when searching for reliable carry-on luggage. Wheels typically weigh down luggage, so when I heard that July claimed to have the lightest double-wheel suitcase, I was interested to learn more.

July luggage has SilentMove Series 2 double spinner wheels that are covered under their extensive lifetime warranty. They glide seamlessly, prevent loud rolling noise, and weigh next to nothing—a rarity for double spinner wheels.

Overall, this is the lightest carry-on luggage you’ll find that doesn’t compromise on packing space, durability, or style. Plus, it’s a pretty solid companion for weekend getaways.

Our gear testers have carefully reviewed Monos luggage, and we confidently recommend it for international travel. The set offers a practical carry-on for quick access to essentials, along with lightweight checked luggage that provides ample space for bulkier items.

The bags in this set offer a sleek, simple design that carries over to each of their different sizes. They have several carry-ons and checked bags that you can mix and match to create the perfect lightweight luggage sets.

Offered in 10 beautiful colors, everyone can find a monochrome or mix-and-match set that fits their aesthetic. Both bags also have four double spinner wheels that are super lightweight.

The Monos Carry-On Pro is outfitted with a hard-side front zipper pocket that can fit a 15” laptop—something I’m always having to squeeze in my backpack at the last minute! I love this feature because I often use my laptop to work while waiting in the airport or on a flight.

The unbreakable polycarbonate shell, telescopic handle, built-in TSA lock, and quiet, sturdy wheels compare to most of the other major lightweight luggage brands in the market today. These features seem to be new must-haves for travelers!

Their Check-In Medium bag is the perfect partner to bring along on your adventures. Not only do they match their smaller bags perfectly, but you can even nest the Carry-Ons inside the Check-In bags for easy, compact storage. 

With all the same great features as the Carry-On, minus the front zip pocket, this piece is the perfect checked luggage for those longer trips where you need a bit more packing space. Pairing these two bags makes one of the best lightweight suitcase sets on the market! The main consideration with this set is its price, as Monos isn’t the most affordable option. If you’re on a budget, here’s a selection of our all-time favorite budget-friendly luggage sets.

Away is an extremely popular up-and-coming luggage brand. The Carry-On is Away’s best-selling model, following minimalist and clean design cues with smart features and thoughtful organization

Made with 100% polycarbonate, it’s no wonder that The Carry-On is extremely strong, flexible, yet lightweight––qualities that have become the gold standard for all hard-side luggage to achieve.

What stood out the most in our review of Away luggage is their exceptional lifetime warranty that covers any damage sustained to the shell, spinner wheels, handles, zippers, tie down straps, and many other functional elements of the luggage.

I actually had a cross-country move to NYC last summer, and when I shipped one of my Away bags in the mail, the shell ended up cracking (thanks, FedEx). I emailed Awa,y and they replaced my bag with a brand new one in just a few days! That experience really showed how dependable Away’s warranty is, and it definitely made me trust the brand even more.

The luggage features a fully lined interior with a robust design that keeps your things organized without overcomplicating matters or clogging up valuable space. The main compartment contains a deep pocket covered by a full-zip divider, which makes it good for bulkier items; the other side contains a detachable, buckle-down compression system that wrings out every last space in the 39.8 L bag.

It also comes with a larger zip pocket that’s fitted with extra padding, making it the perfect space for your delicate electronics. The bag is even equipped with a TSA-approved combination lock (I use this every time I travel to ensure my belongings are safe)!

This carry-on bag also comes with YKK zippers and four double Hinomoto spinner wheels, giving a luxurious finish to the luggage. This allows it to glide effortlessly on smooth pavements, rocky roads, hardwood, and grass!

It is also available in a battery model, which includes a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion TSA-approved battery to charge your devices on the go. You will no longer be tied down to charging ports and sitting on the floor, as you can always have easy access to power.

The Calpak Ambeur line offers quality hard-sided luggage at a stellar value. The best-selling Ambeur Carry-On Luggage is a sleek and modern-looking hard-side suitcase that makes it a dream to bring along at the airport.

Fitted with an adjustable telescopic handle, the luggage is easily tailored to your ideal height, so that you’re able to move around with ease. The luggage’s interior has several compartments that enable you to pack things on both sides of the carry-on. The well-made elastic cross straps and zippered pockets allow for a comfortable and efficient packing process in the main compartment.

This is one of the lightest suitcases out there, and it even features expandable storage up to two inches, which comes in handy when you want to cram in last-minute souvenirs without any worry. Lastly, the bag contains a removable mesh accessory pocket which enables you to access all your belongings easily.

With hard-side luggage, it’s important to ensure it will fit in any overhead compartment, and the Ambeur Carry-On fits the bill, even with the extra 2 inches of expandable storage.

Though a small selection, the colors the Ambeur line does come in are gorgeous! It is protected against scratches and fades, thanks to its durable polycarbonate hard sides, so the color will last.

This also means you don’t have to worry about scratching up your carry-on when stuffing it in the overhead bins with other luggage! It also has a limited warranty of one to two years which only covers defects in workmanship and material.

Briggs & Riley began in New York, the travel mecca of the U.S., with the promise of revolutionizing the luggage market.

Their Torq Collection of hard-side luggage is the ultimate powerhouse, with a scratch-proof case and a versatile handle system made with aircraft-grade aluminum. The bag is made from three strong layers of top-quality Makrolon polycarbonate, the toughest thermo-plastic in the world.

Inside, there are compartments and accessory pockets to make organization simple. The main compartment holder contains enough for a week-long trip, a zippered mesh pocket to keep excess garments, and an additional folder to keep your business suits wrinkle-free.

The luggage also features a host of exterior zippered pockets for easy access to your important items like passports and laptops. These pockets are fitted with popular YKK zippers, which are known to be one of the strongest and most expensive zippers for high-end luxury.

Do note that if any of the zipper heads for Briggs & Riley bags break, you can replace them easily by using a pen to remove them from the zip, and claiming warranty under Briggs & Riley’s insurance. Briggs & Riley’s ‘Simple as that’ lifetime warranty covers everything from workmanship defects to airline damage.

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 product line is fantastic for lightweight performance and bang for your buck. That's why this is the second Maxlite 5 product to make this list.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Rolling Underseat Bag is a budget-friendly and durable competitor to other small bags on the market.

The best part about this underseat bag is that it’s the perfect width to fit in between the narrow aisles of airlines, under the seat, and other tight spaces. It stands at 17.5” x 14.5” x 8.5” inches and weighs 5.5 pounds.

Made entirely out of post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and recycled fabrics, the Eco Advance’s ripstop fabric and reinforced stitching give it a ton of durability. The bag comes with wheels that are specifically designed to reduce frictional resistance, giving it a light, airy feel.

It also comes fitted with a retractable handle that provides easy maneuverability for all users. Once the handle is fully extended, it locks into place and doesn't flop around.

Its interior is spacious and compartmentalized, allowing you to sort your electronics and other items neatly. There's even a padded laptop compartment that's easily accessible for pulling out your device for security.

Ultimately, this is a small, simple roller for ultra-lightweight travelers or anyone who needs a bit of extra space in addition to their main suitcase.

The Lipault Plume Cabin Spinner is designed and colored with the Parisian runways in mind, aiming to give that chic and effortless look. This carry-on luggage keeps things stylish with its nylon twill exterior, which gives it an air of soft modern luxury.

This PVC reinforced nylon material gives this carry-on a robust and waterproof exterior, allowing it to withstand rough handling and weather wherever you are. It also comes with soft padded handles to allow for a comfortable experience.

The silky-smooth performance of its premium 360-degree spinner wheels makes it a robust option for spinner luggage.

It also does not tip over easily thanks to the weight distribution design. Lastly, it comes in many different colors for those who like a slight personal touch to their bags (guilty).

The Lipault Plume Cabin Spinner’s biggest downside is its packing space and organization. The main compartment does not have as much space as would be expected for its size, and the compression straps are not the best for squeezing things down and holding them in place. This carry-on also does not have many pockets or dividers, which can make packing a little less organized.

Additionally, the interior pockets on the side and front are often found to be too thin to fit a lot of items inside, even laptops. This makes the Lipault Plume Cabin Spinner an option that is most practical only for light packers or a short getaway.

The Tumi Tegra Lite International Carry-On, is constructed out of Tegris, a woven composite material that Tumi developed specifically for durable, lightweight luggage.

The inside has a spacious main compartment with a divided area and plenty of pockets, making it easy to pack and sort your items. To further help with packing, the Tumi Latitude also comes with a hanger bracket as well as mesh tie-down straps to keep things compact.

The Latitude International is pricier than most carry-on options that can offer the same features, but if you are looking for luxury, they definitely deliver.

Tumi is also renowned for its customer service, offering repairs at its dealers and luggage tracking anywhere in the world. Every Tumi luggage features a metal plate engraved with a 20-digit ID number used to track the bag. This means that even if you happen to lose your luggage, you’re still able to track it with the one-of-a-kind Tumi Tracer program.

In a nutshell, Tumi is the epitome of you-get-what-you-pay-for luggage!