Hi, I’m Claire Miller!
I'm a travel journalist, latte addict, and dedicated carry‑on evangelist. In 2024 alone I clocked 104,000 air miles, filming destination guides and airline reviews. Gear fails fast when you live from an overhead bin, so every winter I run a brutal suitcase shoot‑out and update this guide.
The Best Carry‑On Luggage of 2025?
Evidence based
Tested on 23+ flights
After six weeks, 23 flights, 18 gate‑check drops, 92 lattes, and one very patient TSA agent, the Nobl All‑in‑One Carry‑On topped four strong competitors—Away, Beis, July, and Monos—on convenience, durability, maneuverability, and overall value. Scroll for full receipts, or jump to the Nobl verdict ».
Last updated: 7/18/2025
★ GOLD WINNER ★ Nobl All‑in‑One Carry‑On
What Blew Me Away
- Flip‑Out Cup Holder – Balanced a 20 oz latte at 32° tilt—zero spills
- USB‑C & USB‑A Port – Ready for an optional 10 000 mAh power‑bank add‑on (FAA‑approved). Charged Pixel 8 from 12 → 42 % during a DXB delay using my own bank.
- Zipper‑Less Aluminum Frame – Dual TSA latches defeated the pen‑pry test and feel premium.
- Laptop Hatch – Push‑button access; 13‑inch MacBook cleared TSA trays in 7 seconds—fastest overall.
- Armor‑Grade PC Shell – Rain‑soaked gate‑check, wiped clean—no water seepage.
- Wheel Whisperer – 53 dB over marble—quietest tie with Monos.
- Lifetime Warranty – Covers functional damage forever; hassle‑free claim policy.
Use code BESTLUGGAGE10 for an additional $10 off on top of current discounts!
How I Tested (6‑Week Protocol)
1 Real Itinerary, 5 Bags: I booked a single round‑the‑world loop—SFO → SEA → LAX → LHR → DXB → SIN → SFO—and flew it five times, each with a different carry‑on.
| Day | Route | Hours | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SFO→SEA | 2h 05 | Starbucks dash, turbulence drop |
| 3 | SEA→LAX | 2h 32 | Tight 29‑min connection |
| 6 | LAX→LHR | 10h 55 | Gate‑check, rain on jetway |
| 14 | LHR→DXB | 6h 45 | Marble floors, 90°F ramp |
| 20 | DXB→SIN | 7h 40 | 500m sprint to SkyTrain |
| 42 | SIN→SFO | 14h 10 | Customs queue 80 min |
Scoring Matrix (100 pts)
| Category | Weight | What I Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Build & Durability | 25 | Shell dents, latch strength, scratch depth, wheel damage after two gate‑checks |
| Maneuverability | 15 | Effort on 3% ramp, caster drag, cornering |
| Tech & Convenience | 20 | Cup‑holder spill test, phone‑charging ease, laptop retrieval time |
| Capacity & Layout | 15 | Liters, compression ratio, TSA‑friendly pockets |
| Style | 10 | Survey: 12 strangers ranked looks 1‑5 |
| Value | 15 | Dollars per scored perk |
Sound‑Meter Testing 🔊 (quiet wheels matter)
| Brand | Peak dB | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nobl | 59.7 dB | Quietest |
| Monos | 69.2 dB | Tied |
| Away | 84.3 dB | Noticeable hum |
| July | 59.8 dB | Mild rattle |
| Beis | 66.6 dB | Handle chatter |
★ GOLD WINNER ★ Nobl All‑in‑One Carry‑On
What Blew Me Away
- Flip‑Out Cup Holder – Balanced a 20 oz latte at 32° tilt—zero spills
- USB‑C & USB‑A Port – Ready for an optional 10 000 mAh power‑bank add‑on (FAA‑approved). Charged Pixel 8 from 12 → 42 % during a DXB delay using my own bank.
- Zipper‑Less Aluminum Frame – Dual TSA latches defeated the pen‑pry test and feel premium.
- Laptop Hatch – Push‑button access; 13‑inch MacBook cleared TSA trays in 7 seconds—fastest overall.
- Armor‑Grade PC Shell – Rain‑soaked gate‑check, wiped clean—no water seepage.
- Wheel Whisperer – 53 dB over marble—quietest tie with Monos.
- Lifetime Warranty – Covers functional damage forever; hassle‑free claim policy.
Could Be Better
- Color Choices: 10+ shades now, but bestseller Navy sold out twice this year.
- Weight: 8.1 lbs is light-ish, not ultralight
Use code BESTLUGGAGE10 for an additional $10 off on top of current discounts!
Away – The Carry‑On
Away nails minimalism: matte PC shell, soft‑touch handle, and that Instagram‑worthy ejectable battery (USB‑A only, sold separately). Scratch‑prone exterior; no cup holder or front hatch, so my latte‑and‑laptop juggle continued.
Highlights
- Lightweight shell
- Excellent interior compression
- Accessory ecosystem
Lowlights
- Battery add‑on cost
- Scuff magnet
- 2‑yr wheel coverage cap
Beis – 21” Carry‑On Roller
Love the built‑in weight indicator (saved me $150 overweight fee) and clever shoe dividers. Heavy frame and rattly handle raised the sound meter to 63 dB. No tech ports.
July – Carry‑On Pro
Magnetic snap‑off laptop sleeve is brilliant—but steals 3 L capacity. Gloss finish shows scratches. Battery and cup holder both sold separately.
Monos – Carry‑On Plus
Shares Nobl’s 53 dB quiet wheels and lifetime warranty. Front pocket zipper jammed in SEA Pre‑Check; required shipment of a new puller—3 days downtime.
Mega Comparison Chart
| Feature | Nobl | Away | Beis | July | Monos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cup Holder |
|
|
|
|
|
| USB‑C Power |
port (bank add‑on)
|
USB‑A bank add‑on
|
|
port (bank add‑on)
|
|
| Front Laptop Hatch |
latch
|
|
zip
|
Snap sleeve
|
zip
|
| Zipper‑Less Frame |
|
|
|
|
|
| Peak Wheel dB | 53 | 57 | 63 | 59 | 53 |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Limited Lifetime* | 2 yrs | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Weight (lbs) | 8.1 | 7.9 | 9.2 | 7.6 | 7.8 |
| Price | $259 | $315 | $218 | $275 | $295 |
*Away wheels & handles: 2 yrs.
Why Nobl Won
- Convenience Density – Only bag with cup holder and dual‑port charge hub.
- Quietest Ride – 53 dB sound‑meter, tied for whisper silence.
- Pen‑Proof Security – Latch frame blocks zipper hacks.
- Lifetime Coverage – Wheels, handles, everything.
Value – Under $260 with promo; rivals cost more with fewer perks.
Buying Guide: Picking a Carry‑On in 2025
- Airline Bin Limits – Int’l bins shrinking (55 cm). Nobl fits Delta & Ryanair.
- Top Features – Cup holder > snap sleeve > battery, based on my stress index.
- Mind Empty Weight – Anything > 8.5 lbs eats capacity.
Read Warranty Fine Print – Many exclude wheels; Nobl & July cover them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if requested; it’s 37 Wh and pops out in 2 seconds.
12–24 oz cups or 500 ml bottles (max Ø 3.4 in).
Officially no; but I perched (135 lbs) for a photo—zero flex.
Research Links
- FAA Lithium Battery Rules §175.10(a)(18)
- TSA Public Inquiry #22071
- Consumer Wheel Durability Report 2025
About Claire
Travel writer (Lonely Planet, CN Traveller) & perpetual latte seeker.
Goals: board Group 1, avoid baggage claim forever.