We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Travel Accessories The 8 Best Carry-on Suitcases With a Separate Laptop Compartment, Tested and Reviewed Keep your laptop protected and easy to access when you use one of these carry-on suitcases. By Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove is a New York-based travel writer, photographer, and content creator who focuses on off-the-beaten-path outdoor adventures. Her work has been featured in Afar, Time magazine, TravelPulse, Popsugar, Travel + Leisure, Elite Daily, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 12, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOur Testing Process Tips For Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Traveling with a laptop gives you the freedom to get work done or enjoy entertainment on the go, but they can be tricky to safely store when flying. With so many varying restrictions on carry-on luggage sizing, bringing your laptop along on a trip can become a bit of a headache if you don’t have a solid spot to house it, particularly if it doesn’t fit within your one personal item bag. Cabin-friendly suitcases with a separate laptop compartment are the perfect solution, providing a designated space specifically designed to protect your computer. With so many choices for carry-on suitcases with laptop compartments on the market, we helped narrow down the options with a series of tests conducted in our New York City lab, including on an airplane set we designed as well as out in the real world. We tried out more than 150 carry-on suitcases and researched dozens of additional products. After packing each suitcase for a four-day trip, we maneuvered them through obstacle courses to test the agility of the wheels and sturdiness of the handles. We also dropped them off tables and hit them with baseball bats to test durability. All bags were evaluated based on their capacity, value, design, and durability, as well as the ease of maneuverability, comfort, and portability. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X at Carlfriedrik.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Style: Monos Carry-on Pro at Monos.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Budget: Coolife ABS+PC Spinner Trolley at Amazon ($100) Jump to Review Best Underseat: Travelpro x Travel + Leisure UnderSeat Tote at Travelpro.com ($245) Jump to Review Best Colors: Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-on Max at Arloskye.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best With Removable Sleeve: July Carry On Pro SnapSleeve at July.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Softside: Calpak Luka Carry-on at Calpaktravel.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Organization: Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner at Samsonite.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Overall Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X PHOTO: Carl Friedrik View on Carlfriedrik.com $565 at matchesfashion.com Our Ratings Maneuverability 5/5 Durability 4.8/5 Value 4.5/5 Capacity 5/5 Design 5/5 Why We Love It It comes with a compression pad to maximize the capacity and a hardside laptop sleeve. What to Consider It’s a few hundred dollars pricier than most of the other models we tested, but the luxe design and built-in organization is worth it. We love the high-quality materials and intuitive design of the Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X suitcase. Crafted from a polycarbonate shell with a sleek gunmetal gray finish and Italian leather details, this case is compliant with most airline restrictions and features a stylish, zipperless aesthetic. The aluminum locking mechanism for the main compartment keeps your belongings secure as well. This carry-on suitcase is ideal for the regular traveler who needs durability and functionality and prefers not to check a bag. We think the standout feature is that the hardside laptop compartment is located in a separate section at the front of the bag so it doesn’t eat into the real estate of the main compartment. No matter how fully packed the interior of the bag is, travelers will still be able to fit their laptop in the roomy front pocket. The flat pocket on the compression straps assist in maximizing this space and extra organization is possible with smaller zipped pockets. Thanks to a pocket with a USB cord inside, you can charge the computer from the exterior via a portable power bank, too. You can feel confident storing your electronics inside the hearty laptop compartment while wheeling this carry-on around and putting in the overhead compartment for your flight. The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | 21.7 x 15 x 10.6 inches (expanded) | 9.5 pounds Best Style Monos Carry-on Pro PHOTO: Monos View on Monos.com Our Ratings Capacity 4.8/5 Design 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Durability 4.8/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It rolls well over all types of surfaces and is lightweight, making it easy to lift overhead even when full. What to Consider It tends to scuff easily. We love the upgraded Monos Carry-on with this “Pro” version’s secure laptop storage, designed to fit in almost any overhead compartment, on any flight. It’s a very sturdy and durable, dent-resistant case that houses your laptop behind an all-over, aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell. Quiet, spinnable wheels and vegan leather are just some of the high-end materials used in crafting this cabin-friendly suitcase. We noticed the wheels roll easily over a wide array of surfaces during our tests, including gravel, cobblestones, dirt, grass, and asphalt on a trip to Japan. The wheels have an impressive weight capacity, too, enduring when we used the carry-on as a scooter to roll down a hill. The fact that the carry-on comes with a laundry and shoe bag is an added bonus. The front laptop compartment does infringe on one side of interior space, but offers zippered pocket storage for additional items such as your passport, charging cords, e-reader, and more, while giving you quick access to those things. Although the outside scuffs easily, we found the material easy to clean with soap and a sponge. The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | 22 × 14 × 9 inches | 7.8 pounds Best Budget Coolife ABS+PC Spinner Trolley PHOTO: Amazon $100 at Amazon View on Coolifeluggage.com Our Ratings Capacity 4/5 Design 4/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It The exterior is very durable, standing up to potential scratches and dents. What to Consider The interior material is lower quality than other models and the wheels are not always easy to maneuver. For a carry-on with a front tech pocket that offers solid value, the Coolife Carry On with Pocket fits the bill. It’s one of the more lightweight bags we tested, and it's durable as well. We noticed the exterior materials were flexible and hearty enough to stand up to multiple tests, like hitting it with a baseball bat and shoving it off tabletops without paint chipping, denting, or scratching. While the price is the lowest of all our picks, we found that the 360-degree spinner wheels were not as easy to maneuver when compared to other bags we tested. The bag rotated smoothly around tight corners only when all four wheels were used, but had some issues traveling smoothly over bumps unless only two wheels were used. The interior materials for the zip pockets don’t have much flexibility, so there could be a risk of ripping them if the bag was overpacked. The laptop compartment only fits a computer or tablet up to 13.3 inches, and if the interior is overpacked, it’s possible it’d be too tight to fit the laptop safely. The Details: Fits laptops up to 13.3 inches | 19.29 x 30.71 x 12.6 inches | 6.7 pounds Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples The 15 Best Laptop Cases For Your Traveling and Commuting Best Underseat Travelpro x Travel + Leisure UnderSeat Tote PHOTO: Travelpro $245 at travelpro.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Design 4.5/5 Maneuverability 4/5 Value 3.5/5 Why We Love It This bag is large enough to fit a few days worth of items yet small enough to fit under the seat. What to Consider This bag may get heavy to carry since it does not have wheels. Skip using the overhead compartment when you pack light in the underseat-friendly, 22-liter Travelpro x Travel + Leisure UnderSeat Tote, ideal for weekend trips. The built-in padded sleeve is perfect for storing laptops up to 15 inches, and the zippered opening allows for quick access, with enough room for 2-3 days of clothing. The bag is sleek and functional, with leather details and ample pocket organization, including two interior pockets inside the main compartment, as well as the exterior front pocket and luggage sleeve for attaching to a suitcase. It is versatile, with the option to carry it with the removable shoulder strap or handles. We love the magnetic closure of the front pocket, great for securely storing your passport or cell phone while keeping it easy to access. While it is compact enough to fit under a seat, it’s worth noting that this bag is significantly smaller in size than our other picks, so it won’t fit as much, especially if you want to carry a laptop inside. However, it does make a more stylish alternative to a duffel bag and works well for a weekend trip. The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | 9.25 x 16.5 x 9 inches | 2.3 pounds Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph Best Colors Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-on Max PHOTO: Arlo Skye View on Arloskye.com Our Ratings Capacity 4.3/5 Design 4/5 Maneuverability 4.3/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It has a large capacity of 47 liters, one of the largest on this list. What to Consider It won’t fit in the overhead bins of a smaller aircraft. We love the Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-on Max with Front Pocket for its spacious interior as well as its spectrum of appealing colors. The hardside smart suitcase is equipped with a speedy, removable charger, compatible with USB-C and A ports — a thoughtful design feature found in several of our favorite Arlo Skye luggage pieces. This model allows you to overpack a little (because we’ve all been there) with its flexible zipper technology. The included laundry and shoe bags help keep those items separate from the rest of your belongings, which you can expertly organize in the main compartments, complete with anti-microbial interior fabric to keep odors and germs at bay. We noticed that the compression straps helped with packing puffier clothes. The front hardside laptop compartment stores your computer and other fragile items safely and securely so if you do overpack and have to gate-check your luggage, you can feel confident. The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | 23 x 15 x 10.3 inches | 8.1 pounds | Smart Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples Best With Removable Sleeve July Carry On Pro SnapSleeve PHOTO: July View on July.com Our Ratings Capacity 4.5/5 Design 4.5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Durability 4.5/5 Value 4.5/5 Why We Love It It comes with a detachable, padded laptop sleeve. What to Consider During our tests, it took some time to figure out how to remove the laptop sleeve. We love the sturdy yet lightweight July Carry On Pro SnapSleeve for its fantastic maneuverability, detachable laptop sleeve, and internal pockets for chargers and other cords. While it did take a few minutes to figure out how to remove the laptop sleeve (it slides upward as opposed to snapping off), it was easy to use once we knew how it worked, and it would make accessing your laptop a breeze during security checks or in case you need to check your bag due to full overhead bins. The sleeve is well padded and protected the laptop throughout our drop tests, but the whole sleeve did slide off during one drop, so we recommend you move your laptop to your personal item before placing the suitcase in the overhead bin. It comes with a removable power bank, which is great for charging on the go via USB-C or USB ports. Other highlights include the twin strap compression system and hidden laundry bag inside. You won’t have to struggle to wheel this bag around either; the quiet spinner wheels and multi-stop telescopic handle with comfortable grip are a real treat — it has the makings of a great international carry-on. The Details: Fits laptops up to 16 inches | 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches | 8.6 pounds | Smart Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson The 16 Best Laptop Backpacks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Softside Calpak Luka Carry-on PHOTO: Calpak View on Calpaktravel.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Organization 3.5/5 Design 4/5 Maneuverability 3.5/5 Durability 4/5 Why We Love It The compartment is large enough to fit larger laptops up to 17 inches. What to Consider We found the handle to be a bit flimsy. The Calpak Luka Carry-on gives softside luggage lovers the lightweight benefits of this style with the addition of a padded laptop sleeve for safe transport — and it's the largest laptop compartment of all the bags we tested. Multiple exterior pockets, in addition to the laptop compartment, make organizing your items a breeze, and with a 41-liter capacity, you’ll have the opportunity to fit belongings for up to a week inside (depending). Everything will stay secured thanks to the TSA-approved lock, too. After hitting the suitcase with a bat multiple times, the exterior only showed minor scuffing that was then easily buffed out. The 360-degree spinner wheels easily navigate the airport, so you don’t have to struggle as you make your way to your gate. Despite offering a spacious capacity, it’ll fit in most overhead bins, with the extra flexibility for squeezing it up there that a hardside case just can’t offer. The Details: Fits laptops up to 17 inches | 21 x 14 x 8.5 inches | 6.6 pounds People / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson People / Alexander Huang Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson Best for Organization Samsonite Just Right Carry-on Spinner PHOTO: Samsonite View on Samsonite.com Our Ratings Capacity 5/5 Organization 5/5 Design 5/5 Maneuverability 5/5 Durability 4/5 Why We Love It It was one of the easiest bags to maneuver throughout our tests. What to Consider This is quite a heavy carry-on. This spacious bag packs everything you'll need for a weekend trip or long vacation alike. We love that it's expandable, so you don't necessarily have to be too strategic about your organization (especially on the return journey). The external laptop compartment is large enough to fit three devices, so you can store your laptop, tablet, and even an extra item, knowing they're well-protected. We love how easy the suitcase is to maneuver through crowds and over various surfaces. Even on just two wheels, it glides smoothly. After we tossed it over a counter and hit it with a bat numerous times, the external shell is a bit scratched up, but all of the items inside remained completely protected, making this a great carry-on option. The Details: Fits laptops up to 15 inches | 22 x 14 x 9.3 inches | 7.9 pounds Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Our Testing Process The Travel + Leisure team tested more than 150 carry-on suitcases in our New York City lab and in real-world travel situations. We also built an airplane set featuring a real row of airplane seats and real overhead bins, performing a range of tests to evaluate capacity, maneuverability, portability, design, and functionality of each bag. First, we packed each suitcase with enough essentials for a four-day trip, including multiple outfits, two pairs of shoes, and two toiletry bags. We took care to observe storage and organizational features, including the front laptop compartment, pockets, expanders, and compression straps. Next, we zipped up each suitcase and rolled it through a variety of surfaces and an obstacle course to test how easily the wheels maneuvered. After, other tests like lifting and storing it in the overhead bin and subjecting it to potentially damaging situations (throwing it off a table and hitting it with a metal baseball bat in the lab) were performed to see how durable the case was. Using the insights and scores from these tests, the carry-on suitcases with the highest ratings were chosen for this roundup. Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim Tips for Buying a Carry-on With a Laptop Compartment Be sure your laptop model will fit in the suitcase One of the main things to consider when shopping for a carry-on suitcase with a laptop compartment is the sizing that it will accommodate. You don’t want to end up squishing your laptop inside, potentially damaging it or not having it fit at all. It’s wise to leave some extra room; if you have a 13-inch laptop, perhaps look into suitcase models that can hold laptops up to 15 inches, just to give yourself a little wiggle room. Consider additional organization and access needs Laptop compartments naturally allow us to access our computer and other items stored up front quickly and easily, though some models are designed for this better than others. A suitcase in which you can access important items quickly without having to completely open the main compartment is paramount, particularly for business travelers. Consider your need to store other small items as well, such as notebooks, pens, your passport, and charging cords, when you assess the front pocket’s organization. It never hurts to look for additional pockets, too. Frequently Asked Questions How do I measure my computer for a bag with a laptop compartment? The first thing to do when shopping for a bag with a laptop compartment is to measure your laptop to make sure it’ll fit. You can do this quickly and easily by measuring it diagonally, from edge to edge, as well as measuring the height, width, and depth. Make sure the bag you purchase allows for a little extra room, as you don’t want a 15-inch laptop in a bag that fits only a 15-inch laptop, since it’ll be too tight a fit. Can I check a suitcase with a laptop compartment? Yes, though it depends on how protected your laptop is inside the compartment. You will need to make sure to remove any spare lithium batteries, as those are not allowed in checked luggage. Although the TSA allows travelers to transport laptops in checked luggage, it’s still highly recommended to keep it with you in a carry-on bag or your personal item for protection against possible damage and theft, as well as lost luggage. Landing at your destination only to find out your suitcase has been lost or left behind when your laptop is in there is hardly ideal. Even in a hardside suitcase with a padded laptop compartment, you could end up with a cracked screen or other damage with all of the rough handling and heavy bag stacking that takes place. Should I put my laptop in the bag without a case? If your bag has a separate, padded compartment for a laptop, then it's okay to pack it without an additional case. If you prefer to use a case as well as the dedicated laptop sleeve, it’s important to factor in the extra room that case will take up in your bag and whether it will fit in the sleeve or not. Make sure to measure well beforehand if you choose to use an additional case. Why Trust Travel + Leisure T+L contributor Lauren Breedlove scoured our testing insights to find the best carry-on suitcases with laptop compartments. She also tapped into her own experience with traveling regularly with a laptop in tow and working on the go. Using these factors, she curated this list of top carry-on bags with separate laptop storage. The Best Carry-on Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more Edited by Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco is a Commerce Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, where she assigns, edits, and writes travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a Master’s degree in journalism, and has over six years of experience creating gift guides and writing about various products. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends. learn more