16 Personal-Item Carry-on Bags For Stylish and Hassle-Free Flying

Updated on July 26, 2024 at 1:55 PM

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There’s nothing like going on a quick weekend trip to explore other cities or taking the time to visit friends and family you haven’t seen in a while. However, the costs of flying are skyrocketing, suitcases are getting lost, and airlines are charging a pretty penny for carry-on luggage and checked bags. The hunt for cheap flights and convenient travel is an ongoing challenge. One way to keep travel costs as low as possible: utilizing the personal-item carry-on bag. The personal-item bag is a must when you fly a no-frills airline such as Frontier or Spirit Airlines, or buy a basic economy seat for domestic travel, since it’s the only bag you can bring that’s free of extra costs. These functional bags also make long-haul flights easier with convenient access to all your necessities.

What Qualifies as a Personal-Item Bag?

A personal-item bag can be a functional backpack, a stylish tote bag, a spacious diaper bag, a laptop or work bag, or anything small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Each airline has different qualifications on sizes and proportions, so we’ve listed a few common ones below:

Spirit: 8″ depth x 14″ width x 18″ height Frontier: 8″ depth x 18″ width x 14″ height United: 9″ depth x 10″ width x 17″ height Delta: 9″ depth x 13″ width x 17″ height American: 8″ depth x 14″ width x 18″ height Southwest: 8.5″ depth x 13.5″ width x 18.5″ height JetBlue: 8″ depth x 13″ width x 17″ height Allegiant: 7″ depth x 15″ width x 16″ height A quality personal-item bag has enough room for all your travel essentials and necessities while being compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you according to the airline guidelines. Going on a quick weekend getaway? Or want a set of essentials just in case your checked baggage gets lost? Your go-to personal-item bag should fit all your vacation must haves, including a few outfits, an extra pair of shoes, underwear, toiletries, makeup, skin-care, hair products, chargers, cords, and maybe a reusable water bottle.

There are several stylish and quality personal-item bags on the market that take all your travel needs into consideration, so you can travel smarter. Ahead, we curated the best personal item bags for planes, including tried and tested picks from our editors, like the Béis Mini Weekender Bag.

Ready to hit “buy” on a new one for yourself? Ahead, a selection of the best personal carry-on bags for flying.

PS Photography | Anvita ReddyThe Best Personal-Item Carry-on BagBéis The Mini Weekender ($98)

The Béis The Mini Weekender is the smaller version of the bestselling Weekender Bag, which is also an editor favorite. It can be used as an everyday tote, but it’s also perfect for overnight trips or as a personal item on flights. This personal item bag has a padded, built-in laptop sleeve; a bottom compartment for shoes, hair tools, and toiletries; and a trolley pass-through sleeve. Plus, the inside has a large zip pocket and two small slip pockets. It has a top handle and a padded longer strap. It comes in 12 colors, including beige, black, navy, gray, olive green, maple brown, pink, and more.

Editor Quote: “It is ideal for any traveler, whether you’re a frequent flyer or someone who goes on the occasional vacation. . . . The bag fits the right amount of clothing and necessities for a three-day trip, including a few extra outfits if you pack smart. Another clever feature is the expandable, clamshell-like zip-top opening of the top compartment. The bag opens up quite wide, so you can easily see and access your stuff and take out your electronics . . . for security.” Read more in her in-depth review of the Beis Mini Weekender Bag.

Dimensions: 16″ height x 16″ width x 8″ depth

amazon.comBest Affordable Personal-Item Bag That’s FoldableNarwey Foldable Travel Duffel Bag ($14)

The Narwey Foldable Travel Duffel Bag is a foldable and affordable travel option that comes in a ton of different colors and prints. It has two top-handle carrying straps, a detachable shoulder strap, a trolley sleeve, and an external zipper pocket. The bag is made from a thick waterproof material that can hold its shape. Plus, it’s a bestseller on Amazon.

Dimensions: 13″ height x 18″ width x 6.3″ depth

PS Photography | Macy WilliamsBest Eco-Friendly Personal-Item BagParavel Weekender Bag ($244, originally $325)

The Paravel Weekender Bag is an editor-backed pick that can fit around two days worth of clothes (three if you’re smart about packing), toiletries, and a 15-inch laptop. Paravel’s Weekender Bag has a wide shoulder strap that lets you carry it with ease and a trolley sleeve that lets you carry it on top of your rolling luggage. It has a secure zip-top closure and several slip and zippered pockets on the inside.

The eco-friendly weekender is made out of 60 percent recycled materials, including recycled vegan leather. Plus, it’s made with an ecocraft canvas that is spill proof and durable. You can personalize it with a monogram.

Editor Quote: “Even though the bag itself appears compact, it actually has a ton of space inside. I can fit electronics, multiple cosmetic bags, and any other extras I want readily available with plenty of space to spare.” Read more in her in-depth review of the Paravel Weekender Bag.

Dimensions: 15″ height x 15″ width x 8″ depth

amazon.comBest Affordable Personal-Item Bag Travel BackpackLubardy Travel Backpack ($30, originally $32)

If you’re looking for a durable backpack you can use for weekend trips, the Lubardy Travel Backpack is a great option and comes with three packing cubes. It has a spacious main compartment that can fit a few outfits and a pair of shoes. Plus, it has a laptop compartment, a wet pocket for toiletries and laundry, and a side pocket for a water bottle or an umbrella. The zippers are sturdy and reinforced, so you can keep squishing items in without the bag exploding. The waterproof and durable backpack comes in seven colors.

Dimensions: 20″ height x 13″ width x 8″depth

amazon.comBest Affordable Personal-Item Bag For OrganizationBolosta Canvas Weekender Bag ($43, originally $46)

The Bolosta Canvas Weekender Bag is a stylish, easy-to-carry weekender bag that comes with its own shoe compartment. It is made from a durable canvas fabric with faux-leather accents and comes equipped with six pockets and one main compartment. Plus, you get two additional toiletry bags to keep things organized. It can fit up to two to four days’ worth of essentials. The affordable weekender bag comes in seven colors as well.

Dimensions: 13″ height x 19″ width x 9.5″ depth

PS Photography | Angela EliasBest Personal-Item Bag For OrganizationNomad Lane V4 Bento Bag ($200)

Ideal for those who prioritize organization and efficient packing, the Nomad Lane V4 Bento Bag has a unique and functional design that opens like a suitcase. This opens down the middle like a suitcase, so you can have each side lay flat for easy packing. The bento-inspired bag has plenty of exterior and interior compartments to keep things organized, including a tech pouch, a padded laptop sleeve, a toiletry pouch, a shoe bag, two internal compartments, an external wallet/phone pocket, and an external pocket for water bottles. Plus, it features an adjustable side strap, top handles, a convertible-trolley sleeve pocket, and a lightweight construction. This bag comes in three contemporary colorways, and is made from weather-resistant nylon and LWG-certified leather.

Editor Quote: Our editor says that she loves that it has two security-friendly pockets that can be accessed from the top so she doesn’t have to fumble through TSA. “After packing my computer, tablet, chargers, and headphones, I was able to include two changes of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, and an extra pair of shoes all inside the bag, which is pretty impressive for the size.” Check our her review of the Nomad Lane V4 Bento Bag here.

Dimensions: 10″ height x 17″ width x 8″ depth

PS Photography | Anvita ReddyBest Stylish Personal-Item Bag With WheelsCalpak Ambeur Mini Carry-On Luggage ($165)

If you’re in the market for something durable, sleek, and glam, Calpak’s Ambeur Mini Carry-On Luggage is designed to fit underneath most airplane seats. The best part of this bag is that it’s equipped with 360-degree spinner wheels and a collapsible luggage handle, so you can get through security and to your gate without having to carry the actual weight of your bag. This mini carry-on bag is a dream for organization; it opens upright and has a divider with multiple pockets. It comes in gold, rose gold, silver, copper, and black.

Editor Quote: “It’s quite literally a mini version of a carry-on bag; it has all the convenience of a stylish and functional suitcase, just sliced in half. . . . Although it may look small, it can fit a good amount of stuff for a three or four-day weekend.” Our editor put it to the test in this Calpak Ambeur Mini Carry-On Luggage review.

Dimensions: 14″ height x 16″ width x 9″ depth

PS Photography | Lauren MazzoBest Durable Personal-Item Travel BackpackLululemon Wunderlust Backpack 25L ($158)

If you’re looking for something durable, the Lululemon Wunderlust Backpack is an editor-backed pick that’s not only personal-item approved, but also hiking approved. It’s made from a water-repellent fabric, so spills, scuffs, and weather won’t be an issue. The versatile backpack has plenty of storage space with pockets galore, including exterior pockets for water bottles and umbrellas, interior pockets that can help keep dirty and clean clothes separate, adjustable exterior straps that can hold a jacket or a yoga mat, a padded laptop sleeve, and it even has a trolley sleeve. The drawstring opening is ideal for easy access, but it’s kept secure with the buckle closures.

Editor Quote: “My typical backpack load includes two books, a small notebook, a laptop, a bag of chargers, a case of toiletries, a pouch of miscellaneous personal-care items, a water bottle, an extra jacket, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and a spare wallet. And because the main compartment closes with a drawstring, you can really push the limits of the amount of stuff you can cram in. . . . After getting caught in a surprise downpour while on top of a mountain in Brasov, Romania, I was soaked — but everything inside my backpack was perfectly dry.” Read her in-depth review of the Lululemon Wunderlust Backpack for more.

Dimensions: 14.2″ height x 20.1″ width x 6.1″ depth

PS Photography | Kyley WarrenBest Personal-Item Duffle BagBéis The Commuter Duffle ($138)

Although we’re huge fans of the bestselling Béis Mini Weekender Bag, its Commuter Duffle is a worthy competitor. It has a capacity of 24.2 liters, and comes in two classic colors, black and beige. The duffle bag is designed for the busybody who’s constantly on the go; it has two slip pockets on either side for water bottles or umbrellas and a zipper pocket in the front. Plus, the interior has the perfect blend of spaciousness and organization. Not only is there a padded laptop pocket, but also four elastic pockets (two of which are mesh), as well as a zipper pocket.

This bag maintains is sleek silhouette and crisp look with five metal feet that let it stand on its own. It’s made from a water resistant nylon, but it has vegan leather top handles and a padded leather adjustable strap.

Editor Quote: One of our editors put it to test during a weekend trip to Sedona and says that she was able to fit “seven outfits, two pairs of shoes, my toiletry bag, portable steamer, and more.” Beyond the ample packing space, she loves how sleek and stylish the bag looks and that it’s lightweight. Read more about The Commuter Duffle in our review of the Béis Commuter collection.

Dimensions: 12″ height x 21.5″ width x 9″ depth

amazon.comBest Affordable Personal-Item Bag With WheelsTPRC 15-Inch Smart Under Seat Carry-On Luggage ($48, originally $51)

The TPRC 15-Inch Smart Under Seat Carry-On Luggage is perfect for the traveler on the go. For starters, unlike most weekender bags and duffles, this one has wheels. This bag has a USB port that lets you attach a power bank to it, so you can charge your phone and laptop in-flight or at the gate. It’s spacious on the inside with plenty of pockets and sections to stay organized. You can carry this with its top handle, wear it like a backpack, or roll it. This under-seat carry-on comes in a few other colors, like navy blue, brown, and purple.

Dimensions: 15″ height x 14″ wide x 8.5″ depth

target.comBest Personal-Item Travel Backpack For OrganizationOpen Story Signature Traveler Backpack ($100)

The Open Story Signature Traveler Backpack from Target looks and acts like a backpack from the outside, but functions like a suitcase internally. It has a zip-open, flat-lay design that opens up like a carry-on, so you can pack everything neatly. The backpack has three mesh compartments for organizing your clothes, a laptop compartment that’s padded, and plenty of additional pockets to store all your other necessities. This is perfect for anyone who wants more balanced support for their back and shoulders, rather than relying on a crossbody or top handle design. It also has a useful trolley strap that doubles as an external pocket when not in use. It’s made with a durable, water-resistant fabric as well.

Dimensions: 21″ height x 14″ width x 8.75″ depth.

awaytravel.comBest Personal-Item Bag With a Clamshell OpeningAway Overnight Bag ($225)

Away’s The Overnight Bag is a water-resistant, durable, sleek option that’s perfect for fitting a few outfits, toiletries, and your tech. It has a 15-inch laptop pocket, several interior and exterior pockets to help you stay organized, and a useful trolley sleeve. It has an easy-access clamshell opening and a detachable shoulder strap as well. It comes in six colors, and you even can personalize it.

Dimensions: 11″ height x 17.7″ width x 9″ depth

You can also consider getting the The Weekender Bag ($245) if you need more space; however, its dimensions may exceed some airline’s requirements. The larger option has a 9.4-inch depth, 20.9-inch width, and 11.8-inch height.

The Overnight Bag can fit around two to three outfits with a 28 liter capacity, whereas The Weekender Bag can fit three to four outfits with a 38 liter capacity.

nordstrom.comBest Expandable Personal-Item BagDagne Dover 365 Medium Landon Neoprene Carryall Duffle Bag ($215)

Dagne Dover’s 365 Medium Landon Neoprene Carryall Duffle Bag is soft and durable, perfect for squishing under a seat. It may look compact at first, but it has an expandable design that can fit several outfits, slim shoes and hair tools, and more. It comes with plenty of accessories and compartments that will keep your travel essentials organized, like a laptop sleeve, a shoe/laundry bag, and a removable mesh pouch for your chargers and cords. There’s even an easy-access pocket perfect for your phone, passport, or boarding pass. Plus, it has a crossbody strap, top handles, and two side pockets that are perfect for water bottles and shoes. It comes in four colors, including gray, muted purple, camel tan, and a dark moss green.

Dimensions: 10.5″ height x 17″ width x 8.5″ depth

cuyana.comBest Leather Personal-Item BagCuyana Leather Weekender ($548)

Cuyana’s Leather Weekender is perfect for those who need to keep things compartmentalized. It’s equipped with three compartments, including two external zip compartments that can fit up to a 16-inch laptop. The main compartment has two large slip pockets that are great for storing shoes, hair tools, and other necessities. The bag even has a trolley sleeve, so you can easily secure it to your carry-on bag. Carry this in your hand, over your shoulder, or as a crossbody with its adjustable removable strap. It comes in a neutral brown shade and black.

Besides its functionalities, this gorgeous weekender bag is crafted from Italian leather, making it a stylish and investment-worthy piece that screams quiet luxury.

Dimensions: 14.5″ height x 22.5″ width x 7″ depth

Looking for something smaller? You can get the Overnight Bag, which is the same silhouette with a 5.5-inch depth, a 19-inch width, and a 13-inch height.

calpaktravel.comBest Hardshell Personal-Item Bag With WheelsCalpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage ($165)

The Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage doesn’t compromise on style or functionality. This personal-item carry-on bag has a polycarbonate hard-shell exterior that can withstand scuffs and bumps. The cool thing with this bag is that it opens upright, so you’ll be able to easily see and access everything in your bag. It has an interior divider with pockets and compression straps to keep your over-packed bag organized. It has a TSA-accepted lock, a collapsible luggage handle, and four 360-degree spinner wheels for a smooth, upright roll. Choose between a four colors. And, yes, this small rolling bag fits beneath most airline seats.

Dimensions: 14″ height x 16″ width x 8.5″ depth

tourparavel.comBest Eco-Friendly Personal-Item Tote BagParavel Medium Cabana Tote ($123, originally $205)

Embrace vacation mode with this stylish and fun Paravel Medium Cabana Tote. It’s made out of 60 percent recycled materials, including recycled vegan leather. The bag is made with an ecocraft canvas that’s spill-proof and quite durable. It has several slip and zippered pockets on the inside for plenty of organization. It has a secure zip-top closure, top handles, and an adjustable crossbody strap. It has a sturdy base that will keep it upright, so you can easily access your must haves. Plus, you can personalize it with a monogram, and it comes in four colors.

If you need something bigger, the larger cabana tote ($151, originally $215) is more roomy, with a 23.75-inch length, 14.5-inch width, and 7.5-inch depth.

Dimensions: 12″ height x 18″ width x 7.5″ depth

-Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.