Carry-On Suitcases

Same baseline, lower price. The Quince Carry-On uses virgin Makrolon polycarbonate, Hinomoto spinner wheels, YKK zippers, and a built-in TSA Travel Sentry® lock: the same component baseline found on premium polycarbonate carry-ons elsewhere in the market. Quince runs a direct-to-consumer model that drops the specialty-brand retail markup. Return window: 365 days, free in the US. Average rating: 4.8 to 4.9 stars across 1,000+ reviews.

The standard Quince Carry-On Suitcase is 23.1" × 15.2" × 9.53" (with wheels), which meets every major U.S. domestic airline's overhead carry-on allowance — including United, American, Delta, JetBlue, Alaska, and Southwest. For international travel or smaller regional jets, the Small Carry-On at 20" tall is the safer pick — it fits the stricter 21.5" cap most European and Asian carriers enforce.

Polycarbonate is the right call for most travelers: lighter (6.7 lbs vs. 9.2 lbs for aluminum), bigger capacity (48L vs. 36L), and priced at a lower tier within the Quince luggage line. The shell flexes slightly under impact and rebounds, which protects contents on baggage-handler drops. Aluminum is heavier and pricier but harder, dents instead of cracks, and develops a patina over years of use. Pick aluminum if you want a piece that outlasts a decade of travel and looks more interesting the more it gets used.

Yes — every Quince carry-on includes a built-in Travel Sentry® TSA-approved combination lock. TSA agents have a universal master key to inspect without breaking the lock; the combination keeps it secured against everyone else. The aluminum carry-on has dual locks (one for each compartment); the polycarbonate models use a single combination lock at the main zipper.

The standard polycarbonate Carry-On weighs 6.7 lbs empty; the aluminum Carry-On weighs 9.2 lbs. That matters because airlines that enforce a carry-on weight limit usually cap it around 22 lbs (10 kg) on international routes — every pound of empty bag is one pound of packing capacity you lose. The polycarbonate gives you roughly 15 lbs of packing weight under that limit; the aluminum gives you closer to 12.5 lbs.

The interior has a compression system with adjustable straps that flatten clothes against one side, an 18" × 12.5" zippered pocket on the divider for flat items (documents, chargers, a laptop sleeve), and a removable laundry bag for separating dirty clothes on the return leg. The lining is water-resistant 75D polyester pongee (150D on the aluminum), so a leaking bottle won't soak through to the next layer.

The carry-ons carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty that covers manufacturer defects in materials and craftsmanship — wheels, handles, zippers, shell — for the reasonable lifetime of the suitcase. On top of that, returns are open for 365 days from order date if the suitcase doesn't work for your travel pattern after using it. Together they cover the bag well past the average suitcase's working life.

Low maintenance. Wipe the polycarbonate shell with a soft cloth and mild soap to remove scuffs; skip the abrasive cleaners (they dull the finish). The Hinomoto spinner wheels are sealed bearings, so they don't need lubricant: just brush off airport dust periodically. YKK zippers wear best when cleaned of grit before extended storage. Store the carry-on upright in a dry space, zip empty compartments shut, and the shell holds its shape for years.

At 6.7 lbs empty, the standard polycarbonate Carry-On is the lightest in the Quince hard-shell carry-on line. The aluminum Carry-On is heavier at 9.2 lbs. Lighter helps you stay under the 22-lb (10-kg) international carry-on weight cap that some airlines enforce, so the polycarbonate gives roughly 15 lbs of packing capacity under that limit, versus 12.5 lbs for aluminum.