The 10 Best Smart Luggage Pieces With Removable Batteries, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

July Carry On

View on July.com

While many of the bags on this list do not actually come with a power bank for charging, the July Carry-on does include an ejectable battery with a USB-C connector, so you don’t have to buy a separate one. The charging slot is located behind the integrated TSA lock and multi-stop telescopic handle, which you can conveniently adjust to 20 different heights. We found this 42-liter bag plenty spacious for a carry-on, although it doesn’t have an expander if you do need extra space. It does have a Y-Strap compression system on one side and a zippered mesh overlay on the other to keep clothing in place.

The carry-on was super easy to maneuver during testing — the handle was sturdy when we made sharp turns in our obstacle course, and the wheels glided smoothly from concrete pavers to carpet. It also held up well to our durability tests. There were a few scuffs after we threw it off tables and hit it with a baseball bat (and the charger did pop out at one point), but the outer shell didn’t dent at all, and the bag seems durable enough to stand up to lots of jostling during travel. We also love, as with other July luggage, the range of color options — from classy neutrals like sand and charcoal to stand-out shades like moss, plus limited-edition colors, too.

The Details: Checked suitcase | 7.4 pounds | 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches | 42-liter capacity | Battery included

Best Hardside

Briggs & Riley Sympatico Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner 22-inch

$599 at Amazon View on Bloomingdales

If you're willing to splurge a little on a suitcase, this sleek piece is the one. Though it's expensive, this Briggs & Riley carry-on is one of the most durable bags our team has ever tested. Its polycarbonate shell didn't dent or scuff at all after several blows from a bat, and our tests estimate the bag could handle five to 10 years of regular use without issue. We also found the bag to maneuver well, particularly on two wheels. It had some minor troubles handling bumps on all four wheels, but we didn't find this particularly problematic.

As for its charging capabilities, it has a “Power Pocket” with a pass-through for a USB cable. There's no physical port on the bag, as you'd connect your device to the battery directly via a cable. The only major note is that, while this bag expands, it does so from the inside, which is a little counterintuitive. But still, we appreciate the function!

The Details: Carry-on | 9.2 pounds | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | Battery not included

Best Softside

Travelpro Crew Versapack Max Carry-On Spinner

$223 at Amazon

If you’re partial to softside luggage, the Travelpro Crew Versapack Max Carry-On Spinner’s smart features include a built-in USB port and an exterior power bank pocket (charger not included). What stood out most about this carry-on during testing was the sheer amount of pockets and organization extras, including an exterior laptop pocket and one of our favorite features we’ve ever seen in a suitcase: a compression packing cube that you can zip onto the lid of the case to keep it in place or detach from the bag to remove it as needed. The suitcase is short and stout but a bit front-heavy, which makes it easier to roll it on two wheels rather than four, and we wish the wheels were a little larger to make it more steady. It proved to be extremely durable after we threw it off a counter and hit it with a bat, and it was surprisingly spacious for a carry-on thanks to all of the pockets and the generous two-inch expander, but keep in mind that it may not fit in every overhead bin if you pack it completely full.

The Details: Carry-on | 8 pounds | 23 x 15.5 x 10 inches | 53-liter capacity | Battery not included

Best Zipperless

Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-on Max: Aluminum Edition

View on Arloskye.com

If you’re looking for something stylish to turn some heads at the airport, this aluminum carry-on with hand-stitched leather handles will do the trick. Instead of zippers, the luggage closes with two TSA-approved clasp combination locks for more security. For that reason, you cannot overpack this bag because there’s no flexibility like there is with zippers. The discreet charging port is located under the handle, and the bag comes with a removable power bank that has both USB-C and A ports. Aluminum bags are typically heavier than other suitcases (this one is 10.5 pounds), and we felt like we had to use a little extra effort when rolling it over rough surfaces during testing. It’s also important to note that aluminum frame cases tend to dent easily in general, and this bag did dent when we hit it with a baseball bat, but it still felt durable and protected all of our packed items. We also hit the back of the bag right behind the handle and though the aluminum dented, it didn't damage the handle at all, and we were still able to pull the handle out seamlessly after. That being said, prepare for it to get dinged — it adds character.

The Details: Carry-on | 10.5 pounds | 23 x 15 x 9.6 inches | Battery included

Best Rolling Duffel

Samsonite Weekend Wheeled Duffel

View on Samsonite.com $154 at Ebags.com $315 at Bloomingdales

This rolling duffel is a supremely versatile bag. For one thing, there are various ways to carry it: via a shoulder strap or two handles or rolling it on two wheels. Though wheels aren't always the primary method of movement for duffel bags, we found this bag to perform well in maneuverability tests just the same as its suitcase counterparts. The bag's look also makes it particularly versatile. The durable, matte black fabric is quite chic, so the duffel would work equally well as a gym bag and as a carry-on bag for a business trip.

The duffel also has impressive bonus features: a USB charging port and a wireless charging pocket, a padded laptop sleeve, a padded tablet sleeve, and a detachable wristlet. It's incredibly easy to stay organized with this duffel, despite it being fairly spacious for a weekender. But keep in mind that it is a weekender, not a suitcase, so its capacity is somewhat limited for longer journeys.

The Details: Carry-on | 4.81 pounds | 21.46 x 11.22 x 11.81 inches | Battery not included

Best International Carry-on

Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 Carry-on Spinner

$300 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $600 at Bloomingdales

International airlines often have smaller size requirements for carry-on bags, so if you find yourself flying an international airline regularly, you'll want to get a suitcase that complies. This Delsey suitcase, which has a USB-A port for charging, fits the bill. While we adored the chic exterior with its luggage trunk–inspired detailing, we did find the bag to be rather limited in capacity (which isn't too surprising given the airline size requirements!). The bag does, however, have quite a few internal pockets that help with organization. One shortcoming of the interior of the bag is that the compression straps are not adjustable, which renders them useless if you can't close them over your items, as was the case with our packing list. But we do appreciate the bag's maneuverability, particularly on carpet.

The Details: Carry-on | 6.4 pounds | 21 x 13 x 10 inches | 38-liter capacity | Battery not included

Best Underseat

Samsonite Spinner Underseater

$102 at Amazon View on Samsonite.com View on Luggagepros.com

Underseat rolling suitcases are a favorite of travelers who hate fighting for overhead bin space. If you don't mind giving up a little bit of legroom, it could be the right type of suitcase for you. This model comes with a USB-A charging port for flights, train trips, bus rides, or really any form of transportation where there's room. The one thing we'll note is that while this bag is super spacious — we were able to pack for a two-day trip in it — if you overstuff it, it might be difficult (or even impossible) to fit underneath a seat. You can, however, pair it with a larger carry-on, sliding the carry-on's handle through the underseater's sleeve. But when used alone, it's extremely easy to maneuver this suitcase, thanks to its four spinner wheels. We also found it was easy to roll over multiple surfaces, and it was able to tackle elevators, escalators, and stairs with ease.

The Details: Carry-on | 5.6 pounds | 16.5 x 13.75 x 9 inches | Battery not included

Best Splurge

Tumi Alpha International Dual Access Carry-on

View on Amazon $975 at Nordstrom $975 at Zappos

Tumi has long been regarded as one of the top luxury suitcase brands, and it's a favorite of business travelers around the world. Perhaps that's why this suitcase comes with a garment bag with a capacity of one suit. This suitcase's standout feature is its dual accessibility — you can open just one part of the suitcase to grab any necessary items without opening the full suitcase. Because of that dual accessibility, we think this suitcase is best for those who can pack in an organized manner. If you use the smaller compartment, it eats into the space of the main compartment, so there's a bit of planning necessary to pack all your items conveniently. Still, we found this bag rather spacious — albeit somewhat heavy, thanks in part due to Tumi's extra-durable ballistic nylon material. For charging purposes, there's an exterior USB-A port that connects to an inner pocket that can hold a portable power bank.

The Details: Carry-on | 10.7 pounds | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 35-liter capacity | Battery not included

Best Style

Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 Carry-on Spinner

$126 at Amazon View on Delsey.com $360 at Bloomingdales

If you're in the market for a reasonably priced carry-on suitcase with a sleek, contemporary look, this Delsey bag is the one for you. Though we first thought the lightweight polycarbonate shell would be rather flimsy, it held up surprisingly well during durability tests, so don't let that initial impression dissuade you from this suitcase. The bag has an expander, but we didn't find it necessary to use for our packing list as there was of plenty of room to pack everything for a long weekend stay in the suitcase. One thing to note, however, is that there isn't much inside the bag in terms of organization, so things can get messy fast without packing cubes. However, once you get everything inside the bag, it's easy to maneuver it across all types of terrain. And when you need to charge your phone, there's a USB-A port that can connect to a portable charger inside the bag.

The Details: Carry-on | 7.4 pounds | 15 x 10 x 22.75 inches | 45-liter capacity | Battery not included

Best Backpack

Bee & Kin The Midi Nomad Backpack

View on Beeandkin.com

With a very petite profile, this chic leather backpack is the perfect go-to for a personal item on a flight or as a work bag. It has a laptop pocket large enough to fit a 13-inch device, but note that that pocket isn't padded, so you'll want to be careful toting around any expensive hardware. (If you have a larger laptop, there is a larger version of this bag that can fit a 16-inch device.) While the leather adds a certain sophistication to this bag, the material is heavier than nylon, which is something to consider. Still, we found the bag to be very lightweight overall, weighing under three pounds. As for its smart features, there's no USB port, but there is a wireless charging pocket — which is, of course, only useful if you have a compatible phone. The wireless charger is sold separately by Bee & Kin.

The Details: 2.38 pounds | 11.6 x 5.5 x 13 inches | Battery not included