Best carry-on laptop luggage

November 20, 2023 - By Dewi Marie

The need for a carry-on laptop luggage came about in December 2022 while in transit in Istanbul, I found myself lugging around a large, unbranded black backpack, a gift from my brother over a decade ago. While the backpack had dutifully accompanied me through various journeys, it had started showing signs of wear and tear. Packed within were my essential travel companions: camera gear, MacBook Pro laptop, a set of clothes, basic toiletries, noise-canceling headphones, a travel neck pillow, jacket, water bottle, and a pouch containing miscellaneous items like cables and medications. The bag weighed between 7-10 kilos, a typical load given the inclusion of camera and laptop. Despite the backpack’s cushy straps, the weight distribution proved to be a nightmare. Whether it was my age catching up on me or, perhaps, my own lack of fitness, I reached a breaking point while standing in line to board the flight—fatigued, flustered, and on the verge of tears. Despite the discomfort, my stubbornness prevailed; I resisted putting the bag down, unwilling to make any extra movements. So, I stood there, bag on my back, slowly shuffling through the line.

In that very moment, I resolved to invest in a carry-on luggage for future travels.

And not, just any carry-on!

My requirements were
• Laptop compartment | Allowing for a quick and easy access during security checks.
• Hard shell case | Simpler to clean compared to fabric.
• Top loader | Ensuring my camera insert sits fully on the base, as opposed to half when utilizing a clamshell-style opening.
• Spinner wheels, ideally featuring 8 wheels | Ensuring smooth rolling, acknowledging that navigating carpets may still pose a challenge.
• Affordable price point

After delving into a multitude of tabs, websites, video reviews, and in-store visits, my final choice emerged from AliExpress, this Mixi New Patent Carry on Suitcase 18″ costing around SGD$150 (pictured below). It’s an 18-inch, slightly shorter than the typical carry-on silhouette, presented in a sophisticated dark grey shade under the Mixi brand. This compact, retro-looking square, weighing a mere 3.75kg, boasts a robust yet lightweight polycarbonate aluminium frame, complete with a TSA customs lock and reliable YKK zippers. The front features a laptop compartment that fits a 15.6 inch laptop. Unzipping that flap reveals a spacious 41-liter interior compartment for all your belongings. Manuevering is a breeze with its double-strength aluminium telescopic handle, ensuring smooth gliding over tile surfaces (though, admittedly, a bit tough on carpets), thanks to its 8 caster wheels.

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I intend to reserve this for business travels, anticipating a more stationary presence, in contrast to my leisure adventures where I’m inclined to explore multiple cities on one trip.

My review:

I brought this with me to Hong Kong, along with a medium sized check-in luggage. This carry-on luggage exceeded my expectations in both durability and functionality. Containing my camera gear (one full frame Canon DSLR plus lens, a mirrorless Fujifilm camera with 3 lenses, a DJI Osmo Pocket and a mini tripod), plus plugs, cables and a 14 inch MacBook Pro laptop, the robust construction provided excellent protection withstanding the rigors of travel without showing any signs of wear (It fell down a small flight of stairs). The sleek design and smooth, multidirectional wheels made navigating busy train stations, plus manuevering up and down escalators a breeze.

I will however, need to go to the gym to build up strength to be able to singlehandedly chuck this baby in the overhead bin. but it did save my shoulders and back! And that’s where the backpack comes in. I will save that for another post.
The Mixi carry-on luggage also comes in the standard 20″ size in multiple colors as you can see above (and more). Plus a newer released sleek black 20″.
The Mixi wide handle 20″ carry-on luggage (pictured above) is another model which was what caught my attention initially. It comes in a larger 24″ inch.