The Ultimate Carry-On Bag for Moms

Finding the best carry-on bag for any type of travel can be challenging. But when traveling with kids, having the ultimate carry-on bag is essential to a successful family trip. We’ve collected a few of our favorite styles of carry-on bags for moms to help you decide what works best for your needs.

Best Underseat Carry-On Bag: Samsonite Wheeled Underseater

Best For: Traveling with babies or toddlers

The Samsonite Wheeled Underseater is the ideal carry-on bag for moms. It fits perfectly under the airplane seat in front of you, providing easy access to snacks, electronics, diapers and bottles throughout the flight. There are several zippered compartments inside, including wetpack pockets so dirty diapers or wet clothes can be kept separated. The side zippered pockets can hold water bottles or baby bottles, and there’s also a removable 3-1-1 pouch (that doubles as a hanging toiletry bag) to hold liquids and make going through airport security a breeze. This carry-on bag for moms features a compartment for everything. Plus, it’s lightweight.

For more power in your bag, check out the Samsonsite underseater with USB Port. It’s the same bag, but also includes a USB port for easy charging on the go or when your plane seat doesn’t have a power outlet.

“I’m a big fan of Samsonite’s spinner under the seat bag that has a USB port for charging,” Terry Ward, longtime writer, traveler and mom of two, says. “It comes in handy on the rare flights these days where you can’t charge inflight. It’s the perfect size for a laptop, all of your diaper bag essentials and an extra change of clothes for everyone, should flights get delayed or cancelled and your checked bag be inaccessible.”

Related: 15 Must-Haves for Your Kids’ Carry-On Bags

Best Carry-On Bag for Moms With Babies: Queen of the Nile B.F.F. Diaper Bag

Best For: Traveling with babies or toddlers

The Queen of the Nile B.F.F. Diaper Bag from JuJube reigns supreme when it comes to carry-on bags for moms. This carry-on diaper bag offers detachable, adjustable straps so moms can carry the bag as a backpack, messenger bag or tote bag. There are seven interior pockets to keep snacks, diapers, iPads and clothes organized, and it also includes a memory foam changing pad. But what we love most is the “Mommy Pocket,” which offers easy access to your sunglasses, keys, passports and other essentials, limiting the need to dig into purse darkness to find something you need. There is even an exterior insulated side pocket that keeps bottles and drinks (hot or cold) at the ideal temperature. This carry-on bag will be your new best friend, guaranteed!

Best Carry-On Weekender Bag for Moms: Newhey Weekender Bag

Best for: Traveling with little kids or solo

This Newhey Weekender Bag is perfect for fitting just about everything. Clothes, electronics and baby gear can all be stashed inside easily. This canvas and leather bag is waterproof and durable. It features several pockets and compartments to fit all of your tablets, toys, clothes and diapers. The adjustable shoulder strap keeps your shoulders comfortable and there are rounded handles to make it easy to carry. The zipper pocket on the inside is a good spot to keep money and credit cards, while the exterior pocket closes with a magnet, making it convenient to grab a cell phone or boarding pass.

Best Stylish Carry-On Bag for Moms With Babies: Honest Company Everything Tote

Best for: Traveling with toddlers and little kids

For moms who are looking to carry all of their baby’s needs in a stylish diaper bag that can fit everything, this is the bag for you! The Honest Company Everything Tote features a pocket or compartment for it all. Diapers, wipes, bottles, clothes, toys, creams and more can fit in this bag.

Best Laptop Carry-On Backpack Bag: Winblo Travel Laptop Backpack 

Best for: Traveling with tweens, teens or for work

If you’re looking to keep your hands free, but have all those electronics ready and waiting for the kids, the Winblo Travel Laptop Backpack is the ultimate carry-on bag for you. This backpack is lightweight, durable and compact. It can hold a laptop, books, tablets, phones, cords, light clothing, snacks or any other device or item your child may need when traveling.

Best Carry-On Laptop Bag: Away Carry-On Bag With Pocket

Best for: Traveling with tweens, teens or for work

Away’s Carry-On Bag With Pocket is one of the best carry-on laptop bags on the market. This bag has a durable hardshell exterior, comes with or without an ejectable battery for charging devices on the go, and has 360-degree spinner wheels for easy maneuverability. The external front pocket (available in leather or nylon) makes it easy to access to your laptop (as long as you remember your lock combination!) and can store a 15-inch laptop, tablets, phones, passports and more. The high price tag makes this carry-on bag a bit of an investment, but Away offers a lifetime warranty on all of its luggage.

Best Crossbody Carry-On Bag: Travelon Anti-Theft Cross Body Bag

Best for: Traveling with teens

For the mom who wants to travel light, but still have everything at her fingertips, the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross Body Bag is the best crossbody carry-on bag for women. The straps are slash-proof so there’s no need to worry about anyone stealing your belongings, and an RFID blocking card compartment inside prevents identity theft. Passports, tablets, phones and important items are always ready to go in this bag. There is a removable LED light inside, too, so you’ll never be left in the dark.

Related: 8 Things You Should Never Wear at the Airport

Best Carry-On Bag Kids Can Ride: Mountain Buggy Bagrider

Best for: Traveling with toddlers

For the mom who needs a break from carrying everything but the kitchen sink, we present to you the carry-on bag that doubles as a stroller—the Mountain Buggy Bagrider. This hardshell carry-on bag features a cushioned seat with a safety harness and adjustable straps so your child can sit safely on top of the carry-on while you wheel it through the airport. It’s recommended for children who can sit unaided, weighing up to 33 pounds. Inside, this carry-on bag features a zippered dividing panel to keep clothes and shoes organized, and there’s a mesh pocket behind the seat that can easily hold a phone and travel documents. For fun and functionality, this is an ideal carry-on bag for moms.

Best Carry On Roller Bag: Eagle Creek Expanse International Carry-On Bag

Best for: Traveling with tweens, teens or for work

The Eagle Creek Expanse International Carry-On Bag is ideal for moms who want to pack light, but still bring as much as possible! As one of the best carry on roller bags on the market, it features heavy-duty, treaded wheels for multi-terrain and maneuverability. It also has a padded sleeve compartment with a zipper in the front for a laptop or tablet. And there’s an expansion zipper for even more capacity inside. “My go-to overhead space bag is the Eagle Creek,” says Cynthia Drake, travel writer and mom of two. “Most of the time, I can pack everything I need in here and it’s super light and durable.”

Best Carry-On Duffel Bag With Wheels: Vera Bradley Foldable Rolling Duffel

Best for: Traveling with tweens and teens or for work

The Vera Bradley Lighten Up Foldable Rolling Duffel carry-on bag gives moms the best of all worlds. It looks like a duffel bag, but has added storage compartments for shoes, clothing and accessories, making it similar to a regular suitcase. There are several exterior pockets that can keep passports, tablets and wallets at the ready when traveling, too. The best part? It can be carried by the dual straps, but also has wheels so you can easily roll through the airport or train station with it. Featuring Vera Bradley’s stylish patterns, this duffel bag with wheels is water resistant, lightweight and easily folds up for storage when you aren’t using it.

Best Overall Duffel Bag for Women: Everlane Mover Pack

If you prefer a more traditional duffel bag, the Mover Pack from Everlane is for you. While it looks like what you imagine a typical duffel to look like, there are three ways to carry it: with haul handles, shoulder straps, and in-strap handles. With loads of room, a wide opening, a separate pocket for shoes, plenty of pockets to store all of your clothing and accessories, and an exterior pocket for your phone or passport, it’s perfect for the mom on the go. It’s lightweight (yet durable), water resistant, and ultra chic.

What to Pack for Your Next Trip

Leave it to mom for packing all the essentials the whole family will need on your next trip. Whether it’s a weekend at grandmas or to a land far, far away, check out all the packing necessities you’ll need on your next trip—ranging from snap-front jackets to iPads for your antsy tots.