Best Carry On Luggage for Laptops and Portable Monitors (2026)

A second screen changes how a carry-on must pack, because a laptop and a portable monitor both need flat, padded space and quick access at security. The best carry on luggage for laptops and portable monitors pairs a published laptop sleeve with a flat main compartment for a slim second screen on work trips.

Quick verdict: best carry on luggage for laptops and portable monitors

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is the most flexible pick, because it changes from 30 to 45 liters and its laptop sleeve takes a 16 inch machine. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is the neatest fit for the common size box at 22 by 14 by 8 inches, while the Monos Carry-On Pro is the rolling pick with a front pocket for a laptop.

The lightest backpack here is the Thule Aion at 3.2 lb, while the only rolling option is the Monos at 7.8 lb, so rolling costs weight. The Osprey Farpoint 40 carries best on long walks, the Nomatic Travel Bag 40L organizes cables best, the Aer Travel Pack 3 suits short trips, and the Thule Aion 40L keeps the layout simple. No bag here guarantees a fit for every airline, so measure the packed bag against the carrier limit.

Quick comparison table

The table lines up the seven bags and cases so capacity, published size, empty weight, and laptop sleeve size are easy to compare at a glance. Every figure comes from the maker or a listing that repeats the maker figure. Use the table to narrow the list, then read the section for any model that fits the trip.

How we selected the bags

Every bag in this guide is a real model with a published laptop compartment and published exterior dimensions. The list covers travel backpacks and one rolling case, with capacities from 35 to 45 liters and laptop sleeves that take a 16 inch machine. Models without a published laptop compartment were left out.

The selection also weighs how a portable monitor rides next to the laptop. A monitor needs a flat panel, padding on both faces, and a pocket that does not force a bend, so each product section states where the monitor goes and which published dimension sets the limit. Where maker documents disagreed on a figure, the newer maker figure is used and the difference is noted in the product section.

Two well known rolling cases were left out on purpose. The Samsonite Freeform Carry-On 21 publishes no laptop sleeve, so a laptop and a monitor would ride loose in the main shell without a separate padded sleeve. The Away Bigger Carry-On also publishes no laptop compartment, and at 22.7 inches tall in its classic form it stands above the common 22 inch limit. Both are fine suitcases, but neither meets the laptop-compartment test for this keyword.

Full-size travel backpacks: Peak Design, Nomatic, Osprey, and Tortuga

Four full-size backpacks lead this guide, and each pairs a 40 liter class main compartment with a 16 inch laptop sleeve. They differ in size changes, cable organization, carry comfort, and depth against the airline limit. A traveler who walks far will rank the harness first, while a traveler who packs cubes will rank the flat opening first.

The portable monitor question is the same for all four: the laptop takes the padded sleeve, and the monitor takes the flat main compartment or a second padded pocket. None of the four makers publishes a portable monitor compartment, so the monitor fit in each section is derived from a published interior or pocket dimension, and the section says so. Measure the monitor, including any case or cover, and compare it with that dimension.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L: the expandable pick for two screens

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L changes size from 30 liters compressed to 35 liters standard and 45 liters expanded. Peak Design publishes standard exterior dimensions of 22 by 13 by 9.5 inches and an empty weight of 4.5 lb. The laptop carry measures 16 by 11 by 1 inches and fits 14 inch and 16 inch MacBook Pro models.

The standard interior measures 21 by 13 by 6.5 inches, so a slim portable monitor smaller than that flat panel fits in the main compartment on paper, with the laptop in its own sleeve. The bag opens from the back, the front, the side, and the top, and a zippered mesh sleeve divides the main cavity, which helps keep the monitor flat against clothing rather than loose. A luggage pass-through sleeve lets the pack ride on a rolling case handle.

Its limits are depth and weight. At 9.5 inches deep in standard mode it sits half an inch over the common 22 by 14 by 9 inch limit, and expanded to 45 liters it reaches 11 inches deep, so it needs the standard mode for a strict sizer. The 4.5 lb empty weight is also the heaviest backpack in this guide. Buy it for trips that change length and need two screens. Skip it if the airline enforces a 9 inch depth limit strictly, or if a lighter pack matters more than expansion.

Nomatic Travel Bag 40L: the organized pick for cables and screens

The Nomatic Travel Bag 40L converts between a duffel and a backpack, with a clamshell opening and a separate tech section. Nomatic publishes 21 by 14 by 9 inch dimensions, a 40 liter capacity, and a 3.42 lb empty weight. The laptop compartment measures 16 by 10.5 by 1.5 inches, so a slim monitor smaller than that panel fits on paper.

The bag suits travelers who carry many small items, because it adds a shoe compartment, a laundry bag, an RFID-safe pocket, a trolley sleeve, and cord pockets in the tech section. The main compartment interior measures 19 by 12 inches, which gives a second flat place for a monitor in a thin sleeve. The structured shell holds its shape in an overhead bin, and the 21 by 14 by 9 inch exterior sits inside the common size box on all three sides.

Two figures need a note. Some Nomatic material describes the laptop pocket as a 15 inch pocket, while the listing gives the 16 by 10.5 by 1.5 inch compartment size used here, so the physical dimension is the safer check. Older listings also gave a heavier empty weight near 4.5 lb, while the current listing gives 3.42 lb. Buy it for organization and a clean size-box fit. Skip it if a deep main compartment matters more than pockets, or if the structured shape feels stiff when half empty.

Osprey Farpoint 40: the light carry pick for long walks

The Osprey Farpoint 40 is a 40 liter travel backpack with a suitcase-style front opening, a stowable harness, and a hip belt. Osprey publishes exterior dimensions of 21.7 by 13.8 by 9.1 inches and a direct-zip laptop sleeve for most laptops up to 16 inches. The sleeve measures 14 by 11 by 1.5 inches in the maker manual.

The Farpoint suits travelers who walk from the airport to a hotel or a station, because the harness and hip belt carry a loaded 40 liter pack better than a plain duffel strap. The laptop sleeve sits against the back panel, which keeps the heaviest item close to the spine, and the monitor can ride flat in the main compartment against clothing. The front opening lays flat like a suitcase, so packing cubes slide in without a fight.

Two figures need a note. The current Osprey figure for empty weight is 3.27 lb, while older listings gave 3.49 lb, so the lighter figure is the current maker figure and the older one is noted here. The 9.1 inch depth also sits a tenth of an inch over the common 9 inch limit, so a fully stuffed pack can draw a look at a strict sizer. Buy it for carry comfort and a simple layout. Skip it if the trip needs many small pockets, or if the airline measures depth strictly.

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L: the slim pick that fits the size box

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is a 40 liter backpack built around a flat main compartment and a front tech compartment. Tortuga publishes 22 by 14 by 8 inch dimensions, a padded laptop sleeve for a 16 inch laptop, and a separate sleeve for a 12.9 inch tablet. The 40 liter model adds a height-adjustable harness that the 34 liter model lacks.

The slim 8 inch depth is the main advantage, because it sits a full inch inside the common 9 inch depth limit and leaves room for a packed bag at a sizer. The laptop compartment sits between the main compartment and the back panel, and both the laptop sleeve and the tablet sleeve are suspended, so neither device rests on the bottom of the bag. The front tech compartment holds cables and small items where they can be reached without opening the main compartment.

The tablet sleeve sets the monitor limit clearly: a monitor larger than a 12.9 inch tablet does not fit that sleeve, so a larger monitor must ride flat in the main compartment. The empty weight is 4.4 lb in current material, while some older material gave 4.5 lb. Buy it for the slimmest depth in this guide and a strong harness. Skip it if the trip needs the lightest pack, or if the monitor must have its own padded sleeve rather than sharing the main compartment.

Three more ways to carry two screens: Aer, Thule, and Monos

The next three picks carry the same two screens in different ways. The Aer Travel Pack 3 is the smallest backpack here at 35 liters, the Thule Aion 40L is the simplest 40 liter layout, and the Monos Carry-On Pro is the only rolling case. Together they show that the right form depends on how far the bag is carried versus rolled.

Aer Travel Pack 3: the compact pick for short trips

The Aer Travel Pack 3 is a 35 liter carry-on backpack with a clamshell main compartment. Aer publishes 21.5 by 13 by 9 inch dimensions and a 4.12 lb empty weight, with a padded, suspended laptop pocket for a laptop up to 16 inches. The laptop pocket has a false bottom, so the machine does not rest on the base of the bag.

The smaller 35 liter size suits short trips and travelers who pack light, because it stays inside the common size box on all three sides and leaves less room to overload. The main compartment lays flat for packing cubes, the front panel holds pens, cables, and small items, and the back tech compartment holds the laptop plus a tablet divider and a zippered pocket for accessories. A slim portable monitor can ride flat in the main compartment or in the tablet divider, measured against the 21.5 by 13 inch back panel.

Its limits are weight and space. At 4.12 lb empty it is heavy for a 35 liter pack, and some listings give a lower weight near 3.7 lb, so the maker figure is used here and the lower listing figure is noted. The 35 liter main compartment also fills fast with a monitor, a laptop, and clothing for more than a few days. Buy it for short trips and a tidy tech layout. Skip it if the trip runs a full week, or if the lightest pack matters more than organization.

Thule Aion Travel Backpack 40L: the simple pick with a side laptop door

The Thule Aion Travel Backpack 40L is a 40 liter backpack with a clean layout, a removable rolltop bag inside, and a side door to the laptop compartment. Thule publishes 20.5 by 13 by 9 inch dimensions and a 3.2 lb empty weight. Its padded storage protects a 15.6 inch PC, a 16 inch MacBook, and a 12.9 inch tablet.

The side laptop door is the most useful feature for airport security, because the laptop slides out without opening the main compartment or disturbing clothing. The removable rolltop bag keeps damp or dirty items apart from dry clothing, and the light interior lining makes small black cables easier to see. A slim portable monitor can ride flat in the main compartment, since the 12.9 inch tablet sleeve is too small for a larger monitor and the laptop sleeve already holds the laptop.

Its limits are the harness and the extras. The hip belt is the Thule Aion Sling Bag, sold separately, so the pack as sold has no hip belt for a heavy load. The layout is also simpler than the Nomatic or the Aer, with fewer small pockets for cables. Buy it for a simple 40 liter pack with fast laptop access. Skip it if a hip belt is needed on the day of purchase, or if many small tech pockets matter more than a clean main compartment.

Monos Carry-On Pro: the rolling pick with a front laptop pocket

The Monos Carry-On Pro is a 36 liter rolling case with a built-in front compartment for a laptop. Monos publishes 22 by 14 by 9 inch dimensions and a 7.8 lb empty weight, and the front compartment fits a 16 inch laptop. The front pocket measures 15.3 by 10 by 1 inches, with three interior pockets and a zippered pouch.

The rolling form suits travelers who do not want 40 liters on their back, and the front pocket suits airport security, because the laptop slides out without opening the main shell. The main compartment interior measures 20 by 13.5 inches, so a slim portable monitor smaller than that flat panel fits in the main compartment on paper, with the laptop in the front pocket. The polycarbonate shell, the compression pad, and the TSA lock round out a case built for overhead bins.

Its limits are weight and the front pocket size. At 7.8 lb empty it is the heaviest pick in this guide by a wide margin, and the weight counts against any airline weight limit before anything is packed. The front pocket also measures 15.3 inches tall, so a large laptop in a thick case needs a physical check against that pocket. Buy it for rolling comfort and the fastest laptop access. Skip it if the airline weighs carry-on bags strictly, or if a light backpack matters more than wheels.

Buying guide: best carry on luggage for laptops and portable monitors

The right bag follows the two screens first, then the airline size box, then the carry style. A laptop sleeve that takes a 16 inch machine is only half the job, because the portable monitor still needs a flat, padded place that does not bend it. Settle the monitor spot before comparing capacity, and the shortlist stays small.

Airline limits come next, because a bag that fits the overhead bin on one carrier can fail a sizer on another. The common United States limit is 22 by 14 by 9 inches, but budget carriers publish smaller limits and enforce them with a sizer at the gate. Measure the packed bag, including wheels and handles on a rolling case, and compare it with the carrier limit for that exact flight.

Measure your laptop and monitor before you buy

Screen size alone does not prove a fit, because two 16 inch laptops can differ in width, depth, and thickness. Measure the laptop and monitor bodies, including any cover, then compare them with the published pocket dimension above. A sleeve that lists only a screen size is a weaker check than a pocket that lists real inches.

The monitor needs its own flat place, and the laptop sleeve is rarely that place when both screens travel together. Put the laptop in the padded sleeve, then find a flat panel, a tablet divider, or a main compartment spot for the monitor, with padding on both faces. A monitor pressed against a hard shell edge or bent around clothing can crack, so the flat spot matters more than a spare inch of capacity.

Match the bag to the airline size box

The common United States carry-on limit is 22 by 14 by 9 inches, and five of the seven picks sit inside it or on it. The Tortuga and the Aer sit inside on all sides, the Nomatic and Thule sit inside, and the Monos sits exactly on the limit. The Peak Design at 9.5 inches deep and the Osprey at 9.1 inches deep sit over the depth limit on paper.

A soft backpack has some give at a sizer, while a hard rolling case has none, so the same tenth of an inch matters more on the Monos than on the Osprey. Packing also changes the result, because a stuffed 40 liter pack grows past its empty dimensions. Pack the bag, close it, and measure it before leaving for the airport, and leave the expansion zipper closed on a strict carrier.

Protect two screens without adding bulk

Two screens need padding on both faces and separation, or they will rub and scratch each other in transit. A thin monitor sleeve, a packing cube, or soft clothing between the screens does the job without adding a heavy case. Keep the screens flat against the back panel or the shell wall, not loose in soft clothing where they can shift.

Cables and chargers need a plan too, because a loose brick can press into a screen. Use the admin panel or a small pouch for the charger, the monitor cable, and adapters, and keep hard items away from the screen faces. A bag with a luggage pass-through also helps, because the backpack can ride on the rolling case instead of hanging from one shoulder with two screens inside.

Frequently asked questions

The questions below answer the choices that come up most after the comparison, from monitor size to the laptop sleeve and the personal item limit. Each answer points back to the published dimension that sets the limit, so the decision can be settled without re-reading the whole guide. Start with the question that matches the trip.

Read the question that matches the problem first, and try its answer before changing other plans. Most carry-on questions have one measurement answer behind them, and changing several bags at once only hides which one mattered. The three answers below cover monitor size, the laptop sleeve, and the personal item rule.

What size portable monitor fits the best carry on luggage for laptops and portable monitors

No single monitor size fits every bag here, because the limit is the published pocket or interior panel for that bag. The Peak Design panel is 21 by 13 inches and the Nomatic compartment is 16 by 10.5 by 1.5 inches, so a slim monitor smaller than the panel fits on paper.

The practical rule is to measure the monitor body, including any cover, and compare it with the dimension in the product section. A monitor that fits the flat panel with a small margin is a better buy than a monitor that fills the panel edge to edge, because a tight fit leaves no room for a sleeve. When the monitor is larger than every flat panel here, a larger bag or a separate monitor sleeve is the honest answer.

Can a portable monitor ride in the laptop sleeve

It can only when the laptop rides somewhere else, because the laptop sleeve is sized for one device. The laptop belongs in the padded sleeve, since it is the heavier device, while the monitor belongs in a flat main compartment spot or its own thin sleeve. Putting both screens in one sleeve stacks them without separation and risks scratches.

The exception is a bag with two padded pockets, such as the Peak Design with a laptop sleeve plus a tablet sleeve, or the Aer with a tablet divider. Even then, the monitor must be smaller than the second pocket, and the laptop must stay in its own sleeve. If the bag has only one padded pocket, carry the monitor flat in the main compartment with soft clothing on both faces.

Does a 40 liter bag count as a personal item

No, a 40 liter bag is a carry-on, not a personal item, and it belongs in the overhead bin rather than under the seat. A personal item commonly measures about 18 by 14 by 8 inches, while the 40 liter bags in this guide measure about 21 to 22 inches tall. The Aer Travel Pack 3 at 35 liters is also a carry-on by size, not a personal item.

Budget carriers often charge for a carry-on while a personal item flies free, so the bag size decides the fare as well as the bin. A traveler who wants a free under-seat bag needs a much smaller daypack, with the laptop and monitor in that smaller bag, and the 40 liter bag left at home. Check the fare rules for the exact flight before choosing between a carry-on and a personal item.

Conclusion

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L leads for flexible capacity, the Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L leads for the slimmest size-box fit, and the Monos Carry-On Pro leads for rolling with a front laptop pocket. Measure the laptop and the monitor, compare them with the published pocket sizes, and pick the bag that holds both screens flat.