10 Best Luggage Features: What Are the Top Features to Look for in Carry-on Luggage in 2025?

Luggage should do so much more than just get your clothes, toiletries, and other belongings from point A to point B. It should elevate your travel experience and streamline every aspect of your journey. 

That’s why we’re so excited to unveil the 10 best luggage features you didn’t know you needed. We’ve thoughtfully incorporated each of these into our world-renowned all-in-one carry-on luggage with charger, water bottle holder, and front pocket. But we also have some great features in our checked luggage, too!

That being said, what are the top features to look for in carry-on luggage in 2025? Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll dive into below: 

1. Built-in USB / USB-C ports
2. Phone mount
3. Cup holders
4. Bag hooks
5. Laptop pockets
6. Compression system
7. Slow-release handles
8. Integrated TSA-approved locks
9. Collapsibility
10. 360° smooth wheels

What’s really special about carry-on luggage at Nobl Travel is that we’ve gotten the basics right in addition to these intuitive features - from the unbreakable polycarbonate shell to the affordable price point at $279. Plus, all our luggage is backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Shop the full lineup at Nobl Travel today and see for yourself what a difference the right suitcase can make, or learn more about the smart luggage features we’ve come up with below!

What Are the Top Features to Look for in Carry-on Luggage in 2025?

Expectations have evolved far beyond a basic box with wheels. You want gear that matches the pace and precision of your life. The best carry-ons make the airport less stressful, the flight more enjoyable, and the entire travel experience feel just a bit more seamless.

So what are the top features to look for in carry-on luggage in 2025? Here at Nobl Travel we’ve gone above and beyond what you would expect from any luggage. These are some of the features our customers say they love the most. 

“I got this suitcase recommended by my coworker, we're consultants, so you can imagine how much we're on the road. This is a life changer. So light and easy to carry through the airport. The cup holder is the best cause I'm able to get my coffee before those early morning flights. I also don't have to run to the only outlets in the waiting area as I can just charge with my Nobl carry-on. Will recommend to everyone I know.” - Matteo

“I love the way it does a 360 turn, swivel wheels,smooth pull over rough surfaces, I love the cup holder and the hooks on the side, I am able to charge electronics LOVE IT!” - Audrey

“It's so convenient, I feel like I'm travelling with no bag cause I just roll through the airport. I also don't feel stressed that I'm going to lose my things while I'm going through security. I don’t travel lightly at all, so I was hopeful but with caution. I truly was able to pack clothes, shoes, and meds for a week! Including a couple of backup outfits! I’m so impressed. It’s also light and easy. I’m so impressed!!! Game changer!” - Gabriela

Built-in USB / USB-C Ports

You can’t afford to be stuck with a dead phone before boarding. Now, you don’t have to. Our carry-on features a built-in USB and USB-C port right on the shell, so you can plug in your power bank and charge your devices on the go - no hunting for an outlet in a crowded terminal.

Phone Mount

You’ll also enjoy hands-free productivity while you wait, be it chilling at the gate, sitting in a lounge, or killing time in the hotel lobby. Your phone is central to everything you do, so we added a discreet phone mount built into the carry-on handle.

Kick back and watch Netflix, check emails, or FaceTime without needing to awkwardly balance your device. This is one of those small details you wouldn’t think makes that much of a difference, but you’ll never want to travel without it again after trying it.

Cup Holders

Because juggling your latte and suitcase is a disaster waiting to happen. Our built-in cup holder keeps your hands free and your drink upright. Whether you're rolling through the airport or standing in a security line, your coffee stays where it belongs: securely stashed and spill-free.

Bag Hooks

No need to play the balancing game with your personal item on top of your suitcase while racing through the terminal. Our carry-on and many of our other designs come equipped with subtle, heavy-duty rubber studs designed to hold your shopping bags or backpacks in place.

No more awkward tipping, no more shoulder strain. It's a thoughtful, functional design that makes travel smoother, which is why we consider it among the best luggage features we’ve ever come up with from a practical perspective. 

Laptop Pockets

Airport security is frustrating enough without having to unpack your entire bag just to get your laptop out. Nobl’s front-facing, zipperless laptop compartment lets you slide out your device in seconds.

It fits laptops up to 16", and it’s padded for peace of mind. The compartment also includes space for your charger, documents, and essentials - all in one ultra-accessible spot.

Compression System

Smart internal organization can be the difference between cramming and cruising, even if you pack light. Now, you can maximize every inch of usable space with our Y-Strap Compression System and pocketed divider panel.

Clothes stay flat. Gear stays put. And because our lining is stain-resistant, cleaning up accidental spills is fast and painless. Packing a carry-on for a week just got a whole lot easier!

Slow-Release Handles

There’s nothing elegant about a clunky handle that jerks up or slams down, something we see complained about with July vs Away luggage all the time. So, we made sure our slow-release handles glide out effortlessly and retract softly with a push - no loud clicks, no sudden drops.

It’s one of those upgrades you don’t realize you need until you’ve used it once. And it’s standard on every Nobl carry-on or checked suitcase.

Integrated TSA-Approved Locks

Say goodbye to the stress of keeping your belongings safe and secure. Our carry-ons come with dual TSA-approved combination locks that secure your case without compromising accessibility. 

They’re integrated directly into the case, so there’s no fiddling with external padlocks or worrying about TSA agents having to break in. You lock it. They open it (if needed) without damage. And when you’re done? Relock and go.

Collapsibility

One of the best luggage features we’ve ever designed is our collapsible carry-on luggage, but we also have collapsible checked luggage so you can make the most of limited storage space at home!

Built from impact-resistant polycarbonate and framed in aluminum, our collapsible carry-on compresses from a full 10” down to just 4”. Tuck it under your bed. Slide it into a closet. Take it on the road without sacrificing space when you're not using it. The possibilities are endless.

360° Smooth Wheels

Let’s be honest: cheap wheels ruin good luggage. That’s why we engineered our own SilentMove™ 360° spinner wheels. They’re designed to handle everything from airport carpet to cobblestones. 

They roll smoothly, quietly, and consistently, whether you’re gracefully rushing to the gate or strolling into your hotel excited to call it a day. They’re silent and stable, and yes, they’re covered for life.

Closing Thoughts on the Best Luggage Features

You can’t beat our hard shell luggage when it comes to intuitive, practical features. After all, it’s the details that define a seamless travel experience. We hope you’re as excited as we are about the best luggage features in 2025.

These aren’t gimmicks - they’re smart, deliberate solutions for real travel frustrations that we (and probably you) have encountered firsthand. 

A built-in USB-C port when your phone battery dies at the gate, a laptop pocket that lets you breeze through security, a cup holder that keeps your hands free in line, wheels that move like silk over any surface, and a compression system that makes room without making a mess.

We’ve redefined what carry-on luggage should do. From collapsible frames that store effortlessly to TSA-approved locks that protect without slowing you down. 

Don’t settle for Away vs Beis luggage, or stress about finding the perfect Monos luggage dupe. Get the perfect carry-on luggage size or checked luggage size for international travel at Nobl Travel, engineered with purpose, precision, and polish. Every inch is optimized. Every feature is thoughtful. Most importantly, every detail is built to last with our lifetime warranty.

If you're investing in new luggage this year, make it one that’s worth every flight, every mile, and every moment. Discover the future of luggage at Nobl Travel today!