Who Makes The Best Carry-On in 2024: Away, Beis, Monos, or Solgaard? The Ultimate Showdown After Months of Hands-On Testing
Updated: Jun 2
Choosing the perfect carry-on suitcase can be a daunting task. With countless unboxing videos and articles flooding the internet, it's easy to tell which luggage looks nice, but hard to know which suitcase will truly stand the test of travel. So how do you choose a good carry-on bag? We've taken the guesswork out of the equation by testing the top 4 brands for months on end, traveling all around the world, carrying them on and checking them in.
This guide is not about the aesthetics or the unboxing experience but focuses on the real-world issues that arise when you're navigating cobblestone streets or when you've overpacked.
Table of contents
What to Look For in a Carry-On Suitcase
Before we dive into our top picks, let's talk about the common features we looked for in each suitcase:
Carry-on Sized: All the suitcases reviewed are carry-on sized, with some being slightly larger to accommodate more items. (The most accepted carry-on size is 22x14x9 inches, however often we like to opt for the slightly oversized options)
Order Online: Easily ordered online, these suitcases are available at the click of a button.
Hard Shell: Do airlines prefer hard or soft luggage? No. But do we think hard or soft luggage is better? We find that a hard shell provides extra security, especially when you're bringing home fragile souvenirs like alcohol.
Built-in TSA Approved Locks: For added security and peace of mind.
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of each suitcase.
Solgaard
Unique Look with Some Design Flaws
At a Glance
Durable to wear and tear
Easy Opening System with Clips
Hanging Closet Included
Available in Medium and Large Sizes
The Solgaard suitcase boasts a unique, almost militaristic design with rounded corners adorned with black plates. While these corners lend it a distinctive look, they also reduce the interior packing space due to their curved edges. The lack of expandability limits the amount you can pack, but the clip system is robust and straightforward, making closing your suitcase a breeze. Properly aligning the clips allows for an easy one-push closure. The real excitement, however, lies in opening it. Squeezing the latch to release the clips gives you a brief moment of feeling like a secret agent, half-expecting to find a suitcase full of money in front of you.
It does come with a hanging closet for organization, but we found its layout and size to be limiting and quickly replaced it with a generic brand from Amazon (you can read more about our hacks to avoid unpacking your suitcase while traveling HERE).
Initially, we were drawn to the medium size for its small and inconspicuous nature but found it couldn't support larger items on top of it without becoming top-heavy and prone to tipping over. Upgrading to the large-sized carry-on resolved that issue, and consequently reduced our need to have such a large personal item as well. We have not encountered any issues carrying-on this larger size so far.
This suitcase is a very sturdy design, and is in fact the only one on this list that never had any hardware issues, and never needed any replacement parts (and we have two of them).
Pros:
Unique and stylish design
Strong and easy-to-use latch opening system
Comes with a laundry bag
Sturdy construction
Cons:
Limited interior packing space due to rounded corners and if you are using it, the hanging closet
Not expandable
Beis
Best Interior Layout and Added Features
At a Glance
Expands 2 Inches
Bag Clip Included
Padded Handle
Best Interior Layout with Multiple Pockets
Beis offers an exceptional interior layout with three zippered pockets, including one designed for wet items. While it qualifies as a carry-on suitcase and is still within most airline guidelines, it is noticeably larger than our other contenders. We appreciated this extra space with the Beis, finding it to be the only suitcase we needed for long trips. However, its size could prompt a second inspection or a trip to the scale with some airlines.
Picture this travel luxury: You're navigating the airport with your Beis suitcase in one hand and your coffee in the other when you realize you need to pick up some snacks, a meal, and perhaps an old-fashioned magazine for your flight. Thanks to the bag clip on the front of the Beis, you can attach all your purchases here and continue to move with your hands relatively free. And speaking of hands, have we mentioned that your hand will be resting on the padded Beis handle as you walk?
Despite these unique design features that we loved, our main issues with this bag stemmed from its construction. We found that when the bag was expanded, it no longer sat squarely or rolled smoothly, and we also experienced interior stitching and pocket tears. To their credit, Beis promptly replaced our luggage when these issues arose.
Pros:
Best interior layout with more pockets
Comes with 2 laundry bags
Padded handle for added comfort
Cons:
Issues with rolling when expanded
Stitching on interior pockets and zippers came apart after repeated use
Possible size issues
Monos
Stylish but Functional Issues
At a Glance
Stylish Appearance
Latch Closure System
Elevated Interior Look
The Monos suitcase is undoubtedly the most aesthetically pleasing bag, both inside and out. We opted for the hybrid carry-on in Champagne, which boasts a stunning, almost metallic appearance. Upon opening this suitcase, we were immediately impressed by how much more luxurious the pockets, straps, and buckles felt compared to its competitors.
However, we did encounter several functional issues during our time using this bag, including broken wheels, a telescopic handle that would stick, and a snapped frame on the interior compression pad. Each time these issues arose, Monos promptly sent us a new part with instructions on how to replace it ourselves. While this was sufficient, it didn't match the level of customer service we received from other brands that completely replaced our malfunctioning bags.
The latch system on this bag is convenient but more involved to use compared to the Solgaard. Instead of a simple one-push mechanism, this latch must first be hooked together and then pulled down to secure. Also, each latch has its own TSA lock that needs to be set, rather than the one central lock on the Solgaard design.
Another divisive issue, even between us, is that the handle release button is located on the bottom rather than the usual top of the handle. While one of us found this ergonomic and practical, the other struggled with accidentally pressing it while walking and pulling, inadvertently extending the handle further.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Best-looking sleek design
Elevated interior look with quality mesh, straps, and buckles
Cons:
Multiple hardware issues
Latch system is more involved
Divisive handle button location
No included laundry bag
Our Top Pick for the Best Carry-On Suitcase
At a Glance
Smooth Rolling
Sturdy Construction
Excellent Customer Service
Expandable
After extensive testing, the Away bigger carry-on flex emerged as our top pick. Despite being a larger carry-on, its smooth rolling and sturdy construction set it apart. When expanded to have a wider frame, it also supports other large bags on top of it well, such as oversized duffels. The construction appears to be of high quality, having no issues with zippers or seams, even when the suitcase is extremely overpacked. This stands in stark contrast to some of the other brands we tested, where we experienced problems with rolling when the bags were expanded. Even when fully packed and expanded, the Away suitcase provided a smoother roll than some empty luxury suitcases we tried out in-store.
The interior design of the Away suitcase is functional but offers only one large pocket located on the compression pad. If you prefer to travel without a compression pad, then you'll have no pockets. This is a sharp contrast to the Beis with its three-pocket design. However, the luggage does come with a laundry bag included, a thoughtful addition for keeping dirty clothes separate.
While this suitcase is our top pick for the best carry-on of 2024, it was not without issues. We experienced problems with the telescopic handle getting stuck, but that suitcase was promptly replaced by Away with their latest model. We were so impressed with this version that we tried a larger checked suitcase in the same style from Away as well.
However, we had to immediately return it after the exterior seams ripped on its first use. Thankfully, the carry-on size seems to have no quality issues and is an excellent choice for both stowing in the overhead bin, and as a durable checked suitcase if you did a little souvenir shopping and need to check it on the way home. A liberty we think all travelers should be entitled to!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Smooth rolling even when fully packed
Sturdy construction with no issues on zippers or seams
Excellent customer service
Cons:
Only one large interior pocket
Telescopic handle issue
Conclusion. The best carry-on in 2024 is ...
Away is our top pick for the best carry-on suitcase of 2024. It is perfect for both carry-on and as a durable checked suitcase. While it may have a few minor issues, the overall quality and customer service make it the clear winner. You can get up to $25.00 off when purchasing through our link.
Safe travels and happy packing!