Which Luggage Brand Is Better?
I’m a brand loyalist, meaning when I find a label’s backstory and products that align with my tastes, I’ll buy from them forever. As an avid traveler, I’m always down to invest in luggage and travel accessories. Over the years, I’ve tested several brands and have found my favorites. In fact, two names often pop up in conversations for style and durability—Away vs. Béis—so I figured I should share my experiences with them. I’ve come to rely on various items from both brands, depending on what I’m packing and where I’m going. If these two names have piqued your interest, too, scroll ahead for my personal Béis vs. Away luggage guide.
I tested four different products—a check-in bag, a carry-on, a duffle bag, and packing cubes—from each label, so I understand the full range of what they offer. And while I would love to say one brand is “better” than the other, this is a generalization. I know that everyone has different shopping budgets, packing needs, and aesthetic preferences, so I touched on all these points in my reviews of each product ahead. Use my notes as a helpful guide to find the best Away and Béis luggage for you and your travel needs.
Béis Check-in Bag vs. Away Check-in Bag
I was excited to test the check-in bags since A) I’m an overpacker and B) they come in these pretty olive hues, which felt fitting for the fall/winter seasons. Right off the bat, I noticed the Béis 29-inch Roller was huge, even without expanding it to its full size, and lighter in weight (at 11.84 pounds) compared to Away’s large check-in of a similar size (at 12.1 pounds).
When I did the 360-spin test, both pieces of luggage spun around effortlessly while the smooth-gliding wheels rolled down my carpeted hallway and on my hardwood floors easily. They are both sturdy, though I find Away’s polycarbonate shell feels harder than the Béis shell (I also asked my husband what he thought, and he agreed). They both feature striped designs with Béis’s having a 3D raised element to it. The Béis luggage is a few dollars less than the Away option: $328 vs. $375.
What I Love About the Béis Check-in
- Soft cushion underneath the handlebar
- The retractable bag strap that holds up to 15 pounds
- Side-carry handle with a weight limit indicator
- Expandable compartment (up to 14.5 inches)
- All the different functional interior compartments
- Good for overpackers, big families, and people with kids
What I Love About the Away Check-in
- The two-tone color contrast between green and black
- The little side bumpers keep your suitcase off the floor when on its side
- Lock button is on top vs. the side, so that’s super convenient
- Comes with an eraser to buff out scuff marks and dirty spots
- Comes with a laundry bag (I can stop packing a garbage bag to hold my dirty clothes in!)
- A good size for the frequent traveler (though you can get the Large Flex for more space)
How the Béis and Away Check-ins Hold Up Over Time
After over a year of using both check-ins, including taking them on an international trip to Japan, I can conclude both are durable and sturdy enough to survive being tossed around by TSA agents. They both aren’t impervious to scratches and scuff marks, but that’s a given when you’re not flying private. I haven’t noticed any broken locks, zippers, or seams bursting. They both still roll easily over carpet and hardwood despite the travels they have been through.
One thing I love about the Béis check-in is that there’s a retractable strap that lets you connect it to your other Béis luggage and so forth. If you connect three or more pieces, they roll along like baby ducks following mama duck.
The Verdict
I love both suitcases and would use them depending on the traveling situation. If I were going on vacation with my husband and we could only pack one suitcase between us, I’d go with the roomier Béis Roller. If I were traveling alone for the week and wanted my suitcase to feel compact and chic with my fashun outfits, I would go with the two-toned Away option. I also love the deeper olive hue here, which I’ll use to justify the $47 price difference between the two brands. If you feel torn about your check-in luggage purchase right now, simply go with the color you love more!
Béis The 29″ Large Check-In Roller
Béis Carry-on Luggage vs. Away Carry-on Luggage
I’ve had my Away The Bigger Carry-On for years, as you can tell by the visible black marks all over it. The suitcase has held up well from my cross-country travels, so I was intrigued to see how it would compare to the Béis carry-on. They’re comparable in size as The Bigger measures 22.7″ x 15.4″ x 9.6″ while The Carry-On Roller measures 22.8″ x 15.7″ x 9.8″ and both feature smooth wheels and handlebars. One thing to note is that since my Away suitcase is an older model, I don’t have the provided laundry bag or extra interior pocket that the newer versions do. That said, all the other details are the same.
The Béis Carry-On Roller is a “shrunken” version of its check-in bag so all the functional interior pocket details are the same, which is nice when I don’t want to use my check-in bag. I opted for the carry-on without a front-sleeve pocket for aesthetic purposes, though in hindsight, after speaking with a colleague, this extra element would’ve been nice when I travel with my work laptop (but I digress).
What I Love About the Béis Carry-on
- It features all the same elements as the check-in bag, from the cushioned handlebars to the retractable bag strap that holds up to 15 pounds to the side weight indicator
- The unique maple color makes the bag easily identifiable at the airport
- Expands up to 12 inches
What I Love About the Away Carry-on
- It’s lasted me six years (and counting) and is not dented or broken in any way
- Fuss-free compartments that force me to not overpack for quick getaways
- The baby blue color, since it’s not sold in this hue anymore
How the Béis and Away Carry-ons Hold Up Over Time
I’ve had the Away Bigger Carry-On for years, and it hasn’t failed me yet. Aside from looking a little dirty on the outside, all the parts still work nicely. There is a penny-sized hole in one of the inner mesh compartments, but the hole hasn’t gotten any bigger. It’s still my go-to for trips and I don’t fear it breaking down on me anytime soon. I’ve had the Béis carry-on for less time than my Away, but so far, so good. I can attest that it’s held up to being tossed and thrown about at airports and in Ubers. They’re both solid picks in terms of durability!
The Verdict
Béis carry-on offers me way more room for storage than my current Away suitcase. The overpacker in me is very pleased that I can now bring that extra pair of shoes or even my handheld steamer with me on vacations. The price difference between the two is $77, with Béis costing less and offering more functionalities—a win-win situation in my opinion.
Béis The Carry-On Roller
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Now 32% Off
Béis Duffle Bag vs. Away Duffle Bag
To start, both of these duffle bags are perfect for three-to-four night stays depending on the season and what you pack (chunky knit sweaters and boots take up more room than breezy dresses and shorts for instance). The Away duffle has a smooth and semi-shiny exterior and is longer than the boxy Béis option, which has a thicker, fabric-like material. They both have trolley straps so that you can secure your duffles to suitcases, and the straps are comfortable to wear across your body. The handles nestled nicely into my hands, too, for toting around.
The Béis duffle has two deep pockets on the outside where you can stuff your chargers and passport, while the Away only has one. It’s also deep and has a zipper to further secure your items. There are also little loops on the outside where you can attach keys or other small items (like a mini flashlight or portable dog water bowl), but it makes me nervous to have my keys openly displayed, so I didn’t use this design feature.
What I Love About the Béis Duffle Bag
- My keys don’t get lost in the duffle, thanks to the key leash
- One of the pockets unzips to go over your suitcase’s handlebar
- Fabric feels thick and protective, same with the detachable strap
What I Love About the Away Duffle Bag
- There’s a handle on the side to pick up the bag and carry it vertically
- The “hidden” zipper pocket is convenient for easy access to your items
- Detachable shoulder strap goes across your body diagonally for a comfy fit
How the Béis and Away Duffle Bags Hold Up Over Time
I’m unsure if this is due to overuse or just the bag’s design, but I noticed the zippers on the Away duffle bag come undone when you walk around with it. Okay, maybe I tend to overstuff it, but the zippers pry open themselves at the airport, so I always have to check to ensure it’s properly closed! This makes me anxious that something will fall out, so I’m considering getting a mini lock for the zippers to solve the issue. The Béis duffle bag is a bit dirty from use, and I haven’t figured out how to wipe it down. However, aside from looking a bit worn, all the compartments and zippers are fully functional. This feels like a sturdy bag you can use for years.
The Verdict
At first, I liked Away’s duffle bag more than the Béis one because it’s a little bit bigger and opens up wider, making it easier to take your clothes in and out of. The germaphobe in me also finds Away’s smooth duffle bag material easier to wipe down than the Béis one, which feels more fabric-like, even though they’re both crafted from polyester. However, after using both for over a year, I’m starting to like the Béis one more! This is mainly because I don’t have to worry about the zipper opening, and it feels like it can handle more wear and tear.
Béis The BÉISics Duffle
Béis Packing Cubes vs. Away Packing Cubes
This was my first time using packing cubes; now I understand the hype around them. The Away and Béis cubes were super helpful in keeping me organized while I packed my duffles. Since packing cubes can be utilized however you see fit—I used the Béis shoe bags not for my footwear but to hold my undergarments and socks—the possibilities for what they can contain are endless.
I found that the cubes from both brands can carry roughly the same number of garments. To give you a better idea of what they can hold, the biggest cubes can fit at least three to four extra-thick sweaters, while the medium cubes can hold up to five pairs of jeans. The Béis flatter pouches held fewer clothing items than some of the boxier cubes from Away, but they offer more versatility if you choose to use the zipper pouch for, say, makeup rather than clothes.
What I Love About the Béis Packing Cubes
- The paper labels that read “sweaters” and “kiddies” were cute touches and made identifying your clothes in suitcases and duffle bags convenient
- Bags come in various shapes to appeal to all types of packers
- You get a comfortable grip on the packing cubes thanks to the handles on top
What I Love About the Away Packing Cubes
- The set comes in five different shades, which is nice if you like to match them to your suitcase color
- They fold down super flat and compact when not in use
- Cubes are all of similar rectangular shapes, allowing for more clothing storage
How the Béis and Away Packing Cubes Hold Up Over Time
I use the packing cubes from both brands equally because my husband also dips into my stash and uses them for his clothes when packing. Between the two of us, these packing cubes have had their fair share of being overstuffed with everything from jeans to socks. I also threw the packing cubes into the washing machine and air-dried them. (Disclaimer: I’m unsure if this is recommended, so please read the care label yourself.) Both brands have survived multiple washings. They have both held up well over time, so I’d recommend getting the packing cubes you like more simply based on style.
The Verdict
Both sets of packing cubes are equally functional and appeal to all types of packers. Because I have my own shoe bags already and have countless zip pouches for my beauty products, I prefer to have cubes I can organize my clothes into. Away’s pack of six caters better to this need—I can use the longer, smaller cubes to stuff leggings and even rolled-up T-shirts into while reserving the more giant cubes for sweaters and jeans. However, I do wish they came with pre-made labels like the Béis set, as this thoughtful detail makes packing much more fun and organized.
Béis The Packing Cubes (Set of 6)
Now 99% Off
Away The Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 6)
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