Monos Vs. Away Luggage: One Is Actually Better

Monos Luggage

Monos is a luggage brand that’s often dubbed the Apple of suitcases. They offer simple but sophisticated products with high-end features and prices that are just high enough that you’ll feel good about owning something from the brand.

Their luggage is kind of like iPhones – there are a few different models, each one better and more luxurious than the next. The luggage models even follow the iPhone naming scheme, so you have the Carry-On, the Carry-On Plus, the Carry-On Pro, and the Carry-On Pro Plus. And just like with smartphones, the Pros and Pluses have just upgraded versions of the basic model.

What The All The Reviews Said

And after reading about 100 reviews from Monos I can tell you one thing:

Monos luggage is built from the best materials, with high-quality craftsmanship and their warranty and customer service are second to none.

These guys are serious about luggage. They chose the best grade of everything (plastic, wheels, redesigned handle) and designed everything to feel super solid (like a BMW) and last.

Many reviewers bought both Away & Monos and sent the Away case back. here are a few quotes:

“Quality- and design-wise, Monos knocks it out of the park at every point of comparison.”

“This handle is smooth and sturdy, I can say it’s honestly one of the best features about Monos luggage. There is literally no comparison to other brands when it comes to their handle.”

“The Monos zipper is sturdy and flush, while the Away zipper is recessed and feels flimsy”

I could go on. It seems Monos is killing it when it comes to quality and design!

Staple Features

Monos luggage is made from aerospace-grade German polycarbonate. That’s the main reason for the incredible durability of the suitcases. Polycarbonate is the best (and most expensive) material used in luggage. It has amazing impact and shock resistance – instead of cracking upon impact, polycarbonate blends. The scratch resistance is not that great, but that problem is easily solved with a decent luggage cover.

All Monos luggage is also equipped with reverse coil YKK zippers, which are the absolute best type of zippers around. On all the different bags you can lock those zippers with a convenient TSA combination lock, which guarantees the safety of your belongings.

Additionally, this luggage features Hinomoto Lisof Silent Run wheels. They’re dual spinner wheels that are perfectly smooth and silent for ultimate convenience. And they work perfectly with the multi-stage telescopic handle that you can adjust for your height.

The luggage is lined with anti-microbial fabric and features vegan leather details for that luxurious look. Also, all the bags have dual y-shaped compression straps and a divider inside the main compartment, as well as internal pockets for organization. All the carry-on suitcases also feature an internal compression pad, allowing you to pack even more items inside.

It’s worth noting that Monos has a collection of zipperless suitcases. These are the Hybrid Carry-Ons that feature latch closure with two TSA locks instead of a traditional zipper. They are more secure, so consider picking up a hybrid suitcase if you want very secure luggage.

On top of that, there’s a set of accessories you get with these bags and they’re the same no matter which suitcase you buy. All Monos luggage comes with an anti-microbial laundry bag, two shoe bags, and a vegan leather luggage tag.

What about the warranty? Monos extends to same warranty to all of their products – the first 100 days after you make a purchase are a trial. If you don’t like your new suitcase for whatever reason, you’re free to send it back and get a refund. After the trial expires, Monos pledges to repair/replace any part of your suitcase that breaks, whenever that happens.

The Different Monos Models

Here’s what you need to know going into a more detailed look into Monos luggage – there are four main collections in addition to the hybrid luggage I already mentioned. There’s the basic Monos collection that features a carry-on, a medium, and a large checked suitcase. Those bags have just the staple Monos features and nothing else.

Then there are those suitcases with a “Plus” in the name – they’re just slightly bigger than the basic ones without any additional features. The “Pro” bags have extra features, and they’re the best option out of the bunch. Anything “Pro Plus” is bigger and has more features than the basic option.

Monos Carry-On

Monos Carry-On is the most affordable suitcase from the brand. It’s equipped with all the staple features listed above, and it’s available in ten different colors. Two of those are limited additions, so hurry up and put your pre-order in if you like one of them!

Monos Check-In Medium

The Check-In Medium suitcase is perfect for trips that are between one and three weeks long. It’s almost identical to the carry-on, except it’s bigger and has mesh pockets on the compression pad.  If you need a checked bag but you don’t want the largest suitcase available, this is the best thing to get. Also, any Monos Carry-On luggage will fit inside the Medium suitcase for easy storage.

Monos Check-In Large

Monos Check-In Large is the largest suitcase the brand offers. It’s a 28” suitcase with a large capacity that is perfect for trips that are longer than a week. This luggage has all the staple Monos features, with an interior identical to that of the Medium Check-In bag – zippered mesh pockets instead of a compression strap inside.

Monos Carry-On Plus

The Carry-On Plus is a small suitcase for trips for up to a week. In terms of features, it is identical to the standard carry-on suitcase from Monos. The main difference is the size – the “Plus” version is a bit bigger and offers eight more liters of storage, so it’s the better option if you aren’t a minimalist packer.

Monos Carry-On Pro

Monos Carry-On Pro has all the features of the standard Carry-On with one significant improvement – there’s an additional compartment on the front panel. The external compartment features a 15” laptop sleeve and three zippered pouches for all the small stuff. If you like keeping your stuff organized and want to have certain items more easily accessible, a “Pro” carry-on is exactly what you need.

Monos Carry-On Pro Plus

The Carry-On Pro Plus is the iPhone Pro Max of suitcases. The “Plus” stands for the larger body of the suitcase, while the “Pro” signifies all the additional features. In addition to all the staple features that make Monos luggage so desirable, this particular suitcase also has an additional front compartment. The compartment features a 15” laptop sleeve and three extra zippered pockets.

Monos Hybrid Carry-On

Monos Hybrid Carry-On is a zipperless suitcase made from aluminum and polycarbonate. The shell is mostly made from PC, but the corner guards and the frame are aluminum for ultimate durability. This suitcase has two TSA-friendly latch locks instead of a zipper, and it’s a great option if you want Monos’ most secure luggage.

Monos Hybrid Carry-On Plus

The Carry-On Plus has an aluminum frame and corner guards for even better durability. It also has a built-in compression pad so you can fit even more stuff in the luggage. Also, the suitcase features a latch instead of a zipper closure, so it has two TSA-friendly combination locks to guarantee the safety of your belongings.

Away Luggage

Away luggage is a great alternative to Monos. The suitcases are made from similar high-end materials and they’re equipped with all the features you want in high-quality luggage. Away offers more variety than Monos, so if you didn’t see a bag you liked earlier, it’s likely you’ll find something great in Away’s product range.

Their naming system is similar to that of Monos, but instead of using the Apple-like labels to mark the differences between the models, Away uses a more descriptive system to label their luggage. You have a Carry-On with Pocket, a Bigger Carry-On, the Expandable Carry-On, etc.

Staple Features

Away offers a lot more variety than Monos when it comes to luggage sizes and types, but there are still some features that are identical on every single Away suitcase, so let’s talk about those.

All of the suitcases have double spinner wheels that are smooth, silent, and sturdy. The telescopic wheel handle locks into both extended and stored positions, it features an ergonomic grip, and it makes it effortless to maneuver the luggage.

There are TSA-friendly locks on all Away suitcases, even the softshells. The Aluminum collection suitcases feature latch closure with two TSA-friendly locks, while the other bags feature just one sturdy combination lock.

Also, all Away luggage has an internal compression system that makes it easy to pack more items in the bags. You even get a hidden laundry bag inside each of the suitcases, for impeccable organization!

Those are all the features that are identical on all of the Away suitcases. There are a few other things worth pointing out here, but keep in mind that these are specific to certain collections.

Some Away suitcases come with an ejectable power bank. You can choose whether you want a regular suitcase or one with an ejectable battery. It’s important to note that this feature is only available on hardside (aluminum and polycarbonate) carry-ons.

One more thing all Away luggage has in common is the excellent warranty. It’s very similar to the warranty Monos offers – the first 100 days are a trial and you can return the luggage if you don’t like it for whatever reason. After the trial expires, Away’s lifetime warranty kicks in. They will repair/replace any part of the luggage, except for any electronic components (battery).

The Different Away Models

Away luggage can be separated into different collections according to the shell material and unique features, so that’s what I’m going to do.

There are five different collections you can shop. The first is the basic collection that just has the standard Polycarbonate suitcase in four different sizes. Then there’s what I like to call the tiny suitcase collection that features a mini carry-on and kids’ luggage.

The Aluminum collection features the standard four luggage sizes with an aluminum shell, just like the Expandable collection does with softshells. And then there’s the Carry-On with Pocket collection that features two suitcases that have a polycarbonate shell and a leather/nylon pocket.

The Basic Collection

The basic collection features four suitcases that are all made from durable polycarbonate. All the luggage in this collection has luxe leather details that make it look more sophisticated.

The Carry-On

The Carry-On is Away’s smallest polycarbonate suitcase. This is the luggage to buy if you want a suitcase that will fit into the overhead compartment on any airplane. It’s best for trips that are 2-5 days and you can choose between standard and battery versions of the luggage.

The Bigger Carry-On

The Bigger Carry-On is exactly that – a slightly larger version of the Away’s standard carry-on. The suitcase measures around 23” with wheels and handle, so you’ll be able to bring it inside the cabin only on bigger airplanes. The bigger size makes this a good option for trips that are up to a week long.

The Medium

The Medium is the smaller of the two checked bags in the Basic collection. The 24” suitcase is perfect for trips that are 7-20 days long, and it’s the best option for people who want a checked bag, but don’t want a 28” beast of a suitcase.

The Large

The Large is Away’s biggest suitcase. It’s a 27” checked polycarbonate suitcase that you should get only if you need a very big bag. It’s very easy to go overboard in a bag that has a 90-liter capacity, so make sure to weigh this before you arrive at the airport.

The Tiny Luggage

The Tiny Luggage Collection (named by me) features an underseat bag and a children’s suitcase.

The Daily Carry-On With Pocket

The Daily Carry-On With Pocket is the best Away bag for overnight trips. This is a small hardside suitcase that fits into overhead bins on all airplanes, and under the seat on most. There’s an external pocket for all the things you want easily accessible, while the interior of the bag is large enough to hold a 15” laptop. The sturdy shell, wheels, handle, and lock are all identical to those of Away’s bigger luggage.

The Kids' Carry-On

Away even has an option for kids! The Kids’ Carry-On is a smaller version of their classic in-cabin suitcase, with all the features that adults love and a colorful lining inside. It’s not just a suitcase for kids – the smaller size is great because it guarantees you’ll never have to check this bag. It’s a good option for shorter trips, and it’s nearly $100 cheaper than all their other bags!

One thing to note is that the height of the luggage with the handle extended is 31”.

The Expandable Softshells

The Expandable Softshells is a collection of four nylon suitcases that have expandable capacity. It’s very similar to the Basic Collection, with the shell material being the main difference. All four bags have a water-resistant exterior and a zippered compartment on the front panel.

The Expandable Carry-On

The Expandable Carry-On is a great option if you need a carry-on and you prefer softshell luggage. It has all the features of the hardshell suitcases down to the double packing compartments, but also the advantage of expandable capacity. The external pocket fits 15” laptops and it’s not lockable.

The Expandable Bigger Carry-On

This is just a slightly bigger version of the basic carry-on suitcase. It has a larger capacity that can be expanded up to 52 liters, making this carry-on bag a good option for trips that are up to 10 days long. Most airlines will accept this as carry-on luggage, but only if the bag is not fully expanded.

The Expandable Medium

We’ve entered the territory of road trip bags – the Expandable Medium is a 24” suitcase that can work perfectly for trips up to 20 days. But regardless of the amazing quality of Away luggage, do not buy this suitcase if you need a checked bag for air travel. It’s still a softshell bag and chances that it will turn up on the luggage carousel looking like a pancake are very high.

The Expandable Large

This is the largest suitcase Away makes. The expanded capacity of this bag is 114 liters, making the Expandable Large a great option if you need to move across the country. However, even though this is the biggest suitcase from the brand, the laptop sleeve in the front pocket is still designed for15” devices. I wouldn’t recommend this for air travel, simply because it’s a softshell bag.

The Hybrid Carry-Ons

The Hybrid Carry-Ons is a collection of two carry-on suitcases that feature a polycarbonate shell and a leather/nylon exterior pocket. If you want the best of both worlds, these carry-ons are definitely worth considering.

The Carry-On with Pocket

The Carry-On with Pocket is a more versatile version of the brand’s classic carry-on. Choose between a nylon or leather pocket, if you want that extra front compartment to keep some stuff easily accessible.

The Bigger Carry-On with Pocket

Again, this is just a slightly larger version of the previous model. It’s worth noting that the pocket makes the Bigger Carry-On harder to fit into overhead bins on smaller airplanes, so maybe skip this one if you want a bag that is considered a carry-on by every airline in the world.

The Aluminum Luggage

The Aluminum Luggage collection features four suitcases. They’re all made from aluminum and they all feature latch closure instead of zippers, with double TSA locks. Also, you can get these in rose gold, and that’s enough to get me interested. It’s worth noting that these suitcases are heavier than their polycarbonate counterparts.

The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition

Want an indestructible carry-on? Then this is the best luggage for you! The double TSA locks guarantee the safety of your belongings, while the aluminum construction protects the suitcase from everything, including doomsday scenarios.

The Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition

The Bigger Carry-On in aluminum is my least favorite suitcase from Away. It has the capacity of the smallest carry-on but weighs as much as The Large suitcase. It’s good for train and car trips, but not the best option if you want a proper carry-on suitcase.

The Medium: Aluminum Edition

Looking for a 24” suitcase that can survive the apocalypse? That’s The Medium: Aluminum Edition for you. It’s quite heavy, but you’ll be able to sleep soundly on the plane knowing your luggage is perfectly safe.

The Large: Aluminum Edition

The Large in aluminum is Away’s heaviest and most expensive suitcase. The bad thing about it is that it will make you go over the weight limit for checked bags almost every time. The good thing is that it’s so heavy baggage handlers won’t be able to toss it around! Jokes aside, if you want a bulletproof suitcase with a massive capacity, this is the one for you.