Monos vs. Away Luggage: We Tested Both to Find Out Which is Better

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The TravelFreak editorial team is made of avid travelers, vanlifers, photographers, product engineers, and overall gear junkies. We believe that quality gear can greatly improve the quality of a trip. And while high quality gear isn’t always necessary, we do believe in investing in gear that will last a lifetime.

We only recommend products that we actually like and that we would use ourselves. We are not swayed by financial incentives to recommend products. Our recommendations are based on both real-world personal experience and in-house data analysis.

Our editorial team has owned and used multiple different suitcases from both Monos and Away. We’ve taken them on real trips and tested them in airports, airplanes, hotels and cities around the world. This is the foundation of our reviews and recommendations.

Additionally, we’ve analyzed objective data from 11 different Monos suitcases and 8 Away suitcases including carry-ons and checked bags from both brands. Our proprietary luggage test methodology incorporates 31 data points for every suitcase across eight categories.

We rate every suitcase on the same standardized scales. This makes it easy for us (and you) to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each.

If you want to learn more about how we test and rate luggage, you can read a breakdown of our full luggage rating system here.

By combining these data-driven insights with our real-world experiences, we are able to give you a more detailed and objective comparison. Ultimately, our goal is to help you find a suitcase that will serve you well for years to come.

Monos vs Away: Quick Answers

• Durability: Monos luggage is generally more durable and well-built overall.
• Price: Both brands sell mid-to-high-range suitcases, but Monos is more affordable across the board.
• Warranty: Both Monos and Away suitcases come with great lifetime warranties.
• Sustainability: Monos is much better for sustainability and brand impact. They are Certified Climate Neutral and are a member of 1% for the Planet.
• Materials: Both Monos and Away use high-quality polycarbonate for all of their hardside luggage. Away also has softside and aluminum luggage.
• Design and Style: Monos and Away have very similar designs, with sleek, minimalist exteriors and functional interiors.
• Interior Organization: Monos and Away suitcases are very similar inside, with a zippered divider on one side and a compression pad with elastic straps on the other. Monos’ compression straps are slightly better, though.
• Expandability: Both brands offer expandable suitcases.
• Wheels: Both brands use durable, smooth, high-quality spinner wheels.
• Handle: Monos redesigned their luggage handle to be stiffer, stronger, and more stable than Away’s handle.
• Color Options: Both brands offer plenty of color options. Away has more bright colors, while Monos’ colors are more subdued.

Browse Monos Luggage   Browse Away Luggage

Monos vs Away: Which Should You Buy?

Materials & Quality

Both Monos and Away specialize in building high-quality hardside suitcases with premium materials. Both brands use polycarbonate as the main material in their hardside luggage. Both use high-quality spinner wheels, zippers, and other components.

There are a lot of similarities, but there are also some key differences.

Away has more materials to choose from than Monos. In addition to their polycarbonate suitcases, they also sell aluminum luggage (which is durable but prone to dents) and softside luggage made from high-density nylon.

Away’s aluminum cases are nice, but honestly, I don’t recommend aluminum luggage unless you just really need to have the fanciest suitcase in the room. Aluminum is heavy, very expensive, and it dents easily.

Away’s softside bags, on the other hand, are definitely worth looking at. I’ll talk more about this in the next section.

Monos puts more emphasis on quality manufacturing and transparency about their process. Every company has some level of quality testing (at least they should), but I’ve rarely seen a brand make that public the way Monos does. Their quality testing is extensive (some might say torturous), and gives me more confidence in their products than Away.

Monos luggage scored an average of 9.2 for build quality, compared to Away’s lower 7.9. The Monos shell is stronger and more rigid, their quality testing is better, and their telescopic handle is less wobbly and is made from extruded aluminum instead of cast zinc tubes.

Overall, if durability is your top priority, I would stick with Monos.

Browse Monos Luggage   Browse Away Luggage

Design & Features

Again, Monos and Away are very similar when it comes to design; both make sleek, modern spinner luggage with similar features. If you take off the logos, it’s easy to confuse which one is which.

On the outside, both brands’ suitcases are minimal and stylish. They even have very similar patterns of lines in the outer shell. The grab handles are in the same places and look almost identical. The TSA locks are similar, just in different spots. There really isn’t much that sets these suitcases apart visually.

The similarities continue on the inside. Suitcases from both brands have a zippered divider on one side with a built-in mesh pocket and a large compression panel on the other side.

So, if the designs between the two brands are so similar, how do you decide which to pick?

Well, there are some distinct differences between which models each brand offers, so if you’re looking for something specific, you m

As I mentioned before, Away now sells softside luggage, and Monos does not. I’m a big fan of softside suitcases, and I think this is probably the biggest reason to choose Away over Monos.

Away’s Softside Carry-On, for instance, is flexible, expandable, will never crack, and has multiple external pockets (something you don’t get with hardshells).

On the other hand, the Monos Carry-On Pro is the only hardside suitcase between the two brands that has an external pocket. This external pocket hinges open and has three divided sleeves and three zippered pockets. This design is awesome for keeping all your essentials organized and easy to access.

I also think Monos just does a better job with the details of their designs.

For example, both brands use elastic compression straps, but the Monos straps are thicker, wider, more secure, and easier to use; they’re a huge upgrade over the typical flimsy elastic straps you find on most suitcases.

Monos also redesigned their telescopic handle from the ground up. It uses high-quality aluminum components, adjusts to four different heights, is very stable, and has the button on the underside, which makes it intuitive to use and gives the suitcase a clean look.

Away’s bags just have a standard off-the-shelf luggage handle that’s functional, but not quite as good. It wobbles more and only has two adjustment points.

When comparing such similar products, it’s really the little details that make all the difference, and Monos wins in the details.

Browse Monos Luggage   Browse Away Luggage

Value for Your Money

This one is simple: Monos is of equal or better quality to Away, but it is also less expensive across the board. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, go with Monos.

I’ll leave it at that.

Warranty and Buying Experience

Away is known for having great customer service and a generous return policy, so they’re the winner here. Away scored 8.3 for Buying Experience, while Monos only scored 7.4.

Both brands have a 100-day return policy, but Monos charges $40 for return shipping, while Away covers everything and provides you a pre-paid shipping label for returns.

Since you’ll most likely be buying these products online, that better return policy really matters. It gives you more freedom to really try out the suitcase in person to see if you like it without having to worry about coughing up 40 bucks for a return.

This is something I really wish Monos would change, so good job, Away, for actually offering free returns.

Both Monos and Away offer solid lifetime warranties on all their luggage. I appreciate when brands stand behind their products, and you can’t go wrong here.

Browse Monos Luggage   Browse Away Luggage

Brand Impact

If you care about buying sustainable products, Monos is definitely the better choice. Monos scored an impressive 8.5 for Brand Impact compared to Away’s 6.2.

Monos uses a 100% recycled inner fabric, Away doesn’t. Even Monos’ polycarbonate hard shells are made of partially recycled materials, something that’s rare for hardside luggage.

Monos is Climate Neutral Certified (the first luggage brand to earn this distinction), which means they have to follow very strict requirements for measuring and offsetting their carbon emissions.

Monos is also a member of 1% for the Planet. Every year they donate 1% of their revenue (not just profit) to environmental nonprofits. So far the brand has donated nearly $2 million.

It’s easy to talk when it comes to impact and sustainability, but reputable third-party certifications like Climate Neutral and 1% for the Planet require concrete, verifiable action.

Away is starting to take steps toward sustainability, but their products and business practices just don’t measure up to Monos. They have no third-party-verified initiatives, and they don’t use many recycled materials.