Over the past 10 years, the luggage market has boomed with startup brands selling trendy, polycarbonate suitcases with luxury features but at prices lower than luxury brands. Béis and Monos are two of these, and choosing between them isn’t easy.
I’ve spent months testing and analyzing dozens of suitcases, including several models from these two brands. I compared suitcases from both brands using our in-depth luggage rating system, which evaluates luggage across 33 individual objective and subjective metrics. Those findings showed me exactly where each brand excels.
Béis was founded by the actress and influencer Shay Mitchell. As you’d expect, Béis suitcases are very stylish and on-trend, but they also include a surprising array of innovative features.
Monos focuses on creating functional, minimalist luggage designed to offer luxury-level quality at an accessible price. Their design philosophy is to create simple designs and make products that last.
On the surface, these two brands are very similar: they both sell high-quality polycarbonate luggage. But when you dig under the surface, there are definitely some important differences.
I’ll walk you through those differences and help you decide which brand has the right suitcase for you.
Why You Can Trust Us
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The TravelFreak editorial team has tested dozens of suitcases over the years, and we’ve learned a lot about what separates a quality piece of luggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve tested and reviewed budget luggage, luxury suitcases, and everything in between.
We know how hard it is to find the perfect suitcase, and we want to make the process easier for you. So our team of gear junkies and product engineers developed the most comprehensive luggage test methodology possible.
We tested and rated 4 Béis suitcases and 11 Monos suitcases, including carry-ons and checked bags from both brands.
We evaluated every one of these suitcases on 31 metrics across eight categories. We gave them all the same treatment and rated them on the same standardized scales. This makes it easy for us (and you) to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each.
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How We Tested (Sources and Methodology)
We kicked off our search for the best affordable luggage with deep research—digging through top-rated reviews, expert roundups, and YouTube deep dives. We looked at tried-and-true favorites as well as underrated picks that most people haven’t heard of. From there, we narrowed it down to the top budget-friendly luggage options, including bags we’ve personally used and promising newcomers.
Then came the hands-on testing. We scored each suitcase using our custom luggage rating system, which covers 9 key areas like durability, ease of use, water resistance, and value for money. No brand got everything right, but the best ones stood out for specific strengths.
We didn’t just test in a lab—we traveled. These bags came with us on international flights, weekend getaways, and cross-country moves. The result? A curated list of the 10 best affordable luggage options, and clear guidance on which bag fits which kind of traveler best.
At a Glance
| Scores |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Average Overall Score | 8.8 | 9.4 |
| Average Build Quality Score | 8.7 | 9.2 |
| Average Ease of Use Score | 7.1 | 8.7 |
| Average Functionality Score | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| Average Water Resistance Score | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Average Brand Impact Score | 4.5 | 8.5 |
| Average Buying Experience Score | 7.1 | 7.4 |
| Average Warranty Score | 7.0 | 10.0 |
| Average Price-to-Performance Score | 7.8 | 6.7 |
| Specs | ||
| Type | Hardside, Softside | Hardside |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Lifetime |
| Returns | Pay for return shipping, 60-day | Pay for return shipping, 100-day |
| Manufacturing Location(s) | China | China |
| Browse Beis | Browse Monos |
Béis vs Monos: Quick Answers
- Durability: Monos luggage is generally more durable and well-built overall.
- Price: Béis is less expensive than Monos.
- Warranty: Most Samsonite luggage has a 10-year warranty, while Monos has a limited lifetime warranty on every suitcase.
- 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 Béis use high-quality polycarbonate on all their products.
- Design and Style: Both brands have minimalist, modern styling. Monos is a bit more subdued and professional. Béis is a bit more fun.
- Interior Organization: Béis and Monos have very similar interior designs, but Béis suitcases have an extra toiletry pocket.
- Expandability: Every Béis suitcase is expandable, while you have to pay extra to get an expandable Monos suitcase.
- Wheels: Both brands have high-quality double spinner wheels, but Monos’ wheels are a bit smoother and more durable.
- Handle: Monos luggage handles are stronger and have less flex than Béis handles.
- Color Options: Both Monos and Béis have a wide range of color options.
Browse Béis Luggage Browse Monos Luggage
Béis vs Monos: Which Should You Buy?
Buy Béis if you…
- often travel internationally (get the Small Carry-On Roller).
- need luggage for vacations and getaways.
- are a light packer who doesn’t always need maximum carry-on size, OR
- sometimes need extra packing space.
Buy Monos if you…
- are a frequent traveler.
- mainly take domestic flights within the US.
- travel for business or are a digital nomad.
- take longer trips.
- care more about durability than features.
- are concerned about sustainability and buying eco-friendly products.
Materials & Quality
Both Béis and Monos use polycarbonate hard shells for all of their luggage. Polycarbonate is pretty much the gold-standard material for hardside suitcases right now. It’s tough, lightweight, and scratch-resistant.
The most impressive thing about Béis is that they’re able to offer full polycarbonate suitcases at a lower price than most of their competitors, including Monos.
Beyond the shell, our Beis luggage review found that the finer details are impressively well-crafted. The handles aren’t overly rattly, the interior lining is slick and water-resistant, and the spinner wheels are smooth-rolling and sturdy.
However, Monos is a bit higher quality in every respect. It’s not a huge difference, but Monos’ wheels, handles, and components are all just a bit better than Béis’. For example, Béis uses glue to attach their grab handles, while Monos uses sturdy screws, and the Monos telescoping handle is stronger and has less flex to it.
In our testing, Monos scored 9.2 for Build Quality, while Béis scored 8.7.
Don’t get me wrong, Béis luggage is plenty durable; it’s just not quite as tough as Monos.
The one downside is that I’ve seen Monos suitcases come out of the baggage claim with some serious scratches and scuffs. This is only cosmetic, but it still is a bummer. Fortunately, our guide for how to clean luggage has tips for how to remove these scuffs.
Both of these brands build durable luggage for international travel designed to withstand years of wear and tear so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with either one. If durability is your top priority, though, Monos is a better choice.
That said, Béis is pretty close and comes in at a lower price.
Browse Béis Luggage Browse Monos Luggage
Design & Features
On the surface, Béis and Monos luggage looks pretty similar. Both have streamlined polycarbonate shells with a series of horizontal lines to add some interest. I’d say that Monos luggage looks more understated and professional (especially in black, navy, or gray), while Béis is a little more playful. But really, either one is versatile enough to fit in in any situation (well, maybe the bright yellow Béis Carry-On Roller would look out of place in a conference room).
The similarities continue once you open these suitcases up. They have very similar layouts, with a zippered divider and some pockets on one side and a big compression panel with elastic straps on the other.
Yes, Béis and Monos suitcases are very similar, but there are a few important differences that may make you lean one way or the other, depending on
First off, every single Béis suitcase is expandable, with a wrap-around zipper that adds extra depth. Monos has added expandable bags to their lineup, but they cost significantly more than standard. For example, compare the Béis Carry-On Roller with the equivalent Monos Expandable Carry-On.
If you like the versatility of an expandable suitcase, Béis gives you a much better bang for your buck.
Both brands have a carry-on model with a front pocket for a laptop, but the Monos Carry-On Pro has a pocket that’s much more protective than the Béis Front Pocket Carry-On Roller. Monos would be my choice for traveling with a laptop.
Monos suitcases are also a little simpler and more minimal, while Béis suitcases have a few extra features. Béis bags have a few more pockets inside, including a waterproof toiletry pocket. They also have a weight indicator on the handle that will show red if your bag is over 50 lbs. There’s even a little retractable bag strap on top that you can loop through the handle of a purse or handbag to attach it to your suitcase.
These features are the main reason Béis scored 9.0 for functionality, while Monos only scored 8.5. They aren’t game-changers, but they’re nice to have.
Lastly, and this one’s important, Béis has a few size options that Monos doesn’t offer. Their Small Carry-On Roller is compact enough to fit within the strictest carry-on size limits anywhere in the world. If you’re traveling internationally, this is probably the best carry-on luggage from either brand.
Béis also has a Mini Roller, which is small enough to fit under the airplane seat and count as a personal item, and it’s adorable. It’s great for kids, but it also works well if you are a light-packer going on a quick weekend trip, especially if you’re flying with a budget airline that charges for carry-ons.
Browse Béis Luggage Browse Monos Luggage
Value for Your Money
If you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck, Béis has lower prices and more features. Béis scored 7.8 for our Price-to-Performance metric, and Monos only scored 6.7.
Especially if you want any extra features like expandability or an extra pocket, Béis will save you some cash.
That said, if you don’t care about expandability, the price difference isn’t huge, and Monos suitcases are definitely sturdier and more durable than Béis. If you’re a frequent traveler, I think investing a bit more in a Monos suitcase will pay off in the long run.
Warranty and Buying Experience
Béis has a good limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects and any major damage to the wheels, handles, or shell, but their warranty policy clearly states that they don’t cover damage caused by “accidents, abrasion… or airline handling.”
I’m not sure how you’d break your suitcase without an accident or abrasion. Basically, they’ll replace your suitcase if they decide they want to.
Monos’ warranty is much more confidence-inspiring. They guarantee that they’ll repair or replace your luggage if the shell, zippers, wheels, or handles are damaged, and the exceptions are damage caused by “intentional abuse, modification, tampering, and/or alteration.”
That makes way more sense.
Monos luggage does cost a bit more, but you’re paying for durability and their better lifetime warranty. They also have a 100-day trial period, which gives you time to decide if you really like your purchase enough to keep it.
Browse Béis Luggage Browse Monos Luggage
Brand Impact & Sustainability
This one’s simple. If buying sustainable products matters to you, you should choose Monos over Béis. Monos scored 8.5 for brand impact, and Béis scored a pretty disappointing 4.5.
Béis doesn’t use recycled materials, and as far as I’ve been able to find, they have no programs or initiatives towards sustainability or improving the impact of their products and business.
Monos, on the other hand, uses recycled fabric in every suitcase, is Climate Neutral Certified, and is a member of 1% for the Planet, which means they donate at least 1% of revenue to environmental non-profits like Ecotrust Canada, Earth Guardians, and Heal the Ocean. So far they’ve donated $1,738,755.
Also, by building products that are designed to last a long time and providing a reliable lifetime warranty, Monos is working to keep their suitcases from ending up in landfills. That’s good for you and for the planet.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully by now you’ve got a pretty good idea of the differences between Béis and Monos, and which one might be a better fit for your travels.
Want a trendy, practical suitcase for getaway trips? Béis luggage is stylish, less expensive, and loaded with features to make traveling easier.
Are you a frequent traveler looking to invest in a top-notch piece of luggage that will last for years of travel. Monos only costs a little more than Béis, and their suitcases are more durable and refined (and come with a better warranty).
I’ve been happy with suitcases from both brands, and they both performed well in our testing. I don’t think you can go wrong either way, the choice just comes down to what you prioritize.
Browse Béis Luggage Browse Monos Luggage
Béis Luggage Review and Monos Luggage Review FAQs
Is Béis or Monos luggage better?
Monos luggage is higher quality overall, but Béis is a great alternative that’s a bit cheaper and has more features.
What are alternatives to Monos luggage?
Béis, July, and Away are all popular alternatives to Monos luggage.
Is Monos a Japanese brand?
No, Monos is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
What material is Béis luggage made of?
Béis suitcases have hardshells made from 100% polycarbonate.
Does the Monos Carry-On fit in the overhead bin?
The Monos Carry-On will fit in the overhead bin on most major airlines, but it may be too big for some budget international flights.
