Beis and Away are two fairly young luggage brands that manufacture some really good rolling luggage. But they are very similar, and if you don’t already have a favorite in mind, it will be impossible to decide on just one brand without knowing all the facts.
That’s where this detailed comparison of Away and Beis comes in. I will tell you everything you need to know about these two brands, from how the companies came about to the differences in the weight of the luggage. By the end of the comparison, you should have a much clearer idea of which luggage brand is the better fit for your travel needs!
Key Differences Between Away and Béis
Before we get into a more detailed overview of the features of Away and Beis luggage, here’s a quick list of the major differences between the two brands:
- Away has an aluminum luggage collection
- Beis has a softside luggage collection
- Away uses YKK zippers
- Beis uses Hinomoto spinner wheels
- Away luggage has a bottom grab handle
- Beis luggage has a weight limit indicator on the side
- Beis luggage has an add-a-bag strap
- Beis luggage has padding on the wheel handle
- Away luggage is not expandable by default (there’s a special expandable collection)
- Away luggage is smaller
- Beis luggage is lighter
Brand Background
Away
Away is a young luggage brand. It launched in 2015 and it quickly took the market by storm with its unique take on carry-on luggage. What made Away luggage special back in 2015 was that all their carry-ons included built-in power banks for easy charging on the go.
The brand has since abandoned this feature, unfortunately, and it appears that you can no longer purchase a suitcase with a built-in battery.
The popularity of Away has mostly grown since its launch, at least in the US. They have become known for high-quality luggage manufactured from premium materials that are synonymous with durability. Away luggage is also very sleek, and a great option for travelers who want a simple but functional suitcase.
Béis
Beis is even newer than Away and it was started by the actress Shay Mitchell. You may remember her from her roles in You and Pretty Little Liars; the actress launched this brand in an attempt to solve luggage and travel issues that she herself was often facing.
One of those was the need for luggage that looks pretty in photographs, but it’s important to note that Beis luggage is packed with useful and unique features.
That’s actually how this brand managed to stand out among so many similar alternatives. They’re the only brand I’ve seen that includes a weight limit indicator in their bags, which turns red if your suitcase is over 50 lbs. And that’s just one of several convenient features included in Beis luggage!
Design
Away
Away luggage is sleek and simple-looking, available in a permanent color range and a few limited edition options that change every now and then. All Away luggage features a textured shell for improved scratch resistance. Honestly, if you just focus on the design of the exterior, it’s very hard to notice any differences in luggage from these brands.
Béis
Beis luggage is very similar to Away in terms of design. The main difference is the color variety; whereas Away luggage is mostly available in muted and dark colors, Beis luggage is made in much brighter and lighter colors. I will say that I personally think that brighter and lighter colors are a better option for check-in travel luggage because it helps you spot your suitcase faster at baggage claim.
Quality & Durability
Away
Away luggage is all manufactured from durable polycarbonate, except for their aluminum collection. In terms of durability and impact resistance, aluminum luggage is the absolute best option because it will last the longest. Polycarbonate is significantly more durable than polypropylene and ABS plastic, but even those suitcases will crack eventually.
Béis
Beis also features luggage manufactured from polycarbonate, as well as one softside option made from polyester. These are the best and most durable materials for the body of rolling suitcases, so the suitcases will not disappoint in terms of durability.
One difference I’ve noticed is that Beis zippers appear to be factory-made, whereas Away uses YKK zippers. On the other hand, Beis uses Hinomoto spinner wheels which are some of the best in the market, and Away offers no information about the type of spinner wheels in their luggage.
Features
Same Basic Features
Beis and Away both make quality luggage and include many of the same features. No matter which brand you choose, you’ll end up with luggage that has a polycarbonate shell, a TSA-approved luggage lock, a height-adjustable wheel handle, spinner wheels, and multiple pockets inside.
Both brands even include a padded divider that doubles as a compression pad in their luggage, as well as removable garment bags for dirty clothes.
Differences
Beis padded handle
Even though the suitcases are very similar, there are a few differences between them that should make it easier for you to choose. Away luggage includes a grab handle at the bottom, which is very helpful for picking up your suitcase and placing it in the overhead bin. Beis suitcases lack this feature.
Away also has better product variety. They have multiple luggage collections including a basic collection, an expandable one, an aluminum one, and a collection of carry-ons with external pockets. Beis only has one suitcase collection and an additional softside suitcase. Also, it’s important to note that Beis recently expanded its product range to include carry-ons with external pockets.
Now it’s time to talk about the features that are unique to Beis luggage. The suitcases all have extra padding on the wheel handle, a built-in weight limit indicator on the grab handle, and a strap to attach an extra bag to the case. All Beis luggage is also expandable, and features more pockets inside, including a waterproof one.
Size & Weight
Away has more options for luggage sizing. Beis only has a Carry-On Roller Bag, a Medium Roller, and a Large Roller in their product range, whereas Away offers two different sizes for carry-on luggage. Beis’ carry-on compares to Away’s Bigger Carry-On because they’re both 23” luggage for domestic travel in the US.
Also, to make this comparison entirely fair, I have to look at Away’s expandable luggage collection and I’m going to compare the size and weight of the Béis Carry-On Roller and Away Bigger Carry-On Flex.
Beis:
- Dimensions: 15.7” x 22.8” x 9.8”
- Weight: 8.36 lbs
- Capacity: 49 – 61 liters
Away:
- Dimensions: 22.7″ x 14.7″ x 9.6″
- Weight: 8.55 lbs
- Capacity: 47.9 – 55.7 liters
As you can see, the Beis luggage is just a little bigger with a slightly larger capacity, while managing to stay a little lighter. However, it’s important to note that Away also offers smaller suitcases that are better suited for international travel, whereas Beis does not (yet).
As for the checked luggage, Beis suitcases are bigger by about 2”. Their medium case measures 28.3” with wheels and handles, while the largest bag measures 31.3” Away medium and large luggage is 26” and 29” with wheels and handles (respectively), and it offers a smaller capacity than Beis luggage, but manages to be heavier.
Price Differences
Beis luggage is generally more affordable than Away luggage and the difference is approximately $100 per suitcase. Both brands offer free shipping; Away offers free UPS ground shipping for all orders above $100, and for Beis the limit is $150. This means that all suitcases will be shipped for free in the continental US, but if you’re buying one of the cheaper travel bags, you might have to pay extra for shipping.
Also, both brands charge shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. Overall, if you’re looking to save some money and you want to go with the more affordable luggage brand, Beis is the better option.
Warranty & Returns
Both luggage brands offer a limited lifetime warranty that covers any manufacturing defects that could impact the functionality of the product. Away’s warranty is a little better since they don’t mention anything about damage incurred by the airline. Beis warranty explicitly states that they won’t cover any damage to the luggage caused by baggage handlers.
Away, on the other hand, promises to repair any damage and defects that make their luggage unusable. So, if you’re a frequent traveler and you’ve had to deal with warranty claims more than once, Away luggage might be the better option for you.
What about returns? Away offers free returns on any unused items for the first 100 days. If you buy one of their suitcases and decide you don’t like it as much, you can return it for free. Beis isn’t as generous with their return policy; they accept returns only in the first 45 days and there’s a $10 handling fee.
Also, it’s important to note that most customers had no issues with returns and refunds. In fact, one of the major complaints people had about both these brands is that they were too quick to issue refunds when the customers only wanted to change a thing or two about their order.
Customer Experiences with Away and Béis Luggage
Both Away and Beis sell luggage only on their own websites, so they have control over the reviews that are published. Away Luggage has few reviews on their online shop and they are overwhelmingly positive. Beis Luggage, on the other hand, has thousands of reviews that range from 1-star reviews to 5-star reviews.
If you look at their ratings on Trustpilot, it’s the opposite. Away has almost 800 reviews about 50% of which are 5-star reviews, whereas Beis has less than 100 reviews, most of which are 1-star reviews.
I take this to mean that dissatisfied customers are turning to Trustpilot to voice their concerns. The total number of negative reviews across both platforms is under 200, while the number of positive reviews exceeds 7000.
One thing that I’ve noticed most people are complaining about is poor customer support. It appears that both companies only reply by email, most people never managed to talk to a real person, and it took a long time for customers to get email replies.
Away vs Béis Luggage: Which Suitcase to Choose?
Honestly, it’s a really tough choice and I think it all comes down to personal preference. Do you want to try your luck with Shay Mitchell’s luggage brand, or do you want to stick with a brand that’s been around longer?
It also comes down to the size of luggage you want because Beis luggage is significantly larger than Away luggage and there’s less variety. Away seems like the better option for a carry-on suitcase, especially if you want something you can take on international trips. But Beis is certainly an interesting option for domestic trips within the US, and also for checked luggage.
When it comes to quality and performance, the luggage from both brands is very similar. Beis and Away both feature durable suitcases made from polycarbonate, TSA-friendly locks, double spinner wheels, height-adjustable wheel handle, and interior pockets for easy organization.
Ultimately, it’s best to take a good look at the features that are unique to each brand, and then decide which luggage you like best.
RELATED POSTS:
MONOS VS AWAY
MONOS VS BEIS
BEIS LUGGAGE REVIEW
