Equally light, strong and stylish, but one’s simply more versatile

Away makes some of the trendiest luggage on the market, and its most popular models are its cabin-sized spinners, simply named the Away Carry-On and the Away Bigger Carry-On. Both have sleek hard shells in craveable colors, smooth-rolling wheels and plenty of clever features. But if you had to choose only one, which model should you get?

The BestReviews Testing Lab put both the Away Carry-On and the Away Bigger Carry-On through a series of tests, grading them on durability, mobility, organization and more. And we used each as our primary luggage on overseas trips to discover how well they worked in real-world situations. 

While we found both models to be stylish and functional, we found the Away Bigger Carry-On to be more versatile. It packs more than the Away Carry-On and is equally durable, mobile and attractive.

Away Carry-On vs. Away Bigger Carry-On

Away carry-ons were first introduced with built-in battery packs and USB ports, but those have been removed to comply with safety regulations.

The Away Carry-On and the Away Bigger Carry-On share almost every feature between them except for size. Both are hard-sided, smooth-rolling upright suitcases intended for airline cabins.

Away Carry-On specs

The testing team loved easy it was to roll the Away Carry-On through the airport.

Product specifications

Dimensions: 14.4″ W x 9″ D x 21.7″ H  | Capacity: 39.8 L | Weight: 7.5 lb | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No

The Away Carry-On is the brand’s smaller carry-on model and is sized to fit the overhead bins of almost every major airline in the world, including international carriers with smaller, stricter specifications, with the exception of smaller planes from regional carriers. It’s 21.7 inches in height, including its wheels, which are partially recessed to help maximize capacity and stability. 

We appreciated the internal organization and compression of the Away Carry-On, which is important in a small suitcase like this. We also loved how effortless it was to roll while making our way through airport terminals. Plus, it includes niceties like a third handle beneath the wheels for easily pulling it out of the overhead bin or grabbing it off the baggage carousel.

Away Bigger Carry-On specs

The Away Bigger Carry-On weighs just under half a pound more than the Away Carry-On.

Product specifications

Dimensions: 15.4″ W x 9.6″ D x 22.7″ H  | Capacity: 47.9 L | Weight: 7.9  lb | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No

Approximately 15% larger than the Away Carry-On, the Away Bigger Carry-On will fit in the overhead bins of most U.S. airlines. Other airlines, especially international ones, might find it slightly too big, but we traveled internationally with the Bigger Carry-On and had no trouble while boarding. 

While we appreciated the durability of the polycarbonate shell on both models, we had reason to love the Bigger Carry-On’s strength when it tumbled down one of the longest escalators at an airport during our trip — and received only minor scratches. Its wheels tackled not just airport walkways but also city streets and even cobblestones smoothly, and we managed to get almost two weeks of outfits into its 47.9 liters of space.

Key differences

• Dimensions: The Away Bigger Carry-On measures an inch wider, an inch taller and more than half an inch thicker than the Carry-On, and it offers 8 liters more capacity inside, enough for one or two more outfits. The linear dimensions include the height of the wheels, so there’s less worry about exceeding cabin luggage regulations.
• Weight: The Bigger Carry-On weighs 7.9 pounds when empty compared to the Carry-On at 7.5 pounds. Note that’s only 0.4 pounds of a difference, showing how light both bags are.

Key similarities

• Polycarbonate shell: Both carry-ons from Away sport the brand’s famous colorful polycarbonate shells, which are lightweight, flexible and durable and come in at least 10 different colors.
• Smooth spinner wheels: The Away Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On move on four double spinner wheels for smooth rolling in any direction.
• Interior compression: Both Away carry-on models offer interior compression via a pocketed compression panel and wide, adjustable compression straps.
• Lack of expandability: Neither the Away Carry-On nor the Bigger Carry-On are expandable. For that feature, you’ll have to check the Flex versions of each model.

Durability and build quality comparison

Both the Away Carry-On and Away Bigger Carry-On passed our durability and build quality tests. Polycarbonate is strong, lightweight and resists crushing, but hardshell exteriors are prone to scratches and scuffs. As carry-ons, the Away spinners wouldn’t necessarily see the kind of rough handling routinely experienced by checked baggage, but they could still face impacts and tumbles, or be gate-checked like the Bigger Carry-On. 

Both bags emerged from our testing process with no structural damage from drops and falls and with only minor scuffs and scratches. We were more concerned by the scratch resistance of the smaller Carry-On compared to that of the Bigger Carry-On. The wheels, handles and interior likewise held up during the testing process and during our overseas trips without any loss of functionality or structural integrity. We did have some trouble with the zippers not working very smoothly on the Away Carry-On but had no complaints with the Bigger Carry-On’s zippers. Despite this, we found both suitcases to look and feel premium and hold up well to the rigors of plane travel.

Design and features comparison

Aside from size, the Away Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On are identical in design. They boast the textured polycarbonate shells that are Away’s trademark and offer 10 standard colors, ranging from dark colors (such as basic black and navy blue) to the most fashionable pale pastels, in both matte and glossy finishes. Away also regularly drops limited-edition colors for its luggage, and both the Carry-On and BIgger Carry-On are available in those collectible designs. In addition, the shell on Away hardsides have grooves that add structure and visual interest.

Both the Carry-On and the Bigger Carry-On have zippers and interiors lined with polyester fabric. Along with the wheels and handles, these elements are typically black, creating a minimalist contrast to the color of the hard shells. Like most hardside suitcases, the carry-ons have a clamshell hinge that opens into two compartments: one compartment with a full-zip flap, the other with compression straps and a compression panel. The rails of the trolley handle are internal. We liked that they both came with a color-matched luggage tag in faux leather, plus a polyester laundry bag tucked inside the zip lining.

Maneuverability and travel convenience comparison 

The wheels of both the Away Carry-On and the Away Bigger Carry-On were our favorite features. The Bigger Carry-On moved smoothly even on cobblestone streets, and we had no trouble taking it from the terminal to the street to public transport. The extendable trolley handle was clearly superior to other lower-priced brands we tested, and maneuvering both the Carry-On and the fully packed Bigger Carry-On posed no problem during our travels.

Both the Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On come with not only grab handles on the top and side, but also one recessed into the bottom between the wheels. This affords a traveler a third way to grab and grip the bag when removing it from the overhead bin or the luggage carousel, as well as any bins or compartments on cars, buses or trains. We also appreciated the presence of a TSA-approved combination lock on both these models, located on top for convenience, that pops the zippers loose at the push of a button.

Compression and organization

Compression is a feature found in many pieces of contemporary luggage that helps secure and maximize the capacity of a bag. Going a step beyond the cross-straps of yesteryear, Away suitcases feature parallel thick straps that can be adjusted in conjunction with a compression panel, pressing down on loose or bulky clothing and freeing usable space. We approved of this feature in both the Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On, and also liked that the compression panel added zip pockets for smaller items.

However, in both cases, we wished there were even more organizational options and specialized compartments. This would have been particularly useful with the Bigger Carry-On, since its extra size allows for more belongings that can shift around while traveling.

Price

The Away Carry-On starts at $275, while the Away Bigger Carry-On starts at $295 — a $20 difference. These prices put both models in a more premium market than many competitors, even those from well-established brands. We found both prices slightly steep, especially for the smaller Carry-On. Considering its larger capacity and versatility, an extra $20 seems more than reasonable for the Bigger Carry-On. Both are available directly from Away.

How we tested 

The Away Carry-On and the Bigger Carry-On can be stored nested inside the Away Medium checked suitcase but don’t nest inside each other.

Durability and drop testing

Our luggage testing involves specific drop tests from common luggage-handling heights of 3 feet and 6 feet onto hard ground, and a fall down a flight of stairs. While testing the Away suitcases during actual overseas trips, we exposed them to real-life impacts in and out of the airport, including, for the Bigger Carry-On, an accidental fall down a tall escalator.

Capacity and organization

We packed and repacked each Away carry-on model several times to study how much they held and how well they kept items organized. We pushed each model to the limits of its capacity, managing to pack one week of clothing into the Carry-On and two weeks of items into the Bigger Carry-On, without straining either.

Mobility and maneuverability

We tested how well the spinner wheels on the Away Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On handled different types of terrain, from smooth interior flooring, to carpet, to city sidewalks, to cobblestoned streets. We also noted how easy it was to change their direction or maneuver them with their trolley handles, and how stable those trolley handles felt.

Travel convenience

By taking both the Away Carry-On and the Away Bigger Carry-On with us as our primary luggage on real trips, we took advantage of all the convenience features each bag includes, such as the TSA lock, the multiple handles, the laundry bag and the luggage tag. This allowed us to experience firsthand the value, if any, that these features offered in real-life travel situations.

How do they compare to other suitcases we tested?

The Away Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On were among the best overall suitcases we tested. Their wheels and handle in particular were superior to those on luggage by Samsonite and Amazon Basics, matched or beaten only by a model from Travelpro. Among hardside luggage, the Away models seemed superior in damage resistance to suitcases made of ABS or polypropylene. Inside, the included compression features were better than those of several hardshell models we tested, although not quite as good as that offered by a high-end piece from Briggs & Riley. The price of the Away models was above that of Samsonite, twice that of Amazon Basics, but similar to and lower than those of Travelpro or Briggs & Riley.

Bottom line: Should you get the Away Carry-On or the Away Bigger Carry-On?

Both the Away Carry-On and the Away Bigger Carry-On come with a limited lifetime warranty for functional damage and can be repaired or replaced by Away customer service.

Both the Away Carry-On and the Away Bigger Carry-On are excellent hardside spinner suitcases. They’re sleek, stylish, durable and extremely easy to maneuver. They provide good compression and storage for short or mid-length trips. However, at their price, we think the Away Bigger Carry-On offers more value and versatility. It’s allowed on most major U.S. airlines, is barely heavier, provides more space and is only $20 more expensive than the Carry-On. For these reasons, we think the Away Bigger Carry-On is the better choice.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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