Away vs Monos Checked Luggage Review and Comparison | Best suitcase brands on the market

In this video, I compare my well-loved MONOS and AWAY medium-sized checked suitcases. I also mention details about the carry-on models of these two brands plus an ad break to introduce you to the Level8 brand. All links are affiliated.
Shop Level8: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=196056...
Shop Monos: www.monos.com/?rfsn=5208495.8...
Shop Away: www.pntrs.com/t/TUJGRkpGSUJGS...
More suitcase options for a variety of budgets: capsulesuitcase.com/the-best-...
Thanks for watching and happy travels xoxo,
- Andrea
00:00 Intro
00:16 The brand models
01:30 The size
02:45 The price
03:16 Level8 suitcases Ad break
05:55 The body
06:38 The wheels
06:57 The handle
07:32 The zipper
09:03 The lock
10:13 The interior
11:22 The extras
12:00 Warranty
13:04 Shipping
13:15 Conclusion
About me
Hi! I'm Andrea, a Marketer in Tech. I work remotely and travel for work and all of my years on the road inspired me to start a blog called The Capsule Suitcase and a few years later, this KZbin channel!
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Best travel pillow: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=132604...
Away suitcase: www.pntrs.com/t/TUJGRkpGSUJGS...
Monos suitcase: www.monos.com/?rfsn=5208495.8...
Best travel water bottle: imp.i263265.net/3PAKgM
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[@marylou9584]

Good comparison; I would say better than others cuz you included the water test leak to the zipper for both and that is really very helpful.

[@royalgreenlantern]

Just got my monos carry on plus in ocean blue I love it the interior feels high quality .

[@francinejaninesarmiento1797]

I love watching content about travel gear, it helps so much for my travels. Glad to have watched yours! You're amazing! Thought I might also share a good travel carry-on bag you can consider on your future travels. It's the Bento Bag from Nomad Lane. It's very functional and a good carry-on on travels ❤🥰

[@james22939]

This so relaxing loved the suitcase zipping sounds

[@joeschmo14]

The monos 100 day return policy is only on NEW unused luggage. Roll it around empty in you apartment. But if you actually use it on a trip or through an airport, it's null and void.

[@michaelibidapo5397]

This is good to know, thank you.

[@baylielin8979]

Thanks!!!

[@rnguyen2516]

To return Monos, you you have to pay for shipping, and it’s cost-prohibitive. The smaller carry-on is too small. I feel like there is a lot of wasted space with Monos. I have the medium also. If you have a family of four (two young kids). The medium will be too small.

[@GoodXylophone]

Useless policy lol

[@milesnorton9932]

See now i gotta look at Level 8

[@adrianabrown1011]

Hi Andrea. Good thorough review. Given that you had the Level 8 on hand I was surprised you did not go into more detail on that. Do you have another video? I am actually shopping for a checked luggage size suitcase and everybody seems swept in the carry on only craze so reviews like yours are rare! Thanks! 😊

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Hi, I don't have one specifically on Level8. At the time, it was the sponsored portion of the video and I hadn't taken it for a true test yet. Now I have (it came to China with me) and it has held up well. Very roomy. Not many bells and whistles on the inside but I *really* like the wheels and the big handle. Makes it easy to manoeuvre when you have a lot of stuff.

[@Agape70113]

Thank you so much for this video! I was deciding between the two and after seeing all the hidden fees and bad customer service I think I’ll go with the Away. 😊 Also, thank you for showing the suitcases with wear and tear. My cousin calls it travel badges of honor. Hope you have a great week!

[@adua78]

That's what did it for me. If it was apples/apples in the customer service department, AND if Monos offered an expandable carryon, I probably would have gone with them as I really like their interior design a little more, especially the heavy duty compression straps. However, I too have heard less than stellar reviews on Monos' customer service, while hearing nothing but GLOWING reviews of Away's.

[@davidlloyd2943]

Has monos reached out to anyone about their customer service?

[@jennyvu]

Thank you for the great thorough review!!

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sebs6736]

Great video! very detailed, however i'm travelling to Europe and def want to take a carry on that will fit anywhere or in any airline without issues. Which brand or model would you recommend me? Appreciate the help and your video as reference!!!

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

I would recommend looking for a suitcase that's 20" high. The US brands mostly start at 22" but having flown budget airlines in Europe, I wouldn't risk it. Level8 has several models at 20"! shrsl.com/3oghr

[@adua78]

Love my new navy Away expandable carryon, but I opted for a softshell TravelPro Elite for my checked sized luggage. I just couldn't deal with all that scuffing on a hard shell checked suitcase! BTW, you won't find a better telescoping handle or smoother/quieter wheels than the TravelPro Elites. Blows my mind.

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

That’s such good info! I don’t have many first hand recommendations for soft shell luggage because I don’t own very many so this is helpful!

[@ronaldbrooks5145]

Great video! I usually place my computer bag on top. How much weight do you think each of these bags would take resting on top?

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

I can’t say *for sure* but I have put personal items that had two 15inch laptops in them on my small suitcase and it was fine. Any heavier and probably will just mean the suitcase won’t roll as smoothly. I don’t think it would damage the exterior.

[@tlapo9671]

Any updates on how your level 8 bag is? I’m deciding between level 8 and the brand July. For a medium checked bag. Just wondering how they hold up when checked. Thank you!

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Hi! The Level8 I checked for 2 legs of a recent trip faired really well! Got no questions at check-in except a compliment for the two-tone and it was well underweight. Nothing inside was damaged. I've never tried July but it looks like it has a few more design details and features, especially on the inside, compared to Level8.

[@xoReni]

Thank you for this!!

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Thanks for watching!

[@isoplayers]

For your Away warranty claim you mentioned, did they charge you shipping for your repairs at the end? I heard Monos charges $60 for warranty claim shippings (and probably normal purchase returns), which is kind of steep, might as well pay a bit more for a new one during holiday sales. Your thoughts?

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Wow, I did not know that! Away didn't charge me anything and the repairs were fairly quick.

[@zarkano1]

@@TheCapsuleSuitcase Monos charges fees for restocking and returns. It's not mentioned on their website. It's also very difficult to communicate with them as they only use text and tend to be both impotent and evasive in their replies. Customer service is dreadful.

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

@@zarkano1 Super good to know. I'm hearing from a lot of people that while Monos is cheaper up front, their guarantees, repairs, and customer service cut a lot of corners.

[@gaijinexec]

noticing that a lot of these higher end cases have the built in tsa locks does anyone have a recommendation for a suitcase you can put a padlock on?

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Try Pelican cases! You might need to pad them, but they are tough.

[@SharonR1105]

Unfortunately, AWAY doesn't offer the dust bag anymore. Nor any of their original extras.

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Oh no! That's so disappointing. Thanks for letting me know.

[@rnguyen2516]

Hi Andrea, have you been able to test out the Level 8 in your travels? How is it holding up? The Level 8 is a game changer, especially the handle!

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

I have! On 3 trips, including Kansas City to Hong Kong. Held up beautifully. It got scratched and is a little dirty as one would expect but it’s so easy to spot on the baggage carousel and I have received compliments at the airport.

[@rnguyen2516]

@@TheCapsuleSuitcase thank you so much for your review and for answering! Would you say the 28” is too big or has a big chance of going over limits? I’m purchasing for a family of four. Is there a way to buff out the scratches or clean the stains?

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

@@rnguyen2516 bigger the suitcase the more the temptation to fill it but it’s it’s lightweight things like clothes and snacks it should be fine. I’ve personally never paid for overweight luggage except on the most low budget of airlines. Easy to clean marks but some scratches are there to stay.

[@rnguyen2516]

@@TheCapsuleSuitcasethank you! I want to mention that I had a heavy bag on top of my Monos carry-on, expecting to go over the bump of a moving people mover. Unfortunately the bag stopped, and I almost tripped, lol. It deserves to be included in luggage tests, lol.

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

@@rnguyen2516 ah! I can relate. Most times when I have trouble with my carry on wheeler suitcases it’s because I have a super heavy personal item resting on top 😜

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

2:29 I’m confused. “The Mono is ever so slightly narrower”? Is it not 11 1/2 inches?

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

You're right! The on-screen graphic should show the MONOS as 10.5 not 11.5 inches deep. My mistake!

[@AK-hi4hm]

have you had any issue bringing the away carry on on flights, since it's a little bigger

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Typically if I fly on a smaller plane, they offer sky check, or sky valet, which means they take it at the gate, put it under the plane, and then you pick it up at your arrival gate as you get off the plane (not at baggage claim). This is all free of charge.

[@Tinykal]

What is the largest suitcase available now? It used to be a traditional style 34”, but not seen one this size for years

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Good question! The tallest I've seen is 30".

[@Tinykal]

@@TheCapsuleSuitcase thank you, guess they must be a thing of the past now :(

[@takeaguess08]

Has the level8 handle gotten on your nerves? That's my only hesitation, I'm afraid that I'd be annoyed that I couldn't slide a personal item with a sleeve on it. Saying all that I have a level 8 carry on that I LOVE so I'm a fan of the brand it's just the design I'm not sure about. P.s. this is the best review vid on YT for away & monos. You check all the boxes! Your thoroughness and the quality of your filming and editing is appreciated.

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Oh that’s a good point! I only have the checked bag size and I drop it off pretty much as soon as I get to the airport so I either am carrying my personal item or it’s on my carry on suitcase on which it fits fine.

[@editway500]

I’ve Mono’s carry on and carry on pro and I like the simple design and love the wheels. I’ve dealt with their customer service dept and yes they did honor what they claim.🎉

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@blisteringherb]

I absolutely HATE my Monos bag. It makes me want to scream every time I use it since the wheels are constantly catching and almost tipping the whole case over. After the first use it got all dented on the bottom.

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

I haven't heard this before, so I'm super curious! Do you have the carry-on model and have you contacted support? This definitely changes my view of them.

[@itsallstraw]

Trying to use your discount code but it’s not working! Any suggestions?

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Hi Roberta, my custom code expired on July 22, but I looked into other ongoing coupons and you can use level8travel15 for 15% off.

[@aquiem5339]

thanks

[@shida7411]

Thank you....Is Monos a Toxin-free luggage? Most luggages have a Prep-65 warning on them.

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Oh, this is a good question and I don't think so.. If they were, I'm sure they would advertise it more prominently. Have you found toxin-free luggage? I'm curious now!

[@annepatno9677]

That is most likely required if it is being sold in California. California is the home of Prop. 65. It is on anything that has paint on it and probably has to do with how the suitcase is formed polycarbonate. Californians are pretty immune prop 65 labels as there are pretty much on everything and have been since the mid 90s (I think).

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

@@annepatno9677 Thank you for the info!

[@mab3900]

Vidéo très utile! :) contente d'encourager une autre québecoise!

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Merci énormément pour ton soutien!

[@mab3900]

@@TheCapsuleSuitcase ❤❤❤

[@whatispizza]

Level8 is the dark horse!

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

It holds *so much* 🤯

[@downieduck2414]

why are you talking about voyager when your byline says away and monos

[@TheCapsuleSuitcase]

Eggs, tuna, kimchi...

[@jameslavis4660]

the cost of a level 8 is horrendous.

[@negusdawoo]

wtf would you review 2 and bring in another one - without paid ad of course

[@ajv0290]

That level8 luggage looks like a storage bin lmao

[@OasisJK22]

There is no way I would purchase either one of those suitcases. Especially for the prices you quoted. They both look like they came out of a dumpster. I can't see past all those scuff marks to appreciate anything about them. I will pass.

[@jaikanhai]

Horrible product and customer service. Overpriced and not durable. Do NOT buy Monos.

[@glaciergang]

Do you have more details on this? Bit of a blanket statement

[@mareelee3668]

​@@glaciergangI have the monos carry on plus and I haven't had any problems with it, they have made me check it before. I do feel like it gets scratched and scuffed up easily but with a magic eraser and some elbow grease it cleans up nicely. The shipping took forever and you do have to pay $30 to ship it back new for the 100 day trial that I wasn't feeling but outside of that I haven't had any issues.

[@ljmljm5107]

im not sure why you couldn’t use new bags for video. honestly kind of gross looking at the used dirty bafs

[@pG-vu1hk]

Don’t listen to this guy I was honestly so glad to see somebody reviewing USED luggage for once. We all know luggage don’t stay spotless especially if you check in. I’m glad to see the wear and tear, and how the luggage will potentially look, exactly what I wanted to see! Thank u for this video

[@gena_unknown]

@@pG-vu1hk same here, I liked seeing that they were used. To me it adds authenticity and true testing

[@rnguyen2516]

I like seeing that the review was based on suitcases that have been tested in real travel.