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Head-to-head · Best Carry-On Luggage

Away The Carry-On vs Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Away The Carry-On comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about weekend leisure traveler who wants a stylish polycarbonate shell in a specific color, takes 3-5 day trips, and values brand-direct customer service over the lowest possible price — read the strengths below before deciding.

Away The Carry-On
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Carry-On Luggage
Away The Carry-On
$275

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Away Carry-On 81/100 and called the polycarbonate shell 'one of the best we've seen,' while Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10 with praise for the interior compression system and stylish exterior. At $275 it sits below premium hardsides like Rimowa or TUMI but above value brands like Samsonite, making it the default pick for travelers who want polycarbonate durability without aluminum-case prices.

Strengths
  • — 100% polycarbonate shell flexes under impact and rebounds without cracking
  • — Built-in compression system with double-buckle pads adds usable packing volume
  • — TSA-approved combination lock and 360-degree spinner wheels are standard equipment
Watch-outs
  • — Indented zipper track makes the shell feel flexier than premium hardsides like Monos or Rimowa
  • — Side grab handles are slim and difficult to grasp when the bag is full
  • — Built-in battery option was removed in the 2022 redesign and never returned
Full review →
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
Ranked #4 in Best Carry-On Luggage
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
$145

Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Samsonite Freeform 73/100 with the verdict 'a perfectly priced hardshell that doesn't sacrifice style or performance,' while Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10 and CNN Underscored called it 'a terrific option for budget-conscious travelers.' At $145, the polypropylene shell delivers most of what a hardside should — light weight, impact absorption, smooth-rolling dual spinners — but you give up water resistance and interior organization compared to bags twice the price.

Strengths
  • — $145 starting price is roughly half the Away Carry-On and a fifth of Briggs & Riley
  • — 6.6 lbs empty is the lightest bag in this roundup
  • — Polypropylene shell flexes under pressure and absorbs impact better than ABS plastic
Watch-outs
  • — 23 x 15 x 10 in dimensions risk failing strict 22" sizers on regional jets and European LCCs
  • — Water-resistance testing showed one-third of the interior took on water through the zipper
  • — Top and side grab handles are 'thin and lack a comfortable grip' (Pack Hacker)
$145 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Away The Carry-On

Lighter than the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential (7.5 lbs vs. 10 lbs) and more impact-resistant than the Samsonite Freeform's polypropylene shell, but the indented zipper track makes it feel flexier than the Monos Carry-On Pro's aerospace-grade German polycarbonate. Compression system gives back roughly the same usable capacity as Briggs's CX system without the ratcheting mechanism.

Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner

Lightest bag in this roundup at 6.6 lbs vs. the Away Carry-On at 7.5 lbs and Briggs & Riley Baseline at 10 lbs. Polypropylene flexes more dramatically than the Away's polycarbonate — that's an impact-absorption feature, but it feels less rigid in the hand. Interior is simpler than the Travelpro Platinum Elite's four-exterior-compartment layout.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAway The Carry-OnSamsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
Material100% polycarbonatePolypropylene hardshell
External Dimensions21.7 x 14.4 x 9 in23 x 15 x 10 in
Packing Capacity41 L41.2 L
Weight7.5 lbs6.6 lbs
Wheel Type4 dual-spinner 360-degree wheels4 oversized dual 360-degree spinner wheels
Compression SystemYes, double-buckle pads—
TSA LockYes, combinationYes, recessed combination
WarrantyLifetimeCare with 5-year complimentary repairs10-year limited
Expandable—Yes
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