Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Away Carry-On
Best Mid-RangeTravelpro Platinum Elite
Best ValuePrice
$275-$375
$150-$350
Summary
The most popular mid-range luggage brand for a reason — clean design, solid polycarbonate shell, and a lifetime warranty. Most WIRED staffers own one.
The go-to luggage brand for flight crews, offering near-Briggs & Riley quality at a fraction of the price. Consistently tops 'best luggage' lists across Reddit and expert sites.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects
- Clean, minimal aesthetic available in wide range of colors
- Polycarbonate shell is lightweight yet durable
- Built-in TSA-approved combination lock
- Lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects for wheels, zippers, and handles
- Consistently ranked at or near the top of best luggage lists
- Significantly lighter than premium competitors
- Well-priced relative to build quality
Cons
- More expensive than Samsonite at similar quality tier
- Battery-equipped versions banned on some airlines
- Not as durable long-term as Briggs & Riley or Travelpro per frequent flyer communities
- Airline damage only covered for first year (unlike Briggs & Riley's unconditional warranty)
- Must ship to Travelpro repair center at your cost after year one
- Front pockets can push dimensions over some airlines' carry-on limits
Our take
Away hit a sweet spot that no one else had found: genuinely good luggage at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. It's not the absolute best, but it's the best for most people.
Travelpro is the sweet spot between price and performance — it's what airline crews actually use, and that's the most honest endorsement luggage can get.
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