Away Carry-On luggage review: After 5+ years of testing this suitcase, we still think it's worth the hype

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Away makes the "it" suitcase that many travelers love and even more want: a colorful, hard-shell roller bag that's spawned countless imitators. But is at all hype, or is its flagship carry-on the real deal?

Before trying the Away Carry-On, my go-to suitcase was a purple polka dot bag I received for Christmas 10 years ago. Using Away's bag has completely revolutionized my packing and traveling routine. I can honestly say that this suitcase deserves its social media buzz. In fact, I've found that Away has done the seemingly impossible and made packing and carrying a suitcase downright enjoyable.  

Since former Business Insider senior reporter Connie Chen originally wrote this review, I've had the chance to retest the Carry-On to update our thoughts. You can find my review, along with Chen's thoughts, below. We've also tested many of Away's other products, which you can read about in our Away luggage review, best carry-on guide, and guide to the best luggage.

Design and specs

The mere seven-and-a-half-pound Carry-On is a particularly good buy for travelers who embark on frequent, shorter trips and want a smart solution.

The Carry-On features a strong yet light outer shell, 360-degree rotating wheels, interior compartments designed to help you pack smarter, TSA-approved locks, and more. At just under 22 inches, including wheels, it will fit in almost any overhead bin. As an added plus, it comes with a 100-day trial period and a lifetime warranty.

The exterior is made from a durable polycarbonate, and its minimalistic design with subtle horizontal lines gives it a sleek look. Inside, it has a liner that's easy to wipe down in case anything spills.

The Carry-On comes in numerous color options, ranging from black and olive green to bright orange and pink. The brand also often offers limited-edition colors and prints that sell out quickly.

What it's like to use

Away's carry-on bag easily accommodates enough clothes for a weekend trip. While some reviewers say they've been able to pack an entire week's worth of items into this bag, I'd say four to five days of clothes is attainable for most travelers. 

In the zippered mesh compartment, I can pack one toiletry bag, one makeup bag, two pairs of shoes (sneakers and heels), one purse, and one hairbrush. These are usually the problem items since they're strangely shaped and take up a lot of space.

On a practical level, the physical separation makes sense: shoes are dirty and toiletry bags carry the risk of accidental spills. On a mental organization level, I now know that all my accessories are in one place and my clothes are in another. This has saved me so much time, since I don't have to sift through an entire suitcase to find one item.

Meanwhile, the main compartment, which is just as roomy, is designed for clothing. Dividing the two is a sturdy, lined layer for your small items that are typically awkward to pack. I was able to fit a week's worth of underwear and socks in these pockets. Fully packed, the bag was easy to close (I didn't even have to sit on it to zip it).

If you want to be even more organized, you can get one of our picks for the best packing cubes to store similar items together and make space out of thin air. Away sells its own packing cubes with fashionable colors to match your Carry-On. 

Tucked into a pocket at the bottom of the suitcase is a nylon laundry bag, which was a small, but thoughtful touch. It probably won't fit all of your laundry for a four-to-five-day trip, but it is a handy feature if a piece of clothing gets particularly muddy or sweaty. It's as wide as the suitcase itself and keeps your dirty clothes appropriately separated from everything else. It compresses when you buckle down the layer above it.

The outside of the bag has a number of noteworthy features. The TSA-approved built-in combination lock, for one, is an innovation. The two zippers slot into this combination lock, deterring potential thieves from using creative methods to get into your bag. The combination takes seconds to set and since the lock is part of your actual suitcase, there's no way you can lose it and waste money on buying a new one for every trip. I love the peace of mind that the lock provides—it is a small but useful feature that reduces my travel stress.

Unfortunately, Away no longer includes what was once one of its most defining features in its bags: a removable battery. Many airports now have outlets or dedicated charging stations in the terminals, but you can't always rely on them — they might all be taken or simply don't work. Having a portable battery right in your bag was such a convenient feature, so I am disappointed that it was removed. If a removable battery is important to you, you might want to check out our review of July's Carry On.

The exterior of Away's Carry-On did develop some scuffs in testing but, for the most part, the bag is in good shape. There were no major dents or dings in the shell. The suitcase also comes with a useful sponge to clean up minor scratches or scrapes.

What makes the Away Carry-on stand out

With their glossy and matte hard shells and eye-catching color options, Away suitcases already look distinctive. As a lover of bright colors, I am a huge fan of Away's color selection. You can make one truly your own by adding up to three letters of personalization via digital monogramming to the Carry-On itself or a stamped luggage tag. 

Taken individually, features like a laundry bag or compression straps aren't necessarily new or revolutionary, but it's the combination of all the little things travelers care about and use the most that has made the suitcases stand out among the many we've tried.

The cons

While most of the bag's accessories are smooth, the zippers feel stiff compared to other suitcases that I have tested. A few times they got stuck, which made closing the fully packed suitcase difficult. 

As mentioned before, the brand no longer offers its suitcases with the option to add a portable charger. I think this is a lost attribute that really made the brand stand out, especially considering that its competitors still offer this feature.

What are your alternatives?

Away makes several other suitcases that might be a better fit if the standard Carry-On feels too small. The Bigger Carry-On offers 7 liters more space and will fit on most domestic flights, but it likely will not meet requirements for smaller jumper planes and budget flights within Europe. The Carry-On Flex is expandable, which is a nice option if you want to save room in your suitcase for souvenirs. It's the brand's most versatile carry-on, but it does not meet carry-on size requirements when fully expanded. You might be able to get away with carrying it on while fully expanded on some airlines, but others may require you to check it. Finally, there's the Bigger Carry-On Flex, which offers the most space of them all, but has the greatest chance of being checked if you try to carry it on while fully expanded. 

The bottom line

After testing the Carry-On, I believe the hype surrounding Away's suitcases is completely deserved. It's hard not to be a fan of Away's smart design decisions and high-quality travel products. With a starting price of $275, it's also an excellent value since many suitcases of similar quality are far pricier. If you hate packing like me, I recommend the Away Carry-On to make traveling a breeze.