Away vs. Monos vs. Quince: Brand comparison [2026 updated]

Away is the stylish, tech-forward choice known for its minimalist designs and built-in features. Monos focuses on premium, ultra-durable materials with an elegant aesthetic, while Quince offers high-quality construction at a significantly lower, direct-to-consumer price point.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right luggage for your travel needs.

Away: The Stylish Traveler's Tech-Forward Choice

Away established itself as the go-to luggage for modern travelers, popularizing sleek hard-shell suitcases with thoughtful organization and influencer appeal. Their target customer is the Millennial or Gen Z traveler who values aesthetics, function, and brand identity, wanting their luggage to be both a reliable tool and a style statement. They blend a modern look with practical features designed for a connected lifestyle.

• Product mix: A complete travel ecosystem including polycarbonate carry-on and checked luggage, packing cubes, toiletry kits, and backpacks.
• Price point: Mid-range luxury, with popular suitcases ranging from $245 to $395.
• Quality & Materials: Features a durable and lightweight polycarbonate hard shell designed to withstand impacts. Interiors include a compression system and a laundry bag, with some older models featuring an optional ejectable battery for charging devices.
• Aesthetic: Minimalist and bold. Away is known for its classic monochrome color lineup, occasionally releasing limited-edition colors and collaborations to drive excitement.
• Warranty: Offers a limited lifetime warranty covering cracks or breaks in the shell, broken wheels, handles, or zippers.
• Return policy: 100-day trial period, allowing returns for a full refund, no questions asked.

Away offers a balanced combination of style, smart features, and reliable construction, backed by an excellent lifetime warranty.

Shop Away: awaytravel.com

Monos: Premium Minimalism & Durability

Monos enters the market with a focus on meticulous craftsmanship, quality, and understated, elegant design. Aimed at design-savvy travelers willing to invest in longevity, Monos products are built to last using high-specification materials. The brand champions a "buy less, but better" philosophy, reflected in its clean designs and attention to detail, from its whisper-quiet wheels to its resilient finishes.

• Product mix: Hard-shell carry-on and checked luggage, along with travel accessories like backpacks and folios designed with the same minimalist philosophy.
• Price point: Sits in the premium segment, with suitcases typically costing between $295 and $495.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes aerospace-grade polycarbonate that's both durable and light. Features include ultra-sturdy telescopic handles, corner protectors for added defense, and resilient matte finishes that conceal scuffs.
• Aesthetic: Refined and sleek. Monos luggage is defined by its rounded edges, handleless appearance when retracted, and a sophisticated, nature-inspired color palette.
• Warranty: A limited lifetime warranty similar to Away, covering functional damage to key components.
• Return policy: A 100-day risk-free trial, allowing returns for any reason within that period.

Monos is for the traveler who prioritizes build quality and refined style over trendy features, offering a subtle luxury feel built for the long haul.

Shop Monos: monos.co

Quince: The Affordable Luxury Expert

Quince's entire business model is built on providing luxury-quality goods without the luxury markup. Their luggage collection is no exception, delivering a high-end look and feel at an impossible-to-ignore price. By working directly with the same factories that produce for premium brands, Quince offers durable, attractive luggage to value-driven shoppers who refuse to compromise on quality.

• Product mix: Focused selection of hard-shell checked and carry-on luggage with essential features.
• Price point: The most accessible of the three, with suitcases typically priced between $150 and $250.
• Quality & Materials: Made from lightweight and durable polycarbonate with a scratch-resistant textured finish, 360-degree wheels, an interior compression system, and TSA-approved locks.
• Aesthetic: Modern and understated. The designs focus on clean lines and a classic, practical appearance with neutral, versatile color options that look more expensive than they are.
• Warranty: Quince's luggage comes with a limited 5-year warranty on wheels, zippers, handles, and cracks.
• Return policy: An exceptionally generous 365-day return window, giving you an entire year to make a decision.

Quince is the clear choice for travelers on a budget who want the minimalist hard-shell look and reliable functionality without paying for a big brand name.

Shop Quince: quince.com

Away vs. Monos vs. Quince Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a distinct price hierarchy among these three brands. Quince is the undisputed value leader, with its carry-on often priced under $150 and larger checked bags around $250. It successfully delivers a premium aesthetic at a mass-market price.

Away occupies the middle ground. Its popular carry-on starts at $295, positioning it as an accessible luxury item. You pay more for the brand cachet, color variety, and specific features.

Monos is the most premium of the bunch, with its carry-on starting around $295-$325 and checked luggage reaching close to $500. The price reflects stricter quality control, higher-end hardware (like handles and wheels), and superior finishes.

Quality & Materials

All three brands use polycarbonate shells, the industry standard for lightweight hardside luggage. However, the details set them apart. Monos emphasizes superior components - from reinforced corners to robust water-resistant zippers and a sturdy, rock-solid telescopic handle. The perceived build quality feels a step above the others.

Away's polycarbonate is also very durable, and its lifetime warranty provides long-term peace of mind if any functional parts fail. Quince uses a reliable polycarbonate that feels more than adequate for most travelers, though its hardware might not feel as solid or luxurious as Monos'. The warranties reflect this: Away and Monos offer lifetime coverage for defects, while Quince provides a still-strong 5-year warranty.

Style & Aesthetic

While all three brands follow a minimalist design language, their personalities differ. Away's style is trendy and modern, made famous by social media influencers. Its frequent collaborations and release of bold, limited-edition colors make it a fashion-forward choice.

Monos leans into a more timeless, elegant minimalism. Its soft, rounded corners and desaturated, sophisticated color palette appeal to those who prefer understated luxury over flashy trends. Quince is the most practical and classic. Its designs are clean and simple, focusing on creating a look that is stylish and universally appealing without making a loud statement.

Sizing & Capacity

All three brands offer standard carry-on and checked luggage sizes compliant with most major airlines. Dimensions are generally very similar, with only fractional differences. Away and Monos models tend to be right at the maximum allowable carry-on size (22 x 14 x 9 inches). Quince's carry-on can sometimes be a touch smaller, which can be an advantage for stricter international airline requirements. All three offer helpful interior organization, typically featuring a zippered divider, compression straps, and small pockets.

Shopping Experience & Return Policies

All three companies operate on a direct-to-consumer model, meaning you'll primarily shop through their websites. Away sets the bar with a 100-day trial period, letting you take the bag on a trip to test it out. Monos matches this with its own 100-day risk-free trial.

Quince offers an unbeatable 365-day return window, providing the most flexibility. However, it's worth noting Quince’s return policy may require the item to be in new condition for specific items, while Away's more closely resembles a true "trial." Always check the latest policies before purchasing.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right luggage depends entirely on your budget, travel style, and priorities. All three excel in their own right.

Choose Away if:

• You want a stylish bag from a well-established, trend-setting brand.
• Features like a well-designed compression system and a wide range of color options are important to you.
• You value the peace of mind that comes with a strong lifetime warranty.
• Your budget is in the mid-range - not cheap, but not designer level.

Choose Monos if:

• Build quality and durability are your absolute top priorities.
• You prefer an understated, elegant aesthetic over trendy looks.
• You're willing to invest more for premium hardware like better wheels and handles.
• Subtle details and a luxurious feel matter to you.

Choose Quince if:

• Finding the best possible value for your money is your main goal.
• You want a bag that looks like a premium model but costs a fraction of the price.
• You appreciate an exceptionally generous 365-day return policy.
• You need reliable, functional luggage for occasional to moderate travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Away, Monos, or Quince cheapest?

Quince is significantly cheaper than both Away and Monos. With prices often 50-60% lower, it is the clear choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking a high-end look without the high-end cost.

Which luggage brand is the most durable?

Monos is generally considered the most durable due to its focus on high-grade materials, reinforced corners, and robust hardware like the telescoping handle and smooth-gliding wheels. However, Away's lifetime warranty offers excellent long-term protection against defects, making it a very reliable choice as well.

Do all three brands offer a lifetime warranty?

No. Away and Monos both offer limited lifetime warranties that cover functional defects for the life of the bag. Quince offers a limited 5-year warranty, which is shorter but still provides good coverage for its price point and is more than sufficient for many travelers.

What are Away, Monos, and Quince luggage made of?

All three brands use polycarbonate for their hard-shell suitcases. This material is popular in the luggage industry because it is both incredibly durable and lightweight, offering excellent impact resistance without adding significant weight.

Is Monos worth the price premium over Away?

Whether Monos is worth the extra cost depends on your preference for perceived quality. Many users report that Monos's components, particularly the handle and wheels, feel more substantial and operate more smoothly than Away's. If you value these tactile details and long-term durability, the premium could be worth it.

Which brand has the best return policy?

Quince has the most generous return policy with a 365-day window. Away and Monos both offer an excellent 100-day trial period, which is great for testing the luggage on a real trip.

Can I buy Away, Monos, or Quince in stores?

For the most part, these brands are sold directly through their own websites to keep costs down. You won't typically find them in multi-brand department stores, though Away does operate a number of its own physical retail showrooms in major cities where you can see the products in person.