Over the previous 10 years, the bags market has boomed with startup manufacturers promoting stylish, polycarbonate suitcases with luxurious options however at costs decrease than luxurious manufacturers. Béis and Monos are two of those, and selecting between them isn’t straightforward.
I’ve spent months testing and analyzing dozens of suitcases, together with a number of fashions from these two manufacturers. I in contrast suitcases from each manufacturers utilizing our in-depth baggage score system, which evaluates baggage throughout 33 particular person goal and subjective metrics. These findings confirmed me precisely the place every model excels.
Béis was based by the actress and influencer Shay Mitchell. As you’d count on, Béis suitcases are very fashionable and on-trend, however in addition they embrace a stunning array of progressive options.
Monos focuses on creating practical, minimalist baggage designed to supply luxury-level high quality at an accessible worth. Their design philosophy is to create easy designs and make merchandise that final.
On the floor, these two manufacturers are very comparable: they each promote high-quality polycarbonate baggage. However whenever you dig underneath the floor, there are positively some vital variations.
I’ll stroll you thru these variations and allow you to determine which model has the correct suitcase for you.
Béis Overview
Actress Shay Mitchell based Béis in 2018 when she noticed a spot out there for sensible but modern baggage and jumped on the alternative to fill it. She wished to create merchandise that not solely work, however are additionally a pleasure to make use of.
Béis focuses on each type and practicality, and also you’ll see that mirrored of their designs. Béis suitcases look wonderful, however they’re additionally loaded with good little options that will appear gimmicky at first look, apart from the truth that they work.
Béis can also be barely cheaper than Monos. In truth, in case you’re searching for an on-trend suitcase that’s made with polycarbonate and sturdy elements, Béis is likely one of the most reasonably priced choices on the market.
Béis Supplies & High quality
Béis makes use of polycarbonate onerous shells for all of their baggage. Polycarbonate is just about the gold-standard materials for hardside suitcases proper now. It’s powerful, light-weight, and scratch-resistant.
Essentially the most spectacular factor about Béis is that they’re capable of supply full polycarbonate suitcases at a lower cost than most of their opponents.
Past the shell, the small print of Béis suitcases additionally really feel nicely made. The handles aren’t overly rattly, the inside lining is slick and water resistant, the spinner wheels are smooth-rolling and durable.
But, whereas Béis does a stable job at high quality management, they’ll’t fairly compete with the rigorous testing that Monos does to their suitcases. For instance, Béis makes use of glue to connect their seize handles, whereas Monos makes use of sturdy screws. Don’t get me incorrect, Béis baggage is loads sturdy; it’s simply not fairly as powerful as Monos.
One other draw back is that Béis hasn’t achieved a lot towards utilizing sustainable supplies of their merchandise. They don’t use recycled supplies or offset their emissions. If sustainability is vital to you, Monos is approach forward.
Regardless of these factors, Béis nonetheless provides a compelling alternative with their restricted lifetime guarantee—a promise that they consider within the longevity of their merchandise. It’s not all about being the hardest on the block; it’s additionally about belief and repair.
Béis Design and Options
First off, Béis baggage appears to be like wonderful. The stylish design and large number of enjoyable colours are good for expressing a bit persona when you journey. I do know that isn’t crucial factor for everybody, however I’ve discovered that if I like how my journey gear appears to be like, I take pleasure in utilizing it extra and really feel higher whereas touring.
The design goes past appears to be like although. Béis has every little thing you’d count on in a sensible fashionable suitcase: inside dividers and compression straps to maintain your garments in place, TSA locks, 360-degree spinner wheels, and inside pockets for smaller objects.
All of those options are nice to have, however none of them are distinctive. Nonetheless, Béis baggage does have a couple of small particulars that I haven’t seen wherever else.
First off, the seize handles on each Béis suitcase have a built-in weight indicator. Primarily, in case your bag is over 50 lbs, a bit plastic window within the deal with will present up pink. In fact, this solely works in case your airline’s weight restrict is 50 lbs, nevertheless it’s an excellent sanity verify to have.
Béis baggage additionally comes with a small retractable bag strap. You possibly can pull this little strap out from the highest of the suitcase and loop it by the deal with of your private merchandise bag. That approach, you may wheel every little thing round collectively in a single easy-to-manage bundle.
I’m very impressed with the design of Béis baggage general. It hits simply the correct steadiness between performance and ease.
Béis Baggage Execs and Cons
Béis is a go-to for if you need your journey gear to make a press release with out breaking the financial institution. Béis baggage is well-designed and well-made.
Nonetheless, it isn’t good. The construct high quality is nice, nevertheless it’s not as spectacular as you’d get by paying just a bit bit extra for a Monos suitcase.
- Extra reasonably priced than Monos
- Contains helpful antimicrobial laundry baggage
- Options fashionable laptop computer sleeves
- Comes with built-in weight indicators
- Affords high-end fashions at nice costs
- Sturdiness considerations with glue-attached straps
- Restricted capability for heavy baggage
- Lacks eco-friendly supplies in design
Monos Overview
In 2018, three childhood pals in Vancouver launched Monos. Their objective was to construct luxury-quality hardshell suitcases at a extra attainable worth. Their suitcases nonetheless aren’t low-cost, however they’ve a powerful high quality degree for the worth.
Monos baggage is designed by vacationers, for vacationers. Their objective is to create practical, minimalist suitcases that do precisely what you want them to so you may give attention to the experiences of your journey.
Monos impressed me additional by attaining Local weather Impartial Certification and being a part of the 1% for the Planet motion. As local weather change and international habitat destruction have gotten extra salient points, it’s vital to me to make use of and suggest manufacturers which are lowering their influence. Monos is likely one of the greatest baggage manufacturers on the market in that regard.
Monos actually tunes into what at present’s vacationers are after, placing a steadiness between sturdy suitcases, glossy appears to be like, and inexperienced practices. Nonetheless, whereas they purpose excessive with their beliefs, they fall considerably brief when it comes to thrilling extras.
Monos Supplies & High quality
Monos builds their suitcases to final, and that design intent reveals in each element. They supply high-quality supplies and elements and work with vetted factories to fabricate one of the best product for the worth.
They put every suitcase by a gauntlet of assessments, together with a deal with jerk take a look at, wheel abrasion take a look at, drop assessments, and extra. These assessments simulate real-world abuse. In the event you’re curious, I extremely suggest trying out their high quality testing. Only a few baggage producers go to such extremes to make suitcases that received’t break.
The outer shell is created from German Makrolon polycarbonate, which is probably one of the best materials at present accessible for onerous aspect baggage. That is much like the polycarbonate utilized by Béis besides that it comes instantly from Bayer, the German firm that invented polycarbonate within the first place.
The one draw back is that I’ve seen Monos suitcases come out of the luggage declare with some severe scratches and scuffs. That is solely beauty, nevertheless it nonetheless is a bummer. Happily, our information for learn how to clear baggage has ideas for learn how to take away these scuffs.
Many baggage manufacturers purchase handles and wheels from third-party suppliers, so that you’ll see the identical elements used throughout many alternative manufacturers. Monos couldn’t discover a telescoping deal with or spinner wheels that lived as much as their requirements, in order that they designed and constructed their very own from the bottom up.
The telescoping handles are created from extruded aluminum slightly than the usual solid zinc tubes. This makes them stronger and stiffer. Additionally they offset the 2 telescoping sections 45 levels in both path. This makes them rather more secure than customary baggage handles.
Monos’ new wheels are a number of the greatest I’ve ever examined. They’re {smooth}, straightforward to maneuver, and really sturdy. They really feel considerably beefier than the wheels on Béis baggage.
Not like Béis, Monos’ heavy-duty seize handles are secured to the suitcase with screws as a substitute of glue. These particulars might sound minor at first look, however they point out a philosophy that values progressive design as a lot as sustainability.
Monos Design & Options
The design language of Monos baggage is glossy and minimalist. It’s onerous to not love the look of a Monos suitcase, particularly as a result of they arrive in a variety of colours. On the subject of type, Monos and Béis are each stylish, fashionable, and on-trend. It can finally come down to private desire.
The minimalist strategy extends to the small print and inside of Monos suitcases as nicely.
Inside, there’s a zippered divider with an enormous mesh pocket on one aspect and an enormous compression panel with a couple of extra pockets and beefy straps on the opposite. The Monos compression straps are thick and have huge chunky buckles. They work approach higher than the flimsier straps on Béis suitcases (or just about every other baggage, for that matter).
I additionally actually preferred the telescopic deal with design. It’s contoured and cozy to carry, and the discharge button is on the underside aspect. This makes far more sense as a result of that’s the place your fingers go naturally.
In the event you’re touring with a laptop computer or pill, the Monos Carry-On Professional is likely one of the greatest suitcases on the market. It has an exterior zippered pocket with a laptop computer sleeve and some smaller compartments for objects you need fast entry to. That’s one thing you received’t get in a Béis suitcase.
One factor you received’t get with Monos is an growth zipper. No Monos suitcases have the choice to develop, and that does make them a bit much less versatile. If that’s an vital function for you, Béis will likely be a greater possibility.
Monos additionally doesn’t have all of the nifty options that Béis baggage delivers just like the built-in weight indicator and the retracting bag strap.
Monos Luggage Execs and Cons
Monos stands out for its dedication to sustainability and a minimalist design. Their use of eco-friendly supplies and glossy aesthetics in every Monos suitcase and Monos carry-on bag appeals to eco-conscious and style-savvy vacationers alike.
In comparison with Béis, Monos provides fewer bells and whistles, focusing as a substitute on doing the fundamentals very well.
- Robust give attention to sustainability.
- Makes use of sturdy, eco-friendly supplies.
- Smooth, minimalist design.
- Affords a lifetime guarantee.
- Options ergonomic handles and silent wheels.
- Larger worth level than Béis.
- Fewer progressive options.
- Restricted vary of designs and colours.
- Not as many organizational compartments.
- May very well be too easy for tech-lovers.
Béis vs Monos: Which Ought to You Purchase?
Now you’ve obtained the fundamentals of each manufacturers. In the event you’re nonetheless undecided what to choose, listed here are a couple of factors that will help you determine.
Design and Options
Béis baggage brings a novel aptitude to the journey gear market, combining performance with a classy aesthetic that stands out at baggage declare. Béis has a couple of extra progressive options that you simply received’t see in every other suitcase.
Monos, however, opts for a minimalist strategy that appeals to those that favor glossy, uncomplicated designs. Their suitcases are marked by clear strains and a refined look.
Monos doesn’t have any loopy distinctive options, however each little element is well-thought-out and works flawlessly.
Sturdiness
If sturdiness is your primary precedence, Monos is the best way to go. Monos baggage makes use of sturdier elements and goes by rather more rigorous high quality testing. Monos additionally has a barely higher guarantee.
That stated, Béis baggage continues to be well-built and may nonetheless final for years of journey for most individuals.
Sustainability
Monos is likely one of the greatest baggage manufacturers on the market on the subject of sustainability. They’re a member of 1% for the Planet and are Local weather Impartial Licensed. They use recycled supplies, renewable vitality, and sturdy elements which are designed to remain out of the landfill.
Béis can’t sustain right here, so if sustainability is vital to you, select Monos.
Worth
Béis baggage provides unimaginable bang to your buck. You may get a glossy, high-quality polycarbonate suitcase for a lower cost.
Given the similarity between the 2 manufacturers, it’s fairly spectacular that Béis managed to construct such a aggressive product at this worth.
Béis Baggage Evaluation and Monos Baggage Evaluation FAQs
What supplies are Béis and Monos baggage created from?
Each Béis and Monos use polycarbonate for his or her onerous shells.
Do Béis or Monos suitcases supply guarantee or returns?
Each supply lifetime warranties and return insurance policies; Monos permits 100 days for returns, Béis gives 45 days.
How do the designs of Béis and Monos baggage evaluate?
Monos focuses on minimalist, sturdy designs with muted colours. Béis provides versatile, fashionable baggage specializing in practicality and daring colours.
Are there any distinctive options in Béis or Monos baggage?
Monos baggage incorporates a extra sturdy and thicker shell, high quality compression panels, and contains washable baggage. Béis baggage is expandable, has a padded deal with, and provides extra colour selections.
What are the worth ranges for Béis and Monos baggage?
Monos suitcases are barely dearer as a result of premium supplies, however Béis targets a extra budget-conscious viewers. Costs differ, particularly throughout gross sales.
Jeremy Scott Foster
Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear skilled and journey photographer primarily based in Southern California. Beforehand nomadic, he’s been to ~50 nations and loves spending time open air. You possibly can often discover him on the path, on the highway, leaping from bridges or hustling on his laptop computer working to supply one of the best journey and open air content material at present.
