Your baggage is among the most essential items of journey gear. Each Monos and Samsonite make glorious suitcases, however they’re very completely different manufacturers with very completely different merchandise.
I examined and rated a complete of 26 suitcases from each manufacturers and in contrast the variations utilizing TravelFreak’s proprietary baggage ranking system. By combining real-world testing and our data-based analysis, I used to be in a position to take each a subjective and goal take a look at Monos vs Samsonite to find out the place every model excels.
Monos is a comparatively new startup Canadian baggage firm that builds smooth, minimalist suitcases for vacationers who worth premium supplies, understated model, and intuitive design. With a mean total rating of 9.4, Monos is the highest-scoring model we’ve examined.
Samsonite, with a mean total rating of 8.8, is just about a family identify. That is the most important baggage model on the earth, and so they’ve been constructing suitcases for over a century. Samsonite has an enormous product vary, from budget-friendly to luxurious suitcases, in order that they have one thing for each sort of traveler.
If you happen to’re deciding between Monos and Samsonite, I’ll go over the principle variations between the 2 manufacturers, examine their professionals and cons, and spotlight which baggage model will greatest suit your wants.
Why You Can Belief Us
The TravelFreak editorial workforce has examined dozens of suitcases through the years, and we’ve realized lots about what separates a top quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed finances baggage, luxurious suitcases, and all the things in between.
We all know how onerous it’s to seek out the proper suitcase, and we need to make the method simpler for you. So our workforce of drugs junkies and product engineers developed essentially the most complete baggage check methodology doable.
We examined and rated 11 Monos suitcases and 15 Samsonite suitcases, together with carry-ons and checked baggage from each manufacturers.
We evaluated each certainly one of these suitcases on 31 metrics throughout eight classes. We gave all of them the identical therapy and rated them on the identical standardized scales. This makes it simple for us (and also you) to match the benefits and downsides of every.
At a Look
Scores |
 |
 |
| Common Total Rating |
9.4 |
8.8 |
| Common Construct High quality Rating | 9.2 | 7.9 |
| Common Ease of Use Rating | 8.7 | 8.2 |
| Common Performance Rating | 8.5 | 8.9 |
| Common Water Resistance Rating | 9.1 | 8.0 |
| Common Model Influence Rating | 8.5 | 6.2 |
| Common Shopping for Expertise Rating | 7.4 | 6.8 |
| Common Guarantee Rating | 10.0 | 5.0 |
| Common Worth-to-Efficiency Rating | 6.7 | 8.6 |
Specs |
||
| Kind | Hardside | Hardside, Softside |
| Guarantee | Lifetime | 10-year |
| Returns | Pay for return delivery, 100-day | Pay for return delivery, 90-day |
| Manufacturing Location(s) | China | India, China, Hungary |
Monos vs Samsonite: Fast Solutions
- Sturdiness: Monos baggage is extra sturdy and well-built than Samsonite total.
- Worth: Samsonite presents each budget-friendly and premium choices, whereas Monos is a little more costly on common.
- Guarantee: Most Samsonite baggage has a 10-year guarantee, whereas Monos has a lifetime guarantee on each suitcase.
- Sustainability: Samsonite makes use of recycled supplies for a lot of fashions, however Monos is Licensed Local weather Impartial and is a member of 1% for the Planet.
- Supplies: Monos makes use of high-quality polycarbonate throughout the board, whereas Samsonite makes use of cheaper supplies on many suitcases.
- Design and Model: Monos baggage is trendy, minimalist, and streamlined. Samsonite suitcases are available a greater diversity, from conservative to high-tech.
- Inside Group: Monos has a extra streamlined and intuitive inside setup, however Samsonite’s premium fashions have extra pockets, detachable organizers, and techniques to maintain your stuff tidy.
- Expandability: Each Monos and Samsonite have expandable suitcase fashions.
- Wheels: Monos makes use of smoother, quieter, and extra sturdy wheels than most Samsonite baggage.
- Deal with: The Monos baggage deal with is extra adjustable and sturdier than Samsonite handles.
- Colour Choices: Monos baggage has extra shade decisions than Samsonite.
Monos vs Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase?
Purchase Monos if you happen to…
- are a frequent traveler.
- are a digital nomad or long-term traveler.
- primarily take home flights throughout the US.
- prioritize aesthetics and trendy design.
- are involved about sustainability and shopping for eco-friendly merchandise.
Purchase Samsonite if you happen to…
- are on a decent finances.
- usually journey internationally on airways with strict dimension and weight limits.
- journey much less ceaselessly.
- want baggage for cruises or summer season holidays.
- want baggage to hold a swimsuit, costume, or different formal clothes.
Supplies & High quality
After testing suitcases from each manufacturers, Monos scored considerably greater for Construct High quality: 9.2 vs Samsonite’s 7.9 Construct High quality Rating. The brief reply is that this: in order for you a sturdy, well-built piece of baggage, you’ll be happier with Monos.
In fact, the brief reply isn’t the entire image. Samsonite does make some high-quality baggage. Their higher-end fashions (just like the Stryde, Proxis, and Cosmolite strains) are made in Europe and are impressively sturdy and well-crafted suitcases. I’d say these particular fashions are much more sturdy than Monos, however you’ll be paying extra for that premium high quality.
The place Samsonite falls brief is with their mid-range and budget-friendly fashions. These have a tendency to make use of cheaper supplies (like ABS and polypropylene), and the parts are flimsier and extra breakable.
However, each Monos suitcase I examined was stable, with a high-quality polycarbonate shell, smooth-rolling wheels, and a deal with that didn’t rattle.
The one subject with Monos is that the hardshell simply reveals scratches and scuffs. It’s solely beauty, however it’s a bit disappointing to get your new suitcase again from baggage declare wanting prefer it went by way of a struggle zone. Fortuitously, they embody a magic eraser that does a surprisingly good job at eradicating scuffs.
It’s additionally price noting that Samsonite sells each hardside and softside baggage, whereas Monos solely has hardside baggage. Hardside baggage is extra protecting, however a softside suitcase won’t ever crack.
Design & Options
Monos creates all their baggage with a really comparable design. Each Monos suitcase is a contemporary, minimalist hardshell with a easy characteristic set. The one variations between completely different fashions are the dimensions and some completely different options.
Monos designs their suitcases to be easy, easy, and intuitive. In comparison with most Samsonite baggage, Monos is only a bit extra streamlined. They don’t offer you many bells and whistles past what you really need. I particularly love how streamlined and purposeful the Monos Carry-On baggage is.
Monos scored 8.7 for Ease of Use on common, whereas Samsonite scored a bit decrease at 8.2. The place Monos is straightforward and intuitive, some Samsonite baggage is a little more sophisticated. Monos is a better option in order for you a no-fuss suitcase that’s extraordinarily simple to pack and use.
That stated, if you happen to’re involved in high-tech options or revolutionary designs, Samsonite has extra to supply. Samsonite has an enormous vary of suitcases, and their designs are very numerous. You could find fashions with detachable packing cubes, toiletry baggage, and garment folders; a number of exterior pockets, and even built-in LED lights.
Samsonite scored 8.9 for Performance (a bit greater than Monos at 8.5) as a result of you may get Samsonite suitcases with extra superior options.
Basically, Monos baggage does the necessities very well, however Samsonite’s revolutionary designs have extra extras.
Worth for Your Cash
If you happen to’re on a finances and try to get the most effective bang to your buck, Samsonite might be a greater choice. They’ve extra inexpensive baggage, and you may usually get nice offers, particularly if you happen to store in a bodily retailer or on Amazon.
On common, Samsonite baggage scored 8.6 for Worth-to-Efficiency. Monos solely scored 6.7.
Monos baggage is unquestionably costlier on common, however you do get superior worth to your cash. Monos makes use of premium supplies. The Monos Carry-On is the least costly suitcase we’ve ever examined that also scored above 9.0 for construct high quality.
In case you are a frequent traveler, investing a bit of extra money in a Monos suitcase is unquestionably price it.
Guarantee and Shopping for Expertise
Monos additionally provides you a 100-day trial to have your personal Monos baggage evaluate at house and ensure it matches your life-style. You possibly can pack it, run with it, wheel it round, carry it—simply hold it indoors, and if there are issues, you’ll be able to return it.
Monos has a lifetime guarantee that covers any purposeful harm to the wheels, shell, or handles. They don’t cowl beauty harm like scratches or dents, although.
Samsonite’s 10-year guarantee is dependable, however it’s extra restricted than Monos. Nonetheless, 10 years is a very long time, and Samsonite has a great status for upholding guarantee claims, so I wouldn’t be too fearful.
Each manufacturers have good customer support and construct baggage that’s meant to final. Neither has a guaranty fairly pretty much as good as Briggs & Riley, however in addition they are rather more inexpensive.
Model Influence and Sustainability
If you happen to care about sustainability and supporting corporations which are enhancing their influence on the planet, Monos is a better option than Samsonite. Monos scored 8.5 for Model Influence, and Samsonite solely scored 6.2.
Each manufacturers use recycled supplies, however Monos is Local weather Impartial licensed and a member of 1% for the Planet.
Sure, Samsonite is beginning to implement extra sustainability initiatives, however these Third-party certifications put Monos on a special stage.
Closing Ideas
In the end, the selection between Monos and Samsonite baggage comes all the way down to the place you’ll be touring, how usually you’ll be touring, and what you prioritize in your baggage.
You should purchase Monos baggage if you’re a frequent traveler and need to put money into a trendy, high-quality suitcase that will likely be getting lots of use. Metropolis-hopping, work journeys, and long-term journey are all proper up Monos’ alley. If you happen to’re the kind of one who’s all the time on the go, I believe you’ll love Monos’ mix of fashion and practicality.
Samsonite is a better option if you happen to’re a extra informal traveler who can’t justify shopping for top-notch baggage, however nonetheless desires a suitcase that’s purposeful and sturdy. Most Samsonite baggage prices considerably lower than Monos, and it nonetheless works very well. I personally assume Samsonite is an ideal selection for checked baggage for week-long (or longer) holidays the place you’ll be staying in a single vacation spot for longer.
There may be one essential exception right here. Monos carry-on baggage is technically too massive for a lot of finances worldwide airways, however Samsonite has an entire vary of carry-ons sized particularly for worldwide journey. I extremely advocate performing some analysis into carry-on dimension limits before you purchase a suitcase.
Monos and Samsonite each make superior baggage, and you may’t go improper with both. If you would like a bit of extra steerage for choosing a particular mannequin, try our guides for locating the Finest Carry-On Baggage and the Finest Checked Baggage.
Monos vs Samsonite FAQs
What baggage is corresponding to Monos?
Away and July each promote hard-sided baggage that could be very corresponding to Monos.
Is Samsonite baggage price it?
Samsonite baggage is unquestionably price it in order for you a sensible suitcase at a terrific worth.
Does Monos scuff simply?
Sadly, Monos baggage does scuff and present scratches simply. This doesn’t have an effect on the perform, however it’s annoying.
Why is Samsonite so fashionable?
Samsonite baggage is fashionable as a result of it’s trendy, inexpensive, and out there all over the place.
Is Samsonite baggage made in China?
Samsonite manufactures baggage in China, India, and Hungary.
Jeremy Scott Foster
Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear professional and journey photographer based mostly in Southern California. Beforehand nomadic, he’s been to ~50 nations and loves spending time outside. You possibly can normally discover him on the path, on the street, leaping from bridges or on his laptop computer working to supply the most effective journey and outside content material right now.
