Samsonite vs Away: Which Luggage Brand Is Better, According to Industry Experts?

Do you want luggage but are worried about which brand you should go with, whether Samsonite or Away? Undoubtedly, Samsonite has been well known among travelers for its durability and affordability for over a century, but we can’t deny that Away has also gained great popularity within a very short span of time because of its sleek design and premium features.

But the question remains: Are the extra features and premium design of an Away suitcase worth the higher price?

In this Samsonite vs Away guide, we’ll dive deeper into the benefits and drawbacks of both Samsonite and Away luggage brands and take you with us to the conclusion of which one is the perfect choice for you so that you don’t end up getting the wrong piece of luggage.

The opinions I’m going to share with you are entirely my own, and I’m not influenced or affected in any way.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Samsonite Brand

Benefits and Drawbacks of Away Brand

A Brief Summary of Samsonite

Samsonite was founded in Denver, Colorado, in 1910 by Jesse Shwayder and has a long and rich history. The name “Samsonite” is inspired by the biblical character Samson, who is known for his legendary strength.

By the end of 1950, the company had swiftly become one of the most well-known luggage companies throughout the world. The company initially started creating wooden trunks designed to withstand the rugged travel conditions of the period.

With time, Samsonite evolved and adapted to changing travel requirements. They increased the variety of suitcases available in its production line, adding everything from spinners to roller luggage, laptop bags to backpacks, and accessories.

Samsonite is committed to quality and durability, and it’s especially known for its affordability without compromising on quality. Samsonite has now become a well-known global brand that makes high-quality, long-lasting luggage for all kinds of travelers.

A Brief Summary of Away

Away is a relatively young player in the luggage industry and was founded by Jen Rubio and Steph Korey in 2015. The brand has quickly established itself in the marketplace and prefers to make its luggage in the lower segment of premium luggage. Away is the luggage brand that disrupted the entire industry by offering direct-to-consumer premium luggage at affordable prices.

Away largely focuses on hardside luggage for frequent travelers and is known for its minimalistic and modern style. Their unique decision to include a built-in power bank was what initially set them apart and gained them rapid popularity.

Away still thrives despite the fact that their power bank feature is no longer their main selling point. This is because they’re dedicated to making fashionable, robust luggage with a limitless lifetime warranty. They also offer a wide range of products with different color options, including aluminum suitcases.

Samsonite vs Away: Key Differences

Pricing and Affordability

You might be wondering why I put pricing and affordability at the top of the guide. This is because pricing becomes the most crucial factor, especially when we compare Samsonite and Away, and believe me, this factor is going to change your entire point of view for both luggage brands. That’s why I positioned it at the beginning.

So again, let’s start with the Samsonite carry-on luggage. A good-quality Samsonite carry-on suitcase made from durable polycarbonate material generally starts at $80 and goes up to $120.

These carry-on suitcases come with all the essential features, including a retractable handle, spinner wheels, expanded space, good organization, a TSA-approved lock, and even a USB charging port in some of their models. All these things make Samsonite the most affordable option, especially if you’re tight with your budget.

When we compare the Samsonite carry-on suitcases with Away, we find that Away also comes with all the features that Samsonite offers. So you may think that it seems that the Samsonite is better than Away, but that’s absolutely wrong.

Here is a catch: Undoubtedly, Away offers all the features that Samsonite offers, but there are also some extra features that Samsonite doesn’t come with, and the quality of each element of Away’s luggage is quite better than that of Samsonite. We can’t ignore it.

That’s why Away Carry On starts at $315 and goes up to $345; that might seem expensive, but they’re worth it, especially when you compare Away with Tumi and Rimova.

Similarly, Samsonite’s medium check-in suitcase starts at $135 and goes up to $165, while the large one starts at $150 and goes up to $192. On the other hand, the prices for Away medium and large check-in suitcases range from $385 to $395 and $415 to $425, respectively.

Most importantly, we should not forget the warranty period, services, and shipping costs because they really justify everything in terms of pricing.

The moral of the story is that both luggage brands are affordable considering the quality, features, and services they offer. You can surely choose the one that suits you best, according to your budget and requirements.

Material and Durability

Now, we have had the pleasure of using Samsonite luggage for a number of years, and we can tell they have a wide range of quality products that are even more affordable compared to other brands. Samsonite has a strong reputation for quality, which is evident in the materials they choose and the manner in which they assemble their products.

The interesting element is that Samsonite mostly uses polycarbonate material when it comes to hardside luggage. Why? Because polucarbonate is the strongest and longest-lasting material when compared to other plastic materials,

Now let’s talk about the Away. Away uses three types of materials: polycarbonate, aluminum, and nylon. Similar to Samsonite, Away also uses polycarbonate for its hardside luggage. For softside luggage, they use nylon, which is the strongest soft material.

Apart from these suitcases made from polycarbonate and nylon, Away also manufactures premium luggage options These suitcases are made from aluminum; they’re the most expensive suitcases from Away.

So let’s talk about the affordable options. The build quality of the Away is excellent, but it might not be at the level of the most expensive suitcases like Rimowa and Tumi. But for the price point, the quality is impressive. The outside shell is made of soft polycarbonate and can absorb bumps and shocks easily.

Additionally, Away provides you with a magic erazer cleaning tool that you can use to remove the scuffs and clean the luggage.

When comparing Away with Samsonite, both luggage brands provide great quality and durability. However, we found that Away provides better durability and material. But the quality of material that Samsonite offers is also excellent when we look at the price difference between both brands.

Compartments and Organization

Samsonite luggage comes with basic organization. On one side, there are straps and a zippered divider, which you can use to keep your belongings in place. When compared to Away, these features are not as useful as Away.

Samsonite doesn’t include a compression pad to really cram everything in. We have experienced that Samsonite never includes enough pockets for better organization except in their premium luggage options.

When it comes to organization, Away has adopted a slightly different approach. Their luggage comes with a compression pad and straps on one side and a zipper divider on the other. Sometimes, they go all out and provide premium padding on both sides, especially in their premium aluminum suitcases.

These padded sections offer great organization capabilities, with a ton of different-sized pockets to store your belongings. You can still use packing or compression cubes with Away luggage, but many people find that the additional compression pad and straps really work rather well to create more space.

Therefore, Away definitely has an advantage over Samsonite when it comes to compartments and organization, offering a more adaptable and well-designed alternative for keeping your travel necessities in order.

Asthetics and Appearance

Let’s start with the Samsonite luggage brand. The main principle that’s working behind Samsonite is that they tend to target and build a bigger customer base. Therefore, they want to have everything for everyone, which is why they follow different designs and themes for each product. They range from robust, edgy designs to sleek, modern, and minimalistic designs.

So whatever your choice is, whether it’s in terms of design or budget, you’ll surely find something that suits you best.

But that’s not the case with the Away luggage brand; the basic principle behind their business is to focus on specific types of people rather than targeting different types of people with different tastes. Therefore, they always follow somewhat the same theme and design, which absolutely look amazing and give the brand an identity.

So if you don’t prefer flashy design and want to look more premium, sleek, and stylish, Away is definitely going to be the perfect option to go with. But if you’re tight with your budget and looking for something that also looks excellent and can enhance your appearance, you should give Samsonite a try.

Features and Convenience

Although the Away costs more than the Samsonite, that’s why it offers more features. Features are the most essential elements. They can’t be avoided. Here we’re listing the features of each brand, including Samsonite and Away.

Samsonite Features vs Away Features

• Samsonite TSA-approved Lock: Mostly all Samsonite comes with a TSA-approved lock, except for a few carry-ons. So once you lock your suitcase, no one can open it except the TSA and, of course, you.
• Away TSA-approved Lock:When it comes to Away luggage, they offer a TSA-approved combination in all of their luggage, including all carry-ons, and the working mechanism of the Away TSA lock is a little different from Samsonite but somewhat similar to Samsonite Freeform.
• Samsonite spinner wheels: Dual spinner wheels are the ones that offer better stability on surfaces than single spinner wheels. Samsonite offers both types of suitcases, including dual and single spinner wheels. A suitable example of dual-spinner wheels are the Samsonite Omni 2 and Samsonite Omni PC for single spinner wheels.
• Away dual spinner wheels: On the other hand, Away offers dual spinner wheels on all luggage, and most importantly, they’re coated with rubber so that they can absorb the bumps on the surfaces.
• Samsonite adjustable handle: Almost all Samsonite suitcases come with an adjustable handle; they are a little flimsy and wobble when the suitcase is in the upright position.
• Away retractable handle: Away also offers handles that are retractable and adjust to different positions. However, their handle also wobbles a little, but compared to that of Samsonite, it’s less.
• Samsonite expandable zippers: All Samsonite suitcases come with this expandable feature. Mostly, they offer 1.5 inches of expansion, but some of them also offer up to 2 inches. That’s really an admirable feature, especially if you’re an overpacker.
• Away expandable zippers: Here, Away plays differently. Away offers each model in two options: one without expansion and the other with expandable zippers. They call the expandable model Flex. They mostly offer expansion up to 2.25 inches, and of course you’ll have to pay an extra $10 if you opt for the flex model.
• Samsonite’s Built-In USB Port: This feature might be useful for some travelers but useless for others. Samsonite offers you a battery pocket that has one USB port on the top so you can charge your devices, such as phone, smartphone, etc. The best example is the Samsonite Omni 2 that comes with built-in USB port. Here is a catch: Samsonite does not include a power bank; you’ll have to carry your own.
• Away Built-In Power Bank: Away also features this feature in some of its models, but the main difference between Samsonite and Away here is that Samsonite does not come with a power bank; they only give a power bank pocket with a USB port, so you’ll have to use your own. But Away offers an entire charging kit and a built-in power bank that allow you to charge your phone 4–5 times.
• Samsonite laptop pocket: This is not a common feature of Samsonite suitcases; It only comes with a few Samsonite models, like the Samsonite Omni 2 Pro.
• Away laptop pocket: Similarly, Away offers this feature only in one of their carry-on models, “the daily carry-on with pocket,” which comes with a nylon sleeve that can fit laptops up to 15.6 inches.
• Samsonite laundry bag: This one is a premium feature; Samsonite offers this feature in only premium pieces of luggage.
• Away laundry bag: Away offers hidden water-resistant laundry bags in all of their suitcases, so you can store your dirty or wet clothes. while Samsonite does not offer it in its affordable luggage options.
• Samsonite storage and organization: Samsonite generally offers two main compartments; one comes with a zippered divider, and the other comes with compression straps that help you keep your belongings in place. But unfortunately, Samsonite does not offer enough small pockets to store small items.
• Away storage and organization: Away also offers two main compartments. but one with a zippered divider and the other with tie-down panels with straps that offer better organization and are more capable of keeping your belongings in place. Another thing is that Away offers plenty of small and large pockets to store your small items.
• Slow Release Handles: Away offers slow release handles, especially with their aluminum luggage. Once you leave them, they slowly go back to their places without hitting the luggage or making a noise. Notably, this feature does not come in Samsonite suitcases.
• Customization options: Apart from all these things, there is another thing that Samsonite does not offer: customization. You can easily get your luggage customized for a small amount. That’ll make your luggage unique, and it’ll be easier for you to spot it on the baggage carousel. But the thing to note here is that you won’t be able to return them once you get your luggage customized.

Warranty and Services

Samsonite offers a pretty impressive warranty package for its products.Samsonite offers three different warranties. You have three limited warranties that cover various aspects of your luggage: a limited global warrantee, a limited 3-year warranty, and a limited 10-year warranty.

However, there is a catch: their warranty does not cover natural wear and tear or defects caused by improper use. Essentially, they’re concerned with manufacturing defects and flaws resulting from inappropriate material.

But here’s where Samsonite shines: they frequently go above and beyond to satisfy their customers. Numerous times, they have offered free warranty repairs even when the warranty is over.

In order to get your suitcase repaired, you can either visit the nearby Samsonite store or ship the item directly to the warranty repair center at your own expense for around $10 to $15.

Let’s now talk about Away’s warranty. One of the biggest positives for me was that Away offers a limited lifetime warranty. Yes, you heard it right—a lifetime warranty, and it’s a game changer.

Away’s warranty covers any damage to the shell, wheels, handle, and zipper. Therefore, you’re protected if something goes wrong with these essential components. The cherry on top is that if you need to claim the warranty, you won’t have to pay a cent for delivery.

Now, here’s a small hiccup: Away stores are not as common as Samsonite’s. They now only have stores in ten major cities, and London is their sole international location. But the good news is that if you find any Away store nearby, you may simply go to the store, and they will fix any problem right away.

Both Samsonite and Away offer warranties and services, and both companies have something to offer. Away steals the show with its lifetime warranty, which covers essential parts and requires no shipping fees, while Samsonite impresses with its warranty choices and customer-friendly approach.

Your decision may be influenced by where you live and how important warranty coverage is to you.

Customer’ Reviews and Feedback

When we talk about customer reviews, Samsonite has earned the best in the entire luggage industry. On various marketplaces, the majority of their products frequently gain excellent reviews, with the majority scoring between 4.4 and 4.8 stars.

This is not for a short period of time; Samsonite has maintained its high rank even after receiving tens of thousands of ratings for each item. It’s important to note that during the past few years, there has been a minor decline in customer evaluations, which is something to take into account.

Now, let’s have a look at what Away has achieved. Away has gone beyond expectations, and we’re saying this because Away has received an outstanding 4.9 out of 5 stars. Cleverjourney has conducted in-depth research with 33 different brands. Away proudly grabbed the top spot, while Samsonite came in at #13.

Our Recommendation: Is Away luggage better than Samsonite?

Now, you might be thinking that Away is far better than Samsonite, but that’s absolutely wrong. Both Samsonite and Away are excellent luggage brands. Most importantly, we must understand that both play in different fields and target different segments.

While comparing both brands, we should always keep their price differences at the top of our minds. Then we’ll be able to actually compare both brands. If you take my opinion, both the luggage brands are excellent in terms of durability, performance, quality, and features, and the quality and features they offer are justified because of their price differences.

If you’re someone who has a limited budget and prefers to go with quality and essential features, then Samsonite is definitely a great choice. Some of the best luggage options from Samsonite are the Samsonite Freeform, the Samsonite Omni 2, and the Samsonite Omni PC.

But if you’re ready to spend the extra amount, then you should surely go with Away luggage because it is more premium, feature-loaded, and, most importantly, offers a lifetime warranty with no shipping cost.

Both the Samsonite and Away brands are excellent. In the end, everything depends on your budget and requirements. Before making any final decisions, always take a look at how much you’re ready to spend and what your actual requirements are.

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