Quick Picks by Traveler Type
- 8+ flights/year (frequent flyer): Monos Carry-On - better wheels, lifetime warranty, built to last
- 2–6 flights/year (casual traveler): Béis Carry-On Roller - great value, more features, expandable
- International/budget airline (strict sizer): Béis Small Carry-On Roller (21 × 13 × 9 in, $248)
- Best value overall: Béis, especially on sale
Our Verdict in 60 Seconds
Monos wins on build quality and warranty - its wheels, shell, and handle are more durable than Béis, and the lifetime warranty is genuinely more enforceable. Béis wins on price, practical features (expandability, extra pockets, a built-in weight indicator), and value for travelers who fly a handful of times per year. The deciding variable isn't design or price - it's how often you fly. If you're taking eight or more trips a year, the Monos premium pays for itself before the Béis wheels start showing their age. If you fly two to six times a year and you're not putting this bag through heavy frequent-flyer punishment, Béis is a genuinely good bag at a lower price.
Brand Overview
Béis - Shay Mitchell's Functional Fashion Play
Béis was founded in 2018 in Los Angeles by actress and social media personality Shay Mitchell. The brand is deliberately style-forward - it leans into colorways, limited-edition collaborations, and a feature-rich design philosophy that prioritizes things like built-in weight indicators, expandable zippers, and retractable bag straps. The result is luggage that photographs well and consistently shows up in travel content across social platforms.
Monos - The Minimalist from Vancouver
Monos launched the same year, 2018, out of Vancouver. Three co-founders with a shared obsession for travel built it around a different philosophy: minimal design, long-term durability, and sustainability. Monos is a Certified B Corp and a 1% for the Planet member, donating at least 1% of annual revenue to environmental nonprofits. The aesthetic is intentionally understated - neutral palettes, clean lines, and no features included that aren't necessary.
Specs at a Glance
The Béis lineup includes multiple carry-on sizes. It matters which one you're looking at.
| Feature | Béis Carry-On Roller | Béis Small Carry-On Roller | Monos Carry-On | Monos Carry-On Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Verify at beistravel.com | 21 × 13 × 9 in | Verify at monos.com | Verify at monos.com |
| Weight | Verify at beistravel.com | 7.16 lbs | Verify at monos.com | Verify at monos.com |
| Price | ~$268 | $248 | ~$275 | ~$325 |
| Shell | Polycarbonate/ABS | Polycarbonate/ABS | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate |
| Expandable | Yes | No | No (standard) | No |
| Handle heights | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Laptop pocket | No | No | No | Yes |
The Béis Small Carry-On Roller (21 × 13 × 9 in, 7.16 lbs, $248) is the model that clears the strictest airline size checks. The standard Béis Carry-On Roller is larger - verify the exact dimensions from the brand before assuming it passes on all carriers. Béis also makes the Mini Roller (17 × 16.5 × 9 in, 7.00 lbs, $218), which is undersized for standard carry-on overhead bins but works as a wheeled personal item on routes where you want one.
Airline Fit - Which Bag Passes the Carry-On Sizer?
This is where most comparison articles leave you hanging. Neither brand's website gives you a plain-language answer about which specific airports and carriers their bags actually clear. Airlines are also cracking down on oversized bags more aggressively than before - knowing the exact dimensions matters more than it used to.
US Domestic Airlines
Most major US carriers - Delta, United, American, and Southwest - allow carry-ons up to 22 × 14 × 9 inches. The Béis Small Carry-On Roller at 21 × 13 × 9 in fits every one of those limits with room to spare. The Monos Carry-On is also designed to fit major US airline overhead bins; verify the exact dimensions at monos.com before travel. Neither bag should be gate-checked on a standard US domestic flight.
International and Budget Airlines
Budget European carriers are a different story. easyJet allows carry-ons up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (approximately 22 × 18 × 10 inches), which both brands' standard carry-ons should clear - but verify your specific model's dimensions before you fly. Ryanair is stricter: their personal item allowance is 40 × 20 × 25 cm, which neither brand's carry-on qualifies for. If you're flying Ryanair regularly, you'll need a smaller bag entirely - our list of carry-ons that fit Ryanair, easyJet, and other strict airlines covers your options, and our full airline requirements guide has the size limits for every major carrier.
For budget international travel in general, the Béis Small Carry-On Roller (21 × 13 × 9 in) is the safer pick from either brand - its smaller footprint clears more overhead bin sizers and reduces the risk of a gate-check fee on stricter carriers.
Build Quality and Durability
Shell Material - Is Polycarbonate Created Equal?
Both brands use polycarbonate hard shells, but the formulations differ. If you're deciding between hard shell and soft shell in general, our hard shell vs. soft shell carry-on guide covers the tradeoffs in detail. Monos uses what it describes as aerospace-grade polycarbonate - the shell is noticeably denser and more rigid to the touch. Béis uses a polycarbonate-ABS blend that's slightly more flexible. In independent testing by TravelFreak across 33 objective and subjective metrics, Monos scored 9.2 out of 10 on build quality; Béis scored 8.7. That's a meaningful gap, and it shows up over time: frequent fliers in luggage communities have documented Béis shells developing stress marks and surface cracking after 12 to 18 months of checked-bag use, while Monos shells more consistently hold up through two to four years of heavy travel. The tradeoff with Monos is cosmetic - its matte finish picks up scuffs and scratches visibly, though the underlying casing stays intact.
Wheels - The Most-Discussed Béis Weak Point
Wheels are the most frequently debated attribute in any Béis vs. Monos discussion, and Monos wins clearly. Monos has historically used Hinomoto spinner hardware - a Japanese-manufactured wheel brand with a strong reputation among luggage enthusiasts - and owners in travel forums report the wheels tracking straight and rolling quietly on tile floors after two to three years of use, including on cobblestone streets in Europe. Béis does not publicly disclose its wheel manufacturer, and that absence is telling: owners in dedicated luggage communities have documented wobbling and rattling at six to twelve months, with poor performance specifically on cobblestone and carpet. This is the single biggest long-term risk factor for Béis buyers - not the shell, not the zippers, but the wheels. For a traveler flying two to four times a year, you may not encounter this. For a frequent flyer, you likely will.
Handle and Construction Details
Monos' telescoping handle is aluminum with four adjustable heights, and the interior grab straps are attached with screws. Béis offers two fixed handle heights, and the grab straps are glued to the inner shell rather than screwed. The handle-height difference matters most for travelers who are significantly shorter or taller than average. The strap attachment method matters over time - screw-fixed hardware holds up better under repeated stress than adhesive. Neither difference is disqualifying for a casual traveler, but both reflect the overall build philosophy of each brand.
Interior Organization and Packing
What Both Bags Do
Both the Béis Carry-On Roller and the Monos Carry-On use a two-sided clamshell design with a compression panel on one side and a zippered divider on the other. If you're packing for a four or five day trip, you'll use both bags the same way. The core packing experience is similar.
Where Béis Has More
Béis builds more features into its carry-ons at the base price. Every Béis carry-on includes an expansion zipper that adds roughly 2 liters of capacity - useful for bringing souvenirs home or packing a slightly bulkier pair of shoes. There's also a waterproof toiletry pocket inside the divider panel, a weight indicator built into the handle that turns red when the bag exceeds 50 lbs, and a retractable strap on top that clips onto a purse or tote to keep your hands free. Overall, Béis offers more exterior pocket access than Monos, which owners who like quick-grab organization tend to appreciate.
Where Monos Has More
Monos' compression panel is firmer than Béis', which means clothes come out more wrinkle-free - something owners in carry-on communities consistently flag as a differentiator for business travel. The Monos Carry-On Pro (~$325) adds a protective laptop sleeve that's meaningfully better than the Béis Front Pocket Carry-On version. Every Monos carry-on also ships with a laundry bag, two shoe bags, and a magic eraser cloth for cleaning scuffs off the shell. If you want a Monos with expansion capability, it exists - but the expandable version costs roughly $100 more than the standard Carry-On.
Price and Value - Is the Monos Premium Justified?
What You Actually Pay
The Béis Small Carry-On Roller runs $248; the standard Béis Carry-On Roller is approximately $268. The Monos Carry-On has an MSRP of around $275 and goes on sale regularly. The Monos Carry-On Pro is approximately $325. The gap between comparable configurations - standard Béis versus standard Monos - is roughly $80 to $100.
The Cost-Per-Use Case for Monos
At first glance, $100 sounds like a lot. Run the numbers a different way: a traveler taking 12 trips a year and keeping a bag for four years takes 48 trips total. At $275, Monos works out to about $5.73 per trip. At $195 (Béis on a decent sale), that's about $4.06 per trip - a difference of $1.67 per flight. That's not a meaningful gap. But if Béis requires replacement at 18 to 24 months because the wheels have degraded, the cost-per-use calculation shifts entirely. Experienced travel communities are fairly consistent on this point: Béis is not in the "buy it for life" category for frequent travelers. Monos is closer, though not immune to complaints.
When Béis Is the Better Value
Béis runs aggressive promotions - Black Friday deals and flash sales can bring carry-ons down to $148 to $185. At that price, the value equation changes substantially, and you're getting a full-polycarbonate carry-on with more features than Monos at a significantly lower cost. For travelers flying two to four times a year, the durability differences documented by frequent fliers may simply never materialize during the bag's useful life. If features like expandability, extra pockets, and the weight indicator matter to you, Béis delivers them at the base price rather than as add-ons. Compare them side by side to see which configuration makes sense for your travel frequency.
Warranty and Customer Service - Read This Before You Buy
Policy Comparison
The warranty difference is not just a bullet point - it's a practical risk factor. Béis offers a one-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects only. The policy explicitly excludes "accidents, abrasion, and airline handling." Monos offers a lifetime warranty covering the shell, zippers, wheels, and handles, with exceptions limited to intentional damage or modification. Béis' return window is 45 days, and the buyer pays return shipping and receives store credit rather than a refund. Monos offers a 100-day return window with free returns. The most important detail: Béis' one-year warranty expires before the 12-to-18-month window in which wheel degradation is most commonly reported by owners. By the time you'd want to use the warranty, it's already gone.
Real Experiences from Users
Monos warranty claims are a mixed picture, but lean positive. Owners in Monos forums have documented receiving replacement shells within approximately two weeks of submitting photos of a defect. The negative cases cluster around airline-damage claims that Monos deemed "impact damage" and declined - a frustrating but not unusual position for any luggage brand to take. Béis warranty and return experiences skew more negative in travel communities: owners have described a difficult process that resulted in store credit only, and the 45-day window combined with return shipping costs has drawn criticism as a meaningful barrier to actually using the policy. Positive Béis customer service experiences do exist, but the documented track record is less consistent than Monos.
Aesthetics and Design
Monos' design language is deliberate and restrained - a neutral palette of navy, slate, sage, and ivory, with clean horizontal lines and a dense, weighted feel in hand that reads as more premium than the price suggests. The matte finish scuffs visibly with heavy use, which bothers some owners more than others. Cosmetically it's a drawback; structurally it means nothing. Béis offers a wider range of colorways, including brighter options and limited-edition collaborations, and the shell has a slightly glossier finish that photographs well. In photos, Béis can look more striking. In person, the consensus in travel communities is that Monos handles more like a premium bag, while Béis handles more like exactly what it costs. Owners in carry-on forums have summarized it this way: Béis is "very cute but very influencer-brained," while Monos is "the grown-up version." Neither description is wrong - it depends on what you want your luggage to say about you.
Who Should Buy Béis - and Who Should Buy Monos
Buy Béis if:
- You fly 2–6 times per year and don't need a bag that holds up to frequent-flyer punishment
- You want expandability, extra pockets, and a weight indicator without paying extra for them
- Style, colorways, and fashion credibility are part of the purchase decision
- You shop sales and can catch it at $148–$185
- You're flying internationally on a budget carrier and need a compact option - the Béis Small Carry-On Roller (21 × 13 × 9 in, $248) is the safest choice from either brand for strict overhead bin sizers
- You're a leisure traveler who doesn't need "buy it for life" luggage
Buy Monos if:
- You fly 8+ times per year or travel regularly for work
- Wheel durability and long-term build quality are your top priorities - this is where Béis has its most documented failures
- You want a lifetime warranty that's genuinely enforceable beyond the first year
- A minimal, professional aesthetic matters to you
- You care about sustainability credentials (Certified B Corp, 1% for the Planet)
- You're willing to pay the ~$80–$100 premium for a bag you're less likely to replace
What About Other Options?
Béis and Monos aren't the only brands in this price range, and it's worth knowing the alternatives before you decide. We compared Monos head-to-head with Away if that's the direction you're leaning. Away's The Carry-On ($275, 21.7 × 14.4 × 9 in, 7.50 lbs) sits at essentially the same price as Monos with comparable build quality and is available through more retail channels - useful if you'd rather see a bag in person before buying. July, an Australian brand, has built a strong reputation in frequent-traveler communities at a similar price point, though it isn't in our catalog yet. If you fly more than 100 days a year and need luggage that absorbs serious abuse, Briggs & Riley is in a different category entirely - more expensive at $579 and up, but backed by a lifetime warranty that includes free repairs at their service centers. You can compare any of these bags side by side using our tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Béis or Monos luggage better?
Monos is better built and better warranted, making it the stronger choice for frequent travelers. Béis is an excellent value for occasional travelers who prioritize style and features over long-term durability.
What celebrity owns Béis?
Actress and social media personality Shay Mitchell co-founded Béis in 2018.
Is Béis luggage high end?
Béis is mid-range. It's well-built and stylish, with a polycarbonate shell and a TSA-approved lock, but it's not luxury luggage. Monos generally rates higher on independent build-quality tests, and the price reflects that gap accurately.
Is Monos worth the extra money?
For frequent travelers taking eight or more trips per year, yes - the wheel durability and lifetime warranty justify the ~$80–$100 premium over time. For occasional travelers flying two to six times a year, Béis performs well at a lower price, and the durability differences may never become relevant during the bag's useful life.
Does Béis luggage fit in the overhead bin?
Yes. The Béis Small Carry-On Roller (21 × 13 × 9 in) fits all major US airline carry-on requirements and clears most international airline overhead bins as well. For strict budget carriers like Ryanair, neither brand's carry-on qualifies as the personal item allowance - check our airline size guide for what actually fits.
Which Béis carry-on size should I get?
For US domestic travel, the standard Béis Carry-On Roller gives you more room. For international travel on budget European carriers, the Béis Small Carry-On Roller (21 × 13 × 9 in, $248) is the safer choice - its smaller footprint passes more overhead bin sizers and reduces the risk of a gate-check fee on stricter carriers.