Béis carry-on review: I'm a chronic overpacker who travels carry-on only. This roller bag somehow keeps up.
Béis, founded by Shay Mitchell in 2018, has become a favorite among stylish travelers, influencers, and celebrities — even Hailey Bieber and Jessica Alba have been spotted traveling with the brand's luggage.
When I decided to upgrade my luggage last summer, I looked to Béis for a suitcase that combines style and function. I prefer uniquely-colored luggage that stands out, but as someone who usually only travels with a carry-on, I also need a suitcase that fits as much as possible. The Béis Carry-On Roller checked all of my boxes — and I've been bringing it around the world with me ever since.
Design and specs
The Béis Carry-On Roller originally stood out to me for its sleek, high-end look. It has a durable hard shell, heavy-duty hardware, and comes in an assortment of monochromatic colors with either a matte or glossy finish. The core colorways range from Atlas Pink to Black, and the brand often launches new styles as well. I originally got the suitcase in limited-edition Honey, a yellow that matches the New York City subway markings, and recently added the more neutral Beige to my collection. No matter which color you choose, the suitcases feature a matching metallic handle, adding to their luxurious look.
The bag has many helpful features, including an integrated zipper combination lock. Oddly, mine came prelocked with a combination to unlock it (you can change this later), but it was a surprise to be met with a locked suitcase from the start. Otherwise, the zipper and handles worked smoothly from the first use, and I was instantly impressed by how easy it was to roll with the 360-degree wheels.
The suitcase, which is mainly made from polycarbonate with vegan leather trim, also has multiple interior sections, compression straps, and comes with two drawstring bags to make packing easier. The polyester lining feels a little thin in my opinion, but hasn't ripped after a year of regular use. It also has a cushioned trolley handle, retractable bag straps that you can attach to another suitcase, and a built-in weight indicator on the side handle, which turns red if your suitcase is over 50 pounds (so, a bit more helpful for checked bags, but still good to have). The suitcase itself weighs 8.4 pounds empty, which is on the high-end for a carry-on bag, but comparable to other popular carry-ons like Away's Bigger Flex, which weighs 8.6 pounds.
The Carry-On Roller is 22.8 x 15.7 x 9.8, which is slightly over the standard airline regulation size, but gives you plenty of space to pack in. If that isn't enough, the suitcase can also be expanded two additional inches with a built-in zippered section. While The Carry-On Roller is Béis' standard-size carry-on luggage, the brand also offers a few smaller variations: The Front-Pocket Roller (21.5 x 13.5 x 9 inches), The Small Carry-On Roller (21 x 13 x 9 inches), and The Mini Roller (17 x 16.5 x 9 inches).
What it's like to use
Since receiving my Béis carry-on, it has traveled with me both domestically and internationally, from a bachelorette trip in Scottsdale, Arizona, to a relaxing getaway in Tulum, Mexico. I've also used it on several methods of transportation, including a Disney cruise, different-sized airplanes, and trains. Each trip has only made me grow more and more attached to it.
One reason I keep opting for this suitcase is, of course, how much I can fit inside it. As a content creator, I typically pack more than the average traveler, including extra dresses to photograph and videography supplies. The Béis suitcase is spacious and includes plenty of pockets that help me organize my gear.
The interior is divided into two sections. One side has a zippered compartment with two pockets that I like to use for socks and underwear. The other side has an open compartment with compression straps and a removable compression panel. The panel also has zippered pockets on its front and back, including one that perfectly fits my 13-inch MacBook in its protective case. Typically, I have enough space to pack in without needing to use the expander, but since I like to shop when I travel, this feature has come in handy on return flights. I once stuffed a large blanket into my extended suitcase on the way back from Orlando, and was still able to fit the carry-on into the overhead bin of a smaller plane. On a recent trip to Chicago, I was even able to fit a second winter coat inside the suitcase.
I've navigated many airports and train stations with this suitcase in hand, and it's always a breeze to wheel across any type of flooring and carpeting. When extended and heavier, it still rolls smoothly, and the cushioned trolley handle makes it comfortable to hold without worrying about blisters. I regularly roll it across New York City sidewalks and carry it up and down subway steps (usually with my 12-pound dog in my other arm). However, it does move more slowly on grass and bumpy pavement. In these situations, I wheel the suitcase behind me (versus beside me), and it still moves with ease — it just takes a little extra strength.
After a year of frequent use, I'm impressed with how well my Honey carry-on has held up, but it is prone to scuffing. Generally, I clean it with a Magic Eraser after every few trips, and while most marks come off, a few stubborn black scuffs won't budge. To really put the bag to the test, I tossed my brand-new Beige carry-on across the pavement a few times, and the scuffing was minimal. It ended up with only a few scratches near the wheels — and that's in the brand's lightest colorway. If you really want to keep your luggage in pristine condition, Béis sells matching covers for its suitcases.
What makes it stand out?
As a frequent traveler who prefers to use only a carry-on, the Béis suitcase stands out in style and function over any other bag I've tested. Before switching to Béis, I used the Away Bigger Carry-On for about five years. It served me well, but I definitely consider the Béis to be an upgrade in every way: It's more spacious (though I will note that Away has also launched expandable suitcases since I bought mine), includes additional organizers to help you pack, and has a more luxurious look and feel to it overall. The Béis suitcase also has a built-in weight indicator, bag hook, and trolley handle cushioning, which I haven't had in any previous luggage.
Cons to consider
Since this suitcase is large for a carry-on and has a dry weight of over 8 pounds already, it does get heavy, especially if you use compression packing cubes or engage the extension panel for extra packing space. I haven't successfully lifted it into the overhead bin of a flight by myself once in the last year. While I am a 5-foot petite girl, this is something I used to be able to do on my own. Of course, weight comes down to what's inside your suitcase, and can be distributed between your other bags.
The suitcase's size may also be an issue with airline regulations. I personally have never been asked to check the suitcase due to size or struggled to fit it into an overhead bin in the US. However, I am more conservative with guidelines when I travel internationally. I recently decided not to bring my Béis carry-on when I flew Avianca to Ecuador, for example, since it was my first time on the airline. Béis' smaller carry-on may be a better fit for international travel or for anyone who doesn't want to risk gate-checking their bags.
While I've enjoyed traveling with my Béis overall, I have had a few problems with my Honey roller after a year of frequent use. First, the top handle has started to get stuck, and I have to push down on it with a lot of force to get it to retract. This tends to make situations like boarding an airplane more complicated since I have to take extra time to put my suitcase away. Still, it's a minor inconvenience that I don't mind putting up with for how much I like this suitcase, and I haven't heard of this being a widespread problem with the brand. Additionally, one of the interior sections is attached with snaps, and they've come loose over time. It tends to fall off while I'm packing, which is another annoyance.
Lastly, the warranty conditions are unclear. The brand states that its bags have a limited lifetime warranty where "lifetime" refers to the "reasonable lifespan of the materials and components that go into the Luggage." However, Béis doesn't specify how long that is.
What are your alternatives?
At $268, the Béis carry-on feels like a good value for a high-quality bag, but there are other brands and suitcases worth considering that we've outlined in our guides to the best luggage and best carry-on bags. The Béis is most comparable to the Away Bigger Carry-On Flex, which is similarly spacious but slightly smaller at 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches (plus 2 inches of expansion). The Away suitcase is slightly more expensive at $325, but comes with a much clearer and more inclusive lifetime warranty that justifies the price difference. However, it does not have a weight indicator, cushioned trolley handle, or as many interior sections as Béis.
If you're a fan of Béis for its organizational compartments and sleek look, you may also want to consider the Monos Carry-On Pro Plus. Our favorite carry-on style by the brand, this suitcase is similar in size at 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches and price to the Béis, at $315 with a lifetime guarantee. It has an exterior pocket for easy access, interior compression straps, and comes with individual shoe bags. There are currently nine core colorways available, plus four limited-edition styles, including a fun recent collaboration with Magnolia Bakery. (The 'Banana Pudding' hue looks eerily similar to my sold-out Honey roller.) Monos also offers an expandable version of this suitcase, but it's slightly more expensive at $365 and only comes in three colorways.
The bottom line
Switching to the Béis carry-on suitcase a year ago has made packing and traveling easier. If you are someone who prefers to pack heavy but avoid checked baggage fees, you won't go wrong with Béis. Plus, you may just give someone airport envy as you roll by with one of the brand's bold, limited-edition colorways.
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