Is Quince's $170 carry-on just as good as Away's $345 version? I took it on multiple trips to find out

CNN

2 days ago

When you're at the airport, it's inevitable you'll see a flurry of Away carry-ons on the verge of running you over around you. I own one of the earlier iterations of the coveted carry-on (a limited-edition gold color from West Elm circa 2017ish), but it's too small for trips longer than a couple days. When I started shopping for a bigger carry-on for longer weekend trips, Quince immediately came to mind. I'd heard multiple other editors say Quince's luggage was comparable to Away's — and for a fraction of the cost. I even had a previous coworker rave about his Quince suitcase for his two-week-long European getaways, so I decided to try Quince's Expandable Carry-On to see if it would fit all my function and style needs for $175 less than the Away equivalent.
Quince Expandable Carry-On Suitcase
Quince's expandable carry-on suitcase is super light but durable and has some of the most zippered compartments I've seen. It has 360-degree spinner wheels, a TSA-approved lock and a telescopic handle that glides easily, plus it expands an additional inch. It's available in six colors and makes me feel like a seasoned traveler. It looks and functions very similar to Away
Though Away is no doubt an editor-favorite suitcase, it comes at a steeper cost that might not be in everyone's budget (even though Away is still cheaper than some other brands). At CNN Underscored, it's our mission to find the best products for all budgets, which led me on a quest to find something that's a little more wallet-friendly.
Judging just by looks, Quince and Away's expandable hard-shell carry-ons have a very similar design. They both feature horizontal lines, though Away's goes all the way across the bag. They both have black wheels, zippers and handles as well.
The main difference is that the Away bag expands 2.25 inches, while the Quince only expands an extra inch. Despite this, Quince ends up being slightly larger and has more capacity because of its larger external dimensions, even though it expands 1.5 inches less. The Quince suitcase also weighs less than the Away at 6.8 pounds.
When it comes to materials, both are made of a durable polycarbonate shell that's lightweight yet sturdy. I've taken my Quince carry-on on two round-trip flights, multiple airlines, a Hampton Jitney bus ride and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and I can confirm it looks almost good as new. I've even dragged it on a rocky residential street and it held up perfectly, even though my disgruntled face while schlepping it over rocks and dirt said otherwise.
It fits in the overhead compartment on multiple airlines
Though Quince's site said this suitcase complies with the carry-on luggage requirements of most airlines, I was skeptical this larger carry-on would make the cut. To be safe, I first tried using it on Delta. Because I have a Delta Skymiles American Express card, I get a free checked bag, so worst-case scenario I could check it without a fee if it didn't fit. Luckily, it successfully fit in the overhead cabins on two domestic Delta flights. I also flew with it on a Southwest flight (I get free checked bags thanks to my Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa card), so I knew I had an alternative option if it didn't fit. I also ended up flying with it on one United flight because my original Delta flight was canceled at the last minute and it successfully fit in the overhead bin too.
If you're an overpacker like me but hate the anxiety and time-suck of checking a bag, this is the perfect carry-on size.
It's spacious and has plenty of zippered compartments
In my experience with any size luggage, Quince's Expandable Carry-On has the most zippered compartments I've ever seen. I love that one side has one larger zippered compartment and the other side has two, so small toiletries or similarly sized items are easier to find. Most suitcases I've seen have only one big zippered pocket (or two max) if it's a checked bag. Like Away, it also features an internal compression system to maximize space.
I recently used it for a long weekend in Denver where I needed outdoor gear for hiking in some drastic temperature changes and also some nicer outfits for going out and grabbing drinks. It fit everything perfectly without feeling like I stuffed the bag to the brim. It even had plenty of room to spare.
For a long weekend on Long Island and Miami, I was able to fit more than I needed too. For one of the trips, I fit three dresses, a padel outfit, a linen beach cover-up set, a hat, two pairs of heeled sandals, beach sandals, two workout sets, a couple cans of SPF, a bulky sweater, a Dagne Dover tote bag and toiletry case, a flat iron and other miscellaneous travel items, and I didn't even have to sit on the bag to close it. To be clear, I didn't need to pack this much for two nights, but I wanted to have options. If I were going somewhere more relaxed, I could easily fit a week's worth of outfits if I packed efficiently and didn't need three cute workout set options.
You can buy a matching luggage set
If you're on the hunt for a matching luggage set, Quince also offers an expandable check-in suitcase. Best of all, when you're not traveling, you can nestle the carry-on inside the checked bag for compact storage. If the larger expandable carry-on is too large for your needs, there's also a smaller version.
In the name of product research, I did some math for you and discovered that the larger Quince check-in bag is less than Away's expandable carry-on size. In fact, you could buy the large expandable carry-on and large checked bag from Quince for just $45 more than the Away carry-on alone, so you get a lot more value for your money.
It may not fit on all modes of transportation
While I had luck with this suitcase fitting into the overhead bin on all three airlines I flew with it on, I can't guarantee it'll fit on all airlines since it is on the larger side, so I would double-check your specific airline's carry-on restrictions before traveling with it.
It may not be the best suitcase option if you happen to take the LIRR, Amtrak or another type of train either. While it fit on one LIRR train's overhead shelf, it did not fit on the overhead shelf on my (extremely packed) connecting train. I panicked because there was nowhere to put the bag. After sitting it in the aisle next to me, the conductor made me and some other people put our bags by the train doors, which left me a little uneasy since it wasn't directly in my line of sight. Fortunately, everything was OK, but it was a slight inconvenience. Lesson learned: A duffel bag is a safer bet for trains.
One disclaimer? Originally, I got this suitcase to use for a two-week European trip last year, but then I quickly realized it wouldn't fit on most (if any) European airlines' overhead bins, so I ditched that plan. With that said, I personally would not use this as a carry-on for international travels unless you plan on checking it and don't want to schlep a full-size checked bag around with you.
20.9 x 14.6 in.
21 x 14.5 in.
22.8 x 15.6 x 10.5 in.
22.7 x 15.4 x 9.6 in.
22.8 x 15.6 x 11.5 in.
NA
48 liters
47.9 liters
57 liters
53.5 liters
6.8 lbs.
8.6 lbs.
1 in.
2.25 in.
6
7
No
Yes
Limited lifetime warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
Yes
Yes I've only used this Quince carry-on for about a year, so I'll report back to see how it holds up as it gets more mileage. So far, though, I'm impressed and can say it offers the same vibe and functionality of Away's viral suitcases for less cash, and let's face it: A lot of travelers opt for Away because it's sleek and a form of social capital that makes you feel fancy while hopping on a flight. While I haven't tried Away's expandable carry-on, the smaller version I've owned for years is pretty much the same otherwise. This budget-friendly Quince bag made me feel just as chic but for a fraction of the cost.
Most importantly, it ended my search for a larger carry-on that fit everything I needed for a long weekend — and then some. Though I've schlepped this bag with me on a variety of transportation methods, I will note I haven't checked it on a flight yet, so I can't say how well it holds up after getting tossed around a bit more aggressively.
Does Quince's Expandable Carry-On have a warranty?
Does Quince's Expandable Carry-On have a warranty?
Yes, but it has a limited lifetime warranty. In short, Quince will not cover any damages as a result of normal wear and tear or if the item is not used as intended, which is pretty standard. According to the website, the warranty will cover the following:
Breaks or cracks in the shell
Wheels, handles or telescoping handles that have broken off or are not usable
Zippers that can no longer be opened or closed
How do you clean the Quince Expandable Carry-On?
How do you clean the Quince Expandable Carry-On?
According to Quince's website, wipe your suitcase with a soft, damp cloth, warm water and mild soap. Then, you can remove any remaining scuff marks with the provided anti-scuff sponge (I've also used a Magic Eraser). The brand also recommends storing it in the included dust bag to prevent it from getting dusty.
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test the products we review and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this article, senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus took Quince's Expandable Carry-On with her on multiple flights, a bus and the train to see how it performs and compares to Away's popular carry-on.