Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear professional and journey photographer based mostly in Southern California.
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 luggage rating 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 have 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 modern, minimalist suitcases for vacationers who worth premium supplies, understated model, and intuitive design. With a mean general rating of 9.4, Monos is the highest-scoring model we’ve examined.
Samsonite, with a mean general rating of 8.8, is just about a family title. That is the biggest baggage model on this planet, and so they’ve been constructing suitcases for over a century. Samsonite has an enormous product vary, from budget-friendly to luxurious suitcases, so that they have one thing for each kind of traveler.
When you’re deciding between Monos and Samsonite, I’ll go over the primary variations between the 2 manufacturers, evaluate their professionals and cons, and spotlight which baggage model will greatest suit your wants.
Why You Can Belief Us
The TravelFreak editorial group has examined dozens of suitcases over time, and we’ve realized quite a bit about what separates a top quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed price range baggage, luxurious suitcases, and every part in between.
We all know how exhausting it’s to search out the proper suitcase, and we need to make the method simpler for you. So our group of drugs junkies and product engineers developed essentially the most complete luggage test methodology potential.
We examined and rated 11 Monos suitcases and 15 Samsonite suitcases, together with carry-ons and checked baggage from each manufacturers.
We evaluated each one in all these suitcases on 31 metrics throughout eight classes. We gave all of them the identical remedy and rated them on the identical standardized scales. This makes it straightforward for us (and also you) to check the benefits and downsides of every.
At a Look
Monos vs Samsonite: Fast Solutions
- Sturdiness: Monos baggage is extra sturdy and well-built than Samsonite general.
- Worth: Samsonite affords 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 Fashion: Monos baggage is fashionable, minimalist, and streamlined. Samsonite suitcases are available a greater variety, 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 methods 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.
- Shade Choices: Monos baggage has extra colour selections 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 inside the US.
- prioritize aesthetics and fashionable design.
- are involved about sustainability and shopping for eco-friendly merchandise.
Purchase Samsonite if you happen to…
- are on a decent price range.
- usually journey internationally on airways with strict dimension and weight limits.
- journey much less continuously.
- want baggage for cruises or summer season holidays.
- want baggage to hold a swimsuit, gown, or different formal clothes.
Supplies & High quality
After testing suitcases from each manufacturers, Monos scored considerably increased for Construct High quality: 9.2 vs Samsonite’s 7.9 Construct High quality Rating. The brief reply is that this: if you need 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 elements are flimsier and extra breakable.
Alternatively, 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 difficulty with Monos is that the hardshell simply exhibits 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 battle zone. Happily, they embrace a magic eraser that does a surprisingly good job at eradicating scuffs.
It’s additionally price noting that Samsonite sells each hardside and softside luggage, whereas Monos solely has hardside luggage. 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 function 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 useful 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 easy and intuitive, some Samsonite baggage is a little more difficult. Monos is a more sensible choice if you need a no-fuss suitcase that’s extraordinarily straightforward to pack and use.
That mentioned, if you happen to’re enthusiastic about high-tech options or progressive designs, Samsonite has extra to supply. Samsonite has an enormous vary of suitcases, and their designs are very various. You will discover 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 increased than Monos at 8.5) as a result of you may get Samsonite suitcases with extra superior options.
Basically, Monos baggage does the necessities rather well, however Samsonite’s progressive designs have extra extras.
Worth for Your Cash
When you’re on a price range and try to get the perfect bang on your buck, Samsonite might be a greater choice. They’ve extra reasonably priced baggage, and you’ll 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 dearer on common, however you do get superior worth on 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.
If you’re a frequent traveler, investing a bit of more cash in a Monos suitcase is unquestionably price it.
Guarantee and Shopping for Expertise
Monos additionally offers you a 100-day trial to have your individual Monos baggage overview at house and ensure it matches your way of life. You’ll be able to pack it, run with it, wheel it round, raise it—simply preserve it indoors, and if there are issues, you’ll be able to return it.
Monos has a lifetime guarantee that covers any useful injury to the wheels, shell, or handles. They don’t cowl beauty injury 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 repute for upholding guarantee claims, so I wouldn’t be too frightened.
Each manufacturers have good customer support and construct baggage that’s meant to final. Neither has a guaranty fairly nearly as good as Briggs & Riley, however additionally they are rather more reasonably priced.
Model Impression and Sustainability
When you care about sustainability and supporting corporations which might be bettering their affect on the planet, Monos is a more sensible choice than Samsonite. Monos scored 8.5 for Model Impression, 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 degree.
Last 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 can purchase Monos baggage if you’re a frequent traveler and need to put money into a trendy, high-quality suitcase that shall be getting plenty of use. Metropolis-hopping, work journeys, and long-term journey are all proper up Monos’ alley. When you’re the kind of one that’s at all times on the go, I feel you’ll love Monos’ mix of favor and practicality.
Samsonite is a more sensible choice 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 useful and sturdy. Most Samsonite baggage prices considerably lower than Monos, and it nonetheless works rather well. I personally suppose 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 price range worldwide airways, however Samsonite has a complete vary of carry-ons sized specifically for international travel. I extremely advocate performing some analysis into carry-on size limits before you purchase a suitcase.
Monos and Samsonite each make superior baggage, and you’ll’t go unsuitable with both. If you would like a bit of extra steering for choosing a selected mannequin, take a look at our guides for locating the Best Carry-On Luggage and the Best Checked Luggage.
Monos vs Samsonite FAQs
What baggage is akin to Monos?
Is Samsonite baggage price it?
Samsonite baggage is unquestionably price it if you need a sensible suitcase at an ideal value.
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 standard?
Samsonite baggage is standard as a result of it’s trendy, reasonably priced, and out there in every single 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 open air. You’ll be able to often discover him on the path, on the highway, leaping from bridges or hustling on his laptop computer working to provide the perfect journey and open air content material in the present day.
