Beis Carry-On Review: A Travel Expert Tests the Internet-Loved Bag
Updated: Mar. 15, 2024
Does the bag that every influencer on TikTok raves about actually live up to the hype?
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I have a confession: I’m extremely judgmental when it comes to luggage brands, with high expectations for both form and function. I test a lot of luggage as part of my job as a travel writer who spends roughly 90 nights a year on the road. I’m always looking to upgrade my travel style while simultaneously creating more efficiencies with my suitcase choices.
Lately, my Instagram and TikTok feeds have been inundated with influencers and content creators raving about the Beis Carry-On Roller. They all claim it’s the “best bag ever,” and I’ve done little more than roll my eyes at what I perceived to be a knock-off of my beloved Away The Bigger Carry On. But I figured I should at least order it and see first-hand what all the fuss is about.
I fully expected to end up with a laundry list of complaints about its various shortcomings. Turns out, and this is tough for me to admit, this skeptic actually loves it. In fact, it may become my new go-to bag, and this revelation shook me to my core.
What is the Beis Carry-On Roller?
Actor and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell founded Beis in 2018. Her goal was to create stylish and quality luggage that won’t break the bank—well, mission: accomplished. The Carry-On Roller is a sleek-looking bag with a 3D stripe design along its durable polycarbonate casing.
It comes in colors ranging from sherbet hues to neutral tones. The exterior measurements are 15.7 inches wide x 22.8 inches high x 9.8 inches deep (interior: 14.5 x 13.9 x 9.8) and it weighs just 8.36 pounds. The best part? It’s only $218.
The 360-degree wheels navigate uneven or rough surfaces with ease, and the butterfly opening makes it convenient to pack and unpack. Four-point compression straps help squish everything down to maximize the space while numerous zipper pockets work overtime to keep you organized.
And don’t just stop at exploring this carry-on bag, because everything from Beis is stylish and comfortably priced.
Beis Carry-On Roller features
The one feature in this bag that immediately blew me away was the weight limit indicator, which is built into the side handle. If the bag weighs over 50 pounds, it will turn red.
Another brilliant feature is the retractable bag attach strap, something none of my other luggage pieces have. You’ll no longer have to worry about balancing a second bag perfectly on top of this Carry-On Roller and waiting for it to fall off at the most inopportune time. Attach any bag up to 15 pounds to this strap and move about your travels in complete confidence that it’ll stay put.
Sick of luggage handles that hurt your hand? Me too. This one is cushioned with a little pillow underneath. This makes it comfortable to wheel around so you won’t need to keep adjusting your grip.
Finally, the expandable zippered section makes a huge difference when trying to cram one or two more things into the bag. My golden rule of using an expander is to only use it on the flight home. This ensures that there will be enough room for souvenirs.
How we tested it
I visited my parents for four days over the Fourth of July, but I wasn’t sure what to wear. So, I overpacked by a lot. I was able to fit all of this: one pair of jeans, three dresses, two jumpers, one romper, five shirts, one skirt, one pair of shorts, a pair of heeled sandals, a pair of flat sandals, my toiletries bag, makeup bag, travel hair dryer, adapter, a bathing suit and an evening bag (I left space for my undergarments and pajamas, not pictured).
Had I used compression packing cubes and rolled my clothes more carefully, I easily could have squeezed another couple of outfits in. Moreover, I didn’t have to expand the bag to make this all fit. What excited me most about packing in this bag was the various organizational features, something my Away bag is lacking.
One side features two pockets (both zip and one is frosted PVC). The other side features a removable compression flap with a large zippered mesh pocket and a U-shaped zip flap. This gave me so many extra ways to separate my belongings and secure places to store smaller items that may otherwise get lost in the shuffle. I also appreciated the matching bags that came with it. I used one to store a pair of shoes so the soles wouldn’t get anything dirty and the other as a laundry bag.
The bag rolls beautifully, the zippers are flawless and the pale pink color (called Atlas Pink) is the perfect mix of sophisticated and girly. I made use of the four-point compression straps to keep everything secure. After its impressive debut, I’m excited to take it on my upcoming flight to Indiana.
And I think I’m going to need to buy the Atlas Pink Beis Mini Weekender bag to complete my luggage set — there’s nothing more chic than a matching luggage set while gliding through an airport.
Pros
- Priced less than competitors
- Expandable for two extra inches of room
- Weight limit indicator
- 360-degree wheels
- TSA locks
- Detachable compression flap with pocket
- Durable, hard-sided polycarbonate
- Comes in 9 colors to match any aesthetic
- Retractable bag attach strap holds up to 15 pounds
- Limited lifetime warranty included
- Separate pouches for dirty clothes and shoes
- Capacity of 49-61 liters
- Water-resistant zipper tape
- Save up to 15% when you build a bundle (buy a set)
Cons
- Bag may be too big for carry-on on international flights
- Lighter colors will get scuffed no matter how careful you are
- Return or exchange products within 45 days, but there’s a $10 handling fee for returns
FAQ
Does the Beis Carry-On Roller fit in overhead bins?
It’s important to double-check the size restrictions of each airline carrier before making any assumptions. However, this bag should fit on most domestic planes. It will not fit on most regional flights (those smaller planes have much smaller overhead bins) and it may not work on international carriers.
Does the Beis Carry-On Roller have a weight limit indicator?
Yes, and it’s built right into the side handle. It will turn red if the luggage clocks in over 50 pounds. That means you won’t have to schlep a separate luggage scale to ensure the bag isn’t too heavy.
What other reviewers had to say
The Beis Carry-On Roller has more than 7,000 reviews on the brand’s website, and they firmly sit at 4.9 stars.
Verified buyer Denise O. says, “I bought it for my daughter. She has already taken it on a trip and fell in love with it. I am now going to buy one for myself.”
Corky B. appreciates every thoughtful detail in the bag’s design. “I love this carry-on. There are so many compartments inside to keep everything nice and neat. It is so easy to maneuver, and you can grip it with your hand without a problem.”
And Samantha T.’s obsession with the Beis Carry-On Roller says it all. “I love my Beis carry-on so much that I told all my friends all about it. They even asked me what my promo code was because they thought I worked for them.”
Product comparison
You’re going to see the Beis Carry-On Roller bag everywhere you look while traveling, but don’t confuse it with the Away Bigger Carry-On, which has a similar vibe thanks to its horizontal stripes and more than 3,300 4.9-star reviews. However, the Away bag costs almost a hundred dollars more and has fewer convenience features (no organizational compartments, no expander, no weight indicator and no retractable bag attach strap). One cool feature of the Away suitcase is that this smart bag has an upgrade option for a USB charger (+$20). For a more detailed comparison, check out our review of Beis vs. Away luggage.
Another noteworthy competitor is the Monos Carry-On Plus, which will cost about $90 more but comes in a wider variety of colors. Monos has 1,300 reviews, maintains a 4.9-star rating, offers a 100-day trial and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Final verdict
Consider me a believer in Beis. Honestly, the Beis Carry-On Roller is one of the best carry-on bags I’ve tested. The fact that this suitcase offers so many useful features for nearly $100 less than its closest competitors is rather mind-boggling.
It’ll certainly meet your needs for 4-5 days, and up to a full week with smart packing techniques. This is the exact reason you’ll see this durable and affordable bag on planes, trains and automobiles throughout your travels. Now that I know the brand’s hype is real, I’ll be adding additional pieces to my collection.
Where to buy the Beis Carry-On Roller
There’s no need to break the bank when it’s time for a suitcase upgrade. Grab the Beis Carry-On Roller on the brand’s website and Revolve.
Originally Published: March 15, 2024
