Bluesmart and Away have two of the newest smart luggage carry-on offerings. Both have attracted a lot of buzz recently, but you may have a hard time deciding between the two. Read on for a side-by-side comparison of both suitcases!
Dimensions
- Bluesmart- 22” x 14” x 9”
- Away- 21.7” x 13.7” x 9” (they also have a “bigger carry on” option that is 22.7” x 14.7” x 9.6”)
Both suitcases are standard carry-on size and will fit in the majority of airline cabins.
Weight
- Bluesmart- 9.4 lbs
- Away- 7.2 lbs (the bigger carry on option is 7.3 lbs.)
Packing Space
The Bluesmart has a zippered main compartment and a secondary compartment able to accommodate a 15” laptop. I was able to fit enough clothing and shoes for a quick trip – it might be difficult to get a week’s worth of clothing, however.
The Away has zippered mesh interior compartments, and is a little more roomy, as I was able to get nearly a week’s worth of clothing to fit.
Durability
The Bluesmart, made of polycarbonate and aluminium, and the Away, made primarily of German polycarbonate, are both very durable. I’ve used both and haven’t noticed discernible scratches or scuff marks from my trips thus far!
Price
The Bluesmart is currently retailing for $449 while the Away is sold for $225 (the bigger carry-on is $245).
Tech Features
Here is where the Bluesmart has more to offer – it has a designated app, compatible with both iOS and Android. The app offers location technology and a weight sensor. The Bluesmart also offers two standard USB ports, capable of charging phones, tablets, ebooks, cameras, etc. plus a USB cable charger.
The Away also has two USB ports located underneath the handle, capable of charging your devices. However, it lacks the weight sensing and location technology features of the Bluesmart, and is more of a traditional carry-on in that sense.
Wheels
Both suitcases are four-wheel spinners and I found there to be no significant differences in how they “moved.” In my experiences thus far, I felt both suitcases easily glided on different surfaces (sidewalk, carpet, and flooring).
Style
The Bluesmart currently comes in its original design (which is straightforward and fairly “techie” so business types may prefer it) and an all-black version. The Away offers some more options, with colors including black, blue, green, sand, hammam (light blue), medina (reddish brown), and argania (olive). Both suitcases have a clean, minimalist design although the Away’s is a little more eye-catching due to its vertical stripe design.
Which Should You Get?
There is a lot to like about both of these carry on suitcases. The Away is cheaper and has a little bit more packing space, but it doesn’t have the extra tech features that the Bluesmart has. Really it comes down to how you value the price, packing space, style, and tech features. Either suitcase is a pretty cool choice!
For more information on these two suitcases, check out our full Bluesmart review and Away review.