Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Spinner vs Away The Carry-On

Both are rated 4.6, but they are different bags. The Maxlite 5 is a soft-sided spinner at 5.4 lbs with 52 L and 2 in of expansion, so it is the easier bag to lift, stuff and squeeze into tight overhead bins. The Away Carry-On is a polycarbonate hard shell with a TSA lock, a compression system and an underside grab handle, and owners praise how much it holds and how well it rolls. Buy the Travelpro if weight and flexibility matter most. Buy the Away if you want a rigid shell, built-in lock and structured packing.

• Choose the Maxlite 5 if you want the lightest bag to lift into overhead bins, need expansion for extra packing, or prefer a soft shell that gives under pressure.
• Choose the Away Carry-On if you want a hard shell that protects contents, a built-in TSA combination lock, and a compression system that packs more into a structured interior.