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Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner vs Away The Carry-On
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on packing & capacity, toughness, warranty & support. Away The Carry-On wins on wheels & handle, light weight.
The biggest complaint about the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner is very expensive; for the Away The Carry-On it's warranty cut to five years. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner | Away The Carry-On | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in carry-on luggage | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Softside spinner | Hardside spinner |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 10% | 7% |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Wheels & handle | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Packing & capacity | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Light weight | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| Toughness | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Warranty & support | 5.0 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–350 · $$$ over $350. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner
- Very expensive
Good Housekeeping lists 'very expensive' as a con at $729, and CNN calls the price very high. Amazon owners disagree on value for money.
- Heavy
At 10 lb, it is the heaviest bag Wirecutter recommends. Good Housekeeping also calls it on the heavier side, and CNN found the 2-wheel version the heaviest of five it tested (9.7 lb).
- Exposed handle rails, harder to roll when full
Wirecutter felt the outside handle rails scrape on stairs and found the handle loose at first (on purpose, says the brand). CNN saw wear on the outside handle. A Condé Nast Traveler editor says it doesn't roll as easily when full, and Amazon owners disagree on maneuverability.
Away The Carry-On
- Warranty cut to five years
Wirecutter reports that bags bought on or after April 14, 2026 get five years of damage coverage plus one guaranteed replacement, then paid repairs, and says it is reconsidering its recommendation.
Source: Wirecutter - No outside pockets, fussy clamshell
Wirecutter says it lacks external pockets and a suiter, and the two-half clamshell can be frustrating to pack and unpack.
Source: Wirecutter - Flimsy-feeling handle, shell more breakable
Some Good Housekeeping testers wished the telescoping handle were sturdier. Wirecutter says the polycarbonate shell is ultimately more likely to break than nylon, and CNN notes glossy polycarbonate collects scratches over time.
Who should pick which
Pick the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner if
Very frequent flyers (Wirecutter suggests 25,000+ miles a year)
Packing suits and dresses with less wrinkling
Buy-it-for-life buyers (a 2-wheel version holds more)
Skip it if: You need a light bag to lift overhead; You're on a budget; You want a bag that rolls easily when stuffed full
Pick the Away The Carry-On if
Hard-shell fans who want smooth wheels
Short trips and long weekends
Lifting easily into overhead bins (underside grab handle)
Skip it if: You want outside pockets or a suit folder; A lifetime warranty matters to you; You often overpack (the Flex version expands)
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