Béis The Carry-On Roller single product review

Stylish, affordable hard-shell luggage for the frequent traveler

As the cost of air travel rises and airline fees continue to multiply, travelers are eager to save wherever they can. Luggage is a prime example. Carry-on luggage remains free on most major carriers, and deplaning with a carry-on is much faster than waiting for a checked bag. Hard-shell suitcases designed for overhead bins protect their contents and move quickly from cabin to jetway to terminal and back.

The Béis Carry-On Roller is an attractive carry-on with a number of features and conveniences that make it an excellent companion for frequent travelers. Moderately priced despite its celebrity origins, its quality and performance recommend it as an option for an everyday go-to suitcase. 

Testing the Béis Carry-On Roller 

The BestReviews Testing Lab uses a team of testers to evaluate products in real-world situations. For this article, the testing lab rated the Béis Carry-On Roller on performance, ease and convenience while packing, capacity and mobility both in hand and on wheels.

What is the Béis Carry-On Roller?

The Béis Carry-On Roller is a hard-sided suitcase designed to fit in the overhead compartments of most commercial airplanes. It has a 100% virgin (non-recycled) polycarbonate body with a PVC and polyester liner and interior vegan leather trim. It measures 15.7 wide by 22.8 tall by 9.8 inches deep and has a 49- to 61-liter capacity. It comes with two handles, a padded trolley handle, and rolls on four 360-degree spinner-style wheels.

To compare the Béis Carry-On Roller to other luggage, check our reviews for best suitcases, best hard-sided luggage and best carry-on luggage.

Béis Carry-On Roller price and where to buy

The Béis Carry-On Roller costs $218, with occasional discounts below $200. It is available directly from Béis as well as a handful of retailers.

How to use the Béis Carry-On Roller

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The Béis Carry-On Roller opens in butterfly format with a zippered compartment on one side and an open one on the other. Clothes and other belongings can be placed in either compartment. The zippered compartment’s U-flap acts as a compression flap for garments stored inside it. The U-flap has a large detachable mesh pocket and two smaller pockets (one zippered and one made of clear PVC) for storing loose objects, small items or travel-size liquids. The open compartment has four-point compression straps. The Béis Carry-On’s two zippers can be secured by pressing them into its TSA-compliant combination lock.

The Béis Carry-On Roller may be lifted by a top handle or a side handle that also has a weight indicator. It's designed to roll freely in any direction on its four spinner-style wheels. It can be pulled and steered with its cushion-grip telescoping handle. It also has an external retractable strap for personal-size items such as a backpack or purse.

Béis Carry-On Roller benefits

Interior organization

The Béis Carry-On Roller’s interior organization was a welcome feature during testing. The pockets in the zippered U-flap kept small items and soft articles neat, separate and organized. The detachable mesh pocket was particularly helpful for organizing small personal articles like socks and stockings. A good amount of clothes can be kept in the zippered compartment, which frees up the open compartment for bulkier items such as shoes and jackets.

Smooth wheels and comfortable handles

The 360-degree wheels proved smooth and mobile in testing, gliding easily without jamming or sticking. The cushioned telescoping handle was impressively comfortable, outperforming other handles in that regard.

Expandability

The Béis Carry-On Roller can expand from 49 to 61 liters in volume, if needed. This extra volume was welcome and practical during testing, especially on the return leg of a trip when soiled garments or souvenirs often create more bulk.

Style

Graduated horizontal ribbing gives the Béis Carry-On Roller a contemporary look. The textured polycarbonate exterior comes in nine colors ranging from classic black, beige or navy to chic seasonal colors like berry, citron, maple or creamsicle.

Price

While costing a bit more than some carry-on hard-sided suitcases from well-known brands, the Béis Carry-On roller costs less than other feature-rich, similarly branded carry-ons.

Béis Carry-On Roller drawbacks

Weight indicator

The side handle of the Béis Carry-On Roller includes a simple weight indicator. If the Carry-On exceeds 50 pounds, the indicator shows red. The practicality of this feature seemed arguable during testing, as it was difficult to imagine packing a carry-on with 50 pounds of contents, and carry-ons are generally constrained by dimensions rather than weight. The feature seemed more necessary if the suitcase were to be checked.

Scuffs

Hard-shell luggage is prone to scuffing, especially if it's checked. While the virgin polycarbonate exterior of the Béis Carry-On stood up reasonably well to travel, noticeable scuffs did appear after only two flights.

Waterproofing

While the polycarbonate shell of the Béis Carry-On Roller is waterproof, the zipper area, with the open/close zippers and the expanding gusset, is not. Most Béis bags do have a water-resistant interior lining to help protect their contents.

Should you get the Béis Carry-On Roller?

The Béis Carry-On Roller is an attractive suitcase that holds a week’s worth of clothes in a sturdy body. Its organizational features and convenient touches make it easy and pleasant to use and are worth the moderately expensive cost. Frequent travelers who want a go-to suitcase for regular use will be pleased with the Béis Carry-On Roller.