A Motorized Suitcase? Don't Knock It 'Til You Try It!

POPSUGAR Photography | Tara Block
POPSUGAR Photography | Tara Block

When I first heard about the Modobag, I was skeptical. A motorized suitcase you can ride around on? Seems a little silly. It wasn't until I got to try it out for myself that I understood the appeal of zooming around on my own suitcase. Keep reading to find out what my adventure was like going around the city on the Modobag, or you can go straight to the pros and cons of owning one.

01
Exterior Appearance

Exterior Appearance

When rolling the bag like a typical suitcase, it blends right in with other bags. It's easy to maneuver and it's just a little heavier than a normal suitcase at 19 pounds. It looks cool, but the suitcase comes in pretty pricey at $1,495.

02
Fun at First Ride

Fun at First Ride

When you first get on, you'll marvel at how fast it can go. The Modobag can go up to eight miles per hour. The motor is made with nanocrystal technology.

03
Easy to Navigate

Easy to Navigate

The gas and brake are both attached to the handle, so it's easy to start and stop. You use a charger to give the suitcase power — it only takes 15 minutes to get the suitcase to 80 percent power.

04
Convenient Placement

Convenient Placement

The power button and phone charging outlets are at the base of the handle. The battery life of the suitcase lasts up to 4,000 full charging cycles — that's 32,000 miles.

05
Plenty of Space

Plenty of Space

You would think the motor would take up lots of room, but there's actually lots of space for your belongings. The inside looks about the same as any other standard suitcase.

06
What Is It Like Outside?

What Is It Like Outside?

We decided to take the Modobag out of the office and into the streets of San Francisco to see how it would fare.

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Overwhelming Outside

Overwhelming Outside

It's a bumpier ride when you head outside. Any bumps or cracks can make your ride a little rocky. However, the suitcase is meant to be ridden through the airport, where bumps wouldn't be as much of a problem!

08
Attention Grabber

Attention Grabber

At first, people outside don't really think about the fact that some girl is buzzing around on a suitcase.

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But once they realize what's going on, it really throws them off. So if you don't like a lot of attention, this might not be the suitcase for you.

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Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Let's sum up this whole motorized suitcase experience so that you can decide if it's a good purchase for you. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons for your reference.

Pros

  • Going through the airport, or anywhere, is three times faster.
  • Takes only 15 minutes to charge to 80 percent.
  • Ample space for your belongings inside.
  • Built-in phone charger.
  • Easy to set up and ride.

Cons

  • It's expensive at $1,495.
  • A tad bit heavy at 19 pounds.
  • Draws a lot of attention to you in public.
  • Sensitive to tipping over when turning corners.
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There you have it! Would you want to have a Modobag for your traveling needs?