Level 8 luggage review: best hard shell suitcase UK
Black Friday Discount code: PreBF20
Here is my Level 8 Luggage Review. Okay, full disclosure: I am absolutely brutal on luggage. Shockingly bad. I work full time as a travel photographer, and I’m on the road constantly – and no joke, I break a suitcase around every 3 months. Wheels come off, handles jam, zips pop open on conveyor belts.
So when Level8 reached out and asked if I wanted to try their cases, I was curious. I’ve seen them all over Instagram and Pinterest, especially the Voyageur and the Grace Carry-On in Champagne – both looked super sleek, and I figured, alright, let’s give these a whirl.
This post is my Level 8 luggage review – first impressions, build quality, features I genuinely like, plus a little comparison because these two bags are actually built for different types of travel.
Disclaimer: Level 8 has sent me these two suitcases to review BUT I am completely free to share my honest opinions – good AND bad. Please note blog post may contain affiliate links. If you use these, I may get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) – helps me keep creating free content 💻✈️ Thanks for supporting my blog!
Level 8 luggage review
carry on vs check in suitcases
I’ve got two carry-ons from Level8 and they’re not the same vibe at all, which I actually love. One’s a weekend trip dream and the other’s more sturdy, secure and organisational.
Here’s a quick Level8 luggage review & comparison:
Black Friday Discount code: PreBF20
| Feature | Grace Carry-On (Champagne) (or buy on Amazon here) | Voyageur Check-In Suitcase |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Short trips, business travel, working remotely | Longer trips, big hauls, winter travel |
| Material | PC+ABS, micro-diamond texture | German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate |
| Capacity | 36L (expands to 42L) | 105L |
| Weight | 9lbs (4.1kg) | Approx 13.9lbs (6kg) |
| Laptop Compartment | ✅ Front-access (up to 15.6”) | ❌ None |
| Expandable | ✅ Yes (1.57”) | ❌ Not expandable |
| Interior Design | Simple mesh dividers + laptop access | Two large compartments + compression system |
| Wet/Dry Pocket | ❌ None | ✅ Yes |
| Wheels | 8x 360° spinner wheels (rubber-coated) | 4x 360° quiet spinner wheels |
| Looks | Sleek, luxe, city chic | Minimalist, clean, durable |
| Lock | TSA-approved approved lock | TSA-approved |
| Flight Compatibility | Cabin-sized (check airline dimensions as they vary) | Check-in only |
I honestly think most people would love both. It just depends on your style of travel.
Grace Carry On
Check the price here on amazon. Buy the 3 piece set here.
Okay, let’s talk about the Grace. First of all, I picked the Champagne colour and I have zero regrets. It’s super stylish but still subtle.
Pros
- Front pocket – for laptops and passports
This is the best feature. You don’t need to open the whole case at security. Just unzip the front and your laptop is right there, along with space for documents, passports, cables for charging… you get the gist. - Expandable capacity
I love that it has a hidden bit of extra space when I need it. Especially handy if I buy things while I’m away. - Smooth wheels
The spinner wheels are proper quiet and roll well. No wobbling or dragging through the airport. - Looks great
I got the Champagne colour and it’s honestly such a vibe. Clean, modern, slightly boujee in the best way. - Solid zips
They feel sturdy. I’ve had way too many zips break in the past so this was something I noticed right away. - Holds its shape
Even when full, it doesn’t bulge or fall over. I can leave it standing and it won’t topple.
Cons
- Check dimensions for budget airline rules
It fits fine on standard flights but low cost carriers can be picky. Always worth checking the airline’s measurements. - Scuffs show up a little on the light shell
It still looks really good but you can see a few small marks after some use. Nothing major though.
What actually sold me on it though was the expandable design (so handy if you overpack a lil’ bit) and the front access laptop pocket. I can pop my 15-inch MacBook in and pull it out for security without rummaging through all my stuff. Honestly, if you travel for work or do airport edits like me, that front pocket alone makes it a solid winner. I had a backpack before and it’s annoying to constantly open my back and rummage around to get my laptop out.
The hard shell is made of PC + ABS with this cool micro diamond texture that looks luxe but is also apparently way stronger than it looks. It definitely feels durable, and while I haven’t stress-tested it yet (this will come with time, haha) it gives the impression it can take a beating.
It also has 8 rubber-coated 360° spinner wheels, and yes, they glide like a dream. Smooth, silent, no janky tugging or wobbling. So far so good 👏
🧳 Use this Grace bag for:
- Weekend trips
- Travel with tech (especially if you need a laptop pocket)
- City breaks where you want something a bit stylish and compact
- Overpackers (thanks to the expandable section)
Voyageur 43L
Not currently available on Amazon but you can buy it here from their website.
Pros
- So much space
I’ve packed boots, jackets, tech gear and outfits for two weeks and still had room. It’s roomy without being oversized. - Wet pouch is actually useful
This is a feature I never knew I needed. Perfect for separating dirty clothes, wet swimwear or things that might leak. Way better than stuffing things in plastic bags. - Interior is well laid out
Two main sections plus compression straps and that wet pocket. I don’t lose things inside like I do with some other cases. - Strong and quiet wheels
Even when I overpack it, the case rolls really smoothly and doesn’t tip. - Shell feels tough
It’s made from Makrolon polycarbonate which I hadn’t heard of before but it feels much more solid than the usual plastic cases. - Subtle design that still stands out
I got the black with yellow trim and it’s such a good combo. It’s not flashy but still easy to spot at baggage claim. Less likely to get stolen because it’s brightly coloured. - Feels balanced even when heavy
I’ve had big suitcases that feel wobbly when full. This one stays stable when I’m rolling it through stations or airports.
Cons
- It’s pricier than budget options
Honestly though, you pay for what you get. When I’ve travelled with budget suitcases they last literally 2-3 trips, so I’m generally happy to pay the extra price for suitcases that are actually durable. - Shell marks easily
Same as the carry-on. The smooth surface picks up a few scuffs but nothing major and it wipes off easily. - It’s slightly heavier – but again, this results in a more durable suitcase. If you want your suitcase to be durable, then this is it.
The Level8 Voyageur check in is the one I grab when I need proper space. This isn’t a carry-on bag pretending to hold it all. It’s a full suitcase that handles longer trips, bulkier items, road trips or anything where I need to pack more than just a few outfits. I think it is possibly the best hard shell suitcase in the UK – so sturdy!
Even though it’s large, it still feels sturdy. It’s made from Makrolon® polycarbonate, which is one of those premium suitcase materials that manages to be strong without being heavy. Fully packed, it still feels manageable.
The inside is split into two large compartments and there’s a compression system to flatten everything down. Genuinely useful if you’re like me and tend to bring one outfit too many. It also has a wet-dry pocket, which I love for things like laundry, damp swimsuits, or anything you just want to keep separate. I’ve also used it to carry snacks when I was travelling between cities without stops.
The shell has that micro-diamond texture, which I find hides scuffs well and still looks good after a few flights. The spinner wheels are solid and smooth, even when the bag is fully packed. I’ve dragged it through hotel lobbies, across tiled floors and through one very questionable sidewalk in Athens and no complaints so far.
This isn’t the one I’d use for a weekend away. It’s the one I take when I’m travelling for a while, doing a shoot, or just need more outfit changes. For that kind of trip, the Voyageur Check-In has been great so far.
Why you should Choose a Bright Colour Suitcase
Years ago I started travelling with bright coloured bags and honestly, I’ve never looked back.
The one I’ve got now is yellow with black trim and it is absolutely perfect. It stands out immediately on the carousel and I never have to second guess if it’s mine. I’ve never had a bag stolen (touch wood), but I do think it’s more common than people realise for thieves to target plain black suitcases, especially at busy airports or bus stations. They’re easy to blend in with and no one thinks twice when someone wheels one away. If you’ve got a bright yellow suitcase though… it’s a bit harder to sneak off with that one unnoticed.
Also, it’s easy to spot.
So for me, it’s part travel safety, part convenience.
The carry on I dont mind so much as being not brightly coloured as I don’t tend to check it in, it’s always on my person. And it looks chic in champagne colour 🙂
Glidability + the Wheels 🛞
Both of these bags come with 360° spinner wheels, and both are legit amazing. I take the ‘glidability’ of suitcases pretty seriously. Dragging the suitcase is my part time job and you can really tell the difference when it’s smooth.
The Grace has eight rubber-coated wheels (fancy) and feels smoother than any bag I’ve used recently – glides silently across floors, corners easily, zero wobble.
The Voyageur has four quiet wheels, and again, the movement is smooth as. I dragged it across cobblestones and pavement, and no complaints.
Honestly, if you’re someone who runs through airports (hi, me every week), then good wheels are a must. These don’t get jammed or squeaky, which is more than I can say for my last suitcase 😬
Locks That Are Actually Simple
Both bags come with TSA-approved locks, which is great for US travel (hello, United States airport security) and general security when travelling the worldl.
The locks are easy to reset and clear to use.
Inside the Suitcases: Thoughtful Packing Design
I love a suitcase that helps me stay organised (because otherwise, I will be digging for my toothbrush at the bottom of my bag at midnight).
Here’s what I like:
Grace Carryon:
- Has the basic mesh divider + straps
- Not super complex, but it does the job
- And the main compartment expands if you need more space
Voyageur Check in suitcase:
- Two big compartments
- Compression system to flatten everything down
- Dry-wet separation pocket (seriously helpful)
- Feels like they actually thought about what travellers need
Bonus points for both zips feeling sturdy and smooth. No tugging required.
They look good
The Champagne Grace Carry-On honestly looks so good in photos. Very chic!
The Voyageur is a bit more minimalist and sleek. It definitely looks clean, stylish and unique. And the diamond texture makes it more scratch-resistant – which I appreciate because, again, I travel A LOT.
Is Level8 Luggage Worth It?
So far… yes! Based on my first impressions, Level8 luggage feels worth the price. You can tell it’s thoughtfully made, has premium materials, and the designs aren’t just pretty – they’re functional.
For me, the Voyageur is the one I’ll reach for when I’m going on quick trips, staying at guesthouses, or throwing my suitcase in a car boot. The Grace feels more professional, better for work trips or flying with my laptop and camera gear.
And while I just got them, they already feel way sturdier than the usual bags I destroy. Will report back in a few months on how they hold up 👀
Where to Buy + Travel Blogger Tip 💸
You can grab both suitcases from Level8 directly or via Amazon.
✨ Pro tip: If you’re planning to get more than one bag, definitely check the bundle deals – they sometimes offer up to $80 off when buying a set!
Buying options:
Level8 vs Samsonite
I’ve used both Level8 and Samsonite suitcases now and I get asked about them a lot. If you’re torn between the two, here’s my honest take based on real travel use. No brand fluff, just what I’ve experienced.
I had a Samsonite case for a while and at first I did like it. It rolled smoothly, looked nice, and handled a few trips well. It’s definitely one of the better suitcases, being one of the most durable. But after a few months the zipper started to split near one of the corners. At first it was minor but it got worse pretty quickly and it made me paranoid that it would pop open during transit. Not ideal when you’re trying to keep your belongings together at baggage claim. For how much it cost I expected it to last longer.
Now that I’m using Level8 luggage… the zippers feel thicker, the outer shell is more rigid, and the overall build feels sturdier. Even little things like how the handle extends or how quietly the spinner wheels glide makes a difference. The micro diamond texture also helps hide scuffs which is great because I don’t exactly handle my luggage gently.
To be fair, I’m not saying Samsonite is terrible. They’ve been around forever and I know a lot of people love their bags. But for me, the zip breaking so quickly was a let down.
That said, I’ve only been using my Level8 suitcases for a short time so I’ll need to see how they hold up after more trips. If anything changes I’ll update this review. But based on how they’ve handled things so far I’d definitely recommend giving Level8 a try if you’re looking for something that feels durable and well made.
Final Thoughts
So far, I’m genuinely impressed with Level8. I’ve been on the road full-time for 3+ years and I know a bad suitcase when I see one. These feel like they’ll last.
Will update this post once I’ve dragged them through five countries and three rainy airports, but for now – big yes 👏
Let me know if you have questions, and feel free to DM me on Insta too 👉 @wander.licious
Need some travel inspo? Take a look at my travels below!
