Level8 Cases Review: Are They Actually Worth the Money?

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If you’ve been looking for a new suitcase recently, you might have come across Level8 Cases and wondered whether their sleek, stylish, award-winning luggage is genuinely worth the investment, especially when there are cheaper alternatives on the market.

To answer that question, I recently took two Level8 suitcases to Corfu and Malawi, using them as hand luggage on our flights and putting them through their paces throughout the trip.

The timing was actually really useful because, just a few months ago, I bought a cheap £50 suitcase after my last soft-shell carry-on had fallen apart after many years.

This meant that I could compare the Level8 cases directly with a cheaper alternative to see if Level8’s premium, durable and lightweight luggage really lives up to the claims.

In this Level8 cases review, I’m going to share my honest opinions about the Level8 cases and everything you’ll need to know before you decide which brand to buy. I’ll cover how they performed while travelling internationally, including the build quality, durability, manoeuvrability and capacity, and most importantly, whether I think Level8 luggage is actually worth paying for.

Level8 gifted me both cases and paid me to produce this review, but all opinions and experiences shared here are entirely my own.

What is Level8?

Level8 is an award-winning global premium luggage brand known for its modern and minimalist design, high quality, and innovation. Their cases are hard-shell, and they offer both carry-ons and check-in luggage options, along with backpacks, laptop bags, and accessories.

Level8 promotes its luggage as durable, lightweight, silent, scratch-resistant, and built to last. They are so confident in the build quality of their cases that they offer a lifetime warranty for luggage purchased from their official website.

Which Level8 Suitcases Did I Test?

Case 1: Luminous Textured Carry-On 20”

The first case I tested was the Luminous Textured Carry-On 20″ in Olivine. The case is made from German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate hard shell material with a diamond pattern to minimise visible scratches.

The case comes with 4 x 360° spinner wheels and a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, which means you don’t need to worry about losing keys or a fiddly little padlock.

The interior of the case has two sections with a zipper divider. The dividers contain handy zip pockets for toiletries and other smaller items.

Dimensions (including handle & wheels): 20” Carry-On: 14.5” Length, 9.2” Width, 21.5” Height
Weight: 7.7 lbs (3.5kg) empty
Capacity: 40 litres

The Luminous Textured Carry-On 20″ is priced at £169.99.

Case 2: Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On 20″

The second Level8 case I tested was the Gibraltar Aluminium Carry-On 20″ in Grey. The case is made with Aerospace-grade aluminum magnesium alloy, with dual built-in combination locks, a zipperless design, slow-release handles, and 4 x 360° spinner wheels.

Inside, the suitcase has mesh pockets and dividers with a bonus of the Level8 4-piece packing cube travel set and leather luggage tag, which looks rather lovely.

Dimensions (including handle & wheels): 22”L x 15”W x 8.4”H (55.8 x 38.1 x 21.3cm)
Weight: 10 lbs (4.5kg) empty
Capacity: 36L

The Gibraltar Aluminium Carry-On 20″ is priced at £459.99.

Putting My Level8 Suitcases to the Test in Corfu

I travelled with my two Level8 cases for 6 days to Corfu, Greece, and two weeks in Malawi to see if they live up to the Level8 brand guarantee.

I packed the cases at home and used them as cabin luggage, putting them in the overhead lockers and hauling them around with me while I travelled. I tested both cases through busy airports, accommodation, streets/pavements and airport transfers, and even on safari, which provided a very realistic test based on real travelling conditions.

In some instances, the cases were handled quite roughly by airport staff and transfer drivers (thanks for that!), but it provided an opportunity to see how scratch-resistant these cases are, especially compared to my cheaper £50 suitcase I purchased only a few months ago, which was badly scratched the first time I used it!

What I Liked About My Level8 Suitcases

Design and Appearance

My first impression of the Level8 suitcases was just how gorgeous they are! When Level8 talks about exceptional modern and minimalist design, they aren’t joking. When I took them out of the box, both myself and my husband commented on how stylish the cases looked.

Both cases look incredibly sleek and have a very minimalist, fashionable design. I loved the Olivine green of the Luminous Textured Carry-On, and my husband loved the sleek grey of the Gibraltar Aluminium Carry-On (he said he felt like he had James Bond’s suitcase!). In fact, we were both pretty proud to be walking around with such gorgeous and stylish luggage.

Build Quality and Durability

As a previous budget traveller, I’ve always been the girl with the ugly, low-cost suitcase that broke after only a few uses. But since using Level8’s cases, I would definitely invest in high-quality items that will last. It’s better for my purse long-term and also better for the planet to invest in products that are durable and long-lasting.

These cases were man-handled quite a bit throughout our trip – by airport security staff, transfer drivers throwing them into the back of a van where they slid around all over the place, and not to mention the general knocks and bumps you inevitably get when travelling regularly.

But after all of that, we returned home with only a couple of very faint superficial scratches. I have to say, I was very impressed. Being totally honest, it’s likely that these cases will pick up a few scratches over time, as all hard-shell cases do, but my first impression, compared to the cheaper alternative I bought a while back, is very good.

Considering how high-quality and feature-rich these cases are, it’s also incredible that they are actually quite affordable, especially the Luminous Textured Carry-On, which is only £169.99.

The Wheels and Manoeuvrability

As a frequent traveller, often travelling for work and always travelling with hand-luggage only, I need a suitcase that can get me through airports quickly! I loved the smooth and silent 360° spinner wheels that make gliding through a busy airport at speed super easy.

The cases are also surprisingly lightweight, which made it easy to carry them up flights of stairs and put them into overhead lockers on the plane and into the car (important for me as a regular solo traveller).

Packing Space and Organisation

I found the Level8 cases to be incredibly spacious. As a travel writer and photographer, I have to take a lot of equipment with me on trips – cameras, laptop, tripods all have to fit into my luggage! With the Level8 cases, I could fit all of the essential equipment in easily.

The Luminous Textured Carry-On felt particularly spacious as it’s slightly deeper than the Gibraltar Aluminium Carry-On, but both my husband and I were able to fit everything we needed into the cases for 6 days. For me, that was clothes for 6 days, toiletries, laptop, DSLR camera and two lenses, a snorkel, two power banks, and other travel essentials such as medication and sunscreen.

Handles and Ease of Carrying

I once had a suitcase that trapped my finger every time I tried to put the handle down! When you’re travelling frequently, that kind of thing gets annoying fast! The Level8 cases, though, had easy-to-carry handles that work seamlessly; the Gibraltar Aluminium Carry-On in particular, with the slow-release handle, felt super luxurious!

The handles on previous bags I’ve purchased have also felt flimsy when carrying them up and down stairs, but the Level8 cases felt really robust, and I felt like the handle could take the weight easily.

Other things that are worth mentioning because they are genuinely impressive include:

What I Didn’t Like About My Level8 Suitcases

It’s hard to find anything major that I didn’t like about these cases, but if I’m being picky, the only downside I would say is that Level8 cases aren’t suitable for people on a very tight budget. But I strongly believe you get what you pay for and in this instance, you’re paying for high-quality, premium design and durability.

It’s also worth mentioning that the two suitcases I tested would not be suitable for some budget airlines’ strict hand-luggage policies. I flew with easyJet to Corfu, and both cases passed the hand-luggage guidelines, but Ryanair has a stricter policy and these cases would be slightly too big.

Level8 vs My £50 Suitcase: Is There Really a Difference?

Before I bought my last £50 suitcase from Amazon, I’d have insisted that a cheaper suitcase would do the job. But after using it for the first time on a trip in May, where it ended up getting badly damaged with deep scratches after only one trip, I’ve changed my mind.

Now, after using the high-quality and durable Level8 cases, I am firmly of the opinion that you do need to invest in a high-quality product for something that gets so much use, especially if you’re a frequent traveller and need reliable and robust luggage.

In addition to the damage, the cheaper suitcase felt flimsy right from the get-go, and also only provides 36 litres of capacity, which is noticeably smaller.

I’ve drawn up a comparison below with my previous cheaper suitcase and the Level8 cases I tested. I have based this table on the Luminous Textured Carry-On.

Is Level8 Luggage Worth the Money?

Yes, I genuinely feel that Level8 is worth the money for frequent travellers or those travelling long-term. I could really feel the difference between the Level8 case and the cheaper £50 carry-on. The build quality, the durability, and the stylishness of the Level8 case really stood out to me.

If you only travel once or twice a year and are happy to sacrifice quality, durability and style, a cheaper suitcase alternative would probably work for you. But for me, as a frequent traveller, I need a reliable suitcase that I can trust not to break, to look effortlessly stylish and to fit everything in that I need for my work and travels.

Who Would I Recommend Level8 Suitcases For?

If you travel regularly and need a robust and reliable case to accompany you, or if you travel for business and want a stylish and modern case that looks professional (and impresses your colleagues), I would highly recommend Level8 Cases.

As well as durability and style, for me it’s also about sustainability. Buying cheap throwaway products that break quickly is no good for our wallets or the planet. I really think that investing in high-quality products that last is absolutely worth it.

I would also recommend Level8 luggage for anyone who is style-conscious and prefers minimalist design. Level8 has won various international design awards, which really speaks for itself.

Where Can You Buy Level8 Luggage?

I strongly recommend purchasing from the official Level8 website to ensure you can take advantage of their lifetime warranty offer. You can visit and browse their website here.

My Level8 Cases Review: Final Verdict

After experiencing a cheaper alternative to Level8 and being disappointed with the flimsy build quality, I firmly believe you get what you pay for.

While I don’t tend to splurge on luxury travel, business class flights, and 5-star hotels, I do believe in investing in high-quality products that are going to last and be reliable. For something I use so frequently (I travel 8-10 times a year), I would absolutely be happy to invest in a Level8 case knowing that I’m purchasing superior build quality, design, and reliability.

I’m also a frequent solo traveller, so it’s important to me to have peace of mind that my luggage will work, be secure, and be lightweight enough for me to carry by myself! Level8 delivers on all of those!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about this Level8 Cases Review, I’m happy to answer them! Feel free to get in touch via my contact form.