Cute Carry-on Luggage That’s Frequent-Traveler Approved
If you’re looking into getting new carry-on luggage, you might know at this point that the search is not always as easy as it seems!
Frequent travelers know that it can actually take a while to find the right suitcase that encompasses everything you need: measurements, wheels, locks, compartments, durability, price, aesthetics… After all, new luggage has to be durable but also cute!
After traveling non-stop for the last four years all over the world and back, my poor carry-on bag finally gave up.
I started my search with some very talked-about brands and most of the obvious choices, but I quickly realized that with some of those companies you’re not just paying for quality. You also pay a premium for the brand's name! Plus, I just can’t get myself to spend close to $1000 or more for carry-on luggage. That’s when LEVEL8 came into the picture.
Our top recommendation for a reliable and cute carry on luggage brand that has it all is LEVEL8. After a long search, I chose LEVEL8 for a replacement. I hope the brand is here for my next 4 or 8 years of traveling! I personally chose the dark silver aluminum carry-on, but there are plenty of other products that they offer at different price points.
LEVEL8 is a New York-based company that specializes in creating pieces with excellent durability, quality, and design. They are competing in the market of brands like Away, Rimowa, and Tumi. They focus on quality and style, and also include many of the most popular features (USB chargers, expandable spaces, and modern exteriors) for travelers.
Having the right rolling luggage can make all the difference between years of smooth travel experiences and unenjoyable mishaps!
Here’s our list of the brand’s most stylish and high quality luggage pieces that can survive the cobblestone streets of Europe and much more!
The Best Cute Carry on Luggage to Travel
Full Aluminum Carry-On 20 inches
Our top recommendation for frequent travelers looking for the best cute and dependable carry-on luggage is aluminum. Aluminum bags have been around since the late 1930’s, and they are the epitome of durable, hard-sided suitcases.
The LEVEL8 Gibraltar Carry-on Aluminum luggage is a super compact piece crafted with Aerospace-grade Aluminum Magnesium Alloy. It’s known for its clean, minimalistic design and ability to withstand the harshness of travel.
It's zipper-less and keyless, and comes with a variety of features: TSA approved locks, interior dividers, a 4 Pieces Organizer Bag Set, spinner wheels, and slow-release handles. Basically, this bag has it all!
The Full Aluminum Carry-On 20 inches is the perfect blend between functionality, dependability, and beauty. It also comes in two very sophisticated color options: Silver and Dark Gray.
Vintage Collection 20 inches
This Vintage Carry-on is the perfect luggage for a timeless look. It’s durable and super lightweight: only 6.8 pounds thanks to its quality polycarbonate hard shell with different texture on both sides. This vintage piece comes in different colors and shades. For a girly look we recommend the pink and for a quieter statement the white.
Some other key features worth highlighting are: the fully lined interior, the 2 main compartments and 2 zipper pockets for small items. 3-step handles, ultra-quiet wheels, and TSA-approved locks are also among our favorite traits.
Elegance Carry On Luggage 20 inches
Are you looking for an eye catching and chic travel bag that’s also high quality?
The Elegance Carry-on bag gives you the best of both worlds: a stylish and beautiful hard shell that looks great while protecting your stuff. It has all the features needed in a quality suitcases: spinner wheels, adjustable handles, interior dividers with Dry/Wet compartments, and organizer set, and more.
The light blue shade is the perfect statement suitcase for a summery coastal getaway or a ski weekend.
Textured Carry-On 20 inches
If you’re searching for a fabulous carry-on with a luxurious vibe, look no further. Cosmo editors recommend it as one of the best scratch-proof hard side carry-ons.
Its Germany Makrolon polycarbonate hard-shell is just as they describe it: “the perfect flight companion”.
Its special diamond texture, anti-scratch surface, and pastel shades will make this piece stand-out. You’ll catch everyone’s eye whether on board, at the airport, or while walking on the streets of New York.
Like the rest, it has a TSA-approved combination lock, a 3-step aluminum telescopic handle, and 360° spinner wheels of course! It also has two zip pockets inside to store your small and delicate items and electronics.
Road Runner Carry-on with Laptop Pocket 20 inches
If you frequently go on a weeklong trip or outdoor adventures, you might want to consider the Road Runner Carry-on.
The LEVEL8 beauty is made with aerospace-grade Bayer Makrolon. It’s sturdy and enhanced with ultra-quiet 360° spinner wheels that can withstand any and all travel adventures!
It’s water-resistant, lightweight, and promises to protect laptops, cameras, ipads, and other sensitive items.
This is a great recommendation for travel photographers and digital influencers. It’s designed with a separate front laptop compartment and lock, for easy and secure access to your device.
Pro Carry-On With Laptop Pocket 20 inches
Looking for a cute hard shell carry-on luggage that is also dependable and functional for your work trips?
The Pro Carry-on features the padded front pocket to store a laptop or similar device. It fits a 15.6 inch laptop and also has an additional USB port for charging during trips. The aerospace-grade hard-shell design has a 35L capacity, more than enough for a short to medium trip. It still easily fits in the overhead bins too!
What makes LEVEL8 a great choice?
LEVEL8 has a range of price points. They also frequently have discount codes and sales, making it an approachable purchase!
They also offer a lifetime warranty on their Aluminum Luggage and Matte Collections.
Free shipping on all US and European orders!
Simply put, they offer affordability and quality. You can get a cute carry-on bag that will last for half the price of its competitors.
Beyond Cute Carry-on Luggage, What Are LEVEL8’s Best pieces for Traveling?
Voyageur
The Voyageur checked bag from LEVEL8 has different sizes (24, 26, and 28 inches) depending on your needs. This well-crafted bag can easily hold 100 pounds of clothes, shoes, or whatever else you want to bring. The strong polycarbonate hard-shell means you get strength without sacrificing any of the weight for checking in a bag. TSA-approved keep your items safe, and the interior arrangements helps you stay organized and fit everything in.
Luminous Trunk Luggage
The Luminous model from LEVEL8 includes an extra handle for easier maneuvering. The awesome spinner wheels and aluminum alloy handle have an anti-scratch surface, keeping your bag looking shiny and new for a long time. The 3-layer hard-shell is durable and classy, making this bag the perfect travel companion for all of your adventures!
Matte Luggage 2 Piece Set
The LEVEL8 Matte Luggage set features an enhanced waterproof material, perfect for navigating the streets of Dublin or NYC in the rain. The spinner wheels have an anti-shock design that will keep you running smoothly no matter the terrain. Also includes the 4 pieces organizer bag set to help keep everything in the right place.
Must-know things when Buying Carry On Luggage
Material
Travel suitcases are made from different materials and can be hard or soft on the outside.
Hard Sided bags are better at protecting laptops, cameras, or any other fragile items, though can be heavier and more expensive. They also offer better protection against bed bugs!
Polycarbonate is the most popular modern material used in hardside suitcases. It is very flexible, resistant to cracks,and known for its high durability. Of course, that means it’s also more expensive than ABS and polypropylene (other popular hard-side suitcases materials).
Aluminum is the most durable hardside luggage material, but it’s also one of the heaviest and priciest: aluminum carry-on suitcases usually cost anywhere from about 300 to 1400 or more!
Size
Many suitcases claim to meet carry-on size requirements, but that’s not always true! Some airlines have strict guidelines, so make sure to double check the measurements before buying a bag to avoid any trouble while boarding.
Warranty
Nicer luggage brands may include a lifetime warranty for your bag, which is a great thing to look for before investing in a new suitcase. A great policy will repair or replace your bag if it suffers any trip-related normal use damage. That means if you take normal precautions, you pretty much have a bag for life! Be sure to check the details of your warranty to know what it covers.
Wheels
Rolling carry-ons come with either two or four wheels, and they're totally different because of that! Two-wheel bags are puled behind you and at an angle, often making it more difficult. The upside: they will often be more durable and sturdy.
Four-wheel carry-ons or spinners are rolled upright, which is much easier to do. The downside is that they roll all the time, meaning if you’re on an incline the bag can roll away!
Sets vs individual bags?
This choice is definitely a personal preference. If you’re the type of person who travels with multiple bags and you want them all to match, definitely think about getting one the LEVEL8 sets and saving some money. This could mean everything from better aesthetics to easier recognition of the bag in the luggage claim. If you want to get to know the brand better first or you are looking for specific features, just stick with individual bags!
On what we based our advice
We are experienced travelers and adventurers who have been all over the world. We travel frequently and often live out of suitcases for weeks or months at a time, so we know exactly what to look for in a bag! Whether you’re planning to go on planes, trains, boats, cars, or camels, we have done it all and know what you need.
We also received several pieces from LEVEL8 including some of their very nice carry-on luggage. We have reviewed and tested them independently. All opinion written in this piece are our own.
Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves. All opinions are our own. This post may contain some affiliate links and if you choose to purchase some services or products using these links, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We participate in the Amazon LLC Associates Program. Thank you for being part of our community and prance around the world with us!