Choosing a carry-on suitcase feels like a bigger commitment than it should. You’re going to roll this thing through dozens of airports, cram it into overhead bins, and trust it with everything you packed for the trip.
I’ve been traveling carry-on only for over 15 years across 45+ countries, and I take luggage testing seriously. I’ve owned my Monos Carry-On for five years now (and loved it enough to convince my dad, brother, and sister-in-law to buy one too for our recent UK trip).
Level8 recently sent me their Voyageur 20″ Carry-On to test and compare, and after spending time with both suitcases, I have a lot of thoughts when it comes to Level8 vs Monos.
The short answer? The best carry-on for you depends on what you actually prioritize as a traveler, but there are some clear differences between these two that should make the decision pretty easy.
Disclosure: Level8 sent me the Voyageur Carry-On for testing purposes. The Monos Carry-On was purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own.
At a Glance: Level8 Voyageur vs Monos Carry-On
| Level8 Voyageur | Monos Carry-On | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.99 | $275 |
| Weight | 8.1 lbs | 7.01 lbs |
| Capacity | 43L | 39.9L |
| Shell | German Makrolon polycarbonate | Aerospace-grade polycarbonate |
| Handle | Wide handle (exterior) | Telescoping (interior) |
| Compression | No (use packing cubes) | Built-in compression pad |
| Interior pockets | 4 (2 large zippered + 2 small) | 3 (zippered mesh panel, center zip pocket, compression pad zip pocket) |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Limited lifetime + 100-day trial |
| Expandable | No | No (standard model) |
| Best for | Organization, packing space, durability | Lightweight travel, aesthetics |
How Level8 and Monos Stacked Up in Testing
- Most durable option: Level8 Voyageur
- Most lightweight option: Monos Carry-On
- Best for European budget airlines: Monos Carry-On
- Best for packing space and interior organization: Level8 Voyageur
- Best aesthetics: Monos Carry-On
- Best handle system: Level8 Voyageur (though not as luggage sleeve friendly)
About Level8
Level8 is a New York-based luggage brand founded in 2008. While they’re not as well-known as Monos or Away, they’ve built a loyal following among frequent travelers for their durable, well-organized suitcases, and they’ve won several international design awards including the Red Dot, iF, and IDEA awards.
The Voyageur collection is their flagship line, and the feature that sets it apart from nearly every other suitcase on the market is the wide handle system.
Instead of a traditional telescoping handle that runs through the center of the suitcase (taking up valuable packing space), the Voyageur’s handles sit at the outer edges of the frame. It’s a design choice that affects everything from how the suitcase rolls to how much you can fit inside.
The Voyageur 20″ Carry-On is built with German-made Makrolon polycarbonate, which is a material known for being lightweight, flexible, and impact-resistant. It has a micro-diamond textured finish, 360° spinner wheels, a TSA-approved lock, and retails at a similar price point to comparable suitcases from Monos and Away.
About Monos
Monos is a Canadian luggage brand that’s become one of the most popular direct-to-consumer suitcase companies in recent years. They’re known for their minimalist design, sustainability focus (their shells use partially recycled polycarbonate), and an aesthetic that’s earned them the nickname “the Apple of luggage.”
I bought my Monos Carry-On five years ago, and it’s been my go-to suitcase for almost every trip since. It’s been through cobblestone streets in Guatemala, a 3-week trip across the UK, and more airport terminals than I can count. I love it enough that I talked my family into buying their own. So when I say I’m comparing these two suitcases honestly, I mean it. Monos has had a real head start.
The Monos Carry-On features aerospace-grade polycarbonate, whisper-quiet 360° spinner wheels, vegan leather accents, and a compression pad system. It comes with a laundry bag, shoe bags, and a luggage tag included, along with a 100-day trial and a limited lifetime warranty. It’s a premium suitcase at a premium price, starting at around $275.
–> Read my detailed Monos Carry-On review.
Quality and Durability
Both of these suitcases are made from polycarbonate, but they feel noticeably different in person.
The Level8 Voyageur has a textured, micro-diamond finish on the exterior that gives it a more rugged, matte look. In practice, this finish is great at hiding scratches and scuffs.
After testing it on a recent trip to Hawaii, the surface still looks clean and unmarked. Other reviewers who have traveled extensively with the Voyageur report the same thing. The texture seems to do its job of keeping the suitcase looking newer for longer, which matters if you’re someone who occasionally checks luggage, has to gate-check a lot on full flights, or travels frequently.
The Monos Carry-On has a smoother, more polished shell that’s undeniably sleeker. But I’ll be honest. After five years of use, my Monos shows its wear. Lighter colors, especially (I have the Blue Haze), pick up marks and scuffs from gate-checking, baggage handling, and general airport life.
Monos now includes a scuff eraser with their suitcases, which tells me this is a common enough issue that they’ve built a solution into the packaging. Mine didn’t come with one when I purchased it five years ago, so it seems like a more recent addition. The smooth surface is simply more susceptible to visible wear over time.
The Level8 also has small protective pegs (those little nubs on the exterior) that keep the shell off the ground when you set the suitcase down on its side. It’s a subtle detail, but it prevents the kind of surface scratches you get from resting your suitcase on rough floors, concrete, or conveyor belts.
When it comes to overall build feel, the Level8 feels slightly more robust and tank-like in hand. The Monos feels lighter and more refined. Neither feels cheap or flimsy, but they’re clearly designed with different priorities. Level8 prioritizes durability and function. Monos prioritizes elegance and having a lightweight feel.
The Handle System: The Biggest Difference
This is where these two suitcases diverge the most, and it’s probably the deciding factor for most people.
The Voyageur’s wide handle was the feature I was most skeptical about before testing it. It looked bulkier than what I’m used to, and I wasn’t sure I’d like the wider grip. But after rolling it around, I quickly became a fan.
The wide handle makes the suitcase noticeably more stable. If you’ve ever had a heavy purse or personal item sitting on top of your carry-on and watched the whole thing topple over at the airport, you know how frustrating that is. I’ve had that happen with my Monos more than once. The Level8’s wider handle base creates a much more stable platform, and the wheels feel smoother overall.
But the real advantage of the wide handle is what’s happening inside the suitcase. Because the handlebar sits on the outer edges of the frame rather than running through the interior, you get a completely flat packing surface on both sides. No awkward bumps, ridges, or metal bar eating into your packing space.
And there’s one more benefit I didn’t appreciate until I started packing it. With the Monos, there have been plenty of times I’ve filled the suitcase too full, and the telescopic handle can’t extend smoothly (or at all) because my packed clothes are compressing around it.
That’s a real problem when you’re coming home from a trip with souvenirs, and you’ve packed your suitcase to the brim. With the Level8, the handle is completely independent from the interior, so you never have that issue.
The tradeoff? The wide handle doesn’t accommodate a standard backpack luggage strap the way a traditional handle does. If you typically slide a backpack over your suitcase handle, that’s worth considering.
Monos’s telescoping handle is excellent in its own right. It’s custom-designed with high-grade aluminum tubes, has four height settings, and feels rock-solid when extended. It’s one of the best traditional handles I’ve used on any suitcase. And the release button is tucked beneath the grip, keeping the design clean.
The issue with the Monos handle is purely about interior space. The handle mechanism runs through the center of the suitcase, and those bars take up packing room. It’s the same design used by Away, Rimowa, and most other hard-shell brands, so it’s not a Monos-specific problem. But once you’ve experienced the Level8’s flat interior, the traditional design feels like a compromise.
Interior Organization and Packing
The interior layout is another area where these suitcases take very different approaches.
The Level8 Voyageur has a thoughtful organization system with two large zippered pockets and two smaller pockets, including a wet/dry separation pocket. Everything has a designated spot, and I appreciate that I can “put things away” rather than tossing them into an open cavity and hoping for the best.
The flat packing surface (thanks to the exterior handle) means packing cubes lie perfectly flat with no gaps or awkward fitting. The 43L capacity is also noticeably roomier than the Monos.
The one downside is that the carry-on version doesn’t include compression straps or a compression pad to cinch your belongings down. The zippered pockets hold your belongings in place once closed, but if you’re someone who relies on a compression system to fit everything in, you might want to use packing cubes to compensate.
The Monos Carry-On has more organization than it sometimes gets credit for. The lid side has a large zippered mesh panel for keeping clothes flat and contained. There’s a smaller zippered pocket near the center split where the suitcase opens, and the removable compression pad has its own zippered pocket designed for flat items.
That said, I’ll be honest about the compression pad. After five years of owning the Monos, I almost never use it. In theory, it’s great for pressing down folded clothes and creating more space. In practice, I’m usually packing a mix of shoes, hair tools, and toiletries in that open section, and the compression pad ends up taking up more space than it saves.
The zippered pocket on the pad is designed for very flat items (think a Kindle, printed documents, or a passport), but it’s not something I’ve found practical enough to use regularly. Your experience might be different if you pack primarily folded clothing in your suitcase, but for mixed packing, it’s not as good as reviews make it sound.
Monos also includes a few nice extras in the box that Level8 doesn’t. You get an anti-microbial laundry bag (great for separating dirty clothes), two shoe bags, and a vegan leather luggage tag. These are thoughtful additions that add to the unboxing experience and the overall feel of a premium product.
Airline Compatibility
For domestic US flights, both suitcases meet standard carry-on requirements without any issues.
Where things get more interesting is international travel, especially with European budget airlines that enforce strict size and weight limits.
On paper, the Level8 Voyageur measures 21.3″ x 15.1″ x 9.8″, while the Monos comes in at 22″ x 14″ x 9″. But when I put them side by side, the Monos actually looks and feels like the smaller suitcase from every angle.
The Level8 is wider, deeper, and appears slightly taller in person despite its listed height being shorter. It also has a boxier shape that makes it look bulkier overall, while the Monos has softer, more rounded lines that give it a sleeker profile.
Neither has given me trouble fitting in overhead bins on full-service carriers, but if you’re worried about strict airline sizers (especially on European budget carriers), the Monos is the safer bet.
Weight is another area where the Monos has a slight advantage. It comes in at 7.01 lbs compared to Level8’s 8.1 lbs. A pound isn’t noticeable when you’re rolling it through the airport, but it can start to matter if you’re consistently packing your carry-on to the absolute limit on airlines with strict weight caps.
Overall, the Monos wins this round. It’s lighter, less bulky in feel and look, and has a slimmer profile that’s less likely to attract attention at the gate.
Design and Aesthetics
Luggage is functional, but it’s also something you carry through airports and hotels, and most of us want it to look good.
The Monos wins on aesthetics for me. The smooth polycarbonate shell, vegan leather accents, and color-coordinated details give it a sleek, modern, slightly feminine look. Monos offers 15 color options, including some beautiful pastels and neutrals. It’s the suitcase that gets compliments.
The Level8 Voyageur has a more utilitarian look. The textured micro-diamond finish is practical (it hides scratches well), but it doesn’t have the same refined feel as the Monos. The wide handle also gives it a slightly bulkier silhouette.
That said, Level8 offers some fun color options (the yellow is eye-catching, and the celadon color that I got is gorgeous), and the overall design is clean and modern. It just leans more “practical traveler” than “fashion-forward.”
If you care deeply about how your luggage looks and want something that feels like a style statement, Monos is the better pick. If you’d rather have a suitcase that stays looking new longer and don’t mind a more understated aesthetic, the Level8 holds up better over time.
Price and Value
The Level8 Voyageur and Monos Carry-on are very close in price, but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the same in terms of value.
The Level8 Voyageur 20″ Carry-On retails for $259.99. For that price, you get Makrolon polycarbonate construction, the innovative wide handle, 43L of capacity, thoughtful interior organization, and a lifetime warranty.
The Monos Carry-On starts at $275 for the standard model. That gets you the polycarbonate shell, whisper-quiet wheels, vegan leather details, compression pad, included accessories, a 100-day trial period, and a limited lifetime warranty.
Since the price difference is pretty slim, it’s more about what you’re getting from each suitcase. The Level8 gives you more packing space, better interior organization, and a more scratch-resistant exterior.
The Monos gives you a lighter suitcase, a more polished design, the compression system, included accessories, and a 100-day trial. At this price point, both suitcases deliver solid quality, and it really comes down to which features matter more to you.
One area where Level8 edges ahead on value is the warranty. Level8 includes a full lifetime warranty covering the shell, wheels, handles, and zippers. Monos offers a limited lifetime warranty, which is still good, but comes with more fine print.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Level8 Voyageur if you…
- Want more interior packing space without a handle bar eating into it
- Love having designated pockets and organization for your belongings
- Travel frequently and want an exterior that won’t show every scratch
- Are coming home from trips with extra souvenirs and need a suitcase that handles overpacking gracefully
- Don’t rely on a backpack luggage strap
Buy the Monos Carry-On if you…
- Care about aesthetics and want your luggage to look as good as it performs
- Pack mostly folded clothing and would benefit from the compression pad
- Want a slightly lighter suitcase
- Value the included accessories (laundry bag, shoe bags, luggage tag)
- Want a 100-day trial period to test before committing
- Like having a lot of fun and unique color options to choose from
Conclusion: Which is the Better suitcase? the Level8 Voyageur or The Monos Carry-On?
I didn’t expect to come away from this comparison ready to reach for the Level8 over my Monos, but that’s where I landed.
The Level8 Voyageur surprised me. I went into this with five years of Monos loyalty, and the wide handle system, interior organization, and durability were impressive. I recently took the Voyageur to Hawaii, and it was a nice change from my Monos to pack and travel with.
For most travelers, especially those who tend to pack full suitcases and want their gear organized, the Level8 offers more practical features at nearly the same price. So, at least for now, the Voyageur has become my go-to carry-on, and I’ll be reaching for it on my next trip as well.
The Monos Carry-On remains an excellent suitcase, and I’m sure I’ll continue to use it for future trips, especially ones where I want something slightly more compact, like when I’m flying European budget airlines. It’s the more beautiful suitcase, and if that matters to you (no judgment, it matters to me too), it’s a solid pick.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi McFadden
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Mimi McFadden started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to write about her travels abroad. After spending 15 years visiting 45+ countries, she realized she’d accidentally become a packing expert in the process. Now, The Atlas Heart is all about helping women figure out what to pack, what to wear, and what gear is actually worth it. When she’s not deep in a packing list or testing out new travel shoes, you can find her hiking with her son, reading in her chaise lounge, winning 3-point contests against her husband, and playing board games with friends.
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