Traveling is already stressful enough as is, but when you tack on unwanted baggage fees &#; or the pressure of having to re-pack and shove things into your personal bag at the luggage counter &#; it can put a damper on your vacation. Luckily, there is an easy (and affordable) solution to this problem: a luggage scale. Portable, accurate, and multi-functional, it&#;s the best travel hack to save you time and money while packing.
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Because luggage scales range in size, price, and shape, we took it upon ourselves to put 15 options to the test. Some proved to be perfectly accurate when we weighed 10- and 25-pound kettlebells, while others were not accurate at all, and others even broke en route to our lab, showing that shopping for a simple luggage scale may not be as easy as you think. Here are the six best luggage scales we tested that will give travelers peace of mind when packing.
Why We Love It
What to Consider
Lifting luggage requires a lot of effort so we love that this handy digital scale has a non-slip grip material on the inside of the handle to make it easier to hold on to the scale while you measure the weight. The scale turns on with a simple click of a button that also controls the settings from pounds to kilograms &#; and it also has a temperature gauge in both Celsius and Fahrenheit options. We had no issues hooking the loop through a luggage handle and securing the clip back onto the scale, and we found that the scale was extremely accurate, varying just a few ounces from the kettlebell weights we used. We also like that the screen holds the final weight so you have time to read the number. It&#;s also super compact, which makes it easy to toss into your bag after you weigh it to have the scale on hand for your return trip home.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms, Fahrenheit, Celsius | Backlit
Why We Love It
What to Consider
Our Travel + Leisure team has tested hundreds of suitcases in our lab, and we always measure the weight of the suitcases with this handy scale. A testament to the durability of the device, this scale can withstand time and rough handling, especially if you stuff it into your checked bag after making sure it&#;s underweight. It&#;s intuitive to use with two buttons to turn the device on and off or to switch between units of measurement, and the fabric loop with a metal clip is easy to attach to a luggage handle. With just a few ounces of weight difference using several kettlebells, we think it&#;s mostly accurate, but we always think it&#;s smart to give yourself some wiggle room with luggage weight, just in case. Designed to be pocket-size, we love the compact shape, but it does make it slightly difficult to get a good grip while lifting a suitcase.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms, Fahrenheit, Celcius
Why We Love It
What to Consider
If you&#;re in a hurry to get a few last-minute items before a trip (like a luggage scale, of course), this wallet-friendly one is a great option that can arrive quickly thanks to Amazon Prime&#;s two-day shipping. In testing, senior editor Jasmine Grant loved how intuitive the scale is to use with the no-frills design. There are two buttons on the scale: one for turning the device on and off and the other for switching between pounds and kilograms or using the temperature gauge. Similar to our overall pick, this scale was accurate with the 10- and 25-pound kettlebell weights we used with just a few ounces of discrepancy. The scale is extremely lightweight and compact for storing at home or in a suitcase, but because of its compact size, it was slightly less comfortable to grip &#; which isn&#;t a deal-breaker for us. After using it for six months, and even taking it on a recent two-week trip to Croatia and Copenhagen, Grant notes that she hasn't needed to replace the battery yet, and that the scale shows no signs of wear and tear.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms, fahrenheit, celsius | Backlit
Why We Love It
What to Consider
Airlines have been cracking down on luggage requirements and baggage fees, so we love that this scale comes with a built-in tape measure. This can be particularly useful for expandable luggage, as you can use the tape measure to see if your carry-on is small enough to fit the airline restrictions for the overhead bins. Besides the helpful extra feature for measuring size, the scale also impressed us with an ultra-durable design that feels like it can endure even the roughest of luggage handling at the airport. The handle is made with steel metal coated in rubber for a superior grip, and the screen is much bigger than other scales we tested so you can easily see the weight in kilograms or pounds. The scale was no more than five ounces off when we measured the kettlebells, and the hook makes it easy to lift luggage from the handle (unless the handle is super thick, then it might be more difficult). T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco also appreciated that the scale screen says &#;hi&#; and &#;bye&#; when she turned it on and off with the press of a button. While the scale has come in handy and held up well over a six-month period, Cucco notes that it's quite heavy and bulky, which isn't ideal for traveling with. She recommends using it at home prior to traveling and packing a smaller, more compact scale for on the go.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms | Backlit | Built-in tape measure
Why We Love It
What to Consider
The beauty of this motion-powered device is that you won&#;t have to worry about batteries dying when you&#;re traveling. We twisted the device about four times to activate the digital screen, which has a little battery icon to depict when it&#;s low on power and needs kinetic energy to charge up. Like other scales we tried, this one read just a few ounces off from the kettlebells we weighed, so we think it&#;s as accurate as possible. The small, circular shape makes it easy to store in a drawer at home or in the pocket of a carry-on backpack since it&#;s very compact. Because it doesn&#;t have an ergonomic handle, the grip isn&#;t as good as T-shape luggage scales, but this one is quite a bit smaller, which is a plus for packing. Another thing to note is that the loop doesn&#;t have a clip that comes off of the rope, so you&#;ll have to snake the device through the loop to get it to attach to your luggage.
The Details: Kinetically charged | 77-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms
Why We Love It
What to Consider
The most accurate luggage scale we tried, this manual one from Samsonite provided the most accurate reading for our 10- and 25-pound weights. All of the digital scales we tested were just a few ounces off &#; which isn&#;t unusual when it&#;s not a large discrepancy &#; but we were pleased to see this one depict an exact &#;10&#; and &#;25&#; on the weight scale. The scale is large enough to read quickly but when we picked up a 50-pound suitcase, it was a little harder to read with shaky hands. However, the handle is comfortable to hold, and you can safely secure the hook to a suitcase once you shimmy it under the handle. It&#;s a bit bigger than a digital scale, but we think it&#;s worth it for a durable and completely accurate scale (that also doesn&#;t require any batteries or extra effort to turn on). After six months of testing, we've noticed that this scale doesn't feel as durable as others, especially when picking up a 50-pound suitcase, even if nothing has broken so far. We also feel that it can be difficult to read if you're traveling solo, as the face of the scale is pointed away from you when you're weighing your luggage.
The Details: Manual | 80-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms | Built-in tape measure
Other Luggage Scales We Liked
Out of the 15 luggage scales we tried, there were a few that didn&#;t quite make our list of best scales due to some minor inconsistencies noted below.
Travelon Stop & Lock Luggage Scale: Similar to the best manual scale we tested, this one was spot-on accurate, but the handle is uncomfortable to hold and the materials feel cheaply made.
Tumi Electronic Luggage Scale: This scale is sleek and compact, but it didn&#;t have the most accurate reading and comes at a premium price.
Our Testing Process
A luggage scale may seem like a simple product to purchase, but trust us when we say there are some less-than-ideal options on the market. After researching and purchasing a variety of luggage scales, we had all of them shipped to our New York City lab and some showed up broken, cracked, and even leaking oil. However, after testing the 15 scales that were usable, we found six that stood out from others for several reasons. While numerical accuracy is extremely important, we didn&#;t fault any scales that were just a few ounces off from the 10- and 25-pound kettlebell weights and 50-pound suitcase we lifted.
We also judged the scales on how easy it was to use and operate each one and noted how durable and functional the buttons, loops, hooks, screens, and handles were. Since the scales came in different sizes, materials, and shapes, we also took note of how comfortable they were to lift heavy objects and if the materials felt built to last.
Tips for Buying Luggage Scales
Decide if you want something digital or manual
Based on our testing experience, there are pros and cons to both manual and digital scales. The digital scales were generally more lightweight and easier to read than the clunkier manual scales without backlit LCD screens. However, the manual scales are the most accurate ones and don&#;t require batteries or charging, so you&#;ll never have to worry about the device dying while traveling.
Look for preferred units of measurement
While the U.S. uses the imperial system, the rest of the world uses the metric system, so be sure to get a luggage scale with your preferred unit of measurement. Since some international airlines will list their weight restrictions in kilograms, it might be nice to have a scale that has both so you don&#;t have to attempt mental math while in a hurry to weigh and check your bag. Additionally, some digital scales also come with a temperature gauge in Fahrenheit or Celsius, which could be helpful for travelers.
Pay attention to additional features
Luggage scales might seem like they only have one job, but some come with special features for more than one task. Some devices have tape measures and temperature gauges built in, and some luggage scales are motion-powered, which uses kinetic energy to charge the digital screen of the scale without needing batteries. Also, be sure to double-check the weight limit of luggage scales, as that can vary as well, and you don&#;t want to break your scale by overloading it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do you use a luggage scale?
A luggage scale will usually come with instructions, but in general, all you have to do is attach the scale to a suitcase via the hook or loop on the scale, and then turn on the device before lifting up the luggage. Once you lift the luggage by the scale, wait for the scale or screen (if digital) to hold a number to get an accurate reading. Most digital scales have the ability to tare if you&#;re looking to do some specific weight measurements.
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Are bathroom scales accurate for weighing luggage?
A bathroom scale can work to measure luggage at home. However, if your hotel or accommodations don&#;t have a scale for the journey home, then you&#;ll be left guessing, which is risky. One of the best parts of a luggage scale is that it&#;s specifically designed with portability in mind so you&#;ll never have to worry about luggage limitations or the fees that come with it.
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Are luggage scales accurate?
Most luggage scales are accurate, especially when purchasing a reputable product. If you have access to another scale, you can use it to test the accuracy of your luggage scale. Regardless, it's always a good idea to keep your luggage a pound or two lighter than the maximum weight limit, just in case your scale isn't entirely accurate. This will prevent your bag from being too heavy when you reach the airport.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Anna Popp is an associate editor at T+L, where she writes about and reviews travel products. After paying over $500 in overweight luggage fees for one flight, Anna learned her lesson and invested in a luggage scale &#; and never travels without it now. She participated in this test and pulled from her own (unfortunate) experience with luggage restrictions to recommend the best luggage scales we tried.
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Best Luggage Scale To Help Avoid Baggage Fees
Finding the best luggage scale for you can do more than save you money in baggage fees. In this post, we&#;ll review the best models and why we like them.
Okay, we know what you might be thinking. A post on the best luggage scale; does it matter that much? Well, we think so!
Whether you&#;re paying for a checked bag, a carry on is included with your flight, or you want to make sure your personal item isn&#;t too heavy, bringing a luggage scale along for the ride is a great way to save weight and cash. You might buy souvenirs on your trip, pick up some rocks on the beach, or wear different clothing on the plane ride home. If you have a luggage scale with you, there&#;s no guessing whether you&#;ll be good at the gate, no matter where the destination is.
Most of the scales on this list are similar; however, many have unique features, a design perk we dig, or can be used for more than just weighing your pack. Before we dive into the list, let&#;s chat about a few things.
Before you hit the airport, you have a few things to consider. Do you plan to purchase many things on your trip? If so, you must account for that future weight in your pack before leaving. Is your destination a drastically different climate than your home? Climate changes can have a massive impact on what you wear. If you don heavier clothing on the way to your destination and pack them away on the way home, that adds weight.
After the theoretical thinking is done, it&#;s essential to look at your airline&#;s regulations for luggage. Make sure your items fall under that range using your brand-spanking-new luggage scale, and you&#;ll be all set.
Okay, I think we&#;re ready to dive in! Time to find the best luggage scale for you.
1. Etekcity EL11 Digital Luggage Scale
Etekcity EL11 Digital Luggage Scale
If you're looking for a slice of what it's like to be at Pack Hacker HQ (without joining Pack Hacker Pro, of course), look no further than the Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale. We use this scale to weigh things in the office multiple times a week and haven't had any issues with it. If that doesn't sell you, we can get down to brass tacks.
The loop and metal attachment make it easy to weigh almost anything. However, small items can be difficult because the metal end isn't malleable. You can weigh up to 110 lbs (nearly 50 Kg), so your luggage shouldn't be an issue. If you need to weigh something heavier, you can always weigh items inside the pack separately&#;one packing cube at a time!
In addition to working as a scale, this device measures temperature. This might seem odd, but it can be useful in certain situations. Suppose you're sensitive to certain temperatures while sleeping. In that case, you can get an accurate reading of the temperature where you'll be sleeping and adjust the hotel room's heating and cooling system accordingly.
This might be the best luggage scale for those looking for extras and ease of use!
Why We Like It
- It has a thermostat for temperature readings
- The Pack Hacker team uses this one frequently without issue
What You Should Know
- There are limited weight units available
- It can be hard to loop through small openings
See Details & Buying Options
2. FREETOO Portable Travel Scale
FREETOO Portable Travel Scale
The FREETOO Portable Luggage Scale comes in a similar style to many others we've tested, is easy to operate, and can handle up to 110 lbs (just under 50 Kg). The scale only weighs just over 3 ounces (90 grams), so you won't waste much weight in your pack.
At the time of writing, there are three colorways available. Black is sleek, Red has a pop of color that might match your style, and Silver feels classic. The logo is relatively large, which might not be what everyone looks for in a piece of travel gear, even if it's only a digital luggage scale.
This offering from FREETOO is simple, colorful (if you want it to be), and gets the job done. Considering its current sub-$15 price point, it's a capable model that might be the best scale for you.
Why We Like It
- It comes in a small size but can still handle over 100 pounds
- The screen is bright so that you can see the reading easily
What You Should Know
- Hard to use for smaller items
- The design might not curry favor with minimalist travelers
See Details & Buying Options
3. Amazon Basics Portable Digital Luggage Scale
Amazon Basics Portable Digital Luggage Scale
You probably knew this was coming. A small device that used to be available at any big box store? This has Amazon Basics written all over it! Their Portable Digital Luggage Weight Scale works as we'd expect it to and comes in at a price that's hard to beat. But how well does it work? Let's chat about it.
Similar to many digital luggage scales, this thing can handle a maximum of 110 lbs, or just under 50 Kg. That's more than enough for most trips, and we've found it accurate, too. It takes a CR battery, which is readily available online, but ours has shown no signs of dying any time soon.
There's just one colorway available, and there aren't any bells or whistles. However, we don&#;t expect there to be. Amazon Basics products are often simple, no-frills options for those looking for gear on a budget. Amazon doesn't deviate from that idea here, making this one of the best luggage scale models on the market!
Why We Like It
- Excellent price-for-value ratio
- The design isn't revolutionary, but it's sleek
What You Should Know
- Not many extra features
- It might not be worth it if you don't have Amazon Prime
See Details & Buying Options
4. EatSmart SmartGrip Digital Handheld Luggage Scale
EatSmart SmartGrip Digital Handheld Luggage Scale
Most luggage weight scale models we've come across have a metal piece that hooks onto another part of the strap to connect. This is easy enough; however, the EatSmart Luggage Scale uses a more familiar method. It utilizes a plastic buckle, which is easier for those with larger hands or mobility issues.
For most weighing situations, the design utilized by EatSmart is more comfortable. You can use one hand comfortably and still read the screen. However, it can be hard to hold properly or read the screen for heavier items that you need two arms to lift. It's still possible, but more awkward than the design we've tested time and time again. This isn't an issue if you're weighing smaller items (or never skip arm day).
The scale can weigh items up to 110 lbs (just under 50 Kg), and in our testing, was accurate. It's small enough to pack inside your bag without much fuss and may be the best luggage scale for you!
Why We Like It
- The design is more comfortable than others we've tested
- Buckle design is unique when compared to standard metal latch
What You Should Know
- It can be hard to read the screen for larger or heavier bags that require more hand grip
- The top screen doesn't feel very durable
See Details & Buying Options
5. Samsonite Global Travel Accessories Manual Luggage Scale
Samsonite Global Travel Accessories Manual Luggage Scale
If you never want to buy a battery for your digital scale again, we've sorted out your next weighing scale for luggage. The Samsonite GlobalManual scale doesn't utilize batteries, so you don't have to worry about them dying. It's a full analog experience, so you'll never need batteries (for this purpose) again!
The design is simple. When you put weight on the metal hook, the red cursor moves clockwise to indicate how heavy the item is. Unless you suspend the scale, you can't see the face, so you don't know how heavy the thing is. A black cursor stays put at the highest weight, so you can see the reading after you set the pack down. This takes some getting used to but is a small tradeoff for not needing batteries.
This luggage weight scale only goes up to 75 lbs (roughly 35 Kg), less than others on this list but capable of most travel needs. Typically, the maximum weight for a checked bag is 50 lbs and around 30 lbs for a carry on, so you (likely) won't get close to either of those while using this scale!
Why We Like It
- It doesn't use batteries, so you don't have to worry about them dying
- The style is uniquely analog
What You Should Know
- It's harder to read without assistance
- Using it will take some getting used to if you own a digital scale
See Details & Buying Options
6. AIR SCALE Luggage Scale
AIR SCALE Luggage Scale
There are few options if you're looking for a digital luggage scale that doesn't need batteries. However, the AIRSCALE is a worthy piece of gear that easily slides into your pack. It's powered by kinetic energy, which is bolstered when you shake the scale.
The scale is larger than others we've encountered, but it still fits inside your travel backpack or daypack without much fuss. The design looks sleek, which we dig. Only a white colorway is available at the time of writing, but it hasn't gotten dirty in our testing.
If you weigh your luggage a lot or have a big family, there might be a better luggage weight scale for you. The exercise of shaking it is simple, but it gets old after a while. If everyone in your extended family decides to have you use the scale for the family trip to Florida, you'll be sore by the end of the afternoon. How many bags can Uncle Ahmad possibly bring with him?
If you're trying to kick batteries but still want a screen, this might be the scale for you!
Why We Like It
- It's a digital scale that doesn't require batteries
- The design is sleek and minimalistic
What You Should Know
- Not ideal for a lot of luggage because you have to shake it a lot
- It's larger than some scales we've tested
See Details & Buying Options
7. Ozeri Twist-and-Go Kinetic Kitchen and Luggage Scale
Ozeri Twist-and-Go Kinetic Kitchen and Luggage Scale
If you're looking for a scale that can be used for things other than luggage, look no further than the Ozeri Twist-and-Go Kinetic Kitchen and Luggage Scale.
Let's be honest; you can use almost any of the scales on this list in the kitchen or at home. However, will you want to? The Ozeri is thoughtfully designed with multiple uses in mind, so although it might not be the best luggage scale around, it does well at any task you may have for it.
Another perk of the Ozeri Twist-and-Go is that it doesn't need batteries. It utilizes kinetic energy through a simple twist mechanism to power on. It's smaller than most of the luggage scales we've tested and has a unique shape, too. This tailors it for home and kitchen use but makes it more challenging for heavy checked bags.
If you like to combine gear for unique uses, the Ozeri Twist-and-Go Kinetic Kitchen and Luggage Scale might be the best for you!
Why We Like It
- It can be used for luggage or general home and kitchen use
- The scale doesn't require batteries to function
What You Should Know
- It can be challenging to use for larger and heavier items
- The scale takes some getting used to
See Details & Buying Options
So there you have it; some of the best luggage scale models for your next trip! Whether you&#;re going to London or Lagos, you can weigh your pack to ensure you don&#;t get extra baggage fees.
The company is the world’s best Digital Weight Machine For Luggage supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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