A luggage scale is a small and inexpensive piece of travel gear that can easily save you hundreds of dollars in baggage fees. By using this one little device, your hand luggage will never have to be checked, and your checked bag will never surprise you with an overage fee.
The best part? They cost anywhere from $7-40 on Amazon and are super packable!
All About Luggage Scales
Airlines get more and more strict with their luggage policies each year, and not sticking to the weight limits can be quite costly for travelers. While many of us have scales in our home bathrooms we can use to check our luggage weight before taking off, there isn’t always that convenience when you travel. That’s where having a luggage scale comes in handy.
Luggage scales are:
- Super packable – Luggage scales often fit into the palm of your hand and weigh next to nothing. Adding one to your packing list shouldn’t cause any drama.
- Low cost – A quick search on Amazon will display dozens of options ranging from $7-40. The one I use cost about $10 on Ebay and still works years later.
- Extremely helpful – There’s nothing like the dreaded repack at the check-in counter, or the surprise bill for excess luggage weight. Know what to expect before getting to the airport. Also know if you have space for those extra purchases before you purchase them!
Mel from Suitcase and Heels mentioned that a luggage scale is the one little thing she can’t travel without:
“The scale saves me money by letting me know exactly what my luggage weighs so that I’m not surprised at the check-in counter. Can I buy that pair of shoes or will it put me over? Don’t get caught unaware at check-in. It could cost you anywhere from $40 to $450 (if you’re taking a really heavy bag to Japan or China with American!).”
How to Use a Luggage Scale
Luggage scales come with either a hook or a strap attached to the handle. Simply attach said hook or strap to the handle of your luggage, lift the bag, and read the weight on the scale. Most luggage scales are digital these days, but there are still battery-free options on the market.
Make sure the bag is lifted fully off the ground for a proper reading. If it is difficult to lift the bag off the ground from a standing position, you may need to get on a stool or stair and lift from above.
Best Luggage Scales for 2019
Name brand luggage scales may cost in the $20 range, but it is very possible to get a decent working luggage scale for under the $10 mark. The no-name luggage scale I purchased on Ebay years ago for $10 still works to this day.
When it comes down to it, the features that make one luggage scale better than another would probably come down to design/shape, the weight limit, and additional perks, such as an integrated battery pack to recharge your devices.
1 – Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale – $8
It’s a best-seller on Amazon getting 4.6/5 stars in review. This basic luggage scale can handle weight up to 110lbs (50kg), and as an added bonus, it has a built-in temperature sensor. It’s nothing glamorous, but it will get the job done. Buy on Amazon.
2 – EatSmart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale – $10
The notable feature on this luggage scale is the special handle for two-handed grip. This makes it easier to lift and weigh heavier/larger bags. Besides this, the scale has a maximum reading up to 110lbs (50kg). Buy on Amazon.
3 – Nutri Fit Digital Luggage Scale – $16
This luggage scale comes with the additional feature of having a built-in 2500 mAh rechargable battery pack. After you weigh your luggage, you can use it to charge your phone while hanging around in the airport. Buy on Amazon.
4 – Travel Smart Digital Luggage Scale – $20
The Travel Smart luggage scale can be picked up at Target in the US. The maximum weight it manages is 80lbs. My main gripe is the use of the hook instead of a strap for hanging your luggage, which may not work the best for your luggage model. Buy on Target.
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I have been thinking of getting one of these for a while – I often move from country to country so have to fit my life into a suitcase that weighs under the airlines standards… its a struggle sometimes!!
Definitely a struggle! I’m always nervous when I put my bag on the scale. This would come in handy 🙂
This is great to know about! I always wanted a pack scale, but only knew about the large, heavy kinds used to weigh baggage before putting it on pack animals (mules, etc.). Those kinds take two people if you want to an accurate reading, but what you show looks digital.
Haha, I think this looks a bit more advanced hey 🙂
Yes, this is a digital scale. You just turn it on, loop the bag onto the hook and lift. Once it settles on the weight, it beeps and locks it in. So as long as you can lift your bag you can weigh it. It will give you the weight in either lbs or kgs. Love this thing.
anyone know if i can put the scale in my carry on or if it needs to be checked?