Luggage scales can save you time, money and that annoying — and frustrating — feeling when the check-in agent announces your bag is overweight. And if travel is already stressful for you, your luggage should be one less thing you need to worry about.
You’ll never get stuck at the airport with an overweight bag again if you weigh your bag with a luggage scale at home before traveling. Many scales are small and portable enough to slip into your bag, meaning you won’t get caught with a super-heavy bag on the way home either — no matter how many souvenirs you buy.
Here are some of our favorite luggage scales to ensure you pack exactly what you need without paying additional baggage fees.
How to use a luggage scale
Most luggage scales are digital, but there are some analog scales available. Each has its own specific way of operating, but in most cases, start by turning on the scale and selecting the measurement unit — typically pounds or kilograms.
Most scales have a strap or hook to attach to the handle of your luggage. When the display shows zero, hook your suitcase onto the scale and lift up the bag by the handle. Wait until the scale stabilizes and shows you a consistent value. Some scales even beep when they’re done measuring.
Check the weight shown on the scale and proceed accordingly. If your suitcase is overweight, take out items and weigh your bag again. Or if your bag is within the range allowed by your airline, lock it up and head to the airport.
How do luggage scales work?
Luggage weight scales typically work the same way regular scales do, except they’re more portable and often have a hook or strap to attach to your bag instead of sitting on the floor. Luggage scales can use digital or analog technology to weigh your bag.
Most luggage scales are fairly accurate, but it’s always a good idea to stay a pound or two under the limit in case there’s any fluctuation with the scale at the check-in desk.
Our favorite luggage scales for travelers
Avoid pesky baggage fees for overweight luggage with the Freetoo Digital Scale, which gives users an accurate reading with no more than 0.1-pound deviation. With 110 pounds of measurement capacity, this small, anti-scratch, red scale (it also comes in black and silver options) has an LCD display and a durable and adjustable fabric strap. The small scale itself weighs just 0.90 grams, so it can be easily slipped into your bag to take with you. Plus, it turns off automatically after 60 seconds to save battery. More than 19,000 5-star reviewers on Amazon agree this luggage scale is a great addition to a traveler’s wardrobe.
Etekcity luggage scales come in silver, red, green and blue — and they also come in a two-pack ($19) in case you need an extra or want to gift one to that favorite frequent traveler in your life. The rubber-textured handle makes it easy to grip, and the scale comes with a durable fabric hook and high-accuracy reader that only deviates by 0.1 pound. Besides weighing suitcases up to 110 pounds, the scale has a temperature sensor that measures Fahrenheit or Celsius if you’d like to know both the ambient temperature and the weight of your bag.
This 5.5-ounce luggage scale can easily be gripped with two hands, making weighing your bags easier on your wrists. The scale offers high-accuracy readings with just 0.1-pound graduation on its bright?LCD display screen. The sturdy nylon strap and secure plastic buckle ensure you’ll be able to weigh anything from trolley bags to duffels to travel backpacks and more without issue.
The Samsonite Electronic Scale offers one of the most unique features on this list: a measuring tape in addition to its digital weighing capabilities. The scale, which displays weight in grams, kilograms, ounces and pounds, also has a 31.5-inch tape measure to ensure your bag will not only meet any baggage weight requirements but size ones too. It also has both an automatic zero and turn-off function as well as a blue backlight to clearly view the screen even when it’s dark.
CNN Underscored’s travel editor swears by this device. It’s simple to use, it gives an accurate reading and it’s lightweight enough to slip into just about any bag. It features a digital display to show your bag’s weight, and the reading is done by placing the hook around your luggage’s handle. The device can weigh up to 110 pounds, meaning just about all average pieces of luggage will work with the scale.
For heavy-duty travelers who are taking along extra-cumbersome luggage or making a big move, the Smart Weigh scale isn’t quite as portable as the others on this list, but it can accommodate the heaviest bags — up to 440 pounds. It’s easy to place a bag on the flat, stainless steel platform and then read its weight on the digital scale in pounds, ounces, kilograms or grams.
This bold red scale (it also comes in black, blue, green, white and silver) weighs bags up to 110 pounds with just a 0.1-pound deviation. The backlit display ensures the scale’s screen is visible in both bright and dark environments, the metal clasp and fabric strap hold your suitcase without issue and the data lock means you’ll be able to see the weight of your suitcase even after you put it back down. Features like auto shutoff, low battery notifications and overload indications make this scale a user-friendly option for weighing your suitcase before you head to the airport.
Looking for a new travel credit card? Check out CNN Underscored’s list of the?best credit cards?currently available.
