Traveling should be an exciting experience, but the stress of baggage fees and overweight luggage can quickly dampen your spirits. Imagine the anxiety at the check-in counter, frantically repacking to avoid those dreaded extra charges. Fortunately, there’s a simple and effective solution: a Travel Scale. These portable, accurate devices are a game-changer, saving you both time and money while you pack for any trip.
With a wide array of travel scales available in different sizes, prices, and designs, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. To simplify your decision, we rigorously tested 15 different luggage scales. Our tests, using 10-pound and 25-pound kettlebells, revealed significant differences in accuracy and durability. Some scales performed flawlessly, while others were inaccurate or even broke during testing, highlighting the importance of choosing wisely. To help you travel smarter, we’ve identified the six best travel scales that will provide peace of mind and ensure your luggage is always within airline weight limits.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Travel Inspira Digital Luggage Scale at Amazon $10
Most Durable:
Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale at Amazon $12
Best Budget:
Dr. Meter 110 lb Luggage Scale at Amazon $9
Best Built-in Measuring Tape:
Kingon Digital Hanging Luggage Scale at Amazon $26
Best Battery-free:
Ozeri Twist-and-Go Kinetic Kitchen and Luggage Scale at Amazon $20
Best Manual:
Samsonite Manual Scale at Amazon $12
Best Overall
Travel Inspira Digital Luggage Scale
PHOTO: Amazon
$10 at Amazon View on Travelinspira.com
Why We Love It: The handle is designed with a non-slip grip, making it easier to lift and weigh heavy bags.
What to Consider: The backlight of the screen could be brighter for better visibility in all lighting conditions.
Lifting heavy luggage to weigh it can be cumbersome, which is why we appreciate the Travel Inspira Digital Luggage Scale’s thoughtful design. It features a non-slip grip inside the handle, providing a secure hold while you measure. A simple button click powers the scale on and allows you to switch between pounds and kilograms, and it even includes a temperature gauge in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. Attaching the loop to luggage handles and securing the clip was effortless in our tests. We were impressed by its accuracy, with only minor variations of a few ounces compared to our calibrated kettlebells. The screen’s weight-hold feature is another user-friendly aspect, giving you ample time to read the displayed weight. Its compact size is perfect for travelers, easily fitting into your bag for weighing luggage on your return journey.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms, Fahrenheit, Celsius | Backlit
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Most Durable
Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: Our team uses this robust scale in our lab for extensive luggage testing, and it remains in excellent working condition.
What to Consider: While compact, the grip could be improved for more comfortable lifting.
The Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale has proven its resilience in our Travel + Leisure lab, where it’s a staple tool for testing hundreds of suitcases. Its continued excellent performance is a testament to its durability, capable of withstanding frequent use and even being tossed into checked baggage. Operation is straightforward with just two buttons: one for power and unit switching. The fabric loop with a metal clip easily secures to luggage handles. Accuracy is commendable, showing only minor variations from our kettlebell tests. However, we always recommend leaving a little buffer under the weight limit as a precaution. Its pocket-friendly, compact design is a major advantage for travel, although the small size means the grip isn’t the most ergonomic when lifting heavier bags.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms, Fahrenheit, Celsius
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Best Budget
Dr. Meter 110 lb Luggage Scale
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: It stood out as the most accurate scale we tested in the under $10 price range.
What to Consider: Unlike some competitors, it lacks a non-slip grip for enhanced handling comfort.
For travelers needing a last-minute travel scale without breaking the bank, the Dr. Meter 110 lb Luggage Scale is an excellent, budget-friendly choice, especially with Amazon Prime’s rapid delivery. Our senior editor, Jasmine Grant, found its operation highly intuitive thanks to its straightforward, no-frills design. It features just two buttons: one for power and another for toggling between pounds, kilograms, and the temperature gauge. Similar to our top overall pick, the Dr. Meter scale demonstrated impressive accuracy in our tests with 10-pound and 25-pound kettlebells, showing only minor discrepancies. It’s remarkably lightweight and compact for storage, whether at home or nestled in your suitcase. While its smaller size compromises grip comfort slightly, it’s a minor trade-off for the value. After six months of use, including a two-week trip to Croatia and Copenhagen, Grant reports no need for battery replacement and no visible wear, highlighting its reliability and durability.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms, Fahrenheit, Celsius | Backlit
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
The 15 Best International Carry-ons, Tested and Reviewed
Best Built-in Measuring Tape
Kingon Digital Hanging Luggage Scale
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: This scale ingeniously integrates a built-in measuring tape, perfect for on-the-go luggage checks.
What to Consider: The metal hook could be larger to better accommodate thicker luggage handles.
With airlines increasingly strict on luggage dimensions and baggage fees , the Kingon Digital Hanging Luggage Scale’s built-in tape measure is an invaluable feature. It’s especially useful for expandable luggage, allowing you to quickly verify if your carry-on meets airline size restrictions for overhead compartments. Beyond its measuring tape, this scale impressed us with its ultra-durable design, feeling robust enough to withstand the rigors of airport handling. The handle, crafted from rubber-coated steel metal, provides a superior grip, and the display is notably larger than other scales we tested, ensuring easy weight readings in both kilograms and pounds. Accuracy was within five ounces of our kettlebells. The hook design facilitates easy lifting, though it might be snug for very thick luggage handles. T+L testing editor Jackie Cucco appreciated the scale’s friendly “hi” and “bye” greetings on the display upon powering on and off. While reliable over six months of testing, Cucco noted its heavier and bulkier build, making it less ideal for travel. She recommends it for pre-trip packing at home, suggesting a smaller, more compact scale for travels.
The Details: Digital | 110-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms | Backlit | Built-in tape measure
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Best Battery-free
Ozeri Twist-and-Go Kinetic Kitchen and Luggage Scale
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: Simply twist the device to power up the screen, eliminating the need for batteries.
What to Consider: The loop lacks a clip, making luggage attachment slightly less convenient.
The Ozeri Twist-and-Go Kinetic Kitchen and Luggage Scale stands out with its innovative motion-powered design, freeing you from battery worries while traveling. A few twists are all it takes to activate the digital screen, which includes a helpful battery icon indicating power level and charging needs. In terms of accuracy, it performed comparably to other scales in our tests, with minimal deviation from kettlebell weights. Its small, circular form factor is incredibly convenient for storage, fitting easily in a drawer or a carry-on backpack. While lacking the ergonomic handle of T-shaped scales, its compact size is a travel-friendly advantage. One drawback is the loop design, which lacks a clip, requiring you to thread the loop to attach it to luggage handles.
The Details: Kinetically charged | 77-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang
Best Manual
Samsonite Manual Scale
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: In our tests, this manual scale was the only one to achieve perfect weight accuracy.
What to Consider: It is slightly larger and heavier compared to digital alternatives.
The Samsonite Manual Scale stood out as the most accurate travel scale in our testing, providing precise readings for both 10-pound and 25-pound weights. While all digital scales had minor discrepancies, this manual scale perfectly matched our reference weights. Its dial is large enough for quick readings, although reading it became slightly challenging when weighing a 50-pound suitcase due to hand steadiness. The handle is comfortable, and the hook securely attaches to suitcase handles. Despite being bulkier than digital scales, its exceptional accuracy and battery-free operation make it worthwhile. After six months of testing, we observed that it might not feel as robust as some digital models, especially with heavier loads, though no parts have broken. Solo travelers might find the dial, which faces away during weighing, a bit difficult to read.
The Details: Manual | 80-pound capacity | Pounds, kilograms | Built-in tape measure
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Other Luggage Scales We Liked
Among the 15 travel scales we evaluated, some performed well but didn’t quite reach our top recommendations due to minor drawbacks:
Travelon Stop & Lock Luggage Scale: This scale matched the accuracy of our best manual pick, but its handle was uncomfortable, and the overall build felt less premium.
Tumi Electronic Luggage Scale: Sleek and compact, this Tumi scale lacked top-tier accuracy and comes with a higher price tag ($75).
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Travel + Leisure
Our Testing Process
While a travel scale might seem straightforward, our testing process revealed significant variations in quality. After sourcing and purchasing numerous luggage scales, we shipped them to our New York City lab. Upon arrival, some were damaged—broken, cracked, or leaking oil. From the 15 functional scales, we identified six standout models. Accuracy was paramount, but we allowed for minor deviations (ounces) from our calibrated weights (10-pound and 25-pound kettlebells, and a 50-pound suitcase).
Our evaluation also encompassed ease of use, operability, durability, and functionality of components like buttons, loops, hooks, screens, and handles. Considering the diversity in size, materials, and shapes, we assessed comfort when lifting heavy items and the perceived longevity of materials.
Tips for Buying Travel Scales
Decide if You Want Digital or Manual
Our tests highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of both digital and manual travel scales. Digital scales are generally lighter and easier to read thanks to backlit LCD screens, unlike bulkier manual scales. However, manual scales offer superior accuracy and eliminate battery dependence, ensuring they’re always ready when you travel.
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Travel + Leisure
Look for Preferred Units of Measurement
While the U.S. predominantly uses the imperial system, the metric system is standard globally. Opt for a travel scale that supports your preferred unit. Given that international airlines often specify weight limits in kilograms, a scale with both kilograms and pounds can be particularly useful, eliminating the need for quick conversions before checking your bags. Some digital scales also include temperature gauges in Fahrenheit or Celsius, adding extra convenience for travelers.
Pay Attention to Additional Features
Travel scales can offer more than just weight measurement. Some models integrate tape measures and temperature gauges, while others are motion-powered, using kinetic energy to power the digital display without batteries. Always verify the weight capacity of travel scales, as limits vary, and overloading can damage your device.
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Travel + Leisure
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do you use a travel scale?
While specific instructions may vary, generally, attach the scale to your luggage using its hook or loop, power it on, and lift the luggage. Wait for the weight to stabilize on the display for an accurate reading. Many digital scales feature a tare function for specific weighing needs.
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Are bathroom scales accurate for weighing luggage?
Bathroom scales can serve as a home alternative. However, if your accommodations lack a scale for your return trip, you’ll have to guess, which is risky. The key advantage of a travel scale is its portability, designed to prevent luggage issues and fees on the go.
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Are travel scales accurate?
Most travel scales are accurate, especially reputable brands. To verify accuracy, compare readings with another scale if available. It’s wise to pack slightly under the weight limit as a buffer against potential scale inaccuracies, avoiding overweight baggage at the airport.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Anna Popp, an associate editor at T+L specializing in travel products, contributed to this review. Having personally paid over $500 in overweight luggage fees, Anna learned the value of a travel scale firsthand and now considers it an essential travel item. Her experience and participation in testing were crucial to our recommendations.
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Edited by Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a testing editor at Travel + Leisure, overseeing product tests and creating travel product reviews based on rigorous testing. With a journalism degree and over eight years in product reviews and gift guides, she was previously a travel agent. She has extensive experience discussing consumer products on TV, with over 100 appearances.
Updated by Anne Taylor [:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Untitleddesign-2024-05-03T054054.989-4e594b20ba2244d8b3918cc70c66074a.jpg)](https://www.travelandleisure.com/thmb/Pgdi2QN5Qrk1GblE513hBlMNWR0=/75×75/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Untitleddesign-2024-05-03T054054.989-4e594b20ba2244d8b3918cc70c66074a.jpg)
Anne Taylor
Anne Taylor, updates writer at Travel + Leisure, ensures articles are current and accurate. A frequent traveler to 23 countries, she constantly tests travel products to enhance her trips. She holds a news media degree and has over seven years of writing and editing experience.
and Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba, a trilingual Italian writer based in Boston, focuses on food, travel, and history. Her writing spans topics from travel products for India trips to medieval judicial duels.
