After planning, paying, and packing for your upcoming holiday, the last thing you want to face is an unpleasant surprise at the airport. Nothing ruins travel excitement like getting slammed with an overweight luggage fee at check-in. Beyond the added cost, it may derail any shopping plans and make you doubt whether or not you can bring home souvenirs from your time away. While your home bathroom scales might only be slightly off, they can’t come away with you. A better solution? A luggage scale. Compact and portable, they make weighing bags at home an easier task, can go with you anywhere, and provide added peace of mind. I tested out a handful of luggage scales to see which of these new travel staples are the best.
How I tested:
With each scale, I filled a carry-on and checked case as if I were going on a summer trip. My packing list included blue jeans, sneakers, and swimsuits, and all my electronics and various chargers. I weighed both bags, which equated to a 7kg carry-on and a 25kg checked bag. I tested each scale for accuracy, ease of use, and portability. After conducting a few trials, I’ve found four of the best luggage scales to ensure that more of your money is going towards the best parts of travel, and not pesky fees.
Luggage scales I recommend:
Amazon Basics digital luggage scale
The design of Amazon’s digital luggage weight is simple yet efficient. The weight has a strap with a hook that circles around the luggage handle and connects to the base of the scale. The scale can weigh up to 50kg and is powered by a CR2032 battery which isn’t included in the packaging. I found the Amazon Basics scale to be accurate; the only drawback is the screen – it can be dark and hard to read at times. It’s small, compact, and can be easily put in a carry-on, tote bag or crossbody.
Portable: Yes
Accurate: Yes
Shanje Digital Hanging luggage scale
The Shanje option has a sleek hanging scale that can weigh up to 50kg and is powered by an included CR2032 battery. The scale has a nylon strap with a large hook that wraps around luggage handles to make it easier to lift and weigh. It can weigh more than just checked luggage – it can be an asset on fishing trips or grocery runs if you need to weigh your catch, fruits, or vegetables. Although it had a similar design to the Amazon Basics portable digital luggage weight, the LCD display screen has a stronger green light that makes the numbers easier to read.
Portable: Yes
Accurate: Yes
Samsonite electronic luggage scale
With over 100 years of experience handling luggage, travel bags, and accessories, it’s no wonder that Samsonite would come up with its own problem solver for customers. The brand’s electronic luggage scale can capture up to 40kg. Fitted with a hook, travellers can lie their baggage vertically or horizontally to weigh before getting to the airport. I found this to be one of the most accurate luggage scales, but one of the drawbacks is the small hook, which might not fit on all suitcase handles.
Portable: Yes
Accurate: Yes
Skeap Digital Fish scale
The Skeap Digital Fish scale has a 50kg weight capacity and I found it to be extremely accurate. The scale has high precision sensors that can capture weight from 0.01 ounces to 50kg for fish, luggage, boxes, fruits, and vegetables, making it a useful tool beyond just travel. This scale had a more comfortable grip than the others I tested out thanks to the soft, rubber-coated, extra-wide handle. The digital weight does require two triple-A batteries to operate, which are included in the packaging.
Portable: Yes
Accurate: Yes
The final verdict:
After testing out these scales, I would recommend travellers buy the Shanje Digital Hanging luggage scale. It’s portable, incredibly accurate, and easy to use. The definitive feature that promoted it to the top spot was the lit LCD screen that made it easier to see the weight.
