The 4 best luggage scales of 2021 so you never get hit with unexpected baggage fees again
- A luggage scale is a must for any traveler, particularly on flights with strict weight limits.
- Relatively low-cost, a luggage scale can end up saving you big on extra baggage fees at the airport.
- With its highly accurate sensors, the Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale is our top pick.
A luggage scale is a handy item to bring along on your travels, especially if you tend to overpack or you're facing restrictive airline policies. As many travelers find, a few extra items here and there can add up quickly.
Most digital luggage scales provide fast and accurate readings, and they're generally compact and portable enough to slip into a piece of carry-on luggage. Most luggage scales fall within the range of $9 to $20. For most travelers, that's a small price to pay, especially when you could end up paying far more in hefty airline fees if your bag is deemed overweight at check-in.
There isn't a lot of variation when it comes to the best luggage scales, but subtle differences can help steer you in the direction of one particular scale over another, depending on your preferences.
Here are the best luggage scales of 2021
- Best luggage scale overall: Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale
- Best multifunction luggage scale: SHANJE Luggage Scale
- Best battery-free luggage scale: Ellessi Luggage Scale
- Best luggage scale for frequent flyers: Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale
Amazon
The Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale is just under five ounces but can precisely weigh bags and suitcases up to 110 pounds.
What we like: Accurate sensors, low-battery indicator, required battery included, automatic shutoff
Don't let the low price fool you — this luggage scale is durable, dependable, and accurate. It fits into your pocket and itself weighs just under five ounces, but can weigh items up to 110 pounds.
To use this luggage scale, just loop it around the handle of your bag or suitcase and lift. The weight will pop up on the digital screen. You can also choose between having the weight displayed in pounds or kilograms so you won't have to do any conversions yourself when traveling overseas.
There's also a tare and memory function to track the weight of empty luggage, as well as a temperature function to make sure your bags aren't in extreme heat or cold.
The best multifunction luggage scaleAmazon
Thanks to its handy hook attachment, the SHANJE Luggage Scale can weigh far more than just luggage.
What we like: Has a detachable strap and hook, simple design, can weigh multiple units
The SHANJE luggage scale tackles it all thanks to its hook feature that makes it easy to attach and weigh just about any item. When you do plan to use it on your suitcases, the scale comes with a strap to secure it to your bags and can weigh up to 110 pounds.
The touch of a button quickly switches the display reading to pounds, grams, kilograms, or ounces. Aside from the product's variety of measurements, it's backed with a green LED light so you can read it at night.
The best battery-free luggage scaleAmazon
A simple shake wakes up Ellessi Luggage Scale to provide fast and accurate readings.
What we like: High-precision sensors, no batteries required
A battery-free luggage scale means you'll never have to pack extra batteries or worry about it dying mid-trip. Simply shake this scale to activate it until it powers on. The mechanical motion creates the necessary energy to power up the scale.
As with most other digital luggage scales, this one has a weight limit of 110 pounds or 50 kilograms; you can choose your preferred unit by simply holding down the M/T button. When you're in a situation where every pound matters, having an accurate reading is crucial, and this scale is equipped with high-precision sensors that deliver accurate results. Weighing just 3.2 ounces, it's easily transported in your luggage and won't take up much space.
The best luggage scale for frequent flyersAmazon
From its compact design to a bright LCD display and long-lasting battery, the Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale checks all the boxes for frequent flyers.
What we like: Lightweight, overload indicator, battery-saving features, highly accurate
This digital luggage scale by Tarriss costs a few dollars more than our overall pick, but many satisfied travelers agree it's a worthwhile investment if you travel often.
For starters, the scale has a limit of 110 pounds or 50 kilograms, with a precision accuracy of 0.2 pounds or 0.1 kilograms. The luggage scale also stands out for its numerous user-friendly features, including a bright LCD screen with auto-lock display options. Additionally, the scale automatically shuts off after 30 seconds of inactivity to help conserve the battery, and the battery itself is a long-life lithium battery. A capacity load indicator lets you know when your bags are too heavy.