There's nothing worse than getting ready to board that wonderfully cheap flight, only to be hit by a series of unexpected charges - it pays to be prepared and do what you can to avoid them! One of the easiest charges to avoid is excess baggage fees because the task requires only one simple tool - a luggage scale. Luggage scales offer a quick means of checking the weight of your bags to ensure they won't exceed the allowance.
They're simple devices, but that doesn't make picking the right one easy. There are many options from handheld to digital to lightweight and portable. To help remove some of the shopping headache, we've written this handy buying guide and included a list of the 9 best luggage scales to order from online stores like Amazon and Argos, from popular brands such as Samsonite, Beurer and more.
Luggage scales are designed for a simple purpose, but many come with a whole host of additional features, making picking the right one a little tricky. But don't fear - our buying guide will reveal everything you need to know!
There are two types of luggage scales - manual and digital. Both of which have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. If you'd like to find out which type is best for you, then read on!
The primary benefit of manual scales is their simplicity and ease of use. Unlike digital scales, which may require you to determine your preferred settings before weighing, a manual scale will require you only to hang your luggage on its metal hook. Their ease of use makes them the perfect option for those who wish to avoid any unnecessary fuss.
The spring-loaded mechanism doesn't require batteries either, meaning you'll save a little bit of cash in the long run. You also won't need to worry about remembering to turn your scale off after use!
You might not think that luggage scales need any extra features - that is, until you realise just how much easier they can make your life! For example, a built-in overload indicator will warn you when you've exceeded your limit, while a tare feature makes tallying the total weight of several bags a cinch.
Better still, digital scales are usually more accurate as they aren't prone to the wear and tear that manual scales are. However, make sure that you take the additional cost of batteries into account when purchasing digital luggage scales to work out its true value for money.
Inevitably, weight is at the forefront of your mind when buying luggage scales, but you probably didn't think you'd have to consider the weight of the scale itself. If you're an avid traveller, it makes sense to find a luggage scale that will easily fit into your bag so you can use it before every flight.
Generally, digital scales are smaller in size, with many of them coming in a slim, compact shape that'll slide in easily amongst your other items. Their ergonomic shape also makes them easy to use, so you'll be able to hold them comfortably while weighing your luggage.
As digital scales generally have their LED screens located on the top of the scales, you'll also be able to read your measurement without needing to bend over or lift your heavy luggage too high, making the whole process pretty effortless.
Believe it or not, luggage scales can only measure up to a certain weight, and some can handle bigger bags than others. Additionally, different airlines have different baggage limits, so it makes sense to opt for scales that'll cover all the limits you might encounter.
We've found that most scales can handle between 32 - 50kg, with manual scales tending to sit towards the lower end. 32kg should be more than enough for most baggage limits, but if you're unsure, it may be best to opt for a digital scale, most of which can handle around 50kg.
Everyone has their favourite unit of measurement, and when it comes to luggage scales, it's a case of picking the one that suits you best. Fortunately, most sets, both manual and digital, will allow you to switch interchangeably between both kilograms and pounds.
If, however, you prefer to measure in stones, that's also possible but is much harder to come by. But as most airlines tend to give their baggage limits in either kilograms or pounds, it may be better to opt for a scale that uses one, or both, of these measurements.
There's a whole selection of additional features that can make your life easier. From low battery indicators to LED lights to tare functions that'll allow you to tally up the weight of several bags. Scales will usually feature several features, so it's up to you to decide which ones are most important to you.
It's not only digital scales that come with additional features, either. Though we must admit, we're yet to find a manual scale that comes with any additional features beyond a retractable tape measure. That said, these can be incredibly useful for measuring the width of your luggage before flying!
We've now walked you through everything you need to make an informed purchase, so now it's time for us to reveal our top 9 picks of luggage scales. From stripped down manual scales to fancy digital options, there's something here for everyone.
£8.49
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Weight | 200 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces |
Additional Features | Backlit display |
Dimensions | 15 x 5.5 x 2 cm |
£14.92
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Weight | 102 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 40 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms |
Additional Features | Backlit display |
Dimensions | 14.6 x 7.6 x 3.1 cm |
£13.00
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Weight | 104 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces |
Additional Features | Retractable tape measure (1m), backlit display |
Dimensions | 13.6 x 3.2 x 3.6 cm |
£9.00
Scale Type | Manual |
---|---|
Weight | 100 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 32 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms, pounds |
Additional Features | Retractable tape measure (1m) |
Dimensions | 8 x 3 x 16 cm |
£18.00
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Weight | 110 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms, pounds |
Additional Features | LED light, lanyard, overload display, auto-off |
Dimensions | 13.8 x 3.2 x 5.5 cm |
£8.99
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Dimensions | 21 x 15 cm |
Weight | 90 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces |
Additional Features | Backlit display, auto-off, auto-lock, low battery indicator, tare function |
£8.99
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Weight | 160 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces, stones |
Additional Features | Tare function |
Dimensions | 15.5 x 3.5 x 2 cm |
£9.99
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Weight | 90 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces |
Additional Features | Backlit display, tare function, auto-lock, auto-off, low battery indicator, overload indicator |
Dimensions | - |
£7.99
Scale Type | Digital |
---|---|
Weight | 99 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces |
Additional Features | Auto-off, overload indicator, low battery indicator, temperature sensor, tare function, auto-lock |
Dimensions | - |
Image | 1 ![]() Etekcity | 2 ![]() Freetoo | 3 ![]() Duronic | 4 ![]() MyCarbon | 5 Beurer | 6 ![]() Samsonite | 7 Beurer | 8 ![]() Salter | 9 ![]() Hyindoor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Digital Portable Luggage Scale | Digital Weight Scale for Travel | Digital Luggage Scales | Portable Digital Luggage Scale | LS10 Luggage Scale With Light | Manual Luggage Scale | LS 06 Luggage Scale with Tape | Soft Touch Black Luggage Scale | Portable Luggage Scale |
Features | That Luggage Scale That Has Everything | A Sleek Scale That Measures in a Variety of Units | Scales Designed With Comfort and Convenience in Mind | An Easy-to-Use Scale With a Sleek Design | A Bunch of Useful Features, Plus a Handy LED Light! | An Industrial-Grade Scale With a Retractable Tape Measure | An Ergonomic Scale With a Handful of Useful Features | Perfect for Travelling and Comfortable to Hold | A Traditional Digital Scale That's Highly Portable |
Price | £7.99 | £9.99 | £8.99 | £8.99 | £18.00 | £9.00 | £13.00 | £14.92 | £8.49 |
Scale Type | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Digital | Manual | Digital | Digital | Digital |
Weight | 99 g | 90 g | 160 g | 21 x 15 cm | 110 g | 100 g | 104 g | 102 g | 200 g |
Maximum Weight Capacity | 50 kg | 50 kg | 50 kg | 90 g | 50 kg | 32 kg | 50 kg | 40 kg | 50 kg |
Measurement Units | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces, stones | 50 kg | Kilograms, pounds | Kilograms, pounds | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces | Kilograms | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces |
Additional Features | Auto-off, overload indicator, low battery indicator, temperature sensor, tare function, auto-lock | Backlit display, tare function, auto-lock, auto-off, low battery indicator, overload indicator | Tare function | Kilograms/grams, pounds/ounces | LED light, lanyard, overload display, auto-off | Retractable tape measure (1m) | Retractable tape measure (1m), backlit display | Backlit display | Backlit display |
Dimensions | - | - | 15.5 x 3.5 x 2 cm | Backlit display, auto-off, auto-lock, low battery indicator, tare function | 13.8 x 3.2 x 5.5 cm | 8 x 3 x 16 cm | 13.6 x 3.2 x 3.6 cm | 14.6 x 7.6 x 3.1 cm | 15 x 5.5 x 2 cm |
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When it comes to holidays, well thought out preparation is the best means of ensuring a great trip. From toiletry bottles to suitcases for kids to full luggage sets, our articles have got you covered!
We've provided some top tips and shown you some of the best luggage scales out there, meaning you now have everything you need to find the right luggage scale for you. All that's left now is to enjoy your trip. Safe travels!
Author: Ben Willimett
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