10 Best TSA-Approved Luggage Locks UK 2022 | Anvil, Master Lock and More

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Anvil - 4-Digit Combination Padlocks for £26.15
2. Master Lock - TSA-Approved Padlocks for £8.36
3. Sure Lock - Cable Luggage Lock for £12.19
4. Travoce - TSA-Compatible Luggage Locks for £32.55
5. Master Lock - 3-Digit Combi Locks for £17.00

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of TSA-approved luggage locks available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

1. A Lock and Key Is Secure but Choose a Combination Lock if You’re Forgetful!
2. Choose a Padlock or Cable Lock, Depending on if You Want Strength or Versatility
   
3. Colour and Code Length Can Improve Usability and Security
   
4. Choose the Right Vertical Clearance for a Lock That’s Extra Secure
   

Just like standard locks, TSA-approved luggage locks can, for the most part, be divided into two categories. The most traditional style is the padlock. With a key, you eliminate the risk of forgetting a lock's combination as well as the chance of anyone cracking the code without your permission.

Even though there is this risk involved, combination locks are still the most popular style for travellers the world over. This is because they do away with a key and the possibility of losing it, which for most people, outweighs the advantages that a traditional padlock offers. 

It is, of course, entirely up to you and what you'd prefer based on your travel style. However, even if you go for a combi, it will still have a keyhole for TSA agents to open with their universal key, so if you do forget the code, they could help you get back in. 

Ensure that you never misplace your luggage at the airport with the best Luggage Tags!

Now that you've thought about whether you would prefer a combination or key lock, it's time to delve into the different ways in which it locks itself and, in turn, attaches to your luggage. 

Featuring a solid steel shackle, padlocks are easily slipped into zippers and locked shut. However, while they're consistently regarded as being the strongest of all locks, they inherently lose out on versatility when compared to cable types. 

Cable locks are popular for their manoeuvrability and will give you more choice in how you lock their luggage. Through their flexible steel cables, they can be bent and shaped in order to slip into zippers where the more rigid shackles simply cannot. 

Know how much your luggage weighs before you even reach the airport with the best Luggage Scales!

If you've already decided on a combination lock, then the choice between three or four digits is a big one. Most of the TSA-approved combi locks come with three digits as standard, but looking out for one with that extra fourth digit may well be worth it, especially if you travel with valuable or expensive items. 

Four-digit locks are more secure because they make it harder for potential thieves to crack the digit case. By implementing just one more digit into a lock, the possible combinations go from 999 to 10,000. This staggering advancement makes the chance of a thief getting your code right slim to none. 

Another factor specific to combi locks is how easily read the numbers are. It used to be that pretty much all combination locks featured the same steel dial with black numbers, resulting in a grey wash of colours that were often hard to decipher. 

Although plenty of locks still use this same style, some of the more premium locks come with a higher-contrast design that'll be much easier to work with. With a black painted dial and white painted numbers, these are ideal for anyone who wants their lock to be as easily and clearly read as possible.

Avoid disasters and spot your luggage from a mile away with the best Luggage Straps!

Referring to the height of the closed shackle or cable of a lock, the vertical clearance can be considered a very important measurement. Without factoring in the vertical clearance, you could end up buying a lock that, no matter how much you push and squeeze, is inadequately sized to fit your zip.

On the other hand, if you're travelling light, the clearance could also be so oversized that it swamps the zip and half of your bag. Plus, a bigger gap could make the lock easier to cut. If you'd prefer to swerve these possibilities, look out for compact locks with vertical clearances no more than 2 cm. 

That being said, a benefit of a larger vertical clearance in the 3-4 cm range is that they have the potential to lock multiple zips shut at once. These kinds of vertical clearances are synonymous with cable locks, so be on the lookout for them if your cases have lots of zips. 

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

TSA-approved locks meet the requirements of the Transportation Safety Administration. Not only are TSA locks super secure, they're also accessible to authorised agents via a universal key, should they need to check your case. If you're looking for a TSA lock, check the product description and look out for the red diamond-shaped Travel Sentry logo.

Many TSA locks come with their own keys, which you can use to lock and unlock them. However, it is illegal to purchase a 'master key' that will allow you to open all TSA padlocks. These keys are accessible only to authorised agents.

Although they shouldn't be able to open a TSA lock, some skilled locksmiths may be able to, given some time. We don't recommend that you bank on this, though!

No. Like an ordinary padlock, every TSA lock has an individual key that you alone possess. However, an authorised agent can open any TSA lock using one of seven master keys.

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Written and researched by Connor Macanally