Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
AdvertisementTarriss/Business Insider
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. This is especially true if you can't return from a trip without getting souvenirs for your loved ones at home.
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. In most cases, all you need is a battery or two for operation.
Most luggage scales fall within the range of $9 to $20. Many travelers agree that's a small price to pay, especially when you could end up paying up to $50 or more if your bag is deemed overweight by an airline. 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.
AdvertisementFor example, some scales automatically shut off to conserve battery life. A handful of scales are equipped with a low battery indicator. If you know you overpack, you may want to consider a scale with an overweight warning, which is typically generated in the form of an audible beep.
The majority of digital luggage scales have a weight limit of 110 pounds or 50 kilograms. Most also provide readings in both pounds and kilograms, which particularly comes in handy for international travel. Another factor to consider is the overall comfort and strength of the handle. Heavier bags tend to be tougher to lift and can strain both the handle and hook of the scale, especially if you often pack your bags to the brim.
Here are the best luggage scales of 2019:
Subscribe to our newsletter.Find all the best offers at our Coupons page.Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.