Ever had that awkward moment at the airport where you’ve totally overpacked and your luggage weight is above the allowance?
You have to open up your suitcase and reorganise – shuffle things around into other bags, wear your sunhats and layer up on clothing to lighten the load? All to save on paying the silly extra airline sub charges. Meeting baggage restrictions is a tough one.
With your own luggage scales, you will never waste time or money again. Check your luggage weight before getting to the airport and save on costs, hours and that dreaded embarrassment. There are plenty out there to choose from and they will make a great travel buddy throughout your trips as they are easy to fit into your bag - so you can keep an eye on your bags weight from beginning to end.
What to look for when choosing your luggage scales?
- Lightweight and compact: You’ll be surprised that even very small, pocket-size scales can still measure a large amount of weight. Opt for a small and compact design that is portable and you’ll always have a point of reference, wherever you go.
- Clear display: An easy-to-read display is crucial – a clear number shown in a bold colour will save you from repeating the process multiple times.
- Maximum weight: Check how much weight the scales can take – a lot have the capacity to hold up to 50kg, and some even have alarms to alert you when it is too heavy for the scale to measure.
What is the luggage allowance for flying?
Different airlines vary on luggage allowance and it depends what you have included in your ticket. You may have paid for extra hold luggage? Double check the guidelines pre-flight so you know what figures you are dealing with. Here are a couple of airlines to check out:
- EasyJet - 15kg for hand luggage, 23kg for hold but you can buy extra weight in 3kgs units, up to a maximum of 32kg per bag.
- British Airways - 23kg for hold or extra charges for ‘heavy’ bags
- Ryanair - 10kg hand, 2kg hold
- Virgin Atlantic - 23kg hold
- Wizz Air - 10kg hand, up to 32kg hold
Now read our pick of the best luggage scales to help you find the right one….
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Go Travel Digital Luggage Scale
‘Weigh it, don’t pay it’ with Go Travel’s scales – check out the weight of your luggage pre-flight to avoid any airline sub charges. A handy little gadget that can weigh bags of up to 40kg, pop it in your handbag and always keep track of your luggage allowance.
The bright LCD display will flash three times to confirm the weight, with the result remaining on the screen for five seconds and automatically powering off after 90 seconds to preserve battery life.
Buy now £9.99, John Lewis
Samsonite Global Manual Luggage Scale
Hang your bag from the hook on this retro-looking scale and get an accurate reading of your luggage weight. Easy to use and no batteries required, it can register up to 32kg, saving you time and excess costs. Take it away with you – it’s nice and lightweight – and never be caught having to fork out extra cash.
Buy now £11.00, Amazon
Technicals Digital Luggage Scale
Fit with an adjustable strap, attach to your suitcase and check the weight on the digital display. Easy to use and compact and lightweight to pack, always travel with Technicals digital luggage scale to hand and prevent being over-charged at the check-in desk.
Buy now £10.00, Blacks
Beurer LS20 Eco Luggage Scale
Who knew that such a petite scale of 94g could weigh up to 50kg?! This Beurer luggage scale is not only super-nifty and compact, it is also an eco-friendly option using dynamo-power – no batteries are needed and it is rechargeable. Read the figure on the clear LED display and hit your holiday stress and hassle-free.
Buy now £26.99, Lakeland
Boots Digital Scales
Lift your luggage with these palm-sized scales and wait for the display to flash three times to confirm your bag’s weight – as simple as that. It will shut down after two minutes to save the battery - so take it away with you and it will last the whole trip. No awkward re-packing at airports necessary. It also has the extra function to measure the current ambient temperature of your location.
Buy now £15.00, Boots
Forclaz Electronic Luggage Scales
Super easy to operate and giving precise results, this handy scale from Forclaz is an essential for weighing up your suitcases and bags. Simply slip into your bag once used (it only weighs 80g itself) and never be caught out again.
Buy now £11.99, Decathlon
Mountain Warehouse Digital Travel Scales
Simplicity is key when travelling and these scales do not disappoint. No fuss or frills, pop your bag on the strong hook and get reliable readings of their weight. It can take up to 50kg (an alarm will buzz when that is reached) so get packing and save time (and embarrassment) at check-in.
Buy now £9.99, Mountain Warehouse
Freetoo Luggage Scales
An Amazon top-rated and well-priced product, choose from red, black or silver and be armed with a highly accurate luggage scale throughout your journey. The pocket size makes it super portable yet has a capacity to weigh up to 50kg, and can give an easy-to-read display with four different weight units.
Buy now £13.99, Amazon
Salter Soft Touch Black Luggage Scale
Weigh your bags prior to travelling and avoid excess baggage charges with Salter’s easy-to-use scale. Simply clip onto your luggage strap and lift – the design is robust and strong with a soft touch handle to grip onto. A super useful and high-quality product.
Buy now £15.00, Argos
Kangol Digital Scales
Make this your travel companion – a cute and compact design with a super affordable price tag. There are no unnecessary sub charges thanks to these scales – just weigh up before you check-in and save time at the airport.
Buy now £2.99, Sports Direct
