Digital luggage scales seem to be all the rage these days. Well, at least that’s what the ads I’ve seen have led me to believe. And with the increased airline baggage fees for pretty much every single U.S. airline, and stricter weight policies — “You’re 3 ounces over, that’s $50″ — perhaps it’s time to invest in a luggage scale.
Personally, on the occasions I’ve needed to weigh my luggage, I always used a bathroom scale. And I’ve never given any thought to buying a special suitcase scale since my bathroom scale works fine. But, when stumbling upon some luggage scale reviews I realized that there are plenty of reasons why a portable luggage scale might be a good choice:
- If you’re likely to have more stuff when returning home. If you are going somewhere (e.g., a trade show or winery tour) and are planning on bringing a lot more home with you a portable luggage scale would making packing a lot easier.
- If you frequently pack bulky or heavy items. For instance, in one review I read, a scuba diver commented on how much easier it was to pack his scuba gear for the return trip. Photographers or others carrying a lot of equipment might benefit from a luggage scale.
- If you attend cruises, weddings, polar expeditions, or other events that require a lot of clothing options. When you’re backpacking around the world and your packing list includes only 3 shirts, you probably don’t need a luggage scale. But if you are retired or are attending events several times a year that require a lot of changes of clothing, I can see how a luggage scale would be a good choice.
The luggage scale reviews pointed towards the following three digital luggage scales as the best:
Best Luggage Scales
Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale
Based on reviews , the Balanzza ergonomic digital compact luggage scale is one of the best luggage scales. It’s supposed to be an “ergonomic digital luggage scale” due to the design of the scale. It weighs luggage up to 100 pounds. You can buy it through Amazon for about $16.
Here’s a further description from Balanzza:
The Balanzza Ergo is a step forward in digital scales design, with no handles, the scale itself is the grip. Is the first scale that is horizontally positioned instead of vertically in regards to the floor, offering the most natural way to lift heavy objects. The screen is located on the upper side of the scale so the user can see the weight while lifting it with one hand; it can also wait for the beep to set it down if lifted with 2 hands.
Its ergonomic shape lets you lift the objects easy and with less stress to your hands, its patent pending process of lift, wait for the beep, and set it down, makes it the most easy to use scale in the world. Use it at home to weigh your children backpack, or the holidays gifts you are planning to ship, or that occasional parcel that need to be sent. Make sure to bring it with you on your trips so you are safe from the overweight luggage fees, even use it for the office for those small and medium size packages that need to be weigh before shipping.
In addition to these differences, the Balanzza Ergo has the same durability, strength and features as its original predecessor the Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale.
Taylor Digital Luggage Scale
This suitcase scale is little more professional looking that the Balanzza as it’s silver (not green). It gets equally good reviews, costs $19, and ships from Amazon for free. Some features of the Taylor include:
- Compact modern design with easy-to-read 1.3″ LCD with a .6″ readout
- Weighs up to 88 pounds/40kg
- Durable clasp and rugged web material
- Weighs less then a .5 pound
Travel Lite Luggage Scale
With a LED Flashlight, the Travel Lite is slightly more practical than either the Taylor or the Balanzza, but it’s newer and has fewer reviews. You can buy it from Amazon for about $21. Some features include:
- Lightest available Digital Luggage Scale at only 7 oz.
- 100lb/44kg capacity
- 5 Year Unconditional Guarantee
- Exclusive EZ-Weigh indicator instantly shows over/under 50 lb weight limit
- Integrated 12 LED flashlight
I think luggage scales are a good choice for people who will save money and pack less because they buy them. For people who won’t use them frequently or will pack more because of it, don’t waste your money and add electronics trash to the landfills.
The environment benefits because you’ll be packing light and thus less fuel will be used when transporting your luggage. So for green travelers who are looking to constantly reduce their luggage weight, it would be a good purchase — comparable to buying a Kill-A-Watt energy monitor.
Finally, if you’re looking for light weight luggage, make sure you check out our lightest luggage reviews.
This post contains links through Amazon Associates. We recommend that you buy through Amazon because of their top customer service and shipping policies.
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The bathroom scale works for me, but I AM into fun little gadgets like these. I’d probably need to find some additional uses to justify purchasing one. The one that includes a flashlight is on the right track…
@ Heather – I agree about the flashlight. Perhaps they will add an additional handy piece to the luggage scale that will make it even more useful…
I’m also a bathroom scales person and it strikes me as another electornic gadget to take and travel with.
You probably dont carry a bathroom scale on a flight trip??
Now all airline changed weight rules for less .So everyone has to get a good luggage scale because for 2 pounds extra will pay for
another extra package.for me I used kitchen scale. I know is not easy.
Luggage scales are very handy for people who travel a lot. It is small useful tool which could save some money on luggage excess. Don’t forget to take with you in next flight.
As an African safari travel agent, we book a lot of family and honeymoon safaris and, because a safari trip usually lasts 10 days or more, we like to educate travelers on the importance of packing light and packing the essentials. The last thing you want to do is get stopped in the airport with a hefty fine for an over-sized bag!
My suggestion to all travelers:
* Research the climate of your destination. Pack clothing and toiletries accordingly.
* Review your itinerary. If you’re going to be doing a lot of outdoor activities then don’t forget to pack lots of sunscreen and bug spray.
* Research amenities at the accommodations you’ll be staying at. If they have a hairdryer in the rooms than that’s one less bulky item you need to pack.
With Ryanair now charging extra for luggage in the coming peak summer months a luggage scale is a must for anyone travelling.
Yeah I can’t quite believe ryan air are charging £40 if you turn up at the airport with a bag without letting them known online first and if it is over 15kg (one of the lowest in the industry) they will charge you £20 per kilo over that! Crazy
Interesting info but none are really eco friendly as they all use batteries, produce e-waste and still quite heavy. Have a look at thebaggagescale.com for a greener alternative at just 111grams.
Great post! Owning a luggage scale will definitely pay of in the long run. Anyone who is a frequent flier should get one.
Very interesting post! I agree with Ann. They are none really eco friendly as they all use batteries, produce e-waste and still quite heavy..,.But in other side it is a great idea because it’s a handy for people to travel.
I’m a gadget lover too, this is a good way to make sure you don’t have to pay the extra expense for going over the baggage weight limit. As for the batteries, it’s not the best option, but rechargeable batteries would help.
Luggage scale is very useful?They can help us to save money.If you want to travel,please do not forget to contact us.
This is a great post. Had the scale problem myself just last month getting ready to head to Southern Texas. I called the airline to find out how much extra bags cost and decided that it was definitely time to consolidate! I spent more time on the scale that day then I cared to for sure. Anyway, thanks for the great tip.
Luggage scales have been a life saver for me as I am always on the brink of over packing! If you travel often it is a great investment as charges for heavy baggage can be very expensive
I dont think that would be something that I need. I have never gone over on my weight requirement for travel. Plus I have a digital scale at home that I weigh myself with. I would just put it on that.
The use of digital luggage scales is no different than the scale in which you have at home. You simply place the piece of baggage onto the scale and it gives you an exact readout of the weight. If you know the weight limits each airline sets upon fees, you can easily estimate the baggage charge you are facing.
With the high cost of traveling today, saving money seems to be the one thing that most travelers want to be able to do. While there are a variety of ways to do so, taking extra precautions with your luggage can greatly help you save on fees.
@ Manhattan – Well said!
Why nobody has already implemented the scales into the bag? )
We are a luggage scale manufacturer in China, specializing in producing all kinds of luggage scales.
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We are a luggage scale manufacturer in China, specializing in producing all kinds of luggage scales.
Thank you very much!
I am very confused about the bathroom scale comments. A lot of people make these comments IRL too, not just the internet. I have never seen a bathroom scale that weighs 1-2 pounds. They usually weight a lot more. Furthermore, for all of the people making these comments, none of them actually carry a bathroom scale with them! It makes them seem kind of hypocritical. Or maybe they imagine they live in a world where every hotel room has a bathroom scale in it. If we lived in that fantasy world, then yes, these digital scales would not be necessary. Personally, I can’t remember the last hotel I stayed in that had a bathroom scale in it. Most don’t in my experience, and that includes the expensive high-end hotels.
I have tried using bathroom scales to weigh out my luggage but honestly, there is no easier method than using some real quality digital luggage scales. They are accurate and make the whole process quite simple.
Having a compact luggage scale can definitely save you money and time at the airport, especially since luggage fees are constantly being raised by the airline companies.
I travel a lot and with airlines charging for luggage this is a great idea.
Great idea as I travel a lot. Should save money.
I think its a handy device for a frequent traveler who likes to come back with more they left with and not a bad purchase necessarily, but I am dubious as to its environmental benefits. If you just pack light, no scale, and make sure you are under the weight limit by guessing low, you are going to save more fuel than if you use one of these devices. The device itself has environmental costs of creation. Furthermore, if you have one of these devices, you can carefully maximize your own ability to bring weight onto the airplane (and thus create carbon emissions) by packing right up to the weight limit. I never get my carry on weighed, despite published weight limits. I use a bathroom scale to pack my bag to within .5 lbs of the weight limit. A surprising number of hotels in international destinations have scales for outbound travelers.
the nice about the luggage scale though is that is so small
If anyone is looking for a luggage scale in Australia, you can find them on my website for $29.95 including postage. If you are overseas and would like one, please email me your location, and I will quote you on the shipping price.
Luggage scales are very handy for people who travel a lot.
I bought one recently and LOVE it! I try to only travel with carry on so size and weight is important.I take it with me on trips so I can know what my luggage weighs for the return as well..a great gift/investment!
Being a tax professional, I am highly knowledgeable when it comes to tax resolution. I also try to give the most expert assistance that I could give so that my clients would be satisfied.
this is really cool. no more driving to the super market to weight luggage.
I am also a bathroom scale user for my luggage.Its really difficult to weight with it.Digital Luggage Scale is very useful .
I’m not sure that I can justify buying another one use product as being “green”, especially if you already have a bathroom scale that you use almost every day. I agree, it can be a hassle getting your stuff to balance on a bathroom scale, but at least its not THAT much of a hassel
I do not have a digital baggage scale but analog and has saved me time and money. I don’t need a floor scale i just hang the luggage from the hook and it reads the weight. You can per-set to 50 lbs and when weighing if it goes over then you know it is to heavy. Simple, affordable ($15.00) and effective.
Hi Elizabeth, It is your most informative post about Digital Luggage Scales. everyone has to get a good luggage scale because for 2 pounds extra will pay for
another extra package.for me I used kitchen scale. I know is not easy.
I’m also a bathroom scales person and it strikes me as another electornic gadget to take and travel with.
Great advice! With the cost of luggage already being high even when it is under weight and size, making sure that you stay within the limits is about more than just convenience but it could be the difference of $100′s of dollars. This is way more convenient than packing a scale
lol! Thanks for the post.
Why nobody has already implemented the scales into the bag
How about just packing lighter?
I like the portable luggage scale as it can help me with my things. This will save me lots of money. Great help in traveling!
Great article and it is something very few of us remember, that our luggage can weigh more on the homeward journey than on the outward trip due to the amount of goodies that we buy in foreign parts. I find that portable luggage scales are a must for traveling.