How we picked
These are compact hanging scales from well-known brands, each rated well above the 50 lb (23 kg) checked bag limit. Sizes and weights are the makers’ specs; all of them fit in a carry-on so you can weigh your bag again before the flight home.
At a glance
| Bag | Outside size | Weight | Capacity | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale, 110 lb | — | 0.3 lb | — | Amazon |
| travel inspira Digital Luggage Scale (Backlit LCD), 110 lbLightest on this list | — | 0.2 lb | — | Amazon |
| Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale | — | 0.2 lb | — | Amazon |
| Samsonite Electronic Luggage Scale | 6.3 × 5.1 × 1.2 in | 0.3 lb | — | Amazon |
| Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale | 5 × 1 × 6 in | 0.3 lb | — | Amazon |
The picks
Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale, 110 lb
Hanging digital scale rated to 110 lb / 50 kg, well above the 50 lb / 23 kg checked-bag limit most US airlines set for economy.
- Weight
- 0.3 lb0.1 kg
Max load 110 lb / 50 kg in 0.1 lb / 50 g steps (etekcity.com).
travel inspira Digital Luggage Scale (Backlit LCD), 110 lb
Backlit hanging scale reading up to 110 lb / 50 kg, with tare and data-lock functions so you can read the weight after lowering the bag.
- Weight
- 0.2 lb0.1 kg
Max load 110 lb / 50 kg; CR2032 battery.
Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale
Stainless-steel hanging scale rated to 110 lb / 50 kg with a stated 0.2 lb / 0.1 kg resolution and an overweight indicator.
- Weight
- 0.2 lb0.1 kg
Max load 110 lb / 50 kg, stated accuracy 0.2 lb / 0.1 kg.
Samsonite Electronic Luggage Scale
Reads up to 80 lb with a backlit display and data lock, and its built-in 31.5 in tape measure lets you check a bag against 22x14x9 in at the same time.
- Outside size
- 6.3 × 5.1 × 1.2 in16 × 13 × 3 cm
- Weight
- 0.3 lb0.1 kg
Max load 80 lb; built-in tape measure up to 31.5 in.
Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale
Battery-free dial scale registering up to 80 lb, with a built-in tape measure for checking bag dimensions.
- Outside size
- 5 × 1 × 6 in13 × 3 × 15 cm
- Weight
- 0.3 lb0.2 kg
Max load 80 lb.
How to weigh a bag accurately
- Zero the scale, then hook or strap it through the bag’s top handle.
- Lift with both hands, arms straight, until the bag is fully off the floor and still.
- Wait for the reading to lock, then subtract nothing: airlines weigh the bag as is.
- Leave a 1 lb margin, and weigh your carry-on too if you fly an airline with a cabin weight limit.