Verdict: The Etekcity EL11 ($10.99, 110 lb capacity, 4.8 oz, 2-year warranty) is the best luggage scale for most travelers. Freetoo is the lighter runner-up, Samsonite is the pick if you want a built-in tape measure, and the battery-free Travelon is for people who never want to replace a battery.
A luggage scale costs about as much as a sandwich and it saves you from the worst moment at check-in, the one where you kneel on the terminal floor and move shoes into your carry-on while a line watches. Almost every scale does the same job, so the real question is which one is worth the space.
The short version is that you do not need to spend more than about $25, and the cheapest good options are the ones editors keep coming back to. This list draws on the Etekcity brand page and on testing from Condé Nast Traveler, Pack Hacker, and Rolling Stone, all checked on 2026-10-16.
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Buy the Etekcity EL11. It weighs up to 110 pounds, costs $10.99 on the brand’s own site, and Pack Hacker says its team uses one in the office several times a week without issues.
If you want the lightest option, the Freetoo is just over 3 ounces. If you want the tape measure built in, take the Samsonite.
Capacity of at least 100 pounds. Rolling Stone’s buying guide says bags of 50 pounds or less are typically fine for most airlines, and that a scale with 100 pounds or more of capacity leaves you clear. Condé Nast Traveler points out that 70 pounds is the most common limit for extra-heavy checked bags, so a 70 pound scale works, but with no margin.
A weight lock. The reading freezes so you can set the bag down and look at the number. Rolling Stone lists it as a feature worth wanting. Condé Nast Traveler adds that some digital models need a few seconds of steady lifting before the number settles.
Pounds and kilograms. Rolling Stone says to make sure the scale shows both if you fly internationally, since many airlines quote limits in kilograms.
Size and weight of the scale itself. The whole point is to carry it. Every pick below fits in a shoe.
| Etekcity EL11 | Freetoo | Travel Inspira | Samsonite Electronic | Travelon Stop & Lock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most travelers | Lightest | Backlit screen | Built-in tape measure | No batteries |
| Price | $10.99 | $9.99 (Rolling Stone) | $10 (Condé Nast Traveler) | $22 at Samsonite (Condé Nast Traveler) | $11 (Condé Nast Traveler) |
| Capacity | 110 lb | 110 lb | 110 lb | 80 lb | 70 lb |
| Power | CR2032 | CR2032 | Battery | Battery | None |
| Weight | 4.8 oz | Just over 3 oz | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Photo: Etekcity
$10.99 at etekcity.com
This is the scale I would hand a friend. It reads in 0.1 pound steps up to 110 pounds, switches between pounds and kilograms, and turns itself off after two minutes. Etekcity gives it a 2-year limited warranty, which is unusual for a $11 gadget.
A Rolling Stone writer says they have kept an Etekcity scale in their bag for years on checked and carry-on trips to strict European airlines. It also reads temperature, which is a small extra you will mostly ignore.
The downside, per Pack Hacker, is that the loop and metal end make weighing small things awkward. For a suitcase, that does not matter.
Check price at Etekcity: $10.99
About $10 on Amazon
Pack Hacker puts the Freetoo at just over 3 ounces and 110 pounds of capacity, with a bright screen that is easy to read. Rolling Stone adds that it locks the weight on its own, resets to zero, and powers off after 60 seconds of inactivity.
The trade-offs are the ones Pack Hacker names. It is hard to use on small items, and the large logo may annoy a minimalist. At under $15 that is a fair deal.
No brand product page was available to verify this run, so there is no product photo or button here. Check the current price at your retailer.
About $10 on Amazon
Condé Nast Traveler named this its best overall scale. It holds 110 pounds, has a backlit display, an ergonomic handle, and a tape measure for checking bag dimensions against airline size limits.
The backlight matters in a dim hotel room at 5 a.m. The reviewer does not list a weight or warranty, so I cannot tell you either one.
I could not find a brand page for it this run, so there is no photo or button. Check the listing before you buy.
About $22 at Samsonite
Condé Nast Traveler picked this as the best scale for carry-ons. It tops out at 80 pounds and includes a tape measure so you can check carry-on dimensions as well as weight. The reviewer found it one of the most accurate in the test.
The complaint is the hook. It is small, and Condé Nast Traveler warns it may not fit every luggage handle. The price was marked down from $28 at the time of that review.
I did not find a US Samsonite page for this model, so there is no photo or button here. Confirm the price before buying.
About $11
Condé Nast Traveler’s battery-free pick holds 70 pounds, which it describes as the most common limit for extra-heavy checked luggage. Retailer listings describe a locking second hand and a tape measure, and some list a 75 pound capacity.
It is bulkier than the digital scales because of the hook, so it suits a scale that lives at home. Retailer reviews are mixed on accuracy, so weigh a known item first.
Skip it if you shop on vacation. With only 70 to 75 pounds of range, a heavy return bag leaves you no margin.
Weigh the bag fully packed, with the things you carry onto the plane left out. Lift by the handle and hold steady until the number settles, since Condé Nast Traveler notes some models fluctuate for a few seconds.
Weigh again before the flight home.
Souvenirs, and warm clothes you stop wearing, are the usual culprits. If you are over, our guides on packing cubes and how to pack for two weeks in a carry-on will help you cut weight. For a checked bag with room to spare, see our carry-on luggage picks.
Are bathroom scales accurate for weighing luggage?
They work at home, but Condé Nast Traveler notes they are not practical on the road, where your hotel may not have one. A luggage scale travels with you.
How does a luggage scale work?
You loop the strap or hook over the bag’s handle and lift. The scale shows the weight, and models with a lock keep the number on screen after you set the bag down.
What capacity do I need?
Rolling Stone recommends at least 100 pounds. Most airline limits sit well below that, and the extra capacity is margin.
Do I need a backlight?
Only if you pack in dim rooms. Condé Nast Traveler’s top pick, the Travel Inspira, has a backlit display, and Rolling Stone says the Freetoo’s screen reads clearly in light or dark rooms.
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