The best luggage scales to help you avoid excess baggage fees this summer

Nothing dampens that holiday feeling like an unexpected overweight baggage charge. No one wants their travel fund to take a hit before you’ve even left the airport, but investing in a luggage scale is a great way to avoid extra charges and keep your cash for the poolside bar.

Luggage scales come in a variety of different designs, from classic, manual scales to sleek, digital options. Finding the right scale for you is the best way to avoid added expense and keep your cool in the check-in queue, but with so many to choose from, where do you start? Well, that’s where we come in.

The Recommended scoured the internet to find the best scales for every need. We’ve also thrown in some key information to keep your airport experience as stress-free as possible (you’re welcome).

Jump to the best luggage scales:

• Best for over-packers: Etekcity Luggage Scale
• Best digital scale: FREETOO Luggage Scale
• Best floor scale: Smart Weigh Heavy Duty Scale
• Best compact luggage scale: Duronic Luggage Scale
• Best manual luggage sale: Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale 
• Best designed luggage scale: Hanwell Handheld Digital Luggage Scale
• Best value luggage scale: Ossian 2 in 1 Luggage Scale

The best luggage scales

Best for over-packers: Etekcity Luggage Scale

For everything but the kitchen sink

This digital luggage scale has an innovative design and convenient features tailored to those who like to pack more than they might need.

This digital luggage scale promises super-accurate results and comes equipped with a rubber-textured handle for added grip. This handheld scale also features an overload indicator, so you’ll never be surprised at the airport again.

Best digital scale: FREETOO Luggage Scale

For clear results

This luggage scale offers a clear display and a simple, intuitive design to give you reliable results.

This lightweight scale is equipped with a durable fabric strap for ease of use, and its large LCD display gives clear, accurate results. This scale also features energy-saving settings and will automatically turn off after 60 seconds of no use to help maximise battery life.

Best floor scale: Smart Weigh Heavy Duty Scale

For larger loads 

This floor-scale removes the heavy lifting, helping you comfortably and accurately weigh your luggage.

This heavy-duty floor scale has a maximum capacity of 200kg, ensuring it can handle the heaviest of suitcases. Its convenient floor-scale design features an attached, handheld digital display for ease of use, and its auto-off feature helps preserve battery life.

Best compact luggage scale: Duronic Luggage Scale

For on-the-go assurance 

This digital, handheld scale has a lightweight, portable design, so it can travel with you for continued peace of mind.

This scale features a clear, digital display and an ergonomically designed handle for ease of use and promises accurate results every time. This product also offers three

weight units (kg, lb, st) and a durable woven nylon strap for long-lasting quality.

Best manual luggage sale: Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale 

A classic design 

This pocket-sized, manual luggage scale has a traditional analogue display, so you never have to worry about batteries.

This simply designed luggage scale comes equipped with an inbuilt tape measure allowing you to check your baggage dimensions for added peace of mind.

Best designed luggage scale: Hanwell Handheld Digital Luggage Scale

Covers all bases

This handheld digital scale has an innovative design and intuitive features for ease of use.

This scale features a clear digital display, four weight units, overload and low battery indicators, and a durable metal loading hook. The lightweight, compact scale also has an inbuilt tape measure for complete peace of mind.

Best value luggage scale: Ossian 2 in 1 Luggage Scale

Cheap and cheerful 

This super-affordable 2-in-1 scale features a manual design and an in-built tape measure.

This lightweight, portable hand scale has a 32kg capacity, an attached tape measure, and a durable metal loading hook and handle for long-lasting quality.

How to weigh your luggage with a scale

Handheld scale: Turn on your scale and select your weight unit, ensuring the scale is set to zero. Attach the hook or strap to your luggage and lift it, ensuring it doesn’t hit the ground. The weight will show on the scale’s display. It’s worth taking note of this for your own reference.

Floor scales: Turn on your scale and choose your weight unit. Make sure the weight s set to zero. Place luggage on the scale and wait for the reading to stabilise. Note down the weight for your own reference.

Excess baggage charges by airline

Ryanair’s bag policy allows one free small cabin bag on all flights. You can check-in bags of 10kg or 20kg for any flight at the time of booking for £23.99 ad £35.99 respectively. Checked bags of 10kg or 20kg can be added to a booking up to two hours before departure for £35.99 and £59.99, respectively. 10kg checked bags can be added to any booking at the airport for a fee of £35.99. Passengers who bring their 10kg bag to the boarding gate can check it in for a fee of £45.99. You can check in 20kg bags at the airport for £69.99. Excess baggage can be purchased online up to 2 hours before departure for £9 per kg. At the airport, this rate increases to £11 per kg.

EasyJet’s baggage policy allows for one free small cabin bag per booking. Hold luggage can be added to any flight online from £6.99 for up to £15kg and from £9.49 for 23kg. Extra weight allowance can be added online for £12 per 3kg with a maximum weight of £32kg per item, this rate increases to £12 per single kg at the airport. 23kg of hold luggage can be added at check-in for a fee of £48.

Wizz Air’s baggage policy allows for one small cabin bag per passenger per flight. Checked bags of 10kg, 20kg, or 30kg can be added to any flight, fees vary depending on weight, date of travel and method of booking, further details can be found here. Excess baggage fees are charged at €12.00 per kg.

Tui’s baggage policy varies for package holidays and flight-only bookings. Each passenger is allowed a cabin bag of up to 10kg, and extra hand and checked luggage can be added for a fee through the flight extras website. Excess baggage fees are charged at £13 per kg for short-haul flights, £15 per kg for mid-haul flights and £18 per kg for long-haul flights.

Jet2’s baggage policy allows for the booking of up to three checked bags of up to 22kg per passenger. Prices vary by date and destination. Excess baggage fees are charged at £12 per kg, and no bag may exceed the maximum weight of 32kg.

British Airways bag policy varies depending on booking type, date and destination. Make sure to check your baggage allowance before you fly. If your luggage exceeds your allowance, you may have to pay a hefty £65 fee.

The above information is up-to-date as of July 2022.

If you would like to read more expert-recommended round-ups, check out our Summer Essentials page, where you’ll find more recommendations, including the best fans to help you beat the heat and the best sun creams.