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Chronic over-packers (like me) know the stress all too well: that moment of suspense as you place your luggage on the airport scale, praying you haven't gone over the weight limit. After all, going over will typically double or even triple the standard checked bag price. Yikes!
After a trip to Paris — where my bag exceeded the 50-pound limit by two pounds (thanks to a few too many books from Shakespeare and Company) — I learned my lesson. Luckily, I found this $12 Samsonite luggage scale (currently on sale for $10) that changed the game.
Well loved on Amazon, this Samsonite luggage scale racked over 6,000 reviews and a 4.5 average star rating. One reviewer says, "Aside from it being a little bulky, it's been a great tool to have when traveling with checked luggage where the weight matters. I specifically wanted a manual scale to avoid dealing with dead batteries and this was the best option from a brand name company."
While there are a lot of options for luggage scales, I agree with the reviewer and like that this Samsonite pick is completely manual, so I never have to worry about finding replacement batteries while traveling. And while some reviewers complain about the scale being larger than expected, I find that it still easily fits in a carry-on pocket. I also love that it only weighs four ounces (and can handle weight of up to 80 pounds)!
To use, simply loop the hook around your luggage handle and lift it up. You only need to lift it an inch or so, just enough so that nothing is touching the ground. Then you'll see just how much your suitcase weighs once its laden with clothes and souvenirs.
As far as accuracy goes, it's important to note that overall, while manual scales in general can still provide a pretty close reading, they won't be as accurate as digital scales. This is due to not having an adjustment period after adding the weight of your luggage, explains Alec Scherma, mechanical engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
But while this specific Samsonite scale isn't 100% precise, it still provides a good estimate of whether you’ll need a second checked bag or if you'll need to transfer a few items into your carry-on. I did some digging myself and weighed my Paravel checked bag with a few empty packing cubes inside on a bathroom scale. It came out to just over 10 pounds. When I weighed it with the luggage scale, however, it read closer to 11 pounds. Personally, I appreciate that it slightly overestimates the weight — it keeps me from pushing too close to the limit.
With all this in mind, I officially declare this handy gadget a personal must-have for every trip moving forward.
Angel Madison is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, writing for brands like Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Oprah Daily, Men’s Health, and Women's Health. She’s been testing products for several years and is an expert at scouting deals and finding the perfect gifts. Angel covers many topics, but she specializes in plus-size fashion, Lego, trending products, toys, parenting, fitness, home, and tech. She has previously worked in parenting and entertainment and has vast knowledge in the teen, pop culture, and kid spaces.
Alec Scherma (he/him) is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s test engineer, where he helps to create and implement new product testing methodology across home, cooking and cleaning appliances, wellness, tech products and more. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a B.A. in mechanical engineering.
