The best luggage scales you can buy

Why you’ll love it: The Urbo 3-in-1 Luggage Scale with Built-In Powerbank is like packing three travel-friendly tools in one.

When preparing for travel, it's always best to pack smartly. Sure, a luggage scale is handy, but what if said luggage scale could also double as a portable battery and a flashlight? That's the thinking behind the Urbo 3-in-1 Luggage Scale with Built-In Powerbank.

As a digital luggage scale, the gadget has a maximum weight capacity of 110 pounds or 50 kilograms. It also has an overweight warning, tare, hold, power saver, and low-battery alert functions. The non-slip grip allows for comfortable weighing. A small display indicates weight in either metric or imperial.

While most luggage scales are either left at home before a trip or in the luggage at the hotel, the Urbo 3-in-1 Luggage Scale with Built-In Powerbank is meant to tag along with you. Stuff it inside a backpack or purse, and you'll have a 6,000mAh battery for recharging phones (at least twice), tablets, ebooks, cameras, etc. And for safety, the scale has a built-in 60-lumen LED flashlight for navigating in dark environments. The strap, used for weighing luggage, can be removed.

Because there is a battery, the Urbo 3-in-1 Luggage Scale with Built-In Powerbank is heavier than other luggage scales. Despite the high price, it offers a lot of value — you're getting three products, after all. Good Housekeeping UK said it is "worth investing in" and it loves "its innovative design." The publication noted that it's great for campers, too, but it didn't like its accuracy with heavier luggage.

On Amazon's customer reviews, 84% gave it 5 stars, with an overall average of 4.5 stars. Most customers applaud the product, although some reportedly received defective units.

Pros: Built-in rechargeable battery and flashlight, comfortable grip

Cons: Big and heavy

Buy the Urbo 3-in-1 Luggage Scale with Built-In Powerbank on Amazon for $24.99

Why you’ll love it: Every bit of weight counts when you're traveling, which is where the Travel Smart by Conair Compact Digital Luggage Scale's audible alert really comes in handy.

This compact digital travel luggage scale is an easy choice if you suffer from a severe case of overpacking. If your bag exceeds the weight limit, it will beep to warn you.

Unlike many other luggage scales, which generally hold up to 110 pounds, this scale has an 80-pound capacity. Of course, if you exceed the general weight limit for most airlines (50 pounds), it won't really matter. There is a digital display that shows weight in either pound or kilogram, and the blue color helps it stand out from the rest.

The simplicity in its operation makes it foolproof. Amazon reviewers found the scale to be small and lightweight. However, while most customers found it to be accurate, a couple didn't. One reviewer recommended adding 1-to-2 pounds as a buffer.

Another Amazon reviewer said the Travel Smart by Conair Compact Digital Luggage Scale was not only useful for international flights but a necessity. "Inter-continent flights have different luggage limits and this allowed us to accurately know what we had and shift things around as needed. Bonus - being able to switch to kilogram right on the scale rather than trying to convert to US pounds in our heads."

The Travel Smart by Conair Compact Digital Luggage Scale is made out of plastic, like most luggage scales. One Amazon customer said the scale felt like it's melting after some use. Overall, 65% of buyers gave it 5 stars, for an average of 4.4 stars. A big complaint is pricing, so if you don't need audible alerts, there are more affordable options.

Pros: Audible overweight alert, pound/kilogram conversion

Cons: Smaller weight capacity, a bit pricey

Buy the Travel Smart by Conair Compact Digital Luggage Scale on Amazon for $19.97

Why you’ll love it: A simple shake wakes up Ellessi Luggage Scale to provide fast and accurate readings.

Most luggage scales don't require more than two batteries for operation. However, between the inconvenience of having to purchase batteries and the fact that they will eventually need to be replaced, having a battery-free luggage scale means one less thing to worry about (because packing is already stressful enough).

This luggage scale by Ellessi doesn't use any battery. To activate the scale, simply shake it until it powers on. The mechanical motion creates the necessary energy to power up the scale. One traveler wrote, "It is a great convenience that batteries are not needed," adding that it's a relief to not "worry about dead or leaking batteries."

As with most other digital luggage scales, this one has a weight limit of 110 pounds or 50 kilograms; you can choose your preferred unit by holding down the M/T button.

When you're in a situation where every pound matters, having an accurate reading is crucial. This scale is equipped with high-precision sensors that deliver accurate results. The scale is "...pretty accurate compared to a calibrated scale at the airport," wrote one traveler. The accurate readings can "...save you a lot of money for overweight charges." With a weight of just 3.2 ounces, the scale can be easily transported along with your luggage.

Pros: High-precision sensors, no batteries required

Cons: No overload indicator, a bit pricey

Buy the Ellessi Luggage Scale on Amazon for $18.97

Why you’ll love it: From its compact and lightweight design to a bright LCD display, the Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale checks all the boxes for frequent flyers.

As a frequent traveler, you're looking for a luggage scale that's durable, accurate, lightweight, and portable. This digital luggage scale by Tarriss costs a few dollars more than our overall pick, but many satisfied travelers agree it's a worthwhile investment.

For starters, the scale has a limit of 110 pounds or 50 kilograms, with a precision accuracy of 0.2 pounds or 0.1 kilograms. To test its accuracy, one traveler had "several sets of dumbbells laying around in my office, so I weighed them all. Every one weighed within the 0.2-pound of its labeled weight." The same reviewer said the luggage scale takes "literally a couple seconds" to lock in the weight, which is then displayed on the LCD.

Aside from its precise readings, the scale stands out for its numerous travel-friendly features. One example is the bright LCD, which doesn't require help from a backlight to read. This also means you won't drain the lithium battery faster by using an extra light. The scale automatically shuts off after 30 seconds of inactivity to help conserve the battery. A capacity load indicator lets you know when your bags are too heavy.

This compact scale weighs just 3.3 ounces, and is just the right size and weight for stashing it in a carry-on bag. One jetsetter commented, "This will pay for itself the first time you use it when you don't have to pay overweight fees; we travel a lot on smaller very restrictive airlines."

Another satisfied owner said, "I took it to New York with me and was so happy that I could weigh all my new purchases before taking my bags to the airport. With the scale, I was able to move some things to my carry on bag and avoid the weight overage charges!"

Pros: Lightweight, overload indicator, battery-saving features, accurate

Cons: Battery life could be better, needs to be held completely still to get accurate readings, some say there is a lag before it locks in the weight

Buy the Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale on Amazon for $14.97