Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale

» What it is: Hand-held portable scale for weighing luggage

» How it works: Hook the sturdy fabric strap around the handle of your suitcase, then use the device’s plastic handle to lift your bag off the ground for a few seconds. After the beep, set the bag down, and the digital scale shows the bag’s weight in pounds or kilos.

» The good: A winner for the heavy packer or souvenir collector tired of unhappy surprises at the check-in counter. Carry this device and there’s no more embarrassing digging through your suitcases at the counter to redistribute weight among your bags. No more overweight luggage charges. No more trying to translate pounds to kilos on overseas flights. And no more worrying on your way to the airport about just how far you’ve overshot the limit and how lenient that desk agent might be.

» The bad: If you’re packing up to the very last ounce, this battery-powered device adds 10 ounces more to the load. The battery door also has a tendency to pop off with wear and abuse, but it’s nothing a little tape can’t fix.

» Cost: $25

» Available from: Retailers are listed at balanzza.com.

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