Michael Turner
Short answer: Yes – large UK supermarket chains and their online stores commonly stock compact digital suitcase weighers. Expect a retail price between £5 and £20, capacity typically 40–50 kg (88–110 lb) and accuracy around ±0.1 kg; batteries are usually CR2032 button cells or AAA cells. Popular manufacturer names found on shelves and listings include Salter and Etekcity.
Where to look: check the travel/accessories section or search the retailer’s website for terms like “portable weigher”, “handheld bag weigher” or “suitcase weigher”; use the site’s branch-stock checker or click-and-collect option before visiting. Product pages normally show capacity, accuracy, battery type and a returns window – verify those specs before purchase.
Which features matter: choose a digital unit with a 40–50 kg capacity, ±0.1 kg accuracy, a secure hook/strap attachment, backlit LCD and low-battery indicator. Prefer models with a tare/reset function and a sturdy carry hook; avoid purely mechanical hanging scales if precise airline compliance is required.
Practical advice: weigh packed items at home and allow a 1–2 kg margin relative to airline allowances (common checked limits: 20–23 kg; cabin limits: 7–12 kg depending on carrier). If the supermarket is out of stock, alternatives include travel-specialist shops, general online marketplaces and department stores; compare price, user reviews and warranty (aim for at least 12 months) before buying.
Do major UK supermarkets stock travel weight meters?
Recommendation: look in the supermarket’s household, travel or electrical aisle and on its website – many outlets carry compact digital bag-weight meters priced around £6–£18 with immediate click-and-collect availability.
Typical specifications to prefer
- Capacity: 0–50 kg (0–110 lb) is standard; pick 40–50 kg for checked suitcases.
- Resolution and accuracy: 10 g resolution up to 10 kg, 50 g beyond; stated accuracy commonly ±0.02–0.05 kg.
- Power: CR2032 coin cell or single AAA; check included battery to avoid extra purchase.
- Functions: tare/zero, lock/display hold, backlight for low-light reading, auto-off after inactivity.
- Build: metal hook or reinforced strap and a secure latch; rubberised grip reduces slips during weighing.
Where to check and immediate buying tips
- In-store locations: household gadgets, travel accessories, camping/holiday seasonal bay, small electrics.
- Online options: supermarket website (filter by “travel” or “home”), marketplace listings, specialist travel retailers for higher-accuracy models.
- Price guide: basic models £6–£12; branded units with better accuracy and metal fittings £12–£25.
- Quick inspection before payment:
- Confirm max capacity and smallest step size on packaging.
- Test strap/hook strength and display readability.
- Check battery type and whether one is included.
- Look for at least a 12-month guarantee or manufacturer support.
- If planning rainy travel, pair with reliable outerwear and consider a sturdy large umbrella like this best large rain umbrella sterdy.
If your nearest branch shows no stock, order online with same-day collection or choose a specialist digital model for repeat use and tighter accuracy tolerances. Keep a spare battery in your travel kit and verify airline checked-bag limits before packing.
Which store locations currently stock case weight meters?
Go straight to the retailer’s largest superstore branches–airport-adjacent and major-city outlets are the most likely locations to have portable case weight meters in the travel-accessories section; call the branch before you go.
How to confirm stock: on the supermarket’s website enter keywords such as “travel case weigher”, “digital hook weigher” or “portable case weight gauge”, choose your preferred branch using postcode lookup, then check the Click & Collect availability or in-store stock indicator shown for that outlet.
Phone script to use with staff: ask for the exact product by name, request the SKU or barcode if available, and ask whether stock is on the shop floor or in the stockroom. If staff offer to reserve, request a timed hold for collection.
Most likely to carry these items: large out-of-town superstores, city-centre superstores near transport hubs, and stores with a dedicated Travel/Seasonal aisle. Small local express-format branches and tills-only supermarkets rarely keep them.
If your chosen branch has none, check the chain’s online store for home delivery, use Click & Collect from a nearby superstore, or try national alternatives (Argos, Wilko, major online marketplaces) for immediate purchase.
Check live availability of baggage weighers on the supermarket website or app
Quick recommended action
Search for the product using brand name or terms like “handheld bag weigher”, open the product page and tap the “Check stock” or “Find in store” control, enter your postcode, pick a nearby branch and read the live status shown for that location.
Desktop website steps
Use the site search box with precise model name or SKU/GTIN; shortlist listings that match the brand and capacity.
Open the product page and click “Check stock”, “Availability” or “Find in store” (wording varies). A postcode prompt appears–enter yours and set the search radius.
Select a store from results; look for status labels such as “In stock”, “Low stock”, “Out of stock” or an option to “Reserve for collection”. If quantity isn’t shown, the “Reserve” option usually confirms immediate availability.
If the product page shows multiple sellers or variants, repeat the check for each variant or use the SKU displayed under product details to avoid mismatches.
Refresh the page after a minute if the status just changed; browser caching or temporary delays can cause outdated indicators.
Mobile app steps
Open the retailer app, allow location access to auto-select the nearest branch, then search using the model name or barcode scanner if available.
On the product screen tap “Find in store” or the stock icon; choose a store and use “Collect”, “Reserve” or similar options to hold the item–these buttons confirm live availability more reliably than status labels alone.
Enable push notifications for that product or the store if the app offers stock alerts; this avoids repeated manual checks.
If availability is ambiguous, call the selected branch and quote the SKU/brand and the product page URL so staff can verify current inventory.
Typical price range and specific brands of baggage weighers available at this supermarket
Buy a digital handheld weigher from Salter or Etekcity in the £10–£20 band for the best balance of price, accuracy and durability.
Price brackets observed in-store and online:
Budget (£4–£9) – basic hanging strap weighers and supermarket own-brand devices. Capacity typically 25–40 kg, display: small LCD, accuracy around ±0.1–0.2 kg, battery: button cell or AAA. Good for occasional travellers who need a simple readout.
Mid-range (£10–£20) – common offerings from Salter and Etekcity. Typical specs: 40–50 kg capacity, accuracy ±0.05–0.1 kg, backlit LCD, hold function, unit switch (kg/lb), strap or metal hook, single CR2032 or AAA battery, standard 12-month manufacturer warranty. Recommended for most frequent flyers.
Premium (£20–£40+) – branded travel accessories lines (Delsey, Samsonite-branded items or higher-spec Salter models). Metal-bodied hooks, finer accuracy (down to ±0.01–0.05 kg), rechargeable or longer-life batteries, sturdier grips and longer warranties. Suited to heavy packers or business travellers who need repeatable precision.
Brand-specific notes:
Salter – strongest presence across supermarkets; mid-range models combine reliability and clear displays. Etekcity – popular for compact digital hanging weighers and good value for accuracy. Delsey / Samsonite – appear less often but target premium buyers with metal hardware and extended guarantees. Supermarket own-brand units are the cheapest option and adequate for one-off trips.
Quick buying checklist: confirm maximum capacity (choose 50 kg if you pack heavy), look for hold/auto-lock, verify unit selection (kg/lb), check battery type and spare availability, prefer metal hook if you use heavy cases, and keep receipts for warranty returns.
Which bag-weigher features at the supermarket meet UK airline weight limits?
Recommendation: pick a handheld digital bag weigher with at least 50 kg capacity, ±0.01–0.02 kg (10–20 g) accuracy, tare/zero function, selectable kg/lb units, a sturdy metal hook or reinforced web strap, backlit LCD and a battery-level indicator.
Why those specs: most UK carriers enforce single-bag limits of 20–23 kg for standard checked items (British Airways 23 kg, easyJet 23 kg, Ryanair 20 kg) while some fares or carriers allow up to 32 kg; a 50 kg-rated instrument prevents overload and sensor damage if you test multiple packed items together.
Accuracy and margin: choose ±10–20 g accuracy to detect small overages; allow a safety margin of 0.5–1.0 kg per bag to avoid fees at check-in. If cabin allowance must be checked, expect typical carry-on limits in the 7–10 kg band – use the kg setting and a 0.2–0.5 kg margin for hand baggage.
Build and usability checklist: metal hook or reinforced strap (nylon straps can slip), rubberised grip, easy one-button hold/display lock, tare to subtract harness or tag weight, auto-off delay ≥30 s, and spare battery included or easy-to-replace CR2032/AAA cells. Prefer units with a calibration statement or CE marking.
How to test for reliability: calibrate using a known mass (2 kg or 5 kg weight), hang the case centred from the hook, lift vertically keeping the device steady for 3–5 seconds, read the locked value twice; if repeated readings vary by >0.03 kg the unit is insufficiently precise.
Practical tip: weigh each packed case fully zipped with accessories inside; for checked items that may be redistributed across bags, weigh sums and then redistribute to keep individual bags at or below the carrier’s limit. For unrelated technical reading see maximizing air compressor cfm tips and techniques.
Returns, warranty and steps if a faulty baggage weighing device is received
Return the item to the store or via the online returns portal within the retailer’s stated window and keep proof of purchase – that gives the fastest route to a refund or exchange.
Immediate troubleshooting (before returning)
Replace batteries with fresh, correct-type cells; ensure unit selection (kg/lb) and tare/zero are reset; inspect strap, hook and display for physical damage; photograph the fault and record a short video showing the problem and attempted reset. If the display is blank while new batteries are fitted, remove batteries for 10 seconds and refit; if weight reads wildly inaccurate, check whether the device was overloaded (exceeding its stated maximum).
Step-by-step return and warranty claim procedure
1) Gather evidence: receipt/order confirmation, model number, serial code, photos and video of the defect and a note of when the item was first used.
2) Contact the retailer’s customer service channel (in-store desk, phone, live chat or online returns portal). State you received a faulty unit and request refund, replacement or repair. For home deliveries use the returns section of your order page and obtain a returns label or reference number.
3) For in-store returns bring the item, original packaging, packaging inserts and the payment card used. Expect staff to inspect the device; options offered typically include immediate exchange, refund or a repair arranged through the manufacturer.
4) If covered by the manufacturer’s warranty (commonly 12 months for small electronic weighing devices, sometimes 24), contact the maker with model/serial and proof of purchase. Follow their RMA instructions; they will usually request photos and may send a prepaid returns label.
5) If the fault appears within 30 days, invoke your statutory right for a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. After 30 days the retailer should offer repair or replacement; if repair attempts fail you can request a price reduction or final right to reject.
6) For postal returns always use tracked, signed-for courier and retain tracking number. Label the parcel clearly with the returns reference the retailer provided.
If the retailer refuses a remedy you consider valid, escalate: quote the Consumer Rights Act 2015, request to speak to a manager, then contact Citizens Advice or Trading Standards for next steps; keep all correspondence and timestamps.
