Best TSA Luggage Locks
Updated How we research
Master Lock 4688D Set Your Own Combination TSA Luggage Lock
The Master Lock 4688D set-your-own combination TSA luggage lock, a simple, cheap lock for checked bags and backpacks.
Our score8.1/10Budget
TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks Re-settable Combination
A Forge TSA approved cable luggage lock set with re-settable combinations, a budget choice for backpacks and suitcases.
Our score7.0/10Budget
Be clear about what a TSA-approved lock is for. Every one of them has a secondary keyway that screening staff can open with a universal key, which means the lock cannot stop anyone holding that key or a copy of it, and the honest purpose is to deter opportunistic tampering and keep zips from working open in transit. It also stops a screener cutting the lock off, which is what happens to a non-approved padlock on a bag checked in the United States. With that understood, the first real choice is combination against keyed. Combination locks have nothing to lose and nothing to leave in a hotel room, and set-your-own models let you pick a number you will remember rather than carrying a printed code around. Keyed brass locks open faster and are sold in packs of four with matching keys, which suits several bags in a family but turns one lost key into several dead locks. The second choice is the shackle. A rigid steel loop is stronger and fits standard zip pulls, while a flexible braided cable threads through awkward pairs of pulls, a duffel's D-rings, or a zip and a fixed loop together, which is often the only way to secure a soft bag. Brass or plated bodies resist the corrosion that seizes cheap cases. Buying a matched multi-pack means one combination for everything.
The short version
We compared 4 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.1 out of 10.
- Best overall:Master Lock 4688D Set Your Own Combination TSA Luggage Lock. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.1/10.
- Also great value:Master Lock 4683Q Brass Keyed TSA Luggage Locks 4 Pack. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Solid build:Master Lock 4696T Combination TSA Luggage Lock 2 Pack. Build and materials score of 7/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Feature-rich:TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks Re-settable Combination. Features score of 6/10, overall 7.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Master Lock 4688D Set Your Own Combination TSA Luggage Lock8.1/10$Check price
- 2.Master Lock 4683Q Brass Keyed TSA Luggage Locks 4 Pack7.8/10$Check price
- 3.Master Lock 4696T Combination TSA Luggage Lock 2 Pack7.8/10$Check price
- 4.TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks Re-settable Combination7.0/10$Check price
#1The Master Lock 4688D set-your-own combination TSA luggage lock, a simple, cheap lock for checked bags and backpacks.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + TSA-accepted design lets security open it without cutting it off
- + Set your own combination, so there are no keys to lose on the road
- + Master Lock is a household name for reliable, affordable locks
- - Luggage locks deter casual theft but will not stop a determined thief
- - Small dials can be fiddly to set in low light or with cold fingers
#2Master Lock's 4683Q brass keyed TSA luggage locks 4 pack, a set of small keyed locks for multiple bags.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 4 pack covers a suitcase, backpack and daypack in one purchase
- + Keyed design is quicker to open than spinning combination dials
- + Brass body resists rust better than cheap painted metal locks
- - Keys can be lost, so pack a spare separately from your bags
- - Small keys and locks are easy to misplace in hostel lockers
#3The Master Lock 4696T combination TSA luggage lock 2 pack, a pair of flexible cable locks for zippers and lockers.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2 pack secures two bags or a bag and a locker
- + Combination design means no keys to carry around
- + Extended reach steel shackle fits wider zipper pulls and case latches
- - Thin cable can be cut quickly with basic tools
- - Combination dials can shift if knocked in a bag
#4A Forge TSA approved cable luggage lock set with re-settable combinations, a budget choice for backpacks and suitcases.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Re-settable combination lets you pick a code you will remember
- + Cable style threads easily through backpack zipper pulls
- + Very low price, so losing one on a trip is not a big deal
- - Generic listing, so lock quality and TSA compatibility are harder to verify
- - Budget cable locks are easy to cut and mostly act as a deterrent
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Luggage locks deter casual theft but will not stop a determined thief (Master Lock 4688D Set Your Own Combination...)
- Keys can be lost, so pack a spare separately from your bags (Master Lock 4683Q Brass Keyed TSA Luggage...)
- Thin cable can be cut quickly with basic tools (Master Lock 4696T Combination TSA Luggage...)
- Generic listing, so lock quality and TSA compatibility are harder to verify (TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks Re-settable...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among tsa luggage locks?
Master Lock 4688D Set Your Own Combination TSA Luggage Lock is our top overall pick. The Master Lock 4688D set-your-own combination TSA luggage lock, a simple, cheap lock for checked bags and backpacks. It earns our score of 8.1/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
TSA Approved Cable Luggage Locks Re-settable Combination is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. A Forge TSA approved cable luggage lock set with re-settable combinations, a budget choice for backpacks and suitcases.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
One Bag Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
More questions readers ask
Do I need a TSA-approved lock?
For checked bags in the US, yes if you want to lock them, since TSA can open approved locks without cutting them. Many one-bag travellers only lock zips in hostels or hotels.
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