Excess baggage fees are painful. A single overweight bag on Ryanair or EasyJet can cost more than your flight. A luggage scale costs under £10 and pays for itself the first time it saves you from repacking at the airport.
The MYCARBON is a popular budget option. Here’s whether it’s worth buying.
What It Does
You hook your bag onto the strap, lift, and wait a few seconds. The scale displays the weight. That’s it. Simple, but genuinely useful.
Specifications:
- Maximum capacity: 50kg / 110lb
- Accuracy: 0.1lb / 50g
- Display: Backlit LCD
- Units: kg, lb, g, oz
- Power: CR2032 battery (included)
- Weight: 90g
How It Works
- Press the power button
- Hook the strap around your bag handle
- Lift the bag off the ground
- Hold steady until the reading stabilises
- The scale auto-locks the weight
The backlit display is readable in dim lighting (useful for early morning packing). The tare function lets you subtract the weight of a bag or container if needed.
Build Quality
The MYCARBON is plastic but feels reasonably sturdy. The strap is woven nylon that handles heavy bags without issue. The hook is metal-reinforced.
The LCD display is clear and the buttons are responsive. Nothing feels premium, but nothing feels flimsy either.
Accuracy
I tested the MYCARBON against my bathroom scales and the check-in desk at Gatwick. Results matched within 0.2kg – close enough to be useful. You’re looking to avoid the 23kg limit, not weigh ingredients for a recipe.
Note: Always weigh slightly under the limit to account for minor variations between scales. If your scale reads 22.8kg, you’re safe. If it reads 23.1kg, repack.
Battery Life
The CR2032 battery lasts for hundreds of uses. The auto-off feature (60 seconds of inactivity) preserves power. I’ve been using the same battery for over a year with no issues.
Pros
- Cheap – Under £10
- Accurate enough – Within airline tolerance
- Lightweight – Takes up almost no space
- Backlit display – Readable in any light
- Auto-lock – Holds the reading after stabilisation
- Multiple units – kg, lb, g, oz
Cons
- Plastic construction – Not premium
- Small display – Could be larger
- Single function – Only does one thing (but does it well)
Do You Need One?
A luggage scale is worth owning if you:
- Fly budget airlines with strict weight limits
- Regularly pack close to the maximum
- Travel for longer trips where clothes accumulate
- Want peace of mind before leaving for the airport
It’s not essential if you:
- Only take carry-on luggage
- Always pack light
- Have premium airline status with generous allowances
For under £10, it’s cheap insurance against £30-50 excess baggage fees.
Alternatives
Etekcity – Similar price and quality, slightly different design. Both work fine.
Samsonite – More expensive, marginally better build. Not worth the premium for most people.
Phone apps – Some apps claim to weigh luggage using your phone’s sensors. Don’t trust them.
Verdict
The MYCARBON does one thing and does it well: it tells you how much your bag weighs. The accuracy is good enough, the price is right, and it pays for itself quickly. No complaints.
Buy one, throw it in your suitcase, and stop worrying about excess baggage fees.
