The 12 Best TSA-Approved Luggage Locks for Travelers [2024]

Key Takeaways

• TSA-approved luggage locks are essential for travelers who want to secure their bags for air travel.
• These locks are designed with a universal key that only TSA agents possess, ensuring that your luggage remains intact and secure during the screening process.
• Top-rated TSA-approved locks are durable, easy to use, and feature resettable combinations and sturdy construction to withstand the rigors of air travel.

Using a luggage lock can help keep your belongings safe while you travel. From traditional padlocks and keys to state-of-the-art card locks, there are a ton of options out there for you to choose from.

To help you narrow in on your search, here’s all the information you need to know about using luggage locks, TSA-approved luggage locks, and which luggage locks might be best for you.

Do I Need a Luggage Lock?

A good luggage lock will help to protect your luggage against unnecessary attention from would-be thieves and keep it safe while in transit. A great luggage lock will also be easily accessible for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents that may need to check inside your bag without having to break in or damage your luggage or luggage lock.

Bottom Line: While nothing can completely guarantee the safety of your belongings while you travel, a well-designed locking device can give you an extra layer of protection that you won’t want to be without.

What Is a TSA-approved Luggage Lock?

To ensure the continued safety of passengers traveling to and through the U.S., the TSA screens all checked and carry-on luggage before allowing the luggage onto any commercial airline flight. In the majority of cases, pun intended, baggage can be electronically screened, which doesn’t require the bag to be opened. However, on occasion, your luggage may need to be opened by a TSA agent.

To ensure that your luggage is easily accessible to TSA agents while remaining secure and protected while you travel, there are TSA-approved luggage locks. These are designed to be used with a universal “master” key. This master key is only available to the TSA, so agents can access your luggage if needed, but the lock remains locked and luggage inaccessible to anyone else.

TSA-approved locks can be purchased at the airport, your general luggage store, or even online outlets. When purchasing, the locks will clearly say “TSA-approved” on the packaging.

Some TSA-approved locks also come with an indicator to let you know if TSA had to open your bag. The indicator will be red after an inspection or remain green if your bag wasn’t opened. You can easily reset the indicator in seconds using a pointed object, such as a pen or paperclip, so you can reuse the indicator for each trip.

Bottom Line: If you don’t use TSA-approved locks, you run the risk of having your luggage damaged if the TSA isn’t able to access your bag for inspection. TSA agents will break non-approved locks, cut zippers and even snip their way through soft-shell cases to ensure that you don’t have any prohibited goods packed in your luggage. Stay safe and keep your luggage in 1 piece with TSA-approved locks.

The Different Types of Luggage Locks

All locks are useful, but not all locks are equal. When it comes to keeping your gear safe from harm in transit, there are a variety of different types of TSA-approved locks for you to choose from.

Key Locks

The most traditional of all locking devices, a good old-fashioned padlock needs a proper key to open the device. On the flip side of that, be careful with that key! If you lose the key, you may need to saw the lock apart to get access to whatever is locked inside.

Combination Locks

Using a combination of 3 or 4 digits, you can lock your belongings away from would-be thieves, without having to worry about keeping track of a key. A popular choice with travelers, combination locks are a good choice, assuming you never forget the combination.

If you are forgetful, you can always save the combination on your phone contacts as the last four digits of a phone number. For fans of the TV series “Lost,” “John Locke” is an excellent alias to use for the contact name.

Bottom Line: Given that combination locks are compact and you don’t have to worry about a physical key or card getting lost, they come highly recommended for their ease of use.

Cable Locks

These locks also open with a combination but are more versatile. Cable locks can be used in a variety of situations as they have a semi-flexible cable rather than a stiff metal clip to lock. Not just for suitcases and backpacks, you can even use these for lockers or strongboxes while you are on the go.

Bottom Line: Cable locks are a great alternative to regular combination locks as the flexible cable provides extra versatility. 

Retractable Cable Locks

These are similar to cable locks in the sense that you have the option to lock your luggage to a fixed object or other luggage, but these are seemingly more convenient as the cable retracts inside the lock itself. While this sounds great in principle, unfortunately with testing, the locking mechanism seems to fail quite frequently, and to make the cable retractable, the cable itself seems less robust than the cables used in the traditional cable locks.

Bottom Line: Given their tendency to fail and how easy they are to break, retractable cable locks are not recommended.

Key Card Locks

Similar to the cards you use to open hotel doors, key card locks work very similarly. A little bit on the bulky side, these are handy if you want to keep everything in your wallet as the key card will fit nicely in one of your wallet’s credit card folds.

Bottom Line: It’s certainly a personal preference to use these types of locks. Unfortunately, similarly to key locks, if you lose the card, you lose the key, and you will need to cut the lock.

The 12 Best Travel Luggage Locks

1. 2-Pack of Cable Locks

Sure Lock TSA Lock With SearchAlert – 2 Pack

Giving you not 1, but 2 flexible cable locks, these offer great value for money and have a money back guarantee. The SearchAlert indicator will let you know when your bag has been electronically searched, while the locks keep your belongings safe from thieves.

The easy-to-read, 3-dial combination can be set to any combination of your choosing, and the flexible cable can easily weave its way through zippers and other materials. Made from high-strength zinc alloy, these locks will provide a lifetime of security and peace of mind.

What We Like

• Has a TSA search indicator light

What We Don’t Like

• Less secure with only a 3-digit combination

2. Perfect for Families Traveling Together

AnvilTSA-Approved Luggage Locks

This set of 4 luggage locks is perfect for families traveling together. You and yours can quickly and easily set your 4-digit combination to help keep thieves away from your belongings while in transit.

The ultra-durable zinc alloy bodies and hardened steel shackles ensure that your luggage lock will make it through all kinds of rough airport handling, while the TSA-approved design will ensure that agents can gain easy access to your luggage without causing any damage.

With easy-to-read dials and quick-set combinations, these little locks have a unique window design that makes your combination easy to read, while continually protecting the lock dials from damage while you travel.

What We Like

• Digits are easy to see

What We Don’t Like

• The steel loop might be too thick for some zipper pulls

3. Steel Cables and Combination Locks 

Lumintrail TSA-Approved All Metal Combination Lock

These TSA-approved locks can easily be locked and unlocked by TSA agents. Made of coated steel with an unbreakable steel shackle, these locks will protect your luggage from being broken into.

Perfect for use on backpacks, bags, and suitcases, these beauties have convenient 4-digit personalized combinations, meaning you can choose a memorable combination for your convenience.

This excellent value travel pack comes with 2 security travel locks and 2 x 4-inch flexible steel cables for added safety and security, both in transit and when you reach your destination.

What We Like

• Comes with 2 4-foot steel cables for extra security

What We Don’t Like

• The bright orange color could attract unwanted attention to your luggage

4. No Keys With These Card-Operated Travel Locks

Talonport Keyless TSA Approved Luggage Locks

Offering a fuss-free, easy alternative to traditional padlocks and combinations, these key card luggage locks are safe, secure, and easy to use. Just slide the card into the lock, wait for it to click open, and “voila” — easy access for you and TSA agents as and when it is needed.

The key card is about the same size as a regular credit card, meaning it can be stored in your wallet for safekeeping. The lock itself is made of durable cast metal, with a thick solid shackle, meaning your belongings will remain safe and sound while you travel.

5. Strap Them Up With This Case Strap and Lock Combo

Samsonite TSA Travel Luggage Strap With Approved Lock

Keep your luggage secure with this rather impressive strap and lock combination. TSA-approved, this will keep your belongings safe and secure while in transit.

Adjustable from up to 72 inches, these luggage straps can fit most suitcases. The heavy-duty, adjustable strap is made from durable material and the plastic buckle has a secure combination lock. Just set your passcode, adjust the strap to fit your case, and you are ready to go.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, this strap and lock combination will set your luggage apart from other cases at baggage claim, and keep your luggage safe while you travel.

6. Super-Tough Luggage Locks for Long-Haul Adventures

Forge TSA Approved Luggage Locks

Designed to be super tough, these locks come with alloy bodies, hardened steel shackles, and an internal mechanism that is strong enough to take a proper pounding in transit. Touted as being one of the most secure TSA-approved padlocks on the market, this set of 4 locks uses an advanced dimple key and steel tumbler system, as opposed to the old-style biting key system.

Perfect for families or those traveling with a lot of luggage, each of the locks will work with a single key.

7. Simple Single Cable Lock

Master Lock 4688D Luggage Lock

Cheap and incredibly easy to use, these TSA-approved luggage locks will keep your luggage protected while you travel. Made with a metal lock body and a vinyl-covered cable, this lock will put up with plenty of the wear and tear associated with air travel.

This lock uses a 3-digit combination rather than the usual 4 you find on luggage locks. Small but perfectly formed, this padlock is perfect for both suitcases and backpacks.

8. Add Extra Security to Your Lock With a Steel Cable 

Lumintrail 3-Dial Combination Lock + 48in Coated Steel Cable

With a huge 4 feet of coated steel cable, this ingenious contraption allows you to secure multiple bags together, or tie your luggage to a fixed object. Great for layovers or long journeys where you would like to leave your belongings in 1 place, this is the perfect lock option for worldwide adventurers.

Smart Lock technology will keep your luggage secure, while the flexible, steel cable is impossible for would-be thieves to cut. The 3-dial combination is the perfect keyless locking solution, while the dial makes it easy to up your security wherever you are in the world.

9. For Those Who Like Traditional Key Locks

Sure Lock Padlock, Keyed TSA-Accepted Luggage Lock

This set of 2 nifty little padlocks is perfect for backpacks, bags, and suitcases, wherever you are headed. TSA-approved and easy to open for inspection; these front access key locks offer practical protection for your belongings.

Made from durable allow steel, these locks won’t rust or freeze up after years of use. They can also both be opened with the same key, meaning you don’t need to weigh yourself down with heavy key rings while you travel. Just under 2 inches high, these are compact locks that will do the job.

10. WordLock Technology Means No Need To Memorize Codes

Wordlock LL-206-RD TSA Approved Combination Luggage Lock

TSA-approved, these luggage locks are super easy to use and do exactly what you would expect. Built to last, you will be able to travel the world with these keeping your belongings safely tucked up in your suitcase, duffel bag, or backpack.

The 4-dial combination is easy to set and reset time and time again, and the WordLock gives you the unique opportunity to use a word you can remember instead of numbers. No need to worry about forgetting a number code; words are way easier! With over 10,000 different combinations, this is one of the easiest travel locks out there.

11. Retractable Cable Lock To Keep All Your Belongings Tied Together

Lewis N. Clark Cable Luggage Lock

Keep all of your bags and cases together with this rather smart lock and cable combination from the travel gurus at Lewis N. Clark. Made from tough steel, you can use this to keep your gear safe, while all being secured with 1 lock. The cable provided with this lock extends to 30 inches long.

Would-be intruders won’t be able to get access to your items, and you can choose a 3-digit combination code that only you need to know. The security lock is also designed to be easily accessible for TSA agents.

12. Practical Protection With the Heavy-Duty Lock

Calslock Portable Door & Travel Lock

It’s not just keeping your luggage safe while you travel that is important to you, it’s also knowing that you will be safe when you reach your destination. This portable door lock can be used on almost all internal doors that open towards the area you want to secure.

The unique “squeeze and slide” design can be installed in seconds to offer additional protection from any unwanted visitors entering your room. This intelligent device is perfect for doors that do not lock or to add an extra layer of security to those that do. Stay safe anywhere in the world with your very own portable door lock.

2. The Ultimate Luggage Protection Solution

Pacsafe 55L Backpack and Bag Protector

Featuring a unique patented stainless steel eXomesh locking system, the Pacsafe bag protector will keep your contents incredibly safe. With a 55-liter capacity, this stainless steel bag protector wraps and locks 360 degrees around your backpack, duffel bag, or suitcase.

Prevent any unwanted opening with this unique steel mesh system that offers a protective and lockable netting for your luggage. Lightweight and easy to use, the bag protector can be attached to any fixture, allowing you to leave your luggage safe while you explore. Slash-proof and super tough, this is a great addition to your travel security solutions for your next adventure.

Final Thoughts

No matter what your budget is, where you are heading, or how much you are taking with you, there will be a luggage lock to suit your requirements. Just remember, always buy a TSA-approved luggage lock, and don’t forget that combination code!

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• The Best Checked Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
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• The Best Travel Duffle Bags on the Market