Best Luggage Locks in 2026: TSA-Approved Picks
Best TSA-approved luggage locks for 2026. Combination and cable locks from Travelon, Master Lock, Forge TSA, and Anvil — tested and reviewed.
A luggage lock is one of those small purchases that you either have or you wish you'd bought before a bag got rifled through at an airport. TSA-approved locks are essential for any bag checked through US airports — customs agents are authorised to cut non-TSA locks rather than bother with combinations. The good news is that decent luggage locks cost very little.
This guide covers combination locks and cable locks that balance genuine security with travel convenience.
What to look for
TSA approval: In the US, TSA agents use master keys to open approved locks rather than cutting them. Any lock you use on checked baggage travelling through the US must carry the TSA-recognised symbol — a red diamond or the words "Travel Sentry Approved" or "Safe Skies Approved." Using a non-TSA lock on checked bags to the US means you'll likely find it cut off on arrival.
Combination vs. keyed: Combination locks are almost always better for travel — you can't lose the key. Three-digit combinations offer 1,000 possibilities (adequate for luggage, not adequate for a safe). Four-digit combinations offer 10,000. Keyed locks add an extra layer of security but introduce key management risk.
Cable locks: A cable lock threads through multiple zippers and connects to a fixed point, making it harder to grab a bag and run while still allowing the bag to be opened for inspection. They're less about preventing a determined thief and more about slowing opportunist theft.
Shackle strength: The shackle — the metal loop that goes through the zipper pull — should be hardened steel. A thin shackle can be cut with bolt cutters in seconds. Look for shackles at least 4 mm in diameter.
Our top picks
1. Travelon Set of 2 TSA-Approved Combination Locks — Best overall
Type: Combination | Digits: 3 | TSA Approved: Yes | Shackle: 6 mm steel
Travelon's TSA combination locks are the most popular luggage locks on the market for good reason: they're reliable, reasonably priced when bought in a pair, and the 6 mm hardened steel shackle is thicker than most competitors in the price range. The combination resets easily using the reset tool built into the lock body.
The compact size fits most zipper pulls, including the double-slider zippers on soft-side luggage where the zipper pulls are close together. The lock body is zinc alloy — solid enough to resist casual prying. These are workhorses: not the most pick-resistant locks in the world, but adequate for luggage security where you're protecting against opportunity theft, not professional thieves.
Pros:
- Sold as a pair — good value
- 6 mm shackle thicker than price-point competitors
- Easy combination reset without separate tools
- Compact size fits tight zipper configurations
Cons:
- 3-digit combination (1,000 combinations) — sufficient but not impressive
- Zinc alloy body lighter than hardened steel alternatives
- Not suitable for securing valuables beyond luggage
2. Master Lock 4696D — Best padlock build quality
Type: Combination | Digits: 4 | TSA Approved: Yes | Shackle: 5.5 mm steel
Master Lock's TSA range uses the same build quality that made them the default standard for US school lockers for decades. The 4696D uses a four-digit combination — 10,000 possibilities — and the directional combination entry (enter the combination using up/down/left/right inputs rather than a numbered dial) makes it harder to observe someone setting their combination.
The 5.5 mm hardened steel shackle is strong, and the lock body is solid steel rather than the zinc alloy used in most budget locks. The tradeoff is weight — this lock is noticeably heavier than plastic-body alternatives. That matters if you're counting grams against a 10 kg carry-on limit. For checked bags, the weight is irrelevant.
Pros:
- Four-digit combination — better security than 3-digit alternatives
- Directional combination entry harder to observe
- Solid steel body — more resistant to prying
- Master Lock's established reliability
Cons:
- Heavier than budget alternatives
- Pricier than basic combination locks
- Directional combination takes some adjustment
3. Forge TSA Lock — Best combination value
Type: Combination | Digits: 3 | TSA Approved: Yes | Shackle: 7 mm steel
Forge's TSA combination lock has the thickest shackle on this list at 7 mm hardened steel — meaningfully harder to cut than 5–6 mm alternatives. The rubberised body protects against impact damage and makes it easier to grip when your fingers are cold or wet. The combination is set using a flush-mounted reset button that's harder to accidentally trigger.
The price is competitive with Travelon's offering despite the thicker shackle. The three-digit combination is the same limitation as all budget locks, but if shackle strength matters most to you, Forge is the best value at this price point.
Pros:
- 7 mm hardened steel shackle — thickest on this list
- Rubberised body resists impact and is easier to grip
- Competitive pricing for shackle quality
Cons:
- 3-digit combination limits unique combinations to 1,000
- Larger lock body may not fit some tight zipper configurations
- Rubberised exterior can attract lint in bags
4. Anvil TSA 3-Dial Cable Lock — Best cable lock
Type: Cable combination | Digits: 3 | TSA Approved: Yes | Cable: 90 cm steel cable
A cable lock solves a problem padlocks don't: securing a bag that has more than two zipper pulls, or attaching your luggage to a fixed point while you sleep or step away briefly. Anvil's TSA cable lock uses a 90 cm retractable steel cable that threads through all your zipper pulls and either connects back to itself or loops around a bench, bunk rail, or luggage rack.
The cable is steel braid rather than PVC-coated thin wire — it requires bolt cutters to sever, which is more deterrent than most budget cable locks. The 3-dial TSA combination is the same as standard padlocks. The retractable mechanism keeps the cable from tangling in your bag.
Pros:
- Secures multiple zipper pulls simultaneously
- Can attach bag to a fixed point
- Retractable cable stays untangled in bag
- TSA-approved for US checked baggage
Cons:
- Cable can be cut with bolt cutters — not maximum security
- 3-digit combination only
- Not suitable as the sole lock on high-value checked bags
Buying guide
Do I need a TSA lock? If your bag ever travels as checked baggage through a US airport, yes. TSA agents are authorised to cut non-approved locks. Even if your final destination isn't the US, if you're connecting through a US hub — which covers a significant proportion of transatlantic routes — your checked bag may be screened.
How many locks do I need? Most suitcases have two zipper pulls on the main compartment — you need one lock to connect both pulls together. If your bag has a separate front pocket with its own zipper, a second lock covers that. One lock is usually sufficient for a standard carry-on.
What combination should I use? Avoid 000, 1234, and your birth year — these are tried first. Use a combination that means something to you but isn't obvious from your passport or ID.
Are luggage locks actually effective? They deter opportunity theft and keep casual inspection out. A determined thief with time can defeat any zipper lock with a pen (zipper pulls can be forced open and re-closed without the lock). For genuinely valuable items, don't put them in checked baggage.
Cable lock vs. padlock: Use both if possible — a padlock on your main zip and a cable lock threading through all other zippers gives the best coverage. If you choose one, padlocks are better for suitcases and cable locks are better for soft duffel bags and backpacks.
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