Cheap peace of mind.
If your suitcase has zippers and no built-in lock, this page is for you. The best TSA approved luggage locks are inexpensive, simple and recognizable to security screeners, who can open them with a master key instead of cutting them off.
Part of: How to Protect Your Passport
We picked four that cover the ways people buy them. The Master Lock TSA 4688EC is our Best Overall because it is cheap, simple and comes from a lock brand everyone knows. The XOOL TSA Cable Locks 2-Pack is the Best Value for anyone locking two bags, with flexible cables that fit awkward zipper pulls. The Talonport Keyless TSA 4-Pack is the Trending pick for people who are tired of forgetting combinations, and the Forge TSA Cable Locks 2-Pack is the Premium choice for a sturdier, better-finished cable lock. Before buying, check one thing: whether your zipper pulls have holes large enough for a shackle, or whether a thin cable is the only thing that will thread through.
We compared every pick on lock style, cable or shackle, pack size, travel sentry accepted, how it opens and price tier, so you can choose in under two minutes.
Best for: Any traveler checking a zippered suitcase who wants a known brand and zero fuss
Best for: Couples and families checking multiple bags on vacation
Best for: Families and forgetful travelers who want zipper security without codes
Best for: Frequent flyers checking soft-sided bags who want locks that last
Who each pick is for, its main selling point, the reason you might skip it and the price.
| Pick | Product | Best for | Main selling point | Potential drawback | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Master Lock TSA 4688EC | Any traveler checking a zippered suitcase who wants a known brand and zero fuss | A set-your-own combination padlock from the best-known lock brand in America, accepted by TSA screeners and priced like a coffee. | Rigid shackle may not fit small zipper pulls | About $7 |
| Best Value | XOOL TSA Cable Locks 2-Pack | Couples and families checking multiple bags on vacation | Two combination cable locks for barely more than the price of one, with flexible steel cables that fit through tiny zipper pulls and around backpack straps. | Thin cable cuts more easily than a solid shackle | About $10 |
| Trending Now | Talonport Keyless TSA 4-Pack | Families and forgetful travelers who want zipper security without codes | Forget combinations and lost keys: the Talonport keyless TSA lock clips onto zipper pulls with no code at all, and only a TSA master key or a tool opens it. | Less resistant than a combination lock; deterrent only | About $30 |
| Go Premium | Forge TSA Cable Locks 2-Pack | Frequent flyers checking soft-sided bags who want locks that last | The better-built cable lock: Forge TSA cable locks pair a heavier alloy body and smooth dials with flexible cables, plus an indicator that shows if TSA opened the bag. | Costs more than other cable locks for similar function | About $95 |
Watch out: A small lock deters casual tampering; it does not make a suitcase impenetrable.
Straight answers to what travelers ask most about travel locks.
They stop zippers from being opened casually and keep a bag closed if it is dropped or jostled. A determined thief can still get into a soft-sided suitcase, so treat them as a deterrent for opportunistic tampering rather than real security for valuables.
Screeners open Travel Sentry locks with a master key, inspect the bag and usually relock it, leaving a notice inside. Non-TSA locks may be cut off. The system is a convenience, not a guarantee, so keep anything valuable in your carry-on instead.
Cable locks fit through small or oddly shaped zipper pulls and can also lace through two bags. Padlock-style locks with a rigid shackle feel sturdier but need pulls with proper holes. Check your suitcase's zipper pulls before choosing.