Master Lock TSA 4688EC
Master Lock
A set-your-own combination padlock from the best-known lock brand in America, accepted by TSA screeners and priced like a coffee. The Master Lock 4688 TSA lock is the no-drama answer for a zippered suitcase.
About $7
See price on Amazon- ✓ Checkout and returns handled by Amazon
- ✓ Estimated price as of 2026-10-05
- ✓ ASIN B000WO84Z2
Specifications
- Shackle diameter
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- Body color options
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- Pack count
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- Exact 4688 variant
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Pros
- Brand reputation at an impulse-buy price
- No key to lose; code is easy to set
- Works on lockers as well as luggage
Cons
- Rigid shackle may not fit small zipper pulls
- Deters casual tampering only; a soft bag stays vulnerable
Ideal for
Best for
Any traveler checking a zippered suitcase who wants a known brand and zero fuss
Skip it if
Suitcases with tiny zipper pulls, or anyone expecting real theft protection
Why we recommend it
Choose the Master Lock for a brand-name padlock at the lowest price; the XOOL and Forge cables fit more zipper pulls, and the Talonport removes the combination entirely.
Last updated: 2026-10-10
Why it is our Best Overall
Travelers who want to stop overthinking luggage security are the people the Master Lock 4688 TSA lock suits best. It is for anyone with a zippered suitcase, a locker at a hostel or a duffel going into a bus hold, who wants a lock that works, costs very little and comes from a brand they already recognize from the hardware store.
We made it our Best Overall because this purchase does not need to be complicated, and the Master Lock 4688 TSA lock respects that. It uses a set-your-own three-digit combination, so there is no key to lose at a beach. It carries the Travel Sentry mark, which means screeners can open and relock it rather than cutting it off. The editors behind our source list reached the same verdict: cheap, simple, known brand, done.
On a trip you set the code at home, thread the shackle through both zipper pulls on the checked bag and forget about it until the carousel. If TSA inspects the bag, they open it with their master key and you find a notice inside. At a hostel the same lock secures a locker, and on a train it keeps a daypack zipper from drifting open. The colored body versions make your bag easy to identify on the belt.
The drawback is the one shared by every small luggage lock: it discourages casual tampering and keeps zippers closed, but it does not make a soft suitcase secure against anyone with a pen and a few seconds. The rigid shackle also needs zipper pulls with holes big enough to accept it. Skip it if your pulls are tiny or you want to lace two bags together; choose it if you want the simplest reliable lock from a name you trust.
Compare with the other travel locks picks
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what travelers ask most about master lock tsa 4688ec.
How do I set the combination on the Master Lock 4688 TSA lock?
The lock ships with a default code and a reset procedure that involves opening the shackle, rotating it, pressing it down and dialing your new code. The exact steps are printed on the packaging and shown on the Amazon listing, so follow those for the current version.
Will TSA cut this lock off my bag?
It carries the Travel Sentry mark, so screeners are supposed to open it with a master key and relock it after inspection. Locks do occasionally get damaged or left open, which is a known risk of any TSA lock, not a defect of this one.
Does it fit through the zipper pulls on hard-shell luggage?
Most hard-shell suitcases with external zipper pulls have holes that accept a small shackle, but some use narrow slots. Measure your pull openings and compare them with the shackle diameter on the Amazon listing, or consider a cable lock if they are tiny.
Master Lock TSA 4688EC
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