With the rise of e-commerce businesses, having a reliable postal scale is essential. Your customers expect accurate shipping charges and timely delivery, so you must always weigh your orders. But with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to figure out which is best for your needs. To save time and money finding the best postal scale for your business, we’ve rounded up the best postal scales for shipping orders. Read on to learn more!
Why Is a Postal Scale Important?
When running an e-commerce business, shipping orders is critical to your operation. And a postal scale is one of the essential tools you need for shipping.
A postal scale ensures the correct measurement of a package’s weight so you can calculate the exact shipping costs. This is important because if your packages are underweight, you may overpay for shipping. And if they’re overweight, you could be charged additional fees by the carrier.
In addition to accuracy, an excellent postal scale should also be durable and easy to use. Look for a scale that’s made from high-quality materials and that has a large, easy-to-read display. You should also consider features like automatic shut-off and tare weight function.
Finding one that meets your needs is essential when choosing a postal scale. But with so many different models on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best postal scales on the market today.
We put together our guide for what we think are the best shipping software platforms you should be looking at for your business in 2023. Check them out.
Our Picks for Best Postal Scales
Choosing the best postal scale for your shipping needs can be daunting. There are so many options on the market, and it can be hard to know which is correct. Shipping weights can vary greatly, depending on the item or items being shipped, so choosing an accurate postal scale that can accommodate various weights is essential.
We’ve compiled a list of the best postal scales on the market to help make your decision easier. All postal scales on our list are highly accurate, durable, and easy to use. Each scale on this list covers a separate market segment; we wouldn’t recommend a 600-lb capacity scale for packages under 1 LB, for example.
We’ve got some notes to share on each scale on this list, including things we liked and didn’t like and who we think these scales are best suited for.
Editorial Independence Rocks!
The Seller Journal prides itself on remaining editorially independent. Product manufacturers cannot influence the outcome of a review nor do we accept compensation for a review. The manufacturers also had no input or gave no direction for this review. Learn more about how we approach product reviews in general.
Like the Rollo shipping scale, the Smart Weigh ACE200 fits into a class of separate display units for weighing more oversized items. The ACE200 features a large 10.6" square plate and feels incredibly sturdy when measuring the downward force of large boxes. "Like the Rollo shipping scale, the Smart Weigh ACE200 fits into a class of separate display units for weighing larger items. The ACE200 features a large 10.6" square plate and feels incredibly sturdy when measuring the downward gravitational force of large boxes.
The display cord is longer than the Rollo, likely out of necessity, given its appYou'llon as a large-shipment scale, but it can still pack up into a small footprint should you need to take it with you.
I've used the ACE200 for several years when weighing large shipments and have never found its measurements off. It's not as precise as a smaller scale, but for large shipments, the most precision that'll be helpful is at the one-pound mark anyway, and the ACE200 is plenty good at that level.
Priced competitively with others, the Rollo Shipping Scale is a no-frills scale featuring a separate display–great for weighing oversized or bulky packages–and a good-sized plate.
At 8x8", it's not the largest of all the scales tested in this article, but for its weight limit, I'm not sure that matters. Before I purchased this scale, I used the Smart Weigh ACE200 (featured next), and the Rollo scale felt very familiar and worked like I expected a scale of this type to work.
The precision is good enough to support small-weighing items like envelopes and light packages (less than one pound with fractional-ounce precision). I had no trouble getting an accurate weight on heavy boxes, either.
If you're looking for a single scale to cover the entire range of shipment needs, the Rollo Shipping Scale is my first recommendation.
If you're on a budget but need to weigh things, the Amazon Basics SF-550 scale is about as good as money can buy when you only have a little money.
The 8.1" x 6.4" plate and display are a single unit, with the display sitting up front and pointed upward. Large, bulky items won't do well here, given its 65-pound weight limit and display positioned so close to the plate.
However, the Amazon Basics scale will do great mailing small packages and envelopes with its sub-ounce precision and segmented output. Toss this scale in the drawer when you're done, and be ready for next time with the optional 2x AA battery support.
If you're on a budget but need to weigh things, the Amazon Basics SF-550 scale is about as good as money can buy when you only have a little money.
The 8.1" x 6.4" plate and display are a single unit, with the display sitting up front and pointed upward. Large, bulky items won't do well here, given its 65-pound weight limit and display positioned so close to the plate.
However, the Amazon Basics scale will do great mailing small packages and envelopes with its sub-ounce precision and segmented output. Toss this scale in the drawer when you're done, and be ready for next time with the optional 2x AA battery support.
The Dymo M25 is the lowest max-weight scale of the group at just 25 lbs, but that's likely on purpose. The M25 is designed to weigh small packages and envelopes (mostly envelopes) on a desk and pass the exact weight measurement to shipping or postage software on a computer.
The display and controls are placed on the front of the unit, just below and at an angle to the plate, allowing a small and contained form factor to fit right in on any crowded workspace.
With its computer connection, its only power source(s) are said USB connection or three AAA batteries. While you don't need to use the M25 with a computer, not doing so removes most of what makes it unique, and there are other scales of this size and form factor for less money.
Looking for a change when it comes to who your business banks with? Check out our review of NorthOne, a great mobile-first, small-business-friendly business banking solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of common questions about postal scales and answered them below.
How accurate are postal scales?
The accuracy of a postal scale depends on two major factors: its maximum weight and price point. More minor scales tend to be more accurate because the measurement electronics don’t have as much of a weight range to detect. In contrast, scales supporting hundreds of pounds cannot see sub-ounce weight changes unless you’re willing to pay a hefty sum.
For example, for shipping, anything below 1 LB should be measured to the ounce as accurately as possible, but anything above 1 LB won’t benefit from being weighed in as 1 LB 4 oz and 1 LB 4.1 oz. Shipping carriers require weights to be rounded up to the next unit (ounces if under one pound or pounds if over one pound).
The same rules generally apply to metric weights, too.
What features should I look for on a postal scale?
The most important thing to consider when looking for a postal scale is its accuracy. You want a scale that will give you an accurate weight for your packages to ensure you’re not over or under-charging your customers.
Other things to look for on a postal scale include:
Ease of use: An excellent postal scale should be easy to use to weigh your packages without hassle.
Portability: If you ship orders from different locations or take your business to trade shows or other events, you’ll want an easy transport postal scale. Look for a compact design and a carrying case.
Connectivity: Some postal scales can connect to your computer or other devices via USB or Bluetooth, which can be handy for printing shipping labels directly from your scale.
Capacity: Depending on your shipping needs, you may need a scale that can handle heavier packages. Look for a model with a higher capacity if required.
Durability: Ensure your postal scale is up to the task and won’t break down after only a few uses. Make sure the one you choose is well-constructed and built to last.
Wrap Up
If you’re looking for a postal scale to help with your shipping orders, there are a few things to remember. First, consider the capacity of the scale. You’ll want to ensure it can handle your package’s weight. Second, think about the accuracy of the scale. You’ll want to choose a scale that can give accurate measurements to ensure your packages are correctly weighed. Lastly, consider the price of the scale. There are a variety of postal scales on the market, so be sure to find one that fits your budget. With these things in mind, you can find the best postal scale for your needs.
1 These scales are not commercial-grade, certified scales; their precision is limited to the displayed precision, which we’re going off of in this article.
We ensure our product and service reviews remain unbiased through a set of rules and guidelines we follow. We paid for many of the products we’ve reviewed. We may earn commission through affiliate links in these reviews, which helps fund our independent testing efforts. Learn more about our review guidelines and affiliate link policies. As an Amazon Associate, The Seller Journal earns from qualifying purchases.
