Travel Locks
Master Lock 4688D
TSA-approved, combination-based, and virtually impossible to shimmy open. The most secure budget travel lock we've tested.
The Master Lock 4688D is the best combination travel lock for most travelers. The TSA-approved design means agents can open it without cutting it, the directional combination is harder to crack than standard numeric locks, and the hardened steel shackle resists cutting.
What We Love
- TSA-approved (agents can open without cutting)
- Directional combination — harder to crack
- Hardened steel shackle resists cutting
- No key to lose
- Excellent value at $18
Watch Out For
- Directional combo takes practice to learn
- Not suitable for high-security applications
Travel locks serve two purposes: deterring opportunistic theft and satisfying airline requirements for checked baggage. The Master Lock 4688D does both better than most locks at twice the price.
The directional combination system is the key differentiator. Instead of a numeric dial that can be cracked by feel, the 4688D uses up/down/left/right directions — a combination that's significantly harder to decode through the shackle tension method used by lock pickers.
TSA approval is non-negotiable for checked baggage. TSA agents are authorized to cut non-approved locks if they need to inspect your bag. The 4688D has the TSA-recognized red diamond logo, meaning agents have a master key that opens it without damage.
For carry-on bags, any lock works since TSA can ask you to open it. But for checked bags, the TSA approval is essential. We've seen too many travelers return from trips to find their non-TSA locks cut off and their bags rifled through.
Specifications
- Type
- Combination (directional)
- TSA Approved
- Yes
- Shackle
- Hardened steel
- Shackle Diameter
- 5/16"
- Weight
- 2.4 oz
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