13 Must-have Anti-theft Luggage Travel Essentials

There’s no worse feeling than anxiously waiting to be reunited with your luggage. Watching the carousel go round and round and standing patiently as other people pull their luggage from the lineup with no evidence of your bag in sight is pure torture. This anxiety can be even worse if, like me, your checked suitcase has been stolen before.

How did it happen, you may ask? I was forced to take a bus from New York City to my hometown in Maine for Thanksgiving due to sky-high airfare. I put my small suitcase in the luggage compartment below the bus and popped my headphones on to distract myself from the long ride. When I finally got off the bus in Portland, my black suitcase was missing—and a beat-up lookalike was in its place. The inside of the bag was filled with trash, signaling that a thief must have left this behind and taken my bag on purpose at another stop. The bus company had no way of pinning down when the suitcase had been taken or where it ended up, so I was left with a measly $80 voucher for my troubles and a whole wardrobe, toiletry bag, and suitcase to replace.

Now, I can’t shake the stress about my suitcase’s whereabouts, no matter how many flights, trains, and buses I take—and as a travel writer, I definitely get my reps in. To help ease my mind and keep my belongings secure, I’ve picked up a handful of anti-theft products and luggage safety tips over the years. Keep reading for the 13 essentials I recommend scooping up in order to keep your luggage safe, including Apple AirTags, vibrant Béis luggage, and more, from $11.

Best Overall Anti-theft Luggage Essentials

Apple AirTag

There’s a reason why Apple AirTags are one of the most tried-and-true way to track luggage. Since the product launched in 2021, AirTags have been my go-to keep track of anything I deem important, especially my carry-on suitcases and other pieces of luggage. Once the device is linked to an iPhone, it’s easy to see where it is on a map. In the event your luggage gets lost, you can make the device play a sound to help locate it and report to your airline that your lost bag has an AirTag in it, as many airlines now allow you to share your AirTag’s location with their team to help reunite you with your luggage. 

Sure Lock Luggage Locks 2-pack

Before I upgraded to a suitcase with a built-in lock, this TSA-approved luggage lock from Sure Lock was my secret weapon. If someone is hoping to walk away with a new bag full of stuff, they’ll need to be able to quickly and easily get to the goods inside—therefore, a simple luggage lock with a three-digit code may be enough to ward off potential theft.

July CaseSafe Checked Luggage

As someone who loves to track their suitcase’s every move, I was stoked when July launched a first-of-its-kind suitcase with built-in tracking capabilities earlier this year. Multiple sizes and colors of the trendy luggage now come with CaseSafe technology, which seamlessly integrates with Apple’s FindMy network and Android’s Find Hub so that you can see your suitcase’s location right from your phone. I especially love that I don’t have to worry about packing my tracking device anymore, and that the suitcases are available in stand-out colors (I opted for Moss Green).

State Bags Squiggly Luggage Tag

If you don’t want to fully commit to an eye-catching suitcase, you can pick up a luggage tag that stands out. This fun luggage accessory from State Bags will help you and baggage handlers differentiate your bag from others. Just don’t forget to actually fill out the contact information card in the tag—it could be useful if someone picks up your bag by mistake.

Hyper Venture Washable Luggage Cover

If you’ve already invested in a high-quality suitcase in a neutral, common color, luggage covers are another way to make your bag look unique. This option from Hyper Venture is inexpensive and comes in many eye-catching colors, prints, and patterns; plus, it’ll protect your new suitcase from getting any scratches or dents.

Herschel Supply Co. Luggage Belt

While luggage belts are mainly designed to keep your suitcase intact in the event of a broken zipper, they can also help distinguish your luggage from others. Strap this Herschel Supply Co. luggage belt—which is labeled with unmistakable “Hello” lettering in multiple different languages—around your case and rest easy knowing the contents of your bag are secured in multiple ways.

Béis The Carry-on Roller

When luggage ends up in the wrong hands, most of the time it’s not malicious. In a sea of black roller bags, it’s easy to pick up a lookalike that’s not actually yours. That’s why I recommend opting for brightly-colored pieces of luggage, like this vibrant pink carry-on from Béis. The benefits are two-fold: A signature, unusual color helps ensure others don’t mistake your belongings for theirs, plus you’ll instantly recognize your bag if someone else walks off with it or if it gets unexpectedly checked at the gate.

Vantamo Zipper Clips 4-pack

These inexpensive Vantamo zipper clips are often advertised as pickpocket deterrents, but they can save your luggage from being stolen, too. Since the suitcase won’t be as easy to zip open, thieves will have a harder time seeing whether or not your belongings are valuable; this alone could prevent your bag from becoming a target.

SaharaCase Silicone AirTag Mount 4-pack

There’s a lot that goes into packing for a trip. Even if you make a list and plan ahead, you might still leave behind crucial items, and there’s nothing more devastating than pulling into the airport and getting a notification that your AirTag is no longer with you. These silicone SaharaCase mounts can stick your AirTag to any surface, ensuring it won’t get left behind. Simply tuck your AirTag into the silicone pouch and stick the case to the inside of your suitcase—you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to pop the tracking device into your bag ever again.

Maison de Sabré The Sabremoji Fruit Charm

This Maison de Sabré bag charm also solves the problem of forgetting your AirTag at home, while adding a bit of style to your suitcase. The brand’s line of fruit-themed AirTag pouches provides a discreet way to attach the device to the outside of your suitcase. While I wouldn’t recommend strapping an AirTag to the outside of your luggage—thieves could easily remove the tag and take off with your things—this AirTag holder just looks like a regular keychain, so it’ll remain under the radar and also help differentiate your bag at the carousel.

MyCharge RetractaCharger

I’ve been known to obsessively check my baggage tracking app when traveling, so I always have to make sure my phone is charged. Carrying this MyCharge RetractaCharger, which has a wall plug and a built-in USB-C cable, means I’ll always have the juice to find my bag. From looking out for the notification from Delta that my luggage has been loaded on the plane to keeping an eye on FindMy at baggage claim, this portable charger is an indispensable travel essential.

Master Lock Portable Small Lockbox

Another item that can keep high-value items extra safe is a portable small lockbox. This Master Lock portable lockbox safely stores your credit cards, jewelry, and other small valuables. Should anyone break into your suitcase to see what’s inside, they’ll have to go through an additional layer of security in order to access the most coveted pieces.

Baggu Packing Cube Set

When my luggage was stolen, I was grateful that I had my toiletries and electronics in my carry-on bag—but I was out of luck when it came to my travel clothes. While I hope this scenario never happens to me again, I now prepare ahead of time just in case it does by packing an outfit inside of the bag that I’ll keep with me. That space is often limited, so I like to use packing cubes (this option from Baggu comes in so many fun patterns). I’ll stock one or two cubes up with a few clothing essentials and put them in my carry-on just in case something goes awry.

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