Yes, power banks go in cabin baggage; not in checked bags, and up to 100 Wh is standard—101–160 Wh usually needs airline approval.
Portable chargers use lithium cells, so airlines and regulators treat them as a special item. The short version: keep them in your hand luggage, protect the terminals, and respect capacity limits. The guide below lays out the exact rules, simple packing steps, and an easy way to read watt-hours so you can fly without last-minute hassles.
Keeping A Power Bank In Hand Luggage: The Rules
This section shows the common limits passengers face worldwide. The specifics come from international guidance and national screening agencies. If you’re close to a limit, check your carrier’s page before you head to the airport.
| Item | Carry-On (Hand Luggage) | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Portable charger ≤ 100 Wh | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Portable charger 101–160 Wh (spare) | Usually allowed with airline approval; max two | Not allowed |
| Portable charger > 160 Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Device with lithium battery ≤ 100 Wh (phone, tablet, laptop) | Allowed; keep with you | Allowed if fully powered off |
| Device with lithium battery 101–160 Wh (some pro laptops) | Allowed; airline approval may apply | Allowed with strict conditions; approval may apply |
| Loose lithium metal cells (non-rechargeable) ≤ 2 g lithium | Allowed; protect terminals | Not allowed |
Why These Limits Exist
Lithium cells can overheat if damaged or shorted. In the cabin, crew can spot smoke quickly and use fire kits. In the hold, detection and access are harder, so loose batteries are kept out. Keeping portable chargers with you reduces risk and speeds response if anything goes wrong.
Where The Rules Come From
Airlines align with international guidance that classifies portable chargers as “spare batteries” that belong in the cabin only. In the United States, screening advice sets a 100 Wh baseline for spares and a 101–160 Wh path that needs airline permission. You’ll find links to both sources in the next section so you can read the language yourself.
Official References You Can Trust
Industry guidance spells out that portable chargers count as spare batteries and stay in hand luggage: see the IATA lithium battery guidance. U.S. screening rules detail the 100 Wh baseline and the 101–160 Wh path with airline approval: see the TSA’s page on lithium batteries over 100 Wh.
How To Read Watt-Hours (Wh)
Capacity is measured in watt-hours. If your pack lists only milliamp-hours (mAh) and volts (V), convert it with a quick formula: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. A 20,000 mAh unit at 3.7 V equals 74 Wh. That sits under the common 100 Wh threshold for spares, so it’s fine for carry-on in most regions.
Hand Luggage Packing Checklist
Use these steps so screening stays smooth and your gear stays safe.
Prep The Battery
- Check the label for Wh or mAh and volts. If unlabeled, don’t travel with it.
- Inspect the shell and ports. Skip any unit that’s swollen, cracked, or wet.
- Charge to a moderate level. Half to three-quarters is a sensible range.
Prevent Short Circuits
- Use the original sleeve or a small pouch.
- Cover exposed terminals with caps or tape if your model has them.
- Pack cables separately so metal plugs can’t press the power button.
At Security And On Board
- Keep portable chargers and spare cells in your personal item’s top pocket.
- Remove large units for screening when asked.
- Many airlines now limit in-flight use of third-party packs; follow crew instructions.
Carry-On Question, Answered With Nuance
Hand luggage is the right place for portable chargers. That said, size matters. Up to 100 Wh usually needs no special steps beyond packing well. Between 101 and 160 Wh, contact your airline early and expect a two-spare limit. Anything larger sits outside regular passenger limits.
Approved Capacity Examples
Use these quick conversions to judge your pack. Values assume the common 3.7 V nominal cell voltage.
- 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh — fine for carry-on.
- 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh — fine for carry-on.
- 26,800 mAh ≈ 99 Wh — popular “maximum” size for easy approval.
- 32,000 mAh ≈ 118 Wh — likely needs airline permission and counts toward the two-spare cap.
- 50,000 mAh (at 3.7 V) ≈ 185 Wh — beyond the passenger limit.
Regional And Airline Nuances
Rules share a common core worldwide, yet small differences appear. Some carriers ask you not to use third-party packs in flight even when you can bring them. Others cap the number of spares below the general ceiling. If your itinerary crosses regions, read the operator’s battery page and keep emails that confirm approval for larger packs.
What To Do If Your Pack Is Over 100 Wh
Step 1: Confirm The Rating
Look for a printed Wh number. If the label only shows mAh and volts, run the conversion. If your math lands above 100 Wh, you’re in the approval zone.
Step 2: Ask Your Airline
Send the make, model, and Wh rating to your airline. Also state how many spares you plan to carry. Many carriers allow up to two between 101 and 160 Wh for personal use.
Step 3: Pack To Standard
Place each unit in a pouch, protect buttons and terminals, and keep them in your personal item. Be ready to show the label at security if requested.
How Many Portable Chargers Can You Carry?
The general ceiling is generous. Some carriers publish a cap of twenty spares total per person for personal use, but only two may sit in the 101–160 Wh band. Most travelers never reach those numbers. If you carry many small cells for cameras or mics, split them into separate sleeves so they’re protected.
Using A Power Bank During Flight
Several carriers now limit the use of third-party packs while airborne, even when you’re allowed to bring them. Cabin USB ports are common on newer aircraft, and many airlines prefer you use those. If crew ask you to unplug a portable charger, switch to the seat port and stow the pack.
Simple Safety Habits That Matter
Buy Quality
Pick a pack with a clear label, a reputable cell supplier, and basic protections such as over-charge and short-circuit safeguards. Cheap, unlabeled units pose the highest risk.
Store Smart
Keep packs away from sharp objects and heavy pressure. Don’t wedge them at the bottom of a crammed backpack where they can bend.
Watch For Trouble
If you smell sweet solvent, see swelling, or feel unusual heat, stop using the unit. Hand it to crew if an issue starts on board.
Capacity Planner: From Specs To Action
Match your label to the action column so there’s no guesswork at the airport.
| Wh Range | What You Can Pack | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh | Carry-on spares and devices | Pack in sleeves; no approval needed |
| 101–160 Wh | Up to two spares | Ask airline for written approval; keep with you |
| > 160 Wh | Not for regular passenger bags | Ship as cargo with a specialist or leave at home |
Frequently Missed Details
Power Banks Count As Spares
A pack whose only job is to charge a phone or laptop counts as a spare battery. That’s why it stays in the cabin and never in the hold.
Terminal Protection Isn’t Optional
Use tape caps or sleeves so metal can’t bridge contacts. This tiny step prevents shorts that start most incidents.
Turn Devices Fully Off If They Go In The Hold
If you check a laptop or camera, power it down completely. Sleep modes can wake and warm the pack. A full shutdown keeps it cool.
Handy Math: Convert mAh To Wh
Here’s the easy formula again. Multiply amp-hours by volts: Wh = Ah × V. Move the decimal if your label shows mAh. As a check, 26,800 mAh at 3.7 V is just under 100 Wh, which is the sweet spot many travelers choose.
Common Mistakes That Delay Screening
- Traveling with an unlabeled pack. If the Wh number isn’t printed, you may be turned away.
- Letting cables wrap tightly around the unit. That can press the button and warm the cells.
- Dropping a pack loose into a stuffed tote. Pressure and sharp items can crack the shell.
- Assuming checked baggage is fine. Loose spares belong in the cabin only.
- Ignoring airline approval. Larger spares often need a quick email ahead of time.
Pre-Trip Checklist You Can Print
- Label shows Wh or mAh and volts.
- Shell and ports look clean; no swelling or dents.
- Each unit has a sleeve or pouch.
- Cables packed separately.
- Larger packs cleared with airline if between 101 and 160 Wh (max two).
- No loose cells in checked bags.
Bottom Line For Travelers
Keep portable chargers with you, protect terminals, and stick to the Wh bands shown here. If your pack sits under 100 Wh, you’re set. Between 101 and 160 Wh, get written permission and bring no more than two. Bigger units don’t travel in regular passenger baggage. Follow these steps and you’ll breeze through screening with power to spare.