Carry-on only: bring several under 100 Wh; 100–160 Wh usually up to two with airline OK; none allowed in checked bags.
Travelers bring portable chargers to keep phones, cameras, and laptops alive. Airlines and regulators treat these chargers as spare lithium-ion batteries. That means the rules hinge on watt-hours (Wh), not brand names or “mAh” printed on the label. Here’s a clean, no-nonsense guide to how many you can bring, what sizes are allowed, and how to pack them so you breeze through the gate.
Quick Rules At A Glance
Small power banks under 100 Wh can ride in your cabin bag, and you can carry several for personal use. Larger packs between 100 and 160 Wh need airline approval, and most carriers cap those at two units per person. Checked bags are a no-go for any spare lithium-ion battery or power bank. That’s the core. The rest is fine print and smart packing.
Allowance By Size And Use Case (Fast Reference)
This first table compresses the rules most travelers need. The “Allowance” column reflects common airline practice under global guidance. Always check your carrier if you’re near a threshold.
| Battery Size | Typical Wh | Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Phone-size bank (10,000–15,000 mAh) | 37–55 Wh | Carry-on only; several for personal use |
| Tablet-size bank (20,000–27,000 mAh) | 74–100 Wh | Carry-on only; several for personal use |
| Large pack (28,000–43,000 mAh) | 104–160 Wh | Carry-on only; typically up to two with airline approval |
| Very large pack / power station | >160 Wh | Not permitted in passenger baggage |
| Installed laptop battery (inside device) | ~40–80 Wh | Cabin preferred; if checked, device must be fully off |
| Spare loose lithium-ion cell | Varies | Carry-on only; protect terminals |
How Many Power Banks Are Allowed In Carry-On? Practical Limits
For packs under 100 Wh, regulators and airlines point to a “personal use” standard. That means more than one is fine. The limit turns on reasonableness and safety, not a fixed number in most regions. Tech photographers might carry four or six small units; casual travelers often carry one or two. When you step up to 100–160 Wh, the cap is usually two pieces with airline approval. Anything larger stays home or ships as regulated cargo.
Watt-Hours Matter More Than mAh
Labels often show milliamp-hours (mAh), which vary with voltage. Airlines look at watt-hours. Use this quick formula to translate:
Wh = (mAh × 3.7) ÷ 1000
Example: a 20,000 mAh bank at 3.7 V is about 74 Wh. That sits under the 100 Wh line, so it’s fine in cabin baggage in multiple quantities for personal use. If your bank lists Wh directly, even better. When the label shows only mAh at multiple voltages (for USB-C PD banks), use the nominal 3.7 V cell rating, not the 5 V output level.
Packing Rules That Keep You Moving
- Carry-on only. Put power banks and spare cells in your cabin bag or personal item.
- Protect terminals. Keep each unit in a sleeve or a separate pocket so nothing bridges the contacts.
- Hit the switch. Use the bank’s lock or power button. If it has a display, power it down before boarding.
- No taped buttons on smart banks. Use the bank’s built-in lock instead of tape on touch buttons.
- Watch inflight use rules. Some carriers want the bank visible when charging in your seat. If a flight attendant asks you to unplug, do it.
Airline Approval: When You Need It And How To Ask
If your pack lands between 100 and 160 Wh, plan to ask your airline. Many carriers clear up to two of these per person. Send a short note with the brand, model, and the Wh rating printed on the label. Keep the reply on your phone in case a gate agent asks. Approval is per airline, not per airport, so confirm on each carrier in an itinerary.
Checked Bag Rules, Plain And Simple
Spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks can’t go in checked luggage. Flight crews need access to a battery if it smokes or vents, and that’s only possible in the cabin. If you planned to stash a bank in a suitcase, move it to your backpack instead. If your laptop must be checked, shut it down fully and pack it with care. Don’t send spare cells or banks downstairs under any circumstances.
Close Variation: How Many Power Banks Are Allowed In Carry-On? Nuanced Cases
Some edge cases prompt questions at security or the gate. Here’s how they usually play out.
Stacking Multiple Small Banks
Four or five small units under 100 Wh is normal for creators, photographers, or families sharing power. Pack them flat, separate from coins or cables that could snag buttons. Keep cables coiled and capped so nothing forms a loop that could short a port.
Combo Banks With Built-In Cables Or AC Outlets
Combo designs are fine when the Wh rating stays under 100. Units with AC outlets are often larger, so check the label. If that number is 100–160 Wh, ask your airline and expect a two-unit cap.
Smart Luggage With Removable Banks
Leave the bank removable. Pull it before check-in if the suitcase goes in the hold. Carry the bank in your cabin bag.
Safety Signals That Agents Respect
- Printed Wh label. A clear watt-hour label speeds screening.
- Intact casing. No swelling, cracks, loose ports, or burnt smells.
- Original packaging for spares. Small cells ride safely in retail trays or plastic sleeves.
- Visible status. If you charge during the flight, keep the bank out where crew can see it.
Realistic Packing Scenarios
Weekend City Break
Two compact banks in the 10,000–12,000 mAh range cover a phone and earbuds. Both sit under 50 Wh, so quantity isn’t the issue. Keep one in a jacket pocket and one in a tech pouch.
Work Trip With Laptop
One 20,000 mAh USB-C bank for the phone and a 26,800 mAh bank for the laptop puts you near 100 Wh each. Both are fine in the cabin. If you add a third for a tablet, that’s still in bounds for personal use.
Adventure Shoot
Creators might carry six slim banks around 10,000 mAh for cameras, mics, and lights. Pack them in separate mesh sleeves with labels showing Wh. That looks organized and safe at inspection.
Where The Rules Come From
Air travel safety rules align across agencies and industry bodies. In the United States, the aviation authority details carry-on rules for lithium batteries and sets the 100 Wh baseline with a two-piece cap for 100–160 Wh spares. Internationally, the airline trade body publishes passenger guidance that matches those watt-hour thresholds. If you want the source language, read the FAA PackSafe battery rules and the IATA lithium battery fact sheet.
Label Check: Find Or Calculate Wh In Seconds
Look for a line that reads “Rated energy: 74 Wh” or similar. If you only see capacity, grab the nearest mAh value and run the conversion with 3.7 V as the nominal cell voltage. Many PD banks print many voltage-amp combinations near the USB-C port. Ignore those output numbers for the Wh calculation. The airline cares about stored energy, not the boosted output.
Care And Handling On The Plane
- Keep it cool. Don’t wedge a charging bank under a pillow or coat.
- Use short cables. Short leads reduce snags and stress on ports.
- Stop if it acts odd. Hissing, heat, or a sweet solvent smell means unplug and call a crew member.
- Seat power first. If the seat outlet works, use that instead of your bank during takeoff and landing.
Regional Variations And Airline Quirks
The watt-hour thresholds are consistent across regions, yet small quirks appear. Some carriers ban using a power bank while it sits inside a bag during charging. Others ask that portable chargers stay visible when in use. If your airline publishes a notice about inflight battery use, follow it. None of those quirks change the carry-on rule or the 100/160 Wh thresholds; they just set how you use a bank during the flight.
Second Reference Table: Decisions By Scenario
Use this table late in planning when you want a single yes/no path for a given charger size or trip type.
| Scenario | Wh Rating | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Two small banks for phone + earbuds | <100 Wh each | Carry-on; pack both; no approval needed |
| One laptop bank, one camera bank | 80–100 Wh each | Carry-on; bring both; keep labels visible |
| One large AC bank | 100–160 Wh | Ask airline; cap is often two units |
| Portable power station | >160 Wh | Not allowed in baggage |
| Smart suitcase battery | Varies | Remove for check-in; carry the battery on |
| Loose lithium-ion cells | Any | Carry-on only; insulate terminals |
What Not To Pack
- Packs with no label. If the capacity isn’t printed anywhere, screening slows down and approval gets tougher.
- Damaged banks. Bloated case, dented shell, or loose ports are red flags.
- DIY cells taped together. Homemade packs and exposed battery holders get turned away.
- Anything over 160 Wh. That includes many small “power stations.”
Pre-Flight Checklist You Can Follow
- Read the label and confirm the Wh rating.
- Count units: under 100 Wh is flexible; 100–160 Wh tops out at two with approval.
- Pack in cabin bags, each in a pocket or sleeve.
- Carry airline approval if a unit sits between 100 and 160 Wh.
- Keep banks visible if you charge during the flight.
Why These Limits Exist
Lithium-ion cells can enter thermal runaway if crushed, shorted, or defective. In the cabin, crew can reach a smoking pack fast with water or a containment bag. In the hold, response is slower and risk is higher. The watt-hour lines balance utility with safety: small banks serve normal travel needs; mid-size banks are allowed in limited numbers; very large banks shift to cargo rules with special handling.
Final Takeaway
Stay under 100 Wh for easy travel with multiple power banks in carry-on. If you need something bigger, limit yourself to two units in the 100–160 Wh range and ask your airline before you fly. Keep everything in the cabin, protect terminals, and follow crew instructions during charging. Do that, and you’ll keep your gear powered without hiccups at security or the gate.