Yes, power banks go in carry-on; ≤100Wh have no set count, while 100–160Wh are usually limited to two with airline approval.
Here’s a clear, traveler-first guide to carrying portable chargers by air. You’ll see what capacity limits mean, how many units you can pack, where they must go, and easy steps to sail through screening. The guidance below reflects current aviation safety rules and the way airlines apply them on the ground.
Quick Rules You Can Act On
- Pack every portable charger in your cabin bag. No power bank in checked luggage—ever.
- Read the watt-hour (Wh) label. That number sets your allowance.
- Small units (up to 100Wh): carry in your hand luggage in any sensible number for personal use.
- Mid-size units (101–160Wh): bring at most two spares and get your airline’s nod before you fly.
- Large units (>160Wh): not allowed on passenger flights.
- Cover terminals or use a case. Keep each unit protected from short-circuit and damage.
Power Bank Rules At A Glance
| Capacity (Wh) | Where It Goes | How Many |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100Wh | Carry-on only | No set cap for personal use |
| 101–160Wh | Carry-on only | Up to two spares with airline approval |
| >160Wh | Not permitted | Zero |
Power banks count as spare lithium batteries. “Personal use” means they’re for you, not for sale or distribution.
How Many Power Banks Are Allowed In Cabin Bags?
The short take: small packs under 100Wh do not have a fixed federal cap, so a few everyday units in your backpack is fine. Pack only what a traveler would sensibly need for the trip. The next tier—101 to 160Wh—sits under a stricter rule: at most two spares, and you’ll need your airline’s go-ahead before travel. Bigger than that is off-limits on passenger flights.
Two sources set the tone here. The TSA page for power banks states that spare lithium batteries (including portable chargers) must ride in carry-on only. The FAA’s PackSafe page lays out the watt-hour ranges and quantity notes for spares and confirms the two-unit cap for the mid-size bracket. See the FAA’s chart on lithium batteries for the exact language.
Why Watt-Hours Matter
Watt-hours describe how much energy a battery stores. Airlines and regulators use Wh because it’s consistent across pack shapes and chemistries. Your charger’s label often lists both milliamp-hours (mAh) and voltage (V). If Wh is printed, you’re done. If not, convert mAh to Wh:
The Easy Formula
Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000
Most small packs use a 3.7V cell. So a 10,000mAh bank at 3.7V is 37Wh. Many retail boxes also print the USB-C output, but that output voltage doesn’t change the Wh of the cells inside.
Label Checks That Speed Up Screening
- Find “Rated capacity” or “Energy” on the case. If it lists 20,000mAh at 3.7V, that’s about 74Wh.
- Look for a clear Wh figure. If none, note mAh and V so you can explain the math if asked.
- Skip worn labels. If the print has rubbed off, add a small piece of tape with the Wh written on it based on the spec sheet.
Where To Pack Portable Chargers
Always in your carry-on. Cabin crews can respond fast if a battery vents, which is why spare lithium units stay in the cabin. Checked bags ride in a hold with no one watching; that’s the reason for the hard ban down below.
During the flight, many carriers prefer that a power bank sits out in the open when charging a phone or tablet, not buried in a seat pocket with fabric pressing on it. Some limit in-seat use entirely on certain routes. When in doubt, use the seat power outlet.
Airline Approval For 101–160Wh Packs
If your pack falls in this middle range, contact your airline before you book or soon after. Give them the Wh rating and whether the units are spares. Expect a cap of two spares per person and a carry-on-only rule. Keep the approval note handy at the airport.
What Counts As A “Spare”
A power bank is treated as a spare because its sole job is to power other devices. That puts it in the same bucket as loose camera batteries. A battery installed inside a laptop or camera body is not a spare; those can ride in the cabin and, in some cases, inside checked luggage when fully powered off. Portable chargers do not get that checked-bag carve-out.
Typical Allowances By Trip Type
Rules feel simpler once you tie them to real packing choices. Here are common setups many flyers carry and how they map to the limits:
- Daily carry setup: two slim 10,000mAh packs (about 37Wh each) in your backpack. This stays under 100Wh per unit and poses no quantity issue.
- Content creator kit: one 26,800mAh bank (about 99Wh) plus two 10,000mAh backups. Still under 100Wh each.
- High-drain gear: one 140Wh power station module. That’s in the 101–160Wh bracket. Bring at most two spares and secure airline approval. These must stay in the cabin.
- Large power stations: anything over 160Wh is not permitted on passenger flights. Ship by ground or rent at destination.
Cable Management And Heat Control
Loose cables trap heat and snag on armrests. Bundle cords with a soft tie and give the pack space to breathe. If a bank feels hot, unplug it and set it on a hard surface. Do not wedge it under a pillow, jacket, or seat cushion.
How To Pack Safely
- Protect terminals. Use the pouch the bank shipped with or a small sleeve. Tape exposed leads on modular packs.
- Prevent pressure. Place chargers near the top of your bag, not deep under books or shoes.
- Use the native cable. Mismatched leads can draw more current than a cell likes.
- Watch the charge cycle. Stop charging if the unit swells, clicks, or smells odd. Alert the crew if you see smoke.
- Keep them with you. If a gate agent moves your carry-on to the hold, remove every power bank first.
International Trips And Airline Variations
Global carriers work from the same safety playbook on capacity bands and cabin-only rules. Screening lines can still feel different by airport. Some carriers also limit in-seat use even when carrying the pack is fine. Plan around that by charging before boarding and by using seat power where offered. If a policy page mentions “operator approval,” that points to the same mid-range 101–160Wh bracket. Bring model numbers and Wh ratings to speed that sign-off.
mAh To Wh: Handy Examples
Not every package prints Wh. Use these quick conversions based on a 3.7V cell. If your label shows a different voltage, plug that into the same formula.
| Rated mAh | Assumed Voltage | Energy (Wh) |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000mAh | 3.7V | 18.5Wh |
| 10,000mAh | 3.7V | 37Wh |
| 20,000mAh | 3.7V | 74Wh |
| 26,800mAh | 3.7V | 99Wh |
| 35,000mAh | 3.7V | 129.5Wh |
| 50,000mAh | 3.7V | 185Wh |
These figures help you spot which bucket a pack falls into before you buy or fly.
What Screeners And Crew Want To See
- Clear labels. A printed Wh or mAh rating on the case.
- Good condition. No dents, swelling, or loose shells.
- Safe handling. Terminals covered, no loose coins or keys nearby.
- Calm answers. If asked, explain Wh, where it sits in the range, and that it’s for personal use.
Edge Cases That Trip Travelers Up
Stacking Many Small Banks
There’s no hard federal cap for sub-100Wh spares used by the passenger, but packing a dozen can raise questions. Keep the number sensible, spread units across bags in your group where allowed, and pack new units in retail boxes if you just bought them.
Battery Hubs And Power Stations
Some mini power stations look like travel gear yet sit well over 160Wh. Those cannot fly in passenger cabins or holds. Ship them by ground or rent locally.
Damaged Or Swollen Packs
Do not fly with a pack that looks off or holds charge poorly. Recycle it before your trip. Many airports host drop boxes near check-in for dead batteries.
Pre-Trip Checklist
- Read the label on every power bank and note Wh.
- Group units into the Wh bands: under 100, 101–160, over 160.
- If any sit in the middle band, contact your airline for approval and print or save the reply.
- Place all power banks in your personal item or carry-on. None in checked luggage.
- Pack each unit in a sleeve or small pouch with terminals covered.
- Bring short, certified cables. Long bundles tend to kink and heat up.
What To Do If A Gate Agent Wants To Check Your Bag
Pull every power bank and spare battery before the bag goes down the jet bridge. Hand them to the agent if you need a minute. Agents see this daily and will let you move them to a tote or your jacket pocket so they stay in the cabin.
Carry Fewer, Charge Smarter
Two compact packs often beat one giant brick. A pair of 10,000–20,000mAh units covers layovers and delays with less heat and lower risk. If your phone supports faster standards, choose a bank with matching output so you spend less time charging in crowded gate areas.
Proof You Can Point To
If a screener or a new agent isn’t sure, point to the public pages that spell it out. The TSA page on power banks states that these are spare lithium batteries and must ride in carry-on. The FAA’s PackSafe page for lithium batteries shows the 0–100Wh band with no set quantity cap for personal use and the two-spare limit for 101–160Wh with airline approval.
Bottom Line For Airport Day
Carry your banks in the cabin, read the Wh label, pack a sensible number, and keep mid-range units to two with approval. Follow those four steps and your chargers fly without drama.