Yes, power banks belong in hand baggage only; checked bags ban spare lithium batteries by airline safety rules.
Short answer first so you can plan: portable chargers with lithium cells ride with you in the cabin, not in the hold. Most consumer units under 100 watt hours (Wh) pass without airline approval. Larger packs up to 160 Wh sit in a gray zone that usually needs approval. Anything above that sits out entirely. The details below show what that looks like in plain steps, plus a watt-hour cheat sheet and packing tips that keep you from a gate-side repack.
Power Bank In Hand Baggage Rules: What Airlines Allow
Air safety standards treat a power bank as a spare lithium battery. Spare cells must be reachable in the cabin so crews can act fast if a pack overheats. That’s the core reason you’ll see carry-on: yes and checked: no across regulators and carriers. Under 100 Wh fits everyday slim sticks and most pocket bricks. Packs between 100 and 160 Wh sit in a monitored tier; many carriers ask for pre-approval and limit the count. Past 160 Wh is a no-go on passenger flights.
At-a-glance capacity tiers
Use this quick table before you buy or pack. It lines up with mainstream airline and aviation safety language on lithium-ion energy limits.
| Capacity (Wh) | Cabin Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed in carry-on | No airline approval in most cases; keep terminals protected |
| 100–160 Wh | Carry-on with approval | Many airlines cap quantity; never in checked bags |
| Over 160 Wh | Not permitted | Ship as cargo under dangerous goods rules, not with passengers |
How To Read Your Label And Convert mAh To Wh
Many packs print watt hours right on the case. If yours lists only milliamp hours (mAh) and volts (V), use this math: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. A common 10,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V equals 37 Wh. A chunkier 26,800 mAh pack at 3.7 V equals about 99 Wh. That puts both in the first tier. If a pack claims laptop-class output and lands near 150 Wh, plan to ask your airline for approval ahead of time.
What Counts As “Spare”
A power bank is spare by definition, since it isn’t installed in a device. Laptop or tablet batteries that are installed sit in a different bucket; those can ride in either bag under many carriers, but extra loose cells and chargers must stay in the cabin. That’s why check-in desks and scanners flag power banks inside hold luggage.
Pack It Right So Security Waves You Through
Good packing keeps you moving and lowers risk in flight. These steps take seconds and match what screeners look for.
Simple packing checklist
- Place power banks in an easy-to-reach pocket of your carry-on.
- Cover exposed ports or switch the pack off; many units have a button or toggle.
- Use a sleeve or small pouch to prevent coins or keys from shorting the terminals.
- Keep swollen, cracked, or recalled packs at home; staff can refuse damaged cells.
- Remove charging cables from the bank during boarding to avoid phantom draw.
Screening tips
Keep portable chargers with your electronics bin if asked. If a screener wants a closer look, the check goes faster when the label faces up so the Wh rating is visible. Carrying the retail spec sheet or a photo of the label helps for older units whose print rubbed off.
Quantity Limits And Airline Approval
Under 100 Wh, most carriers don’t set a strict count; the unwritten rule is personal use, not resale. In the 100–160 Wh tier, many airlines cap you at two spares and ask for approval before travel. Some also add a “no charging while stowed” rule in the cabin, meaning if you plug in, keep the setup visible on the tray table or seat pocket instead of buried in a bag. When in doubt, check your booking app’s dangerous goods page and request approval through chat or a form; staff will note your record so gate agents see it.
International trips
You’ll see the same broad lines across regions: cabin only for spares, Wh tiers as above, and short-circuit protection. Some countries add local twists, like national safety marks on the pack or stricter in-flight charging limits. When changing carriers on a long route, base your packing on the strictest segment to avoid surprises.
Where Official Rules Live Online
If you want a printed rule to show at the counter, two sources cover nearly every trip. The first is the U.S. aviation safety portal that spells out carry-on only for spare lithium cells and gives the Wh formula. The second is the global airline association’s passenger guidance that sets the 100 Wh and 160 Wh thresholds used by carriers worldwide. Link both to your notes:
- airline passengers and batteries (Wh math and carry-on only for spares)
- passenger lithium battery guidance (100 Wh and 160 Wh tiers, label rules)
Common Edge Cases That Trip People Up
Built-in power in suitcases
Smart luggage with a removable pack can go in the cabin or the hold only if the battery comes out. Remove the module and carry it on. If the pack can’t be removed, the bag won’t be accepted for the hold and may get blocked at the counter.
Charging during takeoff and landing
Cabin crew may ask you to unplug during safety-critical phases or anytime a pack runs warm. Some airlines now require portable chargers to stay visible while in use so staff can spot a runaway cell. Keep the device where you can see and feel it; don’t leave a pack running inside a backpack or in an overhead bin.
Power banks with jump-start leads
Automotive jump packs often carry larger cells that flirt with the 160 Wh line. Many exceed it. Check the label. If your unit lists amp-hours at 12 V, do the math, and plan for airline approval at minimum. Many travelers ship these by ground instead of carrying them.
Damage, Recalls, And When To Leave It Home
Heat, dents, or swelling turn any lithium pack into a risk. Gate agents and screeners can deny carriage when a pack shows damage or falls under a recall. If you suspect a defect, recycle it locally and fly without it. Airlines will always prefer you borrow a friend’s charger on arrival over a cabin smoke event mid-flight.
Traveler Scenarios With Straight Answers
Two small chargers and a laptop
Two 10,000 mAh packs (≈37 Wh each) plus a laptop with its battery installed are fine. Carry them on. No approval needed. Keep the chargers outside of checked bags.
One large brick for a camera rig
A 150 Wh brick fits the middle tier. Ask your airline for approval and expect a cap of two spares. Pack them in your cabin bag with port covers on. No checking those packs.
Photography trip with many tiny packs
A stack of 8–12 slim sticks under 100 Wh each is common for shoots. Cabin only. Use plastic caps or sleeves, and keep them together in one pouch. Staff may ask how many; call it personal use for cameras and phones and you’ll pass.
Watt-Hour Shortcut Table (mAh At 3.7 V)
Most consumer packs use a 3.7 V nominal cell. Use this table to eyeball the tier without a calculator.
| mAh Rating | Approx. Wh | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | ≈18.5 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 10,000 mAh | ≈37 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 20,000 mAh | ≈74 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 26,800 mAh | ≈99 Wh | Carry-on allowed |
| 30,000 mAh | ≈111 Wh | Carry-on with approval |
| 40,000 mAh | ≈148 Wh | Carry-on with approval |
| 50,000 mAh | ≈185 Wh | Not permitted |
Simple Pre-flight Checklist
- Read the label; find Wh or convert mAh at 3.7 V.
- Stay under 100 Wh for the smoothest trip.
- In the 100–160 Wh range, request approval and expect a two-spare cap.
- Never place spare packs in checked bags.
- Protect terminals and pack where you can reach the unit fast.
- Keep charging setups visible during the flight if your airline requires it.
Troubleshooting At The Airport
If a screener says your charger can’t go in checked luggage, move it to your cabin bag. If the label isn’t readable, show the Wh in your phone notes with the math. If a gate agent asks about a larger pack, present your approval email. When staff asks you to unplug during taxi or climb, nod and unplug; they want a cool, visible pack with no blind charging inside bags.
Bottom Line For Travelers
Pocket-size chargers ride with you in the cabin. Keep them under 100 Wh for the easiest path through security. Bigger photo or laptop bricks up to 160 Wh usually need airline approval and a strict count. Anything larger stays off passenger flights. Pack smart, keep the pack visible when in use, and you’ll breeze through checkpoints and boarding with juice to spare.