Can I Bring Power Bank In Carry-On Luggage? | Clear Rules

Power banks keep phones alive through long layovers and delayed departures. The catch: they sit in the same basket as spare lithium batteries. That means cabin only, clear labels, and simple packing steps that lower risk and speed screening. This guide lays out the carry-on rules, the watt-hour limits, and the small details that avoid a repack at the checkpoint.

Bringing A Power Bank In Carry-On Luggage: Rules & Limits

U.S. security and safety agencies treat power banks as spare lithium-ion batteries. The rule is plain: put them in your hand luggage, never in a checked bag. Standard units up to 100 watt-hours are fine in the cabin. Bigger banks from 101 to 160 watt-hours may travel in carry-on when your airline signs off, with a cap of two spares per person. Packs above 160 watt-hours stay off passenger flights. Airlines can add tighter rules on top of the base line.

Most retail power banks sit well under the 100 watt-hour line. Labels often show milliamp-hours (mAh) and a voltage of 3.6–3.85 V. That rating reflects the cells inside, not the 5 V USB output. Security staff and airline agents look for watt-hours, so a clear Wh mark on the case makes life easy at the desk.

Quantity comes up often. Safety pages set a “for personal use” standard for banks at or below 100 Wh. In plain terms, a few spares to keep your phone and laptop alive look fine; a stack of bricks for a trade booth does not. Each spare should be isolated from metal items and protected from pressure. Use the slip sleeves from the box or a zip pouch. If a screener wants a closer look, answer questions and follow the cue. The officer at the lane always makes the final call on items.

Power Bank Rules By Capacity

You can read the base U.S. policy on the FAA passenger batteries page and the screening note on the TSA power banks page. Many carriers mirror these limits across their own sites.

How To Read Watt-Hours And Labels

Watt-hours show stored energy. If a pack lists only mAh, you can convert with a simple step: Wh = (mAh × nominal cell voltage) ÷ 1000. Most packs use 3.7 V cells. So a 20,000 mAh bank at 3.7 V sits near 74 Wh. That clears the cabin rule without any extra form, and screeners can verify the math if the case lists both numbers.

Many brands print the Wh value on the housing. If the case lists 5 V in the specs, that figure describes output, not the cells. Airlines base the limit on the cell voltage. When in doubt, check the tech sheet or the tiny chart on the side panel. If no Wh appears and you cannot show the math, the agent can deny boarding for that pack.

Common mAh Labels And Wh Values

Packing And Airport Screening Tips

Set yourself up for a smooth check. Keep power banks where you can reach them at security. Gate agents may ask for a quick look or a capacity check. Place each unit in a pouch, with tape over exposed ports if the pack lacks caps. Keep coins, keys, and metal pens away from the terminals to avoid a short.

Never stash a power bank in a checked suitcase. If a carry-on bag gets tagged at the gate, remove all spares before the agent rolls it away. Tape over the push button so it does not wake the pack in a tight pocket. Bring a cable with a power meter if you want to check output on the fly without digging through settings.

In-Flight Use Rules Vary

Cabin crews shape the call on charging and in-seat use. Some airlines allow power banks on the tray table while they feed a phone. Others ask you to skip any charging during flight. European safety bodies advise against charging power banks or charging other items from them during flight. Several Asian carriers ban power bank use in the cabin, while the packs still ride in carry-on. If a crew member asks you to unplug, do it and stow the pack where you can see it.

Watch heat. If a pack swells, smells sweet or burns your fingers, stop using it. Unplug, place it on a hard surface away from fabric, and inform the crew. Do not crush power banks in seat pockets or under blankets. Give them airflow, keep them visible, and never charge while they sit inside a bag.

Smart Luggage And Built-In Batteries

Suitcases with built-in batteries sit under the same rules. You can bring the bag through security, but the cell must come out if the suitcase goes into the hold. Most brands make the pack removable with a coin slot or a latch near the USB port. If the battery cannot be removed, carriers will not load the bag into the hold. Bring the tool you need to pop the pack before you reach the counter.

For cabin use, keep the battery switched off when the case rides in the overhead bin. If you plug in a phone from the seat, keep the bank on the tray so you can see it. If your airline lists a use ban, rely on the seat outlet or arrive with a full phone instead.

International Trips And Local Variations

Core limits look the same worldwide: carry-on only, 0–100 Wh allowed, 101–160 Wh with approval, and bans above that line. The exact wording and any in-flight use bans can shift by region. The U.K. links to guidance that points travelers to airline rules for portable chargers. Global industry groups also publish charts that mirror the Wh approach and spell out how staff check labels and packaging.

On long routes, expect crews to repeat a few reminders: no charging in the galley, no packs under pillows, and no hiding a live cable in a bag. A few airports and carriers want proof that a bank meets UN 38.3 transport tests; this shows up in pro gear and staff devices more than consumer packs. If you fly with niche gear, save a copy of the spec sheet on your phone.

Common mAh Labels And Wh Values

Edge Cases: Laptop Banks, Power Stations, And Damaged Packs

Laptop banks near 99 Wh strike a sweet spot for long work days. Brands design them to sit just under the 100 Wh line so they fly without extra forms. Large bricks in the 101–160 Wh range can still ride in the cabin, but you need airline approval and you are limited to two spares. Portable power stations for camping often exceed 160 Wh; those units ship as cargo under special rules and do not ride with passengers.

Skip any pack that looks puffy, leaks, or shows scorch marks. Recycle recalled units before your trip. Loose 18650 cells belong in their own approved cases with each terminal insulated; never toss bare cells in a pocket. If a pack turns on by itself or cycles LEDs in a loop, retire it and fly with a fresh unit.

Checklist Before You Fly With A Power Bank

• Confirm the watt-hours. If needed, convert from mAh using 3.7 V.
• Pack banks in hand luggage only; never in a checked bag.
• Cap or tape ports, and keep metal objects away from the terminals.
• Carry no more than two units in the 101–160 Wh range, with airline approval in hand.
• Place banks where you can reach them at security and at the gate.
• During flight, keep any active bank in sight and stop use if it warms up.
• Remove smart-bag batteries before a gate check.
• Leave damaged or swollen packs at home; recycle them safely.

These steps keep you inside the rules on both sides of the ocean and speed your path through the line. Pack light, label clearly, and fly with fewer battery hassles every time, with ease today.