No. Spare batteries and power banks can’t go in checked bags on Emirates; only batteries installed in a device may be checked, and the device must be fully off and protected.
Quick Answer, Then The Details
Emirates aligns with international battery safety rules. Loose cells, power banks, and vape batteries ride in the cabin only. Devices with batteries fitted inside (laptops, cameras, shavers) may be placed in checked baggage when they’re shut down, packed to prevent damage, and unable to turn on by mistake.
Watt‑hour limits still matter. Most everyday gadgets sit under 100 watt hours, so airline approval isn’t needed. Bigger packs between 101 and 160 watt hours need airline approval when carried as spares in the cabin, and they still aren’t allowed in checked bags. Packs above 160 watt hours don’t travel with you at all.
At A Glance Table
| Battery Or Device | Checked Baggage On Emirates | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium‑ion in device (≤100 Wh) | Allowed | Device off; protect from damage and activation |
| Lithium‑ion spare (≤100 Wh) | Not allowed | Carry in cabin only; insulate terminals |
| Lithium‑ion spare (101–160 Wh) | Not allowed | Carry in cabin only; max two with airline approval |
| Lithium metal in device (≤2 g Li) | Allowed | Device off; protected from activation |
| Lithium metal spare (≤2 g Li) | Not allowed | Carry in cabin only; terminals covered |
| AA/AAA alkaline or NiMH spares | Not allowed | Carry in cabin only; retail pack or tape terminals |
| Power banks / charging cases | Not allowed | Cabin only; common sizes under 100 Wh |
| E‑cigarettes and vapes | Not allowed | Cabin only; use and charging on board banned |
| Smart bag with removable battery | Allowed if battery removed | Battery travels in cabin |
| Smart bag with non‑removable battery | Not allowed | Blocked in cabin and hold |
| Mobility aids with batteries | Allowed case‑by‑case | Pre‑arrange; special handling rules |
These points reflect international guidance and Emirates’ own baggage pages. You’ll find direct links later to check special cases like smart baggage, mobility aids, and larger pro‑grade packs.
Taking Batteries In Checked Baggage On Emirates: What’s Allowed?
Only batteries fixed inside a device may be checked, and packing still matters. Shut the device down fully, not sleep mode. Disable alarms, timers, and wake features. Cushion the item so a lid, strap, or zipper can’t press a key. Cover or encase the device so ports and switches stay protected. If it has a safety cover for the battery bay, use it.
Think about crush points inside the suitcase. Keep devices away from aerosol cans, shoes with metal eyelets, or anything that could press a button. A slim laptop in a hard sleeve buried between soft layers works well. A camera inside a snug pouch can still press its power key; lock the switch and use a body cap if you have one.
Spare batteries never go in the hold on Emirates flights. That includes single cells, sets of cells, camera batteries, laptop spares, drone packs, power banks, and charging cases. Carry them in your hand luggage with the terminals covered. Original packaging is ideal. If a pack is loose, tape over the contacts or place each one in a small bag or plastic cap.
Where Watt Hours And Lithium Content Fit In
Battery rules use two measures. Lithium‑ion packs are rated in watt hours (Wh). Lithium metal cells use grams of lithium content. Under 100 Wh (or up to 2 g lithium for lithium metal) covers phones, tablets, cameras, and many drones. You can fly with these without airline approval, but spares still stay in the cabin. Packs from 101 to 160 Wh are larger pro sizes; you can bring up to two as spares with airline approval in your cabin bag. Anything above 160 Wh doesn’t fly with you.
If your label lists only mAh and volts, the math is simple: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. A 26,800 mAh power bank at 3.7 V equals 99 Wh, which sits under the 100 Wh bracket. A 4S 5,000 mAh drone pack at 14.8 V lands near 74 Wh. Both travel in the cabin, not in checked bags.
Are Batteries Allowed In Emirates Checked Luggage? Myths Vs Rules
“Alkaline Cells Are Fine In The Hold.”
They’re still spares, so they stay with you in the cabin. Loose AA or AAA cells in checked bags create a short‑circuit risk. Put them in a clear case or leave them in the retail pack inside your carry‑on.
“My Power Bank Is Only For Backup, So It’s Safe To Check.”
Power banks count as spare lithium‑ion batteries. They must travel in the cabin. Emirates also bans the use of power banks on board; carrying is fine within the Wh limits, but plugging them in during the flight isn’t allowed.
“I Can Check A Vape If It’s Empty.”
No. Vapes and e‑cigarettes contain lithium cells and heating coils. They belong in your hand luggage, powered off, with no loose cartridges. Charging on board isn’t allowed.
“Apple AirTag‑Style Trackers Are Banned In Checked Bags.”
Small coin‑cell trackers use tiny lithium metal cells inside the device. Airlines generally permit them in checked baggage. Replace cracked or swollen cells before travel, and follow any local notices for destinations that restrict tracking devices.
Pack So Devices Don’t Wake Up
Modern electronics can wake when a lid moves or a key is pressed. That’s not what you want in a cargo hold. Turn the device off, then avoid common triggers: switch off “power on when opened,” and protect buttons with a case or a cover. If a camera or gimbal can lock, use the lock. Remove detachable lenses and props on drones, and cap exposed ports.
Use a rigid sleeve for slim laptops and tablets so power keys aren’t pressed by a strap or a zipper. Tape down external switches on gear cases. If the device has a removable battery and you plan to check the device, you can pull the battery and carry it in the cabin as a spare, leaving the device empty in your checked bag.
Devices That Often Cause Confusion
Power Banks And Charging Cases
Carry these in the cabin only. Most sit under 100 Wh and display the rating. If the label doesn’t show Wh, calculate it from mAh and volts. From 1 October 2025, Emirates permits carriage but bars use during the flight. Keep the unit in your bag or seat pocket and don’t plug any cable into it while airborne.
Drones
The aircraft can ride as checked or carry‑on depending on size, but the spare flight packs stay with you in the cabin. If you check the drone with a battery installed, switch it off, tape the switch, and protect the props and gimbal. Place spares in fire‑resistant sleeves if you have them and separate each pack.
Hair Tools And Toothbrushes
Rechargeable shavers and toothbrushes carry small lithium packs. If you check them, switch them off fully and cover the switch. Butane hair tools follow separate gas‑cartridge limits: a single unit with a fitted, safety‑capped cartridge may be acceptable, while loose refills aren’t carried.
Smart Baggage
Smart suitcases with a removable battery may be checked only when the battery is removed and carried in the cabin. If the battery can’t be removed, the bag isn’t accepted in either cabin or hold. Check dimensions and weight as usual, since size limits still apply.
Mobility Aids
Powered wheelchairs and scooters need airline clearance and special handling. The team will ask for battery type, switch location, and how the chair can be made safe. Expect detailed packing steps and forms so the chair travels upright and secure.
How Many Devices And Spares Can You Bring?
Airline rules set typical caps for personal electronic devices and spare batteries. Most travelers never hit those limits, but screening teams may ask to see labels and to move items from checked to carry‑on if a loose cell shows up in the scanner. Keep spares together in a small pouch so checks go quickly at security or the gate.
Real‑World Watt‑Hour Examples
| Item | Typical Battery Spec | Pack Rule On Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | 10–15 Wh | Carry or check when inside the phone; spares in cabin only |
| 13‑inch laptop | 40–60 Wh | May be checked inside the laptop; spare packs ride in the cabin |
| Mirrorless camera battery | 14–18 Wh | Spare cells in cabin; body with battery may be checked |
| Drone pack (4S 5,000 mAh) | ≈74 Wh | Drone may be checked; all spares in cabin |
| Power bank 26,800 mAh | ≈99 Wh | Cabin only; don’t use on board |
| High‑capacity pack | 101–160 Wh | Cabin only, max two, airline approval needed |
| Coin‑cell tracker (CR2032) | Lithium metal ≈0.2 g | Fine in checked baggage inside the tracker |
Simple Packing Checklist
For Checked Bags
- Only place devices with batteries fitted inside.
- Switch each device fully off and lock moving parts.
- Pad screens and cover power buttons and ports.
- Keep devices away from crush points and heat sources.
For Cabin Bags
- Carry every spare battery, power bank, and vape.
- Cover terminals or keep spares in retail packs or cases.
- Spread larger spares across bags within personal limits.
- Keep a small pouch for quick inspection at security or gate.
Where To Check Official Rules
For Emirates wording on smart bags and dangerous goods, read the Emirates Dangerous Goods policy. For size limits and approval on higher‑capacity spares, see IATA’s passenger battery rules. For a plain‑English reminder that spares don’t belong in the hold, the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s battery packing advice is clear and handy.
One more note for 2025: Emirates has announced a ban on the use of power banks during flights from 1 October 2025. You can still carry a compliant unit in your hand luggage; you just can’t plug it in while on board.