Yes — portable chargers (power banks) go in carry-on only; checked bags are off-limits, and size limits apply based on watt-hours.
Portable charger rules at a glance
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Power bank <= 100 Wh | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Power bank 101–160 Wh (spare) | Up to 2 pieces with airline approval | Not allowed |
| Power bank > 160 Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Non-rechargeable lithium metal ≤ 2 g per battery | Allowed (spare in cabin only) | Not allowed as spare |
| Smart luggage with removable battery | Battery must be removed and carried in cabin | Bag may be checked only if battery removed |
| Damaged, swollen, or recalled battery | Do not fly with it | Do not fly with it |
These limits come from aviation safety rules used by airports and airlines worldwide. In the U.S., the TSA and the FAA PackSafe pages state that power banks are carry-on items only, with watt-hour caps for larger batteries.
Taking a portable charger on a plane: what airlines allow
Airlines follow battery limits set by regulators. A standard phone-size power bank usually sits well under 100 Wh, so it goes in your hand luggage without any special approval. Bigger bricks for cameras or pro gear can be 101–160 Wh; those ride in the cabin too, but most carriers ask you to get approval and limit you to two spares at that size. Packs above 160 Wh stay off passenger flights.
Many carriers now also block in-flight use of power banks. That means no charging from a power bank during the flight, and no charging the power bank itself from a seat outlet. One public example: Singapore Airlines lists a full ban on using or charging power banks while onboard. If you rely on a pack for long trips, plan to top up before boarding and use the seat USB or AC outlet where available.
Find your battery size in seconds
Check the label on your portable charger. If it shows a watt-hour number, use that. If it only shows milliamp hours (mAh), convert it using this simple math: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × 3.7. That 3.7 figure is the typical voltage of lithium-ion cells inside a power bank.
Quick Wh math without a calculator
Slide the decimal three places left on the mAh number to get amp hours, then multiply by 3.7 in your head. A 10,000 mAh pack is 10 Ah; 10 × 3.7 = 37 Wh. A 26,800 mAh pack is 26.8 Ah; 26.8 × 3.7 ≈ 99 Wh, which fits under the common 100 Wh limit.
Pack it right so you sail through security
Keep your portable charger in your personal item or cabin bag. Don’t bury it in a checked suitcase. Leave terminals covered, keep the pack in a sleeve or pocket, and avoid loose coins or metal items near open ports. If your bag is tagged at the gate, remove any power banks before it goes to the hold. Regulators also ask that spares stay protected from short circuits, which can be as simple as using a case or a small pouch.
Smart luggage with built-in batteries needs extra care. If the battery pops out, remove it and take the battery into the cabin. If the battery can’t be removed, that bag won’t be accepted at many counters. Gate teams will say the same.
Carry a power bank on a plane: limits, Wh, and safety
Watt-hours decide where a battery sits on the scale. Up to 100 Wh is the easy zone. Between 101 and 160 Wh, you stay in the cabin and most airlines cap you at two spares with prior approval. Above 160 Wh is cargo territory and not for passengers. Non-rechargeable lithium metal cells sit under a separate limit: up to 2 grams of lithium content per battery for regular travel use.
The FAA PackSafe page spells out all of this in plain language and adds two helpful tips. First, newer packs often print the Wh rating on the case. Second, if you need the math, multiply voltage by amp hours and you’ve got Wh. You’ll find that guidance under FAA lithium batteries.
Common capacities and where they fit
| Capacity (mAh @ 3.7 V) | Wh | Travel Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | 18.5 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 10,000 | 37 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 20,000 | 74 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 26,800 | 99 | Carry-on, no approval |
| 30,000 | 111 | Carry-on, usually needs approval |
| 50,000 | 185 | Not for passenger baggage |
If the label lists multiple voltages for different ports, use the internal cell rating, not the USB output figure. The internal cell rating is what matters for airline limits.
New in-flight rules you should know
More airlines are moving to a simple stance: carry your power bank, don’t use it. The device should sit under the seat or in the seat pocket, not in an overhead bin. If a pack warms up, smells odd, or swells, tell crew right away. Cabin crews train for battery incidents and carry fire containment tools. If the airline allows seat power, that’s the safer way to charge phones during the flight.
Edge cases that catch travelers out
Unlabeled or off-brand packs
Airports and airlines can reject unlabeled batteries. If the case doesn’t show capacity, bring proof from the maker’s site or packaging.
Drone, camera, and light packs
Many sit in the 60–99 Wh range and ride as spares in the cabin with terminals protected. For 101–160 Wh models, carry no more than two spares and clear it with the airline. Keep one pack installed in the device if you need a third unit of that size.
Power stations and e-bike batteries
Most portable power stations and e-bike batteries exceed 160 Wh. Those items are not accepted in passenger baggage.
Recalled or damaged batteries
Skip the trip with a suspect pack. Replace recalled units before you fly.
Carry-on checklist for portable chargers
Before you pack
- Confirm the Wh rating or convert from mAh.
- Stay at or under 100 Wh for the smoothest trip.
- For 101–160 Wh packs, get airline approval and limit to two spares.
- Print or save the product spec page if the case lacks a clear label.
At the airport
- Keep the power bank in your cabin bag or personal item.
- Protect terminals with a sleeve or pouch.
- Remove the battery from smart luggage and carry it with you.
- If asked, show the Wh rating to the officer or agent.
On the plane
- Stow the power bank under the seat or in the seat pocket.
- Don’t use or charge a power bank if your airline bans it onboard.
- If a device overheats, alert crew quickly and follow instructions.
Where these rules come from
Three sources set the guardrails for passengers. The TSA lists power banks as cabin-only. The FAA PackSafe page explains the 100 Wh and 101–160 Wh thresholds and the two-spare cap at the larger size. Many airlines then add their own on-board use limits; see carriers’ baggage pages like Singapore Airlines for a live example.
Rules can change, so check your airline’s dangerous goods or baggage page a day before you fly. If a policy asks for approval, contact the carrier’s help chat or help desk with your battery specs and flight details and save the response.
How security screens power banks
Screeners see batteries clearly on X-ray. Most of the time you won’t be asked to remove a power bank from your bag, though you might on busy days or when the image is cluttered. If an officer asks, place the pack in a bin, flat and separate, just like a laptop. If the unit has a flashlight or a display, switch it off before screening. If your pack starts buzzing in the bag because a button got pressed, let the officer know so they can take a quick look and move you along.
Sometimes bags get a swab test. That’s a routine check for trace materials. A clean, dry case passes fast. Wipes, lotion, or moisture on the shell can trigger a recheck, so keep the unit dry and stash wet wipes in a side pocket.
Choose a travel-friendly portable charger
Pick the right capacity
Stay under 100 Wh for the least fuss. A 10,000–20,000 mAh unit balances weight and runtime for phones, cameras, and handhelds.
Look for clear labels
Printed specs help officers and gate agents. Pick a case that shows the Wh rating, model, and maker’s name.
Mind the charging specs
USB-C Power Delivery at 20–30 W tops phones fast during layovers. Skip passthrough charging in flight if your airline bans any power bank use onboard.
Smart luggage, trackers, and tiny batteries
Smart suitcases contain a battery that powers a scale, GPS, or wheels. Airlines treat that battery like a spare, which means you remove it before check-in and carry it in the cabin. Some brands place the battery in an easy pull-out slot; bring a coin or a small tool if yours needs one. If the battery is built in and can’t come out, you’ll need a different bag for the trip.
Trackers that use coin cells sit under a different set of rules. Those CR2032-style cells use lithium metal but in tiny amounts far below the 2 g cap, so they may ride in checked or cabin bags. Follow your airline’s advice on device settings during flight mode if they mention trackers at check-in.
International trips: one idea, local variations
Most regions follow the same 100 Wh break point, the 101–160 Wh approval zone, and the carry-on only rule for spares. You’ll still find small differences from carrier to carrier. Some ask you to keep the pack in sight instead of in an overhead bin. Some let you carry more spares under 100 Wh, while others cap the total count. A quick check of your airline’s baggage page saves time later. Save the spec sheet offline, handy.
Transit rules can add a twist. If you change planes in a country with tighter wording, agents at that airport may apply the stricter reading. Keep your specs handy and pack to the lower common limit and you’ll pass through smoothly in both places.
Troubleshooting on the day you fly
No Wh label and no docs
If you reach the desk without paperwork and the case lacks a rating, say what the mAh is and what you power with it. Small phone packs usually pass; oversized bricks without data often don’t. If in doubt, mail the pack home or leave it with a friend before screening.
Gate check surprise
When bins fill up, agents tag cabin bags for the hold. Before you hand over a bag, pull out any spare batteries and power banks. Move them to your personal item or carry them by hand until you sit down.
Long layover with dead outlets
Top up before boarding. Many terminals now have USB-C, though some still offer slow USB-A. A short USB-C cable and a wall charger beat a power bank when a carrier bans in-flight use.