Yes — power banks (external battery chargers) go in carry-on only; up to 100 Wh allowed, 101–160 Wh needs airline OK; never in checked bags.
Bringing An External Battery Charger On A Plane: The Rules
Airlines treat an external battery charger as a spare lithium-ion battery, often called a power bank. That label matters because spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked luggage, but they are allowed in the cabin when packed the right way. Most travelers carry packs well under 100 watt-hours (Wh), which sail through security. Bigger bricks sit in a special bucket with extra conditions.
| Item | Where It Goes | Limits & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power bank / external battery charger | Carry-on only | Up to 100 Wh: allowed. 101–160 Wh: airline approval, usually max two. >160 Wh: not allowed on passenger flights. |
| Battery case for phones | Carry-on only | Treated as a spare battery. Same Wh limits as power banks. |
| Phone, tablet, laptop (battery installed) | Cabin preferred; checked allowed by many airlines | Turn completely off. Protect from damage or activation. Follow your airline’s device rules. |
| Loose camera/drone lithium-ion battery | Carry-on only | Terminals covered. Quantity limits apply for 101–160 Wh spares. |
| Wall charger with no battery | Either bag | No battery inside, so no Wh limit. Pack cables neatly. |
| Battery >160 Wh | Neither bag | Prohibited for passenger flights. Ship as cargo under dangerous goods rules. |
Carry-On Only: Why Checked Bags Are Off Limits
Spare lithium cells can overheat if crushed, shorted, or damaged. In a cabin, crews can see smoke and react fast. Inside a cargo hold, detection and access are harder. That is why screening staff will pull a suitcase if a pack shows up inside.
How Watt-Hours Work (And How To Read Your Label)
Watt-hours measure energy. Many packs print the Wh value on the case. If yours only lists milliamp-hours (mAh) and volts (V), use the simple formula: Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Common cells run at 3.6–3.7 V. So a 10,000 mAh pack at 3.7 V is about 37 Wh; a 20,000 mAh pack is about 74 Wh; 26,800 mAh lands near 99 Wh.
Examples You Can Copy
- 5,000 mAh at 3.7 V ≈ 18.5 Wh — free to fly in a backpack or purse.
- 12,000 mAh at 3.7 V ≈ 44.4 Wh — fine in carry-on.
- 20,000 mAh at 3.7 V ≈ 74 Wh — fine in carry-on.
- 30,000 mAh at 3.7 V ≈ 111 Wh — ask the airline; expect a limit of two.
Proof Straight From The Regulators
For U.S. flights, the TSA power bank policy says these chargers belong in carry-on, not checked. The FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page adds the size limits: up to 100 Wh without special steps, and 101–160 Wh with airline approval, usually up to two spares.
Airline Approval In The 101–160 Wh Range
Packs in this mid-range can travel, but the carrier sets the final conditions. Many allow no more than two spares per person, and they must stay in the cabin with terminals protected. Bring a photo of the pack’s label, or print a spec sheet, so staff can see the Wh rating fast at the counter or gate.
Packing Steps That Keep You Moving
Protect The Terminals
Cover exposed contacts with tape, use a battery sleeve, or keep the pack inside a small pouch. That stops coins, keys, or metal pens from creating a short.
Control The Power Button
Many high-capacity banks have easy-to-press buttons. Accidental activation builds heat. Use a hard case or slide a thin spacer under the button if your model allows it.
Separate The Cables
Coiled leads jammed against ports can press switches or bend prongs. Coil cables loosely and stash them beside the pack, not wrapped tight around it.
Extra Checks Before Boarding
Glance at the charge level, feel for warmth, and make sure the ports are clean. If the shell shows swelling, cracks, or scorch marks, leave it at home.
Using A Power Bank On Board
Cabin crews may allow phone or tablet charging at your seat, but they can stop use if a pack warms up or blocks aisles. Never place a charging phone under a blanket or seat cushion. If you smell hot plastic, see swelling, or feel unusual heat, unplug at once and alert the crew.
Power Banks In Different Countries
The Wh thresholds above line up with international guidance used by many carriers. Still, a few airlines add stricter caps or ask you to keep packs visible during the flight. Check your airline’s dangerous goods page if you’re flying across regions.
Device Batteries Versus Spare Batteries
A battery installed in a phone, tablet, or laptop is treated differently from a spare. You can often pack the device in checked baggage, but the risk climbs if it turns on or gets crushed. If you must check a device, shut it down completely, cushion it, and keep anything with a tracker mode in the cabin.
Travel Scenarios And Clear Answers
Two Small Power Banks And A Laptop
Both banks ride in your backpack. The laptop rides there too or goes in a padded sleeve inside a roller. All stay with you during boarding.
One Big 130 Wh Photography Battery
Call or chat with the airline before you pack. Expect a cap of two spares in that range and cabin-only carriage, with terminals taped or covered.
A Drone With Three 60 Wh Packs
All three are spares, so they stay in carry-on. Use a LiPo safe pouch or rigid case for each pack. Pack the drone itself with props protected.
A Wall Plug Charger And USB-C Cables
No battery inside means no Wh limit. Put them wherever it saves space.
Common Power Bank Sizes And Airline Status
| Label On Pack | Approx Wh | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 18.5 Wh | Carry-on only; no approval needed |
| 10,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 37 Wh | Carry-on only; no approval needed |
| 20,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 74 Wh | Carry-on only; no approval needed |
| 26,800 mAh @ 3.7 V | 99 Wh | Carry-on only; no approval needed |
| 30,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 111 Wh | Carry-on only; airline approval |
| 40,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 148 Wh | Carry-on only; airline approval |
| 50,000 mAh @ 3.7 V | 185 Wh | Not allowed on passenger flights |
Smart Luggage, Trackers, And Battery-Inside Gear
Some “smart” suitcases include a removable pack that powers USB ports or scales. If the battery can be removed, pull it out and carry it on. If it cannot be removed, many airlines will refuse the bag. Small coin-cell trackers that run on lithium metal cells with tiny Wh are generally fine, but follow your carrier’s notice.
How To Sail Through Security With Your Charger
- Put every spare battery in your personal item, not your checked bag.
- Leave retail caps on, or cover contacts with tape.
- Keep the label showing volts, mAh, and Wh visible.
- Pack packs where an officer can see them when you open the bag.
- Bring a small plastic pouch for each pack to prevent shorts.
- Charge to a moderate level before flying; skip a full 100% top-off.
Troubleshooting At The Gate
If staff send you back from the jet bridge because your backpack feels heavy, stay calm and show the label. If a roller has to be checked at a crowded gate, pull every spare battery and power bank out first and take them on board with you. This one step avoids delays and keeps you aligned with the cabin-only rule.
Buying A New Pack For Travel
Pick a model that prints the Wh rating clearly. Look for short-circuit protection and a sturdy shell. A flat pack sits neatly in a seat-back pocket, but never wedge it tight behind a magazine. A bank near 20,000 mAh gives plenty of phone and tablet charges while staying well under 100 Wh.
Quick Recap You Can Trust
Carry your external battery charger in the cabin. Keep it under 100 Wh for the smoothest trip. For 101–160 Wh, ask your airline and expect a limit of two. Do not place any spare lithium battery in a checked bag. Protect terminals, watch for heat, and tell the crew fast if something feels off. That’s the whole story.