Can I Bring Portable Charger In Carry-On? | Flight Rules Card

Bringing A Portable Charger In Carry-On: The Rules

A portable charger, also known as a power bank, is treated as a spare lithium-ion battery. That puts it in the cabin by default. The hold stays off-limits.

The capacity boundary is measured in watt-hours. Packs up to 100 Wh ride in carry-on with no airline sign-off. Packs between 101 and 160 Wh can fly in carry-on when the airline says yes, and you’re limited to two spares. Packs over 160 Wh don’t fly with passengers.

Terminals need protection. Cover the USB ports or place the pack in a slim case or pouch. Keep it where you can reach it. If a pack feels hot or swells, tell the crew right away.

Portable Charger Limits At A Glance

What Counts As A Portable Charger

Anything whose sole job is to recharge other gear falls under this label. That includes the small stick-style pack, a slim pack taped to a phone case, or a brick that can top up a laptop. Since the pack is a spare battery by design, bags in the hold aren’t a home for it.

Batteries built into a device sit under a different lane. Laptops, tablets, and phones can go in carry-on, and a powered-off device may ride in checked baggage if the airline’s page allows it. That split does not apply to power banks. Those stay in the cabin, period.

Find The Watt-Hours On Your Power Bank

Most packs print a label on the case. Look for “Wh,” “mAh,” and a voltage. The simple math is: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. Packs for phones use a 3.7 V cell base. A 10,000 mAh pack sits near 37 Wh; a 20,000 mAh pack sits near 74 Wh; a 27,000 mAh pack sits just under 100 Wh.

Some laptop-class banks run close to 30,000 mAh, which can tip a bit over 100 Wh. That size needs airline approval and counts toward the two-spare cap. A giant photography pack can cross 160 Wh and won’t pass at the gate.

Packing Tips That Speed Screening

• Place the charger near the top of your carry-on so it’s easy to pull out if asked.
• Cover exposed ports with tape or a cap, or use a small case that shields the terminals.
• Coil cables and stash them in a pouch to prevent snagging in the bin.
• Do not check a suitcase while a charger sits inside. Move it to the cabin bag first.
• Give the pack a quick feel before boarding. Warm to the touch or swollen? Stop using it and tell the crew.

Airline And International Nuance

Airlines around the world base their rules on the same safety baseline: watt-hour thresholds and cabin placement. U.S. carriers follow the FAA limits for lithium-ion cells and spares. TSA checkpoint pages echo that a power bank stays in carry-on. Many carriers outside the U.S. refer to the same watt-hour math.

Policy pages change from time to time. Mid-size packs between 101 and 160 Wh often require a quick message to the airline to get a green light. Some carriers add small house rules on charging during the flight. Read the battery page for your route before you pack. Carry spare cells in original sleeves or plastic covers when available. If a device has an internal battery, switch it fully off before stowing.

You can review the TSA’s stance on power banks and the FAA watt-hour chart here: TSA power bank page and FAA PackSafe limits. Both links open in a new tab.

Carry-On Portable Charger Scenarios

Short Hop With A Small Pack (Under 100 Wh)

This is the common case. Phone-sized packs fall well under 100 Wh. Drop it in your personal item or backpack. Keep the ports covered. You can carry more than one, as long as the stash is for personal use and the packs are protected from damage.

Long Flight With A Mid-Size Pack (101–160 Wh)

This bracket fits larger laptop-class power banks. Send the airline a quick request with the watt-hour number. Approval is common for up to two spares. Place each in a separate pouch or sleeve so the terminals stay covered. Cabin only, no exceptions.

Huge High-Output Packs Over 160 Wh

Packs above 160 Wh do not travel with passengers. That class covers some field lighting bricks and starter packs. If you own one, leave it at home or ship it via a service that can handle hazmat freight.

Smart Luggage And Removable Batteries

Smart bags with an internal power bank must have a removable battery to check the suitcase. If the battery cannot be removed, the bag rides in the cabin. When the battery pops out, carry it with you in the cabin and cover the terminals.

Charging During The Flight

Seat power is the safer pick. If you charge from your own pack, keep it in sight on the tray or seat pocket. Do not bury a live pack in a bag or a blanket. If you smell smoke or see vapor, unplug it and call the crew fast.

Common Power Bank Ratings And Status

Device Examples And Edge Cases

Solar Power Banks

Small solar panels on a pack don’t change the rule set. The cell inside still sets the watt-hours. Treat it as a spare battery in the cabin. Cover the ports and keep it handy.

Battery Phone Cases

Phone cases with a built-in pack are also treated as spares when they’re not attached. Bring them in carry-on. If the case is on the phone, a checkpoint officer may ask you to remove it for a closer look.

Jump Starters And Power Stations

Many jump starters claim high peak amps and carry cells that run far past 160 Wh. Those do not fly with passengers. Save them for road trips or send them through a shipper that can accept hazmat freight.

Troubleshooting At Security

If an officer flags your charger, stay calm and show the label with the watt-hour number. When the label only lists mAh, show the math on your phone: mAh divided by 1000, then multiplied by 3.7. A clear pouch helps the visual check go faster.

Got picked for extra screening? Place the pack in a bin by itself, ports covered. A short chat and a quick swab are common; then you’ll be on your way.

Packing For Families And Teams

Each traveler can carry personal spares. Keep the count reasonable. Split packs across bags so one person isn’t carrying everything. Label each pack with a name or initials so you can hand them out at the gate without delay.

Quick Checklist Before You Head To The Airport

Confirm Capacity

Read the label. If you only see mAh, use the 3.7 V math to estimate watt-hours. Many travel-size packs sit under 100 Wh.

Plan Your Bags

Move every power bank to your carry-on. None should sit in a checked suitcase. That includes a phone case with a pack inside.

Protect The Terminals

Use a sleeve, a case, or tape over ports. Keep each pack from touching coins, keys, or other metal in your bag.

Ask For Approval If Needed

Packs between 101 and 160 Wh need a quick yes from the airline. Bring a photo of the label or the spec sheet so the number is easy to confirm.

Keep It Accessible

Place the charger where you can reach it. If a TSA officer wants a closer look, you can hand it over fast and move on.

Why These Rules Exist

Lithium-ion cells can overheat when damaged, punctured, or shorted. Cabin crews carry fire bags and gear to handle a battery mishap within reach. That gear is not available in the hold, so spares stay with you in the cabin.

Bottom Line For Carry-On Portable Chargers

Power banks ride in the cabin. Up to 100 Wh is the cleanest path. The 101–160 Wh bracket flies with airline approval and a two-spare cap. Over 160 Wh stays off planes. Pack smart, protect the terminals, and you’ll breeze through checks. Have a smooth trip and safe charging on board today. Enjoy.