✈️ Quick Answer: Under FAA guidance, personal-use power banks must stay in cabin baggage. Up to 100 Wh needs no airline approval under the standard FAA allowance. Above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh needs airline approval, with at most two spare batteries in that range. Airlines can impose stricter limits. Use the battery’s marked Wh rating.
Can You Bring Power bank on a Plane?
Carry-On Luggage
✅ Allowed: Cabin baggage only. Up to 100 Wh: standard FAA allowance. Above 100 Wh through 160 Wh: airline approval, at most two spares. Your airline may impose stricter limits.
Checked Luggage
❌ Not allowed: Power banks and spare lithium batteries are prohibited in checked baggage by the FAA — fire risk in the hold.
Size & Form Guide
| Type / Size | Carry-On? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh (~37Wh) | ✅ Yes | Well under 100Wh |
| 20,000 mAh (~74Wh) | ✅ Yes | No approval needed |
| 27,000 mAh (~100Wh) | ✅ Yes | At the no-approval limit |
| 30,000 mAh (~111Wh) | ⚠️ Approval | Over 100Wh, up to 160Wh: ask the airline |
| 50,000 mAh (~185Wh) | ❌ Banned | Over 160Wh — not allowed |
What You Need to Know
Use the battery’s marked watt-hour (Wh) rating. If only capacity and nominal battery voltage are provided, calculate Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × voltage. The size-table examples assume 3.7 V: 20,000 mAh at that voltage is 74 Wh. Do not assume the same voltage for every battery.
Under the standard FAA allowance, up to 100 Wh needs no approval; above 100 Wh through 160 Wh needs airline approval and is limited to two spare batteries. Power banks above 160 Wh are not allowed in passenger baggage. Airline limits can be stricter.
Capacity in mAh alone does not establish permission to fly. Check the Wh rating and your airline’s size and quantity rules, even for familiar consumer power banks.
Power banks must always be in your carry-on or personal item — never checked. If you gate-check a bag, remove the power bank first.
Keep terminals from shorting: use the original packaging, a pouch, or tape over the ports. Some airlines also ask that you don't actively charge devices from a power bank during the flight.
Smart Packing Tips
- ✅ Choose a clearly labeled power bank at or below 100 Wh and confirm your airline’s rules
- ✅ Always pack power banks in carry-on, never checked
- ✅ For a bank above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh, request airline approval before travel
💡 Pro Tip: Ordinary carry-on liquids, gels and pastes use containers up to 3.4oz (100ml) in one quart-sized bag. Medical and infant-related exceptions have separate screening procedures. See our TSA quart size bag guide to pack liquids right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Bring Power bank on a Plane? ▼
Under FAA guidance, personal-use power banks must stay in cabin baggage. Up to 100 Wh needs no airline approval under the standard FAA allowance. Above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh needs airline approval, with at most two spare batteries in that range. Airlines can impose stricter limits. Use the battery’s marked Wh rating.
Can you bring power bank in carry-on luggage? ▼
Cabin baggage only. Up to 100 Wh: standard FAA allowance. Above 100 Wh through 160 Wh: airline approval, at most two spares. Your airline may impose stricter limits.
Can you pack power bank in checked luggage? ▼
Power banks and spare lithium batteries are prohibited in checked baggage by the FAA — fire risk in the hold.
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