Can You Bring a Power Bank on a Plane? TSA Rules

Short answer: yes, you can bring a power bank on a plane, but it has to ride in your carry-on, not your checked bag, and its capacity has to be under the airline limit. Most everyday power banks are fine. The confusion starts because the limit is measured in watt-hours, not the milliamp-hours printed on the front. Here is how to know if yours can fly.

Rule 1: carry-on only, never checked

The FAA requires lithium-ion batteries and power banks to travel in the cabin with you, in your carry-on or on your person. They are not allowed in checked luggage, because a battery fault is easier to catch and handle in the cabin. So even a small power bank should never go in a bag you check at the counter.

Rule 2: the 100 watt-hour line

Airlines rate batteries by watt-hours (Wh), and the thresholds are consistent across major carriers:

• Under 100Wh: allowed in carry-on with no airline approval. This covers the vast majority of phone and tablet power banks.
• 100Wh to 160Wh: allowed, but you must get airline approval first, and you are usually limited to two spare batteries.
• Over 160Wh: not allowed in carry-on at all.

How to convert mAh to watt-hours

Power banks are advertised in milliamp-hours (mAh), but the limit is in watt-hours. The conversion uses the battery's cell voltage, which is about 3.7V for the lithium cells inside a power bank:

Wh = mAh / 1000 x 3.7

Many power banks also print the Wh rating on the casing, and that printed number is what security goes by, so check there first. As a rule of thumb, the 100Wh limit lands at roughly 27,000mAh. Below that flies freely; at or above it needs a closer look.

Quick reference by capacity

• 5,000mAh (about 18Wh): flies freely.
• 10,000mAh (about 37Wh): flies freely.
• 20,000mAh (about 74Wh): flies freely, and it is the largest common size that stays comfortably under the limit.
• 30,000mAh (about 111Wh): over 100Wh, so it needs airline approval before you fly.

What this means for your trip

For flying, a 10,000mAh to 20,000mAh power bank is the sweet spot: enough for a long day of phones, earbuds, and a tablet, with no paperwork at security. Save the big 30,000mAh packs for road trips, camping, and base-camp charging, where the airline limit does not apply. If you do want to fly with a 30,000mAh bank, contact your airline ahead of time for approval.

Power banks that fly without a hassle

• 20000mAh Ultra-Thin Power Bank: about 74Wh, the most capacity you can carry on with no approval.
• MagSafe 3-in-1 Power Bank, 10000mAh: about 37Wh, charges phone, watch, and earbuds, and clears security easily.
• MagSafe Slim Wireless Power Bank, 5000mAh: about 18Wh, pocket-sized for a light travel day.

High-capacity packs (great off the plane)

• The 30000mAh Fast-Charging Power Bank and PD66W 30000mAh Power Bank: about 111Wh, ideal for camping and road trips. To fly with one, get airline approval first.

Bottom line

Keep your power bank in your carry-on, and keep it under 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh) to fly without approval. For most travelers a 10,000mAh to 20,000mAh bank is perfect. See the full range in the Power Banks & Chargers collection. Every order ships from a US warehouse, with most arriving in 5 to 7 business days and free shipping over $99.