Can I bring a power bank on a plane?

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Yes, you can bring a power bank on a plane, but only in your carry-on bag. Power banks are not allowed in checked luggage. A power bank of 100 watt-hours (Wh) or less needs no airline approval. One between 101 and 160 Wh needs your airline's approval, two per person at most.

Key facts

  • Carry-on only: power banks are banned from checked bags (FAA, TSA).
  • Up to 100 Wh: no airline approval needed.
  • 101–160 Wh: airline approval required, limit two spares per person.
  • If your bag is gate-checked, take the power bank out and keep it with you.
  • Airlines may set stricter limits on how many power banks you carry.

What do the FAA and TSA say?

The FAA says: "Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only." Source: FAA PackSafe: Lithium Batteries (checked 2026-10-30).

The TSA lists power banks as Carry On Bags: Yes, Checked Bags: No, and says they "must be packed in carry-on bags." Source: TSA What Can I Bring: Power Banks (checked 2026-10-30).

For larger batteries: "With airline approval, passengers may also carry up to two spare larger lithium ion batteries (101–160 Wh)." Source: TSA: Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt hours (checked 2026-10-30).

What if my carry-on is checked at the gate?

The FAA says that when a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed and kept with you in the cabin. Source: FAA PackSafe: Lithium Batteries (checked 2026-10-30).

How do I protect the battery in my bag?

The FAA requires battery terminals to be protected from short circuit. Its listed methods include the retail packaging, tape over the terminals, a battery case or a sleeve. Source: FAA PackSafe: Lithium Batteries (checked 2026-10-30).

How do I find my power bank's watt-hours?

Look for the Wh rating on the label. If it shows only milliamp-hours (mAh), use Wh = mAh × volts ÷ 1,000. A 10,000 mAh bank at 3.7 V is 37 Wh. A 20,000 mAh bank at 3.7 V is 74 Wh. Both are under 100 Wh.

The FAA notes that newer lithium ion batteries have the Wh rating marked on them. Source: FAA PackSafe: Lithium Batteries (checked 2026-10-30).

Do airlines add their own rules?

Yes. The FAA says many airlines, domestic and international, may have stricter quantity and Wh limits, including how many power banks each passenger may carry. Check your airline's own page before you fly. Source: FAA PackSafe: Lithium Batteries (checked 2026-10-30).

Where does TravelCard Plus fit?

The TravelCard Plus from TravelCard LLC is a phone charger the size of a credit card with the cable built in. Its battery is 3,500 mAh, about 13 Wh (3.7 V nominal), far below the 100 Wh carry-on limit, so it needs no airline approval. It ships free and carries a one-year unconditional warranty. More answers: all Travel Guides.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a power bank in my checked bag?

No. The FAA and TSA both require power banks to travel in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.

Is a 10,000 mAh power bank allowed on a plane?

Yes. At 3.7 V, 10,000 mAh is 37 Wh, well under the 100 Wh limit, so it needs no airline approval.

Is a 20,000 mAh power bank allowed on a plane?

Usually yes. At 3.7 V it is 74 Wh, under 100 Wh. Check the Wh rating on the label to be sure.

What happens above 100 Wh?

From 101 to 160 Wh you need your airline's approval, and you may carry at most two such spare batteries.

How many power banks can I bring?

U.S. federal rules set no count for power banks of 100 Wh or less, but your airline may. Check its page before you fly.

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