Power banks are among the most common items in carry-on bags, and among the most regulated. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat and catch fire if they're damaged, defective or short-circuited, which is why aviation authorities set rules on where they can travel and how big they can be. This guide explains the U.S. rules from the FAA and TSA, how to work out your power bank's watt-hour rating, the international changes that took effect in 2026, and how to choose a travel power bank that won't cause trouble at the gate.
Sources: FAA PackSafe guidance on lithium batteries and airline passengers and batteries; TSA's power banks page; and ICAO's March 2026 power bank announcement. Rules change and airlines can be stricter. Always check your airline before you fly.
The core rule: carry-on only
The FAA treats power banks and portable chargers as spare lithium batteries. Spare lithium batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage and are not allowed in checked baggage. TSA's guidance matches: power banks are allowed in carry-on bags and prohibited in checked bags.
The reason is practical: if a battery overheats in the cabin, crew and passengers can see it and respond. In the cargo hold, nobody can.
The FAA also notes that if your carry-on bag is checked at the gate or planeside, you must remove any spare lithium batteries and power banks and keep them with you in the cabin. Keep your power bank in an outside pocket so that's easy.
Size limits: the 100 Wh and 160 Wh thresholds
| Power bank rating | FAA rule (passenger, personal use) |
|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed in carry-on |
| 101–160 Wh | Allowed in carry-on only with airline approval; limit of two spare batteries in this range per person |
| Over 160 Wh | Forbidden on passenger aircraft |
The FAA says there's no quantity limit for batteries under 100 Wh carried for personal use, but notes that many airlines have stricter limits on how many power banks you can bring. Batteries carried for sale or distribution are prohibited.
Large portable power stations of the kind used for home backup are almost always well over 160 Wh and can't fly as passenger baggage.
How to work out watt-hours
Most reputable power banks print the watt-hour rating on the case. If yours only shows milliamp-hours (mAh), you can calculate it:
Wh = mAh × V ÷ 1000
The FAA's own guidance is to multiply volts by amp-hours. Use the battery's nominal voltage, which for most lithium-ion power banks is 3.6 or 3.7 V, not the 5 V USB output voltage.
| Capacity | Approx. Wh at 3.7 V | FAA category |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | Under 100 Wh |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Under 100 Wh |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Under 100 Wh |
| 26,800 mAh | about 99 Wh | Just under 100 Wh |
| 40,000 mAh | 148 Wh | 101–160 Wh: airline approval needed |
That's why many "flight-friendly" high-capacity banks top out just under 27,000 mAh. If the case doesn't show a Wh rating at all, security or airline staff may not be able to verify it, so choose banks with clear labels.
What changed in 2026
On March 27, 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) approved an addendum to its Technical Instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods, effective the same day, that added restrictions specifically for power banks. According to ICAO and IATA guidance, the changes:
- Limit each passenger to no more than two power banks, regardless of capacity.
- Prohibit recharging power banks while on board the aircraft.
- Recommend against using power banks to charge devices while on board.
- Keep the existing requirements: carry-on only, and protected against short circuit when not in use.
ICAO standards apply to international air transport, and airlines around the world have been implementing them, some with stricter policies. For example, Singapore Airlines announced that power banks must not be charged from in-seat power or used to charge devices during flights, and must not be stored in overhead bins. U.S. domestic rules are set by the FAA; check the FAA's PackSafe pages and your airline for current policy, which may differ from the international rules.
Packing and in-flight best practices
- Protect the terminals. The FAA requires spare batteries to be protected from short circuit. Keep the bank in its own pouch, away from coins and keys, and cover exposed contacts.
- Keep it accessible. A seat pocket or under-seat bag is better than an overhead bin; you can spot problems quickly.
- Don't charge it onboard, and follow your airline's rules on using it.
- Watch for warning signs. If a battery gets hot, swells, smokes or smells, tell a flight attendant immediately. Crews are trained to handle lithium battery fires.
- Don't fly with damaged batteries. A cracked, swollen or recalled power bank should be recycled, not packed.
Choosing a travel power bank
Capacity
For most travelers, 10,000 mAh (about 37 Wh) covers a day of phone use with room to spare and fits in a pocket. If you need to charge a laptop or several devices, 20,000 to 26,800 mAh banks stay under 100 Wh, but they're heavier.
Output
USB-C Power Delivery output of 20 to 30 W fast-charges most phones. Laptops typically need 45 W or more; check your laptop's charger rating.
Labeling
Choose a bank with the Wh rating printed clearly on the case. It saves arguments at security and the gate.
Convenience
Built-in cables mean you won't forget one, and a display showing remaining charge helps you plan. Fast self-recharging lets you top up the bank during a layover.
Quality
Buy from established brands, and avoid no-name banks with implausible capacity claims. Safety certifications and a clear warranty are good signs.
Power banks at home
A charged power bank is also one of the most useful items in an outage kit. It keeps phones running for days and powers headlamps and small radios. See our blackout kit guide for how to store and rotate them.
The bottom line
Power banks always go in your carry-on, never checked. Under FAA rules, banks up to 100 Wh are allowed; 101 to 160 Wh needs airline approval with a limit of two; over 160 Wh is forbidden. Calculate watt-hours from mAh using 3.6 to 3.7 V. Since March 2026, international rules limit you to two power banks and prohibit recharging them onboard, and many airlines restrict in-flight use. Choose a clearly labeled bank under 100 Wh and check your airline before every trip.
