This guide is based on the official pages from TSA, the FAA, Malaysia's aviation regulator and Emirates, each cited with its date. Airline rules change, so check yours before you fly.
The short answer
You can bring a power bank on a plane, in your carry-on bag. TSA's power bank page (last updated May 14, 2025) lists carry-on as yes and checked bags as no.
- Carry-on: allowed.
- Checked bag: not allowed. TSA says spare lithium batteries, which include power banks and phone chargers, are prohibited in checked luggage.
- Final call: TSA says the officer at the checkpoint decides whether an item goes through.
| Battery size | In your carry-on | In a checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Wh or less | Allowed | Not allowed |
| 101 to 160 Wh | Up to two, with airline approval | Not allowed |
| Over 160 Wh | No allowance on the FAA page | Not allowed |
The 100 Wh limit
The FAA's PackSafe page (last updated August 11, 2026) limits lithium ion batteries to 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. The FAA says that covers nearly all batteries the average person uses in their devices.
With airline approval, you may carry up to two larger spare lithium ion batteries of 101 to 160 Wh. Past 160 Wh, the FAA page gives no allowance for a spare battery.
How to work out Wh
Newer batteries have the Wh rating printed on them. The FAA tip is to check that marking first. If it is missing, multiply the battery voltage by its amp hours (Ah).
Many power banks list only milliamp hours (mAh). Convert with Wh = mAh x V / 1000. Power banks typically use a 3.7 V cell, so use that if the label gives no voltage.
| Rated capacity | Approx. Wh at 3.7 V | Under 100 Wh? |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Yes |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Yes |
| 27,000 mAh | about 100 Wh | At the limit |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | No, needs airline approval |
The 3.7 V figure is a typical cell voltage, not a guarantee. The Wh marked on your power bank is the number to trust.
Pack it for the checkpoint
How to carry it:
- Keep it in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage.
- Protect the terminals from short circuit. The FAA says to keep the battery in its retail packaging, tape the terminals, use a battery case or sleeve, or put it in a plastic bag or pouch.
- If a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, take every power bank out and keep it with you in the cabin.
- Do not fly with a damaged or recalled battery. The FAA says those must not go aboard unless the battery is removed or made safe.
The ICAO rule that is not (yet) a US rule
US pages and the newest international rule do not say the same thing. The FAA and TSA pages above give no cap on how many power banks you carry, and no ban on using one in flight. They state a limit of two only for the larger 101 to 160 Wh batteries.
The international picture changed in 2026. Malaysia's aviation regulator issued Safety Directive SD 01/2026 on 14 April 2026, effective 30 April 2026. It transposes an amendment to ICAO's Technical Instructions (Doc 9284), and it is our source for the ICAO rule. It says:
- All power banks are limited to two per passenger.
- Passengers may not recharge power banks during flights.
- Power banks may not be used to recharge devices on board.
- Airlines may be stricter.
- Passengers should avoid overhead bins and keep power banks on their person or within reach.
That is a Malaysian directive for airlines under its authority. We found no FAA or TSA page that adopts it.
Your airline may be stricter
The FAA says many airlines, domestic and international, set stricter quantity and Wh limits, including how many power banks each passenger may carry. Check with your carrier before you travel.
Emirates is one example. Its 8 Aug 2025 announcement prohibits any use of power banks on board from 1 October 2025.
- One power bank under 100 Wh per customer.
- No charging devices from it, and no charging it from the aircraft.
- Not in the overhead bin: seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front.
- Capacity rating information must be available.
What to do before you fly
- Read the Wh on the power bank, or convert from mAh.
- Make sure it is 100 Wh or less. If it is 101 to 160 Wh, get airline approval first.
- Carry no more than two (the ICAO limit), and fewer if your airline says so.
- Cover the terminals or keep the power bank in a case or pouch.
- Put it in your carry-on. Emirates, for one, says seat pocket or under the seat, not the overhead bin.
- If your bag is gate-checked, take the power bank out.
- Plan not to use it in flight unless your airline allows it.
FAQ
Can I use a power bank on the plane? The FAA and TSA pages we read do not ban it. The 2026 ICAO rule bars recharging a power bank and using one to charge devices on board. Some airlines prohibit all use, like Emirates. Ask your airline.
How many power banks can I bring? The FAA and TSA pages give no cap for batteries up to 100 Wh, and two for the 101 to 160 Wh size. The ICAO rule as transposed by Malaysia says two per passenger. Airlines can be stricter.
What mAh is 100 Wh? About 27,000 mAh at a typical 3.7 V cell. Check the Wh printed on the battery.
Can I put one in checked luggage? No. TSA and the FAA both say spare lithium batteries stay in the carry-on.
Related: Baseus' iPhone Duo power bank and UGREEN's liquid-cooled MagFlow Pro.
