Travel Explained
Can You Bring a Portable Charger on a Plane?
Portable chargers are allowed on planes, but they belong in your carry-on—not your checked luggage. Battery size, airline approval, and how the charger is packed can also affect whether it is permitted through security and onboard the aircraft.
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The Quick Answer
Yes. Under U.S. aviation rules, portable chargers and power banks must travel in your carry-on because they contain spare lithium batteries. Most chargers rated at 100 watt-hours or less are allowed without airline approval. Chargers between 101 and 160 watt-hours require airline approval, while larger batteries are generally prohibited in passenger baggage. If your carry-on is gate-checked, remove the charger and keep it with you in the cabin.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration passenger-battery guidance.
Portable chargers must stay in your carry-on
A portable charger is treated as a spare lithium battery, even when it is marketed as a power bank. Under Federal Aviation Administration guidance, spare lithium batteries cannot be placed in checked luggage.
Most everyday phone chargers are below the 100-watt-hour limit and can travel without airline approval. Look for a “Wh” rating printed on the charger. If only voltage and amp-hours are shown, multiply them to calculate watt-hours.
Power banks rated between 101 and 160 watt-hours require approval from the airline, and passengers may carry no more than two. Batteries above 160 watt-hours are generally prohibited in passenger baggage.
Protect the charger from damage and accidental activation while traveling. Keep it in a case or separate pocket, and never pack a swollen, damaged, or recalled battery. If your carry-on is checked at the gate, remove the charger before handing over the bag.
At a Glance
Check the battery rating before you fly
The watt-hour rating determines whether your portable charger can travel without airline approval, needs advance permission, or is prohibited in passenger baggage.
100 Wh or Less
Usually allowed
Most ordinary phone power banks fall within this range. Pack the charger in your carry-on; airline approval is generally not required.
101–160 Wh
Approval required
Contact the airline before traveling. Passengers are limited to two larger spare batteries within this range.
Above 160 Wh
Not permitted
Batteries above 160 watt-hours are generally prohibited in both carry-on and checked passenger baggage.
Before You Leave
Pack your portable charger safely
A permitted battery can still create a problem if it is damaged, packed incorrectly, or left inside a bag that is checked at the gate.
Keep it in your carry-on
Portable chargers contain spare lithium batteries and cannot be placed in checked luggage.
Protect the terminals
Keep the charger in a protective pouch or separate pocket so metal objects cannot contact its terminals.
Inspect the battery
Do not travel with a battery that is swollen, cracked, overheating, damaged, or subject to a safety recall.
Check the airline
Airlines may apply additional restrictions, particularly to larger batteries and their use during the flight.
Reading the Label
What if the charger does not list watt-hours?
Some chargers list voltage and battery capacity instead. You can use those numbers to calculate the watt-hour rating.
A clearly printed manufacturer label is best. Airline or security staff may be unable to approve a charger when its capacity cannot be verified.
Gate-Checked Bags
Carry-on does not always mean the charger can remain inside your suitcase.
If the airline checks your carry-on at the gate because the overhead bins are full, remove the portable charger first. Keep it with you in the cabin by placing it inside your personal item.
Common Mistakes
Portable-charger mistakes to avoid
Packing it in checked luggage. Power banks and other spare lithium batteries must remain inside the aircraft cabin.
Leaving it inside a gate-checked bag. Remove the charger before handing your carry-on to airline staff.
Ignoring the watt-hour rating. Physical size or milliamp-hours alone do not determine whether airline approval is required.
Traveling with a damaged battery. Swelling, cracking, overheating, and recalls can make a charger unsafe to transport.
Assuming every airline has the same onboard policy. A charger may be permitted in the cabin even when its use during the flight is restricted.
Key Takeaways
Portable-charger rules, simplified
Keep it in the cabin. Portable chargers and power banks cannot be packed in checked luggage.
Check the watt-hour rating. Most chargers at or below 100 watt-hours can travel without airline approval.
Ask about larger batteries. Batteries between 101 and 160 watt-hours require airline approval.
Pack it safely. Protect the charger from damage, accidental activation, and short circuits.
Check the operating airline. Airline and international rules may be more restrictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Portable charger FAQ
Can I put a portable charger in checked luggage?
No. Portable chargers contain spare lithium batteries and must remain in carry-on baggage under U.S. aviation rules.
Can I use a portable charger during the flight?
This depends on the airline. Some carriers restrict the use or charging of power banks onboard even when passengers are permitted to carry them.
Is a 20,000 mAh power bank allowed on a plane?
Usually, but the watt-hour rating is what matters. Many 20,000 mAh power banks are below 100 watt-hours, although you should confirm the rating printed on your specific device.
What if the charger does not show its capacity?
A missing or unreadable capacity label can make it difficult for airline or security staff to verify that the charger meets the limit. Use a charger with a clear manufacturer label whenever possible.
Do the same rules apply outside the United States?
Carry-on-only rules for spare lithium batteries are widely used, but countries and airlines may impose additional restrictions. Check each operating airline before an international trip.
Still Unsure?
Check the battery and airline before packing
Review the current FAA battery guidance and confirm the operating airline’s policy if your charger is unusually large, damaged, missing its rating, or subject to a separate onboard-use restriction.
Review FAA GuidanceRelated Guides
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Response
[…] If you decide not to pay the fee, step away from the check-in counter and redistribute heavier belongings into another checked bag or an eligible carry-on. Make sure anything moved into the cabin complies with security restrictions and your airline’s carry-on limits. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must remain with you in the cabin, as explained in our guide to bringing a portable charger on a plane. […]