Power banks and flying: how many mAh can you take?
The rule is simple: up to 100 Wh needs no approval, and it is worked out from the mAh, not from the size. Here is the formula and a ready table for the most common capacities.
Every week someone asks us: "My power bank is 20,000 mAh, will it get through the airport?" The answer is yes, but not because of the number printed on it. Airlines don't count in milliamp-hours at all. They count in watt-hours (Wh).
The rule in short
- Under 100 Wh: allowed, no approval needed.
- 100 to 160 Wh: needs airline approval, and usually limited to two units.
- Over 160 Wh: not allowed, neither in the cabin nor in checked baggage.
The most important part: never in checked baggage
This is where most people slip up. A power bank has to travel with you in your carry-on, inside the cabin. It is strictly banned from the bag that goes in the hold. The reason is simple: if a lithium battery ever has a problem, someone needs to notice it fast, and that is impossible in the cargo hold.
How to calculate it yourself
The formula is easy. Power banks are rated at 3.7 volts:
Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × 3.7
So a 20,000 mAh power bank is (20000 ÷ 1000) × 3.7 = 74 Wh, comfortably under the 100 Wh limit.
Ready table for common capacities
| Capacity | Watt-hours | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18.5 Wh | Allowed |
| 10,000 mAh | 37 Wh | Allowed |
| 20,000 mAh | 74 Wh | Allowed |
| 26,800 mAh | 99 Wh | Allowed, right at the limit |
| 30,000 mAh | 111 Wh | Needs prior approval |
| 50,000 mAh | 185 Wh | Not allowed |
Our advice
If you travel often, get a 20,000 mAh power bank and stop worrying. It charges a phone two to three times, and no airport officer will stop you for it. Anything above about 27,000 mAh becomes more hassle than it is worth, unless you are running a laptop off it.
One more thing: some power banks don't print the Wh figure clearly. If the number isn't on the body of the unit itself, there is a real chance it gets held at security, so choose a known brand with clear labelling.
Before you fly
Rules vary between airlines and change from time to time, so always check the baggage page on your airline's website the day before you travel. What is above is the international standard that most carriers follow.
You will find power banks of every capacity, all clearly labelled, in our chargers section and our travel section.