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For years the rule for power banks was simple: carry-on only, under 100 Wh, done. In 2026 that changed. After a string of battery fires on aircraft, the UN's aviation agency set a new global limit, and airline after airline added its own rules about how many power banks you can bring, where you keep them and whether you can use them in flight at all.
Here is what the rules say now, airline by airline, and five power banks that sit comfortably inside them.
The short version: bring one or two power banks of 100 Wh or less in your carry-on, keep them in the seat pocket or under the seat (not in the overhead bin), never charge them from seat power, and check your airline before you plug your phone in mid-flight.
The 2026 power bank rules in 60 seconds
- Carry-on only. Spare lithium batteries, power banks included, are never allowed in checked bags. If your cabin bag is gate-checked, take the power bank out first. See the FAA's PackSafe rules and the TSA's page on portable chargers.
- 100 Wh is the line. Up to 100 Wh needs no approval. From 100 to 160 Wh you need the airline's approval, and above 160 Wh is not allowed. American and Delta now cap power banks at 100 Wh.
- Two power banks maximum. The ICAO rules that took effect on March 27, 2026 limit passengers to two power banks and ban recharging them during the flight. Some airlines go further: Southwest allows only one.
- Keep it within reach. Most big airlines now ban power banks from overhead bins so the crew can spot and deal with an overheating battery quickly.
- In-flight use varies. Many airlines in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East no longer let you use a power bank on board at all. US airlines mostly still do, with conditions.
How to tell whether your power bank is under 100 Wh
Airlines measure batteries in watt-hours (Wh), but power banks are sold in milliamp-hours (mAh). The conversion is simple: mAh × 3.7 ÷ 1,000 = Wh (most cells run at 3.6 to 3.7 volts). Better still, look on the case: reputable brands print the Wh rating next to the mAh figure, and security staff, especially in Asia, may confiscate a power bank with no readable label.
| Capacity | About | Allowed in the cabin? |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000mAh | 19 Wh | Yes |
| 10,000mAh | 37 Wh | Yes |
| 20,000mAh | 74 Wh | Yes |
| 25,000mAh | 90 Wh | Yes |
| 27,000mAh and up | 100 Wh or more | Only with airline approval up to 160 Wh; not on American or Delta |
Power bank rules by airline (October 2026)
These are the rules as published or announced at the time of writing. They are changing fast, so check your airline's dangerous goods or baggage page before every trip.
| Airline | How many | Use in flight | Where to keep it |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines (from May 1, 2026) | Up to 2, each 100 Wh or less | Allowed if visible and within reach; no recharging the bank | Not in overhead bins |
| Delta Air Lines (from May 1, 2026) | Up to 2, each 100 Wh or less | Check before you fly | Not in overhead bins |
| United Airlines (from March 1, 2026) | Standard limits | Allowed; no recharging the bank | On you, seat pocket or under-seat bag; not overhead |
| Southwest Airlines (from April 20, 2026) | 1 only | No recharging the bank from seat power | Not in overhead bins |
| British Airways | Up to 2, each 100 Wh or less | No charging the bank from seat power | Seat pocket or bag under the seat |
| Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings, ITA and other Lufthansa Group airlines (from January 15, 2026) | Up to 2 | Not allowed at all | On you, seat pocket or under the seat |
| Emirates (since October 2025) | 1, under 100 Wh | Not allowed | Not in overhead bins |
| Singapore Airlines and Scoot | Up to 2 | Not allowed | Check before you fly |
| Japanese airlines including JAL and ANA (from April 24, 2026) | Up to 2, each 160 Wh or less | Not allowed; no charging from seat power | Check before you fly |
| Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia | Up to 2 | Not allowed | Not in overhead bins |
| Domestic flights within mainland China | Standard limits | Check before you fly | Power bank must carry the Chinese CCC (3C) mark |
Sources: ICAO, Lufthansa Group, Japan Airlines and airline announcements reported by the travel press.
Coming in 2027: Japan Airlines has warned that its 160 Wh limit may drop to 100 Wh from January 2027, in line with expected changes to the international dangerous goods rules. If you are buying a new power bank now, stay under 100 Wh and it will work everywhere.
Quick picks
| Power bank | Capacity | About | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker Nano Power Bank 10K (built-in USB-C) | 10,000mAh | 37 Wh | Best overall |
| Anker MagGo Ultra-Slim 10K | 10,000mAh | 37 Wh | iPhone users |
| charmast 10000mAh with built-in cables | 10,000mAh | 37 Wh | Families with mixed phones |
| Anker Laptop Power Bank 25K 165W | 25,000mAh | 90 Wh | Laptops |
| UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 145W | 25,000mAh | About 90 Wh | Laptops on a budget |
The best power banks for flying in 2026
1. Anker Nano Power Bank 10K: best overall
A 10,000mAh bank is the sweet spot for flying: at about 37 Wh it is far below every limit, it fits in the seat pocket, and it gives most phones close to two full charges on the ground. This one has a USB-C cable built into the body, so the cable cannot be left at home, plus a second port for earbuds. It charges a phone and recharges itself at 30W, and it has more than 10,000 ratings on Amazon.
Good: tiny, far under the 100 Wh limit, built-in cable, fast 30W charging.
Watch out: the built-in cable is USB-C only; on airlines that ban in-flight use, top up your phone at the gate instead.
2. Anker MagGo Ultra-Slim 10K: best for iPhone
At 0.58 inches thick, this Qi2-certified magnetic bank snaps onto the back of an iPhone and charges it wirelessly at up to 15W, with no cable to tangle in a tight seat. There is also a 30W USB-C port for earbuds or a second phone. Anker says it takes an iPhone 15 Pro from empty to 50% in about 51 minutes.
Good: thin enough for a jacket pocket, magnetic charging, Qi2 15W, separate USB-C port.
Watch out: Android phones charge more slowly and do not get the magnetic hold; wireless charging runs warmer than a cable.
3. charmast 10000mAh with built-in cables: best for families
When one traveller has an older iPhone, another a USB-C Android and the kids a Micro-USB game, this bank solves it in one piece: the cables are built in and fold into the body, and up to six devices can charge at once. The label rating is 37 Wh, and with more than 11,000 ratings it is one of the most-reviewed power banks on Amazon.
Good: no loose cables to forget, charges several devices at once, low cost.
Watch out: slower than the Anker models and heavier at about 9 oz; with several devices plugged in each one charges slowly.
4. Anker Laptop Power Bank 25K 165W: best for laptops
If you work on the road, this is the one. Anker rates it at 90 Wh and states it complies with airline carry-on rules, so it stays under the 100 Wh line that American and Delta now enforce. It has two built-in USB-C cables, one of them retractable, plus USB-C ports that each deliver up to 100W: enough for a MacBook and a phone at the same time.
Good: charges laptops at full speed, built-in cables, under 100 Wh, recharges quickly.
Watch out: it is a brick in size and weight; on Southwest, where only one power bank is allowed, it would be your only one.
5. UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 145W: best value for laptops
UGREEN's laptop bank delivers up to 140W from a single USB-C port, which is enough for a 16-inch MacBook Pro, and shares 145W across three ports. A small screen shows the charge left, which helps you ration it on a long travel day. At 25,000mAh it works out to about 90 Wh; check the rating printed on the case before you fly.
Good: high output for the money, three ports, a display, thousands of positive ratings.
Watch out: no built-in cable; at just over a pound it is heavy for a day bag.
How to fly with a power bank in 2026
- Check your airline the night before. Rules for using a power bank in flight differ between airlines and even between your outbound and return carriers.
- Keep it in the seat pocket or your under-seat bag, not in the overhead bin. If it gets hot, swells or smells, call a flight attendant at once.
- Never charge the power bank from seat power. This is now banned under the ICAO rules.
- Charge your phone before boarding. On airlines that ban in-flight use, the gate is your last chance.
- Leave damaged power banks at home. A cracked, swollen or dropped bank is a fire risk. Brands, Anker among them, have recalled power bank models in recent years, so check yours on the CPSC recalls site.
- Pick a seat with power on long-haul flights if you can, and charge your phone directly from it.
Travelling to Europe? A power bank pairs well with a good adapter: see our guide to the best universal travel adapters and our Europe packing essentials.
FAQ
Can I bring a power bank on a plane in 2026?
Yes, in your carry-on only. Power banks up to 100 Wh are allowed without approval on almost every airline, 100 to 160 Wh needs the airline's approval, and anything above 160 Wh is not allowed on passenger flights. Power banks are never allowed in checked bags.
How many power banks can I take on a plane?
Under the ICAO rules that took effect on March 27, 2026, the limit is two per passenger. Some airlines are stricter: Southwest allows one, and Emirates allows one under 100 Wh.
Can I use my power bank during the flight?
It depends on the airline. Recharging the power bank itself from seat power is now banned under the ICAO rules. Lufthansa Group airlines, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Japanese airlines and others also forbid using a power bank to charge your phone in flight. US airlines such as American still allow use, but the bank must stay visible and within reach.
How many watt-hours is a 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh power bank?
Multiply the mAh by the cell voltage (usually 3.6 to 3.7 V) and divide by 1,000. A 10,000mAh bank is about 37 Wh, 20,000mAh about 74 Wh and 25,000mAh about 90 Wh, all under the 100 Wh limit. Look for the Wh figure printed on the case.
Can I put a power bank in the overhead bin?
On a growing number of airlines, no. United, Delta, American, Southwest, British Airways, the Lufthansa Group and Emirates all require power banks to stay on you, in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat, so the crew can act quickly if one overheats.
More for the flight: the best noise-cancelling headphones for flying, carry-on bags that fit every airline and what to do if your flight is cancelled.
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