Flying With Batteries & Electronics: Lithium Rules Explained
Why some batteries have to stay in the cabin, and how to tell if yours is one of them.
Electronics rules confuse people because the restriction isn't really about the device — it's about whether its lithium battery is installed or loose, and how large that battery is. Get that distinction straight and almost every other battery question answers itself.
Installed batteries vs. spare batteries
A device with its battery installed — a laptop, phone, or tablet — is allowed in a checked bag, though carry-on is strongly recommended so it isn't damaged and its battery stays somewhere a crew member can respond if it overheats. A spare, uninstalled battery or power bank is a different story: it can never go in a checked bag, no exceptions, because there's no way for anyone to intervene if it short-circuits in the cargo hold unattended.
Watt-hour limits
For spare batteries and power banks, size matters. Up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) is unrestricted — the large majority of phone and laptop power banks fall well under this. Between 100 and 160 Wh needs airline approval in advance, typically capped at two spares. Anything over 160 Wh isn't allowed on a passenger flight at all. The Wh rating is usually printed directly on the device; if it's only listed in milliamp-hours (mAh) and volts (V), multiply and divide by 1000 to convert.
Devices with their own special rule
A few devices get called out by name because of their battery risk. E-cigarettes and vapes are one of the few items TSA explicitly bans from checked baggage — not just restricts — and using or charging one on board is prohibited at any point during the flight, even though the device itself can travel in your carry-on.
Related rules
FAQ
- Can I put my laptop in a checked bag?
- It's allowed, but not recommended — carry-on protects it from rough handling and keeps its battery in the cabin, where it's safer.
- How do I find my power bank's watt-hour rating?
- Check the label on the device — it's often printed directly as Wh. If it only shows mAh and V, multiply them together and divide by 1000 to get Wh.