What Size Bag

Batteries and electronics

Power banks, spare batteries and devices: which bag they go in and the watt-hour limits.

Can I bring a power bank?Power banks go in your carry-on only. The FAA allows up to 100 Wh, up to 160 Wh with airline approval, and nothing bigger. Power bank Wh calculatorType the mAh and volts on your power bank for its watt-hours, with the math, and the FAA rule for that size. Spare batteriesSpare lithium batteries go in your carry-on only. AA, AAA and other alkaline batteries can go in either bag, with the terminals protected. Can I bring a vape?Vapes and e-cigarettes go on you or in your carry-on, never in a checked bag, and can't be used or charged on board. Laptops and electronicsLaptops, phones, tablets and cameras can go in either bag. The FAA says carry them on, and a checked device must be switched fully off. Smart luggage batteriesA smart bag with a lithium battery must be a carry-on unless the battery comes out. Taken out, the battery travels in the cabin as a spare. Bringing a CPAPTSA allows a CPAP in carry-on and checked bags and screens it in its case. American Airlines doesn't count one toward its carry-on limit. Straighteners and curling ironsCorded straighteners and curling irons can go in either bag. Cordless battery or butane ones are carry-on only, with a safety cover on.

Which bag batteries and devices go in

Carry-on and checked bag, under FAA and TSA rules
ItemCarry-onChecked bag
Power bank, up to 100 WhYesNo
Power bank, over 100 up to 160 WhWith airline approval, 2 at mostNo
Power bank or battery over 160 WhNoNo
Spare lithium batteryYesNo
AA, AAA and other alkaline batteriesYesYes
Vape or e-cigaretteYesNo
Laptop, phone or tabletYesYes, switched fully off
Smart luggageYesOnly with the battery removed
CPAP machineYesYes
Corded straightener or curling ironYesYes
Cordless or butane curling ironYesNo

Watt-hour limits are per battery. Spare batteries need their terminals protected, and TSA says a CPAP with a lithium battery should go in your carry-on. The final decision at the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer.

Where we get our information from

Every answer is the FAA’s PackSafe rule, the DOT regulation behind it (49 CFR 175.10) or TSA’s checkpoint list. Checked against published data from TSA, FAA and US DOT.

See all 14 sources
  • FAA, Airline Passengers and Batteries: guidance, FAQs and chart
  • FAA, Printable PackSafe Chart (PDF, updated November 14, 2025)
  • US DOT, 49 CFR 175.10, Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air operators (eCFR)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Power Banks
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less in a device
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Laptops
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Nebulizers, CPAPs, BiPAPs, and APAPs
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Butane Curling Irons (cordless)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Curling Iron (cordless)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Curling Iron (with cord)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Hair Straightener, flat iron (cordless)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring?: Hair Straightener, flat iron (with cord)

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General guidance from airline, TSA and FAA rules, checked on the date shown. Rules change, and the airline and security officers decide on the day: check your airline before you fly.