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The short answer
A power bank goes in your hand luggage, never in the hold. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says power banks “must only be carried as carry-on baggage”, with “no more than two power banks” per person. One rated up to 100Wh (lithium ion) is allowed without airline approval; one “greater than 100Wh rating (Lithium ion) but not exceeding 160Wh requires approval from the operator”, meaning your airline. The CAA also says power banks must not be recharged on board and should not be used to charge a device during the flight.
These are the CAA rules as published on 11 November 2026. GOV.UK’s hand luggage page sends travellers to this CAA page for battery rules.
Where each kind of battery can go
The CAA groups batteries into a table with three questions: allowed in checked baggage, allowed in the cabin, and whether the airline must approve. The rows that matter to most travellers:
| Item | Checked (hold) baggage | Cabin baggage | Airline approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power bank, up to 100Wh | No | Yes, two per person at most | Not needed |
| Power bank, over 100Wh up to 160Wh | No | Yes | Required |
| Spare lithium battery, up to 100Wh | No | Yes, two spares per person at most | Not needed |
| Spare lithium battery, over 100Wh up to 160Wh | No | Yes | Required |
| Phone, laptop or other device with its battery fitted | Yes, but see the switch-off rule below | Yes (the CAA says devices “should be carried as carry-on baggage”) | Only for batteries over 100Wh |
| E-cigarette or vape | No | On your person only | Not needed |
The CAA says its list is “based on the current edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air”. GOV.UK’s own table also shows e-cigarettes as allowed in hand luggage and not in hold luggage.
Working out the Wh rating
The limit is in watt-hours (Wh), not in the mAh figure most power banks advertise. The CAA explains that “manufacturers have been required to mark lithium ion batteries with the watt-hour rating”, so check the label first.
If only mAh and volts are printed, the CAA gives the method:
- Divide the mAh figure by 1000 to get ampere-hours (Ah). The CAA’s example: “4400 mAh / 1000 = 4.4 Ah”.
- Multiply by the nominal voltage (V) printed on the battery: “Ah x V = Wh”.
Then compare the result with the 100Wh and 160Wh thresholds above. The CAA also requires each lithium battery to be “of a type which meets the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3”.
Spare batteries: protect the terminals
Spare lithium batteries (for a camera or laptop, for example) follow the same 100Wh and 160Wh limits, are cabin-only, and are limited to “no more than two spare batteries” per person. The CAA adds that they must be “individually protected so as to prevent short circuits”. It names three ways: keep each battery in its original retail packaging, tape over the exposed terminals, or put each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.
For lithium metal batteries (non-rechargeable, used in watches, calculators and some cameras, according to the CAA), the measure is lithium content rather than Wh: up to 2 g is allowed without airline approval. Batteries of more than 2 g but not more than 8 g are allowed only for portable medical electronic devices, with airline approval.
Devices in the hold must be fully off
A laptop or tablet with its battery fitted may go in checked baggage, but the CAA says such devices “must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode)” if the battery is above 2.7Wh for lithium ion, or 0.3 g lithium content for lithium metal. The CAA also asks for measures “to prevent unintentional activation and to protect the devices from damage”.
The same 0.3 g and 2.7Wh thresholds apply to smart suitcases. Baggage with a lithium battery above those figures must be carried in the cabin, unless the battery is removed, protected from short circuit and carried in the cabin.
Charge your devices before security
GOV.UK adds a security point: “Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.” It also notes that “some airlines might also have different restrictions”.
Packing the rest of your hand luggage
Batteries are one part of the security check. Liquids follow their own limits, which now vary by UK airport: see liquids in hand luggage. If you are heading to Europe, check the passport validity rules and the EU Entry/Exit System before you go. If your flight is then late, see flight delay compensation.
Before you fly
Read the battery section of the CAA’s “Items that are allowed in baggage” page, then check your airline’s own rules: the CAA leaves the 100-160Wh decision to the airline, and GOV.UK says airlines can apply different restrictions. Ask for approval before the day you fly if your power bank is above 100Wh.
Questions about this page
Can I put a power bank in my checked luggage?
No. The UK Civil Aviation Authority lists power banks as not allowed in checked baggage: they must only be carried as carry-on baggage.
What is the Wh limit for a power bank on a plane?
Up to 100Wh (lithium ion) is allowed without airline approval. Above 100Wh but not exceeding 160Wh requires approval from the airline. No more than two power banks per person.
Can I charge my phone from a power bank during the flight?
The CAA says power banks must not be recharged on board and should not be used to recharge a portable electronic device on board.