Keep valuable electronics in your carry-on when practical, and pack spare lithium batteries and power banks in the cabin—not checked baggage. Before flying, check battery watt-hours and your airline’s rules. At security, follow the checkpoint’s current instructions: screening can vary, so do not assume every traveler must remove a laptop from a bag.
Where to pack laptops, phones, tablets, and cameras
For expensive or fragile electronics, the TSA recommends carry-on baggage. Keeping devices with you also makes it easier to retain control of them while traveling. A padded sleeve is an optional way to cushion a laptop inside a carry-on; it is a practical suggestion, not an official TSA or FAA requirement or a tested guarantee against damage.
Keep devices within your control as you move through crowded areas and security queues. This is common-sense handling advice, not a proven theft-prevention measure: the available guidance does not establish that a particular lock, tracker, or bag feature prevents airport theft.
How to protect electronics at airport security
Checkpoint procedures can vary. An item may receive additional screening or be refused, and the TSA officer makes the final decision. Follow the instructions at your specific checkpoint and allow time for extra screening. Do not assume that a laptop or other device must always be removed from its bag.
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- Before leaving, check the device or battery manufacturer’s information for the battery’s watt-hour rating.
- Keep electronics accessible in your carry-on where practical, and follow the checkpoint officer’s directions if additional screening is needed.
- Stay with your belongings as they pass through screening, then gather your devices before moving on.
TSA security screening and FAA hazardous-materials rules address different concerns. FAA passenger guidance covers battery carriage and fire safety; TSA guidance covers checkpoint screening and item decisions. FAA rules should not be treated as a universal statement of every airline’s or country’s requirements.
Power banks and spare batteries: carry-on only
Spare lithium batteries—including power banks—must go in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. Protect battery terminals from short circuits, for example with the original packaging or tape, and protect batteries from damage. If your carry-on is taken at the gate or planeside for checking, remove spare batteries and power banks first and keep them with you in the cabin.
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Do not bring a damaged, defective, or recalled lithium battery or device when it presents an overheating or fire hazard. The FAA’s PackSafe passenger guidance puts the caution plainly: “When in doubt, leave it out.”
How many watt-hours can you bring on a plane?
FAA passenger guidance sets these limits for rechargeable batteries. Airline requirements and international rules may be stricter, so confirm the applicable conditions with your carrier, especially for larger batteries.
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| Battery rating | FAA passenger guidance |
|---|---|
| 0–100 Wh | Allowed. |
| 101–160 Wh | Requires airline approval. Up to two spare lithium-ion batteries in this range may be carried with approval. |
| Above 160 Wh | Not permitted on passenger aircraft. |
These are battery-carriage limits, not a guarantee that every airline or route will accept a battery under the stated maximum. Check the label or manufacturer information for watt-hours; if the rating or applicable rule is unclear, ask the airline before travel.
Can a device with its battery installed go in checked luggage?
Carry devices with installed lithium batteries in the cabin when possible. FAA guidance allows a device in checked baggage only under specified conditions: it must be completely powered off—not in sleep or standby mode—and protected from accidental activation and damage. Spare batteries remain cabin-only.
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Before-you-leave checklist
- Check the watt-hour rating on each relevant battery or in the manufacturer’s information.
- Confirm current airline and destination rules, particularly for batteries above 100 Wh.
- Pack valuable or fragile electronics in your carry-on where practical; consider a sleeve for cushioning.
- Pack spare batteries and power banks in carry-on baggage with terminals protected against short circuits and batteries protected from damage.
- If an overhead carry-on is gate-checked, take spare batteries and power banks out and keep them in the cabin.
- Do not travel with a battery or device that is damaged, defective, or recalled and poses a fire or overheating risk.
- At security, follow the current checkpoint instructions rather than relying on a universal rule about removing electronics.
Sources: FAA guidance for portable electronic devices containing batteries; TSA: What Can I Bring?—Electronics; FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries; FAA: Lithium Batteries in Baggage; FAA PackSafe passenger guidance.
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