Can You Take a Power Bank on a Plane? UK Rules for 2026
Last reviewed: 20 August 2026
Quick answer: Yes. You can normally take a power bank on a flight from the UK, but it must be in your carry-on baggage, not checked luggage. Under UK Civil Aviation Authority rules effective from 27 March 2026, passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks per person. Power banks must not be recharged on board and should not be used to charge another device during the flight.
For lithium-ion power banks, the key capacity threshold is 100Wh. A power bank up to 100Wh can normally be carried without airline approval. A unit above 100Wh but not exceeding 160Wh requires approval from the airline. Airlines can impose additional restrictions, so always check your carrier before travelling.
The 2026 UK power-bank rules at a glance
- Carry-on only: power banks must be in cabin baggage.
- Maximum two: no more than two power banks per person.
- Protect against short circuits: keep each power bank protected when not in use.
- Do not recharge the power bank onboard: the 2026 rules prohibit this.
- Do not use it to charge another device onboard: CAA guidance says power banks should not be used to recharge portable electronic devices while on the aircraft.
- Up to 100Wh: normally permitted without airline approval.
- Over 100Wh up to 160Wh: airline approval is required.
Can a power bank go in checked luggage?
No. A power bank is treated as a spare lithium battery and must be carried in the cabin. This is important because a battery problem can be identified and dealt with more quickly in the passenger cabin than in the aircraft hold.
If airline staff ask you to gate-check a cabin bag, remove the power bank first and keep it with you in the cabin.
Is a 20,000mAh power bank allowed on a plane?
Usually, yes. Airlines regulate lithium-ion batteries by watt-hours (Wh), not simply by the mAh number used in product marketing. Many 20,000mAh power banks are below the 100Wh threshold.
For example, if a 20,000mAh battery uses a nominal cell voltage of 3.7V:
20Ah × 3.7V = 74Wh
That would be below 100Wh. However, use the manufacturer’s Wh figure printed on the actual product wherever possible rather than relying only on a calculation.
If you are choosing one for both travel and emergency use, see our guide to choosing a power bank.
What about 10,000mAh, 25,000mAh and 30,000mAh?
The following examples use a nominal 3.7V cell voltage and are illustrations only:
- 10,000mAh: about 37Wh.
- 20,000mAh: about 74Wh.
- 25,000mAh: about 92.5Wh.
- 27,000mAh: about 99.9Wh.
- 30,000mAh: about 111Wh and therefore potentially above the no-approval threshold.
This helps explain why many large travel-focused power banks cluster around 25,000–27,000mAh. But battery construction and labelling vary, so the printed Wh figure remains the number to check.
How do you convert mAh to Wh?
The CAA gives the basic relationship between voltage, amp-hours and watt-hours:
Wh = V × Ah
If the battery capacity is shown in mAh, divide by 1,000 to convert it to Ah first.
For example:
- 20,000mAh ÷ 1,000 = 20Ah
- 20Ah × 3.7V = 74Wh
Do not use a guessed voltage if the product already gives an official Wh rating.
Can you use a power bank during the flight?
Under the current CAA rules, a power bank must not be recharged while on board and should not be used to recharge another portable electronic device while on board. That means the sensible approach is to board with your phone, tablet and power bank already charged.
Airlines may apply stricter operating rules or specify where power banks must be kept during the flight. Check the airline’s dangerous-goods or baggage page before departure.
How should you protect a power bank in hand luggage?
The CAA requires power banks to be individually protected when not in use to prevent short circuits. Practical ways include keeping the unit in its original packaging, a separate protective pouch or bag, and preventing metal objects from contacting exposed terminals or connectors.
Do not travel with a power bank that is swollen, cracked, damaged, unusually hot or behaving abnormally.
Do power banks need UN38.3 testing?
The CAA states that lithium batteries carried by passengers must be of a type that meets the relevant tests in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. Reputable manufacturers should design and ship their lithium battery products accordingly.
This is one reason to avoid suspiciously cheap, unbranded products with implausible capacity claims.
What size power bank is best for travel?
For many travellers, a compact 10,000mAh model is enough for one or more phone top-ups and is easy to carry. A 20,000mAh model provides more reserve for long journeys, multiple devices or travel disruption, but adds weight.
When comparing models, look for:
- A clearly printed Wh rating.
- USB-C Power Delivery output appropriate to your devices.
- A useful battery percentage indicator.
- A reputable manufacturer and warranty.
- A size and weight you will genuinely carry.
- Capacity comfortably inside the airline limit if you fly regularly.
A 20,000mAh option to consider
Anker Zolo Power Bank, 20,000mAh 30W Portable Charger with Built-in USB-C is one current 20,000mAh USB-C option worth comparing if you want a larger-capacity travel power bank.
View the Anker Zolo 20,000mAh Power Bank on Amazon (paid link)
Important: check the watt-hour (Wh) rating printed on the specific power bank you receive and confirm your airline’s current rules before flying. Product listings and specifications can change.
Before you leave for the airport
- Check the Wh rating printed on each power bank.
- Make sure you are carrying no more than two.
- Put them in your hand luggage, not checked baggage.
- Protect them from damage and short circuits.
- Do not travel with a swollen, damaged or overheating battery.
- Charge your devices before boarding rather than planning to use the power bank in flight.
- Check your airline’s own baggage rules before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take two 20,000mAh power banks on a plane?
Potentially yes, provided each unit is within the permitted Wh limit and complies with the airline’s rules. Current CAA rules allow no more than two power banks per person.
Can I take a 30,000mAh power bank?
Do not decide from mAh alone. A 30,000mAh unit at a nominal 3.7V is about 111Wh, which is above 100Wh and would require airline approval if its official rating is over 100Wh but no more than 160Wh.
Can I put a power bank in my suitcase?
Only if by suitcase you mean cabin baggage. Power banks must not be placed in checked baggage.
Can I charge my phone with a power bank while flying?
CAA guidance effective from 27 March 2026 says power banks should not be used to recharge portable electronic devices on board.
Do airline rules ever differ?
Yes. Airlines can impose additional restrictions, so always check the specific carrier before travelling.
Bottom line
A normal travel power bank is still permitted on UK flights in 2026, but the rules are tighter. Keep it in the cabin, carry no more than two, check the Wh rating, protect it against short circuits and do not plan to use or recharge it during the flight.
For wider travel preparation, see our Travel Emergency Kit Essentials.
Commercial disclosure: This guide may contain affiliate links. If you follow a paid link and make a purchase, Global Cry may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Paid Amazon links are marked (paid link).