Batteries & electronics: what you can bring on a plane
Power banks, spare batteries, laptops, vapes and other devices with lithium batteries. 16 items. Not allowed in checked bags: e-cigarettes and vapes, spare lithium batteries, power banks, camera batteries.
| Main limit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| E-cigarettes and vapes | With limits | Not allowed | Checked bags: never allowed |
| Spare lithium batteries | With limits | Not allowed | Lithium-ion: up to 100 Wh per battery without approval |
| Power banks | With limits | Not allowed | Up to 100 Wh per power bank: allowed in carry-on without airline approval |
| Laptops | Allowed | With limits | Installed battery up to 100 Wh: no approval needed (virtually all consumer laptops) |
| Flashlights | Allowed | Allowed | TSA lists no size limit for flashlights |
| Cameras | Allowed | With limits | Installed lithium-ion battery: up to 100 Wh without approval |
| AA, AAA, C and D batteries | Allowed | Allowed | Covers alkaline, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) dry cells |
| Drones | Allowed | With limits | Spare lithium-ion drone batteries: carry-on only, up to 100 Wh each |
| Tablets, iPads and e-readers | Allowed | With limits | Installed lithium-ion battery up to 100 Wh: allowed |
| Game consoles | Allowed | With limits | Full-size consoles: separate bin at TSA screening |
| Bluetooth speakers | Allowed | With limits | Built-in lithium-ion battery up to 100 Wh: allowed |
| Phone chargers and cables | Allowed | Allowed | Non-battery chargers, adapters and cables: no limits |
| CPAP machines | Allowed | With limits | Assistive devices don't count toward carry-on limits on US carriers (14 CFR 382.121) |
| Camera batteries | With limits | Not allowed | Lithium-ion spares: up to 100 Wh each without approval |
| AirTags and luggage trackers | Allowed | Allowed | Lithium-metal tracker battery: max 0.3 g lithium for checked bags |
| Smart luggage | Allowed | With limits | Checked smart bag: battery removed, or ≤0.3 g lithium metal / ≤2.7 Wh lithium-ion |
Rulings are for US flights (TSA and FAA). Open an item for limits, tips and international differences.
Guides on this topic
Can I bring a power bank on a plane? Rules for 2026
Power banks go in carry-on only: up to 100 Wh is fine, 101–160 Wh needs airline approval. Plus the 2026 two-power-bank rule and airline in-flight bans.
Lithium batteries on planes: carry-on and checked bag rules
Spare lithium batteries go in carry-on only; installed ones can be checked if the device is off. Wh and 2 g limits, AA batteries, vapes and smart bags.
What can't go in checked luggage? Carry-on-only items explained
Power banks, spare lithium batteries, vapes and lighters must fly in the cabin. Why, the limits, laptop rules and what to do if your bag is gate-checked.