How Much mAh Power Bank Allowed in Flight? A UK Traveller’s Guide

Knowing how much mAh a power bank is allowed to have on a flight saves you from having your power bank removed at security. The short answer: UK airlines measure capacity in watt-hours (Wh), not milliamp-hours (mAh). Most personal power banks are well within the limit.

This guide explains the CAA rules, converts mAh into Wh, and highlights Anker power banks suitable for hand luggage.

Quick Summary

Short on time? These are the key power bank rules UK travellers should know before flying.

• Carry power banks in cabin baggage only, never in checked baggage.
• Up to 100Wh: allowed under current UK CAA rules without operator approval.
• Over 100Wh to 160Wh: UK CAA rules require operator approval, but some airlines set a stricter 100Wh maximum and do not accept larger ordinary power banks.
• Above 160Wh: not permitted as ordinary passenger baggage.
• The current UK CAA rules allow a maximum of two power banks per person, although individual airlines may set a lower limit.
• Do not recharge the power bank itself during the flight. Whether you can use it to charge a phone, tablet or laptop depends on the airline.
• Keep each power bank protected against short circuits and follow any airline-specific storage requirements.

These UK CAA power bank provisions have applied since 27 March 2026.

Understanding mAh vs Wh

Before checking whether a power bank is suitable for air travel, it helps to understand the unit airlines actually use.

Power bank capacity is commonly advertised in milliamp-hours (mAh), while aviation rules use watt-hours (Wh) because Wh measures the amount of energy stored in the battery.

The calculation is simple:

Wh = (mAh × nominal battery voltage) ÷ 1000

For example, if a 20,000mAh battery has a nominal voltage of 3.7V:

20,000 × 3.7 ÷ 1000 = 74Wh

This is why many common 20,000mAh power banks sit comfortably below the 100Wh threshold.

However, 3.7V should only be used as an illustration, not as a universal conversion for every power bank. Multi-cell designs can use different nominal battery configurations, so the Wh rating printed on the power bank or provided by the manufacturer should take priority.

That distinction matters when working out how much mAh power bank is allowed in flight. There is no universal legal limit of exactly 27,000mAh—the actual aviation threshold is measured in Wh.

Power Bank Capacity (mAh)	Approx. Wh at 3.7V	Flight Status under UK CAA Rules
5,000 mAh	18.5 Wh	Allowed, no approval
10,000 mAh	37 Wh	Allowed, no approval
20,000 mAh	74 Wh	Allowed, no approval
25,000 mAh	92.5 Wh	Allowed, no approval
27,000 mAh	99.9 Wh	Allowed, no approval
30,000 mAh	111 Wh	Airline approval required
50,000 mAh	185 Wh	Not permitted

Power Bank Capacity Tiers Explained

UK CAA guidance separates lithium-ion power banks into three practical capacity categories. Understanding these gives you a useful starting point, but your airline can impose stricter limits.

Up to 100Wh

This is the most straightforward category for air travel.

Power banks rated at 100Wh or below can be carried under UK CAA rules without operator approval. This includes many common 5,000mAh, 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh models.

At an illustrative 3.7V, even 27,000mAh equals around 99.9Wh. However, always check the actual Wh rating printed on your power bank, particularly when its capacity is close to the limit.

Being below 100Wh does not remove the other requirements: the power bank still needs to stay in cabin baggage, be protected against short circuits and comply with your airline's quantity, storage and onboard-use rules.

Between 100Wh and 160Wh

This category requires more care.

Under current UK CAA rules, a power bank rated over 100Wh but not exceeding 160Wh requires operator approval. A 30,000mAh power bank, for example, would equal about 111Wh if its nominal battery voltage were 3.7V.

However, operator approval is not automatically available from every airline. Singapore Airlines may accept 100–160Wh power banks with prior approval, while Jet2 gives qualifying power banks automatic operator approval. Qatar Airways, Ryanair and Etihad currently limit ordinary power banks to 100Wh.

So, if your power bank exceeds 100Wh, checking the operating airline is essential.

Above 160Wh

Power banks above 160Wh are not permitted as ordinary passenger baggage.

For perspective, a 50,000mAh battery would be around 185Wh at 3.7V, placing it above this threshold. A power bank of this size should therefore not be treated as a normal cabin-baggage power bank.

Do Power Bank Rules Vary by Airline?

Yes. UK CAA guidance gives travellers a regulatory starting point, but individual airlines can impose stricter rules on capacity, quantity, storage, and onboard use.

The clearest common ground is 100Wh or below: all six airlines below accept this capacity category, subject to their other safety conditions.

The biggest differences start above 100Wh and in whether you can actually use the power bank during the flight.

Airline	Up to 100Wh	100–160Wh	Main difference to know
Qatar Airways	Allowed	Not allowed for ordinary power banks	Up to 2 power banks. Device charging is permitted during non-critical phases when the power bank remains under direct supervision.
Singapore Airlines	Allowed	Prior airline approval required	Up to 2. Power banks cannot be used during the flight and must not be stored in the overhead compartment.
Ryanair	Allowed	Not allowed	Up to 2. Device charging is permitted except during taxi, take-off and landing, or when crew instruct otherwise.
Cathay Pacific	Allowed	Approval or additional verification may apply	Up to 2. Onboard power-bank use is prohibited, and power banks must stay under the seat rather than in the overhead compartment.
Jet2	Allowed	Allowed with automatic operator approval	Up to 2. Power banks cannot be used onboard and must be kept in hand luggage under the seat.
Etihad Airways	Allowed	Not allowed	Only 1 power bank per passenger. Onboard use is prohibited, and the Wh rating must be clearly marked.

What stays broadly the same?

Across these airlines, 100Wh or below is the most widely accepted capacity category, and power banks must remain in cabin baggage rather than checked baggage. None of these six airlines allows passengers to recharge the power bank itself during the flight.

Where do the rules differ?

The main differences appear above 100Wh. Singapore Airlines provides a prior-approval route, while Jet2 gives automatic operator approval up to 160Wh. Qatar Airways, Ryanair and Etihad instead cap ordinary power banks at 100Wh.

Airlines also differ on onboard use. Qatar Airways and Ryanair allow a power bank to charge personal devices under specified conditions, while Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Jet2 and Etihad prohibit it. Etihad is also stricter on quantity, allowing only one power bank per passenger.

How to Check If Your Power Bank Is Flight-Approved

A quick check before leaving for the airport can help avoid problems at check-in or security.

• Check the Wh rating first. Look for the watt-hour figure printed on the power bank or in the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Calculate only if necessary. If Wh is not shown but both mAh and the nominal battery voltage are available, use Wh = (mAh × V) ÷ 1000. Do not automatically assume every power bank uses 3.7V.
• Identify the capacity category. Up to 100Wh is the simplest category; over 100Wh to 160Wh requires operator approval under the CAA baseline; above 160Wh is not ordinary passenger baggage.
• Check the condition of the power bank. Do not travel with a swollen, damaged, defective or recalled battery.
• Check your operating airline. Airline limits can be stricter than the CAA baseline, particularly above 100Wh.
• Check every carrier on a connecting itinerary. Different airlines may apply different rules to the same power bank.
• Pack it in cabin baggage only and keep it individually protected against short circuits.

For multi-airline journeys, check each operating carrier before departure. Cathay Pacific, for example, specifically advises passengers to check the policies of operating carriers on connecting flights.

What Happens If Your Power Bank Does Not Meet the Rules?

If your power bank does not meet the applicable rules, the result can range from having to repack it to leaving it behind altogether.

• If it exceeds the permitted capacity: A power bank over 100Wh may be refused if the required airline approval is missing or the airline applies a stricter 100Wh limit. Anything above 160Wh will not be accepted as normal passenger baggage, so you may need to leave it behind or surrender it before travelling.
• If you carry more than the permitted number: Any power banks above your airline’s allowance may not be accepted for carriage.
• If it is recalled, swollen or damaged: It may be refused completely. British Airways, for example, states that a product affected by a battery-related safety recall cannot be carried until the affected component has been repaired or replaced.
• If the capacity cannot be verified: The power bank may be rejected. Jet2 specifically prohibits lithium batteries and power banks if the Wh rating is not clearly stated and cannot otherwise be readily determined.
• If it is found in checked baggage: Security staff may open the bag and remove it.

Depending on where the problem is discovered and whether you can make alternative arrangements, you may be able to remove the power bank from your baggage, hand it to someone who is not travelling, or leave the security area to deal with it. If that is not possible, you may have to surrender the item at security.

And surrender can be final. Glasgow Airport warns that items confiscated at security may not be returned, while Birmingham Airport states that it does not reimburse passengers for items surrendered at security.

Recommended Anker Power Banks for UK Flights

Every model below is rated below the common 100 Wh airline threshold, so each is ready for hand luggage.

Model	Capacity	Approx. Wh	Max Output	Cabin-approved
Anker Nano Power Bank (5K)	5,000 mAh	18.5 Wh	15W wireless / 20W wired	Yes
Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, 35W)	10,000 mAh	37 Wh	35W	Yes
Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 220W)	20,100 mAh	72.36 Wh	220W	Yes
Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W)	26,250 mAh	99.75 Wh	300W	Yes

Best compact choice for everyday carry: Anker Nano Power Bank, 5,000mAh

The Anker Nano Power Bank, 5,000mAh is designed for travellers who need emergency phone power without extra bulk. Its focus is portability. Its slim magnetic design allows users to keep charging while using their phone, making it suitable for commuting, short flights and day trips where space is limited.

• At only 122 g and 8.6 mm thick, it can fit easily into a pocket or small travel bag.
• 15W Qi2 wireless charging allows compatible iPhones to charge without carrying an extra cable.
• 20W USB-C two-way charging helps quickly recharge the power bank before the next journey.
• 5,000mAh capacity is designed mainly for phone top-ups rather than powering multiple devices.

Best Apple travel companion with built-in charging cable: Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, 35W)

The Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, 35W) is a more versatile option for Apple users carrying several devices. The built-in USB-C cable reduces the need for extra accessories. Apple Watch charging support also makes it practical for weekend trips or business travel.

• 10,000mAh capacity provides more backup power than compact models for longer days away from sockets.
• Built-in USB-C cable helps charge devices without carrying a separate charging lead.
• Supports up to 35W output, suitable for faster charging of phones and smaller USB-C devices.
• Includes an Apple Watch fast charging module, useful for travellers carrying both iPhone and Apple Watch.

Best option for laptop travellers: Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 220W)

The Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 220W) is designed for business travellers and digital workers who need more than smartphone charging. The higher output allows it to support laptops, tablets and phones during flights, meetings or in places where power outlets are unavailable.

• 20,100mAh capacity provides extended charging for multiple devices.
• Up to 220W total output allows simultaneous charging of laptops and mobile devices.
• A single USB-C port can deliver up to 140W, suitable for many USB-C laptops.
• Three ports (2 × USB-C + 1 × USB-A) allow several devices to charge together.
• Smart display shows charging information, helping users check remaining power during travel.

Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W)

The Anker Prime Power Bank (26K, 300W) is the highest-capacity model in this range, designed for travellers carrying multiple high-power devices. It provides the most charging headroom while staying within the typical airline limit.

• 26,250mAh (99.75 Wh) capacity provides longer backup for extended journeys.
• 300W total output supports charging several high-power devices at the same time.
• Up to 140W output from one USB-C port can support demanding laptop charging needs.
• Two USB-C ports and one USB-A port allow laptops, tablets and phones to share power.
• Built-in display provides charging status without needing an app.

Conclusion

Working out how much mAh power bank is allowed on a flight comes down to one conversion: keep the rating under 100 Wh, and you can pack it in your hand luggage with no approval.

Stay under 160 Wh with airline permission, avoid anything above that, and carry no more than two units. Every Anker power bank featured here is built to clear UK cabin rules, so you can travel light and stay charged.

FAQs

Can I carry two power banks on a plane?

Yes. Under UK CAA rules now in force, you may carry a maximum of two power banks per person, and both must travel in your hand luggage. Each should be rated at or below 100 Wh, or carried only with airline approval if rated between 100 Wh and 160 Wh. Keep the terminals protected from short circuits.

Can I fly with a 10,000 mAh power bank?

Yes. A 10,000 mAh power bank equals roughly 37 Wh at 3.7 V, far below the 100 Wh limit. You can carry it in your hand luggage without airline approval. The same watt-hour thresholds set how much mAh power bank allowed in international flight, so it generally complies with common international aviation limits.

Can I carry a 50,000 mAh power bank on a flight?

No. A 50,000 mAh power bank is approximately 185 Wh at 3.7 V, which exceeds the 160 Wh maximum for passenger aircraft. It is not permitted in either hand luggage or checked baggage, and security will likely refuse it. Choose a model under 100 Wh instead for hassle-free travel.