Can you take a portable power station on a plane? FAA 100 Wh and 160 Wh rules
By Power Portable Editorial Staff · Updated · Picks come from manufacturer specs and current prices. We do not run hands-on tests.
FAA PackSafe watt-hour tiers and qualifying catalog models (≤ 160 Wh)
| Battery capacity tier | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage | Airline approval & quantity limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 100 Wh | Allowed | Prohibited | No airline approval required (personal use) |
| 101 to 160 Wh | Allowed with approval | Prohibited | Airline approval required; maximum 2 spare batteries per passenger |
| Over 160 Wh | Prohibited | Prohibited | Forbidden on passenger aircraft (must ship via ground hazmat freight) |
Catalog models with capacity_wh ≤ 160 Wh
| Model | Capacity (Wh) | Continuous AC | FAA tier | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station | 99 Wh | DC only | Carry-on allowed (<= 100 Wh) | $149.00 |
| EcoFlow RAPID Pro Power Bank + RAPID Mag Qi2.2 Power Bank + 140W Charger | 99.5 Wh | DC only | Carry-on allowed (<= 100 Wh) | $326.97 |
| Bluetti Elite 10 Mini Power Station | 128 Wh | 200 W | Carry-on with airline approval (101-160 Wh) | $119.00 |
| Bluetti Elite 10 Mini Power Station | 128 Wh | 200 W | Carry-on with airline approval (101-160 Wh) | $119.00 |
| Jackery Explorer 100D Portable Power Station | 96 Wh | DC only | Carry-on allowed (<= 100 Wh) | $119.00 |
| Jackery Explorer 100 Plus | 99 Wh | DC only | Carry-on allowed (<= 100 Wh) | $149.00 |
| ALLPOWERS Flash Deal-ALLPOWERS S200 Portable Power Bank 200W 154Wh | 154 Wh | 200 W | Carry-on with airline approval (101-160 Wh) | $99.00 |
Official FAA PackSafe and TSA watt-hour limits for lithium batteries
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) PackSafe hazardous materials rules (49 CFR 175.10) govern all lithium-ion (including LiFePO4 and NMC) batteries carried by airline passengers. Because aircraft cargo holds cannot rely on Halon suppression alone to extinguish a multi-cell lithium thermal runaway fire, spare lithium batteries and power banks/stations are strictly prohibited in checked baggage and must travel in the passenger cabin.
The FAA divides lithium-ion batteries into three watt-hour tiers: (1) 100 Wh or less per battery is allowed in carry-on baggage for personal use without airline permission; (2) 101 Wh to 160 Wh per battery is allowed in carry-on baggage only if your airline grants approval, limited to at most two spare batteries per passenger; and (3) any battery exceeding 160 Wh is forbidden on passenger aircraft.
Source:FAA PackSafe Lithium Batteries Guidance (49 CFR 175.10)(checked 2026-11-06)Why almost all AC-outlet portable power stations exceed the 160 Wh FAA ceiling
Most portable power stations with 120 V AC wall outlets start around 256 Wh to 300 Wh (such as a 288 Wh or 299 Wh compact station) so they can supply a 300 W inverter for at least 45 to 50 minutes. At 256 Wh to 300 Wh, those units are nearly double the 160 Wh absolute FAA passenger ceiling and will be confiscated at TSA security checkpoints.
Across our 265-model verified catalog, we query every model with capacity_wh <= 160 Wh in the table below. Only ultra-compact mini power stations and DC palm banks (such as the 128 Wh Bluetti Elite 10 Mini in the 101 to 160 Wh airline-approval bracket, or <=99.9 Wh airline-compliant DC battery banks) fall under the 160 Wh threshold.
Source:Power Portable catalog query (WHERE capacity_wh <= 160)(checked 2026-11-06)How to fly with a CPAP battery or travel power bank without TSA delays
If you are flying with a CPAP machine or camera kit, choose a battery rated at 99 Wh or less (clearly printed in Wh on the outer casing label) so you do not need gate-agent approval on every connecting flight. If you carry a 101 to 160 Wh station (such as a 128 Wh mini station), contact your airline's special assistance or hazmat desk before travel day and verify that the Wh rating is permanently printed on the manufacturer's label.
For camping trips or CPAP backup at your destination where you need 300 Wh to 1,000 Wh, either travel by car/RV, ship the unit ahead via ground freight (UPS Ground or FedEx Ground under UN 3480 Class 9 hazmat rules), or rent locally.
Source:FAA PackSafe & Power Portable CPAP Use-Case Guide (/for/cpap)(checked 2026-11-06)Frequently asked questions
Can I check a 300 Wh or 1,000 Wh power station in a Pelican case as checked luggage?
No. Both the FAA and international ICAO regulations prohibit lithium-ion batteries over 160 Wh in both carry-on and checked passenger baggage, and prohibit all spare lithium batteries/power banks in checked luggage.
Does draining a 300 Wh power station to 0% state of charge make it legal to fly?
No. FAA PackSafe limits are based on the battery's rated watt-hour capacity printed on the specification label (100 Wh / 160 Wh), not its current state of charge.
How do I calculate watt-hours if my battery only lists mAh (milliamp-hours)?
FAA formula: divide milliamp-hours (mAh) by 1,000 to get amp-hours (Ah), then multiply by nominal voltage (V). For example, 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V equals (27,000 / 1,000) * 3.7 = 99.9 Wh.