A long trip drains your phone fast: boarding passes, maps, music and a movie on the plane. A power bank fixes that, but only if the airline lets it on. Power banks must go in your carry-on, and the US limit is 100 watt-hours (Wh) without airline approval. Some airlines also want to see the rating on the power bank itself.
Cheap power banks cause two problems. Many only list milliamp-hours (mAh), so you have to work out the watt-hours yourself. And many can't charge a laptop at full speed, so you still hunt for a seat with an outlet.
We compared five power banks for flying, from a 20,000mAh model with a built-in cable to 25,000mAh laptop banks. One gives its 90 Wh rating, has three 100W USB-C ports for a laptop, and has two built-in cables, so there's no cord to forget.
Not sure? Let us pick for you
What matters most for your trip?
Our pick for you: #1Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables)
It has two built-in USB-C cables, one that retracts to 2.3 ft, plus three 100W USB-C ports, and it's rated at 90 Wh.
How we compared the power banks for airplane travel
Checked that each power bank's maker states a watt-hour rating under the 100 Wh carry-on limit
Compared the most power each one can send to a laptop through a single USB-C port, as each listing or spec sheet states it
Looked for built-in cables, so you have one less thing to pack or lose
Compared capacity, phone charge estimates, weight and recharge speed from each Amazon listing and brand spec page, and read owner comments on the brands' own store pages; we did not fly with these power banks ourselves
Power banks for airplane travel compared at a glance
Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W, Built-In and Retractable Cables)
Wh rating stated (under 100 Wh)
100W+ USB-C for laptops
Built-in cables
A 25,000mAh (90 Wh) power bank that Anker says complies with the 100 Wh airline limit, with three 100W USB-C ports, two built-in USB-C cables (one retracts to 2.3 ft) and a smart display that shows battery level, input and output.
25,000mAh rated at 90 Wh, under the 100 Wh carry-on limit; the listing says it complies with 100 Wh airline restrictions
Three USB-C ports each deliver up to 100W, enough to charge a laptop at full speed
Two built-in USB-C cables: one retracts to 2.3 ft, the other doubles as a carrying strap
Charges four devices at once, and recharges to 30% in 20 minutes with a 100W charger
At 21 oz (595 g), it's one of the heavier picks here
A 20,100mAh (72.36 Wh) power bank with up to 140W from each USB-C port and 220W total, which Anker says charges a 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) to 50% in 28 minutes. It comes with a 3.3 ft 240W cable and a travel pouch.
Anker rates it at 72.36 Wh, well under the 100 Wh carry-on limit
Up to 140W from a single USB-C port, 220W total across two USB-C and one USB-A port
Recharges to 50% in 25 minutes through its 100W USB-C input
Comes with a 3.3 ft 240W USB-C cable, a travel pouch and a 24-month warranty
No built-in cables; you need to pack the included cable
Less capacity than the 25,000mAh banks on this list
A 25,000mAh power bank rated at 90 Wh, with up to 140W from its main USB-C port and a display that shows the remaining battery. UGREEN says it charges devices 5.6 times or laptops 1.3 times.
Spec sheet lists 25,000mAh / 3.6V / 90 Wh, under the 100 Wh carry-on limit
Main USB-C port gives up to 140W; UGREEN says it fully charges a 2022 13-inch MacBook Air in 90 minutes
UGREEN's estimate: 5.6 device charges or 1.3 laptop charges
LED display shows remaining power; 0.5 m 240W USB-C cable included
No built-in cables
Recharges at 65W max, so a full recharge takes about 2 hours
Only the first USB-C port reaches 140W; the second tops out at 65W
A 24,000mAh power bank with 140W two-way USB-C charging and a smart display that shows input, output and an estimated recharge time. Anker says it charges an iPhone 16 Pro 4.13 times.
24,000mAh: Anker says it charges an iPhone 16 Pro 4.13 times or a 2024 13-inch iPad Pro 1.33 times
140W Power Delivery 3.1 in both directions, so it charges a laptop and recharges itself fast
Smart display shows input and output power and estimates recharge time
Comes with a 140W USB-C cable and a travel pouch; the listing says it meets airline carry-on requirements
Neither the Amazon listing nor Anker's product page we read states its Wh rating
Illustrative photo. Photo: KKPCW (Kyu3), CC BY-SA 4.0
8.2/10
Anker Power Bank (20K, 87W, Built-In USB-C Cable)
Built-in cables
A 20,000mAh power bank with a built-in USB-C cable that Anker says is approved for airline travel. It shares 87W across three devices, with up to 65W to one, and recharges fully in 1.5 hours with a 65W charger.
Built-in USB-C cable, rated for over 10,000 bends
Anker says it charges an iPhone 15 Pro to 58% or a MacBook Air to 52% in 30 minutes
Fully recharges in 1.5 hours with a 65W charger
Anker says it's approved for airline travel
Anker's listing and product page we read don't state the Wh rating
A single device gets 65W at most, so bigger laptops charge slower
The Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W) is built for the way people actually travel: a phone, a tablet and often a laptop, and no spare outlet. It packs 25,000mAh (90 Wh) with two built-in USB-C cables and a display that shows exactly how much charge is left.
Under the 100 Wh carry-on limit, so no airline approval needed under US rules
USB-C output
Three ports, up to 100W each; 165W total with two devices
Charges a laptop at full speed while you top up a phone
Cables
Two built-in USB-C cables, one retracting to 2.3 ft
Nothing to forget at home or lose under the seat
Display
Shows battery level, input, output and recharge time
You know how much charge is left before a long flight
Weight
21.0 oz (595 g)
Heavier than a phone-only power bank, but that's the price of laptop capacity
1. The Wh rating is right there
Anker rates it at 90 Wh, and the listing says it complies with the 100 Wh airline limit. You don't have to do the math at the gate, and you're well under the line where you'd need airline approval.
2. Real laptop speed
Each of its three USB-C ports delivers up to 100W, so it can charge a laptop at full speed, not just keep it alive. It can also charge four devices at once.
3. No cables to forget
Two USB-C cables are built in: one pulls out to 2.3 ft and retracts, the other doubles as a carrying strap. That's one less cord to dig out of your bag in a cramped seat.
Who it's for
Travelers who carry a laptop and a phone
Long trips where you can't count on a seat outlet
Anyone who always forgets a charging cable
The honest trade-off
At 21 oz (595 g), it's one of the heavier picks here
How it did on what we compared
Wh rating stated (under 100 Wh)
100W+ USB-C for laptops
Built-in cables
Bottom line
If you want one power bank that clears the 100 Wh carry-on limit, charges a laptop at full speed and brings its own cables, this is the one. Choose the Anker Prime 20K if you need 140W for a big laptop and don't mind packing a cable.
What to look for in power banks for airplane travel
Check the watt-hours, not just mAh
Airlines measure power banks in watt-hours (Wh). Under US rules, 100 Wh or less goes in your carry-on without approval. Pick one whose maker states the Wh rating, so you're not guessing at the gate.
About 20,000 to 25,000mAh is the sweet spot
That's enough to charge most phones three to five times or give a small laptop about one charge, while staying under 100 Wh. Bigger banks get close to the limit fast.
Match the USB-C watts to your laptop
A phone needs about 20 to 30W. A laptop needs much more: look for 100W or higher from one USB-C port if you want to charge it at full speed.
Built-in cables help on a plane
In a cramped seat, digging for a cable is a pain, and a forgotten cable makes the power bank useless. Built-in cables solve both.
Questions about power banks for airplane travel
Can you take a 20,000mAh power bank on a plane?
Usually yes, in your carry-on. A 20,000mAh power bank is about 72 to 74 Wh, under the 100 Wh limit. Anker rates its 20,100mAh Prime at 72.36 Wh. It can't go in checked bags, and some airlines have their own rules, so check yours.
What are the power bank requirements for airplanes?
Under FAA rules, power banks must be in your carry-on, not checked. Up to 100 Wh is fine; 101 to 160 Wh needs airline approval; over 160 Wh isn't allowed. Protect the ports from short circuits. Airlines can be stricter, so check before you fly.
Can I use my power bank during the flight?
It depends on the airline. Emirates, for example, bans using power banks on board and limits passengers to one under 100 Wh. Check your airline's rules before you fly.
What's the best Anker power bank for airplane travel?
For most travelers, the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W): it's rated at 90 Wh and has built-in cables and 100W USB-C. For a big laptop that needs 140W, the Anker Prime 20K is the better fit.
Bottom line: the best power banks for airplane travel
For airplane travel, the Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 165W) is the power bank to buy: a stated 90 Wh rating under the carry-on limit, 100W USB-C for laptops, and two built-in cables. Choose the Anker Prime 20K for 140W to a big laptop, the UGREEN Nexode 25000mAh for the most phone charges, the Anker 737 for its detailed display, and the Anker 20K 87W as a simpler budget pick.
Can You Bring a Power Bank on a Plane? — Can you bring a power bank on a plane? Carry-on vs checked bags, the 100 watt-hour limit, how to convert mAh to Wh, and tips for flying with one.
