Can I put my power bank in my checked bag?

No. Never. Lithium batteries must stay in your carry-on or personal item. They are a fire hazard in an unpressurized cargo hold.

What is 'mAh' vs 'Wh'?

mAh (milliampere-hour) measures capacity. Wh (Watt-hour) is the metric airlines use for safety. Divide mAh by 1,000 and multiply by 3.7 to get the Wh. A 20,000mAh bank is 74Wh, which is safe.

Do I need a special power bank for a laptop?

Yes. You need a bank that supports at least 30W-65W output via USB-C PD. Check your laptop's charging requirements before buying.

Choosing the Right Travel Power Bank for International Trips

Pick a power bank between 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh with Power Delivery (PD) and USB-C output. Anything larger than 27,000mAh is typically banned by airlines, so check the Watt-hour (Wh) rating before you buy.

Check the capacity limits. Airlines limit batteries to 100Wh (or 27,000mAh). Most 20,000mAh banks fall safely under this limit and are the sweet spot for international travel. If you bring one larger than 27,000mAh, you risk it being confiscated at security.
Look for Power Delivery (PD). Ensure your bank supports 'USB-C Power Delivery' (PD). This allows the battery to charge your laptop or high-drain smartphone significantly faster than standard USB-A ports.
Prioritize USB-C input and output. You want a bank that charges itself via USB-C. This means you can use the same cable to charge your laptop, phone, and power bank, saving you from carrying extra cables.
Verify pass-through charging. Look for 'pass-through' capability. This allows the bank to charge your device while the bank itself is plugged into a wall outlet, turning it into a makeshift wall charger.

Can I put my power bank in my checked bag?: No. Never. Lithium batteries must stay in your carry-on or personal item. They are a fire hazard in an unpressurized cargo hold.
What is 'mAh' vs 'Wh'?: mAh (milliampere-hour) measures capacity. Wh (Watt-hour) is the metric airlines use for safety. Divide mAh by 1,000 and multiply by 3.7 to get the Wh. A 20,000mAh bank is 74Wh, which is safe.
Do I need a special power bank for a laptop?: Yes. You need a bank that supports at least 30W-65W output via USB-C PD. Check your laptop's charging requirements before buying.