Power Bank Recall & Flight-Legal Checker
Built by Johnny Alto · free, no sign-up · updated August 17, 2026
After a run of lithium power bank fires, including one on a plane, millions of units have been recalled and airlines have tightened their rules. Two quick checks below: look up your model to see if it is on a known recall list, and enter your capacity to see whether it is legal to fly with. Neither check stores anything you type.
1. Is my power bank recalled?
Type the brand and the model number printed on the underside of the unit.
We track widely reported U.S. recalls; this is not the official register. Always confirm at the CPSC recall database and the manufacturer's recall page. Recall data current as of August 17, 2026.
2. Can I fly with it?
Airlines limit power banks by watt-hours (Wh), not mAh. Enter your capacity.
Watt-hours74Wh
Power banks must travel in carry-on only, never in checked baggage. Many airlines now also ban using or charging them in flight and require them kept within reach. Rules vary by carrier and change often, so confirm with your airline.
If yours is recalled
Flight-legal replacement power banks
How power bank flight rules work
Airlines and aviation regulators do not measure a power bank by its mAh rating; they measure it by watt-hours, a figure that accounts for both capacity and voltage. That is why a 20,000 mAh pack and a 27,000 mAh pack can fall on opposite sides of a limit. The formula is simple: watt-hours equal the mAh divided by 1,000, multiplied by the cell voltage. Most power banks use 3.7 volt lithium cells, so multiply the mAh by 0.0037 to estimate the watt-hours.
The thresholds are consistent across most of the world. Up to 100 Wh you are fine in carry-on with no approval. From 100 to 160 Wh you need the airline's sign-off and are limited to two spares. Above 160 Wh the pack cannot fly on a passenger plane at all. Power banks are treated as spare lithium batteries, which means they are never allowed in checked baggage because a fire in the hold is far harder to reach.
Why the recalls, and why now
Lithium cells can enter thermal runaway, a self-heating chain reaction, when they are damaged, defective, or poorly made. A string of 2025 and 2026 recalls covering millions of units, plus a fatal fire and an in-flight incident, pushed several airlines to require that power banks stay within a passenger's reach rather than in an overhead bin, and some now ban charging from them during the flight. If your model is on a recall list, stop using it: a free replacement is almost always available, and no charge is worth a fire.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my power bank is recalled?
Find the model number, usually printed in small text on the underside of the power bank (for example A1257 or E33A), and check it against the manufacturer and CPSC recall notices. Recalled units are typically eligible for a free replacement or refund, and you should stop using them immediately.
What size power bank is allowed on a plane?
The limit is based on watt-hours, not mAh. Up to 100 Wh is allowed in carry-on with no approval. From 100 to 160 Wh you need airline approval and are usually limited to two spares. Above 160 Wh power banks are banned from passenger aircraft. They are never allowed in checked baggage.
How do I convert mAh to watt-hours?
Watt-hours equal mAh divided by 1,000, multiplied by the cell voltage. Most power banks use 3.7 volt cells, so a 20,000 mAh power bank is about 20 times 3.7, which is 74 Wh, comfortably under the 100 Wh carry-on limit.
Can I charge my power bank on the plane?
A growing number of airlines now ban using or charging power banks during the flight and require them kept within reach, not in overhead bins, so crew can respond quickly to overheating. Always follow your specific airline's current rules.
More tools
This checker is for general information only and is not an official recall register or legal travel advice. Recall status and airline rules change; always confirm with the CPSC, the manufacturer, and your airline. Product links are to Amazon, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
← All tools · Buying guides · About · Affiliate Disclosure · Privacy Policy