TSA PreCheck: what stays, what comes out.
PreCheck lets electronics stay in your bag — with limits. Here's the practical version.
Electronics stay in the bag.
Standard TSA: laptops out, larger electronics out, sometimes power banks pulled for inspection. With PreCheck: laptops, tablets, and power banks can stay in your carry-on through the X-ray. Only liquids, gels, and the occasional flagged item come out.
PreCheck doesn't change the rules.
PreCheck speeds up screening but doesn’t change the underlying rules. Lithium-ion power banks must still be in carry-on (never checked), still under 100 Wh, and still subject to airline caps (1–2 per passenger depending on airline).
Pack-friendly tips.
Keep chargers accessible
Even in PreCheck, agents may pull a bag for secondary screening. Put power banks in an outer pocket.
Labels matter
Make sure each power bank has a printed Wh or mAh + voltage.
Two-bank max
PreCheck doesn’t change per-airline caps. Pack within Southwest, American, etc. limits.
15 colors. Pick yours.
The matte finish hides fingerprints, scuffs, and whatever happens after a long day.
PreCheck-ready in any pocket.
Slim, MagSafe-friendly, and well under 100 Wh. The Clutch Pro stays in your bag through PreCheck.
Shop the Clutch ProFrequently asked
Is the Clutch Pro allowed on any US airline?
Yes. The Clutch Pro is approximately 18.5 Wh (5,000 mAh × 3.7V), well under the 100 Wh carry-on limit every major airline uses.
Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?
No. Lithium-ion batteries must always travel in carry-on luggage. This is an FAA, EASA, CAA, and ICAO rule — no airline allows it.
How do I convert mAh to Wh?
Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × voltage. For lithium-ion power banks, voltage is typically 3.7V. So 5,000 mAh ≈ 18.5 Wh, 10,000 mAh ≈ 37 Wh, 27,000 mAh ≈ 100 Wh.
What if my power bank is over 100 Wh?
Power banks between 100–160 Wh require airline approval and are limited to two per passenger. Anything over 160 Wh is banned from passenger aircraft.
Reviewed by The Clutch Team · June 2026
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