Electronics Through Airport Security

Updated April 2026 | CMBMV Staff

Getting electronics through TSA screening is one of the most common questions travelers have. The rules differ based on the type of device, its size, and whether you have TSA PreCheck. Here is everything you need to know about flying with laptops, tablets, cameras, batteries, and other electronic devices.

Quick Rule: Any electronic device larger than a cell phone must be removed from your bag and placed in a separate bin during standard screening. TSA PreCheck travelers can leave laptops and tablets in their bags.

What Must Come Out of Your Bag

During standard TSA screening (non-PreCheck), you must remove these items and place them in a separate bin:

Laptops — all sizes, including Chromebooks and MacBooks
Tablets — iPads, Surface tablets, Kindle Fire (but not basic Kindle e-readers)
Gaming consoles — Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, portable consoles
Large cameras — DSLRs and mirrorless cameras with detachable lenses
External hard drives and docking stations larger than a smartphone

What Can Stay in Your Bag

Smartphones — any phone can stay in your bag or pocket
Basic e-readers — Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo, etc.
Earbuds and headphones — AirPods, over-ear headphones
Smartwatches — Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit
Small cameras — point-and-shoot cameras, GoPros
Phone chargers and small cables

Battery Rules

Battery regulations are some of the strictest TSA and FAA rules. Lithium batteries can pose fire risks, so airlines and TSA enforce specific limits.

Battery Type	Carry-On	Checked Bag
Batteries installed in devices	Allowed	Allowed
Spare lithium-ion batteries (under 100Wh)	Allowed (up to 2)	Not allowed
Spare lithium-ion batteries (100-160Wh)	Airline approval needed	Not allowed
Spare lithium-ion batteries (over 160Wh)	Not allowed	Not allowed
Portable chargers / power banks	Allowed (under 100Wh)	Not allowed
AA / AAA batteries	Allowed	Allowed

Important: Portable chargers (power banks) are NEVER allowed in checked bags. They must always go in your carry-on. Most standard power banks (under 27,000mAh) are under the 100Wh limit and are fine for carry-on.

How to Calculate Watt-Hours

Check your battery for a mAh rating. To convert: Wh = (mAh x Voltage) / 1000. Most phone power banks are 3.7V. A 20,000mAh power bank at 3.7V = 74Wh, which is under the 100Wh limit.

TSA PreCheck and Electronics

One of the biggest benefits of TSA PreCheck is that you do not need to remove electronics from your bag. Laptops, tablets, and liquids can all stay packed. This alone saves several minutes at the checkpoint and reduces the chance of leaving something behind in a bin.

CLEAR members still go through standard screening procedures for electronics — CLEAR only speeds up the ID verification step, not the X-ray screening itself.

Tips for Faster Screening

Pack electronics near the top of your bag for easy removal
Use a laptop sleeve that opens flat (TSA-friendly bags) to avoid removal
Keep cables organized — tangled cables trigger additional screening
Remove large electronics before reaching the conveyor belt to avoid holding up the line
Power on devices if asked — TSA may ask you to turn on any electronic device to prove it works

International Travel Differences

Some countries have stricter electronics screening than the United States. The UK, Australia, and several EU countries require all electronics removed from bags regardless of PreCheck-equivalent programs. If connecting internationally, expect to remove all devices at security.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: Can I bring a drone through security? Yes, drones are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Spare drone batteries must be in your carry-on and under 100Wh.

Q: Do I need to remove my laptop if I have Global Entry? Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so no — your laptop can stay in your bag during domestic screening.

Q: Can TSA search my phone or laptop? TSA officers can ask you to power on a device but generally do not search data on personal devices. CBP (Customs) has broader authority at international borders.

Q: What about medical devices like CPAP machines? CPAP machines must be removed from bags and placed in a separate bin, but they do not count against your carry-on limit.