Chargers and cables are the items people most often leave behind, usually still plugged into a wall at home or in a hotel room. They are also the items that cause the most questions at airport security, especially power banks and spare batteries. A little planning keeps your devices charged, your bag organised and your journey through security smooth.
Start with a device audit
Before you pack a single cable, list the devices you are actually taking. A phone and perhaps a laptop or tablet is typical. Then add the extras: headphones, an e-reader, a smartwatch, a camera. Each one needs a way to charge, and the aim is to cover them all with as few cables and plugs as possible.
Many devices now charge from the same type of connector, so one good cable and a multi-port charger may replace several separate ones. Check the connectors on each device rather than packing every cable you own.
Chargers and cables: the essentials
- One wall charger with enough ports for the devices you will charge overnight
- One cable per connector type, plus a spare for your phone
- Your laptop charger, if it uses its own connector
- A short cable for charging from a power bank on the move
- Wired headphones or an adapter, if you want to use in-flight entertainment
Keep everything in one small pouch. A single, clearly labelled tech bag makes it easy to check you have everything when you leave, and easy to repack at the end of the trip.
Plug adapters and voltage
Plug shapes vary around the world, so check the socket type used at your destination before you travel. A universal travel adapter covers most countries, but it is worth confirming that it fits the sockets where you are going.
An adapter only changes the shape of the plug. It does not change the voltage. Most phone, tablet and laptop chargers are designed to work across a range of voltages, and the supported range is usually printed on the charger itself. Some appliances, such as certain hair dryers or straighteners, may not be suitable for use abroad, so check the label before you pack them.
Power banks and spare batteries
In general, power banks and spare lithium batteries are expected to travel in your cabin baggage rather than in checked luggage. Some airlines also restrict using or charging power banks during the flight. To stay on the safe side:
- Pack power banks in your cabin bag, never in a suitcase you will check in.
- Check the capacity printed on the power bank against your airline’s limits.
- Protect the terminals of spare batteries, for example by keeping them in their original packaging or a small case.
- Follow crew instructions about using devices on board.
Organising tech for security
Many airports ask you to remove laptops and sometimes larger electronics from your bag at security, although some airports with newer scanners no longer require this. Pack your laptop and tablet where you can reach them quickly, and keep the tech pouch near the top of your bag so you can show it if asked.
Make sure your devices are charged before you travel. Security staff can ask you to switch a device on, and a flat battery can cause delays.
Charging on the road
- Charge everything the night before departure
- Use airport and in-seat power when available, but do not rely on it
- Download films, music, maps and boarding passes before you leave home
- Set up a single charging spot in your room so nothing gets left behind
Do not forget the return trip
The most common moment to lose a charger is checking out of a hotel. Before you leave the room, check every socket, including those behind the bed and in the bathroom. If you use a written packing list, include “chargers out of sockets” as a final item. A web app like PackChecklist.com can hold that list for you and lets you tick items off as they go back in the bag.
Takeaway: cover your devices with as few cables as possible, check the plug type and voltage for your destination, and keep power banks in your cabin bag in line with your airline’s rules.
