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PORTABLE ELECTRONICS

Can you bring a flashlight on a plane?

TSA lists an ordinary flashlight for both bags, but the battery changes how you pack it. Alkaline and NiMH dry cells can travel in either bag. An installed lithium-ion battery up to 100 Wh can also travel in either; 101–160 Wh needs airline approval. Carry spare lithium cells in carry-on only.

Source checked: 2026-09-24

Source scope: United States · TSA and FAA

Carry-on baggage

Allowed with conditions

Ordinary flashlight: yes after checking the battery. Spare lithium cells belong in carry-on only.

Checked baggage

Allowed with conditions

Ordinary flashlight with its battery installed: conditional. Power it completely off; keep spare lithium cells out of checked baggage.

Handheld flashlight with a switch and a beam of light
Check the installed battery and spare cells separately.

What powers the flashlight?

For an ordinary handheld light, the battery changes how you pack it. High-heat dive lights need a separate assessment.

Alkaline or NiMH cells

An ordinary dry-cell flashlight can travel in either bag. Protect loose cells from damage and short circuit.

Installed lithium-ion pack

Up to 100 Wh: either bag. 101–160 Wh: airline approval. Above 160 Wh: forbidden in passenger baggage.

Removed spare lithium cell

Carry-on only, with protected terminals. At 101–160 Wh, at most two spares per passenger need airline approval.

BEFORE LEAVING HOME

Check the flashlight in three steps

  1. Read the battery chemistry. Separate alkaline or NiMH cells from a lithium-ion pack; a high-heat dive light needs its own assessment.
  2. For an installed lithium-ion pack, read its Wh rating: up to 100 Wh is allowed, 101–160 Wh requires airline approval, and above 160 Wh is forbidden in passenger baggage.
  3. Keep spare lithium cells in carry-on with protected terminals. Power a lithium flashlight in checked baggage completely off and protect its switch.

Which battery does the Olight Baton 3 use?

Olight Baton 3 uses a customized IMR16340 550 mAh, 3.7 V rechargeable cell, about 2.0 Wh. Olight says it is not interchangeable with just any 16340 cell. The Premium kit adds a charging case with its own 3500 mAh, 3.6 V battery, about 12.6 Wh. These are two separate power sources; keep the charging case in carry-on. Olight Baton 3 Premium manual.

The Olight Baton 3 uses a customized IMR16340 550 mAh, 3.7 V cell. The Premium kit also has a charging case with its own 3500 mAh battery, so the flashlight and case are two power sources.

BASIS FOR THE ANSWER

Sources checked

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