TSA Bans Hair Straighteners and Vapes: New Checked Bag Rules

You’ve checked the TSA rules for liquids and laptops, but a cordless hair straightener packed in your checked bag could get pulled. The Transportation Security Administration quietly updated its rules in August 2025 to ban certain cordless styling tools from checked luggage, and the change also reinforces long-standing restrictions on vapes in checked bags.

Effective Date of Ban: August 22, 2025 ·
Hair Tools Banned from Checked: Cordless with gas cartridges ·
Vape Rule: Banned in checked, allowed in carry-on ·
TSA Daily Screenings: 2.2 million

The rule change creates a clear split: plug-in styling tools stay fine, but cordless versions running on butane or gas cartridges are now carry-on only. Here’s how the key items stack up.

The pattern is simple: if it has a cord and plugs in, pack it anywhere. If it runs on a battery or a gas cartridge, keep it in your carry-on.

What is the new TSA ban on hair straighteners?

On August 22, 2025, the TSA updated its public guidance to clarify that cordless hair straighteners, flat irons, and curling irons—when powered by lithium-ion batteries, lithium-metal batteries, or butane/gas cartridges—are prohibited in checked luggage. The agency’s official “What Can I Bring?” page now states that cordless models are “allowed in carry-on bags only” (TSA hair straightener guidance).

Which hair straighteners are banned from checked bags?

• Cordless hair straighteners powered by butane or gas cartridges: banned from checked bags (TSA hair straightener guidance).
• Cordless hair straighteners with lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries: banned from checked bags (TSA hair straightener guidance).
• Corded hair straighteners (plug-in): no restrictions; allowed in both carry-on and checked (The Spokesman-Review report).

The implication: cordless tools designed for travel convenience now force a packing compromise—you carry them on or leave them home.

Why are cordless hair straighteners banned?

The ban stems from safety concerns about pressurized gas cartridges and lithium batteries in the cargo hold. A TSA spokesperson told the Spokesman-Review that cordless hairstyling tools pose a “combustible risk” because their power sources—whether lithium batteries or butane cartridges—can overheat or ignite in the unpressurized, enclosed environment of a checked baggage compartment. The FAA has long restricted lithium batteries in checked luggage, and the new rule simply extends that logic to hair tools carrying similar power sources.

Can you bring a hair straightener on a plane carry-on?

Yes—most hair straighteners are fine in carry-on luggage. The key difference is whether the tool has a power cord or runs on a self-contained energy source. Here’s the breakdown.

Are corded hair straighteners allowed in carry-on?

Yes, without restriction. TSA’s guidance treats corded straighteners as standard electronics. You can place them in your carry-on or personal item with no special handling required.

Are cordless hair straighteners allowed in carry-on?

Yes—but they must meet two conditions. The TSA requires that cordless tools have a safety cover securely fitted over the heating element and that the device is protected from accidental activation (The Spokesman-Review report). This means the tool should be in a padded case or have a lock switch engaged so it can’t turn on accidentally and cause a fire risk during the flight.

Can you bring a curling iron on a plane carry-on?

Yes. USA Today reports that plug-in curling irons have no flight restrictions and can be packed in either carry-on or checked luggage. Cordless curling irons with gas cartridges follow the same rule as cordless straighteners: carry-on only, with a safety cover.

The catch: the tool designed for on-the-go use now requires you to keep it on your person rather than in your suitcase.

What toiletries are not allowed on a plane?

Beyond hair tools and vapes, the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid rule governs most toiletries in carry-on bags. The rule applies to liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes—which covers a lot of what’s in a typical toiletry bag.

Does toothpaste count as a liquid for TSA?

Yes. TSA classifies toothpaste as a gel and requires it to follow the 3-1-1 rule: containers must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, and all containers must fit in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag per person.

Does mascara count as a liquid for TSA?

Yes. Mascara, along with liquid eyeliner, foundation, and concealer, falls under the liquid/gel category (TSA makeup guidance). Each container must be 3.4 oz or smaller and placed in your quart-sized bag.

What makeup is not allowed on a plane?

Most makeup in solid or powder form (eyeshadows, blushes, powders) has no restrictions. However, gel-based or liquid makeup—like liquid foundation, concealer, makeup remover, and setting sprays—must follow the 3-1-1 rule. Dry shampoo in aerosol form is also restricted: it’s classified as an aerosol and must be in a container of 3.4 oz or less in carry-on (TSA dry shampoo policy).

The implication: every tube, bottle, and jar counts toward the quart-bag limit, and anything over 3.4 oz must go in checked luggage.

Can you bring a vape on a plane?

Yes—but only in your carry-on. The TSA’s rules on electronic cigarettes and vaping devices have been consistent since 2016: they are allowed in carry-on bags only and are strictly prohibited in checked luggage.

Are vapes allowed in carry-on?

Yes. You can bring vapes, e-cigarettes, and vaping accessories in your carry-on bag. The TSA recommends that you remove batteries from the device if possible and store them in a protective case to prevent short circuits (TSA electronic cigarettes policy).

Will TSA take my vape out of my carry-on?

Not necessarily—but TSA officers may inspect the device at the security checkpoint. If your vape is visible in the X-ray and raises questions, an officer may ask you to remove it from your bag for inspection. To avoid delays, keep it accessible rather than buried at the bottom of your bag.

Can you put vapes in checked luggage?

No. The TSA explicitly prohibits vaping devices in checked bags due to the lithium batteries they contain. The FAA has also warned that lithium batteries in the cargo hold can cause catastrophic fires if they short-circuit or overheat. If a TSA agent finds a vape in your checked bag, it will be removed, and you may face additional screening or even fines.

For vapers, the message is consistent: carry your device on the plane or leave it at home—the cargo hold is not an option.

What are the TSA liquid rules for toiletries?

The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule is the standard for carry-on liquids: each container can hold no more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml), all containers must fit inside one quart-sized clear plastic bag, and each passenger is allowed one bag.

Does lipstick need to be in a clear bag for TSA?

No—solid lipstick is treated as a solid, not a liquid or gel, so it does not need to go in your clear quart-sized bag. However, if the lipstick is a liquid lip gloss or has a gel-like consistency, it must follow the 3-1-1 rule.

What size toiletries are allowed in carry-on?

Each liquid, gel, or aerosol container must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller. All of them must fit into a single quart-sized (approximately 7 x 8 inches) clear plastic bag. One bag per person.

How do the 3-1-1 rules work?

The “3” stands for 3.4 ounces, the “1” for one quart-sized bag, and the other “1” for one bag per passenger. At security, you remove the bag from your carry-on and place it in a bin for X-ray screening. If you’re carrying liquids in containers larger than 3.4 oz, they must go in your checked bag—with one exception: medically necessary liquids and baby formula are exempt, but you must declare them to TSA officers.

The catch: travelers who assume their solid toiletries are always fine need to double-check labels. A “solid” shampoo bar is okay, but a paste-like deodorant or a gel-based sunscreen counts toward the liquid limit.

What items are newly banned from checked bags in 2025?

The August 2025 rule change added cordless hair tools with gas cartridges and lithium batteries to the list of items banned from checked luggage. This is the most significant expansion of checked-bag restrictions since the original vape ban in 2016.

What other electronic items are banned from checked luggage?

Beyond vapes and cordless hair tools, the TSA prohibits most devices with loose lithium batteries in checked bags. This includes spare lithium batteries (power banks, external chargers), hoverboards, and any device with a lithium battery that cannot be disconnected or is not installed in the device. Laptops, tablets, and phones with built-in batteries are allowed in checked bags, but TSA recommends keeping them in carry-on (TSA lithium battery guidelines).

Why are gas cartridge hair tools treated differently?

Gas cartridges contain pressurized butane or propane, which can leak, expand, or ignite when exposed to temperature and pressure changes in the cargo hold. USA Today reports that the TSA specifically called out the combustible risk of these cartridges in its updated guidance. Lithium batteries, meanwhile, pose a fire risk that the FAA has documented extensively—over 460 incidents involving lithium batteries in air travel since 2006.

The pattern is consistent: any self-contained power source that can overheat, leak, or ignite is treated as hazardous in the cargo hold. The 2025 rule brings hair tools into line with that logic.

The timeline shows a tightening of restrictions: what was once allowed is now banned, and travelers must adjust accordingly.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

The pattern: confirmed facts provide clear guidance, but enforcement and airline-level rules remain uncertain.

“Cordless hairstyling tools are allowed only in carry-on bags due to combustible risk from their power sources.”

TSA Spokesperson, via The Spokesman-Review

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