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Engadget Advises Against Putting Phones in TSA Bins

Engadget advises keeping phones out of TSA bins, citing dirty bins and loss risk; use carry-on bags or jacket pockets.

AI News Feed · 2026-10-21 02:41

Engadget said the bins often contain dirty shoes, and that some studies show they can be a haven for viruses and bacteria. The article noted that the phone is a device people constantly touch and hold to their faces, which makes direct contact with a shared bin especially undesirable.

Placing a phone in the bin with other loose items also increases the chance that a traveler will lose track of it while rushing to repack, put on shoes and a belt, and move on, Engadget said. Instead, travelers can tuck phones into carry-on bags or jacket pockets before reaching the X-ray machine. Engadget offered the same advice for wallets and keys, and recommended washing hands or using hand sanitizer after clearing security.

The advice is harder to apply to larger electronics. Most TSA checkpoints still require laptops, tablets and handheld game consoles to be removed from bags and placed in separate bins, unless the line has a CT scanner that allows everything to stay inside, according to the article. Engadget said these devices should at least have their own cases to protect them.