plug cable fit outlets all over the world: North America, the U.K. “And it never overheats or short-circuits! The last thing I want to do is blow out my laptop in middle-of-nowhere, Vietnam. “It weighs just 1.2 pounds, so I can stuff it in a carry-on, no fuss,” says Ashlea Halpern, editor-at-large for AFAR Media and co-founder of Cartogramme.
This adapter is still pretty compact, though. “It’s a little bulkier than just buying a simple plug adapter, but I won’t travel internationally without it now.” Kathryn Sheldon, director, producer, and photographer who often travels overseas with her camera gear, calls it a “godsend” for safe charging (though not for hair dryers, sorry). And unlike the other adapters on this list, it will convert voltage. Like the Epicka, this one has four USB ports, but it’s also got three power outlets and a five-foot-long power cord, which is ideal for rooms with inconveniently placed outlets. If you are in need of a more heavy-duty way to plug in larger electronics while overseas, the Bestek Universal Travel Adapter comes highly recommended. While most smartphones and tablets are dual-voltage these days, you’ll want to double-check the specifications of your devices before leaving on your trip. A note: While they’ll give you access to the grid, travel adapters don’t convert power voltage, which can vary between countries. So we spoke with 11 frequent travelers about their go-to plug and international adapters to find the best travel adapter for every type of trip, whether you’re looking for a straightforward European plug adapter for your first trip to Paris or a universal plug adapter that you can bring with you on a yearlong world tour.
But otherwise, finding the best travel adapter really depends on what kind of traveler you are, as well as how many countries you’re traveling to and what kind of devices you’re bringing along for the ride. At minimum, it should be reliable, a travel gadget you can be sure isn’t going to start a minor electrical fire or ruin your valuable electronics, yet compact enough to stow away in your carry-on suitcase and slot into inconveniently placed outlets. With that the case, take a look at the best travel adaptors of the bunch below.When you’re traveling overseas, a good travel adapter is as essential as your passport. As a rule, high powered devices such as hairdryers and straighteners cannot be used with a travel adaptor, with the advice being to purchase cheap ones when you’ve arrived at your destination.Īmazon is usually the best place to head for travel adaptors, as you can get hold of highly-rated products for sometimes a fraction of the high street price (and with Prime Delivery). Good news is, all EU countries have the same voltage as the UK, so it’s only the USA, South America, Asia, Australasia and Africa that you need to think about. Many devices are dual voltage rated, so you may not even require a transformer even so, it’s always best to check the book of words to double-check. Not all travel adaptors will transform voltage, so it’s always worth checking to see if you need to purchase a voltage transformer alongside the adapter. If you have a laptop that charges via USB-C, look for a travel adaptor with built-in USB-PD (USB Power Delivery), which can send 100W into a laptop. Better still, look for Quick Charge 3.0 (QC 3.0), which does it ever faster.