Travel Products Tech Essentials 14 Travel Adapters and Converters That’ll Save Your Next International Trip Whether you prefer a set of specific adapters or something universal, these are the best options on the market. By Amanda Ogle Amanda Ogle Instagram Website Amanda Ogle is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in travel, food and drink, sustainability, and general lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveler, Texas Highways, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 21, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa Travelers these days have all types of gear and gadgets that require power: headphones, cellphones, cameras, laptops, and even their toothbrushes. And, when traveling abroad, you’ll often find that not every hotel, airport lounge, or even public mode of transportation accommodates the U.S. plug, which means you need an adapter and/or converter for international trips. Our favorite adapters and converters are compact, work in multiple countries, have several ports including both USB and AC sockets, and, of course, power your essentials without frying them. Below, find our favorite easy-to-use adapters and converters for all of your international travels. Our Top Picks Best Overall: EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Grounded Plugs: Ceptics Adapter Plug Set for World Wide International Travel Use at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Ceptics Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best Universal: OneAdaptr World Adapter at Oneadaptr.com Jump to Review Best Converter/Adapter Combo: Bonazza Bonazza All-in-One World Travel Plug at Amazon Jump to Review Best for High Speed Charging: Zendure Universal Travel Adapter at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Apple Products: Apple Travel Adapter Kit at Amazon Jump to Review Best Lightweight: JMFONE Universal International Travel Power Adapter at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Hair Tools: Conair Travelsmart Voltage Converter and Adapter Combo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Multiple Devices: BESTEK Travel Adapter and Converter at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It It’s able to charge six devices at once. What to Consider This is not a converter, so you shouldn’t use it with high-power appliances like curling irons and hair dryers. Ready to use in more than 150 countries, this adapter from Epicka can power six devices at the same time, as it comes with four USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, and 1 AC socket. It works with all USB devices including iPhones and Androids, and can also charge your laptop, camera, tablets, and power banks. The adapter also has a built-in, double 8A fuse and safety shutters that keep children from trying to plug other items into the socket. The adapter comes in four different colors, and has a 1-year limited warranty. Price at time of publish: $23 The Details: 2.8 x 1.97 x 2.05 inches | 5.1 ounces | 6 ports | No converter | 1 AC socket, 4 USB, 1 USB-C | 240 volts Best for Grounded Plugs Ceptics Adapter Plug Set for World Wide International Travel Use Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It There’s a lifetime warranty and the company will replace plugs for free if one stops working. What to Consider It does not include a plug for South Africa. If you’re looking to spend your travel budget on fun things like tour tickets and nice dinners, you might want to spend a bit less on an adapter, which can get pricey. This set from Ceptics comes with five different plugs: Type E/F (Europe, Russia), Type G (U.K., Dubai, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia), Type B (U.S., Japan, Canada), Type C (most of Europe, Asia, Middle East), and Type I (Australia, New Zealand, China). It also comes with a small carrying pouch so you can keep all the plugs together in one place, making it easy to hop from country to country. Simply plug the correct adapter into the socket, then insert your plug into the adapter and you’ll have power for your cell phone, charger, camera, and batteries. Each works with grounded (3-prong) U.S. plugs, however, it’s worth noting that the adapters will not work for products such as hair dryers and curling irons. Price at time of publish: $15 The Details: 3 x 4 x 3 inches | 159 grams | No converter | 5 ports | AC socket | 250 volts Best Budget Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter Set Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It The carrying pouch makes it easy to carry all the plugs at once or choose which ones to take on your trip. What to Consider You only get the 2-prong input adapters, so it’s a simple kit that won’t work with 3-prong U.S. plugs. Tucked into a small, black carrying case are these five adapters that work in most countries around the world. Each plug is labeled with the country or region it serves, making it easy for you to grab the right plug, or bring only one plug if needed. The adapters work for laptops, cellphones, tablets, cameras, and other electronic items, but should not be used for hair dryers and other high wattage devices. Price at time of publish: $12 The Details: 4.5 x 3 x 4 inches | No converter | 5 ports | AC socket | 100-240 volts The 13 Best Portable Chargers of 2023 Best Universal OneAdaptr OneWorld PD All-In-One World Adapter with USB-C & 3 USB charger View On Oneadaptr.com Why We Love It It’s compact and perfect for globetrotters trying to minimize their gear. What to Consider It’s a bulkier pick if you only need to convert to one other prong type on your trip. For a simple, block adapter that you can toss in your bag, OneAdaptr’s OneWorld is a great choice, as it works in more than 150 countries. You can charge up to five devices at once, with three USB chargers, one USB-C charger, and the AC universal outlet. It’s also BS8546 certified, which means it protects against overcurrents, overheating, over voltage, and has auto-reset fuse protection, too. Price at time of publish: $54 The Details: 2.15 x 2.72 x 2.64 inches | 6.29 ounces | No converter | 5 ports | AC socket, USB | 110-220 volts Best Converter/Adapter Combo Bonazza All-in-One World Travel Plug Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It You can use it for things like curling irons and tea kettles. What to Consider There’s only one port. We get it, sometimes you just have to bring your own high-end curling iron or blow dryer, and sometimes, hotels might not have the correct plug for your device. For things such as hair dryers and other styling tools, you often need a converter in addition to an adapter, and this one from Bonazza is a favorite for lots of globetrotters. Adapters typically do not convert voltage, but this one does, from 220 volts to 110 volts, making it easy to use your small appliances. Of course, you can also use it to charge things like your laptop and cellphone, but when you’re using it to convert, make sure you switch the adapter over to converter mode. Take this with you to more than 150 countries. Price at time of publish: $33 The Details: 2.3 x 2.5 x 2.8 inches | 0.35 pounds | Converter | 1 port | AC socket | 110-220 volts Best for High Speed Charging Zendure Universal Travel Adapter Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It has an auto-resetting fuse to protect against short circuiting and overcharging. What to Consider The adapter is pricier than others on the market. With five USB ports (four USB-C, one USB-A) and 1 AC outlet plug, you can power up to six devices at once on this adapter, which has 65 watts of power for fast charging. The adapter works in more than 200 countries and is compatible with iPhones, laptops, tablets, Androids, cameras, and more. The adapter is also baby proof and comes with temperature, short circuit, overcurrent, overpower, and overcharge protection, meaning you’re less likely to fry your device. It comes with a 1-year limited warranty, and comes in three different color options. Price at time of publish: $100 The Details: 9.6 ounces | No converter | 6 ports | AC socket, USB | 100-240 volts The 7 Best Solar Phone Chargers of 2023 Best for Apple Products Apple World Travel Adapter Kit Apple View On Amazon View On Apple View On Best Buy Why We Love It It’s exclusively for Apple products so you can trust it with those devices. What to Consider It only works with Apple's block-type power adapters. Apple fanatics can sometimes be leery of chargers and adapters that don’t come from the brand, so fans can rest easy with this kit made by Apple, for Apple products. The kit includes seven AC plugs that work in North America, Japan, China, the U.K., Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Brazil, and the adapters work for iPhones, iPods, iPads, and Mac computers. Each outlet includes the regions that the plug is compatible with, making it easy to grab what you need quickly. However, you will need Apple's power adapter brick to swap these plugs onto; these come with some products and in a range of wattages including 12 watts, 35 watts, and 67 watts. Price at time of publish: $29 The Details: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.9 inches | 11.2 ounces | No converter | 7 ports | AC socket, USB | 100-240 volts (10W, 12W, 30W, and 35W) Best Lightweight JMFONE Universal International Travel Power Adapter All in One 4 USB Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It’s small in size, but still able to charge up to five devices at once. What to Consider It’s not made for hair dryers, curling irons, etc. This little adapter might be small, but it definitely packs a punch. You can use it in more than 160 countries, including throughout Europe, Australia, and Asia, and it can power up to five devices at once with four USB slots and one AC socket. It comes with electric shock protection, surge protection, plug lock, and built-in safety shutters to keep you safe from external shock and short circuiting. And in case one of your devices does cause the adapter to heat up, it’s made with fireproof material that’s resistant to high temps up to 800 degrees Celsius. Four colors are available, including a lime green one that’s easy to spot in a cluttered bag. Price at time of publish: $20 The Details: 2.72 x 2.68 x 2.32 inches | 4.6 ounces | No converter | 5 ports | AC outlet, USB | 100-250 volts Best for Hair Tools Conair Travelsmart Voltage Converter and Adapter Combo Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It’s made to work for styling tools. What to Consider Make sure you adjust the converter to the correct high or low setting. If you’re certain you’re bringing along your own hair dryer, curling iron, straightener, or other styling tools, you’ll want to invest in an adapter that has the ability to convert power, and Conair makes an adapter/converter combo that’s perfect for this. It changes 220V electricity to 110V, so you can rest easy using your tools while abroad. It comes with built-in surge protection so your devices don’t fry, and works in popular travel destinations. There are two settings you’ll need to be aware of: the low setting that works for smaller devices such as electric toothbrushes and batteries, and the high setting that works for curling irons, hair dryers, and more. Price at time of publish: $40 The Details: 7.3 x 5.4 x 2.6 inches | 0.34 pounds | Converter | 1 port | AC socket | 240 volts Best for Multiple Devices BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It Four added USB ports and three AC sockets give family and friends room to power up, too. What to Consider It’s a bulkier pick that’s not designed for styling tools, despite having a converter. If you’re sharing a power source with family or friends while traveling, or have numerous devices that need power, this adapter/converter from Bestek is a great choice, as it has three AC sockets and four USB ports that can power your items in more than 150 countries. Four additional adapters are included, and the default plug is the European Type C. Price at time of publish: $42 The Details: 7.72 x 6.54 x 1.89 inches | 1 pound | Converter | 7 ports | AC socket and USB | 220 volts Most User-friendly FLIGHT 001 5-In-1 Adapter Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It The color coordination makes things easy. What to Consider This is not a converter. This adapter makes things super easy, as it’s color-coded to help you quickly find the right plug for your travels. It breaks into four pieces (four different adapters plus a piece with two USB ports), so you can just take whichever block you need to over 150 countries. Just match the color with the country or continent it coordinates with, and you’re good to go. Price at time of publish: $35 The Details: 2 x 1.75 x 3.25 inches | 6.7 ounces | No converter | 6 ports | AC socket, USB | 100-250 volts The 12 Best Tech Gadgets for Travel, According to T+L Editors Best With USB Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter Plug with 4 USB Ports Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It The all-in-one design keeps you from having to pack lots of pieces. What to Consider It’s not for hair dryers and appliances. Lots of electronics now allow you to power up via a simple USB port, so if you’ve got a few devices like this, or you need to share the juice with your travel buddy, this plug is a great option, as it comes with four USB ports plus an AC adapter that works for Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. It comes with surge protection and electric shock protection, plus built-in safety shutters to protect you and your devices from external shock and short circuiting, and plug lock. Price at time of publish: $22 The Details: 3 x 2.1 x 2.45 inches | No converter | 5 ports | AC socket and USB | 250 volts Best for Work Trips Greatness Line GR-8 Power Compact and Slim Travel Charging Station Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It Charges up to eight devices. What to Consider There is no USB-C port. If you’re traveling for work and need to power multiple laptops or devices at once for presentations and such, consider investing in this charging station that resembles a power strip. It allows you to charge up to eight devices (four USB ports and four AC sockets) at once and has a thin design that gives you enough space to plug in all your items or slip it under a desk or in your bag. The included adapters are compatible in the U.K., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, India, and more, and the surge protector keeps your devices from frying (though it’s not a converter). Price at time of publish: $30 The Details: 6.5 x 3.43 x 1.19 inches | 1.1 pounds | No converter | 8 ports | AC socket, USB | 125 volts Best for the Car Potek 500W Car Power Inverter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why We Love It It allows you to use larger items such as a power tool. What to Consider It’s much heavier than other adapters. If you’re taking a long road trip and need to power multiple devices, including things like power tools, this car charger is a great choice. As a power inverter, it changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), in this case DC 12V to AC 110V. It gives 500 watts of power that allows you to charge your laptop, cellphone, and even things like a power drill. A USB port and 2 AC outlets give you three power options, and the unit protects against overheating, low and high voltage, short circuiting, and overheating and overloading. The inverter also comes with the car cigarette plug, battery clamps, spare fuses in case one blows, and a user manual. Price at time of publish: $44 The Details: 6.7 x 4.1 x 2.2 inches | 2 pounds | No converter | 3 ports | AC socket, USB | 110 volts Tips for Buying Adapters and Converters Research your destination Before leaving on your trip, be sure to check out what types of outlets are used in the countries you’re visiting, and buy adapters and converters accordingly. The last thing you’ll want is to accidentally fry your device while abroad. Some hotels provide USB ports inside hotel rooms, but it’s best to make sure they’re available before arriving empty-handed. Consider a kit If you’re visiting numerous countries and are in a rush, it’s sometimes easier to simply buy a kit with several adapters for multiple different destinations, which can save you money instead of buying numerous adapters. Lots of kits are small enough to tuck away in your bag or carry-on, so just be sure that you take along the ones you need. Read the fine print Always be sure to read the instructions that come with your adapter or converter, and be sure to pay attention to the power details. You may think a converter is safe for your styling tools or appliances when it's actually not, and you could fry your device, or blow a fuse, if the adapter doesn’t convert voltage. Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between a travel adapter and converter? An adapter is used when you need to plug a specific type of prong into a different socket. It allows you to plug your U.S.-style prong into an outlet in another country that uses a different type of plug. A converter is different in that it changes the voltage of an outlet to match the voltage of the item being plugged in. Some countries use 110/120 volts, while others use 220/240 volts. If you don’t use a converter, you could ruin your device, or even risk a fire. Do I need a travel adapter or converter? If your destination has a different prong type than your outlets at home, then you’ll need an adapter. But if the voltage is different in the place you’re traveling than it is at home, you’ll need a converter to convert that voltage. Some products have dual voltage, which means the device can handle voltages from all over the world. What kind of converter do I need for Europe? Most of Europe uses Type C plugs, which also fit into Type E, F, H, J, K, L, and N sockets that may replace Type C in places such as Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy. (England and the rest of the U.K. uses Type G.) Always double check exactly which one you’ll need before your departure. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, T+L contributor Amanda Ogle used research and her personal expertise as a travel writer to craft the perfect list of adapters and converters to buy before your next international trip. The Best Passport Wallets to Keep Your Items Safe While Traveling Love a great deal? 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