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The skeptics
Global Travel Adapter Kit 2
This kit includes multiple plugs that slide and lock into place to keep you powered in most countries around the world. It is bulky and much larger than the average adapter, but provides two grounded US AC outlets. There is also a built-in USB-C cable, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports. USB-A ports and integrated USB-C cable provide a combined maximum charging rate of 15 watts. The USB-C ports support Power Delivery and go up to 20 watts each. The maximum charging rate for all simultaneously is 55 watts.
There is built-in surge protection, but since it is not a voltage converter, do not plug in hair dryers or other non-dual voltage electronic devices. While the two AC outlets are convenient, their proximity means that the shape and size of some plugs can make it difficult to use them at the same time. But with the ability to charge up to seven devices, this kit comes in handy. I also like the original Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit ($35)although it lacks the two USB-C ports.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Types of cards | A, B, C, E/F, G and I |
| Additional ports | 1x USB-C cable, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A |
| Port Power | Up to 55 watts |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
For Apple and Qi2 devices
Anker
MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station (Qi2)
Super compact when folded flat, the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 can charge your iPhone or Qi2 certified phone up to 15 watts, with a second earpad for AirPods or other wireless headphones, and a fold-out Apple Watch charger on the back. You get a USB-C cable (about 5 feet) and a wall adapter, but pair it with something more that can deliver at least 40 watts, and you can leave the wall adapter at home.
Only MagSafe iPhones and Qi2 Certified Android Phones I have the magnets needed to use it as a stand, but I had no problem charging an older Android phone by folding it flat (Qi2 is backwards compatible). It feels a bit bulky when charging three devices, but the adapter still allows you to travel light. I recommend this Anker charger to travelers in our Best Apple 3-in-1 Travel Chargers guide.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Types of cards | N / A |
| Additional ports | Qi2 wireless charging |
| Power | 15-watt fast charging |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
Travel Adapter Comparison Chart
Travel Adapters: Your Questions Answered
What type of adapter do you need?
There are 15 types of plugs used around the world. Universal adapters tend to cover all of these types.
- Type A And Type B are used in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Japan.
- Type C is common in Europe, South America and Asia.
- Type E and Type F are found throughout Europe, in countries like Germany, Russia and France.
- Type G is used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and a handful of other places.
- Type I is used in Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina.
Some countries are generally not covered by universal adapters, such as India (Type D), Israel (Type H), and South Africa (Type M or N). You will need to purchase specific plug adapters for these locations. To avoid any surprises when you land, check which type you need before traveling.
If you’re visiting just one destination, a basic plug adapter suitable for a single outlet type is all you need. For trips to multiple destinations or for frequent travelers, a universal travel adapter may be more versatile. The universal adapters I recommend here have the advantage of including multiple USB ports for charging multiple mobile devices from a single outlet.
Do you really need a voltage converter?
Photography: Simon Hill
Voltage converters are big, heavy, and expensive, and they don’t always work, so it’s probably best to avoid them. The reason you may think you need one is that the AC outlets on all of our recommended travel adapters do not convert the voltage coming from the outlet. This means that plugging into a UK outlet will provide 220 volts at 50 hertz, which is very different from the 120 volts at 60 hertz you can expect in the US. Don’t worry! Your equipment won’t be fried. You just need to make sure that whatever you plug into one of these universal travel adapters has something like this on it:
Input: 100-220V 50/60Hz
This should include most modern gadgets. If your device or charger can’t handle varying voltage, it’s probably best to leave it at home. Most places offer hair dryerirons and kettlesso you don’t need to take them with you. It is also often cheaper to buy a game with the correct plug at your destination and thus save space and hassle in luggage.
If you’re determined to try a voltage converter (again, I don’t recommend it), the Ceptics 2,000 Watt Travel Voltage Converter ($70) seems to work well. It has a special 2,000-watt outlet for hair dryers, but only those that operate via a mechanical switch (anything with electronic circuitry for automatic shutoff or temperature control won’t work and is likely to fry if plugged in). It also has two outlets rated up to 200 watts, a USB-C port, and three USB-A ports, although the ports don’t support fast charging.
Travel adapters and chargers typically list how much power they can provide for USB-C and USB-A ports, retractable cables, and wireless charging. If you want to get the fastest rates possible, you’ll need a charger and cable that can deliver the maximum power to your device. A laptop may need 100 watts, while a phone only needs 30 watts. There is no need to worry if the charger can provide more power than needed, as the device will dictate how much power to consume. If the power is lower than required, most devices will simply charge slowly. You can learn more about charging standards like Power Delivery (PD), Quick Charge (QC) and others in my guide on how to quickly charge your phone.
Can travel adapters fit in a suitcase?
Can I buy travel adapters at the airport or hotel?
You can certainly buy travel adapters at the airport, but like everything else you buy at kiosks between connecting flights, they will be way more expensive than necessary and your choice will be limited.
Some hotels have travel adapters, and some even have wall outlets for other countries (or USB-A and USB-C ports), but most don’t, so don’t count on it. You can always check with your hotel or accommodation before you leave, but it’s safer to bring a travel adapter with you.
Should you test your travel adapter before you leave?
Seriously, nothing is worse than thinking you’re being really smart by packing light to get to your hotel only to find that your gadgets refuse to charge. Between the adapter, the cable, and your device, many things can go wrong, so do a quick test of your wall outlet at home with whatever you’re packing before you go on an international trip.
How to Test Travel Adapters
Every time I fly for work or vacation, I take a few travel adapters and chargers with me to test. I also test them for longer periods at home in the UK. I have power stations and power strips with US and EU plugs to test these outlets. I test each charger with a variety of devices (iPhone, Pixel, iPad, MacBook, AirPods). I’m trying to charge simultaneously with each port and outlet to see if the charger gets hot. I evaluate each device’s charging rates, durability, size, weight, and usability. If there are special features, I test them as well.
More Travel Adapters I Love
Photography: Simon Hill
There are many travel adapters available. These are a few others that I’ve tried and liked, but they missed a spot above for one reason or another.
Epicka Air 40W for $27: I don’t like this style of folding design because it’s a little fiddly to use, and the prongs sometimes fold over if you bump them when plugging in. That said, it’s a bit thinner than some of the slide-pin adapters above, and you get one USB-A port and three USB-C ports (limited to 40 watts total).
UGreen Travel Plug Adapter For £17: This travel adapter is aimed at Brits visiting Europe and is a solid option with a fixed plug (no mechanism). It only has two USB-A ports and one USB-C port for smaller devices, and it’s very bulky. I prefer the OneBeat above for this type of design.
Statik SmartCharge Pro for $100: This is a nice combo device that includes a 15,000 mAh power bank and a 60 watt wall charger. There are fold out US pins and slide out adapters for UK, EU and AU. You also get a USB-A port, a USB-C port, a fold-out USB-C cable, and a wireless charger on top that works with your iPhone or Apple Watch.
D-Link 65W Multiport GaN Charger (DCP-651) for $40: If two USB-C ports and one USB-A port are enough for your travel needs, this affordable D-Link charger might be for you. It comes with interchangeable plugs for different countries. The 65 watt limit is enough to charge a laptop and a few smartphones overnight.
Aunno Universal Travel Adapter for $23: Affordable and compact, this sliding pin travel adapter is a decent choice for Brits. The pins slot securely into place with a release button and you get two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, although power is limited.
Arsmel VisaPro
Photography: Simon Hil
Arsmel VisaPro All-In-One Travel Adapter for $75: This large power adapter can charge laptops or several small devices with a maximum power of 170 watts. It works with any outlet in the US, UK or EU, with sliding plugs that fit securely rity, and you can rotate the pins of the US plug to support the full number of countries (over 200). I also like the mecha inspired paint job. There are four ports on the bottom: two USB-C ports rated at 140 watts, with the third USB-C and USB-A ports rated at 18 watts. It supports PD 3.1, QC 3.0, PPS, FCP and SCP and has a 10 amp fuse.
Satechi GaN Travel Charger for $120: If you only take small gadgets with you when you travel, a compact multiport wall charger is all you need and a great way to travel light. It plugs directly into the wall and comes with four interchangeable travel adapters for EU, UK and Australia, plus a mesh bag to store them. There are four USB-C ports that you can plug your gadgets into, including laptops like the MacBook Pro, tablets, phones, and wearable devices. With support for Power Delivery 3.1, the top two ports can deliver up to 140 watts and the bottom two ports up to 45 watts. However, the maximum power when all four ports are used is 145 watts.
Baseus 70W Universal Travel Adapter with Retractable Cable for $50: This excellent travel adapter is almost identical to our top pick from Ceptics, offering up to 70 watts, sliding prongs to cover over 200 countries, and a built-in retractable USB-C cable, not to mention one USB-C port and two USB-A ports. It also has a sleek black and yellow finish. It’s only lacking because it’s slightly more expensive, but if you can pick one up on sale or prefer the colors, it’s a solid option.
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter for $20: This travel adapter from Epicaka remains a solid option. The sliding plugs cover 150 countries and there are four USB-A ports on the bottom and a 15-watt USB-C port on the side. There is also an 8 amp fuse with a spare fuse, and this adapter is RoHS, CE, and FCC certified.
Masterplug Visitor to UK Travel Adapter (3-Pack) for £12: For visitors to the UK, this simple trio of adapters accepts European, American, Australian and Asian plugs. These are single plug adapters with 13 amp fuses inside and they work perfectly. These are the adapters I use for long term testing of devices from the US and elsewhere that do not have UK plugs. If you forgot to buy an adapter before arriving in the UK, you can find this affordable three-pack at any Argos store.
Anker European Travel Plug Adapter for $14: One of our favorite portable charger brands, Anker, also makes travel adapters. This plugs into most European outlets to provide a single grounded US outlet, one USB-A port, and two USB-C ports. Unfortunately, the three USB ports max out at 15 watts total, so it’s better for charging a gadget overnight, but I appreciate the temperature and overload protection. There is also a UK version ($14).
Epicka Hybrid European Travel Plug Adapter for $16: This handy adapter turns one outlet into four and includes four USB ports (two A and two C). It has type A fold-out pins, but you can also slide in a type C fold-out plug for use in Europe. Although the USB ports support QC 3.0 or PD 3.0, they max out at 20 watts total. I prefer the OneBeat adapters recommended above.
Don’t bother
You can do better than these travel adapters.
EZQuest WorldTravel
Photography: Simon Hill
EZQuest WorldTravel GaN 5 Port with PD Wall Charger for $46: This travel adapter features four generous USB-C ports and one USB-A port with a familiar sliding pin design that covers over 150 countries. There is also a built-in 10 amp fuse and a spare fuse. It is RoHS, CE and FCC certified. It works well, but it’s a bit boxy and the sliders don’t lock in as securely as some of our other picks. There is also a 65W version ($60).
Rolling Square Pocket Travel Adapter for $30: I admire any attempt to reduce the size of travel adapters, but three-pin UK plugs are usually the obstacle. Rolling Square’s solution is to have a third flip-up prong, but you’ll need a good fingernail to pry it loose. This charger has a single USB-C port capable of delivering up to 30 watts and is a compact option that covers the US, UK, and Europe.
Ceptics 65W Global Travel Adapter
Photography: Simon Hill
Ceptics 65W Global Travel Adapter for $35: This versatile adapter comes with slide-in type A, B, C, E/F, G, and I plugs. They fit the rectangular brick and plug directly into the outlet, or you can attach them to the optional 5-foot cable. The brick has one grounded US outlet and a second ungrounded outlet, with a USB-A port (30 watts) and two USB-C ports (65 and 33 watts) on the other end. It works well and it’s affordable, but it’s bulky and ugly.
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