The Best Travel Plug Adapter of 2022 - The New York Times

We tested over a dozen travel plug adapters to find the best to bring on a trip overseas. Nothing can cover you everywhere, but check out ... Weindependentlyrevieweverythingwerecommend.Whenyoubuythroughourlinks,wemayearnacommission.Learnmore›FYIWe’vereadthroughthisguideandstillstandbyourpicksforthebesttravelplugadapters.July13,2022Ifyouwanttouseelectronicdevicesinadifferentcountry,you’llprobablyneedatravelplugadapter.Afterspendingmorethan30hoursresearchingandtesting14options,wefoundtheEpickaUniversalTravelAdaptertobethebestone.Itfitsfourtypesofoutlets,andithasmoreUSBportsthananyofitscompetitors,soitcancanchargemoredevicesathigherspeeds.OurpickEpickaUniversalTravelAdapterBestuniversaltraveladapterWithfourplugsthatwillworkinmostcountries,plusfaster-chargingUSBports(andmoreofthem)thanitscompetitors,thisadapteristhebestall-aroundchoice.BuyingOptions$23fromAmazonInaseaofalmost-identicaltraveladapters,theEpickaUniversalTravelAdapterstandsout,combiningthebestofthefeatureswewerelookingfor.ItcontainsthethreemostcommoninternationalplugsandaUS-styleplug,whichshouldcoveryouinthemajorityofcountriesaroundtheworld.IthasthemostUSBports—fourofthestandardUSB-AandoneUSB-C—ofanyuniversaladapterwetested,anditcouldchargemoreofourdevicesfaster.Areplaceablefuseandanincludedspareshouldtakethebruntofanyaccidental,unfortunate,orshockinglybadconnections.TheEpickaisfairlycompactandwellbuilt,anditevencomeswithanextraUSBcableandanyloncase.However,nouniversaltraveladapteristrulyuniversal,andthey’reallalotbulkierandmoreexpensivethansimpleplugadapters.Ifyouwantthesmallestadapterpossible,orifyou’regoingsomeplacewhereauniversaladapterwon’twork(moreonthatinaminute),thenaplugadaptercouldbewhatyouneed.AdvertisementOurpickCepticsInternationalWorldwideTravelPlugAdapter5PieceSetThebestplugadapterIndividually,thesetinyplugadaptersaresmaller,lighter,andcheaperthananyuniversaltraveladapter.Tojuiceupmultipledevices,though,you’dneedaseparatemultiportchargertoo.BuyingOptions$11*fromCeptics$11fromAmazon*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$10.TheCepticstinyplugadaptersarebarelylargerthantheprongstheyconvert.Small,simple,andcheap,they’reperfectforsomeonewhowantstocarryonlytheadapterthey’llneedandwhoalreadyhasamultiportUSBwallchargertheylike.Likeouruniversaladapterpicks,thissetcontainsthethreemostcommoninternationalplugsandtheUSplug.However,italsoincludesasomewhatrarerplugusedinsomeEuropeancountriesthathastwothick,cylindricalprongs.ThismeansthattheCepticswilllikelycoveryouinevenmoreplaces—aslongasyoupacktheappropriateplugadapter.Runner-upCepticsPlugAdapterSetHeavier,butsturdierTheplugsinthissetoffivearebiggerandheavierthanourtoppickforplugadapters,butmoresolidlybuilt.BuyingOptions$10fromAmazon$14fromCepticsTheseplugadaptersarebiggerthanourtoppickforplugadapters,butthismeanstheyofferalargersurfaceforchargerstobraceagainst,whichmakesthemmorestableandlesslikelytofalloffthewall.(We’llcallthese“CepticsWhite”tominimizeconfusionandsetthemapartfromour“CepticsBlack”toppick.)Whileyoucanpurchasetheseasafive-pack,whichcontainsbasicallythesameassortmentofplugsastheCepticsBlackset,thecompanyalsosells,inthissamemodelline,three-packsfornearlyadozenspecificregions.Soifyou’reheadedtoacountrynotcoveredbytheso-calleduniversaltraveladapters(forexample,Brazil,India,Israel,orSouthAfrica),orifyouwanttopurchasemultipleadaptersforyourgear,there’sprobablyanoptionavailablehere.Anoteuphere,whichwe’lldiscussindetailbelow:Alloftheseareadaptersonly.Theydonotconvertvoltage.Themajorityofyourelectronicdevicesonlyneedadapters—thevoltageconverterisbuiltintothechargeritself.(IfthedevicechargesviaUSB,justaboutanyUSBportwillsuffice,thoughdifferentportsmayprovidedifferentchargingspeeds.)CheckoutDoyouneedavoltageconverter?ifyou’recuriousabouttheseaspects.EverythingwerecommendOurpickEpickaUniversalTravelAdapterBestuniversaltraveladapterWithfourplugsthatwillworkinmostcountries,plusfaster-chargingUSBports(andmoreofthem)thanitscompetitors,thisadapteristhebestall-aroundchoice.BuyingOptions$23fromAmazonOurpickCepticsInternationalWorldwideTravelPlugAdapter5PieceSetThebestplugadapterIndividually,thesetinyplugadaptersaresmaller,lighter,andcheaperthananyuniversaltraveladapter.Tojuiceupmultipledevices,though,you’dneedaseparatemultiportchargertoo.BuyingOptions$11*fromCeptics$11fromAmazon*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$10.Runner-upCepticsPlugAdapterSetHeavier,butsturdierTheplugsinthissetoffivearebiggerandheavierthanourtoppickforplugadapters,butmoresolidlybuilt.BuyingOptions$10fromAmazon$14fromCepticsWhyyoushouldtrustusWhoshouldgetthisHowwepickedHowwetestedOurpick:EpickaUniversalTravelAdapterFlawsbutnotdealbreakersOurpick:CepticsInternationalWorldwideTravelPlugAdapter5PieceSetRunner-up:CepticsAdapterPlugSetforWorldwideInternationalTravelUseDoyouneedavoltageconverter?ThecompetitionWhyyoushouldtrustusInadditiontomyworkhereatWirecutter,IalsowriteabouttechandtravelforCNET,Forbes,andWirecutter’sparentcompany,TheNewYorkTimes.Perhapsmorerelevanttothisguide,usuallyspendagoodchunkofeachyear(globalpandemicsaside)asadigitalnomad,livingmonthsatatimeindifferentcountriesallovertheworld.Mycurrentcountrycountis50,spreadacrosssixcontinents,andsinceItravelwithalotofelectronicsgearforwork,beingabletopluginisobviouslycrucial.I’veownedandusedmanydifferenttypesofuniversal-styletraveladapters,andseveraldifferentcompanies’worthofplugadapters,plusI’vetalkedwithcountlesstravelersaboutwhattheylike…or,moreimportant,whattheyhate.WealsogotsomeadvicefromWirecuttersenioreditorMarkSmirniotis,whooverseesourpowerdevicessection.WhoshouldgetthisDoyoutravel?Areyougoingtotravelsometimeinthe(nearorfar)future?Doyouwanttobeabletochargeoruseelectronicdevicesinadifferentcountry?Ifso,you’reprobablygoingtoneedatravelplugadapter.There’savarietyofdifferentoutlettypesaroundtheworld,nottomentiondifferentvoltagesandfrequencies,soyoucan’texpectyourphonechargertojustpluginandworkwhereveryou’reheaded.Sure,Canada,Mexico,Japan,andmanyothercountriesusethesamesmallpairofprongsastheUS,butplaceslikecontinentalEurope,theUK,Australia,India,Russia,andprettymucheverywhereelsedonot.Avertical-prongUS-styleTypeBgroundedoutlet:ThisonehappenstohaveUSB-AandUSB-Cportsbuiltin.Photo:RozetteRagoYouhavetwomainchoiceswhenitcomestotravelplugadapters:theuniversal-styletraveladapters(that’sonedevicewithmultiplesetsofprongsthatyouextendandretract)andsmaller,individualplugadaptersthatusuallycomeinsets.Bothhaveprosandcons.Shouldyougetauniversaltraveladapterorasimpleplugadapter?Universaltraveladaptersareforthepersonwhowantsonehandyadapterthatwillworkinjustabouteverycountry.Youcankeepitnexttoyourpassportandtossitinyourluggagewhenyou’repacking.TheonesweconsideredhaveUSBports,soyoudon’tneedtoworryaboutbringingaseparatechargerforanythingthatchargesviaUSB(think phones andnoise-cancellingearbuds).However,thesearebulky,theyhavepartsthatcanbreak,andeventhebestwilltakelongertochargeyourphoneortabletthanwillagoodmultiportUSBwallcharger.Thechoicebetweenuniversaltraveladaptersandindividualplugadaptersultimatelycomesdowntopersonalpreference.Thealternativeissmallandsimpleplugadapters.TheseattachtotheprongsofyourcurrentUSBcharger(whetherit’samultiportoneorthechargerthatcamewithyourdevice)toallowthemtofitintoaforeignoutlet.Thesecanworkbecausenearlyeverymodernchargercanadjusttotheavailablevoltageinprettymucheverycountry,aslongasyoucanadapttheprongstofitintheoutlet.(MoreonthisinDoyouneedavoltageconverter?)ThesearegreatforpeoplewhoalreadyhaveamultiportUSBchargertheylikeanddon’twanttodealwiththeadditionalbulkofauniversaltraveladapter.Also,thesearenecessaryifyou’retravelingtoacountrythathasoutletsincompatiblewithanyofthefourtypesincludedinauniversaladapter(which,asthatsentencereveals,aren’tactuallyuniversal).Thechoicebetweenuniversaltraveladaptersandindividualplugadaptersultimatelycomesdowntopersonalpreference.Bothtypeswork,anddifferentpeoplewilllikeordislikeeach.Ifyou’renotsurewhichwillbebestforyou,readeachsectionhereclosely.Here’sthebigcaveat:Ifyou’replanningonbringingsomethingwithyouthathasamotor,aheatingelement,orasinglepowercordthatleadsdirectlyfromtheplugtothedevice(i.e.there’snopowerbrickorwallwart),italmostcertainlywon’tworkwithatravelplugadapter.Mostpeoplewillonlyneedoneoftheadapterchoiceswerecommend,butveryoccasionallythere’sapieceofgearthatneedsavoltageconverter.Formoreonthattopic,alsocheckoutthevoltageconverterssectionbelow.Whereintheworldwillyourtravelplugadapterwork?Alluniversaltraveladaptershavefourdifferentsetsofprongs,whichcovermostcountriesmostAmericanstendtotravelto.Firstisthebig,wide-bladeUK-styleplug(oftendesignated"TypeG”).ThiswillworkinplacesliketheUK,obviously,andalsoIreland,HongKong,andsomeotherpartsofAsiaandtheMiddleEast.TheseItalian-by-way-of-ReykjavikoutletswillstymieanyadaptersavailableintheUS.Photo:ChristineRyanThewide-prongTypeGstyleyou’llfindintheBritishIsles,HongKong,andelsewhereinAsiaandtheMiddleEast.Photo:GeoffMorrisonTheangled-prongTypeIoutlet,whichyou’llseeinAustralia,NewZealand,andmuchofOceania.Photo:GeoffMorrisonTheseItalian-by-way-of-ReykjavikoutletswillstymieanyadaptersavailableintheUS.Photo:ChristineRyanNextistheroundEurope-styleplug,akatheEuroplug(TypeC).However,thisiswherewerunintocomplications.ThisplugshouldworkinmostofEurope—itwasdesigned,infact,tofitintoawiderangeofEuropeanoutlettypes.Forinstance,partsofItaly,Switzerland,andDenmarkeachusedifferentplugsfromoneanother.Shouldthisdouble-roundoneworkinthoselocations?Yes.Willit?Hardtosay.I’vestayedinplaceswheremyEuroplugdidn’twork,yetitdidinthehostelbeforeandthehotelafter—allwithinthesamesmallregionofacountry.Withanyluck,ifthishappenstoyou,theplaceyou’restayingwillhaveapowerstripthatwillletyouplugin,thoughthere’snoguaranteeofthat.Thirdistheangledsmall-bladestyle(TypeI)foundinAustralia,NewZealand,FijiandotherpartsofOceania,andafewotherareas.SomeuniversaladaptershaveonesetofbladesforthisandtheUSstyle—youjustmanuallyrotatethebladesintothecorrectpositiondependingonwhereyouare.Inourtesting,wehadnotroublegettingthemtowork.Thelast,thesmallUS-styleblades(TypeAorB),meanyoucoulduseourpickstovisittheUSandothercountriesthathavethesameplugs—if,thatis,you’rereadingthisfromoutsidetheUS.Whataretheplacesnotcoveredbythesefourstyles?SomepartsofBrazil,SouthAfrica,India,andmore.I’vestayedinpartsofItaly,forexample,thatshouldhaveEuroplugsbutonlyhadsomethingcalledTypeL.I’vestayedinhousesinBrazilthathadTypeN,buttheEuroplugfitenoughtowork.Inothers,itwouldn’t.Gettingyourgeartoworkindifferentcountriesisn’tquiteassimpleasitshouldbe,andthere’snosinglesolutionthat’sguaranteedtoworkforeveryone.Tofindoutwhichplugsyoumightneedwhiletraveling,refertotheexcellentWikipediaarticlecalledMainselectricitybycountrythatshowspicturesof(almost)allthepossibleplugsandoutlets,alongwithalistoftheworld’scountriesand(almostallof)thestyleorstylestheyuse.Thisisinvaluableinformationtocheckbeforeyouleave.Ifmultipleplugtypesarelistedforaspecificcountryandyou’restayinginanolderbuilding,youshouldprobablyassumeitsoutletswillrequirewhateverplugisn’tonauniversaltraveladapter,sincetheseonlyhavethemostcommon,newervarietiesofplugs.Whichbringsustoperhapsthemostimportantfact:Gettingyourgeartoworkindifferentcountriesisn’tquiteassimpleasitshouldbe,andthere’snosinglesolutionthat’sguaranteedtoworkforeveryone.Ourpicksshouldworkforyou,butyoumayhavesomerandompieceofequipment,orbetravelingtosomecountry,forwhichour“goodformost”picksjustwon’twork.(Caseinpoint:OneWirecuttereditorvisitedIcelandrecently.ThehouseshestayedinhadoutletsunlikeanythingonWikipedia’schart,andtheplugadaptersshe’dusedelsewhereinReykjavikdidn’tfitatall.ItturnsoutthemysterysocketsbelongedtoanobscureItaliansystemfromthe1960sthatwaspopularinIcelandforatime.Luckily,thehostshadpowerstripsinthehousethatheradaptersfitinto.)We’lltrytomentionsuchpotentialcaveatswhenwecan,buttheworldisabigplace,andwhenitcomestoelectricityandwalloutlets,there’salotofvariation.That’simportanttokeepinmind.HowwepickedPhoto:RozetteRagoThereareapproximately70billionuniversaltravelplugadaptersontheWeb.However,afterspending20hoursstaringatthem,Ifoundthere’sonlyaboutadozenbasicdesigns—andcountless“companies”sellingthem.Amongthosedozenorsoactuallydifferentproducts,Isawafewdistinctionsthathelpednarrowthefield.SincemostoptionshadfourUSBports,thatseemedlikeareasonableminimumtorequire.Theirmaximumpoweroutput,ratedinamps,becameadeterminingfactorinourrankings.Thehigherthemaximumoutput,thefastertheportwillchargeyourgear.Someplugscamewithareplaceablefuse,whichseemedlikeagoodidea,andafewincludedareplacementforsaidfuse,whichseemedevenbetter.Thisway,ifeitheryouplugtheadapterintoasketchyoutletoraroommateatthehostelusesyouradaptertoplugintheircompletelynecessaryportablearcwelder,thefusewillgo,notyouradapter.Thenit’sjustamatterofswappingintheincludedsparefuseandyou’regoodtogo.Thesefuseshaveamaximumpowerrating,andthereforetheadaptershaveamaximumwattagerating.However,youshouldn’tbeconnectinganythingwithahighenoughpowerdrawtotripthesefuses.CheckoutDoyouneedavoltageconverter?formoreinformation.Theshortversionisthatrechargingportableelectronicdevicesisfine,butpoweringanythingthathasamotororheatsupisnot.Nearlyeveryapplianceordevicehasitspowerdrawwrittenonitsomewhere,soworstcase,youcancomparethattowhat’slistedontheadapter.Andsoyoudon’thavetolookitup,volts×amps=watts.Theotheroptionweconsideredandtestedisindividualplugadapters.Thesesmalladaptersattachtotheprongsofyourcurrentchargersothey’llplugintoaforeignoutlet.Indecidingwhichofthesetotest,wejudgedbysizeandavailableplug-typeoptions.Asyou’llseewithourtwopicks,oneisexceptionallysmall,andtheotherofferssturdierplugsthatareavailableinarangeofplugtypesthat’swideenoughtocoveryounomatterwhereintheworldyou’reheaded.HowwetestedTheuniversaltraveladaptersarefarmoresimilartooneanotherthantheyaredifferent.However,gettinginadozenandplayingwiththemforawhilerevealedthatsomefeltbetterputtogetherthanothers.Afterspendingseveralminuteswitheachone,forcefullyextendingthevariousplugs,slammingthembackin,andjustbeingfairlyroughwiththem,Ifounditeasytotellwhichfeltlikethey’dlastafewtrips,andwhichwouldn’t.Nonefeltlikeyou’downthemforalifetime.Sincenoneareexpensive,though,thisdidn’tseemlikeamajorissue.AllhadaUS-styleplug,soItestedeachoneinseveraloutletsaroundmyhouse—somenew,someold.Ididn’tfindmuchdifferenceinhowtheyfitandworked.Iconnectedseveralchargersandplugstotheoutputsideofeachadapteraswell.Again,notmuchdifference.Last,IcheckedhowbrighttheLEDoneachwas,sinceatoo-brightLEDkeepingmeawakehasbeenapetpeeveofmineforyears.ManyUSBchargershaveLEDsbrightenoughtopracticallyreadfrom;Ieliminatedanyuniversaladapterthathadthisproblem.Fortheplugadapters,Itriedplugginginseveraldevices,aswellasinsertingthemintooutletsaroundmyhouse.Icheckedhowtighttheconnectionswereandhowtheyfeltoverall.Wouldtheyfallapartwithsimpleuseorperhapsholduptobeingtossedaroundinbagsforafewweeksormonths?Inreality,thetestingforalltheadaptertypesdidn’trevealmuchvariationintermsofperformance.Theseareallremarkablysimilarproducts.Howtheyfelttouseandtheirdifferentfeaturesplayedafarbiggerroleinestablishingourfinalpicks.Ourpick:EpickaUniversalTravelAdapterPhoto:RozetteRagoOurpickEpickaUniversalTravelAdapterBestuniversaltraveladapterWithfourplugsthatwillworkinmostcountries,plusfaster-chargingUSBports(andmoreofthem)thanitscompetitors,thisadapteristhebestall-aroundchoice.BuyingOptions$23fromAmazonWhilealltheuniversaltraveladapterswetestedincludedthesamethreetypesofplugs(plusthefamiliarUS-styleone),theydifferedinhowmanyUSBportseachhadandhowquicklytheycouldcharge—andthat’swheretheEpickaUniversalTravelAdapterexcelled.IthasfiveUSBports:fourofthestandardUSB-AsizeandoneofthenewerUSB-C.(YoumaynothaveaUSB-Cdeviceatthemoment,butyoulikelywillinthefuture.)Thesewillletyoucharge,say,threephones,twotablets,and—viatheadapter’smainplug—acamerabatterythathasitsownwallcharger,allatonce.Inaddition,andjustasimportant,isthemaximumpoweroutput:5.6amps.Thiswasthehighestofalltheadaptersweconsidered,whichmeansyoucanchargemoreofyourdevicesathigherspeedsbeforehittingthemaxoutput.KeepinmindthatthemaximumoutputperUSB-Aportis2.4amps,themaxontheUSB-Cportis3amps,andifyou’reusingallfiveportsyouwon’tbeabletochargeeveryconnecteddeviceatfullspeed—it’llonlygiveyouthat5.6ampoutputintotal.TheoutputisstillfarlowerthanwhatyoucangetfromadecentUSBchargercombinedwithourpickforasimpleplugadapter(moreonthatintheplugadaptersection,below),butit’ssignificantlybetterthanmostuniversaltraveladapters,whichoftenmaxoutunder3ampstotal.TheEpickahasthreeslidersononeside,withabuttonontheothertolock/unlockyourchosenpluginplace.Thisarrangementfeelsmoresecurethanthesemi-lockingorslide-lockingsystemthatsomeotheruniversalsuse.However,thisisplastic-on-plastic,sodon’texpectatank.Asthesethingsgo,theEpickafeelssturdy.TheUSandAustraliashareapairofprongs—youtwisttheprongsmanuallytosetthemupforanangledAustralia-styleoutlet.FouroftheEpicka’sfiveUSBports.TheUSB-Cportisonadifferentsideoftheadapter.Photo:RozetteRagoThefourregularUSBplugsareallononeside,whichistidierthanthe“flailinggibbon”lookofsomeotheruniversaladapters.TheabovedetailswerewhatputtheEpickaatthetopofourlist,buttheadapterhasafewotherfeaturesthatarethecherryontop,sotospeak.Forinstance,itcomeswithasmallnyloncaseandaUSBcablewithasplitend,soitworkswitheitherMicro-USBorLightningdevices.WhiletheadapterhasanLEDtoshowyouit’sworking,theglowisn’tsobrightastobeadistractionatnight.Thesliderslockinplace;youpressbuttonsontheoppositesideoftheadaptertoreleasethem.TheUSBType-Cporthasamaximumoutputof3amps.Photo:RozetteRagoTheEpickacomeswithacablethatyoucanswitch,withasimpletug,fromLightningtoMicro-USB(andback).Photo:RozetteRagoThesliderslockinplace;youpressbuttonsontheoppositesideoftheadaptertoreleasethem.TheUSBType-Cporthasamaximumoutputof3amps.Photo:RozetteRagoOnelastnote.TherearemultipleEpickauniversaladapters,andevenEpickacan’tkeepthenamesstraight.We’veseenthisonecalled,variously,UniversalTravelAdapter,InternationalTravelAdapter,TravelAdapter-2,UniversalUSBTravelPowerAdapter(2018),andevenUniversalTravelAdapterOneWorldwideInternationalWallChargerACPlugAdaptorwith5.6ASmartPower3.0AUSBType-CforUSAEUUKAUSCellPhoneTabletLaptop(Grey).Besttofollowthelinkabove.Also,youmayfindanothercompanysellingatwinofthis.TheEpickahasthemostreviewsandoffersfreeshippingwithPrime.Theotheroptionswesawhavefewornoreviews,orchargeoutrageousshippingcosts.FlawsbutnotdealbreakersAswithalloftheseadapters,Iwouldn’texpecttheEpickatolastforever.Givenitslockingdesignandcase,it’sprobablygoingtolastlongerthanmanyothers,butallofthesearealmostentirelyinexpensiveplasticdevices.Justsomethingtokeepinmind.Whiletheprongsthemselvesfeltsecure,andbeingabletolockthemintoplacewasnice,it’sentirelypossiblethatthesizeandweightoftheadapter,pluswhateveryou’vepluggedintoit,couldpullitoutofanoutlet.Thatis,unfortunately,ariskwitheveryuniversaladapter.Anotherriskwithanyuniversaladapter—aswementionedabove—isthatit’snotgoingtoworkwhereyou’reheaded.Epickaclaimsitwillworkin150countries,buttherearemorethan200countries(theexactnumberishardertopindownthanyoumightrealize).Andevenineachofthose150countries,there’snoguaranteethattheadapterwillworkineveryoutletineverybuilding.Plugadaptersareasomewhatsaferbettoworkspecificallywhereyou’regoing,buttheyhavetheirowndownsides,whichwe’lldiscussbelow.Also,whiletheEpickaisalittlesmallerthansomeoftheotherswetested,alluniversaladaptersaremuchbulkierthanplugadapters.Assomeonewhohasspentmostofthepastfiveyearstraveling,Ifeelplugadaptersarefareasierandlessannoyingtodealwith.Thisislargelywhywehavetworecommendationsforthatcategory.Ourpick:CepticsInternationalWorldwideTravelPlugAdapter5PieceSetPhoto:RozetteRagoOurpickCepticsInternationalWorldwideTravelPlugAdapter5PieceSetThebestplugadapterIndividually,thesetinyplugadaptersaresmaller,lighter,andcheaperthananyuniversaltraveladapter.Tojuiceupmultipledevices,though,you’dneedaseparatemultiportchargertoo.BuyingOptions$11*fromCeptics$11fromAmazon*Atthetimeofpublishing,thepricewas$10.TheCepticsPlugAdaptersetcombineseverythingwewerelookingforinplugadapters:smallsize,solidbuildquality,and—well,smallsizeisreallythethinghere.EachadapterisnolargerthanitneedstobetofitovertheAmerican-styleprongsofyourcharger.Theplasticfeelssolidandnotflimsy.Eachadapterhastheregionorcountriesitshouldbeusedinwrittenontheside.Thefiveplugsinthesetarethesamefourasyou’llfindontheuniversaladaptersrecommendedabove,plusthethicker,roundEuropean-styleprongsusedinpartsofFrance,partsofAsia,andelsewhere.Thoughthesetcomeswithasmallcase,youprobablywouldn’tbetravelingwiththeentiresetveryoften.Instead,you’dpackjustthespecificadapteroradaptersyou’dbeusingoneachtrip.Theseareforthepersonwhowantstotravelaslightandassimplyaspossible.Imyself,andmyfriendswhotravelfrequently,swearbythesesmall,inexpensiveadapters.Also,ifyouhaveaUSBmultiportchargeryoulikeorachargerthat’sespeciallyfast,youcanusethatchargerwithjustatiny,almostweightlessplugattheend.However,plugadaptersaren’tforeveryone,andthat’swhythey’renotourmainpick.Foronething,ifyoudon’talreadyownamultiportUSBwallcharger,you’llstillhavetogetoneifyoudon’twanttocarryachargerforeachdevice.Also,dependingonwhatyou’reconnectingwiththeseplugadapters,yourchargerordevicecouldwobbleandmaybefallout.Theconnectionsinsidearesolidenoughthatthisshouldn’thappen,butit’spossible.Ouruniversal-adapterpicks,aswellastheotherCepticssetwediscussbelow,havealarger“face”foryourchargertobraceagainst—morelikethatofatraditionaloutlet—sothere’slesschanceofgravityhavingitswaywithyourgear.Beingsmallandinexpensive,plugadaptersarenotbuiltforhigh-power,high-wattageitems,thoughhopefullywe’vepersuadedyoutoleavethoseathome.Ifyou’rechargingabattery,youshouldbefine.Ifyou’rerunningamotor,probablynot.Laptops,yes;mini-fridges,no.AchargerpluggedintothiskindofCepticsadapterwillstickoutintotheair,unsupported.Dependingonhowtighttheoutletis—orhowheavyyourchargeris—thewholethingcouldsag.Photo:RozetteRagoLast,thesethingsbeingsosmall,youcouldeasilylosetheminyourbagorleavethembehindinanoutletsomewhere,ifyou’rethetypeofpersonwholosesthings.(That’swhyIusuallykeepmineconnectedtomycharger.)Forahardcoretravelerlikeme,thesearemypick.They’recheap,light,andsmall,andtheywork.Runner-up:CepticsAdapterPlugSetforWorldwideInternationalTravelUsePhoto:RozetteRagoRunner-upCepticsPlugAdapterSetHeavier,butsturdierTheplugsinthissetoffivearebiggerandheavierthanourtoppickforplugadapters,butmoresolidlybuilt.BuyingOptions$10fromAmazon$14fromCepticsThoughmadebythesamecompanyastheCepticsInternationalWorldwideTravelPlugAdapter5PieceSet—andbearingaconfusinglysimilarname—theplugadaptersintheCepticsAdapterPlugSetforWorldwideInternationalTravelUseare,asyoucansee,acompletelydifferentdesign.They’remuchlargerthantheotherCeptics(let’scalltheprevioussetCepticsBlackandthisoneCepticsWhiteforsimplicity).Nonetheless,they’reeachsmallerthanauniversaladapter,andtheyhaveonekeybenefitoverourtopplug-adapterpick:Youcanpurchasetheminmultipacksforindividualregions,includingregionsbeyondthosecoveredbytheCepticsBlackset.TheCepticsWhitearesmall,butnotassmallastheCepticsBlack.Thatextrasizedoesofferonebenefit,however:Theseadaptershavemoreofafaceontheoutputside,sothere’smoresurfaceforyourchargertoleanagainst.Thismeansyourchargerislesslikelytofallout.Again,neithersetofplugswetestedhadlooseconnections,butthisisalwaysarisk,aschargersvary.Oneotherdifference:Inplaceofthetwo-prongedUSplugwesaw(typeA)inourotherpicks,thissetincludesthethree-prongedgroundedversion.YoucanseeherethesizedifferencebetweenourtwoCepticspicks.Thelabelingisnotidealineithercase.OntheCepticsBlacks,it’snotspecificenough(especiallywithregardstoEurope);ontheCepticsWhites,youmightneedtosearchonlinetofigureoutwhichtypeofplugyou’llneedwhereyou’regoing.Photo:RozetteRagoTherealbenefittotheCepticsWhites,however,isnottheirphysicalcharacteristics.Thisrangeisoneofyouronlyoptionsifyouwanttobuyaplugadapterforaspecificregionorcountry.HeadedtoIndiaorSouthAfrica?Auniversaladapterprobablywon’twork,butyoucangetathree-packofCepticsthatwill.Youcanalsobuytheoffsetthree-prongandin-linethree-prongforSwitzerlandandItaly,respectively,aswellasplugsforIsraelandBrazil,boththethinandthethickEuropeanplugs,andofcourse,AustraliaandUKversionstoo.Theycostlessthan$10perset.Anyofthoselinkswillbringyoutoapagethatletsyouchooseamongplugsfordifferentregions—definitelyverifyatcheckoutthatyou’vepickedthecorrectones!Theseadaptersareidealforsomeoneheadedtoacountrynotcoveredbyauniversaladapter,orwhohasmultiplechargerstheywanttopluginwhiletraveling.They’renotquiteascompactastheCepticsBlackadapters,butformostpeople,thisdifferenceinsizewon’tbeanissue.I’vetraveledwiththeseCepticsplugsformanyyears,andtheyshownosignsofwear.Doyouneedavoltageconverter?Everyadapteryouseeinthisguidemerelysendsthecurrentfromthewalldirectlytowhateveryouplugintoit.Thesearenotvoltageconverters.Whichistosay,ifyou’reintheUK,whateveryouplugintothefrontoftheadapterisgoingtogettheUK’s220volts/50hertzelectricity,notthe120volt/60hertzthatyou’dgetintheUS.Travelplugadaptersdon’tconvertthevoltage;theyonlyconverttheplug.(OuruniversalpicksdoconvertthelocalcurrenttoUSBvoltage,butonlyfortheUSBports.)However,forthevastmajorityofpeople,thisisallyouneed.It’sexceptionallyrarethatanyonewouldneedavoltageconverteranymore.Thisisbecausemostso-calledwallwarts,likeonyourphonechargeroryourcamera’sbatterycharger,willconvertthewallvoltageintowhatitneedsautomatically.Takealookatyourcharger.Somewhere,itshouldsay“100–220V50/60Hz.”Thismeansitcanacceptanythingbetween100Vand220V,whichcoversdomesticelectricityprettymucheverywhere,andeither50Hzor60Hz,whichagaincoverseverything.Ifyourchargerdoesn’tsaythis,itmightnotworkwithatraveladapter.Ifitonlysays"120V–60Hz,"itwillalmostcertainlynotwork—ornotworkcorrectly—withatraveladapter.Buthere’stheotherreasonwedon’trecommendbuyingavoltageconverter:Yourdevicemightnotworkevenwithone.Anythingwithamotor(likehairdryers),anythingwithaheatingelement(likeaclothingironoracurlingiron),oranythingwithaplugthatgoesdirectlytothedevice(asinnowallwart),probablywon’tworkinanothercountryregardlessofwhatkindofconverteroradapteryoubring.Thegoodnewsis,prettymucheveryhotel,hostel,andAirbnbwillhaveahairdryeryoucanborrow.Thisisoneofthosetimeswherewecan’tcovereverythingyoumightwanttobring,butforthevastmajorityofyou,youdon’tneedavoltageconverter.Eitherit’snotnecessary,orthedevicethatneedsonewon’tworkanyway.Worstcase,ifit’ssomethingcheapandyoureallyneedit—ahotpotoranelectrickettle,say—considerbuyingoneatyourdestination.Thistypeoflabelingshouldbeoneverydevicethat’scapableofconvertingvoltage,beitalaptoppowerbrick,aUSBcharger,or—shownhere—theportionoftheadapterthat’sconvertingthewall’scurrenttoUSBpower(that’sthe“5Vdc”part).“Input”referstowhat’scomingoutofthewall.Photo:RozetteRagoOneoccasionalexceptioniselectricrazors.Theseoftenfallintothe“singlecable,nowallwart,hasamotor”category.Whichistosay,theyprobablywon’tworkwithoutavoltageconverter.(Again,checkthefineprintneartheplugoronthedeviceitself.)Manyhotelshaveashaverpluginthebathroom,withaUS-styleoutletandUS-style110volt-or-sovoltage.However,noteveryhotelwillhavethese,andthey’reveryrareinhostelsandAirbnbs.Ifyouneedone,besttocallaheadandseeifyourhotelhasthem.Orusedisposablesonyourtrip.It’sworthnotingagainforclarity,USBisUSB,soifyou’rejustplugginginaUSBcable,unlesssomethingishorriblywrong,oneUSBport’svoltageisthesameasanyotherUSBport’svoltage.Howfastthatportwillchargeyourgearwillvary(that’srelatedtoamperage),butunlessthechargerisfaulty,aUSBportshouldn’tdamageyourgear.ThecompetitionWeconsideredmanymoreadaptersthanthoselistedhere.However,themajorityoftraveladaptersavailableboildowntojustadozenorsodesignssoldbymyriadcompanies.We’velistedtworepresentativesofeachofthemostcommondesigns,butinmostcases,manymoreexist.Chancesare,ifitlookssimilarandhassimilarspecs,it’sprobablythesameinside.UniversaltraveladaptersAskali,Unidapt,others:Only3.4ampsmaximumoutput,whichmeansit’lltakelongertochargeallofyourdevices.Bluegogo:OnlytwoUSBandslower-chargingthanourpicks.Bonaker:Formerlyourrunner-uppick,thistraveladapterhadtheusualmixoffourplugtypestocoveryouinmostcountries,butitsfourUSB-Aportswereslowerthanourtoppick’s,andithadnoUSB-Cportatall.It’salsosincedisappearedfromAmazon.Bonazza,Urbo,others:Feelsflimsy,evencomparedwithothershere.Two-piecedesignismorecumbersomethanhelpful.Only3.4ampsmaximumoutput.CepticsTravelPowerStrip:TheTravelPowerStripcombinestheinterchangeable-plugaspectoftheCepticsPlugAdapterSetwithatwo-outletpowerstripandshortextensioncord.ItalsohasUSB-AandUSB-Coutputs.Ifyouhavemultiplenon-USBitemsyouwanttochargeatonce—alaptopandacameracharger,forinstance—thisisagoodoption.Butwethinkmosttravelerswillpreferthemoreportablebrickdesignofourpicksoverthispowerstrip.ConairTravelSmart:IthasonlyoneUSBport,withamaximumof1amp,butwiththreeoutlets,it’soneofthefewtraveladaptersthatletsyoupluginmultiplenon-USBdevices.MonopriceCompactCubeUniversalTravelAdapter:Iownoneofthese,andit’sfine,butifyou’regoingtheuniversalroute,ourpickshaveUSBchargingforjustafewdollarsmore.Ifyoudon’tneedUSBcharging,ourplug-adapterpicksareprobablybetterchoices.Instenisasimilarproductbutwith,apparently,surgesuppressionbuiltin.Butasthere’snowaytochangethefuse,thisislikelyone-and-doneifyoupluginsomethingtoopowerful.MuOne:TheMuofferedamuchhigherpoweroutputthanothertraveladapters:45watts,enoughtoquicklychargeevenabig-batterydevicesuchasaMacBookAir.However,aftertryingandfailingtolaunchaMuTwoin2020,thecompanywentoutofbusiness.ThenameandremainingassetswereboughtbyacompanycalledDiscoveryClub,whichseemstobesellingofftheinventory.Ougrand(green):SameshapeastheUnidapt,butwithaUSB-CinplaceofoneoftheregularUSBconnections;3.4ampmaxtotal.Huanuo:Abitbulky,withthreeregularUSBportsandoneUSB-C;3.4ampsmaximum.WGGE,Jollyfit:Only2.4ampsmax,lessthaneitherofourpicks.PlugadaptersBestekGroundedUniversalWorldwidePlug:LikelymadeinthesamefactoryastheCepticsWhiteplugs,theBesteksetlooksthesameandisroughlythesameprice.Itoffersawidevarietyofplugtypes,butlackstheTypeCEuroplugthat’scommoninmostadaptersetsandusableacrossmostofEurope.(TheEuroplugwasinventedtofitintoawiderangeofEuropeanoutlettypes.)IfourCepticsWhitepickissoldout,thesewillalsowork.LewisN.ClarkAdapterPlugKit:Thiskitlooksfine,butitismoreexpensiveandhasonelessplugcomparedwithourCepticspick.InsigniaGlobalTravelAdapterKit:TheInsigniahasacleverinterlockingandcompactdesign,akintothatoftheoldFlight001universaladapter(Flight001,thespecialtytravel-gearretailer,isnownolongeroperatingintheUS),andtheindividualplugsfeelsolid.However,itisexpensivecomparedwithourpicks,anditdoesn’tofferanythingthatyoucouldn’tdowithourpicksjustbyconnectingthemendtoend(ifyouwantedto).ThisarticlewaseditedbyRiaMisraandChristineRyan.AboutyourguideGeoffreyMorrisonFurtherreadingTravelingWithOnlyaCarry-OnbyKitDillonIfthere’sonethingourstaffhaslearnedworkingremotelyallovertheworld,it’s“Don’tcheckabagunlessyouhaveto.”Here’showtoavoidit.TheBestGearforTravelbyWirecutterStaffWeputinanotheryearandtensofthousandsmoremilesoftraveltotestthebesttravelgear—andwestandbylastyear’schoicesalongsideafewnewpicks.ToolsforImprovingYourVacationPhotosbySigneBrewsterOurphotoandtravelteamshavespentthousandsofhourstestingthemust-havesandthenice-but-not-necessitiesfordocumentingyournextadventure.TheGadgetsWeBringonEveryTripbyHaleyPerryYoudon'thavetobeadigitalnomadtotravellikeone.Hereareafewgadgetsandaccessoriestomaketravelaspainlessaspossible.EditDismiss