travel adapter uk to france

WhatPlug.info

Guide for the traveller with plugs

How to use plugs from United Kingdom in France

Plugs, sockets, adapters and other information needed for travelling from United Kingdom to France in this page. If you want a report for other countries, re-start the wizard to find to electric adapters for your trip here .

Quick Chart at-a-glance

If you are electrical savvy, perhaps the previous chart is all you need. If this is not the case, you can continue reading and discover what the chart is saying!

Plugs and Sockets at each country

In United Kingdom the following plugs are used: (includes London, Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton.)

Considerations for the United Kingdom

It is likely you will only find plugs-type "G" in the UK. Plugs type "D" and "M" are considered "old" and not common. They are are still used nowadays to differentiate low-power lighting circuits. So please don't try to use an adapter on them for high-power equipments like hair-dryer or even battery chargers. We keep "D" and "M" plugs in our database as we don't know your exact destination and you might find one next to a bed table. As a rule of thumb , you will probably be fine with the type "G" in hotels and big cities.

... and in France you will use: (includes Paris, French Rivera, Provence, Loire Valley, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Tahiti Nui, Tahiti Iti.)

Mont Saint-Michel

We have a post " Plugs & Travel Adapters for your next trip to Europe ", maybe you want to read it.

Exact voltage

Perfect! This is very good! You will not need any sort of voltage adapter (they are always big, heavy and they can't handle too much energy. i.e. might have problems with hairdryers). You can plug your devices to the electric network grid in France without requiring a voltage adapter.

Different plug systems

Sorry, none of the plugs used in both countries are common. You will definitelly need plug adapters, please continue reading for more information.

Lists of adapters you can use in your travel:

Adapter: generic

This adapter allows you to use plugs type: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N into outlets type: E, F.

This adapter allows you to use plugs type: A, B, D, G, I, M into outlets type: C, E, F, L.

This adapter has a safety protection so you don't plug only one terminal into the adapter while touching the other with your finger, because it is generic, when you buy it pay attention to this safety mechanism. Overall a good adapter that has the earth connection pass-though (notice the metallic connector on the side.)

This adapter allows you to use plugs type: G into outlets type: E.

Adapters you can buy

You can buy the following multi-purpose adapters from Amazon. Please also take a look at the recommended gadgets for your trip.

Equal Hertz

This is the perfect situation. You will not have any clock shift issue with the same Hertz.

Travel Adaptor for France

France travel adaptors.

You will need to consider what to pack, to ensure you can use your personal electrical appliances safely whilst abroad. This normally includes the use of a  travel adaptor ,  which is a device that simply allows you to plug any UK electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket. It is important to note that it does not convert the voltage or frequency.

For France there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. France operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Voltage converters and transformers

Electricity supplies worldwide can vary from anything between 100V and 240V. It can be extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance that is rated at a voltage different from the supply.

As voltage can differ from country to country, you may need to use a voltage converter or transformer whilst in France. If the frequency is different, the normal operation of an electrical appliance may also be affected. For example, a 50Hz clock may run faster on a 60Hz electricity supply.  Most voltage converters and transformers come supplied with plug adaptors, so you may not need to buy a separate travel adaptor.

All converters and transformers will have a maximum power rating (AMPS or WATTS) so make sure that any appliance you intend to use does not exceed this rating.

Dual voltage rated appliance

You can determine whether you’ll need to use a converter or transformer, by looking at the appliance rating plate.

A dual voltage rated appliance will display for example ‘INPUT: 110-240V’ on the body of the appliance or its power supply. This means that you will not need a converter or transformer but just a travel adaptor, because France operates on a 230V supply voltage, which is within the 110-240V range that the dual voltage appliance operates on.

Single voltage rated appliances

In France the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Converters and transformers perform a similar function, but their applications differ. Converters are typically used with appliances that operate for a short duration (1-2hours), whilst most transformers can be used alongside appliances that operate continuously.

It’s important to understand that some travel adaptors are not suitable for any appliances that require an earth connection. These types of travel adaptors should only be used with double insulated equipment, which will be clearly marked with the symbol shown below.

We recommend you check your appliances before embarking on your journey, to understand the requirements in France.

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Travel Adapters & Converters

Should They Be on Your Paris Packing List?

• Adapters & Converters

Travel Adapters & Converters for Paris

Should you bring an electric plug adapter or power voltage converter on your trip to Paris?  And if so, what is the best power adapter and converter for France?

If you are like many travelers to Paris or elsewhere in France, you may be wondering:  How do I charge my iPhone (or Android) and laptop?   What about my hair dryer?   My electric shaver?    Do I need a special US/Canada-to-France (or other country to France) adapter or converter to use my electronics in Paris?  

First, a couple of quick definitions:

• A  electrical outlet adapter lets you insert electric plugs from your country into wall sockets in the country you're visiting.  Adapters can be necessary when you travel because the electric plugs (and outlets) in the country you visit may have a different shape from those in your own country.  In fact, 14 different power outlet types are in use around the world.  For example, if you live in the U.S., Canada, Japan, or a couple of other countries where electric plugs have two flat blade prongs for ungrounded devices plus perhaps a round prong for grounded devices (Types A and B) and you visit Paris or anywhere else in France, you'll discover electrical sockets with holes for two round prongs (ungrounded - Type C) plus perhaps one round prong (grounded - Type E).  So by using a U.S. to Paris adapter, you can fit a plug of one shape into a socket of a different shape. The best type of electrical outlet adapter to buy for use in Paris and elsewhere in France is Type E, because it accommodates both grounded and ungrounded devices.
• An electric power converter (sometimes called a transformer or voltage converter) lets you use an electrical device designed for 110-127 volts in a country where 220-240V electricity is the norm - and vice-versa.  For example, in the U.S. (and a few other countries), 110-127 volt electricity is used for most products such as televisions and chargers for your phone and other electronics.  If you travel from a 110-127V country to a 220-240V country and bring electrical devices that do not have a built-in converter, then you will need a converter - but don't worry, this is built into most modern electronics such as a computers and phones.  (In 110-127V countries such as the U.S., a few high-powered appliances such as ovens and larger dryers do require a 220-volt power with 15, 20, or 30 amps and use specific plug types and outlets for the amount of amps - but since you're not going to be packing one of these appliances into your suitcase, no need to worry about whether or not you need an electric power for them.)

If you're planning to charge or use your mobile phone, electric shaver, hair dryer, laptop, or other electrical device by plugging it into an electrical outlet and are traveling to Paris from the U.S., Canada, Australia, China, Japan, or any other country where electric plugs and outlets differ from those used in France, then yes, you will need a plug adapter.  

Fortunately, adapters are cheap, light to carry, and easy to get while you're still in your home country.  But don't wait to get one until you're in Paris or elsewhere in France, because the configuration you need - US-(or other country)-to-Paris  adapter - can be tough to find.  (But if you need a Paris-to-other-country adapter, no problem!)

Popular brands include Ceptics, Vintar, and Tessan.

Already know what you want?  Buy top-rated adapters online now from Amazon (#ad):

• The Best Cheap Adapters:  Ceptics Ultra-Compact Europe Travel Plug Adapter.  Premium quality at a cheap price.  Buy a 3-pack
• The Best Multi-Plug Adapter:  TESSAN US to Europe Travel Plug Adapter with 3 Outlets & 3 USB Chargers.   Ideal for using multiple devices when your hotel has limited electrical outlets.  Buy now
• The Best Multi-Device Adapter:  VINTAR European Travel Plug Adapter with 2 American/Canadian Plug Outlets, 1 USB C Port, & 3 USB Ports.  Charge up to 6 devices at once with this light-weight and compact 6-in-1 adapter!  Buy a 2-pack now

What about an electrical power converter?

If you live in a country with 100-127V electrical power such as the US, Canada, Japan, or a few other places in the Caribbean, South America, and Asia/South Pacific, you may also need an electric power converter when you travel to Paris (230V) or elsewhere in France (or most other places in the world) , depending on the specific devices you plan to bring. 

Fortunately, most modern electronic devices such as laptops, phone chargers, and tablets such as iPads run on either voltage thanks to built-in voltage converters/transformers . 

Other appliances such as hair dryers, hair straighteners, heating pads, and shavers may have dual voltage switches for you to set manually. 

For any remaining devices, a couple of strategies can help you avoid the expense of buying a converter as well as the hassle of carrying the extra weight of this relatively heavy device in your suitcase.    

We'll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get what you need, including determining if you need to bring an adapter or two with you on your trip to Paris, where to buy the best type  for French electric power adapter, how to determine if you need to bring a converter, how to avoid buying a converter , and what features to look for in a converter if you really do need to buy one. 

Top photo: Travel adapters for Paris & elsewhere in France

Please note:  Some links on this page go to Amazon.com.  As an Amazon Associate, ParisDiscoveryGuide.com earns from qualifying purchases. 

Why Do I Need to Bring an Electric Plug Adapter to Paris?

With 14 different types of wall plugs and sockets in use around the world, you'll need an adapter to connect to electric power whenever you visit a country where the plug/socket shapes differ from those where you live. 

Once you know the type of plug your electric devices use and the type of electrical sockets used in Paris, France, and any other countries where you're traveling, figuring out the kind of adapter you need is easy because each type of socket and plug is associated with a letter from A to N: 

Here are a few examples of the types of plugs/sockets used around the world:

• United States, Canada, Japan, Columbia, Taiwan:   Type A (ungrounded) and Type B (grounded)
• France, Belgium:   Type C (ungrounded), Type E (grounded)
• United Kingdom, Ireland, Kenya:  Type G
• China:   Type A, Type C, Type I
• Israel:  Type C, Type H, Type M
• South Africa:  Type C, Type D, Type M, Type N
• Germany, Korea, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Spain, Netherlands, Indonesia:  Type C, Type F
• Australia and New Zealand:  Type I

Although "universal" sockets designed to accommodate plugs from multiple countries do exist, relatively few Paris hotels have them - so in most places, you'll need an adapter.  

If you want to charge or plug in more than one device at a time, consider bringing two or more adapters. 

You can also buy adapters with more than one socket and with USB ports to connect phones, tables, and other electronic devices, as well as sockets for charging cables. 

Some adapters provide only USB ports and no plug sockets - so think about what you'll really need based on the devices you're bringing.  For example, laptops usually require an adapter with a socket.

A small but growing number of Paris hotels, especially those with four or five stars, now provide combo electric sockets and USB plugs near desk areas, or grounded versions in the bathrooms.  But don't count on it - bring what you need.

If you're also visiting other countries with different plug/socket types, you may need additional adapters. 

Will My Paris Hotel or Apartment Provide Plug Adapters?

Many Paris hotels do provide adapters to their guests to use during their stay, especially if you're staying in a 4-star or higher hotel.  Many 3-star hotels will also provided them on request.  If you're staying at a 5-star hotel, you can feel assured your hotel will provide the type of adapter you need - although it never hurts to touch base with them before you arrive just to let them know what your needs will be.

More about what the star ratings used by Paris hotels actually mean

However . . . you can't always count on your hotel having an adapter for your plug/socket type available.  On average, apartments are much less likely to provide adapters, except for luxury properties. 

You are always wise to bring your own adapters  in order to avoid the hassle of not having one when you need it, or worse, trying to buy one locally.

Where Can I Buy Plug Adapters for My Trip to Paris, France?

The easiest way to find the type of adapter you need is to shop online.  For example, if you live in the US or Canada and plan to visit Paris, you need an adapter with sockets to fit Type A/B plugs and prongs to connect to the Type C/E sockets used in France. 

Adapters for US Plugs and French Sockets from Amazon:

Here are top-rated American to European plug adaptors offered online by Amazon for you to use in Paris (and elsewhere in France) with American or Canadian plugs (#ad):

• The Best Basic Adapter:  Ceptics Ultra-Compact Europe Travel Plug Adapter.  This light-weight but solid USA/Canada-to-France Type C power plug adapter offers premium quality at a cheap price.  Buy a pack of three
• The Best Multi-Plug Adapter:  TESSAN US to Europe Travel Plug Adapter with 3 Outlets & 3 USB Chargers.   Ideal for using multiple devices and charging your USB devices when your hotel has limited electrical outlets - plus it's compact and lightweight, so perfect for travel.  Buy now
• The Best Multi-Device Adapter:  VINTAR European Travel Plug Adapter with 2 American/Canadian Plug Outlets, 1 USB C Port, & 3 USB Ports.  You can charge up to 6 devices at once with this light-weight and compact 6-in-1 adapter - ideal when you need to charge your laptop, phone, iPad, and up to 3 other things all at the same time.  Buy a 2-pack now

More to Know about US/Canadian Plugs & French Sockets

US Plugs:   A Type A plug has only 2 flat prongs and is ungrounded, while a Type B plug has the same two flat prongs plus a round prong and is grounded.  If you're bringing devices with Type B plugs, buy an adapter with a socket for Type B plugs, because Type A plugs will also fit.  

French Sockets:   A Type C socket has 2 round holes to accept a plug with 2 round prongs, and is ungrounded.  A Type E socket has 2 round holes (like Type C) but also has a round prong, and is grounded.  Type E sockets will accept ungrounded 2-prong Type C plugs, which have rounded or pointed ends like the one in the diagram above, as well as 2-prong 1-hole Type E plugs. 

Although you can buy Type A to Type C adapters, always be sure the ends are rounded or pointed rather than square.  Modern French sockets are recessed (you can see this in the above diagram) and square-ended adapters will not usually fit into them.  If you see square-ended adapters labeled for use in "Europe," they will work in some European countries but possibly not in France.  So before you buy an adapter, make sure its packaging states it will work in France.

You can also buy a "universal" adapter - but make sure its labeling states it will work in the countries you plan to visit.  By definition, "universal" should mean it will work everywhere . . . but that's not always true.

Where Can I Buy Plug Adapters in Paris?

The Paris store most likely to have whatever type of adapter you need is Relay, but there's a catch - they're located primarily in train stations such as Gare du Nord and Gare Saint-Lazare, and in airports, such as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (you may have to search around a bit for one after you get through Customs - depending on your terminal, you may need to go up or down a floor. 

Large Paris electronic stores such as Fnac (74 Avenue des Champs-Elysees, 75008 and other locations), neighborhood hardware stores such as Mr Bricolage and Castorama (many locations across Paris), and even the hardware section in the basement of the large BHV department store (55 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004) in the Marais usually sell adapters.

However... most of the adapters you find will be for French residents planning to travel to other countries, and therefore the opposite of what you need.  So be smart:  bring adapters with you.  You don't want to spend your time in Paris shopping in hardware stores for something you could have easily have bought online from Amazon before leaving home. 

Why Do I Need to Bring a Converter to Paris?

Good news - you may not need to, depending on what you're bringing, even if you live in a country where 100-127 volt electricity is the norm.

Laptops, Tablets, Mobile Phone Chargers - No Converter Needed

Virtually all modern electronics such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phone chargers have auto-switching voltage converter/transformers (often called "power adapters") built into their power supply or charger. 

As long as you have an adapter to let you plug into a local electric outlet, you should be fine.  But if in doubt, check on the bottom of your charger.  You should see tiny print stating something similar to "Input: 100-240v 50/60/hz." 

Other Electric Devices - Shavers, Hair Driers, Curling Irons, Toothbrushes, Heating Pads - Maybe Dual Voltage?

First, virtually all 3-star and higher Paris hotels have hair dryers for you to use during your stay, so no need to bring one.  Many apartments also have them.  If you're staying at a 1- or 2-star hotel (or a really cheap apartment), check to make sure a hair dryer will be available - although you can't assume it works. 

For all other devices you plan to bring, you will need to check the device's voltage . 

If you can pull up specs for the exact model on the internet or find it in the user's manual, that's usually easiest and quickest. 

Otherwise, look for tiny type somewhere on the device - usually the bottom or plug - where you'll find the input voltage .  

If you see dual voltage  listed, check to see if there's a switch where you must change it manually - for example, from 110v to 220v.  If so, make a note on your trip check list to flip the voltage switch to 220v when you pack for your trip, and then flip it back to 110v when you pack to leave Paris.  If you wait to flip until you arrive in Paris or return home, the fog of jet lag may cause you to forget to do it.  Plugging a 110v hairdryer into a 220v outlet will fry it before you notice what's happening. (Don't ask us how we know this!)

Bottom line:  As long as your device has dual voltage and you remember to switch it manually if necessary, you don't need to get a converter.

What to Do When Your Electric Devices Are NOT Dual Voltage

If you're planning to bring something that is not dual voltage, then you have three choices:   you can either replace it with a similar dual voltage model, leave it at home, or buy and bring a converter/transformer. 

Assuming you can't do without whatever the device is, the easier option is to buy and bring a dual voltage model.   Especially if your device is more than 2-3 year old, you may need to replace it soon anyway - so do it now, and avoid the cost of a converter, not to speak of the extra weight in your bag. 

For some items such as electric heating pads, dual voltage models may be hard to find or expensive.  In that case, look for a 220v-only model - they're usually surprisingly cheap.

For others, such as electric toothbrushes, dual voltage models are available but typically quite expensive.  Assuming you don't need a converter for anything else, consider bringing an inexpensive regular toothbrush and leaving your electric model at home unless you're planning a very long trip or have been told by your dentist to always use an electric brush.

If you do decide to buy a converter, look for a "step-down" model.  "Step-down" means that when you plug the converter into a 220v outlet, it converts the 220v/240v electricity down to only 110v/120v so that you can safely plug in your 110v/120v device - which is what you want if you're traveling from the US, Canada, Japan, or the few other places with 100v/110v power to France (or most other places around the world with 220/240v power).  The good news is that converter prices and weight have dropped in recent years, and most models come with adapters.

Here are a couple of highly-rated "step-down" converters that you can buy online from Amazon (#ad):

• The Best All-in-1 Step-Down Converter/Adapter:  Ceptics Travel Voltage Converter 220v to 110v for Curling Irons, Straighteners - 2 US/Canada inputs and 4 USB Ports and Type A, B, C, E/F, G, I Adapters Included - Charge up to 6 devices at once.  Buy now
• The Best Inexpensive Step-Down All-in-1 Sine Wave Converter/Adapter:  Bestek Travel Adapter-Converter Combo 220v to 110v - 1 US/Canada input, 2 USB ports, and 5 different adapters included - Charge up to 3 devices at once.  Buy now

Built-in Dual Voltage Outlets

Some hotels (mostly 4-star and higher) have begun to install dual voltage outlets with built-in converters and often with more or less universal adapters.  These wall plug converts are relatively rare and are often only in the bathroom - but may be a future trend?

As for now, don't count on either your hotel or apartment having one.

FAQs about Travel Adapters & Converters

Question:  Can I use the same electrical travel adapter and converter that I bring to Paris for other countries I plan to visit in Europe?

Answer:  Maybe.  You can use the same electrical travel adapter and converter for Europe if the other countries you're visiting use the same plug types and outlets as France (check the diagram above and also check the product description to make sure).  And remember, if you're visiting a country where the plugs and electrical outlets differ from France, you will be smart to get adapters before you travel in case your hotel doesn't have one.  Finding exactly what you need in a local store can be difficult, time-consuming, and sometimes impossible. 

You should be fine with your electricity converter for Europe because as far as we are aware, the only countries using 110-127V electricity in addition to the U.S. and Canada are not in Europe.  They include American Samoa, Anguilla, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Equador, El Salvador, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, the Marshall Islands, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Surinam, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Venequela, and the British Virgin Islands.  

But contact the hotels in the countries where you're going to be 100% sure.

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The Best Travel Adapters

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best Overall Ceptics World International Travel Plug Adapter Read more

Upgrade Pick Zendure Passport III Read more

Budget Pick Epicka Universal Travel Adapter Read more

Best Travel Adapter Set Ceptics Adapter Plug Set for Worldwide International Travel Read more

Whether you're planning a country-hopping odyssey or a quick business trip, your journey will go more smoothly with the right kit. That includes good travel adapters so you can safely charge all of your gadgets wherever you land. We've tested several, and our favorites below will work in most parts of the world.

Adapters make great gifts for travelers , and be sure to check out our roundup of other travel essentials if you’re a frequent flier. Don't forget to pack USB-C charging cables .

Updated January 2024: We added the OneBeat Travel Plug Adapter, mentioned the OneWorld135 and OneWorld30, added a note on our OneAdaptr recommendations, and updated prices throughout.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com , full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best Overall

Jet off to more than 200 countries with this compact adapter in your luggage, and you can charge up all your gadgets. The classic slider design pushes out EU, UK, and US plugs, and you can rotate the pins for sockets in Australia or China. I appreciate how securely the plugs lock into place, and you must press a side button to retract them. You have a universal input socket, and Ceptics has included three USB-A ports on the bottom and two USB-C ports on the side. The USB-A ports can deliver a maximum charging rate of 15.5 watts, while the USB-C ports offer up to 18 watts (one PD and one QC 3.0).

The main problem is the lack of any grounding, which is meant to reduce the risk of an electrical shock if there's a fault, such as a loose wire inside a device with a metal case. ( This video explains grounding really well. ) Thankfully, there's overload protection with an 8-amp fuse, and it comes with a spare, but you should not use this adapter with any device that has a third metal ground pin on its plug.

Upgrade Pick

Zendure's all-in-one travel adapter is what I toss in my bag first for every trip. It has a boxy design with sliding toggles to switch between US, European, and British plugs. (It covers more than 200 countries.) There’s an auto-resetting fuse to protect your gadgets from power surges, and the Passport III has a 10-amp limit. The latest version also sports a funky, translucent design with a metallic finish (purple is best). Sadly, there's no grounding, so you shouldn't use this adapter with any device that has a third metal grounding pin on its plug.

There are four USB-C ports alongside a single USB-A port and an AC socket, so you can charge six devices simultaneously. Using gallium nitride technology, Zendure was able to increase the power output of the USB-C port to 65 watts, capable of fully charging a 13-inch MacBook Pro in under two hours. That means you can leave your laptop's charging brick behind (if it charges via USB-C). There’s support for the Power Delivery (PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) standards (Samsung uses PPS in its flagship range), so it can fast-charge almost any phone or tablet. It’s expensive, but this travel adapter will satisfy even the most gadget-laden of travelers.

★ A Good Alternative : The OneWorld 65 ($69) sports a very similar design, the same 65-watt charging rate, and support for more than 200 countries. But it has three USB-C and two USB-A ports. It comes in white and has a 10-amp fuse with a replacement included. WIRED readers can also get a discount with the code OneWorld65_15%Off .

Budget Pick

With the capability to work in more than 150 countries, this affordable adapter from Epicka will do the job for most people. It has sliders you push to reveal the three most common international plugs—EU, UK, and US—and you can rotate the pins for sockets in Australia or China. This plug can recharge your power-hungry devices, like laptops and camera batteries, but there are four USB-A ports on the bottom and a 15-watt USB-C port on the side for phones, tablets, smartwatches, and Kindles. It’s not as well constructed as our other universal adapter picks, but it's much cheaper.

Once again, there’s no grounding here, so don’t plug devices with a third metal ground pin into this adapter, but there is an 8-amp fuse for safety, and it comes with a spare. It is also certified by RoHS, CE, and FCC.

Best Travel Adapter Set

Universal adapters don't always work properly everywhere, and most do not have any grounding. The cheaper and more reliable alternative is to buy individual adapters. This international set from Ceptics is our favorite. It includes five types to cover most of the globe, and they are properly grounded. If you’re visiting only a single destination, just pack the relevant type. None of these adapters have any kind of USB ports, so you will need to bring the respective charging adapter for your gadgets.

This set is especially good for Europe, because it includes Type C, E/F, and G adapters (more on this below), so you’re covered for any socket. Ceptics offers an even cheaper and smaller five-piece set, but we don’t recommend it. The adapters are flimsy, there’s no grounding, and the European plug's design doesn’t work well with the recessed sockets you will sometimes encounter.The drawback of plug adapters is that they’re easy to lose, but at least Ceptics includes a small bag for storage.

Eric Ravenscraft

Julian Chokkattu

Extra Outlets

What I love about this sturdy, compact plug adapter is the lack of sliding pins or moving parts to worry about and that it stays put in the outlet. Offered in several versions (Type C, Type E/F, Type G), it enables you to charge up to six gadgets. I’ve been testing the Type G model in Scotland, and it plugs into a single outlet to give you three US outlets, a USB-C port, and two USB-A ports. The USB-C can put out up to 15 watts, and the USB-A ports are limited to 12 watts, not especially speedy but fine for overnight charging. The adapter is grounded and has various safety features.

On the downside, it can be tough to make use of all the outlets simultaneously as larger plugs, like the MacBook power adapter, tend to block one of the other US outlets. It does not offer surge protection, and the Type G adapter maxes out at 3,250 watts (250 volts, 13 amps), while the EU versions top out at 2,500 watts.

For Charging Everything

This kit includes multiple plug attachments that slide and lock into place to keep you powered across most of the world. It is 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. The USB-A ports and built-in USB-C cable offer a combined maximum charging rate of 15 watts. The PD USB-C ports go up to 20 watts each. The top charging rate for all of them simultaneously is 55 watts.

There is built-in surge protection, but this is not a voltage converter, so don’t go plugging in hair dryers or other electronics that are not dual voltage. While the two AC outlets are handy, they are close together, so the shape and size of some plugs can make it tricky to use both. But with the ability to charge up to seven devices, this kit is handy. We also like the original Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit ($36) , though it lacks the two USB-C ports.

Fast Charging

With a familiar sliding pin design, this adapter also covers more than 200 countries. Taller and heavier than our top pick, this is OneAdaptr’s most powerful release to date, and it employs gallium nitride technology to deliver up to 100 watts. Aside from the universal AC outlet, you will find two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports on the bottom. Both USB-C ports offer 100-watt charging, and both USB-A ports are 18 watts, but 100 watts is the maximum in total, so when you plug in multiple devices, it divides between them.

Almost every charging standard you can think of is supported, including PD 3.0, QC 4+, FCP, SCP, AFC, PPS, and more, so there’s a good chance you can charge your phone at the fastest rate possible. There is no grounding, so don’t plug in any gadget with a third metal pin. But there is a 10-amp fuse with a spare included, and this adapter conforms to IEC 60884, CE, and FCC standards. If you want more power or feel you can make do with less, we also tested and liked the OneWorld135 ($109) and the OneWorld30 ($39) .

Note : We have tested OneAdaptr’s range extensively and found they work well, but the company has had issues fulfilling orders, and we are concerned about the volume of negative reviews online. The company assured us that it has recently taken steps to improve fulfilment and customer service, and we will continue to monitor the situation.

Safest Option

The OneWorld PD has sliding toggles on the side that cover the US/Canada, the UK, and Australia/China, and you can pop out a much smaller stand-alone European adapter. It promises to work in more than 150 countries. There are three USB-A ports on the bottom as well as a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery and Quick Charge 3.0 to deliver up to 18 watts. That's enough to fast-charge most phones and tablets, not so much a laptop. You can plug in your laptop's AC charger to speedily juice it back up, but that means carrying the heavy charging brick around.

What sets the AC plugs apart is that each one is earthed. Most universal travel adapters offer two-pin US plugs and make the third pin on the UK plug plastic, but the OneWorld PD provides fully grounded connections for every plug type to protect you from the risk of shock due to faulty wiring. It can handle up to 10 amps. Over-current protection automatically shuts down the power if there’s abnormal usage, and it resets via a button on the top. The rare British Standard 8546 compliance guarantees that the OneWorld PD has been fully tested and is one of the safest travel adapters you can buy. The downside? It's frequently out of stock.

Note : We have tested OneAdaptr's range extensively and found they work well, but the company has had issues fulfilling orders and we are concerned about the volume of negative reviews online. The company assured us that it has recently taken steps to improve fulfilment and customer service and we will continue to monitor the situation.

For Wireless Charging

A few of the best wireless chargers can be good choices for travel. This modular system from RapidX is compact and capable of wirelessly charging two phones at up to 10 watts each, which makes it a good option for couples or families. The beauty is that you can add or remove pods, and a single charging cable can power up to five. They snap together magnetically and pull apart for easy packing. You can also get additional phone pods ($15) , and there’s a version with a phone pod and an Apple Watch pod ($45) .

You get a 30-watt US power adapter and a 5-foot USB-C cable in the box, so you will still want a travel adapter to pair with this system. If you plan to add pods, you will want a more powerful adapter. (RapidX recommends 65 watts or above for three or more devices.)

For Apple Devices

This handy trio of chargers keeps your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods ticking and folds neatly into a felt carrying case for travel. The magnetic pad in the center can charge your iPhone at the fastest 15-watt rate, the Apple Watch dock pops up for Nightstand mode (sadly no fast charging here), and there is a grooved spot for your AirPods. It is compact and lightweight, and charges all three devices from a single cable and outlet. A 30-watt US wall adapter and a short USB-C to USB-C cable are included, but you must pair this with a travel adapter. We recommend this Mophie charger for travelers in our guide to the  best Apple 3-in-1 wireless chargers .

International Plug Types and Universal Adapters

There are 15 plug types in use across the world. Type A and Type B are used in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Japan; Type C is common across Europe, South America, and Asia; Type E and Type F are found across Europe in places like Germany, Russia, and France; Type G is used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and a handful of other places; and Type I is used in Australia, New Zealand, China, and Argentina. Universal adapters tend to cover all of these types.

Some countries are not usually covered by universal adapters, such as India ( Type D ), Israel ( Type H ), and South Africa ( Type M or N ). You'll need to buy specific plug adapters for those places. To avoid any surprises when you land, double-check what type you need before you travel.

If you're visiting just one destination, a basic plug adapter that caters to one plug type is all you need. For trips to multiple destinations or for frequent flyers, a universal travel adapter can prove more versatile. The universal adapters we recommend here have the bonus of including multiple USB ports for charging several mobile devices from a single outlet.

A Word on Voltage Converters

Voltage converters are big, heavy, and expensive, and they don’t always work, so it’s probably best not to buy one. The reason you might think you need one is that the AC sockets on all of our recommended travel adapters do not convert the voltage coming from the socket. This means plugging into a UK socket will deliver 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 gear won't get fried. You just need to make sure anything you plug into one of these universal travel adapters has something like this printed on it:

Input: 100–220V 50/60Hz .

That should include most modern gadgets. If your device or charger can’t handle a variable voltage, it’s probably best to leave it at home. Most places provide hair dryers , irons, and kettles, so there’s no need to take them with you. It's often cheaper to buy a set with the correct plug at your destination and save the luggage space and hassle.

Matt Jancer

Henri Robbins

Parker Hall

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The Best Travel Plug Adapter

By Geoffrey Morrison

If you want to use electronic devices in a different country, you’ll probably need a travel plug adapter. After spending more than 30 hours researching and testing 14 options, we found the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter to be the best one. It fits four types of outlets, and it has more USB ports than any of its competitors, so it can can charge more devices at higher speeds.

Everything we recommend

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Best universal travel adapter.

With four plugs that will work in most countries, plus faster-charging USB ports (and more of them) than its competitors, this adapter is the best all-around choice.

Buying Options

Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set

The best plug adapter.

Individually, these tiny plug adapters are smaller, lighter, and cheaper than any universal travel adapter. To juice up multiple devices, though, you’d need a separate multiport charger too.

Ceptics Plug Adapter Set

Heavier, but sturdier.

The plugs in this set of five are bigger and heavier than our top pick for plug adapters, but more solidly built.

In a sea of almost-identical travel adapters, the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter stands out, combining the best of the features we were looking for. It contains the three most common international plugs and a US-style plug, which should cover you in the majority of countries around the world. It has the most USB ports—four of the standard USB-A and one USB-C—of any universal adapter we tested, and it could charge more of our devices faster. A replaceable fuse and an included spare should take the brunt of any accidental, unfortunate, or shockingly bad connections. The Epicka is fairly compact and well built, and it even comes with a nylon case.

However, no universal travel adapter is truly universal, and they’re all a lot bulkier and more expensive than simple plug adapters. If you want the smallest adapter possible, or if you’re going someplace where a universal adapter won’t work (more on that in a minute), then a plug adapter could be what you need.

The Ceptics tiny plug adapters are barely larger than the prongs they convert. Small, simple, and cheap, they’re perfect for someone who wants to carry only the adapter they’ll need and who already has a multiport USB wall charger they like. Like our universal adapter picks, this set contains the three most common international plugs and the US plug. However, it also includes a somewhat rarer plug used in some European countries that has two thick, cylindrical prongs. This means that the Ceptics will likely cover you in even more places—as long as you pack the appropriate plug adapter.

These plug adapters are bigger than our top pick for plug adapters, but this means they offer a larger surface for chargers to brace against, which makes them more stable and less likely to fall off the wall. (We’ll call these “ Ceptics White ” to minimize confusion and set them apart from our “Ceptics Black” top pick.) While you can purchase these as a five-pack, which contains basically the same assortment of plugs as the Ceptics Black set, the company also sells, in this same model line, three-packs for nearly a dozen specific regions. So if you’re headed to a country not covered by the so-called universal travel adapters (for example, Brazil , India , Israel , or South Africa ), or if you want to purchase multiple adapters for your gear, there’s probably an option available here.

A note up here, which we’ll discuss in detail below: All of these are adapters only . They do not convert voltage. The majority of your electronic devices only need adapters—the voltage converter is built into the charger itself. (If the device charges via USB, just about any USB port will suffice, though different ports may provide different charging speeds.) Check out Do you need a voltage converter? if you’re curious about these aspects.

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, how we picked, how we tested, our pick: epicka universal travel adapter, flaws but not dealbreakers, our pick: ceptics international worldwide travel plug adapter 5 piece set, runner-up: ceptics adapter plug set for worldwide international travel use, do you need a voltage converter, the competition.

In addition to my work here at Wirecutter, I also write about tech and travel for CNET, Forbes, and Wirecutter’s parent company, The New York Times . Perhaps more relevant to this guide, I usually spend a good chunk of each year (global pandemics aside) as a digital nomad, living months at a time in different countries all over the world. My current country count is 50, spread across six continents, and since I travel with a lot of electronics gear for work, being able to plug in is obviously crucial.

I’ve owned and used many different types of universal-style travel adapters, and several different companies’ worth of plug adapters, plus I’ve talked with countless travelers about what they like … or, more important, what they hate. We also got some advice from Wirecutter's Mark Smirniotis, who used to oversee our power devices section.

Do you travel? Are you going to travel sometime in the (near or far) future? Do you want to be able to charge or use electronic devices in a different country? If so, you’re probably going to need a travel plug adapter. There’s a variety of different outlet types around the world, not to mention different voltages and frequencies, so you can’t expect your phone charger to just plug in and work wherever you’re headed. Sure, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and many other countries use the same small pair of prongs as the US, but places like continental Europe, the UK, Australia, India, Russia, and pretty much everywhere else do not.

You have two main choices when it comes to travel plug adapters: the universal-style travel adapters (that’s one device with multiple sets of prongs that you extend and retract) and smaller, individual plug adapters that usually come in sets. Both have pros and cons.

Should you get a universal travel adapter or a simple plug adapter?

Universal travel adapters are for the person who wants one handy adapter that will work in just about every country. You can keep it next to your passport and toss it in your luggage when you’re packing. The ones we considered have USB ports, so you don’t need to worry about bringing a separate charger for anything that charges via USB (think  phones  and noise-cancelling headphones ). However, these are bulky, they have parts that can break, and even the best will take longer to charge your phone or tablet than will a good USB wall charger .

The alternative is small and simple plug adapters. These attach to the prongs of your current USB charger (whether it’s a multiport one or the charger that came with your device) to allow them to fit into a foreign outlet. These can work because nearly every modern charger can adjust to the available voltage in pretty much every country, as long as you can adapt the prongs to fit in the outlet. (More on this in Do you need a voltage converter? ) These are great for people who already have a multiport USB charger they like and don’t want to deal with the additional bulk of a universal travel adapter. Also, these are necessary if you’re traveling to a country that has outlets incompatible with any of the four types included in a universal adapter (which, as that sentence reveals, aren’t actually universal).

The choice between universal travel adapters and individual plug adapters ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both types work, and different people will like or dislike each. If you’re not sure which will be best for you, read each section here closely.

Here’s the big caveat: If you’re planning on bringing something with you that has a motor, a heating element, or a single power cord that leads directly from the plug to the device (i.e. there’s no power brick or wall wart ), it almost certainly won’t work with a travel plug adapter. Most people will only need one of the adapter choices we recommend, but very occasionally there’s a piece of gear that needs a voltage converter. For more on that topic, also check out the voltage converters section below.

Where in the world will your travel plug adapter work?

All universal travel adapters have four different sets of prongs, which cover most countries most Americans tend to travel to. First is the big, wide-blade UK-style plug (often designated "Type G”) . This will work in places like the UK, obviously, and also Ireland, Hong Kong, and some other parts of Asia and the Middle East.

Next is the round Europe-style plug, aka the Europlug (Type C) . However, this is where we run into complications. This plug should work in most of Europe—it was designed, in fact, to fit into a wide range of European outlet types. For instance, parts of Italy, Switzerland, and Denmark each use different plugs from one another. Should this double-round one work in those locations? Yes. Will it? Hard to say. I’ve stayed in places where my Europlug didn’t work, yet it did in the hostel before and the hotel after—all within the same small region of a country. With any luck, if this happens to you, the place you’re staying will have a power strip that will let you plug in, though there’s no guarantee of that.

Third is the angled small-blade style (Type I) found in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other parts of Oceania, and a few other areas. Some universal adapters have one set of blades for this and the US style—you just manually rotate the blades into the correct position depending on where you are. In our testing, we had no trouble getting them to work.

The last, the small US-style blades (Type A or B) , mean you could use our picks to visit the US and other countries that have the same plugs—if, that is, you’re reading this from outside the US.

What are the places not covered by these four styles? Some parts of Brazil, South Africa, India, and more. I’ve stayed in parts of Italy, for example, that should have Europlugs but only had something called Type L . I’ve stayed in houses in Brazil that had Type N , but the Europlug fit enough to work. In others, it wouldn’t.

To find out which plugs you might need while traveling, refer to the excellent Wikipedia article called Mains electricity by country that shows pictures of (almost) all the possible plugs and outlets, along with a list of the world’s countries and (almost all of) the style or styles they use. This is invaluable information to check before you leave. If multiple plug types are listed for a specific country and you’re staying in an older building, you should probably assume its outlets will require whatever plug isn’t on a universal travel adapter, since these only have the most common, newer varieties of plugs.

Which brings us to perhaps the most important fact: Getting your gear to work in different countries isn’t quite as simple as it should be, and there’s no single solution that’s guaranteed to work for everyone. Our picks should work for you, but you may have some random piece of equipment, or be traveling to some country, for which our “good for most” picks just won’t work. (Case in point: One Wirecutter editor visited Iceland recently. The house she stayed in had outlets unlike anything on Wikipedia’s chart, and the plug adapters she’d used elsewhere in Reykjavik didn’t fit at all. It turns out the mystery sockets belonged to an obscure Italian system from the 1960s that was popular in Iceland for a time. Luckily, the hosts had power strips in the house that her adapters fit into.) We’ll try to mention such potential caveats when we can, but the world is a big place, and when it comes to electricity and wall outlets, there’s a lot of variation. That’s important to keep in mind.

There are approximately 70 billion universal travel plug adapters on the Web. However, after spending 20 hours staring at them, I found there’s only about a dozen basic designs—and countless “companies” selling them. Among those dozen or so actually different products, I saw a few distinctions that helped narrow the field. Since most options had four USB ports, that seemed like a reasonable minimum to require. Their maximum power output, rated in amps, became a determining factor in our rankings. The higher the maximum output, the faster the port will charge your gear.

Some plugs came with a replaceable fuse, which seemed like a good idea, and a few included a replacement for said fuse, which seemed even better. This way, if either you plug the adapter into a sketchy outlet or a roommate at the hostel uses your adapter to plug in their completely necessary portable arc welder, the fuse will go, not your adapter. Then it’s just a matter of swapping in the included spare fuse and you’re good to go.

These fuses have a maximum power rating, and therefore the adapters have a maximum wattage rating. However, you shouldn’t be connecting anything with a high enough power draw to trip these fuses. Check out Do you need a voltage converter? for more information. The short version is that recharging portable electronic devices is fine, but powering anything that has a motor or heats up is not. Nearly every appliance or device has its power draw written on it somewhere , so worst case, you can compare that to what’s listed on the adapter. And so you don’t have to look it up, volts × amps = watts.

The other option we considered and tested is individual plug adapters. These small adapters attach to the prongs of your current charger so they’ll plug into a foreign outlet. In deciding which of these to test, we judged by size and available plug-type options. As you’ll see with our two picks, one is exceptionally small, and the other offers sturdier plugs that are available in a range of plug types that’s wide enough to cover you no matter where in the world you’re headed.

The universal travel adapters are far more similar to one another than they are different. However, getting in a dozen and playing with them for a while revealed that some felt better put together than others. After spending several minutes with each one, forcefully extending the various plugs, slamming them back in, and just being fairly rough with them, I found it easy to tell which felt like they’d last a few trips, and which wouldn’t. None felt like you’d own them for a lifetime. Since none are expensive, though, this didn’t seem like a major issue.

All had a US-style plug, so I tested each one in several outlets around my house—some new, some old. I didn’t find much difference in how they fit and worked. I connected several chargers and plugs to the output side of each adapter as well. Again, not much difference. Last, I checked how bright the LED on each was, since a too-bright LED keeping me awake has been a pet peeve of mine for years. Many USB chargers have LEDs bright enough to practically read from; I eliminated any universal adapter that had this problem.

For the plug adapters, I tried plugging in several devices, as well as inserting them into outlets around my house. I checked how tight the connections were and how they felt overall. Would they fall apart with simple use or perhaps hold up to being tossed around in bags for a few weeks or months?

In reality, the testing for all the adapter types didn’t reveal much variation in terms of performance. These are all remarkably similar products. How they felt to use and their different features played a far bigger role in establishing our final picks.

While all the universal travel adapters we tested included the same three types of plugs (plus the familiar US-style one), they differed in how many USB ports each had and how quickly they could charge—and that’s where the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter excelled. It has five USB ports: four of the standard USB-A size and one of the newer USB-C. (You may not have a USB-C device at the moment, but you likely will in the future.) These will let you charge, say, three phones, two tablets, and—via the adapter’s main plug—a camera battery that has its own wall charger, all at once.

In addition, and just as important, is the maximum power output: 5.6 amps. This was the highest of all the adapters we considered, which means you can charge more of your devices at higher speeds before hitting the max output.

Keep in mind that the maximum output per USB-A port is 2.4 amps, the max on the USB-C port is 3 amps, and if you’re using all five ports you won’t be able to charge every connected device at full speed—it’ll only give you that 5.6 amp output in total . The output is still far lower than what you can get from a decent USB charger combined with our pick for a simple plug adapter (more on that in the plug adapter section , below), but it’s significantly better than most universal travel adapters, which often max out under 3 amps total.

The Epicka has three sliders on one side, with a button on the other to lock/unlock your chosen plug in place. This arrangement feels more secure than the semi-locking or slide-locking system that some other universals use. However, this is plastic-on-plastic, so don’t expect a tank. As these things go, the Epicka feels sturdy. The US and Australia share a pair of prongs—you twist the prongs manually to set them up for an angled Australia-style outlet.

The four regular USB plugs are all on one side, which is tidier than the “flailing gibbon” look of some other universal adapters.

The above details were what put the Epicka at the top of our list, but the adapter has a few other features that are the cherry on top, so to speak. For instance, it comes with a small nylon case and a USB cable with a split end, so it works with either Micro-USB or Lightning devices. While the adapter has an LED to show you it’s working, the glow isn’t so bright as to be a distraction at night.

One last note. There are multiple Epicka universal adapters, and even Epicka can’t keep the names straight. We’ve seen this one called, variously, Universal Travel Adapter, International Travel Adapter, Travel Adapter-2, Universal USB Travel Power Adapter (2018), and even Universal Travel Adapter One Worldwide International Wall Charger AC Plug Adaptor with 5.6A Smart Power 3.0A USB Type-C for USA EU UK AUS Cell Phone Tablet Laptop (Grey). Best to follow the link above. Also, you may find another company selling a twin of this. The Epicka has the most reviews and offers free shipping with Prime. The other options we saw have few or no reviews, or charge outrageous shipping costs.

As with all of these adapters, I wouldn’t expect the Epicka to last forever. Given its locking design and case, it’s probably going to last longer than many others, but all of these are almost entirely inexpensive plastic devices. Just something to keep in mind.

While the prongs themselves felt secure, and being able to lock them into place was nice, it’s entirely possible that the size and weight of the adapter, plus whatever you’ve plugged into it, could pull it out of an outlet. That is, unfortunately, a risk with every universal adapter.

Another risk with any universal adapter—as we mentioned above—is that it’s not going to work where you’re headed. Epicka claims it will work in 150 countries, but there are more than 200 countries (the exact number is harder to pin down than you might realize) . And even in each of those 150 countries, there’s no guarantee that the adapter will work in every outlet in every building. Plug adapters are a somewhat safer bet to work specifically where you’re going, but they have their own downsides, which we’ll discuss below.

Also, while the Epicka is a little smaller than some of the others we tested, all universal adapters are much bulkier than plug adapters. As someone who has spent most of the past several years traveling, I feel plug adapters are far easier and less annoying to deal with. This is largely why we have two recommendations for that category.

The Ceptics Plug Adapter set combines everything we were looking for in plug adapters: small size, solid build quality, and—well, small size is really the thing here. Each adapter is no larger than it needs to be to fit over the American-style prongs of your charger. The plastic feels solid and not flimsy. Each adapter has the region or countries it should be used in written on the side. The five plugs in the set are the same four as you’ll find on the universal adapters recommended above, plus the thicker, round European-style prongs used in parts of France, parts of Asia, and elsewhere.

Though the set comes with a small case, you probably wouldn’t be traveling with the entire set very often. Instead, you’d pack just the specific adapter or adapters you’d be using on each trip. These are for the person who wants to travel as light and as simply as possible. I myself, and my friends who travel frequently, swear by these small, inexpensive adapters. Also, if you have a USB multiport charger you like or a charger that’s especially fast, you can use that charger with just a tiny, almost weightless plug at the end.

However, plug adapters aren’t for everyone, and that’s why they’re not our main pick. For one thing, if you don’t already own a multiport USB wall charger, you’ll still have to get one if you don’t want to carry a charger for each device. Also, depending on what you’re connecting with these plug adapters, your charger or device could wobble and maybe fall out. The connections inside are solid enough that this shouldn’t happen, but it’s possible. Our universal-adapter picks, as well as the other Ceptics set we discuss below, have a larger “face” for your charger to brace against—more like that of a traditional outlet—so there’s less chance of gravity having its way with your gear.

Being small and inexpensive, plug adapters are not built for high-power, high-wattage items, though hopefully we’ve persuaded you to leave those at home . If you’re charging a battery, you should be fine. If you’re running a motor, probably not. Laptops, yes; mini-fridges, no.

Last, these things being so small, you could easily lose them in your bag or leave them behind in an outlet somewhere, if you’re the type of person who loses things. (That’s why I usually keep mine connected to my charger.)

For a hardcore traveler like me, these are my pick. They’re cheap, light, and small, and they work.

Though made by the same company as the Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set—and bearing a confusingly similar name—the plug adapters in the Ceptics Adapter Plug Set for Worldwide International Travel Use are, as you can see, a completely different design. They’re much larger than the other Ceptics (let’s call the previous set Ceptics Black and this one Ceptics White for simplicity). Nonetheless, they’re each smaller than a universal adapter, and they have one key benefit over our top plug-adapter pick: You can purchase them in multipacks for individual regions, including regions beyond those covered by the Ceptics Black set.

The Ceptics White are small, but not as small as the Ceptics Black. That extra size does offer one benefit, however: These adapters have more of a face on the output side, so there’s more surface for your charger to lean against. This means your charger is less likely to fall out. Again, neither set of plugs we tested had loose connections, but this is always a risk, as chargers vary. One other difference: In place of the two-pronged US plug we saw (type A) in our other picks, this set includes the three-pronged grounded version .

The real benefit to the Ceptics Whites, however, is not their physical characteristics. This range is one of your only options if you want to buy a plug adapter for a specific region or country. Headed to India or South Africa ? A universal adapter probably won’t work, but you can get a three-pack of Ceptics that will. You can also buy the offset three-prong and in-line three-prong for Switzerland and Italy, respectively, as well as plugs for Israel and Brazil , both the thin and the thick European plugs, and of course, Australia and UK versions too. They cost less than $10 per set. Any of those links will bring you to a page that lets you choose among plugs for different regions—definitely verify at checkout that you’ve picked the correct ones!

These adapters are ideal for someone headed to a country not covered by a universal adapter, or who has multiple chargers they want to plug in while traveling. They’re not quite as compact as the Ceptics Black adapters, but for most people, this difference in size won’t be an issue. I’ve traveled with these Ceptics plugs for many years, and they show no signs of wear.

Every adapter you see in this guide merely sends the current from the wall directly to whatever you plug into it. These are not voltage converters. Which is to say, if you’re in the UK, whatever you plug into the front of the adapter is going to get the UK’s 220 volts/50 hertz electricity, not the 120 volt/60 hertz that you’d get in the US. Travel plug adapters don’t convert the voltage; they only convert the plug . (Our universal picks do convert the local current to USB voltage, but only for the USB ports.)

However, for the vast majority of people, this is all you need. It’s exceptionally rare that anyone would need a voltage converter anymore. This is because most so-called wall warts, like on your phone charger or your camera’s battery charger, will convert the wall voltage into what it needs automatically.

Take a look at your charger. Somewhere, it should say “100–220V 50/60Hz.” This means it can accept anything between 100 V and 220 V, which covers domestic electricity pretty much everywhere, and either 50 Hz or 60 Hz, which again covers everything. If your charger doesn’t say this, it might not work with a travel adapter. If it only says "120V–60Hz," it will almost certainly not work—or not work correctly—with a travel adapter.

But here’s the other reason we don’t recommend buying a voltage converter: Your device might not work even with one. Anything with a motor (like hair dryers), anything with a heating element (like a clothing iron or a curling iron), or anything with a plug that goes directly to the device (as in no wall wart), probably won’t work in another country regardless of what kind of converter or adapter you bring . The good news is, pretty much every hotel, hostel, and Airbnb will have a hair dryer you can borrow. This is one of those times where we can’t cover everything you might want to bring, but for the vast majority of you, you don’t need a voltage converter. Either it’s not necessary, or the device that needs one won’t work anyway. Worst case, if it’s something cheap and you really need it—a hot pot or an electric kettle, say—consider buying one at your destination.

One occasional exception is electric razors. These often fall into the “single cable, no wall wart, has a motor” category. Which is to say, they probably won’t work without a voltage converter. (Again, check the fine print near the plug or on the device itself.) Many hotels have a shaver plug in the bathroom , with a US-style outlet and US-style 110 volt-or-so voltage. However, not every hotel will have these, and they’re very rare in hostels and Airbnbs. If you need one, best to call ahead and see if your hotel has them. Or use disposables on your trip.

It’s worth noting again for clarity, USB is USB, so if you’re just plugging in a USB cable , unless something is horribly wrong, one USB port’s voltage is the same as any other USB port’s voltage. How fast that port will charge your gear will vary (that’s related to amperage), but unless the charger is faulty, a USB port shouldn’t damage your gear.

We considered many more adapters than those listed here. However, the majority of travel adapters available boil down to just a dozen or so designs sold by myriad companies. We’ve listed two representatives of each of the most common designs, but in most cases, many more exist. Chances are, if it looks similar and has similar specs, it’s probably the same inside.

Universal travel adapters

Askali, Unidapt , others: Only 3.4 amps maximum output, which means it’ll take longer to charge all of your devices.

Bluegogo  (currently unavailable): Only two USB and slower-charging than our picks.

Bonaker: Formerly our runner-up pick, this travel adapter had the usual mix of four plug types to cover you in most countries, but its four USB-A ports were slower than our top pick’s, and it had no USB-C port at all. It’s also since disappeared from Amazon.

Bonazza , Urbo , others: Feels flimsy, even compared with others here. Two-piece design is more cumbersome than helpful. Only 3.4 amps maximum output.

Ceptics Travel Power Strip : The Travel Power Strip combines the interchangeable-plug aspect of the Ceptics Plug Adapter Set with a two-outlet power strip and short extension cord. It also has USB-A and USB-C outputs. If you have multiple non-USB items you want to charge at once—a laptop and a camera charger, for instance—this is a good option. But we think most travelers will prefer the more portable brick design of our picks over this power strip.

Conair Travel Smart : It has only one USB port, with a maximum of 1 amp, but with three outlets, it’s one of the few travel adapters that lets you plug in multiple non-USB devices.

Monoprice Compact Cube Universal Travel Adapter : I own one of these, and it’s fine, but if you’re going the universal route, our picks have USB charging for just a few dollars more. If you don’t need USB charging, our plug-adapter picks are probably better choices. Insten is a similar product but with, apparently, surge suppression built in. But as there’s no way to change the fuse, this is likely one-and-done if you plug in something too powerful.

Mu One (currently unavailable): The Mu offered a much higher power output than other travel adapters: 45 watts, enough to quickly charge even a big-battery device such as a MacBook Air. However, after trying and failing to launch a Mu Two in 2020, the company went out of business. The name and remaining assets were bought by a company called Discovery Club, which seems to be selling off the inventory.

Ougrand (green) : Same shape as the Unidapt, but with a USB-C in place of one of the regular USB connections; 3.4 amp max total.

Huanuo  (currently unavailable): A bit bulky, with three regular USB ports and one USB-C; 3.4 amps maximum.

WGGE , Jollyfit : Only 2.4 amps max, less than either of our picks.

Plug adapters

Bestek Grounded Universal Worldwide Plug : Likely made in the same factory as the Ceptics White plugs, the Bestek set looks the same and is roughly the same price. It offers a wide variety of plug types, but lacks the Type C Europlug that’s common in most adapter sets and usable across most of Europe. (The Europlug was invented to fit into a wide range of European outlet types.) If our Ceptics White pick is sold out, these will also work.

Lewis N. Clark Adapter Plug Kit  (currently unavailable): This kit looks fine, but it is more expensive and has one less plug compared with our Ceptics pick.

Insignia Global Travel Adapter Kit  (currently unavailable): The Insignia has a clever interlocking and compact design, akin to that of the old Flight 001 universal adapter (Flight 001, the specialty travel-gear retailer, is now no longer operating in the US), and the individual plugs feel solid. However, it is expensive compared with our picks, and it doesn’t offer anything that you couldn’t do with our picks just by connecting them end to end (if you wanted to).

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Geoffrey Morrison

Geoffrey Morrison is Wirecutter’s former AV editor, current editor-at-large, and a travel writer and photographer. He covers action cameras, gimbals, travel backpacks, and other gear. He has been to all 50 states and 60 countries, and he is the author of Budget Travel for Dummies and the sci-fi novel Undersea .

Further reading

The Best Travel Power Strips and Surge Protectors With USB Charging

by Sarah Witman

The best power strip for travel in North America is the easily packable Tripp Lite Protect It 3-Outlet Surge Protector —our top pick for eight years running.

The Best Gear for Travel

by Wirecutter Staff

We put in another year and tens of thousands more miles of travel to test the best travel gear—and we stand by last year’s choices alongside a few new picks.

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

by Haley Perry

You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters

While Cable Matters’s USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable is our favorite USB-C option, we also have recommendations for almost every need you could imagine.

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The 6 Best Travel Adapters and Converters of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Whether you prefer a set of specific adapters or something universal, these are the best options on the market.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Other Options We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• 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 / Alexander Huang

Travelers these days have all types of gear and gadgets that require power: cellphones, headphones, cameras, laptops, and even their toothbrushes. And, when venturing 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 likely 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. As avid travelers, we tested an array of products on actual trips across the world and ranked them based on ease of use, effectiveness, and value to bring you the best picks for every scenario. Below, find our favorite easy-to-use adapters and converters for your next international journey.

Best Overall

Epicka universal travel adapter.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Effectiveness 4 /5

It’s able to charge six devices at once. 

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 charge 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-enabled devices including iPhones and Androids, and can charge laptops, cameras, tablets, and power banks, too. It eliminates the need to purchase individual adapters for each trip, which makes it a great money-saving travel product . 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. 

We love that it’s small and easy to pack, plus it’s simple to switch over to different prongs from country to country. The multiple USB ports are great for charging everything at once, and the adapter is super lightweight, so it isn’t adding much weight to your suitcase or carry-on either. We did find that the adapter was hard to fit in tight spots or use with older outlet styles in the UK and Hong Kong, but this didn’t happen often. 

The Details: 2.8 x 1.97 x 2.05 inches | 5.1 ounces | No converter | 6 ports | 1 AC, 4 USB-A, 1 USB-C | 240 volts

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

Best for Apple Users

Apple travel adapter kit.

• Effectiveness 5 /5

It’s exclusively for Apple products so you can trust it with those devices.

It only works with Apple's block-type power adapters.

This kit made by Apple, for Apple products, includes seven AC plugs that work for iPhones, iPods, iPads, and Mac laptops in North America, Japan, China, the UK, Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Brazil. Each one lists the regions the plug is compatible with, making it easy to grab what you need quickly. However, you will need Apple's power adapter brick to serve as a base; these tips work with Apple’s USB-C power adapters, MagSafe and MagSafe 2 power adapters, and 10-watt and 12-watt USB power adapters that come with devices (or can be purchased separately in a range of wattages including 12 watts , 35 watts, and 67 watts ).

We love this set because it’s an Apple-certified product, so we know our devices are safe. The adapters are also built to last, as one of our testers used the adapters for 10 years before having to replace some of them. The only thing we wish they added onto this set is a carrying case to hold all the pieces for traveling. 

The Details: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.9 inches | 11.2 ounces | No converter | 1 port | 100-240 volts (10W, 12W, 30W, and 35W)

Most Compact

Ceptics travel adapter plug for south africa & botswana.

It comes with USB and AC outlet charging abilities in a compact plug. 

USB ports are on the bottom, instead of the top of the adapter. 

If you’re traveling through South Africa, Botswana, or Namibia, this compact adapter will allow you to charge up to three devices at once. The AC outlet allows you to plug your U.S. device into a Type M socket for South Africa, allowing you to charge up for safari adventures and more.  It works with cell phones, laptops, smart watches, tablets, and more, and we especially like that it has the ability for two- and three-prong AC input, as well as USB ports for added versatility. The style of adapter is a block shape, so you can tuck it into your backpack, purse, or carry-on without compromising on much space, and you can also buy similar adapters for Europe , India, Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Brazil, and more. 

The Details: 1 x 1 x 1 inches | 2.5 ounces | No Converter | 3 ports | 2 USB-A , 1 AC | 250 volts

Best for Families

Bestek travel adapter and voltage converter.

• Value 4.5 /5

You can power seven devices at one time. 

It’s bulkier than a lot of other adapters. 

With three AC outlets and four USB ports, you can charge up to seven devices at once on this charger, making it easy for the whole family to charge their phones, laptops, tables, and camera batteries. Three plug adapters are also included and work in more than 150 countries, meaning you can travel far and wide and, most likely, have the right adapter for what you need. We also love that this one is a converter, too, converting 220 volts to 110 volts for U.S. electronics but it’s still not recommended to use this device to power your hair dryer, curling iron, or straightener.

The adapter comes with overcurrent, overload, overheat, and short-circuit protections. We tested the adapter by charging a phone, battery pack, Apple watch, and Kindle all at once and found that all devices were nicely charged overnight with no issues. 

The Details: 7.4 x 6.8 x 1.8 inches | 1.15 pounds | Converter | 3 AC, 4 USB-A | 110-220 volts

Best Multipack

Ceptics european travel plug adapter.

• Ease of Use 3 /5

It’s easy to use.

You'll need to use a separate plug for each item you're charging.

For a super affordable multipack for one destination, this one from Ceptics is a great choice, as it comes with three identical Type C adapters that will work across Europe, the Middle East, and South America. It accepts North American two- and three-prong plugs, and has a simple straightforward design. It’s worth noting though that this set won’t work in England, Ireland, or Scotland, but there are other three packs available that will work in those countries, plus India, China, Hong Kong, Australia, and more. 

The Details: 3 x 2 x 1 inches | 3.2 ounces | No Converter | 3 AC outlets | 100-240 volts

Best for Europe

Jarvania european travel plug adapter.

It works in both the EU and the UK. 

It’s a bit bulky as the UK adapter is separate. 

American travelers to Europe will most likely need an adapter that can handle numerous countries, and this one from Jarvania is great because it can be used with EU and UK outlets. It’s compatible with Type C (which also fits into Type E, F, H, J, K, L, and N outlets) to work in Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Spain, and France and more. It also comes with a separate Type G plug adapter that will also work in the UK, so you’re getting an extra adapter, too. The main adapter has three ports (one AC, two USB), so you can charge up to three devices at once — a perk for the modern traveler carrying a phone, laptop, camera, and more. 

The Details: 2.7 x 2.1 x 2.2 inches | 3.8 ounces | No Converter | 3 ports | 1 AC, 2 USB-A | 110-250 volts

Other Travel Adapters We Liked

Two adapters we tested couldn’t quite earn a spot on our list but had standout features that may meet the needs of some travelers. 

Tessan Type G Adapter : This adapter with two AC outlets plus two USB ports works in countries such as Scotland, Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, UAE, Singapore, and various African countries. However, we found the AC outlets are too close together on the adapter to always be useful. 

Tessan Type E F Adapter : With five total ports (USB and AC) that work in numerous countries, this is a great adapter, but we think the two pack is a bit much, as one adapter already has five ports, meaning lots of travelers wouldn’t need a second adapter. This adapter is also wider than other adapters so it can take up more unnecessary space. 

The T+L team tested 12 different adapters and converters in various countries across the world. We noted what countries we were in while using the adapters or converters, and how easy it was to use each one. We also ranked them based on effectiveness, meaning how well they charged our devices, and value in terms of price versus performance. 

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.

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.

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.

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, the T+L team tested and reviewed numerous adapters and converters to find the best of the best for countries across the world. Freelance writer and world traveler Amanda Ogle further researched travel adapters to add additional insights to this list. 

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Should I buy a Travel adapter for france?

Published 14 April 2023 by  Leyla Alyanak  — Parisian by birth, Lyonnaise by adoption, historian by passion

Not sure whether you need a plug adapter for France? Getting one is a good idea! When traveling abroad, I have bought small electrical goods, only to return to France and find out I should have bought an adapter before coming home...

If you’re traveling to France and plan to bring anything electrical with you, you’ll need an adapter plug for France – unless you already have one. This goes for all electrics, from phone chargers to laptops and hair dryers.

Whether you’re from the US, Canada, the UK, or most countries outside the European Union (and some former French colonies), you’ll need a French power adapter if you want to plug something into a socket.

Your USB charging cables, on the other hand, will work fine.

NOTE: Pages on this site may contain affiliate links, which bring in a small commission at no cost to you.

NO TIME TO READ EVERYTHING?

Here are 3 best adapter plugs for French outlets if you're in a hurry!

➽ Epicka Universal travel adapter , for all countries

➽  Vintar European plug adapter with USB ports for European countries

➽ Lencent simple plug adapter for France only

Having the right plug is not something you want to forget, because it could mean the difference between enjoying your trip and wasting your time looking for an adapter in France, with only a slim chance of success.

Do you need a French plug adapter?

What is an adapter, what is a converter, what kind of plugs does france use, what kind of power adapter do i need for france, can i buy a french plug adapter when i get to france , can't i buy plug adapters in paris, can't i borrow a france power plug adapter from my hotel or airbnb, what is the difference between an adapter and a converter, how can you tell if you need a french power converter, what to do if you need a converter, adapter, converter, or both.

Other useful items for your trip to France

FAQ French adapters

Do you have a smartphone and charger? Are you bringing a laptop to France? What about a curling iron or electric razor? If you plan to pack any of these, you'll need a French plug adaptor.

French power sockets are different from those in your country so y our plug won't fit into them.

You may also need an additional travel voltage converter for France, because French standard voltage is higher than that of the US, Canada, Japan and a number of different countries in South America. Without one, your electrical device could blow up.

This post will tell you all about adapters and converters, the difference between the two, and which you need.

An electrical outlet adapter lets you insert an electric plug you use at home into the wall socket of another country.

The world uses 14 different types of electrical sockets, and only two of them – Types C and E – are compatible with French power outlets.

In my many years of international travel, I've had the "pleasure" of dealing with most of them – hence this piece.

So yes, there's every chance you will need an adapter for France.

A converter, on the other hand, is different. It deals with voltage, which is the electrical tension that runs through electrical wires. A converter simply converts your low voltage to the higher French one, and I'll explain  in detail below . But first, let's get the adapters out of the way.

Electric plugs in France have round prongs and that is what they look like.

If your plug does NOT look something like this, you will need an adapter.

A universal power plug adapter will do in most cases, or a specific one for France. Here are some of the tried and true options.

3 RECOMMENDED ADAPTOR PLUGS FOR FRANCE

➽  Vintar European plug adapter with USB ports for Europe

Where do I get a France plug adapter?

At  home, before you leave.

They’re not expensive and they are easy to carry so they won’t add weight to your luggage.

If you don’t get it ahead of time, you may have a hard time finding one once you get to France.

You’ll find plenty of adapters that can change French plugs to foreign ones, because French people buy them to travel. But it won't be easy to find the reverse (I speak from experience).

Possibly, but not easily, because French shoppers need a different adapter than you do.

The adapters you'll find in France will mostly be for French travelers to the US or Canada, not the other way around.

Do yourself a favor and buy your power adapter for France before leaving home.

TIP: If you're also visiting Switzerland, Italy or other parts of Europe, it is probably cheaper to buy universal adapter rather than separate adapters for each country.

You may be able to buy either a universal plug adapter or a travel adapter for France in one of the Relay shops, usually found in airports and train stations. But after a long trip and plane changes, do you really want to go chasing from shop to shop for an adapter?

You might also find one in electronic shops, like the FNAC, a popular department store (it sells books, music and electronic equipment), or a hardware store that sells electrical goods, like Leroy Merlin or BricoMarché.

Again, though, a word of warning – most adapters you’ll find are from French plugs to foreign ones, in other words, designed for French residents traveling abroad,  not foreigners traveling to France.

It's just easier to buy your power plug for France outside France.

Maybe. If you’re staying in a large or upmarket hotel, there’s every chance (but no guarantee) that they’ll have adapters for all their guests.

Also, these days, especially in hotels that have been renovated, USB charging ports are becoming more common in the rooms. However, they’re not the norm by any means.

If you're unsure, email the hotel when you make your reservation and ask whether they provide a French adapter in the room, or at least whether they have one available they can reserve for your use. But even if they say Yes, there's no guarantee another guest won't sweet-talk the receptionist before your arrival.

I once reserved an adapter this way but when I arrived, I was told another client had needed one urgently so they had to give it to him. They apologized profusely, and I went on a lengthy adapter hunt.

BUY YOUR ADAPTOR PLUGS FOR FRANCE HERE

We're now wading into slightly more complicated waters, but it's important to understand the difference.

As we've seen, a France power adapter allows you to plug your electronic devices into French-shaped wall sockets .

A converter, on the other hand, actually converts the electricity from one voltage (yours) to another (that of France), allowing you to use your electrical appliances safely in France.

Electricity in North America is 110 volts, but in Europe, it's 220-240 volts. 

If you plug your 110V appliance into a 220V (or 240V) socket, stand back! It may result in sparks or smoke, and there's every chance you'll kill the device – or even possibly start a fire. That's why you need a converter.

The most common devices, like laptops or chargers for your cell phones, have a built-in voltage converter for France and other countries. In other words, voltage is changed inside the device and you don’t need to intervene. 

Some devices, including certain hair dryers, curling irons and similar implements, may have a dual voltage switch, meaning you can switch back and forth depending on where you are.

If your electronics are dual voltage, you don't need a power converter.

How will you know?

Look for the small print somewhere on your device charger. You might need a magnifying glass to read this!

If you see something like the words "100-240V 50/60Hz", then your device is compatible with voltage in France. It means your item will work safely anywhere between 100 volts and 240 volts.

Without this mention, you'll probably need a converter. It's really not worth the risk to wing it with electricity.

Countries have different voltages – you can see the different voltages by country  here  or on the map below.

• You can buy a French voltage converter, but if your device draws a hefty amount of power – like a hair dryer – this could be a heavy extra item to bring along.
• You can buy a replacement device that has a built-in dual voltage or a switch that allows you to go back and forth between voltages in your own country.
• You can check if the hotel has a converter plug in the bathroom – they often do – for small items like toothbrushes and razors only, not hair dryers (which many hotels provide).
• You can leave it at home. Forgo the curling iron, use a regular toothbrush, or use a battery-powered razor.

In all fairness, these days, most things you’d take with you for everyday use are compatible. You won't need a converter for your phone, laptop or tablet, for example.

If you do need one, however, today's models are getting smaller. But be careful and check whether they'll be able to handle your appliances. Some hair dryers may be too powerful for some converters.

To give you an idea, a hair dryer uses between 800w and 1500w on average, an electric toothbrush uses about 10w, a curling iron under 200w, and a razor 20w. 

So a 500-watt converter is more than enough for small appliances but as you can see, you'll have to go far beyond that for a hair dryer (some of the larger ones are heavy and expensive). Rather than buy a converter, consider buying a new hair dryer when you get to France if your hotel doesn't offer one. Chances are it will be cheaper than the converter.

If you're from a country with different-shaped plugs, you'll need a power adaptor for France.

If your device isn't dual voltage, you may need a converter as well.

None of this will take much time to check, and doing this little bit of research  may save you the frustration of not being able to use your electronics when you travel to France.

Other useful items for your trip to France 

• Travel USB wall chargers – for all your USB needs
• Travel power strips  – but you'll also need an adapter for the plug
• Plug adapter set – if you're traveling frequently and only want a small adapter
• Bluetooth travel speaker – so you won't miss good audio sound!

French adapter FAQ

What kind of adapter is needed for France?

A universal power adapter is the simplest option for France, because you can also use it in other countries, in Europe and beyond.

Are UK and France plugs the same?

Not at all. French plugs are round, with two pins and sometimes (but not always) a hole for an earthing pin. UK plugs have three rectangular prongs. Rather than round, the plug shape is vaguely triangular.

Does France use the same or different plug types as the EU? Can I use an EU plug in France?

No. Europe hasn't managed to standardize its plugs yet.

French plugs are round with two prongs, and usually Type C or E, which you can use in several European countries. Malta and Ireland (and the UK, no longer in the European Union) use a Type G plug, with three rectangular prongs. Denmark has different-shaped plugs (Type K) but you can use the European Type C plug. And finally, Switzerland and Liechtenstein use a Type J plug, two or three round prongs in a diamond-shaped socket.

What is a French plug size?

France uses two types of plug: C and E.

Before you go...

Having the right adapter is important, but so are the many moving parts of  planning your trip to France . If you're still in the planning stages, you might find this guide useful – it will help you  plan your own itinerary for France. 

Essential France travel resources

BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS I use booking.com , because they include both hotels and holiday rentals like Airbnb or VRBO, so a wider choice and an easy cancellation policy.

DO YOU NEED A SIM CARD FOR FRANCE? If you haven't signed up for a roaming service back home and have an unlocked phone, consider getting an e-SIM for France. Here's the one I use  when I travel.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO READ UP ABOUT FRANCE Drop by my long list of books about France , written by French or foreign Francophile authors.

AND DON'T FORGET YOUR GUIDEBOOKS! ➽ Lonely Planet's  Best Road Trips France ➽ DK Witness  Road Trips France ➽ Any of the  Green Guides series ➽ And, while you're at it, why not a  map of France ?

A FEW WORDS ABOUT SAFETY France is as safe as any European country but you WILL find pickpockets in Paris and other major cities. I keep them at bay by using a comfy anti-theft purse or a Sholdit infinity scarf to hide my cards and money.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Don't leave home without it – your car rental insurance covers certain things but may not cover your health or accident needs, which you can  book here .

Did you enjoy this article? I'd love if you shared it!

Bonjour! I’m Leyla - I was born in Paris and now live in the bucolic mountain foothills of Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy. My days are spent exploring my country. 

I'm rediscovering my own back yard after years of living abroad as a journalist and diplomat - and I'm loving every minute.

Passionate about history and culture, I’ve created Offbeat France to seek out my country’s mysteries and legends, less-traveled destinations, along with plenty of food stops and many castles – I am French, after all!

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The 9 Best Power Adapters for European Travel of 2024

Keep your devices charged and moving your trip along

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong

One thing you don't want to forget on your next trip to Europe ? The right power adapter. Without it, you won't be able to keep the electronics and devices you need juiced up and ready to go. But finding the right one can be tricky: Each region of the world has its own outlet shape, so you'll need to find the one that works for your travel destination—or invest in a universal one. Also, consider the number of devices you'll likely bring and how much you're willing to spend.

Final Verdict

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, foval voltage converter.

User-friendly

Not suitable for heat tools

While many modern devices can transition automatically between different voltages, some can't. This is where the Foval Power Step-Down Converter comes in. Although priced higher than most adapters, it converts 220/240 volts to 110/120 volts, allowing you to use your single-voltage American appliances in Europe seamlessly. Plus, it has a European power cable and three removable adapters for the U.S., the U.K., and Australia, so you can also use it for other trips. This made it convenient for our product tester, Rebekah Joan , to travel with the device, only needing to attach the correct adapter, plug it into a socket, and press the power button to get it to work.

With two standard U.S. plugs and four 5-volt USB ports, you can charge an array of devices simultaneously—just make sure that the total wattage doesn't exceed 200. "It started making a quiet whirring noise, and in a second or two, our devices were charging at a normal pace," Joan said. "We charged plenty with it, including our phones, a portable charger, and our camera. Other than the expected slight delay, everything ran smoothly."

The converter automatically shuts down to prevent overloading, overheating, or short-circuiting, limiting hazards to you and your devices. Be wary of using curling irons, hair dryers, or hair straighteners, as Foval notes that it isn't designed to be used with these tools. It is only compatible with devices within the 110-to-120-volt range, which includes most American devices. What makes up for this is the converter's small size, measuring 4.8 x 3.1 x 1.5 inches for a device that "will save you space and money," according to our tester. There is also a detachable 5-foot cord for easy packing.

Out Power: 230 watts max | Dimensions: 4.8 x 3.13 x 1.47 inches | USB Ports: 4

TripSavvy / Rebekah Joan

Best Universal

Haozi universal travel adapter.

Covers Europe and beyond

Generous warranty

Not compatible with heat tools

In addition to a single AC power socket, the HAOZI Universal Travel Adapter features two USB ports—all of which can be used simultaneously. It's FCC, CE, and RoHS certified, while a lifetime guarantee gives you confidence in your purchase. The downsides? It's not suitable for use with high-powered appliances, including hair dryers, and at 2.2 x 3.2 x 2.6 inches, it's slightly bulkier than your standard single adapter.

If you travel frequently, consider investing in the HAOZI All-in-One Universal Travel Adapter rather than limiting yourself to one exclusively for Europe. Product tester Rebekah Joan tested the adapter's reliability abroad and noticed a slight delay in the electricity getting from one point to another. "After those few initial seconds, it charged our devices smoothly and without making a sound," she said. "We did notice a slight issue with some of the prongs getting stuck on the way out, but it was easily fixed by wiggling the slider back and forth."

Travelers from North America may need a voltage converter for non-dual-voltage devices, but Joan found that the adapter worked as well with a converter as it did alone. This is also an excellent purchase for those planning a European trip with stops in countries that don't accept the standard Type E/F plug. Interchangeable input and outlet sockets allow you to use the power adapter in more than 150 countries.

Out Power: 660 watts max at 110 volts, 1,380 watts max at 230 volts | Dimensions: 3.2 x 2.2 x 2.6 inches | USB Ports: 2

Best Lightweight

Ceptics world travel adapter kit.

Packs easily

Covers several regions

Comes with a travel pouch

Only supports dual-voltage electronics

If you often travel abroad for business, a compact and reliable adapter system is in order. That's what you get with the all-in-one World Adapter Kit from Ceptics. It has two U.S.-grounded inputs, two USB ports, and a USB-C cable.

No matter where you're headed, this lightweight (12.8 ounces altogether) kit has you covered. Six international adapters easily switch out and provide Quick Charge 3.0 power in North America, the United Kingdom, most of Europe, Australia, Japan, parts of Africa, the Middle East, China, and more. Features such as built-in surge protection and voltage indicator LEDs add peace of mind. Unfortunately, this system does not convert voltage, i.e., it is not curling iron friendly.

Out Power: 1,250 watts | Dimensions: 2.75 x 1.5 x 3.75 inches | USB Ports: 2

Best Budget

Orei power adapter plug.

Hair dryer compatible

Updated model

Excludes some big tourist countries

The OREI European Power Adapter Plug is a no-frills, cost-effective solution for American travelers to Europe and Russia. It is compatible with Type E/F plugs and should work in most countries except Italy, Switzerland, and the U.K. Plus, it fits into the recessed, circular plug sockets found in many parts of Western Europe and standard square-faced sockets.

Its newly improved design features internal metal interfaces for better conductivity. The power adapter plug has a maximum capacity of 250 volts ​and can accommodate devices that require up to 3,000 watts of power (including most hair dryers). Be aware, though, that it is only suitable for dual-voltage appliances. You can use the dual ports to charge two devices simultaneously—which is especially handy in hotel rooms with limited plug sockets. The universal input accepts plugs from most countries except South Africa.

Out Power: 3,000 watts max at 250 volts | Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches | USB Ports: 0

Best for the U.K.

Ceptics travel adapter plug.

Great value

Sleek design

Limited geographic utility

Designed in the U.S., the Ceptics Type G Travel Adapter Plug keeps things simple for those planning a vacation to the U.K. (where standard European adapters won’t work). The plug also works for British Overseas Territories and ex-colonies within Europe, including Gibraltar and Cyprus, as well as other destinations like Hong Kong and Dubai. Your purchase includes three adapters, allowing you to simultaneously utilize all the sockets in your hotel room.

Each power adapter features two inputs, both of which accept two-prong polarized U.S. plugs or three-prong grounded U.S. plugs. They have a maximum load rating of ​250 volts and are suitable for dual-voltage appliances only. The product’s limited lifetime warranty means you can return faulty adapters for a free replacement.

Out Power: 2,500 watts at 220-240 volts | Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.75 inches | USB Ports: 2

Best for Switzerland

Tessan swiss outlet adapter for us to switzerland.

Charges up to three devices

Power light

All ports face the same way

Must be paired with a converter

The TESSAN Swiss Outlet adapter has three different charging ports: two for USB charging and one for standard U.S. prongs. The USB charging ports can charge up to 2.4 amperes and are compatible with all USB charging devices, such as your phone, camera, tablet, and more. It is also the ideal size for travel, measuring just 2.8 x 2.1 x 2.67 inches, and can be used in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and some areas of Rwanda. Plus, the adapter features a blue indicator light to tell you when it is on or off.

A converter is needed with this adapter, as it is only compatible with devices between the range of 100 to 250 volts.

Out Power: 2,500 watts at 250 volts max | Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.1 x 2.67 inches | USB Ports: 2

Best for Italy

Orei adapter plug.

CE certified and RoHS compliant

Each piece can charge two devices

Supports almost any traveler in Italy

Very specific utility

If you’re planning a trip to Italy , the OREI USA to Italy Travel Adapter Plug is your best choice. The two-pack includes two Type L plugs for charging devices in Italy and the microstate of San Marino. Both adapters feature dual inputs, which allow them to accommodate two U.S. plugs at the same time. One of the inputs is universal and can accept plugs from any country except those that use Type M plugs (e.g., South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho). The adapters are also free of substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, giving you added peace of mind.

Out Power: 3,000 watts at 250 volts | Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches | USB Ports: 0

Best for France

Tessan type e/f plug adapter.

Supports up to five devices

Limited compatibility range

Although this type of E/F plug can be used in other parts of Europe, such as Germany and Spain, it is especially great if you plan on taking a trip to France. The adapter is considered to be five in one, with two AC outlets for standard U.S. prongs and three USB ports to charge multiple devices at once. It may only be compatible with devices between 100 and 250 volts, but the plug has an impressive max capacity of 2,300 watts and is lightweight.

Out Power: 2,300 watts at max 230 volts | Dimensions: 3.62 x 2.85 x 1.77 inches | USB Ports: 3

Best Design

Mogics super bagel.

Innovative, self-contained design

Auto-reset fuse

Comes with a case

May not work in South Korea

It is tempting to reach for universal adapters to cover all your current and future travel plans. However, these tech powerhouses tend to be bulky and frustrating to pack. MOGICS has crafted a clever device to combat this—and it doesn't hurt that it's super cute as well.

The Super Bagel is a universal power adapter that features two types of USB ports, and the type C is capable of fast, 18-watt charging when used independently. The MA1 adapter pops out of the center and features four different plug configurations for use in the U.S., U.K., European Union, and Australia. The bagel section houses five AC sockets and a handy 3-foot-long extension cord to reach any wall outlet.

Out Power: 18-20 watts via USB ports | Dimensions: 1.57 x 3.57 x 3.57 inches | USB Ports: 2

Traveling comes with its share of stressors, so why not eliminate the headache of trying to find a compatible charging system on the ground in your destination and pick up the FOVAL Voltage Converter before you leave? It covers large tourist hubs, comes with a 5-foot cable, and has an automatic shutoff feature if something goes wrong. If you plan to venture to other countries besides Europe, the HAOZI Universal Travel Adapter is an excellent choice.

What to Look For in a Power Adapter

Universal use.

The general rule is that the more universal the plug, the bulkier it is. If you’re taking a backpacking trip across Europe—or traveling with just a carry-on—get an adapter only designed for Europe. You won’t need the weight or size of one designed for Australia or South America, for example—so why bother?

Number of Devices

Consider a charging station if you’re a gadget head bringing plenty of electronics. They can handle multiple electronics on the same strip, with USB charging ports and regular outlets to spare. Sure, they’re a little more expensive, but it’s one (or three) fewer things to leave behind in a hotel room.

Simpler adapters tend to be cheaper. Think about how much you want to spend, particularly if this is your first trip out of the U.S. If you have future trips in mind, consider spending a bit more on an adapter that can do more.

Check the adapter’s packaging or online description to see what countries or regions it’s marked as compatible with. 

A universal adapter connects you to many regions’ types of plugs in one single unit. Plug adapters, on the other hand, have different plugs you swap out depending on the region you’re in. Universal adapters tend to be on the bulkier side (a common style is a cube with outlets for multiple regions and even USB chargers built into it). A plug adapter keeps a little lower profile, so if you’re making a point to travel light and are only going to a region or two, this might be your best bet. 

Check the voltage of your electronics against the voltage your adapter says it’s converting. (If you’re unsure what it is, Google or look at the instructions or manual for your device.) The voltage shouldn't be an issue for most generic devices and things like hair straighteners.

Jessica Macdonald is a freelance writer based in South Africa specializing in travel, scuba diving, and wildlife conservation. Besides TripSavvy, Macdonald has written about her scuba diving experiences for Scuba Diver Life and is a two-time winner of The Telegraph's Just Back travel writing competition. She also has been TripSavvy's Africa expert since 2016.

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Apple World Travel Adapter Kit

Product Information

The World Travel Adapter Kit includes a set of seven AC plugs with prongs that fit different electrical outlets around the world, each laser-etched with the regions they are compatible with. For world travelers, this is the perfect kit to ensure power connectivity in most countries you may travel to.

The kit is designed to work with iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac notebooks. It is compatible with Apple USB-C Power Adapters, MagSafe and MagSafe 2 Power Adapters, 10W and 12W USB Power Adapters, and Portable Power Adapters.

The AC plugs included in the World Travel Adapter Kit directly support outlets in North America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, and Brazil.

France Travel Adapters

You will need to consider what to pack, to ensure you can use your personal electrical appliances safely while you are abroad. This normally includes the use of a travel adapter, which is a device that simply allows you to plug any US electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket. It is important to note that it does not convert the voltage or frequency.

General Information: France

For France, there are two associated plug types: type C and type E.

• Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins
• Plug type E has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin

France operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Power plugs and sockets

In France the power sockets used are of type C and type E.  Use the photo below to help identify the right plug and socket.

Plug adapters are the interfaces between the American flat-pronged plug and France’s two round-prong socket. These allow you to plug your electrical device into the France wall socket, but they do not convert the electricity to the American 110 volts . If your appliance is designed to run only on 110-120 volts, you are likely to see smoke, if not fire, from this potent miss-mating. You will need a step-down voltage converter to safely step the voltage down from 230 to 110.

Buy a power plug/travel adapter for France

Amazon has a great selection of adapters. We don’t sell directly, just want to make sure you have the right one for your travels!

Voltage and frequency

You can use your electric appliances in France, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 volts. Manufacturers take these small deviations into account. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100-120 volts, you need a voltage converter in France.  (In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second.)

If the frequency in France (50 Hz) differs from the one in your country, it is not advised to use your appliances. But if there is no voltage difference, you could (at your own risk) try to use the appliance for a short time. Be especially careful with moving, rotating and time related appliances like clocks, shavers and electric fan heaters.

To be sure, check the label on the appliance. Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world. Devices like this include most laptops and phones, most recently produced battery chargers, and many small, electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel.

Basics on Electricity & Travel

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The 10 Best Travel Adapters and Converters You Can Buy [2023]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

769 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

31 Published Articles 3102 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Do I Need a Travel Adapter or Converter?

1. best for the tech-reliant traveler, 2. for those who need plenty of ports, 3. for hair dryers, straighteners, steam irons, and cell phones, 4. travel adapters with color-coded simplicity, 5. best throw-and-go option complete with carry case, 6. budget compact adapter and wall charger, 7. one of the best fuss-free adapters, 8. adapter for heavy duty appliances, 9. power step down voltage converter for tech travelers, 10. budget all-around travel adapter set, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

If you are planning on traveling overseas, chances are you won’t want to lose touch with the rest of the world during your stay. Because we’re all so fond of using our smartphones, laptops, and electrical appliances everywhere we go, clever travelers will be able to charge up on the go .

Taking the right travel adapter or converter with you will ensure you’re never without — but with so many variations, it can be tricky to know what you need.

The global village is huge, and while we’re all one world, we don’t all use the same electrical outlets. Different countries use different types of electrical outlets and power points, meaning that what works for you at home won’t necessarily work while you are away .

Different countries also have a wide range of electrical voltage running through their wires. In the U.S., for example, electricity runs on 110-120 volts, whereas many other countries have ramped that up to between 220-240 volts.

This matters, because you could fry your appliances if you expose them to a higher voltage than they were designed to use.

But do you need a travel adapter or a converter? Perhaps you need to buy both?

First, you should find the voltage of your device by checking the detailed information, written on either the device itself or the power cord AC box.

As a basic guide, electrical devices have 3 different types of voltage: single, dual, or multi.

• Single voltage reads 1 number. A device like this handles one type of voltage, like 120V.
• Dual voltage reads 2 numbers, such as 110V/220V. This means the device contains a switch to toggle between the 2 voltages.
• Multi-voltage reads 100-240V. This is most common on battery chargers and AC transformers for laptops, tablets, and other portable devices.

Once you know your voltage, here are the key points to decide what adapter and/or converter to buy:

• If you are traveling to a country where the voltage output is compatible with your device, you won’t need to worry about buying a converter .
• You will probably still need an adapter to plug into the wall socket — so read on to find out more about travel adapters.

Travel Adapters for Different Countries

There are at least 15 different recognized types of outlet plugs in the world, all offering different prong shapes and voltage. While this does not mean that you need to throw 15 different adapters in your bag before you leave home, it does mean you need to do your research before you leave home .

Most of the countries you’ll be traveling to fall into 1 of 4 outlet types for the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Europe. You can easily pick up adapters and converters that are made to suit the requirements of your destination, and you can even purchase packs that feature a combination of options to suit a variety of different destinations.

Hot Tip: Here is a full list of the different types of adapters and voltages for each country.

Travel Adapters and Watts

Wattage is the amount of power required to operate an electrical appliance or device. Because you need your adapter to handle the wattage required by your appliance or device, you need to know what you’re dealing with before you plug it in.

Most devices have a label showing the wattage. If for any reason it doesn’t, you can calculate the wattage using this simple formula: multiply the voltage by the amperage (amps or A) to calculate the wattage. Example: An appliance labeled with a voltage of 110 and amperage of 1.5 is 165 watts (110 x 1.5 = 165 watts).

When you’re looking for a travel adapter, you’ll need to know how many watts it can handle. If it isn’t strong enough to handle the flow of energy passing through it, you could blow a fuse or fry your appliance in a matter of minutes.

Hot Tip: Appliances that heat usually use the most watts, so things like travel hair dryers and travel straighteners will be the items to watch out for.

The 10 Best Travel Adapters You Can Buy

Now that you know a bit more about the technicalities of travel adapters, the next step is choosing the right one for your destination that can handle all the power requirements of your devices.

Here are some of the best-performing, most convenient, and top travel-ready adapters your money can buy.

• EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter

This multi-function travel adapter will cover your power needs in more than 150 countries. Safety-certified and packed with tons of features like an 8A overload dual fuse, safety shutters, and a plug lock system, this little beauty comes with 4 USB ports, 1 USB-C, and a single AC socket that can charge up to 6 high-speed devices super quickly.

It can also handle 880W at 110V and 1840W at 240V, but it does not convert voltage . Compatible with all USB devices, including iPhones, tablets, and digital cameras, the Epicka could be your 1-stop solution for digital connectivity anywhere in the world.

What We Like

• Good for multi-country trips

What We Don’t Like

• Quite a heavy adapter
• BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter and 220V to 110V Voltage Converter

This BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter is so versatile, you can fill it full of your favorite appliances and charge yourself silly. Cleverly designed to simultaneously charge 7 devices with its 4 USB charging ports, a combined 6A output, and 3 AC sockets that support a max 250W power, you’ll be blown away by the power output.

The patented design makes this a supersafe option for tech-laden travelers, with overcurrent, overload, overheat, and short-circuit protection. This is an all-around super-charger that will work virtually anywhere in the world and even has a 24-month warranty .

• Charges up to 7 devices at a time
• Makes a noise from the fan
• Bonazza All in ONE World Travel Plug Power

A sleek black box that offers minimalist chic and the ability to convert voltage, this uber-cool device is the perfect adapter/converter combo for over 150 of the world’s most visited countries.

With the ability to charge phones, laptops, and almost anything else, the One World Travel Adapter converts foreign electricity from 220-240V to 110-120V for all your American appliances.

The LED power indicator shows that the adapter is doing its job, while the over-current (overload), high-temperature, short-circuit, and surge protection systems will keep your appliances safe while they charge.

Hot Tip: This travel adapter can handle 2000W, making it a good choice for higher-wattage electrical appliances.

• FLIGHT 001 5-In-1 Adapter

This color-coded world adapter system makes finding the right plug for your trip as simple as matching the colors. Idiot-proof and effortlessly practical, there is literally no excuse for not being able to stay connected wherever you go!

The 4 adapters fit in 1 easy 2.5-inch block when snapped together , so you can throw the whole thing in your carry-on and be on your way. It also has a cube with 2 USB charging ports, so you’ll really be covered.

• JOOMFEEN Worldwide All in One Universal Adapter

This one does exactly what it says on the box: it’s a universal travel adapter that comes with its own travel case. Pop-out those prongs to charge up on any international 2- or 3-prong plug .

Offering almost complete global coverage, this high-tech block will simultaneously charge up to 5 devices quickly with dual USB ports, and it offers AC voltage from 100-240V, 1380 watts max with a built-in 6-amp safety fuse.

Bottom Line: Whether you need to charge your laptop or curl your hair, this surge and spike-protected electrical plug will keep you and your appliances safe and powered up while you roam.

LENCENT 22W/4.4A 4-Port USB Wall Charger

Want to travel more and think less? Then this is the travel adapter for you. Featuring auto-identify technology, this wall charger automatically detects and delivers the optimal charging current for any connected device .

Brains and beauty come standard in this sleek and compact travel plug that can max up to a 22W/4.4A output. Thermal material protects against overheating, and the tech inside the plug protects against overload on the unit and over-charge on your devices.

This compact universal adapter comes in cheaper than many adapters on this list, but it may be slightly more hassle with having to switch the adapter heads.

OREI MATE M8 Travel Companion Plug Adapter

This pocket-sized power adapter provides plug adapters for use in more than 150 countries . It is an easy-to-use self-contained unit that can be tucked away into its very own travel bag for safekeeping when not in use.

This plug adapter may not convert or reduce electrical wattage, and therefore isn’t recommended for your 110-watt devices (like hairdryers or straightening irons). But you can slide out the 2- or 3-prong attachments to plug in your laptop, iPhone, or other device and get charging.

HYTED 2000W World Travel Adapter and Converter

Light and compact, this converter is well-suited to travelers who rely on heavy-duty appliances, since it can handle up to 2000W .

Clearly marked and easy to use, this simple but effective travel plug steps down the voltage to ensure you can use your electrical appliances — such as hair dryers, steam irons, electric kettles, and even small fans — in up to 150 of the world’s most visited countries.

Foval Power Step Down 220V to 110V Voltage Converter

Simple to use, the Foval Power Step Down has the international compatibility to make light work of all your basic travel adapter needs. Offering numerous plug options and a selection of integrated USB sockets , you can easily charge your phone, laptop, Bluetooth speaker , and e-reader using the 4 5V/2.4A ports simultaneously.

The built-in fuse system integrates perfectly with the thermal and shell protection layers to offer adequate device protection, keeping your precious devices safe as they charge. The product comes with a 24-month warranty.

Ceptics GP-12PK Worldwide Grounded Universal Plug Adapter Set, 12 Pieces

Let us introduce to you the ultimate selection of grounded universal travel plug adapters for the big explorer. With a choice of 12 different plug-prong combinations, you’ll have access to power wherever you are headed.

Bulkier than many of the all-in-1 options, the only downside to this set is losing some space in your travel bag. Easy to use and well-labeled, these offer simple but effective solutions for anyone visiting virtually anywhere in the world .

Wherever you are going, there’s a travel adapter or converter to help. Remember to check your appliances before you leave home and find a travel adapter that suits your needs, or you run the risk of being powerless and out of touch for the duration of your stay!

You could also just hope you can buy the appropriate adapter when you get there, but we wouldn’t recommend it. You run the risk of damaging your appliances if you use adapters or converters that aren’t safe.

So if the thought of being without reliable, safe, and thoroughly tested electrical adapters or converters is too much for you to bear while you travel — be sure to buy a decent adapter!

If you liked this article, check out some of our other “best of the best” travel product reviews:

• The Best Checked Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Carry-on Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones To Buy for Travel
• What Are the Best GoPro Alternatives? [We Found Several Options]
• All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a travel adapter and converter.

A travel adapter simply lets you convert 1 style of electrical plug into another. There are 15 different plug types used in the world with an array of prong types. Different parts of the world will use different voltages, and that is where a converter differs from an adapter. If you are using a low-voltage device in a high-voltage socket, chances are you’ll blow the device. A converter will convert the voltage so it’s safe. Most devices and chargers will either be multi-voltage or have a toggle to switch between voltages, but it’s best to check before you travel abroad.

What are the best travel adapters?

These are some of the best performing, most convenient, and top travel-ready adapters your money can buy:

Do I need an adapter and a converter?

As different countries don’t all use the same power points, you will need to check whether you require an adapter to plug in your appliances. Different countries also have a wide range of electrical voltage running through their wires and that’s where a converter comes in. If your device uses a different voltage, you will need to get a converter.

What should I look for in a travel adapter?

How does a universal travel adapter work.

With a universal travel adapter, you have multiple options for plugs or are able to change the shape of a plug to suit the requirements of your destination. This allows you to purchase 1 adapter to use in multiple destinations.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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Universal International Travel Plug Adapter with USB-C, Ouliyo US to European UK AUS Asia Worldwide Travel Adapter AC Outlets Plug Converters,3 USB 1 Type C Smart Travel Power Adaptor Charger

About this item.

• 【International Travel Essentials】:This International European Travel Plug Adapter come with USA / Europe / UK / AUS plugs all in 1 design and worldwide universal AC outlet which is applicable to more than 160 countries. Also this Universal Adapters has 4 USB ports(1*USB-C) and Universal Socket to use, which meet the different need for worldwide travelling. It is an indispensable travel accessories providing best charging solution for your wonderful trip.
• 【Smart Fast Charging】: 3*USB-A and 1*USB-C ports and AC Universal Socket allowed to fast charging 5 devices at once. The 5V/5A Total Output and 5V3A USB-C port makes it perfect match for the iPad, iPhone, Airpods, AppleWatch,Camera and most digital devices. Also equipped with Smart IC Chip and Power Indicator, you can get everything under your control.It's a great electrical gifts for global traveler.
• 【Auto-Protective Safety Fuse】: When over-current or over-voltage happens, the fuse will be cut off automatically to protect your devices, and then reback to work after a few minutes. Thanks to this built-in safety fuse, no need to change the fuse for lifetime, free of worry when travelling. Moreover, The Shell is made of high-quality PC fireproof material, no deformation, resistant to high temperatures up to 1472℉/800℃. Perfectly prevent overload or short circuit, protect your precious devices intelligently and avoid fire effectively
• 【Safe & Reliable Travel Kit:】 CE/EMC/ROHS/FCC/LVD Certified, and multiple safety system (Smart IC, Anti-shock shutter, Surge protection) makes it a reliable Travel Plug Adapter - And this international travel plug adapter has wide voltage range of 100v -250V. It supports most dual voltage device and most the wide voltage devices. (NOT CONVERT electrical output current and voltage.)
• 【Satisfaction Service】: 30 Days Refund Policy, and if there's anything wrong with the universal power adapter, we will send you a new replacement for free (1-Year Limited ) . Please contact us If you have any questions, we will offer you satisfactory solution and we will reply you within 24 hours.

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Product description.

Charge 5 devices at same time

Ouliyo universal international travel plug with smart chip can automatically charge 5 devices.Allow you to charge your phone,ipad,notebook,powerbank,camera simultaneously. LED lights on the power adapter can show the charging status.

International Power Adapter with USB-C and 3 USB-A Charging Ports

Perfect charging solution for your wonderful trip.

This International Travel Adapter can use 3*USB and 1*USB-C at same time. It is the safest way to plug in your portable, non-grounded devices around the world.

Universal international Power Adapter Allows You to Share USB Ports with Your Family or Friends, Built-in Smart IC Chip with Intelligent, Safe and Speedy. Let you enjoy perfect holidays.

Compatible with: iPhone, iPad, Airpods, Apple Watch, Android smartphones, tablets, cameras, laptops and so on.

Product Specifiactions:

• Max. Power: 660W at 110V AC / 1500W at 250V AC
• Input: 100-250V 50/60Hz
• USB-C: 5V 3A Max
• USB-A: 5V2.4A Max
• USB Total Output: 5V 5A Max
• Certification: FCC / CE-LVD / CE-EMC / RoHS

Ouliyo International Travel Plug Adapter Features:

Worldwide all in 1 design compatible with more than 160 countries..

Product information

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Customer Review: You Need this companion for Outside country travel

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Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality, ease of use, and appearance of the power converter. For example, they mention it's well built, reliable, and easy to use. Some are happy with appearance. That said, opinions are mixed on performance, size, and value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the power converter great for traveling. They say it's an all-purpose travel companion, and highly recommend it for international travel. They also say it has USB plugs to charge phones, and is compact and useful.

"... Highly recommend for international travel ." Read more

" Perfect for any trip to any region in the world. No complaints and it’s so compact and useful." Read more

"I went to Israel and this was great for the airport and plane ride and hotel room and everywhere we went. Large in size tho...." Read more

"...Fits all kinds of plugs. Perfect for international travel ." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the power converter. They mention that it's well built, reliable, and sturdy.

"... Stays sturdy in the wall and is charged efficiently." Read more

"Good price. High quality ." Read more

"...The quality is great you just feel it as you handle the adapter. So far it’s working great! I would definitely recommend" Read more

"...It’s strong , easily packed and hard to forget in your rush to pack. I will be buying more for my family...." Read more

Customers find the power converter easy to use. They mention that it's convenient, and the pushy buttons are intuitive.

"...I loved using this 1 adapter for every country I was in. Very easy and I had it in my carryon the whole time." Read more

"Nice product, easy to use , it is nice you have the USB ports so you can easily charge laptop and phone simultaneously" Read more

"Lightweight and easy to carry. Very convenient for traveling. Doesn't take a lot of space in travel bag. Fits all kinds of plugs...." Read more

"No matter where we were in the world easy to use and charged great!!" Read more

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the power converter. They mention that it is well-designed, has a neat matte finish, and is of high quality. Some appreciate the compact size and excellent shape.

"Haven’t used for travel yet, but I like the quality of material and the finish ...." Read more

"...is It has a compact size and has a neat matte finish . Comes with EU, US, AUS and UK pins. I can confidently recommend this quality product." Read more

"... Great design " Read more

"...and it was exactly what we needed.it got here in time and in excellent shape .its awesome and it fits our needs for my husbands lift chair." Read more

Customers are mixed about the performance of the power converter. Some mention that it works great and is easy to use, while others say that it didn't work on the 9-hour flight out, the iteam didn''t working sometimes, and the USB didn';t work.

"...South Africa to Botswana to Zimbabwe and Kenta and this worked great in each country . Highly recommend for international travel." Read more

" Works fine for the basic need . Charged everything I plugged in just fine...." Read more

"...I found it was inconsistent in the plane. Couldn’t get it to work on the 9 hour flight out and eventually got it to work on the flight back...." Read more

"Perfect for any trip to any region in the world. No complaints and it’s so compact and useful." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the size of the power converter. Some find it compact and easy to carry, while others say it's too heavy for the prongs and is too large for travel.

"...No complaints and it’s so compact and useful." Read more

"...Charged everything I plugged in just fine. But the overall size is too heavy for the prongs so you can’t just plug it in or it falls out of the..." Read more

"...It's best feature is the size and that it plugs directly into the outlet without an adaptor" Read more

"...It’s strong, easily packed and hard to forget in your rush to pack. I will be buying more for my family...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the value of the power converter. Some mention it's a great value and a good buy, while others say it'll be a waste of money.

"...It only goes halfway up and it’s basically useless . I was only be able to use it in England for the 3 days I was there...." Read more

" Good price . High quality." Read more

"So, this was worthless in Vietnam . I am glad I had a back up as this fell out of every plug every time I tried to use it. Complete waste of money." Read more

" Absolutely great buy !!!" Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the plug of the power converter. They mention that it's clunky, hard to keep the plug out, and falls out of every plug. Some say that the adapter does not have the one plug as advertised and that it does not accept all plugs.

"...Large in size tho. Kinda clunky and hard to keep the plug out while tryna put it into the wall. Kept going into the box...." Read more

"purchased this item for a trip to Europe. I had an issue with one of the plugs ...." Read more

"...I am glad I had a back up as this fell out of every plug every time I tried to use it. Complete waste of money." Read more

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In France, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type E are used. The standard voltage is 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.

• Yes, you need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type E in France.

Do your power plugs fit in France?

In France, they use power sockets (outlets) of type E. In Australia, you have plugs I. You need a power plug adapter in France for sockets type E. The plugs of your electric devices don't fit without.

Buy a power plug (travel) adapter

We don't sell power plug adapters. We refer you to Amazon or Ebay where you will find a great selection of travel adapters.

• Find travel adapters at Amazon (AU)
• Find travel adapters at Ebay (AU)

You need to look for a power plug adapter for sockets type E. Alternatively, choose a world travel adapter that fits multiple sockets, in case you travel more often.

Voltage converter needed in France?

The standard voltage in France (230 V) matches the voltage level your devices typically operate at in Australia.

• You don't need a voltage converter in France.

To be sure, check the label on your devices. Some devices never need a converter. If the label states 'INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz' the device can be used in every country in the world. This is common for devices with chargers like tablets/laptops, photo cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, etc. For these devices you will only need a power plug adapter.

Frequently asked questions