The Best Travel Adapters
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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 the best travel adapters so you can safely charge all of your gadgets wherever you land—whether it's with a universal adapter or a basic one. I’ve tested several, and our favorites 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 February 2025: We've added travel adapters from Ceptics.
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What Type of Adapter Do You Need?
There are 15 plug types in use across the world. Universal adapters tend to cover all of these types.
- 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.
- Type I is used in Australia, New Zealand, China, and Argentina.
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 I recommend here have the bonus of including multiple USB ports for charging several mobile devices from a single outlet.
Do You Really Need a Voltage Converter?
Voltage converters are big, heavy, and expensive, and they don’t always work, so it’s probably best to avoid them. 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.
If you are determined to try a voltage converter (again, I recommend you don’t), the Ceptics 2,000-watt Travel Voltage Converter ($70) seems to work well. It has a special 2,000-watt outlet for hair dryers, but only ones that work via a mechanical switch (anything with an electronic circuit board for automatic switch-off or temperature control won’t work and is at risk of being fried if plugged in). It also has two outlets that go up to 200 watts, one USB-C port, and three USB-A ports, though the ports do not support fast charging.
Travel Charger Tips
Here are a few additional tips and answers to help ensure your trip goes as planned.
Test everything before you go: Seriously, nothing is worse than thinking you’re being very clever by packing light and getting to your hotel to discover that your gadgets refuse to charge. Between the adapter, cable, and your device, plenty can go wrong, so do a quick test with everything you are taking before you set off.
Can travel adaptors go in a suitcase? Yes, you can pack travel adapters in your suitcase. But it may be wise to take a travel adapter in your hand luggage for easy access should you need to charge up a device when you arrive at your destination. Devices like power banks with lithium batteries (must be capped at 27,000 mAh) must go in hand luggage, not checked bags.
Can I buy travel adapters at the airport? Yes, you almost certainly can, but like everything else at the airport, they will be far more expensive than they should be, and your choice will be limited.
Do hotels have travel adapters? Some hotels have travel adapters, and some even have outlets for other countries (or USB-A and USB-C ports), but most do not, so don’t bank on it. You can always check with your hotel or accommodation before you depart, but it’s safer to snag a travel adapter to take with you.
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Best Overall
Ceptics GaN 70W Universal Travel AdapterJet 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 and China. I love how securely the plugs lock into place, with a button you need to press to slide them back. You have a universal input socket, and Ceptics has included one USB-C port and two USB-A ports on the bottom, but what makes this travel adapter my new favorite is the retractable USB-C cable. It’s around 25 inches long, the end sticks to the adapter magnetically, and it saves you from packing an extra USB-C cable. The ports can deliver up to 70 watts in total. Both USB-C options go up to 70 watts, the QC USB-A is red and goes up to 30 watts, and the other USB-A is 5 watts.
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 well.) Thankfully, there's overload protection with a 10-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.
Specs Plug Types A, C, G, and I Extra Ports 1x USB-C retractable cable, 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A Ports Wattage Up to 70 watts Warranty 2 years - Photograph: Simon Hill
Runner-Up
Tessan GaN Universal Travel AdapterThis travel adapter from Tessan was my previous top pick and it’s still a solid choice if you want something a little more compact and lightweight. It has a similar slider design and covers the same bases (more than 200 countries). Tessan has included two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports on the bottom. The USB-C ports can deliver a maximum charging rate of 65 watts, while the USB-A ports offer 60 watts and 5 watts, respectively. If you need more power, there's a 100-watt model ($46) and a 140-watt model ($73), and if you figure you can get by with less, try the 35-watt model ($23).
Specs Plug Types A, C, G, and I Extra Ports 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A Ports Wattage Up to 65 watts Warranty 18 months
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Budget Pick
Ceptics 6 in 1 Worldwide Travel AdapterComing in even cheaper than my previous pick with more ports and higher wattage, this Ceptics travel adapter is my new budget recommendation. It covers more than 150 countries, with 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. The sliders lock into place securely and there’s a button on the side for retracting them. This plug can recharge your power-hungry devices, like laptops and camera batteries, but there are two USB-C and two USB-A ports on the bottom, and a USB-C port on the side for phones, tablets, smartwatches, and Kindles. The USB-C ports can deliver up to 15 watts and the USB-A ports 12 watts apiece.
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 and CE.
Specs Plug Types A, C, G, and I Extra Ports 3x USB-C, 2x USB-A Ports Wattage Up to 30 watts Warranty 2 years - Photograph: Simon Hill
More Power
Arsmel VisaPro All-in-One Travel AdapterThis chunky power adapter can charge laptops or multiple small devices with a whopping 170-watt maximum output. It works with any outlet in the US, UK, or EU thanks to sliding plugs that slot into place securely. You can also spin the prongs for the US plug to take the total number of supported countries above 200. I love the mecha-inspired paint job too.
There are four ports along the bottom; two USB-C ports rated at 140 watts, and a third USB-C and a USB-A are rated at 18 watts. It supports PD 3.1, QC 3.0, PPS, FCP, and SCP, has a 10-amp fuse, and comes with a spare fuse built in, but there’s no grounding, so don’t plug in any device that has a third metal grounding pin on its plug into this adapter. It’s happy charging four devices at once and can handle laptops, so you can leave your other power bricks at home.
Specs Plug Types A, C, G, and I Extra Ports 3x USB-C, 1x USB-A Wattage Up to 170 watts Warranty 2 years
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- Photograph: Ceptics
Best Travel Adapter Set
Ceptics Adapter Plug Set for Worldwide International TravelUniversal 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 my 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 I 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.
Specs Plug Types (5-pack) B, C, E/F, G, and I Plug Types (12-pack) A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M, and N Extra Ports None Warranty 2 years - Photograph: Simon Hill
Extra Outlets
OneBeat Travel Plug AdapterWhat 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 and other versions top out at 2,500 watts.
Specs Plug Types C, E/F, or G Extra Ports 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A Ports Wattage Up to 15 watts Warranty 1 year
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For Charging Everything
Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit 2This 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. I also like the original Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit ($35), though it lacks the two USB-C ports.
Specs Plug Types A, B, C, E/F, G, and I Extra Ports 1x USB-C cable, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A Ports Wattage Up to 55 watts Warranty 2 years - Photograph: Simon Hill
Fast Charging
OneAdaptr OneWorld 135With a familiar sliding pin design, this adapter 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 (GaN) to deliver up to 135 watts. Aside from the universal AC outlet, you will find three USB-C ports and one USB-A port on the bottom. Two USB-C ports offer 100-watt charging, one offers 20 watts, and the USB-A port is 18 watts, but 135 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.
Note: I have tested OneAdaptr’s range extensively and found they work well, but the company has had issues fulfilling orders, and I am concerned about the volume of negative reviews online. The company assured me that it has recently taken steps to improve fulfillment and customer service, and I'll continue to monitor the situation.
Specs Plug Types A, C, G, and I Extra Ports 3x USB-C, 1x USB-A Ports Wattage Up to 135 watts Warranty 1 year
- Photograph: Simon Hill
For Wired Charging
Satechi GaN Travel ChargerMost of us only take small gadgets when we travel, so a compact, multi-port wall charger, like this one from Satechi, could be the best way to pack light. It plugs directly into the wall and comes with four interchangeable travel adapters, covering the EU, UK, and Australia, with a mesh bag to store them in. There are four USB-C ports that you can plug your gadgets into, including laptops like the MacBook Pro, tablets, phones, and wearables. With support for Power Delivery 3.1, the first two ports can supply up to 140 watts, and the bottom two ports can supply up to 45 watts, but the total maximum output if you use all four ports simultaneously is 145 watts.
I took this on a recent trip for a wedding, and it kept all of our gadgets topped off. The adapters are very easy to slide on with a quick-release switch, and it was a real space saver. The only downside is that the bulk and weight may prove awkward at some outlets.
Specs Plug Types A, C, G, and I Extra Ports 4x USB-C Wattage Up to 145 watts Warranty 2 years - Photograph: Simon Hill
For Wireless Charging
RapidX Modula 5 Modular Wireless Charging SystemA 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 ($13), and there’s a version with a phone pod and an Apple Watch pod ($28).
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.)
Specs Plug Types N/A Extra Ports Qi wireless charging Wattage Up to 10 watts per pad Warranty 1 year
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- Photograph: Simon Hill
For Apple and Qi2 Devices
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station (Qi2)Incredibly compact when folded flat, Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 can charge up your iPhone or Qi2-certified phone at up to 15 watts, has a second pad for AirPods or other wireless earbuds, and sports a fold-out Apple Watch charger. You get a USB-C cable (around 5 feet) and a wall adapter with it, but pair it with something like the Arsmel or Satechi above that can provide at least 40 watts, and you can leave the wall adapter at home.
Only MagSafe iPhones and Qi2-certified Android phones have the magnets needed to use this as a stand, but I had no trouble charging an older Android phone by folding it flat (Qi2 is backward compatible). I recommend this Anker charger for travelers in our Best Apple 3-in-1 Wireless Chargers guide.
Specs Plug Types N/A Extra Ports Qi2 wireless charging Wattage Up to 40 watts Warranty 2 years
More Travel Adapters We've Tested
There are many travel adapters out there. These are a few others I tested and liked but that missed out on a place above for one reason or another.
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter for $23: Our budget pick for many months, this travel adapter from Epicka is still a solid option. The sliding plugs cover 150 countries and there are four USB-A ports on the bottom and a 15-watt USB-C port on the side. There’s also an 8-amp fuse with a spare, and this adapter is certified by RoHS, CE, and FCC.
Ceptics 65W World Travel Adapter for $40: This versatile adapter comes with Type A, B, C, E/F, G, and I slide-on plugs. They fit onto the rectangular brick and plug directly into the outlet, or you can attach them to the optional 5-foot cable. The brick has one grounded US outlet and a second non-grounded outlet, with one USB-A (30-watt) and two USB-C (65 and 33-watt) ports at the other end.
Masterplug Visitor to UK Travel Adaptor (3 Pack) for £12: For visitors to the UK, this simple trio of adapters accepts European, American, Australian, and Asian plugs. They are single-outlet adapters with 13-amp fuses inside, and they work perfectly. These are the adapters I use for long-term testing of devices from the US and elsewhere that lack UK plugs. If you forgot to buy an adapter before you arrived in the UK, you can find this affordable three-pack at any Argos.
Anker European Travel Plug Adapter for $16: One of our favorite portable charger brands, Anker also makes travel adapters. This one plugs into most European outlets to give you a single grounded US outlet, a USB-A, and two USB-C ports. Unfortunately, the three USB ports max out at 15 watts total, so it’s best for overnight gadget charging, but I appreciate the temperature and overload protection. There is also a UK version ($16).
Ceptics Travel Power Strip for $35: Much like the World Travel Adapter Kit 2 above, this small power strip offers two grounded US outlets, but it has only one USB-A and one USB-C port, and instead of plugging directly into the wall a cable attaches to an interchangeable plug head with Type A, B, C, E/F, G, and I adapters. The adapters can be stiff to change, but it works well otherwise.
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