travel adapters for australia

US to Australia Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2024)

Despite the extreme distance involved, Australia remains a popular destination among American travelers for its otherworldly landscapes and easy-going vibe. From Perth to Sydney and everything in between, this enormous island country boasts an eclectic array of exciting attractions to explore.

Although it’s among the most developed nations on Earth, you’ll still need to do some planning to ensure your trip goes off without a hitch. And that includes getting your power supply in check and knowing the basics regarding Australian outlet requirements to avoid damaging your precious electronics!

Which power outlets do they use in Australia?

Despite being a former British colony, Australia uses a different outlet type to the UK. All power sockets in Australia are Type I, which have two diagonal slits and one vertical slit (as you can see in the image below). Even though many charging cables only have the diagonal slits, these can still be used in Australia as the vertical slit isn’t strictly necessary.

Power outlets in Australia tend to be good as there are strict safety regulations in place. At the very least, they’ll snugly hold your adapter in place and have an on/off switch to control the electrical current. Australia runs on a frequency of 50 Hz and a voltage of 230 Volts.

Therefore, any American electronic devices rated to 50 Hz and between 220 and 240 V will work with the correct US to Australia power adapter.

What kind of power adapter do I need for Australia?

When planning your trip, you’ll ask yourself, “What plug do I need for Australia?” Americans traveling down under will need to invest in an adapter to charge their electronics. Fortunately, there are some great US-to-Australia power adapter options out there.

When shopping for an adapter, ensure you get one that is capable of converting Type A/B to Type I.

We highly recommend this Universal Adapter that will charge all of your personal electronics on your travels throughout Australia. It also works in over 100 additional countries around the world and comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee so you can trust the quality craftsmanship behind it. Not to mention, there is a built-in fuse protector that will protect your device should any power surges occur.

Other Australia Packing List Items

In addition to your US-to-Australia power adapter, these items will help you pack with intention and expand the possibilities of your getaway. Also, check out our Australia packing list for more inspiration and ideas.

1. Neck Wallet / Passport Holder

You’ll likely be more of a target as a tourist and pickpocketing can happen anywhere. Besides, it’s easy enough to simply lose your valuables, and you certainly don’t want to put that precious passport or credit cards at risk. Strap them safely to your body by using a neck wallet instead. It organizes all cash, travel documents, and financial items as well as having RFID-blocking material to stop e-thieves.

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Jet Lag Relief

Have you looked at the time difference between the US and Australia? They’re pretty much on the opposite side of the world, which means you’re going to get some severe jet lag from the 15-hour flight. On the way back, you actually arrive a few hours before you depart due to crossing the International Date Line. With that in mind, grab a few jet lag relief pills to mitigate the effects.

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Wi-Fi is abundant in Australia, from coffee shops to hotel lobbies and everywhere in between. Nevertheless, public networks are notoriously susceptible to cyber-attacks and I learned this after having my credit card number stolen at (what I thought was a safe) Airbnb. It pays to invest in a VPN to keep your precious data safe, like your PayPal password, credit card numbers, and social security data.

It’s also great for minimizing online censorship in countries that block the use of your favorite websites like Netflix, Facebook, YouTube, and more. We use NordVPN at home and on the road, and recommend them to any traveler joining vulnerable public networks. It’s majorly affordable and will make you more anonymous to creepy onlookers who want to spy on your online activity.

View options at NordVPN.com ➜

4. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

Our cell phones are the lifeblood of the modern age, and travel is no exception. Whether you’re snapping a selfie in front of a landmark, navigating your way to Trip Advisor’s top-rated restaurant, or catching an Uber home after a boozy night on the town, the smartphone is the ultimate 21st-century travel accessory. Thankfully, portable chargers are tiny these days, which means there’s really no reason to not have one on you at all times. This one will ensure your battery never runs flat while on the road again!

5. Quick-Dry Travel Towel

We never travel without a travel towel. You never know if your hotel or Airbnb will provide them (or if they’ll be clean) and these are light as a feather, which means it’s ideal for hiking to waterfalls or carrying around. You don’t want a big, fluffy one that throws off your balance. So use this travel-sized microfiber option that dries 10x faster than cotton.

6. Travel Insurance for Australia

The costs of medical care in Australia are high and travelers are not covered under their universal medical scheme. Also, your domestic provider will not cover you outside of the country. Therefore, American tourists would be foolish not to take out travel insurance to cover them in the event of an injury, delays, cancelations, or illness.

We use Faye because they are the best provider we’ve found (and we’ve worked with a bunch!) Faye is the first all-digital provider to handle claims and reimbursements through their app. They add a human touch that is usually missing from insurance and really supported us when we needed to reach my doctor back in the States. It’s affordable and worth the small cost for peace of mind. Plus, they have plans that allow you to cancel your trip “for any reason!”

Get a quote in less than 60 seconds with Faye ➜

7. Waterproof Phone Pouch

Australian beaches are one of the greatest perks of visiting here! With all of the epic water activities, you’ll need a trusty phone case to protect your lifeline from the elements. My wife’s phone lenses even got scratched by sand once, ruining its camera ability. So we always put our phones in these waterproof pouches that protect it from sand and water. It even allows you to film gorgeous underwater videos for your social media!

8. Activated Charcoal

Traveler’s diarrhea can plague even the most experienced wanderluster – especially since food poisoning or water-borne illness can happen from anything from a gourmet meal to dirty ice in a soda. Activated charcoal will detoxify any harmful pathogens from your system and help spare you from a painful tummy ache! You’ll be back on your feet in no time.

9. Hanging Toiletry Bag

This streamlined hanging toiletry bag will be your consistent travel companion. Once you try it, you won’t want to throw your liquid items in little plastic bags or risk suitcase explosions like shampoo all over your favorite dress. This bag folds up to pack away neatly and then hangs virtually anywhere to create vertical storage. Even if you don’t have tons of countertop space or places to put things, this bag ensures everything remains organized and easy to find.

This bag by Eco Sun is top-notch and drives positive impact since a percentage of all sales go back to supporting women’s education. You’ll have plenty of room for all makeup, skincare, haircare, and other hygienic items with the 4 internal pockets and 3 external compartments. We’re SO happy with it!

10. Windproof Travel Umbrella

It rains about 130 days a year in Australia, more than a third of the time, so bring a travel-sized umbrella with you. It will ensure the adventures don’t have to end just because of some grey clouds! This umbrella is our favorite because it’s windproof, well-crafted, and only weighs one pound. It also covers two people, so you don’t need two separate ones.

11. Luggage Straps

Australia is one of the longest journeys you can make from the US, and I wouldn’t make the trip without attaching these luggage straps to all of my bags. Not only do they work for checked bags (ensuring the zippers don’t break due to rough handling), but you can also compress your carry-on bag so it fits in the overhead compartment without struggle (even after you’ve done some vacation shopping!)

These are lightweight yet just feel like quality with a heavy-duty belt and built-in ID tag in case anything gets misplaced. My family loves recognizing our bags from across the room since the bright-colored straps look different than everyone else’s. We never pick up the wrong case or have ours taken by accident, even if everyone and their mother use the same generic black bag.

12. Packable “Just in Case” Bag

It’s common to under pack. Heading to Australia with a full suitcase would be a mistake since you’ll likely to a little shopping and bring back some souvenirs from your journey. This “just in case” bag is perfect because it counts as your personal item bag on the flight home, which means (woo-hoo) no carry-on fees! I love the lightweight duffel material, and it’s better than breaking your suitcase trying to fit in new additions.

13. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

Another thing we don’t fly without – luggage locks. After sadly having something stolen out of our checked luggage, we don’t take any chances. These are TSA-approved, so security won’t have to take giant scissors to these if you’re selected for a random search. These are ideal for suitcases, backpacks in crowded places, lockers, or securing anything that will be out of your sight for long periods of time.

14. Cooling Towels

As an Australian native, I can attest that Australia is HOT! One of the most valuable items on your packing list will be this cooling towel. If you’ve never heard of these, they’re magical little cloths that drop to 30-degrees colder than the outside temp. Just add a little water and this baby will help you beat the heat on beach days, hikes, or any activity where you’ll be in the sun. It’s chemical-free and will make the afternoons way more comfortable and tolerable.

15. Mosquito-Repellent Bracelets

Don’t freak out, but there are more than 250 species of mosquitoes in Australia… and they can be RAVENOUS! Particularly at sunset and sunrise, you want to protect yourself against these pesky vampires. Mosquito-borne illnesses have been reported in the area (and it’s better to be safe than harbor dengue fever!) These wearable wristbands are great because they’re natural, waterproof, safe for kids, and you don’t have to worry about respraying toxic fumes all day.

16. Packing Cubes

If you’ve never traveled with packing cubes, then you’re in for a treat! These simple yet ingenious cubes allow you to store various clothing types together to organize your luggage with ease. Just put your shirts in one and trousers in another (and so on) to keep all your belongings nice and tidy. They’re luxury organizers without the luxury price tag, and even come with bonus laundry bags! If you’re scared of commitment, go for the smaller 3-pack set.

What’s the electricity and power supply like in Australia?

As one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita, it should come as no surprise to hear that Australia has a reliable power grid in place. Strict legal regulations mandate that only quality power outlets can be used, while high-tech infrastructure ensures the power supply is constant and that surges are rare.

Blackouts can occur during extreme weather events such as storms and heatwaves when demand outstrips supply. Generally speaking; however, it’s unlikely you’ll ever be without electricity on your trip to Australia, even if you choose to visit remote rural towns.

Do I need a voltage converter for Australia?

Although America actually uses 120 V and 60 Hz, it’s worth noting that almost all personal electronic devices are dual voltage/frequency these days, meaning they’re capable of being used both here and in Australia. Among these are our everyday favorites such as laptops, cell phones, cameras, and electric razors, etc.

One common exception is the high powered hair dryer, typically rated at a fixed 110V, which tends to use a lot of juice. If in doubt, read the manufacture’s fine print. It should say: “INPUT: 100-240V / 50-60 Hz.” If not, you might not be able to use that device in Australia.

Other FAQs about traveling in Australia

1. when should i travel to australia.

Winter (June-Aug) is a nice time to visit as most of Australia doesn’t get too cold. You won’t need much warm weather gear outside of a select few cities in the south such as Canberra and Melbourne. Spring (Sep-Nov) and Autumn (Mar-May) offer excellent value for money with lower airfares, cheaper lodging, and fewer crowds. It tends to be balmy in most destinations during these months as well. Be sure to check current  Australia travel advisories  before you go.

2. What is the weather like in Australia?

Everything you’ve heard is true, as Australia generally has a hot and perpetually sunny climate. There are a few exceptions, though. Melbourne is known for its “four seasons in one day” climate, several southern cities get pretty chilly in winter, and there are even a few snowfields in New South Wales and Victoria. Generally, however, you can expect plenty of warmth and sunshine on your trip down under.

3. What’s there to do in Sydney?

Bondi is a must for beach bums, the Rocks is the go-to neighborhood for a colonial history fix, and Darling Harbour is an ideal upscale dining and drinking district with glitzy views. Be sure to give its world-class museums a look, especially the National Maritime Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, and the Australian National Museum.

You can check out all Australian tours and activities on Get Your Guide , our favorite booking service for discounted excursions.

See all Australian attractions at GetYourGuide.com ➜

4. What’s there to do in Australia?

Australia is ripe for exploration, no matter what you’re into. Outdoor enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice as pristine national parks can be found at every turn. Depending on your itinerary and time constraints, Uluru, the Yarra Valley, the Blue Mountains, Fraser Island, Kakadu, and the Great Ocean Road are well worth a look. If you’re more into marine environments, then a SCUBA or snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a must.

City slickers will relish in the urban vibe of its bustling metropolises, particularly around Sydney’s internationally renowned harbor and the vibrant pulse of Melbourne’s hipster-friendly CBD.

5. What’s the best way to get around in Australia?

Australia’s a pretty big country (only marginally smaller than the US), so you’ll need to fly between certain destinations. Local carriers Qantas and Virgin Australia are the full-service airlines, while Jetstar and Tiger run on a low-cost model. On the whole, airfares are more expensive than in the United States. Book ahead for the best rates.

Asher Fergusson

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Tech Essentials

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. 

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Advertisement

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.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language:EN;} Plug For Australia: What You Need To Know

Normal 0 false false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

What is the plug for Australia? Before you travel, check the information below to make sure your electronic devices are compatible with the outlet type and voltage.

Electrical Summary

Plug Compatibility: Type I

Voltage: 220V – 240V

Frequency: 50 Hz

Can North Americans use Electronics in Australia without an Adapter?

No! North Americans will need an adapter for the outlets and a transformer for the voltage when traveling to Australia . North Americans device plugs will not work with the outlet types in Australia . Also, the voltage in Australia is different from North American voltages.

Can Europeans use Electronics in Australia without an adapter?

Europeans do not need a transformer when traveling to Australia. The voltage in Australia is the same as in Europe. However, Europeans will need a travel adapter when traveling to Australia.

What Outlet does Australia Use?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

Type I plug sockets are used in Australia, New Zealand. They have two flat pins and a grounding pin. These plugs are typically used with devices that have a voltage of 230V.

Is it safe to drink water in Australia?

In general, tap water should only be consumed from trusted sources. It’s important to note that water quality can vary depending on the region and even within the same city, so it’s always a good idea to check with locals or authorities for specific information about the area you’ll be visiting. Also, conditions and infrastructure may change over time.

To be on the safe side, you can use common precautions such as boiling tap water for at least one minute, using water purification tablets, or drinking bottled water. It’s also important to note that ice may be made from tap water and that foods may be washed or prepared with tap water.

We recommend always packing a filtered water bottle when traveling:

Travel Essentials

Be sure to check our list of travel essentials before your trip!

Recommended Travel Essentials

Should I get travel insurance when traveling to Australia?

It is generally recommended to get travel insurance when traveling to a different country. Travel insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind in case of unexpected events, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, or other travel-related mishaps.

Travel insurance can cover various expenses related to your trip, such as medical expenses, emergency medical transportation, trip cancellation or interruption, lost or stolen baggage or personal belongings, and other travel-related expenses.

Before purchasing travel insurance, it’s important to carefully review the policy details, including the coverage limits, exclusions, and any applicable deductibles or copays. You should also make sure that the policy covers any activities or destinations that you plan to participate in or visit during your trip.

Travel Summary

Australia is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Great Barrier Reef, the vast Outback wilderness, and numerous national parks and wilderness areas. The country is also home to many unique and iconic animals, such as kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies.

Australia’s economy is highly developed and diversified, with a strong focus on mining, agriculture, and service industries such as tourism and finance. The country is a leading producer of minerals such as coal, iron ore, and gold, and is also a major exporter of agricultural products such as wheat, wool, and beef.

The Australian political system is a federal parliamentary democracy, with a constitutional monarchy headed by a monarch who is represented by a Governor-General. The country is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own government and legislative assembly.

Australia is a member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the G20. The country is also an important player in regional affairs, with close ties to Asia and the Pacific.

Despite its many strengths, Australia faces a number of challenges, including climate change, economic inequality, and social issues such as Indigenous rights and immigration. However, the country remains a prosperous and thriving democracy, with a strong sense of national pride and a rich cultural heritage.

Traveling to another country? Check out our Countries page for more info.

The 10 Best Travel Adapters of 2024

Essential packing for any international traveler

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

TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong

Travel overseas comes with its share of logistical challenges. Charging your devices in Greece or Sweden shouldn't be one of them. Travel adapters allow an electronic device from one country to plug into a differently shaped outlet. For example, U.S. wall outlets require a plug with two flat vertical prongs, while outlets in the U.K. require a plug with a top vertical prong and two bottom horizontal ones. One major heads-up: most adapters do not convert electricity from one voltage to another, which may be a requirement depending on where you're headed.

When selecting products, we considered supported destinations, the number of USB ports, and different price points.

Final Verdict

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, epicka universal travel adapter.

Packs easily

Quick-charging USB ports

Covers a wide range of countries

Noisy when charging

A travel adapter helps charge your electronic devices on the go, whether you're taking a short trip across the pond or hopping on a worldwide adventure. The Epicka Universal USB Travel Power Adapter offers support for more than 150 countries, including the U.S., Australia, and most of Europe. The universal input design allows a multitude of plug options. The inclusion of four USB-A ports on its front and a USB-C port allows the charging of six devices at a single time. The first set of USB-A ports charge at 2.4 amps, making it ideal for tablets, cameras, and phones for faster charging, while the remaining two ports charge at 2.1 amps, making them better suited for phones only. The adapter's versatility and compact size saved our reviewer from overpacking. Our tester also appreciated the bonus iPhone charger that comes included.

As with many universal adapters, the Epicka is designed with 110-volt devices in mind, so it's not recommended for higher-powered appliances such as hair dryers or flat irons. 

Size: 2.8 x 2 x 2 inches | Weight: 7.2 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 5

Best Budget

Jmfone universal international travel power adapter.

Charges multiple devices at the same time

Small, compact design

Not compatible with high-energy devices

Simple, lightweight, and effective, Jmfone's universal power adapter is ideal for international travel. It covers 160 countries worldwide to support any backpacker's wanderlust. Perfect for phones and laptops, this adapter simultaneously charges up to five devices with its four USB slots and one AC socket. Thanks to the classic one-piece block structure and built-in surge protection, it packs easily and keeps your devices juiced up. We should note that it's not recommended for use with high-power appliances such as hair dryers.

Size: 2 x 2 x 2 inches | Weight: 4.5 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 4

Conair Travel Smart Conair Travel Smart All-In-One Adapter

Fast charging time

Works with dual voltage appliances

Has features to protect devices

Only one USB port

Not compact

For a travel adapter that performs well, can charge more than one device at a time, and is available at a reasonable price, the Conair Travel Smart All-In-One Adapter is a must-have travel accessory. The all-in-one universal adapter has three outlets and one USB port, so you can charge up to four devices simultaneously—making it great for families or those traveling in groups. The adapter has built-in surge protection and works in Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Europe, Great Britain, the Middle East, and North and South America . 

Size: 7.3 x 5.4 x 2.6 inches | Weight: 5.44 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 1 

Best Converter Combo

Bonazza bonazza all-in-one world travel plug.

Built-in surge protection

Easy to pack

Easy to use

No USB ports

Traveling outside the U.S. with high-powered electronic devices is always a bit tricky as you need to convert the voltage from 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts. Fortunately, there are options like the Bonazza All-in-One Adapter and Converter, which do exactly that, making travel in more than 150 countries much easier. This all-in-one option offers the comfort of knowing you can use higher-powered devices, such as a hair dryer, without risking a blown fuse.

Beyond hair dryers, this adapter/converter combo is suitable for popular items such as iOS devices, laptops, straighteners, and more. For the input itself, the Bonazza only accepts U.S. standard-type plugs, not international varieties. At just 3 inches and 7.2 ounces, it's also an ultra-portable choice. Our reviewer appreciated the compact size and accompanying travel pouch, noting that it "makes it easy to keep the adapter clean." Our tester also found the adapter incredibly simple, a real bonus compared to other devices.

Size: 2.3 x 2.5 x 2.8 inches | Weight: 3.66 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 0

Runner-Up, Best Converter Combo

Bestek travel adapter and converter.

24-month warranty

Charges seven devices simultaneously

Generous cord length

Not compatible with hair appliances

Widely regarded as a great travel adapter, the Bestek Travel Adapter Converter is a superb combination that provides the best of two important worlds. As an all-in-one solution, the Bestek not only offers three separate international travel adapters covering more than 150 countries, but it also doubles as a 220-volt to 110-volt converter for reducing load and avoiding overheating your most precious travel items. TripSavvy Senior Editorial Director Laura Ratliff states, "Bestek's converter is a must-have when traveling abroad in hotel rooms with minimal outlets."

Capable of charging multiple devices at once, the Bestek adds four USB charging ports for a combined total of 6A output, plus three AC ports. The travel-ready design includes a bag for easy storage and a 5-foot power cable.

Size: 6 x 3 x 1.57 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 4

Best Universal

Ceptics international travel adapter.

Surge protection

Travel-friendly size

Does not convert voltage

When it comes to must-have products while traveling internationally, few items are more important than a universal travel adapter. Supporting worldwide charging in more than 150 countries, the Ceptics Travel Adapter is designed to work with almost any input plug configuration. It can charge as many as five devices simultaneously but works best with tablets, phones, and laptops. The four charging ports—two of which are 2.4 amps and two of which are 2.1 amps—are capable of working with nearly any USB-A device, including Android and iOS, as well as tablets, MP3 players, digital cameras, GPS, and more.

Size: 3 x 2.1 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 5.6 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 4

Most Portable

Targus travel adapter.

Cylindrical design

Worldwide voltage compatibility

This uniquely shaped power adapter from Targus allows you to connect to a wall outlet in North America, the U.K., Europe, Australia, and the Pacific region of Asia. The tube shape holds three interchangeable adapters for AC power cords. About the size of a pepper grinder, it stores easily in a carry-on or duffel bag . Durable polycarbonate plastic material ensures that this model can take all the packing/unpacking, bag dropping, and shoving that accompanies international travel. Note that you won't find any USB ports on this adapter.

Size: 5.6 x 3 x 7.6 inches | Weight: 5.1 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 250 volts | USB Ports: 0

Best User-Friendly

Flight 001 5-in-1 adapter.

Fun, visual organization

Some reviews mention durability issues

Color-coded and lightweight, the Flight 001 travel adapter is as functional as it is attractive. It breaks into four different adapters, separated by bright colors, so you can easily tell which adapter to use in which country you're in. Even more, each universal adapter corresponds to plugs for the U.S., the E.U., the U.K., and Australia and can work in over 150 different countries. The pieces conveniently attach like a cube, with two USB ports capable of charging tablets, cameras, and more.

Size: 4.06 x 2.52 x 2.05 inches | Weight: 6.7 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 2 

Best Compact

Oneadaptr world adapter.

Tested security

Compact and functional

If you want to save on space without sacrificing function, this device is for you. Another classic one-piece adapter, the One World PD sets itself apart by offering fully grounded connections for each plug type to protect against the risk of shock. The sliding toggle controls the North American, the U.K., and Australia/China plugs, while a smaller European plug pops out. It also has three USB-A ports and one USB-C to put out 18 watts. An over-current protection system will automatically shut off any abnormal usage detected. A BS8546 certification guarantees the highest protection. This small but mighty adapter is perfect for phones, tablets, and laptops (which charge best using the AC power adapter).

Size: 2.15 x 2.72 x 2.64 inches | Weight: 6.3 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 3

Best for Apple Users

Apple travel adapter kit.

Built to last

Reduces overall tech load

Trusted company

Not a standalone option

Most of us have strong opinions about our tech gear, especially when it comes to an iconic brand like Apple. If you are a supporter and own several of their products or even just a MacBook, this is a great complementary set of adapters. These plugs use the Apple power adapter brick as a base, so you'll need to have that already for this kit. It contains seven AC plugs with laser-etched labels for quick identification and covers many tourist destinations including Japan, Australia, Europe, Korea, Brazil, and more. As with any brand, there is peace of mind knowing that the accessories come from the same manufacturer for smooth and secure functioning. And, we appreciate that the price range fits right in with the other picks on our list.

Size: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.9 inches | Weight: 11.2 ounces | Maximum Voltage: 240 volts | USB Ports: 1

When international adventure calls, be prepared with the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter . Its universal input design, USB-A, and USB-C ports simultaneously support up to six devices in over 150 countries. For the ultralight backpacker or the occasional jet-setter, the Jmfone Travel Adapter is a smart, budget-friendly choice.

What to Look For in a Travel Adapter

Destination.

If you want to cut down on bulk, go for a streamlined, single-type converter, though it might only work in some regions. On the other hand, universal adapters will be effective no matter where you wind up—so if you’re a frequent jet-setter, this might be the best option.

There are other benefits to choosing a lighter product, depending on the space you'll be staying in once you arrive. "Because some hotels and homes have outlets in the most unusual locations, make sure that the adapter is not too large or heavy to fit into sunken sockets," says Charlie Cotton, head of operations at millennial group travel company FTLO Travel.

Newer converters now come with USB ports, eliminating the need for the USB-to-outlet converter for charging tablets and phones. In most cases, this means that you can charge more than one device at a time, which is handy for families—everyone’s gadgets definitely add up on the road—or those traveling with multiple devices .

Forking over a ton of money for a converter you’ll only use once a year doesn’t make sense, so go for a price that correlates with how often you travel. That said, buying one before you leave for vacation is almost always cheaper than on the ground.

Many countries use a single plug type throughout. To ensure your adapter is compatible, you must identify the plug type used in the country or countries on your itinerary. World Standards shares a map that details plug types for every country.

A universal adapter allows you to take your devices worldwide with one compact adapter that fits a variety of outlets. A plug adapter fits a single country’s outlets.

A plug adapter updates the shape of your device’s plug to fit the outlet in the country you’re traveling to. It doesn’t convert voltage. A voltage converter adapts the electrical voltage from the device to the outlet. This is valuable because American devices sometimes operate at a different voltage than is available in other countries.

Amber Nolan is a travel writer located in Key West with over 10 years of experience in the travel industry. Her work has been published in USA Today, Jetsetter, Cruise Critic, Frommers, and several other travel publications. She is currently covering tourism for the local Key West newspaper, the Blue Paper. In addition to her research, we also sent several of the products to testers for their feedback. 

In researching what to look for when selecting travel adapters, we spoke to three travel experts. Experts we spoke to included:

• Lydia Mansel , outdoor gear writer at Just Packed
• Charlie Cotton , head of operations at millennial group travel company FTLO Travel
• Laura Ratliff , senior editorial director at TripSavvy

The 9 Best Power Adapters for European Travel of 2024

The 10 Best Travel Alarm Clocks of 2024

Foval Power Step-Down Voltage Converter Review

The Best Car Phone Mounts, Tested and Reviewed

HAOZI Universal Travel Adapter Review

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter Review

Travel Ready AC Power Adapter Review

Bonazza All-in-One Adapter and Converter Review

How to Charge Your Electronic Devices Overseas

The 5 Best Waterproof Phone Pouches of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Electricity in Italy - Plugs, Adapters and Converters

The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

Electricity in Europe - How to Use Power Sockets

The 12 Best Carry-On Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The 11 Best Travel Money Belts of 2024

The 9 Best UV Umbrellas of 2024

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

• Backchannel
• Newsletters
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

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.

Julian Chokkattu

Eric Ravenscraft

Ryan Waniata

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.

Adrienne So

Medea Giordano

Nena Farrell

WIRED COUPONS

Save up to $58 Off TurboTax Online

H&R Block tax software: Save 20% - no coupon needed

$25 off your first 3 orders with Exclusive Instacart Promo Code

1st Order: 25% Off DoorDash Promo Code ($15 minimum)

$10 off $100 purchase at Finish Line w/ coupon code

Groupon coupon: Extra 25% off sitewide

In Australia, power plugs and sockets (outlets) of type I 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 I in Australia.
• You also need a voltage converter.
• Be extra careful with certain devices because of the difference in frequency.

Do your power plugs fit in Australia?

In Australia, they use power sockets (outlets) of type I. In the United States, you have plugs A and B. You need a power plug adapter in Australia for sockets type I. 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, where you will find a great selection of travel adapters.

• Find travel adapters at AMAZON.COM

You need to look for a power plug adapter for sockets type I. Alternatively, choose a world travel adapter that fits multiple sockets, in case you travel more often. Because you need a voltage converter as well (see below), you might want to use a combined travel adapter/voltage converter.

Voltage converter needed in Australia?

The standard voltage in Australia (230 V) is much higher than the voltage level your devices typically operate at in the United States (120 V). Without a converter, you risk serious damage to your devices. Additionally, be aware that the frequency in Australia differs.

• You need a voltage converter in Australia to protect your devices!
• Try to find a voltage converter that can also change the frequency.

A voltage converter will ensure a safe input voltage level for your devices in Australia. You can find voltage converters at Amazon. Because you also need a power plug adapter, you might want a combined plug adapter/voltage converter.

• Find voltage converters at AMAZON.COM
• Find combo plug adapters/converters at AMAZON.COM

Be warned if your converter cannot change the frequency. It is not advisable to use your devices. But if you do (at your own risk), exercise special caution with motorized devices and those containing electronic chips, such as clocks, shavers, and medical devices.

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.

Need anything else?

Check out our checklist

Check if you have packed everything for your trip at our TRAVELER'S CHECKLIST !

Frequently asked questions

Travel Adaptor for Australia

Australia travel adaptors.

Whether you’re a new or returning visitor, this beautiful country never fails to impress. Whatever type of holiday you’re planning in Australia, it’s important to do your research beforehand, to ensure you have a hassle-free trip.

What plug sockets are used in Australia?

You will need to consider what to pack, to ensure you can use your personal electrical appliances safely whilst in Australia. 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 Australia the associated plug type is I, which is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern. Australia 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 Australia. 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 Australia 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 Australia 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 Australia.

For information on travel adaptors required for other countries in Oceania, follow one of the links below:

Fiji | Kiribati | Marshall Islands | Micronesia | Nauru | New Zealand | Palau | Papua New Guinea | Samoa | Solomon Islands | Tonga | Tuvalu | Vanuatu

Share this article:

Australia 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: Australia

For Australia, there is one associated plug type: type I.

• Plug type I has two flat pins in a V-shape as well as a grounding pin

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

Power plugs and sockets

In Australia the power sockets used are of type I.  Use the photo below to help identify the right plug and socket.

Plug adapters are the interfaces between the American flat-pronged plug and Australia’s three flat-prong socket. These allow you to plug your electrical device into the Australia 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 220 to 110.

Buy a power plug/travel adapter for Australia

Amazon has an 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 Australia, 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 Australia.  (In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second.)

If the frequency in Australia (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.

Read our Privacy Policy & Disclaimer .

Please Select your Location

This will help us to show you adaptors that will work with your domestic devices.

Tip: If you are not located in the UK or USA just click on the picture that shows your domestic plug or socket / outlet type and we'll know what you need.

Alternatively if we do not support your specific plug / socket types yet you can close this and view the site with default settings.

You can change your preference at any time by clicking on the flag icons at the top of the page.

• Join our waitlist for Backpacker Academy
• All Articles

• What is Adventure Travel?
• Work With Me
• Join Backpacker Academy
• Travel Advice & Tips
• Travel Destinations
• Adventure Experiences
• Work & Travel
• Travel Destination Guides
• Book Flights
• Book Accommodation
• Book Tours & Activities
• Explore Travel Insurance
• Buy an International eSIM
• Shop Travel Gear
• Product Reviews & Articles

3 Best International Travel Adaptors for Australian Backpackers (Single & Universal)

by Ashleigh Page Last Updated: Jan 13, 2024 Travel Gear , Travel Adaptors

Page Contents

In the modern world, every backpacker needs four major things:

• Mobile phone
• Phone charger and
• The commonly forgotten, an international  travel adaptor. 

These days, being able to charge tech devices when travelling is CRITICAL as you move around the globe. Especially, mobile phones which are frequently relied on to t ake and store photos, access wifi, store boarding passes and even record accommodation details. 

For backpackers travelling overseas for the first time, the number of power socket configurations can be daunting! I definitely know it was for me… 

Your bag can also become an extreme and heavy mess if you try to purchase every single international travel adaptor on the planet.

To help prepare for your next adventure, I have put together a detailed guide on the best travel adaptors for Australian backpackers .

Oh and if you’re not an Aussie, don’t worry! Many of the international adaptors we recommend can also be used by other nationalities too. 

1) What is an International Travel Adaptor?

Put simply, an international power adaptor is a plug connector that allows a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country.

They are needed to charge any electrical device overseas including:

• Smartphones
• Apple watches etc

Given there’s at least 15 different types of power sockets used around the world, an international power adaptor is one of the most important things a backpacker can pack.

It is ultimately the life source of the digital world.

My favourite range of international travel adaptors for Australians is under the Lencent brand. I find their adaptors to be easy to use, reliable, good quality and they have many modern designs to suit different needs. 

They also come with a little protective case which is quite handy. Many other brands do not.

2) What to Consider Before Buying a Travel Adaptor

Before buying an international travel adaptor, there are a few important things to consider – especially if you want to avoid many of the issues I’ve had in the past.

Some of which include:

• Travel adaptors that don’t fit properly into the socket they’re designed for – either too tight (making it near impossible to insert or remove them) or too loose (they constantly fall out when you’re trying to charge) – my ultimate pet peeve.
• Travel adapters that block nearby outlets or even the switch next to the one you’re trying to use – preventing you from charging multiple devices at the one time.
• Multi-USB adapters that don’t have enough power to charge more than one device at the same time
• Travel adaptors which have a small light on them – which completely defies the whole point of charging your devices overnight as you sleep.
• Whether you’re better off buying a single or universal travel adaptor – I’ll cover this off in the next section.
• The plug voltage at your destination

I must admit, I’m super sensitive to ANY light when sleeping (just ask Matt, my partner), so the 4th point truly drives me nuts. Like honestly, do I really need a “night light” as an adult backpacker overseas?

Actually, just thinking, maybe I do…. given my tendency of walking into walls when trying to go to the bathroom at night. 🤪   But. that’s not the point.

3) The Importance of Voltage

As mentioned above, voltage is one of the most important things to confirm before buying your international power adaptor.

Most adaptors don’t have the capability to convert voltage , so it’s important to know what voltage you’re plugging your valuable tech devices into – to ensure you don’t accidentally blow them up!  

Here’s some voltage examples:

• 220-240V – Australia, UK, Europe, China and most other countries
• 120V – US & North America
• 100V – Japan

You can also visit this link for a complete list of voltages in each country around the world.

For the most part, using a lower voltage compared to your home country isn’t going to be a huge issue. The most probable result is that your devices may charge more slowly compared to what you’re used to back home.

Obviously, I’m no electrician, but from what I’m aware – if the voltage is higher than your home country, y ou’ll likely need to buy a device that can assist as a converter between the power sources, alongside your travel adaptor.

For example, North American devices are designed to function with a lower electrical voltage (110/120V) compared to devices from most other parts of the world (220/240V). So if you’re not aware of this fact and plug your lower voltage device/adaptor into a higher-voltage source,  it can be an easy way to immediately blow out your electrical devices.

Luckily for us Australians, our devices are used to operating at one of the highest voltages (240V), so I haven’t had much issues with this in the past when I’ve travelled. But, it’s always better to be safe and tuned in, than sorry.

If you’re from the US or a country that has a lower voltage (eg. 100-120V), here are some good voltage converters to check out.

Popular voltage converters available online:

• International Travel Adapter & Voltage Converter (220V to 110)
• BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter & Voltage Converter (220V to 110V)
• Foval International Travel Adapter & Voltage Converter (220v to 110v)
• SOKOO Voltage Converter (220V to 110V)

3) Where to Buy Travel Adaptors

Travel adaptors can be bought both online and in person.

The most common ways to buy in person are at the airport (usually the most expensive option) or at most adventure / travel stores. If you wait to buy your adaptors in your target destination, you may find a shock with adaptors being hard to find and expensive to buy in some countries.

Given all you pennies count as a backpacker, my recommendation is to do your research and purchase any power adaptors you’ll need ahead of time. This is why buying online before you trip is usually the best option – and typically my preferred one. 

It also means presents you with more options and the best travel adaptors globally, which you mightn’t have access to in-store.

4) Single vs. Universal Travel Adaptors

Before going out and just buying “any” international power adaptor, you’re going to need to decide whether a single or universal travel adaptor is going to be best suited to your needs, and where you’re travelling.

A “universal” adapter can be extremely handy because it will work in multiple countries around the world, however a single-plug adaptor can be handy if only travelling to one specific country or region.

Single Travel Adaptors

Although pretty boring, basic, and often without many of the extra features universal adaptors provide, individual travel adaptors do have their place in the “travel adaptor sphere”.

As highlighted below, they can offer backpackers some benefits, but mainly when travelling to one location / region.

• Usually smaller and lighter than universal adaptors
• Tend to be a cheaper option if you don’t need all the extra functionality, bells and whistles
• Usually easy to find in your home country or buy online
• Tend to be very basic
• Need to buy multiple individual adaptors to suit every country/region you’re visiting (if they have different power sockets)
• Don’t often come with any USB inputs – this can be highly inconvenient if you have devices that rely on a USB-A or USB-C input
• They take up more space in your luggage/backpack
• Easy to loose when trying to keep track of all the different ones you’ve packed

Popular individual adaptors available online:

• Korjo International 3-Pack Adapter Set (Australia to Europe, UK and USA)
• LENCENT Travel Adapter with 2 Outlets & 4 USB chargers (Australia to Europe)
• 2x LENCENT Travel Adaptors with single outlet (Australia to UK)
• 2 x LENCENT Travel Adaptors with single outlet (Australia to USA)

Universal Travel Adaptors

Compared to single travel adaptors, universal adapters contain multiple adaptors within the one housing. This means that they can be used in a much wider range of contexts, countries and regions.

The best universal travel adaptors feature sets of retractable metal prongs that fit the four most common plug types around the world:

• Type A ( North America and parts of Asia)
• Type C (much of Europe and parts of Asia)
• Type G (UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, and a few other countries), and
• Type I (Oceania)

I’ll explore each of these in more detail below.

However, despite what the name suggests, do keep in mind that it’s very rare for any universal adaptors to be 100% global – ie. suiting EVERY single socket all over the world. Instead, they typically accommodate around 150 countries.

• They help you save space in your backpack/luggage – given you don’t need to carry numerous adaptors for every location within your trip.
• The best universal travel adaptors come with USB inputs as well as standard power ports – with options available to suit USB-A or a USB-C inputs
• They are usually easy to find in your home country or buy online
• Some have built-in safety features to help reduce the impact of power surges
• They’re typically larger and heavier than your individual adaptors – however I have noticed that they seem to be getting smaller and more compact over the years.
• The larger size can block adjoining sockets, press against the switch or even cause the whole adaptor to fall out of the wall/plug  – which can be a bit frustrating at times.
• They tend to be more expensive – however this does depend on where you buy them (eg. airport vs online)

If you’re going to be travelling to multiple countries all over the world, I’d recommend opting for a universal travel adaptor over a multitude of single ones.

Even if you’re unlikely to use all of the adaptors on one trip, I promise there will be future opportunity to do so AND it’s usually better value for money.

Our Top Recommended Universal Adaptors : (Full product review below)

Personally, I really love the Lencent brand of adaptors.  As mentioned above, they offer a great range of both individual and universal travel adaptors for Australians.

But there are many other great brands as well that you can find online. Some of these Ive listed below.

• Lencent Universal Travel Adapter
• Newvanga Universal Travel Adaptor 
• EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
• Saunorch / Disgian Universal Travel Adaptor 

4) What Types of Travel Adaptors Do Australians Need?

The most common international travel adaptors for Australians are: 

Here’s a brief summary of which adapters you’ll likely need, based on their destination you’re planning to go to. 

UK & Europe Travel Adaptors 

When travelling in Europe, you’ll need a 2-pronged Type C circula r travel adaptor which is used extensively throughout mainland Europe and also in the Eastern and Russian sections. 

Here’s an example of what it looks like below:

Although once a part of the European Union, you will actually need a different adaptor when travelling in the United Kingdom (UK).

Rather than the Type C adaptor, you will need to use a Type G international travel adaptor which has 3 rectangular pins set in a triangular pattern. 

In summary, the best travel adaptors for Australians in UK & Europe are: 

• Type C travel adaptor for Europe. 
• Type G travel adaptor for the UK.

UK and Europe international power adaptors are some of the most common and cheapest travel adaptors available so they are easy to get a hold of before and during your trip. 

Asia International Travel Adaptors 

Asia is one of the more complicated destinations in the world when it comes to travel adaptors as t here are many different types of plug sockets used all over the South East Asia region, including within the individual countries themselves. 

This can make things VERY confusing and inconvenient for the newbie traveller!

The best type of international travel adaptor to use for Asia is a universal travel adaptor that can adjust to the different plug sockets. 

Because of this, you’ll want to look for something that has a combination of the:

• Type C 2-pronged Euro plugs (as shown above)
• Type G 3 Pin horizontal UK plugs (as shown above) and the
• Type A 2 flat pin US plugs. 

Here is an example of the Type A 2 flat pin plug:

In addition to the plugs mentioned above, China actually uses the same Type I plug as we use in Australia. Excluding Taiwan.  Therefore, if heading to China from Australia, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

Getting a universal international travel adaptor, is the best way to ensure that you’re covered from all angles, no matter where in Asia you are.

Middle East Travel Adaptors  

Much like Asia, the plug sockets in the Middle East vary a lot too. 

If travelling to multiple countries in the Middle East, you will likely need one of the following: 

• Type C 2-pronged Euro plug.
• Type G 3 rectangular pin UK plug. 
• Type D 3-pronged old British plug (these are rarer).

Here is an example of the D 3-pronged British plug so you know what to look out for:

For the Middle East, I also recommend getting a universal international travel adaptor. I will outline some great options to check out at the end of this article. 

Africa International Travel Adapters 

Now if you thought that was a lot of power adaptors to carry, think again.

Welcome to Africa! 

Due to the effect of colonisation on different parts of the continent, the power plug sockets vary even more extremely here.

The main type of plugs found in Africa are as follows: 

• Type C 2-pronged Euro plug
• Type G 3 rectangular pin UK plug
• Type D 3-pronged old British plug
• Type M 3-pronged triangle plug
• Type N 3-pronged plug

Yep! If you’re planning on over-landing through Africa, this is a country that you must be prepared for.

After all, TIA – This is Africa!

It’s also not as easy to find or buy international travel adaptors in Africa, compared to some of your big Western countries. Therefore, I recommend buying any travel adaptors you need BEFORE you go.  

If you’re just visiting to one country, then you may get away with one of these adapters.  However, if travelling to multiple countries , you really can’t get anything more convenient than a universal international travel adaptor.

This will allow you to cover all bases when travelling through Africa.

The last thing you want is to get stuck with a phone with low battery and no where to plug it into to charge.

As mentioned, I’ll share some great value international power adaptors for Australians at the end of this article. 

North, Central & South America Travel Adaptors  

Given the Americas is broken up into multiple regions, there are a few plug options that may be relevant to your travels. To make things easier, we have broken them down by region so you can make the best choice when buying an international travel adaptor. 

North America 

The main international travel adaptors that you’ll want to have in North America include the: 

• Type A 2 flat pin plugs. 
• Type B 3 pin plugs. 

Central America 

Central America uses the same Type A and Type B plugs as North America except for Belize which uses a Type G 3 rectangular pin UK plug.

South America 

South America is much like Asia and Africa with a varied range of plug sockets.

The most common plug types include: 

• Type C 2-pronged Euro plug 
• Type E 2 round pin plug
• Type F 2 round pin plug

Here’s some images below to demonstrate what the Type E and F plugs look like. 

Argentina uses the same Type I/G plug ty pe as Australia so you will not have to worry about finding an international power adaptor if you are visiting here! 

For Australians, a universal international travel adaptor is the best choice for backpacking around the Americas due to the varied types of plug sockets available.  

5) Product Review: Best Universal Travel Adaptors

Below I have compiled a list of the 4 best universal travel adaptors for Australians , that you can buy conveniently online. I’ve done my research to help outline the pros and cons of each, so that you can decide which overseas power adapter is the best for your trip. 

1) Lencent Universal Travel Adapter

The Lencent travel adaptor is a great all-in-one international power adapter for Australians, and other nationalities for that matter too.  Its electrical plugs are covered in over 150 countries while also giving you a fantastic level of device coverage. 

Throughout my years of travel I’ve owned two Lencent universal travel adaptors and they’ve been great, giving me no issues. In my opinion, this brand offers some of the best travel adaptors out there online. Reliable, compact and easy to use.

• Item Dimensions:  8.8 x 5 x 4.3 centimeters
• Plug Format Type: Type C

• An all-in-one universal travel adaptor that has 4 retractable plugs for Type A, G, I and C plug types
• Comes with 4 USB slots and a universal outlet so you can charge up to 5 devices at once
• Safety certified and includes a 100 to 240 voltage range. This makes it compatible with most countries’ voltage. 
• Does not support high power appliances like hair straighteners or dryers, kettles and clothes irons. 
• The adaptor does not convert voltage. You MUST make sure that your device supports local voltage. 
• A touch bulkier than other travel adaptors on the market

In summary, the Lencent universal travel adaptor is a great all-rounder travel adaptor that will cover you for the most frequently used plug types globally.

Its ability to charge up to 5 devices means that you won’t have to wait hours for each of your individual devices to charge up, and you can also recharge on the go if you need to. 

If you’d like to check out some reviews of the Lencent travel adaptor, you can view it on Amazon below: 

View on Amazon (AUS) |  View on Amazon (Global)  

2) Newvanga Universal Travel Adaptor 

Depending on where you’re located, the Newvanga travel adaptor is another good alternative. It provides a great range of plug types and is light-weight to carry. This comes in handy when carrying everything on your back!

• Item Dimensions: 7.6 x 3.8 x 4.8 centimetres
• Plug Format Type: Type G
• Input Voltage Range : 110 to 240V
• This highly rated universal travel adaptor features 4 retractable plugs for Type A, G, I and C plug types. 
• It comes with 2 USB sockets and one universal plug socket so you can charge 3 devices simultaneously. 
• It includes built-in fuse protection and safety shutter features which are great at protecting you when using unfamiliar plugs. 
• It also comes in a range of different black and white colours
• Only works for low power electric appliances , such as mobile phones and does not work for high power items like hair irons or kettles. 
• Does not include voltage conversion. This means that if you have 110 voltage items in a country with a 240-voltage network, you MUST check that your appliance is 110v-240v universal. If not, the plug can cause an electric shortage. 
• Some buyers have complained that is incompatible with some older plug socket types due to sizing issues.

Even though it has received negative reviews from some, it provides a useful range of compatible plug socket types and you can feel confident that you’ll be safe when using it.

If you’d like to read some reviews or learn more about the Newvanga Travel Adaptor, you can view it on Amazon below.  

View on Amazon (Aus)  |  View on Amazon (Global)

3) Epika Universal Travel Power Adapter

The Epika universal power adaptor is another brand that is frequently recommended by travellers, with many including it within their list of best universal travel adaptors.

I still personally prefer the Lencent universal travel adaptor, but this one does offer a cool rose gold option, which is great for the pink-loving ladies out there.

• Item Dimensions: 7.11 x 5 x 5.21 centimetres
• Plug Format:  Type C
• Input Voltage Range : 100-240V
• An all-in-one adapter includes 4 different plugs that cover over 150 countries
• Can charge 6 devices at the one time
• Features USB-A and USB-C charging ports
• Equipped with safety features including a built-in 8A fuse, safety shutters and plug lock system. It is also certified by RoHS, CE, and FCC, ensuring its safety and reliability.
• They provide a 30 days money-back guarantee
• Does not convert voltage
• May not be suitable for use with high-power appliances

View on Amazon (AUS)  |  View on Amazon (Global)

4) Saunorch / Disgian Universal Travel Adaptor 

A fantastic international power adapter that is slim and easy to pack, making it perfect for the minimalist traveller on the move.

• Item Dimensions: 6.4 x 5 x 5 centimeters  

• Features 4 retractable plugs for Type A, G, I and C plug types and 3 USB ports plus a USB-C Port. 
• Has built-in ceramic fuse and surge protection technology that prevents blowouts and also includes flame retardant materia l to prevent fire risk. 
• Comes with a smart IC chip that can match the charging current of your device s automatically and offers the fastest and safest way to charge. 
• Comes in a range of different colours, including a vibrant blue and green.
• Does not include voltage conversion technology so you will have to check your appliance voltage ratios before using it. 
• Not compatible with high power items like hair dryers or clothes irons and designed only for electronic devices.
• Includes a blue power light which can be disruptive when trying to darken a room. 

This international travel adaptor is great because of its slim design and impressive safety features. It is by far one of the best travel adaptors for Australians to have with them when travelling overseas.   

Related Articles:

• The Favourite Travel Gear for Backpackers
• 5 Best Quick Dry Microfiber Travel Towels for Backpackers
• 8 Best Packing Cube Tips for Travellers | Top Things to Know About Packing Cubes
• An Honest Review: Do Compression Packing Cubes Actually Work?

In Summary:

4 best individual and universal travel adaptors for backpackers.

It’s no doubt that finding the right international power adaptor to suit your travel destination can be confusing… especially if a newbie traveller.

In this article, I have explained the benefits of travel adaptors and explored some of the best travel adaptors for Australians to use when overseas.  Here’s a summary of our top recommended products.

Best Universal Travel Adaptors :

• Epika Universal Travel Power Adapter

 Best Individual Travel Adaptors :

As mentioned above, my favourite brand of international travel adaptors for Australians is Lencent.

I find their adaptors to be easy to use, reliable, good quality and they have many modern designs to suit different needs. They also come with a little protective case as well which helps to protect your adaptor when travelling between destinations.

If you’re keen to avoid the pain of carrying more than one travel adaptor with you (which is the case for me), then take my advice and go for a universal adapter.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful.

Happy travelling fellow adventurers!

Frequently Asked Questions

The best travel adapter brand is subjective, but popular and reliable options for backpackers include Lencent, Epicka, Newvanga and the Saunorch Universal Travel Adaptor.

A travel adapter is designed to fit different plug configurations, allowing your devices to connect to various outlets worldwide.

A power adapter, on the other hand, may include voltage conversion capabilities, ensuring your electronic devices work seamlessly in regions with different voltage standards.

Travel adapters are primarily for plug compatibility, while power adapters typically handle both plug and voltage requirements.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services, and may earn a commission from purchases made after clicking links on this site.  Learn more

Hey guys, I'm Ash. Welcome to Adventure Travel Pro!

As a seasoned traveller, I love sharing knowledge, advice and inspiration for newbie travellers and thrill seekers seeking their next adventure of a lifetime.

You can learn more about my story here, or get started right away with our FREE Solo Travel Starter Pack & Video Series. In this pack, I provide insights into what you must know and consider before booking your first solo trip overseas.

I hope you enjoy our site!

Follow us on:

adventuretravel.pro

🌏I help people organise their first solo backpacking trip overseas ✨Real, honest + practical travel advice, not just pretty photos 👇🏼Get started:

Sign up below to get your FREE SOLO TRAVEL STARTER PACK . The perfect resource for first-time backpackers.

You have successfully subscribed.

For a limited time only!

• Boating Holidays
• Asia & Pacific
• Australia & New Zealand
• Central America
• Indonesia & Indian Ocean
• Middle East
• Scandinavia
• South America
• Business Travel
• Culinary Travel
• Wellness Travel
• Golf Travel
• Travel Style
• Travel Gear
• Travel Fashion
• Real Estate
• Destination Weddings
• Fishing Holidays
• Tricks & Hacks
• Travel News
• #WHERETONEXT
• Read All the Issues
• Working with DRIFT Travel
• Submit Your Photos to DRIFT Travel
• DRIFT Travel Magazine Media Kit

Do You Require an Adapter or Converter for Travel? Here’s What You Should Be Aware Of (2024)

Did you know that the electrical systems in Europe are different from the ones we have in the US? The plugs are shaped differently and the voltage of the electrical current is also different. American appliances typically operate on 110 volts whereas European appliances use 220 volts. If you are planning to visit Europe in 2024, then this advice will be for you. Before you move, make sure that you have an appropriate Voltage Converter for your electronic devices. What you should be aware of when it comes to adapters and converters. Continue reading to learn more!

Introduction

In my experience, adapters and converters are super important for travelers especially during my trips to Europe. I realized how much I needed them when I moved to Ireland in 2022. I rely on them a lot to charge my phone and laptop while I’m traveling.

Different countries in Europe have different electrical outlets and voltages which can be tricky. Using the wrong voltage could damage my devices or even cause a fire. That’s where adapters come in handy. They let me plug my devices into different outlets safely.

I have tried out a bunch of adapters but I eventually found one I really like. I use it almost every day since I moved abroad. It’s become essential for me to stay connected wherever I go.

Difference between Adapters and Converters

Importance of voltage compatibility.

One of the most common concerns is whether or not you will need an adapter or converter for your electronic devices. The answer to this question depends on the voltage systems used in your home country and the country you are visiting. If there is a difference in voltage, then a voltage converter is necessary to ensure that your electronics can safely function without getting damaged.

When I travel, I always make sure my electronics are compatible with the electricity of the country I’m visiting. In Europe, they use higher voltage than in places like North America, so my devices could be at risk of damage if they’re not ready for it. I check the label on my devices to see if they can handle both low and high voltage. If they can’t, I know I’ll need to invest in a converter or new chargers to keep my gadgets safe and working properly while I’m abroad.

Introducing the best Voltage Converter

I rely on the Ceptics Travel Voltage Converter for all my voltage conversion needs while traveling. It’s compact and dependable, making it a perfect solution for staying powered up on the go. Positioned as the top innovator in modern power solutions, thisinternational travel voltage converter ensures I’m never left in the dark. Let me highlight some of its key features and benefits:

Power paradigm

The proprietary technology plug adapter with voltage converter enables users to use devices with a power of 200W or more in countries with 220V. It allows you to use powerful equipment like curling irons or straighteners anywhere around the globe. The voltage conversion feature will take the voltage of 220V that is common in Europe, Asia, Australia, or Africa and then seamlessly reduce down to 110V in line with the specifications of the voltages required by your favorite devices.

Light, compact, and ready to go

Dimensions matter, especially when you’re traveling the world. This voltage converter adapterboasts dimensions of 4.8×3.1×1.5 inches, which makes it incredibly light and compact.  It can be tucked away in your bag without fuss and is connected by a 5ft cable that guarantees ease of use without sacrificing. If you’re interested in specific accessories for your country, Ceptics offers them separately with the ability to design your power tool arsenal according to your plans.

It is a new level of adaptability.

Ceptics recognizes that the entire universe is a playground for you. So, they’ve developed their Travel Voltage european power converter with SWadAPt technology, allowing it to expand its wings across continents. Thanks to its G, Type C, and E/F input options, you’ll be on an exciting journey across Europe and beyond. Type A, B, I, and Type A outputs expand the adapter’s reach to countries such as China, Australia, New Zealand, and many more. From the busy roads of Hong Kong to the enchanting landscapes of Kenya, your power issues are obsolete.

Power redefined as Versatility

Its Ceptics Voltage Converter goes beyond power conversion. It’s an unbeatable powerhouse capable of charging six devices at once. It can charge various devices with two USA input ports and four USB ports with the Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

No matter what it is, whether it’s a CPAP device, electric toothbrush fan, nebulizer, or even a game console, this travel power convertermakes sure your devices are prepared to go at a need.

In case you have concerns about your safety, Ceptics will definitely be there to help. The voltage converter travelis enhanced by a silent fan that helps to nip any overheating concerns at the source.

It is equipped with security features, such as automatic shut-down, surge safety, overcurrent protection, temperature protection, and short-circuit protection, which ensures that both your devices and your peace of mind are in good hands.

Confidence in every Watt

Ceptics believes in their product, which is why a 12-month warranty can cover this Travel Voltage Converter. Each Watt that passes through the converter is a testimony to their dedication to innovation, quality, and the unstoppable travel experience you will enjoy.

Bottom Line

In my journey through a dynamic world, where power is the most important thing and connectivity is paramount, the Ceptics Travel Voltage International plug adapter with voltage converter is my vital companion. Its innovative technology, safety measures and convenient size allow me to venture across the globe while keeping my devices powered and accessible

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

RTIC Premium Drinkware and Cooler Brand Now Available at Walmart

6 DIY Toys to Keep Your Kids Entertained While On-The-Go

7 Expert Tips To Protect Your Eyes While Travelling

Privacy overview.

Reviving Rhythms: Ibiza Hippie Heaven Ushers in a New Era of...