A Bad Travel Adapter Could Ruin Your Vacation. Buy One of These Instead

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Whether planning acountry-hopping odyssey or a quick business trip, your journey will go more smoothly with the best travel adapters that allow you to safely charge all your gadgets wherever you land. After many work trips and family vacations I’ve tested several—both universal and basic options—and my favorites will work in most parts of the world.

The best adapters makegreat gifts for travelersand deserve a place in your carry-on, but check out our other travel guides, like theBest Travel Essentials,Best Travel Tech for Families,Best Travel Pillows, andBest USB-C Cables.

Updated September 2026: I added some Epicka travel adapters, a mention for a Tessan adapter, removed some older, unavailable adapters, and updated prices.

Table of Contents

• Travel Adapter Comparison Table
• What Type of Adapter Do You Need?
• Do You Really Need a Voltage Converter?
• What About Wattage?
• Can Travel Adapters Go in a Suitcase?
• Can I Buy Travel Adapters at the Airport or Hotel?
• Should You Test Your Travel Adapter Before You Go?
• How I Test Travel Adapters
• More Travel Adapters I Like
• Travel Adapters to Avoid

• Best Travel Adapter Overall

  • Photograph: Simon Hill
  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  Ceptics

  GAN 100W Universal Travel Adapter

  $51

  Amazon

  There’s a ton to like about this 100-watt universal travel adapter from reliable travel brand Ceptics. It covers more than 200 countries and can charge multiple gadgets in a hurry. The classic slider design pushes out EU, UK, and US plugs, and you can rotate the pins for sockets in Australia and China. I love how securely the plugs lock into place; you must press down firmly to slide them back. You have a universal input socket, an additional side socket for US or Japan plugs, and two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports on the bottom. But what makes this travel adapter my favorite is the retractable USB-C cable. It’s around 25 inches long, the end sticks to the adapter magnetically, and it saves you from having to pack an extra cord. The cable can deliver up to 100 watts in total. The USB-C ports support up to 15 watts, and the USB-A ports go up to 12 watts.

  For all of its strengths, though, it does provide an unfortunate lack of any grounding. Grounding is meant to reduce the risk of an electric shock if there’s a fault, such as a loose wire inside a device with a metal case. (This video explains grounding well.) Thankfully, there’s overload protection with a 10-amp fuse, and it also comes with a spare. But you should not use this adapter with any device with a third metal ground pin on its plug.

  I also tested the140-watt Ceptics 6-in-1 model ($41), which omits the cable but has three USB-C ports and one USB-A, and the excellent70-watt model ($40), which has the retractable cable but fewer ports and loses the extra outlet. Both are great alternatives.

  SpecsPlug TypesA, C, G, and IExtra Ports1x USB-C retractable cable, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-APorts WattageUp to 100 wattsWarranty1 year

• Best Compact Travel Adapter

  • Photograph: Simon Hill
  • Photograph: Simon Hill
  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  Epicka

  Air Travel Adapter

  $40

  Amazon

  Perhaps the smallest travel adapter that's still practical to use, the Epicka Air measures 3.46 x 1.97 inches and is just 1.19 inches thick, with the prongs folded away. It’s easy to pack but still feels reasonably sturdy in use. You get one USB-A and three USB-C ports. The first three ports offer up to 15 watts apiece, and the last USB-C port on the right can go up to 65 watts. But 65 watts is also the maximum output across the four ports, so it gets divided if you plug in multiple devices. But if you use the AC outlet too, and you can charge up to five devices at once.

  When I first tested the40-watt version ($27), I wasn’t sure about this travel adapter, but after using the 65-watt model for a while, I’ve grown to like it. I still think this style of folding design can be a bit fiddly to use, and the prongs sometimes fold back if you bump them while plugging in. But the placement of the EU prongs in the middle helps it stay plugged in more reliably than some larger sliding cube adapters; the US prongs lock into place, and I didn’t have any issues with the UK prongs.

  SpecsPlug TypesA, C, G, and IExtra Ports3x USB-C, 1x USB-APorts WattageUp to 65 wattsWarranty2 years

• Best Budget Travel Adapter

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Ceptics

  6 in 1 Worldwide Travel Adapter

  $19

  Amazon

  This budget Ceptics device proves that you don’t need to spend that much money to snag one of the best travel adapters. It covers more than 150 countries, with sliders you push to reveal the three most common international plugs—EU, UK, and US. You can rotate the pins for sockets in Australia or China. The sliders lock into place securely, and there’s a button on the side for retracting them. This plug’s universal outlet can recharge your power-hungry devices, like laptops and camera batteries. Two USB-C and two USB-A ports on the bottom, plus a USB-C port on the side, can handlephones,tablets,smartwatches, andKindles. Each USB-C port can deliver up to 15 watts, and each USB-A port up to 12 watts. While it's not as fast as some of my picks above, you won't care if you tend to charge your gadgets overnight.

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

  SpecsPlug TypesA, C, G, and IExtra Ports3x USB-C, 2x USB-APorts WattageUp to 30 wattsWarranty2 years

• Best Travel Adapter Set

  Courtesy of Ceptics

  Ceptics

  Adapter Plug Set for Worldwide International Travel

  $15

  Amazon (Set of 5)

  $23

  Amazon (Set of 12)

  Universal adapters don't always work properly everywhere, and most don’t have grounding. The cheaper and more reliable alternative is to buy individual adapters. The 12-piece international set from Ceptics is my favorite. It includes types to cover most of the globe, and each is properly grounded. Only visiting a single destination? Just pack the relevant type. These adapters don't have USB ports, so you’ll need the respective charging adapter for your gadgets.

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

  SpecsPlug Types (5-pack)B, C, E/F, G, and IPlug Types (12-pack)A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M, and NExtra PortsNoneWarranty2 years

• If You Want More Outlets

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  One Beat

  Travel Plug Adapter

  $19

  Amazon (UK)

  $17

  Amazon (Europe)

  $22$20(9% off)

  Amazon (2-Pack for Japan)

  What I love about this sturdy, compact plug adapter is the lack of sliding pins or moving parts to worry about. It stays put in the outlet. Offered in several versions (Type C, Type E/F, Type G), this adapter 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, giving you three US outlets, a USB-A port, and two USB-C ports. The USB-C can output 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 use all the outlets simultaneously, as larger plugs, like the MacBook power adapter, tend to block one of the other US outlets. It does not offer surge protection, and the Type G adapter maxes out at 3,250 watts (250 volts, 13 amps), while the EU and other versions top out at 2,500 watts.

  SpecsPlug TypesC, E/F, and GExtra Ports1x USB-A, 2x USB-CPorts WattageUp to 15 wattsWarranty1 year

• For Charging Everything

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Ceptics

  World Travel Adapter Kit 2

  $50

  Amazon

  This kit includes multiple plug attachments that slide and lock into place to keep you powered across most of the world. It is bulky and much bigger 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 USB-C ports support Power Delivery, with up to 20 watts each. The top charging rate for all of them simultaneously is 55 watts.

  There is built-in surge protection, but since this is not a voltage converter, don’t plug in hair dryers or other non-dual-voltage electronics. While the two AC outlets are handy, their proximity means that the shape and size of some plugs can make it tricky to use both simultaneously. But with the ability to charge up to seven devices, this kit is handy. I also like the originalCeptics World Travel Adapter Kit ($35), though it lacks the two USB-C ports.

  SpecsPlug TypesA, B, C, E/F, G, and IExtra Ports1x USB-C cable, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-APorts WattageUp to 55 wattsWarranty2 years

• For Apple and Qi2 Devices

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Anker

  MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station (Qi2)

  $110$80(27% off)

  Amazon

  $110

  Anker

  Super compact when folded flat, Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 can charge your iPhone orQi2-certified phoneat up to 15 watts, with a second pad for AirPods or otherwireless earbuds, and a fold-out Apple Watch charger at the back. You get a USB-C cable (around 5 feet) and a wall adapter with it, but pair it with something above that can provide at least 40 watts, and you can leave the wall adapter at home.

  Only MagSafe iPhones andQi2-certified Android phoneshave the magnets needed to use this as a stand, but I had no trouble charging an older Android phone by folding it flat (Qi2 is backward compatible). It does feel a little crowded when charging three devices, but the adapter nevertheless enables you to travel light. I recommend this Anker charger for travelers in ourBest Apple 3-in-1 Travel Chargersguide.

  SpecsPlug TypesN/AExtra PortsQi2 wireless chargingWattage15 watts fast chargingWarranty2 years

Travel Adapter Comparison Table

$45

A, C, G, and I

70 watts

1x USB-C retractable cable, 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A

$40

A, C, G, and I

65 watts

3x USB-C, 1x USB-A

$19

A, C, G, and I

30 watts

3x USB-C, 2x USB-A

$23

A, B, C, D, E/F, G, H, I, J, L, M, and N

N/A

None

$19

C, E/F, and G

15 watts

2x USB-C, 1x USB-A

$50

A, B, C, E/F, G, and I

55 watts

1x USB-C cable, 2x USB-C, 2x USB-A

$110

N/A

15 watts fast charging

Qi2 wireless charging

Travel Adapters: Your Questions, Answered

What Type of Adapter Do You Need?

There are 15 plug types in use across the world. Universal adapters tend to cover all of these types.

• Type AandType Bare used in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Japan.
• Type Cis common across Europe, South America, and Asia.
• Type E and Type Fare found across Europe in places like Germany, Russia, and France.
• Type Gis used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and a handful of other places.
• Type Iis used in Australia, New Zealand, China, and Argentina.

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

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

Do You Really Need a Voltage Converter?

Voltage converters are big, heavy, and expensive, and they don’t always work—so it’s probably best to avoid them. The reason you might think you need one is that the AC sockets on all of our recommended travel adapters do not convert the voltage coming from the socket. This means plugging into a UK socket will deliver 220 volts at 50 hertz, which is very different from the 120 volts at 60 hertz you can expect in the US. Don't worry! Your gear won’t get fried. You just need to make sure anything you plug into one of these universal travel adapters has something like this printed on it:

Input: 100–220V 50/60Hz

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

If you are determined to try a voltage converter (again, I don’t recommend doing so), theCeptics 2,000-watt Travel Voltage Converter ($70)seems to work well. It has a special 2,000-watt outlet for hair dryers, but only ones that work via a mechanical switch (anything with an electronic circuit board for automatic switch-off or temperature control won’t work and is at risk of being fried if plugged in). It also has two outlets that go up to 200 watts, one USB-C port, and three USB-A ports, though the ports do not support fast charging.

What About Wattage?

Travel adapters and chargers usually state the wattage they can deliver for USB-C and USB-A ports, retractable cables, and wireless charging. If you're interested in getting the fastest rates possible, you’ll want a charger and cable that can deliver the maximum wattage to your device. A laptop might want 100 watts, while a phone only needs 30 watts. There's no need to worry if the charger can deliver more wattage than is required because the device will dictate how much power to draw. If the wattage is lower than required, most devices will simply charge slowly. You can find out more about charging standards like Power Delivery (PD), Quick Charge (QC), and others in my guide onhow to fast charge your phone.

Can Travel Adapters Go in a Suitcase?

Yes, you can pack travel adapters in yoursuitcase. It may be wise to bring one in your hand luggage for easy access should you need to charge up a device when you arrive at your destination. In fact, devices likepower banks with lithium batteries (must be capped at 27,000 mAh) must go inhand luggage, not checked bags.

Can I Buy Travel Adapters at the Airport or Hotel?

You certainly can buy travel adapters at the airport, but like all other goods you buy at kiosks between connecting flights, they will be far more expensive than necessary, and your choice will be limited.

Some hotels have travel adapters, and some even have wall outlets for other countries (or USB-A and USB-C ports), but most do not, so don’t bank on it. You can always check with your hotel or accommodation before you depart, but it’s safer to bring a travel adapter with you.

Should You Test Your Travel Adapter Before You Go?

Seriously, nothing is worse than thinking you’re being very clever by packing light only to get to your hotel and discover that your gadgets refuse to charge. Between the adapter, cable, and your device, plenty can go wrong, so do a quick test on your wall outlet at home with everything you are taking before you set off on an international trip.

How I Test Travel Adapters

Anytime I fly for work or vacation, I take a few travel adapters and chargers with me to test. I also test them for longer periods at home in the UK. I have power stations and power strips with US and EU outlets to test those plugs. I test each charger with a variety of devices (iPhone, Pixel, iPad, MacBook, AirPods). I try charging with every port and outlet simultaneously to see if the charger gets warm. I assess the charging rates, durability, size, weight, and usability of each device. If there are any special features, I test them too.

More Travel Adapters I Like

There are many travel adapters out there. These are a few others I tested and liked, but they missed out on a place above for one reason or another.

Epicka Pulse for $27: The beveled edges of this travel adapter from Epicka make it more comfortable to hold. The sliders work well and lock in place securely to cover you in around 200 countries. A pair of USB-C and two USB-A ports provide a good mix of port options. This adapter can deliver up to 45 watts from either USB-C port, while the USB-A ports top out at 18 watts. I also tested the newerEpicka Pulse Duo ($130), which can deliver up to 140 watts across three USB-C and one USB-A ports, has an extra US or Japanese socket in the side and boasts a smart display that shows you the current charging status, wattage, and temperature. Cool as it is, it's overkill for most folks and kinda pricey.

Tessan Travel Adapter 009 for $17: This is a similar design to the Epicka Air I recommend above, but the prongs don’t stay in place as securely when unfolded, and you can only draw a maximum of 20 watts from the one USB-A and two USB-C ports. But it is affordable and compact. Tessan also makes good, traditional, slider universal adapters: There's a140-watt model ($70), and the most powerful travel adapter I’ve tested, theVoyager 205 ($128), which has six USB-C ports and one USB-A to deliver up to 205 watts. If you don’t care about charging speed,Tessan's 20W model ($29)is very reasonably priced and offers two USB-A and two USB-C ports in a small package.

UGreen Travel Plug Adapter for £17: This travel adapter is for UK folks visiting Europe, and it’s a solid option with a fixed plug (no mechanism). It has only two USB-A and one USB-C port for smaller devices, and it’s very bulky. I prefer the OneBeat above for this type of design.

Statik SmartCharge Pro for $80: This is a nice combo device that includes a 15,000 mAh power bank and a 60-watt wall charger. There are fold-out US prongs and slide-on adapters for the UK, EU, and AU. You also get one USB-A port, one USB-C port, a fold-out USB-C cable, and a wireless charging pad on top that works with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

D-Link 65W Multi-Port GaN Charger (DCP-651) for $40: If two USB-C ports and a USB-A port are enough for your travel needs, this affordable D-Link charger could be for you. It comes with interchangeable plugs for different countries. The 65-watt limit is enough for overnight charging a laptop and a couple of smartphones.

Arsmel VisaPro All-in-One Travel Adapter for $80: This chunky power adapter can charge laptops or multiple small devices with a whopping 170-watt maximum output. It works with any outlet in the US, UK, or EU, thanks to sliding plugs that slot in securely, and you can spin the prongs on the US plug to support the total number of countries (more than 200). I love the mecha-inspired paint job, too. There are four ports along the bottom: two USB-C ports rated at 140 watts, with the third USB-C and USB-A ports rated at 18 watts. It supports PD 3.1, QC 3.0, PPS, FCP, and SCP, and has a 10-amp fuse.

Satechi GaN Travel Charger for $120: If you only take small gadgets with you when you travel, a compact, multi-port wall charger is all you need and a great way to pack light. It plugs directly into the wall and comes with four interchangeable travel adapters for the EU, UK, and Australia, plus a mesh bag to store them. There are four USB-C ports that you can plug your gadgets into, including laptops like the MacBook Pro, tablets, phones, and wearables. With support for Power Delivery 3.1, the first two ports can supply up to 140 watts, and the bottom two ports up to 45 watts. However, the maximum output when all four ports are in use is 145 watts.

Baseus 70W Universal Travel Adapter With Retractable Cable for $40: This excellent travel adapter is almost identical to our top pick from Ceptics, offering up to 70 watts, sliding prongs to cover more than 200 countries, and a built-in retractable USB-C cable, not to mention a USB-C port and two USB-A ports. It also has a snazzy black-and-yellow finish. It only misses out because it’s slightly more expensive, but if you can snag one on sale or prefer the colors, it’s a solid option.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter for $20: This travel adapter from Epicka is still a solid option. The sliding plugs cover 150 countries, and there are four USB-A ports on the bottom and a 15-watt USB-C port on the side. There’s also an 8-amp fuse with a spare, and this adapter is RoHS-, CE-, and FCC-certified.

Masterplug Visitor to UK Travel Adapter (3 Pack) for £12: For visitors to the UK, this simple trio of adapters accepts European, American, Australian, and Asian plugs. They are single-outlet adapters with 13-amp fuses inside, and they work perfectly. These are the adapters I use for long-term testing of devices from the US and elsewhere that lack UK plugs. If you forgot to buy an adapter before arriving in the UK, you can find this affordable three-pack at any Argos store.

Anker European Travel Plug Adapter for $16: One of our favorite portable charger brands, Anker, also makes travel adapters. This one plugs into most European outlets to provide a single grounded US outlet, a USB-A port, and two USB-C ports. Unfortunately, the three USB ports max out at 15 watts total, so it’s best for overnight gadget charging, but I appreciate the temperature and overload protection. There is also aUK version ($16).

Epicka Hybrid European Travel Plug Adapter for $20: This handy adapter turns one outlet into four and includes four USB ports (two A and two C). It has fold-out Type A prongs, but you can also slide on a fold-out Type C plug for use in Europe. While the USB ports support QC 3.0 or PD 3.0, they max out at 20 watts in total. I prefer the OneBeat adapters recommended above.

Travel Adapters to Avoid

You can do better than these travel adapters.

EZQuest WorldTravel GaN 5 Port With PD Wall Charger: This travel adapter has a generous four USB-C ports and one USB-A port with a familiar slide-out prong design that covers more than 150 countries. There’s also a built-in 10-amp fuse and a spare. It has RoHS, CE, and FCC certification. It works fine, but it's kinda boxy, and the sliders don't lock in place as securely as some of our other picks. There's also a65W version ($60).

Rolling Square Pocket Travel Adapter: I admire any attempt to shrink down travel adapters in size, but the three-pronged UK plugs are usually the obstacle. Rolling Square’s solution is to have a flip-out third prong, but you’ll need a good fingernail to unhitch it. This charger has a single USB-C port capable of delivering up to 30 watts and is a compact option that covers the US, UK, and Europe.

Ceptics 65W World Travel Adapter: This versatile adapter comes with Type A, B, C, E/F, G, and I slide-on plugs. They fit onto the rectangular brick and plug directly into the outlet, or you can attach them to the optional five-foot cable. The brick has one grounded US outlet and a second non-grounded outlet, with one USB-A (30-watt) and two USB-C (65- and 33-watt) ports at the other end. It works fine, and it's affordable, but it's bulky and ugly.

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is a senior writer for WIRED and has been testing and writing about technology for around 20 years. You can find his previous work at Business Insider, Reviewed, TechRadar, Android Authority, USA Today, Digital Trends, and many other places. He loves all things tech, but especially

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