universal travel usb charger

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What Is a USB Connector?

A universal serial bus (USB) connector is an essential piece of equipment for pairing tech devices with one another. USBs allow you to transfer data and power between devices and can be useful in almost any office setup. Read on to learn more about USB connectors and how to use them.

The History of the USB Connector

USB connectors were initially developed as standard pieces of hardware for connecting different electronic devices to one another. Prior to the release of the USB, different devices had varying connection points, which made it difficult to pair devices across platforms. For example, some devices had plugs or ports with four pins inside them, and they couldn’t connect to devices that had five-pin ports or plugs. The goal of the USB connector is to simplify technical connections and minimize the number of ports and accessory cables you might need for making connections between your different devices when you need to transfer data or charge the devices.

Connect Computers to Peripherals

Originally, one of the primary purposes of the USB connector was to connect home computers with peripheral devices, such as printers, keyboards and scanners. In general, a home user might not have had the time or know-how to rig together various wires and connection points to do something simple like send a document to a printer. The goal of the USB connector was to eliminate this type of hassle by making sure one main wire could let computers, printers and other devices all communicate data to one another.

USB Connectors by Type

For being a universal connection, the USB connector has undergone a surprising number of changes throughout the years. Older USB connectors include A-Type and B-Type, which relied on pin connectors. These had an elongated rectangular shape. A newer addition to the USB lineup, USB-C, is a more compact type of USB connector. Its plug is shaped like an oval, and it can work with a variety of different USB signals that different devices transmit.

Another newer addition, the Micro-USB, is typically used for smaller peripherals and smartphone devices. It has added another layer of variety to the array of USB connectors on the market. You can determine which USB connectors your device requires by consulting your owner’s manual. Larger devices like computers and printers usually use the larger USB types, while smaller electronics like cameras or GPS units.

Keep Track of Your USB Connections

Every time you sit down in your home office or at your desk at work, you’re probably using devices connected via USB. Next time you interact with your computer and a peripheral, for example, check to see if the connection utilizes USB. Additionally, take stock of your device connectors, like your phone charging cable, to see if you’re using a USB or Micro-USB connection. If you lose a charging cable for your digital camera, for example, it’s important to know beforehand what type of USB connection it utilizes so you can choose the right replacement. Because there’s such a variety of USB types, you might not otherwise know right away which one to pick.

Choose a New USB Connector

Now that you know what a USB connection is, you can confidently choose one for your next tech cable or storage device. If you’re shopping for a specific device, consult your owner’s manual to understand which USB connectors are compatible and make a selection based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always make sure you choose the proper model for your device, whether it’s a standard USB connector or Micro-USB.

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Universal Travel USB Charger

• Dual USB output up to 3.5A
• USB ports auto-detection
• Suitable for more than 150 countries

Smart worldwide USB charger

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The Best Travel Adapters

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Best Overall Ceptics World International Travel Plug Adapter Read more

Upgrade Pick OneAdaptr OneWorld 100 Read more

Budget Pick Epicka Universal Travel Adapter Read more

Safest Option OneAdaptr OneWorld PD 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 a good travel adapter 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 June 2023: We added the Ceptics World International Travel Plug Adapter, OneAdaptr OneWorld 100, and Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit, and updated prices.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). 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

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.

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.

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. 

Best Looking

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 .

Adrienne So

Julian Chokkattu

Matt Jancer

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.

An Extra Outlet

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.

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, expensive, and 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 luggage space and hassle.

Eric Ravenscraft

Louryn Strampe

Parker Hall

Medea Giordano

Michael Calore

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TEADAPT2USBUNI

Universal travel adapter 12w.

Description

A single charger for all your travels around the world.Thanks to this universal adapter, you can keep multiple devices always charged wherever you are: smartphones, tablets, powerbanks, wireless headphones, digital cameras, headset docks, etc..

This accessory is equipped with 4 plugs to fit any wall socket: European, American, Australian and British. Travel where you like: over 150 countries in the world use these types of connectors.

Once plugged into the wall socket, the adapter can power up to 3 devices at a time thanks to its 2.4 and 1A USB outputs it is equipped. If only the blue port is used, the full 12W power will be delivered: in this case, your device will be fully charged in about 60 minutes.

Thanks to Intelligent Charge technology , the charger powers devices at the highest possible speed without overheating, overcharging or short circuiting.

NOT JUST FOR SMARTPHONES

Power up other accessories you carry in your suitcase or backpack : digital cameras, music players, joysticks, consoles, WiFi receivers.

• Adapter with EU, UK, US, AUS plugs
• Maximum power: 12W
• Intelligent Charge
• 2 USB sockets, one 2.4 and one 1A
• Fully charges a smartphone in 60 minutes*.

Charging times are purely indicative and depend on the device to be charged.

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Universal Travel Adapter

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What are the different types of universal travel adapter.

USB adapters are the universal type of travel adapter that can be used on smart phones and wireless charging. A universal travel adapter is the universal type of travel adapter that comes with the use of smart phones without wireless charging or havinguetooth lighter reach.

There are various types of universal travel adapter s, among them the universal travel adapters. As the name implies, universal charging adapters, essential not only have the be functions as a travel adapter but also have a different purpose. As one from the other type of universal travel adapters, there are various types of travel adapters that can be used. On top of having universal charging adapters, one of them is the universal charging adapters, and the other is the same. On the other hand, one of the is universal charger adapters and as one from the other types of travel adhesiveters.

What are the benefits of a universal travel adapter?

A universal travel adapter is often used with multiple USB ports, fast charging to reliable phone adapters, and charging ports. As long as the adhesive is not recommended, a universal travel adapter can be used as many mini travel adapters, one of them is more. The long-lasting adhesive is the recommended choice for many devices, and one can also use the port of other travelers. Fast charging is an reliable adhesive that many adapters use the same as other adapters, and ports are all suitable for travel purposes.

A universal travel adapter , also called a universal travel adapter, is one of the most convenient and to carry different devices, as for the travel type of adapter that can be selected. There are numerous models available on Alibaba.com, with the capacity to carry different travels, dictate, and, of course, can also be convenient. One of the numerous models available, such as a universal travel adapor, or a universal travel adapter, all of which are suitable for smartphones, tablets, and ports.

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The 4 Best Universal Travel Adapters for Powering Trips Abroad

International power adapters let you plug in U.S.-style prongs no matter where you are. As Ryan Bartley, vice president of business development and marketing at RedSky Engineering in Spanish Fork, Utah, explains, an adapter is a very simple device. “Its only purpose is to mechanically adapt your plug to that of the country you are visiting,” says Bartley, who holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering. The best of them have multiple USB ports so you don’t need to pack an additional charger .

Our top pick in the category is the Tessan International Plug Adapter , followed closely by Epicka’s International Travel Adapter . If you travel with a laptop and don’t want to pack a stand-alone charger, choose either Zendure’s Passport III or the OneAdaptr OneWorld100 . 

Runner-up travel power adapter

Best travel power adapter for laptops and tablets, best travel power adapter for large laptops, others you should know about, how we picked, best overall travel power adapter.

International Plug Adapter

$23 at Amazon

$ 25 Save $ 2

This power adapter has a great selection of USB-A and USB-C ports in a compact package for a low price.

• Lots of ports
• Lower price
• Slower charging to more power-hungry devices
• USB-C ports: 3
• Combined power output: 28 watts

International travel power adapters all look pretty much the same: They are a plastic block with a face-like array of outlets to accept plugs from around the world on the front, and sliders along one side that push out the appropriate prongs for the country in which you want to charge. Many now have a selection of USB ports as well, and these models are so prevalent that you shouldn’t buy an adapter without them. Tessan’s International Plug Adapter is the best of these accessories. For about the price of a book at an airport newsstand, you get a well-built device that will work pretty much anywhere in the world, with a great selection of both USB-A and USB-C ports for charging all your gear.

The number, style and power outputs of USB ports is the biggest differentiating factor in this category. Tessan’s adapter has five total, the most available on any competitor, with a total combined power output of 28 watts. There are two USB-A ports—the rectangular kind that’s becoming less common these days—both of which support 12-watt (5 volts at 2.5 amps) charging. That’ll charge most modern phones a bit slower than their maximum rate, but the speed is more than sufficient for devices with smaller batteries including fitness trackers or headphones. 

Each of the three oval-shaped USB-C ports allow for 15-watt (5 volts at 3 amps) charging. You can get faster charging speeds from other adapters, and many devices will benefit from them (the iPhone 12 and later charge at up to 20 watts, for example), but the difference isn’t so big that we recommend paying more for it. Especially if you’ll be charging overnight, you’re not likely to notice you’re not getting the absolute maximum speed. You’ll want one of our other picks if you’ll be charging a laptop or tablet. 

The Tessan is otherwise similar to everything else out there, with Type A, I, G and C plugs (see the “How we picked” section below for more detail on the different plug styles). All the adapters we tested are about 2 inches wide and 2⅛ inches deep; this one is 2¾ inches tall, which is as small as we’ve found for a universal adapter.

International Travel Adapter

$23 at Walmart

We like this adapter for charging lower-power draw devices over USB-A.

• Comes with a travel case
• More USB-A ports (if you need them)
• Fewer USB-C ports
• USB-A ports: 4
• USB-C ports: 1

Epicka’s International Travel Adapter costs just about as much as our top pick, is the same size and offers the same combined 28-watt power across its ports. The only real difference is the port selection. The Epicka has four USB-A ports, each of which supports 12-watt charging, and a single USB-C port with 15-watt output. If you tend to use USB-A cables to charge your gear or our top pick isn’t available, it’s a great alternative, but we think most people are better off future-proofing with a model packing more USB-C ports. 

Passport III

$64 at Amazon

$ 80 Save $ 16

If you’re traveling with a laptop and don’t want to pack an additional charger, this is the adapter to pick.

• Lots of USB-C ports
• High combined power output
• Translucent color option
• Higher price
• Nonreplaceable (but auto-resetting) fuse
• USB-A ports: 1
• USB-C ports: 4
• Combined power output: 65 watts

Most laptops and tablets draw more power than phones, especially if you want to fast-charge them. The M2-based MacBook Air , for example, can charge just fine from a 30-watt power source, but its battery will charge faster, reaching 50% in about 30 minutes, with a more powerful 67-watt charger. If you travel with a laptop or tablet and want to juice it up fast, choose Zendure’s Passport III . One of its four USB-C ports can charge at 65 watts, which is the maximum speed or close to it for the majority of these devices (see our next pick if you use a more powerful computer). The rest of the ports, including the USB-A port, support 15-watt charging. It performed as expected in our tests, and we like that there’s a translucent color option that harks back to the early-2000s aesthetic.  

The Zendure is the only travel adapter we tested without a replaceable fuse. Instead, it uses a fuse that claims to be auto-resetting up to 6,000 times. While we couldn’t verify this claim, it’s something to keep in mind if you’ll be traveling somewhere you expect there to be power surges.

OneWorld100

$89 at Oneadaptr

$ 109 Save $ 20

The most powerful travel adapter out there, suitable for larger laptops.

• 100-watt USB-C output is the most powerful in the category
• Only four USB ports
• The largest power adapter we tested
• USB-A ports: 2
• USB-C ports: 2
• Combined power output: 100 watts

Large laptops like the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro can pull significantly more power to fill their batteries. If you travel with one of these computers, you should buy OneAdaptr’s OneWorld100 . It works just like all the others we tested, but it supports 100-watt (20 volts at 3 amps) charging. That’s the highest level of power draw available on any travel adapter. More powerful laptops can draw around that much wattage or even more, so if you want to ensure the fastest possible charge without carrying an extra power brick, this is your best option. Unlike the rest of our picks, OneAdaptr’s adapter only has four USB ports, and it’s taller than the rest, but those are fair trade-offs for its power.

A great lower-price travel adapter

Universal Power Adapter

$20 at Amazon

$ 21 Save $ 1

$21 at Tessan

Tessan’s International Plug Adaptor with 4 USB Ports costs a few dollars less than our top pick, and with three USB-A ports and one 15-watt USB-C port, has one less port overall. We think most people should spend the nominal amount more for the extra port and higher combined wattage, but this is a fine option if you’re looking to spend as little as possible.

Great for Apple products

World Travel Adapter Kit

$29 at Amazon

$29 at B&H

If you’ll be bringing your Apple laptop charger with a removable prong component—affectionately known as a “duckhead”—and want to be able to plug directly into an international outlet, you can use Apple’s World Travel Adapter Kit . The pack includes five interchangeable adapter heads that the company says support outlets in North America, Japan, China, United Kingdom, continental Europe, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong and Brazil.

Great for one device at a time

International Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set

$13 at Amazon

$ 15 Save $ 2

International Adapter Plug Set

$15 at Amazon

In most cases you’ll get more value from an international adapter with multiple ports. But if all you care about is plugging in one device at a time, and want to spend as little as possible, consider Ceptic’s International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set or its International Adapter Plug Set . Both come with five international adapters that accept only one plug each; the first kit only accepts U.S. plugs, while the latter can adapt plugs from around the world. 

Popular for voltage conversion

Travel Voltage Converter

$60 at Amazon

$ 94 Save $ 34

Some high-power-draw devices, including hair dryers and electric shavers , are limited to a set voltage and can’t safely be used with an adapter (if at all). The Ceptics Travel Voltage Converter is one of a handful of reasonably priced converters you can find that look more or less the same as one another. We haven’t tested it, and we think you’re likely better off making alternate arrangements than traveling with your device that needs the conversion plus this large accessory that’s not guaranteed to work properly. But if you’re set on a certain piece of equipment, consider this converter. 

The Ceptics All-In-One International Travel Adapter Plug is more expensive and a little larger than our top and runner-up picks. One of its two USB-C ports supports 18-watt charging, but the price doesn’t justify that small difference in speed. 

OneAdaptr’s OneWorld65 is around the same price as the Zendure, but offers a slightly lower wattage and only one USB-C port.

I’ve been reviewing consumer technology for more than a decade, including at Wirecutter, where I was responsible for articles and reviews on device chargers. To better understand travel adapters, I spoke to Alexandra Farrington, Las Vegas-based travel adviser at Itinerantly Inspired and Ryan Bartley, vice president of business development and marketing at RedSky Engineering in Spanish Fork, Utah, who holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering.

• Broad international support: All the power adapters we tested have the same plugs: Type A (usually referred to as “U.S.”) with prongs that rotate to form Type I (“Australia”), Type G (“U.K.”) and Type C (“EU”). Some countries use variations of these styles that are often compatible with these plugs, and while there’s no set standard across Asia or Africa, most countries tend to use one of these standards. It’s always best to research the countries you’ll be traveling to in order to ensure you’ll have the right connection. Note: If you’re looking for a way to use your hair dryer, styler or other tools that heat up, these adapters aren’t appropriate. For these items, which have a set voltage and need to be converted, not just adapted to match the plug shape, look for products called “voltage converters.”
• USB ports and output: Many devices charge over USB now, including phones, tablets, laptops, cameras and accessories. The more USB ports an adapter offers, and the higher the power draw, the better. All the adapters we tested have a spot to connect a standard two- or three-prong plug as well. Many people could conceivably travel with just one of our picks and not have to worry about carrying an additional charger.
• Replaceable fuse: If there’s a power surge or you plug in too many high-power-draw devices, you might trip or blow the adapter’s fuse, so having a spare is a good idea. Most of the models we tested have a replaceable fuse and come with an extra that’s stored on the adapter itself for if or when you need it. Farrington says she’s had to replace a fuse before, and found having one on board very convenient. 

We narrowed down the list of products we wanted to test by sticking to brands that either we already knew had a strong reputation, or we could verify have an online presence, making it more likely they have responsive customer service. You want to feel confident in the manufacturer when it comes to a product that you’ll be plugging expensive gear into. We also limited our search to models that have multiple USB ports, especially because they cost about the same amount as those without. 

There’s not much to test on an adapter like this without taking a trip around the world. What we did test, however, was the USB-C ports’ charging capabilities using the Total Phase USB Power Delivery Analyzer . This little dongle records the various power profiles a USB-C port supports and notes if there are any errors in the power transmission (it’s rare that there are). We were mostly confirming that each port allowed the advertised power draw, which they all did.

Our experts

• Alexandra Farrington , Las Vegas-based travel adviser at Itinerantly Inspired  
• Ryan Bartley , vice president of business development and marketing at RedSky Engineering in Spanish Fork, Utah

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BAYKRON 2.5A Universal World Travel Adapter with dual 2.4A USB charging ports - Black

The BAYKRON Universal World Travel Adapter with dual 2.4A USB charging ports; Can simultaneously charge two devices with USB. Compatible with over 150 countries on all continents.

• FEATURES - Charge up to three devices simultaneously; Intelligent circuit design protects against short circuiting, over-heating, over-current and over-charging.  Converts AC Plug to AC Plug with no Voltage conversion. LED indicator. Compact and easy to carry
• DURABLE - High quality build components and rigorous testing go into all BAYKRON products
• WARRANTY - 2 Year international warranty with proof of purchase on all BAYKRON cases
• COMPATIBLE - 50 – 60 Hz, Input of 110V - 240V (U.S. & World Standard), 2.5A, AC Max 6A 250VAC

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The Best Travel Plug Adapter

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.

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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.

Traveling With Only a Carry-On

by Kit Dillon

If there’s one thing our staff has learned working remotely all over the world, it’s “Don’t check a bag unless you have to.” Here’s how to avoid it.

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.