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A plug adapter is the cheapest thing in your bag and the one you miss most on the first night of a trip. The good news is that one well-chosen universal adapter covers Europe, the UK, Australia, Japan and most of Asia, and for most travellers it is the only one you will ever need.
Below: which plug you need where, why you almost certainly do not need a voltage converter, and five adapters for different trips.
Adapter or converter?
An adapter only changes the shape of the plug. A converter changes the voltage. Europe and most of the world run on 220 to 240 volts; the US, Canada and Japan on 100 to 120 volts.
Look at the small print on your chargers. If it says Input: 100-240V, as almost every phone, laptop, tablet and camera charger does, you only need an adapter. The exceptions are heating devices: hair dryers, straighteners and curling irons made only for 110-120V can burn out on 230V. Use the hotel's dryer or buy a dual-voltage travel model.
Which plug do you need?
| Where | Plug types | What works |
|---|---|---|
| France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Austria, Greece and most of continental Europe | C, F | Type C |
| Italy | C, F, L | Type C fits most sockets |
| Switzerland | J | Slim Type C usually fits |
| UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus | G | Type G |
| Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE | G | Type G |
| Japan | A, B (100V) | US two-prong plugs fit; three-prong plugs need an adapter |
| China | A, C, I | Type A, C or I |
| Australia, New Zealand | I | Type I |
| India | C, D, M | Type C fits some sockets; D and M not covered by most universal adapters |
| South Africa | C, D, M, N | Type C fits some sockets; M and N need a local adapter |
A universal adapter with Type A, C, G and I plugs covers the countries most travellers visit. If your trip is only continental Europe, a pair of simple Type C adapters is lighter and cheaper.
Quick picks
| Adapter | Plugs | USB ports | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceptics 45W Universal Travel Adapter | A, C, G, I | 2 USB-C, 3 USB-A | Best overall |
| Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter GaN 140W | A, C, G, I | 3 USB-C, 1 USB-A | Laptops |
| Anker Nano Travel Adapter | A, C, G, I | 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A | Smallest bag |
| TESSAN European Travel Plug Adapter (2-pack) | C | 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A each | Europe-only trips |
| Ceptics UK Adapters (3-pack) | G | None | UK and Ireland |
The best travel adapters in 2026
1. Ceptics 45W Universal Travel Adapter: best overall
This is the adapter we would hand to most travellers. Slide out the plug you need (Type A, C, G or I) and you can charge five devices at once from two USB-C and three USB-A ports, with one USB-C port delivering fast charging. It has a replaceable fuse (a spare is included), safety shutters and a universal socket for your own plugs. More than 18,000 buyers rate it highly.
Good: covers most countries, five USB ports, fuse and shutters, very popular.
Watch out: 45W is fine for phones and small laptops but slow for big ones; not a voltage converter.
2. Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter GaN 140W: best for laptops
Leave the laptop brick at home. This GaN adapter puts out up to 140W from a USB-C port, enough to fast-charge a large laptop, and has three USB-C ports, one USB-A port and two sockets: a universal one and a US/Japan one. GaN chargers run cooler and smaller than older designs, and it has a 10A fuse with a spare.
Good: charges a laptop and phones from one outlet, two sockets, cool-running GaN.
Watch out: bigger and heavier than a simple adapter; more than most phone-only travellers need.
3. Anker Nano Travel Adapter: best for a small bag
About the footprint of a credit card at 86 x 50 x 25 mm, Anker's 5-in-1 adapter has slide-out Type A, C, G and I plugs, two USB-C and two USB-A ports and one AC socket. A single USB-C port charges a phone at up to 20W. It has more than 4,000 ratings on Amazon.
Good: tiny, light, covers most countries, four USB ports.
Watch out: the AC socket takes two-pin plugs only, so no grounded laptop chargers or UK three-pin plugs; 20W total is slow for laptops and for several devices at once.
4. TESSAN European Travel Plug Adapter (2-pack): best for Europe-only trips
If you are only going to continental Europe, you do not need a universal adapter. Each of these Type C adapters turns one European socket into four US outlets plus one USB-C (20W) and two USB-A ports, and the pack of two means one for the bedside and one for the desk. They work across Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Greece and more, and have close to 8,000 ratings.
Good: charges everything from one wall socket, two in the pack, simple.
Watch out: Type C only, so not for the UK or Ireland; no surge protection; not a converter.
5. Ceptics UK Adapters (3-pack): best for the UK and Ireland
For London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Malta or Hong Kong you need Type G. These grounded adapters each take two US plugs, two- or three-prong, and come as a pack of three. They are rated for 10A at 250V.
Good: grounded, two US sockets each, three in the pack.
Watch out: no USB ports; Type G only.
How to choose
- One region or several? For continental Europe alone, Type C adapters are enough. For the UK plus Europe, or for Asia and Australia, buy a universal adapter.
- Count your devices. Phone, watch, earbuds and a power bank add up. Enough USB ports on the adapter means one wall socket is enough.
- Check the wattage if you charge a laptop by USB-C. Most need 45 to 100W.
- Look for a fuse and safety shutters, and never plug one adapter into another.
- Pack it in your carry-on. Charge everything on the first night, even if your checked bag is delayed.
Pair your adapter with a flight-friendly power bank: our guide to power banks on planes in 2026 explains the new airline rules. For mobile data abroad, see the best eSIMs for travel.
FAQ
What travel adapter do I need for Europe?
Most of continental Europe uses Type C and Type F sockets, and a Type C plug fits both. The UK and Ireland use Type G. A universal adapter with Type A, C, G and I plugs covers Europe, the UK, Australia, Japan and most of Asia in one piece.
Do I need a voltage converter or just an adapter?
Usually just an adapter. Phone, laptop and camera chargers marked 100-240V work anywhere. Only devices made for 110-120V alone, such as many hair dryers and straighteners, need a converter or a dual-voltage replacement.
Will a universal adapter work in India or South Africa?
Not fully. Most universal adapters have Type A, C, G and I plugs. India also uses Types D and M, and South Africa uses Types D, M and N, so a Type C plug only fits some sockets there. Buy a local adapter on arrival or a dedicated plug for those countries.
Can I charge a laptop through a travel adapter?
Yes. A plain plug adapter passes the wall power through to your laptop charger. If you want to charge the laptop from the adapter's own USB-C port, check its wattage: most laptops need 45 to 100W, so a 20W adapter will be too slow.
Is it safe to use a travel adapter with a hair dryer?
Only if the hair dryer is dual voltage and within the adapter's power rating. A 110V-only dryer can burn out on Europe's 230V supply even with an adapter. Most hotels provide a dryer.
Packing for Europe? Read our Europe packing essentials and the best carry-on luggage.
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