Plug Adapter or Voltage Converter

Now is a great time to start planning your trip to Europe.  COVID-19 vaccinations are allowing for tourism to open, and prices are great (read more about our experience with COVID protocols in France here).  You may know that outlets come in different sizes around the world.  You might even know that there is a different voltage for most of the world.  But do you need a plug adapter or voltage converter?  Learn the differences and what your trip needs are (hint: we use both), and find links for easy purchase below. 

Basics:

In the United States, power outlets have the same size.  Any electrical device you travel with can be plugged into any outlet.  However, plug receptacles look different outside of the USA!  Step one is to figure out how to get your American-sized plug to fit.  This is where a plug adapter is required.

Plug Adapter:

This is a very simple device that allows for your American plugs to be inserted into various worldwide electrical receptacles. This universal adaptor is similar to what we use all over Europe.  On this trip, we use it at night in the kids’ room to plug in a Kindle for white noise.  WARNING: some devices cannot accept the higher voltage that most of the world’s plugs contain.  Keep reading.  Also, as you can see in the picture, adding a plug into the adapter can cause a wall plug to pull away slightly.  This creates connection issues, and we always have to watch out for this.

Single voltage vs. Dual voltage vs. Multi-voltage:

This is where it starts to get a little bit more confusing.  Plug in a heating pad (only 110 volts!) to a 240 volt outlet with a plug adapter, and it will explode (true story, ask us later).  Older style hair straightener or blow-dryer?  Look out!  Some of our American electronics (most but not all older items) can only handle receiving between 100-120 volts.  A 220-240 volt European plug will destroy the device and create a safety hazard.  Generally speaking tablets, phones, and laptops can all be plugged into any voltage using just a plug adapter.

Voltage Converter:

Newer electronics, like our drone battery charger (see picture), clearly show it can accept input at a range of voltage. 

Some electronics give no indication and could be a problem if you use a plug adapter at 240 volts.  In this scenario, you need a voltage converter (NOT simply a plug adaptor).  This device “converts” the voltage power down from 220-240 volts to the American 100-120 volts that all of our devices can always safely utilize.  For example, I honestly don’t know if our power bank or Bluetooth headphones can accept 240V or if they would explode.  Therefore, we always charge them using the voltage converter.  When in doubt, convert voltage.

Solution:

Confused about a specific device?  No worries, maybe the easiest solution is to simply use this device.  It comes with all of the plug adapters you may need for travel all over the world and is a voltage converter.  You won’t blow any fuses or ruin any devices.  The size, weight, and multiple charging ports make this converter our favorite.  Rather than use 6 plug adapters to charge our laptop, drone batteries, 2 cell phones, and 2 Kid’s Kindles, we can do all of that at the same time using a single outlet.  The bottom line is this: if you are unsure if you should use a plug adapter or voltage converter, you are always safe to use this converter.

If you have questions or great stories about using a plug adapter or voltage converter, let us know!  Happy Travels!