Planning a trip abroad? Wherever you plan on going, you need to bring the best travel adapter with you to stay fully charged and powered while you're away.
Technology defines travel. It used to be all about postcards, travel journals and finding yourself, but can you ever feel relaxed abroad without knowing you can charge up your stash of tech? A universal travel adaptor is essential for any and all trips abroad. Whether you're sharing your trip with a smartphone, tablet, laptop, headphones, camera or Bluetooth speaker (not forgetting toothbrush, curling irons and travel kettle), you might as well get a good one.
Don't be an idiot at the airport, where universal travel adaptors are expensive and basic. Get it sorted before you set off on your travels with our collection of the very best around. Basic adaptors are available that convert from one country to another, but it's better to invest in a universal travel adaptor that caters for everything. So, what should you look for?
Check out our guide below on how to choose the best travel adapter below and our top picks.
Lizzie is T3's Home Staff Writer, also covering style, living and wellness. She works closely with Bethan Girdler-Maslen, T3's Home Editor, ensuring all the latest Home news, trends and recommendations are covered. Lizzie is lucky enough to travel internationally for work, so has an extensive amount of knowledge around the best travel adaptors.
The top three
Best overall
The best overall travel adaptor
If you've entered the world of USB-C, this is the travel adaptor for you. Its multi-function plug fits more than 150 countries with UK/AU/US plugs. The adapter also has built-in safety shutters to protect you from the direct touch of the live parts on the socket outlet. A pretty great all-rounder to begin with!
Best safe option
The best safe travel adaptor
There are a couple of reasons why this universal adaptor from MyTravelPal stands out. The first is that it claims to be the safest travel adapter in the world – it's one of the very few all-in-one travel adapters that has passed the very strict regulatory standard BS:8546. It's a great option that won't let you down.
Best affordable option
The best affordable travel adaptor
Again, this is a decent quality charger for a great price, though it only comes with 2 USB ports instead of 4. There’s a universal socket and it’s fitted with USA, Australian, UK and European plugs for use in over 150 countries.
Best travel adapters ranking 2023
Why you can trust T3
The best overall travel adaptor
1. Hyleton Worldwide Travel Adapter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you have permanently positioned yourself into the world of USB-C, this is the travel adaptor for you. Although it has four standard USB slots that can each refuel a tablet, smartphone and other low-power gadgets, the Hyleton also has a USB-C slot fitted to the side for fast-charging a smartphone.
Elsewhere this compact adaptor's multi-function plug fits more than 150 countries with UK/AU/US plugs. The adapter also has built-in safety shutters to protect you from the direct touch of the live parts on the socket outlet. I was huge fan of this adaptor, and have often found myself reaching for it when packing for a trip.
The best safe travel adaptor
2. MyTravelPal Worldwide Universal 10A Travel Adapter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
There are a couple of reasons why this universal adaptor from MyTravelPal stands out. The first is that it claims to be the safest travel adapter in the world – it's one of the very few all-in-one travel adapters that has passed the very strict regulatory standard BS:8546. MyTravelPal's 4 plugs have a ground/earth connection, an essential safety feature for many electrical appliances, meaning you can use this adapter with high powered electricals such as computers, curling tongs, hairdryers, laptops, phones, etc without worry.
There's also a push-button resetting fuse, which means you don't need to carry spare fuses with you or rush out to buy replacements when you're on holiday. MyTravelPal's protection system ensures that it will automatically shut down if it detects any abnormal usage. It's a great product that won't let you down whilst keeping you safe.
The best affordable travel adaptor
3. Bestek Worldwide Travel Adaptor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Again, this is a decent quality charger that comes in at a great price, though it only comes with 2 USB ports instead of 4. There’s a universal socket and it’s fitted with USA, Australian, UK and European plugs for use in over 150 countries.
Thanks to the embedded micro USB cable, my phone and tablet benefitted from fast charging, which was great for work trips. With safety features, including fire proof materials, protection against power surges and a safety plug lock, this is another great all-rounder that should do the job nicely.
The best versatile travel adaptor
4. Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This is an excellent choice if you're a frequent traveller, especially if you jet set between one place and another. As it has six attachments, 2 USA outlets, 2 USB-A slots and a built-in USB-C cable, it's suitable for most electronic devices, giving you versatility to what you bring with you on your trip.
I found it to be extremely lightweight and fast charging, which made it my first choice on two of my recent trips. I also liked the way it came with a travel pouch, meaning I was able to keep track of the attachments when visiting one or more countries.
Unfortunately, the Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit is only compatible with dual voltage products. This means it's perfect for phones and laptops, but won't work with 110V items such as hair clippers, hair dryers and hair straighteners. I found this slightly frustrating, but it's a common feature so it didn't affect my opinion too much. It should also be noted that the set doesn't include adapter plug for South Africa, so read below's listing if you're looking for one of those.
The best travel adaptor for South Africa
5. Skross World To South Africa Travel Adapter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you're going to Africa, you're going to need to get to know the Type-M socket. Never heard of it? Unfortunately almost all so-called 'universal travel adapter' are nothing of the sort because they don't include large parts of Africa and Asia, where an archaic UK plug now called Type-M is still used.
As well as being standard in South Africa, Namibia, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland, Type-M is common in Nepal and Bhutan, too. Cue this simple, but essential travel adapter that converts from every other plug in the world –such as the US, UK, Europe, Australia, China and Brazil – to the Type-M. This Switzerland-made example from Skross doesn't convert voltage, but it does work with power-hungry devices including laptops and travel hairdryers.
The best travel adaptor for multiple devices
6. Bestek 200W Travel Adaptor
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
A voltage converter is required for devices that do not offer dual voltage, which makes this device incredibly handy if you’re heading to the states, where voltage is a lot lower than the UK.
With 2 AC plugs and 4 USB ports you’ll have no problem charging multiple devices at once – just bear in mind that you cannot plug in high-powered devices, such as hair dryers or straighteners. The device comes in a handy case, which contains three international AC adaptors for use in over 150 countries. The downside is you can only plug in UK devices.
How to choose the best travel adapter
The best travel adapters have USB sockets, so charging up phones, tablets and other portable devices should be fairly convenient. However, they're not all equal. Most will have at least a couple of USB slots, but check if they're rated 2.4V first. This will refuel your phone faster, and means it can cope with a tablet as well.
Better still, look for Quick Charge 3.0 (QC 3.0), which does it ever faster. If you have a laptop that charges via USB-C, look for a travel adaptor with built-in USB-PD (USB Power Delivery), which can send 100W into a laptop.
Not all travel adaptors will transform voltage, so it’s always worth checking to see if you need to purchase a voltage transformer alongside the adapter. Many devices are dual voltage rated, so you may not even require a transformer; even so, it’s always best to check the book of words to double-check.
Good news is, all EU countries have the same voltage as the UK, so it’s only the USA, South America, Asia, Australasia and Africa that you need to think about. As a rule, high-powered devices such as hairdryers and straighteners cannot be used with a travel adaptor, with the advice being to purchase cheap ones when you’ve arrived at your destination.
Amazon is usually the best place to head for travel adaptors, as you can get hold of highly-rated products for sometimes a fraction of the high street price (and with Prime Delivery).
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Lizzie is T3's Home Staff Writer, also covering style, living and wellness. She works closely with Bethan Girdler-Maslen, T3's Home Editor, ensuring all the latest news, trends and recommendations are covered. Outside of T3, Lizzie can be found mooching around Bath, attempting (or at least trying to) a new DIY project or spending time with family and friends.
-
I review e-scooters for a living, and these are the e-scooter Black Friday deals I'd buy
From top-performing models to budget-friendly picks, these are the Black Friday e-scooter deals I’d recommend snapping up before they’re gone
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Nothing Phone (3) spotted online for the first time
It's not expected until 2025, but we now know a little more about Nothing's next flagship
By Chris Hall Published
-
Best personalised nutrition test 2024: find out what works for your body and why
Which personalised nutrition tests are the best on the market? Here's our top recommendations
By Lizzie Wilmot Last updated
-
Best robot lawn mower 2024: autonomous mowers that cut the grass so you don't have to
These are the best robotic sward scythes to keep your lawn in tip-top condition while you sit back and relax
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Best skincare gadgets 2024: perfect your complexion at home without the salon price tag
The best LED masks, facial massagers, cleansing devices and more for firmer, clearer, glowing skin
By Lizzie Wilmot Last updated
-
Best Philips Hue lights 2024: sophisticated illumination for your space
The best Philips Hue lights bring state-of-the-art, remote-controlled lighting to your home
By Lizzie Wilmot Last updated
-
Best petrol lawn mower 2024: rugged lawn mowers for larger gardens
Trim the sward with one of these top-rated petrol-powered lawn mowers
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Best pizza ovens 2024: enjoy the crisp, crunch and gooeyness of freshly-baked pizza
Find the best indoor and outdoor domestic pizza ovens to make your al fresco bash go with a zing
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
Best electric barbecue 2024: sterling indoor and outdoor electric grills for all-year-round cooking
Find the best all-in-one electric barbecues and grills with plug-and-play convenience
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Last updated
-
Best cordless lawn mower 2024: top battery-powered trimmers that tackle all types of turf
Replace your rusty old mower and embrace the time-saving pleasures of battery-power with the best cordless lawn mowers
By Derek Adams Last updated