Worldwide Travel Adapters
A Complete Guide
Worldwide travel adapters combine several international plug types in one compact unit, allowing you to connect your electrical devices to outlets in countries around the world. Often called universal adapters, they're particularly useful for frequent travelers and multi-country trips.
How Worldwide Travel Adapters Work
Most use sliders to select the appropriate pins for the country you're visiting, allowing a single adapter to switch between the major international plug types. They offer a compact and flexible alternative to world travel adapter kits, which use separate interchangeable plug fittings instead of an all-in-one design.
The four plug types found on most worldwide adapters provide much broader coverage than might first be apparent. This is because several plug and outlet types are cross-compatible; for example, a Type C plug can also be used in Type E, F, H, J, K, L, N and O outlets.
The table below shows which outlets ungrounded and grounded universal adapters can be used with, and where physical compatibility doesn't provide a ground connection.
Worldwide Adapter Plug & Outlet
Compatibility Table
| Sockets → ↓ Plugs |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
Outlet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
adapter (ungrounded) |
Compatible | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible | Compatible but pins smaller resulting in a loose fit which is dangerous | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Incompatible | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made |
adapter (grounded) |
Incompatible | Compatible | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible but pins smaller resulting in a loose fit which is dangerous | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Incompatible | Compatible, but no earth connection is made | Compatible, but no earth connection is made |
Compatibility Key
- Compatible
- Compatible
- Incompatible
- Incompatible
- No earth connection warning
- The plug fits, but the intended ground connection is not made. It is unsafe for appliances that require grounding.
- Incorrect fit warning
- Plug can be inserted but the pins are of incorrect size resulting in poor fit, which can be dangerous.
If you want to see how they work, you can watch a Tessan world adapter being demonstrated.
Choosing a Worldwide Travel Adapter
There are several important factors to consider when choosing a universal adapter. Most worldwide adapters cover broadly the same range of outlets, so the choice is influenced more by what you need to power or charge than by where you're traveling.
Grounded vs Ungrounded Adapters
Before choosing an adapter, check the plug and specifications of the devices you intend to take. Don't assume that a three-prong input on a universal adapter means its output plug is grounded — many standard worldwide adapters accept grounded plugs without carrying the ground connection through to the wall outlet.
How do you tell if an appliance needs grounding? Unfortunately it's not so simple because these days many appliances are fitted with a three-prong plug as standard (irrespective of whether they need it or not).
Look at the manufacturer's label (which may be on the power supply) or manual. Appliances that are double insulated will have a symbol that looks like a box inside a box and these do not need grounding.
If you have critical equipment, such as medical devices it may be worth contacting the manufacturer if there is any uncertainty.
Most phones, tablets, laptops and other travel electronics don't require a ground connection, which is why the majority of worldwide travel adapters are ungrounded. Grounded universal adapters are available for devices that require one, but they're less common and your choice of compatible outlets is more limited.
If you need a grounded world adapter for Type J (Switzerland), Type L (Italy) or Type N (Brazil) outlets, your options are particularly limited. The Skross Pro World is the only model we have found that can maintain the ground connection with these outlets, using a movable ground contact. Availability can be limited, however.
USB Connectivity
USB charging has become increasingly important when choosing a travel adapter. Modern worldwide adapters often have several charging ports, typically a combination of USB-A and USB-C, while USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and other fast-charging technologies are becoming more common.
Consider both the number and type of ports you need, as well as their power output. USB-C is increasingly important, particularly for higher-powered devices such as laptops. In the EU, common-charger rules now require USB-C charging for many categories of portable electronic devices, including laptops.
Laptops
Laptops require special consideration because they can need considerably more power than most travel devices. If you're using your laptop's own power supply and plugging that into the AC outlet on a worldwide adapter, most adapters have more than enough capacity — although you should still check the adapter's maximum current rating.
If you want to charge your laptop directly from the adapter's USB-C port, check that it supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and can provide enough power for your particular laptop. The wattage of the individual USB-C port is important: an adapter may advertise a high total USB output while providing considerably less through any one port.
USB-PD itself supports power delivery up to 240 W, although the high-power worldwide adapters we've found currently provide up to 140 W from a single USB-C port. Check your laptop's charging requirements before making your final choice.
International Charger Adapters
A dedicated international charger adapter can be a good alternative to a universal adapter if most of your devices charge by USB. They can also be useful as an additional charger when traveling with several battery-powered devices. Instead of sliders, they typically use interchangeable plug fittings for different countries.
They tend to fall into two broad categories:
- Compact chargers - Small and lightweight, primarily intended for travelers carrying a few lower-powered devices such as phones and tablets.
- Charging hubs - Designed for more devices or higher power requirements, with multiple USB-A and USB-C ports. Higher-powered models may provide USB-PD suitable for charging laptops.
Size & Weight
One downside of integrating high-power USB charging is increased size and weight. This becomes particularly noticeable with worldwide adapters offering USB-PD outputs of 60 W or more, especially models designed to charge higher-powered laptops such as the MacBook Pro.
The additional weight can create another problem: a large power-brick-style adapter may not be held securely by the wall outlet and can gradually pull itself out. This is particularly noticeable with two-prong Type A outlets, which provide less physical support than a three-prong grounded connection. The heaviest world adapters we've seen weigh around 0.92 lb.
Power Rating
The maximum current rating of the adapter — separate from the rating of its USB ports — determines which mains-powered appliances you can safely use with it. Budget worldwide adapters may be rated as low as 6 A, while 10 A is common and some models are rated at up to 16 A.
For most travel electronics this isn't likely to be a limitation, but it becomes important with high-powered appliances such as hair dryers, kettles and irons. Voltage matters too: a 1,000 W dual-voltage appliance draws about 4.3 A at 230 V but around 8.3 A at 120 V.
Check the current and power ratings of both the appliance and the adapter, and never exceed the adapter manufacturer's stated maximum. Leaving some headroom is sensible, particularly with appliances that can draw additional current when starting.
If you have a flat iron or hair dryer that you can't live without, our hair tools guide explains the additional voltage and adapter considerations.
Travel Power Strips & Extension Adapters
Multi-plug extension adapters solve a common problem in hotels where the wall outlet is positioned in an inconvenient or difficult-to-reach location.
Instead of plugging your devices directly into the wall adapter, an integral extension cord leads to multiple outlets and USB ports that can be positioned somewhere more convenient.
The more common versions come with a kit of the most commonly found plug modules, others have an integral universal adapter.
They can be a particularly good option for families or anyone who travels with several devices that need to be powered or charged at the same time.
Build Quality & Safety
Universal adapters are relatively complex devices. They contain moving parts, may have to carry substantial mains current, and increasingly incorporate high-power USB charging electronics. Build quality therefore matters more than it might with a simple single-country plug adapter.
We've tested a number of cheap, unbranded universal adapters and found that their mechanisms often don't stand up well to repeated use. For mains-powered travel equipment, poor construction can also become a safety concern.
Some world adapters allow more than one plug to be extended simultaneously. Under certain circumstances, this can leave live prongs exposed and create a risk of electric shock.
Choose a well-made adapter from a reputable manufacturer with clearly stated electrical ratings and appropriate safety certification for the market in which it is sold. Replace an adapter if the prongs or sliders become loose, the casing is damaged, or it becomes unusually hot in normal use. A replaceable or resettable overload fuse is also a useful feature, particularly on higher-current models.
World Plug Adapter Kits
An alternative to an all-in-one universal adapter is a world plug adapter kit. Some are simply collections of individual adapters, while more sophisticated kits use a central outlet / charging hub with interchangeable plug modules to suit different countries.
A kit can provide broader outlet compatibility than a typical universal adapter and may be particularly useful for travelers visiting destinations with less commonly supported plug types. Grounded kits are also available, but check that the appropriate plug modules actually maintain the ground connection if it's required.
The trade-off is convenience: a kit has multiple pieces to carry and potentially misplace, and can take up more luggage space than a compact all-in-one adapter.
↑ Back to contentsDo Worldwide Adapters Convert Voltage?
No, a standard worldwide travel adapter changes the shape of your plug to fit a different outlet; it does not change the local supply voltage or frequency. Combined universal adapter and voltage converter units are available, but they're much less common.
Our preference is to keep the two functions separate. A worldwide adapter can be useful almost anywhere you travel, while a voltage converter is only needed when your appliance isn't compatible with the local supply voltage. Adding voltage conversion also makes an adapter larger, heavier and more complex.
If you're traveling to a country with a 220–240 V supply and have a single-voltage appliance designed only for 110–120 V, you may need a voltage converter or transformer.
Voltage converters and transformers only change the voltage, not the frequency, of the supply. Changing the frequency requires specialist frequency-conversion equipment, which is not normally practical for travelers. Most modern travel electronics are designed to work at either frequency. However, some appliances containing motors, clocks and other frequency-sensitive equipment may not operate correctly on a frequency that it was not designed for. Check the frequency rating on your device before use; if it is marked 50/60 Hz, it is suitable for either frequency. If you are unsure, particularly with specialist or medical equipment, check with the manufacturer.
Most modern travel electronics, chargers and laptops accept a wide range of supply voltages and don't need a converter. Check the appliance or its power supply for an input rating such as 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz. If you see this, you normally only need the appropriate plug adapter.
Which Worldwide Travel Adapter Do You Need?
| What You Want to Do | What Actually Matters | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Charge phones, tablets or cameras | USB ports and charging speed. Most chargers accept 100–240 V. | A compact worldwide adapter with USB-C, or an international USB charger if you don't need an AC socket. |
| Charge a laptop by USB-C | The output of the individual USB-C PD port — not the claimed total USB wattage | USB-PD that meets your laptop's requirement. Alternatively, plug its 100–240 V power supply into the adapter's AC socket. |
| Use a hair dryer, iron or other high-power appliance | The adapter's current rating. Appliances draw more current at lower supply voltages. | Check the appliance and adapter ratings and leave some headroom. A 1,000 W appliance draws about 8.3 A at 120 V. |
| Use equipment that requires grounding | Whether the adapter actually carries the ground connection through to the outlet. | A grounded adapter compatible with your destination. Most universal models don't provide grounding with Type H (Israel), J (Switzerland), K (Denmark), L (Italy), N (Brazil) or O (Thailand) outlets. A kit may provide better coverage. |
| Travel to India, South Africa or other poorly covered destination | Actual outlet compatibility — not the advertised number of countries. | Check the destination first. Type D outlets are a poor fit for Type C plugs. Type M usually isn't supported: use an appropriate individual adapter or a kit. |
Worldwide vs Individual Adapters
What works best depends on how often you travel, the countries you visit and the devices you take with you.
- Worldwide adapters - A convenient choice for frequent travelers and multi-country trips. They combine several plug types in one compact unit, but don't provide complete compatibility with every outlet.
- International adapter kits - Offer many of the same advantages but use interchangeable plug modules instead of an all-in-one mechanism. They can provide broader outlet compatibility and are worth considering if your travels include countries that aren't well covered by standard universal adapters.
- Individual adapters - A simple and inexpensive option if you only visit one or two destinations. They can also be a better choice when you need a reliable ground connection.
- International charger adapters - Useful if you travel with several USB-powered devices. If everything you carry charges by USB, a suitable international charger may even remove the need for a conventional travel adapter.
Worldwide Travel Adapter FAQs
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Worldwide travel adapters have a universal socket that accepts many international plug types, coupled with a user-selectable output plug. Most use sliders to select the appropriate prongs for the country you're visiting, allowing a single adapter to switch between the major international plug types: Type A (US), Type C (European), Type G (UK) and Type I (Australian).
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No. There is no single universal travel adapter that works safely with all the electrical outlets in every country. Most use Type A, C, G and I output plugs, which are cross-compatible with other outlet types allowing them to work in 180+ countries. However, most don't make a ground connection, Type D outlets can provide a loose, unsafe connection with Type C plugs, and none of the universal adapters we've seen fit the Type M outlets commonly used in South Africa. If you need broader compatibility, particularly with grounded outlets, an international adapter kit may be a better option.
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Yes, many now come with multiple USB-A and USB-C ports that are suitable for charging a range of devices such as phones, cameras and tablets. Some also come with higher-power USB-C Power Delivery (USB-PD) ports for charging compatible laptops. It's important to check both the total USB power output and the maximum output of each individual port to make sure they meet your requirements.
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No, a standard worldwide travel adapter changes the shape of your plug to fit a different outlet; it does not change the local supply voltage. Combined universal adapter and voltage converter units are available, but they're much less common. Most phones, laptops and chargers accept 100–240 V, but check the input rating on the device or power supply.
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Yes. The Type C plug found on most worldwide travel adapters is cross-compatible with the Type E, F, J, K and L outlets used across much of continental Europe, while the Type G plug covers the UK, Ireland and some other European destinations. However, standard worldwide adapters are usually ungrounded. Their Type C plug does not provide a ground connection when used with grounded European outlets, and their Type G plug normally uses a non-conductive dummy ground prong.
If you have appliances that require grounding, you will need a suitable grounded adapter. Most grounded universal adapters do not cover Type J (Switzerland), Type K (Denmark) or Type L (Italy), so country-specific adapters may be required for grounded appliances in those locations. Check your destination before traveling because some European countries use more than one outlet type. -
You will only need a grounded universal travel adapter if you intend to use equipment that requires grounding. Before choosing an adapter, check the plug and specifications of the devices you intend to take, along with the manufacturer's label (which may be on the power supply) or manual. Double-insulated appliances are marked with a symbol that looks like a box inside a box and do not require grounding.
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Yes. You can either plug your laptop's normal power supply into the universal adapter or, with a suitable model, charge the laptop directly from a USB-C Power Delivery port. When using USB-PD, check that the port's power output meets your laptop's requirements and use a suitable charging cable. Manufacturers frequently quote total USB power output so it's important to check that the individual port is capable of supplying the required power for your laptop. Some modern laptops can require up to 140 W for charging and not many world adapters are capable of supporting an output that high. If you're using the laptop's own power supply, check that its input rating covers the local supply voltage; most modern laptop power supplies are rated for 100–240 V.
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The most common problems are incomplete outlet compatibility, lack of grounding, bulky high-power models pulling out of loose outlets, and USB ports that don't provide enough power for larger devices. Universal adapters also don't normally convert voltage.