Best Travel Plug Adapter Reviews 2018

The number of options a travel plug adapter provides is usually the main determinant of its price. An adapter that doubles as a voltage converter, and multiple USB ports and sockets, will definitely command more than those without, all other things being the same. An adapter with many options like that can cost up to $80, and those that are just adapters with no USB option will usually go for less than $20.

There are cheap travel plug adapters in the market, too. As their category implies, they will only give you cheap value. They don’t last long, and those that have USB ports will take forever to charge your device. So don’t let the price fool you; they’re not worth it. And that’s why they’re not part of our consideration.

It’s a great experience to travel to other countries around the world. But as nice as the experiences are, traveling comes with its own peculiar challenges; power is one of them. Your plug might not work with the sockets in your next destination, and you’ll need an adapter to sort that. Here’s a list of important features you need to look out for when choosing your travel adapter:

• Plug type
• Voltage compatibility
• USB port
• Design
• Size
• Carrier pouch
• Protection

The above list will help you identify the features important to your needs. As you read further, you’ll have a better understanding of how they can influence your choice of travel plug adapter.

What makes a power adapter an adapter is its ability to allow you to use electrical appliances in sockets that would be otherwise incompatible. They can achieve such feats because of the types of plugs they have. There are several types of sockets peculiar to different countries/regions. Travel plug adapters are useful because a lot of them have multiple plug types that will fit into different sockets. The popular socket types are:

• UK:which has 3 thick pins
• US:which has 2 flat parallel pins like those in Japan (grounded version with rounded pin at top)
• EU:which has 2 rounded pins
• AU:which has 2 flat pins in a V-shape

These travel plug adapters are designed in almost as many ways as there are manufacturing brands out there. There are designs that have a central box and let you interchange the plugs somewhere on its body, depending on the one you require for use. There are still others that are designed as individual universal adapters. Each of these adapters has plugs of the different types we mentioned earlier so it can fit into its corresponding socket.

On the other side, it has a universal socket configuration that lets you plug in your devices and appliances. A third design type is a standalone adapter. These types are designed such that you can flip up/out the individual plug pins and use with the applicable socket. There are other similar designs where you slide in/out the plug pins to use. They also have a universal socket on the other side that you use for connecting your devices and appliances.

These travel plug chargers also come in different shapes and sizes. They all come in manageable sizes since they’re travel chargers, but there are some that are super compact. The really compact designs are the ones with built-in multiple plugs that you flip or slide to use. They’re usually about the same size as the regular adapters with a single plug type. But they make maximum use of space by retracting the plug pins within their casings. There are also the slightly bigger ones that come with the added advantage of having multiple sockets on them.

It’s not only the socket types that vary by country/region; the voltage does too. There are two main voltage ratings: the 110V and the 220V. Most devices and appliances are designed for one or the other; therefore, matching your appliance with the wrong voltage can damage it.

Most travel adapters only let you use sockets that would have been incompatible without them. You will need a voltage converter to make your device compatible with the voltage available, not an adapter. You can solve the voltage issue by buying an adapter that doubles as a converter, or use only devices that are dual voltage. Another alternative will be buying a separate voltage converter.

Most adapters output a steady flow of current, but there are cases where there are rapid changes in the flow of electricity which could sometimes be detrimental to devices plugged in at the time. It’s important to look out for adapters that provide surge protection. In addition to surge protection, there are some adapters out there that also protect your device from short-circuiting, high-temperature, and over-current.

There are some intelligent technologies that are sometimes infused into certain adapters. For instance, there’s a certain adapter that can determine the current requirement of connected devices, so it can adequately share the current so each device can get enough to perform optimally. Isn’t that just awesome?

A standard micro USB cord is all you need to charge your portable devices nowadays. That’s why most manufacturers fit USB ports into their adapters to make them more versatile. Some travel plug adapters have as many as 4 USB ports, allowing you to charge multiple devices at a time. This option helps you save time as you don’t have to wait for one device to charge before you charge another. Anything that can help you save time is valuable, isn’t it? It’s also important you consider the wattage of the appliances you want to use and be sure you’re buying an adapter that has enough wattage to supply the device. It’s also important to check for certifications and standards these adapters have met. Like we always emphasize, your safety comes first.

Quite a number of these travel plug adapters come with carrier bags so you can keep them in one place, especially those that have multiple units.