Frequent Fliers Swear by This $26 Universal Power Adapter That Charges 5 Devices and Fits in Your Palm

Travel + Leisure

16-06-2025

Over the past decade, I've visited about 20 countries with the same $10 set of travel adapters I probably panic-bought the night before a big trip. To be fair, they've kept my devices mostly charged across five continents. But they're also a constant nuisance—always cluttering up my suitcase, loosely hanging out of wall sockets, and at risk of disconnecting my phone charger mid-snooze. After a recent trip to a Caribbean island that uses three different plug types, I decided it's time to upgrade to a universal travel adapter.
Right now, the most popular one out there is Anker's Nano Travel Adapter, a sleek five-in-one gadget that's already been purchased over 3,000 times in the past month alone, despite being brand new at Amazon. Anker is better known for its best-selling portable chargers, so I wasn't surprised to see the same loyal fanbase showing up for this new release. I dug through reviews to find out what makes it a favorite. I've already added it to my cart, and can't wait to put it in my carry-on suitcase immediately.
The 'five-in-one' claim refers to its five charging ports: one AC outlet, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports. That means I can juice up my phone, headphones, and camera batteries—plus my electric toothbrush and book light—without resorting to a complicated charging schedule or a hotel room full of tangled cords. The only caveat? If your laptop charger has three prongs, it won't be compatible.
Flip the adapter over, and you'll find two sets of retractable prongs that rotate to fit four outlet types: U.S. (Type A), U.K. (Type G), E.U. (Type C), and Australia (Type I). Together, those cover more than 200 countries, from Italy to Indonesia and the UAE.
The size is a major selling point. At just three by two inches, and about an inch deep, it's smaller and slimmer than most blocky competitors. One reviewer called it 'positively svelte,' and another described it as 'teeny tiny'—ideal for slipping into your bag's tech pouch or even your jacket pocket.
Of course, safety matters—especially when charging expensive gear overseas. The Anker Nano has built-in safety protections, including overheat prevention, short-circuit protection, and automatic shutoff in the event of overload. It even resets itself automatically once conditions normalize.
One reviewer—an actual electrical engineer—praised the thoughtful internal design. 'All the sockets are interlocked in such a way that you can't expose any of the prongs you're not using…It's very compact for doing all of these conversions, and it even allows you to convert from non-polarized to polarized plugs (like in Mexico).' Another simply called it 'an absolute lifesaver' for international travel.
No more hunting through hotel nightstands for free outlets, and no more juggling USB blocks at the airport. Just one small cube to rule them all. If you, like me, are ready to ditch your drawer full of mismatched adapters for a do-it-all solution, here are a few more top-rated universal travel adapters at Amazon worth considering.
At the time of publishing, the price started at $26.
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