Voltage Converters Don't Always Work. Here's How To Not Blow Up Your Electronics Abroad.

New York Times

28-07-2025

Socket shapes vary by region, so a US plug won't fit into, say, a European or Australian outlet. A travel adapter essentially converts the shape of the plug, but it does nothing to convert voltage, which also differs from region to region.
But if you're just planning to charge devices such as your phone, e-reader, or camera battery, a travel adapter should do the trick. I often recommend a universal travel adapter for casual travelers because it typically has both an outlet and USB ports and works in the majority of countries around the world.
Our favorite universal travel adapter has four plugs, including three of the most common international plugs and a US plug, as well as one outlet and five USB ports. In our tests it had the highest total USB amperage rating (5.6 amps for two or more USB ports combined), which means it can charge more of your devices at a higher speed before hitting the max output. However, it doesn't work in every country, and it offers little surge protection.
Most of the electronics you charge daily will function because they use wall chargers or power supplies that you can unplug from the device itself; these should automatically convert voltage. And USB ports all have the same voltage, so they're blessedly unproblematic. Voltage-wise, these chargers and power supplies will all work abroad, though you may need a travel adapter to convert the plug shape. The first hint that you're A-OK: All of these have a cord that can detach from the device. Clockwise from left: a 'wall wart' with a Europlug, for an electric shaver; my new electric toothbrush base, which uses a USB cord and a charging brick; and a charging brick for a phone. Maria Adelmann/NYT Wirecutter
Although most newer laptops are fine with just a travel adapter, if you visit one region frequently, you may want to invest in a region-specific plug adapter made specifically for your computer. While living in Europe, I bought Apple's World Travel Adapter Kit, which comes with seven plugs for different regions that are interchangeable with the standard US plug on my Mac's charger.
Standard outlets in the US are 110 to 120 volts, but in Europe and many other countries, they're 220 V to 240 V. And as our guide to the best gear for travel notes, 'Putting 220 V through a US 110 V device would be like attaching a firehose to a drinking fountain — you're likely to blow your face off.' Devices with the wrong voltage won't work abroad, even with a travel adapter.
If you're worried, check the voltage of your device, which is typically listed in small print on the charger itself. If the label says '100–240V 50/60Hz,' or some variation of that, it indicates a range of volts from the US standard to the European standard, and that means you can plug the device straight into a travel adapter globally without issue.
You can also look at the device itself. According to our guide to the best travel plug adapters, anything with a motor, heating element, or single power cord that leads directly from the plug to the device almost certainly won't work with a travel adapter. Again, an exception here is if it charges via USB, which should be fine. The cord of this hair dryer leads directly from the plug to the device. That's a hint that its voltage won't convert abroad. We don't recommend using such a device with a travel adapter or even a voltage converter, as the latter often doesn't actually work. Maria Adelmann/NYT Wirecutter Voltage cheat sheet for travelers from the US Voltage stated on charger or device label What you can do with it
100–240V 50/60Hz
(or a variation, such as 120–220V)
Use it everywhere, with a travel adapter if needed.
This item is dual-voltage and should work globally. Feel free to plug it into almost any outlet in the US or abroad, though you may need a travel adapter to do so.
120V 60Hz
(or a variation, such as 110–120V)
Leave it at home. It won't work abroad.
This item is designed for the US power grid. If you're traveling abroad, you should not plug this item into a travel adapter. Because voltage converters don't always work, we suggest leaving this item at home.
220–240V 50Hz
(or a variation, such as 240V)
Use it abroad, with a travel adapter, if needed, but not in the US.
This item is designed for international use. It will work abroad in most places, but you shouldn't plug it into a US outlet even with a travel adapter. Depending on where you purchased the item and where you're traveling, you may need a travel adapter to plug it in. Note: Canada, Mexico, and several Central and South American countries have the same plug type as the US (A and B) and similar voltage, so if that's where you're headed, you can leave your travel adapter at home. Japan uses mostly plug-type A (two-pronged), so you may not have success with three-pronged plugs. Do you know where these items will work? Answers: A) This iron's label says '120V.' You can use it in the US, but don't plug it into a travel adapter abroad. B) This charger for a Mac says '100-240V.' This means it's dual-voltage, so you can use it in the US and plug it into a power adapter abroad. C) This hair dryer's label says '125VAC' (voltage alternating current), so it can be used in the US but should not be plugged into a travel adapter abroad. D) This electric razor's charger says '100-240V' but has a Europlug. You can use it in Europe or plug it into a travel adapter to use it in the US. Maria Adelmann/NYT Wirecutter
Even though the horror-story classic is a hair dryer, you should also check the voltage on electric-toothbrush bases, electric hair trimmers, clothing irons, curling irons, white noise machines, and any larger appliances (electric kettles, food processors).
What to do if your device has the wrong voltage Choose an alternative device with a USB charger, which will work with just a travel adapter.
Choose a device with a long battery life, so you don't have to charge it while traveling.
Find a dual-voltage travel version.
Contact the hotel or Airbnb host to find out if they have an item you'll need, such as a hair dryer or iron.
Find an alternative to bring on your trip, such as a disposable razor or a white noise app.
Though a voltage converter is supposed to solve the problem of incompatible voltage, we've found that it often doesn't. We recommend that if an item has the wrong voltage for your destination, avoid bringing it with you.
Wirecutter editor Hannah Rimm learned this lesson the hard way: On a recent trip to Hong Kong, she specifically purchased a voltage converter for her hair dryer, but when she plugged it in, the voltage converter blew out, and it seems to have enfeebled her hair dryer for good.
The good news is that some compact or travel versions of appliances, such as hair dryers, curling irons, steamers, shavers, and irons, are dual-voltage or have a little switch for changing the voltage.
You can also opt for a version with a USB plug, which should work abroad. Comedian Conan O'Brien's favorite compact travel shaver, the Philips Norelco Compact Shaver, has a USB plug (as does my new electric-toothbrush charging base).
You could also buy items with a long battery life, so you don't even have to charge them on your trip. Our top-pick shaver, the Braun Series 8, has a travel charging case that's a bit bulky but keeps the shaver up and running for as long as six weeks. Our runner-up pick in our best electric toothbrush guide, the Philips Sonicare 4100, will get you through a two-week trip on one charge.
Another option: Many hotels and Airbnbs have hair dryers or irons on hand — if you're worried, call ahead and ask. Or consider changing up your routine when you travel; for example, you might want to switch to disposable razors or a white noise app like our favorite, myNoise.
Travel adapters don't convert voltage; they only convert the shape of the plug. Luckily, most powering devices for common items, such as phones and camera batteries, are compatible with voltage abroad, so you'll be fine using just a travel adapter.
But larger appliances may have issues. When in doubt, check the device's voltage, which is usually listed in small print on the powering or charging brick. If it says something like '100–240V 50/60Hz,' which encompasses a range of volts for different power grids, you're good to go globally with just a travel adapter.
If it lists a voltage or voltage range just in the 100s, the device is designed for the US power grid. Our rec: If you're heading to a country with a different grid, leave that item at home. It won't work with a travel adapter, and we don't think voltage converters work well. Better an untraveled hair dryer than a broken one, no?
Happy powering!
This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder.
What I Cover
I'm a writer on the discovery team covering travel products, along with related news, fun facts, and tips.