Are you planning to visit a foreign county soon? If so, you must be really excited right now! Overseas trips are exhilarating but can also be overwhelming as you need to pack every single item you’ll need in a foreign land. You have to pack your favorite outfits, comfortable shoes, necessary medicines, and a number of other essential pieces of stuff. Of all these things, one of the most crucial items is a travel adapter.
Most of the travelers often forget or neglect the need for a travel adapter. But what if upon arriving at the hotel, you find out that there’s no way to plug in your chargers in the available outlet? Your amazing trip can take a nightmarish turn if you’re not able to charge your mobile phone, laptop, and camera. This happens because there are around twelve different types of power sockets that are commonly used around the world. As such, for vacationers travel adapters and converters are a necessity.
What is a Travel Adapter?
As mentioned above, the electrical outlets used around the world vary from country to country. So, to make sure that you’re able to charge your gadgets, you need an adapter that will simply allow you to plug your device into the configuration of that specific electrical outlet. However, figuring out the right type of plug adapter is something that can baffle even the most seasoned international travelers. To find the right one, first, you need to know the outlets used in the destination(s) that you’re visiting and the type of plugs your chargers have. Seems confusing? Read further to clear your doubts and buy the right travel adapter.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Adapter
1. Choose the Right Size
When buying a travel adapter, you’ll find various different shapes and sizes. There are small and single-region adapters, as well as larger “universal” ones. Many travelers go for the universal versions because these can be used in almost every country. This sounds great but the size and weight of these adapters can cause some problems. The large universal adapters usually tend to fall out of the socket because of their weight. Also, these sometimes block the socket beside them. To prevent these issues, a smaller adapter is the best option. A single-region adapter is not only small and convenient to use but also comparatively cheaper.
2. Adapters Are Not Voltage Converters
Remember, adapters simply convert the layout of the pins so that your charger or appliance fits in the socket. These are not capable of changing the voltage coming out of the power socket. If you’re traveling from North or Central America to the Caribbean or any other countries, the voltage can be an issue. This happens because, outside America, the mains voltage gets double- around 220-240 volts. To prevent your devices from the voltage damage, make sure to check the range of voltages they can handle and carry a voltage converter.
3. Research Plugs Types
The designs of electrical outlets vary from country to country and even from region to region. If you have a MacBook or use power strips and other devices that come with the round earth pin, two-pin plugs are not the right choice. To avoid any issue, you need to research which type(s) of designs are used in that country so you can find adapters with matching the shape. Also, you need to consider the devices you’ll be bringing along on your trip. It’s better to go for a three-pin version to avoid potential hassles.
4. One Travel Adapter and a Power Strip
Whether you’re traveling with your family or going to carry multiple gadgets, you don’t need to buy individual adapters. To keep your expenses low, it’s best to carry a travel adapter along with a power strip. By doing this, you can simply plug all of your chargers into the power strip, the power strip into the travel adapter, and the adapter into the wall socket. But make sure to keep the voltage needs in mind.
