Plug In Europe: Power Adapters & Converters Explained
PLUG IN EUROPE
In the USA, electrical outlets run on 110 voltage…except your clothes dryer, range and oven that are 220 volts. Your phone charger, your computer battery…both are 110 volts.
So when you travel to Europe, pack an adapter.
But before you pack read the labels on your electronics to learn if they feature dual voltage or if they are 110V only. In the case of the latter, you’ll need to pack a transformer too. It’s possible that your appliance has a power switch that can change between 110V and 220V. When you travel to Europe, flip the switch to 220V.
An adapter modifies the physical shape of the USA plug to fit in the European wall outlet. A convertor changes the voltage to be compatible with a different electrical voltage.
We turned to the Wired.com pro on Gear, Simon Hill, for his recommendations in the February 2025 magazine. His top pick: the Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter with 65cm Retractable USB-C Cable – 3x USB Ports (QC 3.0, PD 70W), Compatible with Type A, C, G, I Outputs. Hill cautions not to use this adapter with any device that has a third metal ground pin. It’s available overnight from Amazon.com for $44.09.
Credit: Amazon.com
Hill’s budget choice is the Ceptics 6 on Amazon for only 1 $17.99.
Credit: Amazon.com