5 Best Europe Voltage Converters and Travel Adapters

Three years ago, I was invited to visit the enchanting island of Madeira, Portugal for a work trip. Between sipping samples of colheita at Blandy’s Wine Lodge, dipping my feet into volcanic rock pools, and hiking through the mystical, foggy Fanal Forest, the highlights of that trip are too numerous to mention. But alas, every seasoned traveler knows that international trips are usually a mixed bag of both highs and lows—and one of my lowest points involved me frying the absolute heck out of my brand-new travel steamer right before a ritzy group dinner.

On a mission to bust through the zillion wrinkles my “going out” dress had accumulated in my carry-on, I had plugged the steamer into my European travel adapter without a second thought. It was only after it made a pathetic sfffftz! sound when I realized what I had done; I hadn’t checked to see if the voltage of the steamer and the hotel’s power outlets would line up. Fast forward to me sitting politely at a five-star meal while wearing a white linen dress so wrinkly, it resembled a crumpled-up paper napkin.

So, lesson learned: Pack wrinkle-free fabrics when you can, and never, ever, plug a travel steamer or hair tool in without checking the voltage first. The first step to preventing your devices from being electrocuted into oblivion while visiting Europe (or, really, anywhere outside of the United States) is to buy a travel adapter or voltage converter that suits your needs. Whether you’re just looking for a streamlined plug-in that can juice up your phone while abroad or want to invest in a universal adapter kit you can take to every corner of the globe, ahead are five options that have gotten the thumbs-up from international travelers—starting at $10.

Best Overall Travel Adapters and Voltage Converters:

Bestek 110v-220V Voltage Converter

Globetrotters, listen up: This Bestek Voltage Converter and Travel Adapter kit has everything you need to stay plugged in across 160+ countries. On top of its five included international travel adapters, this set has three AC outlets and four USB charging ports, allowing you to charge up to seven devices at once. It can also be used with any plug-in device that supports dual voltage inputs with a range of 110V to 220V, including most travel curling irons and hair straighteners.

While many travelers reported that it served them well on trips to Bulgaria, Irelandand Greeceplenty more shared that it worked just as well outside of the EU, including the Philippines, India, Kuwait, Nigeriaand Japan. A travel agent gave it a glowing five-star review for its worldwide usability and multiple charging outlets. “The four USB ports were frequently all in use as we charged cell phones and power banks,” they shared about a recent trip to South Africa. “(I) love having one device for all (of) my destinations rather than having to buy multiple single destination ones.”

As for its longevity? One five-star reviewer shared that it was the “perfect” voltage converter for a four-month stay in France. “Just plug it into the wall and voila,” they wrote. “You have a charging station for EVERYTHING.”

Epicka 220V Universal Travel Adapter

On sale for less than $20, the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter earned the Travel + Leisure title of Best Overall Travel Adapter after multiple rounds of testing. This nifty adapter charges up to six devices at the same time, via four USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and one AC socket. Since it works in over 150 countries, you won’t have to worry about switching between adapters for different legs of an international trip.

The main pull of the Epicka travel adapter, though, is how compact it is. This universal adapter fits in the palm of your hand and is so small, it can be easily stuffed into a shoe in order to save extra space in your bag. However, it’s worth noting that this product is an adapter—not a voltage converter—so you should only use it with compatible devices.

Tessan 2-pack 220V European Travel Adapters

Double up your ability to charge your devices while in Europe thanks to this two-pack of Tessan Travel Adapters. Ringing up at $11 a piece, these 220-volt plug adapters can turn one outlet into four, and they have three USB ports, so you can charge your phone, Bluetooth headphones, and power bank in one fell swoop.

Over 10,000 of these Tessan travel adapters have been purchased within the last month alone, making them the no. 1 best-selling power converter at Amazon. From Iceland to Turkey and everywhere in between, over 9,000 shoppers gave this device a five-star rating, with one person noting it “worked like a dream” while visiting Europe. “Despite some cities having slightly different plug types, these worked excellent everywhere we went,” wrote one such reviewer. “For reference, we went to Rome, Volterra (Tuscany), Florence, and Positano (Amalfi coast) and had zero issues. It worked great for my dual voltage hair tool and clothes steamer.”

Ceptics 100V-240V Universal Travel Adapter Kit

Two USA AC outlets? Check. Three charging ports? Check. A built-in USB-C cable? Check. At the risk of sounding like my late grandfather, this Ceptics Travel Adapter is all that and a bag of chips. Equipped with six universal adapters, this powerful plug-in adapter has a wide voltage range and has a surge protector to protect your electronics against voltage spikes. What’s more, it comes with two voltage indicator lights that tell you the voltage of the outlet it’s been plugged into, so you’ll know for certain if you can safely use your hair dryer or travel steamer with it. Plus, it has a built-in USB-C charging cable—a genius feature “for that extra electronic device” you may have forgotten to pack a cable for.

Usinfly 240V European Travel Plug Adapter

For the minimal Europe-bound traveler that doesn’t care to pack bulky hair tools or clothing irons, this Usinfly Travel Adapter is the one for you. It has a slim design that sticks out rather than down, so it won’t block the second wall outlet at your hotel or Airbnb, yet it can quickly charge up to four devices at once via two USB-C and two USB-A outlets. One traveler who used it in Spain called it a “must-have,” beaming that it’s “not big and bulky like so many of these are” and that “the multiple ports were perfect.” Another reviewer used it in a small European cruise cabin and said, “It worked perfect and allowed me to keep the US 110v plugs available for other items. It was super easy to use.”

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