European hair straightener in London

Posted by KRS (MD) on 04/23/24 11:58 AM

Hi all. It occurred to me this morning that I'll probably need a converter for my hair straightener when I go to London in December. I've never needed one before because I purchased a straightener in Italy 15 or so years ago and have been able to use it in various European countries when I've traveled, but the outlets in England aren't compatible with the C outlet.

I know adapters are for making different sized plugs fit into outlets, whereas converters are for changing the currency, but I'm always a little confused and uncertain about it and I have no idea what currency a C straightener uses vs a G outlet, so maybe the adapter is enough. I want to make sure I've got the correct equipment though, so if someone could clarify it for me, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you!

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

04/23/24 12:05 PM

15116 posts

All you should need is an adapter plug for the strightener you bought in Italy.

Posted by LIZinPA 🧳

SE Pennsylvania

04/23/24 12:20 PM

2397 posts

I have a heated brush I bought in Spain. I use it in the UK with a euro to Uk adapter. No issues.

Posted by Cyn

Colorado Mountains, USA

04/23/24 12:22 PM

7396 posts

It sounds like your 15-year-old straightener is still going strong, and it’s what you’ll be bringing to London. Does its plug have 2 cylindrical prongs?

The British “G” socket has 3 rectangular holes, or wide slots, really, arranged in a triangular pattern. You’ll just need an adapter, which will have 3 prongs (much thicker than the 2 rectangular tabs on American non-grounded plugs) that plug into the wall socket in London, and also with two round holes to accept the plug at the end of the cord of your straightener.

In London earlier this month, shops at the airport had lots of adapters for sale, various designs to fit different plugs from around the world. Those might cost more than what you could find closer to home, or from an Online retailer. There are also combo adapters, designed to fit U.S., standard European, and UK plugs and sockets in various configurations, but those are cumbersome, and probably bigger and more than you need. Lots of holes, along with those 3 British rectangular prongs.

You won’t need to convert from one voltage to another, so just get the adapter that changes a 2-hole European plug to work with a British 3-rectangular wide slot socket.

Posted by KRS OP

04/23/24 12:38 PM

484 posts

Thanks everyone. I have several adapters. One I've had for years is the traditional box with lots of different plugs in it and another I purchased last year with a longer cord and USB ports in case I end up in a place with plugs in inconvenient places such as behind furniture. I'm glad to hear my C style straightener can be plugged into the adapter and used in London. That's one less thing to worry with!