Are plug adapters needed in Europe

Yes, you will need adapters. These adapters are my favorites, as you can plug them into an outlet in Europe, and then plug up to three different electric devices into them, plus 1 USB-A port and 2 USB-C ports. I bought two of them and really like them. They're also on sale right now.

Agree with Mardee, those adapters are great and is all you need.

Until the US, on that old-fashion 110 electricity system, catches up, you'll need adapters because our plugs are different shapes.

These should also work for you if all you need is to adapt a standard US plug to a standard continental European outlet. RS sells them, so does AAA, as well as Amazon and probably a lot of other stores.

Depending on what you’re using, it may be current (110 vs. 220) as well as plug.

Not an issue for electronics, but we took a waterpick which would have fried without a currency adapter. With electronics, those with power converters in the electric supply system, or the little Apple block outlet to usb, the power is already addressed.

BTW in Italy, we found two different size two prong, round hole outlet/sockets in different hotels, sometimes two different sizes in the same room, with a different outlet in the bathroom than in the bedroom. Most hotels had two prong, round to round adapters (larger diameter to smaller diameter) that we could use, but at our last hotel in Naples (4 nights), we had to find a shop where we could get an adapter for our adapter. It was only 2 euros and took us aside for only a few minutes.

Electric Europe: Adapters and Converters -
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/electric-adapters-converters

Until the US, on old-fashion 110 electricity, catches up with most of
the world, you'll need adapters.

First, the adapters are for plug configurations, not voltage. That's a different gadget, not an adapter but a transformer.

Second, US power is 60hz while European power is 50hz and 50hz power is 20 percent less effective in generation, and it is 10-15 percent less efficient in transmission.

With electronics, those with power converters in the electric supply
system, or the little Apple block outlet to usb, the power is already
addressed.

My daughter has some sort of Nintendo game thing. The little plug in transformer smoked when I plugged it in in Europe. A little research afterwards revealed thst they were voltage particular. She wasn't happy. Always best to check.

Some 120 V power strips are not straight up, dumb, connectors, and will blow up on 240 V, taking out the fuse box of the B N B you are at..... :)

Bottom line is that one must have a little bit of understanding of what the voltage and frequency requirements are for the electrical stuff you intend to use. My experience is that heat-related appliances (hair dryers, hair rollers, hair curlers ... see the connection?) usually need to be purchased somewhere that uses the same voltage as the place you're visiting. Phones, tablets and computers (PTC) and the chargers that feed them usually get their power through a transformer that converts mains (plug-in) alternating current (AC) of whatever voltage and frequency (110-240V, 50-60 Hz) is employed in the visited nation to direct current (DC) at the voltage the device needs.

Most of us carry with us only hair care appliances and PTC with us on our travels; I don't know anyone who hauls around blenders, food processors, televisions, toaster ovens or microwaves. Even electric shavers are seldom used, and in Europe they often have separate 110V outlets to accommodate those. So here's the deal: PTC can be used with a simple plug adapter like you buy on Amazon. Hair care stuff from the USA shouldn't be plugged into those adapters. Those rules generally will serve the traveler in good stead.

And anything with a motor driven by AC current will run slower on 50hz then 60hz. A clock for instance.

So, are you confused yet?

The answer to your question is yes, you will need an adapter. for the plugs. Luckily, you can use the same adapter in alll those places. It should look something like this:

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/european-power-adapter

You can also use one of the multi-socket adapters shown at the top of this thread so save space and the number of outlets needed.

Now you do have to make sure the things you want to plug in can handle the difference in electricity. Most modern electronics are fine. But here's what you do.....

Look at everything you want to charge. Either the item itself or its charger. There will be a lot of small writing If you see something that says 110-240V you're good to go. If not, you will need something to convert the electricity. Before you buy anything, come back here, tell us what it is, and we can help you.

Second, US power is 60hz while European power is 50hz and 50hz power
is 20 percent less effective in generation, and it is 10-15 percent
less efficient in transmission.

I wonder what is meant here, given the generators are currently pretty much 99% efficient, how can they be 20% more efficient in the US. The only slight advantage is that transformers can be a bit lighter.

But look at Japan, that is half 50Hz, half 60Hz, and has no intention to change that either. This because different voltages and frequencies are pretty much a non issue nowadays.

The same with sockets in Europe. There actually does exist an official European Standard Socket. It is incidentally what Switzerland uses. Switzerland used to have power sockets that looked like those in France, and then migrated over several decades. Occasionally you can still encounter an old socket. The Swiss system is actually rather clever, with sockets and plugs for both 10 and 16A, and for 1 phase 240, and 3 phase 400 volt. And so that you can for example plug a 1 phase appliance in a 3 phase socket but not the other way round. (To translate this in to American: It means that you can use a "dryer socket" for other things than a dryer...)

Germany used to have 2 phase 110V, with 2 live wires 180 degrees out of phase, and no neutral. So the appliance actually sees 220V. This is why the German plug is not polarised.

But a C type plug will fit anywhere in Europe, so that is all you need when travelling here. And if you know the trick you can even fit a type C plug in a UK socket...

My only complaiñt about the C adapter is that they tend to fall out of the socket when you put the weight of a USB or low voltage transformer on it, or if you wiggle the wire. Not a problem with a simple plug, i have many in my house on lamps, etc., just the adapter with something else hanging on its back can be less thsn ideal. Some brands are better, some worse. But a proper Schuklo adapter always works, stays in place and provides a ground for those rare ocassions when one is needed.

Putting a C into a UK type G isnt wise.

As for electrical theory, we haven't got the time or space.

Most modern appliances (PC's, phones, cameras, etc) that use a battery source tend to accept both US and EU current. You can check; it's listed on the same tag/sticker as the serial number or on the charging converter.

Don't haul a plug convertor over to the EU. Every hotel has them, just ask. If you want your own go to the Euro Store, or Aldi, or Lidl, or any other place and pay the 1-2 Euro for one.

Pack light - leave junk behind.

,Let's try to keep wording the same so we don't confuse people.

An adapter changes the plug. A converter changes the electricity.

Plug adapters are cheap and weigh vitually nothing.

BTW, some hotels are now charging for adapters and more than just a Euro or two.

Don't haul a plug convertor over to the EU. Every hotel has them, just ask. If you want your own go to the Euro Store, or Aldi, or Lidl, or any other place and pay the 1-2 Euro for one.

Yes, hotels have them and I probably have 4-5 of them. But the problem is that many B&Bs (and some hotels) do not have a lot of available outlets. This means that if you have multiple appliances and devices, it can be difficult to charge them all at night. For example, I bring a laptop, iPhone, Apple Watch, rechargeable hearing aids, and a CPAP. The CPAP needs to plug in by the bed, and I like to have the watch there so I can check the time, but prefer to have the rest in a different location (and sometimes the bedside tables are so small, there's not much room).

That's why I bring 2 multi-port/plug adaptors., And FWIW, they take up very little space.

Thank you everyone. I followed one posters advise and bought adapter on Amazon. I am not planning for much technology on this vacation so think we are all set. Just needed to know so can charge phone, blow dry on occasion. Appreciate the feedback. Think we are all set on this one for now. :)

About your blow dryer......check to make sure it is dual voltage or the first time you use it in Europe, it will fry.

BTW, I have yet to stay in any hotel in Eruope that didn't have a blowdryer.

Definitely beware of using a "normal" US hair dryer in Europe.

Almost all electronics will tell you in some place what their "input" specs are. Input being what they expect/need/can handle from the socket, and it is often on the plug itself, or the laptop computer "brick", or where the power cord enters something.

For example, my Dell laptop brick states "Input: 100-240V ~50-60Hz ..." - what that tells me is it will work in the US or Europe with JUST a plug adapter for Europe. If it said "120VAC 60Hz" like my wife's blow dryer, that would mean it was NOT suitable for simply using an adapter when in Europe as their 240V would essentially double things (and burn it up or throw a breaker).

Like others said, most hotels will have a hair dryer in the room or, at worst, at the concierge.