electrical coverter/plugs

You couldn't possibly have used a North American plug in Italy, they are completely different shapes.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/electric-adapters-converters

What country are you coming from? Is your hair dryer single voltage or dual voltage?

If you are coming from the US, your devices/chargers would all have a North American 2 or 3 prong plug. They would need a European adaptor to fit the European electrical outlets. Electronics like phones are dual voltage. If your dryer is dual voltage it doesnt't need a converter, but may have a voltage switch which needs to be switched from one voltage to the other. If the phone just uses a USB, then it just connects to the provided USB outlet.

If your dryer is single 110 voltage, then you need a converter and adaptor or you will fry the device. Since converters are heavy and not always reliable, better to leave that device behind. Either get a dual voltage travel dryer or just use the one supplied by your hotel.

Where are you traveling to? Wall plugs are different in different countries. Get a Universal European Adaptor from Amazon or through Rick Steves’ website.. I have never traveled with a hairdryer as most hotels have them. If you do, make sure it is dual voltage and that it will work in the country you are visiting, otherwise you could blow a fuse or even cause a fire. You usually have to flick a switch to change the voltage, always make sure you have done that!

If you are staying in only high end hotels in urban areas, then yeah, they may have a North American 110V outlet. However, do not count on it. Your phone is fine with a very simple adapter, the US Type 1 or 2 to European Type C (two round pins). Check your hair dryer as CJean describes, if it is single 110V device, don't bring it, go buy a dual voltage one, or buy one there.

Hairdryers seem to be everywhere. No need to bring one.

I am going to assume you are coming from the US or Canada; as if you were European you would know not to ask the question.

For your cell phone charger you should buy one of these: https://www.amazon.com/6PKSCHUKO-Grounded-American-European-Adapter/dp/B0038L54ZO/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=schuko+adapter&qid=1676272242&sr=8-10 Buy nothng else and avoid the temptation for somethng lightter or smaller or g-d forbid the RS Europlug. Again, this or nothing: https://www.amazon.com/6PKSCHUKO-Grounded-American-European-Adapter/dp/B0038L54ZO/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=schuko+adapter&qid=1676272242&sr=8-10

For the hair dryer; plug your hairdryer into an outlet with a adapter and you will have a good start to a memorable experience; unless you buy a dual voltage travel hair dryer.

But this is the RS forum and everyone travels for months using the tiniest of carryon luggage and they can do this because they know that every hotel in the world, outside fo the Soviet Union, has hair dryers in the rooms these days ..... or buy a small light dual voltage dryer https://www.amazon.com/Conair-Vagabond-Compact-Folding-Handle/dp/B000094ZDX/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2IU47FYT7CLDA&keywords=dual+voltage+hair+dryer&qid=1676272530&sprefix=dual+voltage+hair+dryer%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-6

Will not work in Great Britain, Ireland and Switzerland, Italy

The plug Mr E suggested with the amazon link.

While not explicitly stated, it seems the OP is headed for Italy

Thanks everyone for your replies! We're renting an apartment in Florence and Tuscany, so they don't have hair dryers and I would prefer bringing my own. I saw a small dual volt at amazon and someone also posted a link to that same hair dryer, so I'll purchase it there.
There's so many little details to think about. Our last trip to Italy was 20 years ago. We are so looking forward to this trip, but I have to say I'm a bit overwhelmed with the planning.
This is such a great community! Thanks again to everyone for your help! I know I'll be posting more questions in the future!

Ooops!!!!!

If you have a non-bi voltage hair dryer (only 110V) leave it at home.

Not only should you never plug a 110V hair dryer into a 220V socket, but you should also be very careful when using 220V/110V converters.

Most of these converters are not designed for the power consumed by a hair dryer (from 800 watts to 2000 watts).

By plugging your 110v hair dryer into a small 220/110 travel converter you risk electrocuting yourself, burning yourself, destroying your hair dryer, your converter and setting fire to the place where you are.

Here is what happens when you plug in a 110V hair dryer (or a cheap 220/110 bi-votage hair dryer) on a 220V socket:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baT9HmOHs7o

I found this in Rick Steve's store. I'm assuming from the description that this is what I need for my hair dryer and for charging my phone. Will be buying a new travel 220 hair dryer.

Thanks so much!

International Power Adapter | Rick Steves Travel Store
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/travel-power-adapter

Sure looks like it. Do us a favor, when you get back write a report and let is know how that thing worked for you.

Thought we had had the voltage difference solved last trip by using only bi-voltage devices and an adaptor plug and a power strip. I had forgotten that the power strip had 120 volt electronics in it for surge protection. It sparked and blew a fuse in the apartment the second I plugged it in.

Very embarrassing.

If you use a power strip, make sure its a heavy duty, "dumb," power strip with out an on/off switch.

Better yet, just don't bring a 1,500 watt demand device, if you are planning on staying at any place that is old. You'll have no idea of when that building was converted to electricity.

On our first trip to Italy years ago I brought my hair dryer (It's an electric brush that blows hot air). I also brought a brand new converter thinking this is what I need. We stayed at the Hotel Lancelot in Rome and first morning I used it and it blew a fuse.

Mrs. Kahn, the owner, sent an electrician up and he reset the circuit breaker, and asked me to try it. Same thing happened while he was standing there. I spoke to Mrs. Kahn and apologized, and showed her the dryer brush and converter. She found a brand new one for me that is the right voltage and plug. I paid her and it worked perfectly. I have used it on all of my trips back to Italy and in France. I have also loaned it to a friend and my sister, threatening them to not lose it.

Mrs Kahn made my trips a whole lot easier and we have stayed at her lovely hotel again and again. I tossed the converter in the trash in Rome. It was too heavy to bring back home especially since it didn't work!

Have a great trip!

In my flat I'm Budapest. I save the 1500 watt gadgets for when I want romance. First, light a candle then...... But my neighbors do get more vacation time than I do.

Sheila,

If you buy a new 220 volt Hair Dryer in Europe, it will be equipped with the correct plug. However if you're also planning to travel in the U.K., the Euro plug won't work there so you'll have to buy a separate adapter.

There's no need to spend a lot of money on Europe plug adapters for connecting the phone chargers. Something like THESE PRODUCTS should work fine.

One thing to consider is that some European hotels may not have many power outlets. If you're charging several USB devices, something like THIS PRODUCT may be a good choice. This device appears to use USB-A plugs so if your phones use USB-C, you should check that the cables are compatible.

We do have a small folding travel hair dryer and we run it off a 110 volt to 220 volt converter. But most hotels have hair dryers so we seldom use our own.

Our other electrical items are a tablet and smartphones. They're run off 110 or 220 volts and just require a USB adapter for the country we're in. U.K. uses different plugs, for example. We already have all the plugs needed picked up in sundry stores and hardware stores on our previous trips.

My wife carries a small Conair travel hair curler.. It has an integral battery and a tiny gas cartridge--no outside electricity required.

David,

does your wife have any trouble with Customs or TSA because of the gas cartridge (is it propane?) ?

Phone chargers are cheap. When I travelled to Australia I just bought a USB charger there locally, in stead of a flimsy adaptor that even could kill me if used improperly. You can do the same thing in Europe. Just buy a USB charger locally with multiple outputs so you can charge all your devices from one socket at the time.

Hi Folks,

I've gotten so many replies--thank you! It's gotten a bit confusing at this point. Was hoping to keep it simple.
I bought these plugs from Rick Steve's travel store. Could you please look at this link and confirm this will work for my hair dryer (220 volt) and to charge my phone? I'm not bringing a lap top etc. I don't want to take the time to buy these things in Florence. And I will need to charge my phone when arriving.
Thanks again for your help! I so appreciate it. I have several more questions that I will post down the road.

International Power Adapter | Rick Steves Travel Store
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/travel-power-adapter

sheila,

IMHO, you don't need a Plug Adapter that expensive, as the models that I suggested earlier will do the same job. The plug adapter you linked is not really "Universal" (again IMHO) as it doesn't accommodate grounded appliances. If you're only going to be charging a cell phone, grounding won't be an issue, however with some of the devices I carry, they do require a ground.

Hi Ken,

Thanks for your reply. It's been so confusing! I've gotten so many different replies. Thought ordering right from Rick's web site would be best! Unfortunately, I already ordered it. Won't be bringing anything that needs grounding-- just cell phone and hair dryer. I can call them on Mon. to see if it's shipped.

Thanks again!
Sheila

I'm a little confused by this statement: "We're renting an apartment in Florence and Tuscany, so they don't have hair dryers..." Have you verified that the apartments you're renting don't have hair dryers?

I've rented apartments in Rome, Florence and Venice. All had hair dryers. It would be a royal PITA to pack and carry one from the States only to find that you didn't need to.

I'm also confused by getting a travel 220 appliance in the US when buying a 220 hair dryer in Italy would be an interesting cultural experience and it wouldn't need a plug adapter for much of Europe. It would also be a fun souvenir.

Note that you'll need to buy food and other supplies for those apartments and that depending on where you shop, there may be 220, multi-receptacle extension cords as well as small appliances there or nearby. We bought a 220 European multi-receptacle extension cord at a grocery store where we shopped primarily for my husband's CPAP, but the extra receptacles were useful for charging his phone and tablet (using plug adapters) as well.

One thing I'd highly recommend that you get is 9-10 foot (or longer) charging cords for your devices. That's so you can use them while charging them. No charging cord that comes with a device is ever long enough for the typically few and far between outlets in apartments and older non-chain hotels.

Shoot, like the ones I got with my recently purchased new phone and tablet, they're often not long enough to comfortably reach from my lap to the multi-outlet extension cord right next to my recliner. 🥴

that block in the link is way overkill. All it does is change the shape of the plug. You can do that for a dollar. It does do a USB outlet, and specifically says it is not able to change voltage.

I'd be very surprised if the apartment doesn't have a hair dryer

For our trip to Italy, we purchased a multi-plug outlet. It has the Italy prongs (round) and sockets for 5 120 V devices (laptop, camera battery charger) and 4 phone USD chargers.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/VINTAR-European-Plug-Adapter-International-Travel-Power-Plug-Euro-Charger-Adaptor-6-1-Adapter-Most-Europe-Greece-Italy-Type-C/1327639628?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101125319&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=9033279&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=542700547&wl11=online&wl12=1327639628_101125319&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIobjrh6Kj_QIVEgh9Ch1CpwrhEAQYASABEgLb-_D_BwE

No personal experience, but looks to be a good solution for charging all the toys folks seem to have now

We used something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/European-Adapter-International-Charging-Essentials/dp/B0B3LZ5896/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.292fb441-b60d-4bf7-9b4a-62e1afb82bac%3Aamzn1.sym.292fb441-b60d-4bf7-9b4a-62e1afb82bac&crid=3DRYMGFJ7LNF4&cv_ct_cx=european+travel+plug+adapter&keywords=european+travel+plug+adapter&pd_rd_i=B0B3LZ5896&pd_rd_r=de75c567-0903-4428-b96f-0b217fe42ff9&pd_rd_w=2719F&pd_rd_wg=OBRNw&pf_rd_p=292fb441-b60d-4bf7-9b4a-62e1afb82bac&pf_rd_r=ME47065SFP705HV818FN&qid=1676912745&sprefix=europe%2Caps%2C140&sr=1-3-257cccca-491f-4b4d-9ebf-f30fce6ad165-spons&psc=1

With 2 devices at $16, this should cover pretty much every possible power need.