The Right Adaptor/Converter

Look at your current appliances/chargers. If they say 120-240v, then all you need is an adaptor. It's the "240v" that's important. If it only goes up to 120/130v then you need a converter.

I am going in September and I went to Best Buy and asked them what I needed. If you need it for a hair dryer, or camara you can get a standard one at any store. If you need to charge something like a lap top you need a special one. But all in all I would go to best buy, tell them what you need and they can exactly what you need.

And charge you twice as much as anywhere else for it.

ALSO -- critical -- for things like hair dryers that use a lot of wattage. The output range of the converter MUST match or exceed the wattage of the hair dryer. A hair dryer on a converter will not preform as well as it normally does.

Rosanne-
If you're planning on going back to Europe (which I hope you are!) you're almost better off trying to find a cheap travel hair dryer at your destination. I have 2 hair dryers for travel - one which is British (3-pronged plug) and an American one.
If you have medium-shoulder length hair, do you REALLY need a hair dryer? Remember - the first part of the word luggage is "LUG".

Like it has been said - check the information on the electric items for the voltage information. For an ipod - you should be good with an adaptor - BUT CHECK IT FIRST. (I don't want to be responsible for damaged items!)

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Roseanne, as the others have said, you must check the Input Voltage on EACH appliance that you want to use in Europe. If these state "100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz" then all you will need is a Plug Adaptor specific to the areas you'll be travelling (UK, 3 large rectangular pins - Euro, 2 small round pins). I usually travel with at least TWO Plug Adapters of each type, as they only cost a few dollars. If the spec's on your appliances state "115 VAC, 60 Hz" then you will also need a Voltage Converter (more on that in my next post).

I think it's highly likely that your Digital Camera and I-Phone / I-Pod Chargers will be designed for "world" operation, however you need to confirm that.

As someone else suggested, you may want to buy an inexpensive Travel Hair Dryer that's designed for use on both 115 and 230 VAC electrical systems. I wouldn't bother packing a Voltage Converter just for one appliance. Check This Site as they have lots of appliances designed for travel, including Hair Dryers. Some users have reported that the dual-voltage appliances don't seem to work as well when operating on one voltage or the other, but I can't confirm that from personal experience (I never travel with a Hair Dryer!).

Hope this has provided a few answers!

Happy travels!!!

Audry after reading what the staff at Best Buy told you, I've resolved never to do business with them as they don't seem to know what they're talking about! The individual you were speaking with seems to have provided at best a "vague" answer to your question, and at worst an "incorrect" answer.

As I mentioned in my previous post to Roseanne, you first need to determine whether you need a Voltage Converter or just Plug Adapters? If you do require a Voltage Converter it's important to choose the correct type for the appliances you'll be using it with. Here's a brief description:

There are two main principles used in "stepping down" or converting 230 volts to 115 for use with North American appliances - Transformer or solid-state.

The Transformer type Converters are best used with low wattage electronic devices such as Cameras & Cell Phones that require a stable sine wave. Typical "travel" Converters of this type are limited to about 50 watts (they are made in larger sizes, however these are inherently heavy so not very practical to travel with).

The solid-state Converters are best used with simple electrical devices such as Hair Dryers that contain just a basic heating element and a fan, where the quality of the power supplied is not as much of an issue. These are typically made to supply up to 2000 watts, however (and this is important!) they are NOT designed for continuous duty operation so shouldn't be used for long periods of time (ie: several people in succession drying their hair).

There is one Voltage Converter on the market which has both types of conversion built into the same package (see the web link in my previous post). It's "auto switching" which means it selects the appropriate conversion method based on the device that is connected to it.

Laptops would normally use the Transformer style, however most Laptops these days are supplied with a "world" Charger.

Hope this helps!

Just as an extra note from a former hotel manager. The majority of hotels have hair dryers. Check their website. Most hotels will also have converters. And guess what people leave behind in their rooms? Thats right, phone chargers, etc. So hotels often have a drawer full of those too, to pick from if you ask. I have found the best place to get converters though are the international airports. They always have the right item.

Aundy,

The information you provided is wrong.
A hair dryer uses a lot of Watts, which means you need a more powerful convertor.Laptops don't use a lot of power their adapters use about 5 Watts which means you can use a standard converter. But the latest laptops actually don't need a convertor.You only need an adapter. To make sure check the adapter's voltage if it says 120-220V, bingo. You can use only a simple adapter.

Rosanne,

I already posted a message about the laptops. About battery chargers..You can buy one that can be used on 220V and 110V outlets. Last year I purchased one from Walmart.It was only $25 with 4 batteries fan and food for AA and AAA bateries. They might still have for sell now. I think it was made by Digital. Or look on amazon.com. I like this site a lot.You can read reviews and they sell all kinds of things for less.
Did you check the volatage on your iphone? They sell it in Europe so it should work on 220V

Thanks to all the replies. I checked all of my electronics; I only require an adaptor. Now, WHICH ONE do I buy? (p.s. can't use the hotel hairdryers and I must bring one because my hair is very long and curly. It's cold enough in September that I can't go out wit my hair wet and I also require a diffuser to keep me from looking like Rosanne Rosannadanna - really).

Rosanne, you mentioned that you "checked" your electronics, but did you also check the spec's on the Hairdryer that you want to travel with?

Just wanted to confirm that.

Also, which Plug Adaptor to buy will depend on which countries you'll be visiting. I described the two main types in my Post above.

Cheers!

When I have anything which wont stay in the wall, I tape to the wall with duct tape. It always works for me. I wouldnt buy another until I tried to tape it up.

As for adapters---you will need one to covert the voltage to 110 for most appliances. Without it you will burn up whatever you are using.

I mis-spoke in my previous note; I should have said:
As for converters---you will need one to covert the voltage to 110 for most appliances. Without it you will burn up whatever you are using.

Yes, I checked my hairdryer, it has the correct voltage ratings for an adaptor not converter.
What I am asking when I ask 'what kind' are specifics on brand names, costs, and where to buy. For example I saw an adaptor/converter set in a case at Target.com for $30 but also a similar set in a pouch for about the same on another site (and about 30 others came up on my google search, which is why I don't know which one to get). Is the Target one good? Can I get just an adaptor set? This trip we are going to France, BTW, so it's European plugs (and next time is probably Spain; as far as I'm aware all of Western Europe other than UK use same type?) The adaptor I have is the big, clunky one from Brookstone that doesn't stay in the wall (no offense about the duct tape, I'd rather just get one that works easily, particularly because so many outlets I encounter are 'set in' the wall (indented) and the long one is not compatible with that. Thanks again to anyone with a good suggestion of a specific product and where to buy it.

If all of your appliances say "240v" on them then all you need is an adaptor plug. All of western Europe (except the UK) uses the same one. You don't need to get an entire set for $30. An individual plug should cost about $2-3 dollars. If you have a travel or luggage store in your area, then they probably sell individual plugs. Why buy a whole set when you need one plug. (If you want to use more than one device at a time then you might need more of the same plugs.)

Here's an example of the plug you need:

European Style Adaptor Plug

Yes, I checked my hairdryer, it has the correct voltage ratings for an adaptor not converter.
What I am asking when I ask 'what kind' are specifics on brand names, costs, and where to buy. For example I saw an adaptor/converter set in a case at Target.com for $30 but also a similar set in a pouch for about the same on another site (and about 30 others came up on my google search, which is why I don't know which one to get). Is the Target one good? Can I get just an adaptor set? This trip we are going to France, BTW, so it's European plugs (and next time is probably Spain; as far as I'm aware all of Western Europe other than UK use same type?) The adaptor I have is the big, clunky one from Brookstone that doesn't stay in the wall (no offense about the duct tape, I'd rather just get one that works easily, particularly because so many outlets I encounter are 'set in' the wall (indented) and the long one is not compatible with that. Thanks again to anyone with a good suggestion of a specific product and where to buy it.

I purchased my Remington 1875 watt 110-220 travel hair dryer from Magellans with a high and low setting. In Europe it will only go to the low setting but the low setting in Europe is hotter than it is here in the US. I've been very pleased with it; I've usually found that the hair dryers at the European hotels aren't strong enough to dry my hair.

Next year I won't be taking it though because I've changed my hair style and don't need to blow dry. My first reaction? Woohoo! I just saved another 1/2 lb in my backpack!

Rosanne,

Could you post the Input Voltage specifications listed on your Hair Dryer, so that I can positively confirm whether you need only Plug Adapters or a Voltage Converter.

If you need Plug Adapters you can obtain these either from Rick's travel store ($3.95 each for either UK or Euro style). If it turns out that you also need a Voltage Converter, you might contact Magellans regarding This Product as it should be correct for your application. The model shown is equipped with Euro Plug, however if used with a recessed outlet, you will probably also require a compact Euro Plug Adapter.

Cheers!