My friend's question:
"Will my dual voltage hair dryer work in Italy if I turn it to 250V without burning it up? I need to use a diffuser so it’s tricky to just use hotel hair dryers… same hair dryer burned up in Africa when I turned it to 250V."
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2761 posts
That is the correct voltage for Italy (and Africa, I believe) so my thought is it's the quality of the hair dryer that is the problem, not the issue of changing the voltage. Since she's leaving today, wish her good luck. For future reference, I have one of these and it works on most hair dryers.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2556 posts
I have taken a dual voltage hairdryer and flat iron all over the world and not had a problem. Just remember to switch it over to the correct voltage before using it. I change mine over to the correct voltage when I pack them.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8159 posts
I usually don't bring a hair dryer because in 30 years of overseas travel, I have never stayed in a place that did not have one available. However, if she does bring one with dual voltage, it should not cause any problems. I'm not sure what happened in Africa but I've never heard of it happening in Europe.
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
555 posts
The official voltage in Italy (and European Union in general) is 230V (with a tolerance from +10% to -10%). So the maximum voltage cannot excess 253V. Often is around 220V, the old Italian standard.
An dual-voltage equipment switched to "250V" shouldn't have any problem in Europe, because should accept a voltage 10% higher than 250V, but is better verify what is written on the specifics of the product.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
Some people here say that their dual voltage bought here often don't work on Europe and they buy a European one on arrival.
So it should work...but no guarantees. And with a diffuser, I would say 'good luck.
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thank you, thank you!
These gave her confidence.
Always the best place to go with a travel question! :)