Minimal Tech kit

I may be the wrong person to ask because I travel with way too many electronics.

Anyhow, I am using an Anker GaaN charger, combined with a simple plug adapter, these days.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09C5RG6KV/

It's very small, but it has enough power to charge a laptop and a big phone. It only has three ports, and so you might have to rotate the watch and the AirPods. Maybe charge the AirPods while you are at dinner, and charge the phone overnight. Razors usually don't have to be charged every day.

I have had mine for several years. They may have newer models, or models with more ports.

By the way, a lot of newer hotels have USB ports in the wall these days -- especially nicer hotels. Of course, I wouldn't count on it.

I don't travel with a portable battery. The only time I have come close to running out of juice with my phone is when I rented a car in Turkey last spring. I assumed that I would be able to charge the phone from the car's dash. Wrong. There was a USB port, but it wouldn't charge the phone. I made it through without a charger, but the phone's battery would be pretty low after a full day of navigation. Next time I rent a car, I am planning to take a cigarette lighter adapter.

I have never used any of those USB signal blockers. I have thought about it, but always seem to have managed without one. However, I am cautious about transmitting sensitive info from public Wifi.

On our recent trip (our first time abroad since pre pandemic), I carted along an iPad out of habit, and I wish I had left it at home because I never used it, just dead weight in my carry on. I have finally gotten to the point in traveling where I can accomplish 100 percent of my tech and communication needs on my iPhone.

After researching the issue, and considering adding a VPN to my devices but ultimately rejecting that, I do not use public or hotel wi-fi. I rely totally on the international cellular/data service plans from my US carrier (currently Verizon, planning to move to T Mobile soon) that provides unlimited data and a more than sufficient amount of calling minutes. My iPhone "wi fi" stays turned off from the time I leave my house until I return to my home after the trip.

I use this multi-charger. (The same one but a different brand.) It has adapter for the countries you need.

International Charger

It should take care of your charging needs

Personally I wouldn't worry about being hacked.

Is your shaver charged by USB or a special cable.

Thanks for bring this up. I too need to reduce my tech travel stuff. In March I carried a power strip (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PGZHCXR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) which I used to charge
1) my wireless bluetooth earbuds (type c cable, but didn't need charging every day)
2) iphone 13 (20w, shared the same type c cable)
3) macbook air (brought both the 30w a/c plug and type c cable for that)
4) camera battery charger
5) sd card reader to usb c for backing up photos onto the laptop
6) plug adapter to connect the power strip to the wall outlet

So the camera battery charger and laptop were plugged into two sides of the cube and the phone used the usb-c slot. Next time I'm bringing three fully charged camera batteries and leaving the camera battery charger at home. I didn't bring a phone-recharging block as I was planning to borrow my sister's but didn't need it. I didn't bring a usb-c to usb-a cable which would have been helpful on the plane and on the tour bus for charging phone or headphones.

I bought this for an upcoming trip. It’s both a brick and a portable charger. It has two usb a ports and one usb c port:

Anker PowerCore Fusion 5000, Portable Charger 5000mAh 2-in-1 with Dual USB Wall Charger, Foldable AC Plug and PowerIQ, Battery Pack for iPhone, iPad, Android, Samsung Galaxy, and More https://a.co/d/gYrBHC6

You can charge three devices overnight, then bring it with you to have a portable power bank during the day.

If your razor is dual voltage, you just need the plug adaptor. Definitely confirm this. It should say AC 100-240V.

I also bought this cable that can charge three different kinds of devices at once:

Multi Charging Cable, 5ft 3Pack Multi Charger Cable Nylon Braided Multiple USB Universal 3 in 1 Charging Cord Adapter with Type-C, Micro USB Port Connectors for Cell Phones and More https://a.co/d/iYJnIyV

The easiest way to cut down on tech stuff is to cut down on devices. I don’t use either an Apple Watch or an iPad. I would evaluate whether you really need them on vacation.

Do not use the charging stations at airports. Just plug into an outlet with your own cable and brick.

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/fbi-warns-against-juice-jacking-what-is-it/

Do not use the charging stations at airports.

Agree 100 percent with this. Only use your own cables with the electrical outlet provided by the airport, never use the setups at a charging station. The hacking / virus potential at those charging stations is within the cables themselves. It is a real issue.

First, what you should do is make a list of all your devices that need charging and then make a note of which chargers you need to connect them all; for example, USB-A to USB-C; USB-A to lightning; USB-C to lightning, USB-C to USB-C, and so on. Especially check to make sure that you don't need a micro-USB cable. It's doubtful you will if your devices are fairly new, but my old Kindle needed the micro connection and it wasn't till I bought a new one that I was finally micro-USB free.

Unless you have a car the entire time, I would strongly suggest bring a portable power bank. I always bring one and always need it. This year I was debating whether to bring it since I have a new iPhone but I was glad I did. Not sure about you, but I use up a lot of juice by using GPS to get around cities (just walking routes) and taking photos, which uses up a lot of battery power. If you do have a car, make sure you bring a USB-A charger that will connect to your phone.

I use wall outlets with multiple ports, and that helps because you can charge a lot of devices at once. Keep in mind that since you are going to the EU and London, you will need both an EU adaptor and a UK one, unless you get one that converts to both. And I ALWAYS bring an extra just in case. Many hotels will have extras for you to use, but it really depends.

Frank gave me a link before my last trip to this product that is a convertible adaptor. It did come in handy, although the only problem I had with it is that it jutted out so far that the plug tended to dip a lot and sometimes fell out. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014IP57LO?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Huh? ...

Mardee...that's surpring to hear. How heavy is what you are plugging into it?

I got tired of adaptors. So I bought a few native euro plugs with USB A slots that my devices can all plug into. And I carry this lightweight travel power strip if I need cord length. It takes both my US and my euro plugs and USB A cables.

Of course the extension cord itself requires an adaptor. I looked at native euro extension cords white on this trip but didn't find a lightweight one, nor (of course, as I was searching local stores) one that would take a US plug. I saw, and almost bought a native euro plug with multiple USB slots, but decided I'd still want my extension strip, so it wouldn't save me anything.

It did come in handy, although the only problem I had with it is that it jutted out so far that the plug tended to dip a lot and sometimes fell out.

What were you plugging into the adapter?

I'm with Mr. E!

Mardee...that's surpring to hear. How heavy is what you are plugging into it?

Frank, I put two different ones in and both were chargers with dual ports. I did like it, though, and definitely will use it again. I have a feeling that some of the outlets I put the adaptor in weren't all that great, so the prongs were a titch loose in there. I probably should have clarified that - sorry for the misunderstanding.

ETA: I'm going to rethink things next year and get something that has multiple ports (sort of like what you linked to). I'm tired of bringing various chargers and having to find outlets for all of them. I should have done that this year but just let it slip by.

On our recent trip (our first time abroad since pre pandemic), I carted along an iPad out of habit, and I wish I had left it at home because I never used it, just dead weight in my carry on.

Same with our last trip. We brought the iPad just in case and never took it out of my bag. We were able to accomplish everything in the phones.

In fact it cause us a little hiccup at the CDG airport when we forgot to remove it from my pack going through security... Oops got a good lecture there...

Mardee--I bought the multi charger I linked to in London last month via Amazon UK. I wanted something powerful that could charge multiple devices.

However, in my current hotel, I need to use an extension cord. So, the extension cord is plugged into the wall using the adapter you mentioned, and the charger is plugged into the extension cord.

That's another thing I started taking with me a few years ago....a simple extension cord. I used to carry the one linked above with USB ports but in less than a year a couple of the USB ports stopped working.

Frank, I think I will wait till closer to my trip to see what has come out then. The more the USB-C is used, I figure there will be more adaptors and extension devices that have more USB-C ports. At least I'm hoping so - I have to charge my watch, my phone and my iPad mini with the USB-C ports overnight (although I could, and did, fudge the iPad time). But it's tough when the outlets are so varied (and sometimes lacking) in hotels. I can't tell you how many times I've had to unplug clocks and lamps so I had a single outlet to use.

It is nice that the Premier Inns usually have a few USB-C ports built into some of the outlets and that really helps.

You could also get one of these:

USB C to USB Adapter

I carry a bunch of different cord adapters.

I have a smaller IPhone, so i take the Ipad to use as an e reader as well as edit photos and start putting together the photos for the trip,
I listed my electronics to start with,
Iphone, Apple Watch and Ear buds that all charge from one device that needs 1 cable
I pad that charges from a Apple style cable
Razor that uses a dedicated charger (will probably need charging once during the trip.

So in my case a adaptor for the razor will get that done, And one USB charger that has two USB ports will handle everything I need.

So i guess in an ideal world i would get a USB charger with 2 USB slots and that can adapt to Europe and England style outlets

Our charging is primarily for overnight on 2 iPhones, 2 Apple watches. This unit seems to fit the bill as we have 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A cables.

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-TESSAN-International-Worldwide-Converter/dp/B0B2PD7VW4/ref=psdc_6396124011_t1_B0BYRLPQL3?th=1

I can test it at home before traveling. I like that it is white for packing. Other devices like iPads, electric toothbrushes, shaver can be charged while away from the hotel during the day.

There are other manufacturers doing this kind of adapter too.

iPhone + iPad + 2 cables + 1 charging block

This is a timely thread because I need to plan for our upcoming Portugal trip. Here is my list.

1. A 1.5 meter extension cord with euro plug adaptor taped on the male plug end, plus spare euro adapter. The female end allows me to plug in 2 or 3 devices. I find an extension cord helpful. Some hotels only have one outlet, and it is being used to power a lamp. Also, some outlets are in an out of the way location, making it cumbersome to use a charging device. Taping is essential to not losing the plug.

2. A powerbank (plus short cable(s) is good for recharging on the go. Outlets on plane or train can be slow. Outlets at airports can be occupied. I take a lot of photos, but no longer carry a camera. There is no way to swap the battery in my smartphone, so I just plug in the powerbank.

3. Pixel 3a Smartphone, plus charger and USB-C cable. The Pixel charger is very fast and I need it to charge the powerbank. I no longer carry a camera.

4. Laptop, charger, neoprene case (optional) and mouse. Sometimes, I need it to do work. In addition, I download, rename and organize hundreds of photos nightly from my smartphone. I usually carry a light but old and very slow 11" netbook. The netbook is so old that I would not be upset if it was lost or damaged. However, I may have to bring a newer, faster but heavier 14" laptop in my upcoming trip.

5. Tablet and charger. This is optional. It is nice to have a bigger screen while on a plane, train or laying in bed. On our last trip to Spain, I had downloaded the last season of The Crown from Netflix. Laptop is just a bit cumbersome to use in thise circumstances. However, I may consider leaving at home to save weight, especially if I bring the heavier laptop.

6. Wired earbuds. I have wireless, but then I have to deal with charging. Also, having the plug allows me to use it with attraction audioguides (which usually have uncomfortable or possibly unsanitary headphones) and most planes.

7. Smartwatch and charge cable.

8. No electric razor or other personal hygiene items. I use disposable razors. Back in the day, my wife used to insist on packing a hairdryer and kettle.

I believe that my electronics weigh as much if not more than my packed clothes. I use a medium laundry mesh bag to hold all of the cables and little devices. I use an Adidas sack-pack as my "personal item" to hold all the electronics, toiletries and fluid bag at the airport if I need to lighten my carry-on luggage. I can pack and unpack the sack-pack quickly for any inspection. Once I pass the inspection(s), I can stuff the sack-pack into my carry-on. The sack-pack doubles as my day pack during the trip.

My next trip is on a road bike, self supported. My kit consists of two charging cables: one for phone, one for bike computers. No charging brick, but have run out of gas during a day out in London once, necessitating a cafe stop with a usb plug... I am into light and simple. And Boots 99p razors to remain somewhat presentable.

My usual tech kit has:

-One of these adapters, both of which have 2 USB ports. One is for most of Europe, the other has prongs for other countries as well:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CGF65T9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
or
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FJWLLDB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-A minimum of one three-foot USB/Lightning cable and one USB/USB-C cable, which eliminates the need for an extension cord (old iPhone uses lightning, new iPad Mini uses USB-C)

-This dual USB plug, which means I can have a total of 4 USB devices charging:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094PHMMJS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-This power bank: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QYRRVRC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I am a BIG fan of powerbanks, especially since I am usually the Google Map Navigator lol and it eats up battery life (especially on my aging XS - its "100% charged" is really only 80% these days). And it can also be used as a bedside overnight charger as needed.

Also, I have this to keep it all organized. The adapter won't fit, but everything else does:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078M7MTFD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1