Surge protector-do you bring one? Or power strip only?

Surge protectors protect your inexpensive wall warts, who usually do not care about changes in voltage. Anyway, in Europe you seldom see them, as they are not really needed.

What I would get is just a USB charger with multiple outputs. Together with a plug adaptor that is all you are going to need.

For example, if we are talking Anker, something like this: https://www.anker.com/products/a2046?variant=42448630612118
The advantage of a charger with a power cord is that you do not need to directly plug it in a socket (which in a hotel room may not always be in a convenient spot). Add then a simple plug adaptor like this: https://a.co/d/cVyEok1

And you are set.

I have surge protectors for my two desktop computers in France but never have traveled with one, even when I bring my laptop computer with me.

I work in IT, have worked for several companies in three countries. We never used surge protectors...

Thanks Wengen and Matt,
I have always just brought adaptors and charging blocks overseas as well. Thanks for the advice! I like the product you cited, Wengen.

So, please explain, why are surge protectors not necessary in Europe vs the US?

Mr É,
Good question, and if they aren’t necessary in Europe, then I wonder why they are necessary here?

Wengen, just wondering, if one of your devices was to get fried from a surge, since it’s your work, would the replacement cost be covered by your employer? That could influence your decision to use surge protectors, right?

I’m concerned about protecting an expensive phone or iPad from surges, but if that’s not a problem in Europe (or in the U.S.), it’s helpful to know, and I appreciate your input.

"So, please explain, why are surge protectors not necessary in Europe vs the US?"

Good question. I've never used a surge protector at home in Singapore, and likewise never take one with me when I travel. To be honest I've never even seen them sold in electronics shops here. And my Europe-based family don't use them.

Wengen, just wondering, if one of your devices was to get fried from a
surge, since it’s your work, would the replacement cost be covered by
your employer? That could influence your decision to use surge
protectors, right?

The only scenario I can imagine where a power surge would destroy devices would be if we were to get struck by lightning. In that case our basic fire insurance would cover the damage. Maybe that is a difference with the US. We have less extreme weather, and everyone has fire insurance. (Where I live fire insurance is even provided by the Canton).

Another factor might be that power is more reliable in Europe. I hear from friends in the US that power outages are quite common in the US. They are rather rare here.

My travel charger is actually this one:

https://satechi.net/products/100w-usb-c-pd-compact-charger

With a European plug of course. I have adapters for the US and the UK.

Another factor might be that power is more reliable in Europe. I hear
from friends in the US that power outages are quite common in the US.
They are rather rare here.

"In Europe"? Reminds me of an old gag about Niagara Falls.

My power "in Europe" goes out about once a month. If three neighbors turn on their washing machines at the same time the lights dim. Something about 100 year old + apartment blocks that no-one ever anticipated would have electric lighting, much less modern appliances.

I think I paid about 8.000 ft for my surge protector.

Wengen, thanks for the link to Satechi, I have a similar one from Anker. No surge protection.

Mr. É, oh boy, seems like your surge protector was a wonderful investment.

I’m still mulling options.

Wrong one. Found it.

https://aqua.hu/tulfeszultsegvedo--eloszto--hosszabbito/apc-essential-surgearrest-1-tulfeszultsegvedo-aljzat-fekete-pme1wb-gr-t867969?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-bmsBhAGEiwAoaQNmkFkbkomfEBqFsVNup9wELls5AOxkuVMNUsBiqruC1lDa2HgUS7gghoCEH0QAvD_BwE

We never take a surge protector when traveling. Just the normal plug adaptors. The only things we charge are phones and cameras. We never charge more than one at the same time (just in case), and never if there is lightning in the area. So far (knock on wood) we've never had a problem.

Just a heads up if anyone plans to take a cruise. They will confiscate any power strip with a surge protector in it and give it back to you at the end of the cruise. There is one place that you do not want to pack a surge protector.

Carol now retired is correct. More information: https://www.aboutluxurycruising.com/the-end-of-power-strips-on-cruise-ships/

Gunderson-are you saying that cell phones or tablets wouldn’t be harmed by power surges because they have batteries?

Mr É, interesting article about cruise ship electronics. I don’t plan to take a cruise but it’s good info. The charging blocks featured in the article seem useful too.

I'm not sure the Anker surge protector you linked will be suitable for travel in Europe, as it appears to be designed for 115 VAC electrical systems. They spec's shown in the advertisement don't list the Input Voltage, nor do they provide information on the surge protection ratings. If you connect a 115 VAC surge protector to a 220 VAC European system, the results may include sparks and smoke.

I've never used surge protectors when travelling in Europe, and have never had any problems. I worked in the electrical utility industry for over 40 years, and in my experience the power delivered is typically very stable.

Cell phones work on batteries.

Yes, the battery is integral to the power supply of the phone. You are charging the battery, not powering the phone, so the battery should function to an extent as a surge protector. And when you consider that the transformer in the USB charger is reducing the 220v current to approx. 9 volts at 2 amps, there may be additional protection provided there.

Pastelholic, I've removed my previous post, which was misleading. I'm no expert. The other week my son and his friend installed an expensive UPS/surge protection combo unit for a computer and recording equipment. We got talking. I had the UPS and surge protection functions mixed up when I posted.

Power strips with built-in surge protection are common, cheap and provide a certain amount of protection against low voltage fluctuations.

Mine cost 4,500 ft and is small and light. Not sure why someone wouldn't pick one up if they walked past it in the store. Nothing to lose.

And statements that power is reliable in Europe ignore the fact that Europe is 100x more varied in every regard than the US. Unless you lived for a year in the exact room you will be renting, you have absolutely no idea the quality of the electric. What are the risks? Pretty small. But everyone has different thresholds.

Oh, full disclosure. I use mine at home in Europe because my power is that unpredictable. But I am too lazy to carry it with me when I travel. Still, I think it isn't a bad idea to have one when you travel.

Thanks all! I’m still looking…and pondering. Maybe the charging blocks we have already will be fine. I looked more closely, and I have one with surge protection, it just doesn’t have the USB-C port. But I can just use an adaptor if I want.

"and I have one with surge protection, it just doesn’t have the USB-C port."

If the "one with surge protection" you're referring to was purchased in North America, it is not advisable to connect it to outlets in Europe, unless it specifically states that it's designed for use on 220 VAC electrical systems.

"And statements that power is reliable in Europe ignore the fact that Europe is 100x more varied in every regard than the US."

I'm most familiar with utilities in western Canada, so that's what my comments were based on. Aside from outages (mostly weather related), the quality of the power has always been reliable. Given the interconnections with utilities in western North America, I assume the power quality is at least similar in the western U.S. Although the power quality may be more "varied" in Europe, I've never had any problems.

Each traveller will have to decide for themselves whether they wish to travel with a surge protector.

Imagine 150 year old apartment blocks in developing nations. First wired by Stalin and rarely properly upgraded or expanded to accommodate modern appliances. That describes a sizeable chunk of Europe.

Thank you, Ken! I just checked one of the ones I considered bringing and the voltage is too low for overseas use. I’m sending back the Anker one I linked above and will keep this other one for the house, but it would not work overseas.

😅I really appreciate your advice.

I’m now considering one from Amazon (for some reason I can’t copy links from there any more), it’s a Lencent, international adapter with USB-A and USB-C ports and has plug options built in for euro, UK, US and Australia. It is 250 volts. It claims to have temperature protection and overcharging protection. Price is $39.99. Someone on this forum recommended it.

I’m also bringing a small folding Anker charging block, usb-c only adapter that will work overseas, and we will have my husband’s charging block for his iPad and phone requiring usb-a. Plus cords and adapters for cords.

Ntonpower Travel Power Strip

A friend just gifted me this power strip. I usually carry a 5 ft extension cord that allows me to plug in 2 or 3 separate chargers depending upon the thickness. This power strip will replace the extension cord and probably all of my chargers.

Many hotel rooms (and cruise ships) only have one outlet and often in a difficult to reach place. It is surprising how much a simple extension cord weighs. This Ntonpower only weighs about 8 oz and the 4 ft cord winds neatly around the strip.

It has 4 ACs and 3 USB-A. It would have been nice if mine had the USB-C, but I do have an A to C cable. Each USB-A has a reasonable 2.4A so it charges reasonably fast. Some power strips have USB-A that charge at a pedestrian 0.5 to 1.0A.

It does not have surge protection so it can safely be used on a cruise ship. The voltage rating on the strip states 125V. However, I emailed Ntonpower and confirmed that it can be used in Europe (240v) with a type C Euro adapter as long as my devices are able to handle the wider voltage range. This strip is not much different from an extension cord, except it has all the extra outlets. When I go to Japan, I will need a 2 blade type A adapter because Japan outlets (100v) rarely have the third ground prong.

Read Question 12 of FAQ for explanation about 100-240 voltage and why the printed rating only states 125V. I am guessing that the situation with Pastelholic's Anker might be the same; I suggest emailing Anker. FAQ question 12

Edit: I looked at the Anker website and the FAQ states that the Anker 615 will support 100-240v input: Anker FAQ "The user manual of these products may only state 125V due to certain certification requirements."

We have both a residence and an office in France, two separate apartments, one built in 1990 and the other in 2000. We have no surge protectors. It's easy to find power strips for sale but not ones with surge protectors. We are still using phones, computers, and an iPad bought in the US.
I have run into an older sockets in Italy two times but that's it. There were other, updated sockets in the room elsewhere.
The only difference I can think of is the European electricity, 220, was installed more recently. In fact, some places have 330. 110 is much older, so that could account for the need. It's really not part of the conversation, at least in France, because updated electrical installations are required by law, even in old buildings.

I do not bring surge protector and power strip on my travels. I’ve seen in some of my travels in Asia where power strips are being confiscated at the airports. I just buy a cheap power strip at the destination country in case I need one, and leave it there when I go back home.

In the event of a "surge", the worst it will do is damage your charging block, the thing converting line voltage (110 or 240) to low voltage (5-12 Volts), not your phone or tablet. The charging block is cheap and replaceable, no surge protector needed. With your home desktop computer, TV, and other devices, that converter is the power supply inside the device, hence the value of a surge protector.

No need to worry about surge protection when traveling with your phone, tablet or laptop.