Travel Converter/Adaptor Suggestions

First, you need to understand the difference between an adaptor and a converter.

An adaptor (plug adapter) is a mechanical device that plugs into a receptacle in another country, and allows you to use a device with a U.S. 2 or 3-prong plug. An adapter does not change the voltage. A lot of US devices, particularly phone charger and some power supplies, accept as input "multi-voltages", e.g. 100-240VAC. These devices only need a plug adapter.

Some others are "dual voltage" devices, which are designed to run on 115V or 230V, with a switch to change them between the two voltage inputs. These devices also need only a plug adapter.

Converters (voltage converters) on the other hand, are electrical (transformers) or electronic devices that convert 230VAC from a European receptacle to 115V for a U.S. appliance. There are several different kinds of voltage converters, depending on the type of U.S. appliance you plan to use.

The simplest plug adapter for the continent is the Europlug adapter, like this one sold by Rick Steves. It is intended for ungrounded use of devices drawing less than 2½ amps at 230V (about 575W). It should not be used for a hair dryer.

For the UK, Rick sells this plug adapter. It has a plastic ground pin to open the shutters for the conducting prongs, but the non-metallic pin does not conduct so it is not a proper ground. This adapter should not be used with a three prong American grounding plug.

Where are you going and what do you need to charge?

Lee explained the differences between the converter and adaptor very well, but you probably will not need a converter as most modern electronics come with dual voltage. This includes chargers, blow dryers (which you wouldn't need anyway as just about every hotel has them), CPAP machines, and so on.

You will need adaptors and as the others have mentioned, these adaptors vary depending on which country or countries you are going to. You can buy a universal adaptor, which works in multiple locations, but they can be large and cumbersome sometimes. Rick Steves (again, as Lee noted) has a variety of these for sale that work very well. You can also find them on Amazon and other places, but if you want specific recommendations, it would help to know where you are going.

We just got back from uk last week. We have iPhone 13 which uses usb-c , so we found a store and bought the appropriate plug to use when we travel in the UK. I bought same for the rest of Europe off of Amazon. They worked brilliantly

Kim

Search function brings up this article:

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/electric-adapters-converters

And a bazillion posts in the forum:

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=6m&filter=Travel+Forum&query=adapters&utf8=%E2%9C%93

Look at your device "nameplate", in a good light. My only non-dual-voltage device is my Phillips toothbrush charger. I have the cheapest Phillips. I hear the better ones come with dual-voltage chargers. No experience.

It would have been nice if the OP had answered Frank's question, "Where are you going and what do you need to charge?"

For the continent, as I mentioned above, the two pin Europlug adapter, like the one sold by Rick, is limited by European electrical codes to 2½ amp applications. For anything more, a grounding plug specific to that country should be used.

Actually, there are only three types of grounding plug adapters. Italy has it's own grounding plug, as does Switzerland. All other countries use a "Schuko" type plug, with a cylindrical body, two round pins, and a grounding means. There is the French plug, type E, with a metal-lined hole to accept a grounding pin protruding from the recess, or the German plug, type F, with grounding clips on the side, and a lot of Schuko adapters are universal (E/F) and have both means. They can be used everywhere on the continent except Switzerland; older installations in Italy might not accept a Schuko plug.

There are currently adaptors on sale for Amazon Prime Day (s)

Based on your posting history it appears you have been to Europe.

What did you use then? No reason it won't work now.

If you (as I) lose your adapter (or find you have the wrong thing) don't panic. I used WH Smith at a train station in UK and actually liked what I got there better as I ended up using the USB feature on it..

I would be careful where I bought UK or European plugs. I bought a cheap UK one, some of which is presently stuck in a wall plug in Scotland. I won't say where. The newer one, from a corner shop, worked great.