My travel adapter imploded on my latest trip and it is time to replace it. But I’m not sure what to replace it with.

My trusty travel adapter has been with me around the world, but literally fell apart on my latest journey, with the European adapter snapping off and the switch to toggle between plug types also breaking (see picture above).

Here’s what I am looking for in a travel adapter:

Concerning the last point, my current adapter was a universal outlet with USA (two small rectangular prongs), British (two large prongs with ground), and European-style plugs (two small cylindrical prongs).

That worked for much of the world, but was not always helpful in Brazil (which uses outlets similar to Europe, but often includes a third prong) or in South Africa (which uses three large cylindrical prongs). I also want to provision for Australia, which uses prongs like the USA, though set at a different angle.

I’d prefer an all-in-one solution that doesn’t require exchanging plates, which takes up a lot more space. I haven’t ruled out the Apple adapter, but might there be one that would have everything built into one cube-like device? The Apple World Travel Adapter Kit would not be a complete solution.

Obviously, it is easy enough to search on Amazon for travel adapters…which I have not done yet. I figured I would ask you, dear readers, for your own recommendations, but I do need to buy one today or tomorrow.

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Insignia travel adapter got it more than 10yrs ago at Best Buy for around $20. Have had no problems on 6 continents.

Agreed. Got the same one from 8 years ago and still is working fine.

Even though Brazilian plugs sometimes have a third pin, the outlets are 100% compatible with the two-round-pin europlug, so any adapter that works for Europe should work in Brazil.

As for South Africa, I have never seen a “universal” adapter that includes South African plugs. I don’t think they exist, and the only solution is to have separate adapters for this case.

Not compact but extremely well built. I have several of them. Skross World Travel Adapters. https://www.skross.com/en/products/world-travel-adapters

They also have individual regions and countries. I have several individual for Italy as I go there very often. Amazing quality.

I go with this one

Travel Adapter, Universal International All-in-One Worldwide Travel Adaptor Wall Charger AC Power Plug Adapter Charger with Dual USB Port for USA UK EU AUS https://a.co/32vI1Ek

Maybe not click on that link unless you want to send it to me. Matthew can you edit that out?

No address comes up. Might come up for you if logged into Amazon, but I see no personal info when I click on link.

Thank you. That adapter is 25% off right now with an additional 12% off at checkout.

I use “EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter One International Wall Charger AC Plug Adaptor with 5.6A Smart Power and 3.0A USB Type-C for USA EU UK AUS ( Grey )”. Think I saw this on OMAAT.

Ceptics makes some and they are listed on Amazon. Either black and blue or blue and white. Works flawlessly.

This is what I have, I don’t think you can get a Brazil or South Africa type plug as an all in one

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078S3M2NX

I use separate dumb adaptors that don’t transform voltage. Years ago, I had a heavy transformer.

I’m not so jet set so I usually just need to carry one type of adaptor. For example, I never combine Europe with Australia but Matthew certainly does.

One possibility is to buy something for interim use then give it away as a prize in a contest. It would be worth more in sentimental value than a new one because Matthew used it for a little while.

I really like these: https://zendure.com/products/passport-iii-all-in-one-65w-adapter-for-home-travel. More USB-C than USB-A, but works well and is compact and supports all of the plug types that are commonly supported (US/EU/AU/UK).

I’m a big fan of the Zendure travel adaptors, 2x USBC with 1 61w PD, and 3 regular USB for under $40.

I haven’t bought it, but recently went down this rabbit whole with similar requirements as you do. This is the one i have my eye on https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HL8K6BD/?colid=U2BGHXK5VO4V&psc=1

I travel int’l about once or twice a month for work and you’re right, there’s no adapter out there that works for every country in the world, but this one comes pretty close. I like that it has 4 USB-A ports and one USB-C plus the outlet for whatever else. I even use it in the US and Canada, at hotels, for this reason so everything is in one place and I’m not searching for outlets.

Amazon: Unidapt Universal Travel Adapter, International Plug Adaptor Outlet Wall Charger Converter with 5.6A Smart Power and 3.0A USB Type C US to EU, AU, UK, USA https://a.co/d/d7Vh6JL

I sometimes duplicate and get two electronic items/accessories with different brand names on Amazon in case one breaks. But Amazon is where to buy; everything made in China of course.

I’ve traveled around the world and find that travel adapters are annoying. I always get a multi port USB charger that uses a figure 8 plug that can be swapped out. (Example below), then I just have swappable power cords for the various countries. Advantage is that you can get small cords that take to very little room and use the same adapter even in the US. Grab one with PD and it can charge everything. It also makes it easier to connect in hotel rooms.

https://a.co/d/0EGNJhT https://a.co/d/itwLWRh https://a.co/d/6unQJD1 https://a.co/d/9dJNYEO

[3-Pack] European Travel Plug Adapter, VINTAR International Power Adaptor with 2 American Outlets, 1 USB C and 3 USB Ports, 6 in 1 Travel Essentials t https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WY4KWM8/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_rxxG3hifSI6wu

Not worldwide, but great for Europe.

I gave up on universal adapters. Big, clunky, cheaply made.

I just have individual adapters (check reviews and get high quality ones). They should have two plugs on them so you can have two devices attached to one plug. They aren’t expensive, and they take up very little space. Just bring the one you need for the country you are visiting. Use the USB plugs you use when traveling in your home country. Even if you have to bring three of these (visiting three different countries with different plugs on one trip), they plug into each other and take up less space than a ‘universal’ adapter.

OREI 7 World Travel Adapter Plug Set Safe Grounded for Europe, Germany, Italy, S. Africa, China, Australia, UK, India and More https://a.co/d/d53gjoH

Zendure makes a good series of world adapters. They are on version III at this time.

Why not just get a USB power brick/supply with a detachable cord? They’re all 120/240v supply and all manner of plugs are readily available. I have one of these which I use as my main laptop power brick. https://a.co/d/hFbmyB0 . When I travel internationally I just bring whatever additional cords. As such: https://a.co/d/cgvzyTg

I’ve found that airplane sockets tend to be loose and many don’t hold an adapter securely (it falls out). So I carry I light-duty US extension cord with a 3-way socket at the other end. The airplane sockets I’ve encountered are multi-plug, so the US extension cord works well ( and is lighter and cheaper than others).

For my travel adapter, I decided not to require USB-C. No travel adapter puts out the 75 watts on USB-C that my laptop needs. My phones can charge from an A-to-C cable, and I have a separate wall wart US plug 120/240V to USB-C power supply, with dual outputs at 100W / 65 W.

So, I use three major pieces: an extension cord, which plugs directly into sockets that accept US plugs, including airplane sockets; a universal adapter, including Australian but not South African plugs, and USB-A but not USB-C sockets; and a US high-power USB-C power supply. I also carry USB-A to USB-C cables as well as USB-A to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C cables.

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