Comments on: Simple plug converters reduce travel clutter

By: Elly

Elly — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:18:00 +0000

I also have the one Angie and Sara posted about. It is also available in a version with USB, so if your powercord has a USB plug you can use that too.

By: Sara

Sara — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:41:34 +0000

I use the same one Angie posted with. It works great and is even more simple and compact because it’s all one piece.

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:55:51 +0000

I travel with this plug converter:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/9751/

It’s a nice, compact all-in-one and hasn’t failed me yet.

By: anon

anon — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:43:48 +0000

Most laptops, mp3 players, digital cameras, etc (i.e. the kind of devices people tend to travel with) can handle both 120V and 240V electricity and you only need the shape adaptors. It’s still always worthwhile to check, though.

This does look like a fairly compact and inexpensive solution if you need multiple adapters for the same trip though.

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:45:45 +0000

It’s really important to check all the appliances that you plan to travel with before you leave, so that you know whether you need voltage converters/transformers, or whether you can just use the plug adapters. Some appliances (like my MacBook laptop) have built-in capabilities for differing voltages, while others (like my old hair dryer) don’t. Most of them have the voltages printed on the plug or on a tag attached to the cord; if you don’t need a transformer you should see something on the plug like “Input AC 100V-240V”. If the range is a lot smaller than that you’ll need a transformer. Be sure to check before you just plug stuff into an outlet, or you’re likely to fry something but good.

By: missdona

missdona — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:11:12 +0000

I use this one for traveling. It all pops-together and has the added benefit of USBs.
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/75926.asp

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:59:33 +0000

@Leandro — And I also changed the text in the article. I didn’t mean to type “voltage” … I should never post before I’ve had coffee!!!!

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:50:54 +0000

@Leandro — Now a days, don’t most appliances have voltage switches on them? My hair dryer does. There is a little knob that you turn. I was under the assumption that nowadays you just needed the plug?

By: Leandro

Leandro — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:32:12 +0000

Voltage converters are based on transformers, and are always bulky. These are just plug adapters, though they’re less expensive than most universal models sold at airports, for example.