Power Adapters & Bricks
What’s the Deal with EU Outlets?
This is a standard ungrounded EU plug and receptacle (outlet). Most of the world uses this!
How do you use these?
You can’t plug in your US electronic devices without having an adapter. If you’re staying at a hotel, they might have one you can borrow, but it’s much better to buy a few before leaving so you don’t have to worry about it.
When you go to buy - you’ll notice you can get adapters and converters. They are different things. You will likely only need an adapter.
What’s an Adapter?
An adapter essentially changes the shape of your plug so it fits the receptacle. That’s it - the electricity itself is not modified. Most modern small electronics (think laptop power supplies, phone chargers, etc.) are designed to work with both EU voltage (220) and US voltage (110), so an adapter is all that’s needed. If your device’s power supply says “100-240” or “110-220” or similar you know you’re good.
What’s a Converter?
A converter is an adapter that also changes the electrical voltage available to your device so it doesn’t get fried. Normally necessary only for things that need a lot of juice. Common devices that need this are:
Small appliances (think blenders, food processors, stuff you won’t bring)
Hair dryers
Hair curlers
Hair straighteners
If your device has only one voltage number like “120v only” then you will need a converter.
If you need a converter, ensure that its wattage rating is high enough to support your curling iron/straightener.
Note that most hotels will have a hair dryer available in-room or by request.
What’s Good to Buy?
We really like these Tessan Power Adapters - they’re reasonably priced, give you multiple outlets, and have USB for device charging. The 2-outlet model shown below is particularly useful.
Power Converters
If you need to bring a hair curler or straightener, you’ll need to buy something like this to use it. Please double-check the wattage requirement on your hair device and make sure it’s under what the converter supports. This one, for example can support up to a 230-watt curler or straightener:
Note: we haven’t used this product, we only have experience with adapters.
Power Bricks
Another thing you’ll want to invest in if you don’t already own one is a power brick (sometimes called power banks). These are super useful even when you’re not on vacation.
A power brick is just a big battery that you charge up and then carry with you so you can plug in your phone no matter where you are. This was a lifesaver for us driving around the country - our rental car did not have a USB port and we relied entirely on our Google Maps phone app for navigation. We would have been in big trouble if we ran out of juice!
We like both of these models:
