Travel Adapter vs. Converter: What is the difference between a voltage converter and an adapter?

Travel Adapter:

• A travel adapter solely changes the prong shape or your cables so that they would fit into the outlet sockets in other countries
• Travel adapters do not convert the voltages
• Travel adapters tend to be much cheaper than travel voltage converters, there’s even some available on Amazon.com for less than $3

Get the eForCity Universal World Wide Travel Charger Adapter here on Amazon.com

Travel Voltage Converter:

• Travel voltage converters such as the Bestek Voltage Converter can change the voltages between countries.
• Voltage converters are able to change voltages, whether that is 110V to 220V, or to other voltages used around the world
• In addition to converting voltages, travel voltage converters also work as travel adapters, because most have built in prongs which can adapt to the outlet sockets of other countries
• Travel voltage converters tend to be more expensive than travel adapters

Get the Bestek Voltage Conterter here on Amazon.com

Here is a picture that I found helpful to figure out what the voltages are of the places that you are going to before you go:

(Click the image to enlarge.)

Photo Credit:  Wikipedia

Which one should I buy?

Before choosing whether to buy a travel adapter or travel voltage converter, you should ask yourself whether or not you need to convert voltages.

Many electronics such as computers and some smartphones have chargers, which can handle different voltages. This is also known as being ‘multi-voltage’.

Examples of electronics that are usually multi-voltage/dual-voltage (and don’t require a voltage converter):

• Computers
• Cameras
• Smartphones
• Tablets

For example, I have a MacBook Air, which can be charged with both 110V outlets and 220V outlets, meaning in order for me to charge my MacBook Air overseas, I’ll only need to buy a travel adapter.

On the other hand, many hairdryers require a voltage converter because they are ‘single-voltage’.

Examples of electronics that are usually single-voltage (and require a voltage converter):

• Irons
• Hairdryers
• Electric toothbrushes
• Electric shavers

Disclaimer: Be sure to check your electronics first and read their labels. Not all of the examples are always single-voltage or multi-voltage.

The Verdict

If you need to convert voltages, then it’s best to purchase a travel voltage converter to prevent your electronics from blowing up and getting fried by incompatible voltages. If not, you can save the money by buying an adapter.

If you aren’t sure if your electronics are multi-voltage, I would use a voltage converter just in case.

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com