How do I charge my devices abroad?

Almost everything with a modern USB charger is dual voltage and needs nothing but a plug adaptor, which is why this is simpler than it used to be. The exceptions — hair dryers, straighteners, shavers, medical devices and older appliances — are exactly the things with high power draw where getting it wrong matters most.

Safety

What you'll need

• The correct plug adaptor for the destination
• A multi-port USB charger (optional)
• A short extension lead (optional)
• A power bank (optional)

Step by step

1. Check which plug type the destination uses.It varies more than people expect, including between neighbouring countries and sometimes within one country. Check before buying an adaptor rather than at the airport.
2. Read the small print on every charger.Printed on the plug body or the power brick. '100-240V, 50/60Hz' means dual voltage and a plug adaptor is all you need. A single figure such as '230V only' means it needs a converter.
3. Know the difference between an adaptor and a converter.An adaptor changes the plug shape. A converter changes the voltage. Using an adaptor alone on a single-voltage appliance in a different-voltage country damages it and can be dangerous.
4. Take a multi-port USB charger rather than several chargers.One adaptor, one brick, four devices. It is the single biggest reduction in cable clutter, and it means one adaptor covers the family. Check it supplies enough power for a laptop if you need that.
5. Take a short extension lead.Many hotel rooms have one accessible socket in an inconvenient place. A short UK extension lead plugged into one adaptor turns that into four UK sockets, which also saves buying four adaptors.
6. Buy adaptors and chargers from a reputable source.Counterfeit and unbranded chargers are a well-documented fire and shock risk. This is not a place to save two pounds, particularly for something left charging overnight.
7. Treat hair dryers and straighteners as a separate problem.High power draw and often single voltage. Either buy a dual-voltage travel version, use what the accommodation provides, or take a proper converter rated well above the appliance's wattage. Do not run one through a small travel adaptor.
8. Take a power bank, and carry it in the cabin.Airport days, long transfers and days out drain phones, and a phone is your map, ticket, boarding pass and camera. Power banks must go in hand luggage and never in the hold, and airlines cap their capacity.
9. Label the cables and count them at checkout.Chargers left in sockets behind beds are the most commonly forgotten item in the world. A quick sweep of every socket before leaving a room fixes it.

Tips

• A universal adaptor that covers several regions is worth buying once if you travel widely, but check it has a fuse and comes from a reputable brand.
• Turn on battery saving and download offline maps before a long day out. It does more for battery life than any charger.
• For a road trip, a decent car USB charger for the family is worth more than another power bank.

Questions people ask