A travel adapter changes the shape of the plug so an Australian charger fits a foreign wall socket. It does not change the voltage, so the right adapter depends on where you are going and what you are plugging in.
We compared six adapters whose listings say in words that they take Australian plugs: three Korjo adaptors, including a three plug set, and three USB adapters from LENCENT and RXSQUL. Pick your destination first, then the pick below that covers it.
Best overall: Korjo Travel Adaptor for Europe
Best travel adapter overall: the Korjo Travel Adaptor for Europe, because it is earthed, rated to 10A, takes Australian and New Zealand appliances and has the most ratings of any adapter here.
The listing says the Korjo Travel Adaptor is for use with Australian and New Zealand appliances in Europe. It is earthed and rated to 10A, and the spec table gives an input voltage of 230 volts AC and a current rating of 10 amps. It also suits Bali. The listing holds 4.7 stars from 659 ratings, more than any other adapter on this page.
It suits anyone flying to Europe or Bali with ordinary Australian chargers, a hair dryer or a laptop. The honest catch: the listing excludes the UK, Italy, Switzerland, Chile and Brazil, the listing mentions no USB ports, and the same Amazon listing sells other country versions, so make sure Europe is the option selected.
Best for Japan: Korjo Travel Adaptor for Japan
Best for Japan: the Korjo Travel Adaptor for Japan, because it is a small two pin adaptor made for Japan's flat two pin sockets and it also fits the USA and Canada.
The listing says the Korjo Travel Adaptor is for use with Australian and New Zealand appliances in Japan, and that it can also be used in the USA and Canada. It is rated to 10A and holds 4.7 stars from 380 ratings. It has no earth pin.
It suits phone chargers, camera chargers and other two pin devices on a trip to Japan. The honest catch: the listing says the adaptor only accepts two pin Australian and New Zealand devices, so a three pin laptop charger will not fit, and the listing mentions no USB ports.
Best for multi country trips: Korjo International Adaptor Set
Best for multi country trips: the Korjo International Adaptor Set, because it gives you three colour coded adaptors for Europe, the UK and the USA that take 2 and 3 pin Australian appliances.
The listing says all three plugs accept 2 and 3 pin Australian and New Zealand appliances, and that the set is for use in Europe, the UK and the USA. The adaptors are earthed and rated to 10A. The listing gives the product dimensions as 13 by 5 by 4.5 cm and the weight as 130 g. It holds 4.8 stars, equal to the highest rating on this page, but from only 31 ratings.
It suits a trip that crosses borders, such as London, Paris and New York on one ticket. The honest catch: it has only 31 ratings so far, it is three single country adaptors rather than one universal unit, the listing mentions no USB ports, and the listing does not say whether it converts voltage.
Best for the UK and Ireland: LENCENT UK Travel Adapter
Best for the UK and Ireland: the LENCENT UK Travel Adapter, because it has two Australian outlets plus four USB ports, so one wall socket runs a laptop and the phones.
The listing describes a Type G adapter that turns one socket into 2 standard Australian outlets and 4 USB ports: 2 AC outlets at 2500W max, 3 USB A ports at 12W and 1 USB C port at 15W, for charging 6 devices at once. The listing names the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Qatar and Malta among the places it works. It measures 9.1 by 6.9 by 3.3 cm and weighs 147 g. It holds 4.8 stars from 115 ratings.
It suits a hotel room with one spare socket and a bag full of chargers. The honest catch: it weighs 147 g, more than the whole Korjo three adaptor set at 130 g, and the listing says it has no surge protection. It also says it is not a voltage converter and works with 100V to 250V devices.
Best for the US with USB: LENCENT US Travel Adapter
Best for the US with USB: the LENCENT US Travel Adapter, because it is a Type B adapter with two Australian outlets and four USB ports, and the listing names the USA, Canada, Mexico and Thailand.
The listing describes a Type B adapter with 2 AC outlets at 2500W max, 3 USB A ports at 5V and 2.4A and 1 USB C port at 5V and 3A, for charging 6 devices at once. Besides the USA, Canada, Mexico and Thailand, it names Costa Rica, Colombia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Peru and Vietnam. The listing gives 147 g and 9.1 by 6.9 by 3.3 cm. It holds 4.7 stars from 239 ratings.
It suits a US road trip, or a Thailand or Vietnam holiday, where one adapter has to run several chargers. The honest catch: Type B does not fit Japan's two pin sockets, and the listing says it has no surge protection. Hair dryers must support 100V to 250V.
Best for the US and Japan with USB: RXSQUL Type A Travel Plug
Best for the US and Japan with USB: the RXSQUL Type A Travel Plug, because one Type A adapter covers both countries and adds two USB A and two USB C ports.
The listing says one Type A adapter has 1 standard Australian outlet with a maximum capacity of 2400 watts (max 240 volts, 10A), plus 4 USB ports (2 USB A and 2 USB C) that charge up to 3.4A, for 5 devices at once. It names Japan, China, the USA, Thailand, Canada, Colombia and Vietnam. The listing says it is made from flame retardant material certified by SAA. It holds 4.5 stars from 81 ratings.
It suits a Japan and US trip with phones and a power bank to charge. The honest catch: the listing says it is not suitable for Europe, the UK or Ireland, it has one Australian outlet, and at 81 ratings with the lowest score here it is less proven than the Korjo adaptors.
How to choose a travel adapter
Match the adapter to the country
Plug shapes change from country to country, so the destination decides the adapter. Europe and Bali take the Korjo Europe adaptor. The UK and Ireland need a Type G adapter, which is what the LENCENT UK adapter is. Japan and the USA are covered by the Korjo Japan adaptor and the RXSQUL Type A. Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines are named on the LENCENT US listing, so check your destination on the listing before you buy.
Adapter or voltage converter
An adapter only changes the plug shape. The LENCENT and RXSQUL listings say they are not voltage converters and work only with 100V to 250V devices, which matters most for hair dryers and straighteners. The Korjo Europe spec table lists 230 volts AC and 10 amps. Check each device's label against the voltage where you are going.
Earthed or two pin
Many Australian laptop chargers and hair dryers have three pins. The Korjo Europe adaptor and the Korjo set are earthed, and the set takes 2 and 3 pin Australian appliances. The Korjo Japan adaptor takes two pin Australian and New Zealand devices only, because the listing says Japan uses a two pin, non earthed system. The RXSQUL listing gives one standard Australian outlet and mentions grounded protection.
USB ports and power
If you travel with a phone, tablet, laptop and watch, a USB adapter saves hunting for sockets. The LENCENT adapters give 6 outputs from one socket and the RXSQUL gives 5. Check the AC rating as well: the LENCENT outlets are rated 2500W max, the RXSQUL 2400 watts, and the Korjo adaptors 10A. Our power bank guide covers a spare battery for flights and long days out.
One country or several
A single country adaptor is the simple way to cover one trip. If you cross borders, the Korjo International set carries Europe, UK and US plugs together, while the LENCENT adapters each cover one plug type. Buy one per plug type your route needs.
Ratings and surge protection
Both LENCENT listings say they have no surge protection, and the Korjo set has only 31 ratings. The Korjo Europe and Japan adaptors have the largest counts here. Pack the adapter in your carry on with your chargers, and add a luggage tag so nothing goes missing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best universal travel adapter for Australians?
None of these is a single world adapter. The closest is the Korjo International Adaptor Set, which gives three colour coded adaptors for Europe, the UK and the USA. For one destination, the Korjo Travel Adaptor for Europe is our top pick, with 4.7 stars from 659 ratings, and a single country adaptor is simpler.
What travel adapter do I need for Bali?
The Korjo Travel Adaptor for Europe is the pick, because the listing says it is suitable for use in Europe except the UK, and Bali. The listing also says it is earthed, rated to 10A and for use with Australian and New Zealand appliances. The listing mentions no USB ports, so bring your own charger.
What travel adapter do I need for Vietnam?
The listings name Vietnam on two picks: the LENCENT US Travel Adapter, a Type B with two Australian outlets and four USB ports, and the RXSQUL Type A Travel Plug, with one outlet and four USB ports. Both say they are not voltage converters and need 100V to 250V devices.
Which travel adapter is best for Japan?
The Korjo Travel Adaptor for Japan is our pick, with 4.7 stars from 380 ratings. The listing says it only accepts two pin Australian and New Zealand devices and can also be used in the USA and Canada. For USB charging, the RXSQUL Type A Travel Plug covers Japan and the USA.
Which plug adapter do I need for Europe and the UK?
They are different plugs. Europe needs the Korjo Travel Adaptor for Europe, which is not for the UK. The UK and Ireland need a Type G adapter, such as the LENCENT UK Travel Adapter. If you visit both on one trip, the Korjo International Adaptor Set covers Europe, the UK and the USA.
Does a travel adapter change the voltage?
No, an adapter only changes the plug shape. The LENCENT and RXSQUL listings say they are not voltage converters and suit 100V to 250V devices. The Korjo Europe table lists 230 volts AC at 10 amps, and the Korjo set listing does not say whether it converts voltage. Check each device's label.
What watt travel adapter do I need?
The listings state maximum capacities. The LENCENT UK and US adapters list 2 AC outlets at 2500W max, the RXSQUL lists up to 2400 watts, and the Korjo Europe adaptor is rated to 10A. A phone charger needs far less than a hair dryer, so check each device's label.
What adapter do I need from Australia to the Philippines?
The LENCENT US Travel Adapter names the Philippines on its listing, along with the USA, Thailand, Vietnam and Canada. It is a Type B adapter with two Australian outlets and four USB ports, rated 4.7 stars from 239 ratings. Confirm your destination on the listing before you buy.
Why are Anker, Epicka and shop brand adapters not on this list?
We only chose adapters whose listing says in words that they take Australian plugs and that are sold on Amazon Australia. Each pick here, from the Korjo Travel Adaptor for Europe to the LENCENT UK adapter, meets that test. If you prefer another brand, look for the same wording on its listing and check the plug type for your country.
