Converter vs Adapter for Europe | What You Actually Need

For the full breakdown, see our best Converter And Adapter For Europe guide.

The difference is simple but costly to ignore. A plug adapter changes the shape of your prongs so they fit European outlets. A voltage converter changes the electrical current itself — and you only need one for devices labeled “110V only” or “120V only.” Plugging a single-voltage American hair dryer into a European wall socket with just an adapter will fry it, possibly with smoke or sparks. Here is exactly how to tell which you need, device by device.

The One Check That Answers Everything

Every electrical device has a label — usually on the charger brick, the device itself, or inside a battery compartment — that lists its input voltage. If you see “100–240V, 50/60Hz” or “110–240V,” your device is dual-voltage. It works on American 120V power and European 230V power with only a shape adapter for the prongs.

If the label says “110V Only,” “120V Only,” or a narrow range like “100–120V,” the device is single-voltage. It needs both a voltage converter and a plug adapter, or it will be destroyed on European current.

About 99% of modern chargers — those for iPhones, Android phones, iPads, laptops, cameras, power banks, and USB hubs — are dual-voltage. The devices that trip travelers up are almost always older or high-wattage appliances: hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons, electric kettles, and kitchen appliances like blenders or coffee makers.

Devices That Need Only an Adapter

The overwhelming majority of what a traveler brings is dual-voltage and safe with just a plug adapter. This list covers the usual suspects:

Smartphones and tablets — every major brand’s charger since around 2010

Laptops — all current MacBook, Dell, Lenovo, and HP chargers

Cameras and camera battery chargers

USB charging stations and power banks

Modern electric shavers and toothbrushes — always confirm on the label, but the vast majority now accept 100–240V

For this class of device, skip the converter entirely. A universal adapter that covers mainland Europe’s Type C (two round pins) and Type F (two round pins with side grounding clips) is all you need.

Devices That Need a Converter

Only single-voltage, high-wattage devices require a converter. The most common culprits are hair styling tools and small kitchen appliances. If your hair dryer is older than a few years and lacks a voltage switch, it is almost certainly single-voltage. A standard 1500W American hair dryer plugged into a 230V European circuit with only an adapter will instantly overheat and destroy the heating element.

When you do need a converter, buy one rated at least 1.25 to 1.5 times the wattage of your highest-powered device. For a 1500W hair dryer, that means a 2000W converter minimum. Look for an NRTL safety mark (UL, ETL, or TÜV) on the converter, and keep it well-ventilated during use — do not drape towels over it or use it in cramped spaces.

The practical alternative, recommended by Wirecutter and widely practiced by savvy travelers, is simply buying a local hair dryer or curling iron once you arrive in Europe. A basic European hair dryer costs about €15 and saves you from carrying a heavy converter across the Atlantic.

Which Plug Adapter to Buy for Your Destinations

Europe does not share one plug type. You need the right adapter for each country:

Mainland Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, Eastern Europe): Type C (Europlug, two round pins) and Type F (Schuko, two round pins plus side grounding clips).

UK, Ireland, Malta: Type G (three rectangular prongs in a triangle pattern). This is a completely different shape from mainland Europe.

Switzerland: Type J (three round pins in a triangle).

Denmark: Type K (two round pins with a grounding pin underneath).

Italy: Uses Type C and Type L (three round pins in a row), though most Type C plugs fit Italian sockets just fine.

If you are visiting multiple countries that include the UK and mainland Europe, buy a universal adapter kit that covers Types C, E, F, and G. The best universal adapters for Europe cover C, E, F, G, J, K, and L. Pack two or three, because adapters are small and easy to misplace in a hotel room. For travelers who want to simplify the shopping decision ahead of their trip, our tested product guide rounds up the most reliable options for every itinerary.

FAQs

Can I use a Type A (two-flat-pin) adapter in Europe?

No. European sockets require round pins. An adapter that accepts your American flat prongs must convert to Type C, F, or G round pins on the other side. A bare American plug without an adapter does not physically fit any European wall socket.

My hair dryer says “120V only.” Do I need a converter or an adapter?

You need both. The adapter gets the prongs into the European wall socket, and a voltage converter (rated for at least 1.5 times the dryer’s wattage) steps the 230V European current down to 120V. Without the converter, the dryer will be destroyed the instant you turn it on.

Will a voltage converter damage my phone charger?

Do not plug a dual-voltage phone charger into a voltage converter. The charger is designed for 100–240V already, and a converter is unnecessary. More importantly, many converters output modified-square-wave power rather than clean sine-wave power, which can interfere with sensitive electronics. Use a plain adapter for your phone.