They say the ancients live among rivers, source of life. Today, backpackers live(or lay down) among electrical sockets, our source of life.

This is Spa on Air's shared community room in South Korea's Incheon Airport, pretty viable option for resting at the airport.

At the age of mobile device, you may forget the keys and wallet, but never your phone and powerbanks. Otherwise, various nerve-racking symptoms await you, those seriously ill may even feel false vibrations and notification sound from their bag, it's bad.

What I want to share with travelers today is my traveling essential that's actual a duo whenever I'm abroad: International Adapters/Extension Cords.

(Essential 1: Customized Off-line Maps, for more info refer to Backpacker's Tool Pack: Customized Off-Line Map)

Part 1: Universal Adapters

Let's talk about those adapters, I believe many of us have scouted through internet about each country's socket style, but...where and which to buy after all the research?

I started with the cheapest singular adapter 10 years ago, from any hardware store and cost barely a dollar. It's portable and lite, but also...easy to be left behind since it's so small(i know), also if I'm on a multi-country trip, it's hard to keep up with the different standards of each country!

Anyway, different types of Universal Adapters each have their specialty and flaws, I'm going to share the four that's been well recognized and recommended by friends& families.

1. CARD(Compact And Revolutionary Design) CA2 Slim Universal Adapter Charger

Pros

• Looks nice, thin& easy to carry, has dust bag and cover
• USB port for dual charging
• Spare fuse in case of power overload
• Has power indication light

Cons

• Input isn't universal standard, pity
• The flat design sometimes block the other sockets

2. Flight 001's 4-in-1 Universal Travel Adapter

Pros

• Minimalistic design for storage, has manual
• Combo design, can be plugged in individually and has good spacing. No need to sweat even with the round socket ¹
• Both input and output are universal

Cons

• No USB port, your mobile devices still need a block to charge
• No power overload prevention
• Doesn't have power indication light

3. Mobimann EEC-163U-21 Universal Travel Charger

Pros

• Has USB port, can charge 3 devices simultaneously
• Has power indication light(although reported as a disturbance from some users)
• Different versions available, easy to find on in-flight purchases and duty-frees.(remember to check the prices)

Cons

• Bulky design(women fist), possibly blocking other sockets
• The weight of the adapter can cause balance issue when plugged in, it's easy to disconnect or fall out.
• Output plug can be jammed when switching, gentle usage recommended.

4. Nicelink Adapters' Pack

Pros

• Can be separated into reasonable size and used individually, never fret again with those rounded socket¹

Cons

• No USB port, your mobile devices still need a block to charge.
• Doesn't have power indication light
• Easy to lose track of

Conclusion

Summing it up, my personal expectations on a qualifying universal adapters:

Minimum: hosts the major input plug specification(US, UK, AU, and EU)

Have an up to date USB charging port

Easy to use structure

Some of the extra credit features:

light in weight and small in size

Power overload protection(fuse)

Be universal on both input and output

Power indication light

Multiple USB charging port

USB supported Amp

Powerbank feature

Extras: My Future Adapters with more Money:

CARD(Compact And Revolutionary Design) CA4 Universal Adapter

Pros

• Replaceable lithium battery, can be used as a powerbank too!
• Looks nice, thin& easy to carry, has dust bag and cover
• USB port for dual charging
• Spare fuse in case of power overload
• Has power indication light

Cons

• The input isn't universal, pity
• The flat design sometimes block the other sockets

Pure USB Charging Port

Pros

• Can charge six different items at the same time

Cons

• No regular output socket

Part 2: Traveling Extension Cord

Even though most cities now have the support of increasing tourists, new hostels with quality and forward design have popped up through each city, some even come with 2+ sockets per bed(choosing the right hostel is another different lesson). But...expeditions don't always happen in the new and modern places, or sometimes the buildings simply can't be renovated due to the age, and even the extreme cases of false promises from hostel website's photos to what you see in the reality.

I have personally encounter two tragic scenarios, first is when I was young(Uh-huh) and saw a fabulous hostel in Nürnberg, Germany with triple bunk beds ². Without much thoughts, I booked it and only witnessed the experiences of lving in a 12 person dormitory with 4 sockets only. Second is when I had to sleep through the night in airport by accident, and ended up sleeping without a chair and socket to charge my devices. (For those who's been through it, having a strategic location is extremely important! And, finding the place that has good socket and comfortable chair is something that you can only hope for.)

So, what to do when all the sockets are being used? Challenge other travelers to a duo to see who wins?
Of course not, as long as you have a multiple socket extension cord, friends can be made anywhere on the planet!(or in the airport)

Below is also personal reviews from myself and our friends:

1. Wonpro 220V Universal Extension Cord

Pros

• Safety switch
• Three universal input is more than enough
• Different versions available, can even customize your power cord length

Cons

• Power cord's plug is B-type(microwave type)
• Bulky in size with the power cord, could be tricky to carry around

2. 5IN1 4.8A FOUR USB Universal Socket(Instant charge)

Pros

• Supports 110V~220V, 4.8A
• Easy to carry around
• 1.5 M cord
• Power indication light can take up to 220V(The green light can be disturbing at night)
• 1 Universal socket and 4 USB port, can charge up to five devices at the same time

Cons

• Satisfied so far, haven't found any flaws

Universal Adapters + Extension Cords

Thoughts: A team is always stronger than a single hero.
I personally recommend "CARD CA2 Slim Universal Adapter Charger" + "5IN1 4.8A FOUR USB Universal Socket" to be used in combination. Whether you're charging laptops, phones, tablets, cameras, powerbanks, or even USB reading lamp ³, the combination has you covered. Moreover, it's light and small to be carry around, so even Budget Airline's baggage allowance can handle it.

If you're doing a long-stay vacation, I recommend adding "Flight 001's 4-in-1 Universal Travel Adapter" into the pack as well, that way you are able to carry one with you and leave one in the apartment.

So which universal adapter or extension cord fits your need? It's up to where you're going and how you travel.
This article is meant to simply share personal reviews on the brand and product, doesn't offer links for purchase.
*Be cautious of voltage range, electric current, and power rate of work.

If you've found something better, cheaper, or cuter, please don't hesitate to reply below and let us know!

translated by Nasha

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