<p>Converter or just adapter for iPhone 4s and Blackberry Curve in Europe? I keep reading “dual voltage” but I’m always afraid to plug anything in without a converter.</p>
<p>A simple adapter will suffice. This is similar to what I bought for charging my iPhone in Germany (DH says it worked well for charging his Blackberry in Sweden, France, Russia, and a number of XYZ-stan countries):</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Tumi Electronics Electric Adapter (TU301BLK): Electronics](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Tumi-Electronics-Electric-Adapter-TU301BLK/dp/B000XPSHDY]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Tumi-Electronics-Electric-Adapter-TU301BLK/dp/B000XPSHDY)</p>
<p>(We like it because it fits all sorts of funky foreign outlets).</p>
<p>Or you can get a really simple one from Radio Shack (works well for Europe except the UK):</p>
<p>[Enercell</a> Foreign Adapter Plug for Continental Europe : Foreign Travel Adapters | RadioShack.com](<a href=“RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store”>RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store)</p>
<p>My IT person told me we needed converters in addition to adapters for both phones. Everything I’m reading says only an adapter, but I sure hate to fry anything.</p>
<p>You generally only need a plug adapter which is just something that changes the physical prongs around as opposed to a ‘converter’ which actually changes the voltage. You can usually easily verify this by looking at the label on the AC adapter where it states what the input voltage must be. Most nowadays are 100-240 VAC which will work almost anywhere in the world.</p>
<p>You only need a ‘converter’ for things that require 120vac which usually boils down to things with heating elements and motors nowadays (think hair dryers although some of these are dual voltage but definitely check yours first before bringing one) - things that plug directly into the wall without the ‘adapter’ brick like most things have. this voltage converter is usually bulky, heavy, and much more expensive than just an adapter. </p>
<p>I’ve never brought a voltage converter to Europe with me although I do bring an plug adapter with me. </p>
<p>My iPhone 3 adapter states that it’ll work 100-240vac as expected.</p>
<p>I use just an adapter for my iphone and Macbook in Europe. I bought the Apple World Travel Adapter kit with multiple plugs from the Apple website (although I’m sure there must be less expensive options).</p>
<p>I always charge my Blackberry from my laptop through a USB port. And the laptop power pack already has a voltage transformer built-in. So assuming you have a laptop along on your trip, the only thing you need is the plug prong adapter. You can get those at Radio Shack for a few dollars.</p>
<p>Fwiw, I would recommend two things to carry:</p>
<ol>
<li>a simple adapter</li>
<li>a lightweight power strip/extension cord.</li>
</ol>
<p>Very few hotels or apartments in Europe will have American style plugs and you will probably need multiple plugs for charging telephones, computers, hair dryers, steamers, name it. The plugs that are installed in the bathrooms rarely have enough voltage/amps to charge products well. </p>
<p>You can find the adapter in many hardware stores in Europe for a few Euros. On the other hand, you need to carry a US version of the power strip.</p>
<p>I fried my US electric toothbrush in Spain back in May. Apparently, an adapter does not suffice for those types of hardware . You need a converter for those.</p>
<p>This is a decent converter:</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Simran SMF-200 Deluxe 200-Watts Step Down Travel Voltage Converter for 220V / 240V: Electronics](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Simran-SMF-200-200-Watts-Voltage-Converter/dp/B000W9DJ1Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1309569297&sr=1-2]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Simran-SMF-200-200-Watts-Voltage-Converter/dp/B000W9DJ1Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1309569297&sr=1-2)</p>
<p>Electric toothbrush for travel? I think I’ll keep one with a single battery … or one of the old fashioned one.</p>
<p>The Sonicare ones are amazing tbh. Got one a few years back and I loved it. I never travel without it now.</p>
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<p>Yes they will. Most hotels have dozens of plugs of every type - left over from previous American guests who accidentally left them behind in the wall socket. Just ask. They will likely give you one.</p>
<p>Britain and Ireland have different plugs (3 pins) compared to the rest of Europe (2 pins) so bear that in mind before you buy any “whole world” adaptors in the US which usually do not fit.</p>
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<p>Don’t feel bad. My H has fried not one, but two waterpics. The first trip he blamed it on the electrical current in the flat we were renting. (Um, sure the building is 400 years old, but the wiring isnt.) The second time I warned him but he still didn’t believe me. (He now has a rechargable one.)</p>
<p>When our kids went on a choir trip to Italy, I warned everyone repeatedly not to even try to use their Chis. D’s roommate did. Fried it.</p>
<p>I’m embarrassed to admit I fried a $200 flat iron in Japan last summer. I used an adapter and a converter. It happens. </p>
<p>From now on I will embrace my curly hair when we travel…</p>
<p>If you look at the plug on your US charger, it will have printed on it the range of voltages that it can handle (usually 110V - 220V). Almost any day-to-day USA charger that I am aware of – whether for laptops, cameras, or cellphones – is capable of handling any Voltage anywhere in the world (again, just look at the plug and it will tell you the range!). Therefore, all you need is an “adapter” that can take a US-style prong on the one side and plug into a country’s outlet with appropriate prongs on the other side. Complete adapter sets with multiple country prongs are sold at every international airport and on the internet (see above posts for ideas). You should NEVER need a converter unless you are bringing motorized appliances (fans, hair dryers, etc). Even then, I would check the writing on the plug of the appliance and confirm that it only charges at 110V or 120V – you may be surprised and see that it shows 110V - 220V, in which case a converter is wholly unnecessary.</p>
<p>We just got back from France and italy and we only brought an adapter, no converter. All of the electronic chargers are dual voltage and we brought various phone models and an iPad. I actually returned to the store a converter that I bought.</p>
<p>Missypie, if you do not plan on travelling around the world, just get the little $9 plug adapter from Radio Shack. It WORKS for charging an iPhone and Blackberry, as tried and tested by the Bunsens.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. We already own two adaptor/converter sets. I just didn’t want to have to bring the heavy converters if not necessary. </p>
<p>Here’s a question. A few years ago there would be some locations -e.g. flat in Florence, hotel in Germany, where iPods and cell phones just didn’t charge - adaptor, converter, room lights on, off, etc. - just wouldn’t charge. We would unplug a lamp that lit (so we knew the outlet was working) but then the electronics did nothing. Didn’t fry but didn’t charge. Anybody know why that was?</p>
<p>Here’s my answer: both answers to your question are correct. Why? It depends on your personality.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you are the kind of person who can just read the information on your charger and your electronic device, understand that information, and then feel CONFIDENT that you only need the adapter, then you only need the adapter.</p></li>
<li><p>However, if you are the kind of person (like me) who will second-guess yourself once you get over there, who suspects that you will then accidentally plug in (another) device that actually needs the converter, who forgets technical information easily, who is kind-of an airhead at times, then you should only try to memorize the fail-safe combination. Which is: use the converter AND the adapter.</p></li>
</ol>