overseas power adapter

[CarLuver]

i ma going to HK next month and am looking at power adapters fpr my laptop and phone . now my understanding is that power brinks and plugs marked 100 to 220 v will just plug into a power adapter and self adjust to the input voltage. So if the input is 220 the brick will convert it to the voltage need at the plug .

Is this a correct assumption? or should i just get a power convertor? i don't want to fry anything .

 

[goblin]

As long as your power adapter says 100-240v on it (or any variation of it) - you will just need the adapter plug to be able to plug it in, as the outlets are also different:

https://www.amazon.com/Hong-Ireland-Travel-Adapter-Ceptics/dp/B01MZD5T3E

99% of today's adapters are dual voltage, but the remaining 1% can bring a real spark in your life, so do check.

Some powerstrips with integrated USB ports will bring confusion - Anker has them. They DO provide the correct voltage to the USB ports no matter what voltage you plug them in, but they do NOT step down the voltage to their power ports. There rely on the expectation that your adapter will do it. So - make sure, again, that you read the fine print for any powerstrip that says 100-240v.

This fine print is in most cases stamped on the adapter itself, and is insanely difficult to read. You might have to snap a pic and zoom in.

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

A more costly but less thought required option is a power converter. It has all the prong adapters and produces standard US 110V 60 cycle power up to 500 watts. I didn't trust my daughter to read the fine print on every charger, and you certainly can't go anywhere without your hair straightener. The description says Europe but HK is also included.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TYP34FX?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[dishdude]

He doesn't need a power converter for a phone or laptop charger, they're all dual voltage.

 

[goblin]

...they're all dual voltage.

My dark thoughts, precisely, as I was disassembling one of the first three gray import & five times the MSRP Sega Dreamcasts in France decades ago - one that I had borrowed begging and threatening, promising that nothing bad will happen to it.

It gave me a sound south of a "Bang" but well north of a "Pooof" when I plugged it in the outlet. Luckilly whoever had built it had anticipated that muggles will use it, and it still worked despite the two popped capacitors that had repainted the insides.
So I read all the fine print on power supplies since

 

[dishdude]

My dark thoughts, precisely, as I was disassembling one of the first three gray import & five times the MSRP Sega Dreamcasts in France decades ago - one that I had borrowed begging and threatening, promising that nothing bad will happen to it.

It gave me a sound south of a "Bang" but well north of a "Pooof" when I plugged it in the outlet. Luckilly whoever had built it had anticipated that muggles will use it, and it still worked despite the two popped capacitors that had repainted the insides.
So I read all the fine print on power supplies since

Assuming OP is traveling with any phone or computer made within the last two decades...I'm guessing he isn't taking a Sega from the 90's with him.

 

[goblin]

Again, chances are overwhelmingly on the dual voltage side, but assuming is rarely good when double the home voltage is involved. OP could have an original name brand charger, or that rare beautiful unicorn of a charger from a gas station shop or Aliexpress. Checking is easy and worth it.

 

[alarmguy]

A more costly but less thought required option is a power converter. It has all the prong adapters and produces standard US 110V 60 cycle power up to 500 watts. I didn't trust my daughter to read the fine print on every charger, and you certainly can't go anywhere without your hair straightener. The description says Europe but HK is also included.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TYP34FX?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I agree. I purchased What looks the same before our trip to the Philippines. In the Philippines they use USA type plugs but they are 220.

Anyway, it is true today's transformers handle both. I found this super convenient and loved using it as my charging station. I also liked the "protection" that it claims for abnormalities in voltage. More so a country that can have sketchy service.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8VK4PMT?

Note the "coupon" its actually $18 less than the posted price as of 3-23-25

 

[y_p_w]

It's rare to find something in a wall wart that isn't fully capable of 100-240V AC at 50-60 Hz. And even then it's probably capable of more than that (maybe 90-277V).

The hard part is the electrical connection.

The one thing I'm hoping for is something that might be able to convert safely to supply a power strip with NEMA 5-15 outlets at the native voltage and allow power adapters to take that. But obviously that may not be a great idea because some people might try connecting other devices to it that are only for 120V. Granted that's a problem with adapters in the first place.

I'm thinking there might be a converting power strip that safely converts to 120V.

 

[Carmudgeon]

An OE-quality, or reputable aftermarket AC adapter is very likely to be multi-voltage and isn't going to have an issue with 220V.

As far as the physical adapters, the KISS principle also applies. A straight physical adapter, not one of those do-it-all gizmos, which can include USB outputs of unknown quality. Not going to risk my expensive mobile device on something like that.

Depending on the hotel, the wall outlets themselves might even be multi-voltage, and include 110V output, albeit for low wattage devices like razors. They won't run something like a hair dryer, but a decent hotel will provide those as well, or the adapters.

A modern electrical razor like a Panny will can even charge via a USB connection at ~5V, or a USB adapter cable that allows one to leave the wall wart at home.