Updated

Updated · Consumer Reports · Jul 30

Consumer Reports Staffers Pick 24-Ounce Bottles, 33-Decibel Earplugs Among Top Travel Essentials

Updated

Updated · Consumer Reports · Jul 30

Consumer Reports Staffers Pick 24-Ounce Bottles, 33-Decibel Earplugs Among Top Travel Essentials

Q: Could a simple misunderstanding about plug adapters and voltage instantly destroy your expensive travel tech abroad?

Yes — but usually only if you confuse a plug adapter with a voltage converter. A simple plug adapter only changes the shape of the plug so it fits a foreign outlet. It does not change the electricity coming from the wall. That matters because many countries, especially in Europe, use roughly 220 to 240 volts, compared with 110 to 120 volts in the United States. If you plug a single-voltage device into the wrong outlet with only an adapter, it can fail immediately. The good news is that most expensive travel tech people carry today — phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, camera chargers, power banks, and many headphones — is already dual-voltage. Check the charger or device label for “Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz.” If it says that, you generally only need the correct plug adapter abroad, not a converter. The bigger risk is with high-wattage heat devices such as hair dryers, curling irons, and straighteners. Many are still single-voltage. If the label says “120V only,” using it in a 230V outlet with a basic travel adapter can destroy it. That is why travel guides increasingly recommend universal adapters such as compact Anker or Ceptics models for electronics, while warning travelers to verify voltage before plugging anything in. A quick label check can prevent expensive damage. For most modern tech, the misunderstanding will not be costly. For the wrong appliance, it can be instant.

3 articles · Updated · Consumer Reports · Jul 30

Consumer Reports staffers highlighted travel gear they rely on most as delays, traffic jams and stalled trains make smoother journeys harder to count on.
Chargers drew the broadest support, with staffers recommending Anker power banks, Belkin and Anker 3-in-1 charging stations, plus plug adapters to keep phones, watches and earbuds powered.
Organization and tracking tools also featured heavily, including duffels, packing cubes, seat-back organizers and Apple AirTags for locating checked bags during disruptions.
Comfort and hygiene picks centered on coping with long trips and cramped spaces, from 33-decibel earplugs, eye masks and noise-canceling headphones to disinfecting wipes, dry shampoo and portable restroom kits.
The list reflects a broader shift in travel advice away from convenience extras and toward products that help travelers manage delays, limited storage, scarce outlets and public-space mess.