Are you planning to go abroad for a vacation? Make sure to pack the essentials, your ticket and passport, clothes, and of course your phone. There’s another thing you need to put in your bag before boarding a plane; a 220 volts converter.
Why do you need a converter? Some appliances, like hairdryers, kettles, and heaters, have specific voltage requirements, and connecting them to the wrong power supply will result in significant damage. A converter can prevent such issues.
However, not all 220 volts converters are made in the same way. Here is a quick buying guide to help you make the right choice:
Do your research about your destination.
If you live in North America, most of your devices operate on 110V/120V AC 60Hz. Meanwhile, other countries run on 220/240 Volts AC 50Hz, such as Argentina, China, and South Korea.
It’s best to double-check the voltage in your destination country to ensure that you choose the right converter. You may visit the World Standards website (https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/) for a comprehensive list.
Choose between step-up and step-down.
Have you finally bought your plane ticket? Great! the next step is to choose the appropriate 220 volts converter. There are two main types: step-up and step-down.
Step-up voltage converters allow you to go from 110V/120V to 220V/240V, while step-down converters do the opposite. For example, if you’re traveling from the US to South Korea, you need a step-down converter.
All these numbers can be confusing to understand and may result in you buying the wrong converter. Luckily, there are step-up/down transformers with dual functions to help you avoid any accidents and damage to your appliances.
Consider other features.
220 volts converters can either be conveniently portable or incredibly heavy-duty. It’s best to choose the one that suits your needs. If you plan to stay abroad for a long time, consider a larger step-up/down converter.
On the other hand, if you want to keep your luggage light, go for smaller converters with attached handles and indicator switches for convenience.
