HomeIs my device dual voltage?
Is my device dual voltage?
Find the label on the plug, the charger brick or the underside of the device. Look for the word INPUT.
How to read it
| Label says | Meaning | Abroad you need |
|---|---|---|
100-240V or 110-240V | Dual / universal voltage | Plug adapter only |
120V or 110V or 100V | Single voltage, North America / Japan type | Converter in 220–240 V countries |
220V, 230V or 240V | Single voltage, Europe / UK / Australia type | Converter in 100–127 V countries |
120/240V with a switch | Switchable dual voltage | Plug adapter; set the switch first |
Typical devices
- Almost always dual voltage: phone, tablet and laptop chargers, camera battery chargers, USB power banks and hubs, electric toothbrush chargers, CPAP power supplies, e-readers.
- Often single voltage: hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons, kettles, irons, cheap electric shavers, desk lamps, anything with a heating element bought for home use.
- Sold as travel models: dual-voltage hair dryers and straighteners exist and are the sensible choice; a converter big enough for a 1,800 W dryer weighs a kilo.
Frequently asked questions
What does INPUT 100–240V mean?
The device accepts any mains voltage from 100 to 240 volts, which covers every country in the world. It is dual voltage (strictly, "universal voltage") and only ever needs a plug adapter.
My hair dryer says 120V 60Hz only. Can I use it in Europe?
Not without a voltage converter rated for its wattage (usually 1,500–2,000 W). A plug adapter alone will feed it 230 V and burn out the element. A dual-voltage travel hair dryer is cheaper and lighter than a converter of that size.
Does a plug adapter change the voltage?
No. An adapter only changes the shape of the pins. A converter or transformer changes the voltage.
What about 50 Hz versus 60 Hz?
Chargers, LEDs and heating elements do not care. Motors, some clocks and some older audio gear run at the wrong speed on the other frequency. Most travellers can ignore it.