In a universe where ‘not enough wall outlet’ is the villain, the travel power strips would definitely appear as the superhero. I know there isn’t going to be a comic based on that any time soon, and I might’ve exaggerated a bit there. But hey! Is this plot really that hard to relate to?
I often need 3/4 outlets to charge different devices, whereas I’ve got only 1/2 unengaged ones in my room. I’ve faced this problem a lot, and I’m quite sure that some of you have been in the same boat as me. That’s why I’m writing this article to help you solve these kinds of problems once & for all.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to some of the best travel power strips that can be the ultimate solution to insufficient wall outlets. Along with the details of these power strips, I’ll provide some other information too in order to make the whole thing easier for you.
So, let’s start!
What’s a Travel Power Strip?
Our first order of business here is to have a clear idea about what a travel power strip is. Without having these facts straight, we simply shouldn’t jump to the main things directly. Even if you know about it already, it’s always better to get the facts checked twice, right?
Well, a power strip is an electrical device that can accommodate an increased number of sockets by occupying only one socket. That’s right! If you’ve just got one wall outlet somewhere, you can still manage to have 4/5 devices (depending on your power strip) connected to electricity.
If you’ve been thinking already, there really is a reason that some power strips are specially called ‘travel power strips’. The thing is, the portable power strips have sockets and also the ports like a charger’s adapter. On the other hand, the normal ones have an electric outlet only.
Why Should You Have a Travel Power Strip?
I think the idea of traveling or its ways of enjoyment has changed a lot since the emergence of many devices, and I believe it’s in a good way. Some of you might not agree with me on this one and that’s completely okay. Still, I guess I should clear my point, and that’ll answer the main question too.
You see, traveling these days wouldn’t feel complete without having the devices around you. Listening to music on the road and while tracking, capturing the moments with our smartphone, and keeping track of your foot-steps while hiking. It’s all part of traveling now.
You’re probably thinking that I’m wasting your time here with all those facts, but I’m actually getting to the important part. I mentioned all those because that’s where the answer to our main question lies. The answer is, you should have a travel power strip to charge all the devices you have.
When you go to someplace outside your home, be it rural or suburban areas, you won’t have the luxury of having a lot of wall sockets. Even if you stay in a fancy hotel room, you still won’t have more than 2 outlets to charge up your things. I guess you’ve already figured out why it’s called a travel power strip.
A single portable power strip can charge your laptop, 1/2 smartphones (without the need of an adapter), AirPods, and your camera at the same time. Then again, most of these travel power strips offer efficiency. They usually have the design to save you from the trouble of wires.
In case you weren’t so sure about buying a travel power strip, this part should change your mind.
Table could not be displayed.My List for the Best Travel Power Strip
Now that we’ve discussed all the important stuff that you should know, we should get on to the main part. I’ve handpicked the top 5 ones out there based on my research, well-thought comparison, and a little bit of my knowledge about these. Here they are –
1. One Beat 5 in 1 Travel Power Strip
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The first one on our list is the 5 in 1 power strip from One Beat. One Beat has a reputation for manufacturing many electronic stuff. This brand has gained a reputation because of its quality products and practical designs. Let’s find out what’s special about this power strip.
There are many reasons why this power strip is on this list, but the main reason is that it’s completely convenient for international traveling. Not only its practical design but also the increased functionality has made it quite special than the other ones out there.
This power strip has the dimensions of 5.94 x 2.28 x 1.1 inches and it weighs only 9.6 pounds. Both the compact size and weight are convenient for packing this gadget along with other necessary things. Also, the 5 ft long cable won’t bother you much as you can easily fold it into a 1 ft length.
As you can see from the name, it’s a 5 in 1 multifunctional power strip. This means you can simultaneously charge up to 5 electric devices. This particular design has 2 AC outlets and three USB ports. The power rating of the outlets is 1625W (125V / 13A).
Then comes the three USB ports (5V/ 3.1A), offering fast charging. Speaking of the ports, these are high-speed charging ports, and each of them can efficiently charge up to 5V/ 2.4 A. The smart charging technology can detect the connected device and charge them accordingly at the most efficient level.
The most innovative thing about this device is probably its right-angle flat plug. The people at One Beat have designed this at a 45-degree angle. So, what happens is, the cable or the plug wouldn’t block another outlet. It’s a common problem caused by the normally designed power strips.
When it comes to safety issues, this travel power strip has got it covered. This FCC and RoHS certified power strip has high strength fire-resistance ABS+PC shell that makes it fireproof up to 1382 F. It’s also reliable for preventing over-current/over-charge/short circuit/over-heated issues.
Also, it’s the ideal power strip to take on a cruise as it’s no surge protection and the 100~240V worldwide compatible voltage. Altogether, it seems like a great deal to me.
2. POWERADD Travel Power Strip with Retractable Cord
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What we have here is the POWERED Travel Power Strip 5 Outlet with Retractable Cord. Poweradd has been in the market for more than a decade now. Over this short period of time, it has become one of the leading manufacturers of this particular industry.
Poweradd has upheld its reputation by making excellent electric products and accessories. However, the question remains. The question is, ‘does this power strip cable deserve to be on the list of the best travel power strips’? If yes, then why? Let’s find out.
This travel power strip comes in an ergonomic shape and practical design. This compact device will easily fit in your backpack or luggage, along with other things. And don’t worry about it getting damaged with pressure inside the bag! It’s durably built to last for a long span.
You can charge up to 8 devices simultaneously with this power strip. That means you can charge your laptop, camera, mobile phone, power bank, AirPods, and 3 other things by occupying only one wall outlet. It’s perfect for traveling alone and standard for a full family.
This travel power strip has got 5 standard outputs in total, two USB ports, and 1 Type-C charging port. The 2.4A charging ports and the type C port eliminates the need to carry extra chargers. Smart IC technology can detect connected devices and charge them at the most efficient rate.
This Poweradd power strip comes with advanced surge protection. The 900J surge protector saves you from any kind of incident. It prevents your electric overload, spike, short circuit, overheat, over-voltage, power surge, short circuit fire, and lightning.
Last, of all, this device completely saves you from all cable-related issues. It’s a retractable cord design. That means you can pull out the 3.3 ft cable whenever you need and then you can easily retract it like a reel by rotating the surface. So, you won’t have to worry about the cable getting tangled.
I hope you’ve got the answer already. With all the features and other things bundled together, this power strip definitely deserves to be on the list.
3. UPWADE Travel Power Strip with Surge Protector
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Next comes the UPWADE Outlet Travel Power Strip with Surge Protector. It’s yet another formidable contender in this list. This particular travel power strip from Upwade has caught my eye for some special features and characteristics. We’ll uncover those things one by one.
This power strip comes in the dimensions of 5.98 x 1.97 x 1.38 inches respectively in length, width, and height. It weighs only 6.7 ounces which is very lightweight compared to the other ones of the same type out there. Also, the build of this accessory is highly durable, and it will serve you well for a long time.
This power strip has a sleek body and both the compact size & weight of it are convenient for traveling. The people at Upwade have designed it in a way that you can easily wrap the 5 ft cable around the power strip itself. So, the cables won’t be occupying any extra space in your bag.
The Upward travel power strip comes with 2 standard AC outlets and 4 smart USB ports. The AC outlets (10A/100V-240V/1200W) work effectively by transferring the power in optimal range while keeping the whole thing safe. You can efficiently charge your laptop or camera with these.
The USB charging ports offer a great output which either can be 5V==1A*4 / 5V==2.1A*2. However, the max output is 4.2A. Each of the ports has SmartID technology that enables them to detect the connected device. After detecting the type, it shifts to the most efficient charging rate for that device.
The safety features of these power strips are quite effective. It offers to short-circuit prevention, low-voltage prevention, surge protection. Then again, the unibody shell and 94V0 fire-proof materials will keep the whole thing undamaged up to the temperature of 750 degrees Celsius.
It also has Phosphor copper for better conduction & wear-resistance, high conductivity copper, and radiation protection IC. It also has a safety gate to provide added security for babies. Along with the travel power strip, you’ll have a 1 x travel carrying case.
So, if you ask me, I’d definitely suggest you keep this one on your consideration list.
4. NTONPOWER Travel Power Strip
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This Travel Power Strip is from NTONPOWER which is yet another manufacturing global brand. When it comes to power strips and charging stations, NTONPOWER is the name of reliability. As it’s said, their power strips come with a strong technical force and well-equipped testing facilities.
If you’re thinking about going out for traveling alone, this one can be your go-to power strip. If you ask me, it’s got just the perfect shape, size, design, and features for mediocre use. You can even keep it on your office desk to have some extra outlets and charging ports.
This sleek looking, compact-sized, and disc-shaped travel power strip has the dimensions of
4.6 x 4.6 x 1 inches (L x W x H). The weight of it is only 9.52 Ounces. From every aspect, this gadget is really convenient for traveling. You can simply carry it in your hand like a disc.
The build of this power strip is something you can depend on. It’s designed to serve you for a long time. The outer part of it is durable enough to withstand normal fall and a normal amount of pressure. Still, it’s in your best interest to avoid such things from happening.
The NONPOWER travel power strip comes with 3 electric outlets and 3 USB charging ports. The outlets allow you to plug in three different devices by occupying only one wall outlet. Then again, the USB ports allow you to charge smartphones, and smartwatches while eliminating the need for bulky adapters.
The max output of the 3 USB charging ports is 3A – 15W. These are designed to charge your devices efficiently, having optimal power flow. That means, even if you simultaneously charge a total of 6 devices with this power strip, there won’t be any problem.
The safety features of this power strip are – over-voltage protection, short circuit protection, overcurrent protection, overcharging protection, and 750 degrees C flame retardant. It also has rubber mats on its bottom surface so that it doesn’t slip from a plain surface.
The only thing that seems to be a major con of this power strip is its cable length. The cable is 15 inches (38 cm) long. However, that shouldn’t be a problem if you don’t need to pull the cable across your room from the wall outlet.
5. NTONPOWER 5 in 1 Travel Power Strip
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Looks like we have another power strip from NTONPOWER as our final product of the list. This time it’s the NTONPOWER 5 in 1 travel power strip. It completes our list of the ideal travel power strips. Now it’s time to find out whether it really should be one of the five or not.
First of all, I’d like to compliment the build of this device. It’s made with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and rubber. This combination makes the build durable enough to keep the things inside safe and undamaged, in case it accidentally falls from a height.
The dimensions of this ergonomically shaped power strip are 6.61 x 2.17 x 1.14 inches (L x W x H). It weighs 8.16 Ounces only. Its portable build allows you to carry it to the cruise ship, office, airports, nightstands in hotels, or to someplace else where you may feel that a few extra outlets would be helpful.
The practical design of this power strip is really amazing. Apparently, you can keep the 15-inch cable wrapped around the power strip itself when it’s not in use. Also, there is a platform on the power strip like a socket where the pins go. It works as a lock to keep the cable stable after wrapping.
The main difference between the NTONPOWER power strips mentioned in the list is that this one has 2 outlets instead of 3. However, the number of the USB charging ports is the same, which is 3. BTW, no need to think that’s a setback for this power strip. It’s actually as good as any other, maybe even better.
2 AC outlets of this gadget feature 1250W/10A power output. The remaining 3 USB ports come with a Total of 3A – 15W and with 5V – 2.4 max for each port. The N-Smart charging technology enables you to simultaneously charge with all 5 of the ports & outlets.
Last of all, this FCC & RoHS-approved travel power strip is ideal for taking to a cruise. It also has a high-temperature fire shield outer shell and it’s designed to prevent electrical short circuits, overheat, over-current, overcharging, and overvoltage.
To sum up the whole thing, I think this power strip has everything that you’d expect from a travel power strip. Hopefully, by this point, you’ve also got the answer about whether it should be one of the top 5 or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often ask, what should be the voltage standard of a travel power strip?
Ans: There are different voltage standards in different countries. It can be 110V/ 120V/220V / 230V/ 240V based on the electric circuits of different places. So, I’d suggest you get a power strip that’s compatible with all the voltage standards from 100~240.
Another common question is, can I carry a power strip on a plane or cruise?
Ans: Yes, you can carry your power strip on a plane or cruise as long as it has no surge protector. Apparently, there is a chance that the surge protector may overload the ship’s/plane’s circuit, and that can result in electrical damage or fire. That’s why it’s banned.
People also ask, can use all the outlets simultaneously damage the connected devices?
Ans: The answer is no. I mean, if you can’t use all the outlets then why would you buy it in the first place, right? However, you should keep in mind that some cheap quality ones can damage your devices. So, it’s always good to spend some extra bucks on a good power strip.
Final Thoughts
Travel power strips have really solved the problems of an insufficient number of wall outlets. Having one with you really comes in handy. I’ve learned this the hard way when I couldn’t get my phone charged because all the ports were occupied. Also, many hotel rooms I went to didn’t have enough wall outlets.
If you’re having trouble deciding which one will be the best travel power strip for you, then I’ve advice for you. You need to figure out your priorities and what you expect to have in a travel power strip. After deciding that, go for the one that seems the closest to your need.
By this point, you should have a clear idea about a travel power strip and what its basic features are. I’ve tried to sort out all the important information in this article in a way that you should find easy to comprehend. Hopefully, this article was helpful for you.
Resource:
- Why universal voltage matters for travelers: https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/
- TSA rules for carrying electronics and power strips: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/power-strip
- Fire safety certifications for electronics: https://www.ul.com/resources/fcc-and-rohs-certification
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Tips on organizing tech gear while traveling: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-pack-cords-tech-travel/