America power adapters - what plugs are used in America?

American power outlet

What adapter do I need for America?

You'll need to bring a Type B plug adapter [3] to America if the plug you intend on using won't fit into an American power outlet.

The type of power adapter, power converter or charger that's needed when visiting America all depends on the voltage and type of device that you're trying to power with an American power outlet. If you do not know what voltage your device can use then please read the section below about how can you tell if you have a single voltage or dual voltage device first.

  • If your device is 120 volts or is dual voltage and the plug will fit in an American power outlet then it can work in America without needing anything else.
  • If your device is 120 volts or is dual voltage but the plug won't fit in an American power outlet then you will need to bring a suitable plug adapter for America such a Type B plug adapter [3]. Please be aware that a plug adapter for America (or power adapter) will only change the actual shape of the plug on your device to fit into a plug outlet found in America, but won't convert the voltage from 120 volts to a different voltage.
  • If your device is unable to use 120 volts and isn't dual voltage then you'll also need a power converter for America to convert the voltage from 120 volts to the correct voltage on your device. You will still need to pack a suitable plug adapter for America if your power converter doesn't include the correct Type B plug adapter.
  • If you simply want to recharge one or more USB devices such as tablets or mobile phones then a USB travel power adapter is suitable and it should be dual voltage, but make sure that you bring a USB travel adapter which has a Type B plug adapter otherwise you'll still need to use a suitable plug adapter for America.
  • Increased use of a mobile phone during a trip will leave you with a flat battery quickly therefore you should pack a portable charger [4] if you wish to recharge your mobile phone battery or other USB powered devices whilst visiting an unfamiliar country.

Warning: If your device won't handle the 120 volts used in America you run the potential risk of an electrical fire hazard, a blown fuse or damage to your device. Before attempting to use your device in America please check the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

America power adapters

Power adapters for America


What is the best power adapter for America?

The best power adapter for America is a Type B power adapter [3] which is suitable for powering any 120 volt appliance or device.

What is the best power adapter for America?

What is a power adapter for an American power outlet?


Do I need a plug adapter for America?

If the outlet in your home country isn't the same as the type of American power outlet then you will need a power adapter.

What does a power adapter for America do?



No - a power adapter only adapts the shape of a plug to fit into a 120 volt American power outlet and doesn't convert the power to a higher voltage. Should you need to safely use any 220, 230 or 240 volt appliance you also need a step up power converter for America.

Where can I buy a power adapter for America?

Power adapters for sale in an airport

Where can I buy a power adapter for America?





America power outlets and plug sockets

What plug sockets are used in America?

Type A and B power outlets

What plug sockets are used in America?

There are two different types of power supply used in America, these are type B and A with the primary power supply being type B:

  • Plug Type A - The power socket, technically known as a type A power outlet, is recognised by the two thin slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  • Plug Type B - The plug socket, technically known as a type B power outlet, is recognised by the two thin slots adjacent to each other for live and neutral blades with a single semicircle shaped hole below for the slightly longer earthed pin.

A growing number of hotels in America are upgrading their power outlets to include built in USB charging ports.

What electrical frequency is used with an American power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current found in an American power outlet is 60Hz.

How do I use a 220 volt appliance in America?

Use a step up power converter if you need to bring a 220V appliance to America.

How reliable is electrical power in America?

While power outages are unpredictable, the electricity in America is classed as reliable as there is no pattern of frequent power cuts.

What is access to electricity like in America?

Access to electricity in America is excellent which spans the entire population.

Should I use a power bank in America?

USB portable charger

Should I use a power bank in America?

Although electrical outages in America aren't regular with electricity being available throughout the country, travellers are still recommended to bring a portable charger to recharge their cell phone and other USB powered devices.

  • The dependence on mobile phones for some people is high and the thought of being offline can make them anxious, particularly when being used abroad. During a trip to America increased reliance on cell phones for taking pictures, storing calendars, GPS, social networks and staying entertained can drain the batteries excessively. As well as the simple missed photo opportunities this can possibly leave you stranded without sufficient power to make an emergency call or being able to use GPS to find your way back to accommodation or hotel.
  • Using a portable charger [4] in America eases those concerns as it means you can keep your smart phone powered without needing an American power outlet.
  • A 10,000mAh power bank [4] can store enough energy to cover around 3 full cycles and a 20,000mAh power bank [9] should keep a typical mobile phone powered for almost 7 days.
  • If your laptop supports USB-C charging then a portable charger for a laptop [10] marked with PD (power delivery) which supplies 20Wh or more can be used to recharge your laptop. However be aware that some airlines prohibit power banks on an aircraft with more than 100 Wh of power and must not be kept in the hold so always ahead with the carrier.
  • Average consumer power banks won't work with high powered items that generate heat, but a rechargeable hair dryer [7] or gas hair straighteners [8] are available for travelling.
How well do solar battery chargers work in America?

A solar backpack recharging

How well do solar battery chargers work in America?

The daylight in America can be suitable conditions for a solar power bank [12], however it is likely to take time to recharge. The reduced surface area of the cells means a solar power bank needs to be left in strong daylight for a long period of time to provide enough energy for a single charge, and this might prove difficult to repeatedly unpack a solar power bank and wait for it to recharge in sunny spells.

  • The much larger panels found on a solar backpack [11] give the bag the ability to generate more power within a faster period of time, and might generate charge when cloudy.
  • Phones which are plugged directly into a USB port of a backpack should trickle charge the battery during sunny periods in America, but might be inconvenient to have it continuously connected to the bag if it is to be used frequently. A power bank [4] plugged in a solar backpack can be continuously recharged during the day, afterwards you can recharge the phone from the power bank at any time without daylight.
  • A solar bag that is suitable for America needs to have a solar cell efficiency of at least 22%, be able to generate at least 6 watts of energy and can be used with a 10,000mAH power bank or greater.
  • Solar bags are available in rucksack, backpack and laptop messenger styles which makes them perfect for travel, domestic and work use.
  • The flexible and durable solar cells used in solar powered bags have been built to endure scratching and bending, unlike normal firm solar panels.


  • Visit The USA [13] - Measurements and Electricity (cited July 2018)
  • International Electrotechnical Commission - World plugs by location (cited July 2018)
  • Wikipedia - Mains electricity by country (cited July 2018)

America chargers

What is a USB travel power charger?


What USB charger do I need for America?

If travelling to more than one country the best travel charger for America is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger [14]. Americans use two different types of plug sockets (B and A) and using a travel charger like this ensures that you are covered for type A. Because these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle 100 - 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by switching the plugs. If your device is compatible with Fast Charge then you will benefit from quicker charging times with one of these power chargers plus support for certain power demanding devices. Having a four port charger will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual travel adapters on your trip to America or occupying additional power outlets. By only needing to pack a single international USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to fold up in hand luggage whilst travelling and suitable for recharging your devices at the airport or on the plane. Because of their space saving versatility these types of power chargers can be used at home as well as abroad so when you're not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

If you travel frequently we recommend searching for this type of versatile travel adapter online - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger [14] which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous different countries with perfect reliably.

What USB charger do I need for America?

Why use a travel USB charger for America?

  • Typically travel USB chargers include multiple USB charger ports, meaning you now only need to bring one charger to charge multiple devices. This helps reduce the weightand size of your luggage by only packing a single USB wall charger rather than bringing numerous chargers.
  • Most travel USB chargers include interchangeable plug heads for different power outlet types making them suitable when visiting other countries which will probably use different standards to America.
  • Good chargers are compact, rugged and lightweight - ideal for rigors of travel rather than risking bringing a domestic charger which might be hard to replace in America.
  • USB chargers will accept the 120 volt power outlets in America and different voltage standards across the world.
  • There is a chance that accommodation or hotel bedrooms in America might only have a single wall outlet, by using a travel charger with multiple USB ports means you can share out the single power supply with family or other traveler rather than having to wait to recharge each device one by one.
  • Because of their flexible nature they take the worry out of travelling to an unknown destination as they are guaranteed to work practically anywhere in the world.
  • Power outlets found in airports can be sparse and the demand for charging multiple cell phones from other passengers during departure can be high, therefore a USB travel charger with multiple ports and the capability to fast charge is perect.
  • Sometimes the power grid in a country can be unstable, a good quality travel USB charger allows for unexpected surges and will help prevent damage to any devices attached to it. Attempting to repair an overloaded cell phone or tablet in America could prove to be difficult and costly.
  • Premium USB travel chargers will also include a power outlet strip to allow you to plug in multiple low wattage domestic appliances such as laptops, however these will be unsuitable for high powered domestic such as hair dryers or clothes irons. Read the guide on using travel appliances with an American power outlet for useful advice on the most suitable power adapter for an American power outlet for high powered devices.
  • Certain mobile phones and tablets could require more than the normal 500 milliamps supplied by a normal 5 volt USB adapter to charge or provide fast charge. Higher priced USB chargers will support fast charging incase some of your devices require additional power.
  • On back at home travel USB chargers can also be useful by charging multiple mobile phones every day using one power outlet.

What is the best USB charger for America?

The is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices, but for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of regions with unreliable power grids. These travel converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both America and over 150 countries around the world:


Power converters for America

What does a power converter for an American power outlet do?

Power converters enable travellers to use their 220-240 volt electric device with a 120 volt American power outlet.



A heavy and expensive power converter [15] will convert the voltage of 120 volts from an American power outlet to work with a non-120 volt device, however a more lightweight and smaller power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your appliance to slot into a power outlet in America.

Do I need a power converter for America?

When you are visiting America from a different country check your device will accept a 120 volt power supply.

  • You need a step up power converter [16] if you are travelling to America from a country that uses 220-240 volts and your device or appliance is incompatible with 120 volts. See the world power outlets guide to discover which voltage your country uses.
  • You won't need a power converter if you already own either a single voltage device that works with 120 volts or one that is dual voltage.
  • Devices which come from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) and used in a 120 volt outlet can take longer to charge or won't turn on. If your device doesn't power up or recharges slowly when you are travelling to America from a different region please check that it is compatible with a 120 volt American power outlet or you will need to bring a step up power converter [16].
  • You don't need a power converter if you wish to charge a smaller electrical device such as a laptop as these are typically support dual voltage and designed for international use, however you should always always check the device for dual voltage support first.
  • When powering high wattage appliances or generate heat (such as hair dryers and clothes irons) then you will need to use a much larger higher wattage heavy duty power converter [17] to allow the appliance to be used with a 120 volt American power outlet.
  • It could be more cost effective to purchase a smaller lightweight dual voltage travel appliance than bringing a much heavier high wattage power converter to America in order to use your existing domestic appliance.
  • For more information read these comprehensive travel guides on how to use clothes irons, curling irons, blow dryers and hair straighteners with American power outlets which includes recommendations for some affordable dual voltage alternatives.

What kind of converter do I need for America?

You will need to use a step up power converter [16] in order to use any 220-240 volt appliance in America.

What is the difference between a converter and a transformer?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a converter and a transformer?



How to convert 120 volts to 220 volts

  1. Use a step up power converter [16] to allow you to use 220, 230 and 240 volt appliances with an 120 volt American power outlet.
  2. If the power converter doesn't include the correct shaped plug then it will also be necessary to plug in the power cord from the power converter into a power adapter for America before plugging that into an American power outlet.
  4. Plug your appliance into the converter and turn the power on, your 220-240 volt appliance can now be used with an 120 volt American power outlet.

What voltage is used in America?

America uses 120 volts in their standard power outlets.

What voltage is my appliance?

Single voltage hair dryer

What voltage is my appliance?

The easiest method to see if a appliance is dual voltage is to look for numbers printed on the power plug or on the unit itself, typically near to where the power cord plugs into. The location will vary depending on the make or model of your unit but could also state in the instruction manual.

  • Single voltage devices could also have a small voltage range (20 volts difference) with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 220-240V.

What can I connect to an American power outlet

Travel appliances that can be connected to an American power outlet

Beats Pill speakers which can connect to an American power outlet

Jabra Bluetooth speakers which are compatible with an American power outlet

Mobile phones that can be connected to an American power outlet

Apple iPhones that can be connected to an American power outlet

Samsung Galaxy phones that can connect to an American power outlet

A list of Amazon Kindle tablets which can connect to an American power outlet

A list of Apple iPads which are compatible with an American power outlet


We endeavor to ensure all details on this page are correct and relevant to travelers visiting America, if you wish to contribute any useful information or feedback please email For more comprehensive technical details visit the Wikipedia page on AC power plugs and sockets [18].

  1. - Visit The USA.
  2. - International Electrotechnical Commission World Plugs
  5. - power adaptor
  6. - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country
  13. - Visit The USA
  18. - AC power plugs and sockets