While there's plenty of information on voltage converters across the web, the opinions are always varying.. Some say you need them, others say you don't, and even more common are the misconceptions about which type you need and what the proper voltage is. It can be a bit confusing at times and it might get to the point where it's overwhelming. We'd like to make it simple and try to give you an idea of when you do and do not need a voltage converter for traveling.
When you DON'T need a Voltage Converter or Transformer
- When you're headed to a country with the same voltage as your home country, you will NOT need to purchase, use or bring a voltage converter along. The important factor here is doing a simple check on what the standard voltage is for your destination country. It really is that easy.
- When you're bringing nothing more than your laptop, you will also NOT need a voltage converter. Laptop manufacturers understand that people travel and laptops are designed for mobility and the power supplies are designed to work with any voltage.
- When you have Multi-system electronics, you do not need a converter. Multi-system electronics are usually TVs, stereo systems or components, Blu-ray players and the like. They've been specifically designed to use at any voltage and therefore do NOT require a voltage converter. You can
purchase multi-system electronics to avoid the hassle of lugging a voltage converter around and also for ease of use.
When you DO need a Voltage Converter or Transformer
- When you're traveling to a destination that has a different standard voltage than your home country and you plan to bring personal electronics or appliances. If the appliances or electronics are not designed for global use, you will ruin them by attempting to use them with the wrong voltage. You also might electrocute yourself, and that's never fun!
- When you're moving or relocating to another country and want to take your local appliances with you instead of buying new multi-system appliances, or instead of purchasing new appliances at your destination. You'll need to have the proper type of voltage converter to manage the wattage of your appliances and electronics, and you'll need to purchase the converter before you move to ensure your electronics are able to use immediately upon arrival.
- When you're traveling to an overseas trade-show or business event and will be bringing items for electronic displays such as TVs, large computer monitors, lighting equipment, etc. you WILL need to have a voltage converter. There's nothing more frustrating than showing up and realizing none of your electronics are suitable for the standard voltage in that country.
What To Do?
If you're going to need a voltage converter, you can check out our complete selection of
voltage converters and voltage transformers here. But before making your purchase, you might want to take a look at our
voltage converter buying guide to ensure you're purchasing a suitable unit(s). Alternatively, if you can purchase multi-system electronics that will allow you to avoid the need for a converter. However, this depends on the type of electronics you're using and if it's available with worldwide voltage.
If your situation is international relocation and it will be long-term or permanent, you'll want to consider saving a lot of money and stress by making the purchase of small & large home appliances BEFORE you move. We stock a complete inventory of 220 volt appliances specifically for this situation and are versed with over 35 years experience in international relocation so don't hesitate to check us out before making any decisions, we offer free relocation consultations with absolutely no obligation.
Whatever the situation is, we're here to help and have a wide array of products to make your life safer, simpler, and stress free when it comes to traveling with electronics.
If you're moving to another country, traveling overseas, or have electronics or appliances that are not compatible with the voltage in your home, RV or boat - you're going to need to purchase a voltage converter.
Voltage converters - also known as voltage transformers - are devices that do exactly what the name implies. They convert voltage up or down, making it possible to use electronics and appliances that require a voltage other than what you currently have available.
If you're planning a move or long-term travel to france from North America, it might be a good idea to purchase a voltage converter. In North America electricity is delivered at 120 volts, and in turn, all electronics sold in America are designed to operate at 120-volt electricity. France on the other hand uses 220 volt electricity, which means that your North American electronics cannot be used there. The voltage in France is too high for 120-volt electronics and attempting to use them can result in damaged electronics, electrical shock, or even a fire. There is a simple solution however, for using 120-volt electronics in a 220-volt environment - a voltage converter, also known as a voltage transformer.
Voltage converters do exactly what the name implies - they convert voltage. The converter is plugged directly into an electrical outlet and when turned on, it converters the electricity to the proper voltage. The converter itself actually has outlets built in, and this is where you can safely plug in your appliances or electronics to use at their proper operating voltage. There are a variety of types and sizes of voltage transformers available, depending on the wattage required to operate your devices. This includes voltage converters for France.
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If you're planning a vacation or holiday in North America, it's important to be prepared. Generally, you'll need to arrange for airline tickets, hotels and any activities you plan to pursue - but what about your electronics? Many people venture overseas to foreign countries each year without considering how - or if - they'll be able to use their electronics at their destination.
The standard electrical voltage varies from country to country and from region to region around the globe, often making it difficult to use electronics and personal devices while you're traveling. For example, Europe uses a standard of 220 volts while North America uses 110. What this means is that all electronics sold in Europe are designed to work only with 220 (or 240) volt electricity, and all North American electronics are designed only for use with 110 (or 120) volts. Any attempt to use electronics with the improper voltage can result in damaged devices, fire, or even electrocution.
So what do you do when you're preparing for a special trip to North America and want to take your electronics along with you? Well, it depends what you're bringing. Many cell phone and laptop computer manufacturers design their chargers for use with any voltage, however, it's important to check the label or voltage information for your device before you travel. Other devices like electric razors, curling irons and hair dryers are usually only designed for a single voltage and will require the use of a voltage transformer for North America.
If you're heading abroad this summer - whether for a week or a month - you need to be sure you're prepared to take your electronics with you. Electrical voltage varies from continent to continent, and even from country to country. This means that your electronics may not be compatible with the higher (or lower) voltage in your destination country. In order to prevent damage to your devices or even electrical shock, it's important to plan ahead by purchasing a voltage converter to take with you.
If you're from North America and traveling to Europe for example, your electronics are designed for 120 volts only. Since Europe uses 220 volts, attempting to plug in your North American radio or electric razor without a converter will surely ruin your device because it's too much voltage for it to handle. Utilizing a voltage converter will ensure that the electricity going to your device is the same voltage that it was designed for, allowing you to use it safely and without worry. There's a wide variety of types, sizes and styles of voltage converters available, but for simple vacation travel we recommend a basic travel voltage converter. It's capable of handling low-watt electronics such as cell phone chargers, electric razors, radios, tablets and more. They're also relatively small, inexpensive and can be easily tucked away into your suitcase or backpack.
You'll also need to be sure you have some plug adapters to take along with you, since foreign countries have different styles of wall outlets than North America. There's actually up to 10 different types of plugs and wall outlets that are widely used around the world, and a voltage converter without a plug adapter is going to be pretty useless to you. Luckily, 220-Electronics has you covered. We carry an assortment of voltage converters and plug adapters for any place in the world, making it possible to use your electronics wherever you travel to.
One of our top selling travel voltage converters and foreign plug adapters is a $24 kit which includes a converter and plug adapters of every type. It's perfect for basic use and can get you through your travels without ruining your electronics or having to buy overpriced converters when arriving at your destination. They're also perfect for world travelers because of their flexibility for use in any country - everything is included in a neat and compact kit. 
Are you traveling for an extended period or relocating permanently to New Zealand? If so, you should consider what you're going to do about using electronics. While there might be other things to consider before a long trip or a big move, it's noteworthy to recognize that the standard voltage in New Zealand is 220 volts. In North America, all electronics are designed to operate on 120 volts and will not work overseas, which means you can't just take your electronics along with you and expect them to work. Doing so can result in damage to your belongings, the risk of fire, or even electrocution.
Thankfully, there are a couple options available to make things easier. The first is purchasing a voltage converter or voltage transformer. These devices are basically used as a mediator for voltage - they plug into the wall outlet and lower the voltage from 220 to the acceptable 120 volts that your electronics require. Your electronics plug directly into the converter and can be used safely and efficiently. There are many different sizes and styles of voltage converters, and depending on their wattage capacity they can be used for simple items or large appliances such as washers and dryers. The proper type of converter used for North American appliances & electronics in New Zealand is a Step-down converter, as it steps the electricity down to 120 volts.
The second option is to purchase 220 volt appliances, which can be accomplished before arriving in New Zealand. Instead of shopping in unfamiliar places and trying to quickly fill an empty home with appliances where the selection may be very limited and the prices may be higher, you can shop online for 220 volt appliances and find excellent pricing and the availability to ship your purchases directly to your destination. This method saves much money and hassle over trying to shop for everything after arriving in a foreign country.
The best choice to make depends on your needs. If you only have a small amount of items, a voltage converter might be sufficient for using those items. However, if you're planning to furnish your home with a refrigerator, stove/oven, washer & dryer, small appliances and other electronics such as a home theater, the best route to take is purchasing 220 volt products before leaving.
At 220 Electronics, we have a huge selection of 
So you're traveling, moving or relocating to an Asia and you're pretty sure you have everything figured out. But what about electronics and appliances? If you're traveling, this question is usually not as important as if you're moving there - but nonetheless it can still be very important.
Asian countries all run on 220/240 volt electricity. This means that if you're coming from the Americas or another 110/120 volt country, your appliances and electronics are not compatible with the voltage used in Asia. The electronics and appliances you own are designed to function only at the local voltage where they are sold, and therefore are basically useless to you overseas. While laptop computers generally use power adapters suited for any voltage, other electronics and appliances purchased in the Americas such as TVs, stereos & radios, and even blowdryers and electric razors are made to work with 120 volts. Attempting to use these items with the higher voltage of 220 or 240 volts is enough to ruin or melt your electronics, start a fire, or even cause electrocution - none of which you really want to deal with.
Many times, people think that all they need is an adapter that allows their power cord to be compatible with the foreign electrical outlet, but that isn't always the case. Unless you're using a device that's specifically designed for worldwide use, you're going to need a voltage converter. The voltage converter will plug into the outlet and safely reduce the voltage for you so that your electronics can be used without hazard or worry. There are different types and sizes of converters available depending on your needs. These range from simple travel converters for small personal electronics to converters capable of working with large appliances that draw much more electricity, such as washers & dryers.
Now, if you're just going to be taking a vacation, chances are that you're probably not traveling with your microwave or a refrigerator and a simple travel converter will be sufficient. On the other hand, if you're moving overseas with appliances from the US or another 110/120 volts country, you're definitely going to need voltage converters. The size or number of them will depend on what you're bringing along, and you can learn more about how to determine your needs with 
The holiday season is in full-swing once again, and there's no shortage of craziness going on. From time off work and school, to vacations & travel, family gatherings and more, it always seems like the busiest time of year. At 220-Electronics, this is definitely our busiest time of year and one of those reasons is holiday shopping, but that's not all - it's also because of our holiday sales, where you can save even more cash over our already guaranteed lowest prices in the world!
Voltage converters are simple yet often overlooked products that can made a world of difference for those traveling abroad or relocating overseas. Using foreign electronics can go one of two ways - it can be easy or it can be a serious headache. The path you take is entirely up to you, but we're going to recommend that you take the easy route.
