There are at least 15 different power socket standards in use all over the world (refer to http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ for more information). Thus a travel adapter is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who travels regularly and also the occasional tourist.

Travel adapters come in different shapes and price ranges. Many of these are of good quality; however there are some cheap versions which are not worth the money. I remember buying one from eBay that never worked as expected. I still used it for a couple of years until it stopped working completely.

While a travel adapter is a cheap piece of equipment, it is still worth while paying a little extra for a better quality product. It is frustrating to find out that your travel adapter is not working the moment you want to charge your mobile phone or any other electronic device. In any case, no travel adapter will serve a lifetime so it is always recommended to travel with at least two adapters just in case one stops working.

Some of the best rated travel adapters on Amazon.com are the following:

FosPower World Wide Universal Adapter with one USB charger port: http://www.amazon.com/FosPower-World-Wide-Universal-Adapter-Charging/dp/B00KSLCU72/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

FosPower Adapter with two USB charger ports: http://www.amazon.com/FosPower-World-Wide-Universal-Adapter-Charging/dp/B00MY9F7U8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_39?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

Ceptics-International All In One Travel Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-International-All-In-One-Travel-Adapter/dp/B00LIAI3HI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

M8 International Worldwide Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/M8-International-Worldwide-Adapter-Charger/dp/B00ECAP572/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_13?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

Mudder Universal International Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Mudder%C2%AE-Universal-International-Adapter-Charger/dp/B00IY9K72K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Z34QRCJGN398K2MRF6Q

Some of the best rated travel adapters on Amazon.co.uk are the following:

FosPower Travel Adapter with one USB charger port: http://www.amazon.co.uk/FosPower%C2%AE-All-In-One-Universal-International-Converter/dp/B00KSLCU72/ref=zg_bs_1345745031_79

FosPower Adapter with two USB charger ports: http://www.amazon.co.uk/FosPower%C2%AE-All-In-One-Universal-International-Converter/dp/B00MY9F7U8/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410611815&sr=1-4&keywords=FosPower

HAPTIC Universal Travel Adapter: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HAPTIC%C2%AE-Universal-charger-Convertor-Countries-White/dp/B00L6F1OTY/ref=zg_bs_1345745031_40

branché High Power Universal Travel Adapter and Dual USB Charger: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FBG2L5K?psc=1

Some of the above listed adapters provide one or two USB ports for charging phones or other equipment directly from the travel adapter. While these should work with any type of Android phone, it is important to note that iPads and iPhones require special types of chargers. So one must pay attention that the charger is certified to work with Apple devices.

It is also worth noting that even though most of the above are labelled as “universal” or “worldwide” travel adapters, I still have to come across an adapter that works in every type of power socket. As a matter of fact, when I travelled to Switzerland a few years ago, my travel adapter did not work in the power sockets at the hotel room where I was staying. Luckily the hotel receptionist did provide me with an adapter so that I could charge my mobile phone and camera batteries.

So next time I travel to Switzerland, I would make sure to take one of the below with me:

Generic Plug to 3 Round Prong Switzerland Plug International Travel Adapter: http://www.amazon.com/Generic-Switz-International-Grounded-Adapter/dp/B001ISSFIW/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1410609024&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=swiss+travel+adapter

Same generic travel adapter model for Switzerland from Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/niceeshop-110V-240V-Generic-Switzerland-International-White/dp/B00GTAL0YA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410609078&sr=1-3&keywords=switzerland+travel+adapter