Even as a food and travel journalist who finds herself on distant shores more often than not, I am forced to admit that until recently, I was still playing a silly game with a same set of travel adapters I bought for my first trip abroad some 25 years ago.
You know the set: a cheap drawstring bag with individual plastic adapter pieces for various regions of the world. Either you carry the whole bag with you wherever you go, or you toss the piece you need into a miscellaneous purse or backpack pocket, likely to be forgotten about until the next time you’re frantically packing. Not to worry — it will surely turn up again on a continent where it’s entirely useless.
While many hotels around the world have upgraded their amenities to include universal electric sockets and various USB ports, that’s a gamble you don’t want to take. Instead, bring the universal socket and multiple USB ports with you. This global travel adapter from Matador, whose one and only business is travel accessories, lets you charge up to six devices at once, with a single cube that’s functional in over 170 countries. It’s $36, and it’s basically a one-stop shop where all of your international charging needs are concerned.
Read more: I’m a Travel Writer and My Go-To Travel Backpack Costs Less Than $30
How does the Matador Global Travel Adapter work?
The Matador Global Travel Adaptor works with three sets of prongs that slide and lock into place on one side and are compatible with UK, EU, and US/Australia plug styles. (The US prongs may be rotated 45 degrees for Australian outlets.) This also covers a great deal of Central and South America, Africa, the Caribbean, and much of Asia, hence its “global” label. A complete list of countries is available on Matador’s website. Each slide moves easily and locks into place, and a release button on one side of the adapter allows you to slide and lock it back in and choose another setting.
It’s designed to be impossible for more than one slide to be extended at one time, so you never have errant slides falling out of place and preventing you from easily plugging the adapter into the wall socket.
The opposite side of the adapter is also universal, with a kaleidoscope of plug holes that can also accept any kind of plug style. So no matter where you’ve acquired your various devices, or where you’re taking them, they can all be managed with one simple cube-shaped adapter. The device also includes three USB-A ports, plus one USB-C and a USB-C rapid charge port.
What I love about the Matador Global Travel Adapter
The Matador Global Travel Adapter is designed so that you can really have six devices going all at once, both in terms of power and layout. Truth be told, I’ve never had a need for more than four at once: laptop, phone, external charger and earbuds, but some types of travelers apparently also have needs such as headlamps, navigation devices and cameras.
The inlets and outlets are designed so that you don’t have to play Tetris with your things to make space for charging that many devices. Since everything is together, you also don’t have to worry about leaving something behind because there are numerous devices in various outlets all over the room.
Other reviewers call it a ‘game changer’
Several user reviews on its website call it a “game changer,” and I concur. One reviewer notes that “this thing is massive.” I also concur. I think they meant that as a negative, but honestly, for me, it’s a point in its favor. To be clear, we’re still talking about something that fits in the palm of your hand and weighs less than half a pound, so perhaps “massive” is an exaggeration. But for what it is, it is substantial, and this makes it a lot easier to keep track of and a lot less likely to be knocking around a small inner pocket of a backpack or purse somewhere. Mine is black, but the adapter also comes in a bright orange, literally labeled “Forget-me-not orange” — another bonus for those who might worry about leaving it behind. It’s pretty impossible to ignore in that shade.
Matador Travel Adaptor Specs
- Dimensions: 3″H x 2″W x 2″D
- Weight: 5.8 oz
- Materials: PFAS-free
From the manufacturer: This product is suitable for most electronic devices up to 880 watts at 110 volts and 1,840 watts at 230 volts. Please check the safety data sheet or data plate of your device before using. This universal power adapter does not convert voltage and should not be used with high-power AC appliances like hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners and other similar devices.
Input Plugs: Europe, UK, US/Australia
Output Plugs: Europe, UK, US/Australia
See full list of countries here.
A great gift for travelers
The Matador Global Travel Adaptor is equally useful for the travelers in your life, whether they are setting off for the first time or are already travel seasoned. Compact, sturdy and honestly useful no matter the type of travel, this global travel adapter makes a great gift.
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