Over the 16 years we've been traveling to more than 80 countries, with close to that many different electronic devices, we've become experts on how to keep things going while on the road, and while out for a long day of photographing and mapping with our phones.
This post is part of our Travel Skills for Travelers Over 50 guide — covering the gear, packing systems, and practical tools we rely on most.
Getting your devices charged up efficiently, and keeping them charged after a long day is essential. Because even though the battery life of our phones in particular has vastly improved since we first ventured out with Blackberry phones in 2010, the tendency to constantly use them, especially as mapping devices and cameras has also vastly increased.
And, since both mapping and photographing – and uploading your photos to social media and the cloud – are power intensive, you'll want to be sure you've still got adequate juice at the end of the day.
All that said, here's what we're currently using to keep our travels powered up.
Our Travel Chargers at a Glance
All of the products below are ones we personally use and recommend. See the full detail on each one in the sections below — including why cables matter as much as the charger itself.
| Product | Watts | Weight | Ports | Best for | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom's pickTessan 65W adapter/charger | 65W | 196g / 6.9oz | 2× USB-A, 2× USB-C + AC face plug | Overnight charging for phone, tablet & laptop — our default travel charger | Travel |
| Tessan 140W adapter/charger | 140W | 271g / 9.6oz | 1× USB-A, 3× USB-C + AC face plug | Fast-charging laptop + multiple devices simultaneously; good for café top-ups | Travel |
| Tessan 20W thin adapter/charger | 20W | 100g / 3.5oz | 1× USB-A, 2× USB-C | Ultralight packing; phone charging only; US-style face plug only | Travel |
| Tessan 30W portable charger | 30W | 369g / 13oz | Built-in Lightning + USB-C cables; USB-A & USB-C ports | On-the-go charging all day; remaining charge display; our preferred power bank | Travel |
| Tessan 20W portable charger | 20W | 220g / 7.8oz | Built-in cables + ports | Lighter power bank option; no charge display; good for shorter day trips | Travel |
| Tessan 100W plug extender/charger | 100W | — | Multiple USB-A, USB-C + AC outlets | Bedside and home office charging; Apple Watch charges in ~15 min | Home |
| Tessan 100W desktop multi-charger | 100W | — | 3× USB-A, 3× USB-C, 3× AC outlets | Desk charging for laptop + phone + iPad simultaneously; up to 6 devices | Home |
| 100W cables | 100W | — | — | Required for the 65W charger and 100W home chargers — see cable note below | Travel + Home |
| 240W cables | 240W | — | — | Required for the 140W charger — don't pair a slow cable with a fast charger | Travel + Home |
⚡ Cable wattage must match your charger. A slow cable is the bottleneck — it defeats a fast charger entirely. We cover this in the cables section below.
Best Travel Charger/Adapters: Overnight Charging
First, you'll need to charge your devices overnight so you can start fresh in the morning. For that, you've got a few choices.
The Tessan 65W universal charger/adapter is our top pick.
It has two older-style USB-A and two new USB-C ports where you attach your devices to be charged; a multi-plug system that handles the US, Europe, UK, Australia, and most other electrical plugs; and a similarly useful multi-plug female receptacle on the face for plugging in stand alone electric devices – for example the reading lamp you had to unplug from the wall to plug in the adapter.
We've used dozens of these universal adapters over the years, and this one is the best combination of build quality, size, and speed we've found. It's definitely our new favorite.
Buy the Tessan 65W adapter/charger at Amazon
If more charging speed is essential, you might consider the 140-watt Tessan universal adapter charger. It works just like the 65-watt version, but has one USB-A and three USB-C ports. It is more than twice as fast as the 65-watt adapter, and is worth throwing in your day bag if you expect to find a café outlet during the day. It's a bit more substantial (read heavy) than the 65-watt charger, coming in at 271 grams (9.6 oz) vs. 196 grams (6.9 oz.) That much extra weight is not too terrible in a purse or day pack, but it can be a bit of a problem in some wonky hotel outlet. The extra size and weight can be a problem in a loose or overused hotel wall socket — it may not grip well and might have a tendency to come loose or fall out of an overused wall socket.
Buy the Tessan 140W adapter/charger at Amazon
Finally, if weight is a concern, and you don't mind giving up some charging speed, consider this 20-watt thin profile charger. It comes in at only 100 grams (3.5 oz.). You'll give up a few USB ports – this one has one USB-A and two USB-C ports. And the female plug on the face only accepts US style plugs.
Buy the Tessan 20W adapter/charger at Amazon
Don't Forget the Cables
Be aware that if you use either of the higher powered chargers, you'll need charging cables that match their speed. It does you no good to have a high speed charger if you're using cables that are designed for only 10-20 watt transmission.
So, there are a couple of options: if you're using the 65-watt charger, use 100-watt cables. If you're using the 140-watt charger, the best option is 240-watt cables. Believe me, it's worth the small investment in better cables for both speed and safety reasons. You don't want overloads!
Best Portable Chargers for Travel: Charging on the Go
The other charging solution we use when we're out and about is probably the most practical: a portable charging source you can carry with you to add charge to your phone as you go without having to search for a place to plug in.
Again, there are multiple possibilities, but our choice for the best portable charger is this Tessan 30-watt portable charger that has a lightning cable (for older iPhones) and USB-C cable built in. There are also USB-A and USB-C ports if you need to charge more than one device at once. It's a bit heavy at 369 grams (13 oz), but we'll bear that weight for a quick charge when needed.
Buy the Tessan 30W charger at Amazon
There's also a Tessan 20-watt portable charger which is lighter at 220 grams (7.8 oz.) but won't charge as many devices or do it as fast at the 30-watt version. Also, there's no remaining charge display, so you won't know when this device is running out. That's the main reason we prefer the 30-watt version. If you're not worried about running out during the day, get this one.
By the way, both versions have fold out US style plugs for charging, so you'll need an adapter if you're outside the US.
It should be noted that all three Tessan charger/adapters handle 100 to 220V power sources you'll find in various countries.
Buy the Tessan 20W charger at Amazon
We cover the full list of what's in our day bag in our travel accessories guide.
Home Charging Stations
While there's no reason you can't use an adapter/charger like the ones we've recommended above to charge your device at home, we prefer to leave them pre-packed in our travel kit and use a combination plug extender and charger when we're at home. There are lots of choices, especially for lower powered charger components, but we're impatient and prefer having a few of these Tessan 100-watt charging stations around the house that we use in our home offices, bedsides, and in the living room for when we need a quick recharge after we've been doom scrolling all day.
I also specifically use this one to charge my Apple watch, which I prefer to charge first thing in the morning rather than overnight. It usually does the job bringing the watch back up to 100 percent charge in about 15 minutes.
Buy the Tessan 100W plug extender/charger at Amazon
To reiterate, to effectively use this charger, you'll need the 100-watt cables.
And finally, for the time we spend at our desk, often using our laptop, phone, and maybe our iPad at the same time, there's this handy Tessan 100-watt desktop multi-device charger. You can charge as many as six devices at once, three USB-A and three USB-C, and the charging rate will be between 21 and 100 watts, depending on how many devices you have plugged in at once. This unit also has 3 AC plugs.
Buy the Tessan 100W desktop multi charger at Amazon
This post is part of our Travel Skills for Travelers Over 50 guide — covering the gear, packing systems, and practical tools we rely on most.
Disclosure: Tessan provided us with these devices for testing, but has not paid us specifically to endorse them. We actually have replaced our previous devices with these and have been using them for a while and can honestly recommend them without reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Travel Chargers and Adapters
Do I need a travel adapter or a travel converter?
Most modern electronics — phones, tablets, laptops, cameras — are dual-voltage, meaning they automatically handle both the 110–120V used in North America and the 220–240V used in most of the rest of the world. These devices just need a plug adapter to fit the local outlet shape. Older devices like some hair dryers or electric shavers may need an actual voltage converter. Check the fine print on your device's power brick — if it says “Input: 100–240V,” you just need an adapter, not a converter.
What is the best universal travel adapter?
After 16 years and 80 countries of travel, Tom's current top pick is the Tessan 65W universal adapter/charger. It handles US, European, UK, and Australian plug types, has both USB-A and USB-C ports for charging multiple devices simultaneously, and includes a female plug on the face so you can plug in a lamp or other device without losing your charging port. It's the best combination of size, build quality, and charging speed we've found.
What wattage travel charger do I need?
A simple guide: a 20W charger is adequate for charging a single phone overnight. A 65W charger handles a phone, tablet, and e-reader simultaneously at reasonable speed. A 140W charger is what you need if you want to fast-charge a laptop alongside other devices — it's the one to bring if you're working from the road. Note that your charging cables must also be rated for the wattage you're using — a 140W charger with a 20W cable defeats the purpose entirely.
Why does my fast charger not seem to charge quickly?
Almost always, the culprit is the cable rather than the charger. Most standard USB cables are only rated for 10–20 watts of power transmission — if you pair one of these with a 65W or 140W charger, the cable becomes the bottleneck and you only get the slow charge the cable allows. Make sure your cables are rated to match your charger: 100W cables for a 65W charger, 240W cables for a 140W charger. It's a small investment that makes a significant difference in charging speed.
Should I use public USB charging ports in airports and hotels?
Not without a USB data blocker. Public USB charging ports — at airport gates, hotel lobbies, and cafés — can be compromised by a practice called “juice jacking,” where criminals use a modified port to access data from connected devices while they charge. A USB data blocker is a small adapter that allows power through while physically blocking the data pins — they cost a few dollars and weigh almost nothing. Always carry one and use it any time you charge from a public port. Better still, carry a portable power bank and avoid public ports entirely.
What is the best portable charger for travel?
For most travelers, a portable charger (power bank) in the 20–30W range hits the sweet spot between weight and charging capability. Tom's current pick is the Tessan 30W portable charger — it has both Lightning and USB-C cables built in, a remaining charge display so you know when it's running low, and enough capacity for a full phone recharge on the go. The built-in cables mean one less thing to pack and remember. If weight is your priority, the 20W version is lighter but lacks the charge display.
Can I take a portable charger on a plane?
Yes — but only in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage. The TSA and most international aviation authorities require lithium battery power banks to travel in the cabin where any fire can be monitored and addressed. Most power banks up to 100Wh (watt-hours) are permitted without airline approval — this covers the vast majority of consumer portable chargers. Power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh may need airline approval in advance. Check the watt-hour rating printed on your power bank before flying.
Do I need a different adapter for every country I visit?
No — a quality universal travel adapter covers virtually all destinations in one device. The major plug types worldwide are the US flat-prong plug, the European round-prong Schuko plug, the UK three-prong plug, and the Australian angled plug. A universal adapter with all four configurations handles the vast majority of countries you'll visit. The Tessan adapters recommended in this post cover all of these. The only notable exception is South Africa, which uses a unique three-round-prong plug — worth checking before any Africa trip specifically.
