USA Travel Adapter: Types A and B, Voltage, and What to Pack

French outlets (type E, with round pins) are incompatible with American outlets. A simple plug adapter solves the problem in almost every situation; a voltage converter is rarely needed, even with the 120 V used on the American grid. Nearly all modern electronic devices accept worldwide voltages: reading the power supply label takes ten seconds and prevents an unnecessary purchase.

American outlets: types A and B

The United States uses two formats that have nothing in common with the French round-pin plug.

Type A: two parallel flat pins. The neutral pin is slightly wider than the hot pin, which acts as a guide and prevents the plug from being inserted backward. This format is still found in the vast majority of American homes, motels, and campgrounds.

Type B: three pins, with the two flat pins from type A plus a round grounding pin. It is used in nearly all modern American buildings, where grounding residential circuits has been required by the National Electrical Code since the 1970s.

A type B adapter accepts French A and E/F plugs, covering both situations without having to choose. Several brands sell compatible models before departure: SKROSS, KOMELEC, AKASHI, AVIZAR, and MAX EXCELL. They are available from Boulanger, Fnac, Action, and Amazon.

120 V and 60 Hz: what this means for your devices

The United States uses 120 V / 60 Hz. Travel guides sometimes say "110V": that approximation no longer reflects the current standard, but it has no practical impact on modern devices.

France uses 230 V / 50 Hz. The difference is real and should be checked on every device before departure.

Dual-voltage devices (100-240 V, 50/60 Hz): phone chargers, laptops, and cameras. A plug adapter is enough. What to do: read the label on the power supply. The wording "Input: 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz" means the device accepts all worldwide voltages, including those in France and the United States. For everything related to phones and credit cards, modern smartphone chargers almost all fall into this category.

Devices at risk: hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons designed only for 220-240 V. When plugged into 120 V, they either perform poorly or overheat, depending on the model. The solution: leave them at home.

Shaver outlets: some hotel bathrooms have a separate 110 V / 120 V shaver outlet, intended for travel electric shavers and rarely mentioned in French-language guides. Its amperage is deliberately limited, so it cannot properly power a hair dryer or straightener.

Adapter or converter: choosing the right option for your devices

The distinction comes down to one label.

Plug adapter (a few dollars, a few dozen grams): changes the shape of the plug, not the voltage. Enough for all dual-voltage devices, meaning nearly all modern electronic equipment.

Voltage converter: raises 120 V to 230 V. Only needed if the label says "Input: 220-240 V, 50 Hz" with no other range. Expect 500 g to 1 kg and often a high price: in most cases, replacing the device before departure is more practical.

	Plug adapter	Voltage converter
Weight	A few dozen grams	500 g to 1 kg
Price	A few dollars	Often expensive
Use case	Label says "100-240 V, 50/60 Hz"	Label says "220-240 V, 50 Hz" only

Simple rule: "100-240 V, 50/60 Hz" on the label = an adapter is enough. "220-240 V, 50 Hz" = a converter or a replacement device.

Power strip tip: one type B adapter and a French power strip use only one American outlet and recharge all your devices at the same time. Standard adapters support 10 A or 16 A, depending on the model; make sure your power strip stays within those limits.

For a couple: two adapters, including one spare. For a family of four: two to three.

Charging devices on a road trip: car, hotel, and campground

Three situations typically come up on a road trip through the American West.

In a rental car: the 12 V DC cigarette lighter socket is identical to the ones in French cars, so no adapter is needed. Newer vehicles add USB-A ports and, increasingly, USB-C ports. If the rental car only has USB-A, a USB-A to USB-C cable is enough for newer phones.

At a hotel or motel: type A or B outlets are found in every room, and an adapter is enough. Some rooms have USB ports built into bedside lamps or wall outlets; in that case, no adapter is needed for your phone. This is not guaranteed, so check when you arrive before looking for a wall outlet.

At national park campgrounds: sites with electrical hookups (15 A, 20 A, 30 A, or 50 A) allow direct charging. A 15 A or 20 A hookup is enough for phones and laptops; 30 A and 50 A hookups are sized for RVs with air conditioning or cooktops. Primitive sites, the backcountry, and a significant share of NPS campgrounds have no outlet at all. A 20,000 mAh portable battery recharges a phone three to five times and covers most trips. A foldable solar panel supplements the battery for stays of several days at a primitive site. Electric sites can be reserved through recreation.gov. For RV itineraries and RV road trips, campgrounds without hookups remain common in the West.

Where to buy a USA plug adapter

Before departure (recommended): Amazon, Boulanger, Fnac, Action, and Leroy Merlin. A basic adapter costs a few dollars; in 2026, a universal model with a built-in USB port costs about 10 to 25 dollars.

At a US airport: possible in a pinch, but prices often reach 15 to 30 dollars for a basic model. Keep this option for emergencies.

In the United States: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy sell travel adapters in nearly all major cities. Prices are comparable to those in France, so forgetting one is easy to remedy at the first stop of your trip.

What we do not recommend: departure airport shops in France. The selection is limited and prices are consistently higher.

What to pack based on your travel style

Travel style	Type B adapters	Power strip	Portable battery
Couple	2 (including 1 spare)	1	Optional
Family of 4	2 to 3	1	Recommended
Campground without electricity	1 to 2	1	20,000 mAh required
RV road trip	1 to 2	1	Backup for sites without hookups

Our take: an adapter is enough 9 times out of 10

Our position is clear.

Couple on a road trip: one type B adapter and a French power strip. No converter, unless one of you is bringing a styling tool labeled "220-240 V only."

Family of four: two adapters with a power strip, plus one spare. The rental car's cigarette lighter socket and USB ports complete the setup at no extra cost.

Campground without electricity: a 20,000 mAh portable battery covers three to five phone charges. It is essential for dry camping or the backcountry, where no outlet is available.

What we do not recommend: buying a converter before reading your devices' labels, or shopping at the airport (certain markup, limited selection). Most travelers only need a type B adapter costing a few dollars.

Regarding "110V": the approximation makes no difference to travelers carrying 100-240 V devices. The only useful step is still to read the label before packing your bags.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a voltage converter for the USA?

You only need a voltage converter if your devices are labeled "220-240 V only." Modern phone chargers, laptops, and cameras display "100-240 V, 50/60 Hz": a plug adapter is enough.

How many plug adapters should I bring to the USA?

For a couple, two adapters and a power strip cover all your needs. For a family of four, plan on two to three adapters depending on the number of devices.

Where can I buy a USA plug adapter once I arrive?

USA plug adapters are available in all major American cities: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy sell them at prices comparable to those in France. Avoid airport shops, which are significantly more expensive.

How can I charge my devices at a campground without electricity?

Charging devices at a campground without electricity requires an independent solution: a 20,000 mAh portable battery or a foldable solar panel. Primitive sites and the backcountry have no outlets. Electric sites can be reserved through recreation.gov.