Travel charging solution with kids

[DionM]

We're a family with a lot of devices when we travel and charging has sometimes been a bit of a challenge. On our recent 5 week jaunt to Japan, France, Belgium, Italy and Germany I settled on what I thought was a pretty good arrangement ...

Firstly myself, wife and two kids all carried in our carry-on a small universal AC charger: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BNPJL53V

This charger is a bit bigger than a cig lighter and only provides a small charge output (20W). This was good enough for overnight stops and also in planes and trains where there was an AC outlet provided (useful as we came across a number of dodgy USB ports). Coupled with cables to charge iPad, iPhone, AirPods and a power bank it filled a good gap.

In our checked luggage we carried a larger universal AC charger: https://www.amazon.com.au/LENCENT-Universal-International-Charging-Worldwide/dp/B0BNNFQ927

This was used in hotel rooms at longer stays, and allowed us to charge multiple devices simultaneously, as well as laptops (65W output) and also serve as a travel adapter for AU plug devices (e.g. CPAP). Sometimes it was a little bit of a challenge at times getting the big "brick" to stay in a socket (the weight would sometimes be too much and it would fall out) but a short extension lead from hotel reception usually sorted that.

I found these single device solutions much easier to deal with when travelling and everyone having their own meant everyone could charge near to their bed and sort out their own priorities for charging (phone/iPad/laptop/battery bank/AirPods). Previously I used to carry a bigger multi-output USB hub and different AC cables, and that works well when we had fewer devices, but I knew it wouldn't scale easily for this trip.

 

[markis10]

Be aware your charger needs to have local electrical safety approval to be used, most of the Chinese ones don’t including Lencent. You are better to get a plug converter and then use a power board with some 65W GAN chargers sourced locally Officeworks | Stationery, Laptops, Furniture, Paper at Low Prices

 

[Quickstatus]

I just take usual aus 4 socket powerpoint extension boards
One adapter plug per extension board
Then plug in devices into extension boards

 

[p--and--t]

My partner and I carry one of these each (Amazon Aud29). Allows for one 2 or 3 pin pluggable device (eg laptop, shaver, toothbrush et al) plus up to four usb devices.

Never needed anything else for all our gadgets.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Be aware your charger needs to have local electrical safety approval to be used, most of the Chinese ones don’t including Lencent. You are better to get a plug converter and then use a power board with some 65W GAN chargers sourced locally Officeworks | Stationery, Laptops, Furniture, Paper at Low Prices

Re local safety approval… not something I had ever considered!

 

[drron]

This is one we got in Japan.

 

[VPS]

I used to have a 4 plug cube with two USB - A like this which was fine but now I have to have a USB-C port so will have to rethink it all