Hotel rooms are designed for one guest from 1987. Two outlets, one behind a bed you can't move, zero USB ports. A good travel power strip turns that single socket into a full charging hub without adding meaningful weight to your bag.
Our quick picks
How we picked
Every pick below was evaluated against our Kit Score: verified outlet and port count, real wattage figures, surge protection rating (joules on the label, not marketing language), packed dimensions, flat-fold plug design, and dual-voltage or international compatibility. We cross-referenced manufacturer specs with verified owner feedback and expert travel-gear reviews to surface what actually performs on the road.
Best overall: Anker Nano Charging Station (6-in-1, 67W)
BEST OVERALL
Anker Nano Charging Station (6-in-1, 67W)
Best for: Travelers who want one device that replaces the laptop charger and adds two outlets on any hotel nightstand.
- 67W USB-C charges a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop at full speed, so the laptop brick stays home
- Cord is not detachable, so it packs as one 13.7 oz piece
Kit Score 8.8/10 · $39.99 Price checked Oct 23, 4:16 PM CDT · how we score gear
Buy on AmazonProduct details
The Anker Nano Charging Station is the current version of Anker's travel power strip: two AC outlets, two USB-C ports with 67W Power Delivery on a single port, and two USB-A ports in a slab 0.75 in thick. The flat 0.35 in plug clears the neighbouring outlet, the 5 ft cord reaches across a hotel room, and the whole thing weighs 13.7 oz. It replaced the discontinued 615 GaNPrime as Anker's compact travel strip.
- AC outlets
- 2 (125V, 15A, 1,875W max)
- USB-C ports
- 2 (67W max single port; 45W + 20W when both in use)
- USB-A ports
- 2 (2.4A single; 15W shared)
- Cord length
- 5 ft (1.5 m), flat, not detachable
- Size and weight
- 3.94 x 3.66 x 0.75 in; 13.7 oz
- Input voltage
- 100 – 240V for the USB module; AC outlets rated 125V
- Surge protection
- None rated in joules (over-voltage, short-circuit, and ActiveShield 2.0 thermal protection)
More strengths
- Flat plug and 0.75 in body fit behind hotel furniture where a boxy strip will not
- 5 ft cord reaches from the outlet behind the bed to the nightstand; the old 615 had 3 ft
Other tradeoffs
- No joule-rated surge protection; AC outlets are 125V-rated, so only plug dual-voltage bricks into them abroad
The Nano Charging Station is the current version of Anker's compact travel strip (the 615 GaNPrime it replaced is discontinued). It ships with two AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports, with up to 67W over Power Delivery on a single USB-C port and a 45W + 20W split when both are in use. That 67W figure matters: it covers most 13-inch and 14-inch laptops at full speed, so the strip can replace both your laptop brick and your phone charger with a single device.
The body is 3.94 x 3.66 x 0.75 in and 13.7 oz, with a 0.35 in flat plug that does not block the neighbouring outlet and a 5 ft flat cord that reaches from the socket behind the bed to the nightstand. The USB charging module accepts 100–240V, so it charges phones and laptops through a cheap plug adapter abroad. The two AC outlets are rated for 125V, so treat them as US outlets: only plug dual-voltage bricks (labelled 100–240V) into them on a 230V grid.
Best for: Travelers who want one device that replaces the laptop charger and adds two outlets on any hotel nightstand.
Priced: $35–$40
Editor's choice (international travel): Ceptics Travel Power Strip PS-2U+
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Ceptics Travel Power Strip PS-2U+
Best for: Frequent international travelers who want one device that adapts to any country's wall socket while keeping US outlets and USB ports available simultaneously.
- Modular plug adapters for Europe, UK, Japan, Australia, and more snap on and off without tools, replacing a whole adapter kit
- Ceptics does not publish a joule rating, so the surge protection level cannot be compared directly to the Accell or Anker strips
Kit Score 8.3/10 · $34.99 Price checked Oct 23, 4:16 PM CDT · how we score gear
Buy on AmazonProduct details
The Ceptics PS-2U+ packages two US-outlet sockets, one USB-C port, one USB-A port, built-in surge protection, and a modular international plug system into a sub-5-oz form factor. The swappable adapter heads cover more than 150 countries without a separate adapter pouch, and the 100 – 240V input handles any hotel grid voltage automatically.
- AC outlets
- 2 (US standard NEMA 5-15, grounded)
- USB-C port
- 1 (up to 2.1A)
- USB-A ports
- 1 (up to 2.1A)
- Surge protection
- Built-in (joule rating not published by Ceptics); ETL Listed, RoHS Compliant
- Input voltage
- 100 – 240V; max 1500W, 10A
- International plug coverage
- Interchangeable SWadAPt adapters for Type A (JP), Type B (US), Type C (EU), Type E/F, Type G (UK), Type I (AU)
- Dimensions
- 5.35 x 2.0 x 1.0 in, under 5 oz
More strengths
- Built-in surge protection is confirmed in listing and the unit is ETL Listed and RoHS Compliant
- Under 5 oz and 5.35 inches long; fits in a jacket pocket with a travel pouch included
Other tradeoffs
- No cord: the strip plugs directly into the wall, so it does not extend reach to a distant outlet across the room
- Only one USB-A port (listing description: '1 USB inputs'); candidate data overstated this as two
The PS-2U+ solves a specific problem that the other picks on this list don't address: the wall socket itself changes by country. The Ceptics bundles a universal adapter set (covering Type A, B, C, G, and I plugs, approximately 150 countries) directly into the power strip body. You swap the plug end for the country you're in and the US-style AC outlets and dual USB-A ports on the other end stay live.
The internal supply is dual-voltage (100–240V), which handles the actual power conversion. This matters because an adapter alone just reshapes the plug. Without dual-voltage, you'd still need a separate converter for countries running 220–240V. The PS-2U+ handles both in one device.
It is not a surge protector at this price point; that is the honest trade-off. If you're staying mainly in newer hotels in developed countries, that risk is manageable. If you're budget-hotel hopping in places with unreliable wiring, pair it with a travel surge protector or step up to one of the Anker picks.
Best for: Frequent international travelers who want one device that adapts to any country's wall socket while keeping US outlets and USB ports available simultaneously.
Priced: $30–$40
How to choose the right travel power strip
| Product | Kit Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker Nano Charging Station (6-in-1, 67W) | 8.8 | $39.99 Price checked Oct 23, 4:16 PM CDT | Best for: Travelers who want one device that replaces the laptop charger and adds two outlets on any hotel nightstand. Why it stands out: 67W USB-C charges a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop at full speed, so the laptop brick stays home Tradeoff: Cord is not detachable, so it packs as one 13.7 oz piece |
| Ceptics Travel Power Strip PS-2U+ | 8.3 | $34.99 Price checked Oct 23, 4:16 PM CDT | Best for: Frequent international travelers who want one device that adapts to any country's wall socket while keeping US outlets and USB ports available simultaneously. Why it stands out: Modular plug adapters for Europe, UK, Japan, Australia, and more snap on and off without tools, replacing a whole adapter kit Tradeoff: Ceptics does not publish a joule rating, so the surge protection level cannot be compared directly to the Accell or Anker strips |
Anker Nano Charging Station (6-in-1, 67W)
- Best for
- Travelers who want one device that replaces the laptop charger and adds two outlets on any hotel nightstand.
- Why it stands out
- 67W USB-C charges a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop at full speed, so the laptop brick stays home
- Tradeoff
- Cord is not detachable, so it packs as one 13.7 oz piece
Ceptics Travel Power Strip PS-2U+
- Best for
- Frequent international travelers who want one device that adapts to any country's wall socket while keeping US outlets and USB ports available simultaneously.
- Why it stands out
- Modular plug adapters for Europe, UK, Japan, Australia, and more snap on and off without tools, replacing a whole adapter kit
- Tradeoff
- Ceptics does not publish a joule rating, so the surge protection level cannot be compared directly to the Accell or Anker strips
Match the strip to your actual trip
Count your devices first
List every device you charge overnight (laptop, phone, watch, earbuds, tablet, camera). The number of AC outlets and USB ports you need is that list, not an estimate.
Check whether your laptop charges over USB-C
If yes, a 67W USB-C PD port like the Anker Nano Charging Station eliminates your laptop brick entirely. If no, you need AC outlets and a strip with enough of them.
Know the voltage at your destination
North America runs 120V; most of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia run 220–240V. Any device labeled 100–240V (check the brick) handles both. If you have a device that is 120V only, do not plug it in abroad without a true voltage converter.
Decide whether you need plug adapters or a built-in universal plug
The Ceptics gives you adapters in the box. The other picks are domestic US plugs and need a separate adapter set for international use.
Weigh surge protection against your risk tolerance
Surge protection adds joule ratings, not weight. If your destination has known wiring issues or you're charging expensive gear, neither pick here carries a joule-rated surge protector; add a dedicated travel surge protector for that trip.
A flat-fold plug is not a nice-to-have. A strip with a fixed perpendicular plug blocks the outlet next to it in most hotel rooms, costing you the second outlet you were trying to save.
Frequently asked questions
Are travel power strips allowed on planes?
Yes, in carry-on baggage. The TSA permits power strips without built-in batteries in carry-on bags. They are not permitted in checked luggage under some airline policies. None of the strips on this list contain a battery, so they do not count against your lithium battery limit. When in doubt, carry it on.
Do I need a voltage converter or just a plug adapter?
You need a plug adapter if the socket shape is different. You need a voltage converter if your device is not dual-voltage (100–240V). Check the label on the device's power brick or the device itself. If it says "100–240V, 50/60 Hz," it is already dual-voltage and only needs a plug adapter. If it says "120V only," a plug adapter alone can fry it on a 240V circuit. The Ceptics PS-2U+ is dual-voltage internally. The Anker Nano Charging Station's USB ports are dual-voltage, but its AC outlets are rated 125V, so only plug dual-voltage bricks into them abroad.
Can I use a travel power strip in a hotel with USB-C charging built into the wall outlet?
Yes. A travel power strip plugs into any standard outlet, including newer hotel outlets with USB ports built in. The USB ports in the wall and the USB ports on your strip operate independently. You can use both simultaneously if you have the devices to fill them. The main advantage of bringing your own strip is port count, surge protection, and knowing exactly what output the ports deliver (hotel built-in USB ports are often 5W or 10W, vs. the 67W on the Anker pick).
When you're building out the rest of your travel kit, the Travel hub covers packing cubes, luggage, and everything else that makes a trip run smoother. Questions about how any of these picks were sourced and scored are answered in full on our how we research and rate page.
Keep going
Our recommendations draw on manufacturer documentation, retailer listings, owner feedback, and comparisons with alternatives.
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