Researched, not personally tested: picks come from specs, verified-owner reviews, and expert sources, scored into the Kit Score. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from links here, at no extra cost to you. How we research →
Top picks
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.
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.
Our quick picks
Best overall: Anker GaNPrime 65W Charging Station (615)
The 615 is the rare travel charger that earns the "all-in-one" label without fudging the specs. It ships with two AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port delivering up to 65W over Power Delivery. That last figure matters: 65W covers most 13" and 14" laptops at full speed, so the 615 can replace both your laptop brick and your phone charger with a single device.
GaN (gallium nitride) circuitry is why it stays compact despite the wattage. The body is roughly the size of a deck of cards, the plug folds flat, and the internal power supply handles 100–240V automatically. That dual-voltage rating means you plug in through a cheap plug adapter anywhere in the world and the 615 handles the rest without a separate voltage converter.
Best for: Business travelers who want a single device that eliminates the separate laptop charger and works on any hotel outlet worldwide.
Priced: $35–$45
Best value: Anker 30W PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini
If your laptop charges over its own brick and you mainly need to stop fighting over the one outlet near the nightstand, the PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini is where to spend $30. It gives you three AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and a USB-C port rated at 30W PD. The surge protector is real, the form factor is genuinely pocket-sized, and the cord is short enough to keep the strip on a nightstand rather than dangling off a desk.
The 30W USB-C ceiling is the honest limitation: fast enough for tablets and phones, not enough to full-speed charge a MacBook Pro or a gaming laptop. Know that going in and it's not a compromise; it's the right tool for exactly what most hotel travelers actually need.
Best for: Hotel travelers who need more outlets, real surge protection, and faster phone charging without paying a premium for laptop-level USB-C power.
Priced: $30–$40
Best budget: Accell Power Travel Surge Protector
The Accell's story is one number: 1080 joules of surge protection. Most "travel surge protectors" in the $15–$20 range print a joule rating on the box that tops out around 200–400J and call it done. The Accell's 1080J rating is among the highest in the compact travel category, meaning a voltage spike from an aging hotel wiring system has a lot more to get through before it reaches your gear.
It gives you three AC outlets, a flat-fold plug, and a short 1-foot cord. There are no USB ports, which is a real trade-off. But if you already carry a USB charger brick (most people have one in a bag), the Accell simply expands a bad hotel outlet situation into a safe one at minimal cost and weight.
Best for: Budget-conscious or gear-light travelers who need surge-protected AC expansion at a hotel and carry their own USB charger bricks.
Priced: $14–$22
Editor's choice (international travel): Ceptics Travel Power Strip PS-2U+
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 GaNPrime 65W Charging Station (615) | 8.8 | $35 – $45 | Business travelers who want a single device that eliminates the separate laptop charger and works on any hotel outlet worldwide. |
| Anker 30W PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini | 8.7 | $30 – $40 | Hotel travelers who need more outlets, real surge protection, and faster phone charging without paying a premium for laptop-level USB-C power. |
| Accell Power Travel Surge Protector | 8.1 | $14 – $22 | Budget-conscious or gear-light travelers who need surge-protected AC expansion at a hotel and carry their own USB charger bricks. |
| Ceptics Travel Power Strip PS-2U+ | 8.3 | $30 – $40 | Frequent international travelers who want one device that adapts to any country's wall socket while keeping US outlets and USB ports available simultaneously. |
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 65W USB-C PD port like the Anker 615 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, the Accell or Anker PowerPort Mini's protection rating is worth prioritizing.
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 Anker 615 and Ceptics PS-2U+ are both dual-voltage internally, meaning the strip itself handles the conversion for anything plugged into it.
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 30W or 65W on the Anker picks).
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.
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