Why this universal travel charger earned a place in my backpack – especially at its price

Rolling Square Portable Pocket Travel Adapter

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Rolling Sq.’s common journey adapter is offered now on Amazon for $30.
• It is probably the most compact journey adapter I’ve examined, with two variations: USB-C solely or USB-C and USB-A.
• The model with the USB-C port has much less energy output.

I am an enormous fan of common journey chargers that may shapeshift into no matter energy outlet I am confronted with. However many of the ones I have been touring with are fairly huge and hulking. Positive they’ll push out quite a lot of energy and deal with power-hungry gadgets like my MacBook Professional, however they’re overkill if I’ve simply obtained my telephone with me.

Because of this I have been testing Rolling Square’s Pocket Travel Charger, a tiny charger that transforms to permit for worldwide energy outlet compatibility. 

Additionally: The best power banks you can buy in 2025

In truth, I have been testing two of them. The Rolling Sq. Pocket Journey Charger is available in two variations: a 30W unit with a single USB-C output, and one other with 20W output from one USB-C and one USB-A port.   

Sure, Rolling Sq. produced two variations of the identical machine. The one with the USB-C port is a 30W unit, good for somebody touring with a smartphone, and there is a 20W unit that has alongside the USB-C port a legacy USB-A port (25W max when utilizing the USB-C port alone, 20W for the USB-A port, and 15W if utilizing each).

The 30W single port charger is barely smaller and barely heavier than its two-port counterpart, however each just about disappear when slipped right into a pocket. 

The enterprise finish — the bit that plugs into the host energy outlet — are the identical for each. They include a number of prongs that may be prolonged and retracted to swimsuit US, EU, Australian, and UK sockets, making these tiny chargers appropriate with the sockets present in over 200 international locations worldwide. I’ve examined the chargers with various totally different sockets from world wide, they usually labored simply positive.

And worry not, the charger can deal with voltages starting from 100V to 250V at 50Hz and 60Hz. 

Each variations of the charger are compact, but sturdy sufficient to resist the trials of journey. I’ve used mine on various journeys, they usually’ve each labored flawlessly, even after being thrown round in luggage and suitcases. And talking of, they add nearly no weight to your burden.

Additionally: My favorite travel charger is a power user’s dream – and works in over 220 countries

Which do you select? If you happen to’re all-in with USB-C, then go for the 30W charger, however when you’ve got legacy gadgets, you may must do with much less energy output. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

Each chargers price $30, making them competitively priced. The 30W unit is the one I’d go for, except you may have a pressing need for a USB-A port. 

Nevertheless, when you’re somebody who desires to energy a strong common journey charger, I’ve additionally lined a few of these. If I would like extra energy, I take considered one of my Tessan travel chargers with me, one other merchandise that is not let me down.