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 a giant 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 large and hulking. Certain they will push out quite a lot of energy and deal with power-hungry units like my MacBook Professional, however they’re overkill if I’ve simply received my telephone with me.

This is the reason 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 gadget. 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 encompass a number of prongs that may be prolonged and retracted to go well with US, EU, Australian, and UK sockets, making these tiny chargers suitable with the sockets present in over 200 nations worldwide. I’ve examined the chargers with a lot of totally different sockets from world wide, they usually labored simply effective.

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 strong sufficient to resist the pains of journey. I’ve used mine on a lot of journeys, they usually’ve each labored flawlessly, even after being thrown round in luggage and suitcases. And talking of, they add virtually 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 if in case you have legacy units, you will should 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 have got a pressing need for a USB-A port. 

Nevertheless, when you’re somebody who needs to energy a strong common journey charger, I’ve additionally coated a few of these. If I want extra energy, I take one in every of my Tessan travel chargers with me, one other merchandise that is not let me down.