UK plug adapter — Type G, three rectangular pins with a fuse.
The UK uses a unique three-pin plug that doesn't fit anywhere else in Europe. 240V at 50Hz. Same plug works in Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Singapore, Hong Kong, and most former British Commonwealth countries.
UK is 240V. The US is 110-120V.
Phones, laptops, cameras — almost always dual-voltage (check the power brick label for "100-240V"). Just need a Type G plug adapter.
Hair dryers, curling irons, electric kettles — usually 110-120V US-only. Plug them into a UK outlet with just an adapter and they'll burn out instantly. Use the hotel's hair dryer or buy a dual-voltage travel version.
UK plugs include a 3A or 13A fuse for safety. If a device stops working in the UK, the fuse may have blown — replaceable from a hardware store.
Best UK plug adapters under $35.
All four cover Type G (UK) plus other major plug types. If you're only going to the UK, a single-country adapter from Amazon costs $5-10. If you might travel anywhere else internationally in the next 5 years, the universal adapter is the better buy.
EPICKA
$18-25Best overall — most reviewed, most reliable
Ceptics
$25-35Best for Europe — surge-protected with 35W PD
TESSAN
$15-20Best budget pick — full coverage under $20
Anker
$25-50Best USB-C — fast-charging trusted brand
One adapter, most of the Commonwealth.
The UK Type G plug is the most widely-exported plug standard outside Europe — used across former British Commonwealth countries.
Common questions about UK power.
What plug do I need for the UK?
The United Kingdom uses Type G plugs — three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern, with a built-in fuse. Same plug is used in Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Singapore, Hong Kong, and most of the former British Commonwealth. A US-to-UK travel adapter or universal adapter that supports Type G is what you need.
Is the UK plug the same as European plugs?
No. Continental Europe (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, etc.) uses Type C and Type F (round-pin plugs). The UK and Ireland use Type G (rectangular three-pin). They are NOT compatible. If you're traveling through the UK and continental Europe on the same trip, get a universal adapter that covers Type C/F/G.
What voltage does the UK use?
240V at 50Hz — same as continental Europe (which is technically 230V; the UK is 240V). US devices run on 110-120V at 60Hz. Most modern phones, laptops, and chargers are dual-voltage (100-240V) and only need a plug adapter. Hair dryers and curling irons that are 110V-only will burn out — buy a dual-voltage travel version or use the hotel's hair dryer.
Will my US laptop work in the UK with just an adapter?
Almost always yes. Apple, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and most laptop brands ship dual-voltage power bricks. Check the printed text on your power adapter — if it says '100-240V' (or 'INPUT: 100-240V'), you only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.
Why does the UK plug have a fuse in it?
British Type G plugs include an internal fuse (usually 3A or 13A) as a safety feature. UK ring-circuit wiring carries higher current than US household circuits, so each plug needs its own fuse to protect the device. The fuse is replaceable — if a UK device suddenly stops working, the fuse may have blown.
Best UK plug adapter for under $25?
EPICKA Universal Adapter covers UK Type G plus US/EU/AU in a single device for $18-25 — the most-reviewed pick. TESSAN is the budget option under $20. If you only need a UK adapter (no other countries), Amazon also sells single-country Type G adapters for $5-10, but the universal one pays off after a single second-country trip.
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