Most people know that electrical devices won’t work abroad without a converter or transformer or plug adapter. But which of those do you need, and when do you need them? Basically, most of the Americas uses one voltage, 110, while the rest of the world uses another, 220. Some electronics, usually laptops or camcorders, can support both voltages. Others have a single voltage and will usually be marked as such, either 110 or 220. For these, you’ll need a transformer that converts it to the proper voltage. Your transformer should be able to handle twice the wattage of whatever item — like the dreaded hair dryer — you plug in.

But what you’ll almost always need is a plug adapter. This allows your plug to actually fit into foreign sockets. Since the type of sockets used varies widely between countries, pick up an adapter for that specific country. There are also universal adapters that can work with almost any type of plug.