Plugs, Power and Adapters: The Minimal Kit for Every Nomad Base

Why most nomads carry too many adapters

Walk into any coworking space in Chiang Mai or Lisbon and you'll see the same scene: someone digging through a ziplock bag of adapters, trying to figure out which one works in Portugal this week. The smarter play is a minimal kit that works everywhere you're likely to land, without the clutter.

This guide covers the plug types, voltages, and gear that actually matter across the countries Nomad Bro tracks. Prices and models shift constantly, so treat this as a framework and verify specifics before you buy. Some links on this site are partner links, meaning we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.

Plug types and voltage by country

Here's what you'll encounter in the nomad hubs we cover:

• Thailand: Types A, B, and C plugs, 220V
• Vietnam: Types A and C, 220V
• Malaysia: Type G, 240V
• Indonesia: Types C and F, 230V
• Georgia: Types C and F, 220V
• Portugal and Spain: Types C and F, 230V
• Estonia: Types C and F, 230V
• Mexico: Types A and B, 127V
• Colombia: Types A and B, 110V
• Argentina: Types C and I, 220V
• South Africa: Types C, M, and N, 230V

Type C (the two-round-prong Euro plug) covers most of Europe and large chunks of Asia and South America. Types A and B (the flat blades you know from North America) handle Mexico, Colombia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Type G is the UK-style three-prong you'll need in Malaysia. Argentina's Type I and South Africa's Types M and N are the wildcards.

The one-adapter-plus-power-strip system

Instead of packing a different adapter for every country, carry one quality universal travel adapter and one compact power strip with a short cable. Plug the universal adapter into the wall, plug your power strip into the adapter, and now you have multiple outlets that accept your home-country plugs.

This setup means you only adapt the connection to the wall once. Your laptop, phone charger, external battery, and anything else plugs into the strip exactly as it would at home. No hunting for the right adapter every time you move apartments or switch countries.

Look for a universal adapter that explicitly lists Types A, B, C, F, G, and I. Some models also handle Type M (common in South Africa), which shares the same three-prong layout as Type D but with different pin dimensions. If you're headed to Johannesburg or Cape Town, confirm the adapter supports Type M specifically, not just "South Africa compatible."

For the power strip, compact models with three or four outlets and built-in surge protection work well. Avoid bulky six-outlet strips unless you're traveling with a full video rig. The goal is a strip that fits in a daypack side pocket and doesn't add much weight.

USB-C PD charging: the great simplifier

If your laptop charges via USB-C Power Delivery, you've already won half the battle. A single 65W or 100W USB-C PD charger can power your laptop, phone, tablet, and other small devices, cutting down the number of bricks in your bag.

Many newer laptops from Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Apple support USB-C charging. Check your device specs to confirm the wattage it needs. A 13-inch ultrabook typically charges fine on 45W to 65W, while a 15-inch or 16-inch machine with a discrete GPU may need 100W.

Pair your PD charger with a universal adapter, and you can charge almost everything through a single wall connection. Some all-in-one travel adapters now include USB-C PD ports built in, which can eliminate the need for a separate charger entirely. Just verify the PD port delivers enough wattage for your laptop.

Voltage gotchas: hair tools and cheap electronics

Most modern electronics (laptops, phone chargers, camera batteries) are dual-voltage, meaning they work on anything from 100V to 240V without issue. Check the fine print on the power brick or device label. If it says "INPUT: 100-240V," you're fine anywhere. The adapter just changes the plug shape, not the voltage.

Hair dryers, flat irons, curling wands, and some cheaper gadgets are the exception. Many are single-voltage and will fry if you plug a 110V device into a 220V outlet, or run weak and slow if you do the reverse. If you're attached to your specific hair tools, either buy a dual-voltage model before you leave or plan to replace them with local versions in your first destination.

Using a step-down transformer to run a 110V hair dryer on 220V power is technically possible, but the transformers are heavy, expensive, and not worth the hassle for most nomads. A dual-voltage travel dryer costs less and takes up less space.

What to actually pack

Here's the kit that covers you in every country on the list above:

• One universal travel adapter with Types A, B, C, F, G, I, and ideally M
• One compact 3- or 4-outlet power strip with surge protection
• One USB-C PD charger (65W minimum, 100W if your laptop demands it)
• One or two short USB-C cables
• A small cable organizer pouch to keep it all tidy

If you're headed to South Africa and your universal adapter doesn't cover Type M, grab a single Type M adapter locally when you arrive. Most airports and electronics shops stock them. Same logic applies if you end up somewhere obscure: buy the oddball adapter on the ground instead of pre-loading your bag with every possible variant.

Final notes

Gear recommendations and prices shift as models get discontinued and new ones launch. Before you buy, cross-check current reviews and verify the specs match what you need. This is general guidance, not personalized electrical advice. If you're unsure whether a specific device is dual-voltage, check the label or contact the manufacturer.

The minimal kit approach isn't about obsessing over the perfect adapter. It's about spending five minutes thinking through the system once, then never worrying about it again as you move from Medellín to Tallinn to Bangkok. Keep it simple, keep it light, and get back to the work that actually matters.