The Short Answer
Filipino plugs (Type A and B) already fit outlets in Japan, Taiwan and the USA. You need a travel adapter for Korea and most of Europe (Type C/F), and for Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the UK and Dubai (Type G). A universal adapter covers all of them from ₱499.
Nothing ruins the first night of a trip like a phone at 3% and a socket your charger will not fit. This guide shows which plug each popular destination uses, whether your Philippine plugs fit, what voltage to watch for, and which travel adapter to pack.
Which plug type does each country use?
The Philippines uses Type A, B and C sockets at about 220 to 230V. Japan and Taiwan use Type A and B like ours, Korea uses Type C and F, and Singapore and Hong Kong use the three-pin Type G.
| Destination | Plug types | Voltage | Does a PH plug fit? | What to pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | A, B | 100V | Yes | No adapter; check voltage |
| Taiwan | A, B | 110V | Yes | No adapter; check voltage |
| USA | A, B | 120V | Yes | No adapter; check voltage |
| South Korea | C, F | 220V | No | Europe-style or universal adapter |
| Singapore | G (also C, M) | 230V | No | Type G or universal adapter |
| Hong Kong | G (also D, M) | 220V | No | Type G or universal adapter |
| Malaysia | G (also C, M) | 230V | No | Type G or universal adapter |
| UAE and Saudi Arabia | G | 230V | No | Type G or universal adapter |
| United Kingdom | G | 230V | No | Type G or universal adapter |
| Thailand | A, B, C, O | 230V | Often | Universal adapter to be safe |
| Vietnam | A, B, C, F | 220V | Often | Universal adapter to be safe |
| China | A, I | 220V | Two-pin only | Universal adapter |
| Australia | I | 230V | No | Universal adapter |
| France, Germany, Italy | C, E/F (Italy also L) | 230V | No | Europe-style or universal adapter |
Plug types and voltages from the Wikipedia table of mains electricity by country. Hotels sometimes have universal sockets, but do not count on it.
Do I need a travel adapter for Japan?
Usually not. Japan uses Type A and B outlets, so flat two-pin Philippine plugs fit. The catch is voltage: Japan runs at 100V, so 220V-only appliances like many hair dryers and rice cookers will not work properly.
Phone, laptop and camera chargers are almost always rated 100 to 240V, so they work fine in Japan. Check the small print on the charger. If it says "Input: 100-240V", you are good. Three-pin Type B plugs fit most Japanese hotel outlets, but some older rooms only have two-pin sockets, so a cheap universal adapter is still handy.
Do I need a travel adapter for Korea?
Yes. South Korea uses round-pin Type C and F sockets at 220V, so Philippine flat-pin plugs will not fit. Voltage matches ours, so a plug adapter alone is enough for most devices.
Korea is the easiest country for Filipino appliances because the voltage is the same. A Europe-style adapter such as the TESSAN TA02AUS (₱599) has round Type E/F pins and gives you four flat-pin outlets plus USB ports, so one wall socket charges the whole family.
Do I need a travel adapter for Singapore and Hong Kong?
Yes. Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia mainly use the three-pin Type G plug, the same as the UK and Dubai. Voltage is 220 to 230V, close to ours, so only the plug shape needs changing.
The TESSAN TA01AUS (₱599) has a Type G plug with four flat-pin outlets, two USB-C and two USB-A ports. It suits OFWs and frequent travellers to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the UAE and the UK.
Which universal travel adapter should you buy?
For most trips, a universal adapter with USB-C is the simplest choice. The TESSAN TS-GM-1005N costs ₱499, the 633FC ₱799, and the GM-3001DCR ₱889 with 25W USB-C. For laptops, the TS-656EFW gives up to 85W.
| Adapter | Price | Fits | USB ports | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TESSAN TS-GM-1005N | ₱499 | Type A, C, G, I outlets | 3 USB-A, 1 USB-C, 17W shared | Budget trips, one phone |
| TESSAN WTA01 | ₱679 | Type A, C, G, I outlets | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C, 15W | Light packers |
| TESSAN 633FC | ₱799 | Type A, C, G, I outlets | 3 USB-A, 1 USB-C | Families charging several devices |
| TESSAN GM-3001DCR | ₱889 | Type A, C, G, I outlets | 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C up to 25W | Fast phone charging |
| TESSAN WTA03 | ₱1,799 | Type A, C, G, I outlets | 2 USB-A, 2 USB-C up to 65W | Tablets and small laptops |
| TESSAN TS-656EFW | ₱2,559 | Type A, C, G, I outlets | 1 USB-A, 4 USB-C, built-in cable, up to 85W | Laptops and work trips |
TESSAN lists the 633 series and TS-GM-1005N as working in over 150 countries but not India or South Africa, which use different large round-pin sockets.
Does a travel adapter convert voltage?
No. Every TESSAN adapter we sell changes the plug shape only and is not a voltage converter. Only use devices rated 100 to 250V, which covers almost all phone, tablet, laptop and camera chargers.
The risk is high-power heating appliances. A 220V-only hair dryer, flat iron or curling iron plugged into Japan's 100V will run weak, and a 110V-only appliance plugged in abroad at 230V can be damaged. Check the label on each device before you leave Manila.
Do travel adapters have surge protection?
No. The TESSAN travel adapters we stock, including the 633 series, GM-3001DCR, TS-GM-1005N, TS-656EFW, TA01AUS and TA02AUS, have no surge protection. Several include fuses, but unplug them during thunderstorms and power fluctuations.
Which one should you buy?
- Japan, Taiwan or the USA: you may not need one. If you want spare outlets and USB, take the ₱499 TS-GM-1005N.
- Korea or Europe: TESSAN TA02AUS, ₱599, with four outlets.
- Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Dubai or the UK: TESSAN TA01AUS, ₱599.
- Multi-country trips: TESSAN GM-3001DCR, ₱889, or the TS-656EFW at ₱2,559 if you travel with a laptop.
See every model in our travel adapter Philippines collection.
Mga madalas itanong (FAQ in Tagalog)
Kailangan ba ng adapter sa Japan?
Kadalasan hindi, dahil kasya ang flat na plug natin. Pero 100V ang kuryente sa Japan, kaya hindi gagana nang maayos ang mga 220V lang na appliance gaya ng hair dryer.
Anong adapter para sa Singapore at Hong Kong?
Type G na adapter na may tatlong pin, gaya ng TESSAN TA01AUS (₱599), o universal adapter.
Puwede bang gamitin ang hair dryer sa ibang bansa?
Kung dual voltage lang ito (100 hanggang 240V). Hindi voltage converter ang travel adapter.
Packing a power bank too? Read the power bank airplane rules for Philippine flights and our power bank mAh guide.
Questions? Contact our team or see our shipping details.
Written by Johannes Yu, VMI Direct. Prices as listed on vmidirectph.com in October 2026. Adapter specs from TESSAN product pages; plug types and voltages from Wikipedia's mains electricity by country table.
