I am a travel writer. This $16 power strip will keep my gadgets charged on the go

I love a good power strip, especially in those all-too-common cases where there never seem to be enough outlets in my house. It’s the simplest solution to a problem we’ve encountered at least once, but few of them are portable enough to take with you when you travel. This round version is small enough to fit in my carry-on bag, and I take it with me on long trips when I know I’ll eventually need a few extra outlets at my disposal. Best of all, it’s now on sale on Amazon.

Why is this a good deal? 💰

This power strip hasn’t been on sale all year, so buyers usually pay full price. However, now when you clip the coupon on the site, you’ll receive $4 off, making this purchase one of the best under $20 purchases you can make for both travel and everyday use.

Why do I need this? 🤔

While this is technically a travel power strip, there is no need to limit its use. To be honest, I used it at home before I decided to take it with me when traveling. I’ve found this to be useful when trying to shorten cables to reach an outlet. The round shape allows it to be twisted, allowing restricted cables to easily access ports. This unique shape also allows each socket to have more than enough space to plug in the thickest adapters without blocking the other two sockets.

It is worth mentioning that this power strip, unlike most, does not hurt the eyes. I don’t feel like I have to hide it behind a flower vase or a couch because it’s not blocky and unpleasant to look at.

Another plug: It has built-in overcharge, short circuit and overcurrent protection, so any devices you plug into it won’t be damaged in the long run. The variety of outlets is also impressive for its size. You get three standard AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port.

What reviewers say 💬

Over 8,000 Amazon customers have given this power strip an excellent rating. Several reviewers say they have used it on cruises, in hotels, in their home offices or right next to their bedside tables. The possibilities are endless!

Pros 👍

“This power strip is perfect for any type of travel, but we found it particularly useful on cruise ships and bus trips,” wrote one impressed reviewer. “Often cruise ships have one outlet near the wall that a direct flush power strip won’t fit into, but you can plug it into any outlet… This also came in handy on my husband’s recent bus trip where there were only two outlets for each seats and his seats.”

One shopper said it also makes the perfect, practical Christmas gift. But beware – you may have to buy one for everyone on your list to keep your peace of mind: “Just the right size for packing light items without sacrificing charging space,” said the reviewer. “I got two of them as a Christmas present. I didn’t think it through because other family members who didn’t receive them were jealous!”

“I’m traveling with my husband and daughter. We all have cell phones, iPads, etc.” – another shopper explained. “This is a godsend during our cruise. One plugin allows you to load multiple things. I like that it’s round, so the plugs don’t get stuck.”

Disadvantages 👎

There is one minor feature that this buyer finds a bit annoying but easy to miss: “The only downside is that there is a (built-in) light in the unit, so it illuminates a dark room with a slight glow,” wrote a reviewer. “Solution: I put a piece of cloth on the device and boom – no light visible.”

Yet another shopper said that while he had “no complaints,” he did “wish the string was a little longer.”

The reviews cited above reflect the latest versions at the time of publication.

If you have Amazon Prime, you will of course get free shipping. Not a member yet? No problem. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial here. (By the way, people without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)