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Why Must You Bring a Travel Adapter for Studying Abroad? Is Green Giant’s 65W GaN Fast Charge Universal Adapter Worth It? — In-Depth Review
If you’re gearing up for studying abroad, you’ve probably made a long packing list: passport, laptop, power bank, textbooks… But there’s one easily overlooked item that can turn your first week overseas into a frustrating mess — a universal travel adapter ✈️. Today, I’m breaking down why this small gadget is non-negotiable for international students, and sharing my in-depth experience with Green Giant’s 65W GaN Fast Charge Universal Adapter — the one that’s been my lifesaver during my study in the UK.
Let’s get straight to the point — different countries have different power socket standards. It’s not just about plug shape; voltage and current vary too, and using the wrong adapter can damage your devices (laptop, phone, camera) or even cause safety hazards. Here’s the harsh truth new international students often learn the hard way:
- 🌍No “one-size-fits-all” socket globally: For example, the US uses Type A/B (two flat pins), the UK uses Type G (three rectangular pins), the EU uses Type C (two round pins), and Australia uses Type I (two flat pins with a vertical pin). If you’re moving between countries (e.g., exchange programs), you need an adapter that covers multiple types.
- 🔌 Your domestic plugs won’t fit: Most laptops, phone chargers are dual-voltage (100-240V), but the plug head is designed for your home country. Even if the voltage matches, a mismatched plug means you can’t charge — imagine your laptop dying before a thesis deadline, or your phone dead when you need to navigate a new city.
- ⚠️ Local adapters are inconvenient & low-quality: Buying an adapter at the airport or local convenience store is pricey (often 2-3x more expensive) and low-quality — I’ve seen cheap adapters overheat, loose their pins, or only work for one device. You don’t want to risk your $1000+ laptop on a $5 adapter.
Trust me: A reliable universal adapter is not a “nice-to-have” — it’s a daily necessity for international students. Now, let’s talk about whether Green Giant’s 65W GaN model lives up to the hype.
I’ve been using Green Giant’s 65W GaN universal adapter for 3 months now (studying in London, with a weekend trip to Paris), and I’ve put it through daily use — charging my laptop, phone, AirPods, and even my tablet. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its pros, cons, and whether it’s worth buying for international students.
First impression: This adapter is surprisingly compact and lightweight. It’s about the size of a small phone (10cm x 6cm x 3cm) and weighs only 180g — way lighter than the bulky universal adapters I saw in stores. The body is made of matte black plastic, which feels sturdy and doesn’t show fingerprints easily.
What I love most: It has built-in plug heads (no need to carry extra detachable plugs!). It covers 4 main plug types: Type G (UK), Type C (EU), Type A/B (US/Japan), and Type I (Australia/China). You just slide the switch to choose the plug type — super easy, no fumbling with small parts (which I always lose).
One small detail: The plug heads fold in, so when you’re not using it, it fits neatly in your backpack without poking other items. Perfect for students who are always on the go.
GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology is a game-changer for chargers — it’s smaller, faster, and cooler than traditional silicon chargers. Green Giant’s adapter has a 65W output, which is more than enough for international students’ needs. Here’s how it performed in my tests:
- 💻 Laptop Charging: I have a 15-inch MacBook Pro (needs 61W). This adapter charges it from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes — the same speed as the original Apple charger. It even charges my friend’s Windows laptop (65W) just as fast.
- 📱 Phone Charging: For my iPhone 15, it supports 20W fast charging — goes from 0% to 80% in 45 minutes. No more waiting hours to charge my phone before going out.
- 🔋 Multi-Device Charging: It has 3 ports: 2 USB-C ports (65W total) and 1 USB-A port (18W). I can charge my laptop, phone, and AirPods all at the same time — no need for multiple chargers. The adapter never overheated, even when charging 3 devices for 2 hours (I touched it regularly, and it was only slightly warm).
Pro tip: If you charge multiple devices at once, the adapter automatically distributes power (e.g., if you charge a laptop and a phone, it gives more power to the laptop to ensure fast charging). Super smart!
Safety is a big concern when it comes to electrical devices, especially overseas. Green Giant’s adapter checks all the boxes:
- ✅ Universal Voltage (100-240V): Works in almost every country (I used it in the UK and France, no issues). No need to worry about voltage differences damaging your devices.
- ✅Multiple Safety Protections: It has over-voltage protection, over-current protection, short-circuit protection, and over-temperature protection. If there’s a problem, it automatically shuts off — super reassuring.
- ✅ Wide Compatibility: Works with all my devices: MacBook Pro, iPhone 15, AirPods Pro, iPad Pro, and even my friend’s Android phone and camera. No compatibility issues at all.
No product is perfect, and here are a few small downsides I noticed:
It doesn’t cover Type L (used in Italy, Chile) or Type O (used in South Africa). If you’re studying in those countries, you’ll need an extra adapter — but for most popular study destinations (US, UK, EU, Australia), it’s fine.
The USB-A port only supports 18W charging — which is enough for AirPods or a power bank, but not for fast-charging some Android phones (which need 30W+). But since most students use USB-C now, this is a minor issue.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying for Studying Abroad? 🤔
After 3 months of daily use, my answer is 100% YES — this adapter is a must-have for international students. Here’s why it stands out from other adapters on the market:
- Compact & portable: Fits easily in a backpack, no bulky detachable plugs.
- Fast charging: 65W GaN charges your laptop and phone quickly, saving time.
- Multi-device support: Charges 3 devices at once, no need for multiple chargers.
- Safe & reliable: Universal voltage and multiple safety protections, peace of mind.
- Affordable: Compared to other 65W GaN universal adapters (which cost $50+), Green Giant’s is around $30-$35 — great value for students on a budget.
If you’re studying abroad, don’t wait until you’re stuck without a way to charge your devices — invest in a reliable universal adapter. Green Giant’s 65W GaN model is compact, fast, and affordable, and it’s been my most trusted travel companion so far.
Have you used any travel adapters for studying abroad? Share your experience in the comments below! 👇
