Ceptics CT-16 vs CTU-16: Which New Zealand Plug Adapter Should US Families Pack?

The short answer: New Zealand uses Type I plugs and 230/240-volt, 50Hz power, according to Tourism New Zealand. Both Ceptics adapters fit NZ sockets, and neither converts voltage, so only use them with dual-voltage devices. Pick the CT-16 3-pack if you want several cheap adapters, one per room or per family member, each with two US inputs. Pick the CTU-16 if you want one adapter that charges more devices from a single wall socket, thanks to its USB-A and USB-C ports. Many families take a mix: one CTU-16 for the phone and tablet pile, plus CT-16s for everything else.

First: what NZ power means for your US devices

Tourism New Zealand, the country's official tourism site, says:

• New Zealand uses Type I plugs: three flat pins, two angled to form an inverted "V" and one running straight down. (Same as Australia.)
• The voltage is 230/240 volts (50Hz). The US is lower.
• If your appliance or charger doesn't clearly state it's safe up to 240 volts, you'd also need a voltage converter or transformer. Plug a lower-voltage appliance into NZ power and it could be damaged.
• Most hotels and motels have 110-volt sockets in bathrooms rated for electric razors only (20 watts). For anything else, you need an adapter or converter unless the item is multi-voltage.

How to check a device: look at the small print on the charger or power brick. "Input: 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz" means it's dual-voltage and only needs a plug adapter. Just "120V" means it isn't.

Common dual-voltage items: most phone, tablet, laptop and camera chargers. Common single-voltage culprits: some hair dryers, straighteners, and the electric pumps that come with some inflatable beds. Hiccapop, for example, says its toddler bed pump is for US use only, even with a converter. Battery-powered or hand pumps sidestep the problem; see our Hiccapop vs Intex Kidz Travel Bed comparison.

A theme in Ceptics customer comments is to check before you go. One reviewer mentioned calling their phone company to confirm the phone was dual-voltage before relying on a plug adapter.

Ceptics CT-16 vs CTU-16 at a glance

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Ceptics CT-16 (3-pack)

What you get: three compact Type I adapters, each with two US inputs. The listing says each accepts standard North American 2- and 3-prong flat-pin plugs, including polarized ones, and is fully grounded with a max load of 10A/250V.

The voltage note, straight from the listing: it's compatible only with dual-voltage products and is not a voltage converter. Ceptics lists cell phones, laptops, battery chargers, tablets and other dual-voltage electronics such as CPAP machines as intended uses.

Why a 3-pack works for families: on a road trip, you might have one adapter by the bed for phones, one in the bathroom area for an electric toothbrush charger (if it's dual-voltage), and one spare in the car bag. Losing one in a motel isn't a crisis.

What reviewers say: many say they worked well in New Zealand and Australia and like the value of a 3-pack. One reviewer said the second, two-prong input loosened over time while the front three-prong input kept working.

Ceptics CT-16 3-pack on Amazon

Ceptics CTU-16 (with USB-A and USB-C)

What you get: a Type I adapter with one US outlet, one USB-A port and one USB-C port, so it can power up to three things from a single wall socket. The listing says it supports 100–250V input and is designed only for dual-voltage devices; it does not convert voltage.

Why it suits families: rooms don't always have a spare socket where you need one. One CTU-16 by the bed can charge a parent's phone through USB-C, a child's tablet through USB-A, and a laptop or camera charger through the US outlet.

What the listing doesn't tell you: we couldn't find the USB output (watts or amps) on the Amazon page. If you rely on fast charging, plug your own dual-voltage USB charger into the US outlet instead of relying on the built-in ports.

Check the pack size: the listing offers 1, 3 or 6 adapters, and some parts of the page mention a 3-pack while the title describes a single adapter. Check what you're adding to your cart.

Ceptics CTU-16 with USB on Amazon

Alternative pick: the HANYCONY Type I Adapter is a single adapter with two US outlets and three USB ports (two USB-C, one USB-A), so it can run more devices from one socket than either Ceptics. Like both Ceptics models, it doesn't convert voltage, so it's for dual-voltage devices only.

🗺️ Packing for an NZ road trip with kids?

The NZ Family Trip Planner is a Google Sheets planner for NZ family road trips. It flags long driving days, tracks your budget and bookings, reminds you about ferry and winter-road checks, and includes a ready-made 21-day South Island route.

Which should you buy?

• Family of three or more, lots of rooms or rental stops: CT-16 3-pack.
• Mostly phones and tablets, and you want fewer things to carry: CTU-16.
• Both: one CTU-16 for the bedside charging station plus a CT-16 3-pack for everything else covers most families.
• Hair dryer or straightener that's 120V only: neither adapter will make it safe. Tourism NZ says you'd need a voltage converter. Often it's simpler to leave it at home.

Quick safety checklist

• Read the input label on every charger before you plug it in.
• An adapter changes the plug shape only, not the voltage.
• Don't use the bathroom razor socket for anything other than a razor.
• Tourism NZ warns that a lower-voltage appliance plugged into NZ power could be damaged. If in doubt, leave it out.

FAQ

What plug type does New Zealand use? Type I: two angled flat pins and one vertical pin (Tourism New Zealand).

What voltage is New Zealand? 230/240 volts at 50Hz (Tourism New Zealand). US power is lower, so check devices are rated up to 240V.

Do I need a voltage converter for New Zealand? Not for dual-voltage chargers marked 100–240V; a plug adapter is enough. You do for appliances that aren't rated for 240V, or leave them at home.

Do the Ceptics adapters convert voltage? No. Both listings say they don't convert voltage and are for dual-voltage devices only.

Can I charge USB devices with the CT-16? Not directly. It has no USB ports, so you'd plug in your own USB charger. The CTU-16 has USB-A and USB-C built in.