{"id":5790,"date":"2025-01-20T15:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T15:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.electricteeth.com\/uk\/?p=5790"},"modified":"2025-01-20T15:25:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T15:25:03","slug":"2-pin-plugs-adapters-toothbrushes-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.electricteeth.com\/uk\/2-pin-plugs-adapters-toothbrushes-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"2 pin plugs & adapters for toothbrushes explained"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Many electric toothbrushes come with a 2 pin plug, rather than 3 pin you are used to here in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 2 pin plug is a shaver plug that is designed to fit into the shaver socket found in many UK bathrooms. It is included for safety reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don't have a shaver socket in your bathroom, you will be pleased to know you can get an adaptor so that you can charge your brush via a normal plug socket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 pin to 3 pin plug adapter is the most common name for this important tool, but they're also referred to as an electric toothbrush adapter or a shaver plug converter. They are inexpensive and typically cost less than \u00a35.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want a quick recommendation, this is a cheap and cheerful one we've found to be good:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \"Gadgets\n <\/div>\n
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\n Gadgets Hut UK 2 Pin To 3 Pin 1A Fuse Adaptor Plug for Shaver\/Toothbrush <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n \u00a33.99 Amazon <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

Why do electric toothbrushes come with 2 pin chargers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Please note: <\/em><\/strong>This information primarily relates to the UK and Europe. USA, Canada and many other countries differ.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UK, the mains electricity that you connect your appliances and gadgets to works on 240 volts.  This is a high voltage and could cause serious injury or death if you were to receive an electric shock from it. The risk is increased once water is added to the equation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to protect people, the 2 pin socket was introduced to UK bathrooms as it is safer and less powerful. It is similar to the 2 pin SCHUKO connector found in many European countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This meant that more power hungry products could no longer be easily used within bathrooms, therefore reducing the chances of injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the new type of socket came a new connector, hence the 2 pin plug you find on the charging stands for electric toothbrushes and to power other things like electric shavers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sockets are often known as \u2018shaver sockets\u2019 because this is what is commonly connected into them. Many faceplates for sockets in bathrooms will say \u2018shavers only\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Examples of UK shaver sockets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

UK building regulations mean you cannot fit a regular 3 pin mains power socket in a bathroom, even the \u2018shaver socket\u2019 has to be a safe distance away from the bath or shower.  This is why many shaver sockets are often part of a light fitting above a mirror and hidden behind a little door, making it harder to access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other countries around the world may have normal sockets in their bathrooms. Sometimes this is because of the lower voltage used is those countries. In other cases it is due to less established safety measures, and in others there is a trust that you as an individual won\u2019t do anything silly enough to put your life at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Electric toothbrush 2 pin charger and the adaptors they need to be connected to for mains charging<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Can you get an extension cord for a shaver socket \/electric toothbrush?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No, unfortunately not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do have a 2 pin shaver socket in your bathroom, then you should be able to begin charging your electric brush from the moment you get it.  You won't need any plug adapters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, whilst most electric toothbrush chargers have a long enough cable to reach the shaver socket, the design and positioning of some sockets and bathrooms means that there is not enough cable to reach between the socket, and the place you would like to locate your electric toothbrush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most electric toothbrush chargers have approximately 1.2 meters (4 feet) of cable.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sadly, in some instances another 30-60cm (1-2 feet) of cable would be preferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A commonly asked question is are there any extension cables or cords for shaver sockets or electric toothbrushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, to my knowledge no such product exists.  I have searched many places for such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can see a need for it, but I do believe the reason that an extension cord for an electric toothbrush or shaver socket does not exists is related to safety and demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the majority of people, power cables on electric toothbrush chargers are sufficient because the shaver socket is appropriately placed, therefore there is limited demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who have the need or demand the extra cable length then adds a risk that the cable is within reach or will make contact with water, thus posing a safety concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is a 2 pin shaver plug the same as a 2 pin European mains adapter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No, not quite.  A 2 pin plug found on an electric toothbrush or shaver has pins that are closer together than a traditional 2 pin EU mains adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that appliances that would normally connect to a shaver socket cannot and should not be connected to mains power in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you charge your electric toothbrush in a shaver socket at home in the UK, that same plug cannot and should not be connected to the 2 pin socket found on the wall of your hotel room in France or Spain. However, most bathrooms will have a shaver socket which you can connect to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they do not you will need an adapter such as this:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \"Go\n <\/div>\n
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\n Go Travel EU 2 To 3 Pin Electric Adaptor <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n \u00a39.99 Amazon <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

If travelling from France or Spain or other European countries, the appliances you would normally connect to the wall should not be connected to sockets found in bathrooms here in the UK.  You need an adapter such as this:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \"Dapter\n <\/div>\n
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\n Dapter European schuko to UK 2 pin to 3 pin adaptor <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n \u00a311.99 Amazon <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

Connecting USB charging stands & cables to a 2 pin socket<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An increasing number of toothbrushes now come supplied with USB charging cables or USB charging stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

USB charging cables make it easier to travel internationally with a toothbrush and offer more versatility in where you charge your toothbrush. For example, you can connect to a USB socket, 3 pin socket with a USB plug adapter, a computer, a laptop and a battery bank amongst others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vast majority of brushes don't come with any form of USB to plug adapter. The likelihood is you will already own such. They tend to come with other electronic devices such as smartphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vast majority of these are USB to 3 pin, very few have the 2 pin configuration so you can charge your toothbrush in the bathroom. But you can buy them separately.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \"Philips\n <\/div>\n
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\n Philips Sonicare 2 pin USB wall adapter – black <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n Philips - check price <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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\n \"Philips\n <\/div>\n
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\n Philips Sonicare 2 pin USB wall adpater – white <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n Philips - check price <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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\n \"SURI\n <\/div>\n
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\n SURI EU\/UK Bathroom\/Shave-point USB Charger <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n SURI - Check price <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

Or if you are willing to spend a bit more, there are now shaver sockets, such as this one<\/a> that have full sized USB type A ports as well as USB type c ports you can connect directly into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are travelling to Europe, you can get USB plug adapters to fit the differently sized 2 pin sockets found on the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \"Pipestation\n <\/div>\n
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\n Pipestation EU 2 pin to USB Plug Adapter <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n \u00a35.49 Amazon <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

What adapter do I need when travelling abroad with my electric toothbrush?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Much depends on where you are travelling to. If you are travelling to another country that has the same electrical voltage then you simply need a plug adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A thorough solution is the Skross Pro World Travel Charger. It works in over 220 countries and is compatible with devices up to 2500w.  You still need to use it in conjunction with a 2 pin to 3 pin adapter to charge an electric toothbrush. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n\n \n
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\n \"SKROSS\n <\/div>\n
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\n SKROSS World travel adapter <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n
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\n \u00a348.99 Amazon <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

Most larger hotels will have a \u2018shaver socket\u2019 in the bathroom that will be suitable for your electric toothbrush. However in some counties and regions this may not apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When travelling to a country that uses a different voltage to that in your home country, you need to check a few things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, let's say you live in the UK and are going to the USA. The UK uses 240V electrics whereas the USA uses 110V.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most electric toothbrushes bought in the UK and Europe have charging stands that work on 220-240V. To use them in the USA, you need a power converter to allow the charging stand to accept the 110V.

You can buy these from various retailers online or on the high street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do your research on the voltage in a particular country to ensure you are getting the right converter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the instances where the voltage in the country you are travelling to is lower, you need a \u2018step up\u2019 converter and when the voltage is higher you need a \u2018step down\u2019 converter.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Some electric toothbrushes have charging stands that will support 110-240V meaning you will not need the voltage converter.  The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean is one example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you may need is a plug adapter.  This is to convert the 2 pin adapter found on most charging stands in the UK and Europe to work with the power supply in the other country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When using a voltage converter, you may need a different adapter to the one you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the travel form the UK to the USA again, the \u2018Step Up\u2019 voltage converter has the 2 pin US connector on it, but actually offers up a 3 pin UK power adapter.  However your toothbrush has the 2 pin adapter, so although you are travelling to the USA, you will need the 2 pin to 3 pin adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Video explainer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer to see a visual explanation, check out the video below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \"Video\n <\/div>\n\n