Can I use a US appliance in India?

The US supplies 120V at 60Hz through Type A/B plugs. India supplies 230V at 50Hz through Type C/D/M plugs. A US-only device plugged straight into an Indian socket receives nearly double its design voltage and typically fails immediately.

A plug adapter only changes the pin shape so a US plug fits an Indian socket — it does not change the voltage. A voltage converter (step-down transformer) actually converts India's 230V down to 110/120V. Dual-voltage devices need only the adapter; 120V-only devices need the converter.

Find the input label on the device, plug or power brick. "INPUT: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz" means dual voltage — it works worldwide with just a plug adapter. "INPUT: 120V ~ 60Hz" means US-only.

Take the device's wattage (on the same label) and add at least 25% headroom. A 200W styling tool needs a 250W+ converter; motorised or heating devices need 2-3x headroom for startup surges. High-watt heating devices (hair dryers, sterilizers, kettles) usually aren't worth converting.

For electronics and heating elements, no. For AC motor devices (some mixers, clocks, nebulizer compressors), yes — a 60Hz motor on 50Hz runs about 17% slower and hotter, even through a transformer. For motor-driven appliances, the India-voltage version is the reliable choice.

We flag voltage on electronic product pages, and most electronics we import (chargers, monitors, consoles, grooming and health devices) are dual-voltage global SKUs that work in India with the plug adapter included or available cheaply.