14 nifty USB-C devices you did not know you wanted

I don’t know the way your tech drawers look, however mine are full of wires I’ll possible by no means use once more as a result of expertise has superior fairly a bit. Fortunately, USB-C appears to be right here to remain since there is no such thing as a unsuitable option to plug these items in. It’s not simply smartphones, tablets, and laptops that use these, nevertheless, but additionally an extended record of devices.

We’ve scoured the marketplace for hidden gems: 14 devices that may make you assume “Wow, I didn’t know I wanted that, however it is going to make my life a lot simpler!” Let’s dive in and see what cool gadgets you’ll be capable of use your type-C cables and ports with.

Unihand rechargeable hand heaters

Because the climate is getting colder, you typically want you can heat up your arms a bit quicker. Nicely, these $20 hand heaters are rechargeable and completely able to maintain your fingers toasty for as much as 20 hours on a single cost. These devices characteristic a temperature sensor chip that helps you decide one in all three temps for exact management. There are many colours to select from, too.

Firrax 74-in-1 mini electrical screwdriver

For those who usually must fiddle round together with your pc or different devices, this Firrax mini electrical screwdriver equipment could also be simply what you want. This pen-shaped screwdriver options three LED lights so it’s simpler to see what you’re engaged on. The screwdriver has a trendy base so you’ll be able to maintain it in your desk, and a complete assortment of 64 S2 metal bits. The screwdriver might be charged by way of USB-C and it will possibly final for hours — the producer says it will possibly drive over 500 screws earlier than needing a recharge. This tremendous enjoyable electrical screwdriver normally goes for $45, however can usually be discovered on sale.

Anker Nano Energy Financial institution

Anker

One factor you might want to have in you bag/pocket/backpack is an influence financial institution since you by no means actually know when your cellphone will fail you and cry for a recharge. Nicely, the Anker Nano energy financial institution is tiny sufficient to suit nearly anyplace. It comes with a foldable USB-C connector and a port on the aspect so you’ll be able to cost two gadgets directly if you might want to. The 5,000mAh capability is nearly sufficient for a full cellphone recharge, so it will likely be nice in a pinch. It’s additionally solely $30, however we’ve seen it as little as $20.

Endoscope digicam with mild

Ennovor

Though it’s not one thing you’ll use day by day, this Ennover endoscope digicam can undoubtedly come in useful. You simply plug it in your cellphone, set up and app, and see every little thing your digicam does. Our crew swears by it, utilizing it for locating no matter they dropped behind the desk, whereas engaged on the automotive, or on the lookout for pipe leaks. Because it has an IP67 score, you’ll be able to even plop it in your aquarium. The digicam comes with a 16.4ft semi-rigid cable and a number of other equipment, together with a hook, magnet, and a mirror. You may get this one for $20 or much less.

Blukar flashlight

Blukar

I don’t care who you might be—you want a flashlight. The smaller, the higher, since you get to shove it into any pocket. This mannequin from Blukar comes with a built-in 1800mAh battery that you simply’ll recharge with a kind of many type-C cables you will have in that tech drawer we have been speaking about. It may work for as much as 16 hours on a single cost, which is fairly respectable. There are 4 totally different lightning modes to cycle via, together with one that may assist you to sign for assist. Plus, one in all these is lower than $8, so no excuse to go on this one.

Warmth It insect chew healer

Anybody tormented by mosquitoes in the summertime can be significantly happy with this ingenious gadget. This tiny gadget, which might be simply linked to your smartphone by way of USB-C, can considerably cut back the itching of bites and stings with focused warmth.

You merely cost the small Warmth It chew healer by way of the app after which maintain it on the chew. The warmth then does the remaining, breaking down the proteins within the mosquito chew that trigger the realm to swell, itch, and harm. A real must-have for summer time, and it prices solely $30.

A tiny air pump

Additionally good for summer time is that this small air pump from Cycplus, which inserts in any bag whereas on the go. Not solely can it inflate a bicycle tire in two minutes on the contact of a button, nevertheless it’s additionally USB-charged. Based on the producer, it’s appropriate for mountain bikes, street bikes, bikes, and even vehicles!

Along with being an air pump, this sensible gadget will also be used as a flashlight or energy financial institution for on-the-go use — all issues that are available in very helpful on a motorbike journey. And at simply $57 (though we’ve seen it for as little as $37) it’s extremely really helpful for those who want fast assist with a flat tire.

USB-C mini fan

These little followers are additionally fairly ingenious; you’ll be able to simply carry them in your pocket in the summertime and rapidly use them everytime you want them. Anybody who’s ever sat on a crowded subway practice in 30-degree warmth and wished for not less than just a little contemporary air will love this gadget.

The mini fan, which prices simply $21, has a USB-C port and might be simply powered by energy banks, computer systems, laptops, or USB chargers. There are even smaller and cheaper followers obtainable that may be linked on to your cellphone, costing below $10 every. However these additionally present much less highly effective airflow, so we advocate the standalone model.

Studying mild with a ebook clamp

Anybody who enjoys studying lots, typically late into the evening, will respect this little gadget: a studying lamp that you could merely clip onto your ebook. It is probably not groundbreaking, however with a complete of three shade temperatures and 5 totally different mild modes, you’ll be able to individually modify how a lot mild you want for studying.

The Gritin studying lamp prices simply $8 on Amazon and contains a 1200 mAh battery that lasts as much as 80 hours relying on utilization. Afterward, you’ll be able to simply recharge it by way of USB. You’ll be able to swivel the neck of the lamp forwards and backwards as desired, and there’s even a small charging indicator. What extra might you need?

Exterior DVD Drive

Amicool

In case your laptop computer is like mine and lacks a DVD drive, then this little gadget will come in useful for you. This Amicool exterior DVD drive makes use of a USB-C (or USB-A) to hook up with your laptop computer and provides yout he optical drive you typically want. It may learn and burn DVDs and CDs with ease, permitting you to put in software program, copy recordsdata, again up knowledge, play video games, and so forth. You received’t even want to put in drives as this factor is plug and play. Whereas this factor’s normally $29, you’ll be able to usually get it for round $20, which is an absolute cut price.

Kind-C microSD card reader

Ugreen

Most laptops these days don’t include a card reader anymore (I do know mine doesn’t), so discovering different methods to get knowledge off these little buggers is a should. Whether or not you might want to pull knowledge off your dashcam’s card or if it’s out of your digicam, this tiny Ugreen USB-C microSD reader will work simply high-quality. This reader is tiny sufficient that it’s best to in all probability put it on a keychain of some variety. For those who’d slightly a barely extra versatile model, Ugreen has a mannequin that additionally works with SD playing cards and options each USB-C and USB-A connectors. Any of those will price you lower than $10, so that they’re worthwhile investments.

USB-C to HDMI adapter

Anker

In case your laptop computer has a USB-C port however you haven’t up to date your monitor in ages, your show received’t characteristic a Kind-C port. This Anker adapter fixes this drawback for you, enabling you to attach the common HDMI cable you plug in your monitor with this gadget. The adapter helps resolutions of as much as 4K at 60Hz, which is fairly superior. That is additionally a nifty option to join your cellphone or pill to your monitor or TV. This factor’s $13, however we’ve seen it as little as $10.

Electrical Air Duster

Wolfbox

This tiny little factor goes to be such a helpful gadget to have. Regardless of its dimension, it has various energy and you need to use it simply to wash up crumbs out of your keyboard and the mud out of your PC tower, clear the vents in your automotive or the dryer lint lure, for example — it’s nice to make use of each now and again. You may also use this tiny gadget to inflate mattresses when tenting or your child’s floaties. The perfect half is that you need to use an everyday USB-C twine to recharge it. This Wolfbox MF100 electrical air duster is normally $100, however you will get it on sale very often.

Hoto

This pocket-sized laser measuring device will make your life a lot simpler as a result of it’s sooooo compact. Everytime you tackle any DIY tasks, whether or not it’s something severe otherwise you’re simply placing up a portray, this laser measuring device can be helpful. It has two measuring modes, it’s fairly correct, and contains a hidden OLED show that tells you precisely what it measures and the battery life. It even comes with Bluetooth so you’ll be able to document extra knowledge after connecting it to your cellphone. And naturally, you’ll be able to cost it with a USB-C cable. This Hoto device is normally $50, however we’ve seen it on sale very often, particularly if in case you have a Prime subscription.

Editor’s notice: This text was initially printed on Might 16, 2025, however was up to date to incorporate further gadgets.