14 intelligent USB-C devices that do rather more than cost your cellphone

I don’t understand how your tech drawers look, however mine are crammed with wires I’ll doubtless 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 isn’t any incorrect strategy to plug these items in. It’s not simply smartphones, tablets, and laptops that use these, nevertheless, but in addition a protracted record of devices.

We’ve scoured the marketplace for hidden gems: 14 devices that can make you suppose “Wow, I didn’t know I wanted that, however it can 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 generally want you would heat up your palms a bit quicker. Effectively, these $20 hand heaters are rechargeable and completely able to preserve your fingers toasty for as much as 20 hours on a single cost. These devices function a temperature sensor chip that helps you choose certainly one of three temps for exact management. There are many colours to select from, too.

Firrax 74-in-1 mini electrical screwdriver

If you happen to usually need to fiddle round along 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 an entire assortment of 64 S2 metal bits. The screwdriver may be charged through USB-C and it may final for hours — the producer says it may drive over 500 screws earlier than needing a recharge. This tremendous enjoyable electrical screwdriver normally goes for $36, however can usually be discovered on sale.

Anker Nano Energy Financial institution

Anker

One factor that you must 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. Effectively, 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 facet so you’ll be able to cost two gadgets without delay if that you must. The 5,000mAh capability is nearly sufficient for a full cellphone recharge, so it is going to be nice in a pinch. It’s additionally solely $27.

Endoscope digital camera with mild

Though it’s not one thing you’ll use each day, this USB-C endoscope digital camera can undoubtedly turn out to be useful. You simply plug it in your cellphone, set up and app, and see every part your digital camera does. Our staff swears by it, utilizing it for locating no matter they dropped behind the desk, whereas engaged on the automobile, or on the lookout for pipe leaks. Because it has an IP67 ranking, you’ll be able to even plop it in your aquarium. The digital camera 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 $60 or much less.

Blukar flashlight

Blukar

I don’t care who you’re—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 type of many type-C cables you may have in that tech drawer we had been speaking about. It will possibly work for as much as 16 hours on a single cost, which is fairly first rate. There are 4 totally different lightning modes to cycle by way of, together with one that can enable you to sign for assist. Plus, certainly one of these is simply $9, so no excuse to move on this one.

Warmth It insect chunk healer

Anybody tormented by mosquitoes in the summertime will probably be notably happy with this ingenious gadget. This tiny gadget, which may be simply related to your smartphone through USB-C, can considerably scale back the itching of bites and stings with focused warmth.

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

A tiny air pump

Additionally excellent 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, highway bikes, bikes, and even automobiles!

Along with being an air pump, this sensible gadget can be used as a flashlight or energy financial institution for on-the-go use — all issues that are available in very helpful on a motorcycle journey. And at simply $36, it’s extremely beneficial should you 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 shortly use them everytime you want them. Anybody who’s ever sat on a crowded subway prepare in 30-degree warmth and wished for not less than slightly contemporary air will love this gadget.

The mini fan, which prices simply $16, has a USB-C port and may be simply powered by energy banks, computer systems, laptops, or USB chargers. There are even smaller and cheaper followers accessible that may be related 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 so much, generally late into the evening, will respect this little gadget: a studying lamp which you can merely clip onto your ebook. It is probably not groundbreaking, however with a complete of three colour temperatures and 5 totally different mild modes, you’ll be able to individually alter how a lot mild you want for studying.

The Gritin studying lamp prices simply $9 on Amazon and incorporates a 1200 mAh battery that lasts as much as 80 hours relying on utilization. Afterward, you’ll be able to simply recharge it through USB. You may 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 turn out to be 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 generally want. It will possibly 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.

Sort-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 that you must pull knowledge off your dashcam’s card or if it’s out of your digital camera, this tiny Ugreen USB-C microSD reader will work simply nice. This reader is tiny sufficient that it’s best to in all probability put it on a keychain of some form. If you happen to’d reasonably 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 value you lower than $10, in order 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 function a Sort-C port. This Anker adapter fixes this downside 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 strategy to join your cellphone or pill to your monitor or TV. This factor’s $17.

Electrical Air Duster

Wolfbox

This tiny little factor goes to be such a helpful gadget to have. Regardless of its dimension, it has numerous energy and you should use it simply to scrub up crumbs out of your keyboard and the mud out of your PC tower, clear the vents in your automobile or the dryer lint entice, 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 most effective half is that you should use an everyday USB-C wire to recharge it. This Wolfbox MF100 electrical air duster is normally $90, 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 will probably be helpful. It has two measuring modes, it’s fairly correct, and incorporates 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 file 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 $45, however we’ve seen it on sale for nearer to $30 very often, particularly you probably have a Prime subscription.

Editor’s observe: This text was initially revealed on Could 16, 2025, however was up to date to incorporate extra gadgets.