I don’t know what your tech drawers look like, but mine are full of wires that I’ll probably never use again because technology has advanced so much. Luckily, USB-C appears to be here to stay since there’s no wrong way to plug these things in. However, it’s not just smartphones, tablets and laptops that use them, but also a long list of gadgets.
We’ve scoured the market for hidden gems: 13 gadgets that will make you think “Wow, I didn’t know I needed this, but this will make my life so much easier!” Let’s dive in and see what interesting devices you can use your Type-C cables and ports with.
Unihand Rechargeable Hand Warmers
Unihand
As the weather gets colder, we sometimes wish we could warm our hands a little faster. Well, these $18 hand warmers are rechargeable and perfectly ready to keep your fingers warm for up to 20 hours on a single charge. These gadgets feature a temperature sensor chip that helps you choose one of three temperatures for precise control. There are also many colors to choose from.
Wowstick 1F+ mini electric screwdriver
Wowstick
If you often need to tinker with your computer or other gadgets, this Wowstick Mini Electric Screwdriver may be just what you need. This pen-shaped screwdriver has three LED lights so it’s easier to see what you’re working on and spins 200 times per minute so you can finish the job faster. The screwdriver has a sleek base so you can hold it on your desk and a whole collection of 56 aluminum alloy bits. The screwdriver can be charged via USB-C and can last for hours. This super fun electric screwdriver usually costs $41.
Anker Nano Power Bank
Anker
One thing you must have in your bag/pocket/backpack is a power bank, because you never really know when your phone is going to die and require a recharge. Well, the Anker Nano Power Bank is small enough to fit just about anywhere. It comes with a foldable USB-C connector and a port on the side so you can charge two devices at once if you need to. The 5,000mAh capacity is just about enough for a full phone charge, so it will be ideal in a pinch. It’s also only $30, but we’ve seen it as low as $16.
Endoscope camera with light
Ennovor
Although it’s not something you’ll use every day, this Ennover endoscope camera can definitely come in handy. Just plug it into your phone, install an app, and see everything your camera does. Our team swears by it, using it to find anything they left behind the desk, while working on the car, or looking for pipe leaks. Thanks to its IP67 rating, you can even place it in your aquarium. The camera comes with a 16.4-foot semi-rigid cable and several accessories, including a hook, magnet, and mirror. You can get this one for $17 right now.
Blukar flashlight
Blukar
I don’t care who you are, you need a flashlight. The smaller the better, because you can slip it into any pocket. This model of Blukar comes with a built-in 1,800 mAh battery that you will recharge with one of those many Type C cables that you have in the tech drawer we were talking about. It can run for up to 16 hours on a single charge, which is pretty decent. There are four different flash modes to cycle through, including one that will help you call for help. Plus, one of them costs less than $8, so no excuse to pass this one up.
Heat It Bug Bite Healer
Anyone who is plagued by mosquitoes in summer will be particularly pleased with this ingenious gadget. This small device, which easily connects to your smartphone via USB-C, significantly reduces itching associated with bites and stings thanks to targeted heat.
Simply charge the Heat It Little Bite Healer via the app, then hold it on the bite. The heat then does the rest, breaking down the proteins present in the mosquito bite which cause swelling, itching and pain in the area. A true summer staple, and it’s only $20 on sale.
A small air pump
This small air pump from Cycplus is also perfect for summer, which fits in any bag when traveling. Not only can it inflate a bicycle tire in two minutes at the touch of a button, but it’s also charged via USB. According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes, motorcycles and even cars!
As well as being an air pump, this handy gadget can also be used as a flashlight or power bank for on-the-go use – all of which come in very handy during a bike ride. And at just $57 (although we’ve seen it for as little as $35), it comes highly recommended if you need quick help with a flat tire.
Mini USB-C fan
These little fans are also quite ingenious; you can easily carry them in your pocket in summer and use them quickly when you need them. Anyone who has ever sat on a crowded subway train in 30-degree heat and wants at least a little fresh air will love this gadget.
The mini fan, which costs just $20, has a USB-C port and can be easily powered by power banks, computers, laptops, or USB chargers. There are even smaller, cheaper fans that can be connected directly to your phone, costing less than $10 each. But these also provide less powerful airflow, so we recommend the self-contained version.
Reading lamp with book clip
Anyone who likes to read a lot, sometimes until late at night, will appreciate this little gadget: a reading lamp that you can simply clip onto your book. It may not be revolutionary, but with a total of three color temperatures and five different lighting modes, you can individually adjust the amount of light you need for reading.
The Gritin Reading Light costs just $8 on Amazon and has a 1,200 mAh battery that lasts up to 80 hours depending on usage. Then you can easily recharge it via USB. You can rotate the neck of the lamp back and forth as you like, and there’s even a little charging indicator. What more could you ask for?
External DVD drive
Amicool
If your laptop is like mine and doesn’t have a DVD drive, then this little gadget will come in handy. This Amicool external DVD drive uses USB-C (or USB-A) to connect to your laptop and gives you the optical drive you sometimes need. It can read and burn DVDs and CDs easily, allowing you to install software, copy files, backup data, play games, etc. You won’t even need to install any drives because this thing is plug and play. Although this thing usually costs $29, you can often get it for around $20, which is a steal.
Samsung USB stick
Samsung
The vast majority of USB drives have a USB-A connector, but Samsung’s has a Type-C connector. With transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s, you’ll be moving files in no time. The beauty of this USB drive is that you can even insert it into your smartphone to record 4K videos directly on it. The Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive comes in multiple storage options, starting at 64GB and up to 512GB, and they start at $14. The 256GB version, for example, costs $27 at the time of writing.
Type-C microSD card reader
Ugreen
Most laptops these days don’t come with a card reader (I know mine doesn’t), so finding other ways to extract data from these little buggers is a must. Whether you need to extract data from your dashcam card or camera, this small Ugreen USB-C microSD reader will work just fine. This reader is small enough that you should probably put it on a keychain of some sort. If you prefer a slightly more versatile version, Ugreen offers a model that also works with SD cards and has USB-C and USB-A connectors. Each of these items will cost you less than $10, so they are worthwhile investments.
USB-C to HDMI adapter
Anker
If your laptop has a USB-C port but you haven’t updated your monitor in ages, your display won’t feature a Type-C port. This Anker adapter solves this problem for you, allowing you to connect the standard HDMI cable that you plug into your monitor with this gadget. The adapter supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz, which is pretty awesome. It’s also a neat way to connect your phone or tablet to your monitor or TV. This thing costs $20, but we’ve seen it as low as $12.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on May 16, but has been updated to include additional devices.
