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

I don’t know the way your tech drawers look, however mine are stuffed with wires I’ll probably by no means use once more as a result of know-how has superior fairly a bit. Thankfully, USB-C appears to be right here to remain since there is no such thing as a unsuitable technique to plug this stuff in. It’s not simply smartphones, tablets, and laptops that use these, nonetheless, but in addition an extended record of devices.

We’ve scoured the marketplace for hidden gems: 14 devices that may make you suppose “Wow, I didn’t know I needed that, but it will make my life so much easier!” Let’s dive in and see what cool units you’ll be capable to use your type-C cables and ports with.

Unihand rechargeable hand heaters

As the climate is getting colder, you typically want you could possibly heat up your palms a bit quicker. Well, these $20 hand heaters are rechargeable and completely able to hold your fingers toasty for as much as 20 hours on a single cost. These devices function a temperature sensor chip that helps you choose one in all three temps for exact management. There are loads of colours to select from, too.

Firrax 74-in-1 mini electrical screwdriver

If you typically should fiddle round together with your pc or different devices, this Firrax mini electrical screwdriver package 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 classy base so you possibly can maintain it in your desk, and a complete assortment of 64 S2 metal bits. The screwdriver might be charged through USB-C and it could actually final for hours — the producer says it could actually drive over 500 screws earlier than needing a recharge. This tremendous enjoyable electrical screwdriver normally goes for $36, however can typically be discovered on sale.

Anker Nano Power Bank

One factor it’s essential have in you bag/pocket/backpack is an influence financial institution since you by no means actually know when your telephone will fail you and cry for a recharge. Well, the Anker Nano energy financial institution is tiny sufficient to suit nearly wherever. It comes with a foldable USB-C connector and a port on the facet so you possibly can cost two units directly if it’s essential. The 5,000mAh capability is nearly sufficient for a full telephone recharge, so will probably be nice in a pinch. It’s additionally solely $27.

Endoscope digital camera with mild

Although it’s not one thing you’ll use every single day, this USB-C endoscope digital camera can undoubtedly come in useful. You simply plug it in your telephone, set up and app, and see all the pieces your digital camera does. Our staff swears by it, utilizing it for locating no matter they dropped behind the desk, whereas engaged on the automotive, or searching for pipe leaks. Since it has an IP67 ranking, you possibly can 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 can get this one for $60 or much less.

Blukar flashlight

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 just’ll recharge with a type of many type-C cables you’ve got in that tech drawer we had been speaking about. It can work for as much as 16 hours on a single cost, which is fairly respectable. There are 4 completely different lightning modes to cycle by means of, together with one that may allow you to sign for assist. Plus, one in all these is simply $9, so no excuse to go on this one.

Heat It insect chunk healer

Anyone stricken by mosquitoes in the summertime might be notably happy with this ingenious gadget. This tiny machine, which might 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 Heat It chunk healer through the app after which maintain it on the chunk. The warmth then does the remainder, breaking down the proteins within the mosquito chunk that trigger the realm to swell, itch, and harm. A real must-have for summer season, and it prices solely $30.

A tiny air pump

Also excellent for summer season 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. According to the producer, it’s appropriate for mountain bikes, street bikes, bikes, and even vehicles!

In addition to being an air pump, this sensible gadget may also be used as a flashlight or energy financial institution for on-the-go use — all issues that are available very helpful on a motorbike journey. And at simply $36, it’s extremely beneficial for those who want fast assist with a flat tire.

USB-C mini fan

These little followers are additionally fairly ingenious; you possibly can simply carry them in your pocket in the summertime and rapidly use them everytime you want them. Anyone who’s ever sat on a crowded subway practice in 30-degree warmth and wished for at the least a bit contemporary air will love this gadget.

The mini fan, which costs just $16, 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 accessible that may be related on to your telephone, costing beneath $10 every. But these additionally present much less highly effective airflow, so we suggest the standalone model.

Reading mild with a ebook clamp

Anyone who enjoys studying loads, typically late into the evening, will admire 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 colour temperatures and 5 completely different mild modes, you possibly can individually regulate how a lot mild you want for studying.

The Gritin reading lamp costs just $9 on Amazon and contains a 1200 mAh battery that lasts as much as 80 hours relying on utilization. Afterward, you possibly can simply recharge it through USB. You can swivel the neck of the lamp backwards and forwards as desired, and there’s even a small charging indicator. What extra might you need?

External DVD Drive

If 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 connect with your laptop computer and provides yout he optical drive you typically want. It can 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. While this factor’s normally $29, you possibly can typically get it for round $20, which is an absolute cut price.

Type-C microSD card reader

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 it’s essential 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 superb. This reader is tiny sufficient that you need to most likely put it on a keychain of some type. If you’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

If 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 Type-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. This can be a nifty technique to join your telephone or pill to your monitor or TV. This factor’s $17.

Electric Air Duster

This tiny little factor goes to be such a helpful gadget to have. Despite its measurement, it has various 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 automotive or the dryer lint entice, as an illustration — 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 better part is that you should use a daily USB-C wire to recharge it. This Wolfbox MF100 electrical air duster is normally $90, however you may get it on sale very often.

This pocket-sized laser measuring instrument will make your life a lot simpler as a result of it’s sooooo compact. Whenever you tackle any DIY tasks, whether or not it’s something critical otherwise you’re simply placing up a portray, this laser measuring instrument might 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 possibly can document extra knowledge after connecting it to your telephone. And after all, you possibly can cost it with a USB-C cable. This Hoto instrument is normally $45, however we’ve seen it on sale for nearer to $30 very often, particularly when you’ve got a Prime subscription.

Editor’s observe: This article was initially revealed on May 16, 2025, however was up to date to incorporate extra units.