13 clever USB-C gadgets you didn’t know you needed

I don't know what your tech drawers look like, but mine are filled with cords that I'll likely never use again because technology has advanced so much. Luckily, USB-C doesn't look like it's going anywhere, as there's no wrong way to connect these devices. However, they are used not only by smartphones, tablets and laptops, but also by 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 it will make my life so much easier!” Let's dive in and see what cool devices you can use Type-C cables and ports with.

Unihand rechargeable hand warmers.

As the weather gets colder, sometimes you want to warm up your hands a little faster. Fine, These hand warmers are $18. Rechargeable and ready to keep your fingers toasty for up to 20 hours on a single charge. These gadgets are equipped with a temperature sensor chip that helps you select one of three temperatures for precise control. There are also plenty of colors to choose from.

Mini electric screwdriver Wowstick 1F+

If you often have to tinker with your computer or other gadgets, this Mini electric screwdriver Wowstick may be exactly what you need. This pen-shaped screwdriver features three LED lights to make it easier for you to see what you're working on, and spins at 200 times per minute to help you finish the job faster. The screwdriver has a stylish base that allows you to keep it on the table, and a whole collection of 56 bits made of aluminum alloy. The screwdriver can be charged via USB-C and can last for hours. This super fun electric screwdriver usually costs $41.

Anchor Nano Power Bank

One thing you need to have in your bag/pocket/backpack is a battery because you never know when your phone will die and need charging. Well, Anker Nano power bank Small enough to fit anywhere. It features a foldable USB-C connector and a side port, so you can charge two devices at once if needed. The 5,000 mAh capacity is enough to fully charge your phone, so it's great in a pinch. It's also only $30, but we've seen it as low as $16.

Endoscopic camera with light

While it's not something you'll use every day, it's Ennover camera for endoscopes could definitely come in handy. You simply connect it to your phone, install the app, and see everything your camera does. Our team swears by itusing it to find what they've dropped at the table, while working on a machine, or looking for leaks in pipes. Since he has IP67 ratingyou can even put 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 it for $17 right now.

Blukar flashlight

I don't care who you are, you need a flashlight. The smaller the better, because it can be stuffed into any pocket. This model is from Blukar comes with a built-in 1800mAh battery, which you can charge using one of those numerous Type-C cables we have in that tech box we talked about. On one charge it can work up to 16 hours, which is quite decent. There are four different lighting modes, including one that will help you signal for help. Plus, one of these costs less than $8, so there's no point in passing it up.

Heat It Insect Bite Remedy

Anyone who is tormented by mosquitoes in the summer will be especially happy with this ingenious gadget. This tiny device, which can easily connect to your smartphone via USB-C, can significantly reduce itching from bites and stings using targeted heat.

You just charge a small Heat It Bite Remedy through the app and then hold it in your bite. The heat then does the rest, breaking down the proteins at the mosquito bite site that cause swelling, itching and pain in the area. A real must-have for summer, and it's only $20 on sale.

Tiny air pump

Also ideal for summer small air pump from Cycpluswhich will fit into any bag on the go. Not only can it inflate a bicycle tire in two minutes with the press of a button, but it also charges via USB. According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes, motorcycles and even cars!

In addition to being an air pump, this practical gadget can also be used as a flashlight or a power bank for use on the road – all very convenient when cycling. And at just $57 (though 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; In summer, they can be easily carried in your pocket and quickly used when you need them. This gadget will appeal to anyone who has ever sat on a crowded subway train in 30-degree heat and wanted at least a little fresh air.

Mini fan, which costs only 20 dollarshas 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 plug directly into your phone, and they cost less than $10 each. But they also provide less powerful airflow, which is why we recommend the freestanding version.

Reading light with book clip

Anyone who likes to read a lot, sometimes late into the night, will appreciate this little gadget: a reading lamp that you can simply attach to a book. It may not be groundbreaking, but with three color temperatures and five different lighting modes, you can individually adjust the amount of light you need for your reading.

The Gritin reading light is only $8 on Amazon. and is equipped with a 1200 mAh battery that lasts for 80 hours depending on usage. After that, you can easily charge it via USB. You can rotate the neck of the lamp back and forth as you wish, and there's even a small charging indicator. What more could you ask for?

External DVD drive

If you have a laptop like me and it 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 provide the optical drive you sometimes need. It can easily read and write DVDs and CDs, allowing you to install software, copy files, backup data, play games and so on. You won't even need to install drives because this thing is plug and play ready. This item usually costs $29, but can often be purchased for around $20, which is an absolute bargain.

samsung flash drive

The vast majority of flash drives have a USB-A connector, but this one from Samsung has a Type-C connector. With transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s, you can move files in no time. The beauty of this flash drive is that you can even insert it into your smartphone and record 4K videos directly to it. Samsung's Type-C flash drive comes in multiple storage options, ranging from 64GB to 512GB, and starts at $14. 256 GB versionfor example, at the time of writing this article is $27.

microSD Type-C memory card reader

Most laptops these days no longer come with a card reader (I know, mine doesn't), so finding other ways to get data from these little buggers is a must. If you need to get data from the DVR card or the camera itself, this tiny Ugreen USB-C microSD card reader will work fine. This reader is so small that you'll probably have to hang it on a keychain of some kind. If you prefer a slightly more versatile version, Ugreen has a model that also works with SD cards. and has USB-C and USB-A connectors. Either one will cost you less than $10, so it's worth the investment.

USB-C to HDMI adapter

If your laptop has a USB-C port, but you haven't upgraded your monitor in a while, your display won't have a Type-C port. This Anchor adapter solves this problem for you by allowing you to connect to this gadget a regular HDMI cable that you connect to your monitor. The adapter supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz, which is very cool. This is also a great way to connect your phone or tablet to your monitor or TV. This thing costs $20, but we've seen $12.

Editor's note. This article was originally published on May 16, but has been updated to include additional devices.