5 Surprising Van Life Gadgets You Need to Know About

1. Shoe holder

This is more of a hack than a gadget. I have cut a shoe holder in two parts. One I have velcroed on my wall so I can keep little items that I like to get to all the time. These are some mittens for the winter, several pairs of socks, plastic bags, and some markers.

The other part of the shoe holder I keep on the back door of the van, which means that when the van is closed, it is placed directly above my bed. Here I keep some games, puzzles, my vitamins, extra little lights, cards, a little magnetic reading lamp, and some other things.

2. Flashlight on the wall

I love it because it is magnetized and I can just keep it on my wall. If I need anything in the middle of the night, I can just turn it on and it lights up everything very well. There is also a piece of metal on the side, which can be used to break glass in case of need.

The flashlight is also rechargeable in the sun, so I never have to use batteries with it. Lastly, it has a little compass on the end. This is a multitasking gadget and that is why I love it so much.

3. Phone holder

This little handy dandy thing houses my cellphone. I can flip it horizontally or vertically. It can be removed and put anywhere else, but I tend to like it right next to the steering wheel so I can see the screen clearly while driving.

It was actually very economical; I got it at Target or Walmart. It has proven really useful, so I definitely recommend getting one.

4. Windshield defroster

My stepfather gave this to me as a gift, and I was skeptical at first, but these things actually do work wonderfully to defrost the windows. It is twelve volts, has a long cord, and works well with my Jackery solar generator.

When I get cold, all I have to do is turn on the car, plug this in, and turn it on. I usually connect it to the back of the van. It normally takes about ten minutes to get toasty warm back there, after which I turn off the car and I am good to go for the evening.

5. Motion sensor light

The brand is Aootek. I have put a magnet on the back so that it can be used anywhere on the outside of my van. There are three settings. In the first set, it stays on all the time. In the second, it goes off completely and then turns on when it senses motion.

In the third one, there is always a little bit of light, and when it senses motion, it turns on brighter. I usually use the second one so that it does not bother anyone.

I like it for two reasons. At night, if I am alone inside and do not want to open my doors, the light will probably scare off unwanted animals that have approached the van. Moreover, if I am away at a campfire and come back to my vehicle, it lights up for me so that I can get in.

Van life gadgets

These were my five best gadgets for van life. I hope this has been useful for you and maybe inspired you to consider van life for yourself. What are the best gadgets for van life in your opinion? Share in the comments down below!