15 brilliant gadgets for campervans
Having the right gadgets for campervans can make all the difference to your motor-homing or vanlife experience.
Check out my list of the 16 best gadgets for campers and motorhomes. This is all the tech and products that I've used each day in my own camper van conversion, any time I hit the road.
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Navigation Gadgets for Campervans
Here are some essential campervan gadgets to help you find your way and have a jolly good adventure when you arrive.
1. Cheap Smartphone as a Motorhome SatNav
It's hardly worth buying a dedicated SatNav unit these days with an abundance of cheap 4G Android smartphones on the market.
You can pick up a brand new device for well under ยฃ100 (or use the old one you chucked in a draw somewhere), install Google Maps and you're good to go. It's also handy for use with the brilliant Park4Night app if you're looking to wild camp.
2. Basic Magnetic Phone Mount
You don't need any fancy gizmos to use any old smartphone as a SatNav. This cheap and cheerful magnetic phone mount will do the job perfectly well. Just place the metal part between your case and the phone, then attach the magnetic mount to the air vent and lock it into place.
3. UK & Ireland Campervan Route Guides
If you prefer to take your sweet time when exploring the UK and Ireland by campervan these beautifully illustrated route guidebooks are the perfect companion. They're available in both paperback and Kindle versions with routes covering:
- England & Wales ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
- Scotland ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
- Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช
Tip: If you are preparing to drive the famous route through the highlands of Scotland, where a 4G signal is often scarce, grab yourself a handy NC500 pocket route map.
Kristina
Tech and Power Gadgets for Campervans
You don't have to be a super geek to get the most out of these tech gadgets for campervans. Keep your tech tidy and fully charged with these neat gadget suggestions.
4. Cable & Tech Organiser Bag
If you're anything like me, you've got fistfuls of unruly cables that magically form a tangled mess when not in use. I solved the issue of my van's messy tech cupboard with this nifty electronics organiser bag. It's helped to keep my cables and campervan gadgets tidy and easy to access anytime I need them.
5. USB Charger Gadget for Campervans
To save the precious juice in your leisure battery and charge gadgets on the go with this handy Dual USB Charger. It plugs into the cigarette socket of your motorhome so you can easily charge up any tablets, mobile phones or other vanlife tech anytime you are driving.
6. Protective Laptop Sleeve
If a laptop or tablet is part of your campervan gadgets setup then it's important to protect it from scratches and knocks when on the road. A case like this basic laptop sleeve can help to keep your devices in tip top shape wherever you may roam.
7. Foldable Solar Panel
If you don't have a solar panel on the roof of your campervan or just want to maximise solar energy then a foldable solar panel is a great solution.
It folds up into a 15cm square envelope for easy storage and you can leave it on your dashboard or take it on hikes and pull in some free energy to charge all your campervan devices.
Campervan WiFi Gadgets
If you're going to be living in your van full time or just want to stay connected when you're on the go here are the ideal gadgets for campervans to achieve it.
8. WiFi 4G Router
There are lots of mobile 4G devices available but I chose to use this RUT240 4G LTE Router because it's used for industrial applications so is more than up to the job. You simply pop in a 4G mobile data sim card and connect any device to it as you would with home WiFi. The ultimate campervan gadget!
9. Omni Directional 4G Antenna
This funny looking dome sits on the roof of your campervan and helps to boost your 4G signal reception.
If you're converting a van into a camper then it's easiest to install a 4G Antenna before you put your ceiling up so you know where the cables with come through the roof. The connectors simply screw onto the 4G router box mentioned above.
Chill Gadgets for Campervans
Spending some quality time with your van should be a totally relaxing experience. Here are a few fantastic gadgets for camper to aid your rest and relaxation anytime.
10. Kindle eBook Reader
My Amazon Kindle Oasis is hands down one of the best things I own. I resisted eBooks for a long time because I like the look and feel of paperbacks but now I use the Kindle all the time.
It's great to load up a good book and relax in my van anytime I fancy it, takes up hardly any space and stows away nicely in a net pocket. Plus, the backlight screen means I don't need to keep the overhead spotlights on if the wife wants to sleep. It's easy to recharge via one of my 12v USB sockets and lasts for ages between charges.
There's also the cheaper Kindle Paperwhite if you don't need the fancy extra warm light feature of the Kindle Oasis.
11. Audible (Free Audiobooks)
For the times when I fancy listening to a book rather than reading it, say when I'm on a walk, my Audible app (iOS and Android available) does the job nicely. It has the world's largest selection of audiobooks including best sellers, new releases, sci-fi, romances, mysteries, classics, and much more.
If you hit the button below you can grab a 30 day free trial of Audible, plus, you get to keep 1 free audiobook (2 for Prime members) even if you cancel before the trial ends. I'd highly recommend giving it a go for some great content in your camper anytime you fancy it.
12. Noise Cancelling Headphones
It might seem odd to suggest wireless noise cancelling headphones if you're only touring peaceful places but there is a good reason. When it rains hard it can get pretty loud inside any van conversion or motorhome. That's when the noise cancelling function comes in handy, allowing you to hear whatever you are listening to over the rain hammering on the roof!
The Lindy BNX-60 are the best under ยฃ100 pair of headphones I've ever used. They come with a handy case and cable if you don't want to use the wireless bluetooth function.
13. Portable Espresso Machine
If you love your posh coffee then this Portable Espresso Machine is the perfect gadget to buy for your campervan or van conversion. You can use Nespresso (or similar) capsules to create the perfect cup of Joe wherever you are.
14. Bluetooth Travel Speaker
If you don't have a fancy speaker system wired into your campervan then a solid Bluetooth Speaker is the way to go. This 11cm square travel speaker easily pairs with any device so you can enjoy your tunes or an audiobook out loud. You can also take this campervan gadget outside without fear thanks to the IPX7 waterproof rating and lengthy battery time.
15. Mini HD Travel Projector
Being on the road doesn't mean that you have to skip movie night or a good old Netflix binge. You can hook this mini travel projector up to your device and stream anything in HD onto the wall or curtains inside your campervan.
Tip: Check out our dedicated post if you're looking for more fantastic campervan kitchen and camping accessories.
Kristina