12 Niche USB-C Gadgets Include a $10 Electric Lighter
A new roundup of 12 niche USB-C gadgets points to a $10 electric lighter, a $21 watch winder and a YubiKey security key. USB-C, now over a decade old, has spread well beyond phones and laptops into specialist products.
A new roundup of 12 niche USB-C gadgets shows how far the connector has spread beyond phones and laptops, with a $10 electric lighter, a $21 watch winder and a hardware security key among the picks.
USB-C is now on smartphones, computers, game consoles, cameras and most modern electronics. The roundup describes the connector as introduced in 2014 as the physical plug for USB4, reaching consumers the following year. It puts the USB-C market at more than $38 billion in 2026.
A lighter with no flame
The LcFun dual-arc electric lighter costs $10. It has no butane tank. You charge its battery through a USB-C port on the side.
Press a button and it produces two arcs of electricity instead of a flame. The roundup says it can light a candle, a cigarette or tinder. Wind cannot blow out an arc, which makes it a fit for hikers and campers.
The lighter carries an IP56 rating, so it can handle a little water.
A watch winder you can plug in
Automatic watches have no battery. Wrist motion winds them, and they stop once they unwind fully. A watch winder keeps one moving while it sits unworn.
UnaMela sells a USB-C-powered watch box for $21. It is built from fiberboard and leather with a carbon fiber finish. The motor is claimed to be ultra-quiet, so it should not disturb anyone's sleep.
It also runs on a pair of AA batteries. The roundup favors the USB-C cable because plugging in is cheaper than buying batteries.
A security key for the port
The Yubico YubiKey 5C Nano is a hardware key for multi-factor authentication, a second login check beyond a password. The roundup argues that a hacker without the physical device probably cannot complete the login.
The Nano plugs straight into a computer's USB-C port and stays there. That removes the usual problem of forgetting to carry the key. The roundup says the key is widely supported.
The roundup says these devices will not suit everyone, which is why they count as niche. For buyers whose needs match, it says they may be glad to have found them.
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