My favorite USB-C stocking stuffers for tech-savvy friends and family

The perfect stocking stuffer is small, fun, and useful. And if you’ve got a gadget-obsessed techie on your holiday shopping list, you can’t go wrong by picking some USB Type-C accessories.

Also: The 7 tech gadgets I couldn’t live without in 2024

It took a few years, but this universal connector is now the undisputed worldwide standard for powering devices and transferring information. USB-C is the standard on Macs and PCs, iPhones and Androids, and on an increasing number of household devices.

I’ve bought all of these items in the past year or so and use them regularly, so I can confidently recommend them for even the most hard-to-buy-for people on your list.

1. Fast, high-capacity flash drives

PNY 64GB Duo Link USB 3.2 Type-C Dual Flash Drive

These tiny flash drives are solidly built, and they work with any modern PC, Mac, or mobile device. Best feature? You can flip the connector to plug into either a USB-C or USB-A port. 

I keep a couple of these devices handy for creating recovery drives and transferring files.

2. USB-C magnetic adapters

HanCenDa 140W USB C Magnetic Adapter 2Pack

I bought these on a lark last year and was surprised at how well they work. If you remember the original Mac MagSafe connectors, you have a good idea of what this does. This little gizmo is ideal for the connection between a Thunderbolt docking station and a Thunderbolt-compatible laptop. Plug the small end into the laptop, plug the larger end into the cable, and voila! You have a MagSafe-style connector that’s easy to attach and detach.

I especially recommend the right-angle version, which helps keep those heavy, stiff USB-C cables from sticking out at awkward angles.

3. USB-C Battery charger with batteries

EBL 8-Bay Battery Charger with 4 AA and 4 AAA Batteries3. 

Gadgets gobble batteries the way Bugs Bunny goes through carrots. Do the planet a favor and help your gadget-obsessed friend or relative with these high-capacity rechargeable batteries. I’m a fan of these EBL batteries, and I particularly like this USB-C charger, which holds up to eight batteries at a time, works quickly, and can plug into a PC or your phone’s charger.

If you don’t need the batteries, the charger itself is only $10.

4. Smart power strip with multiple device charging ports

TESSAN Power Strip with 4 USB ports

We have one of these power strips on the nightstand in our guest room, and there’s one in my office as well. Those USB-C ports can deliver 15W each (the USB-A ports offer 12W of output), which makes them ideal for charging phones, tablets, and other household devices. 

Having 12 AC outlets might seem like overkill, but Santa knows you don’t want to have to crawl under a desk or move furniture to get to an outlet.

I wish every hotel had one of these.

5. The ultimate travel charger

Baseus USB C Charger PowerCombo 65W – 6 in 1 Travel Power Strip

I’ve gone through a lot of travel chargers in my time, and this one is my favorite. The AC cord is long enough to reach even an inconveniently located outlet and can then sit on a hotel desk or nightstand, where it offers two AC outlets and four USB ports. 

In single-port charging mode, either of the USB-C ports can deliver a full 65W, which is enough for most laptops. (There’s a 100W version if you have an especially power-hungry PC or Mac.) 

Also: 10 tiny tools I always keep on my keychain

The other USB ports can handle outputs ranging from 5W to 20W, making it possible to charge a watch, phone, tablet, and PC or Mac at once. Thankfully, there’s an instruction manual to help explain what happens with each combination.