Best campervan gadgets, honestly.

How we chose

We are Josh and Jenny. We converted our own van and travel the UK in it, from weekends to longer trips. This list is the kit we think is worth the space, sorted by job. We have not named brands or prices on purpose: prices change weekly, and the right model depends on your van. There are no affiliate links on this page and nobody paid to be on it.

Every gadget costs you three things: money, space and weight. Space is tight in any van, and the AA notes that extra weight means extra fuel. So the test for each item is simple: does it get used on most trips, or does it fix something that would otherwise ruin one?

Safety

Carbon monoxide alarm

If you have any gas appliance or fuel-burning heater, this is the first thing we would buy. You are sleeping in a small space next to them. Pick one designed for leisure vehicles or boats, mount it where the instructions say, and test it regularly.

Smoke alarm

Cheap, small and easy to fit. Put it away from the hob so it is not going off every time you fry an egg.

Fire extinguisher and fire blanket

A small extinguisher by the door and a fire blanket near the hob. Check which fire types the extinguisher is rated for and keep it where you can reach it without going past the cooker.

Gas leak detector

Worth considering if you have a fitted LPG system. It does not replace a yearly check of the gas system; the Camping and Caravanning Club recommends a habitation service every year that covers gas, water, electrics and heating. See our campervan servicing guide.

Power and electrics

Battery monitor

A shunt-based battery monitor tells you what is going in and out of your leisure battery, rather than guessing from voltage. It is the gadget that taught us the most about our own power use. Once you can see the numbers, you stop running out.

Portable power station

If your van has no leisure electrics, a portable power station is the simplest way to run lights, phones and a fan. It is not a replacement for a proper system on a full-time build, but for weekenders it can be enough. Size it to what you actually run: our campervan electrics guides walk through a power budget.

USB-C charging points

Fitting a few good 12V USB-C sockets means you rarely need the inverter just to charge things. That saves power and keeps the van quieter.

Rechargeable head torch

For emptying the toilet, finding the hook-up post in the dark, or checking under the van. Hands free beats a phone torch every time.

Tyres and driving

Tyre pressure gauge and 12V inflator

The Highway Code says tyres must be inflated to the manufacturer's specification for the load being carried, and to check them when cold. A converted van is often near full load, so the right pressure can be higher than you think. A decent gauge and a compressor that plugs into the van mean you can check and correct it before a long drive. The AA notes under-inflated tyres also use more fuel; more on that in motorhome mpg.

Tread depth gauge

Tiny and cheap. The Highway Code minimum for cars and light vans is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, but checking regularly means you replace tyres on your terms, not at an MOT.

Levelling ramps

A level van sleeps better, and fridges and drains work better when level. Stackable ramps and a small spirit level, or a level app, are one of the most-used things we carry.

Dash cam

Useful for insurance disputes and some people like the footage of a good road. Check how it is powered so it does not drain the starter battery when parked.

Water and washing

Collapsible water carrier

Folds flat when empty, and lets you top up from a tap that a hose will not reach. Get one with a proper spout.

Food-grade hose and tap adaptors

A short food-grade hose and a set of universal tap connectors saves a lot of fiddling at service points.

Water filter

If you drink from the tank, an inline or jug filter improves the taste of water that has sat in a tank. Keep the tank clean as well; a filter does not fix a dirty tank.

Portable shower or pump-up sprayer

Handy for rinsing sandy feet, dogs and wetsuits outside the van, so less mess comes in. For more on water and waste, see our campervan checklist.

Kitchen

We have a whole guide to campervan kitchen essentials, so here are only the gadgets that earn a place:

• Nesting pans with removable handles: half the cupboard space of normal pans.
• Collapsible washing-up bowl and colander: fold flat when not in use.
• Whistling kettle or low-wattage electric kettle: a normal home kettle can be too much for many inverters and hook-up supplies, so check the wattage against your setup.
• Silicone mats and non-slip liner: stops things sliding about while you drive and rattling all night.

Sleep and comfort

Thermal blackout blinds

For privacy, dark mornings in a UK summer, and a warmer van in winter. Fitted ones for your model look neat and go up quickly. See our campervan in winter guide for more on staying warm.

12V fan

A roof vent fan or a small clip-on fan moves air, cuts condensation and makes warm nights bearable.

Magnetic and adhesive hooks

Not glamorous, but the cheapest storage upgrade there is. Towels, keys, torch, lanyards.

Small dehumidifier or moisture traps

Condensation is a constant in a UK van. Moisture traps help when the van is parked up; ventilation helps most when you are in it.

Things we would skip

Some kit looks great and then lives in a cupboard. In our experience:

• Single-use kitchen gadgets that do one job a normal pan already does.
• A roof box you do not need on every trip. The AA notes roof racks and boxes add to fuel use; take it off between trips.
• Anything high wattage you have not checked against your electrics. Hairdryers and home kettles are the usual surprise.
• Duplicates. Two of everything is how vans get heavy.

Questions

What is the most important campervan gadget?

If you have gas or a fuel-burning heater, a carbon monoxide alarm. After that, a smoke alarm and a fire extinguisher.

Do I need a portable power station in a campervan?

Only if you have no leisure electrics or want something simple for weekends. A fitted system suits longer trips better.

Are levelling ramps worth it?

For us, yes. Sleeping, cooking and draining water all work better on the level, and UK car parks and lay-bys are rarely flat.

Why are there no prices on this page?

Prices change too often to keep honest, and we would rather you compare on the day. We do not use affiliate links.