15 Essential Items for a Comfortable and Organized Van Life

Safety first, convenience second.

Moving out of our apartment and into a van really pushed me to pare down my stuff, keeping only what was essential.

But even before that, minimalism was a big part of my life. The less I owned, the lighter and happier I felt.

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle in 2018 allowed me to save significantly more, which, in turn, provided greater freedom.

Minimalism allowed me to be more mobile, too. I could just pack up and leave any time I wanted. Pretty awesome, right?

But the van made things even better, because not only am I freer than ever, I don’t even have to pack anymore!

Vanlife is freedom. Freedom from rent, freedom from landlords, property taxes and neighborly quarrels.

At this point, you may be wondering what all of this has to do with anything. Well, I just wanted to put this out there for my new readers so they know I’m not a consumerist who buys useless gadgets for the sake of having them. Remember, I live with 129 items to my name, and that’s including my van and all my tools!

Alright, let’s get to it.

Here are my favorite vanlife essentials, gadgets and tools:

• Carbon Monoxide detector 

Safety first!

Our CO2 detector is an absolute must-have to keep us protected from any potential gas leaks.

Although we opted for a propane tank for cooking — propane is a gas that sinks to the floor and escapes through our lower vents — a carbon monoxide detector is still non-negotiable. In a small space like a van, whether you’re cooking or running a heater, carbon monoxide can build up pretty quickly and without warning. Our detector gives us an early alert before levels become dangerous.

We bought a cheap and effective one here.

• Fire extinguisher(s)

Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki

It goes without saying but a fire extinguisher is another non-negotiable item in a van, whether you live in it full time or not. We only have one at the moment, but we’re getting a second one soon, this time for the front cabin where our heater’s diesel tank is.

I bought this one.

• AirTag

Photo by Onur Binay

An Apple AirTag is a great backup to have in a van for added peace of mind in case of theft. Since it's small and easy to hide, you can tuck it away anywhere you want. If your van ever goes missing, the AirTag lets you track its location through the Find My network, so you have a better chance of quickly locating and recovering it.

I bought mine here.

• Jump starter

Photo by Daniel @ bestjumpstarterreview.com

This incredible little accessory might just be the most versatile gadget we have. Not only can it jumpstart our dead battery (if need be), it can also fast-charge our devices and double as a flashlight.

Compact and powerful, it’s a must-have if you value peace of mind and love going off the beaten track.

I bought this one.

• 12V Air compressor

Whether you're off-roading and adjusting your tire pressure or just topping off a tire with a slow leak, a 12-volt air compressor is a must.

Pro tip: If you find yourself stuck in the sand, deflate your tires (aim for 15 psi) to increase your tire's footprint and prevent the vehicle from sinking or slipping. On rocky terrains, deflating your tires helps them wrap around rocks and avoid punctures.

I bought this one.

• Power bank

Photo by Kamil Switalski

I’ve had my power bank for years now. I think I picked up the habit when I was still living in Malaysia in 2016. Everyone had one there.

A power bank is not an absolute must, not in sunny regions/season at least (solar works best when the sun is out), but it’s useful when you want to keep your devices charged without draining your secondary van battery.

I recommend this one.

• Cordless window vaccum from Kärcher

Sleeping in the van will inevitably cause condensation on your windows and windshield. Dealing with morning condensation used to be super annoying and messy. Not anymore though. Dealing with morning condensation has never been easier thanks to our Kärcher window vac. Our windshield is now always crystal-clear, and takes no time to clean.

I bought this one.

• Temperature monitor 

Photo by author

A temperature monitor is a handy addition to any van, especially for keeping an eye on the inside climate. Since temperatures and HUMIDITY levels fluctuate a lot when you're on the road, our little monitor helps make sure it’s never too hot or cold for our electronics and our food.

Pro tip: Our Bluetooth lithium batteries come with a built-in temperature monitor, making it super convenient to keep an eye on them right through the app. Never go for cheap batteries or materials for a van unless you absolutely can’t do otherwise!

We bought this one.

• High-speed charging car charger

I went through several chargers and had to return them all because they were just too slow. But I finally found a compact charger that actually delivers fast charging, with both USB and USB-C outlets. Total game changer!

Don’t compromise on these things.

This is the one.

• Smart charging cable

Photo by author

A game-changer for vanlifers! With a built-in screen to monitor charging tension, this little cable lets you keep an eye on how much power you're pulling from your secondary van battery at all times. No more guessing or worrying about draining your battery — you’ll always know exactly where your power's going. Compact and easy to use, it’s the perfect tool for staying in control of your energy usage on the road.

Pro tip: For the fastest and most energy-efficient charging, let your MacBook charge while it's sleeping or powered off.

Here’s ours.

• USB chargeable Clip-On Fan

We invested $400 in a ceiling fan that has its moments, but a clip-on rechargeable fan is an essential addition, especially during the summer months. First, it doesn’t rely on your secondary van battery, and second, its adjustable design allows you to position it wherever you need it around your bed. With a built-in battery that charges via USB, it lasts between 6 and 24 hours on a single charge, depending on the speed setting. Ours stayed on for 3 nights straight on one charge.

We bought this one.

• USB chargeable light

This little USB-chargeable under cabinet light is handy when I want light but don’t want to draw power off my external battery. It charges fully in an hour and can go weeks before it needs another charge.

Here’s ours.

• USB chargeable mosquito swatter

Our USB-chargeable mosquito swatter was an absolute lifesaver this past summer, especially since we spent about 90% of our time in nature.

Somehow, mosquitoes always manage to sneak into the van, even when we’re quick to shut doors and windows. The mosquito lamp attracts and eliminates them without using any harsh chemicals, making it a safe and effective solution.

Pro tip: Our next investment will be a mosquito net for the side door. This way, we can sleep with the door open on hot nights without worrying about bites!

We bought this one.

• Packing cubes 

Organization is key when you live in a tiny space, and packing cubes have made our closet and daily routine so much tidier!

We went for durable, breathable, washable cubes with handles, and it’s honestly been the best decision.

Pro tip: Get your packing cubes in different colors, so you instantly know what’s inside each one. Ours are set up this way: red for underwear and toiletries, blue for swim gear, orange for t-shirts and tops, and pink for pants and shorts.

We bought these!

• Storage net pockets

Photo by author

We got a pack of four and set up two on each side of the bed for our MacBooks and phones, one in our “garage” area, and another near the kitchen for toiletries. So, so useful! They’re like mini nightstands but perfectly suited for van life!

We bought these.

There you have it! Hope you found something useful on the list.

Let me know if I missed something in the comments below :)

Thanks for reading.

T_