Best Vanlife Gear & Essentials for Life on the Road

Best Vanlife Gear & Essentials for Life on the Road Living in a van means traveling light — but having the right essentials makes life on the road comfortable and efficient. Here are our favorite vanlife gear picks for 2025. Power & Energy Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus — a portable power beast Bluetti AC180 — great for weekend warriors Renogy 200W solar panels — flexible and easy to mount Cooking & Kitchen Gear Omnia Oven for baking without electricity Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Stove Collapsible sink + dish rack to save space Comfort & Sleep Memory foam mattress topper Blackout curtains for stealth camping Rechargeable fan or diesel heater (depending on season) Navigation & Connectivity WeBoost Drive Reach for signal boost Garmin Overlander for off-grid maps Starlink Roam for high-speed internet anywhere Safety & Maintenance Fire extinguisher + first aid kit OBD2 reader Spare tire & roadside tools Bonus Tip: Many of our featured builders include these items in custom builds — ask before you buy!