Magnets are everywhere. In fact, if you’re reading this on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, there’s a good chance you’re using a magnet right now. 

Our reliance on magnets as a society is far-reaching. From the clasp of a handbag to the latest electronic vehicle, magnets power fashion, technology, office supplies, transportation, and much, much more. 

What Has Magnets In It? Our Roundup of 50+ Places to Check

You might be surprised by just how prevalent magnets are! Take a look at the list below, and then consider this: Our list isn’t exhaustive! There are even more places our society relies on magnets every single day.

Around the House

Your home is covered in magnets—though they’re usually hidden inside electronics and appliances. Some of their most common locations (as we mentioned in 12 Places To Find Magnets At Home): 

  1. Duvet Covers – Some duvet covers use small magnets instead of buttons or zippers to keep them closed, making bed-making effortless.
  2. Hanging Art – Hook magnets can be used to hang posters, wall art, and decorations without nails. They're also great for organizing scarves, jewelry, belts, and more in closets.
  3. Handbags and Jewelry – Many purses and handbags use magnetic clasps for easy yet secure closures, while jewelry like bracelets and necklaces often feature magnetic clasps for convenience.
  4. Microwave Ovens – The heart of a microwave is a magnetron, which uses magnets to generate electromagnetic waves that heat food.
  5. Refrigerator Doors – A magnetic seal ensures refrigerators and freezers close tightly, keeping food fresh while making doors easy to open.
  6. Spice Racks – Magnetic spice racks free up counter space and make it easy to organize frequently used seasonings.
  7. Knife Racks – A magnetic knife strip can securely hold knives and other metal kitchen utensils, keeping countertops clutter-free.
  8. Cabinets – Many kitchen and bathroom cabinets have magnetic latches that keep doors closed while preventing accidental openings.
  9. Office Organization – Neodymium magnets can be used to keep paperclips, thumbtacks, and other small office supplies in place, reducing clutter.
  10. Extendable Tables – Dining tables with additional leaves often use hidden magnets to lock extensions in place securely.
  11. Tablecloths – When dining outdoors, magnets can be placed under the table to keep tablecloths from blowing away in the wind.
  12. Electric Recliners – Power recliners use magnets in their motors to control movement smoothly and efficiently.
  13. Remote Controls – Some remotes use small internal magnets to detect button presses or secure battery compartments.
  14. Garage Door Openers – The motorized system that opens and closes garage doors relies on electromagnets for smooth operation.
  15. Alarm Clocks – Many digital alarm clocks have small internal magnets in their speakers to produce sound.

Home Improvement

If you have a toolbox or a workshop, you likely have magnets. Magnets are valued in home improvement and construction activities for their ability to keep tools, screws, and nails organized—and for their importance in power tools. 

  1. Electric Drills – Cordless and wired power drills use magnetic motors to generate torque for drilling and fastening screws.
  2. Stud Finders – Magnetic stud finders detect metal screws and nails within walls, making it easy to locate studs for hanging shelves and decorations.
  3. Magnetic Screwdrivers – Some screwdrivers have magnetized tips to hold screws in place, making it easier to handle small hardware.
  4. Tool Organizers – Magnetic strips and holders keep tools like wrenches and screwdrivers within easy reach in workshops and garages.

Transportation

Magnets are essential to modern transportation in all forms. Here are just a few examples of the many roles they play: 

  1. Cars – Magnets play a role in everything from engines to entertainment systems in modern vehicles—and we’ll take a look at many examples below. 
  2. Electric Motors – Electric and hybrid vehicles depend on strong magnets to power their motors efficiently.
  3. Airbags – Magnetic sensors detect sudden deceleration, helping airbags deploy at the right moment.
  4. Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) – Magnets are used in wheel speed sensors to prevent skidding and improve braking control.
  5. Power Seats – Many modern car seats use magnetic motors to adjust positioning effortlessly.
  6. Power Windows – Magnets help operate the motors that raise and lower car windows. Windshield Wipers – Some high-end windshield wiper motors use magnets for smoother, quieter operation.
  1. Magnetic Levitation Trains (Maglev) – These futuristic trains use powerful magnets to hover above the tracks, eliminating friction and enabling high-speed travel.
  2. Traffic Light Sensors – Many intersections use magnet-based sensors embedded in roads to detect vehicles and adjust traffic signals accordingly.
  3. Fuel Pumps – Electromagnetic components are crucial for controlling fuel flow in both gasoline and diesel engines.

Electronics & Tech

As we mentioned earlier, the device you’re reading this on likely uses a magnet somewhere in its componentry. For example:

  1. Smartphones – Modern smartphones contain multiple magnets in speakers, cameras, wireless charging systems, and even vibration motors.
  2. Air Conditioners – The motors within an AC unit rely on electromagnets to drive cooling fans and compressors.
  3. Microphones – Both wired and wireless microphones use small magnets to convert sound waves into electrical signals.
  4. Headphones – High-quality headphones contain neodymium magnets, which enhance sound clarity and performance.
  5. Speakers – Whether in a home theater, a car, or a Bluetooth device, magnets are essential for sound reproduction.
  6. Computers – Hard drives store data using tiny magnetic fields, while laptops use magnets to detect when the lid is closed.
  7. External Hard Drives – These devices rely on magnetic storage to store large amounts of digital data securely.

Hobbies & Entertainment

We might love playing with magnets in the Apex Magnets office, but they pop up in a variety of hobbies, entertainment formats, and even in your daily shopping experiences.

  1. Board Games – Some board games incorporate magnetic pieces to prevent them from shifting or getting lost.
  2. Puzzle Toys – Magnetic puzzle toys offer engaging challenges that rely on attraction and repulsion forces.
  3. Electric Guitars and Basses – Magnetic pickups in electric guitars and basses convert string vibrations into electrical signals, creating amplified sound.
  4. Instrument Amplifiers – Magnets inside speaker cones are responsible for producing sound in guitar and bass amplifiers.
  5. Magnet Fishing – A popular outdoor hobby where people use strong magnets to retrieve metal objects from lakes and rivers.
  6. Credit Cards – The magnetic strip on the back of credit and debit cards stores data for financial transactions.
  7. Hotel Keycards – Like credit cards, hotel keycards use magnetic strips to store access credentials.
  8. Magnetic Name Tags – Many workplaces and events use magnetic name tags as an alternative to pin-backed options.
  9. Drones – Some drones use magnetic sensors to maintain stability and precise navigation.
  10. Magnetic Keychains – Magnetic keychains are a popular gift for magnet enthusiasts, individuals who like hanging their keys on the refrigerator (or any other ferromagnetic surface), and people who need to regularly test surfaces for magnet attraction. They’re also simply cool!

Healthcare

Researchers are still studying the health benefits of magnets alone, but magnets play an important role in modern health care devices and machinery. 

  1. MRI Machines – Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) relies on powerful magnets to generate detailed images of internal organs and tissues.
  2. Hearing Aids – Tiny magnets are used in hearing aids to help secure them in place and improve sound quality.
  3. Therapeutic Devices – Magnetic wristbands, braces, and mattress pads are sometimes used for pain relief and circulation improvement.
  4. Pacemakers – Magnets are used in pacemakers to help regulate electrical impulses that control heartbeats. They also play a role in external programming, allowing doctors to adjust settings without surgery.
  5. Heart Pumps – Mechanical heart pumps, like left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), rely on magnetic fields to drive the pump motor, ensuring consistent blood circulation in patients with heart failure.
  6. Ventilators – Many ventilators use electromagnetic valves to control airflow and oxygen delivery, ensuring precise breathing assistance for patients in critical care.

Order Magnets Today

Ready to find the perfect magnet for your next project or application? Check out our full inventory of magnets. 

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Safety Warning: Magnets can be dangerous. Neodymium magnets, especially, must be handled with care to avoid personal injury and damage to the magnets. Fingers and other body parts can get severely pinched between two attracting magnets. Bones can be broken by larger magnets. Visit our Magnet Safety page to learn more.