1. A soap pump dispenser I have one word for: brilliant. Doing dishes in a cluttered kitchen with limited counter space is both my nightmare and reality, so this convenient gizmo (where you can squeeze soap directly onto a sponge with one hand) literally made my heart go pitter patter when I saw it.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this! I leave my sponge on top and do not have to reach under the sink to get my bulky Dawn dish soap bottle from under the sink every time I need it. It looks clean and my friends that have noticed it said something about it. I highly recommend it." —Lisa Camarena
Get it from Amazon for $9.34 (available in two colors).
2. Zip Top silicone containers anyone who eats or cooks needs to buy, pronto. Single use plastic can't hold a candle to these must-have kitchen items: Some are designed with a flat bottom to remain open on countertops, make for easy pouring (pancake batter has met its match), and keep food fresh for a longer period of time.
Promising review: "If you're looking for a set of reusable bags to reduce your waste, look no further. This Zip Top silicone set is just about perfect. The eight-piece full set comes with cups (with circular flat bottoms), dishes (with elongated flat bottoms) and bags (for easy taking to-go without taking up a bunch of room). They're airtight, and just EASY PEASY to use — aka I don't have to track down a matching lid. Half-eaten oranges, leftover crepe batter, granola, all live handily in these pretty lavender containers. The pointed sides make for effortless pouring — everything from shaking granola into my morning yogurt to dispensing thin crepe batter into a pan for a weekend breakfast.
They're dishwasher-safe (on the top AND bottom racks), freezer-safe, AND microwave safe, so you can truly say goodbye forever to disposable bags. They haven't retained any sorts of staining or smells and wash up beautifully. At just over $11 a pop when you break it down, they're not *cheap* but when you add up box after box after box of plastic bags, you'll make up for the cost in no time flat. I haven't been ~on the go~ much in the past year (🙃), but when I do I'll definitely use these to bring snacks to the office. And they come in pretty pastel colors that personally just make me happy to look at in my fridge." —Maitland Quitmeyer, BuzzFeed Deputy Editor
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five colors, plus individually and in smaller sets).
3. A reusable Revlon oil-absorbing roller stick made with volcanic stone to give greasy T-zones a permanent boot. Quickly whip this out between Zoom meetings for a shine-free forehead that required no annoying setting powder ~or~ any mattifying primers.
Promising review: "This rolling device is like pure magic. Or voodoo?! You simply roll it around your oily areas and BOOM the oil magically vanishes into the ball never to be seen again! This is an item that #tiktokmademebuyit for sure! I saw a video on TikTok and immediately went on the hunt only to be disappointed that this item was sold out everywhere! I eventually got added to a waiting list here on Amazon and once they had it in stock again, they charged my card and sent it my way! If you have the chance to purchase this and you have oily skin, get yourself on the waiting list if you need to and just kick it until it shows up. You will be pleased. Thank me later." —Veronica Cooper
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
4. A double-sided electronics brush because that Dorito crumb has been lodged under the space key for *scratches head* quite a long time. This will keep your pricy laptop squeaky clean and prevent costly fixes in the future.
Promising review: "I WFH, so my laptop as accumulated its fair share of crumbs, dust, and other debris. This was the perfect cleaning tool. The brush side easily sweeps away particles and the rubbery wedge side helps to scrub out gunk in-between keys. The best part is that it easily fits into the penholder on my desk." —Andrea G.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in orange and blue).
5. A stainless-steel odor absorber that will rid your hands of any pungent cooking or "It's my night to wash the dishes" scents. Whether you're chopping onions or cleaning fish, a quick wash with this bar, and voilà! Your hands are now odor-free.
Promising review: "I always thought it was a hoax that a piece of steel could remove kitchen odors (like from chopping onions or garlic). I am happy to report that it totally works. Handle all the stinky food you want — even non food odors — and then wash your hands with this steel bar. No soap. No perfume. It just removes the odor nearly instantly. Little bar is reasonably priced as well. Best gadget I've bought in years." —Deb
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a very cute garlic shape).
6. Smart stickers that will force you to finally rifle through the contents of your garage. Rather than rummaging through every single box to find the appropriate seasonal decor, turn to these stickers! Stick 'em on before fully packing up a box, download the associated app, and you'll be able to pull up a list that tells you *exactly* what's in each box!
Promising review: "I use these to keep track of all my vinyl records and other stuff in storage. Good way to know what's in each box without opening it." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of six stickers from Amazon for $8.50.
7. An adjustable ~garbage can~ to toss the food wrappers, receipts, and heaven-knows-what-else that accumulates in your vehicle. Picture it now: a world in which your passenger seat isn't cluttered with coffee to-go cups.
Some reviewers even use this for their strollers!
Promising review: "I love this trash bag. My car has never stayed this clean. I have had it since last December and every time I go to empty it out, I am amazed as to how much it holds. It obviously isn’t made for super big items, but the paper that comes off of straws, gum, or whatever snack my kids are having in the car that day holds it and then some. The reason I’m even writing this is because I just emptied it and found a paper plate in it. I love the Velcro bottom too. It is easy to unwrap and wipe down the inside." —Maddie Gutierrez
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
8. Bra extenders that add two inches of length to any band, making this the perfect accessory for anyone who's looking for a little extra breathing room *or* found a great bra in the clearance bin that's just a bit too tight.
Promising review: "Bought these for my pregnancy based on a tip from a recently pregnant friend. Total game-changer. Only had to buy a new sized bra once, and then used these for the rest of my pregnancy, as my cup size didn't change any more but omg my ribcage just kept on expanding and expanding to accommodate baby. IMO, these make wearing a regular bra possible during those body-changing portions of pregnancy, saving me money in the long run. Additionally, they work as expected...they clip onto the original spacers easily, they match up with the original hooks really well, and they are very comfortable and easy to use. Best $6 I've ever spent on Amazon. Buy them, you won't regret it." —Kiki
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three colors).
9. Reusable silicone straws for guzzling down iced coffee with gusto. The secret perk of this particular set? Cleanliness! Snap closures mean you can open the straws in half to ensure they're dry and gunk-free! Just give 'em a good wipe down. No more "cleaning" brushes required.
Promising review: "I never thought I’d be writing a review for straws, but here we are. These are FANTASTIC. I try to be as eco-friendly as possible but was ready to give up. I’ve tried metal straws, but they are tough to clean and I don’t love metal against my teeth. I’ve tried other reusable plastic and silicone options but they don’t work for thicker drinks like smoothies. These actually address all of my issues. I’ve used them for thick smoothies, that I drink daily, and just for other everyday drinks like water. They couldn’t be easier to snap open and clean, dry, then easily snap back into shape to use again." —M. Alexandra
Get them from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in four colors).
10. An adhesive LED strip to reduce all that glare. This increases color contrast and sharpness to enhance the images on your television screen — so yes, Netflix, I am very much still watching. Quit asking.
Promising review: "You will be surprised how well this works. I thought it was a gimmick — but then read several articles about the benefits of bias lighting and though I would give it a try. Setting it up takes about five minutes — very simple. The surprise comes when you turn on the TV with the bias lighting and the picture POPS! The contrast and the black level jumps and the picture looks significantly improved!" —Rgd18
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six sizes).
11. A pack of laundry soap sheets because have you packed 13 maxi dresses? Yes. But have you packed an ample amount of basics (white tees, underwear, etcetera)? Absolutely not. Simply grab a sheet, turn on the faucet, and hand-wash away.
Promising review: "This came SO in handy during my vacation to Europe! I was making lots of different stops to places with different types of weather. With these laundry soap sheets I was able to wash my clothes in the sink — letting me pack just the right amount of clothes for all the different places I went." —Katie Fujarski
Get it from Amazon for $7.19 (available in four other styles, including hand soap and shampoo).
12. A water-based tile pen that'll transform the chore of grout cleaning into a fun activity reminiscent of filling in the pages of an adult coloring book. Consider mold banished after a few swipes of this nontoxic formula, which releases anti-bacterial agents with each pass.
Promising review: "These things are awesome! I cleaned my bathroom tile grout first because the lady who lived there before me really let it go. A few places stayed stained and I was worried it wouldn't cover them, but all grout areas are bright white and look new after using this." —Donna K Cook
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
13. ARTTIPS Gel Nail Strips turn your fingers into a minimalist work of art. Worthy of the Louvre! The Met! The MoMA! Or at the very least, your Instagram. Reviewers rave that these strips remain intact for days, which is more than I can say about the liquid formula I applied yesterday that ::checks hands:: already chipped.
Promising review: "Wow I’m amazed! Love how pretty they are and I am still wearing mine after six days. I’ve been washing dishes, washing my hair, and using water a lot and they are holding up good. Highly recommend." —Wendi
Get it from ARTTIPSSTUDIO on Etsy for $8.
14. A twist-to-dispense click pen that quickly and efficiently wipes away built-up gunk to reveal a brighter, more breathtaking surface within seconds. Consider this an easy way to make your best friend (re: diamond) look and feel as good as new.
Promising review: "I worked in a fine jewelry store for several years that sold this product. I was always impressed with the instant shine the diamond stick provided! The brush tip is very helpful for getting under the stones and in the setting where gunk builds up, which reduces that brilliant shine. I recently got engaged and immediately purchased a diamond dazzle stick of my own. You simply brush, rinse, dry and go. I don't feel this product replaces the need to professionally clean your jewelry every now and then, but it does help with the maintenance of that new, shiny sparkle." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $6.93.
15. CAKE Beauty The Locks Smith Dry Styling to give your (banana split) ends some much-needed luster — think of this as a waterless conditioner. Argan oil adds shine with none of the weigh-down; coconut and crambe seed oil fight frizz for ~smooth~ tresses that look immune to humidity. Your hair will be taken care of in two seconds flat.
Promising review: "I don't typically make it a habit to purchase cheap beauty products because I've learned you get what you pay for and I'd rather spend more than waste any.... but I saw a Brad Mondo video in which he reviewed this product and another and I'm like, well, I like cake... I like good hair... I can spare like six bucks... why not? and I did it (YOLO). I am not disappointed AT ALL. I sprayed this on my hair when it wasn't really even in the 'need a dry wash' moment. BONUS: my hair smells like cake." —Lady Nehman
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
16. A toothpaste topper that has brought me more joy in this past minute than I've experienced in the past year. ::searches for Smash Mouth on Spotify::
Get it from CasualChicken on Etsy for $6.99.
17. A plant-based, paraben-free EcoTools makeup brush shampoo about to give you the most satisfying results: envision globs of orange foundation dripping onto porcelain. It's fantastic, it takes only a few minutes from start to finish, and you *will* feel the need to stare at your squeaky clean kabuki all day long. Immediate feelings of accomplishment guaranteed.
This formula is made with gentle, plant-based ingredients that won't damage your brushes OR your skin. Plus, it can be used on any of your brushes or sponge applicators!
Promising review: "This is the best brush shampoo I've ever used. I've used brush shampoos from high-end/luxury lines, too, and they did not work as well as this. First and most importantly for me, there is no scent! I absolutely hate when companies put heavy perfume in products that end up touching or going near the face. When washing brushes with shampoo that is heavily perfumed, that just ends up irritating my sinuses whenever I'm using the brushes to apply makeup. So awful. This is not like that at all, so I can use my makeup brushes without having sinus/allergy trouble. It cleans extremely well! No more going over and over again like with using other makeup brush shampoos. A little goes a long way, too, so it is extremely economical. The value is awesome. I highly recommend this brush shampoo and will continue purchasing it." —L.L.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
18. A 3-in-1 avocado slicer that can pit, split, and slice avocados like there's no tomorrow. I guess you can say that this time-saving tool truly ~guacs~ at turning your avocado toast breakfast dreams into a reality.
Get it from Target for $7.99.
19. Goody hair pins to give you that perfect ballerina bun in under 30 seconds — because just one pin can do the work of up to *20* hair pins. How does it work, you ask? Just secure your hair into a ponytail, pull it into a super tight bun, spin the pins into place, and that's it! That up-do is done.
Promising review: "I'm a nursing student and have to wear my hair in a bun every day. I've tried all the bun makers, watched YouTube videos, and spend way too much time on getting my hair into a bun. I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds. I thought it was a fluke so I did it again, and then again. I just ordered two more packs because I know if I lose one of these, I'd have to tear the house down looking for it. I have hair to my mid back, and three of these worked perfectly for me. If I can get my hair in bun in under 30 seconds, trust me...anyone can." —Tina
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $6.89.
20. A pan scraper and squeegee set that will get all the burnt-up food crisps permanently off your very expensive cookware set. (It even includes a convenient suction cup for easy peasy sink storage.)
21. A reusable dish sponge so you can finally kick those wasteful (and typically stinky) disposable sponges to the curb. Available in a ton of fun patterns and bold colors, these sponges can be thrown in the washing machine *or* dishwasher whenever they're caked in leftovers.
Get it from Marley's Monsters for $10 (available in 18 colors).
22. Miracle-Gro leaf shine for those who have recently found joy in plant culture: Forget sourdough, it's my green thumb that's thrived during quarantine. A spritz of this means shiny foliage with no spots, dullness, or dust.
Promising review: "I'm gifting a fiddle-leaf fig (which you plant people know was not cheap) and wanted it to look as nice as possible. This Miracle-Gro Leaf Shine really is a miracle. I only used about one-quarter of a bottle and 15 minutes to make my 8-foot tree come alive. It looks beautiful!" —Chris K.
Get it from Amazon for $5.18.
23. Korean Exfoliating Bath Washcloths described by one reviewer as a solution for back-of-the-arms bumps. It's about time we retire that mesh loofah and move on to greener pastures — the pastures in this context being a green washcloth capable of revealing a smoother, softer surface with a simple few swipes. You are about to shed so much dead skin.
Promising review: "While the pockets are small (as others said, they shrink when wet, too!) they fit fine around my four fingers to form a mitt to use for scrubbing. I bought these because I read somewhere they help with keratosis pilaris. I have that on my upper arms and have never found anything that works until now! I was skeptical because literally nothing else has made an improvement before and now this has eliminated it. Will definitely buy again and hope it keeps working!" —Emily S.
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $4.
24. An omelet maker so you can make the perfect — extreme Dexter voice — ~omelet du fromage~ from the comfort of your own kitchen. Long gone will be the days of spending $8 at the diner. Just add eggs (and your favorite ingredients) to this nonstick microwave tool.
Promising review: "Best $5 I ever spent. I don't EVER have to make breakfast now! We have already saved way more than we paid in time and money. The only thing that you really need to know other than following the directions is don't forget to add milk! I am NEVER ordering a $8 omelet again. These come out fluffy and better than the local restaurants." —Bridgette
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
25. A mesh carrying case if you've gotten into the habit of flinging your blending sponge into your makeup bag and calling it a day. When you think about it: ew. This gadget keeps grime off your favorite better-if-damp applicator and helps keep said sponge bacteria-free... ergo less breakouts are on the horizon.
Get it from Sephora for $8.
26. A Rain-X glass treatment for the rain, sleet, and snow that would otherwise collect on your car window and reduce visibility. This basically works to repel water and makes windshield wipers feel all but unnecessary.
Promising review: "I had a cheap, untempered windshield which was awful in the rain. A friend of mine from college recommended Rain-X and I was shocked at the difference. I applied it with a soft rag and sat there wondering if it was even on properly. I trusted the system and then later that night took my car out for a drive; it rained while I was out and the difference was instantly noticeable. Before, when using my wipers, streaks would obscure my view so much that any lights would make driving in the rain hard. Now, the droplets don't smear and smaller ones sometimes just roll off. It's pretty great." —Alison J. Gong
Get it from Amazon for $3.99.
27. A water bottle for tracking how much water you're consuming throughout the day. Just turn the lid and a new dot will appear — one dot is equivalent to one bottle, aka you'll have no choice but to stay hydrated.
Promising review: "There is something so satisfying about clicking the lid and seeing the dots add up over the day! I've always been struggling drinking enough water and nothing has worked in the past - logs, phone apps, check lists, every type of water bottle size, multiple water bottles that I had to drink before the days was over, etc. I've tried it all — this works! Finally! Brilliantly simple!" —Dr. John Frost
Get it from Amazon for $7.48 (available in six colors).
28. Drip trays that latch neatly onto your detergent containers, ensuring that no goopy fabric softener pools and hardens on top of your expensive Samsung washer. Ever again.
Get a set of two from The Grommet for $10.
29. A stainless-steel grater ideal for garlic, ginger, spices, and more! It's got ~fine teeth~ that do a fantastic job at creating paste without wasting any food (typical graters = half a garlic clove gets lost within the grooves of the grater TBH).
Promising review: "I was avoiding cooking with fresh ginger because it was such a pain to grate. I found this product by accident and decided to give it a try. I is very fast and easy to use and works very well. I there is almost no waste with the ginger. I love this ginger grater!" —Born Barefoot
Get it from Amazon for $8.29.
30. An effective Safari comb for easily removing the gunk and fleas hitching a free ride on your cat! That's right, my friends. The black debris in the below cup is all *clears throat* fleas.
Promising review: "This comb is awesome! Catches fleas so well! My kitties are so thankful. They don’t have enough to need meds, but they occasionally get a couple from their doggy brother that brings them inside and this helps me get rid of them so easily! It also helps comb out the loose under coat that they shed! Have a cup of soapy water and a towel to rinse the brush in. It kills the fleas and allows you to continuously brush until you’re done. We give it two paws up!" —Alexis S.
Get it from Amazon for $4.67.
31. Adjustable clip holders to turn your favorite bra into no-show racerback. Long gone will be the days of —> put on shirt —> bra shows —> take off shirt to change bra —> put shirt back on again.
Promising review: "My bra straps spend more time off my shoulders than on — but NOT ANYMORE. I was hoping something like this existed and when I found it, I was so happy. They're as glorious as I expected them to be. These are life-changing." —Amanda
Get a set of three from Amazon for $6.97 (available in six colors).
32. A Scrubbing Bubbles toilet stamp to release a foaming gel with every flush, ~relieving~ you of the arduous task of scrubbing your porcelain throne once a week. This does alllllll the hard work on your behalf.
Promising review: "I was sooo skeptical and was confused about how they’d work but the gel solidifies and with every flush, suds wash through with the water and it really makes a fresh difference. Also the scent is light but really nice and fresh! I recommend these 100%! They’re super interesting but they do the job." —Janet
Get six stamps from Amazon for $3.97 (or Subscribe & Save for $3.77/month).
33. A soundproofing strip because that upstairs neighbor is practicing tap dance routines, your roommate has been blasting the same '90s Spotify playlist since 7 a.m., and I can really go on but don't want to. Buy the damn soundproofing strip. You're welcome.
Promising review: "This product works really well! I needed a quick fix to my home office situation. I live in an apartment in Manhattan and never noticed how much sound comes in and out, until I had to be on conference calls working from home! This little tape made a big difference, took me a couple of minutes to install." —Sandra Revueltas
Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in four colors).
34. Head and Shoulders Scalp Elixir Treatment because healthy hair starts at the root, i.e. your scalp. This no-rinse formula hits the reset button on dryness and itching for up to 24 hours, with the heroes behind this raved-about product being coconut and peppermint oil.
Promising review: "I saw an immediate difference from my first use of this product. For about two months, my scalp was abnormally and extremely dry and flaky. After one use, I noticed a visible difference. I don't normally write reviews, but this line of products is the real deal! I definitely will be purchasing again." —L. Btlr
Get it from Amazon for $8.97.
35. Keurig cleaning cups that'll deep clean your coffee machine (#poetry) within minutes. Simply pop this biodegradable cleaner in as you would a cup of caffeine, proceed to marvel at the gunk that's made its way into your daily cup of joe.
Promising review: "We’ve had our Keurig for a few years, and with the exception of using only filtered water and dispensing hot water every so often, we’ve never cleaned the needle or K-Cup area. I used three cleaning cups back to back and WOW our machine was dirty! I'm so happy I purchased these! I’ll be keeping up on cleaning these more often." —Heather Garcia
Get a pack from Amazon for $9.95.
36. A box of twist flex rods that encourage you to lay that hot tool to rest. These are pros at providing perfect waves without subjecting your mane to unnecessary heat damage — which have my burnt split-ends and weak upper arms crying tears of relief, honestly.
Just wrap individual sections of hair around each rod, spritz with some hairspray to ensure a longer hold, go to bed, and THAT'S IT! Remove the rollers after your morning coffee and your hair will be set for the day.
Promising review: "I have been using this type of roller for quite some time, as I have thin hair. I am always looking for products that create at least the illusion of thicker hair. The problem I found with other brands was that they cracked or the ends popped off and I was always buying more. These are great! Durable and do EXACTLY what I wanted. I am now a big fan. I will not have to replace them as the quality is very good. I highly recommend!" —terra
Get a pack of 42 from Amazon for $9.99.
37. Insect traps for your plants, aka the likely culprits behind the flies, gnats, and various insects that very much showed up to your house without an invitation. Attach each sticky strip onto an included stake, stick 'em in your plant, and that's it! Just remove the trap when it's full of insects. Yum.
Promising review: "There is NOTHING more irritating than gnats or any other tiny insects invading your home. I have these Sticky Stakes in every potted plant I own and they actually really work! Each pack comes with seven traps, so feel free to stock up." —Heather Braga, BuzzFeed Staff
Get a pack of seven from Amazon for $5.04.
38. Bottle Bright cleaning tablets that quickly remove all that funky, gross, probably-starting-to-smell build-up in your favorite water bottle. These are biodegradable, chlorine-free, and require absolutely no effort or scrubbing. The results are so. damn. satisfying. to look at.
Promising review: "I seriously can't believe how well these little tablets work. I had the most disgusting HydroFlask coffee mug and I tried everything, but there was still a seemingly impenetrable layer of black sludge inside. It grossed me out so much that I bought ANOTHER HydroFlask to replace it. Now eventually they both got black inside, so I tried these little magic tablets. I let a tablet sit in each of my mugs for an hour or two, and the black sludge rinsed out COMPLETELY without any scrubbing necessary. They look brand new and there was no weird smell or taste afterward, either. Absolute magic!" —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of 12 tablets from Amazon for $8.
39. A toothpaste holder complete with a toothpaste squeezer to make sure you get every last minty drop trapped in that damn tube. (One reviewer even describes this as ingenious and TBH, they are not wrong.)
There have been mornings when I think I've run out of the toothpaste and then am forced to have bad breath BUT! There is always some toothpaste left — you just have to squeeze it out.
Promising review: "This device is ingenious! Wished I’d known this product exist sooner. I use Arm & Hammer toothpaste which still comes in the standard small cap so having it prompt up behind the bathRoom cabinet was impossible. Now, problem solved. It’s a small invention that made a positive impact. I thank the person who thought of it." —Jl33NYC
Get it from Amazon for $5.39.