We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A set of five makeup sponges if you're tired of spending upwards of $20 on name brand blenders. These sponges can be used wet or dry and offer airbrush-level blending without the high price tag.
Promising review: "Don't hesitate, just buy these. I was using the Real Technique sponges for years and I bought these on a whim after seeing several TikToks praising these. I love these sponges and the price. I apply liquid foundation with a damp sponge and these work better than Real Techniques. They are dense but soft and 'bouncy.' I wash mine between each use and these hold up very well and much better than the RT. Very happy with my purchase and the price. Will definitely continue to buy." —chris
Get a five-pack from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in eight color schemes).
2. A wood polish that conditions and protects wood with a combination of beeswax and orange oil, while hiding dings and scratches so you can turn back the clock on worn-out furniture instead of feeling tempted to replace it entirely.
Promising review: "This product is a MIRACLE! I can't believe how well it worked. Seriously unbelievable. One application and my coffee table looks great again. EASY to use, nothing special required. While I was watching TV, I used an old cloth/rag and spread it on. As easy as that. Nothing else worked on my abused coffee table, this stuff did. I HIGHLY recommend this product." —Carol L. Hill
Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in four sizes).
3. Some Rubbermaid produce-saver containers for saving you money (and unnecessary trips to the grocery store) by keeping produce fresher for longer with ~mystical~ ventilation technology.
These containers help keep your produce fresh by keeping moisture away. And they're designed with a special vent filter, which you never have to replace, to regulate the carbon dioxide and oxygen flow to your produce.
Natalie Brown, an editor here at BuzzFeed, actually tried these containers for herself, and, well, you just gotta read her full Rubbermaid FreshWorks container review.
Promising review: "These are great. My vegetables stay fresh so much longer. No more throwing away food and wasting money." —Cindys27
Get a four-piece set from Amazon for $12.39+ (available in five sizes).
4. A pack of four cactus-shaped dryer balls because on top of their stunning good looks they can do everything a dryer sheet can (on repeat) AND reduce drying times, which is good news for the planet and your energy bill.
Promising review: "These are the only dryer balls I've found that actually made me not need fabric softener sheets. It cuts down on static and I don't find pet fur clinging to my clothes when I pull them out of the dryer." —Tianhui Fan
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four styles and in larger pack sizes).
5. A set of space-saver bags to help you become a carry-on-only traveler by significantly compressing your clothes — no vacuum required! All you have to do is fill up a bag and roll it out to release air through the built-in valves. Now you can use the money you saved not checking any bags on something a lot more fun!
Promising review: "These were lifesavers! We took a 10-day trip to Europe and could pack only in a carry-on using these! I used two mediums in my carry-on, and my husband used three. I packed all my undergarments, five dresses, four pairs of jeans, a number of blouses, three pairs of shorts, and a few other pieces of clothing. And still has room for my shoes. These will definitely be used each time we travel now. Well worth it." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $18.97 (also available in larger packs).
6. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel so you can quickly remove years' (I repeat, YEARS') worth of hard calluses without ever steeping foot in a salon or spending an eternity scraping. I'd start picking out a new pair of sandals STAT!
Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for 5–10 minutes, and rinse! It's recommended you go back in afterward with a foot file just to make sure no residue or dead skin is left behind.
Promising review: "I have the driest heels, and this is the ONLY product that has ever worked. Before I used this, my heels had some pretty deep cracks, and now they're almost baby-soft again. BUT please follow the directions...left it on my super-dry, thick-callused heels for only three minutes, and the calluses were literally melting off! Wonderful product! So glad I don't have to go soak my feet in those tubs at the nail salon anymore." —Kiki
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
7. Plus, a coconut-scented nail strengthening cream if you hate deciding between eye-popping manicure prices or sporting short, brittle nails that are constantly chipping. Fortunately, there's a third option! This non-greasy formula is packed with calcium, moisturizing oils, and vitamins to strengthen nails and condition cuticles.
Promising review: "My nails were in bad shape before I started using this product. I had one nail that would constantly split on the side, but not anymore. I saw the difference right away after using this product. The smell is great, good moisturizer for your cuticles, and wonderful ingredients. I definitely recommend it, and I will be purchasing another really soon." —Tasha Stewart
Get it from Amazon for $7.94.
8. A pack of reusable Wetjet pads that's a multitasking purchase you can use again and again for dry or wet cleaning. Sparkling floors and a permanently shorter shopping list? Yes, please!
Turbo Microfiber is a small business that launched in 2018 on a mission to create top-quality cleaning accessories to help you get through your to-do list as sustainably and cost-effectively as possible.
Promising review: "Say goodbye to buying Swiffer pads over and over again! I love these reusable mop pads! They stay on, are easy to remove and clean, and the best part is they clean my floors much better than the disposable ones! I was able to rinse it out and use it again for an even deeper clean! I have two dogs and a muddy yard; things get dirty FAST! These save time, money, and the hassle! I recommend!" —Bailey Babcock
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $27.54.
9. An easy-to-use ear washer bottle for anyone who suffers from ear wax buildup, blockages, and impaction and wants to skip a pricy doctor's trip to flush it out.
Doctor Easy started 20 years ago with the invention of the Elephant Ear Washer by a doctor who saw the need for a better method of treating patients’ earwax impactions.
Promising review: "My husband has had a lot of earwax impaction problems in his life, and up until this point, we have paid to have a professional take care of it. But recently, he suddenly lost about 80% of his hearing and just couldn't wait for an appointment, so we bought this item. From the reviews I have read, it was a particularly easy solution for my husband. Nasty huge chunks start falling out after just a couple of squirts. Cleared everything out with no problem. Highly recommend." —Tea
Get it from Amazon for $31.95.
10. A cord protector because it'll defend chargers and power cables from your pet's razor-sharp nibbles without you having to watch their every move. Have you seen the price of a laptop charger these days?!
BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes utilizes this defense with her own cats:
"I decided to finally give these cord protectors a go recently and can absolutely vouch for their effectiveness. One of my cats, Sneaky, is a notorious cord chewer and particularly loves going to town on the charging cable for his automatic water fountain — you can check out the damage above. I was getting to the point where I was afraid it'd stop working entirely, so I ordered these protectors in the 1/2-inch size. They snap on and off *so* easily — flexible enough for removal but thick and durable enough that your kitty's teeth are no match against the thick wire loom. Sneaky pretty quickly realized he'd finally been defeated once he discovered these on his favorite chewing spots (I also applied a protector to my poor MacBook charging wire, which was another target), and I haven't seen him even attempting to chew anymore.
I like that these come in different colors as well as different lengths and sizes, so you can order as much as you actually need. You just snip off as much as you need for a particular area, so I used a shorter piece for my water fountain cable and a much longer one for my MacBook charging cable to protect the whole area. I ordered the 1/2-inch diameter ones, but you could definitely go down to the 1/4-inch or even 1/8-inch sizes if you're only planning to cover a single thin cable, so it's not quite as bulky as mine looks above. If you're planning to cover several cables at once, you'd want to stick with the bigger sizes."
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 15 sizes and 3 colors).
11. A battery-operated fabric shaver to help rescue well-loved knits from the horrors of aging — lint, matted fibers, and pilling, oh my! It's like a tiny vacuum; just empty the detachable lint catcher when you're done and enjoy your revitalized sweater.
Also, be sure to pick up two AA batteries! They're not included.
It kills me inside when I see a favorite sweater start to pill, so I bought this exact shaver to spruce up some of my older knits. It's great and weirdly relaxing. When I first got it I was de-pilling everything, from the intended sweaters to the throw pillows on our couch. It's a little loud so your roommates may or may not come out of their rooms to see what you're doing...but it's totally worth it to make any pilled fabric look years younger.
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in six colors and two styles).
12. An easy-to-use collagen-coating hair mask so it looks like your hair hasn't undergone years of abuse at the hands of bleach and blow-dryers without the pricey salon trip.
Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it "the miracle product I've been searching for."
Promising review: "I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it that it wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was skeptical about this product because I had never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy, was I wrong to doubt this product; it left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone natural or with curly hair." —Therese-Claire
Get it from Amazon for $8.40.
13. A digital luggage scale if you're tired of sweating it out at the baggage check counter only to be slapped with pesky overage fees. This scale is super accurate, so you can be confident in your under-50-pound pack job and keep your cash.
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising review: "Works great, a must-have when flying. Very accurate scale. Easy to read with the light on it. It's a must if you have a wife like mine who loves to shop for clothes and fill up her suitcase along with mine, or if you want to stay under that 40 pounds and avoid paying the extra for overweight baggage fees. Easy to use, very accurate, well-made, and a nice design. Very pleased. Saved me money." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and a two-pack).
14. A quart-size cold brew maker with an airtight seal that makes coffee so fresh, you'll hardly be tempted to throw even more money at your favorite caffeine chain.
Just add coarse-ground coffee into the mesh filter, pour water into the pitcher, screw the lid on (with the filter attached and submerged in the water), let it brew for 12–24 hours, and serve. You can pour it straight over ice cubes, or cut it with water or milk. Read our Tayeka cold brew maker review!
Promising review: "I LOVE this product so much! I drink iced coffee on the daily but the system I had just wasn't cutting it for me. I found out about this product through TikTok and it is a GAME CHANGER. All you have to do is put coffee grounds in the filter, fill up the main compartment 3/4 full with water (I use water from my fridge), screw the filter into the lid and screw the lid shut, shake it a little to put the coffee grounds to work, and let it do it's magic for 12–24 hours! This is probably the best investment I've ever made. You need this!!" —Carmen E
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and in three colors).
15. A natural shoe deodorizer spray for protecting your nose and your wallet from sweaty flats that stink so bad, you'd swear it's time to replace them.
Promising review: "This product WORKS! You won’t be disappointed. I used to get embarrassed taking off my flats in my office because they smelled so bad, but not anymore! My work flats make my feet sweaty and this spray helps keep the awful odors away at least four to five days (probably longer but I was so excited I just sprayed my shoes again because I liked the smell haha!) The lemon is strong and the eucalyptus I love, so I would purchase again! Although it will likely last a while! I have a little boy who gets sweaty feet also so i’m sure I’ll soon be using this in his shoes also." —Traeannah Brown
Get it from Amazon for $13.95.
16. A compact knife sharpener that's easy to store and will keep your blades in tip-top shape. You'll save a lot of time slicing, instead of sawing, through your tomatoes — I promise — and your knives will be able to stick around a heck of a lot longer.
This teeny-tiny knife sharpener features two slots with carbide blades on one side to provide quick edge-setting capabilities and ceramic rods on the other for the final edge honing. Plus, there is a nonslip base for added stability and control.
Promising review: "I was about to buy a new set of knives until I saw this on TikTok. Works perfectly." —D’Sons&co.
Check out my colleague's KitchenIQ knife sharpener review to learn more!
Get it from Amazon for $8.32+ (available in four colors and multipacks).
17. A pack of AirPods-cleaning putty so you can finally excavate all the gross gunk living in your earbuds and get back to clearly hearing every 👏 last 👏 detail 👏 of your fave true crime podcast. Turns out you didn't need new buds after all!
Promising review: "I never usually write reviews, but this is an exception. I've had my AirPods for over a year, and when the sound quality was diminishing, I was afraid they had a short life expectancy, and I would need to get a new pair! Even after using cotton buds to clean the AirPods out, I thought that was enough until my friend said there was stuff built up that's hard to see, but there was nothing able to get it out! Enter this product — it literally took five minutes to clean each earbud effectively, and instantly, the sound quality was as good as new! Loud, clear, less trouble connecting to my phone, etc. I really suggest trying this product. SO happy I found a solution!" —Amazon Customer
Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a 24-pack).
18. A shoe stretch spray if you have an uncomfy pair of leather kicks languishing in your closet because they're painful to break in or you missed the return window. With this spray and a pair of chunky socks, you'll be well on your way to recouping the funds you thought had been wasted on unwearables.
This spray doesn't just work on leather! It's also great for suede, nubuck, and canvas!
My colleague Amanda Davis swears by this spray. Here's what she has to say about it:
"So, I have about three pairs of shoes that have just been sitting in my closet because while they are sooo so cute, the leather was too tight for my foot to comfortably get inside 'em. Did I return them? Nope. (We all know the hassle of online returns, right?) Instead I bought this shoe stretch spray on a whim. I didn't expect much but WOW! The shoes that took me a minute of struggling to get into fit *perfectly* now!!
The process was as simple as could be, too. I just sprayed my shoes (inside and out, heel to toe) like there was no tomorrow, I put on some semi-thick socks (just to ensure I had ample room later), and wore the shoes around my house for about 30–40 minutes. As I was walking around, I could literally feel them begin to loosen up.
After about 30 minutes, I took my shoes and thick socks off, and the shoes just ~slide~ on. Easy Peasy. Now I have a new favorite pair of shoes and zero dollars have been wasted. I tried these with a pair of chunky leather loafers, but I can only imagine what they'll do for my pair of Dr. Martens — the boots known to take a while to break into. This stuff is a must!"
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
19. A set of reusable facial rounds with an aesthetic bamboo holder for replacing single-use cotton rounds in your bathroom and accidentally saving you a boatload of money over time.
Everything pictured above is included — 16 rounds, a bamboo storage caddy, and a mesh laundry bag.
Promising review: "I love these reusable pads! They're perfect for skincare serums as they don't absorb too quickly and are super soft against the skin. The wooden container fits them perfectly and looks beautiful. 10/10 would recommend." —Dennis Hemken, Jr
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
20. A nail grinder because you're tired of schlepping over to the groomers or vet just to handle your dog's overgrown nails. This at-home option is extra quiet, perfect for pooches who tend to get spooked by regular clippers.
Promising review: "Most important thing to know for first-timers is to hold the sides of the nail, not the paw and pads. Holding the nail absorbs the bit of vibration that they feel. They will do lots better! Second is to keep the guard on. Initially, I thought it was just a cap of sorts. Realized my mistake and put the guard back on, and it made the job easier as far as the nail and the grind goes. This is a really good purchase, and I'm glad I have it!! I have three big dogs, and it's very hard to get them to the vet every time their nails have to be done. This is just a lifesaver." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in six colors).
21. A dual-layered fine-bristled toothbrush to up your dental hygiene game so you can impress your dentist and potentially avoid pricy fillings. This brush's extra-fine bristles are ideal for clearing out tough-to-reach crevices and deep grooves, while being extra gentle on sensitive gums and teeth.
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
Promising review: "I don't write reviews often, but this toothbrush is so amazing that I just had to. My teeth have never felt so smooth after brushing my teeth. Excellent at removing plaque and tartar and keeping it off throughout the day. If you're on the fence about purchasing, consider this the green light to go for it. You won't be disappointed." —Cari C.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.90.
22. Budget-friendly period underwear so handling Aunt Flo is a fuss-free affair. This affordable pair can absorb the equivalent of two tampons so you can go about your day (or night) without fretting about unexpected leakages.
Some reviewers recommend sizing up! For more info, check out BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord's full Bambody period underwear review.
Promising review: "After having my last baby, tampons became very uncomfortable for me, so I've had to switch back to pads. But I HATE pads. So I have been wanting to buy period underwear for a while now but couldn’t bring myself to spend the $$$ on Thinx. I'm so glad I stumbled on these! I was very skeptical that they would work, but even on my heaviest day, I didn't have any leaks! It's seriously like magic! It's almost like I'm not even on my period! I would buy these again and again. They are miracle workers!" —MWT
Get it from Amazon for $13.59+ (available in sizes XXS–XXL, sold individually or in multipacks, and in various color combos).
23. A pack of shockingly absorbent Swedish dishcloths that are a long-lasting alternative to single-use paper towels. They're super sturdy and can be sanitized in the dishwasher or microwave between clean-up jobs, so you know they're not harboring unwanted germs.
Promising review: "I had actually seen/used them in Europe but forgot all about them until I saw them on Amazon. They are easy to clean — I throw them in the dishwasher or clothes washer almost daily. They save me from using so many paper towels and, in most cases, do a better job than paper towels. I also keep one upstairs in the bathroom to clean up water splashes in the sink there. These are a really good idea. You don't realize it, but you need them in your life :)" —Frequentfliermom
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $14.59+ (available in six colors).
24. A customizable door draft stopper because you're paying top dollar for heat or AC and are not about to let any of that money go to waste. This works to plug up gaps that prevent your home from being cooled or heated with max efficiency. Simply cut to size, slide under your door, and enjoy a little extra $$$ in your pocket.
Promising review: "It’s saved us so much money on our energy bill. We’re definitely buying more, and I encourage you to buy more if you want to save on your energy bills." —Kellykelly
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
25. A volcanic stone face roller to instantly soak up excess face oil, even if you have makeup on! Unlike blotting papers, this roller is able to be washed and reused. Mattifying and money-saving? Sign me up.
Promising review: "I am so extremely oily. I have been dealing with my oily skin since I was in high school and am still dealing with my oily skin in my mid-thirties. The roller worked better than I could have expected and exceeded my expectations. This is life-changing for me!" —Wow
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
26. A pair of nonstick silicone baking mats so you can say "buh-bye" to single-use parchment paper and foil, but still get all the slick, nonstick benefits.
Promising review: "I just starting baking with these at Christmas time. They are great! They really save me a lot of money as I haven't needed to buy parchment paper to line my cookie sheets anymore. I use them to roll out sticky doughs also. I am a fan! They fit a regular size cookie sheet very well. They are easy to clean. I wish I would've discovered these sooner!" —Tamara white
Get a pair from Amazon for $16.12.
27. A patented ChomChom pet hair remover if Fido's shedding is taking over your home and you're sick of lugging out the vacuum every three seconds. This uses bristles, not sticky tape, to catch lint meaning you can clean and reuse it over and over and over again.
ChomChom Roller is a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers.
Promising reviews: "TikTok made me buy this, and it is money well spent!! I’m convinced my beagle sheds a full coat of hair and regrows it daily! I use this on my bed every single day, and it blows my mind how well it works. Before this, I was going through four to five disposable sticky rollers a month and spending three times longer to remove dog hair. I am buying these for everyone in my family as Christmas gifts this year! ❤️" —tiff4short
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.