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    33 "Unnecessary" Purchases You’ll Actually Be So Glad You Bought

    You don't need to watch TikToks in the shower, but you definitely want to.

    1. A quick reference magnetic air fryer cheat sheet if you're tired of researching cook times on your phone when your stomach is growling and all you want is to be eating your Trader Joe's potstickers. 

    a reviewer photo of an air fryer with the smaller magnetic cheat sheet on it
    a reviewer photo of the larger magnetic cheat sheet mounted on the fridge

    The set comes with two different-sized magnets.

    Promising review: "I thought it over a few times and then I bought these so I could have a quick reference handy for those times I wanted to make something in my air fryer, which is quite a bit. What surprised me is how often I refer to it. I just throw something in my air fryer glance at the section that lists the item I’m cooking. Press a few buttons on my fryer and I’m in business. No more having to search on my phone with wet fingers. A frivolous buy that turned out to be worthwhile." —PickyExtra

    Get it from Amazon for $11.29+ (also available in black).

    2. A pair of affordable wireless Bluetooth earbuds because work calls and chores are a lot more enjoyable when you're not tethered to your tech by cumbersome cords. Better yet, these come with a handy travel/charging case and connect to your devices in just one easy step. 

    Promising review: "These are the first pair of wireless buds I have purchased, previously using only the single over ear–type pieces. I expected to have difficulty pairing, but these paired the first time super easy. The volume and sound is significantly better than my old style. Nice little charging and travel case, and a variety of sizes of silicone buds to fit your size/preference. Update — after using these a few weeks I am still very pleased with this earbuds. Good value for the price!" —J. L. Hoover

    Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in three colors). 

    3. A bleach-free Wet & Forget shower cleaner for anyone who struggles with regular cleaning motivation. Once a week, simply give your shower a spray with this, let it sit overnight, rinse off the next day, then — BOOM — you're done and didn't even break a sweat.

    on the left, a dirty shower labeled
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I have a walk-in shower that I absolutely HATE to clean! This product is a life saver! All you do is spray after you shower and leave. Rinse it the next morning or before you next shower, and BAM! You have a clean shower! I know some people commented on the scent, but for me, it really didn't have much of one. But if it cleans my shower like this, I really don't care what it smells like!" —Chris&Elizabeth

    Get it from Amazon for $19.98.

    4. A set of Globbles so you can stop picking your nails and join the legions of TikTokers already loving this stress-relieving fidget toy. These colorful balls are not just fun to squeeze and stretch, but they also stick to pretty much any flat surface without leaving any messy residue. 

    Reviewer holding six squishy balls in different rainbow colors in their hand
    reviewer throwing them all the wall where they stick

    Promising review: "Bought a six-pack for my neurodivergent family. We are all either ADHD or autistic. I struggle with compulsive hair pulling and bought these to help keep my hands busy. They are the perfect size, more satisfying than a stress ball, clean easily, are fun to hurl at the wall or ceiling, and so far have lasted very well. I did test the durability of one and did break one when I pulled it as hard as I could — the inside looks something like shaving cream and didn’t smell or anything. But if you have a kid who is an aggressive chewer, perhaps keep an eye on them." —Amazon Customer

    Get a set of six from Amazon for $9.99

    5. A pick-and-peel stone kit to help divert your nervous energy with a soothing fidget toy that reviewers swear by to help prevent compulsive skin picking and nail biting.

    a hand using a scraping tool to remove blue latex from the holes in a lava stone
    Pick 'N Peel Stones / Etsy

    Pick 'N Peel Stones is a Pittsburgh-based Etsy shop and inventor of the pick-and-peel stones — a lava rock covered in nooks and crannies that are filled with latex glue. Renee Benn started the company as a channel for their anxiety after they lost their job.

    The full kit includes one porous stone, a dual-sided picking hook, and a 2.5-oz bottle of stone filler, which is able to fill one side of the stone roughly six to seven times.

    Promising review: "This was everything I wanted and more! The glue material is perfect and does not peel off easily, so I have to spend my time with it. Super satisfying and helps with the urge to pick. Would absolutely recommend!" —Kim Bandy

    Get it from Pick 'N Peel Stones on Etsy for $29.99.

    6. A versatile chop, slice, and dice unit that'll drastically *cut* down on food prep and cleanup time with interchangeable blades that can each be popped into the dishwasher.

    a reviewer photo of the chopper, attachable blades and a bin filled with chopped potatoes
    a reviewer using the chopper to dice an onion

    Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $29.99

    7. A double-sided hairbrush cleaning brush if your fingers aren't proving to be the right tool for the job. This handy tool absolutely is thanks to a pointed end for picking out tangles and stiff bristles to remove all that built-up hair, dust, and fluff.

    a reviewer photo of a square brush with lots of hair in it
    a reviewer photo of the same brush with all the hair removed

    Promising review: "This is the tool I never knew I needed. It may seem like a silly thing to spend money on when you can clean your brush out by hand but this gets so much more out of the brush! It's easy and rather enjoyable. Who wants to brush their nice clean hair with a brush full of dirty oily hair and dust. When you really think about it makes you want to throw out all your old brushes. I will be buying these as gifts for all my girlfriends." —emmaline

    Get it from Amazon for $10.95.

    8. A painless, mint-flavored teeth-whitening pen because you just want to brighten your smile without the long wait times, expense, and teeth sensitivity common with traditional whitening strips. With this pen you can get quick results. And the best part? No lingering sensitivity. 

    Promising review: "I bought this on a whim when I saw someone review it on TikTok. After using it several times over the course of a week, I immediately noticed the difference in the color of my teeth. I'm a smoker and a heavy coffee drinker. I'm finding that this product will be a lifesaver in terms of what my smile looks like. I would definitely recommend!!" —Mully

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.99.

    9. An interactive dancing cat toy for helping your feline friend work up a sweat in the most entertaining-for-you way possible. This simple toy is naturally springy so a flick of the wrist is all you need to get your cat jumping around like you've never seen them before. 

    a reviewer photo of a cat on its hind legs reaching for the toy
    a reviewer photo of the same cat jumping in the air as it reaches for the toy

    Promising review: "This toy is a favorite of my cats! It is great quality that withstands her claws and teeth attacking it every time we play. It’s a low effort toy for owners and a blast for the cats! And the price cannot be beat." —Taylor Hurst

    Get it from Amazon for $2.65.

    10. A waterproof shower phone holder with a touch-capable screen so you can have total control of your shower time song selection or scroll through TikToks while waiting out your hair mask. 

    a reviewer hand touching the outside of the shower phone holder with a phon inside
    a reviewer rotating the shower phone holder

    Promising review: "I have ADHD and dread showers due to how boring they are, plus some sensory issues (cold and wet is not my ideal state). But now I add some entertaining videos to a playlist and boom, I'm not so miserable in the shower! The case is definitely waterproof, and the sound comes through great." —Lauren 

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three colors).

    11. A knit pint cozy crocheted pint cozy to wrap your favorite flavor in a protective layer so it doesn't feel like you've got frostbite when you're on the couch just trying to enjoy some Ben & Jerry's.

    a hand holding up a pint of ice cream with a light gray crochet cozy on it
    a rainbow crochet pint cozy with a leather tab featuring an engraving of an ice cream cone
    Whimsical Winnie / Etsy

    Whimsical Winnie is a Rising Sun, Maryland-based Etsy shop creating adorable handmade crochet creations from cozies to beanies. 

    Promising review: "If I could give customer service 10 stars I would! First of all, the pint cozy is adorable and well made, perfect for anyone who has joined the Ninja Cream craze or just loves ice cream. Second, customer service went above and beyond, including replacing my order when the postal service lost it. I appreciate that so much! Order yours today and have warm hands and a happy heart while eating your ice cream!" —Christa Haworth-LawrenceStephanie Augustine

    Get it from Whimsical Winnie on Etsy for $7 (available in seven colors).

    12. An all-in-one pancake batter dispenser with a blender ball inside that makes it easy to mix, pour, and store batter in an easy-to-clean receptacle. More pancakes *and* fewer dishes? Dreams really do come true.

    Promising review: "I was a little hesitant to buy this as an addition to my camping supplies. I thought who really needs a pancake batter mixer? How hard is it to mix up some batter in a bowl and ladle it? After using this, I was extremely happy I spent the money and purchased it. It makes mixing the batter super easy and the control it offers when pouring the batter is exceptional. Get one!" —Monkey's Mom

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99

    13. An exfoliating mitt if you love the delightful feeling of disgust that comes with seeing dead skin slough away right before your eyes and knowing that your skin is going to feel SO SMOOTH after.

    a reviewer photo of the mitt covered in dead skin
    a reviewers leg covered in rolls of dead skin

    Promising review: "Right out of the box I could tell these mitts were going to be exactly what I needed. Excellent quality and easy to use! I’ve tried them twice already and my skin is now incredibly smooth! After I scrubbed my arm, I looked at the mitt and saw it was covered with dead skin cells. I’ll be buying more of these as gifts for girlfriends (in a fun spa gift basket)!" —Danielle Gill

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

    14. These rust-resistant double-sided shower hooks because changing out your curtain or liner doesn't have to be such a time-consuming ordeal. Plus, they're engineered with tiny roller balls that glide over the rod without the usual tugging and pulling.

    the double-sided hooks with a shower curtain on one side and a liner on the other
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Wow. Game changer. I have to change my shower curtain liner a lot because of a humid bathroom (yes, even with a fan on 😬). Though there are greater issues in the world, why wouldn’t you want to save yourself some time with these hooks! Not having to take the curtain off each time I change the liner has really been more satisfying than I had anticipated. Added bonus are the rings themselves; the balls that were added hug the shower curtain rod so they never pop off. Something I never knew I needed either. Love these!" —Jdbouchart

    Get 12 hooks from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in seven colors).

    15. A black eyeliner stamp for taking the anxiety-inducing guesswork out of liquid eyeliner application and making it easy to achieve a perfect cat-eye look every time.

    a reviewer wearing the eyeliner stamp
    a reviewer hand holding the eyeliner pen/stamp

    The set comes with two double-ended pens. Each pen has one side with the wing stamp, and the other with a traditional liquid eyeliner tip.

    Promising review: "Honestly, I wish I had thought of this. A stamp for the right eye and left eye on the end of liquid eyeliner pencil with a liner on the other side of each pencil. I always mess up the wing but these are perfect! Much more subtle from the front but just what I love." —Mona G

    Get it from Amazon for $11.97 (available in three sizes).

    16. A genius "Bread Buddy" dispenser so you can save yourself from throwing out stale bread with a sleek container that not only locks in freshness, but protects your loaf from getting squished in the pantry. 

    A reviewer using the rectangular bread dispenser to pull out a fresh loaf
    An image of the rectangular bread holder with a loaf inside

    Promising review: "The Buddeez Sandwich Bread Dispenser is great! It does exactly what it was intended for. I live alone and I don't quite go through bread often enough before the last quarter section of the loaf starts to go stale. I was originally looking for something to put a loaf of bread in as a shell for my vacuum sealer, that would keep the bread from getting crushed from the pressure. This dispenser solved all of my problems. Thank you!" —DRMcQuaig

    Get it from Amazon for $12.49

    17. A wall-mounted toothbrush station to clear counter clutter, prevent goopy messes, and dispense the perfect amount of toothpaste on your brushes every time. It's much more sanitary than leaving out uncovered brushes *AND* it conveniently holds four rinse cups.

    It holds five toothbrushes and the two toothpaste dispensers use vacuum tech to get every last drop out of the tube. 

    Promising review: "You need one! I love this! So easy to install and holds nice and tight to the wall. The toothbrushes sit nicely in the holder and are easy for my kids to grab. The two gargle cups are nice but we added little Dixie cups to ours instead. The toothpaste function works really well and isn’t messy for our kids. I highly recommend this!" —Sarah C.

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors). 

    18. A pack of Skin1004's zombie masks that'll deliver skin-tightening, fine line-reducing benefits at the small price of looking like an extra in The Walking Dead for 15 minutes. It'll just make the post-facial reveal that much more sweet!

    The kit includes eight Zombie Pack sets (powder and activator), plus one applicator brush!

    Promising review: "When you put it on, the smell hits you hard. As it is on your face the smell is not too bad and the mask tingles as it dries. Wash it off and reveal clean, smooth skin. Plus it's fun to take pictures looking like a cracked mess." —raine

    Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $21.70.

    19. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel to quickly remove years' (I repeat, YEARS') worth of hard calluses without endless scraping and scrubbing. 

    Just presoak your feet, apply the gel, let sit for five to 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 callouses 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 $14.49.

    20. A set of bed sheet fasteners that work like suspenders to keep your fitted sheet in place no matter how much tossing and turning you get up to during the night.

    a reviewer image of the three-sided sheet clips holding a fitted sheet on the underside of a mattress
    a reviewer photo of the three-sided sheet suspender

    Promising review: "These work really well! I have a 14-inch mattress, so keeping the fitted sheet well secured has been a struggle until now. One of the best purchases I've made. I followed someone else's advice here of turning the sheet inside out, putting the fasteners on, then putting the sheet on the mattress. Made them very easy to use." —Jayne Voyt

    Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.55 (available in three colors).

    21. A rechargeable heated eye massager if you'd like a bit of extra help combating headaches, eye strain, puffy under-eyes, and insomnia. This portable design boasts five massage modes, a 15-minute timer, and built-in Bluetooth speakers so you can really tune out the world and enjoy some R&R. 

    Promising review: "I saw this product on one of Amazon’s must-have TikTok videos and I knew I had to get it. It was so worth it — even though the price may seem higher compared to other sellers, this is for sure a good investment piece. The quality is top notch, the strap that goes around your head is comfortable, and most importantly the duration of each mode is long enough that it doesn’t interrupt your rest. I work a 12-hour night shift as a nurse and this technology has helped me get through the night easily 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (also available in pink). 

    22. An absorbent faucet drip catcher because you're over the after-dinner ritual of mopping up the small lagoon that forms behind your sink every time you do dishes.

    the drip catcher in blue around the base of a sink faucet
    Hustle & Sew / Etsy

    Hustle & Sew is a Saint Helens, Oregon-based Etsy shop with lots of fun and functional handmade goods like face masks, bags, and stasher scrunchies!

    Promising review: "This product is awesome! I have four kids who take care of the dishes after dinner each night and to say they are messy would be an understatement! This little water catcher has solved the puddle that used to surround my faucet at the end of each night. Thank you!!" —cadencewilliams2 

    Get it from Hustle & Sew on Etsy for $13.50+ (available in four sizes and six colors).

    23. An in-flight phone mount for a hands-free way to watch all those episodes of Queer Eye you downloaded for the flight. It can also mount on your luggage for long (aka boring) layovers, too.

    Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on-the-go.  

    Promising review: "I travel for a living and fly often. I regret not buying this in the beginning when I started traveling. I can clip it to the back of the seat in front of me and also on the windows. It is small enough to fold up and fit in my pocket. This is random but related — if you are sitting in an exit row on an airplane you cannot clip this to the window until the plane is in the air — other than that they do not care it is clipped to the window during the flight. Highly recommended." —Chrissie Jo

    Get it from Amazon for $12.97

    24. A genius bag cleaner ball so when you reach into your purse or backpack you aren't greeted with gross piles of mystery dirt, crumbs, and sand. And it's reusable! Just take out the inner ball, give it a rinse, and it's good to toss back in your bag.

    a reviewer photo of the purse cleaner ball with the outer plastic cage attached
    a reviewer photo of the inner sticky ball removed showing crumbs and dirt stuck to it

    Promising review: "These are THE BEST. They collect so much dirt and dust from my tote bag and keep everything clean. Super small and easy to clean as well!!" —SueMagoo29

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three colors). 

    25. A versatile racerback crop top to get your wardrobe to multitask as much as you do. This wear-everywhere top is soft, breathable, and supportive enough to work out in, but the sleek silhouette is totally going-out-approved. Layer it under a blazer or cardigan for some fabulous fall fashion. 

    a reviewer wearing the sleeveless crop top in white with black workout leggings
    a reviewer wearing the top in khaki green with white jeans

    FYI, this is included in Prime Try Before You Buy so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!

    Promising review: "I am in love with this top! It’s thick enough to not need a bra but not so thick that it’s hot and uncomfortable. Doesn’t ride up or roll around the seams and edges. You could wear it to work out, be casual, or dress it up. Definitely snagging this in every color." —Shelbie Johnson

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in women's sizes S–XXL and in 16 colors). 

    26. A long-handled standing weeder that'll make clearing away those rogue dandelions easier than ever — you don't even need to bend over! 

    Gif showing how you press it into the ground where the weed is, then lean the handle at an angle (which pulls up the weed), until you pull the whole weed out
    Amazon

    Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding easy.

    Promising review: "Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." —JG

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

    27. An appliance cord organizer if you're not only losing counter space to your mixer, but its power cable, too. This sticks on with an included Command strip and keeps unruly cords contained. 

    on the left, a stand mixer with the cord organizer attached and the cord hung loose and, on the right, the cord wrapped neatly around the attached cord organizer
    3D Home Solution / Etsy

    3D Home Solution is a Frisco, Texas-based Etsy shop creating genius, 3D-printed organizing solutions to keep your home neat and organized.  

    Promising review: "Love love love the cord organizer! It’s plenty big for my bulkier, stiffer cords and has a lovely clip in the center to keep the cord on the hook. I’ll be buying these for every wayward cord in my house." —aisforallie

    Get it from 3D Home Solution on Etsy for $8 (available in three colors). 

    28. A covered battery organizer and tester because you long ago lost track of which batteries in your junk drawer are alive or dead. This handy organizer holds 93 batteries so you always have a clear idea of what you've got in stock.

    This batteries organizer holds 93 total batteries, including 45 AA, 25 AAA, four 9-volt, eight C, six D, and five flat. 

    Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my wife. She is in love with it. It decluttered our junk drawer and made order in our home. It comes with a tester, which is great because we were able to eliminate the bad batteries, which we got rid of, from the good batteries, which are now resting securely and neatly in the organizer. Would I recommend this to a friend? Absolutely. We already did!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $16.77+ (available in seven colors). 

    29. A microfiber window blind cleaner with three blades for cleaning the tops and bottoms in one go. It's effective and efficient — two of my favorite "E" words.

    A hand using the duster on blinds
    A reviewer photo of the duster covered in dust

    This set includes five microfiber sleeves and a tiered plastic base.

    Promising review: "Where has this blind cleaner been for the past 50 years???? I have struggled to keep my blinds clean for so many years and happily found this item. It WORKS!!! And I love that it comes with extra sleeves, and the sleeves are machine washable. The handle is plastic, but I feel confident it won't break any time soon." —marionvgt

    Get the six-piece set from Amazon for $7.99+ (also available in green).

    30. Some chic leather car hooks so you can focus on driving instead of rescuing your fallen bag from the floor. Purses, shopping bags, and backpacks now have a designated spot to call home that blends in seamlessly with your car's interior.  

    a reviewer photo of a pair of tan leather hooks mounted on the back of a passenger seat headrest
    a tote bag hanging from a black headrest-mounted hook

    Promising review: "Close match for my car’s interior. Fit snuggly in headrest and look elegant. Don’t stick out enough to bother the passenger so they don’t have to be removed when someone climbs in, which could have been a hassle and a deal breaker! I hang my purse and takeout bags on them so no fear of spills. Could turn one around to face the back to hold trash or travel extras that clutter up the glove box. Very handy. Might get another set." —Ldy

    Get a pair from Amazon for $11.74+ (available in six colors). 

    31. A doctor-recommended Squatty Potty to help any tough "gotta go" urges go a little (or a lot) smoother thanks to this stool's natural colon-aligning prowess.

    A toil with the white Squatty Potty sitting in front
    Amazon

    If you want more Squatty Potty content before making the best purchase of your life, check out our Squatty Potty review.

    Promising review: "Unbelievable how effective the Squatty Potty is. I bought it as a joke, but it really works. Amazing how the natural position works. Others in our family have bought Squatty Potties and agree. We are fans." —Lucy

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99. (For a more ~aesthetic~ throne, splurge on the acrylic version for $79.99 or the teak wood version for $48.48)

    32. An all-in-one vacuum pet grooming kit if you've got a heavy shedder on your hands that you're constantly taking to the groomers. This genius gadget combines a mix of de-shedding and grooming attachments with vacuum suction so you can easily manage your pet's coat at home without the usual (hairy) mess. 

    a reviewer photo of a german shepherd dog laying next to the vacuum groomer
    a gif of a reviewer pressing a button on the vacuum head and pet hair stuck in the bristles bring sucked into the inner chamber

    The kit includes five attachments: a grooming brush, de-shedding brush, electric clipper with four comb attachments (6mm/12mm/18mm/24mm), a nozzle head, and cleaning brush for collecting any fallen pet hair. 

    Promising review: "I saw a video of this on TikTok and had to try it out. My dog is part husky and sheds a lot. The noise isn’t too loud; it’s sounds like white noise when it’s on the highest setting. I’ve been using the deshedding attachment on him twice a week and it’s been incredible. Would absolutely recommend!" —Amazon Customer 

    Get it from Amazon for $159.99

    33. A set of hoodie hangers because everything about a cozy sweatshirt is great except for how much of a pain it is to store. Free up drawer and shelf space with these clever hooks, and always have quick and easy access to your go-to styles.

    four hoodie hangers mounted on a closet rod with sweatshirts hanging from them
    Venalli / Etsy

    Venalli is a small business based in Overland Park, Kansas with a tight assortment of clever tools to solve your random problems.

    Promising review: "I first bought these for my son who owns 20+ hoodies. Worked so well, I bought a set for myself! They hang your hoodie easily in the closet and you can see which is which." —Alleria Stanley

    A five-pack from Venalli on Etsy for $15+ (available in five colors).

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.