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A Lawn Repair Formula, Plus 29 Other Practical Products For Summer With *Lots* Of 5-Star Reviews

A fast-acting lawn repair formula, extra soft cooling bedsheets, sand-repelling beach towels, and other things you'll definitely wanna nab this summer.

1. A fast-acting lawn repair formula if you're looking for an easy way to fix all the damage your dog has done to your lawn. This stuff is designed to minimize the damaging effects of urine, and grow new grass *even* in spots where your playful pup has done some serious digging. 

Promising review: "I used this in the spring to fill out our lawn more, and it worked great! I was worried because I feel like you always hear grass seed horror stories, but I just raked our lawn good, spread seeds all over, and watered it once (sometimes twice) per day and it filled the lawn in beautifully!" —Mariah

Get it from Amazon for $16.44+ (available in five sizes and multipacks).

2. An unbelievably fast and easy-to-use Yonanas soft serve maker capable of turning any frozen fruit into a creamy, sorbet-like refreshing dessert in just minutes — *without* having to add any other ingredients! Plus, when you're done, all removable parts can go straight onto the top rack of the dishwasher, and the base simply wipes clean.

The black device on a table with sorbet in a bowl under it
A close up of a reviewer's yellow and red sorbet

Promising review: "I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory, because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it, I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally this was the BEST decision of my life. I cannot believe still how amazing this thing is! It makes the creamiest, best-tasting fruit ice cream ever. It’s easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." —DMCKAY

Get it from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in six colors). 

3. And an absurdly easy-to-use at-home slushy-making cup that simply asks you to freeze the cup for four hours, pour in the cold beverage of your choice (soda, seltzer, juice, smoothies, and more!), and crush the sides of the silicone cup until your drink magically transforms into a refreshing slush, perfect for hot summer days! 

The small cup shaped slushy maker
A model crushing the silicone cup to make a slushie

Promising review: "Our kiddos wanted this so badly, but we were skeptical. IT ACTUALLY WORKS! We’ve made all sorts of yummy slushies, and it hand washes easily. I would buy again!" —C. Warrick

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in 14 colors and sets of two). 

4. A set of towels — they'll offer instant cooling relief when it feels like a sauna outside. Simply wet them with cool water, ring them out, and drape them around your head, neck or wherever you need! These super absorbent towels will feel great for up to THREE HOURS, and then you just have to wet them again to reuse.

Promising review: "I saw these recommended on a TikTok for disabled people who can't regulate their temperature in the heat, and omg, was it worth buying them. You just add cold water and it's like an ice pack without the burning of the ice. They worked great for cooling my arm after the Covid shot! Excited to use them all summer!" —Muirgen Neal

Get a set of four for $18.99+ (available in 13 color combos). 

5. A mosquito repellent patio shield if you love everything about lounging around outside in the summer except for the mosquitoes. This creates an invisible 15-foot area of protection so you can hang outdoors in peace!

Promising review: "I was very skeptical of this product but decided to give it a try after reading the reviews and knowing if it didn't work I could return it. Let me preface this review by saying I live a few miles from a swamp in south Louisiana. 

I know it says wait 15 minutes to give it time to work, but I wanted to make sure mosquitoes were swarming to test it effectively. So I camped out in my favorite chair and was immediately swarmed by mosquitoes. I started the unit, and in about 15 minutes there wasn't a mosquito near me! No exaggeration. I am sitting outside as night is falling in south Louisiana and not one mosquito is buzzing me. I have been out here just over an hour and I have only two bites – one bite was from when I first sat down and before the unit was on 15 minutes. I am seriously impressed with this product and I am ordering more for gifts and to expand my own coverage as soon as I am done with this review. And there is no stinky citronella smell. There is no odor at all. Amazing." —NolaMom

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

6. Or a citronella candle that mosquitoes hate almost as much as you hate them.

the don't bug me candle
Anchored Northwest / Etsy

This candle has a 60-hour burn time!

Anchored Northwest is a husband and wife–founded small biz based in Spokane, Washington making the most delicious-smelling candles and room sprays,

Promising reviews: "Haven't lit it yet but the candle smells great! The smell alone is so potent even without lighting it yet, we've seen a decrease in mosquitos just leaving it out!" —Michelle Gulino

"Great, light scent that sent the early spring Texas bugs packing when I lit it last night." —Jessica Booth

Get it from Anchored Northwest on Etsy for $12.47 (originally $24.95). 

7. A creamy paw butter you can massage onto your pet's cute little feets before and after walks to help protect them from hot sidewalks. It also helps moisturize and soothe their cracked toesies and nosies, and it's safe for cats and dogs to lick or swallow.

Promising review: "One of my puppers is a super athlete who lives for walks and runs. She is about 9 now and the vet gave her a stellar bill of health save one thing: Her pads were getting really rough and worn from paved trails and city walks, and this may be uncomfortable, especially as summer comes and pavement heats up. I was skeptical about any kind of balm as I figured that it would leave a mess on my floors or one/both dogs would just lick it off their feet. No problems whatsoever, and after a single application, both dogs' pads are really soft and supple. Hopefully the dogs can feel the difference. I can surely see it and feel it. Also, the balm smells like oatmeal cookies, so bonus for that." —LRL

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (clip the coupon for an extra 40% off).

8. A Scumbug that'll absorb the oils, sunscreen, and other scum, slime, and grime that you *know* are floating around in your pool, but would rather not think about. This'll do most of the yucky work for ya! All you have to do is wring it out and rinse it when it gets discolored, then toss it back into the pool!

Promising review: "Scummy water bugging you? I just got this gem of a product last night. Popped it into my hot tub and from the picture I attached, you can see that in just about 12 hours, this little Scumbug ate up all the oil and filth in the hot tub. The water not only looks better, but smells better too! Highly recommended!" —Mickey D.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

9. A standing weeder here to help you achieve a flawless lawn without ending up with a sore back every time you do yard work.

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. BTW, Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a small, family-owned business based in Oregon making tools for gardening. They've been making this tool since 1913! 

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.

10. A set of extra soft cooling bedsheets beloved by hot sleepers who usually struggle to get through the summer nights without waking up in a serious sweat. Plus, they come in a wide variety of colors so you can ensure they match the rest of your bedroom's vibe!

Beige sheets on a bed
close up of the sheets in white

Sets come with a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases (with only one pillowcase included in the twin size). 

Promising review: "These are the real deal!! I found them from a TikTok and my husband actually said after the first night, 'Let’s just replace all of our sheets with these, they’re so comfortable!' It’s a beautiful blue and white pattern. They wash well and breathe at night — I am always hot but these stayed cool. Definitely buying more!" —Julia Monroe

Get it from Amazon for $39.97+ (available in sizes twin–California king and 40 colors). 

11. And a pair of down-alternative cooling pillows for anyone who wishes *every* side of the pillow was the cool side.

Promising review: "My philosophy...you need to love your job and love your bed because that's where you spend most of your hours. Anyway, I don't work anymore, but I dang sure love my bed! High-quality mattress, nice linens, and THESE pillows! They are PERFECT!!!! There isn't a single thing that can be improved, because they are like sleeping on a cloud that supports you perfectly... 100 out of 10 stars! We stayed at the Aria in Vegas for my bachelorette party and had several rooms... the first morning we were ALL talking about the pillows! I'm pretty sure these are the same ones!" —Shawna Hathaway

Get a set of two from Amazon for $61.37+ (available in queen and king sizes). 

12. A reusable Revlon Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller you can roll over your T-zone or other greasy areas to soak up excess oil *without* messing up your carefully applied makeup. Stop buying wasteful oil-blotting sheets and use this instead!

reviewer's face, shiny and oily
reviewer's face looking matte
Reviewer holding the face roller

To clean it, simply twist the roller’s ring to unlock, and pull out the stone. Then wash with a gentle cleanser, rinse, and air-dry before locking it back in.

Promising review: "Over the years, my skin has become extremely oily. This roller is easy to use, portable, REALLY does what it says!! Don't know how I've lived without this. I will never purchase blotting/oil-absorbing sheets again." —jazmine

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

13. A sun visor clip for those moments when you make a turn, and suddenly the sun is *pouring* through your windshield — requiring instant access to your sunglasses. No more digging through your bag or glove compartment! Now you can keep your sunnies clipped right to the visor above you.

Promising review: "Love this sunglasses holder. It stays securely on the visor and I can put and take my sunglasses on and off from it with one hand. It's much better than the last one I purchased off of Amazon. That one got so loose that it wouldn't stay on the visor anymore. I don't think I'll have that problem with this one. The visor is still usable with the sunglass holder on it and the sunglasses are within perfect reaching distance to take off even while driving with one hand. And the clips hold my sunglasses tightly. Best purchase ever!" —kirates

Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (also available as a set of two).

14. Takeya cold brew maker so you can stop overpaying for your fave daily summer beverage. This awesome device features an airtight lid and stainless-steel filter to keep coffee fresh for up to two weeks!

Just add up to 6 tablespoons of your go-to coffee beans into the filter, fill it with water, and leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Then, remove the filter from the pitcher and — BAM — you've got some delicious coffee.

Promising review: "This was my first cold brewing experience, but this product made it easy! Just put your coffee in the filter, fill it with water, and forget it in the fridge for a day! Plus, I love that everything comes apart easily and can be put in the dishwasher." —shackelforrd

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes).

Check out one BuzzFeeder's full Takeya cold brew maker review to learn more about why we love it.

15. A strong and bright magnetic barbecue light for anyone who wants to keep the grill going after sundown.

Model grilling meat on a barbecue at night while using the lights, magnetically attached to the grill
Amazon

Promising review: "These grill lights are exactly what I needed! They light up the area so well. The magnets are strong, and the ability to direct the light where needed is great. The package they came in is perfect to store them in when not in use! I have recommended these to several people who also think they are great. I was worried they would be cheap and maybe not have a lot of magnetic hold to them, but they do!!" —LC

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

16. A pressure-activated cooling gel mat so your precious pet can comfortably ~chill~ outside with you even on warmer days. No water or refrigeration needed! The cooling gel formula automatically reactivates after 15 to 20 minutes of non-use.

Promising review: "I’ve only had it two days, but clearly our double-coated dog approves. He has never slept up on the couch with us, he just gets too hot. Now he’s curled up against me on his pad snoozing away. I’m so happy!!!! I don’t care if it lasts six months or six years — it’s worth it that he’s comfortable." —Crystal S.

Get it from Amazon for $27.98+ (available in two sizes and in larger sizes). 

17. And a cooling collar to help them keep cool on the go! All you have to do is soak it into water, wring it out, and then put in the fridge for 10 minutes!

small white dog wearing the bandana
large husky wearing the bandana

Promising review: "I own an English bulldog who overheats very easily. I bought this for a (very short) trip to the beach, and it worked fabulously. Easy to use and super cute!" —Ciara

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three sizes).

18. A pair of lightweight and comfortable quilted rain boots that'll help you take on hot and rainy summer days when you can't imagine wearing the heavy boots you rely on for the chillier months.

a reviewer photo of a hand holding the black rain boot with lug soles and a quilted shaft
a reviewer photo of someone wearing black leggings and the rainboots outside

Promising review: "I bought these boots for a trip to London and Dublin. Knowing there would be lots of rain, I needed something to keep my feet dry. I was concerned about the comfort of wearing a rain boot. These boots did not disappoint. They were actually so much more comfortable than I could have imagined. They didn’t rub like some of the booties do. We walked 10 miles a day, right out to package. No blisters or discomfort. I would recommend them to anyone. You must wear socks with them, so plan for sizing accordingly. I logged 40k steps in these boots and now use them as daily barn boots. Great price and great product, cute too." —Kindra Nyberg

Get it from Amazon for $28.98+ (available in women's sizes 5–9.5 and eight colors).

19. A versatile Ponyback hat with a secret magnetic back opening so you can comfortably wear it with your hair down *or* with a high ponytail, making it perfect for hot and sunny days!

gif of hands opening the magnetic back, showing how it's a large opening
sideview of a model wearing the hat in black with their hair in a high ponytail
view from behind of a model wearing the hat in black with their hair in a high ponytail
Ponyback

Ponyback is a woman-owned small business that was started by Stacey Keller, who was frustrated with the different hat options in the market, so she decided to create her own. This style is made from cotton and works for all hair types. 

Promising review: "I am in freaking love with this hat. All my friends tell me how amazing it looks on me. I have been wanting a nice ball cap, but since I normally have my hair up, I couldn’t find one that worked till this came along on my TikTok, and I knew I had to get it. And I was so happy I waited till it was in stock again. I just love this hat. I wasn’t sure about the size but just went for a small/medium size since I thought that would fit, and it’s just perfect when my hair is up. I am so happy." —Naysa H

Get it from Ponyback for $39+ (available in youth size M/L and women's sizes XS-XXLG and in 11 colors). 

20. Or a satin-lined backless CurlCap — it has a stretchy, scrunchy-like band in the back to let your natural hair flow through, while keeping it off of your neck in hot weather and shielding your eyes from the bright sun!

Model wearing the white cap
Model wearing black version showing the back where there's an opening for their high ponytail
Amazon

CurlCap is a Black-owned small apparel company founded by Britney Sade that specializes in caps designed for natural hair with an open back and flexible scrunchie design.

Promising review: "Good cap. My head circumference is 24" and the hat fits really good and is comfortable. I like the elastic band and also gives me shade in this hot Texas heat!" —GwenH

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 24 styles).

21. *OR* a stylish wide brimmed visor if you wanna seriously shield your face from the blistering sun while still letting your hair breathe. 

Reviewer showing the side of a black visor on their head
Reviewer showing it from front angle

Promising review: "I wanted something that can cover my face, when most of the time I'm wearing a COVID-19 mask and don't want to get half/tan. But also I don't like too much sun on my face, wearing contacts gets to be too much. My main issue was when I'm riding a bicycle how to cover my face, and not to be blown away by the wind. This visor has it all. It's cute. I feel like I'm in my own little shady world, and doesn't ruin my hair. Velcro adjust on the back and you get flexible rope to fasten it under your chin. Glasses or sunglasses fit easy. I love it!" —Marinchich

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).

22. A powerful fan to ensure that you've got the ~coolest~ patio in town. It'll help make sweltering hot days a little more bearable *and* to discourage bugs from trying to fly through the breeze to turn you into their personal buffet.

Promising review: "One awesome fan for our outdoor patio. We were shocked at how much air this pushes. Mounted easily. Love that it can be outside in the weather. Helps majorly in keeping cool outside in NC heat!" —kat

Get it from Amazon for $109.46+ (available in three sizes).

23. A set of popular wickaway sweatbands that'll help absorb sweat instead of letting it drip down into your eyes for a salty, stinging surprise during your morning run on hot hot days. They'll also help keep your hair out of your face! With this set, you get 10 different colored non-slip headbands that are both stylish and functional!

A reviewer in a gray sweatband
A reviewer photo showing the 10 colors the sweatbands come in

Promising review: "I run, and was sick of sweat dripping into and stinging my eyes. I got these, and at first glance, I was not impressed. They are pretty thin, and did not seem like they would absorb well. I am happy to admit I was wrong. They are super absorbent. I can literally wring sweat out of them after a long run. They have made a huge difference in my comfort, and now I won't do any kind of strenuous activity without wearing one. There were so many, I gave a couple to my mom for playing pickleball, and she is very happy with them as well!" —K.P.

Get a set of ten from Amazon for $13.99.

24. A portable, indoor/outdoor George Foreman grill if you have a small outdoor space (or no outdoor space at all), but *still* wanna make the most of summer BBQ season. It comes with a detachable stand, but you can also set this electric grill directly onto a table for easy use anywhere. If you can't imagine getting through the summer without some grill marks and char, seriously consider this!

A reviewer shares a photo of the portable grill heating up meat, asparagus, and other veggies
A reviewer shows the same grill on their apartment balcony, which has a tiny seating area

This comes with nonstick coating and five adjustable temperature settings.

Promising review: "This is the perfect grill for my apartment balcony. It was easy to clean and it's really nonstick. In comparison to other brands, this actually heats up the plate instead of heating lights. It cooked really well and was very easy to install. I would definitely recommend to purchase this if you have a small balcony." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two colors).

25. A lightweight fast-drying towel designed to repel sand, pet hair, odor, and stains to make the worst part of beach days less annoying so you can focus on the fun!

two rumpl blankets sitting on a long piece of driftwood
person using a rumpl beach towel to wipe off sand
Rumpl

It's made of a polyester microsuede material that absorbs quickly and dries fast. It also has an anti-microbial finish to keep the towel clean longer.

This small business started SMALL (we're talking in the back of a van!) and thanks to founder and CEO Wylie Robinson, the Kickstarter success has become a go-to shop for nature lovers looking to stay cozy in the great outdoors. The company is now based in Portland, Oregon.

Promising review: "This towel dries better than a conventional towel! Not only that but it was completely dry and ready to reuse in about 10 minutes. Normally we'd go through a stack of beach towels in one day. The towel itself is big but it packs up compact leaving more room in your bag for other things. It's soooo soft, made very well, and the pattern is gorgeous. I will be replacing all of my towels with these!!" —Danielle W.

Get it from Rumpl for $49+ (available in 27 styles).

26. A pair of ultra-stretchy, sheer, and cooling Thigh Society shorts — perfect for under skirts, dresses, or any other clothes you usually chafe in. Now you can add a helpful second layer without feeling like you're going to overheat or wind up with sweaty swamp bum! 

a model wearing the shorts in brown
a model wearing the shorts in black and showing how stretchy they are
Thigh Society

Thigh Society is a woman-founded, size-inclusive small biz from Marnie Consky.

Here's why BuzzFeed shopping editor Chelsea Stuart loves these:

"I recently bought two pairs of these — in black and nude — and I am simply in love. Chub rub has always been a part of my life and until now, I didn't have a great way of preventing it. I've tried various sport shorts and slathering my thighs in deodorant but those methods just weren't cutting it. These shorts are unbelievably lightweight and breathable, superrrrrr stretchy (but not in a way that bags out after extended wear), and they do. not. roll. or. fall. down. I wear them under all of my skirts and dresses (because I also have an irrational fear that everything I wear is see-through when the sun hits it) and I will definitely be buying more!"

Promising review: "It’s not an exaggeration to say these shorts are life changing. I’m a chubby living in hot, steamy Florida. Chub rub is inevitable when wearing skirts and dresses. I’ve tried a number of lady boxers and petit pants. They all either rolled up, down, or one leg rode up. They were also hot and non breathable. These shorts are perfection. No more chub rub, no more swamp a$$! I’m in love. I wish there were more color choices!" —Rachel

Get a pair from Thigh Society for $39 (available in women's sizes XS/S–5X/6X, in four lengths, and 10 colors). 

27. A car windshield sunshade to keep your seats and steering wheel from inflicting third-degree burns on your poor, innocent body after your car's been parked in the sun for hours.

Comes in multiple sizes (depending on your make and model) with a money-back guarantee.

Promising review: "This is super easy to use. Open and put it in the window, can't get any easier than that. My GMC Denali sits outside in the Southeastern NC sun all day and this really made a difference. When I get into my truck I can actually sit on the leather seats without being burned. It also keeps the sun off my dash which is important down here in the Southeast. I would definitely recommend it.' —Sharon

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in nine sizes).

28. Or a cloth steering wheel cover that'll give your car more of a boho look while still protecting your hands from the hot hot leather underneath.

the multicolored cover on a steering wheel
Amazon

Promising review: "This steering wheel cover is absolutely beautiful! It adds life to the interior of my car! It’s a little hard to put on but that goes for any steering wheel cover. Trust me it does fit, you just have to keep moving it around. I’m completely satisfied with this product and I might even buy the other styles they offer." —Erika Ranzolin

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four colors)

29. A dozen reusable water "balloons" made with chenille yarn so you can say goodbye to using wasteful, single-use balloons and switch to these instead! And if you think water balloon fights are only for kids...think again!

the water balloon
Mama Love Boutique / Etsy

Mama Love Boutique is a Sellersville, Pennsylvania-based shop that specializes in these balloons and knit hats. 

How do these work, you ask? Simple. Just fill 'em up like you would a regular water balloon, then refill after it's been tossed. 

Promising review: "Got them, opened them, used them in the same day. I have two boys with LOTS of energy and they had so much fun pummeling me with these water 'balloons' 🤣 and I had fun throwing them right back. Not just for kids. Very well made. So happy with this purchase!" —Carley Campbell

Get the 12-pack from Mama Love Boutique on Etsy for $35.50 (available in three color combos).

30. An umbrella with built-in solar LEDs here to help when the sun is doing the most *and* the least. Now you've got a shady spot to chill on hot days, and can seamlessly transition your afternoon patio party into a nighttime hang once it gets dark out!

patio with round glass table and a striped umbrella on it
umbrella at night with lights underneath it

Note that this includes just the umbrella, not the table!

Promising review: "I normally don’t like buying products like this sight unseen, but I’m very pleased with the look and especially with the solar lighting. We enjoyed a pleasant evening on the deck with just the right amount of ambient light tonight, and we are hopeful that it will prove to be durable." —Dee

Get it from Amazon for $71.98+ (available in 11 color combos).

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.