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 standing weeder because the worst part of gardening is having to kneel for hours plucking weeds. My back hurts just thinking about it! Thankfully, this tool has three steel claws that grip weeds and roots so you can pull them out while standing.
Grampa's Gardenware Co. is an Oregon-based, family-owned small business.
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.
2. An outdoor drink stakes set for securely holding your glass of lemonade in a safe spot. You know what's not fun? Setting down your soda only for it to fall over on uneven ground, get kicked accidentally, or be invaded by ants.
Promising review: "These are great. They are large enough to hold large drink tumblers like a Yeti, they will hold a beer with a thick foam koozie, they will hold a giant Fosters can, and yes, it is large enough to hold a bottle of wine. They are made out of metal and seem pretty durable. Each one is two pieces that screw together and they have a small tab to help you push them into the ground with your feet. The only thing I would improve is to make the foot tab a little larger, otherwise they have my stars." —Jamawama
Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.73.
3. A high-voltage bug zapper so you can say goodbye to not only mosquitoes, but also gnats, flies, moths, and other insects within a 1,500-square-foot area.
Promising review: "You will not be disappointed. I just moved out to the country and have been working out in the garage late at night. With the weather getting warmer, I've had the garage doors opened and mosquitos, gnats, and everything else have been finding there way into my garage, so I had to do something about it. I bought this and hung it next to my garage door opener because there's an outlet there and it is way better than expected. I have dead bees, stink bugs, gnats, mosquitoes, and other bugs that I do not know what they are. My 8-year-old son keeps asking me to remove the bottom tray so he can see all of the dead bugs that got zapped. Again, you will not be disappointed, I'm extremely happy I bought this!" —Chris & Jenny
Get it from Amazon for $33.99.
4. Or a garbage guard if your backyard is a mess of flies. 🤢 It sticks to the inside of your garbage can and releases an odorless vapor that prevents buggies for up to four months.
Promising review: "Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.) " —Michael E. Bradley
Get it from Amazon for $9.19.
5. A roll-up straw hat to keep the sun out of your eyes and protect your face from sun damage (it's UPF 50+, which means it blocks 98% of the sun's rays). And it rolls up so it takes barely any space in your already crowded bag.
Promising review: "Extra satisfied with this purchase!! I ordered it for a trip to Florida. I wear hair extensions and was worried that it would be too small for my head but it fits perfectly. There is also a ribbon inside of the hat under the band that you can use to tighten/adjust if needed. Soft straw and flexible enough to mold to your head in the humidity and heat. I ordered the khaki color, which is perfect and neutral for any beach our outdoor vacation. I also purchased a few cute broaches to attach to the band to upgrade it a bit. It's easy to flatten out the brim if it gets wrinkled although I haven't had to adjust the top part of the hat yet. I was a little hesitant at first but so happy with this hat. Will def get good use out of it this summer." —Tlikey
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in 21 colors).
6. And speaking of sun defense, a pair of wide leg cargo pants with UV protection, four-way stretch, plenty of pockets, a quick-dry material, and a loose and breezy fit that'll guard against the sun's hot rays and allow for air flow (No cases of Swamp Ass™ here!).
Promising review: "Love stretch tech pants. These are a little longer than others I have, but I love the cargo pockets. This fabric is very cool to wear in warm weather. I wore them in Hawaii when I didn't want to wear shorts and felt cool in them. I bought three colors and love them." —anonymous
Get them from Old Navy for $44.99 (available in sizes XS–4X regular, S–XXL tall, and S–XL petite, and in five colors).
7. A pack of heel stoppers because trying to wear heels in grass, gravel, or dirt without tipping over, sinking into the ground, or destroying your shoes equals one word: impossible! Or at least it was before these guys came along.
They'll also prevent heels from getting caught in cracks in the sidewalk.
BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly put these to the test as a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding after writing about them in a ton of shopping stories. Here's what she had to say:
"When my friend asked me to be a bridesmaid and I learned I'd be walking on grass for the ceremony, I got a bit worried. What's a klutz with a high center of gravity to do while trying not to 1) fall down in front of approximately 150 guests or 2) keel over while quietly stifling tears during her friends' vows? Buy some Heel Stoppers, that's what! I was able to easily slip them onto the glitter-encrusted heels (and later remove them with no damage to the heels).
On the day of the ceremony, these sturdy pieces of plastic made the heels much easier to walk in and prevented me from aerating the lawn. My feet still hurt to high heavens because those gorgeous shoes don't have a lot of support for a seldom-stiletto-wearer like me. Out of all the dough I spent on my bridesmaid ensemble, these were the biggest bang for my buck!"
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four sizes).
8. A Scumbug for slurping up all the oils, sunscreen, and yuckies that are chilling in your pool. Just wring it out when it gets discolored, give it a rinse, and pop it back in 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. Some vented wine covers so you can let your freshly uncorked cab breathe without it turning into a swimming pool for bugs. The covers are weighted so they won't blow away at the slightest breeze.
Promising review: "My husband and I love to enjoy a glass of wine on our back porch at the end of the day. Unfortunately, so do the bugs. These tops work wonderfully. The silicone outside kind of sticks to the glass to keep them in place, and the metal mesh part lets the wine breathe but keeps the critters out. The only better thing would be if they had some kind of sippy spot where you wouldn't have to remove them to drink the wine, but I'm not sure how that would work anyway. I'd buy these again, and probably will if we lose any of them." —DKF
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three color combos).
10. A breathable sweat-proof tee with absorbent underarm gussets if you sweat through shirts just seems like an inevitability these days. Well let me tell you, not only do the gussets help prevent dreaded pit stains, but the fabric is designed to keep you cool, which may mean you don't even sweat!
Promising review: "Even with using prescription-strength anti-perspirant, I will have pit stains within an hour of putting on a shirt. Because of this, I have almost exclusively worn black shirts for years. But no longer! I bought two of these shirts to try out and can now go all day long with no pit stains! I even tried going on a long walk with a sweater on and did not sweat through it. These shirts are very comfy and are thin enough to be able to wear under another top without having visible lines. This shirt is worth every penny." —K.M.
Get it from Numi for $65 (available in women's sizes XS–1X and six colors — not all colors available in all sizes).
11. A natural shoe deodorizer spray to rid your sweat-soaked shoes of any funky smells after a long day outside (or even just a short trip to the mailbox in 95-degree heat). It's made with essential oils and smells like lemon and eucalyptus so you'll probably want to spray it around the rest of your house, too.
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.
12. A lawn repair formula that'll regrow the grass so you have something to mow this summer. It's designed to reverse scorch marks from pet urine, damage from digging, and wear in high traffic areas.
Promising review: "I have lacrosse players and dogs and this stuff is amazing. My yard looked like an abandoned lot before this and it literally 'grew anywhere' just like it said. The bag I planted last year actually came back strong this year so I put more down and it is working like a dream!" —chchmom
Get it from Amazon for $16.44+ (available in five sizes).
13. A set of portable soap paper sheets because the great outdoors doesn't come with soap dispensers whenever you need one (so weird!). Instead of dashing into a, frankly disgusting, public restroom to discover there's no soap or being forced to forego a hand wash before your park picnic, simply reach into your bag and pull out these portable soap sheets. Look at you being all prepared!
Promising review: "It always seems that when I use a restroom in a store or restaurant they never seem to have soap in the dispenser so I I bought these to carry with me. I just tried them out at home to see how foamy they get, and it’s good. So I carry one packet with me and gave one to my friend. Yeah, they’re worth getting." —alwaysbrowsing
Get 100 sheets from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four scents and in larger packs).
14. Some acne patches for those days when the combination of summer heat + sunscreen + mask = clogged pores and breakouts. These hydrocolloid stickers are gentle on the skin while still drawing out fluids and pus from your pimple — and they'll prevent you from popping or picking at your zits.
These are hands down the best pimple patches I’ve ever used. Why? Because they actually work. IMO they work best on whiteheads, drawing out the pus and preventing me from picking. Once all the fluids are drained (yum!), I plop a patch on what was once home to a very angry whitehead and replace it twice a day (once in the morning and once at night). In my experience, that has been the best treatment for preventing really noticeable hyperpigmentation and acne scarring, which my skin is really prone to after breakouts.
Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $12.99.
Check out the rest of my Hero Cosmetics Mighty Pimple Patches review for more deets!
15. A pooper scooper so you can quickly and easily scoop the dang poop instead of having to look at or smell it when you're relaxing outside.
Promising review: "With three dogs, two small and one large, scooping the yard is a never-ending job. But with the Arm & Hammer swivel bin and rake, there is no more bending to pick up the doggy droppings. I am able to easily use the rake to push the droppings into the bag covered bin. When I am done cleaning up the yard, I just simply remove the plastic bag from the scoop, tie it off, and dispose. I do spray the rake off with the hose sprayer and then clip the rake onto the scooper for easy storage. I really like this handy scooper. It makes a very icky job much easier to handle." —Kelly Eldred
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
16. A pack of DressWeights if you're tired of having to hold down your dress and waddle like a penguin until the breeze dies down.
DressStrong is a New York City-based small business. Christina, the owner, came up with the idea in 2012 to save us all from unwanted Marilyn Monroe moments.
Each adhesive should last ~six uses with proper care.
Promising review: "What an amazing invention! I had my bridesmaids use these for my destination wedding. I got married outside by a very windy gazebo and they worked like a charm. Highly recommend!" —kimberlyo143
Get four weights from DressStrong on Etsy for $15.
17. An inflatable pool to make everything you hate about the outdoors a little less annoying — because how can you be annoyed when you're chillaxing in a pool with a glass of sweet tea and a good book?
Promising review: "Good size. I'm 5'4" and I bought it for my 3-year-old and 2-year-old for the spring and summer. I didn't need anything huge; I have a nice size deck and we spend a lot of time on the deck so I wanted something big enough for them to have some wiggle room to keep cool but not too big so it wouldn't take up to much room. I also purchased an outdoor grass rug to put it on to protect the bottom of it and keep it from getting splinters (just a suggestion if you plan on using on the deck). It has a drain plug so cleaning and getting fresh water is not hard at all." —Majestic 0220
Get it from Amazon for $46.19.
18. A pack of bamboo oil-blotting sheets that'll soak up that summer shine from your forehead so your face doesn't look like an oil slick come 3 p.m.
Promising review: "PERFECT for hot summer Florida days when you are outside for long periods of time and still want to look good! Removes oil without removing makeup. I have not noticed a scent. They absorb well, and I use one to two depending on how oily or sweaty I am." —Catherine
Get a pack of 100 sheets from Amazon for $6.95 (available in three scents and multi-packs).
19. Or a volcanic stone face roller because you can reap its grease-absorbing benefits over and over and over again. That's less money you have to spend on oil-blotting sheets and more money you can spend on frozen margs this summer!
20. A sunshade triangle for some much-needed shade. This heavy-duty sunshade is designed to block up to 95% of UV rays while blocking the sun to keep you cool.
Promising review: "My pool is awesome when it gets into the 100s of degrees here in California. We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day." —The Tiki Lab
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in a variety of colors and sizes).
21. A bra liner so you, a sweaty person, can step outside without the dreaded under-boob sweat. I don't care the season; I. Will. Still. Sweat.
22. A fast-absorbing sunburn lotion if you totally forgot to reapply sunscreen and then took a snooze in the summer sun. It's made to soothe, recondition, and replenish your skin after sun exposure, and reviewers have found that it can help prevent peeling so you can wear your favorite summery outfits without worrying about obnoxious tan lines or tender, sunburned skin that even the lightest fabric irritates.
23. A bug bite suction tool to actually suck out venom, saliva, and irritants on your skin that may be causing swelling and itching. Making an X on your bug bite is...uh...not going to do anything.
You can also use it to treat bites from bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, and sea lice.
Promising review: "I ordered the Bug Bite Thing in December after watching the Shark Tank episode. I live in the Northeastern US and have not had to use it until the spring weather arrived. No matter what I do, bugs find me, and to compound it, I usually have an allergic reaction. I have tried numerous anti-itch creams and natural remedies through the years, which treat symptoms but not the root cause. I ordered the Bug Bite Thing with skepticism but am very pleasantly surprised. I had multiple bug bites that I tried this on and the itching and swelling dissipated immediately! It works and without chemicals. I highly recommend!" —HappyDaisy547
Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in six colors).
24. A water-resistant portable stadium seat with a mesh seatback pocket that'll probably make you feel like the smartest person on the planet as you watch other parents at the baseball game burn their butts on hot metal bleachers, futz around with bulky camping chairs, or just stand for three hours. It converts to a two-person bench pad if you lay it flat.
Promising review: "Want to be able to sit down pretty much anywhere without using your abs? Well this little stadium seat is for you, my friend! Seriously it's great. I take it with me to the park, on picnics, camping, etc., and when everyone else is sitting on the ground leaning on their arms, folding up like pretzels for balance, or otherwise using their cores like suckers — I'm leaning back like a boss. It's the life. It's lightweight, rolls up to fit in a backpack or bag, and there's enough tension between the seat and the back to sit pretty comfortably. Get one for your outdoor activities. It's nicer to bring to outdoor concerts and movies than a bulky beach chair, which might block the people behind you. Be among the plebes. Sit on the ground. But do it like a champion with this stadium seat." —supershanno
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three colors).
25. A set of anti-chafing thigh bands because hell hath no fury like a pair of angry, sweaty, chafing thighs.
Promising review: "We can finally toss the deodorant...these things work! I was hella skeptical because my thighs are resistant to any sort of chub rub defense. I wore them while walking at least five hours at a music festival and they stayed put without me ever needing to adjust them! I couldn't believe it! My delicate inner thigh skin was preserved; not a chub-rub in sight and they're so feminine and romantic-looking that I didn't even care if someone caught a peek at that beautiful lace. Way sexier than my usual biker shorts. Love that I can wear dresses all day now without worrying about my thighs overheating." —OceanHips
Get them from Amazon for $20.69 (available in women's sizes S–3XL and 19 styles).
26. Or an anti-chafing balm for swiping anywhere your clothes rub. It creates a moisture-repelling layer on your skin (without ever feeling greasy!) that protects against blisters, irritation, and chafing when your running, hiking, biking, or just trying to exist in the world as a sweaty person.
Promising review: "I am a lifelong curvy lady whose thighs have rubbed together since the beginning of time, probably, so I’m no stranger to chafing. This morning I applied the balm to my inner thighs under a sundress and spent a day walking around in the heat and sunshine; it was hot, and I was sweating, but miraculously, my thighs felt fine! I applied the balm at around 11:30 a.m. and as I write my review it’s almost 7:30 p.m. but my legs are going strong. Other parts of me have definitely reacted to being out and about but not my thighs — without this stuff, they would be pink and tender, but they feel soft and happy. I am absolutely impressed. Long story short, this stuff absolutely worked for me; I plan to buy a larger size when this smaller one runs out. Don’t be a doubter like I was!" —Gina
Get it from Amazon for $11.
27. An adjustable mister so you can cool the surrounding area by up to 20 degrees and make your deck bearable when the forecast says it feels like 95 outside. 🥵 It's also great for keeping your plants happy and moist. Some reviewers swear by it for keeping their chickens from cooking in their coop.
Promising review: "I love this so much I bought two more for my kids' animals. Mine if for my Rottweiler when she is outside on the patio. I bought one for my son's huskies while they are at work to cool off in this heat and bought for my other son for his dogs, or they can try for their chickens. I'd give more stars if I could. Ready right out of the box, just need to pull to shape (takes a minute). I love it!!" —Cathleen
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in multi-packs).
28. An anti-humidity spray if you wanna give humidity a metaphorical middle finger. This spray creates a waterproof coat around your hair that blocks out moisture (that eventually leads to frizziness). As if that wasn't already magical enough, this effect lasts up to 72 hours or through two to three shampoos!
Promising review: "I don't usually try all the latest hair things because my hair is very fine and it doesn't like product. But, I received as a sample and I can't believe how nice it made my hair and how long it lasted. I have to wash every single day or my hair would be limp and lifeless. You could tell if I didn't wash my hair for one day. This miracle stuff makes it so that I don't have to wash my hair for a good three days at least and it still looks fresh. It also lasts between washes, so I only have to use it every other wash or sometimes not for three or four. I can't live without this now that I found it. It took me till my 50s to find this amazing product. I sure coulda used this in my 20s!" —B.S.
Get it from Amazon for $28.
29. A wide-leg pants and matching blouse set to keep you looking and feeling effortlessly cool. This breezy set won't cling to you in the heat!
Promising review: "I had a work trip in New Orleans and was looking for something cute, business casual, and cool enough to survive pregnancy while traversing through the swamp. I was slightly concerned about quality, but for the price, I was fine with risking it. YALL. It is sooo much better than I could’ve even imagined. It’s precious. The white is a little sheer, but not so bad that you need an undershirt. I did wear nude shapewear, but I always do. Super light fabric, plenty of stretch, and super flowy. I sized up to accommodate my 23-week baby belly and it was perfect. I got more compliments on this outfit than I’ve gotten on any in the past few years. If you're nervous about it, just get it. If you hate it, you can return it, but I PROMISE you won’t." —Brooke
Get it from Amazon for $46.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–4XL Plus and 31 colors).
30. A sand-removal bag that'll be a must-have in your beach bag this summer. Rub it on your body to remove sand with ease! (No, it's not magic. Inside the bags is a powder that, when rubbed on your body, quickly absorbs moisture making it easier to brush off the sand.)
Shakalo is a small business based in San Diego.
Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1–2 times a week. And I even use it on my dogs paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of too. I will definitely be buying the refill & another baggie to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
31. A genius phone shade because relaxing on a lounge chair and watching TikToks beachside sounds uh-mazing right now. But how can you watch your videos with the sun shining in your eyes? This attaches to the back of your phone, blocking enough sunlight that you can see your screen without having to crank up the brightness to 100%.
Shadey Attachments is a small business based in the UK.
Promising review: "I can honestly say I now can’t use my phone in the sun without it! It took a second to get going and to realize you have to point it at the sun to put your face in the shade. Literally the best thing ever for the sun." —Harley Place
Get it from Shadey Attachments on Etsy for $16.84 (available in seven colors).
32. A portable neck fan for staying cool this summer. When it's really damn hot outside, you'll be grateful for the 78 air outlets blowing a refreshing breeze on your face and neck. It's both battery-operated and USB rechargeable, and runs for 4–16 depending on the fan speed.
Promising review: This neck fan is truly a great value for the money. I have compared many different neck fans and this fan is by far the best. And the best part for me is that the fan blows air around your entire neck, many others only blow air directly in front of your neck area or only blows air in front and sides of the neck. I work in a hospital and it gets extremely busy so appreciate that it doesn't look like in wearing a pair of headphones on the job. It fits great around my neck, it's much quieter than the other types, and the build and finish feels solid. I am very satisfied and I definitely recommend this neck fan as it will not disappoint." —MEO
Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in five colors).
33. A weather-resistant wooden path so you're not constantly confronted by unsightly bare patches where people often walk. This 8-foot pathway can help you get from point A to point B in style *and* protect your lawn. Plus it comes joined so you can plop it anywhere you're envisioning a new walkway. And when it needs to be cleaned, just hose it off with water!
Promising review: "The cats love to sleep on them and they do keep the wetter pathways dry under your feet. They are lasting quite well and although not cheap by any means, they are standing up to cats and people walking on them all day long. They are surviving both rain and sun and wind. We will be purchasing more." —susan osako
Get an 8-foot pathway from Amazon for $85.45.
34. A cute portable charger if you're going to be out and about for most of the day and don't want to be without a working phone. This one's itty bitty and will fit in your pocket. Plus it doesn't require a cord!
Promising review: "The holy grail of portable chargers!!! I was traveling to Disney for vacation and knowing me, I would drain my battery with just taking pictures alone. I wanted a portable battery but didn’t want a carry a cord either, so I was excited when I found this little baby! It does exactly as described, pretty pink color, and I get one full charge of battery for my iPhone 11. Get it, you will not be disappointed!" —Meghan Doble
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors).
35. A set of Sea Bands that apply pressure to your P6 (Nei Kuan) acupressure point, which may help alleviate your nausea or seasickness. Use can also try them to potentially lessen morning sickness and chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Plus, these are machine-washable so you can use them for years to come.
Promising review: "We just got back from a week long cruise where 4–5 days were spent in rough seas with 12–15 foot swells. (We even missed 2 of our ports due to high winds/rough seas.) Every other cruise my daughter has had to take Dramamine for her motion sickness even in calm seas and even with the non-drowsy version she spent the entire cruise sleepy and missed out on a lot. I bought these bands for her hoping they would work but not convinced. Well, I am convinced now! On this extremely rough cruise she only had to take Dramamine twice; one of those times even I was nauseous and I never get seasick. For the majority of the cruise she just wore one band, when it got really rough she would put on another. She absolutely loved these bands because she was not sick and not drowsy. If I could give these bands 10 stars, I would!!" —Sandra Lockwood
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.