29 Cool Products You've Probably Never Heard Of
Including a rainbow 3D puzzle, a spiral-burning candle, a vertical chess game, and much more.
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1. A pair of Thinx underwear for anyone searching for an alternative to tampons and pads. One pair can hold up to four tampons’ worth (depending on the style) but they look and feel like a normal, comfy pair of undies.
Read our full review of Thinx underwear. If you have a heavy flow, you also can wear these undies *with* tampons to prevent leakage.
Promising review: "I have recently purchased several pairs of Thinx, in all different styles. I am loving them. I feel secure knowing that I’m not going to ruin my clothing or anything else, whether I’m running around at work, or laying on the couch with a heating pad. Plus, they’re quite comfortable (way more so than pads). They’re also much easier to clean than I expected. Overall, very pleased." —Lauren T.
Get the pictured pair from Thinx for $34 (available in sizes XXS–3XL and six colors).
2. Hunt A Killer — an immersive murder mystery game told over the course of six “episodes” or boxes. Each box is filled with different clues and physical items (such as autopsy reports and witness statements), which will help you catch the culprit. Happy sleuthing!
While each "season" is six episodes (six months) long, the story continues season after season so you'll always have a case to look forward to. Plus, you can opt to cancel anytime.
Get started at Hunt A Killer for $30/month (plus shipping), $165/six months (free shipping), or $300/year (free shipping).
3. A vertical chess game so you don't have to sit down for a match. You and the roomie can take turns in passing, whenever you have time. Plus, it doubles as a cool piece of wall art.
Promising review: "My son makes a move then the next person through his room moves — thanks to the piece that marks when you stop this game can be played for months and NEVER GET KNOCKED OVER! Love it!" —Mhickerson
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $95.
4. A pair of reflective cycling and running socks to keep you visible to motorists on your early morning or nighttime run.
5. A limited-edition gift box curated by BuzzFeed's Pero Like team and Spiritú filled with unique products and artisanal goods made by Latinx entrepreneurs and creators.
Plus, for every box sold, a portion goes to support Freedom for Immigrants. In this box you'll get:
-Bold Lip Color Stick in Brava by Reina Rebelde
-Corazon Sagrado Studs by Mi Vida
-Sage Bundle by The Pink Crow Shop
-Curl Defining Cream by Rizos Curls
-Green Chile Hot Sauce by El Yucateco
-El Plátano Maduro Magnet by Millennial Lotería
-Sandstone Bar Soap by Lush Cosmetics
-Cafetera Pin by Martha of Miami
-Tattoo Duos by Tattly
-Baja Shawl by AGAVESALT
Get it from Spiritú for $49.99 (valued at over $150).
6. A self-cleaning cat litter box that'll stay fresh and clean (for weeks!) without the hassle of scooping every day. It has an automatic rake system that sweeps waste into the covered compartment 20 minutes after your feline friend uses it.
Just plug it in and you'll be good to go. When it's time to change the litter, you can just toss everything along with the disposable bottom tray. Plus, the special crystal cat litter is designed to reduce odor so you can breathe easy.
Promising review: "This purchase has arguably been one of the most worthwhile purchases I've ever made. I've had two of these in my house for the better part of the past eight years. The original purchase of this was caused by my wife's pregnancy. But after our daughter's birth, just the pure convenience of this device was worth its weight in gold. All I have to do is change the litter box every two to three weeks (as opposed to scooping two to three times a day). I can't overstate how much I love this. In fact, when one of them started to deteriorate (eight years was a good run), I didn't even think twice about replacing it. If you own a cat, this is a MUST-HAVE!" —bigmacattak12
Get it from Pet Supermarket for $156.99.
7. Long-distance touch bracelets to make time spent away from your loved one a little more bearable. Touch one and the other lights up and vibrates, so they know when you're thinking of them and vice versa.
Download the app that connects the bracelets, and tap your bracelet to send a message to your loved one. Theirs will light up and vibrate, so they'll know you're thinking about them. You can send up to 10 taps in one message. Plus, these bands are waterproof, so you can even wear them while swimming or in the shower.
Promising review: "My boyfriend and I aren't in an LDR, but we both suffer from anxiety and let me tell you, these bracelets were practically made for our relationship! I get very busy, I don't really use my phone so I don't text a lot. The bracelets really help in those moments when I don't want to text, or when I really need his hugs and support. It's the closest thing I have to feeling his touch." —KittyKen
Get a set of two from Uncommon Goods (available in four additional band colors) or Amazon for $98.
8. A dip clip so you can enjoy your drive-thru chicken nuggets without spilling sauce all over the car, even when the ride gets bumpy.
9. Glossier's new hand cream — it's moisturizing without being greasy and smells like their signature scent, "You." The packaging is both attractive and ergonomic, with its click-to-close cap that'll protect against spills in the bottom of your bag.
Promising review: "Glossier has never been a disappointment for me. This hand cream? WOW! My hands are so soft, and I seriously cannot stop smelling it! A+ for this one!" —syoulio
Get it from Glossier for $18.
10. A loose-leaf tea steeper and strainer that'll automatically dispense from the bottom when you set it on top of a cup.
I ordered this after seeing a YouTuber using a similar version and it's probably one of the best things I've ever bought. Because I drink tea almost every day, this steeper gets used and thrown in the dishwasher pretty often — and it always comes out looking brand new. It dispenses automatically when it's placed on top of a cup but stops when lifted up. It comes with a little tray to catch any droplets from the bottom, but I find that it really doesn't leak at all. It definitely doesn't drip like a traditional teapot with a pour spout. I highly recommend it!
Get it from Nordstrom for $24.99.
11. A hair-finishing stick to tame stubborn cowlicks and flyaways so your 'do will look super neat. It's like a big tube of brow gel — but for your head!
Promising review: "I have been fighting 'baby hairs' for my whole life! This product calms my messy loose curls and doesn't make my hair stiff the way hairspray does! I can't believe I've lived my life without this product. This is my new favorite hair styling product!" —bananabarry
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
12. A portable paw cleaner so you can make sure your doggo doesn't track mud into the house after a play sesh in the yard. It has soft silicone bristles inside to help gently remove dirt.
To use, add a little water, insert the muddy paw, do the twist, dab the paw dry, and repeat.
Promising review: "Best. Thing. Ever. This product works like a charm. It gets the sand from between their pads, and is gentle enough that even my most stubborn pup tolerates it! I have a terrier/schnauzer that likes to dig, a mini goldendoodle that is prissy about her paws and a standard labradoodle puppy that is still very fuzzy. We have a farm where it is extremely sandy and we stay in a travel trailer. The amount of sand they were tracking into the camper was driving me CRAZY. It takes me three minutes to clean and dry off all of their paws. Seriously the best purchase I have made!" —Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in sizes S–L and six colors).
13. A Sorting Hat bath bomb any Potterhead would want — it'll melt away and reveal which house you really belong in.
You actually can choose which house/color you want or opt for a "random" option if you want a magical surprise. If it fizzes red, you're in Gryffindor; green = Slytherin; blue = Ravenclaw; yellow = Hufflepuff.
Get it from VBeautyCosmetic on Etsy for $6.36.
14. A mushroom funnel that puts the "fun" in fungi — and funnel!
It's 100% food-safe, BPA-free, and dishwasher-safe.
Get it from Animi Causa for $17.99.
15. A cool gadget to turn freshly brewed hot coffee (or any non-carbonated drink, such as wine) into an iced one in a matter of minutes — without watering it down.
Fill the device with water and pop it into the freezer for 12 hours before using. It has a 12.5 oz. capacity and is dishwasher safe!
Promising review: "I use this for my morning coffee, but it could be used for any drink you want chilled. I brew my coffee directly into this cup, let it sit for about a minute or so, and it comes out ice cold and not watered down. It freezes again in about an hour and is ready to go when I want my second cup. If you like cold drinks but don’t like how ice waters them down, you should check this out." —The law
Get it from Amazon $24.97.
16. A Friends photo frame mug for anyone who's on their 15th rewatch of the series. Even though there's no Central Perk IRL, coffee will still taste great out of this cup.
The other side of the mug features the classic Friends logo.
Get it from Firebox for $15.99.
17. A PopSocket phone grip with a built-in lip balm so you can solve two problems with one product: 1) not being able to prop up your phone while watching YouTube videos, and 2) dry lips.
The lip balm compact can be removed and refilled as needed.
Promising review: "I love this product. The lip balm is very good and the PopSocket is SOOO cute. My sister saw mine and ordered one." —ddiCF
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $15 (available in four flavors).
18. A spiral-burning candle that'll probably be one of the most satisfying things you'll ever own. Plus, it's scented!
These clean-burning candles are handmade in Minnesota with ultra-refined, food-grade wax, 100% cotton wicks on the outside, and locally sourced softwood wicks on the inside. The scents are 100% chemical free and the dyes are vegetable-based.
Promising review: "This was a birthday gift for my mother. The whole family was interested in watching the spiral burn. The wax also looks very pretty when the spiral is done and ready to burn the wooden wick." —Lolo
Get it from UncommonGoods for $20 (available in two scents).
19. A pair of banana-shaped shoe deodorizers to eliminate the ripest of smells. They're designed to absorb moisture and are infused with lavender, lemon, patchouli, and tea tree essential oils.
These shoe deodorizers can last for six to 12 months. The coolest part is they gradually turn brown toward the end of their lifespan, just like real bananas!
Promising review: "I keep my climbing shoes in my car and the stench was literally ruining my life. No matter how much I sprayed Febreze or scrubbed my shoes nothing helped. This product is a lifesaver!" —KYM22
Get them from Amazon for $19.49.
20. An automatic pan stirrer for those annoying recipes that call for continuous stirring. Now you can take a break and let this lil' gadget do all the work for you.
It has a built-in timer and runs on four AA batteries.
Promising review: "Honestly I laughed at myself for buying this. I stopped laughing the first time I used it! What a help! It freed me up to do other things while it stirred the sauce that needed constant attention. Bought another one! Not laughing now!" —Luvdvm
Get it from UncommonGoods for $25.
21. An all-in-one measuring cube so you can consolidate your drawer full of measuring cups and spoons all into one nifty gadget.
It's dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Measurements include: 1 cup, ½ cup, 1/3 cup, ¼ cup, 2 tbsp, 1 tbsp, ½ tbps, 1 tsp, ½ tsp, ¼ tsp, 120 ml, 80 ml, 60 ml, 30 ml, 15 ml, 7.5 ml, 5 ml, 2.5 ml, 1.25 ml.
Promising review: "First of all I gotta say, I don’t cook much and if there’s something I hate after cooking is having to wash all the bunch of utensils I have to use once I use them. This cube has been amazing, I don’t have to wash a million utensils over and over, it’s very easy to use, easy to clean and it’s very handy to use for when I’m meal prepping for the week. I bought this out of curiosity and ended up enjoying it a lot. If a regular guy like me is enjoying it, I’m sure it would be a great tool for people who cooks or bakes in a regular basis." —Daniel Matajira
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
22. A 5-in-1 wine corker that can also be an aerator, pourer, filter, and leak-proof stopper. Can't finish a bottle in one sitting? Just pop this in and it'll keep your booze fresh for the next wine night.
Promising review: "YOU NEED THIS! I love this wine corker. These do exactly as they say they will. When I got mine, I immediately took one out, put it on a bottle of wine and purposefully turned it upside down, shook it, and let it sit that way for 10 minutes. NO LEAKS! I was so happy...finally something to keep my wine from leaking. Not only did it not leak, but the aerator design allowed my wine to taste wonderful and stay fresh." —Mary B
Get it from Amazon for $9.38.
23. A makeup brush cleaner to do for you (in minutes) one of the most annoying jobs ever — cleaning makeup brushes.
Just three quick steps to clean makeup brushes: 1) dip and dunk your brush in water and cleaning solution; 2) spin to rinse; 3) spin to dry. The base is rechargeable so your spinner will always be charged and ready to go.
Promising review: "Works AMAZINGLY well! Had all my brushes clean and looking brand new in the time it normally would have taken to hand wash one brush. If you hate cleaning your brushes, then you need this product. So easy and fun! I only wish I would have bought this sooner!" —Tellie82
Get it from Amazon for $47.99.
24. A rainbow 3D puzzle for anyone who believes they've mastered flat puzzles and is ready to move onto a new challenge. It has 540 pieces and each piece is a slightly different color. Yup, I'm ~sphere~ for it.
It even comes with a stand, so you can turn the finished puzzle into a piece of decor.
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $70.
25. A penguin-shaped boiled egg cooker that'll make you say, "~Waddle~ I do without this?!" It's not only practical but also just looks cool.
Promising review: "After getting tired of slowly and carefully putting eggs in boiling water, AND still cracking about one out of four...decided to get this and I love it. Makes putting eggs in boiling water a breeze and looks great. Def catches the eye and made one friend laugh when she realized they were eggs. 😂" —Eugene
Get it from Amazon for $23.99.
26. A pair of waterproof covers (aka little raincoats for shoes) to prevent your kicks from getting wet in a sudden downpour. So go ahead and indulge in some puddle splashing!
Promising review: "I purchased the rain shoe covers for the rainy season in Florida. Grass is wet at times and I needed something to be able to slip on when I go outside. I love them. I now wear them everyday when I go to the dog park as they are very easy to rinse off. I actually bought another pair to keep in the house as my first pair stay in my car [and] they are referred to as my dog park shoes. A friend at the park was so impressed, bought herself a pair, too." —Deema
Get them from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in sizes M–4XL and 15 styles).
27. Blooming lollipops perfect for gardeners with a sweet tooth. You can plant the sticks after finishing the candy!
Includes one each of:
- Sage and marshmallow (grow sage)
- Lavender and lemongrass (grow lavender)
- Peach and marigold (grow marigold)
- Strawberry and basil (grow basil)
- Champagne and roses (grow rosetta cosmo)
- Rosemary and mint (grow mint)
- Lemon and thyme (grow thyme)
- Vanilla and hibiscus (grow baby blue eyes)
Promising review: "The lollipops have very creative flavor combinations. I just planted the sticks/seeds and am looking forward to watching them grow." —Diane
Get an eight-pack from Uncommon Goods for $20.
28. A Darth Vader device stand so you can hold your game controller or phone up with the Force.
Promising review: "Got this as a gift for my brother who loves Star Wars and all things gaming. It’s sturdy and holds almost anything while looking like a collectors item." —bbbbailey
Get it from Urban Outfitters for $24.95.
29. A chic mid-century modern side table that doubles as a speaker. It's truly the perfect combination of form and function.
You can wirelessly stream music from your Bluetooth-enabled devices and even answer phone calls via the built-in mic. The rechargeable battery lasts for 10 hours and fully recharges in four hours. It has two USB ports and an AUX port.
Promising review: "This is a great speaker. It’s loud enough, but you can’t blast it to a painfully loud volume. A friend accidentally knocked it over on my concrete patio, and it didn’t hurt it at all, which impressed me. I use it as a speaker for my projector in my living room. I move it to the center of the room and it’s perfect, I don’t generally need to turn it all the way up. The sound is best if you are sitting at the same level as the speaker. It sounds better than my Sony sound bar. The battery lasts a long time, and the Bluetooth hasn’t disconnected on me yet." —Mike W
Get it from Amazon for $139.94+ (available in two finishes).
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Reviews here have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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