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41 Things Under $20 You Didn't Realize Are So Damn Useful

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by Rebecca Martinson
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Don't get me wrong: Impulse purchases are fun — but what's really best for your wallet: being frivolous with your cash, or focusing on necessary items that you're going to use on the reg? If you're trying to save up, the latter is probably the wiser choice (however, I'm all for treating yourself on the whim). Still, I've been making an effort to only buy the useful products available on Amazon — and they've been really damn useful.

You know what else is useful? Amazon itself. Not only does the internet superstore offer free shipping on products that are eligible with Prime, but it also holds a ton of clever items for less than $20. And because my must-have purchases range from the wild to the wonderful, I've made sure to include a little something for everybody in this list. Feeling sore after working out? There's a roller stick in here that'll help soothe aching muscles all over your body. But if you'd rather spend your day on the sofa instead of the stair master, don't worry — the memory foam slippers will be there for you.

It doesn't matter whether you're trying to save money or make your home look better. When it comes to shopping on Amazon, there are tons of quality products to choose from. Here are some of the most useful under $20.

1This Ergonomic Pineapple Corer Made From Stainless Steel

Don't risk cutting yourself with a knife whenever you want a slice of pineapple — just use this corer. It's made from rust-resistant stainless steel, and you can use it to cut up one slice at a time (or slice up the whole pineapple at once).

2A Handheld Roller Stick For Sore, Aching Muscles

Whether your calves, thighs, biceps, or even shoulders are sore, this roller stick can help. It features a foam core to knead out tension and knots and comes with easy-grip handles for comfortable use. Use it to massage arms, back, legs, and more.

3The Bedside Organizer That Attaches To Your Wall

No room for a nightstand? Just stick this bedside organizer onto your wall. It comes with strong adhesives so that you don't have to do any drilling. Plus, it's large enough for phones, remotes, magazines, and more.

4A Pack Of Long Brushes For Scrubbing Awkward Bottles

No matter how narrow or tall your bottles are, these brushes can bend and twist to clean every inch of them. The bristles are made from tough nylon that scrubs away stubborn dirt and grime, and each brush is completely BPA-free.

5This Phone Charger That's Completely Wireless

You don't need to go searching around for a power brick the next time your phone battery is low, as this charger is completely wireless. There's no need to remove your case — simply lay your phone on top, check to see that the LED light indicates it's charging, and it's ready to go.

6A Container That Lets You Cook Eggs In The Microwave

Poached, scrambled, omelettes — no matter how you like your eggs cooked, this microwave-friendly container can get it done without dirtying up the stove. There's a steam release vent built into the lid to help prevent your eggs from overcooking, and it's even completely BPA-free.

7The Bar Of Soap That Helps Wash Away Unwanted Blemishes

If your skin is in need of a good detox, give this bar of African black soap a try. It's suitable for people with eczema, psoriasis, blemishes, excess oil, and more. Plus, it even helps exfoliate skin — and it's infused with vitamin E, oats, and aloe vera.

8A Pair Of Slippers Made With Soft Memory Foam Insoles

These slippers are perfect for chilly morning trips to the mailbox, and they're definitely more comfortable than most. Not only do they feature memory foam insoles that contour to the shape of your feet, but they're also available in styles with waffle-knit construction that let your feet breath better.

9These Ice Sphere Trays That Are Made From Flexible Silicone

Regular plastic trays tend to crack after a few freezings, whereas these ice ball molds are made from durable, flexible silicone that's durable and easy to use. It's simple to pop your frozen spheres out without any damage, and the extra-large, slow-melting cubes are great for cocktails, whiskey, or even just soda.

10The Cord Locks That Help Tighten The Elastic Bands On Your Mask

Got a drawstring that lost its lock? This pack of 100 has got you covered. I like to use them on the ends of my face masks to adjust how tightly they fit. Each one is made from durable silicone, so you don't have to worry about them breaking.

11These Pouches That Help Extend The Lives Of Your Soap Bars

Pop your bars of soap into these pouches, and they'll help prevent them from turning into slimy, sudsy messes. They're made from natural sisal that's great for exfoliating, and you don't have to take your bars out to get clean — keep them inside while you scrub yourself down and you're ready to go.

12A Reusable Coffee Dripper Made From Stainless Steel

Not only is it made from rust-resistant stainless steel, but this coffee dripper is also completely reusable. The fine mesh sieve won't let grounds leak into your final cup of brew, and the wide stand keeps it stable while you're pouring water.

13The Hair Towel That Helps Reduce Unwanted Frizz

Because microfiber creates less friction against your hair than regular cotton, this microfiber towel can help reduce frizz right out of the shower. It also absorbs more water than cotton, so you'll spend less time under a hair dryer. Plus, it's large enough for extra-long hairstyles.

14A Shaving Guide For A Professional Beard Trim

If you're unable to make it to the barber anytime soon, this guide can help you get a quality shave in the comfort of your own home. It's shaped to fit all sorts of head sizes and shapes, and each order also comes with a marking pencil for precise detailing.

15The Silicone Strainer That Snaps Onto Pots & Pans

Whether you're cooking in a pan or pot, this silicone strainer is universally designed to snap onto both. The clips on the edges expand to fit pots and pans of various sizes, and it takes up hardly any space compared to a full-sized strainer.

16A Pack Of Lid Lifters Made From Durable Silicone

Need to leave your pot lid cracked open while you're cooking? Just pop one of these lifters onto the rim. They're made from heat-resistant silicone that won't melt against hot metal, and they're great for preventing pots from boiling over.

17The Brightness-Adjustable LED Book Light You Can Wear

Hang this book light around your neck, and you'll be able to read no matter where you are. The brightness is adjustable up to three levels, and it's easily recharged via USB. While reading, you have the choice of three light temperatures: daylight white, natural white, or warm white.

18A Hinged Organizer For Your Tea Bags

Don't keep that cardboard tea box kicking around — just transfer all your bags into this organizer. It's large enough for tea bags, creamers, sugar, salt, coffee pods, and more. Plus, the clear lid is hinged so that it doesn't get lost.

19The Rotating Makeup Organizer With Adjustable Shelves

It doesn't matter how tall or short your bottles are — the adjustable shelves on this makeup organizer can accommodate all types of serums, creams, lotions, and more. There are slots in the top where you can stash brushes and other tools, and it even rotates so you can easily see and access all of your items.

20A Finger Massager That Helps Soothe Aching Hands

Whether you suffer from simple joint pain or even arthritis, this finger massager can help. It's great for helping increase blood circulation as well as reduce stiffness, and the alternate side lets you target specific areas for a deeper massage.

21The Convenient Trashcan Made For Your Car

Instead of letting trash build up inside of your car, why not toss it all into this waste basket? The straps are adjustable, so you can hang it on your center console, behind a seat, or even just place it on the ground. You can also use it as a travel cooler.

22A Stylish Couch Caddy That Holds Remotes, Phones, Books, Magazines & More

How cute is this macrame couch caddy? It easily attaches to the armrests of your sofa or chair, and — in my opinion — will look great in any room. Use it to store books, newspapers, magazines, cell phones, remotes, and more by simply securing the fabric portion over an armrest or under a mattress.

23The Personal Alarm That Fits On Your Keyring

This personal alarm can come in handy in case of emergencies, and it's super portable; just loop it onto your keys in case you ever need it. The included batteries last for up to a full year, and it even features a built-in flashlight in case you need to be located in the dark.

24A Cleaning Gel For Tight Nooks & Crannies

Air vents, keyboards, camera lenses — you name it, this cleaning gel can squeeze into those tight corners to get rid of any dust or grime. It's reusable up until the color turns dark, and it's completely biodegradable so you don't have to worry about its impact on the environment once it's been used up.

25These Convenient Headrest Hangers For Purses & Bags

Use these headrest hooks to keep your purse off the floor of your car, or even use them to hang up grocery bags so they don't spill over. Each one is able to hold up to 40 pounds, and the closed-loop design helps prevent accidental snags onto clothing.

26A Toilet Bowl Night Light For Dark Trips To The Bathroom

Tired of blinding yourself during midnight trips to the bathroom? Just pop this night light into your toilet and allow it to gently illuminate your way. It's motion activated so that the battery doesn't go to waste, and there are eight colors to choose from. However, you can enjoy them all by using the rotating carousel mode.

27These Tongue Scrapers Made With Medical-Grade Stainless Steel

If you're hoping to remove odor-causing bacteria from your mouth, these tongue scrapers can help get the job done. They're made from medical-grade stainless steel, and each one is flexible enough that you can squeeze it to fit into smaller mouths. Plus, each one comes with its own travel case.

28A Whiteboard Notepad Small Enough To Fit Into Your Backpack Or Purse

Use this compact whiteboard notepad to take notes, draw pictures, and play games. It's small enough to fit in any bag and is great for use during travel or at home. The durable front cover keeps it protected when not in use while the magnetic kickstand offers comfortable use and viewing at any angle.

29The Funnel That Lets You Use The Bathroom On The Go

Do you need to go to the bathroom — and fast? This lady funnel can come in handy. Just pop it under, make sure it's pointed away from your feet, then let go. It's made from 100% medical-grade silicone, and the splashguard helps keep your clothes clean.

30The Wallet That Helps Block Prying RFID Signals

Electronic pickpockets can access your sensitive credit card information through your wallet — unless your cards are in this travel wallet. Not only does it block incoming RFID signals, but there's also space for up to 18 cards, cash, and coins. Choose from dozens of colors, including gold, blue, pink, green, and more.

31This Hydrating Cream For Dry, Cracked Feet

The next time your feet are cracked and peeling, try slathering them in this moisturizing foot cream. The allantoin in the formula helps it penetrate the thick skin on your feet, and most reviewers were able to see results after just a few days.

32A Batter Dispenser For Everything From Pancakes To Cupcakes

Pancakes, cupcakes, waffles, muffins, crepes — you name it, this batter dispenser can help cut down on the mess it takes to make it. The dispensing trigger is built into the handle so that it's easily accessible, and there are measurement markings on the side so you know exactly how much batter you've used.

33The Meat Thermometer With An Easy-To-Read LCD Screen

Not only is the LCD screen on this meat thermometer large and easy to read, but it's also backlit so that you can even see it in the dark. Waterproof and durable, it's able to read temperatures all the way from -58 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. Batteries come included.

34These Chilling Sticks For Bottled Beverages

I like to use these chilling sticks whenever our ice machine breaks, which is often. If you also want to use them, just keep them in the freezer until you have a lukewarm beer, soda, or any other bottled beverage — and then stick one inside and give it a swirl. Each order comes with three, and they're 100% reusable.

35This Kit That Turns Your Drill Into A Powerful Scrubber

When regular scrubbing won't get the job done, use this kit to get rid of stubborn grime from your carpet, grout, or even on your car. It turns any power drill into a motorized scrubber, and each kit comes with three different brush heads to tackle a variety of jobs.

36A Pack Of Beeswax Food Wraps That Are Reusable

Made from a blend of organic cotton and beeswax, these food wraps are an eco-friendly way to save meals for later. They're reusable for up to a full year, and you can even wash them if they get dirty. Each order comes with three: one small, one medium, and one large.

37These Rubber Grips That Help Open Jars Of All Sizes

No matter how stubborn your jars are, these rubber grippers can help pop them open. They come in three different shapes to tackle jars of practically any shape or size, and one reviewer with arthritic hands even called them a "godsend."

38A Set Of Pie Crust Shields To Help Prevent Your Crust From Burning

Place this pie crust shield over the edges of your baked goods to prevent accidental burning and spillover waste. It's made of BPA-free silicone and can be adjusted to fit any size pie or pizza between eight and 11 inches. In this set, you'll receive two adjustable pie crust protectors and two mini silicone pie shields that are oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

39The Salad Chopper That Doubles As A Strainer

Chopping up salad greens isn't an exact science, but you can help make sure that every leaf gets properly sliced using this bowl. It also keeps your hands away from the knife blade while you're preparing your greens, and you can even use it as a strainer.

40A Pair Of Cotton Swab Jars Made From Sleek Clear Acrylic

You can't go wrong with these cotton swab jars, as the clear acrylic looks great on any bathroom countertop or vanity. They're shatter-resistant, and you're not limited to just cotton swabs; they're also large enough for cotton balls, hair ties, bobby pins, and more.

41These Zig-Zag Hangers For Pants, Ties, & More

I like to hang up my pants instead of folding them into drawers, and these hangers help keep them flat as well as wrinkle-free. They're made from durable stainless steel that won't bend under heavy pairs of denim, and they also work great with scarves or ties.

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