Life
20 Weird But Genius Things On Amazon Every Efficient Person Will Love
It seems the older I get, the more I value practicality. Or maybe I need to stop watching documentaries about minimalism. Either way, nothing thrills me more than practical yet clever gifts that solve real problems.
While my space used to be filled to the brim with useless knick-knacks and (this is embarrassing) my collection of porcelain sea turtles, those are quickly getting replaced by genius gadgets and products that tackle tons of things at once. Actually, if it doesn't help make my day-to-day life run a little more smoothly, I don't want it taking up room on my shelves. Bonus points if it lights up, displays the time, and charges my cell phone simultaneously.
If you, too, value efficiency, then Amazon is an incredible place to shop. The selection is extensive, the reviews are really helpful, the categories are endless, and the technology is often pretty advanced. In other words, as soon as a new and innovative item hits the shelves, odds are it'll be available here. Whether you're an extremely practical person, or you're shopping for someone who hates clutter and loves functional gifts, check out these weird but genius products for people who appreciate efficiency and usefulness above all else.
1. Get Rid Of Dry, Cracked Elbows With This Weird Mask
Etude House BeBe Elbow Mask, $6, Amazon
Rough, scaly elbows? The Etude House BeBe elbow mask can help. It softens and evens skin tone with its special formula and pad, getting rid of dry, cracked skin. “I'm a massage therapist and it is so important that my elbows and hands are smooth when I work on clients,” says one reviewer. “I can now use my left elbow while working without worrying about the client feeling the dry skin!”
2. Mount Your Device Hands-Free Anywhere
AboveTEK Aluminum Gooseneck iPad Holder, $39, Amazon
Everyone could use an extra hand from time to time. Thea AboveTEK aluminum gooseneck iPad holder is a durable clip-on stand that holds most tablets and even some phones. It's got an adjustable flexible neck and is wonderful for watching Netflix in bed, following a recipe while you're cooking, or using multiple screens during work.
3. Block Out Sound And Light Simultaneously
AGPtEK Sleep Headphones Eye Mask, $25, Amazon
Ideal for the traveler and the sleeper who needs to tune out, there's the AGPtEK sleep headphones eye mask. It blocks out light with its lightweight and breathable eye mask, and it has a built-in HD audio speaker to listen to your favorite playlist, white noise tracks, or podcast as you drift off.
4. The Planner That Boosts Productivity And Helps You Reach Your Goals
The Panda Planner, $27, Amazon
The Panda Planner is widely considered one of the most practical and effective organizational planners, but it also uses scientific strategies to promote happiness, gratitude, and goal achievement. The guided journals even help limit procrastination, and it comes equipped with free e-books and a video course. Needless to say, reviewers are really excited: “The combination of the philosophy behind it, and the terrific execution, makes this the best planner I've ever owned.”
5. Quit Wasting Your Essential Oils With This Motion Activated Diffuser
SpaRoom eMotion Motion-Activated Essential Oil Diffuser, $23, Amazon
If you’re wasting essential oils because you leave your diffuser on all the time, the SpaRoom eMotion diffuser can help. It’s motion activated, so it only releases oils and fragrances when it senses that someone’s in the room. It also works without water, comes with five replaceable rods, and has a wall-mount option that saves counter space.
6. This Phone Charger That Clips Onto Your Key Ring
Avantree Handy Phone Keychain, $20, Amazon
Always find yourself in need of a phone charger? The Avantree handy phone keychain flips open to give you charging and syncing capabilities wherever you are. One side is a USB and the other is a charger (compatible with all iPhones newer than the 5). Best of all, because it clips right onto your keys and comes in a set of two, you'll never leave it behind.
7. This Pleasant-Smelling Goo To Clean All Your Electronics
Nulla Accessories Reusable Soft Peel Away Cleaning Gel, $14, Amazon
Because it’s non-toxic and great for small crevices, this reusable cleaning gel is an awesome way to clean electronics, keyboards, and phone screens. It sticks to all the crumbs, debris, dust, and lint in hard-to-reach places, and this pleasant-smelling goo doesn’t even need to be washed afterward.
8. This Portable Steamer For Cleaning, Ironing, And Sanitizing
Home Garment Steamer, $33, Amazon
This lightweight home garment steamer is the easiest way to iron, steam, and sanitize any fabric in your house. It heats up in under a minute and allows 14 minutes of continuous steam so that you can remove germs and wrinkles from your clothes and linens. It also comes with three different attachments — a lint attachment, a creasing tool, and a brush.
9. Stop Wasting Paper With This Notebook-Style Whiteboard
Nu Board Memo Size, $15, Amazon
If you're a doodler, to-do lister, or note taker, but you hate wasting paper, the Nu Board memo size is the answer. It comes with eight pages of whiteboard material and a maker with an eraser, so you can doodle away and reuse the pages when you're done.
10. These Plastic-Free All Natural Water Filters Made From Charcoal
Kishu Charcoal, $17, Amazon
Made from activated charcoal from oak tree branches, the Kishu charcoal filter is a plastic-free alternative to water filters. Simply place it in a pitcher of tap water and let it soak up toxins and unwanted tastes while releasing essential minerals. “I like that they are not toxic, not plastic, easy to "re-charge" by boiling once a month, and are biodegradable when they are done,” says one reviewer. “I use these in a glass pitcher… These definitely work!”
11. Fill In That Gap Between Your Seat And Center Console
The Drop Stop is one of those items that never crossed your mind, but you then wonder how you ever lived without it. It's an incredible Shark Tank invention that fills in the gap between your seat and center console to stop food, change, your phone, and your glasses from falling down there. It comes with two that universally fit every car, and it even has a hole for the seat belt catch.
12. Stop Lipstick From Fading, Smudging, Or Transferring
Jolie Clear Lipstick Sealer, $13, Amazon
To lock in your lip color all day long, there’s Jolie lipstick sealer. It’s a special formula (applicator included) that goes on clear to prevent smudges, fading, and transferring. Reviewers say it works best over matte lips. “I dance tango and I don't want to put my lipstick mark on the gentleman's shirt,” says one buyer who’s on her second bottle, “so this works perfectly well over lipstick and it last for a whole night.”
13. Purify The Air And Fight Bad Odors With UV-C Light
GermGuardian Pluggable UV-C Sanitizer and Deodorizer, $34, Amazon
Keep the air fresh – wherever you are – with this travel-friendly airsanitizer and deodorizer that plugs into wall outlets to release UV-C light, which damages the DNA of germs. This small-but-mighty tool fights everything from viruses and airborne bacteria to mold spores and bad odor, without the use of chemicals. Reviewers say it truly gets rid of bad odors caused by pets, mildew, cooking, and more in only a few hours.
14. This Backup Flashlight And Phone Charger For Sticky Situations
iRonsnow Dynamo Emergency Solar Handheld Radio, $25, Amazon
The handheld radio is an incredible gift for any practical person, whether they're a camper or just a prepared driver. You can recharge it or wind it up, and it has a built-in flashlight and an emergency phone charger as well.
15. The Most Practical Way To Track Your Nutrition
Greater Goods Food Scale and Nutritional Facts Display, $40, Amazon
The Greater Goods food scale and nutritional facts display is a kitchen staple for nutrition enthusiasts and health fans. It gives you accurate measurements when weighing your food and has the facts for up to 2,000 foods right at your fingertips. It's also sleek, durable, and really easy to clean.
16. These Brilliant Suitcase Organizers Make Packing Easier
Packing Cubes by Bingonia Travel Accessories (5pc), $27, Amazon
These genius Packing Cubes help you organize your clothing and save space in your suitcase. This set of five comes in varying sizes, all made from high-quality materials, and have a reliable zipper as well as a mesh top for visibility. They also let you access the stuff underneath without upsetting your whole suitcase. “They kept things perfectly folded and in place,” says one reviewer. “In a hotel, I just put the cube packed in the drawer and use things as I need them.”
17. Dig And Plant Without Using Tools In The Garden
Garden Genie Gloves, $7, Amazon
These Garden Genie gloves fit like a second skin and keep your hands clean, safe while gardening. Each finger has a durable plastic claw on the end, so you can dig and plant without additional hand tools. Reviewers say that they’re comfortable, durable, and work surprisingly well.
18. This Speaker, Lamp, And Alarm All In One
LIGHTSTORY LED Bedside Lamp, $40, Amazon
The LIGHTSTORY LED bedside lamp isn't your average reading light. It's got a touch-activated LED, a Bluetooth speaker, color-changing dimmable options, a clock, an alarm, and a sleep timer all in one. It's also totally rechargeable and powered by any USB port.
19. Open Just About Any Container Without Hassle
5 in 1 Multi Bottle Opener, $10, Amazon
The 5-in-1 bottle opener works for beer, jars, bottle caps, seals, and cans. It’s extremely durable and insanely useful, so much so that reviewers are saying things like, “This is one of the best things I ever bought… I can not only open about anything, I can also reseal two liter and other bottles so they stay fresh. So many uses for this one little item. Have already recommended it to a few others.”
20. Carry Around A Blanket That Fits In Your Pocket
Matador Mini Pocket Blanket, $20, Amazon
Always be prepared with the Matador mini pocket blanket, which is water-repellent, puncture-resistant, insanely easy to travel with, and unfolds to 44x28 inches. It ensures that you’ve always got a clean place to sit at picnics, concerts, hikes, tailgating parties, and the beach. It comes in a convenient storage pouch complete with a loop for your keychain, and it's even got a pattern on the back that shows you how to refold it.
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