Life
21 Insanely Clever Products That You Won’t Believe You’ve Never Heard Of
If you've spent any time at all on the weird part of the internet, you've probably encountered products that make you ask, "What the hell is that, and why do I need it?" These are not those products. These are the insanely clever products that you won't believe you've never heard of, because you'll wonder how you ever managed to live without them.
Sometimes the best inventions come straight from necessity. If you've ever been covered in barbecue sauce after eating wings or desperately wished you could shut off a light from across the room, it would seem as though someone on the internet has answered your prayers. What about hanging your beer bottles from the top of your refrigerator, or chilling hot coffee in under a minute? Yeah, those things exist, too.
A few of these simple yet insanely clever products came from regular people who had an idea, launched a Kickstarter, and now improve all of our lives via their Amazon shop. If that's not altruism, I don't know what is. Best of all, they're all available with the click of a button, and have tons of buyer reviews to back them up: the consensus? Something along the lines of, "My life is infinitely improved because I own this, and yours can be, too."
1. These Claws That Keeps Your Fingers Clean
Zenergy Trongs, $20 (6 Pack), Amazon
Keep your fingers clean, your nails intact, and the germs away with Zenergy Trongs. They're little clamps for your fingers that help you to pick up food without making a mess (so they're awesome for wings, corn on the cop, and bacon). "This is the best idea I have seen in my entire life," wrote one reviewer who's apparently over the moon. "I'd love to see these in mass production and into grocery stores. They are easy to use and easy to clean; plus, you don't have to clean your hands because Trongs prevent the mess."
2. This Multipurpose Kitchen Tool Specifically For Your Whisk
Whisk Wiper, $23, Amazon
The Whisk Wiper is a multipurpose kitchen tool that wipes your whisk clean in seconds, prevents drips on the counter, mounts it on the side of the bowl, and can even be used as a rubber scraper to clean out excess batter. It comes with a stainless steel whisk that's perfectly fitted to the wiper, and Amazon reviewers are saying things like, "I'm an ex-pastry chef who still loves to bake and make candy regularly. This whisk is everything you hope it will be."
3. This Travel Pillow That Provides Full Lateral Support
Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow, $27, Amazon
The Travelrest claims to be the only travel pillow that provides full lateral support while you're sleeping on planes or in cars. It has an inflatable ergonomic design that loops around your shoulder and down your chest to keep your head and neck fully supported. Then, when you're done, it deflates and folds up for easy storage. "It truly helped me sleep on the plane, which I'd never been able to do before," says one reviewer.
4. This Wine Condom That Promotes Safe Wine Storage
Wine Condoms, $14 (6 Pack), Amazon
These Wine Condoms are as hilarious as they are useful. They create a tight seal over opened wine bottles to reduce spills and spoilage. They also sit right up against the rim (so opened bottles still fit in your fridge), and they come in individual packages that look like real condom wrappers.
5. This Basket That Collapses For Super Easy Storage
Smart POP UP Collapsible Laundry Basket, $30, Amazon
The Smart POP UP laundry basket is the ultimate space saver because it collapses flat when it's not in use, so that you can store in on shelves, in cabinets, or under your bed. It's extremely versatile and features grip-lifting handles to transport everything from toys to clothes, and it has tiny holes for proper ventilation.
6. This Smart Socket That Allows You To Control Your Electronics Right From Your Phone
Orvibo Wi-Fi Smart Socket, $20, Amazon
The Orvibo Smart Socket connects to your WiFi, so you can control all your home electronics anytime, anywhere. You can set a timer on the outlet to prevent over-charging, you can track your energy spending, and you can turn your devices on and off using only your phone. "I needed it for a lamp in my living room. The only outlet is on the other side of the room so every night when I come home and its dark out I have to walk all the way through the living room to turn on a light, usually tripping over my dog," commented one reviewer. "I have had it for about two months so far. No problems."
7. This Floating Beer Storage System That Frees Up Space In Your Fridge
BottleLoft, $30 (2 Pack), Amazon
Free up tons of space in your refrigerator with the BottleLoft. Each strip has a strong adhesive on one side and magnetically holds three bottles underneath, so you can free up shelf space. "Every so often, a new idea comes along that is both fun and functional," wrote one reviewer. "I'm an original backer of this product on Kickstarter, so it has been installed and in steady use now for over a year and a half. It is still going strong, with no issues, and I still smile every time I stick a bottle to one of the magnets and watch it hover in mid-air."
8. These Bean-Shaped Sponges That Clean Narrow Bottles
Bean-Shaped Bottle Cleaning Sponge, $15 (4 Pack), Amazon
These Bean-Shaped sponges are as adorable as they are practical. The cellulose sponge material is filled with ceramic weights — just slip them into a bottle with a narrow opening, fill with soapy water, and shake to clean the hard-to-reach inside. They're also surprisingly durable and reusable.
9. This Iced Coffee Chiller That Takes Your Java From Hot To Cold In 60 Seconds
HyperChiller Iced Coffee Maker, $37, Amazon
Iced coffee takes forever to chill, but the HyperChiller iced coffee maker can take coffee from hot to cold in a single minute without any dilution or change in flavor. The secret is the hyper chiller that has four parts — all you have to do is add water and freeze, so it's ready for coffee straight from the machine. It even fits right under most single-cup machines, and it's dishwasher safe.
10. This Hook That Holds Your Tablet And Your Coffee
The Airhook Air Travel Holder, $28, Amazon
When it's folded up, it's the size of your wallet. When it's assembled, The Airhook can hold tablets up to 8.5 inches tall and your drink. It effortlessly attaches to the backs of seats on airplanes, so you can totally eliminate the need for the tray table.
11. This Clever Glove That Gives You A Fully Body Massage
Hand Massager Glove, $11, Amazon
Featuring nine steel massage balls with full 360-degree rotation, the hand massager glove relieves stress and muscle tension, so you can get a full massage without the help of another person. It slips onto your hand with its palm-shaped design, and it's entirely waterproof, so you can use it with or without massage oils.
12. This Magnet That Scrubs Spots Off Hard-To-Reach Places
Cuisipro Magnetic Spot Scrubber, $11, Amazon
Effortlessly clean the inside of bottles, decanters, and vases with Cuisipro's magnetic spot scrubber. It uses a strong magnet and rubber nubs to get rid of smudges, dirt, and residue, and it works without causing scratches or cracks on your favorite glassware.
13. These Ear Plugs That Preserve Sound Fidelity
Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs, $28, Amazon
With a minimalist design and a comfortable fit, Eargasm High Fidelity earplugs are a must-have for anyone who has sensitive ears or frequents musical events. It uses innovative attenuation filters to reduce the overall volume while preserving sound fidelity at concerts, the movies, loud bars, or while performing. They're made from hypoallergenic materials and come with a convenient carrying case.
14. This Bag Re-Sealer With Micro-Thermal Technology
Air Lock Bag Re-Sealer, $15, Amazon
Don't let those last few cookies go stale. The Air Lock bag re-sealer is a tiny USB-rechargeable gadget that uses micro-thermal technology to create an airtight seal at the top of your open bags. It keeps food way fresher than rubber bands and twist ties, and it stores easily in your drawer or on your fridge — that's because of the handy magnet on the back.
15. This Self-Spinning Mop That Cuts Cleaning Time In Half
Twist and Shout Mop, $40, Amazon
The Twist and Shout mop makes cleaning a breeze. Your hands stay dry, your back stays straight, and you don't smear old dirt around your floor. It's a self-wringing mop that spins dry (and clean) with a gentle push on the handle, and it's made from absorbent microfiber that you can just toss in the washing machine when you're done.
16. This Adjustable Rack For Customizable Storage
StoreMore Adjustable Bakeware Rack, $15, Amazon
Never again try to shove your pans, cutting boards, and cookie sheets where they don't fit. The StoreMore adjustable bakeware rack has seven dividers with tons of secure holes, so you can personalize your cabinet storage. Everything is durable and well-made, and one reviewer wrote, "Fantastic in every way! ... Works great for circular pans, 9x13 cake pans, heavier pans, jelly roll pans, awkward collapsible colanders, cutting boards, whatever you want. Non-skid feet is a big plus."
17. This Unique Brush That Detangles, Re-Conditions, And Restores Moisture
KareCo Tangle Buster Brush, $15, Amazon
The KareCo Tangle Buster brush rehydrates, re-conditions, and restores hair’s natural moisture balance using a uniquely flexible paddle and ionic bristles. It's especially great for tangled hair or sensitive scalps, and it can be used wet or dry.
18. This Earbud Case That Stores, Protects, And Prevents Tangles
The Nest Tangle-Free Ear Phone Case, $14, Amazon
Protect, store, and prevent tangles with The Nest. It's a small gadget made from durable silicone that's easy to fit in purses, pockets, and bags. Simply wrap your headphone wires around the wheel, and pop the buds into the middle portion. Then unwind and use with a single pull. It even comes in four different colors.
19. This Batter Dispenser That Takes The Guess Work Out Of Pouring
Norpro No Mess Batter Dispenser, $12, Amazon
Keep the batter off your counters while making pancakes, brownies, and cupcakes. The Norpro No Mess batter dispenser uses an easy-pull handle to dispense just the right amount of batter without drips. It also stands on its own and has measurement marks, so you can mix your recipe right in the cup.
20. This Smart Tool For Any Fitness Lover
Yunmai Color Smart Scale, $66, Amazon
The Yunmai Color Smart is not your average scale. It syncs up to your phone's Bluetooth to track not only your weight, but your body fat, BMI, muscle, hydration, bone mass, and five other statistics simply by touching the bottom of your feet. It works alongside Apple Health, Fitbit and Google Fit, comes in four modern colors, and is both durable and beautiful.
21. This Travel Water Bottle With A Removable Dog Bowl
Paw Spots Dog Water Bottle, $20, Amazon
The Paw Spots dog water bottle ensures that your best buddy is always hydrated on the go. It's made from BPA-free plastic and has a removable travel bowl that fits right on the bottom. It's super easy to fill, travel with, and clean (it's dishwasher-safe).
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