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22 Random But Genius Products On Amazon Under $25 With High Consumer Reports Ratings
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There are times when you come across a product you've never thought about owning, but that's so perfect and useful you'll wonder how you lived life without it. These random but genius products on Amazon under $25 with high Consumer Reports ratings will give you all kinds of feelings — but the most pressing one is that you must make them your own right now.
In case you're unsure of what the big fuss is about Consumer Reports ratings or why you should care, here's the deal: CR is a nonprofit organization totally dedicated to trying out a variety of products and giving consumers the low-down on whether they're worth our money and time. Consumer Reports doesn't rate a product highly unless it has passed scrupulous testing — and it doesn't discriminate when it comes to pricing. The amazing products on this list are as varied as you can get, but they share two things in common: they won't break the bank and they're considered the best in their category, according to Consumer Reports.
You may not be looking for colorful earbuds, a copper frying pan you can also use in the oven, a single-serve blender with a lid for on-the-go smoothies, or the one product that can get spaghetti sauce stains off your carpet, but we've got them. These products are affordable, will solve a million common problems, and got the stamp of approval from Consumer Reports.
2. The Perfect Container To Store Fresh Strawberries
RubberMaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Food Storage Container, $11, Amazon
Keep produce fresh for much longer with this food storage container, which Consumer Reports claims is the "best for strawberries" (but works for any fresh food). Each medium size container holds 6.3 cups worth of fruit and veggies. Thanks to the FreshVent technology, the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide is regulated to prevent mold and rotting — and will keep your food fresh for 80 percent longer. These containers also come in large, large square, and long rectangle sizes.
3. A Copper Frying Pan That Can Go From Stove To Oven
Red Copper 10-Inch Pan, $20, Amazon
This copper frying pan has a ceramic coating that will never flake or chip is designed to safely withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees — which means you can transfer it to your oven with ease. The 10-inch pan has a scratch-resistant ceramic coating, allow you to fry up eggs, meat, and veggies without oil, and it's also dishwasher-safe. It also has a handle that stays cool to the touch, and one reviewer writes: "This pan is amazing. I use it on my grill. I use it in my oven, on my stovetop. It works just like on tv. NOTHING sticks."
4. A Multi-Tasking, Multi-Surface Cleaner That Kills 99.9% Of Germs
Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, $13, Amazon
Remove grease, mustard, and even grape juice with Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner — without staining surfaces. This highly rated cleaning product kills 99.9 percent of germs and can be used everywhere in your home, from your kitchen and bathroom to your garage. It also works to get rid of dirt and dust, and it's good for floors, walls, and everything in between.
5. A Completely Natural, DEET-Free Insect Repellant To Keep Mosquitoes & Ticks Away
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellant Pump, $4, Amazon
With an overall Consumer Reports score of 91, this insect repellant pump stands out for a few great reasons, but none are as impressive as the fact that it's totally natural and still effective (making it a unicorn in this category). This easy-to-use pump repellant keeps mosquitoes and ticks away using ingredients like lemon eucalyptus oil. It's DEET-free, lasts for 6 hours without the need to reapply, and won't damage clothing. Reviewers say they sprayed this without any issue on their bed sheets and furniture in the summer months.
6. A Bike Helmet With Vents For A Cooler And Safer Bike Ride
Schwinn Intercept Adult Micro Bicycle Helmet, $18, Amazon
Don't take chances when it comes to your health and safety: this bike helmet for adults is one of the best, according to Consumer Reports. Your head will stay cool while riding, thanks to 10 contoured vents for better airflow, and a snap on/off visor protects your eyes from the sun. It has webbing straps that adjust under your chin to fit perfectly and — most importantly — this helmet tested really well as part of Consumer Reports' bike helmet test program. There also is a screw knob adjustment in the back so you can securely fit it to your head.
7. A Carpet Stain And Spot Remover That Can Even Get Rid Of Spaghetti Sauce Stains
Bissell Professional Power Shot Oxy Carpet Spot and Stain Remover, $7, Amazon
There are a lot of carpet cleaners that do a decent job lifting up stains — but unless you can completely remove stubborn stains like spaghetti sauce or French dressing, what's the point? This carpet spot and stain remover earned a CR rating of 63 because it does a good or very good job at cleaning sauce, salad dressing, coffee, and red wine — all considered tough stains to lift off of fabric. The foam cleanser is also great at getting rid of odors from pets, smoke, mold, and mildew. Best of all, spraying this on carpets helps prevent future stains from sinking in.
8. The Comfy Ear Buds With A Microphone And Remote
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbuds, $12, Amazon
You can't beat the price of these in-ear earbuds — but the quality is also surprisingly good. The buds, which come in nine colors, conform to your ear and fit comfortably, and they produce tonally balanced audio that sounds crisp even when those high notes are hit. Consumer Reports rates them highly for having very good sound quality and medium-high sensitivity. The integrated microphone and remote are compatible with smartphones and it has a 3.6-foot cord that threads through your bag or pocket. It also comes with three different sets of ear pads to ensure a perfect fit.
9. A 5-Speed Mixer That's Really Affordable
Proctor Silex 5-Speed Mixer, $20, Amazon
With five speed settings, very good whipping time, and a bowl rest that prevents messy spills, this mixer is a fantastic, affordable choice in a sea of more expensive mixers. The handle is comfortable and stable and it won't make a racket throughout the house when you're using it — it's especially useful for beating eggs for omelets, turning whites into meringue, and combining batters or cookie doughs. One five-star reviewer even noted their model lasted 22 years.
10. A Shower Head That's A Breeze To Install And Keep Clean
American Standard Easy Clean Showerhead, $13, Amazon
Aside from the amazing price, this showerhead earned a CR rating of 76 because it's simple to clean and won't suffer from the usual mucky limestone buildup, provides good water pressure, and is excellent at delivering a consistently hot stream of water — and will efficiently flow at just over two gallons a minute. The chrome-plated brass showerhead is also a snap to install, and are easy to adjust once installed.
11. A Collection Of 140 Award-Winning Recipes
The Food52 Cookbook, $21, Amazon
This exceptional cookbook has 140 recipes from the best home cooks in the country. Each recipe was a winner on Food52.com — but the book is put together by bestselling author Amanda Hesser and food writer Merrill Stubbs. However, amateur chefs needn't stress: these recipes won't send you all over the city looking for impossible-to-get ingredients, nor will you be expected to try out unusual cooking techniques that make you want to throw your pots and pans out the window.
12. A Traditional Steam Iron With An Auto Shut-Off That Will Put Your Mind At Ease
Black + Decker Professional Steam Iron, $25, Amazon
This conventional steam iron has a unique safety feature that turns it off when it's not active after 30 seconds — and a heavy steel soleplate that works wonders on the most wrinkled fabrics. The iron is lightweight and easy to use, with an auto-clean system to rid the water of mineral deposits, and a separate control to turn the steam function on and off. It regulates temperature to prevent drip, and it even comes with a pouring cup/funnel.
13. A Pour-Over Coffee Maker That's Fast And Efficient
Melitta Coffee Maker, $10, Amazon
The concept behind this coffee maker couldn't be simpler: line the cone with a filter, fill it with coffee, and pour hot water on top. You can make up to six cups of coffee, it's lightweight and doesn't take up counter space like a coffee maker, and reviewers say if you use it in conjunction with a kettle, it makes coffee even faster that electric and single-serve makers. The borosilicate glass carafe is sturdy and durable, and reviewers write that it is "perfection through simplicity."
14. A Zester And Grater That Will Make Meals More Flavorful And Delicious
Microplane Classic Zester/Grater, $13, Amazon
Save yourself the time and aggravation involved in trying to chop up parmesan cheese or the white pith of a lemon (which is just impossible to do with a knife) and rely on this zester/grater to make meals more flavorful in seconds. Fruit will be zested without bruising, which helps improve flavor and aroma, and the tool needs only a light amount of pressure to work. The stainless steel tool has an 8.5-inch blade, ergonomic handle, and washes easily in the dishwasher.
15. A Texturized Chef's Mitt That Makes It Easier To Hold Hot Pots
Kitchen Grips Chef's Mitt, $19, Amazon
Protect your hands from temperatures as high as 500 degrees and as low as -134 degrees with this heat and water resistant chef's mitt. The mitt has a raised nub surface to provide a stronger grip on pots and pans and it's water-repellent and comes in four shades. It's made of a non-porous material that prevents stains, which can lead to bacteria build-up on gloves over time.
16. A Soothing Warm Steam Vaporizer With A Nightlight
Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer With Nightlight, $15, Amazon
This warm steam vaporizer scored well on Consumer Reports because of its excellent ability to put out enough humidity per square foot in small and medium-size rooms. The humidity increase will help you breathe easier, and can even help you have a more restful sleep. The humidifier doesn't have a filter and can be used with Vicks Vaposteam or Vapopads to provide cold and cough relief. It even has a soothing nightlight and is so quiet you'll forget it's there. It'll run up to 24 hours straight without needing a refill, too.
17. A Single Serve Blender With A Lid For On-The-Go Smoothies
Hamilton Beach Personal Single Serve Blender, $18, Amazon
When all you need is a single smoothie and you don't want to waste time tearing apart a blender and washing all of the pieces, this single serve blender is as convenient as it gets. With a CR rating of 55, this long-lasting blender has a simple, one-touch pulse operation that easily pulverizes fruits and soft vegetables. The portable 14-ounce blending jar comes with a lid and fits in most car cup holders.
18. The Water Filter Pitcher That Keeps 200 Nasty Contaminants Far Away From You
Clear2o Water Filter, $25, Amazon
A water filter really only has one job, but it's a big one — and this one, with a CR rating of 93, doesn't disappoint. With the ability to use the pressure of your faucet to keep 200 harmful contaminants like lead, mercury, and heavy metals out of your cup, the advanced filter keeps you safer. The BPA-free pitcher holds around nine glasses of water and works with most standard and utility faucets. It also has a filter life of 50 gallons, which is over 20 percent more effective than other, similar models.
19. A Kitchen Thermometer That Gives You Accurate Results In 4 Seconds
Polder Digital Kitchen Thermometer, $16, Amazon
Raw meat does not make for a good (or safe) dining experience. Make sure your food is always cooked well with the help of this digital kitchen thermometer. Rather than leaving you guessing about when it's ready to be read, the probe beeps when it has registered your food's temperature and delivers results in four seconds. The reading is also held until the device is reset, so you can take the temperature and pull out the device, which makes things easier.
20. A 3-in-1 Fruit And Vegetable Peeler
Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Perfect Peeler, $12, Amazon
Put the knife down — this three-in-one peeler can peel apples, pears, and every veggie you can imagine in seconds and without cutting your fingers. The peeler works its magic horizontally, vertically, and in 45-degree positions. It has an ergonomic, non-slip handle and is dishwasher safe. The ultra-sharp ceramic blade won't rust, even when exposed to liquids or citrus juice.
21. A Way To Easily Get Minced Garlic Without A Knife And Cutting Board
Oxo Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press, $16, Amazon
Squeeze chunks of garlic with ease using this garlic press — right into a pan, if you choose. The result is perfect minced garlic from a sturdy gadget that can be washed in the dishwasher. The built-in cleaner pushes out garlic skins easily, so you don't have to jam your fingers in the compartment to get them out, and the large chamber can fit three to four cloves in at once.
22. A Wearable Health And Wellness Tracker That Keeps Tabs On Your Sleep
Jawbone Sleep Tracker, $15, Amazon
Don't just track your activity and steps — something the Jawbone Sleep Tracker can do — use it to monitor the quality of your sleep, as well. Before you go to bed, slip this tracker on your wrist to learn more about your sleep patterns, which can significantly affect your health and well being. It's compatible with iOS and Android, and can also be used to connect with friends who share similar health goals.
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