Life
38 Smart Amazon Products So Useful You'll Reach For Them Every Day
Your wallet can't speak, but if it could, it would ask you very nicely to try and focus your spending on useful purchases instead of on Amazon products that are genuinely entertaining. Exercising fiscal irresponsibility is fun when you're on vacation, but the minute those tires hit the tarmac back home it's time to reign it in and start saving up your money so you can afford the next adventure you go on.
The only exception here, of course, is when you need whatever you're looking to buy: food, rent, and useful products available on Amazon are some of those, but you just have to make sure you're actually going to use whatever you're purchasing. Letting an entire pound of chicken go bad in the fridge is just as wasteful as spending money on a product that never makes it out of the packaging, which is why each and every item on this list is super functional in everyday life.
From a cable organizer that keeps your earbuds from getting tangled, to a heated lunchbox that can warm up your meal, the number of shockingly useful Amazon products is almost endless. You'll be surprised how often you reach for them — so they'll never feel like you're wasting your money.
1. A Toothbrush Holder With A Built-In Drainage System
Tooletries Mighty Toothbrush Holder, $18, Amazon
Toothbrush holders can quickly grow mold and mildew from the excess water that drips off the bristles, which is why the Tooletries mighty toothbrush holder has a custom built-in drainage system that keeps this holder clean and hygienic. And even if some water does accumulate, it's not a big deal since it's made from silicone, which helps prevent any bacteria from taking hold and growing.
2. The Oven Mitts Shaped Like Gloves For Added Dexterity
KMN Home Silicone Oven Gloves, $16, Amazon
Whereas oven mitts only let you use your thumb when handling hot pans, the KMN Home silicone oven gloves let you use all five fingers individually for added control and dexterity. These gloves are made from 100 percent food-grade silicone, and since silicone is non-slip, the chances of you accidentally dropping whatever you're handling is reduced. And as an added bonus, you can even use these gloves to help open stubborn jars.
3. The Makeup Brush Set Made With Sturdy, Durable Bamboo
Matto Bamboo Makeup Brush Set, $10 (Set of 2), Amazon
Sure you could keep using those brushes with the plastic handles that you already have, but look at the Matto bamboo makeup brush set —it just looks so much nicer with the genuine bamboo handles, doesn't it? The bristles are made from super-soft synthetic and are cruelty-free, and unlike other comparable brush sets this one has no chemical smell to it. It's great for everything from powders to cream foundations.
4. A Facial Cleansing Brush That Works On All Skin Types
MS. DEAR Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush, $20, Amazon
If your skin is sensitive, or if you're just looking for a relaxing way to cleanse your pores, try out the MS. DEAR sonic facial cleansing brush. This brush is made from soft silicone that won't irritate your skin, and with four different vibration speeds you can choose whichever one is the most comfortable while still clearing out clogged pores and blackheads. It even helps skin absorb cleansers better, making them more effective in the long run.
5. The Convenient Caddy That Hangs Off The Edge Of Your Bed
mDesign Bedside Storage Caddy, $12, Amazon
If you're like me and prefer to keep your nightstand looking pristine, then the mDesign bedside storage caddy is right up your alley. This caddy hangs off the side of your bed so that you can store tablets, books, phones, glasses — pretty much anything you'd be inclined to clutter up your nightstand with. And because the frame is made with steel wire, you won't have to worry about it warping or bending over time.
6. A Power Strip With Built-In Surge Protection
BESTEK Surge Protector Power Strip, $27, Amazon
It's all fun and games until a power surge fries everything you've got plugged in, so protect yourself with the BESTEK surge protector power strip. The built-in surge protection keeps your electronics safe from random electrical spikes in your home, and the unique rounded design allows you to plug in more devices than you would normally be able to with a traditional rectangular strip.
7. The Spray That Gives You Instantly Thicker Hair
Boldify Hair Thickening Spray, $20, Amazon
The Boldify hair thickening spray helps you achieve thick, voluminous hair in only 60 seconds. Unlike other hair thickening sprays that can end up weighing you down in exchange for adding thickness, this spray has a super lightweight formula that's bursting with minerals and nutrients that help absorb excess oil while keeping your hair shiny and healthy. It's also great for all hair types, easy to wash out with shampoo, and doesn't leave a greasy residue.
8. A Pack Of Toothbrushes Made From Natural Bamboo
GoWoo Natural Bamboo Toothbrushes, $13 (4 Pack), Amazon
Plastic toothbrushes won't break down in landfills the same way that the GoWoo natural bamboo toothbrushes will, so why not make the switch and help the environment out? Each order comes with four toothbrushes, and the super-soft nylon bristles are sturdy enough to clean away plaque and build-up so that your teeth are left looking healthy and white. And because bamboo is a naturally sturdy wood, you won't have to worry about chips or splinters.
9. The Produce Bags That Helps Keep Your Food Fresh
Earth Junky Reusable Produce Bags, $24 (7 Pack), Amazon
Not only do they come with an included swaddle sheet that helps prevent your vegetables from wilting in the refrigerator, but the Earth Junky reusable produce bags will also biodegrade within five months after throwing them out — aka they're as eco-friendly as it gets. Each order comes with seven bags of varying sizes to fit produce of all shapes and sizes, and unlike other reusable bags these ones are made from durable muslin.
10. A Collagen Powder That Gives Your Skin A Healthy Glow
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, $43, Amazon
Add it into coffee, oatmeal, sauces, smoothies, soups, or water, and the Vital Proteins collagen peptides will help give your skin and hair an added boost of shine and health. Unlike other collagen powders, this one won't affect the taste of whatever food you're adding it into, and you only need to take it once or twice a day to start seeing the benefits. As always, talk to a doctor before starting any supplements.
11. The Setting Spray That Protects Skin Using Pomegranate And Sage
ArtNaturals Makeup Setting Spray, $9, Amazon
Whereas other setting sprays only focus on making sure your makeup is flawlessly set, the ArtNaturals makeup setting spray goes the extra mile by adding pomegranate, sage, and aloe vera to help give your skin an added boost of hydration. Great for preventing your makeup from cracking or melting, there's also zinc, copper, and magnesium extracts that help protect your skin cells from from everyday irritation and damage.
12. A Water Gel That Protects Your Face From Harmful UV Rays
Nivea SPF 50 Super Water Gel, $18, Amazon
While they both rub on clear, sunscreens that are gels instead of creams generally absorb faster and do not use any oil in their formulas, which is why the Nivea SPF 50 super water gel is great for anyone with oily skin. It can be used on both the face and body, and reviewers are obsessed with it for a reason: it leaves no white cast behind.
13. The Gadget That Can Open Any Type Of Can
Kuhn Rikon Master Can Opener, $20, Amazon
Whether you've got a can of tomato sauce you need to crack into or a beer cap that won't twist off, the Kuhn Rikon master can opener can handle it. This can opener automatically attaches itself to cans, and safely cuts the outside rim instead of the top so that you aren't left with any sharp edges. And because the opener never comes into contact with the contents of the can, it's also more hygienic than traditional ones.
14. A Flexible Glue That Can Bond To Practically Anything
Sugru Moldable Glue, $20 (8 Pack), Amazon
Great for mounting and hanging pictures without drilling, the Sugru moldable glue uses silicone technology to form a strong bond on practically any surface, including ceramic, glass, wood, metal, and plastics. This glue can hold up to 4.4 pounds and is flexible, which makes it great for DIY projects — use it to cover frayed wires since it's shock-resistant and electrically insulating, or even to plug a crack in your freezer since it's also temperature-resistant.
15. The Shampoo Bar That Balances Your Skin's Oil Production
Ethique Shampoo Bar, $16, Amazon
Instead of using harsh and possibly irritating chemicals, the Ethique shampoo bar uses rosemary, juniper, basil, lime, lemon, and orange extracts to help balance out how much oil your skin is producing. And because each bar is equal to three bottles of liquid shampoo, this bar will help you save money over the long run — and as an added bonus, you don't even need to use conditioner if you don't want to, as this bar is already incredibly moisturizing.
16. A Lip Scrub That Moisturizes While It Exfoliates
TreeActiv Matcha Lip Scrub, $13, Amazon
Dry, chapped lips can be frustrating to get rid of, but with the TreeActiv matcha lip scrub you can exfoliate and moisturize your lips at the same time so you're left with a soft pout. This scrub uses ultra-fine sugar crystals to both exfoliate away dead skin and encourage the growth of newer, healthier cells, and the blend of green tea and coconut oil leaves your lips feeling super soft.
17. The Handy Gadget That Helps You Find Misplaced Belongings
Tile Key Finder, $20, Amazon
All you have to do is attach the Tile key finder to your phone, tablet, remote control — or any other object you're frequently losing — and the next time you misplace it, the device will begin to ring so you can figure out exactly where it is. The downloadable smartphone app lets you track where you had the item last, and if you lose your Tile, there's an app to find that too.
18. A Fragrance Atomizer That's Approved By The TSA
Travolo Fragrance Atomizer, $15, Amazon
The TSA will make you throw out whatever liquids you have in your carryon if they aren't the right size, so make sure you get through security easily with the Travolo fragrance atomizer. Not only is this handy atomizer approved by the TSA for carryon bags, but it also allows you to transfer your fragrance from bottle to bottle without any spills or exposure to the air.
19. The Slow Cooker With Seven Different Functions Built Into One
COSORI Programmable Multi-Cooker, $70, Amazon
Able to cook enough food to feed up to six people, the COSORI programmable multi-cooker features seven different versatile cooking functions that you can choose from: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté pan, yogurt maker, steamer, and warmer. Cleaning up is a breeze because it's dishwasher-safe, and since it's made from food-grade stainless steel and aluminum, this multi-cooker is incredibly durable as well.
20. A Pack Of Blotting Tissues That Use Rice Powder To Absorb Oil
Palladio Rice Paper Tissues, $5, Amazon
Rice powder is a great, natural way to absorb excess oil and keep makeup lasting longer — and the Palladio rice paper tissues are absolutely chock-full of it. Each package has 40 tissues that help mitigate any excess oil on your skin, and the packaging is a convenient, compact size so that you can easily toss them in your bag to take on-the-go.
21. The Plug That Lets You Control Your Electronics With Your Smartphone
TP-Link Smart WiFi Plug, $22, Amazon
Compatible with both Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa, if you plug your electronics into the TP-Link smart WiFi plug you can control them with your smartphone. You can even schedule this plug to automatically turn itself off or on when you know you won't be home, which will help you save money on your utility bills in the long run. And if you forgot to turn a light off, no worries — just use the downloadable app to turn it off remotely.
22. An Electric Lunch Box That Can Warm Your Food Up
YOHOOLYO Electric Lunch Box, $35, Amazon
No microwave? Not a problem, as the YOHOOLYO electric lunch box can warm up your food so that you can enjoy rice, chicken, pastas, and more without needing a microwave. This handy lunchbox has a stainless steel container on the inside that's durable and won't warp, and it only takes between 30 and 45 minutes to warm your food up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
23. The Planner That Comes With Guides To Help You Achieve Your Goals
Panda Planner Daily Planner, $38, Amazon
Whereas most daily planners only give you space to organize your daily routine, the Panda Planner daily planner comes with ebooks and video courses on topics like "How to Crush Your Goals" and "A Billionaire's Guide To Productivity" to help keep you motivated. Designed to last for up to nine months and completely undated, one Amazon reviewer raved that even with her ADHD, this planner helps keep her organized.
24. A Sturdy Cell Phone Stand Made From Durable Aluminum
Lamicall Adjustable Cell Phone Stand, $12, Amazon
Whereas most cell phone stands are made from plastic that can be bent, the Lamicall adjustable cell phone stand is constructed from super-sturdy aluminum that won't bend, break, or crack under pressure. Compatible with any smartphone between 4 and 8 inches wide, this stand also has built-in rubber cushions that prevent the phone from sliding — and protect it from any accidental scratches.
25. The Handy Gadget That Separates Your Egg Yolks
OXO Egg Separator, $5, Amazon
You could get your hands messy from separating eggs, or you could use the OXO egg separator and guarantee that no shells fall into your food. This separator attaches onto the side of practically any pot or pan, and the slotted bottom allows the yolk to separate from the white with ease. There's even a raised edge that's specifically for cracking eggs.
26. An Eyebrow Gel That Won't Smudge If You Rub It
Wunder2 Brunette Eyebrow Gel, $21, Amazon
Whereas most eyebrow colors can end up wiping off throughout the day, the Wunder2 brunette eyebrow gel is smudge-, water-, and transfer-proof, meaning that it won't rub onto your clothes or run off your face. Even if you go swimming with it on, this gel will stay on your eyebrows for days until you decide to take it off — and many Amazon reviewers noted how it looks very natural and fills in sparse spots with ease.
27. The Kit That Gives You An Effective Workout At Home
Odoland Wheel Roller Kit, $20, Amazon
Whereas most ab rollers can be hard to use because of how unstable they are, the roller in the Odoland wheel roller kit is designed with a longer handle that's covered in anti-slip foam for added stability. Able to support up to 800 pounds, this kit also comes with a set of push-up bars as well as a jump rope, and the soft knee pad keeps your knees protected when using the abdominal roller.
28. A Cute Organizer That Keeps Your Makeup Brushes Organized
byAlegory Beauty Brush Organizer, $15, Amazon
Made with high-quality crystalline acrylic that looks great with any style of decor, the byAlegory beauty brush organizer is a great way to keep your makeup brushes clean and in pristine condition. This organizer can hold up to 12 brushes at once, and there are three different hole sizes to choose from so that no matter how big or small your brushes are, they'll still be able to fit.
29. The Silicone Cable Organizer That's Compact And Durable
ELFRhino Cord Organizer, $7, Amazon
Because of its conveniently compact size, the ELFRhino cord organizer can easily be tossed into your purse or backpack to keep your headphones organized and tangle-free no matter where you are. Each organizer is made from soft yet durable silicone that won't damage your wires, and the metallic snap keeps them from coming loose or becoming knotted. Many Amazon reviewers even noted how it also works great as a gift.
30. A Pack Of Makeup Remover Pads That Are Completely Reusable
Eco-Friendly Beauty Makeup Remover Pads, $13 (12 Pack), Amazon
Since each pad lasts for about 1,000 washes, the Eco-Friendly Beauty makeup remover pads are not just kind to the environment, but they'll also save you money over time since they last so long. These pads are super soft, which makes them safe to use on the delicate skin underneath your eyes as well as on sensitive skin, and because they're also machine-washable, cleaning them is a breeze. The set comes with 10 small round pads and two larger mitts.
31. The Sleep Mask That Doesn't Exert Pressure On Your Eyes
Sleep Master Sleep Mask, $26, Amazon
Whereas many sleep masks put uncomfortable pressure on your eyes in order to stay put while you sleep, the Sleep Master sleep mask is made from lightweight and breathable satin that surrounds your head comfortably. Velcro strips connect in the back so that the mask doesn't fall off your face, and because it's made from satin, it's also hypoallergenic as well as machine-washable.
32. A Journal That Has Enough Pages To Last Five Years
One Line A Day: A Five-Year Memory Book, $13, Amazon
Journaling can be a great way to keep track of your maturity and progress as a person, and the One Line A Day journal has enough pages for up to half a decade — just add one sentence a day (or more!) to keep the memories alive. Many Amazon reviewers rave about the quality of the paper in this journal, too.
33. The Pad That Cleans Smudges And Marks Off Your Screens
ProCase Screen Cleaning Pad, $9 (4 Pack), Amazon
Great for use on tablets, computers, ebooks, and more, the ProCase screen cleaning pad removes dust, fingerprints, smudges, and any other unwanted residue left clinging to your screen. Each pad is made from scratch-resistant faux suede that's gentle on your devices, and the PU leather handle on the back ensures you can easily handle this pad while cleaning. And because it's so small and compact, you can easily toss this cleaning pad into your purse or backpack to use anywhere.
34. A Chic And Classy Pour-Over Coffee Maker
Chemex Glass Pour-Over Coffeemaker, $41, Amazon
Coffee enthusiasts of all ages can appreciate the Chemex glass pour-over coffee maker, as this chic device is made from non-porous Borosilicate glass that won't absorb any unwanted odors or chemical residues. With this coffee maker, you can cover and refrigerate your coffee for reheating later without sacrificing any of the taste, and each glass container can make up to 40 ounces of coffee.
35. The Panini Maker That Goes Right On Your Stove
BulbHead Nonstick Panini Maker, $19, Amazon
Whereas most countertop panini presses don't really get hot enough to melt the cheese in your panini, the BulbHead nonstick panini maker was designed to go on the stove so that your sandwiches will get heated all the way through. The copper-infused ceramic cooking surface helps ensure that food is cooked evenly, and since it's also scratch-resistant and non-stick, clean-up is always a breeze.
36. An Odor Eliminator That Uses Charcoal To Get Rid Of Unwanted Smells
PURGGO Natural Odor Eliminator, $11 (2 Pack), Amazon
Instead of trying to mask odors with sprays and aerosols, try using the PURGGO natural odor eliminator as a natural way to get rid of unwanted smells. Chemical-free bamboo charcoal absorbs the odor particles as they pass through the bag, leaving you with fresher air at a fraction of the cost of an air filter. And because these eliminators are hypoallergenic, they're also great for people with allergies and asthma.
37. The LED Desk Lamp With A Built-In Calendar And Pen Holder
Gerintech LED Desk Lamp, $40, Amazon
You'll never have to change any bulbs in the Gerintech LED desk lamp since LEDs last forever, and the built-in USB port means you can charge your phone right next to you while you work. Unlike other desk lamps, this one also has an alarm clock, temperature reader, and calendar available on the LCD screen, and the LED light offers three different brightness settings to choose from.
38. A Handy Multi-Tool That's As Compact As A Credit Card
Wallet Ninja Credit Card Pocket Tool, $12, Amazon
Use it as a ruler for measuring, a screwdriver, a can opener, a peeler, or if you've got a stubborn beer cap you can even use the Wallet Ninja credit card pocket tool as a bottle opener. Made from steel that's been heat-treated four times for maximum durability, this pocket tool is guaranteed to never rust, bend, or dull — and is so small and thin that it can easily fit into any credit card slot in your wallet.
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