Life

42 Multi-Functional Products On Amazon You Need — Because Items That Do Only One Thing Are So Last Year

Bustle/Amazon

When you're pressed for time, space, or have a limited budget, you just can't fill up your home, purse, or work environment with hundreds of tools and gadgets. These are the multi-functional products on Amazon you need — because items that do only one thing are so last year.

These products are part of a major effort to simplify your living space and cut down on costs by producing one tool or device that does the work of several tools or devices. If you wanted to do so, you could buy up hundreds of cooking tools that measure, whisk, and scoop. But why fill up your cabinets until they're bursting when there are adjustable teaspoons with slide covers to ensure precise measurements, or egg whisks that double as milk frothers for delicious lattes?

This list includes everything from multi-tasking makeup products like an electric makeup brush (which is seriously awesome at delivering flawless makeup application) to multi-functional hair tools that suddenly transform into a screwdriver and ruler. You'll feel like a real-life secret agent when you own these genius products loved by practical people everywhere.

More importantly, these products will save you money and time, help you when you're in a fix and need a spare tool, and give you back some of that precious closet and storage space your home desperately needs.

by Lisa Fogarty

1. A Three-In-One Electric Makeup Brush

Electric Makeup Brush, $33, Amazon

With three removable cosmetic brush heads — a blush brush, foundation brush, and powder brush head — this three-in-one electric makeup brush delivers flawless makeup application each and every time. The brush head rotates 360-degrees and offers two speed levels that you can adjust, depending on your needs. When your brush needs a charge, simply use the USB charging cable.

Amazon

2. A Pen And Tool That Doubles As A Stylus And Screwdriver

Kalogl Multitool Pen, $12 (2 Pack), Amazon

This is no ordinary ballpoint pen (though it's that, too). It's a nine-in-one pen and tool that works overtime as a stylus, ruler, level, Philips screwdriver, and flathead screwdriver. You'll get two pens in each set, and they're so portable and convenient to pack that you'll never have to leave home without one.

Amazon

3. The Silicone Lids That Fit A Variety Of Pots And Pans

J&C Life Multifunction Silicone Glass Lid, $13, Amazon

Forget about rooting around your cabinets and drawers for lids that fit each pot. This universal lid comes in six sizes and each size actually accommodates cookware in three different sizes (so, for example, one lid can fit 10, 11, and 12 inch pots and pans). Made from silicone that is heat resistant up to 220 degrees, these lids have a cool-to-touch top knob where you can rest one cooking tool and are dishwasher friendly.

Amazon

4. A Water Or Smoothie Bottle With Storage

Contigo Shake & Go Fit Shaker Bottle, $12, Amazon

Whether you opt to use this water bottle for water or to mix and shake up smoothies and healthy shakes, you'll benefit from one super sweet feature: a storage compartment on the bottle itself where you can stash your keys, ID, and lip balm. This bottle fits most car cup holders, has a sturdy carry handle, and its lid is leak-proof. It even comes in different colors — 11 in total.

Amazon

5. A Self-Sharpening 12-Piece Knife Set

Sabatier Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set, $59, Amazon

When you own a quality set of knives, you expect to have to keep them sharpened — but that can be an annoying and time-consuming chore that takes the fun out of cooking. This self-sharpening knife block set simplifies your routine: each time you return one of the 12 knives in this set to its slot, it automatically sharpens without any effort on your part. Each knife is made from high-carbon stainless steel and your set includes steak knives, as well as a chef, slicer, fine-edge utility, and paring knife.

Amazon

6. A Hair Clip With Seven Tool Functions

Monkey Business Mini Multitool Clip, $8, Amazon

You'll feel like a secret agent when you wear this multi-purpose hair clip, which will indeed keep stray hairs in place, but can also be removed at any time and used as a ruler, small or large screwdriver, cutter, trolley coin, wrench, or flat Philips screwdriver.

Amazon

7. A Macro- And Wide-Angle Lens For Your Phone Camera

iPhone Camera Lens, $24, Amazon

Attach this iPhone camera lens to your iPhone, Android, iPad, or tablet and watch as your photos take on an even more professional quality. This is a two-in-one wide angle and macro lens with a detachable clip that is perfect for shooting still life at a distance or wide angle landscape photos. It's compatible for 95 percent of devices, but be sure to check out the details so you can be sure it will work with your phone or tablet.

Amazon

8. A Two-In-One Cleansing And Exfoliating Facial Brush

TI Style 2-In-1 Face Brush, $9, Amazon

This glittery glam two-in-one face brush has an exfoliating silicone pad on one side to slough away dead skin cells, and a brush with soft bristles on the other side for deep cleansing that removes dirt, oil, and sebum from pores. This cleansing and exfoliating brush is more affordable than most in its league, and helps keep skin clear and free of acne.

Amazon

9. An Egg Beater And Milk Frother

Stainless Steel Mini Spring Egg Beater, $7, Amazon

This mini spring egg beater has silicone coils and a flat handle that makes it easier to whisk eggs without scratching bowls and cookware. But its silicone design also allows it to be heat-resistant up to 475 degrees, which means you can also use it to turn hot milk into froth in lattes — and even get lumps out of your favorite sauces and pureed soups.

Amazon

10. A Rotating Cosmetics Organizer That Can Fit 72 Lipsticks — And Organizes All Your Palettes

Ikee Design Rotating Cosmetic Tower Organizer, $55, Amazon

The problem with most cosmetic organizers is that, if you're a beauty lover, you probably can't fit half of your makeup in one. But this rotating cosmetic organizer and tower has an amazing 72 slots for lipsticks, as well as two drawers that can be pushed out both ways and will accommodate eyeshadow and blush palettes, eyeliners, and brushes.

Amazon

11. A Space-Saving Nesting Bowl And Colander

Farberware Professional Bowl And Colander Set, $13, Amazon

Save major space with this nesting bowl and colander set, which fit snugly together and can be used together or as separate cooking and prep pieces. Both the mixing bowl and colander are made from BPA-free plastic, have carrying handles, and the bowl features a convenient pour spout for less mess. And they're both safe to clean in your dishwasher, too.

Amazon

12. An Adjustable Desktop Organizer

Hamfa Bamboo Desk Storage Organizer, $30, Amazon

Adjust the bamboo shelves on this desk storage organizer to turn it into anything you need — whether that means a book shelf, display shelf to show off art you love, or a storage shelf for spices that you can keep in the kitchen. Natural bamboo is sustainable and durable, and this portable bookshelf is simple to assemble.

Amazon

13. A Gadget That Lets You Adjust The Type Of Veggie Slices You Want

Prepworks by Progressive Adjust-A-Slice and Julienne Mandoline, $15, Amazon

Your salads are about to become a whole lot prettier: this mandoline slicer provides julienne cuts of veggies and fruits with the option of three levels of thickness: thin, medium, and thick. It's simple to adjust and use, dishwasher0safe, and has a non-skid base and ridges that keep it stable on cutting surfaces, or while you're slicing vegetables into a bowl.

Amazon

14. A Three-In-One Travel Pillow

Jml 3-in-1 Travel Pillow, $20, Amazon

Most travel pillows are comfortable accessories that you use on a plane or train and then toss aside once you reach your final destination. But this three-in-one travel pillow can be converted from a traditional U-shape travel pillow to a standard cushion pillow to a supportive bolster pillow for your knees, hips, or back. It comes in navy or black, and can be used long after your flight lands.

Amazon

15. A Portable Two-Tier Clothes Drying Rack

Household Essentials 2-Tier Clothes Drying Rack Tri-Pod, $39, Amazon

Use this two-tier clothes drying rack to dry all of your most delicate clothing (those pieces that should never see the inside of a dryer). But you can also use this rack to simply store clothing you can't fit inside of your tiny closet. This portable and collapsible rack has slots to hold up to 72 garments.

Amazon

16. A Cordless Hair Straightener Brush

Dwave Hair Straightening Brush, $40, Amazon

This rechargeable heated hair straightening brush requires no cords or outlets — you can take it anywhere and style your hair anywhere and for about 30 minutes until it requires another charge with a USB cable. The brush has three heat settings, which makes it ideal for fine, medium, or thick hair.

Amazon

17. The Grill Brush That Has Three Uses

Grillart Grill Brush and Scraper, $14, Amazon

Clean your grill five times faster than with an ordinary brush when you use this three-in-one grill brush and scraper, which has a long 18-inch handle and three brushes in one, with a 360 degree rotator. This brush cleans more area with less pressure and works on all grill types, from gas to charcoal.

Amazon

18. A Universal Car Phone Holder You Can Mount Anywhere

Vansky 3-In-1 Universal Phone Holder, $10, Amazon

There are three ways you can mount your phone in your car for convenience using this universal phone holder: clipped onto the air vent, dashboard, or windshield via a strong suction cup. The holder features 360-degree rotation so you can view it at the ideal angle and it's super simple to install (no tools required).

Amazon

19. A Bluetooth Speaker And Essential Oil Diffuser

Pryzma Essentials Bluetooth Speaker Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, $37, Amazon

An aromatherapy diffuser and cool mist humidifier with seven changing LED night light options is pretty sweet on its own, but this diffuser offers another perk: it's a Bluetooth speaker that allows you to sit back and listen to music and podcasts while you relax and take in the scents of your favorite essential oil. It's also made from quality wood that will last you forever, and can run up to seven hours nonstop before it requires a water refill.

Amazon

20. A Reversible Cutting Board With A Detachable Food Scoop

Kalrede Cutting Board, $14, Amazon

You need a quality cutting board — so why not invest in a reversible cutting board that can do it all? This double-sided board has grooves on one side that work best for chopping meat or poultry, and a smooth side for slicing fruits and vegetables. But that's not where the genius ends: it also has a detachable attachment with pointed cones for grating ginger and garlic — and it even doubles as a food scoop to transport sliced portions to your pot or bowl.

Amazon

21. A Soap Dispensing Dish Sponge With A Scraper

OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Dish Scrub, $8, Amazon

Fill this dish brush with your favorite soap and push a button on the gadget every time you need a squirt of soap to help clean dishes, pots, and pans. This dual-sided tool has an anti-microbial sponge on one side and a scraper for removing stubborn, caked-on food and grease on the other side.

Amazon

22. A Three-in-One Stick Vacuum Cleaner For Every Mess In Your House

Eureka Blaze 3-In-1 Swivel Lightweight Stick Vacuum, $30, Amazon

This corded lightweight vacuum cleaner weighs just 4 pounds so you can carry it up and down stairs with no problem. It starts out as a swivel vacuum for cleaning in tight corners and spaces, but converts to a stick vacuum for stairs and a handheld vacuum for minor, everyday spills and messes.

Amazon

23. A Rechargeable LED Camping Light Stick

DealBang Rechargeable LED Camping Light Stick, $10, Amazon

Take this rechargeable LED light stick camping, of course — but you can also keep it in your closet, garage, or use it as an emergency light source in case of a power outage. The stick has powerful magnets on both ends to keep it secure on iron surfaces. It's lightweight, portable, and once it's fully charged, it can last you up to 80 hours on its dim setting before requiring another charge.

Amazon

24. The Hanger Organizers That Will Free Up Major Closet Space

Wonder Hanger Max, $15 (10 Pack), Amazon

Each of these sturdy hanger organizers holds up to 30 pounds and saves you major closet space. You can use these to hang any type of hanger from one of its many slots — it then takes on a genius vertical drop to provide extra room in your closet for other garments and accessories.

Amazon

25. A Wearable Gel Ice Pack That Fits Every Part Of Your Body

PhysioCare Flexible Gel Ice Pack & Wrap, $29, Amazon

No matter where you're experiencing muscle pain and inflammation — your shoulder, back, or knee — this flexible gel ice pack and wrap conforms comfortably to your body and stays in place to maximize its healing benefits. You can use it as a cold or hot therapy treatment and one size fits all your body parts.

Amazon

26. A Convertible Backpack With Three Brilliant Functions

WIWU Convertible Backpack, $40, Amazon

Three functions are always better than one — and that's the thinking behind the design of this multi-purpose backpack, which converts from a waterproof backpack that's large enough to fit a 15.6-inch laptop to a messenger single shoulder bag or a travel satchel. With tons of pockets you can use to tuck accessories into and comfortable padded shoulder straps, this is the backpack you'll own for years to come.

Amazon

27. This Genius Multi-Tool Is A Must-Have For Your Bar Cart

The World's Greatest Bar Tool, $9, Amazon

This high quality bar tool is made from Japanese stainless steel and can complete four amazing cocktail prepping and cooking tasks: it's a bottle opener, can punch, citrus peeler, and a channel knife for creating decorative garnishes. It has a comfortable handle that won't slip, and is made from safe BPA-free materials.

Amazon

28. A Juicer And Pitcher For The Freshest Drinks You Can Get

Sunhanny Citrus Juicer, $13, Amazon

This manual juicer has as 12-tooth reamer that makes it a cinch to extract as much juice as possible from citrus fruits. When you're finished with all of that juicing, there's no need to transfer juice to another container — this one doubles as a large 17-ounce pitcher that can be used for storing and serving juice. You can even use the reamer to separate egg yolks from egg whites, making this one kitchen tool you need to make your life easier.

Amazon

29. A 2-In-1 Loofah Sponge And Exfoliating Pad

Mikimini Bath Mitt, $14 (2 Pack), Amazon

This two-in-one bath mitt features a loofah sponge for lathering on one side and an exfoliating pad that gently sloughs away dead skin on the other. A conveniently placed large loop fits most hands and makes it simple to hold onto this loofah pad while you’re washing up. And there’s a smaller loop you can hook onto your shower when you’re finished so that the loofah dries quickly.

Amazon

30. A Breakfast Station For Toast, Eggs, Bacon, Coffee, And More

Nostalgia Retro 3-In-1 Family Breakfast Station, $61, Amazon

Keep your pots and pans stored away because this three-in-one breakfast station serves up the most important meal of the day and is roomy enough to cook lots of food. The station includes a four-cup coffee maker, non-stick griddle for eggs and sausage (or pancakes), and a toaster oven. One reviewer raves: "These are great for young folks in college, small apartments, etc. and anyone who lives alone. Compact and economical."

Amazon

31. A Sports Bra With A Back Pocket

Zenwow Racerback Bra (S-XL), $18-$40, Amazon

Solve the ongoing saga of where to store your phone or keys when you go for a run with this clever sports bra, which has a back pocket large enough to fit your phone and two earphone holes above the pocket. The bra itself is made from moisture-wicking fabrics and stretchy elastane cotton, has removable bra pads, and comes in red, black, or white.

Amazon

32. A Non-Drip Ice Cream Scoop

Joseph Joseph Non-Drip Ice-Cream Scoop, $10, Amazon

The makers of this non-drip ice cream scoop thought of everything: it has a collar that catches drips to keep counters clean, and it even stands upright on its own. The scoop's textured surface ensures all of your ice cream or sorbet is transferred to your bowl with none left sticking behind to the scoop and you can toss this tool in the dishwasher when it's ready to be cleaned.

Amazon

33. This Incredibly Portable Exercise Equipment

Fit n Flexx Portable Exercise Equipment Set, $30, Amazon

You don't need a gym membership or even a home base when you have this exercise equipment set, which comes with a variety of resistance bands you can use to work out every muscle group using your own body resistance. These bands, which come in light, medium, or heavy resistance, can also be used for stretching so that you stay flexible and warm up with ease.

Amazon

34. An Adjustable Teaspoon And Tablespoon For Perfect Measurements

KitchenArt Adjust-A-Teaspoon and Adjust-A-Tablespoon Set, $7 (Set of 2), Amazon

You'll get two adjustable spoons with each set — a teaspoon and tablespoon with slide covers that you can position to custom measure your ingredients. You'll never need more than one spoon to get the perfect baking measurements — this one delivers with just one tool and is dishwasher-friendly.

Amazon

35. A 10-Piece Portable Manicure Set

Beauty Bon Manicure Pedicure Set, $8, Amazon

This elaborate 10-piece manicure set is conveniently packaged in a compact case that you can take anywhere. It comes with everything you'll need for the perfect DIY mani or pedi: two nail clippers, one toenail clipper, a cuticle trimmer, tweezer, one pair of beauty scissors, two push sticks, a nail file, and one ear pick.

Amazon

36. An Eco-Friendly Stain Remover Stick

Buncha Farmers Stain Remover Stick, $6, Amazon

Even the toughest stains, like red wine or blueberries, meet their match when you rub this stain remover stick straight onto the stain, add hot water, and give it a good wash. This stick is far more portable than a liquid detergent, plus it's made from natural, eco-friendly ingredients like coconut oil, vegetable oil, and lemon essential oil. So what's it's other use? If you run out of laundry detergent, you can cut it up and put it right in the wash.

Amazon

37. A Four-In-One Pressed Mineral Foundation With SPF

PUR 4-In-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation, $28, Amazon

Who doesn't love a great foundation that provides amazing coverage, but is also packed with good-for-your-skin ingredients? This mineral pressed makeup comes in a portable compact and has vitamin B3 and SPF 15 for hydration and protection against UV rays. It's lightweight, cruelty-free, and comes in nine wearable colors that will blend in with your skin tone.

Amazon

38. A Power Strip For Up To Six Devices And Appliances

Ntonpower Power Strip With USB, $18, Amazon

This power strip with USB charger has three USB charging stations and three AC outlets, making it possible to power up all of your devices in one safe place without risking an outage. It has a 5-foot extension cord and is perfect for taking on trip — or leaving on your nightstand where it will always come in handy.

Amazon

39. A Portable French Coffee Maker And Travel Mug

Kohipress The Original Portable French Press Coffee Maker, $30, Amazon

This portable French press coffee maker comes with a pressurized plunger press so you can make a delicious, rich cup of French brew on the road, at work, or while camping. But it doubles as an insulated travel mug with a leak-proof lid so you'll also have to a place to store and enjoy your coffee after all of that brewing. This 13-ounce mug even has a self-lock mechanism that divides your coffee from coffee grinds so the two never meet.

Amazon

40. A Stuffed Burger Press For Restaurant-Style Burgers

Cuisinart 4-In-1 Stuffed Burger Press, $13, Amazon

Make delicious stuffed hamburgers, veggie burgers, or salmon burgers with this four-in-one stuffed burger press, which gives you the option of making four different size burger patties: mini sliders, quarter pound patties, half pound patties, and three-quarter pound patties.

Amazon

41. A Curling Wand Set With Six Interchangeable Barrels

6-In-1 Curling Wand And Curling Iron Set, $39, Amazon

Control the tightness of your curls or waves with this curling wand and iron set, which comes with six interchangeable barrels of varying shapes and diameters that can be used to create the tightest curls and the loosest mermaid waves. The set also comes with a heat-resistant glove, and each barrel is designed with tourmaline ceramic technology to prevent damage and keep hair shiny and smooth.

Amazon

42. A Portable Blender With A Detachable Cup

TOPQSC Portable Blender, $35, Amazon

Whip up a healthy smoothie in this portable blender in just 20 seconds, pull off the detachable cup to take with you, and don't forget to recharge your blender with a USB port so it's ready for your next breakfast or snack time. That's how simple it is to use this stainless steel blender cup — anywhere — and for any type of shake, smoothie, or juice blend.

Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.

Amazon
142