Life

These 27 Brilliant Life-Hack Products Are Total Game-Changers

I've lost myself for hours in the depths of YouTube, jumping from one life-hack video to the next. It's an admitted addiction of mine, but it’s those life-hacking products out there that are total game-changers. If it makes my existence easier and more efficient, I'm all for it — and in my opinion, nothing is easier or more efficient than pressing the "add to cart" button on Amazon.

Imagine a world where your iced coffee chills as you walk out the door without any dilution whatsoever. Picture a life where you never again lose your keys, break a wine glass in the dishwasher, or need to untangle your headphones. Amazon is full of creative products you never knew you needed, and they help with all the aforementioned tiny inconveniences — plus tons more that you never even really thought about.

I've also found that when it comes to gifts for friends and family members, useful products that solve problems are the way to go. Yeah, a glass turtle paperweight is nice, but it's an awesome feeling when you see your loved one actually using your gift day in and day out. So whether you're shopping for yourself or someone else, these brilliant life-hack products are going to change your daily routine for the better.

by Maria Cassano

1. Make Your Iced Coffee As You Walk Out The Door With This Clever Cup

Zoku Grey Iced Coffee Maker Mug, $31, Amazon

The Zoku mug makes iced coffee in as little as five minutes (without watering it down) — simply store the stainless steel mug in the freezer, add it to the insulating sleeve, and pour boiling hot coffee right in. It's BPA-free, uses a spill-proof top, and even has a colored straw. You can also use tea or other beverages, and the protective sleeve keeps your hands from getting too cold.

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2. Never Waste Time Tying Your Shoes With These Tieless Laces

Lock Laces, $8, Amazon

With a stretch fit comfort design and a reliable fastener, these Lock Laces ensure that you'll never trip over your laces again. They're insanely easy to install, come in tons of great colors, and even feature pressure point-reducing compression to keep you more comfortable throughout the day. The laces fit any shoe — from children to adults — because you can trim them to fit, and they're meant to last the entire time you have the pair you put it on. Reviewers especially love them for intense workouts.

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3. Finally Organize Your Underwear Drawers With This Smart Storage Solution

MIU COLOR Drawer Organizers, $12 (Set of 4), Amazon

Not only will your underwear stay neat and wrinkle-free with these drawer organizers, but you'll be able to see everything at a glance. They come in four different cell designs and shapes for your bras, socks, underwear, and shirts, and they resist moths, moisture, and mold. They even fold up when they're not in use. One reviewer writes: "These are so awesome. I have no idea how I lived with the sock drawer I used to have. These have changed how I get ready in the morning."

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4. Bring Hot, Home-Made Meals With You To Work With This Warming Lunch Tote

Crock-Pot Food Warmer, $21, Amazon

Bring the comfort of hot, home-made meals with you on the go. The Crock-Pot warmer is a portable lunch tote that heats your food without a microwave or stove. The exterior doesn't get hot when it's in use, the lid is totally spill-proof, and the removable food container is dishwasher-safe for simple clean-up. It holds up to 20 ounces of food, and you can even use it as a portable container for dips or shareable items.

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5. Dry Your Hair Hands-Free With These Mount

Hands Free Hair Dryer Holder, $20, Amazon

This hands-free hair dryer mount is easy to install (and it comes with all the screw you'll need), and once it's in your bathroom, it's a real game-changer: Now you can style and blow dry your hair without having to hold it, saving your time and freeing up a hand. Designed by a hairstylist, and reviewers love that it takes up very little space in the bathroom.

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6. Find Your Makeup Instantly With This Brilliant Bag That Lays Out Flat

Lay-n-Go Cosmo Cosmetic Bag, $35, Amazon

This Lay-n-Go Cosmo bag lays out flat so you can find anything you're looking for in seconds. It's got built-in straps to keep everything organized, and then it folds up like a bag for on-the-go. It's machine-washable, has zippered storage pockets for more fragile items, and a rounded lip to prevent things from rolling away. One reviewer writes: "Wow, finally someone invented this!! I was so tired of not being able to find my makeup in my makeup bag. I would have to take everything out just to find one thing. This bag is amazing!"

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7. Hack Pretty Much Everything With This Wallet Ninja Card

Wallet Ninja, $10, Amazon

It's the same size and shape as your average credit card, but the Wallet Ninja does so much more. It's an 18-in-1 tool that can open beers, fasten screws, fix your glasses, open boxes, peel an orange, and even hold your cell phone up. Reviewers are in awe of its durable heat treated steel design, and say "This is GENIUS ....wish I had one years ago." It's supposed to never bend, rust, or break.

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8. Iron Right On Your Dryer With This Magnetic Heat Blanket

Houseables Magnetic Ironing Mat, $9, Amazon

If you don't have enough room to store an ironing board — never mindset one up — the Houseables magnetic ironing mat is a brilliant invention. It's made from a polyester-cotton fabric that's heat-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also got strong magnets so you can iron right on your washer or dryer, but you can make any flat surface (like a table or floor) an ironing board with this device, but it's not recommended to use on wood surfaces.

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9. Keep The Foundation Coming With This Makeup Spatula

Every Drop Beauty Spatula, $5, Amazon

You'll be astounded by how much makeup is left at the bottom of almost-empty bottles. The Every Drop beauty spatula has a flexible handle and a non-absorbent head to get the most out of your favorite foundation or moisturizer. It's great for short or tall bottles, easy to clean, and doesn't absorb product. One reviewer writes: "This little tool is an amazing product saver! My biggest issue was buying face creams with nice little pumps and no way to get what was stuck at the bottom, but this is also saving my makeup products. It's so clever and efficient!Its long enough to get to the bottom of most bottles, flexible enough to keep sturdy as you turn and swirl it, plus nothing sticks to it!"

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10. Keep Hair From Getting Wet When You Cleanse With This Adorable Headband

Etude House Lovely Etti Hair Band, $5, Amazon

Thick, comfy, and reliable, this Etude House hair band is a great way to keep your hair out of the way while you're washing your face or applying a mask. It's also darn adorable because of the cat ears, reviewers say it won't make your ears hurt like other headbands, and the cloth easily soaks up any water that splashes without getting your head wet.

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11. Effortlessly Wash The Most Difficult Glasses With This Flexible Foam Brush

KUWAN Bottle Cleaning Brush, $6, Amazon

Get into those nooks and crannies with this KUWAN brush. It's a soft, lightweight, and flexible foam sponge that effortlessly cleans decanters, glasses, and bottles that you want to remove dust and dirt from. It's also durable enough to use over and over again and can be quickly cleaned with some soap and water. Some reviewers even love using this to clean their humidifiers.

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12. Hack Your Mood With This Genius Essential Oil Inhaler

MONQ Aromatherapy Inhaler, $20, Amazon

If you're a fan of essential oils, the MONQ will blow your mind. It's an inhaler infused with natural essential oils to help enhance your mood throughout the day. This one has vanilla, thyme, and fennel to give you a boost of happiness, and people love that it "lights up at the end with each puff." It's 100 percent organic, has no added flavors or ingredients, and contains a lithium battery that safely heats up a coconut-derived glycerin, which is infused with the oils.

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13. Quit Losing Your Keys With This Modern Key Rack

KeyCatch Magnetic Key Holder, $12 (3 Pack), Amazon

The KeyCatch is an impressively strong magnet that replaces the screw on any light switch. It assembles in under a minute and then lets you hang up to three pounds right by the front door. "I find myself basically throwing my keys at these and the magnets are strong enough to catch them," says one reviewer. It also comes with three key rings so you can start using these right away.

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14. Safely Wash Your Wine Glasses In The Dish Washer With This Clever Gadget

Quirky Tether Stemware Saver, $6 (4 Pack), Amazon

If you've ever broken a wine glass in the dishwasher, this one's for you. The Quirky Tether Stemware Saver has a hollow base that slips over your dishwasher post, stabilizing your stemware throughout the whole cycle. It's a flexible silicone rod, and it can be adjusted to fit on the top of the bottom or bottom rack. "This gadget is so clever in its simplicity and works very effectively," says one reviewer, and others agree — it's a "must-have" for wine-drinkers.

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15. Get Fresh Citrus Juice Without The Drippy, Seedy Mess

Fresh Fruit Infusion Citrus Sprayer, $6 (Set of 2), Amazon

For salad dressing, lemon water, or spritzing your fish, there's this fun citrus sprayer. Simply stick it into an orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit to get fresh citrus juice without the seeds, sticky residue, or mess. It's made from food-grade silicone and they are dishwasher safe. Reviewers love that it produces a strong, even spray.

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16. Instantly Free Up Space On Your iPhone With This Phone-Friendly Flash Drive

SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive, $40, Amazon

The SanDisk iXpand flash drive creates 32GB of instantaneous memory on your phone. It plugs right into your charger port to back up contacts, photos, and videos, and it's got a high-speed USB to transfer them all to your computer. "Effective way to free up space on the iPhone," reviewers say. It's got a flexible connector to fit through thicker phone cases, and you can also store and watch videos on it without taking up space on your phone.

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17. Clean And Store Your Whisk Without Any Headaches

Beater Whisk, $20, Amazon

This beater whisk is easier to clean and easier to store. Instead of a rounded design that traps dough like a cage, it's got straight wires that you can get in between while washing. It's also got a sliding clasp for a thin, compact shape that fits easily in a silverware drawer.

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18. Keep Every Room Smelling Great For Two Years With These Natural Air Fresheners

Homy Feel Bamboo Charcoal Air Fresheners, $15 (5 Pack), Amazon

For fresh, clean air all over your house, toss these Homy Feel Bamboo air fresheners into your drawers, closets, trunk, shoes, bathrooms, and even refrigerator. The activated bamboo charcoal effortlessly absorbs odors, moisture, and bacteria, and they're reusable for up to two years. They don't smell like anything, they just remove smells from the air, and they're made with no chemicals.

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19. Keep The Other Avocado Half Fresh With This Storage Saver

Evriholder Avo Saver, $8, Amazon

This brilliant Evriholder Avo Saver reduces an open avocado's exposure to air, limiting the oxidation process. That means that the uneaten half you cut yesterday isn't all brown and mushy when you open it, which is a real lifesaver — it eliminates food waste and you don't need to waste plastic wrap trying to preserve it, either. They're also dishwasher safe and reversible, so they work with the pit or without it. One reviewer writes: "I put in a half avocado with pit intact in the holder. I forgot about it (was away) for at least a week, when I returned I was getting ready to throw the avocado in the garbage and when I took it out of the holder was shocked to find it in perfect edible condition."

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20. Never Again Lug An Empty Water Bottle Around With This Handy Tool

HYDAWAY Collapsible Water Bottle, $22, Amazon

A great portable water bottle is one of the best things to have with you —until it's empty and you still have to carry it around. The HYDAWAY water bottle holds about 20 ounces of water but collapses down to a one-inch disc once it's empty. In addition to fitting in your pocket, it's also BPA-free and dishwasher safe. It also comes in a variety of colors, and reviewers absolutely love to travel through airline security with it.

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21. Make Brunch A Creative Event With This Pancake Pen

Tovolo Pancake Pen, $20, Amazon

The Tovolo Pancake Pen might look like a simple squeeze bottle, but it's got hundreds of rave reviews for a reason. It has measurement markings for mixing right in the pen, holds up to three cups of batter at once, and has an easy flow silicone tip for drip-free designs. It's also great for cupcakes and honey. The tip is also heat resistant up to 600 degrees, and the bottle is made of a plastic that's comfortable and easy to grip.

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22. Wash, Drain, Chop And Serve Your Salad In One Bowl

60 Second Salad Cutter Bowl, $12, Amazon

The slats in this 60 Second salad bowl both drain the water while washing and allow for precise, safe cuts while chopping. It's also got a built-in strainer, cutting board, spinner, vegetable slicer, and serving bowl all in one. It's even BPA-free and dishwasher safe. To make things super uniform, cut the vegetables in the slots one way, rotate 90 degrees, and chop again. Reviewers say this cuts out a lot of time in their dinner prep.

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23. Your Headphones Will Never Tangle Again With This Zipper Design

Zipbuds, $25, Amazon

These Zipbuds are the first pair to have tangle-resistant zipper cabling. That means no more knots, lightweight flexibility, and a secure, personalized fit. The earbuds are angled and feature ComfortFit2 technology so they stay in place, and reviewers say, "the bass is excellent and the overall sound quality is really good." They're also 20 percent lighter than traditional earbuds.

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24. Turn Any Bottle Into A Hands-Free Dispenser With This Brilliant Cap

The Magic Tap, $13 (2 Pack), Amazon

Open the fridge and add a splash of milk to your coffee without even removing the carton. These Magic Tap caps fit most containers and turn just about any bottle (nothing carbonated) into a hands-free dispenser. They prevent spills and drips if you've got kids, and one reviewer even calls it "magical." It's got a universal cap for any milk, juice, or water bottle you have around, and it can even be used for hot drinks. The silicone wings are sure to secure your bottle and make sure nothing leaks or spills.

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25. Reseal Opened Bags With Airtight Freshness

Air Lock Bag Sealer, $16, Amazon

This USB-rechargeable bag sealer heats up in five seconds and is ready to seal any open bag so chips stay fresh, cereal never goes stale, and baked goods last for days. It uses micro-thermal technology to create an airtight seal, it completely recharges in 90 minutes, and one charge will close thousands of bags. It's even magnetic, so you can store it on the fridge.

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26. Get A Leg Up While Shaving With This Adhesive Foot Step

ElevEase Shower Step, $35, Amazon

This brilliant shower step gives you a leg up while shaving, moisturizing, or exfoliating. It attaches to any corner shower using a strong adhesive that takes only three minutes to install, and reviewers rave that it's an "excellent product, easy to install, [and a] great fix for a shower without a ledge." There's a universal razor holder that should securely fit whatever razor you enjoy using, and you can store your shaving cream on it when you're not using it.

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27. Keep Your Books Looking Brand New With These Erasable Highlighters

Foray Erasable Highlighters, $12 (5 Pack), Amazon

Whether you're renting your books or you just like to keep your novels looking new, these erasable highlighters are brilliant and actually work. It's got a dual tip that allows for both highlighting, and the other side completely erases the highlight when you're done or made a mistake. The tip is chiseled for thin or thick lines, and one reviewer writes: "They don't highlight too dark to read the text, and they erase completely if you have an error. This is the second set of erasable highlighters I've purchased, and this set works MUCH better than the other."

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

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