Life
These 28 Compact Versions Of Everyday Products On Amazon Are So Innovative
Amazon / Bustle
While the phrase "good things comes in small packages" was definitely created to characterize jewelry, it's actually the perfect way to describe compact versions of everyday products on Amazon. These miniature versions of everyday items are designed to take up minimal space, but still tackle the same job as their predecessors. Not to mention their smaller compact size means many products also come with a smaller price tag.
As I've gotten older and moved from college apartments to places that I was paying for on my own, I quickly discovered how space is at a premium. And with the growing trend for minimalism in home decor, I want to keep my limited space as clutter-free and clean as possible. As a result, using smaller versions of my favorite products lets me capitalize on the same aesthetic without compromising my favorite items.
For example, I was one of many people to become fascinated by the Instant Pot craze of 2017. However, the massive six-quart cooker would completely dominate my kitchen's limited counter space. Instead, finding smaller options, like the Cosori 2-quarter multi-function cooker, meant I could have all the same great benefits of the giant kitchen gadget without the footprint.
Best of all, many of these tinier versions are also great backups in case of emergencies. Whether it's a tiny pocket blanket that clips onto your belt loop while hiking, or a capsule umbrella to always have on hand in your purse, many of these miniature items are the perfect backup plan. And once they become part of your routine, you'll wonder why you didn't think to purchase them sooner.
So if you need an innovative way to fit an entire dumbbell set in your living room, or mini air conditioner to cool your room, check out these innovative miniature Amazon products.
2. A Handheld Projector That Creates A 120 Inch Display
RIF6 CUBE Pico Video Projector, $225, Amazon
The CUBE Pico Projector lets you turn your bedroom into a movie theater by displaying images from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop in a 120 inch, crystal clear display on your wall or ceiling. The 2-inch cube weighs less than 2 pounds and has an aluminum casing built to be durable and modern. It has an LED-based light to display high-quality pictures and lasts up to 20,000 hours. The projector even comes with a tripod and remote control so you can set up your projector right away.
3. A Travel Hair Dryer With A Folding Handle
Conair Vagabond Compact Travel Hair Dryer, $13, Amazon
When this compact hair dryer is folded up, it's not much longer than a tube of toothpaste, which makes it hard to believe that it has a powerful 1875 watt motor that quickly dries hair on two different heat and speed settings. It features a cold shot button and a professional-length cord for extra flexibility while styling hair. Plus, thanks to its lightweight design (it only weighs 1 pound), foldable handle, and its dual voltage system, its great for traveling. One five star reviewer wrote: "My favorite thing about this is that it's small and folds up,... saves tons of space and works just as well as a larger dryer!"
4. A Miniature Slow Cooker That's The Perfect Size To Make Meals For Two
Elite Cuisine 1.5 Quart Slow Cooker, $17, Amazon
Make a delicious meal for one to two people, in Elite Cuisine's 1.5 quart slower cooker. The stainless steal cooker, which comes in five colors, comes with a removable inner stoneware pot and a tempered glass lid that are dishwasher safe. For an easy meal just toss in your ingredients, select the low or high setting, and go about your day. The handles and knobs are designed to stay cool through use and a keep warm setting means your food stays ready to eat.
5. A Humidifier The Size Of A Coffee Mug That Holds Enough Water To Run Up To Four Hours
Walkas Mini Portable Humidifier, $17, Amazon
This adorable mini humidifier runs off a USB power source to give you a continuous stream of cool mist whether you're in a car or at a desk. It has two misting modes and even lights up in several different LED colors. A built-in automatic shut off turns it after three hours, but the 150-milliliter water tank holds liquid to keep your humidifier running up to four hours before requiring a refill.
6. A Mini Umbrella That Fits Into A Capsule The Same Size As Your iPhone
Visnfa Ultra Mini Umbrella, $14, Amazon
Thanks to this super compact miniature umbrella (it's the size of an iPhone Plus), it won't be a hassle to keep an umbrella on hand. The water-repellent umbrella is coated with a high-tech nano polymer that reflects water and up to 95 percent of UV rains. It also has a high-density fiber frame and alloy rod that shouldn't break in strong winds and comes with a pill-shaped carrying case. Despite its small size it still opens with a 36-inch diameter and it comes in four colors.
7. A Tiny Space Heater That Plugs Into Your Wall Socket
Handy Heater, $32, Amazon
This mini ceramic space heater plugs directly into a wall socket to heat up to 300 square feet of space. The lightweight heater measures about 6 inches by 5 inches and uses a powerful fan to distribute heat around the room. It has both high and low power settings and offers a temperature control setting to pick your ideal climate. The built-in timer goes up to 12 hours letting you heat small spaces, like bathrooms or cubicles.
8. A Cordless Hair Straightener That Can Be Charged On Your Laptop
B-Qtech Flat Iron Hair Straightener, $42, Amazon
This hair straightener is just seven inches long, making it perfect for on-the-go or shorter hairstyles and bangs. The cordless hair tool charges via USB and uses infrared heat technology to easily style hair. It can heat up to 392 degrees Fahrenheit and is dual voltage for international travel. Plus, it takes into account safety with a built-in temperature control lock to prevent overheating and a 20-minute automatic shut-off.
9. A Super Small Fan That Can Move Air Up To 65 Feet
Vornado Small Whole Room Air Circulator, $45, Amazon
This compact fan has Vornado's signature Vortex technology to circulate air through even large rooms. The 18-inch fan has deep-pitched blades that can move air up to 65 feet, and features three speed settings on an adjustable head that tilts to blow air in multiple directions. One reviewer raved, "When I saw the size, I seriously didn't think it was up to the job. I was blown away at how well the air moves around!"
10. A Mini Steam Iron That Heats Up In Just 15 Seconds
Ivation Small Mini Iron, $25, Amazon
This powerful mini iron has non-stick ceramic plates that heat up in just 15 seconds to three different heat levels. Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the travel iron comes with an extra-long power cord that's almost 8 feet long and wraps around the handle for easy storage. It also comes with a one-touch steam control and a 1.1-ounce water tank.
11. A Pair Of Adjustable Dumbbells That Can Weigh Between 5 to 52 Pounds
Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells, $250, Amazon
Instead of cluttering your space with thirty different dumbbells, this set lets you combine 15 sets of weights using a unique dial system to slowly build up poundage from 5 to 52 pounds. The metal plates are encased in a durable molding to smoothly lift them from storage for a quieter workout.
12. A Mini Travel Bidet With A Retractable Nozzle For The Perfect Aim
Boss Bidet Mini, $9, Amazon
The mini bidet ensures you never have to leave home without a bidet again. The full-size reservoir can hold up to 12.5 ounces of water to efficiently rinse down your bottom anytime, anywhere. The ergonomic squeeze bottle comes with an angled spray brush that's retractable so you can get the perfect aim and position every time. Great for both cold and warm water, it comes with a discreet carrying bag for use on-the-go.
13. A Pocket Blanket With 6 Built-In Pockets To Keep It Weighed Down
Treadway Pocket Blanket, $18, Amazon
This minuscule blanket is just over 4 inches by 3 inches when packed away, but expands to a massive 6 feet by 4 feet when unfolded. It's made from a durable fabric that's water-repellent, puncture resistant, and just thick enough to give protection against twigs or rocks. It also has six integrated pockets, which let you ditch the additional weight of washers, and use your gear, or nearby rocks to keep the blanket weighted down. When you're finished, just shove into the stretch pouch— its designed to fit no matter how you fold it.
14. A Mini Air Conditioner That Cools Up To 12 Degrees
HoMedics MyChill Personal Space Cooler, $54, Amazon
This energy-efficient air conditioner can cool your space up to 12 degrees while taking up minimal space. Small enough to fit on a nightstand or desk, it creates a 6-foot personal cooling zone. Just add water, choose between two speeds, and let it run up to four hours. It also features an automatic shut-off and clean tank technology that helps to protect from mold and mildew.
15. A Reusable Mini Dehumidifier That Works Up To 10 Years
Eva-Dry Mini Dehumidifier, $15, Amazon
Forget clunky cords and batteries, this mini dehumidifier uses a renewable silica gel that silently absorbs moisture in a space up to 333 cubic feet. When the indicator window shows the crystals have changed from green to orange, after about three weeks, plug in the unit to dry out for eight to 10 hours. It's ready to use once the crystal returns to green, letting you capture vapor in the air. Non-toxic and eco-friendly, it can be used for an entire decade.
16. An 18-in-1 Multitool That Will Fit In Your Wallet
Ninja Wallet 18-in-1 Multi-purpose Pocket Tool, $13, Amazon
It is almost unbelievable that this credit-card sized multi-tool features a whopping 18 tools. The unique design includes a bottle opener, four screw divers, a can opener, a nail puller, a peeler, six standard US hex wrenches, a cell phone stand, a box opener, a letter opener, and a ruler (with both inches and centimeters). As if that wasn't enough, the black stainless steal is guaranteed not to rust.
17. A Travel Fabric Steamer That Runs Continuously Up To 10 Minutes
URPOWER Handheld Fabric Steamer, $25, Amazon
This handheld steam heats up in just two minutes to emit powerful steam to remove stubborn wrinkles from your clothing. Perfectly sized for travel, the steam features a 130-milliliter water tank that creates enough steam for up to 10 minutes of continuous use. This best-selling steamer is safe to use on any garment and even comes with an automatic shut-off function for when the unit gets too hot or is running low on water.
18. A Compact Sleeping Bag That's Waterproof
Wander Agio Waterproof Mini Sleep Bag, $15, Amazon
This mini sleeping bag is made from a polyester fabric with cotton filler that's ideal insulation for spring, summer or fall weather. It folds into a tiny compact sack and weighs just 2 pounds, making it easy to carry while camping or to store in the car for emergencies. When you're ready to sleep, just unfold the single-sleep sack to it's full 73 by 30-inch dimension and bundle up for the night.
19. A Multi-Pack Of Hairbrushes That Detangle Both Wet And Dry Hair
Wet Brush Detangling Hair Brushes (Pack of 3), $13, Amazon
These detangling hair brushes are like magic for easily knotted hair of all textures and lengths. They have IntelliFlex that adjusts between flexible and firm on different hair strokes to prevent painful pulling, tearing, or ripping. Instead, they carefully detangle both wet and dry hair with ease. This multi-pack set comes with three petite brushes that can fit into your purse, glove compartment, or desk drawer.
20. A Miniature Curling Iron That Runs Off Of A ThermaCell
Conair ThermaCell Compact Curling Iron, $20, Amazon
Conair's compact curling iron has a half-inch wide barrel and comes in a compact carrying case about the size of a sunglasses case, making it the perfect hot tool when you're on-the-go. It runs off a ThermaCell cartridge that lasts for months of use without interruption, so you can do your hair anytime, anywhere. Without tricky cords or required charging, the butane gas cartridges are great for travelers and TSA carry-on approved.
21. A Set Of Mini Kitchen Utensils That Doesn't Compromise on Quality
Farberware Classic Mini Tools (Set of 4), $12, Amazon
Measuring in well under 10 inches long, this set of classic kitchen utensils are perfect for saving space your kitchen. But just because they are a few inches shorter than your standard spoons, spatulas and ladles doesn't mean they've cut back on quality though. This set is made of heat-resistant plastic that can with stand up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, they are safe for use on all cooking surfaces including non-stick cookware, and are machine-washable.
22. A Dual Voltage 2-in-1 Hair Straightener And Curling Iron
Vivid & Vogue 2-in-1 Straining & Curling Iron, $22, Amazon
Streamline your selection of hot tools with a portable two-in-one travel iron that both straightens and curls your hair. The ceramic tourmaline coated barrel uses a PTC fast heater to quickly reach 390 degrees Fahrenheit. The dual-voltage system can be locked into either a flat iron or curling wand with a selector that twists between functions. And coming in at just under 9 inches long, it can easily be stored in a large purse or desk drawer.
23. A Mini Multifunctional Slower Cooker That Also Makes Yogurt And Pressure Cooks Food
COSORI Mini 7-in-1 Multifunctional Pressure Cooker & Slower Cooker, $70, Amazon
The seven-in-one tool is a programmable pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, food steamer, yogurt maker, warmer and sauté pan in one. But what might be it's most impressive feature, it that it can cook food 70 percent faster than traditional methods. The 2-quarter mini cooker is made from food-grade stainless steel and comes with a stainless steel inner pot that's dishwasher safe, it's FDA-approved, and it comes with a recipe book, glass lid, steamer rack, rice spoon, ladle, measuring cup, and extra silicone sealing ring for pressure cooking.
24. A Mini Espresso Machine With An Automatic Energy Saving Mode
DeLonghi Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine, $110, Amazon
The Nespresso espresso machine lets you create the perfect cup of coffee in under a minute. The barista-style machine heats the refillable 24-ounce tank in just 25 seconds. Once it's ready, input a pod and let the patented extraction system deliver 19 bars of pressure for a cafe-quality coffee every time. The compact coffee maker is lightweight with an ergonomic handle and comes in both silver or black. It also turns off after 9 minutes and comes with a folding drip trap to accommodate cups of different sizes.
25. A Handheld Tool To Quickly Make Your Favorite Soda At Home
Hamilton Beach Sodastation, $15, Amazon
This compact handheld sodastation lets you create one liter of soda in a matter of seconds without electricity. The Fizzini attaches to the top of the bottle and has an adjustable fizz control to let you personalize your soda concoction. It uses recyclable 8-gram carbonated cartridges, with 10 cartridges included in each set.
26. This Tiny Nonstick Pan That's Perfect For Silver Dollar Pancakes
Joie Mini Nonstick Egg and Fry Pan, $9, Amazon
At a mere 4.5 inches in diameter, this pan may seem obnoxiously small, but it's the perfect size for cooking an egg or making silver dollar pancakes. The nonstick pan is BPA- and PFOA-free and has a heat-resistant handle. It' heats up quickly and it's recommended not use on high heat.
27. A 'Personal Assistant' That Fits In The Palm Of Your Hand
The Echo Dot may be smaller than it's predecessor, the Echo, but the functionality is largely the same while the cost is quite a bit cheaper. Like the OG Echo the Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that allows you to make calls, stream music, control smart-home devices, reorder your favorite Amazon products, send and receive messages, and so, so much more. In fact, the only notable difference between the two is the Echo's superior speaker — but unless you're all about that bass, you probably don't need the speaker.
28. A Makeup Brush Travel Set That You Could Even Fit In Your Clutch
Travel Makeup Brush Set, $20, Amazon
Not only are these brushes compact, they come in a convent carrying case complete with a compact mirror. And while this set may be small, there has been no compromise in quality. They hypoallergenic synthetic brushes repeal bacteria, and are vegan and cruelty-free. The set is 6 inches long and 3 inches wide.