55 clever things that are so good & so freaking cheap on Amazon

Clever and cheap, a beautiful combination.

Mic/Amazon
Shopping
By Christina Wood
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
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Whether you need to update the gear you carry daily, want one tool to do everything in the kitchen, or are looking for solutions to your self-care dilemmas, finding the right solution can be expensive. How many lotions, gadgets, or storage solutions can you try before you give up and accept a mediocre solution? No! No! No! You don’t have to solve this on your own. These 55 clever things that are so good and so freaking cheap on Amazon have already been vetted, voted on by reviewers, and passed with flying colors. Find your solution here.

01The easy way to move an outlet

When an outlet becomes an unsightly mess magnet, move it to a less obvious spot with this outlet concealer. Plug the flat, decorative panel into the outlet and set the power strip behind a piece of furniture where the wires can be as messy as they like. Problem solved!

02A smart & compact drawer organizer

This kitchen drawer organizer cleverly lets you store all your flatware in a tiny footprint by stacking them ever so slightly and taking advantage of the vertical space. It makes it easy to grab a fork and go and frees up a large part of your drawer. It comes in three sizes and three colors and over 74,000 people say, “Five stars!”

03This pocket tool that fits in your wallet

This pocket tool is designed to fit neatly into a wallet or pocket and it sports every tool you are likely to need if something goes wrong — whether it's a bottle you can’t open or a mechanical failure in your spaceship — in your day. The 11 tools include a tiny saw, can opener, knife, bottle opener, some wrenches, a ruler, and more.

04These ball towels that dry so much faster

Stick these fuzzy ball towels next to every sink so you have a fast, fun, and easy way to get your hands dry with none of the folding, arranging, or not-getting-dry problems of hand towels. The fleece fingers absorb water quickly and look cute in the room. There are three color options.

05A nail-strengthening cream that works fast

Once you get past the “hard as hoof” name, you will love this nail-strengthening cream. It soaks right in to heal nails that have been damaged by acrylic and gel nails, make weak and brittle nails stronger, and feed your nails with vitamins and minerals. “As soon as I massaged it into my fingernails the difference was immediate and remarkable,” said one reviewer. “I discarded about six other products I had tried and been unhappy with.”

06A phone stand that adjusts

For some purposes, a phone is more useful if it’s in a stand. It can become an alarm clock, speakerphone, shake-free video calling device, or tiny TV. This foldable phone stand lets you tap into all that extra usefulness. The height is adjustable, there’s a channel for a charging cord, and it folds up small enough to take anywhere. It comes in nine colors.

07This kitchen tool that will become your go-to

This multi-function cooking gadget will become the tool you reach for every time you cook. Use it to separate the yolks from the whites, stir the pasta, strain vegetables out of hot water, mash potatoes, and grate garlic into the pan. It is sturdy and loaded with features. “One of the best little tools I have in my kitchen!” said one reviewer.

08These sticky mats so your phone doesn’t fly

If you like to drop your phone onto the dash or console but hate the way it randomly slides off of there when you turn or brake sharply, drop these sticky mats onto those surfaces to create traction. The thick, springy padding and grippy surface prevent your phone from moving. This is a set of four so you can sprinkle them all through your life.

09A bamboo salt bowl with a lid

Keep a selection of fine salts, ground chilies, or pinch-able black pepper at the table in this bamboo salt and pepper bowl that has a clever lid that slides out of the way but remains attached so you can’t lose it. It would be a great way to store loose tea or even jewelry, too.

10These clever food savers that are better than containers

Skip the storage container and simply pop one of these silicone food savers over the open end of that apple, orange, or other food. Save that tiny dish of dip, too, by stretching of of these over the top. Using the dip again is a matter of removing the top and setting it on the table. This is a set of five in a variety of colors.

11A tool for cleaning window tracks

Cleaning those fussy crevices in a sliding door or window track is annoying. Or it is if you have the wrong tools. This window track cleaner makes it easy because it is the right tool. A mini scraper scoops out all the built-up grime. A little brush sweeps the crevice clean. Then the specially engineered scrubber finishes the job. Easy!

12The rosemary & castor oil your hair will love

Take a minute, after you shampoo, to treat your hair and scalp with this rosemary castor hair oil because it’s formulated to hydrate your hair follicles to prevent and repair split ends while stimulating your scalp to encourage hair growth. Also, your hair will feel and smell amazing.

13A vegetable chopper for faster food prep

Hate chopping onions and garlic? Drop them into this vegetable chopper and pump the plunger. A sharp blade drops down and does the deed for you in just a few seconds. And you don’t have a dirty cutting board or knife to deal with. “What a time saver,” said one reviewer. “It makes quick work of vegetables and is super easy to clean.”

14A spill-proof trash can for the car

Keeping your car clean is easy if you have this spill-proof car trash can mounted to the back of a seat, a door, or the glove box. It stays upright, has a lid to keep trash concealed, and is made of a waterproof cloth that’s easy to wash. It looks good, too. It comes in four colors.

15These weird covers so toiletries don’t spill

Don’t risk getting conditioner all over your weekend ensemble or suntan lotion smeared on your beach read. Cover the business end of the bottles you pack with these toiletry skins. They are a durable, super stretchy rubber that stops liquid from getting out and making a mess. They come in five colors.

16A lunch box for salads

This stackable lunch container makes it easy to bring leftovers, salad, and all kinds of non-sandwich lunches wherever you spend your day. Inside the secure, snap-on lid, two layered containers keep the toppings and dressing separate from your noodles or greens until you are ready to mix them up. A fork snaps neatly to the lid and it comes in eight colors.

17Thus fruit infuser water bottle for tasty hydration

Add some motivation and flavor to your hydration goals with this fruit infuser water bottle that has time markers on the side so you can track your intake. An infuser rod makes it easy to steep your water with fruit, herbs, cucumbers, or whatever flavor makes sipping water more pleasant for you. It comes with a pop-top chug lid, neoprene insulation sleeve, and recipes.

18The milk frother that foams up all your coffee drinks

Turn every cup of coffee that comes out of your kitchen into a delicious cafe-worthy piece of art by mastering the art of foam. This electric milk frother is the only tool you need. The tiny whisk spins rapidly at the push of a button, turning cold or hot milk — of any kind — into delicious foam. It comes in 12 colors and rests in a minimal stand for quick access.

19These clips that hang art from brick walls

If you look at the brick walls in and around your house house and assume that you can’t hang ornaments or art on them, you have not met these brick clips. They cleverly grip the grips so you don’t have to drill any holes to hang your decorations.

20The scraper tool that cleans your tongue

Not only is cleaning your tongue a healthy habit that can reduce bacteria and “morning” breath, but it also makes eating more fun. Clean away the bitter, lingering flavors so you can taste your food. This four-pack of tongue cleaners is the right tool for this task, with a scraper on one side and a soft, round brush on the other.

21A tiny flashlight for your EDC

This mini LED flashlight is so small you can attach it to your keys, drop it in a bag, or keep it in your pockets with your EDC. It is bright — and waterproof — enough to help you see the menu in a dark restaurant or find your way in the wilderness or while biking through city streets. You can clip it to a hat or belt, too.

22A lanyard to keep your phone handy

Wear your phone so you can go through your day hands-free. Attach it securely to this cell phone lanyard and it will always be within reach — at the end of the adjustable strap — but never make you sacrifice an entire hand for that convenience. A built-in stretchy wallet also keeps a credit card and some cash handy. It comes in 10 colors and patterns.

23A mushroom coffee mix for better focus

Ready to dial that cup of morning joe up a notch? This coffee mix is boosted with Lion’s Mane and Chaga mushrooms that reportedly help improve focus, build your immune response, and wake you up, all in one delicious brew. “I love to drink it in the afternoon when I need to focus more at work,” said one reviewer. “It helps me out! Plus, there's no crash after taking it so I can finish out my day without needing a quick nap!”

24The no-hassle dish soap dispenser

This clever soap dispenser makes it so you never have to struggle to get dish soup out of a bottle and onto your sponge. Set the sponge on top, pump the dispenser a couple of times to load it with soap, and carry on. You can drop the sponge on top to drip dry too because a separate channel catches that water.

25These tiny spatulas for beauty products

These two beauty spatulas — one long and one short — make it easy to get every drop of lotion, foundation, and every other expensive product you have been struggling with out of the bottle. They are sized to fit in those tiny bottle tops and reach to the bottom to grab that last drop. Genius.

26A pair of blue-light-blocking glasses

Dial up your style while saving your eyes — and sleep — from blue light by donning this pair of blue-light-glasses while you work or watch movies on your computer. They are like sunglasses — without the tint — that block the blue spectrum of light emitted by screens, which may cause headaches and disrupt your circadian rhythms.

27The smart way to store your gaming headset

Create storage where there was none and get clutter off your desk by clamping this gaming headset hook to your desk and hanging your headphones or other gear there. There is a clip so you can keep the cord nearby and you can install it with the hook facing forward or, for a lower profile, under the desk,

28A cute labeler that connects to your phone

Label anything with your custom-designed labels by pocketing this tiny Bluetooth label maker and whipping it out when something begs for clarity. You design your labels in an app on your phone and hit print from there. They will print out on this ink-less printer in seconds.

29The highlighter you can remove

Skip the permanence and shaky lines of highlighter pens and opt for a pro-level highlighting tool: highlighter tape. Stretch it over the text you want to mark, tear it, and tape it down. You can’t miss it. But you can read through it and peel it off if you want to return or sell the text.

30A better cap for the toothpaste

You can stop trying to get people to put the cap back on the toothpaste now. Life is too short for that hassle. Replace them all with these self-closing toothpaste caps that dispense toothpaste when you squeeze the tube but prevents it from leaking out when the tube is resting on the counter. “This fixed the toothpaste mess for us,” said one reviewer. “Wish I had known it existed earlier.”

31This handle & lid for wide-mouth Mason jars

Turn any wide-mouth Mason jar into a pouring pitcher simply by screwing this flip cap lid on the top. A built-in handle makes that jar easy to grab and tip. The flip lid closes securely so you have no fear of spilling in the fridge. It comes in four colors and over 8,000 people give it five stars.

32This spinner toy that’s also a real tool

If you are going to keep a fidget toy on hand so your tendency to click a pen or jiggle about doesn’t distract you and others, why not make it one that’s also useful? This spinner tool is a fidget that is also six handy screwdrivers in a variety of sizes and types.

33A big bottle of Magnesium tablets

Magnesium is a mineral that may help with leg cramps, sleep, building bones, and balancing electrolytes. A deficiency in it can cause problems in any of those areas. This big bottle of 270 400-milligram vegan magnesium glycinate tablets puts magnesium into your system quickly. “Within 30 mins I feel more relaxed,” said one reviewer. “Helps me sleep better and I am less anxious.”

34The cork stopper that’s also a sombrero

Don’t just jam the cork back into the bottle, give your wine bottle some style with this wine stopper that looks like a sombrero. It is more functional than the cork, too. The silicone stopper fits in the bottle, even when your cork no longer will. And it hangs, ready to use, off the neck like a sporty accessory.

35A set of sleeves & handles for take out beverages

Make any to-go container better with these coffee sleeves. They add a handle to your beverage so you don’t drop anything while juggling all your necessary accoutrements. And they insulate an iced beverage so it doesn’t get immediately watery. This is a three-pack in different sizes and they come in two colors.

36The under-sink shelves that fit

Turn that lost space under the sink into useful storage with this expandable under-sink organizer that works with the plumbing situation under there. It expands in depth, width, and height to fit the room you have and gives you two levels of storage to work with.

37These big bands that hold your towel on the lounge chair

These towel bands make lying on a lounge chair with a towel under you so much less hassle. Secure the towel to the top of the chair by looping these big, stretchy rubber bands around it all and your towel will stay put. “Easy to pack,” said one reviewer. “A great help on the cruise ship and beach to keep our towels in place and save our chairs.”

38These luscious satin pillowcases

Rest your head on satin pillowcases and you will never wake up with face wrinkles and bed head. The silky fabric doesn’t press an imprint into your skin or snag your hair. It also looks amazing in your room. Choose from 35 colors and add a luxurious — but so affordable — pop of color and comfort to your bedroom.

39A dry shampoo that’s so easy & effective

Skip a shampoo day and your hair will thank you. To avoid the greasy look, when you do, use this dry shampoo powder to absorb oils and restore the bounce and volume to your hair. It has no aerosol and contains black ginseng and biotin that may help boost hair health. “Like a magician's wand,” said one reviewer. “People might start thinking I have a personal stylist on call.”

40The pot holders that look like pasta

Who doesn’t love to add a little whimsy to the kitchen? These farfalloni-shaped pot holders will make you laugh every time you grip a pot handle with them. The silicone protects your hands and allows them to hold the shape, when not in use, of big pieces of pasta. “I find these hilarious, and easily the best kitchen gadget I've spent my money on!” said one reviewer. “Very grippy, thick enough that heat doesn't transfer through, and again, hilarious.”

41These rechargeable wall sconces

Put a reading light, spotlight, or wall sconce anywhere you want without calling an electrician with this wall-mounted sconce. Pull the light off of the magnetic mount and plug it in to charge it. Use the remote — or the buttons on the lamp — to choose the color and brightness of the light it throws. It can illuminate in seven colors and four modes and can turn itself off automatically.

42A smarter can opener

Set this electric can opener on top of a can, press a button, and stand back as it travels around the top of the can removing the lid by slicing off the top of the can. Lift it off and it brings the lid with it. This method leaves no sharp pieces for you to get cut on while saving you time and hassle. It stores easily in a drawer.

43This dog bowl you can take anywhere

Pack this collapsible dog bowl in your bag or vehicle and you will never get stuck on a day out with your pup without a way to offer your bestie a long drink of water or a snack. It is light, smashes down to almost nothing, and comes with a carabiner so you can clip it to a pack. It comes in five sizes and four colors.

44The easiest way to cook bacon

If you love bacon, you need this microwavable bacon grill so you can have it even when you don’t want to clean up after it. Line the bacon pieces up on the plastic grill. Pop it in the microwave. Once you figure out the right timing for the crispiness you like, your bacon will be perfect every time. Best part? No mess. Drop the grill in the dishwasher.

45This easy lip exfoliator

This lip exfoliator is a fast, easy, and tasty way to plump your lips. Vitamin E, shea butter and avocado, grape, and jojoba oils soften and hydrate while sweet-cherry flavored sugar exfoliates. Swipe and wipe to remove dead skin and prep your lips for lip balm or lipstick.

46These patches that conceal & reduce blemishes

When a blemish turns up and threatens to ruin your day, don’t let it. Peel and stick a Mighty Patch over it and it will be barely noticeable. You can even cover it with makeup. And while it's under there, the hydrocolloid solution in this patch will help drain some of the fluid and build-up under your zit. When you take off the patch, that blemish will be nearly gone.

47These laundry sheets that are so much easier than liquid

You don’t have to haul a heavy bottle of laundry detergent home from the store or to your laundry room. These laundry detergent sheets are so much easier to deal with. They are light, won’t leave a soapy mess, and save space. Just drop a sheet into the machine and it will dissolve when the water hits it and wash just like the bulky stuff. Choose “fresh scent” or the unscented option.

48A tool for cleaning your earbuds

When was the last time you cleaned your earbuds? (Ew, right?) This cleaning pen makes it a quick and easy task you will do more often. A high-density flocking sponge and brush remove oils and dirt and a metal pen tip reaches into tiny crevices to pry out debris. And it all fits into a pen-shaped package. It comes in white or black.

49The candles you light with a remote

You don’t have to worry about burning the house down to enjoy the lovely ambient light of candles. This three-pack of flameless candles looks like the real deal but you turn them on and off with a remote. No fire means no fire hazard. They are made from wax, the flame flickers like the real thing, and the glass jars come in 10 colors.

50A squeegee that gets everything out of the bowl

This clever dish squeegee fits into a bowl and scrapes out every last drop. It’s so much better for working with batter, salads, dips, and every other food you whip up in a bowl than a traditional spatula that it will become your go-to tool. It’s also great for cleaning up the sink and counters. It stands on its own or hangs from a hook.

51This massager that’s the antidote to screens & keyboards

Tired, aching hands are a common malady of modern life with all its screens, keyboards, and long hours. This finger massager is the antidote. Rub the large muscles of your hand with the large roller. Then flip it around and use the two-part pincer roller to give your fingers a delicious massage.

52A clever tool to use with your oven

Grabbing a sheet pan or oven rack is a hazardous moment in every cooking project. This oven rack push/pull tool is the brilliant accessory that makes that common undertaking safer and easier. It has several perfectly sized slots that grab the hot oven rack or pan so you can slide it in or out. It’s perfect for traditional ovens or oven-style air fryers and toaster ovens.

53The easy way to hang a bag in your car

This is the simplest and smartest solution you are likely to find for creating a way to transport bags — purses, backpacks, or grocery bags — in the car. Hook these sturdy plastic headrest hooks over the rod to the front seat headrest. Now you have an array of hooks that hold all your bags securely, conveniently, and out of your way. They come in 12 colors.

54The cleaning sponge that can take on anything

You will use these magic cleaning pads to get everything back to new-looking. You only need to get it wet to unlock an amazing ability to remove dirt, grease, pen marks, and more. It is gentle enough to use on your shoes and strong enough to use on the oven. This comes in a pack of 20, and over 12,000 people give it five stars.

55These insulated rain-proof covers to protect outdoor faucets when it’s cold

These thick faucet covers are a great way to help ensure that your outdoor faucets don’t freeze during the chillier months. The exterior is coated in a water coating that will prevent any rainwater from getting in, and the inside is filled with insulated cotton. They scored an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of five stars on Amazon, and are much less expensive than a plumber.