Apr 21, 2024
Stop Doing Life The Hard Way, These 44 Products Are Here To Help
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
They won't make parallel parking easier, but you can ease up the *rest* of your life with these seriously useful products.
BuzzFeed Staff
Promising review: "This is very sturdy and it allows air into cups, pans, etc. to dry easily – unlike a drying pad. It holds heavy pans with no problem. The color is soft and goes great with my white and gray countertops and it's extremely functional. It's easy to clean, just roll it up and store it under the sink. Highly recommend. 👍🏻" —Denise
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in four sizes).
Promising review: "I bought one for beside the grill, one for beside the stove, one for the laundry room, and one for the car. I think the intuitive, easy to use design is fantastic. We already have the muscle memory for using a spray can. In an emergency, it's so much easier to grab this and use it, and turn a small fire into a non-fire. I don't have time to remember a three step method of fire control when my bacon has gotten out of control on the stove. I'm not a firefighter! I'd really like to have one in every room. Think about it. Isn't it better to immediately contain a small fire than deal with a big one? This could save your life, and your house." —K. Zander
Get it from Amazon for $11.98.
One of these coils is as strong as TWENTY standard hair pins. Bad hair days are officially extinct.
Promising review: "I'm a nursing student and have to wear my hair in a bun every day. I've tried all the bun makers, watched YouTube videos, and spend way too much time on getting my hair into a bun. I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds. I thought it was a fluke so I did it again, and then again. I have hair to my mid back, and three of these worked perfectly for me. If I can get my hair in bun in under 30 seconds, trust me...anyone can." —Tina
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $6.89 (available in two colors).
This thing is super strong and takes less than a minute to install. Just open the door and insert the claws on the back of the silver piece into the "strike" of the door (the hole where the lock fits in) and then close the door. After you've done that, take the metal rod on the red handle and insert it into the butterfly hole on the silver piece. This completely locks the door handle – no one from the outside could even try to peak in.
Promising review: "This is a LIFE SAVER...literally. Thanks to Add-A-Lock's simple design and simple instructions, my 18-month-old can no longer leave the apartment and wander the halls or attempt to take rides on the elevator in my apartment building. This is well worth the money. Five stars!!" —Lori S.
Get two from Amazon for $29.95.
Promising review: "LOVE! This book light is perfect for nighttime reading. I opted for this particular brand over others I saw for less as it has a dimmer. I really like this one as the glow is soft and not harsh on my eyes. The dimmer has a wide range when I turn the knob. You can use this book light horizontally or vertically. It’s not large enough to cover the whole page of most books, but it does completely light up an entire page so you don’t have to move it up and down while reading." —Flora
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two colors).
Promising review: "This product is awesome! We bought one in the office to stop a nearby chair from continuously hitting the outlet plugs. It solved the problem right away. So we ordered three more to use anywhere there is bulk on the wall. It saves space, makes arranging furniture and desks easy, it's clean looking. Someone is a genius. Thanks so much!" —Jay
Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in seven styles).
Get it from our Goodful shop for $34.99.
This is also a really useful tool if you're planning to pack hats on vacation!
Promising review: "This arrived on time and undamaged. It looks just like the photo and works as described. It fits well in the dishwasher and is unaffected by the heat. I have tried it on several hats already and I am very satisfied with the results. It's simple and works well. The dirt and sweat smells are gone. I purchased it through Amazon Prime at a great price and would recommend it to anyone." —AT-AT RIG
Get it from Amazon for $12.85.
It has a two-step filter that removes 99.99% of contaminants, and it comes with direct connect hoses to hook right up to the standard 3/8" valves in U.S. kitchen sinks. It's designed to be installed in under three minutes.
Promising review: "We have town water and it seems they are putting more and more chlorine in it every year. We should be getting used to it and tasting it less and less, not more! The refrigerator filters are super expensive and weren't cutting it. Every time I put a glass to my mouth it smelled like a swimming pool. I searched the internet and decided to give this a try due to the positive reviews and affordability. Wow! easy install (I'm an avid DIYer). And the taste! The chorine taste is just gone! No more overpriced fridge filters for us. I love that the filter replacement procedure is basically the same as a fridge. Just twist and remove. We love it so much I teed off the fridge line and put a dispenser at our sink as well. The flow on this thing is just amazing! And the water tastes great! Don't waste your money on the expensive, complicated ones. My parents have a three-chambered, name brand filter at their house. It was expensive, the replacement filters are expensive, it is a pain in the petunias to replace the filters, and the flow rate is pathetic! But guess what! Our water from this filter tastes just as good as theirs at a fraction of the price, plus it's way more convenient, plus the flow rate is way better. I just can't say enough. Love, Love it! You will too!" —BJ
Get it from Amazon for $55.99+ (originally $99.99 and available in two sizes).
Promising review: "Amazing! I am in complete shock at how well this worked. My son got stung by a wasp as you can see in my photo. After we did the suction he stop complaining about it hurting!" —Angela z
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in four colors and multipacks).
Promising review: "I love to bake with my 4-year-old son and he wants to help with the eggs but he doesn't have the ability with his little hands to separate egg yolks and whites by pouring the yolk from shell half to half, but he can suck the yolk up with the piggy. Not only does it work but it's fun for him and me. I bought one for my sister as well for when she bakes with my niece." —JG
Get it from Amazon for $13.90 (available in three styles).
Promising review: "This is a simple concept, but something that you would not normally think you need. After losing a few toys off the side of the stroller, I felt there had to be a way to keep toys and bottles from falling over the edge. I found these and took a shot at ordering them. The straps come with snaps at differing lengths to accommodate anything from Sophie the Giraffe all the way to our large Tommee Tippee bottles. I have not lost a toy since getting these nor has a bottle fallen on the ground. The strap dries out easily when she may have some excess 'droolage.' I think I might start giving these as a shower gift." —Kay
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.06 (available in 12 colors).
Promising review: "One of the best items I have ever bought for the beach and backyard! Whether playing Cornhole or lounging in a chair, your drink is always clean and cold. No more sandy or dirty cans or bottles. It even holds your drink with a Koozie on it!" —Iceman142
Get a set of four from Amazon for $32.95 (also available in a pack of six).
Promising review: "I have a very heavy, large purse that is a bottomless pit. One time I put my purse on the back of my chair at a cafe and the whole chair flipped over, that is how heavy my bag is. I was looking for something so I could hook my purse on things so it wasn’t sitting on the floor and was more accessible. I love this little gadget. I have used it on everything from bathroom stalls to tables to grocery carts. This thing really grips. All of my girlfriends love it and have gotten it for themselves." —Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in nine colors).
This design only fits standard sized faucets but you can still use this even if it doesn't fit, just be sure to grab an adapter along with it.
Promising review: "I have Parkinson's and find it difficult to handle a water glass while taking my daily pills. This little water fountain is perfect for me! It was shipped quickly and was super easy to install with no tools. The knob is easy to slide in and out to change from faucet to fountain. The water comes up high enough that I do not have to bend too far over to drink from it. It is not in the way when I wash my hands. I really am glad that I spotted this gadget." —Texas Grandma
Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (also available in a two-pack).
Promising review: "We have been behind the curve on babyproofing and bought a big pack of the plastic two-prong outlet covers. My kiddo is determined to stick anything and everything he can into outlets and wants so badly to peel the individual outlet covers off. I bought a four-pack of these covers and they are AMAZING! They're easy to install (just don't forget the little plastic spacer between the actual bare outlet and the back of the cover) and SO MUCH BETTER than the cheap plastic covers. For the outlets that were the kiddo's 'favorites' to try to bust into, these are SO GOOD. The amount of force needed to slide the plate over to use is more than a toddler can muster, but not hard for an adult. It's very easy to plug things in, and take them out, but the baby doesn't even mess with these outlets anymore because the thrill of death is beyond his tiny finger strength. Installing a few of these in high kid-traffic areas has been WELL worth it! Thanks for a great product." —Katie Ackerman
Get them from Amazon for $9.99.
This is suitable for hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals.
Promising review: "Rabbits don't like baths or getting wet. This did the trick. No need for any water when you use this. My one rabbit was being fed a poor diet prior to me caring for him – resulting in a messy, smelly rabbit. This cleaned him up." —Steven S.
Get it from Amazon for $10.90.
I cook with a shocking amount of garlic and I always hated dealing with my old garlic press. This one-piece solution is SO much better than the old school tool! You simply place your peeled garlic under and rock at an angle, it minces just the same. This also comes with a (TBH very cute) scraper *and* a silicone sleeve that'll help you peel your cloves in an instant.
Promising review: "I like garlic very much, so I use this garlic press every day. It works very well, is easy to use, and easy to clean. Compared with the garlic press I used before, this is more labor-saving and comfortable." —Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in two colors).
You can grab a refill pack when you run out!
Promising review: "Holy moly! Having the knob on the side that allows you to retract the bag into the container makes this tiny contraption SO amazing. I've never seen that for other ones on the market. I use these for dirty diapers and my toddler used to LOVE pulling them out way far! It used to be a paaaaaaain stuffing the bags back inside. This eliminates those annoying moments! Woohoo!" —Kyle Perez
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in three colors).
Promising review: "This was super easy to install and I love how it looks in our bathtub along with our daughter’s other duckies! We’ve only had this spout cover a week or so, but so far we're very satisfied." —Audrey N.
Get it from Amazon for $13.46.
I love this product so much I am willing to share a photo of it shoved up my nose just to show one off! I tried so many snoring solutions (I'm an actual monster, you do NOT want to hear me sleep) with no luck. I couldn't fall asleep with mouth guards and the different sprays I tried just seemed like snake oil. I used nose strips for a while, but they would fall off at night and didn't do much. These clips WORK! The magnets keep it secure in my nose and it's a cinch to fall asleep, the clips are that comfortable. Plus it looks less dweebie than basically any other physical product I've tried. And snoring? That's a thing of the past.
Get it from Amazon for $8.69.
I love having this tool in my home! I jumped on the 2020 plant trend fast and have filled my home with tons of botanicals (that all have different watering schedules). The meter tells you if a plant is being over-watered or under-watered right down to the root, which is very necessary for a plant parent (who used to be a plant murderer) like myself.
Promising review: "This item is great. I can check how wet my plants are down where the roots are. So no more over watering! It is very accurate. This works great!!" —Terri Carlson
Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in three colors).
Promising review: "I bought this broom based on the tons of great reviews and I am not disappointed. I love this broom! It is lightweight but sturdy. I have used it on tile floors and carpet and it does a great job of getting the pet hair, lint, and dirt. I like this so much better than our traditional push broom. It is very easy to clean after use just using my hand, unlike our old broom. It also has a telescoping handle so that you can adjust it to whatever height you need. There is also a squeegee for doing the house windows and the car windows. I highly recommend it." —Joyce V
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
This even has two USB ports. Bless.
Promising review: "Where has this thing has been my whole life?! I've struggled with plugging and unplugging my phone charger and lamp behind my bed for the longest time. My poor husband didn't even get an outlet – he had to charge his phone across the bedroom. This device has been super convenient because now he and I can simply plug our charging cables into the USB outlets along the top of the plug. This completely eliminates having to bother plugging the block up at all. Then, the outlets themselves twist to the sides instead of straight out like a normal outlet. I've got a whole side dedicated for what I need plugged in; a lamp and now a white noise machine. The other side twists to the right, so my husband can plug in whatever he needs. No more cables getting smooshed and bent...no more struggling to plug something in behind the bed... Well done and thanks for making such a smart product! Very convenient." —Amazonaholic
Get it from Amazon for $25.51.
PS, this includes a caddy!
Promising review: "Honestly I didn't think this was going to work, BUT I am so glad I was wrong! I love how easy it is to use and most of all, how QUICKLY it unclogs my toilet!!! I just shove it down the toilet hole, use the motion of pushing it in and out a couple of times, take it out completely, and the toilet drains with ease! I'm not using all my strength to unclog toilets anymore, and no worries about nasty toilet water splashing everywhere, and it cleans super easily...BEST THING I EVER BOUGHT ON THE INTERNET!!!" —Laura
Get it from Amazon for $12.49.
This kit includes three nylon power brushes that'll fit on any cordless drill.
Promising review: "These brushes worked flawlessly. I have a 24-year-old home that has not been remodeled yet. The master bath shower tile and fiberglass shower pan were in pretty bad shape. We tried many types of cleaners to remove residual soap and hard water stains with little success. As a last ditch effort, I purchased these brushes. They worked amazingly well. Using Krud Kutter and these brushes removed every bit of the dirt and polished those tiles so that they shined brilliantly like they did when they were new. I am completely satisfied with my purchase of these brushes. They are well-made and held up beautifully to the forces I applied while using them." —Tom S4TX
Get it from Amazon for $15.16+ (available in six styles).
I use this in my kitchen! I have to admit...it hasn't exaaactly helped with organization. What it *has* done is created a neat and orderly spot for my utensils...opening up a ton of extra drawer space for my unruly stash of pens, bouillon cubes, drink flavor packets, and the like. Long story short — I recommend this for tidy and messy folks alike!
Promising review: "We were short on storage and drawer space and this worked perfectly for our tiny drawer!" —Angela McMichael
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+.
Promising review: "I bought these for my mom's car and mine a while ago and these little things are great. Since I got my license I've hated merging or switching lanes; I never felt good or safe doing it. Since having these its been a blessing, I feel less like a scared new driver. I'm currently encouraging my sister and friends to invest in these too! These are also great for backing up, because you can see exactly how close you are to hitting the car behind, and it's helpful when I parallel park in the city." —Mariam Abass
Get them from Amazon for $6.99 (available in four shapes).
Promising review: "Love this faucet extender for our daughter’s sink. It has given her the independence of washing her hands and brushing her teeth. It’s so easy to pop on and off if we have guests over and we want it removed. And the price is absolutely phenomenal." —H_Crowell
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.49.
Promising review: "I love this! We didn’t have a good place to make a hole in the wall to our backyard but we do have low windows next to our fireplace, so it was a match to get this window door. It was super easy to install and we love the locking feature. We got a snow storm and it took a while for our garden beds to stop being muddy. We locked the door so kitty wouldn’t bring in mud. I will say it is a bit drafty, so we got an extra weather strip to secure the draftiness. Our kitty only took a couple of days to get used to it too. We put his food just outside the window and he had to get used to going out there to get his food. All in all it was a great buy!" —AlyHowell
Get it from Amazon for $127.22+ (available in three window width sizes and five cat flap sizes).
Cheese is MY bar of chocolate.
Promising review: "Oh wow! I followed the directions and put that moist paper towel in with my cheese, on the bottom and put some unwrapped and cut Jarlsberg wedge in it. I left for vacation and two weeks later came back, and it was still fresh and moist and not moldy! Huzzah! I'm MIGHTY impressed with this simple gadget. I hate food waste and this is super helpful!" —Awesome Taste
Get it from Amazon for $11.54.
Promising review: "Everyone should have one of these! It's great quality! I love how it alternates colors and how you can make it stick to one color. My dog loves his necklace. This is a fabulous purchase. Get one right now!" —Khaos
Get it from Chewy for $17.99.
Promising review: "I was sooo skeptical and was confused about how they’d work but the gel solidifies and with every flush, suds wash through with the water and it really makes a fresh difference. Also the scent is light but really nice and fresh! I recommend these 100%! They’re super interesting but they do the job." —Janet
Get six stamps from Amazon for $3.26.
This is BPA-free and dishwasher safe!
Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE. My freezer is so much more organized now. Gone are the days of having to defrost an entire bag of chicken broth for one cup for a recipe. I now have perfectly portioned half-cup and one-cup blocks ready to go. They fit easily in freezer bags, take up less space, and make me incredibly happy. There was a lot of attention to detail put into the design and I particularly appreciate the wire inside the rim that holds everything steady — no more worrying about spilling all the liquid on the way to the freezer. Just a fantastic product all around. I purchased this and a cheaper version from another manufacturer at the same time, but returned the other product. This one is definitely worth the added cost." —Kate
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
Promising review: "Gross yet effective. We live in the country with animals so we have lots of flies. I did not want to hang a fly trap but caved when I saw this. I feel it’s not as noticeable as others and is easy to hide and works very well. Easy to hang and does not leave a sticky residue when removed." —Tina
Get a pack of 12 pieces from Amazon for $5.59.
Wad-Free is a small biz that was launched during the pandemic. Cyndi, the founder, learned CAD (computer-aided design) to create the pads. And 5% of profits are donated to the American Brain Tumor Association.
Promising review: "Wow!!! You wonder if things like this really work and well, I can absolutely confirm it does! First, I was impressed that the package came with two of the devices because I was only expecting one. So there was one for the fitted sheet, and the flat sheet. Finally, I tried it out and my sheets not only did NOT wad up, they came out of the dryer feeling fresher, feeling more dry, and unwrinkled! I will be buying a set of these for each of my immediate family members and close friends! What a great gift!!!" —katy
Get it from Amazon for $18.98.
Promising review: "I am loving my new safe storage for important documents. I now have a place to keep passports, my wedding license, car titles, mortgages, and wedding photos. If disaster happens I can have my mind at ease. I love that it has a fireproof zipper, a code lock design, and a strong handle that adds storage security and carrying safety." —Jenn A
Get it from Amazon for $25.59 (available in two colors).
Promising review: "Convenient, easy, quick way to keep the dishwasher fresh and working at peak." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $7.19.
Promising review: "I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't cleaned my microwave in about six months. It's an awful task. I ran this one time, wiped down easily, then ran it one more time to get it detailed really clean. I highly recommend using it (more often than once every six months) for a super fast, super clean microwave!" —Kelsey
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four colors).
Promising review: "Our new LG washer gets a stinky smell every so often so I bought these tabs. I put one in a month on the clean tub setting and it eliminates the odor. I just made a T-chart with a permanent marker on the box for the months and add an X when I put the tab in for the month. This way I don't miss a month and my washer runs great." —akkeber
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $11.95 (available in three pack sizes).
Promising review: "If you're on the fence, just do it. They are half the price of MaxTrax and just as good, I haven't used them as a bridge, but they literally saved my and my wife's lives in a recent Colorado Blizzard on a horrible mountain pass. Good tires, and 4LO couldn't get me up the 12% grade in about 1' of fresh snow on top of 1–2" of ice and we were just sliding sideways toward the literal cliff. We got these babies out, wedged them against the front and rear opposite corners and it got us out of the terrible situation and back home." —Tony
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in four styles and three colors).
Promising review: "According to the instructions I was supposed to use the whole bottle but being that it was so big and that I had two toilets to clean, I only used half. I was pleasantly surprised. The toilet tank is from the 1960s and I doubt it's been cleaned within the last few decades. In the 'after' photo you can see that there is still some rust left over but large chunks fell off the sides and can be seen on the bottom of the tank." —Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
Promising review: "This laser is a fantastic addition to the product line as it combines a VERY BRIGHT and VISIBLE green laser for both 360-degree horizontal, another vertical laser line that can provide you with a true and accurate 90-degree line, as well as a RED laser plumb dot! This is one of the most useful lasers I have ever come across! Having a contrast between the red and the green laser gives you easily readable reference lines and points. This unit is an excellent deal and would rival lasers eight to 10 times its price. Finally, the unit has a metal cover providing extra protection for the 360-degree horizontal laser against possible bumps. If you want a great laser — JUST BUY IT! You won’t be disappointed!" —Rob H.
Get it from Amazon for $93.59+ (available in three styles).
Promising review: "I love these foot pocket blankets. I bought two and we use them every night. They are beyond soft and they have washed/dried beautifully. They are extremely long and wide so they cover all of you!" —Mountaineer
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in 10 colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Promising review: it allows air into cups, pans, etc. to dry easily – unlike a drying pad. It's easy to clean, just roll it up and store it under the sink.Promising review:I think the intuitive, easy to use design is fantastic. We already have the muscle memory for using a spray can.This could save your life, and your house.Promising review:I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds.Promising review:This is a LIFE SAVER...literally.my 18-month-old can no longer leave the apartment and wander the hallsPromising review:I opted for this particular brand over others I saw for less as it has a dimmer. I really like this one as the glow is soft and not harsh on my eyes.Promising review:We bought one in the office to stop a nearby chair from continuously hitting the outlet plugs. It solved the problem right away. So we ordered three morePromising review:It's simple and works well. The dirt and sweat smells are gone.It's designed to be installed in under three minutes.Promising review:The chorine taste is just gone! No more overpriced fridge filters for us.The flow on this thing is just amazing! And the water tastes great! Don't waste your money on the expensive, complicated ones.Our water from this filter tastes just as good as theirs at a fraction of the price, plus it's way more convenient, plus the flow rate is way better.Promising review:Promising review:Not only does it work but it's fun for him and me. Promising review:This is a simple concept, but something that you would not normally think you need.I have not lost a toy since getting these nor has a bottle fallen on the ground.Promising review:Whether playing Cornhole or lounging in a chair, your drink is always clean and cold. No more sandy or dirty cans or bottles.Promising review:I have used it on everything from bathroom stalls to tables to grocery carts. This thing really grips.Promising review:The water comes up high enough that I do not have to bend too far over to drink from it.Promising review:My kiddo is determined to stick anything and everything he can into outlets and wants so badly to peel the individual outlet covers off.The amount of force needed to slide the plate over to use is more than a toddler can muster, but not hard for an adult.Promising review:. No need for any water when you use this.Promising review:Compared with the garlic press I used before, this is more labor-saving and comfortablePromising review:This eliminates those annoying moments!Promising review:This was super easy to installPromising review:I can check how wet my plants are down where the roots are.Promising review:It is lightweight but sturdy. I have used it on tile floors and carpet and it does a great job of getting the pet hair, lint, and dirt.It is very easy to clean after use just using my hand, unlike our old broom.There is also a squeegee for doing the house windows and the car windows.Promising review: I've got a whole side dedicated for what I need plugged in; a lamp and now a white noise machine. The other side twists to the right, so my husband can plug in whatever he needs.Promising review:I just shove it down the toilet hole, use the motion of pushing it in and out a couple of times, take it out completely, and the toilet drains with ease!Promising review:these brushes removed every bit of the dirt and polished those tiles so that they shined brilliantly like they did when they were new.Promising review:Promising review:Since having these its been a blessing, I feel less like a scared new driver.Promising review:Promising review:It was super easy to install and we love the locking feature. We got a snow storm and it took a while for our garden beds to stop being muddy. We locked the door so kitty wouldn’t bring in mud.Promising review:I left for vacation and two weeks later came back, and it was still fresh and moist and not moldy!Promising review:I love how it alternates colors and how you can make it stick to one color.Promising review:with every flush, suds wash through with the water and it really makes a fresh differencePromising review:Gone are the days of having to defrost an entire bag of chicken broth for one cup for a recipe. I now have perfectly portioned half-cup and one-cup blocks ready to go. They fit easily in freezer bags, take up less space, and make me incredibly happy.Promising review:I feel it’s not as noticeable as others and is easy to hide and works very well.Promising review:I tried it out and my sheets not only did NOT wad up, they came out of the dryer feeling fresher, feeling more dry, and unwrinkled!Promising review:If disaster happens I can have my mind at ease.Promising review:Convenient, easy, quickPromising review:I ran this one time, wiped down easily, then ran it one more time to get it detailed really clean.Promising review:I put one in a month on the clean tub setting and it eliminates the odor.Promising review:Promising review:The toilet tank is from the 1960s and I doubt it's been cleaned within the last few decadesPromising review:This is one of the most useful lasers I have ever come across!Promising review: