Hear Us Out, These Weird, Cheap Things On Amazon Are Actually SO Genius

Turn leftovers into handy blocks of future meals by filling a gallon-size freezer bag with soup, stew, or other tasty leftovers, and locking it into this block maker so it freezes into a stackable shape. It holds the bag open while you fill it, making the process easy and mess-free. And it creates order in your freezer. A smaller size and freezer racks to hold your blocks are also available.

Instead of carrying multiple supplement bottles whether you’re on vacation or in your everyday bag, use this clever pill dispenser to quickly and effectively sort medications. The top rotates to open a single compartment at a time, and each “slot” is big enough to hold up to 18 large capsules so you’ll have plenty on-hand. It even comes with a set of labels so you don’t have to squint to remember which pill is which.

Give yourself a mini-pedicure while you sleep by pulling on these fuzzy sleep socks before you retire. They are infused with a gel moisturizer that softens and heals your heels all night. You won’t overheat or slip on hardwood floors because your toes are open to the air. “Inside the heel is a silicone surface that keeps the moisturizing lotion on the heel,” said one reviewer. “It’s genius!” This is a pack of four socks, and they come in 13 colors.

Whip up a batch of flavored water, iced tea, or whatever you like to sip and stash it in this drink dispenser in the fridge so you can fill your glass easily. It will make it easy to stay hydrated without blowing your budget on cans and bottles that need to be recycled. It has a big handle and a push-button spigot to make sipping easy and fun.

If finding a pair of earrings to wear has turned into an archeological dig on your vanity, you need this earring holding organizer that turns your collection into a catalog. Mount all your earrings into its pages, and when you need new bling, open it up, turn the pages, and find the perfect pair. It buckles closed so you can take it traveling, and it comes in five colors.

Turn the bottom of your shower into a place that is beautiful and that gives you pleasure by setting this loofah shower mat there. The pattern brings ambiance to an otherwise boring shower base, and the texture turns every shower into a pleasurable, exfoliating foot scrub. It comes in 18 patterns and nine sizes.

Flower food never seems to work as well as it should, but the old wives’ tale about using a penny to keep the water clean holds true — and you don’t have to wash any spare change. Just drop one of these sweet heart-shaped 100% copper charms into your vase to naturally cleanse the water so your blooms stay vibrant for as long as possible.

Sometimes it’s the little things — or keeping the little things contained, in this case. Perfect for adding small storage to larger areas like cupboards, desks, and fridge doors, this four-pack of storage cups uses damage-free adhesive to mount anywhere you need them so your essentials (whatever they may be) are always close at hand.

This under-eye balm will make you look wide-eyed and bushy-tailed even if you’re so, so drained. Infused with caffeine, retinol, niacinamide, and other nourishing ingredients, it helps to brighten dark circles and firm up delicate skin. It also has a cooling effect to soothe tired eyes. Best of all, it’s in an easy-to-apply lipstick-like applicator.

If you have moved on from the iron and ironing board and embraced getting wrinkles out with a steamer, take that effort to the next level with these steamer ironing gloves that let you apply some focused steam to a seam, collar, or particularly tenacious wrinkle. Pull it onto one hand and aim the steamer with the other. “Game changer!” said one reviewer. “Easy to steam those little sides, endings, and difficult to reach parts of clothing.”

Cover up those unsightly (but essential) toilet bolts with these cute little lighthouses. They cover up plumbing hardware so your bathroom looks subtly nicer, and will definitely start some conversations. “Everyone who goes to bathroom comes out asking about these covers,” said one reviewer.

This shaving cream can help nip ingrown hairs and razor burn in the bud with its clinically-proven formula. The rich cream is not only incredibly moisturizing thanks to a blend of plant oils, aloe, maca, and shea butter — which softens hair while protecting your skin — but also pH-balanced to be safe on sensitive areas. “Don’t hesitate,” one fan raved. “I am in love with this product. It is the smoothest most comfortable shave over any product and I have tried many.”

These bird nest claw clips are a simple way to style your hair and keep it off your face, with a genius interlocking design instead of the traditional clamp. Lock one around the base of a ponytail or use it to secure a bun — the velvet fabric provides extra grip and, of course, looks so nice.

A little upgrade that makes a big difference, this soap dispenser works with gels, lotions, and more — but, if you add a little bit of water, it’ll create a sudsy foam that makes washing your hands that much more tactile. Its wide head presses down with satisfying sturdiness and the clear glass jar comes embossed in gorgeous crystal-like facets and designs that’ll look so good on your countertop.

Finally, something that helps to get rid of dead, dry skin on your heels without requiring a pricey trip to the spa. This glass foot file effectively removes calluses and dead skin, leaving your feet super soft and smooth. It has three sides for foolproof use and is made of durable glass that works well and is easy to clean.

This ultra-slim toaster takes up half the size of conventional models thanks to its single long slot, which can hold two pieces of bread side by side or lengthier slices like baguettes. It offers six settings and comes with a removable crumb tray — with the handiest cord-wrap feature for clutter-free counters. In shades like blossom pink, oat milk white, and sea glass green, it also looks great in the kitchen.

• Available sizes: 2
• Available colors: 5

Boost your at-home manicure with this excellent cuticle remover liquid that melts away dry, overgrown, in-the-way-of-polish cuticles and delivers a smooth-edged palette for your next color choice. Simply let it sit for fifteen seconds and rinse it away. Amazon reviewers are totally obsessed, too, nearly 50,000 of whom weighed in to give it an impressive 4.6-star overall rating.

These compressed towels are so tiny when compressed that you can keep a towel in your gym bag, car, or even your purse. When you want to wash your face, mop your brow while hiking or camping, or clean up on the go, open the packet and get them wet. They turn into a full-sized face towel. They are made of cotton, clean effectively, and feel great on your skin. This is a pack of 100, and they come in eight colors.

This is the easiest — and cheapest — after-market car upgrade you are likely to find. Plug this retractable car charger into the lighter, and now you and your guests have every charging option you will likely need for any road trip. Pull out a USB or lightning charger and plug it into your phone. Bring your own cords and plug anything into the USB-C or USB-A ports. It comes in two colors.

When you have one onion, an apple, or a single piece of any fruit or vegetable to store, don’t set it on the refrigerator shelf where it will dry out and scent everything else in the fridge. Put it into this clever onion storage container that locks closed to keep your food fresh and the smell contained. It makes it easy to grab an apple and run out the door, too.

Making the bed just got so much easier! This mattress lifter tool gives you the strong extra hand you need and can never find when making the bed. Slide the thin top part under the mattress, then turn the tool 90 degrees to leverage it under the heavy mattress. It does all the lifting and holds the mattress up while you take your time tucking the sheets under it. “This is so genius,” said one reviewer.

Stash this motion sensor night-light in a corner of the bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere in your house you are likely to stumble around in when it is dark. It turns on when the room is dark and someone moves, and turns itself off again when the room is empty. And you can pick it up and use it as a flashlight, making it perfect for power outages. You can dim or brighten the light using a button on the front.

Get your bra collection out of the dresser and into the closet where you can see your options by hanging them all on this one bra hanger that can accommodate eight or more bras, tanks, and other difficult-to-store garments. You can hang a second hanger from the bottom of the first one to handle even more bras. It makes it easy to air dry your bras and put them away in one movement.

This roll of microfiber cleaning cloths is the cleaning tool you didn’t know you needed. Grab a cloth from the roll just as you would a paper towel. It is super absorbent and smooth enough to put a streak-free polish on any surface. You can use it wet to clean up messes or use it when it’s dry to polish everything from stainless steel to glasses. You can wash and reuse the rags, too. It comes in three colors.

Turn the glass top on your stove into a useful surface while protecting it from scratches and messes with these clever stove top covers. The silicone mat has raised ridges so you can dry pans or dishes on it, and a lip around the perimeter keeps water off your range. It’s easy to roll up and store when you are using the stove. It comes in three sizes and seven colors.

If you find that earrings, especially ones on the heavier side, leave your ear lobes droopy and in pain by the end of the day, these earring support patches are worth a try. Simply place the patch behind your earring on your earlobe — it will prevent the hole from stretching and you’ll barely even be able to feel it there.

Skip the hassle of chopping unruly herbs on a board and go straight to sprinkling cut herbs into your plate or pan with these handy herb shears. Five blades whip through a sprig of parsley, chives, or basil, quickly turning leaves into perfect edible slivers. It comes with a clever little tool for cleaning between the blades. “Genius invention!” said more than one reviewer.

Stick these cabinet door bumpers to the impact spot in all your cupboards and drawers so your home is quieter and feels more expensive. Even inexpensive cabinets feel high-end when they don’t bang shut. This pack includes every bumper you will need to quiet your entire home. There are 304 clear pieces in six sizes and thicknesses.

This compact mini flashlight is small enough to fit comfortably in your pocket or any bag, making it an ideal companion for late night walks or runs, camping, or working outside. It’s surprisingly bright and powerful, with a magnetic base that allows for hands-free use when possible. “This is probably the BEST keychain flashlight available,” one shopper wrote. “It also recharges itself when it’s attached to its base and the base charges via USB. Excellent battery life.”

This adorable dog is the night-light every child — and many adults — want on their bedside table. It is friendly, adorable, and reliable, gently lighting the room to keep it monster-free. All the joints move, so you can position the little pup however you like and change it as often as you want. There are nine animal styles and colors to choose from.

Whether it’s multiple piercings, a medical procedure, or just sleeping with earbuds, this pillow for side sleepers features a central cutout for your ear to relieve pressure and pain on tender areas. The pillow is contoured to fit your neck and shoulders, and you can even adjust its firmness by adding or removing stuffing.

These adorable bunny toaster tongs are not merely a decorative element, though they are certainly that. They will be a helpful member of your household. They stand next to the toaster, being cute. When a piece of hot toast needs to be picked up, grab the rabbit and let those long ears take the heat. “I always struggled to get food out of my toaster without burning myself, but when I found these, I thought they were genius!” said one reviewer.

How do you get the cat toys and dust bunnies out from under the fridge? What about all that debris under those low shelves or the couch? This retractable gap dust cleaner is the right tool for the job. It reaches into narrow spaces, grabs dirt and dust, and sweeps toys and lost items out. The handle telescopes so you can reach up high, and the two microfiber covers can be used wet or dry.

This pocket organizer might be small, but it’s incredibly useful in the car. The Velcro mounting design makes it possible to stick it anywhere, whether that’s the side of your seat or your dashboard. It can hold a phone, small card holder, lip balm — just a few small essentials, keeping them right on hand whenever you need them. And the faux leather look is sleek and will look great in your car.

If you have to remember to take more than one pill daily, you need this travel pill organizer so you have those medications or supplements with you and can easily remember which ones you have and have not taken. It has eight compartments and comes with labels so you can organize your meds the way you like — by day of the week, by medication, or a combination. It comes in five colors.

This mini night-light is both convenient and adorable, with a bulb inside that is shaped like a whimsical, smiling little flame puff. You can adjust the temperature of the light, choosing a simple and soft glowing light or a campfire effect that gives it that flickering fire look. Either way, it’s cozy, fun to use, and looks so cute on your nightstand.

Once you live with a bidet in your bathroom, it becomes difficult to endure the barbarity of a bathroom without one. This portable bidet solves the outside world. Fill it with water from the sink and enjoy the cleanliness of a nether region shower wherever you are. It delivers a high-pressure shower when you squeeze the body. It comes in five colors.

This jar opener is real-life empowerment. With it mounted to the underside of a cabinet in your kitchen, jar lids become so much easier to open, and it’s backed by a 4.7-star overall rating after more than 1,000 reviewers have weighed in.

Power your entire rig from this slick but slim USB wall charger. It turns one standard plug into four USB plugs without eating the whole outlet, taking up surface area on your desk or counter, or looking stupid. In fact, it looks colorful, cute, and modern. It comes in a two-port option, too. There are nine color choices.

Don’t wait until after there is a leak to fit this under-sink mat into your cupboard. It is the waterproof layer that will stop that leak from destroying expensive wood cabinets. A lip around the edge contains the water or spilled cleaning products and it comes in 20 colors and 11 sizes.

Set these silicone trivets on your counter for a pop of color, and it’ll be so easy to set down a hot pan without scorching your permanent surfaces. In a pinch, you can grab one and use it to pick up a hot plate or pan, since the silicone is flexible and heat-resistant. They are pretty enough to use as chargers on a table setting and durable enough to be workhorses in the kitchen. This is a set of three, and they come in 13 colors.

Elevate the look and function of the kitchen sink by installing this faucet mat around the faucet. The diatomite stone is super absorbent, so it catches splashes and spills. And it dries quickly, so those spills evaporate without leaving anything for you to wipe up. Set all your sponges, brushes, and soap bottles on it, and it will keep the drips and spills in order so your sink always looks clean and stylish. It comes in three colors and five sizes.

Pull these silicone chair leg covers over the feet of your chairs like socks so the sharp edges of those feet don’t ruin your floors. Meanwhile, the chair will move silently so you don’t have to endure a harsh scraping sound every time someone sits or gets up. They have felt on the bottom and, since the sock is stretchy, you can take them off again. They won’t fall off, though, the way the stick-on felt versions inevitably do. Choose from five sizes and a bunch of colors.

Keep the hair out of the drain in the shower by covering it with this hair catcher that fits over any drain — even those with a pop-up water stopper installed. It lets water through. It’s easy to pick up and clean. It even looks good. It is weighted so it stays in place and comes in lots of stylish matte colors.

You will always be able to find a hair tie when you are doing your hair if you store them in the clever drawer in this storage hair brush. Toss it into your travel bag so you always have everything you need on the road, or use it at home so you don’t have to hunt down a hair tie with a braid in one hand. The drawer has two compartments, so you can keep elastics separate from clips or bobby pins. It comes in white or pink.

Driving with the bright sun in your eyes isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous. Sometimes your sun visor and sunglasses just don’t cut it when it comes to getting rid of the glare, so having this visor extension is a smart idea. It’s extendable and offers extra protection from the sun both underneath and on the sides.

You will never lose another ring if you have these size adjusters on hand, but unlike a trip to the jeweler they’re easily reversible. Their silicone spirals wrap around bands up to 6 millimeters wide to shrink rings by as much as 1.5 sizes and you can easily remove them when you don’t need a smaller fit, too, if you’re prone to fluctuations.

When you find a recipe you like, write it down in this recipe book so you don’t forget about it or how to repeat it. There is room for pairing notes, instructions, and a scannable list of ingredients so you can format your recipes just as if they were in a cookbook. It comes with colorful stickers so you can tag recipes that use ingredients you often have on hand or that fit a diet you need to accommodate. There are several bookmarks, cooking info, tips, and a table of contents page so you can create a searchable index.

Who couldn’t use a little extra storage space? This set of shower caddies make that so easy since they work with just adhesive with no tools required. Since they can support up to 40 pounds, they definitely don’t skimp on functionality either.

When you have a bit of leftover fruit, egg salad, or pasta and can’t be bothered to find a container to stash it in for later, you will be so glad you have these universal silicone lids. Drop one over your bowl and put it in the fridge. The lid seals so tight you can lift the bowl by the knob on the top. Leave the lid on to microwave those leftovers. Then toss the lid into a drawer to store it.

Make finding sheets easier and help prevent wrinkles with these bed sheet organizers with a viewing slot and label slot so you know exactly what’s inside. With both a zipper and lids to keep everything secure, they’re a decluttering essential for a tidy linen closet.

If you click a pen, twist your hair, or otherwise fidget when you get nervous, wear this anxiety spinner ring so you have a healthy place to direct that energy. The ring is always on your hand and in easy reach, and it won’t make sounds to annoy others. There are 14 styles to choose from, and it comes in sizes five through 11.

Keeping those unwanted stray hairs that crop up in the wrong places off of your face isn’t time-consuming, expensive, or difficult if you have this facial hair remover in your primping arsenal. Hit the button, sweep it over the spot, and carry on with your routine. It shaves close, doesn’t hurt, and is about the size of a lipstick. “It’s completely painless, super gentle on the skin, and removes even the tiniest hairs, leaving my face incredibly smooth and makeup-ready,” one shopper raved. “I also love how compact and rechargeable it is — perfect to keep in my purse for quick touch-ups before filming or taking photos.”

Instead of emptying the fridge and wiping every shelf to clean the interior, line those shelves with these refrigerator liners. When you want to clean a shelf, pull out the liner and rinse it off. The cheery punch of colors will give you a mood boost, too, when you open it to stare aimlessly in there. There are nine color schemes to choose from and you can cut them to size as needed.

Keep a few essential tools or spices right where you can easily find them when you are cooking by sticking this stovetop shelf to the back of your range. It clings magnetically, so it will stay put and is the perfect place to set some salt, oils, and a spatula or two. The flexible silicone molds to the shape of your stove and goes into the dishwasher for cleanup.

If you use Microsoft Excel for work all the time, then this large desk pad is an office essential. Not only does it protect your desk and act as a mousepad, but it is covered in Excel tips and shortcuts that will make it so much easier to get things done. It has a rubber base to keep it stable and is available in a bunch of different colors and prints.

Wrap your hair up in one of these LED scrunchies, and you will be the hit of the party. Set them to flash — fast or slow — or glow continuously, and you won’t get lost at the concert, disappear into the crowd, or need a flashlight. Perfect for keeping track of a child at a nighttime event or for upping the bling of your own ensemble. There are two styles.

Make it easier to keep your hairbrush clean by keeping this hairbrush cleaner in your vanity kit. Instead of jamming your fingers into the bristles to pull out hair, it reaches in and combs it all out quickly and effectively. Then flip it around and use the scrubby bristles to clean the hairbrush bed. It comes in three colors.

These teeny tiny mini scissors might seem too small to actually be useful, but they will come in handy when sewing or trying to make a precise cut in a small spot. “Every crafter or traveler should have a pair of these,” one shopper wrote in a review. “They are just so handy and so tiny yet sharp and practical. Fantastic as they are TSA approved.” As a bonus, they come with a small loop you can attach to a keychain for easy access.

Open this red bean mask and settle in for some delicious self care. It exfoliates, clears pores, removes excess sebum, moisturizes, and improves skin texture while smelling like mint and tapping the power of ancient Korean plant-based beauty secrets. “I’m obsessed,” said one reviewer. “Gently exfoliates and cleanses my pores, leaving my skin looking radiant and feeling soft.”

End the daily quest to track down your remote controls by giving them a place to live that is easy to put on repeat. This remote control holder lets you stick the remote to the TV, a wall, the coffee table, or whatever works for you. Peel and stick the base where you want to stash the remote. Then stick the other side to the remote. Forevermore, putting the remote away is a matter of touching it to that base. Genius! It comes in black or white.

Set your coffee machine, the mixer, or the dish rack on this absorbent counter mat and stop spending your time wiping up spills. It is super absorbent and dries quickly, so those spills and water drips seem to disappear. You can cut it to whatever size you need, and it comes in 16 colors and three sizes. “My coffee area has never been this clean,” reported one reviewer.

Your phone is willing to do so much more when you aren’t holding it in your hand. It needs a stand, though, so you can glance at the screen while you rest or work. This adjustable phone stand is the one. The angle adjusts. The metal is solid. It has a channel to run your charging cable through, and it holds your phone securely in portrait or landscape position. It comes in seven colors.

This cosmetic bag is so much more than just pretty. It is high-functioning style. It opens up all the way, so you don’t need to unpack it to find what you need. It has several clever interior pockets to keep your gear in order. And the double zippers make it easy to open and close. It’s waterproof and easy to clean. “This bag is genius,” said one reviewer. “It holds soooo much without taking up a huge amount of room in a backpack or suitcase.” It comes in eight colors.

If you like the option to toggle between a drizzle and a spritz of cooking oil, this 2-in-1 dispenser replaces extra bottles cluttering your cupboard and makes it easy to cook with the oil you like best. It’s housed in a glass jar with a BPA-free plastic head that features a precision nozzle: A quick press dispenses your oil in a fine mist, while a slower touch produces a steady stream. Meal prep just got so much easier.

Consider this electric candle lighter the smartest swap from your traditional lighter. It’s rechargeable and can be reused many times, and it’s also very reliable. Because this doesn’t have a real flame, it’s windproof and weather-proof, so you can use it outside regardless of the elements.

This air fryer cooking guide is extremely useful to have on hand if you use your air fryer often. It’s filled with cooking time suggestions and temperature references for more than 120 different types of foods. The magnetic back means you can keep it on the fridge so you can easily flip through it when you’re about to cook something.

This cordless mini vacuum is perfect for getting small spaces and nooks extra clean without too much maneuvering. The cordless design and array of nozzle attachments make it especially ideal for use in the car, but it’s also great anywhere you need to do a little bit of more precise vacuum work. It weighs less than a pound and is a breeze to carry around.

Hitting a deer can be devastating for those inside the car, the deer, and the car itself, but sometimes it feels unavoidable. These warning whistles aim to help prevent these accidents. They get attached to the outside of your car and release a high-pitched noise that should hopefully deter animals. “I have come across many deer before purchasing these and they would just stand there, unfazed,” one shopper wrote in a review. “Since installing these, they scamper and run away!”

This hydroponic starter kit is a must if you enjoy propagating plants. It comes with four slim test tube vases that are easy to fill and make it a cinch to care for your little plant babies. The wooden stand also has a dimmable LED strip which lights up the greenery and makes it double as really unique and cool decor.

This endoscope camera, with a cord that is over 16 feet long and a handy light at the end, makes it surprisingly easy to capture images in otherwise hard or impossible to reach areas. It’s waterproof with adjustable LED lights, and using it is simple: just attach it to the phone and get it where it needs to go. The images are pretty clear and the app allows for convenient side-by-side comparison.

This small pocket knife is both mini in size and foldable, so it’s extra compact and perfect for taking on-the-go. Despite its small size, it still gets any job done, thanks to the durable stainless steel construction and smart design. The blade is super sharp and the whole thing fits neatly in the palm of your hand, and it’s super versatile.

Made of plush memory foam that offers both a cushy feel and support, this car seat cover is the most budget-friendly way to upgrade your ride. It has a nonslip bottom to keep it in place and can also be used on basically any other kind of chair or seat. “The memory foam offers just the right amount of support—it relieves pressure without feeling too thick or changing the way you sit,” one reviewer wrote. “I was pleasantly surprised at how much comfort it added for such a low-profile cushion.”

Ensure your pillow is always on the cool side with these lightweight pillow cases. Made of a cool-to-the-tough chill fabric on one side and 100% cotton on the other side, the cases are breathable and soft. They absorb body heat as you sleep to help regulate your temperature, with a hidden zipper design that ensures there is no snagging.

Even a soft yellow light can feel a little jarring in the middle of the night, enough to keep you up longer than you might want. These night lights give off a soothing red light that shouldn’t disrupt your sleepiness, with three brightness options and a dawn to dusk sensor that makes them so low-maintenance.