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29 Things That’ll Make You Think, “OK, That’s Really Smart”

Silly purchases that are a waste of money? Not in this post.

Posted on Sep 12, 2026

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by Melanie Aman BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

As a deputy editorial director on the BuzzFeed Shopping team with almost a decade in the lifestyle and service journalism sphere, I use my shopping editor eye to find and vet products across a variety of categories, including lifestyle, home, beauty, fashion, pets, cleaning, travel, aging, and more.

Ever find yourself endlessly battling small daily annoyances and wondering if there’s a better way? We found clever solutions that’ll make you think, "OK, that's really smart." From genius space-saving organizers and travel essentials to game-changing pet products and handy kitchen gadgets, reviewers swear by these brilliant fixes. Ahead, discover the ultimate list of problem-solving products designed to upgrade your daily routine.

1. A dog-paw scrubber for all-in-one paw cleaning that won't bother your pooch and certainly won't bother you now that your floors will be free of muddy paw prints.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I wanted something that would clean my baby’s paws after our walks because I didn’t want germs or dirt coming into the house. It smells great, it works well, and I can see that the rubber part doesn’t bother my doggy! It’s super easy to use, and I use it to keep her paws clean and my house clean! 10/10, especially for the price point!" —Thia

Get it from Amazon for $6.24.

2. An inverted umbrella with a carabiner handle so the unexpected sun shower is totally NBD. This umbrella has so many nifty features: a carabiner handle so you can attach it to a bag strap, a belt loop, a stroller, a bicycle, etc.; a reverse folding design so when you close it the wet side is on the inside; a reflective strip along the edge to make you more visible to cars and other vehicles; an automatic open and close with the push of a button; and a durable design tested to withstand winds of up to 40 mph.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a GREAT umbrella! I was really shocked at how solid it is and how smoothly the mechanism works. It pops open elegantly (I feel quite fancy when I use it), and the coverage is really good — oversize for a compact model. It is HIGHLY wind-resistant and very stable. The carabiner handle is awesome; I can hang it from my shopping cart instead of getting my groceries wet. Love the design, so the water doesn't fall everywhere when closing it. It also dries up beautifully and is easy to wrap up for the next use." —Susan Dornan

Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in five colors and two styles).

3. A genius collapsible Coleman cooler that holds dozens of cans — up to 93 cans in the 55-qt. size! — and can keep ice cold for days. If you've been suffering through picnics and hangouts with itty-bitty coolers that you hate because a larger option is just too big and bulky to store when you're not using it...might I suggest this space-saving option?

www.amazon.com

See it in action on TikTok!

Promising review: "Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing product. As RVers, we find this collapsible cooler incredibly useful. The overall quality is very good, and the lid provides an excellent seal. The cooler collapses into a compact package that stores easily in an RV or vehicle, as shown in our SUV photo. We have used this cooler on many grocery runs and have experienced no issues keeping food and beverages cold with reusable ice packs. For RVers, campers, or anyone short on storage space, this cooler is an easy recommendation." —MKWilli

Get a 35-qt. cooler from Amazon for $159.99+ (available in 45-qt. and 55-qt. sizes)

4. A hoodie hanger because one hoodie per hanger...yeah, that's not gonna cut it with your small closet. And don't even get me started on folding hoodies! You can only stack them one high in a drawer! So inefficient! Just grab one of these six-pronged hangers and use 'em for your hoodies, T-shirts, bras, belts, purses, hats, and more.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this product in a two-pack for my T-shirts because I hate folding and putting laundry away, and thought it would be a more convenient way for me to keep my clothes organized, and wow! When I saw how durable and well-made they were, and how much space they saved, and how easy they were to use, I bought more! They were also a great value for the money, and I was able to just walk into my closet and see all my clothes, so they were all visible as soon as I opened my closet, no more searching through drawers. The next two packs I bought, I even used to hang my hoodies; these things are super durable and sturdy. I highly recommend these little darlings for anyone trying to get organized." —Sissy

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors as well as individually and in packs of four).

5. A self-tanner finishing powder if you hate the tackiness and stink after a self-tanning session. Reviewers say this powder dries the stickiness, which is super helpful for areas that crease a lot, and removes the self-tanner funk.

Amazon

Promising review: "Let me tell y’all how good this stuff works. I put on fake tanner this morning. I let it sit for a minute and then dusted on the powder with a kabuki brush. (You don’t need a special brush. Go buy a $5 E.l.f. brush from Walmart.) I was immediately impressed because that sticky feeling was gone. I rubbed my leg, and it was completely dry. It smelled amazing, and it has a beautiful glow to it. So I'm like OK, let's really put it to the test… I'm going to wear white socks all day at the zoo. We walked around the zoo for four hours, and then ran some errands. I took off my white socks after wearing them for 11 hours, sweating, walking…ZERO TRANSFER. I'm SHOCKED. So IDK how I made it 15 years of using self-tanner and getting spray tans and never knew about finishing powder, but, wow. I can never go without it now. Also, if you’re debating which size to buy, the normal container size is enough. A little goes a long way." —Crystal

Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in four scents).

6. An adorable no-drip honey cap to catch any drips in the brim before they trickle down the side of the bottle and make it sticky — because only YOU can prevent sticky honey bottles. It comes with two adapters *and* works on maple syrup bottles too!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I’ll be honest, I mostly bought this because it looked cute and my kids love the honey bear, but it’s actually really functional. We always end up with that sticky ring on the granite because someone didn't wipe the lid, but the 'brim' on this little hat actually catches the drips. It came with two different sizes, so it fit our honey bear perfectly, and also fits the maple syrup bottle we get from Costco. It’s a little thing, but it saves me from scrubbing the counter every morning." —Cohen784

Get it from Amazon for $23.99.

7. A folding office chair for maximizing space in itty-bitty offices. Though this chair folds up small to roll under the desk, it's still got luxe features: headrest, lumbar support, fold-up armrests with cushions, and a footrest. Wow!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This chair is amazing. I move constantly during my work day — I sit cross-legged, legs up/down, standing, whatever helps me feel comfortable at the time. I also hate chairs with arms that bang against my desk to make it hard to hop up quickly. This chair doesn't have a ton of features, but it's literally the only version I could find at any price point that had the three features I needed: Arms that fold up, a foot rest option that's easy to put away, and a back that folds down so the chair fits under my desk. I had very low expectations based on the price, but it worked out great!" —S. Wu

Get it from Amazon for $209.97+ (available in five colors).

8. A pair of Hidey Socks — genius liner socks with a strap studded with Swarovski crystals — so your flats don't do that annoying thing where they eat your liner sock and then by the end of the day, the liner is just crumpled up by your toes.

Hidey Socks / Etsy

Hidey Socks is a small business based in California.

Get it from Hidey Socks on Etsy for $17+ (available in five sock colors and eight crystal colors).

9. A foldable silicone feeding tray that'll adhere to the table with suction so Baby can't toss their breakfast on the floor. And when mealtime's over, the tray conveniently folds in half and closes shut, allowing you to bring any leftovers with you on the go.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Love this item for on the go! Fits perfectly in my diaper bag! Easy to clean!" —Madison Childs

Get it from Amazon for $27 (available in three colors).

10. An airplane seat back organizer because air travel can actually be pleasant when all your in-flight essentials are within reach. Thanks to the four roomy pockets, this organizer can hold your snacks, drinks, electronics, books, toys, etc. so you may not need to squeeze past your seat neighbor 10 times in the same flight because you need to grab something else from your carry-on.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Very useful, especially when traveling with kids. Provided easy access and storage to things like a water bottle, hand sanitizer, snacks, wipes, and headphones. I didn't have to access my carry-on." —JJ

Check out BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord’s Airplane Pockets review for more deets!

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

11. An eye drop applicator if you're not particularly gifted when it comes to applying eye drops. (Why do I always blink the millisecond before it hits my eye???) Instead of tilting your head back and hoping for the best, apply the drop to this silicone finger and bring the finger close to your eye. The medicine will magically "jump" from your finger to your eye! Reviewers say it's also helpful for pets who need eye drops.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love it so much, before I always wasted so much of my eye drops, but now with this, everything has become so easy. Thank you! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻" —Ben

Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

12. A Pikk-it tool to remove tangled hair that's lodged in your vacuum head and totally messing with your vac's absorption powers. (And ofc your fingers can't reach the hair!) You can also use it to detangle hair from the bristles of your hairbrush.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Between myself (medium long hair) and my overly fluffy cat, a lot of hair and fluff was continually getting caught up on the roller brush of my vacuum. I dreaded vacuuming because it took so long to pull and snip the hairs wrapped up on the roller brush out with scissors. Not anymore! This silly, little, inexpensive thing works great! Super quick to remove all the hair/fur — in virtually a minute, then back to vacuuming with my lovely Miele vacuum." —MKS

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

13. A pack of Snug Plugs for anyone struggling with loose outlets. This'll solve the problem of plugging your phone before going to sleep only to realize the next morning that it fell out of the outlet and never charged.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Snug Plugs is a small business that specializes in home improvement products. 

Promising review: "Many of my appliances have a loose fit on my outlets, but with these in now, I don’t worry about my appliances being in a shortage because they fit so loosely. Definitely a quick, inexpensive fix to an annoying problem I had. Very satisfied." —Tania B. Delgado

Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in clear and glow-in-the-dark).

14. A flexible hair clip so you can drive with your head against the headrest instead of uncomfortably angled forward because you're wearing a plastic claw clip. Reviewers say it holds your hair securely and doesn't dig into their heads/scalps.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This claw clip beats them all! The shape is perfect, and it makes sure the claws don't dig into your head. The squishy but still firm design is also absolutely genius. I have already accidentally stepped on mine, and it didn't break! Finally, I can stop worrying about it breaking in my bag. I also have very long hair, so I was worried it might not hold it all; however, it really does stay in all day!! I am absolutely blown away by these, and I will never be able to buy another brand again. Thank you to the creator!!!" —Linn Erle Kløfta

Get it from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in 13 colors; some colors available with charms).

15. A PocketLocks that'll — duh! — lock up those pockets via magnets, shutting out potential pickpockets as well as preventing your phone, keys, wallet, etc. from sliding out of your pockets accidentally. The magnetic strips attach to the inside of your pocket with tape, allowing you to do things like sit without your phone or an earbuds case escaping. (And, of course, stuff falls on a soft surface — like a taxi seat! — so you don't hear it.)

Amazon

Promising review: "This is a great product! I am doctor and run around in scrubs all day. I always lose my phone and keys when I sit down since the scrubs are so loose fitting. I installed these magnets in a set of my favorite scrubs (not the hospital ones of course) and it is a game changer!! I am also impressed with how well they keep in washing. Wash the scrubs often and they keep perfectly intact. Very happy!" —doglover

Get one set from Amazon for $28.

16. A Zevo foaming spray, because, listen up, all you bug haters, I'm about to blow your mind. This foam spray traps bugs on contact, like roots them in place, which is amazing news, because I can't be the only one who's managed to hit a scurrying roach with a spray of bug killer only for it to run who knows where to die. *shudders* And the foam will eventually dissolve without damaging your floors, so you can feel fine about leaving that roach on his back until your roommate comes home and can complete the even scarier task of disposing of said dead roach.

Zevo

Promising review: "Good lemongrass scent. My stairs are a gathering spot for spiders. I can spray this anytime, I have no adverse reactions, and it kills insects effectively." —Cora

Get it from Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, and Walmart for $7.97+.

17. A pack of party plates with built-in cup holders if you have big dreams of hosting a lot of backyard shindigs. They're reusable and easy to grip one-handed, so guests can easily sip and nom while having a hand free to mingle or just grab some more crudite without having to put down their drink. Folks will think these are the neatest things ever (and maybe try to take one home). 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Purchased these for my family to use at the food and wine festival. Personalized them with my Cricut, and they came out so cute. Packed perfectly in a bag and then used them all day to hold drinks and small bites." —kristine

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in seven colors).

18. A mattress lifter to elevate your very heavy mattress and allow you to more easily tuck in the sheets. No more straining your back, propping your mattress awkwardly on your knee or shoulder, or calling in backup when it's time to make the bed.

Amazon

Promising review: "My spouse asked that I look into a product that helps lift a mattress, and she had seen this in an advertisement on TV. This plastic tool aids in lifting a mattress so that sheets can be changed on the mattress. She told me that this product made it easier to lift the mattress and that her hands no longer ached as much as they did without using the product. She is satisfied with the product, and if she is, then I am also. I would order it again." —Thomas Reed

Get it from Amazon for $18.95.

19. A set of raised keyboard stickers for folks with long nails. Instead of having to flatten or curve your fingers unnaturally to reach the keyboard keys with your long nails, you can type comfortably!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is just what I needed for my keyboard! My nails are long, and they often get in the way of typing. They were also very loud when I would type anything. Now this keypad works so much better. It was easy to put on. I love how quiet it is when I type now, and I can type faster with this keypad." —Rach

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors).

20. Some washable pee pads so costly single-use pee pads are just...not a thing you have to buy anymore. Bonus: These aesthetically pleasing pee pads definitely don't look like your average pee pads.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

You can use them for cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, bunnies, etc. And they're also great for whelping boxes.

Promising review: "This item was the perfect choice for my bunnies’ pen. The design is gorgeous. I wanted something light and easy to maneuver under their heavier acrylic pen, and this one fits the bill perfectly. Washed and dried, and kept its shape. Its leak-proof and waterproof design helps with pet mess and water bowl spillage, ensuring a nice dry space for bunny flops. Two in a pack allows me to switch out when washing, so my buns are always protected. I cannot say enough about this brand and the value overall will have me coming back as needed when I expand their pen." —Sam Cam

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in various prints and sizes).

21. A pack of towel clips that'll prevent kids and pets from pulling down the towel. Or, maybe you have neither of those things, yet your hand and kitchen towels always end up on the ground.

Amazon

Promising review: "This clip is amazing. No more towels falling on the floor. It was becoming a routine thing since my cat thinks it's fun to pull the kitchen towels off the oven. Not now, bad kitty! Great product...wish I had bought one sooner!" —Joanna

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $11.79.

22. A Tub Topper because parents everywhere, bathtime is about to change forever. It attaches with suction cups to the lip of the tub and acts as a splash guard, toy tray, and a fun zone thanks to the flat surface, which allows for play.

Amazon

Promising review: "Like you, when I first came across this, I was hesitant because of the price. It's a bit steep, I thought to myself. But then, after another night of bathtime with two towels on the ground to soak up the water my child had splashed all over, I took the plunge and bought it. And definitely worth it a million times over. My child LOVES the extra space for toys, and I love the water staying in the tub. I definitely and highly suggest buying it. You won't be disappointed! Or your child!!" —Brianna

Get it from Amazon for $59.95 (available in four colors and a mini size).

23. A clear standing rice paddle if one of your food icks is rice on the paddle touching a dirty countertop. It has a special embossed surface designed to prevent rice from sticking to the paddle (reviewers say rice really doesn't stick!), and, as you can see, it has a wide base, so it's easy to grip and stands on its own.

Amazon

Promising review: "This is a great replacement rice scoop! The top feels very thin, but trust me, it’s very strong. I love that it stands up on its end, since the rice scoop holder on my rice cooker has been lost, and this keeps the food part of the scoop from touching my countertop." —Douglas Weimer

Get it from Amazon for $11.93.

24. The Croptuck, a handy elastic band designed to hold up bulky sweaters and T-shirts so you can rock that cropped look without actually having to cut your tops or deal with bulky, constricting belts.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "A total game changer for making any shirt look cropped. I didn’t realize how much I needed this until I tried it! The Croptuck band is super easy to use and instantly gives any shirt or sweater that perfect tucked/'cropped' look without actually cutting or tying anything. It’s adjustable, comfortable, and doesn’t feel tight or bulky under your clothes. The band feels secure and stays in place all day—even when I’m moving around. I love that it comes with a cute little pouch so I can throw it in my purse when I’m on the go. It works on oversize tees, sweaters, and even button-ups. My outfits look so much more put-together now! This is honestly the best little tool. Highly recommend." —Erendira

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors).

25. A WD-40 pen (A pen! Genius!) for all the squeak-quieting, hinge-lubricating, rust-preventing powers that you know and love from traditional WD-40 but in an easy-to-maneuver precise pen tip.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love WD-40 products and use them for everything. I spray on shovels to keep dirt or snow from sticking, spray around windows and thresholds to deter bugs, clean Sharpies off wood and walls, and, of course, stop squeaky doors. These small direct-point application pens are great. Keep one in the glove box, my kitchen 'junk' drawer, and the house toolbox." —BBP623

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $12.49.

26. Some AAA to AA battery converters so you can win the day as a parent when your kiddo hands you a new toy that needs batteries, but — DANG IT! — looks like it needs AA but you only have AAA batteries.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I admit, I was hesitant to buy these, but for the price, I thought I'd give it a shot. I always have more AAA than doubles, so these are worth it just for that alone. Although I put the battery in wrong at first (it goes in opposite of what you think with the + side of the battery facing the flat end of the holder), the holder worked and I had no problems with the fit or using it! What a great idea and something to definitely have on hand." —JBart

Get 10 from Amazon for $4.99 (also available in a 20-pack and in other styles).

27. A set of refrigerator drip catchers that'll prevent a puddle from forming in the water tray...which drips onto the floor in front of your fridge. They sit securely in the tray thanks to their magnetic design.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Exactly what I didn’t know I needed! I’ve been scrubbing the little water tray for years, then got a new fridge and wanted to check to see if these existed. Perfect fit for our new LG fridge!" —Amazon Customer

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three shapes and two colors).

28. A travel neck pillow because, as usual, you overpacked your suitcase and are about to be hit with a $100 overweight bag fee. Let's rewind! Before you try cramming everything in your suitcase, instead add some of your soft clothes to this genius sleeve, which becomes a travel pillow when filled. It can hold up to 10 T-shirts or about 2–3 days of clothing.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "As a single guy who travels with mostly a few shirts, I find that this has been a great addition. It helps me travel with no bag a lot of times; I am able to fit most items right into it! Very economical buy when used properly. High quality." —Abbasbeydoun95

Get it from Amazon for $23.98.

29. Some dishwasher organizer tags if your kiddos load the dishwasher in the most chaotic, inefficent way. These tags broadcast exactly where cups and plates go so you can maximize every square inch of your dishwasher and save yourself from having to run another load.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These little tags have been a game changer for my household. Everyone finally knows exactly where to put things, and the color-coded icons make it so easy that even my 7-year-old gets it right. My dishes are coming out noticeably cleaner, too, since nothing is blocking the spray arms anymore. The silicone quality is really impressive; after repeated cycles of daily washes, they haven’t faded, peeled, or lost their shape at all. They fit my Bosch perfectly and took under five minutes to set up. Small purchase, but honestly one of the most useful things I’ve added to our kitchen routine!​​​​​​​​​​" —Santanu Patnaik

Get a set of 10 organizers from Amazon for $17.99.

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.