30 Products That Are So Downright Genius, You’ll Wish You’d Thought Of Them First

30 Products That Are So Downright Genius, You’ll Wish You’d Thought Of Them First

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-05-25 05:03

1. A portable digital luggage scale, because it's time we put an end to that gut-wrenching moment when the airline counter tells you your suitcase is a few pounds over the weight limit. Being forced to transfer your things from your suitcase into your carry-on in the middle of the terminal for everyone to see is dreadful.  

www.amazon.com

I have been at BuzzFeed for almost eight years now and have written many travel articles where I have included this reviewer-loved luggage scale. Heck, reviewers (and the BuzzFeed audience) love it so much that I put it in non-travel articles because I just thought it was genius. 

With that being said, every time I pack for a trip, I have done one of two ridiculous options: 1) use a mechanical bathroom scale to weigh my luggage, even though said mechanical bathroom scale is nearly 20 years old and is definitely broken; 2) weigh myself on a digital bathroom scale, then step onto the scale again holding my luggage and do the math. This past summer, I went on a trip to Cabo and, upon leaving the hotel, did this second option thanks to a scale in the bathroom. When I found myself sitting on the bed trying to convert kilograms to pounds, I knew I needed a better system going forward. 

I purchased this prior to a recent trip to Puerto Rico, and I am SO glad I did. First of all, I am amazed at how accurate this is. I mean, I knew from the reviews that it was, but this is kinda one of those products where you really have to see to believe. Shy of .02 of an ounce from the airport scale weight, this thing really gave me an accurate measurement (and that's no easy task with the way I pack — a very large suitcase, 50-pound capacity reached for a three-day weekend, oops). Best of all, it's small enough to store in your suitcase or carry-on (mine went through TSA just fine!), so if you're like me and ALSO enjoy getting souvenirs wherever you travel, then there won't be any surprises when you head to the airport to go back home. Highly recommend!!!

Get it from Amazon for $13.40+ (available in six colors and a two-pack).

2. A veggie chopper for those who wanna cook homemade meals but are so daunted by the thought of prepping the ingredients, they're already ordering Seamless a fourth night in a row.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Fullstar is a small biz that specializes in super useful kitchen gadgets! 

Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food, and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in four colors and five sizes).

3. A wooden page holder to save your spot mid-read when you need to take a break for the bathroom, to get a snack, or check any phone notifs you missed while you were off in a land far, far away. Not to mention, this handy lil' pyramid features slots to hold your glasses and phone. All the essentials you need for a night of working your way through your TBR will be right within reach.

Amazon

Besuerte is a small biz with tons of farmhouse-style decor options.

Promising review: "After looking into many similar book stands on Amazon, I found that most of them were cheap and not made of solid wood. I took a chance on this one despite it having very few reviews. It took a little bit to arrive, but the product was well worth the wait. I love that it is a beautiful, solid wood piece and was packaged in a way that didn't require assembly and would not be damaged upon delivery. The only con was that there were two nails peeking out on the inside, but I should be able to fix that easily. Overall, I'd say it exceeded my expectations and is priced well." —R. Young

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

4. A winged eyeliner stamp so you don't have to waste time during your makeup routine trying to nail the perfect cat eye. Just stamp it on and go, go, gooooo!

www.amazon.com

Lovoir Beauty is a small biz based in New Zealand that sells this genius winged eyeliner stamp known as The Flick Stick.

Promising review: "I just want to make my morning routine as easy as possible. I love winged liner, but I don’t have the steady hand for it without mistakes. This makes the perfect and consistent wing every time. Love it! I ordered the 10 mm, and now I'll have to try the 12 mm!" —Julie B

Get it from Amazon for $14.98 (available in three sizes).

5. A pack of ceiling fan filters that'll capture dust, pollen, pet dander, and more airborne irritants just by turning on your ceiling fan. It's like having an air purifier without having to spend the money (or make space) for an air purifier. Plus, all you have to do is just stick 'em on your fan.  

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days the air smelled more crisp and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" —Haylee Marez

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $21.99.

6. A grocery bag carrier because your commitment to making only one trip from the car to your home with all of your grocery bags is STRONG, and this handy little device will make it possible AND easy. This is also really great if you live in a city and have no choice but to carry numerous bags from the market to your apartment. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Each of these carriers can hold up to 80 pounds! Click and Carry is a woman-owned small business; you may recognize it from Shark Tank!

Promising review: "TikTok made me buy it. This is great when you have a few bags and a box — for example, if you balance the bags, you can throw it over your shoulder and walk inside and have two free hands to carry the box, which is great. Product seems well built, and is comfortable on your shoulder or hand because of the padding." —Hung

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in seven colors and a two-pack). 

7. A snot-sucking aspirator that, yes, sounds super gross, but will provide your sweet bb with some much-needed relief from their stuffy nose. Don't worry; it's formulated with booger-blocking filters, so you won't be ingesting anything. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Best snot sucker EVER! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our NoseFrida. Yeah, yeah, it's gross sucking your kid's snot, but you know what's worse? A sick, miserable baby. Our pediatrician even recommended the Frida over those little blue bulbs. I can suck more junk out, and it's so much easier to clean and sanitize. There is NO WAY any boogies can get back into your mouth when you use this product. The gross factor is just all in your head. If you have a kid, order this! If you know someone with a kid, order this!" —Chelsea S.

Get one nasal aspirator and four hygiene filters from Amazon for $19.99.

8. A CrunchCup portable cereal cup perfect for anyone who loves eating cereal for breakfast but doesn't quite have time to sit down and eat in the morning. Now you can bring it on the go without worrying it'll get soggy in transit. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

CrunchCup is the small biz behind the genius travel cereal cup!

Promising review: "I've always wanted to be able to eat cereal on my commute in the morning, but now I have this! Tried it for the first time this morning, and I'm in love. Put cereal in the inner cup and milk in the outer cup. Place a finger over the milk's air vent hole to prevent milk from pouring out. Pour cereal into the mouth, and remove the finger from the air vent hole to dispense milk. It works perfectly, and I'm so excited to be eating cereal every morning, no matter the circumstances now." —Matt Schrum

Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in seven colors and two sizes).

9. A shoe stretch spray, because few things are worse than finding an adorable pair of footwear, excitedly opening the package, and then struggling to get the shoes on your feet because they're just a tad too tight. Those boots were made for walking, and that's just what you'll DO!

Amanda Davis / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

My colleague Amanda Davis swears by this spray. Here's what she has to say about it:

"So, I have about three pairs of shoes that have just been sitting in my closet because while they are sooo so cute, the leather was too tight for my foot to comfortably get inside 'em. Did I return them? Nope. (We all know the hassle of online returns, right?) Instead, I bought this shoe stretch spray on a whim. I didn't expect much, but WOW! The shoes that took me a minute of struggling to get into fit *perfectly* now!! 

"The process was as simple as could be, too. I just sprayed my shoes (inside and out, heel to toe) like there was no tomorrow, I put on some semi-thick socks (just to ensure I had ample room later), and wore the shoes around my house for about 30–40 minutes. As I was walking around, I could literally feel them begin to loosen up. 

"After about 30 minutes, I took my shoes and thick socks off, and the shoes just ~slide~ on. Easy Peasy. Now I have a new favorite pair of shoes, and zero dollars have been wasted. I tried these with a pair of chunky leather loafers, but I can only imagine what they'll do for my pair of Dr. Martens — the boots known to take a while to break into. This stuff is a must!" 

Get it from Amazon for $10.99

10. A genius faucet splash catcher if you're sick and tired of your counter looking like a miniature swimming pool after cleaning the dishes. Let's be real, once you're done with that chore, you wanna sit on your couch and watch The Valley...not dry all the water that's pooled around your sink.

Hustle & Sew / Etsy

Hustle & Sew is a small business based in Saint Helens, Oregon, that sells handmade goods. You can opt to have your goods personalized! 

Promising review: "Great item, catches all the drips! I requested an off-center hole for my faucet, and it turned out perfectly. Highly recommend this shop!" —Ellen Lucas

Get it from Hustle & Sew on Etsy for $13.50+ (available in five colors and four sizes).

11. A jewelry cleaning pen to get your precious gems looking brand-new with a quick pen swipe. Let's be real, the last thing you feel like doing is putting on real clothes, driving to a jewelry store, and paying triple the amount of what this pen costs.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. I saw it on TikTok and figured I would give it a try. My grandmother passed away almost eight years ago, and she left me her first engagement ring in her will. I have tried so many jewelry cleaners, toothpaste and toothbrush, you name it. I tried everything except sending it away to get cleaned. I cleaned my ring with the Diamond Dazzle Stik, and my ring is just as shiny as it was when my grandfather bought it for my grandmother many, many years ago. I will definitely use this on all my jewelry. Highly recommended!" —Heather

Get it from Amazon for $9.48+ (available in two sizes).

12. A pet hair remover you simply swipe over surfaces covered in hair from your furry bestie. It saves more time (and is a heck of a lot easier) than fussing around with a vacuum and lint rollers!

www.amazon.com

ChomChom Rolleris a Massachusetts-based small biz creating an eco-friendly, reusable alternative to sticky lint rollers. 

Promising review: "Where has this been all my life!! We have one long-haired cat and three dogs — suffice it to say, shedding hair is a big problem on every cloth-like surface in our home. No more vacuuming the couches and chairs like wild when you have this around. This picks up hair quickly and easily when used correctly (fast back-and-forth motion). I will never not have this in our house!" —Shelby Cipolla

Check out our ChomChom pet hair remover review for more deets!

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in four colors).

13. A genius sandwich bread dispenser reviewers say helps keep loaves of sandwich bread fresher longer (think: weeks) because it's time we finally put an end to that annoying moment of discovering green spots a few days after grocery shopping and having to throw away half the loaf. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Buddeez is a family-owned small biz based in Missouri that sells home goods!

Promising review: "The Buddeez Sandwich Bread Dispenser is great! It does exactly what it was intended for. I live alone and I don't quite go through bread often enough before the last quarter section of the loaf starts to go stale. I was originally looking for something to put a loaf of bread in as a shell for my vacuum sealer that would keep the bread from getting crushed by the pressure. This dispenser solved all of my problems. Thank you!" —DRMcQuaig

Get it from Amazon for$19.99 (also available in a pack of two).

14. Lock Laces to turn your lace-up shoes into slip-ons because being interrupted mid-run by your shoelaces coming undone and trying to trip you is SUCH a vibe killer...not to mention a major safety hazard. 

Amazon

Promising review: "Purchased two pairs for my running shoes. They work very well, and I have put a bunch of miles on them. No more tying/untying; just slip on. I like how they keep unified tension across the entire laces from top to bottom. I have had no issues with the lace lock at all. It snapped in well." —Scott

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 17 colors).

15. A faucet extender that'll come in handy if your current faucet is so old it barely extends to a normal length, OR if you live with kiddos who need easier access to the water when it's time to wash their hands and brush their teeth. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Before I knew a thing like this existed, I spent the time it took to wash my squirming kiddo's hands one at a time, wondering how long it was going to take for his arms to grow enough to reach the faucet. I'm so glad I have this thing now! The setup is just taking it out of the box and stretching the rubber part around the faucet; it took two seconds plus some time to adjust to the best angle. Now, I can wash my 15-month-old's hands at the same time, and the whole process is much faster and easier. He liked it right away, too!" —Michelle G 

Get two from Amazon for $10.95.

16. A SnuggleBack office chair blanket because the weather getting warmer outside means your office air conditioner is cranking up inside. Rather than having to lug a chunky cardigan/sweater to work (and show up all sweaty), keep this bb on the back of your desk chair when you need to cozy up!

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "To be honest, I was initially skeptical about liking this item when I first took it out of the box. The purple straps were a turn-off, and once installed, the SnuggleBack gave me the impression that my chair had turned into a short version of Darth Vader. However, I decided to give it a fair chance and worked a full day with the SnuggleBack attached. I can confidently say that I have never been warmer! The item is incredibly thick, with a soft fleece lining on the inside and faux fur on the outside. It feels so luxurious! Surprisingly, the lower wings that I place across my thighs make the most difference in warmth. I'm incredibly happy with this purchase and would highly recommend it, especially if you have a tall chair with a high back —otherwise, the wings may drag on the floor." —Mimi K.

Get it from Amazon for$54.99+ (available in eight colors).

17. A butter stick holder for spreading butter onto a pan, a slice of toast, or wherever else your heart desires. Goodbye, greasy fingers, shaking the skillet around in an attempt to evenly distribute, and trying (and failing) miserably to spread it on your bread with nothing but a knife and a dream.

The Magnetack / Etsy

The Magnetack is a small biz based in Miami that sells magnetic pushpin photo and poster holders.

Promising review: "Absolutely perfect. It holds a whole stick of butter and the butter stays in place — unlike some of the other products on the market that are supposed to serve the same purpose." —Michelle

Get it from The Magnetack on Etsy for $14.95

18. A set of heel protectors — a must-have during warm weather szn, aka the start of outdoor events like weddings, graduations, and parties galore. No matter the occasion, you're gonna want these babies so you can rock your favorite heels without worry of them sinking into grass or breaking on rough surfaces. 

Amazon

Promising review: "After slightly sinking into the ground at my own wedding, I decided that I absolutely needed these for every summer wedding thereafter! They were a hit — everyone thought they were genius. My heels were spared from sinking into grass as well as dirt and gravel! LOVE THEM! I need them in every size!" —Alexis

Get them from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four sizes).

Check out my colleague's full Stoppers Heel Protectors review.

19. An electric brush cleaner because your cosmetic brushes are filled with built-up powders and creams, which means...they need to be periodically cleaned. This baby allows you to wash and dry them in less than a minute, all without scrubbing. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Holy cow, this thing is amazing!!! I’d been looking at brush cleaners for a while but thought they couldn’t be everything they claimed. I was wrong! This brush cleaner cleans brushes instantly and then dries them, too. It took me less than 10 minutes to wash and dry all my brushes, whereas it used to take me 45 minutes to wash them by hand and then a full day to get them dry. This machine dries them so well that they can be used immediately, and it keeps the integrity of the brush. I give it at least 10/5 stars!!!" —Ziasophia

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two colors). 

20. An oil solidifier powder that works like this: Simply sprinkle it over hot oil (do it dramatically like you're a fairy godmother and it's magic dust), let it solidify, and then safely get rid of the now hardened leftover oil in the pot/pan. If you love frying food (it's delicious, who doesn't?!), but hate the process of disposing of oil, then you need to get this immediately. A world of homemade chicken tenders and fries awaits!!!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Plus!!!! This product is made from 100% plant-derived fats, so you'll feel good about it! FryAway is a woman-owned small biz that makes this super smart cooking oil solidifier! The brand also made a deal with Lori and Mark on Shark Tank!

Promising review: "Honestly, I didn’t know if this would work. Waiting for it to cool down made me nervous, but once it was at room temperature, it was solid. It popped out of the fryer so nicely. Worth every penny." —Emma

Get it from Amazon for $9.97.

21. A magnetic laundry pad to instantly transform the top of your washer/dryer into an ironing board. If you're someone who is lucky enough to live in an apartment with in-unit laundry, but you're tight on space everywhere else, this thing is a MUST. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "If you're like me and living in a space that doesn't have a ton of room, let alone space for a big old ironing board, this is the perfect solution. This mat easily sticks with the magnets to the top of the dryer. It's a great space-saving solution. If you're looking to minimize, this is what you want!" —JD

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes).

22. An adorable cushion backpack so your little one, who is new to the whole crawling/walking thing and is very much susceptible to taking tumbles and falls, has some head protection, and you can have some peace of mind. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This has saved my baby from hitting his head on the floor so many times. He is so determined to walk, and even when we are holding his hand or walking with him, he can get wild and go down (parents out there, you know what I mean!). Anyway, this is probably the MVP of all our baby stuff. We call it his 'backpack' and anytime someone is watching him, everyone always asks, 'Where’s his backpack???' because they know its powers of padding protection. This sort of helped him when he was learning to sit, but has been an essential item for him as he’s learning to walk! The only thing I wish is that the strap across the chest could be tighter." —Michelle H. Nguyen

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (also available in 13 styles).

23. A shaking alarm clock ideal for those who need a real jolt to get them out of bed in the morning, those who don't like waking up to the sound of music or annoying ringtones, or those who have hearing loss and need a solution that doesn't rely on sounds to alert them when it's time to rise and shiiiine.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This was bought for a young friend who had taken a new job with very early hours. She was getting in trouble at her new job because she had difficulty waking up to her alarm so very early in the morning. She has stated this alarm clock would 'wake the dead!' The clincher, though, is the earthquake that occurs under her pillow when the very loud alarm goes off! This alarm clock has fixed her problem and trained her to wake up very early each morning. She hasn't been late (from oversleeping, anyway) since she received this clock. Another plus is the terrific retro look and turquoise color of the clock. I recommend this for anyone who has difficulty waking to a regular alarm clock. It is an outstanding product! Thank you!" —Lisa Engle

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in four colors). 

24. A pack of UV-detection stickers that'll alert you (aka turn purple) when it's time to reapply sunscreen. Because let's be real — when you're having a fun time at the beach, the water park, or a pool party, it's easy to forget to reapply, and going home with a painful sunburn is not so slay.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "We bought these for our beach vacation, and I am so glad we did! They are pretty unnoticeable until it is time to add more sunscreen, then they turn a light purple color. They worked great and stayed on through swimming and sweating. It came with a ton, so you will definitely have enough to go around. A MUST-have for sun protection." —Mindy

Get a 16-pack from Amazon for $13.49 (also available in packs of 32 and 48).

25. A wide-brim sun visor reviewers LOVE for summer days spent out by the pool/beach or even bringing on a tropical vacay! Thanks to the brim, it helps provide some extra coverage to your face. Plus, the open top is ideal for those who prefer to wear their hair piled high up on their head or simply prefer not to wear a full-on hat. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Just be mindful of the fact that while wearing this, your scalp will still be exposed to the sun! 

Promising review: "I took this sun hat to Cancun. It was perfect! I love how it can roll up small to fit in luggage. The brim stays up and doesn’t flop around. It stayed nice and snug with the adjustable closure even when it was windy out. It dries quickly, and I love that I could wear it with a ponytail. This product was just as advertised. It’s the perfect traveling sun hat!" —Emily

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in eight options).

26. Water storing crystals you can think of as magic fairy dust for your plants because it helps to prevent over- and underwatering your flora bb's. Like Goldilocks, they prefer their water consumption level to be *juuuuuust riiiiiight*. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

This works for both indoor and outdoor plants.

Promising review: "I have deck rail flower boxes, and they get full sun most of the day. I filled in the drain holes to hold more water and added these to the soil. Both made a huge difference in the quality of life for the plants. They were and still are gorgeous, even if I couldn't water every day. I do have to admit I used more per planter than the recommended amount." —Pattijwr

Get it from Amazon for $11.42+ (also available in multi-packs).

27. A thaw claw that'll help thaw frozen meat up to seven times quicker (depending on which meat you're thawing, some reviewers say it only takes minutes). If only this product had been around when I was in high school, when my mom would ask me to take the chicken out of the freezer when I got home (which I almost always forgot to do until she got home from work, oops). 

Amazon

Thaw Claw is a small biz!

Promising review: "A package of frozen meat would have taken at least two days to thaw in the fridge. I used this for a 2-pound package a couple of days ago, and the meat was thawed within 90 minutes. One of the most practical kitchen gadgets I own." —Llda Schellhase

Get it from Amazon for $10.95.

28. A sand-removal bag to make cleaning yourself off after a beach day v quick and easy! Feeling like a sand magnet after a fun day under the suck is ICKY! Wanna know what's even worse? Finding little grains of sand hidden in crevices around your car months after beach season has already concluded!!! The absolute mess!!!

Amazon

Shakalo is a small biz based in San Diego!

Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1x–2x a week. I even use it on my dogs's paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of. I will definitely be buying the refill and another baggie to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in a three-pack). 

29. A pair of stove gaps so you can finally put an end to the annoyance that is grains of rice, tiny produce seeds, and other crumbs falling into the space between your oven and your countertops. It's too small a space to vacuum things that do fall there, but somehow plenty big enough for them to fall there in the first place. UGH!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "TikTok made me buy it. Pulled out the oven to find a horror story...got that all cleaned up (very satisfying), then put these lil' things in. They blend so well that it just looks like something that should have been installed from the beginning. No more crumbs/liquids/grease getting down the sides of the oven. Once you start seeing how much is there for you to wipe up, you realize just how much was falling in between!" —Stacy Dereich

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in five sizes and colors).

30. A cut-to-size aloe wrap, because there's just something really humbling about coming home from a fun day at the beach and resembling a human-sized lobster. Bonus points if you wore sunglasses and looked like a raccoon to boot. It's usually followed by days of your friends, family, and colleagues pointing out how red you got, as if you don't FEEL the pain. Like...thanks, Karen — I KNOW! Anyway, this wrap is less messy to apply than traditional aloe gel and helps provide some nice relief.

Amazon

Promising review: "I got absolutely FRIED at the beach this past weekend and tried everything under the sun (literally) to provide some relief for my sunburn. I was in so much pain, and every over-the-counter aloe gel, lidocaine, and cold shower was not helping. I found this wrap on my TikTok and immediately bought it. As soon as I put this on my burn, I was immediately relieved of any burning or irritation. I am wearing four patches right now, and I plan on wearing them all day, every day, until this burn heals. I will say the only downside is that they slip off when the aloe has worn off! And it is a little bit hard to maneuver to cut since it is so slippery. But overall, I love this product and will be a forever customer!" —Nick

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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