30 Somewhat Random Things To Buy For Your Home That'll Benefit You In The Long Run

Promising review: "This little smart plug has turned me into the all-powerful ruler of my living room. Want the lamp on? Alexa, do the thing. Coffee maker ready before I even roll out of bed? Boom. I haven’t touched a light switch in weeks, and I’m not going back. Setup took about two minutes, and suddenly I’m living in the future where yelling at appliances actually works. It’s like magic… but powered by Wi-Fi and caffeine. Highly recommend if you enjoy convenience, power trips, and feeling like a tech-savvy sorcerer." —Diane

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

3. The beloved Always pan that can replace your fry pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, nonstick pan, spatula, and spoon rest — so you can say hello to extra cabinet space! It's developed quite a loyal following for a reason: it heats evenly and quickly, and the nonstick surface is super easy to clean. And let's be real, it also looks fantastic on your stove top.

It also comes with a Beechwood spatula you can store on the handle and a steamer basket.

Promising review: "I recently purchased this pan on Amazon, and it has quickly become my kitchen's MVP. The non-stick surface is truly effective, making cooking and cleanup a breeze. It's lightweight yet sturdy, and the heat distribution is impressively even. I’ve made everything from scrambled eggs to stir-fries without any issues. Plus, the handle stays cool, which is a nice touch for those hectic mornings. Overall, it's a fantastic addition to my kitchen arsenal, and I highly recommend it!" —Mirza Abbas

Get it from Amazon for $129 (available in six colors; also available in two other sizes).

4. A cloth drip catcher to automatically mop up any water splashes and stop the back of your sink from getting gross and mildewy. It's machine washable, so you can easily clean it when it needs a refresh.

Hustle and Sew/Etsy

Promising review: "LOVE these splash catchers! They save me from having to chase the puddles that form around the base of our faucet before they start creeping over the counter. So reasonably priced, made well with neatly finished edges, and packaged with gift-ready care." —Alina

Hustle and Sew is a small Etsy shop based in Saint Helens, Oregon.

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

5. An extremely sleek set of knives with an acrylic block that looks straight from the future. It even comes with a knife sharpener to keep them as sharp as the day you bought them.

Amazon

The 20-piece set comes with 14 knives, acrylic stand, a pair of kitchen scissors, a peeler, a two-stage knife sharpener, a knife guard, and a cleaning brush.

Promising review: "These knives are great! They stay super sharp, they’re comfortable to hold, and I love how much counter space it leaves as opposed to a big bulky knife block. Fits perfectly in my minimalist kitchen!!! And it looks great on my counter being one of the few things that I keep on my countertop! It is the perfect amount of knives without being too many knives (I don’t like things in excess)! I have never had a cheese knife before, and this baby is my favorite one in the whole set! LOL! It slices through hard cheeses like butter! Have not tried on soft cheese, but I’m sure it’ll be great because it is super sharp! I can’t say enough about how much I love these knives!!" —Sadie Allen

Get a 20-piece set from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three colors and also in a 12-piece and16-piece version with a square block).

6. A can of fire-extinguishing aerosol spray you'll be glad to have the next time you accidentally start a small kitchen fire. One press of the nozzle provides 32 seconds of fire-fighting spray and the biodegradable formula is super easy to wipe clean.

Promising review: "Of course you never want to use something like this but I knew that we needed one in our new condo just in case. I was right! I was toasting taco shells in our large toaster and looked away for a moment. Smoke billowed first and then it caught fire fast. My husband grabbed the device, aimed and sprayed for about five seconds. He stopped and I barked for him to do it again because it caught one more time. There’s no way I would have been able to toss a blanket up there and a real extinguisher would have left the biggest mess. This was easy to clean up!" —Mamercs6

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

7. A nylon-coated 12-foot tape measure for all those times you see a cute piece of furniture online but can't tell if it will actually fit in your room. Now you can whip this out and become the pro interior decorator you were born to be.

Promising review: "Wow. You might think, 'what can be so amazing about a measuring tape.' Well, I have been a professional carpenter for years, and I just bought this little guy to have on hand for those quick little household projects where I don't want to drag out my whole tool belt. I wasn't expecting much for the price I paid. But here's why it's amazing: 1) lightweight 2) nylon-coated blade so it has a super-smooth motion 3) even though it is only 3/4-inch wide blade, the extra curvature makes it able to extend surprisingly far without support. So that's why it gets a 'Wow' rating — way more than I expected for the price — truly a superior product." —Rio

Get it from Amazon for $7.27.

8. A wildly popular 400-thread count cotton sateen cooling sheet set so soft and cooling, you'll never throw them off you in the middle of the night when you suddenly get overheated. Bonus — reviewers say these hold up super well after repeated washings with very few wrinkles and no shrinkage!

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Each set comes with one fitted sheet and one flat sheet. The twin and twin-XL come with one pillowcase, while all other sizes come with two.

Promising review: "Bought these strictly because of the color and cost to use in a guest room. A week after we put these in the guest bedroom, we needed to utilize that bed because we were painting our master. We slept on these and were amazed by the quality for such a low cost. We have always slept on expensive bedding. This set felt just as good. Time will tell how they age, but we have bought another set to use as a spare. Also, I want to mention the cooling effect of these sheets. Both my wife and I love to be cooler rather than warmer when we sleep." —The Dude

Get it from Amazon for $39.94+ (available in sizes Twin–California King, two packs, and 38 colors).

9. A set of "paperless" towels – they work just as well to clean your hands as they do to wipe up that glass of wine you inevitably end up spilling on Bachelor night. They're also washable and reusable, so you can cross off paper towels from your grocery list forever!

HammerThreadHandmade/Etsy

Promising review: "I love the charcoal gray towels I got so much I just ordered another set. I'm finding more and more ways to use them, instead of paper, every day: under draining fruits and vegetables, in the refrigerator where our freezer leaks, under my tea pot and compost container, at the master bath sink to wipe up after brushing our teeth and one has been designated as the 'water on the floor' towel. We have definitely cut down on our paper towel use." —katerhoad1

Hammer and Thread Handmade is a family-owned Etsy shop based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Get a pack of seven from Hammer and Thread Handmade on Etsy for $39 (available in seven patterns).

10. A two-pack of compact, collapsible, lightweight LED lanterns that cut through 360 degrees of darkness and have a 90-hour battery life. If you love camping or simply can't stand the thought of being stuck in the dark when the power's out, these are basically a must-have.

Here's what BuzzFeed Contributor John Mihaly has to say: "In early January of this year, I was on holiday in Puerto Rico and early in the morning of our last full day there, my wife and I were awoken to a magnitude 6.4 earthquake. The power went out immediately but luckily our Airbnb host stocked the house with these powerful (and collapsable) lanterns. Who knows what we would have done without them but they were a lifesaver for getting through one last, very dark night before returning home. This is a reminder to purchase a few for my home. Plus they're kind of fun to play with because they look and feel like props from a sci-fi film."

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $17.97.

11. A 16-gallon, Craftsman heavy-duty wet/dry vacuum for all the messes that are simply too big for your go-to Swiffer. It'll tackle everything from piles of leaves on your patio to a messy leak in your bathroom.

Amazon

Promising review: "I live on a farm and have owned or used just about every type of shop vacuum made. Craftsman has always been the best. The motors on Craftsman shop vacuums are higher amperage which means they are more powerful and suck up material way better. You can suck up water with these vacuums, you can suck up heavy debris, and you can use them as a blower to blow leaves and grass off of your porch." —Larry McCullen

Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (also available in two other sizes).

12. A self-cleaning litter box so your cat can morph into the self-sufficient head of household they were always meant to be. The built-in rake will scoop away waste into a covered compartment every time your cat uses it, so all you have to do is dispose of and replace the litter once a month.

It uses crystal litter that's meant to absorb odor five times better than traditional clay litter. Each tray should last for up to one month, and a three-pack of refills can be purchased here.

Promising review: "I have a one-cat household, so I can’t speak for how well this product works with many cats. However! This litter box is amazing. I bought it because I am a cat owner who never ever wants to scoop a litter box, and I refuse to live in a place that smells like cat. This litter box helps me do exactly that. The odor control is amazing. I only start to smell it when it is ready to change the litter, and I only have to change the litter once a month like it advertises. It’s a quiet unit, and I never notice it clean itself." —Liz

Get it from Amazon for $199.95+ (available in three designs and an option with wifi).

13. A popular Levoit air-purifier — it has a three-stage filtration system to help capture the pesky allergens floating around your home that are in a full-on war with your sinuses. This will even help capture pet hair if the change of weather is causing your fluffy friend to shed more fur than you even knew was on its little body.

Promising review: "This air purifier is great! I bought it because there was a lot of pollen and cat dander in my house which was making my asthma flare-up. Since I’ve got this air purifier, the cat odor has decreased, and I don’t need to use my inhaler as much. The noise is very quiet and not interruptive for me. Overall, I love this item and totally recommend it." —Dana

Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in two colors).

14. A nonelectric, mechanical bidet toilet attachment so you can treat your 🍑 to a next-level hygienic experience. Plus, it'll help you save money on toilet paper, so it's basically a win-win.

Amazon

It features retractable, self-cleaning nozzles and a protective guard gate to prevent splashback.

Promising review: "Speaking as a hirsute gentleman, I find the Luxe Bidet Neo 120 has soured me on pooping in bidet-less toilets forever. It's shown me the difference between rubbing peanut butter out of shag carpeting with a paper towel, and that sparkling clean feeling you get right when you step out of the shower. The unit took me all of about 10 minutes to install on my existing toilet with only a wrench. The easy-to-control flow valve allows you to provide just the right amount of water pressure for a full range of cleaning, from 'gentle trickling stream' to 'full-on 'Silkwood' decontamination,' ensuring the end of your bowel movement leaves you feeling cleaner and more refreshed than using just toilet paper alone." —Mercury

Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in four colors).

15. A washable, reusable sponge with scrubby mesh on one side and soft cotton terry cloth on the other to tackle messes of any size. Just throw these in the wash to spruce them up — each sponge will last up to 12 months. Plus, those prints are really adorable!

Porter Lees/Etsy

Promising review: "So glad I finally found an environmentally friendly sponge THAT WORKS! I tried all the other kinds of eco-friendly sponges before these — silicone (don't work on stuck stuff), vegetable fiber (got so mildew-y so fast), and even crocheted (felt so gross and didn't work great). These do the job and then after a few days I just throw them in the wash! Hooray! And they're cute!" —willowbe0416

Porter Lees is a family-owned Etsy shop based in Portland, Oregon that specializes in homemade reusable goods.

Get it from Porter Lees on Etsy for $12+ (available with three colors of terry cloth backing and various pack sizes).

16. A set of reusable microfiber mop pads because spring cleaning is a job too big for those flimsy (and wasteful) disposable pads. These have helpful Velcro straps so the pad won't go flying off when you're scrubbing your kitchen floor or that weird, mysterious, dusty spot behind your toilet. I have no idea what goes on back there, and it's really none of my business.

They can be used wet or dry and on basically every type of flooring and even drywall if you're so inclined. Since they can be thrown in the wash, one microfiber pad can replace up to 100 single-use pads.

Promising review: "I am amazed at how good these Reusable Mop Pads really are!! I rarely do reviews — but I have ordered several different reusable products for my Swiffer only to throw them out later. These are extremely well-made and easy to use. Fits my mop easily without struggling to put them on, absorbent, and they wash beautifully. I first tried it as a dry mop (I have a lab who sheds), and it worked beautifully. Then I tried it with some hardwood floor cleaner on my floor, and again, it was a winner. After writing this review, I am off to purchase another pack because they are that good." —EP

Turbo Microfiber is a small business!

Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.

17. An easy-to-assemble 10-tier shoe rack so you can have a display that would make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous. One rack can hold up to 50 pairs and the shelf sizes are adjustable so you can make room for your rain boot collection.

Amazon

Promising review: "This shelf has exceeded my expectations. I have been (forever) using a steel shelved rack (like the industrial ones) and piling shoes on top of each other for the longest time. It looked like crap, and was a pain to deal with. Not only that, it started rusting on the bottom (snow boots were kept here). I've been looking at this for a year. The reason I decided to go ahead with this purchase is because a buddy of mine had a similar product... It is a little bit narrower than the steel rack, but plenty wide enough to accompany our shoes. I removed the second level so that I could put snow boots and snowboard boots on the bottom shelf. The shelving is plastic (but extremely durable) and the levels are fabric (again, very, very durable and waterproof). It took me about 30 minutes to put together, and once I got the hang of how it should be assembled, it was completely headache-free and went smoothly... Probably one of my better purchases in the last year. It looks great and is just perfect for my needs." —Thomas L.

Get it from Amazon for $33.97+ (available in two colors and in four other sizes).

18. An Amazon Basics Dutch Oven — it'll make you say au revoir to Le Creuset. The cast-iron design is perfect for roasting, baking, sautéing, and more, so you can whip up everything from hearty stews to perfect loaves of bread — all while saving about $200!

Promising review: "I've used this one and a Le Creuset brand and see no difference in performance, maintenance, and cleaning. I've used it for beef stews and bread. Cleaned easily and seems very durable." —Stephen

Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three sizes and 10 colors).

19. A Blink Mini 2 smart camera to give you some peace of mind while you're away — or to check in on your furry friend while you're stuck at the office. It features motion detection and two-way audio, so you can tell your dog he's a good boy every time he walks by the camera. Want to use it outdoors? Pair it with the optional weather-resistant power adapter and hang it where you want it!

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Without a subscription, the Blink Mini 2 can still send motion-detection notifications and provide a live feed to your phone. However, a monthly subscription is recommended to get the most out of Blink cameras, especially if you want to record and save video. You can choose the Blink Basic plan for $3 per month (or $30 annually), which gives you the ability to record and save video for one device. Or you can go with the Blink Plus plan for $10 per month (or $100 annually), which adds support for an unlimited number of devices. Find out more about the plans here.

Promising review: "We absolutely adore our Blink camera! It's exactly what we were looking for. You can chat through the camera and review videos anytime. It's an amazing buy. The camera has a lot of features, and the night vision is super clear and precise. The motion detection is spot on. I've only had a few times where the connection would drop, and I'd have to unplug and plug it back in, but other than that, it's been incredible! One of my favorite features is the playback option on my iPhone." —Britany S.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two colors and in configurations with one, two, or three cameras).

20. A Stasher reusable food bag that can be stored upright so you can add some order to the random leftovers in your fridge that are taking up way too much space. Unlike plastic sandwich bags, these are washable and reusable — so you'll never have to worry about running out!

Amazon

Promising review: "I've tried a LOT of reusable bags as there are a lot of options out there all using a variety of materials. The fabric ones just get gross over time. The vinyl ones are hard to clean and aren't usually dishwasher-safe. This one is the most simple and easy to use. No separate pieces to lose. Can withstand any temperature/microwave/dishwasher/whatever. And if they get gunky they are very easy to clean and I trust that they aren't hiding gross crumbs in any of the crevices." —Megan A.

Get the sandwich size from Amazon for $5.88+ (available in 20 colors and in a three-pack).

21. A set of six dishwasher-safe stainless-steel mixing bowls with silicone bottoms so they won't slip and slide everywhere while you're getting your bake on. But the best part? Each bowl comes with its own BPA-free lid so you can use it as a storage bowl, too. Oh, and did I mention more than 22,000 reviewers love them?!

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "Great selection of sizes to fit whatever I need, the lids work well, and they just work very well. They are easy to clean, the rubber bottoms prevent the bowls from sliding, but also make them easier to hold. They have a good shape, for mixing items or storing them in the refrigerator, or just to stack them together for storing the bowls empty. The lids fit tightly and don’t come off. Also, the lids go inside the bowl, and not on the outside, so you can not fill the bowls to the very top if you want to also use the lids." —Grace

Get a set of six from Amazon for $32.99 (available in four color varieties).

22. An emergency first aid kit so you'll be prepared for any backyard boo-boos and kitchen mishaps. The 299-piece set has everything from bandages to antibiotic ointments, and everything is neatly organized and tucked away so you can grab what you need in a hurry.

Unfortunately this kit's bandages are only available in a light beige color. If you're looking for more skintone variation please check out these, these, and these.

The kit comes with different sizes of bandages (fabric and plastic), a rescue blanket, antibiotic ointment, aspirin tablets, a packet of burn gel, wound closures, antiseptic towels, cold pack, gauze roll, cotton tipped applicators, disposable thermometer, extra-strength non-aspirin tablets, finger splint, first aid guide, first aid tape, moleskin blister prevention, disposable gloves, scissors, sterile eye pads, gauze pads, a trauma pad, sting relief wipes, and a set of tweezers.

Promising review: "I’ve had this first aid kit for several years under my kitchen sink and have never had to restock, even with generous use. This kit has pretty much everything you might need within reason, for a great price as well. This kit has been a service to those living in my apartment, from basic shaving cuts to a deep laceration for the hip. After a freak accident in which I fell on, broke, and stabbed myself in the love handle area with my glass water bottle, this kit allowed me to stay calm and pressurize the wound with gauze and bandages while arranging a ride to the ER." —Olivia K

Get it from Amazon for $20.09.

23. A dishwasher-safe, two-piece Boston Shaker set for the nights when you want something a little fancier than your usual White Claw. This will help you mix up all the margaritas and martinis you usually order at the bar — and your wallet will thank you in the long run.

Amazon

It's available in two styles — the "For Everyone" kit comes with two weighted shakers, while the "Advanced" kit includes one weighted and one unweighted shaker. Weighted shakers are typically recommended for beginning at-home bartenders since they offer a more stable, controlled shake. Unweighted shakers are perfect if you're looking to impress your guests with some fancy ~flair bartender~ tricks, or if you prefer to perfectly control the level of shake you give your cocktails.

Promising review: "All bartenders need a handy, reliable shaker to work their magic, and this is the best that I've found! Sure you can get Cobbler shakers (the three-piece things with the built-in strainer) for a dime a dozen, but you don't want those. They're almost always junk, they never come apart at the worst moments, and can be a pain in the butt to clean. This Boston Shaker set is literally just two metal cups of different sizes that fit together, and if you give it a firm tap just next to where they meet, can always get them to separate, every time, no matter how cold the liquid inside is. A perfect shaker for professionals and amateurs alike. I use this at home, at work, and when I've got an independent gig at an event. Pair it with your favorite Hawthorne strainer and you're all set to go!" —Isaac Schmitt

A Bar Above is a small business specializing in barware.

Get it from Amazon for $23+ (available in four colors and two styles).

24. A handheld garment steamer to get those pesky wrinkles out of clothes without ever having to worry about pulling out the ironing board. It heats up in just 30 seconds, and one tank will get you 15 minutes of continuous use. Reviewers say it's super lightweight and that they're able to get a surprising amount of clothes done with just one tank.

Promising review: "What a fantastic little gadget! I hate ironing. Hate it with a passion. This little miracle worker makes things easier for me. It takes away the wrinkles so quickly. Wow!" —Tes

Get one from Amazon for $25.97+ (available in three colors).

25. A set of two retractable-blade box cutters so you can break down all of those cardboard Amazon packages that have been piling up in the corner of your room. It happens. But why this particular box cutter?? Its rubber grip makes it super easy to handle, and one reviewer said the durable blade cuts through boxes "with the ease of cutting through butter."

Amazon

Promising review: "In consideration of the amount of stuff I order, it seemed worth it to order a new box cutter. I keep one in the garage for opening and breaking down boxes instead of hauling them into the house to do it. For years, I have been using an antique cheap little plastic piece of junk that came from who-knows-where. Most likely a gumball machine. So, I decided to really live it up and buy a new box cutter. I found this pair and they looked nice. Are they ever! They're also better than the more sturdy metal ones kept in the house. They work very well, cut very easily and smoothly. Great purchase!" —Jazmine von Holzrand

Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.68.

26. A digital scale to help you easily weigh and calculate shipping charges for any packages you need to send out. It even has a super useful flip-up feature to help support tubes or other irregular package shapes. If you've recently started an Etsy shop or sell a lot of used stuff online, this will basically pay for itself! And of course, this can work double-duty as a kitchen scale to help you master all those TikTok recipes you've saved lately.

It can weigh in ounces, pounds, and grams with a weight limit of 50 pounds. You can use the included AC adapter or three AAA batteries (also included!) to power it up.

Promising review: "This scale has been a lifesaver!! I purchased this product mainly for my Etsy-based business and for small amounts of personal use. I was shipping packages daily and waiting in line at the post office wasn't working for me. It comes with batteries but I prefer to use the AV jack. It's perfect for me because I mainly ship small, lightweight objects. This scale is a great price and successfully gets the job done." —Happy

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

27. A handy pancake batter dispenser and mixer reviewers swear by for whipping up perfectly shaped hot cakes without a messy ladle. The bottle includes the same whisking ball that's in the beloved Blender Bottle, so it'll tackle even the most tough-to-blend powdered mixes.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My 8-year-old is a huge fan of making pancakes. He saw this on TikTok and just had to have it. We absolutely love this product!! Easy to clean and use. I love that it’s an all-in-one. No more messy bowls, and he can squeeze out the perfect amount for his pancakes." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors and with various accessories).

28. A pack of jumbo Spacesaver vacuum storage bags that truly live up to their name. These will help you store all your bulky coats or thick duvets into one compact bag until winter rolls around again. Say hello to extra closet space!

BuzzFeed / Maitland Quitmeyer

To activate the compression, simply close the seal at the top, remove cap from the valve and attach a vacuum nozzle to the valve, then turn on until all the air is removed and replace the cap.

Promising review: "I’ve just downsized from a large home in the suburbs to a condo living downtown. Purging and getting rid of so much stuff that I’ve accumulated throughout the years was life-changing! I had quite a bit of really nice bedding that I wanted to keep but had very little storage space. I decided to order these jumbo bags for King down duvets, thick blankets, and king-sized pillows. I was amazed at how much these held, how easy they were to pack/vacuum, and how much I could fit in such a small space!" —Raquel Moss

Get a pack of three jumbo-sized bags from Amazon for $14.94 (also available in three other sizes, a variety pack, and different pack sizes).

29. An expanding accordion file folder/organizer so you have one dedicated spot for all of your most important documents. It's time to stop throwing them in a random drawer and hoping you remember where you put them later. This even has 12 different pockets for each month of the year! I know we're nearly halfway through the year, but it's never too late to get organized.

Amazon

Promising review: "This has finally helped me organize years of various documents that have been haphazardly filed. I now have everything in one compact, well-organized place. It expands and expands and keeps expanding to hold everything imaginable." —AW

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in a 26-pocket version).

30. A heavy-duty, rustproof, mold-resistant, aluminum handle toilet plunger because the flimsy red one you have in your bathroom right now barely works and you know it. This one has a whopping 7,000 rave ratings from reviewers, including several who say it's the best plunger they've ever used.