31 Genius Products From Target To Help Fix Small (But Annoying) Problems

31 Genius Products From Target To Help Fix Small (But Annoying) Problems

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2021-06-29 16:02

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

1. An iced coffee maker because who wants to spend all summer drinking *hot* coffee? I have one and it's so easy to use: just add grounds, water, then ice, and in under five minutes you'll have enough sweet pick-me-up java to keep you caffeinated for days!

Target

You know when it's the hardest to make coffee? When you actually need it. Problem solved! Iced coffee keeps really well in the fridge, by the way.

Promising review: "Listen, we lived with this thing, and it saved us SO MUCH money. Instead of buying the gallons of coffee or the little bottled coffee we just made our own and it was great." —Lizcar

Price: $24.99 (available in four colors)

2. A Soap & Glory makeup remover reviewers say is an equally effective and way less irritating alternative to Clinique's "Take the Day Off" cleansing balm. It's also a whopping 60% cheaper. Getting makeup off is a pain, but it shouldn't be painful for your face — or wallet!

Target

It starts waxy and melts into a milky cleanser. The balm is formulated with an AHA exfoliator, as well as natural emollients liken Vitamin C, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. The formulation is silicone-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and vegan.  

Promising review: "This is great. I used the Clinique balm and that was good, but would slightly sting my eyes. I tried this on a whim and OMG it's *so* good. I was not paid for this review in any way, I just felt this is not talked about enough. No residue at all, does not sting eyes, takes everything off." —Pbeb

Price: $11.99

3. A handheld garment steamer to remove wrinkles from your clothes right on the hangar, without the hassle of an iron and ironing board.

Target

It has two modes: regular and turbo (for tougher wrinkles). The reservoir holds enough water for a 15-minute steam sesh and it heats up in just 40 seconds.

Promising review: "I was able to steam three clothing items, taking my time with full water capacity. It really gets the job done and is easy to use, worth every dollar!" –Betzzy

Price: $44.99

4. A deep seat cushion in a rad black and white print, to protect your delicate backside from accidentally getting burned on metal bleachers. It's also a nifty tool to make hard chairs and stools more comfortable, or to make seating more accessible for you if you or someone you care about has back pain.

Target

This cushion is fade-resistant, water-resistant, and made out of recycled polyester to keep you comfy while keeping old clothes out of the landfill.

Promising review: "So much cushion and it’s very pretty. I modernized my outdoor egg chair with it and it fits." —JZ

Price: $35

5. An inexpensive drawer organizer for anyone who's ever been annoyed shuffling through a drawer for several minutes trying to find the one remaining clean spoon. It'll keep your flatware organized and at the ready for your eating pleasure. It's dishwasher safe and more bacteria-resistant than bamboo or whatever pressboard Ikea was using when they manufactured your cabinets.

Target

At $2, it's so worth it, but measure first: it's about 9.25 inches by 13.25 inches which will fit in most (but not all) drawers. Unless you're dealing with a narrow cabinet, you'll probably be able to get two or three in there.

Promising review: "The price was great, it holds all of my utensils, and I had room to fit two side by side. I love them — no more mess!" —DL

Price: $2

6. A rollout under-the-sink organizer with nifty features like wheels and movable dividers, so you always have easy access to your cleaning supplies, spare toiletries, medicines, and anything else that's natural state is cabinet chaos.

Target

It's from a woman-owned company and also really easy to clean.

Promising review: "Where have y’all been my whole life? I bought one to use under my kitchen sink and was so pleased with how well it organized everything, I ordered another one for the bathroom. In the kitchen, my dishwasher detergent fit perfectly. The optional dividers keep everything contained, and the wheels in the back make it easy to access the stuff that's hard to reach. It is one of the best organizational products I have ever purchased and used." —Target Reviewer

Price: $29.99

7. An affordable 1080p projector because TVs are expensive and just sit there in one spot all the time. Easy to move and equipped with Wi-Fi streaming, this bad boy connects to your phone, game console, and speakers without the hassle of wires and dongles.

Target

Owning a TV is kind of a drag. It takes up so much space and can only be used in, like, one spot. This is 2021. Who still needs that ish?!

I've owned a few projectors from this manufacturer (Vankyo) and they offer some of the best picture quality in their price range. I have an older version of this one at my home right now. This new model has a quieter internal fan, so you can enjoy more of what you're watching without the distraction of that infamous electronic whirr. The sound quality on Vankyo projectors is generally okay, but you may want to hook it up to your own speaker for better resonance and bigger bass (that's what I do).

Although it's ultra portable, it does require a power outlet and the included cord is not very long.

Promising review: "Pretty easy to set up and does not need any kind of wiring or adapter to connect your phone/tablet to the projector. Image is clear over a white or beige wall so you don’t really need a screen. For outdoor use, you may need to connect to some kind of speaker, but it's totally loud enough for a small space like a bedroom." —Trish K

Price: $119.99

8. A gentle foaming facial cleanser that's truly 100% free of fragrances, alcohol, parabens, and silicone, as well as common allergens like gluten and propylene glycol. If you've been struggling to find a sensitive skin facial cleanser that actually works, stop looking — this is the one.

Target

My domestic partner has multiple chemical sensitivities and a glycol allergy. I have really easily irritated skin and a wicked gluten issue that's so bad that even cosmetics can trigger it. It took us a full year of looking to find a facial cleanser that worked for both of us. I picked this one up by accident a few months ago and we've never looked back. 

Promising review: "I love this as an everyday cleanser because I have sensitive skin. The foaming makes me feel so refreshed, it's not harsh on my skin, and it doesn't dry my face out after using it. I would definitely buy this again." —Amandam696

Price: $9.99

9. An LED umbrella light to illuminate your yard without a power outlet, and finally solve the infamous problem of how to evenly light up an outdoor table when you have a big pole sticking out the middle of it.

Target

This 75-lumen light illuminates for up to 75 hours on just three AA batteries. It has a remote control with a 50-foot range that switches it on/off, adjusts brightness, and can control up to 12 of these lights at once.

Promising review: "I was able to set this up in a few minutes. Has a nice area of brightness. It helps when I'm going into the dark yard at night. It's easy to clip on and off of the umbrella pole." —Lisa Hud 2

Price: $24.99

10. A vacuum sealer so you can extend the shelf life of meats, veggies, and pantry staples while saving money and reducing food waste. It keeps food preserved up to five times longer by sucking all the air out and heat-sealing special plastic bags. People get really into it, but lucky for all you novice freshness fanatics, it comes with two rolls of bags to get you started.

Target

Includes meal prep starter kit: one 11-inch by 8-inch vacuum seal roll, five one-pint vacuum seal bags (perfect for snacks and sides), five one-quart vacuum seal bags (ideal for portioning lunch or dinner), and two one-quart vacuum zipper bags.

Promising review: "This was my first experience with any sort of vacuum sealer, and WOW!!! I was so incredibly impressed by all the ways this tool can be used. I thought it was just for food storage — you know, to replace plastic wrap or plastic bags — but there are soooo many ways this is helpful. I can freeze ANYTHING, and things stay good longer. Plus I also marinate or store ANYTHING, ANYWHERE! No more worries about ants getting into everything; it seals everything vacuum tight. Simply put, this FoodSaver is a quality product. It will save you a TON because you'll have no more food going bad or things getting stale, and you can stop wasting money on plastic wrap, tin foil, and plastic bags." —cBow96

Price: $149.99

11. An old-fashioned safety razor I've used and like more than the others I've tried because the texture on the handle is surprisingly easy to hold, even when it's covered in shaving cream. It uses standard two-sided razor blades, which are cheaper than plastic cartridges and more environmentally friendly too.

Target

This razor comes with five blades and I promise it's a lot less scary than you'd think to replace them. It's called a safety razor because the guard makes it possible to get a close shave with less skill than using a traditional straight razor, which is basically just a knife. This type of screw-top design and the two-sided blade that goes in it were invented in 1901 by King C. Gillette (yes, that Gillette).

I have sensitive skin that four years of estrogen has made a whole lot thinner. A close shave is often essential, but it was a struggle because using disposable multi-blade razors meant a bad rash. Using a straight razor, I don't have that problem.

Promising review: "I love this safety razor! It is super easy to change the blades out and gets a nice clean shave every time. I purchased this razor to cut down my environmental impact a little by ditching plastic razors and it has been a worthwhile investment." —Shena67

Price: $17.59

12. A four-piece set of food-safe organizing bins because there's nothing more therapeutic than an organized refrigerator, countertop, pantry, or closet. It comes with two wide and two slim bins that are super durable and clear for easy viewing.

Target

The overall dimensions are 8.8-inches (height) by 10.5-inches (width) by 8.9-inches (depth). 

Promising review: "I used these to organize my spice cabinet and they’re just the right depth. Strong plastic securely holds my heavy glass spice jars and mixed sized spice containers." —FurnishingApt14

Price: $25

13. A combination socket shelf and surge protector to keep your devices safely off the floor and protected from unexpected power fluctuations while you're charging. It also converts a standard two-socket outlet into a six socket miracle AND comes with two USB ports to power up even if you don't have a brick on hand.

Target

The USB ports put out 2.1 amps in total, so don't expect a fast charge if you're using both at once. It's also a great solution in rooms with limited counter space and higher-placed power outlets, like kitchens and bathrooms. This will give you that skosh of room right where you need it.

Promising review: "I am so loving this socket shelf! What a genius idea! I love all the additional three-prong outlets and that it doubles as a surge protector so I can keep my larger kitchen appliances plugged in. Plus I can set my phone on the shelf and charge it while listening to music or watching a cooking video! I need one for every room now!" –Jwyand1

Price: $24.99

14. A George Foreman smokeless electric grill and panini press with a sloped nonstick cooking surface that drains the grease off before it has a chance to burn. It's safe to use indoors or outdoors, and has temperature control for precise grilling perfection.

Target

Now you can grill even if you don't have the privilege of an outdoor space to do it. Score for the apartment-dwellers!

Promising review: "I am an avid Foreman user, and I'd been using my previous GF grill since I started college (about eight years). I decided to upgrade to this model because my last one was burning food and it was so difficult to clean. I love this one because it has removable plates, a drip pan that stays in place, and temperature control which keeps my kitchen from becoming smoky." —T2K

Price: $89.99

15. A keyboard and laptop stand with adjustable height and tilt, to work from the couch or bed or seated on the floor without hunching over awkwardly. And, if you feel limited by your current desk's height, you can turn it into a standing desk.

Target

I like to work either standing or seated on the floor, and this thing is indispensable. I own several, which I first used to replace a desk when I went a few months without any furniture (huge lifesaver).

Promising review: "This works great. I am a virtual student and also a teacher and it helps so much having this on my desk. I got a separate keyboard so I’m not straining my neck looking down and I always have my camera at a good angle for Zoom calls now!" –wfh2020

Price: $39.99

16. A leave-in conditioner from TGIN (a Black-owned business!) that uses the near-magical anti-dryness properties of honey and olive oil to get your hair happy and hydrated again, while also detangling with avocado and jojoba oils. Reviewers with naturally curly hair swear by it.

Target

It's heat-safe, has no parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, lanolin, or artificial colors, and was made without animal testing. 

I recently spotted some hanging out on my darling mother's bathroom counter, which is a compliment since her 3b curls are notoriously difficult to keep detangled. Her under-sink area is a veritable graveyard of failed de-frizzing products and leave-ins. It used to be a favorite subject of hers, until she mysteriously stopped bringing it up. Now I know why.

Promising review: "Amazing at conditioning and detangling too. Works very well in my daughters hair. She has tons of corkscrew curls!" —LisaMW

Price: $22.99

17. A softening oil for hair and skin that helps prevent irritation from dryness and the inevitable (and oh-so-annoying) post-shave rash, when those suckers start to grow in and your skin is just not having it.

Target

This product is sensitive skin safe and free from parabens, artificial dye, and fragrances.

Promising review: "Started using this two days after shaving, when the hairs are painfully prickly and sensitive. The next morning, everything was so soft! Been using it everyday and I’m in LOVE! 10/10, strongly recommend!" —Anonymous

Price: $14.99

18. A smart Bluetooth water bottle that blinks and glows to remind you to drink because it tracks your hydration through a phone app.

Target

According to a study by the Cornell Medical Center, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Staying properly hydrated is hard, though, if you're not in the habit. Sometimes all you need is a reminder.

The top is dishwasher safe, but the electronics on the bottom are not waterproof so the bottle is hand-wash only.

Promising review: "I had purchased the first model of this bottle years ago that when I found out that they came out with a rechargeable Bluetooth version with the sensor on the outside I had to get it! It’s even better than the first model. I’m in love with it! And the biggest plus to this model is that it keeps the water cold for 24 hours." —Target Reviewer

Price: $17.99

19. A faucet filtration system that removes 99% of lead, chlorine, benzine, asbestos, and particulates from your tap water. Use it to replace the equivalent of 1,800 16.9-ounce bottles of water, per replaceable filter — not to mention the 1,400+ gallons of water it would have taken to produce all that bottled water!

Target

This little contraption attaches directly to your faucet and gives you three water spray options: filtered water, unfiltered water and unfiltered spray.

Promising review: "This is my second of this model and I prefer it to the other one. Has three water options: filtered stream, regular, and a spray. My previous one lasted three years." —Target Reviewer

Price: $19.99 (available in two colors)

20. A silicone baking mat reviewers swear is just as good as a Silpat, for 60% less. It fits right into a standard cookie sheet, and any mess that gets on it stays there instead of soaking through, so it can be washed right off. It's so much easier than spending interminable prune-handed minutes prying off burnt-on bits and stubborn sauce stains.

Target

No muss and no fuss sounds like a huge plus for anyone who, like me, hates doing dishes. And it's a big money-saver, saving you on liners like parchment and aluminum foil, and also helping your cookie sheets last longer by saving them from the abrasive cleaning and the rust risk that often follows.

Promising review: "I have really enjoyed using this instead of parchment or foil when lining trays. Nothing sticks to this; even if a sauce gets on it I set it in the bottom of my sink while I wash other dishes and by the time I'm done the sauce slips right off." —Vanessa B

Promising review: "Very similar quality to my Silpat. Worked perfectly for candy making." —Paula

Price: $8.00

21. A combination hair dryer and detangler because getting your hair just right is so time-consuming. This will cut that time waaaaay down. Sleep longer, get places earlier, and save yourself the aggravation of having hot air blowing in your face for like an hour every time you get out of the shower. Sounds like a win to me.

Target

Use this miracle two-in-one to get your 'do set and styled to professional blowout standards, without spending a lot of time doing it yourself or dropping the equivalent of dinner for two at a salon. Incidentally, if you include the tip, this is the exact same price of a standard blowout at Drybar in New York or LA.

Promising review: "This device is easy to use and my hair ends up looking like I got a salon quality blowout. I love it." —Bebe

Promising review: "This thing is a game changer. I have thick curly/frizzy hair and it gets my drying and styling done so quickly. Fantastic!" —KD417

Price: $59.99 (available in two colors)

22. A menstrual cup that's easy to use even if you're a beginner and could save you a lot of money on tampons and pads that would just end up in the garbage anyway. It folds easily, has a flattened bit on the side to show you where to place your finger while you hold it, and the bottom narrows in a way that makes it easy to remove.

Target

The New York Times called this one the best on the market. They tested 32 others and this one was the favorite because it's easy to use and a nice medium size in case you're not sure what works best for you.

Made of medical-grade silicone, it also has a slip-free grip for easier handling, and comes with a black carrying bag. You can wear it for up to 12 hours, and it's reusable for up to 10 years, saving you up to $500 in the long run.

New to this kind of thing and curious how it all works? Cora has a lovely graphic guide here.

Promising review: "Took a few days to get the hang of it, but boy is it worth it! I will never return to traditional period care. The online resources on Cora’s website are helpful, as well as the blog Put A Cup In It. Just try it already!" —Caroline

Price: $37.99 (available in two sizes).

23. A container lid organizer to save space in your cupboards, and also save ~you~ from the aggravation of having to paw through a huge pile of different lids and try several that don't fit, before giving up and resigning yourself to dried-out leftovers.

Target

It's made by a woman-owned business and, although it isn't dishwasher-safe, the smooth plastic is a breeze to spot-clean or hand-wash.

Promising review: "It’s so perfect for my cabinet. Used two to make my cabinet go from a total mess to organized chaos." —Target Reviewer

Price: $12.99

24. A five-tier pants hanger so your jeans and leggings collection takes up a little less space in your closet. Also, it's so much easier to find the right pair when they're hanging, instead of having to dig through a drawer (inevitably crumpling everything in the process).

Target

Tiny closet-havers rejoice!

Promising review: "Bought one. Loved it. Bought five more. Very sturdy and is perfect for keeping my pants compact in the closet. The ability to unhook the rods allows me to take out the pants out without disturbing the others much." —SimplySarah

Price: $7

25. A bathtub drain protector to keep your hair and whatever else gets in there out of your easily-clogged, difficult-to-repair bath drainpipe.

Target

When I lived in Palm Springs, I shared one drain line with the guest bungalow and the apartment behind mine, which of course got clogged. The gunk and smell started backing up into my bathtub. The landlord didn't want to do anything about it because trying to fix the problem was far too expensive.

It was annoying but I get it. Clogged drains are a pain, but tub drains are the absolute worst because the pipes are difficult to access. They also back up easily because they have to handle so much water.

So, do yourself a favor and keep your tub drain clear.

Promising review: "This was definitely money well spent. It catches a ton of hair and has kept my shower drain flowing quickly for six months now." – kristen3970

Price: $6.99

26. A slim rolling utility cart that's sized to fit perfectly between your washer and dryer, so you can store your laundry supplies right where you need them even if you don't have room for a full-on cabinet.

Target

It's just 9.25-inches wide, which is small but still big enough to fit most laundry product boxes and bottles. The epoxy-coated steel is easy to clean and rust-resistant. And the best part: the wheels, so you can reliably keep stuff on that bottom shelf without worrying about it being lost to the dust-bunny/misplaced sock forest lurking beyond your reach.

Promising review: "Fits perfectly in the 10 inches of space between my washer and dryer! Just what I was looking for! Seems sturdy!" –Ilovetarget

Price: $18.71

27. A cloth-upholstered storage ottoman that's double the usual size and a worthy adversary for the mountain of blankets and throw pillows that have been slowly taking over your sofa for months.

Target

It's 18-inches high, 24-inches wide, and 18-inches deep — comparable to a 95-quart storage bin — and is sufficient for about eight to 10 neatly folded throw blankets.

Though it won't solve the problem of your partner taking up too much space on the couch, at least now you'll both have more space to fight over, and somewhere to put your feet that's wide enough for everyone (at least in theory).

Promising review: "So happy with this storage ottoman. It looks very-well made and classy in-person, and has a ton of room for storage. I put a tray on it and use it as a coffee table. Great for those who want to maximize storage in small spaces!" –Jessica

Price: $70

28. A pet stain and odor eliminator – it uses enzymes to breakdown all the foul stuff that causes urine and other stains to linger. A lot of people say this one worked where others didn't, to make their floors, furniture, and fabrics pristine.

Target

Stains are annoying enough, getting rid of them should be as easy and effective as possible.

Promising review: "This is the only product that took the dog pee smell out of our carpet. I tried enzyme cleaners, Resolve, vinegar and even pulled the carpet back and cleaned underneath! Nothing else worked. I finally found this product and decided I would try one more thing before ripping the carpet out. It worked sooo well!! So very impressed." —Jennifer B.

Price: $49.99

29. A wire dish rack that goes inside your sink to dry dishes without them touching the sink itself. Reviewers compliment the sturdy metal construction and that it's easier to clean than the plastic version.

Target

Thrifty shoppers have also noted this one performs better than other comparable models that cost much more. At 12x5 inches, it will fit even in small sinks.

Promising review: "I bought these to replace some rubber ones I had. They are very well-made and are super easy to clean. Great price. These work perfectly." —Target Reviewer

Price: $6

30. A pair of shortalls in case you still haven't found that one "I wanna wear it all the time" summer outfit yet.

Atlas Davis

I wear mine all the time because they're adorable, have functioning pockets for once, and are super comfortable. I like that they're easy to put on for when you need to get out the door in a hurry but still want to look great.

As a visibly trans and non-binary person, finally finding some clothing that fits my body without highlighting the stuff that makes me dysphoric and doesn't objectify me in a gendered way is really refreshing. It's nice that a brand intentionally designed clothing that's not only fun and a little flirty, but also thinks beyond the binary—not just making clothes that expects cis bodies to fit into the waif-ish, vaguely masculine, aesthetic usually associated with androgyny.

The sizing runs a little big, but I like it that way. I usually wear a small, and am sporting a medium in the pic above. Most people say order a size down, but you do you.

Promising review: "My thirteen-year-old asked for these specifically. I was delighted to see that Target was now selling gender neutral clothing. They came the next day after I ordered them and now I have a very happy kid!" —Marinda

Price: $30 (available in sizes XS-2XL)

31. A propane-fueled patio heater to keep your party going even when summer nights turn chilly.

Target

Packing 46,000 BTUs, this model puts out enough heat to warm a 2,300-square-foot outdoor area under ideal conditions.

Promising review: "We bought this last week and are so happy with it. It puts out a lot of heat and keeps everyone warm several feet from the unit. It's easy to use and light, and easy to move around. We expect to use it all fall and into the winter." —MikeWest1

Price: $239.99

You, to all the messes that used to be under your cabinets, all over the couch, and baked onto your ovenware:

Tap to play or pause GIF Tap to play or pause GIF

E! / Via giphy.com

... awww, c'mon. This is a big change! Didn't you miss wrinkled clothes, spending hours every week blow drying your hair, or all those old urine stains in the carpet... at least at first?

Tap to play or pause GIF Tap to play or pause GIF

E! / Via giphy.com

You sure?

Tap to play or pause GIF Tap to play or pause GIF

E! / Via giphy.com

OK, then. Good. My work here is done, enjoy your new life!

Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

BuzzFeed

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

……

Read full article on BuzzFeed-Shopping

Lifestyle Technology Beauty