49 Seemingly Silly Products That Are Actually Helpful

Jun 26, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

For just $12, the remote control caddy below could save you *countless* arguments with your roommate/partner/family.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "Love these!!! They're so cute and so practical! You can even put a cozy around the beer and it still fits in the holder. We haven't tried any tall cups yet, but a solo cup and a beer can seem to work great! If you have a lot of waves in the pool they could tip over...but you really would have to be working some waves because they are very sturdy!" —Jennifer R.

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

Whether you have the memory of a dog or split feeding duties with an S.O./roommate/family member, this nifty little tracker will prove indispensable. The gadget tracks a.m. and p.m. feedings Sunday through Saturday and the sliders "click" into place when moved, so you don't have to worry about bumping them if you brush them on accident when reaching for the light switch.

Promising review: "Awesome product! There are four of us that were working together to feed the dogs. It simplified everything because I no longer have to text to see if anyone had fed them every morning. Now I just see if it's green and if not I feed them and indicate it, we all love it so much!" —Toni Deegan

Get it from Amazon for $11.95 (also available in a cat version).

Max and Stella NY is a small biz from Anna Jung.

Promising review: "Stops my husband from asking “where’s the remote?” and stops me from killing him :) Thank you, so perfect." —Molly Lara

Get it from Max and Stella NY on Etsy for $12.99.

Promising review: "Probably the coolest holder I have ever seen. Bought it for my wife and she loves it and thinks it's cute. I laugh when I look at it, just cool as all! Hangs on all of our pots and pans, stays cool. Easy to clean and looks awesome. Great addition to any kitchen. Works great, does exactly what it is intended to do!" —Logan E.

Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "For years, I saw my wife watch her Korean dramas and YouTube videos in bed, lying on her side with her phone or iPad propped on a pillow! This was not comfortable or easy to move around if interrupted. Got her this and we like it so much I bragged about it and purchased another one for a family member!" —Z

Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in black and white).

BTW — Tablift is a small business created by Scott Blevins after he had trouble finding a tablet stand for his bed. This is compatible with Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and most other tablets (but you may have to remove the case in some cases).

Promising review: "I literally have never reviewed a product I've bought on Amazon before. This product, however, is worth the time. Works perfectly for my iPad while laying in bed. We are part of the tiny house community, this leaves few options for most stands. I do not have anyplace to clip a stand, and forget about floor space for the larger ones. This suited my needs perfectly! It also has several spots for different view in angles. Last but not least, it folds up to a very manageable size!" —Tara M. Riley

Get it from Tablift on Amazon for $34.47.

PS: You can also use it for ginger!

Promising review: "I purchased this as a gift for my friend who is a fantastic cook — she uses fresh ingredients almost exclusively — but pressing fresh garlic is a task usually delegated. No longer — Gracula is there for her. She uses him nearly every time she needs garlic (which is basically daily) and months later still makes a point of saying how much she enjoys the gift. I'm pretty sure she likes it better than other gifts I've gotten her which were more expensive/thought out, and I'm fairly certain it's what took me from "good friend" to "best friend," but it be that way sometimes. Anyway, definitely recommended for people who cook with garlic and have a sense of humor." —L

Get it from Amazon for $17.95.

Promising review: "He is perfect and pure and good and has never done anything wrong in his whole life. Somehow at least like 53 times cuter in person??? Also does a great job holding all my cables because of course he does. 10/10 would buy this good good boy again." —Jennii

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Promising review: "I have trichotillomania and really love these little guys. They help refocus my habit and the pull is very satisfying and realistic. I've had to repurchase already, and I'll reorder more in the future. Can't recommend these enough, as I've been searching for this type of tool for a long time." —Danika Hill

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 17 styles).

Promising review: "This must be the greatest idea since the discovery of fire! Two days in, and my hardwood is shining! And all with just walking around! Of course the quality is pedestrian (pardon), of course it doesn’t look like it was made by Versace, but that’s not the point, is it?" —Nigel

Get them from Amazon for $13.99 (available in three sizes and 15 styles).

Promising review: "I didn't know what I was missing until I used this. My life is now complete. If you enjoy comfort and lazy binge-watching but don't care how ridiculous you look wearing these, then you have found Nirvana. My glasses fit in these just fine. Takes a minute to get used to, then it becomes your reason to live. Expect people to laugh at you, but forgive them for they know not what they are missing." —Michael Boyd

Get them from Amazon for $11.95.

If you have a tendency to leave your leftovers in the fridge for too long and then just chuck the container in the trash instead of washing it, these may persuade you to stay on top of things!

Get a set of four from Crystalia on Amazon for $22.45.

Promising review: "This is one of those things you don't know you need until you actually get one. I have used this about a thousand times since it arrived! I used it on my bathroom sink who's stopper broke and the stuff I pulled out of there was like an archeological dig. I thought I was going to find dinosaur bones with this thing! Absolutely a must in any home. Totally worth getting." —Elaine Catherine Lombardo

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

Promising review: "These work great for pet hair on beds, furniture, pet beds, dog kennels, area rugs, cars, pretty much anything you can think of! My black lab sleeps in my bed that has a white quilt comforter and this makes it super easy to just roll across every morning when making the bed. The sheets are easy to tear off and don’t unravel when rolling." —Ashley D.

Get it from Amazon for $21.46.

Promising review: "I needed two things out of a laundry bag: something that could fit three to four loads and something that was not just flimsy canvas or cloth. This checked both of those boxes. The bag is adorable in that it is made to resemble a punching bag (and I often show aggression toward my laundry as it is my least favorite chore) and has a durable PVC bottom so even when you set it on a concrete laundromat floor, it protects your clothes and holds up to wear and tear. Worth the price for sure!" —Sarah

Get it from Amazon for $32.99.

First thing is first, I *so* wish you could scratch and sniff the photo above. I just started using this and TBH, I absolutely ordered it because it was cute. That said, I was already a big fan of Tonymoly products so I figured why not. Not only is it exceptionally fun looking, but it smells incredible and works really well on my dry skin. While it's definitely thick, it also doesn't leave me greasy which other products have. Basically, if you like banana-scented things and could use some extra hydration, try it out!

Promising review: "It’s like wearing banana pudding. The smell is wonderful. My skin feels and looks amazing. It also works wonders on my lips and hands." —Bug S

Get it from Amazon or Tonymoly for $16.50.

The foot-shaped hangers come in a two-pack so you can use one for clean socks and one for dirty. Each holds nine pairs in total and can easily be hung on a doorknob or in your closet or wardrobe.

Promising review: "If you're tired of sorting and pairing socks, then you need this product. I ordered a set for me (one for clean socks and one for dirty socks). The socks stayed secured in and out of the wash cycle and dried well. Great idea for each family member, travelers, and kids going off to college. Can be used for more than just socks. Think scarves, gloves, etc." —valueval

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).

The seat gap filler is flexible and fits into most cars. The pack comes with two gap fillers (one for both the driver and passenger sides), a sticky pad for keeping items like your phone from sliding around, and an LED car light.

Promising review: "I have to admit my expectations weren't very high. I thought it was more of a joke when my husband got this for me for Christmas. Little did I realize it would be one of my favorite gadgets ever! I don't know if I realized just how many things went missing in my seat gap. It has really saved a lot of things from disappearing into that black hole. It was easy enough to fit into my car, and it's soft! It's just like an extension of my seat, except it fits every curve of my seat! There really isn't another product that compares to this. That's why I gave it 5 stars!" —Tessa Forbes

Get a pair from Amazon for $24.99.

Promising reviews: "This product changed my life. Seriously, I never knew I could love an inanimate object so much. His heavy body is so comforting, at the end of the day all I want is a hug. He even helped me quit nicotine. Instead of reaching for the Juul, I would reach for his big belly instead. I'm not even joking. This guy is the best thing I have ever spent my money on. Do yourself a favor and get a Warmie." —Bryan & Dana

"I bought this for cramps and the occasional aches and pains. He is absolutely perfect. He is so cute and adorable and I find myself reaching for him even when I am not in pain. He’s so snuggly and perfect to cuddle up with and is great for anxiety." —Samantha

Get it from Amazon for $22.49.

Promising review: "Love this! Was not sure if it would end up being stuffed in a drawer or a novelty. It’s one of the best things I have purchased in a while. I purchased a second as a gift." —Tammil

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

Promising review: "This doll is amazing! Not only did it help me through holiday shopping, it helped me survive election commercials! It's small enough to take anywhere you might experience stress: your job, grocery store, dentist, Department of Motor Vehicles, parent/teacher conferences and waiting in line to vote! It fits right into my purse so I can quickly grab it when someone drives too slow in front of me or when I get pulled over for my right tail-light out. I love that it fits nicely on the night stand to conveniently grab when hubby snores! I can't think of a better gift for friends, teachers, or people you purposely annoy. And it's VERY VERY durable! I use it at least 25 times a day and the seams are just fine!" —William Imand

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in packs of one, two, three, four, or six).

The upper tier of the solid wood design holds 8 ounces of pistachios and the pieces come apart for easy cleaning. To keep the maple in tip-top shape, the seller advises giving it a once-over with mineral oil or beeswax wood conditioner every few months.

Promising review: "The Pistachio Pedestal is my 'go-to' present for my hard-to-gift family and friends. It's handsome as well as functional, and it never fails to get compliments when it's out on a table. I love the craftsmanship and two-level design, and it makes cleaning up the empty shells a breeze. It's also a great container for snacking on other types of nuts, or edamame (soy bean pods), too! I have one myself, and I've given this to others multiple times, and it's always appreciated and well-used. A winner!" —Early Bird

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $50.

It's super simple to use! Your giftee will place their phone in the designated spot, choose their preferred game (four are included in the Stealth Fitness app), and then prop their arms up on the padded surface. Planking for three minutes is never any fun but this helps them forget what they're doing as they tilt and twist their way through challenges.

Promising review: "I just bought the Stealth. It is amazing!! I don’t have a ton of time to work out. So I bought this and put it in my bedroom. Quick and easy to use in the morning and at night. The app makes it seem like a game so you don’t realize how long you are actually working your core. Great product." —Christopher Waldman

Get it from Amazon for $199.

Each pack comes with 27 patches to kick pimples to the curb!

Truly is a small biz that specializes in clean beauty. Their formulas start with clean, vegan bases and then they work in powerful, high-end skincare ingredients.

Get a pack from Truly for $14.80.

Noted is a small, Brooklyn, NY–based biz that partners with designers in Japan to create "cute and clever" products.

The teensy cat planter comes with wild strawberry seeds while the puppy comes with clover seeds.

Get them from Noted for $16.75 (currently available in panda and dog styles).

Reviewers love this because it doesn't require you to "smart enable" other parts of your home. It's also a great way to turn on your kettle or coffee brewer from the other room so it's ready for you when you get out of bed!

Promising review: "Super great! Comes with clear instructions, the mobile app is clear and well designed and it's super easy to set the whole thing up. Honestly I'm really happy with the product. Now I don't have to get up all the time when I inevitably forget to turn the lights off. I can just hit the button on my phone and VOOP the little arm comes out and presses the switch!" —Noah R.

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in white and black).

The earrings come from small biz Ming Liu HK.

Get them from Ming Liu HK on Etsy for $10.90.

Promising review: "They are adorable!!!!! Really easy to use and work like a charm, I've given my friends some by sneaking them on their mugs and they have also been delighted! 😄🐌💙" —Hazel

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $6.87.

Here's more from BuzzFeed shopping writer Emma Lord:

"As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to the Force."

Promising review: "I purchased these for a friend's birthday present (he is a sushi waiter) and these are flippin' AMAZING. I ordered two sets by mistake, but I am totally keeping the second pair for another gift (or for myself!). These are sure to be great conversation pieces and attention-getters. Way to go!" —T. Redwood

Get two pairs from Amazon for $10.97+ (available individually or in sets of two, three, or four and in 12 colors).

Check it out on TikTok!

Promising review: "Silly gadget, but my son LOVES carrots and recently discovered the joy of cooking. He’s been perfecting carrot roses and now is willing to eat salads! Worth the money for that alone. I like the leaker side. I hate all the peelers I’ve ever bought because they fall apart while using. This one works and stays together pretty well." —Kristin

Get it from Amazon for $15.90.

Check it out on TikTok!

Promising review: "This is the best invention ever! I’m a sauce queen and this allows me to have sauce in my car without wasting it! Whoever invented this knows my love language!" —Quintana

Get set of two from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four colors and packs of 2, 4, and 6).

Promising review: "It’s super cute. I keep it at work so when someone has randomly needed a tape measure I just hand them the dog and they’re confused. Now, grown men come to my office to ask to borrow my pug and it’s funny. Worth it." —Candyse F.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Check out a TikTok of the boba straw — from small biz Boba Tribe — in action on TikTok. It's small enough to keep in your bag and take on the go!

Promising review: "Super sturdy, easy to put together, cute, compact, allergen-safe, and simple to clean… It kind of solved all my problems with other reusable straws, and it’s small enough to use with some other drinks other than boba." —Gemma Rodrick

Get it from Boba Tribe for $16.99 (originally $19.99).

Check out this viral piggy bank in this TikTok from @kiyalastnamepetty.

The LCD screen will display your current balance, and you can set a target savings amount up to $999 to check your progress. Both coins and paper money can be deposited — it'll automatically distinguish between different coins to count them!

Promising review: "I loved that me and my husband were able to save more than $1,000 in less than a month. This helped with 'out of sight, out of mind,' and it was a cute way to look forward to putting money in every week." —Jonathan Chavez

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in three colors).

Check it out on TikTok!

Inceptualize3D is an Atlanta, Georgia–based small biz.

Promising review: "My cup holder came in today and I am loving it. Was able to put the joy cons with no difficult or problems. Holds cans and bottles as described, however the real test will be some Cup Ramen. 😉" —Julia Gray

Get it from Inceptualize3D on Etsy for $20.

Promising review: "It's easy to use and lemonade is quickly made. It looks so good I leave it on the counter." —Stephaniep

Get it from Amazon for $9.90.

You can also heat up pizza slices, chicken nuggets, and more with it, meaning you'll have dinner ready in a matter of minutes. Reviewers say these are also great for anyone with a gluten allergy who needs to keep their bread separate in the toaster. Check 'em out on TikTok here!

Promising review: "TikTok made me buy this!! I do not regret it. :) Great purchase for the grilled cheese lovers. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to store. Highly recommend." —Gloria Nunez

Get them from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in packs of 4, 6, and 10).

Promising review: "Why not encourage clean bathroom habits, right? Especially with two young boys in the house, buying this just made sense. The tabs have stayed on for over a month now with no issues. It’s also great that the box comes with two. The only reason why I was hesitant to get them was because I thought it would look ugly, but they’re not too noticeable at all and don’t get in the way either. I’m very happy I found these!" —Daphne

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.97.

Promising review: "This review is dedicated to all the haters in my life who questioned why I wanted this for my birthday. I love pizza whether it's frozen, fresh, or delivery, and replacing the pizza wheel/knife with this pair of pizza scissors has cut all of the frustration out of pizza. Dividing up slices has never been easier. It is insane how happy I feel every time I use these scissors because not only do they make pizza dividing easier, they are also just fun to use. Even if you only cook a pizza twice a year, I still say, buy these scissors. You'll never go back to the wheel or knife. These scissors are my FAVORITE product in the kitchen. I've been using them for six months now and I've had no problems so far with them. They are super easy to use thanks to the spring that keeps them open. The flat bottom below helps get the scissors under the pizza, too. It's all around a fantastic product." —Lisa

Get them from Amazon for $28.30 (available in two colors).

Each pack comes with four bands which can stretch from 12 to 18 inches and hold adequate tension.

Promising review: "Say goodbye to rearranging your fitted sheet every morning! My boyfriend sleeps like he’s rolling down a hill, so every morning I would wake up to the scratchy feel of my mattress cover because my soft silk fitted sheet was all over the place. Thanks to these Bed Bands, our sheets stay put no matter what. The only way for your fitted sheet to come off is if you manually remove these first. I wish I would have bought this so much sooner." —Khalysee

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three colors and four pack sizes).

Promising review: "Fits perfect in the cup holder on the side of my door which is where I tend to hoard the most trash. If it ever gets dirty it washes easily. The lid comes on and off, easily making it easy to just dump it every time I'm at the gas station. I saw this on TikTok and it turned out to be a great impulse buy." —Jacqueline Todd

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in packs of one or two and in four colors).

Promising review: "I recently bought a high quality leather shoulder strap handbag and was having problems with it sliding off my shoulder, since the leather strap was fairly smooth. So I went online and searched to see if there were any products out there that would solve this issue...and I found the Purse Gummy! It works beautifully! No more struggling with a slipping strap. It is hardly noticeable on the strap since it is on the underside, but I wouldn't mind it if was seen because it works so well." —D. Dillon

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $13.95 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I ordered these babies and got them so quickly. I personally love spicy and I always had an issue with getting the right amount with the individual Sriracha packets. I would go through three or more and still not get enough out. These solved my problem! I just hook them on my purse and bam 💥 couldn't have asked for a better idea. So in love with these. My friends are thanking me :) if you're thinking about buying these do it! You won't regret it. I have two and gave my roommate one. Best idea ever!!" —Jeanette

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Promising review: "Ever want to be the source of both envy and disdain by your coworkers? Ever want to just relax on a nice, soft baguette? Now you can! I was worried this bread was gonna be a little stinky out of the package, but it actually had zero odor. It came in a super cute bag that looked just like what you'd pick up your long loaf in at the grocery! PSA: It does have a tag that says 'Congrats on your marriage' or similar, so if you're sending this as a gift, it's good to know. Overall very squishy and hilarious. Perfect for a wrist rest, or just to carry in your back pocket for emergencies." —Meg R.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

Check it out on TikTok!

Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this storage container! My son got a 1,500-piece Lego set for Christmas and this fits all of the pieces nicely! Definitely recommend." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two sizes and 15 colors).

Promising review: "Functional and so cute! I was tired of chasing the flopping charger cord each night and this little holder has enough weight to stabilize the process. The silicone has a solid, soft feel and nice look to it and I love the aqua blue, true to the online picture. My series 4, 40 mm slips in easily. I may get the pink one just to use it as a stand for safekeeping instead of just laying the watch on counters when I need to take it off temporarily. I highly recommend it!" —Barbara, Central Florida

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

Promising review: "As a single person, one of my biggest challenges is cooking. I prefer to make larger quantities — usually in my Instant Pot — and then separate them into servings and freeze them. Trying to freeze a lot of containers took too much space, so I decided to try freezer bags. Since it was a mess to put servings into bags, I ordered these bag clips to help, and they do. I mostly use sandwich-size baggies, which fit well, and the stands hold the bag open so I can add the food. Then it is easy to freeze the bags flat for future use." —cymart

Get them from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in packs of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12).

Promising review: "Who has a picky eater? My son is very limited with his diet. He is autistic and has sensory processing disorder. I took the plunge and got the pirate-themed one. I surprised him tonight with it and HE ATE EVERYTHING on the plate! My surprise for him was a piece of chocolate. I taped down the lid to the prize so he couldn't peek. Since it was his first time, I didn't want to push it too much so I alternated food he really enjoys, with foods he doesn't, mainly due to their texture. He loved it! Even when he struggled with the cheese, he pushed through to get to the next 'level' as he calls it. I plan on using this plate every once in a while so it holds its value and I told him the harder the challenge, the better the surprise!" —A.E

Get it from Amazon for $16.88+ (available in six styles).

Promising review: "I love this product... My cube neighbor got one and spoke very highly of hers. Of course, I had to test it for myself. I purchased my own and currently use it on my desk at work. As a vertically challenged person, it’s difficult to keep my office chair at a height that supports good posture without my feet dangling above the ground. This foot hammock eliminates this issue entirely... Plus, it’s super comfy." —lovesamazon

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

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