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Amanda Pellegrino

65 cool, cheap-ass things that are effing brilliant

You know how they say, “the best things in life are free?” Well, that might not always be the case. When it comes to these absolutely brilliant Amazon products, you could say “the best things in life are cheap AF.” Scrolling this list is like wandering through a market full of things you never knew you needed, but might just change your life with their brilliance. You don’t need to break the bank to check out these incredible products — in fact, they are so budget-friendly, you’ll have a hard time not adding them all to your cart.

A grater with a built-in container to collect your cheese

This cheese grater has two interchangeable stainless steel tops that can give you fine or coarse cheese, depending on what your recipe calls for. It has a wide head and base, and it has a plastic container that attaches to the base to collect everything you’ve grated to make for a mess-free meal prep.

Reusable & recyclable steel cups to keep 16 ounces of your favorite drink cool

Made of 100% recyclable steel, these cups hold up to 16 ounces and keep your favorite beverage cold for way longer than plastic cups. Great for outdoor summer parties and activities, the cups are lightweight, reusable, and designed to be shatterproof. Plus, they are chill inside and out so they can help keep you cool on a hot day.

Refrigerator door pouches to add even more storage

These pouches clip to the shelves on your refrigerator door to give you even more easy-access storage in your refrigerator. Each pouch has two pockets that are see-through so you always know what’s inside at a glance. They’re great for holding extra ketchup and sauce packets, garlic cloves, and other small condiments.

A basket for washing veggies that drains directly into your sink

Fill this basket with all your brand new produce, wash it, then place it directly next to your sink, and watch as the elephant-like trunk drains the water for you directly into the basin. It has a built-in strainer so none of your food falls into the drain, and the four legs have nonslip bottoms to keep them on the counter.

Soap-saving pouches that expertly exfoliate from head to toe

Putting your soap bar inside these mesh pouches not only helps you save soap and use every last bit, but also lather up to expertly exfoliate your body from head to toe. Each one has a drawstring closure that keeps the soap — no matter how small — inside, and it’s made from high-quality nylon that feels great as it exfoliates your skin.

A compact portable fan with an LED battery display

This portable fan folds up compactly to less than 5 inches long, so it can easily slide into your pocket or purse. When unfolded into fan mode, it operates quietly on two different speeds, with soft blades that automatically stop if you happen to touch them. Unlike similar fans, this one has a battery life display so you can see how many hours of refreshing, cool air you have left.

Oven gloves that are heat-resistant to a whopping 540 degrees

These inexpensive oven mitts rival ones that professionals use in restaurants. They’re made with Aramid fiber with a nonslip silicone base and high-density weaving around the wrist to protect your hands and fingers from heat up to a whopping 540 degrees. They’re made with full finger mobility and offer excellent thermal protection.

An expandable drying rack that can hang over your sink

This drying rack is brilliant because it comes in two pieces that can be configured two different ways depending on your kitchen’s needs. It features a wire rack with a detachable utensil holder that can hang over your sink to self-drain or be placed on the included silicone mat on and sit on your countertop.

A best-selling pet hair remover that’s endlessly reusable

This pet hair roller is a Mic shopping team favorite — and it’s earned a 4.5-star overall rating after 193,000 reviews. While it may not be as cheap as a lint roller upfront, it’ll save you lots of cash over time, thanks to its endless reusability. It’s also super effective: Just swipe it across your furniture, then open the catch chamber to release any fur.

Reusable gallon bags that are leakproof & dishwasher safe

If you’re looking to replace single-use plastic bags with reusable silicone ones, check out these gallon bags. First off, they’re dishwasher-safe so they require basically no more work than then bags you use and toss. They’re freezer-safe for leftover storage and feature leakproof double zipper closures for extra security.

A Bluetooth label maker to help you organize everything

Get ready to go on an organizing bonanza with this surprisingly handy label maker. Plus, this one uses thermal label tape instead of ink, making it a cost-effective pick. You can also customize your labels with more than 90 fonts, 10 different languages, as well as over 450 icons — all of which are right at your fingertips via the Nelko smartphone app.

Durable car & desk garbage bags with an adhesive backing

These extra thick garbage bags have a structured design that can function as both a bag and a bin. They can be used as an emergency throw-up bag for your carsick friends or an easy-to-dispose-of bin to store garbage on a long road trip. They have an adhesive opening so it can mount to a seat back or passenger console for easy access.

Spice containers with an airtight lid that has two pouring options

Create an organized and uniform-looking spice drawer with these containers. They have a narrow and tall design and feature an airtight lid with two pouring options — one large opening for bigger spices and one shaker opening for powdered spices. The set of six come with a plastic holder that they all fit nicely inside.

A hydrating eye stick that can help brighten skin

No skin-care routine is complete without this eye stick. A blend of caffeine and hyaluronic acid work to help hydrate skin as well as reduce puffiness, while retinol helps revitalize your skin’s elasticity. Many reviewers also raved about how it helped brighten their skin, with one writing that “works great under makeup and leaves a brightened hydrated under eye.”

Automatic bookmarks made of soft silicone that’s gentle on pages

These bookmarks are absolutely genius — and super cheap to boot. They’re made of a very soft silicone that’s gentle on pages and won’t crimp, bend, or damage them. They have a slim and brilliant design that auto-follows as you turn the page so it’s always attached to the page you’re currently on and you never get lost.

A self-standing toothpaste dispenser cap for a cleaner bathroom countertop

Made of food-grade silicone, this cap replaces your toothpaste tube’s existing top to dispense your toothpaste without leaving a sticky mess behind. It distributes just the right amount of toothpaste each time. And it features little legs so your tube can stand up on its own to give you a more organized countertop.

A decorative door stop with a convenient carrying handle

Swap out your boxes, books, and unsightly wedges for this decorative knot to keep your door open without being a cluttered eyesore. It’s slightly weighted and made of ivory-colored twisted rope in a knot design that will seamlessly fit into any decor style. And it even has a loop handle that makes it easy to move it from door to door.

Cut-to-size silicone coils to help loose rings fit better

Getting loose rings professionally resized can be expensive. Instead, loop one of these silicone coils onto the band. They fill up that extra space between your finger and the band to help loose rings fit better. And since the silicone is clear, they also have an ultra-subtle look that’s hardly noticeable.

Solar-powered garden lights shaped like mushrooms

Turn your garden into a fairy oasis with these mushroom-shaped lights. They’re solar powered with a built-in sensor to automatically turn on a dusk and off at dawn, for a total of 10 to 12 hours on a single charge. They have eight lighting modes — from flashing to fading to twinkling — and are waterproof.

Best-selling highlighters that come in trendy pastel colors

These highlighters have slowly been gaining popularity on Amazon and are now best-sellers. Not only do they have quick-drying ink that won’t bleed through even thin Bible paper, but they also come in trendy, aesthetic, and pastel colors to keep your workspace and notebooks looking cute. They also have a rectangular shape that helps prevent them from rolling off your desk.

A odor absorber for your refrigerator shaped like a cute duck

All you have to do is fill this little silicone duck with baking soda and pop her into your refrigerator to totally refresh it. It works to not just cover up any lingering odors — from fish, meat, garlic, onions, etc. — but completely eliminate them, which can also help keep your food fresher longer.

Cable winders specifically designed to organize your tangled chargers

These cable winders are 3 inches wide and 0.9 inches thick to hold anywhere from 1- to 8-foot cables. All you have to do is slip the start of your cable into the clip, wind the rest of the wire around the base, and then pop the end into the second clip. It takes up next to no space but packs a punch when it comes to organize your tangles of wires, making these especially great for your bag so you can stash your headphones and phone charger.

A glass oil dispenser that can pour & spray

It’s almost too easy to add too much oil to pans and meals when pouring straight from the bottle — but that’s only part of the reason why this dispenser is worth a look. Not only can the lid pour as well as spray oil, but measurement markings along the glass body also make it easy to keep track of how much is left inside. Choose from seven colors: navy, yellow, peach, and more.

Textured worry stones made of twistable but durable silicone

These worry stones are really like two soothing fidget toys in one. First off, each “stone” has a textured side that can feel so calming as you run your finger across it. Secondly, unlike worry stones made from actual rock, these are made of durable yet bendable silicone so that you can also twist and bend them for further fidgeting.

Wool dryer balls that help dramatically speed up drying time

Made of 100% New Zealand wool, these dryer balls reduce static cling, loosen and soften clothing fibers, and help separate clumps of clothes to drastically reduce total drying time. They’re an effective and environmentally friendly replacement for dryer sheets that can be reused again and again — over 1,000 times, in fact.

A stick-on pocket organizer that adds storage to your car

Phones, charging cables, cash — this organizer is great for keeping all sorts of items easily within reach when driving. The best part? Its adhesive backing lets you mount it onto your center console, door, or nearly anywhere else you’d like.

Full-body wipes that exfoliate & cleanse on-the-go

Don’t sleep on these wipes that come individually packaged so you can give yourself a full-body refresh whether you’re camping, at the airport, or going straight from gym to cocktails. They have one textured side that exfoliates and one soft side that cleanses, and they’re packed with aloe, chamomile, vitamin E, and more to keep your skin soft.

A genius sun visor extender that’s resistant to fingerprints

You’ll be glad you grabbed this extender the next time the sun is too low in the sky for your visor to block it. Installation is as easy as strapping it onto your current visor using the attached fasteners — and the universal design makes it suitable for use in just about any vehicle. But if that isn’t enough? It’s also fingerprint- as well as scratch-resistant.

Compression headbands that can be used warm or cold for headaches

These compression headbands have inner gel that can be warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds or stored in the refrigerator for two hours to help ease common headache and migraine symptoms. They have an adjustable fit and can be strapped around your forehead or your eyes, depending on where you need relief the most.

A space-saving banana hook that decreases bruising

By creating minimal flat contact points, this banana hanger can help decrease bruising and slow ripening so your bananas last a little longer before they need to be turned into banana bread. It hangs from underneath your kitchen cabinet so it doesn’t take up any additional counter space, and it can hold an entire bushel easily.

A handy book for keeping track of all your passwords

Can’t remember your login information for that one website? Not a problem when you have this book. Alphabetic tabs on the pages make it easy to jump directly to the login information you need, while the plain cover gives it an innocuous look to help keep your info safe from prying eyes. Choose from 15 colors: yellow, purple, green, and more.

A handheld fruit & veggie dicer that works quickly & easily

This handheld kitchen tool can be used on longer veggies like cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, and squash to slice them up longways, making them great for salads or dipping. It also works on fruits, potatoes, and more, if you’re looking to divide anything into bite-sized snacks. Plus, it protects your fingers from accidental slices and makes multiple slices with one movement.

A confidental stamp that helps protect sensitive information

Forget shredding sensitive documents, check out this stamp instead. Simply roll it on top of the private information on a piece of paper, and it will cover it with the overlapping words “confidential” to make the contents underneath completely unreadable. The stamp also comes with three ink refills to keep you protected longer.

A hilarious sponge holder that suctions to the side of your sink

This isn’t your average sponge holder. First, let’s get it out of the way — it does look like an adorable clawing cat. But, secretly, it’s a suction cup holder, so it doesn’t take up any additional counter space and keeps your sponge and counter dry by allowing any excess water to drain into the basin.

Flexible cutting boards with a waffle-textured back for stability

These cutting boards have a knife-safe surface that’s flexible and features a textured back for added stability while you’re chopping. They come in three colors which can be great to color-code their uses — pink for meat, green for veggies, etc. — to avoid cross-contamination. And they have built-in hanging hooks to dry.

An Internet-famous cleaning paste that’s extremely versatile

This mildly abrasive cleaning paste is a classic viral product with over 154,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Why do reviewers love it so much? It can be used on a wide variety of surfaces including stainless steel, tile, grout, rubber, and even glass. It’s easy to use, too, you just need a cloth, a little time, and some water to effectively eliminate even the toughest grime.

A best-selling pet blanket that’s self-warming & waterproof

Your furry friends will love this blanket because of how warm and cozy it is. The blanket is lined with plush Sherpa on one side and fleece on the other that retains and redistributes your dog’s body heat to keep him warmer for longer. Plus, the entire thing is waterproof to protect your furniture from any accidents.

An electric lunch box that lets you heat up meals on the go

There’s no need for your office to have a microwave when you have this electric lunch box. Not only can it warm up meals within just 25 minutes, but the lock-tight lid even works to keep you safe from spills. Each order also includes a power adapter so that you can plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter for on-the-go use.

A 3-in-1 slicer for perfectly cut hard boiled eggs

Hard boiled eggs are great for sandwiches, salads, and snacking, and getting the perfect slice or dice is remarkably easy with this egg slicer. Unlike other egg slicers, this one has three modes: slices, wedges, and fine dices, so you can use this for everything from Cobb salads to egg salad. It also comes with a handy egg recepticle to catch your chopped ingredient.

A handheld squeegee & brush to clean your countertop

This handheld cleaning brush features a silicone squeegee on one side and a nylon-bristled brush on the other to remove wet and dry spills from your kitchen countertop. It’s easy to hold and maneuver to make cleaning a breeze. And it even has a little lip that can hang it on the edge of your sink for easy storage.

A compact dispenser that can hold 7 different types of pill

Don’t waste precious suitcase space bringing all those pill bottles with you. Instead, transfer your pills into this dispenser. There’s room inside for up to seven different types of pills. Plus, the flip-top lid makes it easy to shake a few out whenever you need them.

A cordless desk lamp with 3 color temperatures

Where this cordless desk lamp really shines — see what I did there? — is how it folds into a compact handheld contraption that you can take with you anywhere. It features three color temperatures and can be dimmed to multiple levels depending on what you need. It even features a USB and USB-C port that can be used to charge your phone.

Nail stickers to make at-home manicures look professional

The cost of having your nails done every two weeks quickly adds up. Instead, use these stickers to give your at-home manicures a professional look. The designs are embossed, giving them a 3-D appearance that makes them look like they were painted onto your nails by hand. “Great adhesion, vibrant colors, great sizes for different nails and flower combos, and I can even reposition a few times without losing stick,” raved one reviewer.

Clever baskets that add storage space to wire shelves

Running out of storage space on that wire shelf? Then these baskets are definitely worth a look. Four hooks on the top let you hang them underneath wire shelves, instantly creating more storage space for laundry supplies, dry ingredients, and everything in between. Plus, the hooks even rotate 360 degrees so that you can have the baskets facing any direction you like.

A hanging dish towel holder with a stylish bohemian vibe

Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest impact — like using this holder to hang up your dish towels. It’s handwoven from soft, strong cotton, with smooth beech wood rings on each end for a bohemian vibe. You also have the choice of five colors: khaki, cream, black, and more.

USB ports for your car that light up so you can always see it

This USB ports plug directly into your car’s existing USB port to light it up, adding additional ambient light to your car without taking up any extra space. They set of four come in four colors — red, white, blue, and ice blue — and feature ambient LED lights that are bright without hurting your eyes in the dark.

Trimmable fridge liners that can help keep food fresher

What makes these refrigerator liners brilliant, you ask? Well, you can cut them to size and place them on your refrigerator shelves or crisper drawers; they’re made of a foam that slightly elevates your veggies to allow for proper airflow around all your produce. This can help reduce bruising and keep your food fresher longer.

A retractable car charger that can power 4 devices at the same time

Consider this charger a must-have in any car. It features two retractable charging cables (one type-C and one lightning) that extend out to 31 inches, making it easy to power devices located in the front as well as back seats. Plus, two additional ports (one type-C and one USB) give you room to charge up to four devices simultaneously.

A pig-shaped silicone container that holds up to 2 cups of bacon grease

Give yourself a convenient and easy spot to store extra bacon grease with this silicone container. Shaped like a cute pig, it has a built-in strainer to remove any larger lingering food bits, and it can hold up to 2 cups of grease. It’s heat resistant up to 500 degrees, doesn’t get hot on the outside, and can be stored in the freezer.

A bedside table lamp with 13 color options controlled via remote

This table lamp can really set the mood for your evening with 13 color options, three light modes, and a fully dimmable brightness that can all be controlled with a convenient remote. It can work for up to 25 hours on a single charge, and it can be set to automatically shut off after one hour, two hours, four hours, or six hours if you like to fall asleep to ambient lighting.

A zip-top bag dispenser that mounts under your countertop

If you want easy access to your zip-top baggies but don’t want to take up valuable drawer or counter space, check out this dispenser. It mounts underneath your kitchen counter to give you plastic bags exactly when you need them. It fits quart, sandwich, and snack-sized bags and dispenses them one at a time.

Sturdy over-the-door metal hooks shaped like cats

If you have boring old hooks, swap them out for these cat-shaped ones that really pack a decor punch while still staying totally functional. Great for towels in the bathroom, coats in the entryway, or backpacks in the mud room, the hooks can hold up to 20 pounds each. And the cute little cat design — the tail is the hook — will keep you smiling.

A stitch gun that’s great for quick & easy clothing fixes

Whether you have a rip in your shirt or need to quickly hem some pants, this stitch gun can help you get the job done. You don’t need to know how to sew in order to use it — and each order includes 2,000 fasteners to get you started. The best part? It works just as well on denim as it does on wool, linen, or nearly any other soft fabric.

A microwavable bowl specifically designed to make perfect ramen

This bowl comes with three parts that give you everything you need for delicious ramen every time and all of the utensils you need for eating. Simply add ramen to the strainer bowl, put it in the larger bowl, add hot water, pop it in the microwave, and close the lid. When it’s ready, you can strain the noodles instantly then use the lid as a bowl to eat.

Stainless steel tongue scrapers that help remove gunk & freshen breath

If you haven’t added tongue scraping to your daily dental hygiene routine, you may just be missing out better breath. These stainless steel scrapers are ergonomically shaped with a U-curve to get into the back of your mouth and scrape your tongue from end to end. Each order even comes with a carrying pouch to take it with you on the go.

A spoon rest that looks like a huge mess on your counter

Bring some whimsy to your cooking routine with this hilarious spoon rest that looks like a massive spill on your countertop. It’s made from heat-resistant silicone thats durable and flexible enough to hold utensils straight out of boiling water. It’s a great way to keep your kitchen counter mess-free.

Flat suction cup drain stoppers that are great for a tub or sink

If you’ve replaced your bath’s drain with one of the hair catching — and bug stopping — ones so you thought you could no longer take a relaxing bath, this drain stopper is about to prove you wrong. Made from silicone with a built-in suction cup, all you have to do is place it over your drain, and it seals it up so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your bath time.

Highly rated felt sheets that go between pots & pans to protect them

You have to check out these amazing pot and pan protectors, which have a 4.8-star rating on Amazon. They’re made of a felt-like material in the shape of an asterisk that can be placed between your pots, pans, glass storage containers, and more to protect them from scratches and breaking while they’re being stored. They come in three different sizes, and they can also be used as trivets for hot dishes.

Silicone zip ties that are reusable & adjustable

Use these zip ties to organize all your wires and cables to keep your space nice and organized. The set comes with 20 ties in four different colors that are made of stretchy and flexible silicone that can adjust for smaller or larger wires. They can also be written on so you know what exactly everything is.

A stainless steel tumbler that helps maintain your drink’s temperature

This tumbler has a double walled vacuum insulation that keeps cold beverages cold for eight hours and hot drinks hot for six hours. It has a leakproof lid with an extra-large handle loop that can be used to carry or attach to your backpack or belt loop. It has a wide mouth that’s easy to refill and clean.

Reusable cloth towels that absorb 20 times their weight in liquid

Reduce your single-use paper products and swap out paper towels for these reusable cloths. They can be used for virtually all the same things — from wiping to cleaning to drying to dusting — but they can be cleaned in the dishwasher and reused. They can absorb up to 20 times their weight in liquid and come with a little hook to hang dry.

Stainless steel spoons shaped like shovels

If you love clever puns in your kitchen utensils, check out these spoons shaped like shovels. Made of stainless steel, the shovels can dig into a watermelon or shovel dinner into your mouth. They have a mirror polished finish that’s shiny and fancy looking with ergonomic handles for a comfortable grip.

An absorbent faucet mat that helps keep sink tops clean

Tired of wiping messy drip marks off your sink top? Then this faucet mat is worth a look. It’s made from absorbent diatomite earth that soaks up water, drying within just a few quick seconds to help keep your sink top looking clean. Plus, it also works great as a holder for soap, scrubbers, and more.

Brushes that can clean every nook & cranny of your water bottle

If you avoid cleaning your water bottle because it has so many tiny pieces, you have to check out this brilliant set with food-grade bristles and stainless steel handles. The set has three large brushes, three small brushes, and one brilliant tool to clean the rim, water outlet, and gaps so every nook and cranny can get clean enough to drink off.

Compression ice packs that fit all the way around your fingers

Great to sooth symptoms of arthritis, tendonitis, swollen joints, and other issues, these ice packs slide directly onto your fingers or toes to give you 360 degree relief. They’re reusable and have a one-size-fits-all design that’s non-toxic and latex-free. Just store them in the freezer so they’re ready when you need them.

A protective desk pad printed with handy Excel shortcuts

Add this protective pad to your desk, and it’ll help shield it from scratches, spills, dirt, and more. The nonslip underside helps keep it from shifting around as you type. And unlike some desk pads, this one is printed with dozens of handy Excel shortcuts to help you save time at work.

Clever blockers that help keep items from going underneath furniture

Tired of fishing toys out from underneath your couch? Consider these blockers an easy fix. They sit right at the edge of your furniture so that items can’t make their way underneath — and you can even customize their shape to suit nearly any piece of furniture. “I use these as an animal blocker for my treadmill,” wrote one reviewer. “They work great slipped under the treadmill mat I have [...].”

A unique candle that can burn for up to 80 hours

Don’t be surprised if guests ask where you bought this unique candle. The flame self-extinguishes when it reaches the clip — so there’s no need to worry about forgetting to blow it out yourself. And when you’re ready to light it again? Simply pull the beeswax coil upwards so that it’s ready to burn.

Colorful clips that secure pens onto notebooks

Attach a pen to your notebook using one of these clips, and it’ll always be ready to go whenever you need to jot down a few notes. Each clip is made from sturdy metal that provides a tight, secure fit — yet they aren’t so tight that they’ll leave behind crimps on your notebook cover.

A versatile pen that combines 4 gadgets into 1

This pen is one of those rare items that’s sure to come in handy across all sorts of scenarios. It features four tools built into one, including an LED flashlight, ballpoint pen, bottle opener, as well as a glass breaker — just in case you need to escape your car during an emergency. And since it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum, you can rest assured that it’s built to last.

A heat-resistant glove that helps keep hands safe when steaming clothes

It’s almost too easy to accidentally burn yourself when steaming wrinkles out of clothes — but that’s where this glove comes in handy. It’s filled with a thick, heat-resistant sponge that can withstand high temperatures, helping to keep your hands safe from hot steam. Plus, a pocket in the back allows air to circulate throughout so that your hand doesn’t grow uncomfortably sweaty.

Adorable glass mushrooms that let you propagate plants in style

Propagating plant trimmings is a clever way to increase the number of plants in your house without spending money, so why not grab these mushrooms? They work just as well for propagating plants as they do for displaying cut flowers — and each one is even made from sleek glass rather than plastic. “Perfect size for propagation or small flower bouquets,” wrote one reviewer. “Good quality, do not feel like they would break easily.”

A cute keycap substitute that looks like a pink flower

Not only is this keycap have an undeniably cute vibe, but installation is as easy as pressing it down onto your keyboard after you’ve removed your ESC key. And if you aren’t into pink flowers? You can also grab it as a cat’s paw, strawberry, piece of candy, or a bow.

A plant propagation station with a sleek LED backlight

Consider this propagation station a bougie alternative to those adorable little glass mushrooms. The LED backlight emits a soothing warm glow, and you can even adjust its brightness up to nine levels. But if that isn’t enough? The wooden frame also makes it appear more expensive than it is.

Scented gel pens with mesmerizing lava bubbles on the inside

Whether you’re jotting down important notes or simply doodling in a notebook, these gel pens are a solid pick. Each one is made with scented ink that comes in five different fragrances: fresh, in bloom, spicy, woodsy, or citrus. One reviewer also wrote that they “smell great and the lava aspects are entertaining when fiddling at desk down times.”

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