Are you aware there is a cheap, fast, and easy solution to your messy junk drawer? A better way to cut fruit? A hack for making cheap wine taste expensive? How about something that’s better than toilet paper? Or even a smarter way to dispense toilet paper? If you don’t spend your free time wandering the aisles of specialty stores, how would you know about any of these things? (And so many others.) By reading this list of 60 cheap things with over 4.5 stars on Amazon that are clever as hell. That’s how. Let’s do it!
These clever cable ties
Wrap-It Storage Self-Gripping Cable Ties (40-Pack)
Grab a 40-pack of these self-gripping cable ties and tackle your messy charger, power cord, and USB cable situation. The ties come in an assortment of colors and two sizes so you can design your own color-coding system. They attach to the cord so you can grab a cable, use it, and rewrap it easily. Over 4,000 people give these five stars.
A better cold brew coffee maker
Bean Envy Cold Brew Coffee Maker
A delicious cold brew coffee is the fastest, tastiest, and most powerful form of liquid energy. And this cold brew coffee maker creates the easiest and most fool-proof cold brew coffee. And it doubles as a cold brew tea maker. Fill the center column with grounds or leaves, leave it in the fridge overnight, and enjoy.
This footrest that is so soft & versatile
Everlasting Comfort Foot Rest
Make working more comfortable by putting your feet up on this footrest! Elevating your feet while sitting at a desk relieves pressure from your lower back and improves your circulation. This memory foam cushion will also go under your knees when you lie on the couch and you can flip it over to incorporate a bit of movement while you sit. It comes in four colors.
These butt wipes made with aloe
Goodwipes Flushable Butt Wipes Made w/Soothing Botanicals & Aloe – Soft & Gentle Wet Wipe Dispenser for Home Use, Septic & Sewer Safe – Largest Adult Toilet Wipes – Rosewater, 480 count (8 packs)
When dry toilet paper isn’t getting the job done, reach for these flushable butt wipes for a cleaner clean down there. These packable dispensers are easy to take along and to set somewhere discreet in your bathroom. The soothing aloe, vitamin E, lavender, and chamomile feel great and the wipes aren’t so wet that you’ll need a towel afterward.
A colander that expands over the sink
Nourished Essentials Over The Sink Strainer Colander Expands from 14 to 19 inches - Multi-Purpose Sink Colander for Efficient Food Preparation - Ideal for Rinsing, Draining, Thawing, and Drying - Blue
This expandable colander is such a clever kitchen solution that you will wonder how you lived without it. Stretch it over the sink and drop all the tomatoes or grapes into it for a fast shower. Then let them drip dry before you put them away. It makes draining a pan of pasta easy and offers a spot for your coffee cup to dry. It comes in three colors.
The bird feeder that’s like wildlife TV
Window Bird Feeder with Strong Suction Cups - Innovative Anti-Yellowing Acrylic Technology - Extra Large 4 Cups Lock in Place Seed Tray
Invite the neighborhood’s feathered residents over for breakfast so you can get to know everyone by mounting this bird feeder to a window. You — and your cat — will love watching the social dynamics of the local avian community and they will appreciate having a nice place to gather for a snack. Big suction cups hold it securely and a roof (and drain holes) keeps the food and visitors dry.
The electric lunch box that cooks a hot meal while you work
Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box
Pack an easy lunch by dropping the ingredients into this electric lunch box and plugging it in when you get to work. It will slowly cook or warm your food while you work so that lunch is ready when you are ready to eat it. “I can put my leftover meal in the pot, close the lid, and — in two hours — I have a meal. Clean-up is simple,” said one reviewer.
This clever tool for prepping strawberries
Chef'n Original Stem Gem Strawberry Huller
When you want to toss strawberries into a salad or use them in a desert, you first have to get the stem out. That can involve some fancy knife skills and annoyance unless you have this strawberry huller. This cute tool makes fast work of this chore, grabbing the stem and removing it in one gesture.
The oven mitts that look like a dog
OTOTO Hot-Dog Oven Mitts
Protect your hands and make everyone laugh by wearing these hot dog oven mitts when you remove your hot casserole from the oven and bring it to the table. The wrap-around design and thick quilting protect your hands — and the rest of you — from the heat and look adorable doing it. “Makes baking a little more fun,” said one reviewer. “It's made me more comfortable handling bigger dishes and pots without feeling like I'm going to burn myself.”
This hack for traveling with a Beauty Blender
Bpluma Beauty Sponge Holder (2-Pack)
Once you discover the perfection of blending your makeup with a beauty sponge, you will need a way to take that tool on the road when you travel. This beauty sponge holder is the way. It keeps your sponge clean and separated from everything else in your makeup kit while allowing a just-washed sponge to dry. This is a two-pack and it comes in lots of colors.
The smart way to press tofu
TofuBud Tofu Press - Tofu Presser for Firm or Extra Firm Tofu, Tofu Press Dishwasher Safe - Tofu Maker with Water Drainer Made from Durable Sustainable Materials - Tofu Cookbook Included
Put away the big book and that odd selection of plates and cutting boards you improvised. Drop your tofu into this tofu press instead and do the job right. You can choose the pressure level, depending on the kind of tofu you are working with. And it will drain your tofu so you can air fry it or grill it in just 15 minutes. It’s easy to clean, too.
This wine aerator so your cheap wine tastes good
TenTen Labs Wine Aerator Pourer (2-Pack)
Your budget dictates that you select affordable wine. But you don’t have to choke down cheap vino. Pour it through this wine aerator and it will turn that inexpensive bottle into a nice wine on the way to your glass. It infuses the optimal amount of air into your wine letting you taste the wine’s subtle flavors instead of harsh tannins. This is a two-pack.
These pretty oil dispensers
FineDine Oil Dispenser (2-Pack)
Use this oil dispenser to make cooking oils and salad dressings easier to pour. Whip up your recipe or simply transfer a bulk-sized oil into this handy container and you can grab the bottle and pour the oil or dressing directly into the pan or food. This is a two-pack and it comes with a funnel, labels, and four pour spouts.
A big to-do list that breaks down your week
Weekly Desk to Do Pad 11"x17" (Assorted Patterns)
Plan your week on this big weekly desk to-do pad so you know what’s happening and when. The pages are adorned with 10 different styles of graphics and each day has room for everything you need to remember. The pages are not dated so you can skip a week — or several — without wasting paper. “One of the most helpful schedule/organizers I have bought over the years,” said one reviewer.
This organizer for your car
Lusso Gear Car Organizer for Front Seat or Car Seat, Ultra-Durable, One-Size-Fits-All Car Storage Organizers, Keeps Supplies Secure & Upright, Premium Car Seat Organizer for Kids & Adults (Black)
Bring order to your car seat so that you and your passengers can find everything from charging cables to water bottles to entertainment without creating chaos in the car. This car organizer hangs over the seat, facing either the back seat or the front, and has multiple pockets for everything from pens to notebooks to laptops and cell phones. It comes in three colors.
A glass that chills the vino
luxail Freezer Wine Cups (2-Pack)
When you crave a glass of crisp, cold, white wine but there is nothing in the fridge, pour warm wine into these freezer wine cups. The cooling gel built into the stemless glass chills the wine to the perfect sipping temperature and keeps it there so you can take your time sipping it.
A folding phone stand
Lamicall Foldable Phone Stand
Drop your phone onto this phone stand so the screen can serve as a useful display as you work. It makes it easy to see the time, follow a video hands-free, and more. And it folds up small so you can take it with you when you travel. It comes in seven colors and gets over 20,000 five-star reviews.
This trick for remote controlling the lights
DEWENWILS Remote Control Light Socket with Timer
You don’t have to rewire anything to control a light with a remote control. This remote control light socket makes this easy to set up. Screw it into the light socket and screw the light bulb into it. Now you can use the remote to turn the light on and off and to put it on a timer so it turns off when you leave the room. You can even choose a random time for it turn off to fool potential burglars.
These nesting dolls that measure
Genuine Fred Matryoshka Measuring Cups
Traditional nested dolls are often a piece of beauty that you study, play with, and set aside to admire. These measuring cups are the functional version of that. When not in use, they are a marvel of nesting-doll perfection. But when you are baking, use them to measure flour, sugar, and more. The largest is 1 cup. The smallest is 1/4 cup.
A pizza perfect cutting board
Checkered Chef Round Wood Cutting Boards - 13.5 Inch, Reversible Pizza Board w/ 8 Slice Grooves - Cheese Charcuterie Board
If pizza is your favorite at-home comfort food — whether you make it from scratch or pull it from the freezer — why not get it right? This round wood cutting board has slice grooves to cut that pie into perfect slices. And the rocker pizza knife that pairs with it cuts a straight piece — easily — every time. The board flips over so you can use it to serve charcuterie on non-pizza nights.
A duster that bends to fit
DocaPole Microfiber Flex-and-Stay Ceiling Fan Duster with Removable Microfiber Chenille Dusting Cloth; Use by Hand or Attach to DocaPole Telescopic Extension Pole (Pole Not Included)
This clever duster is the tool you need to get everything from the ceiling fan to that impossible-to-reach space under the furniture. The bendable dusting head is covered in microfiber fingers that grab dust and hold onto it until you can get rid of it. You can attach it to an extender pole to reach just about anything. “This thing is awesome,” said one reviewer. “I can easily reach wherever I need to to clean and wipe things down.”
This easy mask that does hot & cold
Thrive Gel Bead Hot and Cold Eye Masks, Reusable Gel Bead Ice Pack Provides Ice and Heat Pain Relief for Head, Migraine, Puffy Eyes, Beauty, Relaxing, and Sleep (Blue)
Need a moment of calm or some anti-headache therapy? This gel bead ice pack delivers. Heat it in the microwave to deliver relaxing heat while you lie down. Freeze it to stop a migraine in its path with a targeted cold treatment. It de-puffs and calms inflamed eyes, too. It comes in four colors and has its own storage bag to keep it clean.
These self-watering plant pots
Hallops Self Watering Planter (7/6.5/6/5.5/5 Inch) - 5 Pots with Saucers - Garden Plant Pots with Easy Bottom Holes for Healthy Flowers, Herbs, and House Plants for Indoor with Drainage - Green
Some thirsty plants can go from healthy to dramatic wilting in what seems like hours. These self-watering planter pots can help you stay ahead of it. Fill the water well in the bottom via the watering inlet so absorbent wicks can pull water to the roots. Your plant gets water but the roots don’t have to sit in it. This is a pack of five in a variety of sizes.
A phone holder for the shower
Lamicall Shower Phone Holder
Take your entertainment with you next time you head into the shower or for a soak in the tub by securing your phone in this phone holder. It keeps water away from your delicate electronics but still allows you to touch and see the screen. Mount it to the wall or set it on a flat surface.
A smart light bulb
Govee Smart Light Bulb
Upgrading your lighting to smart lights is as easy as changing a light bulb. Replace your standard bulb with this smart light bulb and you can immediately turn the lights on and off by issuing commands to your Google Home or Amazon Alexa, change the color and brightness of the light, set schedules, and more.
This clear shower curtain that lets in the light
NTBAY EVA Clear Shower Curtain
Keep the water in the shower without turning that shower into a dark cave by hanging this clear shower curtain. It lets light through and creates an open feel in the bathroom while the magnetic anchors hold it steady to keep water where it should be. The texture obscures the view. It comes in 10 colors and textures and four sizes.
These adorable sprouting bookmarks
Genuine Fred SPROUT Little Green Bookmarks (6-Pack)
When you use these little green bookmarks to note your place in a book or to mark a recipe you turn to often, the top of your reading material turns into an adorable, sprouting garden. “I love how these are soft (like real leaves) and can either be folded within the pages or be placed in by only the stem so it looks like a sprout sticking out of the book,” said one reviewer.
A wall rack that retracts
Hallops Retractable Hook - Black Coat Rack Wall Mount - 15.7 x 2.3 in Metal Hardwood Base with 5 Folding Coat Hooks - Space-Saving Design Coat Hangers Ideal for Small Living Spaces Holds up to 5lbs
Hang this coat rack in an entryway to create an easy place to hang your keys, hat, and jacket as you enter your home and it will help keep the rest of your living space clutter-free. It works well in a small bathroom as a place to hang towels, too. The hooks retract when not in use.
This trick for cooking veggies on the BBQ
Cave Tools Non Stick Grill Basket
When the grill is hot, you can use it to cook everything from vegetables to shrimp into a side dish or stir fry if you have this grill basket on hand. The solid metal — with slots so heat and smoke can get through — heats up hot to cook foods to BBQ goodness but small things won’t fall into the fire.
A multi-tool for eating anywhere
Outlery Survival Pocket Knife - Functional Backpacking Knife with Utensils and Utility Tool - Multifunction and Tactical for Camping or Hiking - Silver, Stainless Steel Multitool - H0.9xL4xW1.3 Inches
Drop this steel multi-tool into your lunch box, day pack, or backpacking rig so you always have a way to eat whatever is in front of you. A fork, spoon, knife, and wine opener jackknife out of the base Swiss-army-knife style to help you survive everything from the wilderness to the lunch room at work to a summer concert.
This TP dispenser with a phone shelf
Vdomus Toilet Paper Holder with Shelf
Change out your old toilet paper holder for this updated one and you will have a place to set your phone when you go. You won’t have to struggle with a spring-loaded roll holder, either. The holder on this one is easy to load and has a lip to keep the roll secured. “I might change all my rollers to this because it's so much easier just sliding a new roll on,” said one reviewer. “Plus the little shelf comes in handy when you need a spot to watch some YouTube or Netflix.”
This tool for a cleaner mouth
Oralganix 2-in-1 Tongue Cleaner (4-Pack)
Take your dental hygiene — and the smell of your breath — up a notch by working this tongue cleaner into your routine. The soft brush on one side gently scrubs your tongue while a scraper on the other side gently removes tongue buildup so your breath is fresh and your taste buds are free to enjoy.
A spoon rest that looks like ravioli
Genuine Fred SAUCED UP Ravioli Spoon Rest
If you need a spoon rest, why not add a cuisine-inspired visual vignette to the kitchen? This ravioli spoon rest looks good enough to dip into sauce and eat but is, in fact, a big, billowy silicone spoon rest that’s there to catch spills before they make a mess of your kitchen surfaces. “A really fun and practical spoon rest,” said one reviewer. “I chuckle every time I see it on my kitchen counter and enjoy cooking with it.”
A safer system for cutting food
Cooler Kitchen Bamboo Cutting Board Set (7-Piece Set)
When you use the same surface to cut raw meat and fresh foods, you risk cross-contamination. This bamboo cutting board system prevents the raw meat bacteria from mixing with your fruits or the garlic flavor from messing up your dessert. There are six color-coded surfaces inside the board. Pull out the appropriate one and lay it on top before you cut to stay safe.
A handle for hoses & big extension cords
Wrap-It Storage Straps (2-Pack)
Make hoses, long extension cords, and other hard-to-carry items more manageable and easy to store with these storage straps. Wrap up a coiled hose or extension cord and it will stay that way and you will have a handle to grab. You can hang that handle from a hook in your storage area, too, so you don’t have to wrangle that item till you need it again. This is a pack of two.
This white board for your desk
Quartet Glass Dry Erase Computer Pad
Drop a whiteboard right where you are sure to look at it: in front of your computer screen. This dry erase computer pad is the perfect place to jot reminders, notes, and helpful data. And there is a drawer under it to store essential office supplies. “Such a clever tool for anyone with a desktop,” said one reviewer. “So convenient for quick note-taking while on the phone or jotting down quick figures.”
These motion-sensing night-lights
Mr. Beams Motion-Sensing LED Stick-Anywhere Night Light (3-Pack)
Stick these clever motion-sensing LED lights somewhere on your path from bed to the bathroom, on those dark stairs that are scary in the night, or near your entryway door so you can see to get in the door. They throw a soft, 20 lumens of light, turn on when you approach, and turn off again when no one is around.
This clever trick for not dropping your phone in the sand
Home Queen Beach Cup Holder with Pocket (2-Pack)
Bring this handy beach cup holder to your next beach day so you have a place to set your drink down and stash your phone or sunglasses so they don’t get lost in the sand. Jam the spikes into the sand or dirt and the cup holder stands up, ready to hold your gear. They come in five colors.
An insulated cup sleeve that’s so cute
Sok It Hot Sok Reusable Insulated Neoprene Cup Sleeve
Dress your take-out beverage in an insulated neoprene cup sleeve so hot coffee doesn’t burn your hand and cold beverages keep their cold sweat off your car’s interior. You won’t have to add another piece to the growing, global garbage pail and you will walk around in style.
These magnetic curtain tiebacks
Hion Magnetic Curtain Tiebacks (2-Pack)
Don’t overthink your curtain situation. Sometimes, simplicity is the best approach. These magnetic curtain tiebacks pull the curtains into a decorative gather with almost no effort. Choose a color and a shape for the magnetic decoration and you are done. “A clever idea,” said one reviewer. “[I] have them for ALL my windows!”
A holster for your lip balm
Cute Elastic Lip Balm Holder Keychain | Cool Lip Balm Sleeve for Men & Women (Black)
Keep a lip balm handy at all times by sliding a tube into this cute elastic lip balm holder and clipping it to your keychain or purse. There are 21 patterns to choose from. “I love this little guy,” said one reviewer. “It's minimal, so I hardly notice it [but] I always have my chapstick handy when I need it.”
A storage system for your hats
Perfect Curve Hat Organizers (2-Pack)
If you have a substantial hat collection, you need a way to store them or they will litter the house and you will never be able to find the one you want. This two-pack of hat organizers turns the back of a door into the perfect system. It’s easy to install and hold 19 hats in a space that probably wasn’t doing anything.
This tiny but powerful backup battery
INIU Portable Charger
Pocket this tiny portable charger and you will never get to the end of the day, staring at 3% of battery and hoping to make it to your destination. It can power three devices at once, has a USB-out port for your new phone, tells you how much power it has left on a cute screen, and boasts a pop-out phone stand.
These spring-loaded cable clips
Lamicall Cable Spring Holder Clips (5-Pack)
Use these cable holder clips to end the frustration of charging cables that are never where you want them to be. Stick one to the table where you charge your phone or to the car dash so the cord doesn’t slip to the floor or get in your way. This is a pack of five and they come in black or white.
A magnetic paper towel dispenser
Katzco Magnetic Paper Towel Holder
With this magnetic paper towel holder, you can have a roll of paper towels wherever you want. Stick it to the side of the fridge, your workbench, or the BBQ. The two-piece design makes it easy to accommodate whatever paper rolls you prefer. “I have a very small kitchen. I [...] put this under a little metal shelf,” said one reviewer. “No more paper towels taking up my limited counter space.”
This mug warmer so your cuppa is never cold
Home-X Mug Warmer
How often do you reach for your cuppa only to find it went cold while you were thinking about something else? Next time, set it on this mug warmer. It will hold that beverage at the perfect sipping temperature until you remember it. “I use mine all day,” said one reviewer. “It's so nice to have my drink at just the right temperature.”
The makeup bag that lets you spread out
Lay-n-Go Cosmo Drawstring Cosmetic & Makeup Bag Organizer
Next time you travel, carry your makeup in this clever bag organizer. You can lay everything out, just as you like to work with it, and when it’s time to pack it up gather it closed with the drawstring. The loops hold your brushes and tools in place, a zippered pocket keeps jewelry safe, and everything else spreads out so you can find it. It comes in 31 colors and patterns.
The easy way to cook eggs
Dash Rapid Egg Cooker
Making the perfect egg breakfast is so easy with this rapid egg cooker. It does all the work, times everything perfectly, and dings when your meal is ready. It is genius at making hard-boiled eggs, which are challenging in a pan. But it can also whip up poached eggs, omelets, and more. It comes in seven colors.
A screen door that’s pretty & easy
Augo Magnetic Screen Door
Go ahead and open the doors. If you mount this magnetic screen door in the entryway, you won’t have to worry that bugs will invade the house. It hangs easily and closes itself with the strip of magnets on the center seam. Pets and children can come and go without your help but the bugs cannot negotiate their way through. “An attractive and very clever alternative to a more expensive screen door solution,” said one reviewer.
This witch that helps you cook
OTOTO Agatha Kitchen Spoon Rest
This adorable purple witch is a helpful kitchen assistant. Set her on the side of a cauldron and she will act as a spoon rest so it doesn’t slide into the brew or hold the lid up to let steam out of your potions. There is a pink option, too. “So adorable I don't store mine in the drawer with my other kitchen gadgets,” said one reviewer. “She sits on top of my stove and wards off evil cooking spirits.”
A shower mirror that won’t fog
ToiletTree Products Fogless Shower Mirror with Squeegee
Shaving in the shower is more convenient and better for your skin and beard than shaving dry at the sink. But how do you see what you are doing? This shower mirror is the key. Mount it to the wall and fill it with warm water from your shower. It won’t fog. There is a spot to store your razor and it comes with a squeegee.
These drawer organizers that you can configure
Vtopmart Clear Plastic Drawer Organizers Set (25-Pack)
Bring order to a desk drawer, the bathroom vanity, or anywhere you store small items. This pack of 25 drawer organizers fits together neatly to fill that space with small containers that keep all those items orderly. It comes with silicone pads to stick to the bottom of each bin so they don’t move around. Choose from five colors.
The hand towel that’s a cat
Agrimony Cat Hand Towel
Sure, you could hang an ordinary hand towel in the bathroom. But why would you when this cat hand towel is so cute and snaps to the towel rack with its front paws? Choose from 34 styles of animals, mostly cats. Some of the cats are happy, some are sad, and some are wearing outfits. Choosing one won’t be an easy decision but it will be well worth the effort.
The cactus that holds your jewelry
PUDDING CABIN Aloe Ring Holder
Set this ceramic aloe plant on your dresser or vanity. It looks pretty and is an effective ring holder. The dish it sits in will also hold earrings, chains, watches, or whatever else you like to shed at the end of the day. There are four options to choose from so, if you have a lot of jewelry, you could line them all up and turn your dresser into a bling garden.
This spoon & cheese grater
OTOTO Pasta Spoon & Cheese Grater
This multi-talented kitchen tool is a pasta spoon, cheese grater, and fun conversation piece all in one. One reviewer says, “I love using this scooper combo grater when I am communing with my spaghetti monster appetite!” For just around $10, this spoon will bring so much joy to cooking and eating in your kitchen.
This dog collar that lights up
Blazin' Safety LED Dog Collar – USB Rechargeable with Water Resistant Flashing Light, Small, Blue
Next time you take your canine companion outside at night, this genius invention will change the game. This LED dog collar lights the way in style. It can be seen from 1,000 feet away so you don’t have to fear accidental encounters with vehicles. It’s USB rechargeable and comes in three sizes and eight colors.
This water bottle pouch & carrier bag
Nuovoware Water Bottle Carrier Bag
Where do you put your water bottle when you are out and about? If you slip it into this water bottle sleeve, you can carry it on your shoulder so it’s always handy and not getting left behind. The pouch keeps your keys and essentials handy, too.
A better way to get everything out of bottles
Flip-It! Premium Bottle Emptying Kit (2-Pack)
How much time and energy have you wasted trying to get the last bit of shampoo, conditioner, or lotion out of the bottle? This bottle emptying kit will do that work for you. Replace the cap of your containers with the tripod-like lid and invert the bottle so the product is always primed and ready to go. This is a pack of two.
This under-desk tray for wires
KabelDirekt No-Drill Under-Desk Cable Management Tray
Get those wires, power strips, and plugs off the floor so they don’t impede the vacuum cleaner or tempt the cat by hanging them all from your desk in this cable management tray. It clamps on easily and gives you access to the plugs so you can change up your rig or charge things but nothing will clutter the floor or your desktop.
This stopper that keeps wine fresh
WOTOR Wine Saver Pump with 4 Vacuum Stoppers
Air is the enemy of wine. If you re-cork a wine, it will only taste good for a day or two before the air that’s trapped in the bottle spoils the flavor. This wine saver pump removes that air so you can take your time finishing that bottle. Insert it into the top of the bottle and pump to remove the air. Your wine will stay fresh for up to 15 days. It comes with four stoppers so you can store up to four bottles.