A wireless charger that’ll open up to reveal an array of cords to ensure you’ll be able to charge any device anywhere at anytime. Welcome to the future, my friends.
Amazon
Promising review: “I know everyone says this, but I REALLY don’t usually write reviews — really! I generally order from Amazon and once the purchase arrives I forget about it. But this is truly a great item to have around. It’s compact, has all the connections I need, has built-in wireless charging, supports micro SD cards so it can be used as storage, has a built-in light that’s pretty bright — it’s just so freakin’ handy! Order an extra one for a buddy so you can nerd out .” —Alex
An air fryer (from the makers of the INSTANT POT!!), perfect for anyone who hasn’t always been a big fan of leftovers but wants to make the most of all their delicious homemade meals. Best of all? You can crisp up your fave foods without all that oil.
Hannah Loewentheil / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed editor Hannah Loewentheil finally caved and bought an air fryer while in quarantine, and she’s glad she did:
“I’d been contemplating buying an air fryer for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I found myself cooking every night with my family due to COVID-19 that I finally decided it was the right time to get one. Friends of mine were raving about their new Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer, so after reading similar feedback on Amazon, I decided it looked like a winner. And it happens to be made by the same company that makes the crowd-favorite Instant Pot. I figured I would be using this appliance primarily as air air fryer, but as an added bonus, it can also roast, broil, bake, re-heat, and dehydrate food.
I’ve had this air fryer for about three weeks now, and I can honestly say it’s become the hero of my kitchen. It preheats quickly, it’s large enough to a good amount of food at once, it’s easy to clean, and it makes food taste crispy on the outside and moist on the inside without any oil. I’ve been using my air fryer to make vegetables just about every night and it makes them taste so good. If you’re cooking for kids, picky eaters, or you just don’t get so excited about eating vegetables, the air fryer could be perfect for you. If you like chicken, the air fryer might change your life, and I don’t mean that to be dramatic. The air fryer produces restaurant-quality chicken that tastes absurdly decadent, except there’s no oil involved in the cooking — just air. We also tried making sesame chicken in the air fryer using boneless skinless chicken thighs. The sesame chicken tasted almost identical to my favorite Chinese takeout, and it had nothing to do with my cooking skills. Thanks to the air fryer, the chicken gets so crispy. I couldn’t believe I made this at home!!”
BuzzFeed editor Hannah Loewentheil finally caved and bought an air fryer while in quarantine, and she’s glad she did:
“I’d been contemplating buying an air fryer for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I found myself cooking every night with my family due to COVID-19 that I finally decided it was the right time to get one. Friends of mine were raving about their new Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer, so after reading similar feedback on Amazon, I decided it looked like a winner. And it happens to be made by the same company that makes the crowd-favorite Instant Pot. I figured I would be using this appliance primarily as air air fryer, but as an added bonus, it can also roast, broil, bake, re-heat, and dehydrate food.
I’ve had this air fryer for about three weeks now, and I can honestly say it’s become the hero of my kitchen. It preheats quickly, it’s large enough to a good amount of food at once, it’s easy to clean, and it makes food taste crispy on the outside and moist on the inside without any oil. I’ve been using my air fryer to make vegetables just about every night and it makes them taste so good. If you’re cooking for kids, picky eaters, or you just don’t get so excited about eating vegetables, the air fryer could be perfect for you. If you like chicken, the air fryer might change your life, and I don’t mean that to be dramatic. The air fryer produces restaurant-quality chicken that tastes absurdly decadent, except there’s no oil involved in the cooking — just air. We also tried making sesame chicken in the air fryer using boneless skinless chicken thighs. The sesame chicken tasted almost identical to my favorite Chinese takeout, and it had nothing to do with my cooking skills. Thanks to the air fryer, the chicken gets so crispy. I couldn’t believe I made this at home!!”
This is the number one thing on my wish list right now — it’s so cool and I’m constantly staring at it in stores. I love that it has the ability to transform into a piece of art but also act as a room’s main source of entertainment.
Promising review: “This TV is badass! It’s more expensive, but that’s because it’s so much different than other TVs. If you hate the way normal TVs look, get one of these. It mounts flat against the wall and will look like a picture frame. The one connect box is great too. Just one cord comes down to a box you can stash somewhere that you connect all your inputs into. Definitely spend the extra money to get one of the other bezel covers. It really will look like a picture on the wall.” —Chris Fulmer
Get it from Amazon for $597.99+ (available in six sizes).
This is the number one thing on my wish list right now — it’s so cool and I’m constantly staring at it in stores. I love that it has the ability to transform into a piece of art but also act as a room’s main source of entertainment.
Promising review: “This TV is badass! It’s more expensive, but that’s because it’s so much different than other TVs. If you hate the way normal TVs look, get one of these. It mounts flat against the wall and will look like a picture frame. The one connect box is great too. Just one cord comes down to a box you can stash somewhere that you connect all your inputs into. Definitely spend the extra money to get one of the other bezel covers. It really will look like a picture on the wall.” —Chris Fulmer
Get it from Amazon for $597.99+ (available in six sizes).
4.
A splurge-worthy Dyson vacuum to help you attempt to tackle the never-ending influx of hair, fuzz, and dust that threatens to take over every crevice of your home.
Honestly, no matter which version of the Dyson stick vacuum you purchase, I can promise you’ll be satisfied with the results. I’ve used a variety of ’em and I can’t say enough good things about the product. It doesn’t hurt my back to use for an extended period of the time, the battery lasts long enough to clean my entire apartment, and it simply just WORKS. We have ours mounted in a narrow spot alongside our fridge — it’s really easy to keep in plain sight without being an eyesore.
Promising review: “I love this vacuum. The V10 doesn’t disappoint. While it’s weird to get used to holding this tiny piece of machinery, it really does an amazing job. It was incredible how much dog fur it picked up! I was pretty grossed out to be honest, to think I lived in this atmosphere for this long ‘thinking’ it was clean is nuts! I love all the attachments too, they are all top notch and well made. I feel like I can tackle my entire house with this bad boy. AND it’s lightweight! I use it on the lowest setting and it still picks up a ton. I don’t think I’ll ever need the high or medium setting. But I did try the highest setting for a few seconds and literally felt like the vacuum was ATTACHED to the floor, that’s how hard it sucked (in a good way)!” —Matthew Mintun
Get the V10 from Amazon for $403.87+ (available in three styles).
Honestly, no matter which version of the Dyson stick vacuum you purchase, I can promise you’ll be satisfied with the results. I’ve used a variety of ’em and I can’t say enough good things about the product. It doesn’t hurt my back to use for an extended period of the time, the battery lasts long enough to clean my entire apartment, and it simply just WORKS. We have ours mounted in a narrow spot alongside our fridge — it’s really easy to keep in plain sight without being an eyesore.
Promising review: “I love this vacuum. The V10 doesn’t disappoint. While it’s weird to get used to holding this tiny piece of machinery, it really does an amazing job. It was incredible how much dog fur it picked up! I was pretty grossed out to be honest, to think I lived in this atmosphere for this long ‘thinking’ it was clean is nuts! I love all the attachments too, they are all top notch and well made. I feel like I can tackle my entire house with this bad boy. AND it’s lightweight! I use it on the lowest setting and it still picks up a ton. I don’t think I’ll ever need the high or medium setting. But I did try the highest setting for a few seconds and literally felt like the vacuum was ATTACHED to the floor, that’s how hard it sucked (in a good way)!” —Matthew Mintun
Get the V10 from Amazon for $403.87+ (available in three styles).
5.
A mini tower with 10 outlets that’ll act as a battery backup so (God forbid!) the power goes out, you won’t lose all the progress you made building your dream home on The Sims.
Amazon
Promising review: “I am the proud owner of three of these (so far). They’re quiet when on AC power. They have great customization. I’ve muted the beeps and warnings so if the power kicks off, they just take over without distracting me further. I LOVE the two front USB plugs. I charge devices from them all the time. The LED screen is off by default until you press a button, so other than the dimly lit power button on the front, there’s no distracting lights or sounds under normal use on AC power. So, how well do they work? Well, I’ve owned a lot of UPSes. These are by far much quieter than any I’ve purchased from APC. They have a true sine wave output (which is amazing!), and the 1500VA is perfect for most electronics. The front screen will tell you how much of a load you have plugged in and even an estimate for how long the unit should run given that load if you lost power. So, no surprises!” —Ramze
Get it from Amazon for $134.95+ (available in four styles).
6.
AeroGarden’s Indoor Hydroponic Garden for anyone who always wanted to grow their own herbs but lives in an apartment and therefore has close to *zero* outdoor space.
Promising review: “I got this as a birthday present for my husband, the classic man who’s impossible to buy for, and he was thrilled with it. He’s a by-the-numbers kind of guy, and followed the directions carefully. As a result, all six of the herbs have germinated, and we are already using some of them (basil, thyme and dill) only three weeks later. One thing: the light is much brighter than I expected. The pictures show it as a pleasant glow, almost a night light. It’s bright. The timer keeps it on for 15 hours a day, so hopefully there’s a place in your house where it won’t reflect off the TV screen or light up somebody’s bedroom.” —Mary B.
A wireless remote kit that’ll make turning on your twinkle lights (or anything else you hook up to ’em!) a breeze.
Amazon
Promising review: “I absolutely love these! In my apartment I strung Christmas lights around the top of my bedroom and then did the same in my living room and kitchen. It makes my apartment so much cozier and bright without even having to turn on the overhead. I hated having to plug and unplug them though. When I found out about these, it made life so much easier. I could easily turn the living room ones on as the sunset to brighten up my room, and then if I moved to the kitchen my lights could come on or into my bedroom. And I could shut them off from the other room too. The controller does not have to be directly aimed at the receiver or unblocked. It works just fine from anywhere in my apartment even across doors.” —Brianna Curtis
Promising review: “Love love love this clock… sleek and definitely a statement piece. Alarm is subtle. It will definitely wake you up, however it will not scare the B-Jesus out of you. Love the extra ports on the side to charge other things with it.” —Meika B.
Get it from Amazon for $20.59 (available in two colors).
9.
A 64-piece iFixit kit for when your most-used gadget gives out and you’d rather try to repair it yourself than buy a new one.
My husband is admittedly a “gadget guy” and has one of these kits for as long as I can remember. He’s a big fan of the brand and loves that every set comes with a lifetime warranty.
Promising review: “Seriously, I have been repairing small electronics for decades now, over 30 dang years, and I will say this is probably the best deal and collection you can get for simple to even complicated repairs. It has a crapload of bits, but essentially everything you will need as opposed to the next larger offering, though I am still considering getting that for my dungeon downstairs. I keep this upstairs literally in the kitchen since a lot of impromptu repairs occur at the dining room table, but I have not been let down. This is top notch/quality material and manufacturing. It not only feels comfortable but is very strong and bits do not let go of screws. It has a great deal of bits too, 64 in fact. It pretty much covers all the phone and laptop screws you will encounter and even has some socket ones too. Nice touch.” —Riboild
A zippered sleeve to keep all of those pesky wires and plugs under control and out of your way so when you finally get around to hanging your fabulous new TV on the wall it won’t look like a hot mess.
Amazon
Between my phone charger, headphone wires, and keyboard wire, I’m constantly getting tangled in my web of wires at my desk. I’ll be ordering a pack of these ASAP!
Promising review: “Finally someone thought of a genius solution to organizing cables without having to unplug all wires and fishing them through an organizer. I used this cord management system for my entertainment unit as well as my workstation. It’s easy to use, just bunch everything together and zip the sleeve around it. It’s that easy.” —TypeCast2000
A splurge-worthy nontoxic Dutch oven you can use to make all kinds of delicious meals — from stews and loaves of bread, this versatile piece of cookware is essential for your kitchen.
Caraway Home
My parents have been using Caraway Home’s cookware set for over a year and are big fans. I can’t imagine this Dutch oven isn’t also up to par!
Promising review: “The care taken with every aspect of these pots is impressive. The packaging totally protected them. The color brightens my kitchen but most significant is how great a tool they are for cooking. Frying latkes this holiday season was easy, smoke-free and required a lot less oil than I ever experienced with previous pots.” —Ann B
Get it from Caraway Home for $125 (available in five colors).
Caraway Home
My parents have been using Caraway Home’s cookware set for over a year and are big fans. I can’t imagine this Dutch oven isn’t also up to par!
Promising review: “The care taken with every aspect of these pots is impressive. The packaging totally protected them. The color brightens my kitchen but most significant is how great a tool they are for cooking. Frying latkes this holiday season was easy, smoke-free and required a lot less oil than I ever experienced with previous pots.” —Ann B
Get it from Caraway Home for $125 (available in five colors).
12.
A garbage guard that’ll keep pesky flies and other insects from congregating around your can.
Promising review: “Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.) ” —Michael E. Bradley
Promising review: “Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor, just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.) ” —Michael E. Bradley
A Dewalt tool bag to store all the inevitable tools you’ll start to slowly acquire as you try to fix odds ‘n’ ends around your house.
Ace Hardware
My husband actually gifted these (filled with some basic tools) to all of his groomsmen as a thank you for being in our wedding! They all absolutely loved it and were thrilled to get a useful present instead of a novelty T-shirt or a flask.
Promising review: “One of the best bags I own. Fabric is thick and durable and stays upright even when full.” —Wynonasouthard
An electric pressure washer you can use to restore your deck or back patio to the way it looked when your first set foot on it — so clean you could eat off it! But…maybe don’t.
Promising review: “Power washer was delivered Monday, it’s Wednesday and I have washed two cars, cleaned driveway and sidewalks, cleaned back fence, and the work keeps piling up, everything I see now needs to be cleaned! This little dude does not back down, plenty of power and it’s surprisingly not too loud. Soap dispensers work great, and the tips are easy to change.” —Mar
Promising review: “Power washer was delivered Monday, it’s Wednesday and I have washed two cars, cleaned driveway and sidewalks, cleaned back fence, and the work keeps piling up, everything I see now needs to be cleaned! This little dude does not back down, plenty of power and it’s surprisingly not too loud. Soap dispensers work great, and the tips are easy to change.” —Mar
An 8-in-1 kitchen gadget tool complete with a funnel, a juicer, a grater, an egg cracker, a shredder, a can opener, an egg separator, and a measuring cup. You’ll never be without a must-have tool again!
Amazon
Promising review: “I highly recommend this product to everybody! It’s very convenient and it takes up less space. I just sit it right on the counter in my kitchen and just grab it when I need it. It’s ideal for everything — it’s perfect!” —jennifer h.
A Clorox ToiletWand that you can use then toss away — say SEE YA’ to that gross toilet brush hiding in the corner of your bathroom.
Target
I own and cherish this product. It’s a dream knowing the “brush” is fresh and hasn’t been intimate with the inside of my toilet prior to my picking it up again.
Promising review: “I’ve always hated the idea of storing a drippy, germ-filled toilet brush under the sink and this product totally solved the issue. The heads snap on and pop off easily without the need to touch them. Was very pleasantly surprised at how well the heads scrub the bowl, didn’t expect them to be that durable. I originally bought one for the master bath and loved it so much I bought one for each bathroom.” —Jessamine
Promising review: “It seems counterintuitive to put a little packet down your garbage disposal to clean it, but this does actually seem to work, at least for getting out weird smells that baking soda and vinegar don’t really touch. I scrub the sink down first, especially around the garbage disposal area, rinse it down, and then just follow the directions on the package. I have used it with single, large-size sinks and with double sinks — only difference is that the double sink will have blue cleaning foam rise up the drain, which you rinse away when the disposal sounds clear again. I have tried the foaming cleaner in a can, but unfortunately it stopped coming out of the can about 10% of the way through. Went back to this tried-and-true.” —KS
Promising review: “It seems counterintuitive to put a little packet down your garbage disposal to clean it, but this does actually seem to work, at least for getting out weird smells that baking soda and vinegar don’t really touch. I scrub the sink down first, especially around the garbage disposal area, rinse it down, and then just follow the directions on the package. I have used it with single, large-size sinks and with double sinks — only difference is that the double sink will have blue cleaning foam rise up the drain, which you rinse away when the disposal sounds clear again. I have tried the foaming cleaner in a can, but unfortunately it stopped coming out of the can about 10% of the way through. Went back to this tried-and-true.” —KS
Promising review: “I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the side and lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still work great and hoping they last for a long time.” —J. Argueta
Promising review: “I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the side and lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still work great and hoping they last for a long time.” —J. Argueta
A remote organizer, perfect for keeping your various remotes, clickers, channel changes (whatever you call it in your house) in check while looking chic.
You’re only human if you don’t know where your TV remotes are… ever. This contraption is perfect for storing remotes, house phones (if ya’ have one), and even your cell phone if you want to really focus on what you’re watching.
Promising review: “This remote control holder is the best I’ve ever owned. Not only is it elegant and attractive, it is nice and lightweight and has room for at least five remote controls, however depending on the thinness of the controllers, you could probably fit more in there.
Since it basically just sits on a side table, I believe it’s made of quality material, and will last a very long time. It matched my decor perfectly, and looks exactly as pictured.” —Nicole Cook
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five colors).
20.
A double extension cord so you can run an endless amount of power throughout your home without trying to track down another outlet.
Amazon
Each cord is six feet long and has three available plugs.
Promising review: “I have no idea why these are not sold everywhere. PERFECT for my room! I ended up getting this due to my king size bed being against a wall with only one outlet. I needed a way to connect my two lamps on my nightstand and this is absolutely, without a doubt, the very best solution to connecting my lamps and also not having all my outlets taken up. I recommend this to everyone! Also perfect for outlets connected to a switch to turn on and off both lights at the same time.” —Ryan
Get it from Amazon for $12.37 (available in two colors).
21.
A modular sofa or sectional featuring a “performance velvet” that can withstand spills, so you can sip vino and snack on cheese and crackers while watching The Bachelorette like always without worry you’ll ruin your new couch.
Maiden Home
This chic sofa is covered with handmade materials from local artisans in North Carolina. You’ll have the opportunity to test out 58 fabric options (though the emerald green velvet is my personal fave) and can choose the configuration of the couch to ensure it’ll fit nicely in your living space.
Promising review: “Have been looking for a leather modular sofa for a while to fit in the ever-changing space of my New York apartment. When I saw this launching I wanted something different than the Restoration hardware stuff some of my friends had. SO GLAD that I went with Maiden Home. So are the people who keep coming over to watch a game and never wanting to get up!
Delivery up my apartment building was a breeze and the sofa is soooo comfortable. Looks great, feels great, and can’t wait to add on to it in the future.” —Jeff W
Get it from Maiden Home: sofa for $2,900 ( (available in 2 configurations and 58 fabric styles) or sectional for $6,950 (available in 7 configurations and 58 fabric styles).
22.
A rechargeable lighter to light every candle in your house to create the *perfect* ambience without concern you’ll run out of lighter fluid.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon
I’m obsessed with candles, so it was a no-brainer for my husband to gift me this surprisingly super fun gadget for Christmas. It’s really simple to use and charge, and it really works! I’ll never have to buy another lighter again.
Promising review: “This is seriously the coolest device of my winter holiday. It makes lighting candles a breeze. Yes, there is a weird crackling noise, but that’s a super minor annoyance. It’s a super intuitive device. Plus the lighter with the USB (included), charge for a bit, then pop it open and light ALL THE THINGS; well, candles. I don’t know how well it lights cigarettes or whatever. However, for my personal intended use, it’s awesome!” —Jee W
I’m obsessed with candles, so it was a no-brainer for my husband to gift me this surprisingly super fun gadget for Christmas. It’s really simple to use and charge, and it really works! I’ll never have to buy another lighter again.
Promising review: “This is seriously the coolest device of my winter holiday. It makes lighting candles a breeze. Yes, there is a weird crackling noise, but that’s a super minor annoyance. It’s a super intuitive device. Plus the lighter with the USB (included), charge for a bit, then pop it open and light ALL THE THINGS; well, candles. I don’t know how well it lights cigarettes or whatever. However, for my personal intended use, it’s awesome!” —Jee W
A red wine stain remover, so you’ll forever be prepared when you inevitably spill vino all over your favorite white shirt when something shocking happens on The Real Housewives.
Promising review: “I’m sure if I knew more about science and chemistry, I’d understand how this stuff works — but since I don’t, I’ll just assume that it is MAGIC. If you care at all about your carpet, you need to have a bottle of this on standby. Over the years, we’ve used it to make numerous wine and red juice stains vanish before our eyes. The effect reminds me of the novelty shop disappearing-ink gag from when I was a kid.
Seriously, if you’ve never seen Wine Away in action, it’s worth spilling a little Cabernet on your carpet just so you can see it vanish after a few spritzes. I honestly wouldn’t believe how quickly this stuff works had I not seen it countless times with my own eyes.” —DarthClem
Promising review: “I’m sure if I knew more about science and chemistry, I’d understand how this stuff works — but since I don’t, I’ll just assume that it is MAGIC. If you care at all about your carpet, you need to have a bottle of this on standby. Over the years, we’ve used it to make numerous wine and red juice stains vanish before our eyes. The effect reminds me of the novelty shop disappearing-ink gag from when I was a kid.
Seriously, if you’ve never seen Wine Away in action, it’s worth spilling a little Cabernet on your carpet just so you can see it vanish after a few spritzes. I honestly wouldn’t believe how quickly this stuff works had I not seen it countless times with my own eyes.” —DarthClem
A seasoning kit from Spiceology that’ll give you the perfect opportunity to yell “BAM!” like Emeril and ensure you’ll have everything you need when whipping up that recipe you found on Pinterest months ago and finally got the nerve up to try.
I’ve tried an array of these spices and can confirm they are all delicious. As someone who isn’t a very adventurous eater, adding a little extra flavor to my dishes has helped keep my meals more interesting.
Promising review: “There’s a lot of choices that can be used on meats, veggies, eggs, and as marinades. A little expensive, but I haven’t found one I don’t enjoy.” —Claire
A pet stain and odor remover, so when your furry friend gets a little too excited that you just got home and decides to pee all over your shoes, it’s sort of OK.
Promising review: “This stuff works sooooo well. I have tried many other brands of pet stain remover, and this one is definitely the best. I have two indoor cats with hairball issues; they are often spitting up hairballs, or stomach acid only before or after the passing of the hairball. (Sorry for the TMI.) Of course, they only want to do this on the carpet and rugs. This stain remover effectively removes the bodily fluid, hairball, etc., with a nice, fresh minty scent and no sticky residue. I keep a bottle upstairs and downstairs so I don’t have to go hunting for it during those 2 a.m. hairball vomiting sessions (because, of course, that’s the only time they want to throw up).” —Heather Coburn-Schill
Get it from Amazon for $16.97+ (available in 32 oz. or one gallon and three scents).
Promising review: “This stuff works sooooo well. I have tried many other brands of pet stain remover, and this one is definitely the best. I have two indoor cats with hairball issues; they are often spitting up hairballs, or stomach acid only before or after the passing of the hairball. (Sorry for the TMI.) Of course, they only want to do this on the carpet and rugs. This stain remover effectively removes the bodily fluid, hairball, etc., with a nice, fresh minty scent and no sticky residue. I keep a bottle upstairs and downstairs so I don’t have to go hunting for it during those 2 a.m. hairball vomiting sessions (because, of course, that’s the only time they want to throw up).” —Heather Coburn-Schill
Get it from Amazon for $16.97+ (available in 32 oz. or one gallon and three scents).
26.
A Nest thermostat for anyone who likes to think they’re actually a meteorologist or likes to plan their hairstyle around what the humidity might be.
This smart thermostat will do all the work for you — and when you *do* actually have to make any updates to the temp in your home you can do it all from your phone, tablet, or laptop. The Nest thermostat learns your schedule and the temperatures you prefer and shifts into Eco Temperature mode when you leave to conserve energy.
Promising review: “We have had our best thermostat for a little over a year now and I have to say we love it. I would give 10 stars if I could!!! The features are amazing. I like that. You can adjust the temperature when you’re not home plus it syncs with the weather and knows when to adjust the temperature. Plus it knows when you’re home or away and learns your routine. We keep it set to a temperature range where in the winter it won’t go below a set temperature and in the summer it won’t go above a set temperature. No more switching back and forth between heat and AC in our crazy Texas weather. Our electric bill is significantly lower. It takes a couple weeks for it to learn your routine. We don’t ever even have to touch the thermostat.” —geogg arvesen
Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in five styles).
27.
A hybrid mattress to basically provide you with *two* mattresses instead of one — with a single flip you can go from an extra firm feel to a softer one without splurging on a new bed.
Idle Sleep
My in-laws had been trying to decide where to buy their next mattress from when I came across Idle’s hybrid mattress. It’s special because you can customize it for a specific feel on each side. Tired of sleeping on a too-soft mattress? Flip it over and enjoy a more firm one! It’s pretty cool — the shipping was incredible, as was watching the bed-in-a-box puff out into a massive, sturdy mattress in seconds. My in-laws are loving their new mattress and have zero complaints!
Promising review: “My husband wanted a flippable mattress, i wanted a mattress with pocketed coils, we both wanted a double sided firm mattress! The Idle Hybrid checked off all the boxes and more! The most comfortable mattress and sleep we ever had! Thank you Idle!” —Terri
Get it from Idle Sleep for $1,041+ (available in seven sizes).
28.
Rubbermaid’s power scrubbing brush, for when you want to give your grout an all-inclusive spa treatment and bring it back to its squeaky-clean glory.
Promising review: “Last night I was reborn. What is the cause of this renewed zest for life, you might ask? It was the use of the Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber on my shower grout. It elevated a simple baking soda-and-water solution to alchemical proportions. My pink-tiled shower, the one that came with my scummy apartment, the one that never looks clean no matter how many hours of backbreaking labor I put in, now looks bright, clean, and full of promise. An otherwise disgusting and dated purely utilitarian part of my home is now art. TL;DR: This this is absolutely incredible.” —Amazon Customer
Promising review: “Last night I was reborn. What is the cause of this renewed zest for life, you might ask? It was the use of the Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber on my shower grout. It elevated a simple baking soda-and-water solution to alchemical proportions. My pink-tiled shower, the one that came with my scummy apartment, the one that never looks clean no matter how many hours of backbreaking labor I put in, now looks bright, clean, and full of promise. An otherwise disgusting and dated purely utilitarian part of my home is now art. TL;DR: This this is absolutely incredible.” —Amazon Customer
A shelving system you can customize to fit your exact needs whether that means tall, short, or a combo of both. You can also add on to them over time, making them a worthy investment for any homeowner.
Floyd
Promising review: “Considered ordering these shelves for SO LONG and got tired of staring at a blank wall during quarantine. Great communication from Floyd and separate logistics company for shipping. Assembly definitely requires two people but the quality of the products is evident. I will say there are some tips that could be added if you’re like me and order one full unit with two add-ons, but overall process wasn’t bad. We are thrilled with the final product!” —Lynsey L.
Get them from Floyd for $485+ (available in tall, short, special, and combo sizing, 12 styles, and 6 colors).
30.
A hard water stain-remover because you shouldn’t want to shudder each time you reach to turn your shower on.
It can also work on toilets, tiles, and shower doors — anything that’s been affected by hard water!
Promising review: “I’m impressed. I thought the container was small for the price, but a little bit goes a long way. It takes a lot for me to review, but this is worth it. Five years in the hardest calcium-filled water and this is the first cleaner to remove it. I’ve tried scrubbing, only to scratch the surface. Every time I fill the water and ice at the fridge, I’m impressed by the result. I could see this working best, right at first.” —Joshua N. Dufek
And an all-natural tile and tub cleaner you can count on to effectively remove mold, mildew, and rust — just think of *how* satisfying your “before” and “after” photos will be.
Promising review: “I have an old shower/bathtub. I tried name brand shower cleaners and bleach to try and clean the soap scum off the tiles and tub. I had no luck and I would cough and get sick because of how strong the smell was. I thought I would try this to save my lungs. I sprayed my entire shower and left it for about 15 minutes. I came back and rinsed off the walls and they were shiny! I’ve never had such a clean shower. The smell is amazing and subtle. All I smell is tea tree and it didn’t affect me at all. The price is also a good deal since the bottle is pretty large. It came with the sprayer separate and the bottle sealed so it wouldn’t leak in the box. I highly recommend this.” —Amber Erwin
Promising review: “I have an old shower/bathtub. I tried name brand shower cleaners and bleach to try and clean the soap scum off the tiles and tub. I had no luck and I would cough and get sick because of how strong the smell was. I thought I would try this to save my lungs. I sprayed my entire shower and left it for about 15 minutes. I came back and rinsed off the walls and they were shiny! I’ve never had such a clean shower. The smell is amazing and subtle. All I smell is tea tree and it didn’t affect me at all. The price is also a good deal since the bottle is pretty large. It came with the sprayer separate and the bottle sealed so it wouldn’t leak in the box. I highly recommend this.” —Amber Erwin
Promising review: “The desk seemed to be exactly what I was looking for in terms of design and price. So when I received it, I was delighted with how nice it was. Assembly was a breeze, and I’d say it took me a half hour to put together. I can easily fit my two large monitors, as well as laptop, keyboard, etc., on it. The height range is more than ample. And most importantly I am already feeling the positive effects of standing during part of my workday.” —Twild78
Get it from Amazon for $238.87+ (available in three styles).
Promising review: “The desk seemed to be exactly what I was looking for in terms of design and price. So when I received it, I was delighted with how nice it was. Assembly was a breeze, and I’d say it took me a half hour to put together. I can easily fit my two large monitors, as well as laptop, keyboard, etc., on it. The height range is more than ample. And most importantly I am already feeling the positive effects of standing during part of my workday.” —Twild78
Get it from Amazon for $238.87+ (available in three styles).
33.
A pack of oven liners to protect the bottom of your oven from any overflow/oozing and let you continue on pretending you’re competing on The Great British Baking Show worry-free.
Amazon
Promising review: “I expected to be happy, but I’m thrilled! Each mat is pliable and fits the entire width of my standard oven. When the mat is against the back wall, it extends up to but not over the front lip of the floor. On first use, pizza cheese and sauce dripped onto the front edge of the mat and onto that uncovered lip. The baked-on cheese and sauce slid right off the mat! Effortlessly! After I cleaned up the lip, I layered a second mat to cover the lip. These mats are so great that I almost want food to drip on them so I can show off how wonderful they are.” —Artset Outset
An electric jar opener, because we all deserve to live in a world where we don’t need to ask someone else to open our salsa, sauce, or jams.
Bed Bath and Beyond
Promising review: “I have difficulty using a traditional opener. The Robo Twist is the perfect tool for anyone unable to grip and twist jar lids. It is an invaluable tool.” —Karen C
A compact eight-in-one spiralizer that’ll grate cheese, juice fruits, cut ribbon, and *so* much more. This lil’ gadget really does it all.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed, Amazon
BuzzFeed editor *and* zoodle-lover Emma Lord is obsessed with this gadget:
“I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I’ve started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it’s very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you’re ever portioning things out for a recipe.”
Promising review: “LOVE THIS. I absolutely love this. So far I’ve used the thicker spiralizer, two of the grater things, and then the juicer. I love how easy this makes keeping everything together. And it’s sharp so it actually cuts through things without you needing to work super hard to do it. The only thing I don’t love is that the spiralizers are a bit hard to clean, but I guess that’s with all of them? Not sure, this is the first I’ve owned. But, overall I’d recommend it :)” —Amazon Customer
BuzzFeed editor *and* zoodle-lover Emma Lord is obsessed with this gadget:
“I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I’ve started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it’s very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you’re ever portioning things out for a recipe.”
Promising review: “LOVE THIS. I absolutely love this. So far I’ve used the thicker spiralizer, two of the grater things, and then the juicer. I love how easy this makes keeping everything together. And it’s sharp so it actually cuts through things without you needing to work super hard to do it. The only thing I don’t love is that the spiralizers are a bit hard to clean, but I guess that’s with all of them? Not sure, this is the first I’ve owned. But, overall I’d recommend it :)” —Amazon Customer
A storage ottoman you can use to stow away things like throw blankets, shoes, books — whatever your heart desires! All that matters is that your home is about to look a lot more organized.
Ashley Home Store
Promising review: “This shoe ottoman is awesome. Great size and great storage. Insides are better than I expected. Perfect size at end of bed and pretty color. Excellent price. Would recommend.” —Saundra S.
Get it from Ashley Home Store for $152.99 (available in two colors).
37.
A Scotch-Brite refillable dish wand that *might* actually make you stop procrastinating doing your dishes for once (no one likes touching a grimy, wet sponge).
Amazon
Promising review: “I find this brush very easy to use when it comes to washing my pots and pans. I love that it’s very easy to hold and cleans all the hard to clean areas. I noticed that my dishes are much cleaner after I started using this.” —AmazonUser275
A wireless endoscope gadget you’ll absolutely want in your toolbox if you’re a homeowner — it has a teeny tiny camera on the end you can send behind walls or into drains to see what’s going on before calling in a professional.
Amazon
This is literally the only thing on my husband’s Christmas list. He found this online and was absolutely blown away by the technology. This tool connects to an app on your phone, allowing you to problem solve without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money.
Promising review: “This camera works so well it’s almost a joke. An overhead light in my boat’s cabin had severed wire. The hole to access the wire is not even 1/2” in diameter, and the gap in the ceiling is only 2” tall. Adjusted the semi rigid cable, located the severed wire, went back in with the hook attached, and voila!” —the family cook
This is literally the only thing on my husband’s Christmas list. He found this online and was absolutely blown away by the technology. This tool connects to an app on your phone, allowing you to problem solve without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money.
Promising review: “This camera works so well it’s almost a joke. An overhead light in my boat’s cabin had severed wire. The hole to access the wire is not even 1/2” in diameter, and the gap in the ceiling is only 2” tall. Adjusted the semi rigid cable, located the severed wire, went back in with the hook attached, and voila!” —the family cook
A NordVPN security system that’ll protect your data and privacy by encrypting your internet connection, so you can watch *all* the cat videos you want without being exposed.
Get a two-year plan from NordVPN for $3.71/a month (also available in one-month or one-year plans).
40.
Sticky Stakes to trap unwanted pests trying to feed off your plants and buzz annoyingly around your apartment. Toss your fly swatter in the garbage, you won’t be needing it anymore.
There is NOTHING more irritating than gnats or any other tiny insects invading your home. I have these Sticky Stakes in every potted plant I own and they actually really work! Each pack comes with seven traps, so feel free to stock up.
Promising review: “Holy cow these suckers work! I’m so grossed out by the result, but at the same time I have a sick sense of satisfaction. I used these in my house plants that are breeding fungus gnats like crazy. I used them in conjunction with beneficial nematodes, and they definitely cut down on the number of gnats in our house. Unfortunately I added a new house plant, plus repotted one that had outgrown its prior home, and we are wrapped up in them again. I’m buying another package of sticky traps as soon as I finish this review!” —Megan
Get them from Amazon for $5.09+ (also available in a pack of 12).
There is NOTHING more irritating than gnats or any other tiny insects invading your home. I have these Sticky Stakes in every potted plant I own and they actually really work! Each pack comes with seven traps, so feel free to stock up.
Promising review: “Holy cow these suckers work! I’m so grossed out by the result, but at the same time I have a sick sense of satisfaction. I used these in my house plants that are breeding fungus gnats like crazy. I used them in conjunction with beneficial nematodes, and they definitely cut down on the number of gnats in our house. Unfortunately I added a new house plant, plus repotted one that had outgrown its prior home, and we are wrapped up in them again. I’m buying another package of sticky traps as soon as I finish this review!” —Megan
Get them from Amazon for $5.09+ (also available in a pack of 12).
41.
A rustic wooden stand to hold your cookbook or tablet so you’ll be able to follow along with any recipe hands-free.
Amazon
Promising review “This cutting board style wood cookbook and iPad stand holder is very nice! I like the style and the convenience of having it in the kitchen. It doesn’t take up too much counter space and works very well for my cookbook.” —Jynnifer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three styles).
42.
Blackout curtains that’ll assure not a single ounce of sunlight gets into your room before your alarm goes off.
Promising review: “I loved that these curtains made our master bedroom darker. Perfect for sleeping in and for afternoon naps! It felt a little cooler, but I don’t know if that’s just because it was dark and my brain was playing tricks on me. These do not do any noise cancelling so you’ll still have to get earplugs for that. All in all I think they’re great!” —Nicole
Get them from Amazon for $23.59+ (available in three sizes and 15 colors)
Promising review: “I loved that these curtains made our master bedroom darker. Perfect for sleeping in and for afternoon naps! It felt a little cooler, but I don’t know if that’s just because it was dark and my brain was playing tricks on me. These do not do any noise cancelling so you’ll still have to get earplugs for that. All in all I think they’re great!” —Nicole
Get them from Amazon for $23.59+ (available in three sizes and 15 colors)
43.
A SinkShroom strainer you won’t know how you lived without because it’ll keep your kitchen sink unclogged no matter how much gunk you fill it with.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon
I bought this for myself (since I’m clearly a REAL adult) and OMG. This thing REALLY works. Usually when my husband makes sauce from scratch I’m left with chunks of tomatoes throughout my sink and water that WILL NOT drain — that was until I bought the SinkShroom. My mom was so impressed she bought one, too. It’s a serious game-changer.
Promising review: “I’ve been a fan of the SinkShroom and TubShroom, and this is the best product from the line so far. My kitchen sinks simply do not clog any more, so there’s no more reaching into a bunch of water to unclog anything with my hand.” —Brady Amerson
I bought this for myself (since I’m clearly a REAL adult) and OMG. This thing REALLY works. Usually when my husband makes sauce from scratch I’m left with chunks of tomatoes throughout my sink and water that WILL NOT drain — that was until I bought the SinkShroom. My mom was so impressed she bought one, too. It’s a serious game-changer.
Promising review: “I’ve been a fan of the SinkShroom and TubShroom, and this is the best product from the line so far. My kitchen sinks simply do not clog any more, so there’s no more reaching into a bunch of water to unclog anything with my hand.” —Brady Amerson
A sofa arm table that’ll be your saving grace if you have a relative who is forever complaining the coffee table is *waaaaay* too far from the couch.
Amazon
Promising review: “I love this!!! It is extremely sturdy, and I can use it to place my drink on it with confidence that it won’t fall! It’s the perfect solution to not having enough space for an end table!!!” —Michelle B
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three styles).
45.
A Google Nest Mini you’ll love because you can use it to listen to music (kitchen dance party!?), adjust the lights in your home, pause your TV, and ask silly questions.
My husband was hesitant about getting a device like this in our home, but after an hour he was sold. We have it in our kitchen and *kindly* ask it to play music while we cook and eat, use it to set timers while baking, and ask it funny questions. We love this lil’ gadget.
Promising review: “Got this gift for my mom and she loves it! Great sound and actually understands what you’re saying. It’s also a convenient size and can be moved around! Will buy again.” —Jvana
Get it from Target for $49 (available in three colors).
46.
A stainless-steel cleaner you can count on to make your appliances so shiny you won’t be able to stop staring at your own reflection in them (spoiler: you look GOOD!).
Amazon
This plant-based cleaner will remove streaks, smudges, and fingerprints from all stainless steel surfaces — sounds very therapeutic to me!
Promising review: “THIS Therapy Premium Stainless Steel Cleaner is AMAZING. New dishwasher and and a hungry dog are NOT compatible! Our small dog, 12 pounds, had a habit of stretching up her front paws and scratching her nails on the dishwasher while her food was prepared. Not even days had gone by and the new dishwasher had little thin claw scratches all down the front. I had stopped her by placing a footstool to block her, but other family members had not, despite my instructions. I tried several cleaners and had resigned to having a scratched appliance. But ONE try with the Therapy cleaner — yes, a *miracle*. The scratches cannot be seen at all — polished right out of sight. The dishwasher looks even better than when fresh out of the box — it is gleaming. I eagerly shared the success with my kitchen remodeler, who installs many appliances, and I hope others can restore their stainless products. Try it!” —L. Peterson
A set of produce-saving containers that’ll prevent your fruits ‘n’ veggies from spoiling quickly and *therefore* prevent *you* from wasting produce! Win-win.
Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed
My colleague Natalie Brown is a big fan of these. Here’s what she has to say:
“On March 5, I put half of my fresh strawberries in the medium-sized container and left the other half in the clamshell container they came in from the store. And here they are 10 days later, on March 15 (see above images)!!! The berry I left in the original container’s dehydrated and blemished, with wrinkled, crunchy leaves. (I’m not eating the leaves, but still.) But the produce-saver strawb is as fresh as it was on day one! Not that I wouldn’t eat the dehydrated one, if that was my only option, but given the choice? I’ll take a fresh strawberry every day!”
Get it from Amazon for $12.53+ (available in five sizes and in sets of two, three, and four).
Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed
My colleague Natalie Brown is a big fan of these. Here’s what she has to say:
“On March 5, I put half of my fresh strawberries in the medium-sized container and left the other half in the clamshell container they came in from the store. And here they are 10 days later, on March 15 (see above images)!!! The berry I left in the original container’s dehydrated and blemished, with wrinkled, crunchy leaves. (I’m not eating the leaves, but still.) But the produce-saver strawb is as fresh as it was on day one! Not that I wouldn’t eat the dehydrated one, if that was my only option, but given the choice? I’ll take a fresh strawberry every day!”
Get it from Amazon for $12.53+ (available in five sizes and in sets of two, three, and four).
48.
A standing weeder (without the chemicals!) for anyone with a bad back who still wants an award-worthy lawn.
Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to made weeding easy.
Promising review: “Oh my god, I friggin’ love this tool. I bought this on a whim given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weed was strangely satisfying! I don’t think anyone can say that weeding is fun but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled.” —JG
A handheld knife sharpener you can use to bring your most-used kitchen utensils back to life in a flash without destroying your countertop or cutting boards. Bobby Flay would be proud.
Amazon
Promising review: “I gotta say this is the best sharpener I ever bought in my whole life. I got it today and brought it to work. I work at a Japanese restaurant as a sushi chef and I sharpened it at work and, wow, my knife was as sharp as a samurai sword! Even my coworkers were surprised and asked me to order one for them. Thanks for the product! Now I don’t have to use the stone or sharpen rod that much anymore.” —Rodrigo
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in three colors).
A BBQ tool that’ll act as a spatula, tongs, and brush all in one! No more fumbling around for the right grill gadget while your burgers are ready to be flipped.
The Grommet
Promising review: “Bought it for my son in law for Christmas, a grill master! Loved not burning his wrist on the big grill, and can pick up all large cuts of meat and small pieces of vegetable without a problem. Very well-made. Extremely pleased with this purchase!” —Joyce
Get it from The Grommet for $16.95+ (available in 15, 18, or 21 inches).
51.
And a classic measuring tape with the motto your dad has likely said to you more times than you can count — he’ll be thrilled to see taking his advice!
Best Made
I gifted this to my dad last holiday season and he keeps it displayed on his work bench. My husband is also a huge fan of this brand and has an array of products, including this “Strongbox,” and can’t wait to invest in more when we move and he finally gets his own garage.
