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51 Products So Useful You Might, I'm Sorry, Have A Little Cry

Nov 16, 2023

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

I'm not crying, I just have something in my eye. It's emotions.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "I love the finish on the bottle! I hate holding wet water bottles and this does NOT sweat! It also holds two full bottles of 16.9-oz. packages water bottles so it's very easy to get my full water intake on the go! Easy to carry, fits in my car's cup holders perfectly (not big at all like some water bottles). I got the ombré purple to teal and it's very true to color. Easy to clean, wide enough for bottle brushes, and the straw stays put. I also love how I just push the little button by the mouthpiece and it just pops open quick for easy drinking (if you’re driving and don't need to be messing around opening bottles😉). Highly recommend this water bottle. For the price, it's amazing! Keeps my water cool for hours too." —Alicia

Get it on Amazon for $15.99 (available in 13 colors).

It comes empty so don't forget to fill it up!

Promising review: "I purchased this keychain combo pack as a joke for my son's birthday. Sriracha is his favorite condiment and he has been known to bring a full-size bottle with him when he goes out to eat. He was thrilled with this! It was his favorite gift!" —DixieKnitter

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "These are so cool. Tied up in your hair you can't tell it has a pocket. I got cash, chapstick, a key, and a small knife in it and still tied my hair up fine. What more could you want? I read that the zipper isn't enough to set off a metal detector. Definitely get them in black if you're trying to be discreet. I would buy again but the quality is great I bet they will last a long time. I gave a couple away to friends. They loved them." —Amanda

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in multiple pack styles).

It has a two-step filter that removes 99.99% of contaminants, and it comes with direct connect hoses to hook right up to the standard 3/8" valves in U.S. kitchen sinks. It's designed to be installed in under three minutes.

Promising review: "We have town water and it seems they are putting more and more chlorine in it every year. We should be getting used to it and tasting it less and less, not more! The refrigerator filters are super expensive and weren't cutting it. Every time I put a glass to my mouth it smelled like a swimming pool. I searched the internet and decided to give this a try due to the positive reviews and affordability. Wow! easy install (I'm an avid DIYer). And the taste! The chorine taste is just gone! No more overpriced fridge filters for us. I love that the filter replacement procedure is basically the same as a fridge. Just twist and remove. We love it so much I teed off the fridge line and put a dispenser at our sink as well. The flow on this thing is just amazing! And the water tastes great! Don't waste your money on the expensive, complicated ones. My parents have a three-chambered, name brand filter at their house. It was expensive, the replacement filters are expensive, it is a pain in the petunias to replace the filters, and the flow rate is pathetic! But guess what! Our water from this filter tastes just as good as theirs at a fraction of the price, plus it's way more convenient, plus the flow rate is way better. I just can't say enough. Love, Love it! You will too!" —BJ

Get it from Amazon for $74.99.

Promising review: "I got some gunk on the outside of a stainless steel pan which I was very fond of and could NOT get the crap off. It ended up in the dishwasher and the gunk turned into something like thick, permanent enamel. I did a Google search and found this was highly recommended. I used it, and it worked! I made a paste, painted it on half the pan, left it, came back, scrubbed with a no-scratch scrubber, and it came off. It's gone. I’m definitely going to keep this stuff around." —Arlington Anne

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.95.

This anti-frizz material is capable of absorbing 10 times its weight in water. Wow.

Promising review: "This is the perfect hair towel. It is magic. The elastic loop that holds it in place? Perfect" —bwehagen

Get it from Free People for $39 (available in two colors).

I own this pillow! My husband and I tend to go on long drives on the weekends and I keep this in the car when one of us needs a nap in the passenger's seat. It comes with a small cinched bag, which keeps it clean even though we keep it tossed in the trunk. It's super comfortable and easy to mold in different positions (even when trying to sleep against a car window).

Promising review: "I bought this pillow for my husband for his birthday. He always travels with a small pillow and somehow they always end up getting lumpy very quickly. However, the Casper pillow is both soft and supportive and has not lost its shape. I also love that it comes with its own pillowcase and travel bag to make transporting it a breeze. My husband loves this pillow so much that we have decided to purchase the full-size pillows to use every night." —Kristina

Get it from Amazon for $35.

This is a woman-run small business with four team members who each specialize in a different area. The wooden sign above was designed by co-owner Brittany May. They are based in Linn Creek, Missouri.

Promising review: "I love this little sign! I added it to my wreath on the front door." —Kayla Rivenbark

Get it from Three Arrows Co. on Etsy for $18.95.

This set includes 10 birthday cards, three celebration cards, three thank you cards, two 'just because' cards, one sympathy card, and one get well soon card (with 20 matching envelopes).

Promising review: "I loved this whole set. Each card was really beautiful and had a matching sticker for the envelope! The box it came in is so pretty and fun to use for other things when I use up all the cards. I only wish there were more of a balance of types of cards. There were a ton of birthday cards but only a few thank yous and celebration cards. Loved it!" —Mary Marguerite

Get them from Amazon for $25 (available in four styles).

The Roll Keeper is owned by Kelso, Washington's resident crafter, Traci. Traci has been crafting for over 40 years and created her storage design to help organize vinyl, soon realizing that it was the perfect organization solution for much more. Her shop has versions for bottles, wrapping paper, pens, and more. Don't miss checking out this small business!

Before getting this I was driving myself up the wall with my bad folding habits. I basically shoved all my shirts into the storage drawers under my bed, because I have a teeny tiny closet (the picture above gives you a solid idea of how small it is). This has given me a massive amount of clothing storage I didn't have before. The quality is stellar and Traci is 10/10 the most thoughtful person I've purchased an Etsy product from!

Get it from The Roll Keeper on Etsy for $16.99.

To inflate, open the zipper end wide and spin/turn to fill it with air. Then close it up. It's that easy!

Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my girlfriend. We both liked it so much we got a second one! We both enjoy hammocking but sometimes there are no trees close by so this gives a very similar comfort level for outdoor reading or naps. I definitely recommend getting this product." —Jonah Hohner

Get it from Amazon for $39.97 (available in 13 colors).

Promising review: "This can be used as a bench seat cover or as a hammock. I chose the bench seat cover. It completely covers my Corolla rear seat. There are Velcro seams so that you can access the seat belts. I use an EzyDog clip adjustable seat belt restraint that I also got from Chewy." —Kate

Get it from Chewy for $26.99+ (available in two sizes).

I love having this tool in my home! I jumped on the 2020 plant trend fast and have filled my home with tons of botanicals (that all have different watering schedules). The meter tells you if a plant is being over-watered or under-watered right down to the root, which is very necessary for a plant parent (who used to be a plant murderer) like myself.

Promising review: "This item is great. I can check how wet my plants are down where the roots are. So no more over watering! It is very accurate. This works great!!" —Terri Carlson

Get it from Amazon for $10.97 (available in two colors).

These are made to last 10 years (you read that right!) and can be worn for up to 12 hours.

Promising review: "This product is amazing! I have used other cups in the past and have had some difficulty. After a short learning curve, I was able to use this cup with ease. I couldn't feel it and did not experience any leaking! The cup came with great instructions and also offers tips to newbies! Awesome product and company!" —Nicole

Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in three colors).

This is BPA-free and dishwasher safe!

Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE. My freezer is so much more organized now. Gone are the days of having to defrost an entire bag of chicken broth for one cup for a recipe. I now have perfectly portioned half-cup and one-cup blocks ready to go. They fit easily in freezer bags, take up less space, and make me incredibly happy. There was a lot of attention to detail put into the design and I particularly appreciate the wire inside the rim that holds everything steady — no more worrying about spilling all the liquid on the way to the freezer. Just a fantastic product all around. I purchased this and a cheaper version from another manufacturer at the same time, but returned the other product. This one is definitely worth the added cost." —Kate

Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

This design only fits standard sized faucets but you can still use this even if it doesn't fit, just be sure to grab an adapter along with it.

Promising review: "I have Parkinson's and find it difficult to handle a water glass while taking my daily pills. This little water fountain is perfect for me! It was shipped quickly and was super easy to install with no tools. The knob is easy to slide in and out to change from faucet to fountain. The water comes up high enough that I do not have to bend too far over to drink from it. It is not in the way when I wash my hands. I really am glad that I spotted this gadget." —Texas Grandma

Get it from Amazon for $19.98.

Promising review: "This is the perfect size and NO BATTERIES REQUIRED. It does the job well. I bought it for my son. Now that the classes are virtual I needed to be able to measure the time between the classes so my son knows how long he has in the classes / break-time. In addition, it can be used for other things, such as in the kitchen. Being able to move this around with you as you need it really makes life a whole lot easier." —Rvargas

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in five colors).

Promising review: "This REALLY works! Be ready to fall asleep once you spray your pillows and sheets! It smells great!" —HappySleeper

Get it from Anthropologie for $29.

Promising review: "I bought this in charcoal and lost it on a trip, so I bought the exact color again because I missed it so much. Now I'm back to buy it in more colors. It is thick (because it's a watch cap) but I wear it year round in Dallas or Chicago. The fit is snug to the point that I can sling it back without it falling off and it fits over my afro or straight hair the same and doesn't lose is stretch after washing. This is my favorite hat." —CE

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in 41 colors).

There is empty space on the sides for any notes, brand favorites, etc. if you're sending someone else out to do the shopping.

Promising review: "It really helped when we were out of a grocery item to just circle it on the list for the family, so when I ordered groceries I knew what we needed. It didn't stop the family from putting empty cartons in the refrigerator, but at least they let me know that we were out. LOL." —Live Laugh Love

Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

Promising review: "I bought this broom based on the tons of great reviews and I am not disappointed. I love this broom! It is lightweight but sturdy. I have used it on tile floors and carpet and it does a great job of getting the pet hair, lint, and dirt. I like this so much better than our traditional push broom. It is very easy to clean after use just using my hand, unlike our old broom. It also has a telescoping handle so that you can adjust it to whatever height you need. There is also a squeegee for doing the house windows and the car windows. I highly recommend it." —Joyce V

Get it from Amazon for $12.44.

Marley's Monsters is an eco-friendly essentials shop in Eugene Oregon. Owner Sarah Dooley has products ranging from reusable "paper" towels to coffee filters to bowl covers...and that's just a handful of the kitchen products! There are also finds for bath and body, baby, and the home.

Promising review: "I LOVE this sponge. I love that it's reusable and it does a better job of cleaning pots and pans than a disposable sponge." —Kristina Babinski

Get it from Marley's Monsters on Etsy for $12 (available in four colors).

The booster seat pops up and has adjustable straps to secure onto any chair. The bag itself has plenty of space for both you and your kiddo's things. Plus it's machine-washable, padded, water-resistant, and supports up to 60 pounds.

Get it on sale from Ashley Homestore for $40.99 (originally $84.99).

One of my BuzzFeed coworkers wrote a review about how this clock is basically like giving the gift of sleep to parents with young children.

Promising review: "We've had this clock for four years and it's still going strong. You can adjust the amount of time the green light stays on. You MUST wait until the green light comes on to enter the room or it won't work! If your child comes out before it's on, take them back to bed and walk out. We get them used to it (now with child #3, 9 months old) by telling them before closing the door at night 'Wait for your green alien to wake up!' It's a good last minute reminder. The only thing I'd change is that the dimmest light setting is still a bit bright for my light sleepers, so I have to lay a burp rag or something over the back to make it dimmer. I'm considering buying a second so the older kids can have theirs back!" —Lauren

Get it from Amazon for $32.99.

Promising review: "Everyone should have one of these! It's great quality! I love how it alternates colors and how you can make it stick to one color. My dog loves his necklace. This is a fabulous purchase. Get one right now!" —Khaos

Get it from Chewy for $15.99.

Every week you'll get to choose from nine different recipes that fit a variety of dietary preferences. The meals come pre-measured and with pre-prepped ingredients. They also have recipe cards to guide you through each 30-minute meal. The packaging is always compostable, recyclable, or reusable.

Get it from Green Chef for $10.49+/serving (available in multiple plans).

I finally bought this after throwing it into posts for ages. My husband and I took it on a recent camping trip and read through several of the cards while sitting in front of the fire. I've gotta say, couples, it's pretty intense! The conversations we had thanks to this deck were refreshing, honest, and taught us a lot about each other (we've been married almost nine years and it still sparked things we've never talked about before). I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who would like to be closer with their partner!

Promising review: "I wanted to find some ways to get to know my boyfriend better as I’ve asked every question I could possible think of, LOL. I didn't look at a single card before we played and it really helped further strengthen our relationship. The different categories make sure you leave no part of your significant other's life unturned! I highly recommend!" —Braxton

Get it from Amazon for $24.95.

This even has two USB ports. Bless.

Promising review: "The swivel feature on this outlet extender is pretty cool. In addition to increasing the number of outlets (six instead of the usual two), the rotating sockets allow you to plug things into tight spaces. There are others just as good for that purpose for less, but this one is more versatile. I also love that it has a built-in surge protector and green and red lights let you know the status." —Cat Lady

Get it from Amazon for $18.93.

This crib is Fair Trade and GreenGuard certified and made with products that are sustainably sourced. The wood used is FSC-certified and the entire frame is covered in a child-safe, water-based lacquer finish.

Get it from West Elm for $799+ (available as a frame, with the conversation kit, and with a mattress).

This journal helps guide you to find gratitude, feel stress relief, and set intentions by focusing on the phrase, "I will let go of, I am grateful for, I will focus on."

Promising review: "Do you have two minutes? Do you struggle with priorities? Well, here's a journal to help you win your day. After struggling to manage his commitments, Neil Pasricha discovered a simple gratitude practice that changed his life. It takes—wait for it—just two minutes every morning. The practice is simple yet powerful, and by using a journal to log your entries, you'll be able to look back over the year at all you've accomplished." —Chris Guillebeau

Get it from Amazon for $11.21.

These have saved many a bowl of leftovers in my place. I don't have space for lot of containers, so I was constantly using plastic wrap or plastic bags when I wanted to save food. It was an awful waste. These saved the day! They pack flat and the sizes fit on any container (even if I just leave my leftovers in the bowl I ate dinner in). I'm a sucker for this stuff.

Promising review: "These are super cute. I love the colors and they work great. The array of sizes they came in is also very handy. In fact, these are so much cuter than the other options available online that my friends decided to get the same set. If you took the time to google other silicone lids your eyes will burn. For my purposes these are perfect. Highly recommend." —DemiChang

Get them from Food52 for $40 (available in two colors).

It also tests for over 210 health conditions to help pet owners stay aware of what keeps their K-9 safe!

Promising review: "Very cool. My dog is a rescue and I was told he was a border collie mix. His personality lead me to do a test because he just didn't have the personality of a border collie. Come to find out he's a Shih tzu-pit bull mix, which makes way more sense." —dede123

Get it from Amazon for $149.

I am rather certain that there is more Jot than blood in me by this point. After discovering how delicious this stuff is (both the classic and the new Dark flavors) I totally dropped my expensive café habits and have stuck to this for my daily cup of coffee. It has a rich taste, is wildly easy to make (just pour a tablespoon into 8 ounces of your favorite base), and the SEXY bottle even makes the inside of my fridge look nice.

Get it from Jot for $24.

This is our top-tier pick for over-the-ear headphones on BuzzFeed Reviews!

Promising review: "Unbelievably happy with this product. I cannot live without out these — I'm even considering buying a second one to keep at work. It is empowering to put these on and all the noise pollution just goes away. I bought them for home and hadn't planned on taking them to my large open floor office. I put them on and suddenly realized there was a very low and loud hum coming from the ceiling (air blowers, I assume) — now gone. I sit in my cubicle and feel sorry for everyone else because they don't have a pair of these. I tried other brands, but they were simply not properly engineered. Once you get the pairing 'dialed in' it is seamless. I use the button's alternate function of turning on/off noise cancellation just for fun to remind me how great this product works." —Claveman

Get them from Amazon for $179 (available in two colors).

This includes The Almost 4" Knife, The Serrated 6" Knife, and The 8" Knife.

Material Kitchen is an Asian-owned small kitchenware business making professional-grade products that'll make cooking at home so much easier!

Promising review: "This is our first set of 'adult' kitchen knives. We wanted to ditch the large block of knives and go with a cleaner look. The knives are so beautiful and the block is gorgeous. It's an investment that is well worth every penny." —Stephanie M.

Get it from Material Kitchen for $155+ (available in three colors, with or without the stand).

BTW, locals, TofuBud is based in San Fransisco!

Promising review: "I was resistant to getting a tofu press. Another kitchen gadget! But this little guy does not disappoint. It saves time and is clean, fast, and easy. I thought I would want something made of wood or metal — but really this is just the thing. It's cute, rinses out lickety-split, and gets the job done without messing up towels or having to boil off extra water. My countertop stays clean. I’ve been a vegetarian all my life and this little gadget is already indispensable." —Maria Lewis

Get it on sale from TofuBud for $29.95 (originally $35.95).

Promising review: "I love it. I treated myself for my birthday! It feels very durable and I love the spacious size as a tote! You can also fold it for use as a midsize purse. This feels like the kind of purse that will get better with time; kind of like an old pair of jeans. I highly recommend it. Pairs great with blue jeans." —TinaInTheBayArea

Get it from Madewell for $188.

This is the second Harmati piece I've gotten for my home and the line has quickly become one of my favorite places to get furniture and decor (not just from Amazon, but in general). This bench feels luxurious and added a real statement to my bedroom. It's also a cinch to spot clean, which was big for my two-cat household. I highly recommend getting this!

Promising review: "I am loving this wonderful storage ottoman. I am blown away with how nice it is for the price. The velvet is soft and plush and the beautiful gray goes with any decor. I absolutely love this for putting at the end of a bed, as you can sit on it and take your slippers off. It's super comfy for sitting so it can also be used solo near a wall as a sitting bench. It makes a wonderful decor piece that also provides a seat and storage...what more can you ask for?! Putting it together was a snap. I just had to put the legs on using the tools they provide. This is a great piece here at a great value. I highly recommend it." —Melissa Cushing

Get it from Amazon for $169.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "This is a great piece of furniture. I have an efficiency apartment and I can put in over 35 pairs of shoes if some of them are flats. It is deluxe shoe storage! The five shelves that are open can display or store something else and then you have hidden shoe storage." —Marissa

Get it from Wayfair for $225.99 (originally $308).

Umamicart is a small online grocery store founded by Andrea, a self-described "first-gen, third-culture kid." Andrea was born and raised in Spain to Chinese parents. She has spent the last 10 years living in NYC. Recognizing that food creates a strong cultural connection, Andrea wanted to provide easy access to traditional Asian ingredients — which is how Umamicart came to be!

Get the complete kit for $50.82 or choose individual items for the meal starting at $2.59.

Get next-day delivery (free with orders of $49+) to select zip codes in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Available locations are rapidly expanding. Check here for availability.

This chair is SO GREAT. I got it after worrying about how often I was slouching during work. The adjustments make it easy to use while sitting or mostly standing (I use both daily) and it really does keep my posture in check. The best benefit for me has been the increased focus — the movement is great when spending so much time at my desk.

Promising review: "Simple. I stand or sit on command, which helps my back. Thanks to this chair, I've even increased sales. How, you ask? Before I had this I would walk away and not get work done; now I alternate positions and get lots more done. TA-DA!" —Louis

Get it from The Grommet for $99 (available in two colors).

Dropps is a small business based in Philly whose mission is to sustainably create eco-friendly and powerful cleaning products. BTW, this is the detergent I use and I give it a hearty thumbs up! My dishes come out sparkling after every wash (and I am terrible about rinsing before tossing things in the washer).

Promising review: "I have been using Dropps exclusively for over a year. I love Dropps so much. They get my dishes clean and don't leave a film or anything in my dishwasher. On top of this, they are eco-friendly and sustainable. Absolutely love these!" —Anonymous

Get it from Dropps for $18.75+ or snag a box of 32 from Amazon for $14.99.

Promising review: "I was searching for a flat holder that was long enough to hold my state's registration form without having to fold it. This fit the requirements. I like the sturdy feel of it – it feels long-lasting. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it seems to have light magnetic closures that keep it together but aren't so strong as to make it difficult to open." —Rachel Bailey

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I love this lighter and will buy it as a gift for MANY MANY people. What a fabulous gift this makes with a small candle and a special message! I keep two of them at home in different parts of the house. Just using it is FUN! The packaging is classy/classic and amazing. The shipping was prompt and the lighters arrived in perfect condition for my use. You will NOT be disappointed." —Sbarabara

Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

I'm in a small apartment with multiple litter boxes and two particularly well-fed cats. These candles were recommended to me by a coworker when I brought up the stress of keeping my place smelling fresh. They are now the only candles I buy, and the only thing I need to keep my home from smelling like pets. I firmly believe they are the best odor control around.

Promising review: "I have multiple dogs in the house and am always concerned that it smells like that to visitors even cleaning everyday. I have use other candles and melts that add a pleasant smell to the underlying odor, but these candles do better. I have been able to leave the house for hours and when I first open the door, on my return, I don't smell dog. We recently had a house full of people (many of them pet parents) over for Christmas dinner and it was actually commented 'Your house smells really nice. How do you keep the dog smell out?' I laughed and told them I was just wondering if the candles were working. I guess I got the BEST answer." —LLL Texas

Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in 23 scents).

I cook with a shocking amount of garlic and I always hated dealing with my old garlic press. This one-piece solution is SO much better than the old school tool! You simply place your peeled garlic under and rock at an angle, it minces just the same. This also comes with a (TBH very cute) scraper *and* a silicone sleeve that'll help you peel your cloves in an instant.

Promising review: "I like garlic very much, so I use this garlic press every day. It works very well, is easy to use, and easy to clean. Compared with the garlic press I used before, this is more labor-saving and comfortable." —Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't cleaned my microwave in about six months. It's an awful task. I ran this one time, wiped down easily, then ran it one more time to get it detailed really clean. I highly recommend using it (more often than once every six months) for a super fast, super clean microwave!" —Kelsey

Get it from Amazon for $7.33+ (available in four colors).

I own this mirror! I recently moved into a new apartment with windows in awkward areas, making my living room darker than it should be during the day. I got this so I could bounce some light from the windows to the other end of the room and it works perfectly! It was one of the first things I put up in my living room and I instantly started getting compliments on it (even though the room is *still* mostly full of unopened boxes).

Promising review: "This is definitely the most I’ve ever spent on a mirror but I’m super pleased with it! The reflection is great and I didn't notice any flaws or warping. I would highly recommend." —Annalee

Get it from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in two colors).

This Black- and woman-owned small business based in Chicago. Check out the site for chic leashes/harnesses, sweaters, pet furniture, and more. BTW, Sir Dogwood donates a portion of their monthly sales to One Tail at a Time, a nonprofit whose mission is to end pet homelessness.

Promising review: "This has a beautiful gray tone. It's plush and cozy. Five stars." —Pam S.

Get it from Sir Dogwood for $120.

Cheese is MY bar of chocolate.

Promising review: "Oh wow! I followed the directions and put that moist paper towel in with my cheese, on the bottom and put some unwrapped and cut Jarlsberg wedge in it. I left for vacation and two weeks later came back, and it was still fresh and moist and not moldy! Huzzah! I'm MIGHTY impressed with this simple gadget. I hate food waste and this is super helpful!" —Awesome Taste

Get it from Amazon for $11.94.

This comes pre-assembled and secures with a single fastener.

Indoor Window Gardens is a small, family-owned business based in Pickens, South Carolina.

Promising review: "Not only do these shelves look amazing and give me so much more room for my plants but the customer service is amazing! I forgot to order extensions with my order so I contacted the shop and they helped me by making a special listing for the extensions. They placed them in my original order so everything came together. If you’re looking for a window shelf this is it!!" —Jamie Miner

Get it from Indoor Window Gardens on Etsy for $74+ (available in three styles).

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