With the world opening up a little more, people may feel more optimistic about purchasing things they've had their eye on for a while. Or, still in lockdown mode, they may want to treat themselves to something that will make life just that much more bearable. Or, there are people out there who are just committed to using more sustainable products.
Whatever the reason, we get it. That's why we found 20 random things that, according to the positive and almost-five-star reviews, are worth getting to improve your life and/or just make it easier. We have products that have gone viral and are worth it, like sauce holders, and other products that are just plain useful, from portable countertop ice machines to hooks for hanging up masks. There's also lots of products to make mom life better, too, like reusable baking mats and really yummy coffee. Whatever the product, we've included some of the reviews to demonstrate how much people actually love it. Happy shopping!
Portable Ice Cube Maker
Everyone knows the scenario: You're on your way to a party and the host frantically calls for ice. Or, you want a cold drink after a long day but hubby forget to fill the tray. Well, with this highly rated portable countertop ice machine, those problems will be iced out. One reviewer wrote: "This unit is awesome, works great. Makes plenty of ice, runs very quiet and takes up minimal counter space."
The Laundry Alternative Wonderwash
Speaking of popular countertop items, more people are buying this small laundry washing machine. It's portable and doesn't use electricity, making it ideal for family vacations. While it won't completely replace an actual washer, it has glowing reviews, like this one: "Exceeded my expectations. This works better than I thought it would. You can really hear the swishing must be the design of the bucket. Great price and great results! Thanks!"
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer
The Revlon one-step hair dryer is super popular these days because it both dries and brushes hair out straight. It's on Amazon's No. 1 bestseller list with almost five-star reviews.
Take it from this person: "I almost have to wake up BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP in order to have enough time to dry my hair before work. This thing took me 8 minutes. I naturally assumed, upon finishing, that I had entered some sort of Amazon-created beauty time warp. I checked with my husband, in the next room, and in fact I did not go through a blowout wormhole. The silkier-than-silk style was accomplished by this miracle of a brush in 8 minutes (several more minutes were lost to running my hands through my hair and flicking it over my shoulder while smiling coquettishly in the mirror)."
SodaStream
$117
from
Soda Stream
Seltzer is having its moment in the spotlight. Whether it's spiked or flavored in the form of Bubly or LaCroix, people love their bubbles. But buying cases of the carbonated water can add up. With a SodaStream, you can make seltzer at-home, in any flavor, in seconds. People are serious about theirs. One review by Jodie D. says: "Love it! Easy to use, love the fresh carbonation. Lots of flavors to choose from. Husband and I drink lots of sparkling water, so definitely saving cans and plastic bottles."
Stardrops' The Pink Stuff The Miracle Cleaning Paste
Parents know the dread that is walking into a room and seeing coloring on the once-fresh walls. Or even more common: scuff marks and dirt on it. Stardrops, called "a miracle all-purpose paste" can get rid of those marks easily. According to reviewers, it works: "I need this in bulk!! I have tried so many cleaning solutions to get out hard cooking stains on my stove top and nothing worked! This stuff took it right out without a problem!!"
Silicone Baking Mat
When it comes to baking sheets, some people put the food directly on the sheet, which requires annoying cleaning. Others put aluminum foil before placing food on the trays, which is better, but seems wasteful. The solution for many seems to be silicone baking mats.
"I didn’t think it would make a difference to use this mat or to use parchment paper," one reviewer wrote. "I was wrong. These make all the difference in the world."
MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Washer
Dog parents know that dogs paws can get really dirty, really easily. Instead of using wipes that may not get all the debris off, or plopping the doggo into the tub every time his paws get muddy, this portable dog paw washer comes in clutch. One review wrote: "Best. Thing. Ever. This product works like a charm. It gets the sand from between their pads, and is gentle enough that even my most stubborn pup tolerates it!"
Portable Lint Remover
A lot of products have gained popularity due to being on Shark Tank or TikTok, and this lint roller, which tons of people use for pet hair, is one of those TikTok finds that may live up to the hype. While some reviews say that it can be used on certain fabrics over others, about half of the reviews are positive. One reviewer said: "Legitimately THE best purchase I have made on Amazon. How, as a pet owner, have I lived without this?"
Saucemoto Dip Clip
Another one of those products that became famous from social media is the Saucemoto dip clip for cars, which was featured on Shark Tank. And dippers everywhere love it. Its site has over 100 reviews, most of which are five stars. Hannah T. wrote: "Love it! So useful and great for keeping the sauce handy in the car."
Blk & Bold Coffee
Blk & Bold coffee is a Black-run business that knows its stuff when it comes to coffee. It's both affordable — at just $13 for a 12-ounce a bag — and according to Target reviews, delicious. The coffee has more than 30 five-star reviews on Target's page. One reviewer says "This is my new favorite coffee! It has such a great flavor."
Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Tumbler
Portable double-walled stainless steel cups are great. They keep drinks really hot, or really cold, and make it easy to transport the drink wherever you go. But one brand of portable cup rises above the rest of them in consumers' eyes, and that's Yeti. The insulated rambler on Amazon has many five star reviews and over 90,000 ratings of the product. Need we say more? Not really.
Stasher Reusable Storage Bag
Sustainable products are also having their moment right now, and we're seeing a larger shift in consumers wanting to use reusable products that are better for the environment. That's where Stasher bags come in. They're used in place of plastic one-use baggies and work super well. On Amazon, the product has over 22,000 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 star rating.
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine
This product is for the parents out there looking for a way to get their baby to sleep peacefully and easily. Or at least make it easier. Amazon buyers and reviewers are obsessed with another No. 1 bestseller, the Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine. One reviewer wrote: "I actually loved this so much, that I bought a 2nd one for my 3 year old. He loves it. He plays in his room until his light comes on at 7:30, and also stays in his room to play or look at books during 'quiet time' in the afternoon. He loves choosing a nightlight color and sound on the app every night. I truly cannot say enough positive things about this product… try it!"
Canvas Lunch Bag
Stasher bags aren't the only reusable type of bags people love to use these days. Reusable lunch bags are popular, too, and they're great for adults and kids alike. One mom on the Etsy seller page wrote: "Excellent bags!! We purchased the brown regular size bag for our toddlers school lunch. He loves it, and so do we! Premium construction and sturdy but still soft and not sand paper like."
Wall Hooks
Wall hooks have been around forever. They're not new, but with a global health crisis changing out culture in a year in terms of mask-wearing, wall hooks have become another life hack as far as face masks are concerned. Hang a set of hooks by the door so no one forgets to grab a mask on the way out. This one has an almost perfect five-star rating on Wayfair.
Paracord Convertible Face Mask Lanyard
In addition to wall hooks as a way to make mask wearing a little easier to deal with, we also recommend buying a mask lanyard. It's a great way to keep masks handy when they're not being worn, and not have to put them on dirty restaurant tables or lose them in the car. This Madewell one has five-star reviews.
Thera Cane Massager
This cane may not look like a legit massager, but literally thousands of people have used it and the majority love it. It has multiple hooks for extra targeted massages from several different angles. Take this person's word for it: "You get to put EXACTLY the right amount of pressure, EXACTLY where you want it. Have a knot in your back? You don’t need friends. Thera Cane is your friend."
Voerou Sleep Headphones
Some people need the perfect ambiance to fall asleep. Sometimes it's music, sometimes it's the TV or Netflix on in the background. Sometimes it's total darkness. This sleep mask with headphones built in is perfect for those people and among those who have used it, the verdict is positive with almost five stars on Amazon.
Diff Eyewear Blue Light Glasses
$98
from
Diff Eyewear
Blue light from screens has likely been doing damage to our eyes for a few years, but with everyone working from home, it seems like these glasses that block blue light, have become especially popular. These from Diff eyewear have a five-star rating with more than 500 responses. One person named Geraldine said: "love the blue light especially recently having eye surgery and working on my laptop, phone and zoom calls all day helps my eyes and prevent me from getting headaches."
Back Seat Headrest Hanger
This backseat headrest is one of those products that makes people go "wow that is so simple, why haven't I bought that already?" If you're one of those people, now is your chance. It has close to five-star rating on Amazon, and the best part is that it's an affordable product, coming in under $8. "This is the handiest contraption ever," one reviewer wrote.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
