These highly rated finds are approved by Mic editors. Who’s more qualified to recommend clever and cheap Amazon finds than shopping researchers? Our editors spend their days scouring the internet for cool things that make life way better. From kitchen gadgets for a faster meal prep to makeup and skincare essentials to up your game to everyday essentials, Mic shopping researchers and analysts know what you actually need.
And Amazon shoppers agree, giving these things thousands of five-star reviews. 01 A slim portable charger with over 78,000 5-star ratings “I never leave home without this,” says commerce editor Carolyn Menyes. “It's slim enough to fit in even my smallest purse or my husband's pocket, and it lasts for a long, long time on every charge.
” With USB and USB-C ports, the is compatible with Android and Apple phones and has a ton of safety features — like a fireproof casing, overcharge protection, and more. It charges super quickly and can provide 2.25 charges for an iPhone, 1.
6 charges for a Galaxy, and 1.2 charges for an iPad. 02 This easy-to-use press that can create firm tofu in under 20 minutes In just 15 to 20 minutes, this can drain all or some moisture from your block with two pressure levels to create extra firm or silken tofu, depending on your preferences.
“[T]his makes my tofu so firm and delicious, and it's much, much easier to use than a bunch of cans balanced on top of some plates,” says Menyes. It has a clear base with a stainless steel spring and a drainer that’s slightly elevated from the bottom to keep your tofu from getting soggy after it’s pressed. 03 A highly rated weekly pill organizer with individual cases for each day “I tend to forget to take my medicine, and this simple makes it so I no longer have to count all of my pills to figure out if I took my morning dosage,” Menyes explains.
Each day of the week has its own individual carrying case — great for portability while traveling — and is split into day and night to make dose planning easy. Each compartment can hold up to 14 capsules, and it comes in a carrying case that stores all seven days worth. 04 These stylish satin pillowcases that are gentler on your hair & skin Menyes and over 230,000 other people love these satin because of their buttery soft surface and how great they are for your hair and skin.
“I love everything about these,” she goes on to say. “[T]hey're smooth enough to make my curly hair not frizz, cool enough so I don't have to flip my pillow 10 times a night, and cheap as heck.” Beyond being great on hair and skin, these pillowcases come in over three dozen colors and have an envelope closure for a chic appearance.
05 These popular foot peel masks that work in less than 2 weeks Simply slip your feet into these pre-lotioned , wear them for 60 minutes, rinse them off, and in just six to 11 days, dry skin and callus will peel away until you reveal smooth and soft skin. Each booty is packed with fruit acids and extracts that work to soothe and remove calluses, dead skin, and cracked heels easily. 06 These breathable under bed storage bags that fully open for easy access Take advantage of often overlooked under bed storage with these specifically designed for that space.
“These are great for stashing sweaters and even bulky things like extra linens for our guest room,” Menyes says. They have fabric sides with a tear-proof and reinforced handle to easily pull them out. And they have a clear plastic cover so you can always see what’s inside at a glance.
07 These expensive-looking outdoor path lights that are solar powered These outdoor are a fan-favorite with the commerce team both for themselves and as go-to housewarming gifts. Solar powered, they have an eight- to 12-hour battery life on one day’s charge and it’s all automatic — charging during the day, turning on at dusk, and turning off at dawn. They’re heat-resistant, frost-resistant, and waterproof so you can use them all year round, and they’re attached to spikes to easily put them into grass or dirt.
08 A washable microfiber duster with an ergonomic handle “This little guy is so fluffy, he gets dust I can't even see,” Menyes raves. This has a large microfiber head that attracts and traps dust to pick it up and hold onto it instead of simply brushing it into the air. It has a rubber covered handle that’s ergonomic and comfortable.
And the microfiber head snaps off and can be tossed in the washing machine to make cleaning a breeze. 09 This stylish glass container that keeps your herbs fresh for weeks “I recommend this to Menyes says of this , which is great for everything from cilantro to scallions. “I'm not even great at swapping out the water every few days, and my herbs stay fresh for the promised three weeks.
” It has an elegant design that looks great in your fridge thanks to a plastic base surrounded by high quality glass with an anchoring ladder and ergonomic handle that keeps your herbs accessible. Plus, there are air vents on top to allow your greens to breathe. 10 A quick & funny card game with a 4.
8-star rating Great for two to eight players ages seven and up, this colorful is a must-have for parties, game nights, barbecues, bars, and more, and Menyes confirms that it’s quick-to-learn and super fun. You take turns saying the words taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza while laying down a card. When the image on the card matches the word you said, the last one to slap the card loses — and there are some special cards that cause movements, which is legitimately laugh out loud hilarious.
11 This lid organizer to get your food containers neat & tidy This plastic sits neatly inside your kitchen cabinet and comes with one long and four short dividers that are totally adjustable so you can customize the organizer hold all of your food container lids and prevent them from falling out every time you open the cabinet. It has built-in handles that make grabbing and removing the organizer easy and has raised sides to prevent anything from rolling or moving around. 12 This adjustable neck light with 101,000 5-star ratings With over 100,000 five-star ratings, this is a must have whether you use it for reading, working or, like commerce editor Menyes does, cross-stitching.
“It really helps me to target the light so I can see the little holes in my fabric,” she says. “It's shockingly bright.” It has three color temperatures — warm white, daylight, and cool white — and six adjustable brightness levels.
Because light comes out of both arms, it creates a wide breadth of visibility while still targeting it to exactly what you want to see. 13 This weightless & hydrating makeup setting spray that lasts all day The best part about this makeup is the way it feels after it’s on your face — weightless, non-greasy, and hydrating to give you a matted but dewy glow and keep your makeup locked in all day long — and Menyes confirms it even works on humid summer days. With a misting head, it sprays evenly on your face and gets rid of excess oil and slickness so you look fresh.
14 These versatile plastic storage bins with built-in handles for easy usage “I never thought I'd be a person, but these are great for giving odds and ends in my apartment a 'home,' whether it's the spices in my pantry, the pepperoni in my freezer, or the sunglasses and headphones by my door,” Menyes states. With a long and narrow shape, built-in handles for easy portability, and a stacking ability when they’re not filled to the top, these bins reduce clutter almost anywhere around your home. Best of all, they’re see-through, so you can always see what’s inside at a glance.
15 These powerful, cult favorite pimple patches that work overnight There’s a reason why these are a bestseller and have over 108,000 five-star ratings: they work like a charm. Packed with hydrocolloid, these patches can be placed directly on top of a pimple — or one you feel developing under the skin — and they work to trap gunk, reduce redness, and quicken the healing process. Plus, the thin sticker is transluscent so it blends right into your skin.
16 This wall-mounted cat groomer that keeps your walls clean “My cat has the oily chin of a bratty tween (which he is), and these seem to satisfy him while leaving my corners free of weird chin marks,” Menyes says. Just add catnip into the center bag, and use screws or adhesive tape to mount the scratcher to the corner of your wall, chair leg, table leg or more. It collects loose hair on your pets so they don’t end up all over your apartment while also giving them a satisfying scratch exactly where they need it.
17 This doughy stress ball that is so satisfying & fun to knead “I saw this thing on Instagram Reels and was instantly obsessed,” Menyes says. “It's super great to play with during stressful moments at work to help me decompress, and I love that it comes in bright colors.” This can be squeezed, squished, pulled, smooshed, and more to help ease anxiety, soothe stress, and promote a focused and calm mind.
It’s a great fidget toy, filled with non-toxic jelly-like material that’s super durable, won’t break open, and always returns to its original shape. 18 This non-greasy anti-chafe balm that works on your arms, legs, & more Whether you’re an active runner or it’s just hot outside, this anti-chafe is a must-have to keep your skin from rubbing on clothes or rubbing together in the warm weather. It’s made with allergen free, plant-derived ingredients, and it goes on smoothly and easily to prevent chafing on your thighs, neck, arms, and anywhere else.
“I find Body Glide to be less greasy than other brands and truly unscented, which I appreciate,” Menyes explains. 19 This sleek 40-ounce tumbler that keeps your beverages cold for 24 hours From fan-favorite brand Simple Modern, this can keep your beverages cold for 24 hours, which commerce editor Menyes can testify to. “I can fill this tumbler with ice and water, leave for the day, and come home and it's still totally frigid, which I love,” she says.
It has a slimmer bottom so it fits inside your cupholders, an ergonomic handle, a straw opening, and a leak-resistant lid to prevent spills. Plus, it comes in a over two dozen colorways to fit your aesthetic. 20 This cute cushioned pillow slides with a textured surface “These are my go-to house shoes in warmer weather,” Menyes says.
“They're super cushiony, and I've had them for a few years and they haven't lost any support.” The have a 1.7-inch sole that provides so much comfortable cushioning it’ll feel like you’re walking on a cloud.
They’re made with memory foam and a deep concave heel vamp that adds an extra layer of support. Plus, they have a super wide band, roomy toe box, and a nonslip bottom to keep your foot in place. 21 This universal knife holder made with unique flex rods inside Packed with unique flex rods instead of pre-measured slots like other knife blocks, this is “great for storing my random assortment of chef's knives, which traditional knife blocks just can't do,” Menyes says.
It has a sustainable bamboo base and the flex rods inside won’t scrape, dull, or chip your knives. Plus, they’re removable and dishwasher-safe to keep things sanitary. 22 These squeezable cat treats with a near-perfect rating “I recommend these to all of my fellow cat parents, and they've gotten nothing but rave reviews,” Menyes says.
“Cats go crazy for these treats, even unfriendly ones.” These squeezable are a feline favorite because they keep up to 90% of their moisture, ensuring your furry friend gets hydrated while he eats. Each one comes in a long squeezable pack you can feed directly into your cat’s mouth for some bonding time or pour into a bowl.
23 These best-selling reusable ear plugs with 4 sizes of tips These are discreet and useful, which is why Menyes and 54,000 five-star reviewers love them. They come with four sizes of tips to customize them to the exact size of your inner ear, and they insert and twist inside to reduce noise, whether you’re at a concert, sporting event, or just trying to sleep on an airplane. 24 This powerful deodorizing spray that’s great for trash cans “Trash cans smell, even if you’re good about taking it out regularly.
This truly gets rid of funky smells and doesn’t just make my kitchen smell like fish and flowers,” Menyes explains. This trash can spray from the makers of Poo-Pourri neutralizes odors and adds a fresh lime scent to bins with just a few spritzes. That means it also lasts a long, long time.
25 This stainless steel skimmer spoon with a fine mesh basket end “I make a lot of stock at home, and this gets every little last piece of debris out of the pot,” Menyes says. “This is also useful for getting dumplings and vegetables out of a steamer or boiling water.” It has a fine mesh strainer at the end of the long stainless steel handle that can be used to separate things as fine as quinoa, miso, grains, and floating fat.
It’s heat-resistant, rust-proof, and fine polished for a professional-grade look. 26 These disposable brushes for cleaning super hard-to-reach spots These tiny are the perfect size and shape to get into hard-to-reach spots like in between keyboard keys, around your windowsill, behind the kitchen faucet, or around the edges of your stovetop. Each one can be used dry or wet — with water or cleaning solution — and has a long handle to keep your hands clean.
“I like that they're disposable, so I never have to look at the grime again,” Menyes adds. 27 This best-selling phone stand that folds up to be super small when not in use “I picked up this foldable on a whim last year, and it is easily my favorite thing I've bought on Amazon, maybe ever,” says commerce editor Amy Biggart. It’s compatible with any device between 4 and 8 inches.
It features a cutout at the bottom so you can use it while charging your phone and a weighted base with a nonslip coating to keep your device sturdy while you’re using it. Plus, when you’re not using it, it folds up super small. 28 This cool-looking wooden book tree with 4 shelves This has four shelves placed in a cool tree-like design that can not only hold a ton of books in very little space but also is an eye-catching addition to your home that’s super unique.
It’s easy to assemble and takes advantage of valuable vertical storage space to make sure you’re not just organizing books but showing them off. 29 A wooden rolling pin with adjustable thickness options “I've never had a big kitchen, so an all-in-one is so great,” says Biggart. This one comes with four removable rings that allow you to adjust the thickness of what your rolling — from 3/8 inch all the way down to 1/16th inch.
It has pre-measured lines on the wooden surface to help you tell how wide the dough is, too. 30 This bamboo tray that folds around the arm of your couch “I have spilled more coffee and tea on my couch than I should ever admit,” Biggart explains. “This couch table is so genius, would've saved me so much time and energy spot cleaning.
” Using thin planks of bamboo wood, this tray folds to fid around your couch or chair’s armrest, using a nonslip grip underneath to keep it sturdy and hold your glasses, mugs, phone, and other essentials. Plus, it can be used fully unfolded as a tray on top of your couch’s cushions. 31 A popular mosquito repellent lantern that works for up to 12 hours Biggart loves this mosquito repellent because it allows her to sit outside and read at night over the summer without getting eaten alive.
It comes with three citronella-packed mats that burn in the lantern to give you up to four hours of protection each for up to 15 feet around the lantern. The mats are not scented and change color when it’s time to swap in a new one. 32 These frozen wine glasses with silicone rings to keep your fingers comfy “It's been so hot where I am recently, this frozen wine glass is not a want, but a need,” says Biggart.
Stick these in the freezer for white wine and the refrigerator for red wine, and the cooling gel inside the insulated walls chill the glasses so your beverages are served at the optimal temperature — and stay that way. Plus, they have a silicone ring around the top so you can hold the glass without your fingers getting too cold. 33 This hanging propagation station with 15 glass planters Whether you’re a natural green thumb or just starting your plant collection, this not only holds all your propagations but also doubles as a cool piece of wall art.
It comes with 15 glass votives hung on three wooden rungs, all tied together with rustic rope for a chic and minimalist look. It even comes with a cleaning brush as well as hooks to hang on the wall. 34 This beauty blender traveling case that’s ventilated If you use a and travel a lot, this convenient case was basically made for you.
“I've ruined so many makeup bags by leaving my makeup sponge loose when I travel,” Biggart says, and this sure does solve that problem. While this case keeps your sponge contained and free from staining your brushes or bags, it also has ventilation holes that allow it to quickly dry and breathe while you’re traveling. 35 This silicone ice tray with a convenient lid for stacking The best part about the thoughtful design of this silicone is how easy it is to fill, store, and remove your cubes.
“Each ice cube is separated in the mold, and the silicone is super flexible, so they come out SO EASILY (I almost can't believe it),” explains commerce editor Danielle Kraese. It makes four oversized cubes that look great in everything from water to cocktails, and the whole thing comes with a lid that rests on top so you can stack them for space-saving storage. 36 This ceramic hair brush that controls frizz & flyaways “Using this ceramic when I blow dry is the closest I've come to getting my hair to look as nice as it does after a pricey salon trip,” says Kraese.
The ceramic-coated barrel and anti-static bristles help to distribute heat evenly while controlling frizz and flyaways for a super shiny blow out that will have everyone asking if you just got your hair done at a salon. It works on straight, wavy, or curly hair and has an ergonomic, nonslip handle. 37 This snail mucin moisturizer that works on all skin types “This is lightweight yet hydrating,” says commerce editor Cassandra Seale.
“Scentless, a touch slimy (which is a little fun), but perfect for my sensitive skin.” The reason for the fun and slimy texture that’s safe on all skin types? This is packed with snail mucin — you heard that right — and hyaluronic acid to build a tough moisture barrier that expertly plumps, moisturizes, and softens skin. It absorbs nicely into your the skin to deliver deep hydration.
38 This cult favorite reusable lint roller that traps & collects pet hair in minutes “I use this every day,” Seale says. “My cat has long fur that gets all over the couch and carpet, every day, and the collects it in seconds.” There’s a reason this best-selling lint roller has nearly 140,000 five-star ratings.
All you have to do is roll it back and forth over your couch, pillows, rugs, car seats, clothes, and more, and it traps and collects hair, keeping it in an inner compartment so its super easy to dispose of when you’re done. Seale’s pro tip: “I like to use it before vacuuming too as it makes deeper cleaning easier/faster with the vacuum.” 39 This convenient & adjustable phone mount that clips to your car’s air vent Seale loves this phone for your car for a ton of reasons: it “installed in seconds, can handle my thick novelty phone case, and keeps my phone securely in place,” she explains.
It has a strong clamp that hooks into your car’s air vent, and it’s lined with nonslip silicone to absorb any shock while you’re on the road. It expands to fit phones and cases from 1.9 to 3.
7 inches wide, and it rotates 360 degrees to make sure you have the best viewing angle for your directions. 40 This best-selling stain remover that works instantly “I've been a believer ever since this [powerful ] got an old, bright yellow curry stain out of a white button-down,” Seale says. Along with curry, this spray works on wine, grass, dirt, sauce, and way more to get your clothes, carpets, and furniture looking good as new.
Simply spray it directly onto the stain when it appears and watch it go away before your eyes. Then wash it as your normally would, and you’re stain-free. 41 This geometric & rainbow privacy film that also blocks UV rays “This was a game-changer on one of my windows that needed a little more privacy,” says commerce editor Allison Bolt.
“It feels completely private but also lets sunlight and magical rainbow lighting dance across the floor.” This uses water and static cling to attach to glass — so it won’t leave any sticky residue when it’s removed — and it not only offers privacy but can stop UVA and UVB rays from fading your furniture while helping to regulate the temperature in your home. 42 These fan-favorite solar-power lights that dance in the wind Bolt loves these because of the way the way they made her space feel “complete and cozy.
” Eight small bulbs sit on the end of eight flexible rods specifically designed to dance in the wind, so it looks like your garden or yard is filled with fun fireflies. They’re waterproof, heat-resistant, and moisture-resistant so you can use them outdoors all season long. 43 This easy-to-install puck light with a 100-hour run time “These were such a quick (and budget-friendly) fix for the way-too-bright overhead lighting in my kitchen,” Bolt raves.
The tap on/tap off has three brightness settings — cool white, warm white, and neutral white — and have a 100-hour run time. Because they’re battery powered, you can use them in spots around the home that aren’t easily accessible to an outlet like kitchen cabinets, closets, garage storage, and more. 44 This highly rated cutlery drainer with 10 knife slots Commerce editor Lauren Beach loves this cutlery because it “prevents accidents, keeps my knives sharp while they dry, and it has a removable draining section.
” It has three compartments — two that are open to hold all kinds of silverware, and one with 10 slots to hold knives, keeping the blade down and away from your fingers and hands. The white section has built-in draining holes that keep your utensils from sitting in pooling water. 45 This stainless steel paper towel holder that mounts beneath a cabinet If you’re short on counter space, this “exceptionally well made” paper towel is Beach’s solution to de-cluttering your kitchen.
It has a metal bracket with a stainless steel rod and a quick release knob that makes it easy to replace the roll. It mounts to the underside of your cabinets with screws and has a ring spring that prevents the roll of paper towels from unraveling while it hangs. It’s no wonder that this sleek addition has a 4.
8-star rating on Amazon. 46 These bamboo toaster tongs with a nonslip end “I thought these were a little silly but I'm converted,” Beach says. The are made of bamboo wood and feature an extra long handle and nonslip end that helps you take things out of a toaster oven, flip food in a skillet, or whatever while keeping your hands and fingers protected from the heat.
They’re super lightweight, heat-resistant, and easy to use with one hand. 47 This gentle glass foot file that removes calluses, dead skin, & dry heels “This glass made my (admittedly very rough) heels instantly smoother,” says commerce editor Kelsey Lawrence. “After using it just once or twice, my feet were so much softer.
” The non-abrasive design gently exfoliates to remove calluses, dead skin, and dry skin, to reveal soft and smooth feet. It can be used wet or dry, but the brand says you’ll get best results if you soak your feet for a bit first. 48 These uniform velvet hangers with a nonslip surface “It's a simple switch, but using these velvet instead of my usual plastic ones has been so nice,” says Lawrence.
“Clothes don't slip, and they make my closet look polished.” They have an ultra slim silhouette that takes up less space in your closet as well as a 360-degree swivel hook so you can easily access your entire wardrobe. Plus, they have a contoured shoulder that won’t change the shape of your clothes with notches on either end to hold spaghetti straps in place.
49 This dewy lip balm with nearly 20,000 5-star ratings “There are so many squeezy out there, but what sets this apart for me is that while it's super moisturizing, the tinted versions actually stay where you apply it so it's not a total mess within 30 minutes,” commerce editor Jen Fiegel says. This best-selling lip gloss has a super lightweight and moisture-rich formula that not only hydrates your lips but then them hydrated day long. Plus, the tints do add a touch of color to your lips, making this a one-and-done product.
50 This silky smoothe cream that gives you 120 hours of hydration Packed with ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids, the composition of this improves the skin’s ability to lock in moisture for up to 120 hours, according to the brand. “This stuff works better than all the balms, sprays, and serums that promise to soothe and calm I've tried — including a lot of much more expensive products,” says Fiegel. It’s dermatologically tested and safe for sensitive skin and allergy-prone skin and does not have any potentially irritating fragrance.
51 This popular weed puller with an 39-inch long ergonomic handle “While weeding will never be fun, this single-handedly made me not dread it,” explains Fiegel — and 18,000 five-star raters agree. This weed puller has a 39-inch long handle so you don’t have to break your back bending down to pull weeds with your hands. It has a foot platform at the bottom to help drive it into dirt and soil, three serrated blades to grab onto the weeds, and a handle-operated ejection design for easy removal.
52 This layered shoe bag that fits 3 (or more) pairs Commerce editor Mallory Moreno loves this for the ease with which it helps her travel. “I bought this on a whim but I'm so glad I did,” she explains. “It says it can hold up to the 3 pairs but I've been able to squeeze in an extra pair or two, which is great.
” It has three compartments designed for different types of shoes — a thin top layer for sandals, a middle layer for flats or kitten heels, and a deep bottom layer for sneakers. It’s compact enough to fit inside your suitcase and keep the rest of your clothes safe from contact with your dirty shoes, but it also has an outer pouch that can slip around your suitcase’s handle to use as a personal item. 53 This sand removing pouch with reef-safe powder If you’re a frequent beach goer, Moreno’s favorite is a must-have to keep your space clean and sand-free.
“I keep them in my beach bag and use them right before I get into the car and on my feet after I get out of the water and trek through the sand,” she explains. All you have to do is pat the soft microfiber pouch to activate the talc-free, reef friendly powder inside. Gently massage it on your feet, hands, and wherever else to remove sand and leave your skin clean and fresh.
Keep it in your entryway to wipe sand off people and things before you enter your house or, like Moreno, in your car to keep your interior sand-free. 54 This cheap slow dog feeder with 97,000 5-star ratings This best-selling features a spiral design inside that spreads out up to 2 cups of wet or dry food to promote a healthy eating pace. “This was beneficial right away in helping [my dog] slow down while he ate,” says Moreno.
“Now that he's an adult, he still eats out of it and refuses to eat out of anything else. I think he likes the fun in it.” It has a nonslip base to keep it in place while your dog chows down and it’s BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free.
55 This best-selling pore cleansing oil that eliminates makeup & residue “This under-$20 has transformed my skin-care game,” raves commerce editor Cristina Sanza. “I actually look forward to washing my face before bed now.” Great in a two-step cleansing routine, this oil-based cleanser is designed not only for getting deep into pores, but also expertly removing oil-based makeup and sunscreen to make sure you’re ready for your next skincare step.
It has a super lightweight formula and works on all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone..
