There’s nothing like that feeling of delight when you’re shopping the boring but necessary basics on Amazon and you come across a product with high problem-solving potential. It’s that elusive thing you’ve been looking for — the organizing solution, the garment that goes with everything, or the everyday item but in a totally unique design. The discovery of it never fails to give us a little boost, especially after we’ve clicked “Buy It Now."
It’s even better when the item in question costs little more than a round of drinks — and thanks to Amazon’s always-reasonable prices, this is common occurrence. So common, in fact, that when we hit the site to compile a list of the most useful and problem-solving products that we could find, we were confronted with so many options that this list came dangerously close to the 30-slide mark. We kept the assortment to our own lucky number, however; so click through to see the 29 most useful products that we could suss out on the ’zon — all for under $29.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
OXO Good Grips Bag Cinch (3 pack)
4.6 out of 5 stars; 586 customer reviews
We’d buy these colorful and ergonomic plastic-bag cinchers based on aesthetics alone, but turns out they’re also super-handy for keeping stuff like bread and frozen veggies fresh. A reviewer put it succinctly, calling it a “goofy little kitchen aid that performs. My wife bought a set and I like the way they seem to keep all my bread items fresher longer. Highly recommended.”
Oxo OXO Good Grips Bag Cinch, $5.99, available at Amazon
Beakey Makeup Sponge Set
4.5 out of 5 stars; 3,472 reviews
We’d never be disloyal to that OG foundation sponge, the Beauty Blender — unless, um, we found a really convincing dupe on Amazon for a literal fraction of the original’s cost. (We’re talking a set of five for under $9.) A reviewer using the alias “Corgi Lover” — someone that we immediately trusted based on choice of username alone — had this to say: “I’m honestly really stinking happy with my little sponge. It applies my makeup smoothly and works just as well as a Beauty Blender but for a fraction of the price. Totally worth it.”
Beakey Beauty Makeup Sponge Set, $8.99, available at Amazon
elago AirPods EarHook
3.3 out of 5 stars; 351 customer reviews
Chronic AirPod droppers, rejoice: these handy hook-shaped extensions, crafted from soft and flexible thermoplastic polyurethane materials, attach to your Pods to keep them snug and secure on your ears in transit. “AirPods fit well and it feels comfortable when I wear it,” stated a reviewer. “I can’t even tell they are on. I don’t know how it looks on me, but my wife said it looks fine. And trust me, she would make fun of me if it looked stupid.”
elago AirPods EarHook [Lavender], $10.99, available at Amazon
Gogooda Mesh Laundry and Organization Bags
4.6 out of 5 stars; 1,866 reviews
We love a multi-purpose item, and these neat mesh bags reliably check several boxes. Their primary use is for washing delicates, but they also function as luggage organizers. We’d even use the smallest size for stashing makeup or other miniature items. “This set is AMAZING!” declared a happy customer. “The largest of the bags is huge, think pillow case sized. Good, sturdy material and zippers. Used the largest one to wash my queen sized duvet cover with some other bedding. I used to wash them in separate, smaller loads to avoid the sheet tangle. These large bags cured that problem and I can wash everything together without having a big knot to pull apart. Just buy them… you’ll be so glad you did.”
Gogooda Mesh Laundry and Organization Bags, $8.99, available at Amazon
Silicone Roll-up Dish Drying Rack
4.8 out of 5 stars; 176 customer reviews
Anyone here blessed with a #tinykitchen? [raises hand] We’re all familiar with the countertop tetris that is trying to accommodate your drying rack along with everything else you need space for, and we think a roll-up silicone rack that can be spread over the sink is just the ticket. “No crowding your counter by using a dish rack,” proclaimed a happy customer in her Amazon.com review. “A very hygienic way to dry baby items. Easy for drying fruits and vegetables, too. Air circulation from above and below. Can hold quite a bit of weight, and is adjustable in size by how much you unroll it. Rolls up very compactly. Fabulous quality.”
Uniqook Silicone Roll-up Dish Drying Rack, $22.95, available at Amazon
Neosmuck Heavy Duty Magnetic Hooks
4.4 out of 5 stars; 1,426 customer reviews
Tight on space? Turn your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, or really any magnetic surface into hanging space with these super-strong hooks that reviewers promise are not going anywhere. “These fit my needs perfectly,” claimed a satisfied reviewer. “I attached the to the back inner lip of my range hood to hang utensils and potholders. The magnetic pull is very strong and I have had no issues with them slipping. I tested even hanging a small but heavy pan and it held no problem.”
Neosmuck Heavy Duty Magnetic Hooks, $9.5, available at Amazon
Anne Klein Sleeveless Scoop Neck Knit Rib A-Line Dress
4.2 out of 5 stars; 1,955 reviews
We all know that the little black dress is the ultimate wardrobe workhorse, but to make it into our roundup of the most useful products, it had to be a pretty special one. We looked long and hard for this unicorn of a garment — an LBD that could do double duty as a day-to-night work dress (super opaque tights needed) and a cocktail frock, along with boasting an under-$29 price tag. This swingy shift dress checks all of our boxes: it could achieve wedding-guest status with elevated accessorizing and glamorous makeup, or be your Friday best friend when you have special dinner plans after work.
Belong V-Neck Bell Sleeve Shift Dress Mini Dress, $26.99, available at Amazon
iSteam Handheld Steamer
4.1 out of 5 stars; 3,265 customer reviews
Do you own a handheld travel steamer? If you don’t, you really should — there’s no easier or cheaper way to freshen up your clothes in a jif. From just-washed, overly wrinkled shirts desiccated by the dryer to that dress you dug out of the hamper to wear just one more time before laundry day, the handheld steamer is a friend to garments at every point on the cleanliness spectrum.
iSteam Handheld Steamer, $26.99, available at Amazon
Full Circle Mini Dustpan and Brush
4.5 out of 5 stars; 338 customer reviews
While we’d buy this Lilliputian dustpan and brush set based on looks alone (one of the Shopping team editors may have actually done so), this pint-sized cleaning implement actually works wonders on mini-messes generated by children, pets, and plants. “Among brush and dustpan sets, this one is a standout,” waxed one reviewer. “The brush has fine, dense, flexible bristles that conform to every surface and sweep really well. The pan is deep, with a soft rubber lip, and its top edges curve over to contain the dust inside. Brush your crumbs into a pile, and with one stroke, sweep the pile into the pan. No need to chase around that line of crumbs that usually remains by the lip of the dustpan — you know the one I mean.”
Full Circle Tiny Team Mini Brush and Dustpan Set, $8.99, available at Amazon
Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
4.7 out of 5 stars; 15,070 reviews
The benefits and multiple uses of coconut oil are highly, highly touted by hippies, nutritionists, and natural beauty enthusiasts alike; and if you’re a believer, you know you can use this do-everything oil for skincare, haircare, cooking, and baking. It seems that some Amazon customers agree: this is the first time we’ve seen reviews that number in the quintuple digits for a single product — with a rating thisclose to five stars.
Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce, $12.3, available at Amazon
Umbra Entryway Organizer
4.2 out of 5 stars; 76 customer reviews
Sure, this handy shelving unit is billed as belonging in the entryway — but where wouldn’t such a stylish and ergonomic rack enhance a space? We could see this in the bathroom, holding extra toiletries and providing hooks for towels; in the kitchen, as a spice shelf and rack for pots and pans, or even in the bedroom, for all that extra jewelry that you can never seem to keep organized. At $16.99, you can afford to buy one for every room in the house.
Umbra Entryway Organizer, $16, available at Amazon
Wander Cotton, Cushion Bottom, Moisture-Wicking Socks (8 pairs)
4.7 out of 5 stars; 34 customer reviews
Now that it’s nearly boot season, your sock drawer can use a few new friends. Anything holey or holding on for dear life can be upcycled to make way for this glorious 8-pack of cushy, moisture wicking, stretchy, luxe cotton-blend of socks from reliable indie athletic brand, Wander. As one reviewer recently said, "They’re just the right thickness and cushioning, great fit, wash well with very minimal shrinking, very comfortable tops… just a great all around sock! Since I am on my feet all day, I speak with great confidence about the quality and comfort of these socks. Goodbye Hanes, Fruit of the Loom…. you’re dust!"
Wander Cotton Cushion Bottom, Moisture-Wicking Socks (8 pairs), $19.99, available at Amazon
Luca Elf Aid Screwdriver Keychain
4.4 out of 5 stars; 171 customer reviews
Sure, you could tote around that bulky Swiss Army Knife, but why not streamline all those tools and only carry around what you actually reach for? Like one reviewer explained: “Fits perfect on my keychain. Always needing one at work and the small office screwdriver we had kept disappearing. Now I always have one with me.”
Luca Elf Aid Screwdriver Keychain, $5.74, available at Amazon
DecoBros Pan Organizer Shelf Rack
4.5 out of 5 stars; 2,468 reviews
“This is an excellent addition to our cabinets,” proclaimed a happy reviewer of this easy-to-install pan rack. “The construction out of the box impressed me and then when I noticed that there were screws to mount and secure the organizer, I was blown away. The rack is large enough to hold five cast iron pans ranging from a six inch pan up to a 13.5 behemoth. I am already planning on buying another one after our move in a couple weeks. Depending on one’s preference, this could easily work stacking the pans or laying on its side similar to a file folder. I highly recommend this product.”
DecoBros Pan Organizer Shelf Rack, $14.87, available at Amazon
Thermos Stainless Steel Jar With Folding Spoon
4.5 out of 5 stars; 4,970 reviews
As some who hauls leftovers to the office everyday, I really love the idea of a compact, food-friendly container that comes with its own spoon (so that I can stop wasting disposable ones on a daily basis). Other reviewers agree: “I am self-employed and I work out of a van doing service work, so to have a nice hot meal ready sometime in the afternoon is really nice,” explained one itinerant worker. “This is one of the most efficient, beautiful products I have ever reviewed.” Another reviewer was more emphatic: “THESE ARE THE BOMB!” she declared. “I ordered one for each child that takes a lunch to school, and they work! All I ask for in a Thermos is that it keeps food warm for 3-4 hours, they are big enough to fit a decent kid’s size meal into and that they don’t leak. This one delivers.”
Thermos Thermos Stainless Steel Jar With Folding Spoon, $15.99, available at Amazon
Silpada Tapered Drop Earrings
4.4 out of 5 stars; 15 customer reviews
You can wear these slim sterling silver bar earrings alone, or with the triangular hammered-brass components that slide onto the posts, transforming the minimal accessories into a bolder new pair. One reviewer helpfully pointed out that “because of the 2-toned metals, you can wear them with just about anything.”
Silpada Tapered Drop Earrings, $29, available at Amazon
Undone Beauty 3-in-1 Lip + Cheek Cream
4.4 out of 5 stars; 287 customer reviews
“As a collector (hoarder) of cruelty-free makeup, how did I only just find out about this gem?” asked a smitten reviewer. “Adding this to my cheeks and lips as directed, I looked flushed with happiness.” With three separate intensity levels allowing you to do anything from gently stain to definitively tint, this lip and cheek cream is a makeup bag MVP.
undone beauty 3-in-1 Lip + Cheek Cream, $10, available at Amazon
X-Protector Rug Grippers
4.4 out of 5 stars; 409 customer reviews
If you’ve ever suffered a fall from a slippery rug, then you know that good grippers are the real product MVPs. This 16-pack of peel and stick, non-slip grippers is top-rated and easier to apply to any rug than the exact-measurement mats are. Plus, it’s currently on sale for 43% off.
X-Protector Rug Grippers (16 pcs), $25.61, available at Amazon
UGRACE Waterproof Backpack With USB Charging Port
4.4 out of 5 stars; 47 customer reviews
With about nine million pockets, a waterproof exterior, room for a host of electronic devices, a dedicated water-bottle pocket, and space for a charging cord, this stylish backpack may boast the most useful bells and whistles of any we’ve seen this school year. One particularly helpful reviewer detailed almost everything that the roomy knapsack could accommodate: “I was able to fit two paperback textbooks, three notebooks, and my laptop and still so much room to spare for class. When I travel, I usually pack my clothes for up to four days in a backpack. I rolled four tops, two pairs of jeans, two pairs of lounge pants, laptop, chargers, two books, and a handful of toiletries including a small makeup bag. There was still a good two inches of space left in the main compartment somehow!”
UGRACE Waterproof Laptop Backpack with USB Charging Port, $23.99, available at Amazon
Jalousie Air Purifying Charcoal Bags
4.2 out of 5 stars; 520 customer reviews
Save that artificial, aerosol-powered Febreze for another time — these earthy charcoal bags are an all-natural, low-impact way to get rid of odors. A natural toxin remover, charcoal will absorb weird smells in shoes and gym bags, along with the party-crashers that usually accompany moisture: mold and mildew. Once the bags are spent — they have a two-year lifespan — the charcoal will biodegrade. “I’m gonna level with y’all,” said a straight-shooting reviewer. “I bought these purely out of curiosity. I had incredibly low expectations. I though this whole ‘bamboo charcoal’ thing was a bunch of BS. I’m happy to say I was totally wrong. These actually work. If you put them in your shoes, for example, overnight, you can actually smell the difference.”
Jalousie Mini Bamboo Charcoal Bags, $15.99, available at Amazon
hblife Stainless Steel Toothbrush Holder
4.4 out of 5 stars; 1,879 customer reviews
Call us total neat freaks, but how annoying is it when the toothpaste has no home on the countertop and just floats aimlessly from place to sink-adjacent place? Enter this neatnik-friendly bathroom caddy, which could easily do double duty holding kitchen utensils, small tools, or makeup when not corralling your dental implements.
hblife Stainless Steel Toothbrush Holder, $7.99, available at Amazon
TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Mini
4.3 out of 5 stars; 4,850 customer reviews
Control any outlet-connected electronic device from your phone with this Wi-Fi enabled “smart” adapter that turns plug power on or off remotely. One very clever reviewer takes advantage the device’s scheduling feature to limit her children’s time playing video games: “I have [the outlet set so it] doesn’t even turn in the morning when people should be getting ready for school. After school, it’s scheduled to be off, and once everyone has homework done, we turn it on. The kids know that if I power stuff off from the app, they won’t have a chance to save their game. This is a huge motivator.”
TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Mini, $22.99, available at Amazon
Zoppen Multi-Purpose Travel Passport Wallet
4.5 out of 5 stars; 3,642 customer reviews
This top-rated travel accessory boasts nearly 4,000 reviews and a 4.5 out of 5-star rating — and we’re guessing that has everything to do with its $14-price, multi-compartment storage for passports to plane tickets, and RFID-blocking privacy powers all in one slim and stylish wallet.
Zoppen Multi-Purpose Travel Passport Wallet, $13.99, available at Amazon
Bluelounge CableYoyo
4.6 out of 5 stars; 388 customer reviews
Kiss knotted-earbud hell goodbye forever with this handy little silicone spool that keeps cords or any electronic cables tangle free with its magnetic-retracting center. “Boom! Best thing I’ve bought in years,” proclaimed“a reviewer. “The design is GENIUS and works perfectly. It’s made of flexible rubberish something, holds the wires in perfect place. The magnetic interior then keeps the buds from flopping around. Getting the wires unrolled is quick and easy.”
Bluelounge CableYoyo, Light Grey, $9.94, available at Amazon
Omont Drain Snake Clog Remover Pack
4.3 out of 5 stars; 542 customer reviews
Don’t wade around in the misery of a clogged shower, waiting for your plumber or super to rescue you — take care of it ASAP by keeping this under-$10 pack (dubbed by a reviewer “The Orange Plastic Strip that should have plumbers afraid for their jobs”) handy for any clogged drain emergencies. The top-rated kit comes complete with five plastic snake tools in addition to one stainless steel cleaner to help you unclog like an at-home professional.
Omont Drain Snake Clog Remover, 6 Pack, $9.55, available at Amazon
Maidenform Love The Lift Convertible Strapless Bra
4 out of 5 stars; 17 customer reviews
With 12 possible strap configurations, this convertible bra might be the one you’d take to the proverbial deserted island. (If, um, you cared to wear nice underwear while stranded at sea.) “Excellent strapless bra,” declared a reviewer. “I normally wear the Love the Lift bras, and love the fit, comfort, and material! I wear a 34B and it fit as expected. Would buy again.”
Maidenform Love The Lift Convertible Strapless Bra, $22, available at Amazon
OTOTO Clean Dream Sponge Holder
4.6 out of 5 stars; 167 customer reviews
Why, you ask, has a miniature bed for your kitchen sponge made it onto to the list of useful gadgets? Sponge holders are no doubt handy — leaving a wet mass to dry on the countertop or sink is gross — but perhaps one would argue that there are more “useful” ones on the marketplace. However, we dare you to not crack a smile every time you go to the dishes and wake the sponge from its comfy dreamland. The lesson here? This tiny plastic is a great form of self-care, both for you and your cellulose cleaning square. One Amazon reviewer gave it five stars, remarking that “if Ratatouille breaks into my house and starts cooking wonderful meals, he’ll now have a place to rest.” So true.
OTOTO Clean Dreams Sponge Holder, $13.8, available at Amazon
Smart Design Kitchen Storage Shelf Rack
4.5 out of 5 stars; 187 reviews
Shelf risers are not to be overlooked as a seriously low-fi, space-saving accessory. Minimal in its design but maximal in its usefulness, this extra level can be inserted anywhere you struggle with inefficient storage. Refrigerators, cabinets, dressers, and more will benefit from a second level of shelf space, and you don’t even have to lift a hammer or a nail to benefit from this innovation.
Smart Design Kitchen Storage Shelf Rack, $8.47, available at Amazon
Ballpoint Pen And Highlighter with Post-It Flag
4.3 out of 5 stars; 131 customer reviews
Annotators of the world, listen up: gone are the days of toting around multiple implements with one paltry function each — this handy three-in-one device combines a highlighter, ballpoint pen, and Post-It notepad into a single stylus. “These are literally my life as a college student — this is all you need besides a pencil,” raved a reviewer. “The pen for some reason writes really good and balanced. The Post-It note is great while taking notes and the highlighter is really good quality. I just love these so much. God bless; please make more colors. I would love a purple and green one.”
Post-it Ballpoint Pen and Highlighter With Post-It Flag, $5.85, available at Amazon
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Source: Refinery29 – Emily Ruane