Shopping

50 Cheap Things On Amazon You'll Get A Sh*t Ton Of Use Out Of Every Day

Say bye to lost keys and cold coffee.

by Christina X. Wood
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

I once purchased a cheap kitchen tool out of mild curiosity, thinking it — like so many other clever ideas — would land in a drawer where I would promptly forget it. I used that tool yesterday, as I do every day, and realized that it is so necessary that I would have paid much more for it, though I’m glad I didn’t. So I started looking around my house and realized that it’s full of inexpensive and super useful items that I spent, in aggregate, less than I did on that leather armchair I never sit on. So, in honor of the hardworking tools that power our homes, here are 50 cheap things on Amazon you'll get a sh*t ton of use out of every day.

Take this wireless charging pad that will power up to three phones at once while looking like a stylish desk accessory. That will likely get daily use from several people in most homes and look good at the same time. Or consider this powerful handheld vacuum that will clean everything from the couch to the car to the stairs with no wires or expensive replacement bags. And last of all is this bidet attachment that’s probably the best life upgrade you will find for less than $30. You will use it often, sing its praises, and wonder how you ever lived without it.

There are more. So many more. So read on and find the ones you want and need.

1. This remote control for everything you lose

If you have ever wished there was a remote control for more things than the TV, check out this kit that lets you point a remote to locate your keys, wallet, phone, or cat in order to find them. Just attach the four fobs to the items you are most likely to lose, and when you can’t find them, press the key on the remote that corresponds to the missing item. It will beep so you can track it down.

2. This phone mount that clips into the air vents

Every car has air vents in the dash and this universal phone mount takes advantage of that to mount your phone to those so it will work in your car, the rental, and whatever ride you frequent. It snaps onto a vent, grabs your phone securely, and rotates 360 degrees so you can view your phone the way you like it. Getting your phone in and out is easy with the push-button release and the silicone surface is grippy so it holds your phone securely.

3. A stainless steel touchless soap dispenser

Fill this soap dispenser with your own liquid soap, add some batteries, and set it down next to the sink and you have the sort of touchless soap dispenser system you encounter in public bathrooms. You never have to touch a pump with dirty hands or wonder who else’s germ-covered hands have touched this. It’s easy to fill and you can set how much soap it drops when the infrared sensor sees a hand.

4. The waterproof Bluetooth speaker with lights

This little waterproof speaker comes in a form factor that’s perfect for carrying with you and it delivers loud high-end, low-end, and mid-range sound from its tiny body. You can buy two of them and pair them for stereo sound and it comes in four terrific colors.

5. This adapter that connects 2 garden hoses to one spigot

When your garden is asking for water in more than one direction but you only have one spigot to work with, the answer is as simple as screwing in the two-way garden adapter and connecting two hoses to that spigot. It’s as easy to install as a garden hose but now you can turn a dial to deliver water two one or both hoses. The grips are plastic but the connectors are copper plated.

6. The multitool of charging cables that fits on your keychain

This clever little device manages to fit every charging cable you will need into one key-sized EDC you can attach to your keyring and always have with you. It folds in half and the ends snap together magnetically for carrying. Open it up and USB-C, micro-USB, and Lightning cables emerge from the heads.

7. This travel mug with a portable filter to make coffee on the go

The fact this travel mug comes with a filter to make coffee on the go is just one reason it’s such a fan favorite. This insulated stainless steel mug is perfect for keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. And for a bonus finishing touch, it has a leakproof lid that anyone constantly going from one place to another can appreciate.

8. This car trash can that keeps your ride looking great

Receipts, wrappers, and uneaten fries can add up fast in your car — but this trash can keeps your vehicle looking neat and clean. The 2-gallon can can be secured to a headrest or the center console, and it comes with 20 liners, so you can start chucking garbage in ASAP. It’s veratile too — you can empty this out, clean it, and use it as a cooler to keep drinks cold on road trips.

9. The bug zapper that turns fly hunting into a sport

When there is a fly, mosquito, or other flying nuisance — or an invasion of them — in the house, pull out this rechargeable bug zapper and get in a game of bug-zapping tennis. The bugs will come to fear your backhand because this racket is armed with a 4,000-volt grid that gets them with a jolt as soon as you make contact.

10. This organizer with space for up to 93 batteries

This organizer is an elegant solution to that jumbled drawer of batteries you’ve probably got somewhere in your home. There’s space for up to 93 batteries, ranging from slim AAAs to chunky Ds — and the clear cover makes it easy to see where everything is stored. Plus, each order also includes a battery tester so that you can throw out any batteries that have lost their charge.

11. An elegant desk lamp that does so many cool things

Though it takes up only a tiny footprint on your desk, this lamp does so much with that space. Touch the base to turn it on, change the light color (warm, neutral, or blue) or cycle through the three levels of brightness. Glance at the built-in clock and calendar, set an alarm, and stand your phone in the base. The light arm adjusts in many directions and the whole thing folds up for storage.

12. A powerful handheld vacuum with a built-in light

This rechargeable handheld vacuum gets high marks from reviewers for its ability to get fur and dirt out of carpets, cars, and couches. It has a washable filter, a brush attachment for carpets and fabrics, a crevice attachment to get into small spaces, and a bright LED light that helps when lighting is poor.

13. An organizer for the car for easy access to your stuff

This net organizer is a must-have for people who spend a lot of time in their cars. The hooks easily attach to the headrests of the seats providing an upright and accessible place to sit your purse or bag. It can even function as a separation barrier between the front and back seat, which can be extra handy when traveling with a pet.

14. A USB flash drive with basically universal compatibility

If your phone, tablet, or computer is running low on storage space, consider getting a USB flash drive to offload old data and free up new space. You can also feel secure knowing there are plenty of safety features to protect the information you transfer to the drive. It’s equipped with fingerprint unlocking, double encryption protection, and password encryption to name a few. This small tool provides you 256 GB of storage.

15. This meat thermometer that makes sure your meat isn’t undercooked — or overdone

Cooking meat can truly be a nerve-wracking experience. Is the chicken undercooked? Is the barbeque meat overdone? This stressful guessing game has been solved by KIZEN’s digital meat thermometer that takes the temperature of meat as it cooks — and gives you a reading in a matter of seconds. Waterproof and with an easy-to-read, bright LED display, this thermometer can also be used for checking baked goods in the oven, beverages, frying oil and more.

16. A dish sponge that’s made from both cellulose and cotton

Most sponges are made from cellulose. And most dishcloths are made from cotton. But this Swedish dishcloth is a blend of both cotton and cellulose. The result is a sponge that’s as flexible, wringable, and washable as a dishcloth but also as absorbent, stiff when dry, and effective as a sponge. It’s exactly what every cleaning project wants and this 10 pack will last years because each cloth can be washed and reused indefinitely.

17. The toilet attachment for a better clean

This inexpensive bidet attachment requires very little plumbing to install onto your existing toilet seat — just tap into the toilet’s water supply line — and it’s a huge life upgrade. Just turn the dial for a butt shower that’s precisely the intensity you prefer, every time you go, and you will wonder what you ever saw in toilet paper.

18. This shower head that softens water & improves pressure

Screw in this showerhead and solve all your irritating, inadequate-shower problems at the same time. The beads in the arm filter the water so that even hard water comes out soft and gentle to your skin. And the micro nozzles speed up the water so that weak water pressure feels powerful. Dial in the style of shower you like — rainfall or massage — and enjoy.

19. A shoe organizer that can fit extra-large pairs

With extra-tall and wide cubbies that can accommodate larger pairs of shoes, this organizer makes it easy to keep your entryway or closet looking neat and tidy. Putting it together is simple, as it doesn’t require any tools — and you can even collapse it down flat for easy storage when you aren’t using it.

20. This cordless power screwdriver with all the bits

If you have to assemble something or are faced with any light chore where a bit of power would help, you’ll be glad you have this handy, rechargeable screwdriver in your tool kit. It hinges from straight to pistol style to handle lots of scenarios, comes with 11 bits, has an LED light so you can see what you are doing, and is lightweight.

21. A silicone strainer that clips directly onto the pot

Take the challenge out of pouring a pot of hot water into a colander in the sink thanks to this silicone strainer that attaches directly to the lip of the pot. Now, you just have to tip it until the water is out and the pasta is all that’s left. The side clips hold firmly to the pot, and it’s flexible to fit vessels of different sizes.

22. These candles you can light with a remote control

Not only will these candles never create a pool of wax on your table or set the house on fire, you can turn all of them on at once using a 10-key remote. You can even put them on a timer so they come on automatically and shut off after a while so you can fall asleep in candlelight.

23. An all-purpose stain remover that is incredibly powerful

If you have a well-lived in and active household, this powerful stain remover will come in handy more times than you can count. It is effective at dealing with brand-new and old, set-in stains from things like grass, grease, paint, wine, and food to name a few. You can use it on furniture, rugs and carpets, and clothing, as well as other upholstered items that you can’t easily put in the washer.

24. This attachment for your car’s visor that extends for more sun protection

Have you ever been driving when all of a sudden the sun blinds you out of nowhere? That won’t be an issue any more thanks to this handy visor sunshade extender. It attaches securely to your car’s sun visor with elastic straps. There are two panels, one that extends out to the side and one that extends downward, that give you the extra sun protection you’ll appreciate while behind the wheel.

25. This coffee warmer that looks cute on your desk

Set your hot coffee down on this decorative and super effective coffee warmer and your brew will stay warm to the last sip. Tap the power button to choose from three temperature settings so that every sip is exactly the temperature you like. It will shut off after four hours if you forget it’s on. There are five colors to choose from, and this pick is a much more stylish than similar products out there.

26. This iron that’s also a vertical steamer

If you covet a steamer that lets you get wrinkles out of clothes while they are still on the hanger, upgrade to this steam iron that not only delivers excellent steam but is also lightweight and compact for easy travel and storage. The high capacity water tank allows for up to 10 minutes of uninterrupted steaming.

27. This clip-on booklight for reading into the wee hours

When you find yourself deep into a page-turner and your bed partner wants to turn the lights out, pull out this clip-on booklight, snap it onto the pages of your book, and keep turning pages. It’s rechargeable via USB, has three levels of brightness, doubles as a bookmark, and is so small you can take it anywhere.

28. A desk that makes working from bed on a laptop better

Put this lap desk between your legs and your laptop to solve many of the problems of working in bed or on the couch. It insulates you from the heat emitted by the laptop so you don’t get burned, dissipates that heat so your laptop doesn’t fry, stops it from slipping around, and has a slide-out mouse pad so you don’t have to use the glide pad. It fits neatly in your bag with the laptop, too.

29. This silicone drying mat that’s heat-resistant

Featuring wavy ridges that provide airflow, this silicone mat is great for drying dishes on the countertop. It has a nonslip bottom to help it stay put, and it’s also heat-resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can even use it under hot cookware. Choose from four sizes and 10 colors.

30. A 1-gallon water bottle for meeting your hydration goals

Meeting your hydration goals is as easy as filling up this 1-gallon water bottle in the morning and keeping it by your side all day. It has a heavy-duty carrying handle and time markings on the side, so you can stay on track by the hour. It comes with both a straw spout and a regular drinking spout, so you can sip or chug to your heart’s content. Choose from a variety of colors.

31. This charging stand that powers your Apple Watch wirelessly

Keep this charging stand next to your bed, and you’ll always have a convenient place to let your Apple Watch charge overnight. It’s compatible with nearly every version of the Apple Watch, and even features cable management cutouts in the back to help keep your wires looking tidy. Plus, you also have the choice of nine colors — from classic black to light mint.

32. A silicone massage brush that works on pets with all types of fur

This multipurpose massage brush is a pet owner's dream thanks to how effective it is at grooming. The soft, flexible bristles are made from silicone and work well to help with shedding by removing excess hair. You can also use it when giving your dog a bath to work and massage the shampoo into their fur and skin.

33. These lights that turn on automatically after dark

These smart night lights can be plugged into any outlet and will automatically turn on when it gets dark, and they’ll automatically adjust their brightness based on ambient light. Plus, the lights are energy-efficient and come in a six-pack, so you’ll have one for several rooms and hallways.

34. A stylus that works with all your screens

Sometimes writing on a touch screen with your finger is super awkward. For those moments — drawing, signing contracts, and choosing tiny drop-down menus — this stylus is there to make it better. It requires no Bluetooth connection, is USB-rechargeable with incredible battery life, and turns off automatically if you forget to hit the power button.

35. This cooling gel face mask for a calming facial at home

If you wake up puffy and overheated, take a few minutes with this cooling gel mask and calm your skin and coold down. Then give your face a relaxing and cooling face massage with the jade roller. Just keep it all in the fridge and it will be ready to calm irritation and redness. Or pop the mask in the microwave for a warm face compress.

36. An outlet shelf that’s the perfect spot for the Echo Dot

Need a handy place to set your Echo Dot, toothbrush charger, or other small electronics? How about right above the outlet on this outlet shelf that has a hidden compartment for the cord? Just replace the outlet cover with this shelf, curl the cord into it, plug it in, and you are all set. It comes in black or white.

37. This charging station that keeps cable clutter to a minimum

If your desk has devolved into a mess of cables and wires, this charging station is an easy way to help tidy the space up. Four slots give you tons of room for phones and tablets, while five shortened charging cables work to keep cable clutter to a minimum: two lightning, two micro-USB, and one type-C.

38. A cold brewer that looks great and makes terrific coffee

If the combination of a beautiful carafe and a delicious cup of cold-brew coffee sounds good, this stainless steel and borosilicate glass cold brewer with silicone seals (so nothing leaks) is for you. Making cold brew with it is easy. Just put the grounds into the inner sleeve and add water. Then put it in the fridge overnight. In the morning you’ll have a delicious pot of coffee. Pour it over ice and enjoy.

39. These organizers that fit into the gap between your car seats

Always losing stuff down into that gap between your car seats? Try stuffing one of these organizers into that open space. Not only do they help keep items from falling down, but they’re also great for keeping your phone, charging cables, and more conveniently within reach. “Easy to install, feels and looks quality, matches my existing leather and most importantly my wallet and phone fit perfectly so I don't have to use the cup holders,” wrote one happy reviewer.

40. A standalone organizer to display your favorite vinyl records

Proudly display your favorite and most cherished vinyl on this record organizer. Each side has a clear acrylic panel so the album cover art can be seen even on the ends. There is space for 50 records, and this is a much more appealing storage option than old bins or crates.

41. A colorful knife set that comes with a cutting board & sharpener

A good knife can be underrated, especially if you’re more of a casual at-home cook. But this knife set is likely to be a gamechanger with 12 knives to suit all your cooking needs, from an 8-inch chef’s knife to a 4-inch paring knife. The knives also come with a cutting board and sharpener — all in all, you can’t beat this rainbow-hued set for the price.

42. This toiletry bag that you can hang up for easy access

With a helpful built-in hook that lets you hang it up in the bathroom, this toiletry bag makes it easy to access all your serums, soaps, brushes, and more. It’s made from water-resistant polyester, so there’s no need to worry if it happens to get wet — all while multiple pockets give you tons of storage space for all your essentials.

43. A screen cleaner spray that’s super portable

Keep this slick bottle of screen cleaner on hand so your phone, tablet, and touch-screen laptop are not smeared in germs and fingerprints. Just spray the screen lightly and wipe it clean with the included microfiber cloth. It’s much more sustainable than disposable wipes and is about the size of a lipstick so you can keep it in a pocket.

44. The portable charger that your iPhone can wear anywhere

If your phone tends to lose power before you do at the end of the day, pocket this lipstick-sized charger to keep it powered to the bitter end. It’s compact, holds a full charge, and fits into the bottom of the phone like a tiny handle. It comes in five colors.

45. This sunlamp that helps regulate your circadian rhythm through light therapy

Anyone who deals with seasonal affective disorder will appreciate the usefulness and practicality of this UV-free LED sunlamp. It mimics the properties that natural sunlight delivers to our bodies for us to function healthily. Regular use of this lamp is said to lead to better sleep and focus, as well as an improved mood.

46. These baking mats that let you skip the oil

Skip oil, butter, and cooking spray the next time you’re planning to stick something in the oven, and lay one of these silicone baking mats down on the pan instead. Suitable for everything from baking cookies to roasting vegetables, the mats also protect your pans from baked-on food. They’re easy to clean— just wash them by hand or stick them in the dishwasher.

47. The cute pen-sized lighter that uses no butane

This lighter is not just pretty, it’s a slick piece of technology that uses an arc of electricity to light candles and start fires. And because it’s electric, you never have to fill it with butane and it will never blow out. Plug it into a charger and wait for the four LEDs on the side to tell you it’s fully charged and light your candles. It comes in five colors.

48. A bottle that makes smooth protein powder drinks

If your protein powder beverages are lumpy, this electric mixing bottle is here to make smooth, creamy protein drinks quickly and easily. Just fill with water, add powder, press the button, and watch as the blades spin to blend it. It even lights up as it blends and you can drink right from the bottle.

49. This universal super socket any avid DIYer will love

For anyone who loves to do at-home projects or is a home handyworker, this universal socket is a must-have tool for their arsenal. This socket wrench adapter is specially designed with 54 individual steel springs that contour to the exact size, shape, and fit you need at that moment. It also includes a power drill adapter as a bonus.

50. An under-desk bike so you can work out while you work

Sitting all day at a desk makes it very difficult to get enough movement into your life. This under-desk bike lets you recapture some of that time by putting movement into your sedentary time. Just pedal while you work, watch TV, or do crafts. You can set the resistance and track your distance and calories spent on the LED display. Move it to a tabletop and use it for arm workouts, too.

This article was originally published on

Related Tags