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50 Weird New Things on Amazon That Are So Damn Clever

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

We live in the weirdest of times. We are well past the invention of the automobile, airplane, spaceship, and bread slicer. Today, everyone with the kind of brain that creates devices to solve problems is either focused on big-picture issues like artificial intelligence or time travel — or they have tuned into small problems like making produce last longer and improving indoor plumbing. These are bright minds and those are real problems, so the results are often brilliant. Take a look at these 50 weird new things on Amazon that are so damn clever and you’ll see.

1. A Clever Stand For Your iPhone

Charge your iPhone and turn it into a cute bedside table display at the same time with this simple charging stand. Thread your own Magsafe charger into the base and set your phone down on it. It holds your phone at a glanceable angle and looks great doing it. It comes in four colors.

2. This Laser Projector That Turns Your Room Into A Spaceship

Turn any room into a beautiful trip into space with this laser star projector. It throws a picture of drifting stars or a nebula cloud against your wall and ceiling, so you can imagine yourself traveling through the galaxy from your living room. Just set it down and choose the visual display from an app on your phone where you can also control the brightness, color, and rotation of the stars.

3. These Mushroom Night Lights That Are So Cool

Create a whimsical garden that lights your space with this three-pack of color-changing mushroom night lights. They turn on automatically when the lights are out and turn off again when the lights are on. They are so adorable, you will want to plug one into every available outlet. “I love them so much, I placed a reorder the same day they arrived,” said one reviewer. “Great bathroom nightlight.”

4. The Genius Tool For Cutting Up A Melon

This weird-looking tool makes it so fast and easy to cut a watermelon that you will be making watermelon salads and fruit plates in record time. Just drag the rake part of the watermelon slicer through the fruit to create lines, then turn the melon and do that again in the other direction to make a grid. Stab a piece with the fork and it lifts up a perfect cube.

5. A Grippy Mat So You Can Toss Things On The Dash

If you like to toss things onto the dash while you are driving but are frustrated when they immediately slide off and get lost, this anti-slip rubber pad is the answer. It looks decorative and low profile on your dash but the lattice pattern is designed to grip anything you toss there. “Whatever you put on it, [...] stays,” said one reviewer. “You never have to worry again about your phone, wallet, keys, or sunglasses sliding off the dash.”

6. The Bell That Lets Your Dog Ask To Go Out

Empower your pup with the ability to clearly communicate when it’s time to go potty by sticking this smart bell near the door. Once they understand that tapping the bell is an easy way to communicate their needs, you can stand down until you hear the potty bell. And your dog won’t have to bark, scratch the door, or whine.

7. This Kitchen Witch That Holds Your Spoon

Snap this adorable kitchen spoon rest to the edge of a pan and she will hold your spoon for you to keep the counters free of spoon drips. When you want to release steam from the pan, she will help with that, too. Agatha is cute, whimsical, and helpful. Isn’t that everything you want from a kitchen gadget?

8. The Alarm Clock That Projects Time On The Ceiling

Instead of fumbling for your phone while half asleep in the morning, crack open your eyes and gaze up at the ceiling to check the time. This projection alarm clock displays the time and outside temperature where you can see it with minimal effort. The clock itself is small so it won’t clutter up your bedside table, yet it also has a built-in USB phone charger port.

9. A Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack That Saves Major Countertop Space

For those with limited counter space, this roll-up dish drying rack is the answer. Made with rustproof stainless steel slats that allow for maximum airflow, it rolls directly over your sink to dry dishes or produce fast. Silicone feet on the ends keep the mat in place and the whole thing can be easily stored within a small amount of space.

10. The Headphones You Will Wear 24 Hours A Day

This wireless music headband is certain to become your favorite accessory. It keeps your hair out of your face while you exercise and plays music from your phone to keep you going. When you want to sleep, pull it down over your eyes and drift off to a book or relaxing sounds. It comes in ten colors and the headphones remove so you can wash the headband.

11. A Toilet Attachment That Will Change Your Life

Transform every trip to the toilet into a moment of personal cleanliness with this bidet attachment that puts an upside-down shower under the toilet seat. It’s easy to install, easy to use, and life-changing. “It is honestly one of the best purchases I've made,” said one reviewer. “I can never go back.”

12. A Punching Bag For Your Desk

When work pressures have you ready to snap, relieve the stress by hitting this desktop punching bag. It clamps firmly to the edge of the desk so you can hit it hard without worrying that it will fly across the room. The spring action of the pole mount brings it right back to you, just like the fast bag in the gym.

13. A Speaker You Can Toss In The Pool

When you are chillin’ in the hot tub or your pool, toss this floating pool speaker into the water and enjoy a watery light show and some tunes at the same time. It’s waterproof, wireless, and rechargeable so it’s zero hassle to use and brings all the ambiance to your aquatic adventures.

14. This Battery Organizer With A Built-In Tester

Get your batteries in order and save yourself the trouble of installing or storing dead ones. This battery storage organizer holds 180 batteries in a clear-top case so you can see what you have. You can even mount it to a wall and create a battery supply cabinet in a closet or storage room. A built-in battery tester makes it easy to tell how much power is in any battery. It comes in eight colors.

15. A Clever Way To Pour Honey

End the struggle to dispense liquid sweeteners — such as honey and maple syrup — by loading them into this clever syrup dispenser that pours from the bottom. Just pull a trigger on the handle to open the pour spout. Slow-moving syrups are already primed and ready to pour. Just release the trigger to stop the flow and set it in its stand and there is no mess or annoyance. It even looks like a bee hive.

16. These Thin & Flexible Cutting Boards That Are Great For Food Prep

Use these thin and flexible cutting boards to prep anything from produce to poultry thanks to their strong, nonporous surface that’s gentle on knives. Three come in each pack in different colors (such as the gray, green, and pink pictured here) with a textured backing keeping them firmly in place on your countertop. A notch at the top makes these lightweight boards a cinch to hang as well.

17. A Dry Bag Perfect For Water-Based Adventures

Head out for adventures on the trail or the kayak knowing clothing and sundries won’t get soaked thanks this this dry bag. It comes in either a 5, 10, or 20-liter size and is made of waterproof and sturdy PVC. The bag includes a durable clip to ensure complete watertightness, a waterproof phone case, and nylon straps that allow it to be worn comfortably like a backpack.

18. This Clever Trick For Changing Lightbulbs

Attach this weird light bulb changer to a pole and it will allow you to change high lightbulbs without getting out a ladder. A suction cup grabs the bulb firmly so you can turn and remove it from a distance. It’s perfect for changing outdoor floodlights and recessed lighting that’s out of reach. “After years of climbing a ladder to replace ceiling bulbs, this gadget is safe and works like a charm!” said one reviewer.

19. These Food Containers With Built-In Colanders

This set of three food storage containers in three sizes is a complete solution for washing and storing all your produce. The easy-to-use locking lids keep air out. Each container has a colander that fits perfectly inside it. Wash your produce in the colander and drop it into the container to drip dry while it is stored — or use the colanders and containers separately.

20. A Meat Tenderizer With Dual Sides

This highly rated and versatile meat tenderizer is designed with a front-loaded weight to make preparing that chicken paillard that much easier. It features dual sides — one textured and one smooth — for either tenderizing or pounding and is made with a nonstick coating that makes this mallet easy to clean.

21. The Pocket That Attaches To Your Bra

When your ensemble has no pockets, this hidden bra wallet can hold your passport, cash, and other valuables so it’s all safe and within reach — even if you lose your bag. It’s made from a soft fabric that feels comfortable against your skin and attaches to your bra strap — or a belt loop — to make it secure. It even comes with trip insurance.

22. These Giant Claws For Shredding Meat

When you want to lift a turkey out of the oven or shred that slow-cooked piece of meat, reach for these metal meat claws. They give you all the power and leverage you need and keep your hands well out of the mess and heat. That task will go faster and your hands will thank you.

23. A Digital Meat Thermometer That Gives An Accurate Reading In Seconds

Set yourself up for success in the kitchen by having one of these digital meat thermometers in your toolkit. It features a retractable probe that keeps your hands comfortably away from heat and displays precise temperatures in two to three seconds. The backlit screen makes this the perfect companion for nighttime grilling and a built-in magnet means it can be stored handily on the fridge or side of your barbecue.

24. A Pot Strainer That Clips Directly Onto The Pan

There’s no need for bulky colanders that take up tons of storage space when you have this clever pot strainer. Designed to be about half the size of a normal strainer, it clips onto the sides of your pot to allow you to drain water directly from the pan, leaving the pasta, grains, or vegetables, for example, in place. It’s made of heat-resistant silicone that can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

25. This Light That Snaps Onto Your Patio Umbrella Pole

Snap this patio umbrella light onto an umbrella pole and it will illuminate your outdoor gatherings. It throws plenty of light on your dining table with its 12 LEDs to brighten a meal well into a dark evening. Or dim the light for mood lighting. It works well as a solution for interior tent lighting too.

26. This Milk Frother That Creates Gorgeous Foam In 15 Seconds

You, yourself, can be your own beloved neighborhood barista with this handheld milk frother by your side. It features a powerful motor that can whip up dairy and nondairy foam in only 15 seconds to create the cappuccinos and lattes of your dreams. It’s conveniently battery-powered and comes in eight color options such as black, rose pink, and robin’s egg blue.

27. A Washing Machine For Fruits & Vegetables

Get your fruits and vegetables really clean without spending an hour scrubbing them with soap by using this vegetable washing machine. Simply fill any container with water, drop in your produce, and turn on the purifier. It runs an automatic cycle that taps the power of ionization to deep clean whatever is in that water bath.

28. A Pair Of Flashlight Gloves For Handy Illumination

These clever flashlight gloves feature LEDs built directly into them so you can attend to that problem under the hood of your car or do nighttime repairs without requiring one of your hands to hold a flashlight. The gloves are made of stretchy material with included straps to fit a range of hand sizes and are fingerless so as to give you maximum dexterity. They’re available in four colors: black, blue, gray, and camo.

29. The Steamer That Makes Dinner So Easy

Prepare a meal of steamed dumplings, rice, and vegetables at the turn of a dial with this two-tier food steamer. You can cook everything at the same time on the two layers while you go off and do something else. It turns off automatically when the time runs out or it runs out of water so nothing overcooks. “This steamer changed my life,” said one reviewer. “I practically never use my stove [and] love that I can turn the dial and go about my life.”

30. This Clip-On Light That’s Perfect For Running Or Camping

Clip this running light to your belt, backpack straps, or shirt and illuminate your path hands-free. It’s rechargeable, has a three-hour battery life, and will also stick to any metal surface, making it invaluable on a camping trip or power outage. It’s also terrific for running or dog-walking at dusk.

31. A Car Seat Gap Organizer That Stores Your Essentials By Your Side

That broom has smacked you in the face for the last time. Mount this wall-mounted tool organizer to the wall or the inside of a closet door a

32. A Fidget Toy That’s Also A Working Pen

If you focus better when your hands are busy, add this fidget pen to your desktop rig. It writes like a pen but becomes a toy you can shape into any creature or form you can imagine anytime you need it. The pen’s body is made up of magnetic pieces you can reshape.

33. The Fire Pit You Can Use At The Table

Enjoy the ambiance of a fire pit right on your patio — or even in the living room — with this tabletop fire pit. The flame is big enough to toast marshmallows but the “pit” itself is small enough to sit on a table and burns without smoke or smells. “The cutest fire pit ever,” said one reviewer. “It has become my go-to companion for indoor and outdoor adventures.”

34. A Set Of Meat Shredding Claws As An Essential Barbecuing Tool

These meat-shredding claws feel amazing to grip and will prove their barbecue worthiness when they create pulled pork with ease. Made with sharp prongs, the claws can be used to help carve, shred, or simply lift large pieces of meat. They’re available in black, gray, red, and hunter orange.

35. These Cute Chicks For Separating Eggs

This egg separator makes using either the yolks or whites of your eggs super easy, and it’s so whimsical you will love baking. Just crack the egg into the startled chicken and pour the whites out through the expressive beak. The jagged head of the chick makes cracking the shell easy and the entire process will make you laugh. When you aren’t baking, it looks adorable in the kitchen.

36. This Weird Hair Collector For The Shower

This gizmo is the solution for people with long hair. Instead of letting hair slip down the drain when you shower and find yourself holding a wad of it, swipe your fingers through this wall hair collector to stash it where it won’t cause a clog. To remove the stored hair, swipe in the other direction. “Bought this product to keep me and my sisters’ long hair out of the shower drain and it’s been awesome!!” said one reviewer.

37. A Toothpaste Dispenser That Mounts To The Wall

Instead of fighting with the toothpaste tube every time you brush your teeth, mount this automatic toothpaste dispenser to the wall and let it do the work. It screws in and uses vacuum action to pull the paste out instead of squeezing the tube. All you have to do is push your toothbrush into the dispenser and it delivers a dollop right onto the brush.

38. A Collapsible Solar Lantern Built For Portability

Whenever you embark on your next hiking trip, be sure to take this solar lantern along with you. It’s ingeniously designed to be totally collapsible, meaning it takes up barely any room in your kit and can be hooked onto your backpack via the built-in handle. The solar panel on top allows it to charge fully during the day to provide up to 10 hours of light at night or even act as a charger for your phone.

39. This Smart Hanger For Small Garments & Ties

Free up some drawer space and make it easy to keep your collection of sleeveless tees, ties, scarves, camis, bras, or nightgowns out and easy to find with this tank-top hanger. It holds 24 ties, bras, or other garments in a tidy row on the closet rod and takes up the space of only a couple of standard hangers.

40. This Trick For Creating Broom Storage Anywhere

That broom has smacked you in the face for the last time! Mount this broom holder to a wall or the inside of a closet door and snap that broom — and the mops, dusters, and brushes — into the five slots designed for long-handled tools. Hang rags and gloves over the hooks. Everything is organized and will stay where you put it.

41. This Car Accessory For Storing Sunglasses

Keep your sunglasses handy in the car by hanging this car visor sunglass holder over the visor. When the sun goes down, you will have an easy place to stash them so they don’t get lost or broken, and you will know where they are the next time you need them. It opens easily and stays closed with the help of a strong magnet.

42. These Clear Bags For Traveling

Don’t rely on flimsy, single-use plastic bags for travel. Tuck your small bottles of toiletries into this clear toiletry bag. It will hold all your gear and sail through the TSA checkpoints. Keep it packed and use it for every trip. The quality zippers are easy to handle and they hold more stuff. There are 10 colors to choose from.

43. These Dip Bowls That Keep Food Cold

Serving cold salads and dips on the patio doesn’t have to come with a worry about spoiled food. This two-pack of ice-chilled dip bowls keeps it all cold. Just fill the outer bowl with ice and set the stainless steel bowl in that. You can store your dips in the same container by snapping the included lids on them and stashing them in the fridge for the next party.

44. A Complete Set Of Packing Cubes

Pack like a pro by sorting your clothing into this set of packing cubes. Put large items — sweaters, jeans — into the large one and smaller garments in the two medium ones. Keep underwear in the small one. Pack your shoes into the bag and then — as your trip unfolds — use that bag as a dirty laundry bag. It’s a system that makes living out of a suitcase easy and organized.

45. This Tool That Gets All The Pet Hair

It is an enormous relief to the pet lovers of the world that the problem of keeping the furniture free of pet hair has finally been cracked. The solution is this simple ChomChom roller. Rub it back and forth on the fur-laden fabric and it picks up every last hair. You can keep using it indefinitely, too, since it does not rely on tape or other disposable solutions.

46. A Calendar That Sticks To The Fridge

Stick this clear magnetic dry-erase board to your fridge so you can see what’s on the calendar at a glance. Six strong magnets hold it steady so you can jot important events, notes, and goals where you will see them every time you go snack hunting. It comes with eight colored dry-erase markers that are also magnetic so you can keep them on the fridge, too.

47. This Clever Tool For Making Perfect Eggs

Having trouble getting soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs the way you want them? This egg timer takes the guesswork out of the process. Just drop it into the water with your eggs and it changes color as the eggs cook. When the color gets to the line that describes the eggs you want, your eggs are done. It comes in seven colors.

48. An Insulated Mug That Can Brew Coffee

This travel mug kit not only keeps 20 ounces of coffee hot for hours but it also brews the coffee. The stainless steel mesh filter fits right into the mug so you can drop grounds into it and pour hot water over them to make your coffee while you travel. Then remove the filter pop on the lid and go forth with hot coffee in hand.

49. These Erasable Labels For Food Containers

Make it easy to find your prepped meals or leftovers in the fridge or freezer by labeling everything with these erasable food labels. When you change what’s in the container, you don’t have to peel off the label, just erase it and write a new label. This is a set of 140 labels in three sizes and it comes with an eraser.

50. A Banana Holder That Hangs The Bunch From Above

This ingenious banana holder frees up counter space and prevents over-ripening or bruising in the process. A built-in S-hook allows you to hang the bananas from underneath a cabinet or from an existing pot rack, for example, with the four short straps securely suspending the entire bunch. When not needed, simply store the holder away in a drawer.

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