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50 Genius Products That Will Improve Your Life

Small price tag. Big impact.

avocado scoop
Image via Williams Sonoma

The average American is swimming in stuff, with a staggering 300,000 items in the average U.S. home. But what if, instead of buying more things, we just bought smarter? If you're looking to make your life easier, more efficient, and more fun without breaking the bank, we've rounded up 50 genius products under $50 that make the perfect addition to any home. And for more ways to make every day better than the last, check out these 50 Genius Tricks to Improve Your Life.


1 | Smartphone Tripod

smartphone tripodIn Your Face Holders

$14.99; buy now at In Your Face Holders on Etsy

Capturing the perfect photo sometimes takes more than good lighting and a practiced pout. Enter: this smartphone tripod, which will revolutionize the way you take those must-capture group shots. And to learn more about your favorite device, check out these 20 Amazing Facts You Never Knew About Your Smartphone.

2 | Dinosaur Wine Stoppers

wine stoppersImage via Uncommon Goods

$24.00; buy now at UncommonGoods

Just because you're practically a professional sommelier doesn't mean you can't enjoy a little whimsy with your wine. Fortunately, these dinosaur wine stoppers will help you save the remainder of your preferred bottle—and help you shed that wine snob reputation in no time. And for easy ways to improve your "me time," check out the 20 Best Ways to Be More Mindful at Work.

3 | Alume Cube Clock

Image via MoMA Design Store

From $48.00; buy now at MoMA Design Store

If staring at your phone every time you want to know the time has lost its appeal, it's time to upgrade to an elegant clock. Unlike traditional clocks, this cube only tells you the time when you instruct it to—either by snapping your fingers or tapping the top of the clock—and otherwise just serves as a pretty piece of décor.

4 | Avocado Cuber

avocado scoopImage via Williams Sonoma

$17.95; buy now at Williams Sonoma

Your morning avocado toast just got a whole lot easier. Instead of scooping out the avocado, potentially bruising it in the process, this avocado cuber gives you perfect bite-sized pieces every single time.

5 | Rechargeable Pain Relief Foot Warmer

$49.99; buy now at The Sharper Image

After a long day on your feet, it's no wonder your dogs are barking. Treat them to some spa-like relief with this rechargeable pain relief foot warmer, which is compact enough to store in a closet, use under your desk, or shove behind the couch when you're done with it. And for more amazing purchases, check out the 20 Best Ways to Give Your Dad the Gift of Time.

 

6 | Amazon Echo Dot

$49.99; buy now at Amazon

If you want to make virtually every daily task a little bit simpler, treat yourself to an Amazon Echo Dot. This petite version of Amazon's personal assistant device forgoes the bulky speaker that gives the traditional Alexa model its height, but still has all of its functionality, letting you play Spotify, listen to Audible, get news, weather, add items to your grocery list, arm your security system, or even book an Uber, all using just your voice. For more at-home essentials, check out the 40 Items Every Man Over 40 Should Have in His Home.

7 | Sidewinder 6-Spray Rainfall Showerhead

$49.98; buy now at Home Depot

A good shower can set the tone for the whole day. Fortunately, this 6-spray rainfall showerhead can turn any shower into the spa-like experience you've always wanted.

8 | Kale and Herb Razor

$15.00; buy now at UncommonGoods

Kale may be a superfood, but that doesn't mean it's not super-frustrating to prepare. Fortunately, a wealth of kale salads, smoothies, and other healthy dishes are easier to make than ever, thanks to this user-friendly kale and herb razor, which strips the leaves off your kale in seconds. And for more ways to become a master in the kitchen, learn the 40 Dishes Everyone Over 40 Should Master.

9 | Tile Mate

From $20.00; buy now at Tile

If you're always wasting precious time looking for your keys, your phone, or your bag, the Tile Mate is a real lifesaver. This tiny Bluetooth-enabled tracker can help you locate all those items that regularly go missing—no search party needed.

 

10 | Travel Adaptor With USB Ports

$28.00; buy now at The MoMA Store

Traveling abroad often means packing a laundry list of extra devices just so you can use your electronics. Well, no more, thanks to this handy and compact travel adaptor, which has USB ports built right in. And if you're traveling soon, be sure you know the 15 Things You Should Never Do on an Airplane.

11 | Heated Ice Scraper

$39.99; buy now at The Sharper Image

Snowy days are beautiful—until you have to scrape the ice off your windshield, that is. Luckily, this heated ice scraper will have the job done faster than you can say "frostbite."

12 | Dog Bowl Water Bottle

Dog bowlUncommonGoods

$15.00; buy now at UncommonGoods

Until now, you had two options when out with your dog: share a water bottle and ignore that your pup has recently eaten garbage, or hope that Fido isn't too parched before you get home. The good news? With this dog bowl water bottle, you can both easily stay hydrated on those long, hot days.

13 | Moji PowerBank

$33.01; buy now at Moji

The one thing that strikes fear into the heart of every smartphone user is reaching the red on that battery indicator. However, with this cute avocado charging bank from Moji, you'll never have to brave a low battery again. And for more easy ways to improve your life, here are 20 Genius House-Cleaning Tricks That Will Blow Your Mind. 

14 | Airome Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser

$24.99; buy now at Target

Full of VOCs, chemical fragrances, and countless other irritants, traditional air fresheners are anything but safe for our lungs. Fortunately, you can still keep your home smelling clean and fresh with this stylish essential oil diffuser instead.

15 | Vacu Vin Wine Saver

$7.98; buy now at Amazon

Love wine, but hate coming back to a great bottle only to find that its loose cork has left you with something vinegary in its place? Enter the Vacu Vin. This pressurized wine cork allows you to keep your wine fresh for months by reducing the amount of air getting into your bottle. And for more ways to live smarter, here are the 40 Ways to Have More Energy After 40.

16 | Topeak HeadLux Helmet Light

$17.23; buy now at Amazon

Bikers know that one wrong move can mean the difference between a safe ride home and a trip to the hospital. Fortunately, with this helmet light, cars will be able to see you and steer clear when you're biking at night. And for things you should definitely not have in your home, here are the 40 Things No One Over 40 Should Ever Buy.

17 | Easy Egg Peeler

$18.00; buy now at UncommonGoods

Full of protein, iron, and vitamin D, hard-boiled eggs are a healthy and filling start to any morning. Better yet, they're a snap to de-shell with this easy egg peeler.

18 | Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad

$29.99; buy now at Amazon

An overheated laptop is not just a danger to your skin, it's a danger to your computer, too. But this laptop cooling pad can protect you and your device in one fell swoop. And if you're looking for great gift ideas, here are the 30 Best Birthday Gifts for Your Husband.

19 | Digital Tape Measure

$49.99; buy now at The Sharper Image

There are few things more frustrating than bringing home a piece of furniture only to discover your mismeasurement means it won't actually fit in your space. However, with one of these easy-to-use digital tape measures in hand, you'll never make that mistake again. And for more amazing gift ideas, here are the 50 Best Birthday Gifts for Your Wife. 

20 | Egg on a Bagel Maker

$25.00; buy now at UncommonGoods

The perfect breakfast sandwich is within your reach with this nifty egg-cooking dish. The perfect size and shape to top your bagel, this dish will save you so much cash it's an undeniably egg-cellent purchase.

21 | Bluetooth Selfie Pen

$39.99; buy now at The Sharper Image

What's the easiest way to take a group photo without having to ask a stranger to do it for you? This Bluetooth-enabled selfie pen, of course. With a click of a button, your phone will take your photo, even from a distance.

22 | Whiskey Rocks

$19.95; buy now at Crate&Barrel

Want an easy way to chill your drink without diluting it? This set of whiskey stones will mean you never have to suffer through a watery whiskey again. Better yet, they're endlessly reusable, meaning you can still enjoy a perfectly-chilled drink even when your freezer's ice maker is running perilously low.

 

23 | The Offline Password Vault

$49.95; buy now at Hammacher Schlemmer

Keeping your passwords written down in that battered Moleskine is anything but safe. Fortunately, this digital password manager can help you keep track of those passwords without any prying eyes getting to them first.

24 | Himalayan Salt BBQ Plank

$29.99; buy now at UncommonGoods

Channeling your inner Julia Child is easier than ever with this Himalayan salt barbecue plank. Simply use the plank to prepare your food and you'll be infusing it with just the tiniest hint of flavorful salt in the process.

25 | Le Creuset Champagne Stopper

$40.00; buy now at Williams Sonoma

There are few things sadder than a bubble-less bottle of champagne. But you'll never have to suffer through one again, thanks to this champagne stopper from Le Creuset, which keeps your bubbly bubbly.

26 | Star Wars Empire Self Stirring Mug

$9.99; buy now at ThinkGeek

If you're like most people, you know that clean spoons are a precious commodity in a workplace setting. Fortunately, with this Star Wars self-stirring mug, your coffee and milk will mix themselves.

27 | Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer

Coffee cup warmerBed Bath & Beyond

$10.99; buy now at Bed Bath & Beyond

Busy mornings often mean that the cup of coffee you were hoping to drink piping hot is tepid by the time you get around to it. Fortunately, that won't be a problem ever again with this mug warmer that will keep your cup at a perfect temperature all day.

28 | Himalayan Salt Night Light

$29.00; buy now at Urban Outfitters

Kill two birds with one stone with this Himalayan salt night light, which will infuse your space with some chic hippie vibes and keep those monsters under the bed at bay.

29 | thisworks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

$29.00; buy now at thisworks

Is there anything better than a good night's rest? Luckily, for those who find themselves tossing and turning night after night, this aromatherapeutic pillow spray, which combines lavender, chamomile, and vetiver, can help you doze off in no time.

30 | Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

$39.95; buy now at Target

Whether you're meal prepping for the week or cooking a family feast at the holidays, virtually everyone can agree that the chopping your veggies is tedious, at best. Fortunately, with this space-saving food processor, you'll never have to risk your fingertips to prepare your favorite dishes again.

31 | Travelrest Ultimate Inflatable Travel Pillow

$24.95; buy now at Amazon

While there's little we can do to make those cramped airplanes more comfortable, this inflatable travel pillow will still make catching a few winks easier than you though possible. And for more easy ways to enjoy some shut-eye, check out the 10 Best Tricks for Sleeping on an Airplane.

32 | Tree of Life Smartphone Stand

$35.00; buy now at UncommonGoods

Stop wasting time by digging in your bag or pocket to find your phone every five minutes. With this handsome smartphone stand, your phone can sit on your desk, keeping you up-to-date on those notifications as they happen.

33 | RBT Pourer & Aerator

$29.96; buy now at Williams Sonoma

Find out what your wine snob friends really mean when they talk about the bouquet on a great bottle of wine with this sleek pourer and aerator combo.

34 | Muscle Buddy Percussion Massager

$39.98; buy now at Brookstone

An aching back doesn't always have to mean a trip to the chiropractor is in store. This percussion massager can help you get the relief you need in no time without the hefty bill.

35 | KitchenAid 2-Speed Immersion Hand Blender

$29.99; buy now at Target

Just because you don't have the countertop space for a massive mega-blender doesn't mean those perfect soups and smoothies are out of reach. This petite immersion blender can help you make all your favorite recipes, even if your kitchen is a little cramped.

36 | Raj Hanging Planters

$29.95 to $49.95; buy now at CB2

No room for a garden? No problem! These elegant, minimalist hanging planters from CB2 are the perfect way to show off your green thumb without sacrificing space.

37 | PEET 2-Shoe Electric Shoe and Boot Dryer

$39.99; buy now at Amazon

Instead of simply putting on the same pair of slightly-damp boots every day in the winter, keep your feet warm and dry with this electric shoe and boot dryer. Better yet, keeping your shoes dry will mean they'll still fit by the time spring rolls around instead of becoming a soggy, stretched-out mess.

38 | Therapedic Cooling Gel & Memory Foam Pillow

$49.99; buy now at Bed Bath & Beyond

There are few things more unpleasant than waking up with your face practically glued to your pillow. Fortunately, for those who tend to run a little warm when they sleep, this memory foam pillow offers the perfect combination of neck support and cooling power to keep you comfortable, even on the hottest summer nights.

39 | Cuisinart Digital Folding Probe Thermometer

Meat thermometer

$19.99; buy now at Bed Bath & Beyond

Is that piece of chicken perfectly-cooked, or a potential source of food poisoning waiting to happen? This digital probe thermometer can take the guesswork out of your kitchen endeavors, keeping you and your dinner guests safer in the process.

 

40 | Press and Measure Herb Infuser

$13.00; buy now at UncommonGoods

Don't feel like shelling out $40 for a nice bottle of olive oil? Just make your own with this press and measure herb infuser, which can turn even the most mediocre bottle into a palate-pleasing delight.

41 | Guitar Holder

$29.95; buy now at CB2

That clunky metal guitar stand isn't exactly the attractive piece of home décor you'd hoped it would be. Luckily, when you're ready to spruce up your space, this chic buffalo leather, hand-lathed wood, and stainless steel wall-mounted stand will do the trick.

42 | Crazzie Audio Bluetooth Waterproof Portable Speaker

$24.97; buy now at Amazon

The only thing better than singing your favorite songs in the shower? Making it a duet with this waterproof shower speaker, which is stylish enough to hang in any room.

43 | OXO Handheld Spiralizer

$24.95; buy now at Williams Sonoma

It probably comes as no surprise that most of us would be well-served by adding a few more veggies into our meals. Luckily, with this simple handheld spiralizer, making those healthy zucchini noodles or carrot ribbons is a breeze.

44 | Newville Table Touch Lamp

$45.99; buy now at Wayfair

Instead of fumbling around in the dark to find the switch on your lamp when you hear a noise in the night, make things easier with this elegant touch lamp. Better yet, since this lamp has a dimming function, it's perfect for creating mood lighting, as well.

 

45 | ScoopTHAT! II Warming Ice Cream Scoop

$19.95; buy now at Amazon

The only thing more frustrating than being out of ice cream? Having ice cream that's impossible to scoop. Fortunately, you'll never suffer that tragic fate again with this warming ice cream scoop, which will cut through that icy pint like a warm knife through butter.

46 | Alligator Bookends

$29.95; buy now at CB2

Infuse your home with a little whimsy by sandwiching your favorite books between these two adorable alligator bookends. And isn't that a better use for your copy of Infinite Jest than as a coaster?

47 | Remington F5-5800 Foil Shaver

$36.16; buy now at Amazon

The hipster lumberjack look is over, but razor burn isn't a good look on anyone, either. Luckily, you can get the smooth shave you've always wanted without shelling out half your paycheck with this budget-friendly and efficient electric razor.

48 | Gotofine LED Lighted Vanity Mirror

$24.99; buy now at Amazon

If you've ever wondered how YouTube beauty gurus get their faces to look so flawless, we have two words for you: lighted mirrors. And fortunately for the budget-conscious, this one is about as economical as they get.

49 | Dexas Tortilla Warmer

$14.95; buy now at Williams Sonoma

The difference between tortillas that fall apart when you load them with fillings and those perfect fajitas you get at your favorite restaurant? A tortilla warmer. And luckily for you, this one is both microwaveable and BPA-free.

50 | 6-in-1 Emergency Auto Tool

$29.99; buy now at The Sharper Image

That bag full of emergency tools you keep in your car may keep you safe, but it's likely also taking up about half the room in your trunk. For a glove-compartment-friendly alternative, treat yourself to this handy 6-in-1 tool, which combines a glass breaker, seatbelt cutter, flashlight, whistle, tire gauge, and emergency flasher all in one. And when you want to find that perfect present, start with the 100 Wow Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything.

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