Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Inverse
Inverse
Amanda Pellegrino

60 Weird-Ass Products Under $25 That Are Extremely Useful

With so many weird-ass products out there, it can sometimes be hard to separate ones that are just plain strange from ones that are actually useful in your everyday life. I’ve found the latter. And the best part? They don’t cost over $25. Does your oven mitt get hot every time you try to pull the oven rack out? There’s a fix for that. Do you get motion sickness every time you’re in a car? There’s a fix for that. Get ready, because there are so many wacky-but-ingenious products on this list just waiting to solve your problems.

A moon-shaped night-light with 3 USB plugs

If you ever had to make a choice between a night-light and an outlet extender, this LED night-light solves that conundrum. It has a sweet crescent moon shape on one side that lights up with its dusk and turns off during the day. On the other side, there are three handy USB outlets — two USB-As and one USB-C, so this is a night-light that gives you more charging space instead of taking it away.

Crab-shaped cable clips that hold onto your cords with their little claws

These adorable crab-shaped cable clips mount to your desk, nightstand, entertainment center — you name it — with adhesive tape and use their cute little claws to hold your chargers and cords in place so they’re always where you need them. They’re a great way to keep your space organized and keep cords from falling to the floor where you can’t reach them.

A tiny thumb-sized light that sticks to your keys so you can see

Have you ever gotten to your front door and it was so dark you couldn’t quite get the key into the keyhole? Well, not anymore with this thumb-sized stick-on LED light. It’s water-resistant and can stick to almost any surface, turning almost anything into a flashlight. Reviewers noted using it for remotes, too. It has a long-lasting battery and a bright white glow.

A Sasquatch-themed multitool that attaches to your keychain or carabiner

Calling all cryptid fans, this multitool is endlessly useful and on-theme. Measuring just 3.6 inches by 2.6 inches, the tool features a dozen functions — from a bottle opener to four sizes of wrenches. Shaped like a silly Sasquatch, it’s made of durable metal with an ergonomic design that’s easy to use and maneuver.

A mini trash can with a lid that fits into your car’s cupholder

Keep your car clean before it gets too bad to have passengers when you have this convenient car trash can. It fits in the center console cup holder, so you have a go-to spot to throw away food wrappers, parking lot receipts, and other small pieces of garbage that can build up quickly. It has a 16.9-ounce capacity, and it’s watertight so nothing leaks out of the can. It even has a lid to keep odors inside with quirky little eyes on it.

A USB-charging fan with a built-in LED light that tells the time

I’ve never seen anything like this two-in-one clock fan before, and it’s absolutely futuristic and genius. The flexible gooseneck arm plugs into any USB port — on your computer or on an outlet — and features soft blades that keep you cool without being dangerous to touch. On the blades are LED lights that create a clock face while they’re spinning so you always know what time it is.

A steamy dragon that helps clean grime in your microwave in minutes

If cleaning your microwave is one of those tasks you avoid until it gets so bad, you need to check out this ultra useful cleaner. Shaped like a dragon, all you have to do is fill it with 2 ounces of vinegar and 1.4 ounces of water, stick it in the microwave for five to eight minutes, let it sit for two minutes, and then remove. It creates steam that loosens crusted-on food to make cleaning your microwave a total breeze — just wipe.

An adjustable gooseneck cell phone stand that mounts anywhere

With a strong mount and totally adjustable gooseneck arm, this phone stand is a must-have for anyone who wants an ergonomic view of their phone hands-free. It has a steel body with shock absorbing springs and a supportive phone clip that can hold it vertically or horizontally. The sturdy mount adjusts to different surface thicknesses and keeps your phone stable and at the exact angle and height you’re looking for.

A thin & narrow spatula to get every last drop out of your jars & cans

If you’ve been scraping the last bit of peanut butter or jelly from the jar with a knife or spoon, you’re doing it wrong. With a long and narrow design, this spatula is specially designed to reach the bottom of the jar and get out every last bit without getting your hand stuck or covered in stick jams and jellies. It has an adorable cat-shaped handle with an ergonomic, easy-to-maneuver design.

A box cutter with a zirconia ceramic blade in the shape of a snail

A box cutter is a must-have, but why settle for something boring when you can use one in the shape of a snail? Made from discarded wood with a durable zirconia ceramic blade, it cuts through various materials without damaging everything inside. Compact and portable, it has a magnetic back so you can mount it to your refrigerator or any other easily-accessible place.

A phone case mount with 24 super strong silicone suction cups

This phone case mount uses 24 strong suction cups to adhere to glass, mirrors, windows, and other smooth surfaces, so you can watch videos, take selfies, or film videos hands-free. It uses an adhesive backing to stick onto your phone or its case seamlessly and is ready to use the instant you put it on.

A supportive neck pillow with an attached hood for added relaxation

This neck pillow has a curved, ergonomic design to offer you 360-degree support for your head and chin if you’re trying to relax or— best case scenario — sleep while you’re traveling. Plus, it has an attached hood with an oversized style that drapes over your eyes and ears to help block light and sounds. It’s made of high-density memory foam and comes in a storage bag for easy transport.

A stainless steel odor absorber that eliminates smells from your hands

The stainless steel of this garlic-shaped bar uses molecular bonding to eliminate lingering odors from your hands — like garlic, fish, or onions after meal-prepping. Simply rub the bar between your hands with or without water like a bar of soap to refresh your hands. It can be used every day, and it’s dishwasher-safe in case it gets oily or dirty.

Individually packaged deodorant wipes to stay fresh on-the-go

If you’ve ever needed to freshen up while you’re traveling, hanging out on a hot day, or running a long afternoon of errands, these wipes are a total fresh-smelling game changer. Individually packaged and made of organic cotton, the thick and textured wipes have a pH balanced formula that can be used all over your body — from your pits to your underboob to your bottom — to keep you feeling and smelling good anywhere.

A budget-friendly dish brush shaped like a bearded gnome

This gnome-shaped dish brush gets your bowls and plates squeaky clean while keeping your hands dry. It features sturdy bristles that scrub caked-on food from your dishes without scraping or scratching them. And it’s shaped like a gnome with an ergonomic hat handle, a teeny nose peeking out, and a white bristly beard that all sit in a little dish.

A silicone tool that can push & pull the oven rack open or closed

Stop touching the burning hot oven rack with your flimsy mitts and use this silicone tool that’s heat resistant up to 645 degrees instead. It features three notches — the one in the front pushes the oven rack in, and the two on the sides pull the rack out. The handle stays cool to protect your hands from burns.

Handy cell phone stands that hold devices vertically or horizontally

For those occasions you could use an extra hand — see what I did there? — check out these cell phone stands. It has a double hand-shaped design that can be rotated to hold your phone vertically or horizontally at the best angle for you. Each one even has a small hole in the back to loop chargers under so the base stays flush to your desk, nightstand, or counter.

A bunny-shaped wireless mouse with a comfortable hand feel

This wireless mouse has an ergonomic design that fits into the palm of most hands without sacrificing on whimsical style — it’s shaped like a bunny, after all. It has two clickers — one in each of the bunny’s ears — as well as a wheel button in the center for scrolling. It’s powered by AAA batteries and automatically turns off after two minutes of stillness to preserve battery life.

A highly rated snack bowl with a 2-dish design to ditch shells & pits

This snack bowl is an absolutely ingenious invention for anyone who likes olives, pistachio nuts, cherries, edemame, or any other snack with a shell or pit to discard. It has a two bowl design — the top to serve the snack, and the bottom to hide all the food waste. It’s dishwashe-safe for easy cleaning and made of BPA-free plastic.

A helicopter-shaped air freshener with LED lights & a cool pilot

Your air freshener doesn’t have to be boring — just look at this one that clips onto your car’s air vent. Made to look like a helicopter with blades and a super cool sunglass-wearing bear pilot, this air freshener comes with four replaceable scent pads that fit into the back and use the car’s air circulation to distribute. It also has LED lights in the back to glow.

A heat-based bug sting & bite relief pen that works in seconds

How many summer nights have you spent getting eaten alive by mosquitos with seemingly no relief in sight? Not anymore when you have this treatment with a pen-like applicator that you can take anywhere. It uses localized precise heat of 124 degrees to trigger a natural response from your body to relieve itching. It has up to 300 uses per battery and works in minutes.

A rotating phone holder for your shower that’s totally waterproof

This phone holder covers your device 360 degrees around to protect it from splashes and water damage so you can watch movies, listen to music, or scroll TikTok — yep, it’s touch-sensitive — while you’re in the shower or bath. It can mount to the wall and rotate vertically or horizontally, but the back of the case can also be used as a stand on the counter while doing your makeup.

Silicone dishwashing gloves with bristles all over the palms & fingers

These silicone dishwashing gloves have dense bristles built into the palm and fingers so they act as a glove and scrubber in one. They’re super elastic and tear-resistant — important when you’re cleaning those sharp knives — and they feature holes on their ends to easily hang up to dry.

A small but powerful fan that folds up so you can bring it anywhere

Keep yourself cool whether you’re at the beach, watching a baseball game, or simply hanging out in your backyard with this portable fan. It has a folding design that fits into your pocket, so it’s really easy to travel with. It has an LED display to show you the battery life and can work for up to 12 hours on a single charge. Bonus: it has a built-in flashlight.

A quirky magnet for your dishwasher to tell you if your dishes are dirty or clean

Leave the guesswork out of filling and emptying the dishwasher with this magnet. With an adorable picture of a corgi on it, simply flip the magnet between the “dirty” side and “clean” side so you always know the state of the plates and bowls inside. It’s strong, thick, flexible, and features a long-lasting and durable magnet.

A headphone hanger rack that doubles as a wireless phone charger

Sometimes the most useful products are two-in-one, and this headphone hanger that doubles as a wireless charger is no exception to that rule. The hanger elevates your over-ear headphones to keep wires out of sight and out of mind, while the base serves as a charger for your phone or small devices. The base also has built-in lights with eight static clors to choose from.

Egg rings for purr-fectly round fried eggs every single time

If you’re an egg sandwich fanatic, you need to check out these cooking rings. Made of heat-resistant silicone, the rings help you create perfectly round and even eggs — or pancakes, flapjacks, you name it — every single time. The cat-shaped rings have triangular ears you can use to crack eggs and a tail to pick up the rings when you’re done cooking.

Mouthwash tablets that soothe gums, freshen breath, & remineralize teeth

There are so many times I’ve wished I could swish some mouthwash after a heavy meal at a restaurant or a long day picnicking, and with these chewable tablets I can. They have probiotic powder to soothe gums, hydroxyapatite to remineralize teeth, and mint and peppermint oil to freshen breath. And they come in a TSA-friendly tin that you can toss into your purse and take with you anywhere.

Motion sickness glasses that use blue liquid to create an artificial horizon

OK, these motion sickness glasses might look ridiculous, but if you get car sick every time you’re in an Uber, they’re worth it. The four circles have a blue liquid inside that creates an artificial and consistent horizon to keep you feeling balanced and help avoid motion sickness. “We bought these as an afterthought, mostly because we thought they seemed funny. However, they ABSOLUTELY WORK and now every time we travel we always pack them!” one reviewer raved.

Bag clips shaped like ladybugs to keep your chips fresher longer

These bag clips feature an adorable ladybug design in four different colors to clamp onto the open side of your cereal bags or chip bags to keep your food fresher longer. They have stainless steel springs and are made of durable plastic to work over and over again, adding a touch of whimsy to your kitchen essentials.

A lightweight lantern that doubles as a flashlight

This easily portable light is great for camping or traveling because it has two modes — hung up and pulled out for lantern mode or closed and handheld for flashlight mode. It weighs only 3 ounces, and the built-in LED can reach up to 99 feet away. It has a stagnant lighting mode or a strobe lighting mode.

Mini squeegees with expandable handles to reach your side mirrors

These mini squeegees are absolutely genius to solve the very specific problem of when you’re driving and realize your passenger’s side mirror isn’t clear. Each one has a handle that expands from 8.86 to 38.6 inches so you can reach across the car and clean off all of your mirrors. Plus, the squeegee part is small and specifically designed to fit on the small mirrors.

A sponge holder that uses a suction cup to adhere to your sink or tile wall

It’s so important to keep your sponges elevated so they can properly drain and dry — and not stink up your kitchen — and this sponge holder does that while looking like a cute little black cat clawing its way up your sink. It uses a suction cup to adhere to the inside of your sink or the tile wall backsplash so you have a go-to place to put it between cleaning that will help it stay dry and last longer.

A foot brush & pumice stone with a 30-inch handle

Complete with over 700 bristles on the brush, a strong pumice stone head, and a 30-inch handle, this foot brush is designed to help you clean and scrub your feet without breaking your back. It has a nonslip ergonomic grip on top for comfortable handling and even has a hanging hole to easily dry it between uses.

A pickle pincher to remove snacks from jars without messy hands

This pickle pincher features an 8-inch plastic handle and a stainless steel, spring-loaded pincher at the end to grab the pickle you’re eyeing out of the jar without getting your hands wet with brine. It works on any kind of pickle and is also great for serving them individually without touching them.

A reusable pet hair lint roller with over 140,000 5-star ratings

“We have a cocker spaniel mix that sheds LIKE CRAZY,” one reviewer began, saying the pet hair roller “will clear all the hair off, and it doesn't take much effort. It's great on bedding, it's great on clothing, [...] it's great on our leather couches and our cloth chair. It's also very quick and easy to empty out.” No wonder it’s a bestseller. It has a corduroy-like texture that you can roll back and forth over furniture to instantly remove lingering pet hair and fir. It all accumulates inside the chamber so when you’re finished, simply open that up and discard everything inside.

A toothbrush holder that uses UV light to sanitize

This toothbrush holder not only keeps your brush protected while you’re traveling, but it also uses built-in UV technology to sanitize the brush. It automatically turns on when a brush is inserted and turns off after five minutes to save the battery. It works for manual brushes as well as electric brush heads.

Long wooden tongs to remove hot bread from the toaster

With a comfortable handle and extra long and narrow ears, these bunny-shaped tongs are great for sliding into either side of your perfectly toasted bread to pull it out of the toaster without burning yourself. They’re made of nonslip and heat-resistant beech wood so they’re durable and long-lasting.

Handy USB charging cables with USB-C, micro & lightning ends

Why carry multiple chargers around when you can use this three-in-one cable? One side is a typical USB plug, but the other side has three ends — USB-C, lightning, and macro — to charge all kinds of devices on one compact and portable cord. It’s 47 inches long so you’re not stuck next to an outlet all day.

A drawstring makeup bag that’s a must-have for cat lovers

Not only does this makeup bag keep all your foundation, bronzer, mascara, and brushes in one convenient spot, but it has a playful three-dimensional cat head design that turns an ordinary makeup bag into a totally adorable one. It has a drawstring closure, which means it opens up completely, so you can easily see everything inside. Then, it closes tightly when you’re ready to hit the road.

Chemical-free deodorizing bananas to keep your things smelling great for a year

These banana-shaped deodorizers are filled with dried lavender flowers, lavender, lemon, and tea tree oil to refresh everything from your running sneakers to your gym bag to you locker for up to 12 months. They work to neutralize odors, absorb moisture, and prevent future odors so you can smell fresh all year long.

Spray that turns any piece of toilet paper in a flushable wet wipe

If you want to use wet wipes but don’t want to clog up your pipes and septic tanks, this specially designed spray is the next best thing. Simply spray it onto your normal toilet paper and not only does it offer a fresh botanical scent, but it turns the toilet paper into the feel of a wet wipe while staying septic- and sewer-safe.

A magnetic goose to hold your keys, scissors, spoons & more

This little goose measures just 7 inches high and 5 inches wide, making it a great addition to your nightstand, entryway table, or kitchen counter to hold your metal essentials without taking up much space. It has a magnetic beak that’s great for holding keys, scissors, nail clippers, metal sunglasses, and other small items.

A 1-handed jar opener that mounts underneath your kitchen cabinet

This jar opener mounts underneath your kitchen cabinet to give you a convenient, one-handed way of opening up jars without taking up any valuable counter or storage space. It has a V-shaped design with a nonslip grip that can grip lids of almost any size — from pickle jars to sparkling water bottles to nail polish containers.

Underwear-shaped sticky notes with 75 sheets each

Why use ordinary sticky notes when you can use ones shaped like underwear to make sure your to-dos are always a cheeky reminder — see what I did there? Each set has 75 sheets, great for brief — wink — messages like grocery lists and doodles. Plus, they’re nice and sticky to adhere to your desktop, notebook, or planner.

Cooling neck towels that also offer UV protection

These microfiber towels are made from a hyper-evaporative breathable mesh material that, after dampening with water, uses moisture to draw the sweat away from your skin to keep you cool for up to three hours. They’re great to use while hiking, during workout sessions, or in betweel holes on the golf course. Plus, they have UPF 50+ sun protection.

Attached oven mitts that protect your hands & forearms

What makes this oven mitt extremely useful is that it’s actually two mitts in one. Because they’re attached, the fabric goes from one hand to the other, protecting not only your fingers from burns but also your wrists and forearms. Plus it looks like a cute puppy that you can easily hang on your oven’s bar to store between uses.

A soft beanie with a built-in LED headlamp

Sure, headlamps are great for using during the day but after the sun goes down and it gets a little chilly, you’re going to want to break out this beanie with a built-in LED headlamp inside. Not only is the beanie soft and thick enough to keep you warm, but the light can illuminate up to 30 feet away and can work for up to eight hours on a single charge, making this great for late-night dog walks or taking out the trash in the evening.

  • Available colors: 24

Cute sea creature-shaped door stoppers with secure, nonslip bases

Shaped like an alligator, a shark, and a whale, these door stoppers work on virtually any surface — from carpet to hardwood to marble — to keep your door ajar without scraping up the floor or wall behind it. They have a sturdy and durable nonslip bottom to stay in place, and they double as a cute little conversation starter.

Colorful reusable cable ties to wrap, store & organize all your chargers

If you’re sick of the tangle of wires behind your entertainment center or the unsightly pile of chargers near your nightstand, you have to check out these cable ties. They come in a bunch of colors so you can sort, label, wrap, and organize all your wires to keep your space looking neat and so you can tell what cable belongs to what device.

A rotating phone mount so you can watch videos on planes

If you like watching movies or playing games on your phone while you’re flying, keep your device at an ergonomic angle that’s comfortable with this mount. It secures onto the closed seat back tray and rotates 360 degrees so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite entertainment without worrying about holding your phone upright.

A mushroom-shaped butter bell for soft, spreadable butter

If you want soft, spreadable room-temperature butter all the time, you have to get one of these butter bells. Shaped like a mushroom, it’s really simple to use. Just add cold water into the base, pack up to one stick of butter into the top, and secure it inside the base. The water creates an airtight seal that keeps butter fresh, soft, and spreadable for up to a month.

Tiny fans that attach to your phone & work instantly

Don’t be fooled by their size, these itty bitty fans pack a punch when it comes to keeping you cool on-the-go. They plug into your phone’s USB-C port and work instantly to blow air around and keep you feeling fresh no matter where you are. Plus, the blades can be removed so you can easily stash these in your pocket or purse.

A spoon holder & steam releaser shaped like a croaking frog

Secure this hilariously adorable frog to the side of your pot while you’re boiling pasta, making stew, or heating up some leftovers, and you can balance the lid on its back so it acts as a steam releaser when you’re cooking. Unlike other steam releasers, this one’s mouth can hold your utensil to keep it from getting your counter dirty and messy.

Bear claw-shaped back scratchers with a retractable handle

You won’t need anyone to scratch your back again when you have these telescopic bear claws. Made of stainless steel with a soft rubber handle, the scratchers feature pointed ends that feel amazing when they’re scratching the right spot that you can’t reach yourself. (And if you don’t believe me, believe the 21,000 five-star ratings.) Plus, the handles expand from 8.66 to 22.83 inches to make sure you can get to every last spot.

A reusable tea infuser shaped like a duck taking a dip

If you love your loose leaf teas, you have to check out this reusable tea infuser that’s sure to give you a laugh while you’re sipping some earl gray. Designed to look like a duck taking a dip, this tea infuser has a stainless steel mesh bottom and plastic top with little webbed feet that make it easy to remove when your tea is done steeping.

A portable water flosser with an expandable water tank

Don’t sacrifice your oral health while you’re traveling — check out this portable water flosser. It collapses to fit into the palm of your hand, so it’s easy to sneak into your toiletry bag. But the water tank expands and the nozzle attaches when you’re ready to use it. It also comes with four replacement nozzles.

Reusable dish cloths that absorb up to 15 times their weight in liquid

Save some money and the environment all while getting your kitchen and bathroom squeaky clean with these reusable dish clothes. They absorb up to 15 times their weight in liquid so you can use them to wipe down the counter or wipe up spills — you name it. Plus, they’re machine-washable and can be reused up to 100 times before they need replaced.

A night-light in the shape of a puppy with bendable joints

This tiny table night-light is shaped like a puppy with ears, a tail, and bendable legs so you can adjust the angle of the light to your needs. It has a small LED light that lets off a soft yellow glow that’s great for nighttime reading or getting ready for bed. It’s battery-powered so you don’t need to worry about being close to an outlet.

Moldable bonding glue that’s great for at-home DIY projects

With a silicone base, these glue packets are totally moldable into the exact shape you need. They’re great for small crafts, fixing broken objects, using as hooks, or filling in holes around your home. Simply mold it into your desired shape, wait for it to set in 30 minutes, and then it dries within 48 hours.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.