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Jul 15, 2023

42 Products That Were Clearly Invented By People With Very Big Brains

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

These products are beyond genius and you'll want to add them to your cart right this second.

BuzzFeed Staff

ScratchPad is a small business based in Atlanta, Georgia that sells, well, the ScratchPad, a fancy name for a nail file for dogs!

Promising review: "Highly recommend this product! After three months of challenges to cut the nails of our German shepherd, this product saved the day!!! We are now able to file his nails in a non-invasive way. Excellent customer service and fast international shipping." —Michelle Rosenberg

Get it from ScratchPad on Etsy for $46.95+ (available in three materials and four styles).

Promising reviews: "LOVE this chopper for NO TEARS onion dicing! I just followed the photo guide on which way to cut the onion in half, and the whole thing was diced with two pushes of the lid. The onion was then stored in the lower level until I was ready and it poured cleanly into the pan. I've also used it to easily cut a poblano pepper." —RDD

Get it from Amazon for $22.95.

Promising review: "Bought these for my pregnancy based on a tip from a recently pregnant friend. Total game-changer. Only had to buy a new sized bra once, and then used these for the rest of my pregnancy, as my cup size didn't change any more but OMG my ribcage just kept on expanding and expanding to accommodate baby. IMO, these make wearing a regular bra possible during those body-changing portions of pregnancy, saving me money in the long run. Additionally, they work as expected...they clip onto the original spacers easily, they match up with the original hooks really well, and they are very comfortable and easy to use. Best $6 I've ever spent on Amazon. Buy them, you won't regret it." —Queen Bee

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 26 options).

Promising review: "Where has this been all my cat-loving life? Sticky rollers work fine for clothes, but this is the only product that has ever COMPLETELY removed all the cat hair from my bed. I have a long-haired, 20-pound tabby, and if you run your hands up his back a few times and fling the hair everywhere, it looks like it's snowing — he never stops shedding no matter what I do. After using the ChomChom, I can put on a black dress and roll around on my bed and not get a single hair on me. It's absolutely amazing. Everyone is getting one for Christmas, even if they don't have a pet. I don't care; it's THAT good." —Stephanie

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

Promising review: "I have a large window in my bathroom and you can see in from the backyard, not very private. I like the light but needed privacy, sheer curtains were not enough. This product is very easy to install, and I love the rainbows. This is this cheapest rainbow window cling I could find and it exceeded my expectations. I will definitely be doing more windows." —Ashley Barnes

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 11 sizes).

Grampa's Weeder is a family-owned small biz that sells tools to make weeding easier!

Promising review: "I saw this tool used on TikTok, so we decided to try it out. It works really well — is not difficult to get to the root of the weed, and is fairly simple to use, as well. We would recommend this tool to anyone who finds it difficult to do the crouching required to pull weeds." —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

In the early months of the pandemic, my family made the wonderful decision to get an adorable Havanese puppy named Bailey (pictured left). Bailey experienced some major separation anxiety in those first few days/nights and we knew for the sake of our sanity and sleep schedule that we had to find a solution. Enter: The Snuggle Puppy.

It comes with a little red heartbeat ticker and heat packs (we actually didn't even use the heat packs), that you simply place into the middle of the dog, velcro it shut, and it's heartbeat helps to make your puppy feel less alone and simulate the feeling of cuddling up to their mom. I swear this thing must be made with pixie dust because within an hour of putting this in his crate, Bailey stopped crying and was fast asleep next to it. If you opt to get the kit (we did), it also comes with two toys and a fleece blanket.

Bailey is 3-years-old now so he doesn't use the puppy for comfort like he did those first few weeks, but it's STILL his favorite toy. Seriously, he loves it so much that he is constantly attempting to see if he can pick it up and bring it with him outside when we go on walks. We got him another one for his birthday and he loves it just as much as he loves the first one. It's on the pricy side for a plush dog toy, but considering how much it helped save our sanity and how much Bailey still adores it, it's a million percent worth it. This is always at the top of the list of my recommendations for friends bringing home puppies because it's just that good.

Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in six colors).

Be sure to check out Tweexy wearable nail polish holder writeup!

Promising review: "Where has this been all my life? Definitely helps with DIY nail projects. When I had no idea this polish holder existed, I tried to find creative ways to hold my polish, so that it would be in a convenient spot. However, I never found that really worked for me, or felt comfortable. This holder holds all of my nail polishes easily and is very comfortable to wear. I love that the finger holes on the bottom are not enclosed so you can just pull the holder off without ruining your paint job. Just one tip: move the holder to your pointer finger when doing your thumb." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 22 colors).

The portable sealers heat up on contact so there's no downtime before use. They also come with batteries so you can use them right away!

Promising review: "I couldn't wait to see if these really worked. As soon as I received them I went to work sealing bags of opened chip bags. They worked! No more stale chips. They have a built in magnet, so I can keep them handy on the fridge. I am really impressed with them. No waiting time, no buttons to mess with. Just slide the protective cover away to expose the roller and run it across what you want to seal. Easy!" —Lexi

Get them from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three color combinations).

Promising review: "These Color Catcher sheets really protect colors from bleeding. It makes all clothes/laundry brighter and looking like new — not that old washed color after just one wash without these sheets. I give this product 5+ stars. Highly recommend. A few pennies spent additionally on your laundry makes one look like wearing new clothes all the time." —Nikita

Get 72 sheets from Amazon for $11.53.

This listing is for both the full-size bottle and travel-size tube pictured above! Serendipitous Essentials Boutique is a small business based in Boston, Massachusetts that sells handcrafted wine labels, gift tags, these genius sprays, and more!

Promising review: "Love this spray!!! It works great and the scent is lovely. The small travel size is perfect for my purse!" —Nancy

Get it from Serendipitous Essentials Boutique on Etsy for $20.

Promising review: "Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? For years, I’ve been using Q-tips dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. Must-buy product!!" —Katherine

Get it from Amazon for $10.44.

FYI — the photos above are just an example. You receive different books than what are shown in the product photos. You can opt to pay extra for a different length and a specific color scheme. If you'd like for them to send you a preview before they ship it, be sure to select "YES, preview books" on the order page and enable Amazon notifications. Covogoods is a woman-owned small business based in Utah that sells storage products made out of upcycled books!

Promising review: "This is perfect for hiding our router and accessories in our bookcase. Love it!" —supergirl

Get it from Covogoods on Amazon Handmade starting at $29.

Comes in a pack of six so you can organize 12 mugs!

Promising review: "I love these cup organizers. I have a small cabinet above where my coffeepot is and these have made it a pleasure to open that cabinet. All cups are organized and easy to get to. They stay right where they should be. No more stacking them inside one another and them falling over when I opened the cabinet. I also use these for some bowls in my dish set. Works great. I just ordered a couple more and I am going to use them for my china cabinet. I wondered when I first bought them because the price was a little high. Worth every penny and more. I can not say enough good about these." —ChefGirl

Get them from Amazon for $24.99 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I have a pillow-top and pillow-bottom queen-sized bed that is a little too small for king sheets and with queen sheets I have battled to keep the sheets from popping off. I have tried everything! I was about to try to customize some king sheets because it was so frustrating. Then I saw this product advertised on Facebook in one of those posts about the amazing products that people love. So I figured it was worth a try. It works. I was shocked. My sheets have not popped off once. I ordered this in February and it is May now — and they have not popped off once! They used to pop off EVERY...SINGLE...NIGHT. To say this is life changing is not an exaggeration. Such a relief to be able to sleep through the night without ending up in rumpled sheets." —TinkerbellAPixie

Get a set of four from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors, two lengths, and in larger sets).

This awesome stuff can be used to clean like a bajillion and one things, but note that it shouldn't be used on plastic or acrylic surfaces, highly polished stainless steel, or hot/warm surfaces, so of course, you can use it on cooktops and grills, just be sure to do so once they've cooled down! Plus, this is vegan!

Promising review: "Oh my gosh — this stuff is a life changer! Used it to get my fiberglass shower totally clean. Nothing else would get it done and this stuff brought my shower back to near-new in one use. We’ve since cleaned a weird chalky film off our garage door, removed wall markings, and cleaned my storm door. We’ll never be without a jar (or three) of this stuff. Worth every penny." —Nancy F.

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

Drop It recommends 1–2 drops for each glass of white wine, 2–3 for a glass of red, and 7–9 if you're treating the whole bottle at once. Once it's in the glass, swirl lightly for 20 seconds, and you're good to go.

Promising review: "I became really sensitive to wine in my 30s and through a lot of trial and painful error, I thought I might have to give up on wine altogether. Then I found out about the preservatives being a possible cause and decided to give this product a shot. So glad I did!! I'm still pretty sensitive to reds but this helps tremendously so that I can have a glass with dinner without a headache immediately settling in. Whites cause me no problem what so ever! I love that it takes so little product to make a difference to a whole bottle. Just a few drops, a few minutes and we are good to go." —CastawayIrons

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "I bought these for my mom's car and mine a while ago and these little things are great. Since I got my license I've hated merging or switching lanes; I never felt good or safe doing it. Since having these its been a blessing, I feel less like a scared new driver. I'm currently encouraging my sister and friends to invest in these too! These are also great for backing up, because you can see exactly how close you are to hitting the car behind, and it's helpful when I parallel park in the city." —Mariam Abass

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in four shapes).

Promising review: "We cannot BEGIN to tell you what a lifesaver this is! We have two old fiberglass tubs with vinyl shower enclosures that no matter what amount of scrubbing we have done with everything from bleach to cleanser to vinegar and baking soda would NOT come clean. After I took my shower last night, I sprayed down the tub and walls. Within minutes, all the built-up water deposits and dirt and grime began to melt away in front of my eyes. I left it on overnight, and when I got up this morning, it did not look like the same tub and shower. This product is a godsend, especially for old folks like us who have difficulty getting down on our hands and knees and scrubbing anything. More importantly, it performs as advertised. This is truly an overnight sensation!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $20.98 (available in two scents).

Promising review: "Um, holy grail! My purse has always taken up my passenger seat. If I have a passenger, it's sitting next to me in the driver's seat. I have a large LV bag that doesn't have a zipper to close it up. Any time I would brake even a tiny bit harder than usual, everything would go sliding off to the floor if I didn't mom-arm it. I got so sick of picking up the contents of my purse (I live in So Cal and drive A LOT). I saw this in a random article on FB, read the glowing reviews, and bought it immediately. YOU GUYS, this is AMAZING! It keeps my purse in place and doesn't slip out on either side. It took all of two minutes to install. LOVE!" —MsJoy

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two colors).

Two Tumbleweeds is a woman-owned small business based in Tempe, Arizona. They sell products to keep meal time fun. They offer notepads and calendars for planning weekly menus and grocery lists, foodie dice, and mixology dice — because trying out new cocktails is important!

Promising review: "What a life-changer. It has gotten my dinner menus out of a rut and made them fun! I highly recommend this shop and product!!!" —likethecolor

Get it from Two Tumbleweeds on Etsy for $32 or Amazon for $24.

Promising review: "Overall works great. I do about 30 minutes of running each day and after I started sweating, my AirPods would start slipping out and I'd have to adjust them back into my ears constantly. This product works great and holds them in. They won't stay super tight in your ear necessarily, but they only move out a little over time. The difference for me was adjusting once during my workout instead of every two minutes while running. Highly recommend if you're looking to keep your AirPods in your ears during workouts." —ChrisW

Get a pair from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in four colors).

Dr. Prints A Lot is based in Detroit and sells 3D-printed goods that'll help keep your home more organized!

Promising review: "These Nespresso holders come in SO handy! They keep me from cluttering up the counters and keep my pods hidden!" —Casey Kimball

Get it from Dr. Prints A Lot on Etsy for $10 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "This comforter is what we’ve always needed. My husband and I are always tangled in blankets because I need more but yet they always end up on his side. This comforter provides an all-in-one solution that keeps me warm and him cool and our bedroom looking calm and zen." —Hannah

Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).

Just fill the bottle-shaped ice maker with water, stick it in the freezer, pop the sides once the water is frozen, and pour the cubes into your glass. Icebreaker is a small biz based in Texas that sells this genius ice cube solution!

Promising review: "We have a small freezer and no icemaker, and have been using fiddly trays for years. Icebreaker Pop has changed everything! No more leaky ice trays spilling in the freezer or on the way to the freezer, and no ice picking up weird smells and tastes from the freezer. Icebreaker Pop is self contained and easy to use: you fill it up with water (but be careful not to overfill, because it does expand as it freezes. Physics!), seal the top, and put it in the freezer. Once it's frozen, you lay it on a flat surface, press down hard on it a couple of times on each side to crack the ice, and pull apart with both handles. You now have 18 cubes of clean ice that dispense from the opening, eliminating the need to touch the cubes as you add them to your glass. The cubes are a little smaller than from regular ice trays, but that's OK with us. Icebreaker Pop is also cool-looking and easy to clean; it's made up of three easy-to-separate pieces that are a snap to wash thoroughly. Very happy with this product!" —Leah Koepp

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "I was a little dubious about these, but my daughter's glasses were always falling off her face and to the floor, so if I could spend a couple of bucks to save her expensive glasses, it was worth a shot. In fact, because you get five pairs, I put a set on my glasses, and I'll be darned if they don't work really well. They add a little bit of bulk to your glasses so if you're extremely fashion-conscious, it's not like tape-on-the-bridge nerdy, but it's there. But if you're more concerned about having your glasses feel like they're going to stay put on your head, then you'll like these. They aren't too thick so you don't really notice them on your ears. In fact, because of the soft silicone, they actually result in less of the occasional soreness I would get from my glasses on my ears sometimes." —Domenico Bettinelli

Get a pack of five pairs (10 total) from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "A package of frozen meat would have taken at least two days to thaw in the fridge. I used this for a 2-pound package a couple of days ago, and the meat was thawed within 90 minutes. One of the most practical kitchen gadgets I own." —Llda Schellhase

Get it from Amazon for $17.95.

This is cruelty- and paraben-free and vegan! Plus, it comes in recyclable packaging. Alleyoop is a woman-owned small biz selling a wonderful assortment of beauty products.

Promising review: "I love the ease of this product. It’s so perfect and the colors are great for all looks — casual, fancy, quarantine extra, everything! I love how effortless it is and how easy it is to use. I’m serious that as a makeup novice, these colors are impossible to mess up. I love it! " —Stephanie H.

Get it from Alleyoop or Amazon for $25 (available in three shades).

The pan is made of heavy weight aluminized steel, which allows for strong heat conduction and even baking. It also features non-stick coating for easy release. It's safe in temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it's dishwasher-safe!

Promising review: "I love cherry and he loves apple, but to make two pies would be such a waste since it's just the two of us at home, and buying store-bought pie just isn't the same. This was the perfect solution. I LOVE IT!" —Sherry S.

Get it from Amazon for $19.88.

My colleague Amanda Davis swears by this spray. Here's what she has to say about it:

"So, I have about three pairs of shoes that have just been sitting in my closet because while they are sooo so cute, the leather was too tight for my foot to comfortably get inside 'em. Did I return them? Nope. (We all know the hassle of online returns, right?) Instead I bought this shoe stretch spray on a whim. I didn't expect much but WOW! The shoes that took me a minute of struggling to get into fit *perfectly* now!!

The process was as simple as could be, too. I just sprayed my shoes (inside and out, heel to toe) like there was no tomorrow, I put on some semi-thick socks (just to ensure I had ample room later), and wore the shoes around my house for about 30–40 minutes. As I was walking around, I could literally feel them begin to loosen up.

After about 30 minutes, I took my shoes and thick socks off, and the shoes just ~slide~ on. Easy Peasy. Now I have a new favorite pair of shoes and zero dollars have been wasted. I tried these with a pair of chunky leather loafers, but I can only imagine what they'll do for my pair of Dr. Martens — the boots known to take a while to break into. This stuff is a must!"

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Ellison's Organics is a small business based in San Antonio, Texas that sells vegan and cruelty-free polish and nail products.

Promising review: "I’m still learning how to make sure I get all of the edges without getting the latex on my nail so I can paint them properly — but that’s me, not the product. I’m right-handed but I swear I was born with two left hands. It took me a few minutes to make sure I did a decent job, but once I put the polish on and pulled the latex off, I was so impressed! Overall, a great purchase." —Etsy Customer

Get it from Ellison's Organics on Etsy for $7.99.

There have been mornings when I think I've run out of the toothpaste and then am forced to have bad breath BUT! There is always some toothpaste left — you just have to squeeze it out.

Promising review: "This device is ingenious! Wished I’d known this product exist sooner. I use Arm & Hammer toothpaste, which still comes in the standard small cap so having it propped up behind the bathroom cabinet was impossible. Now, problem solved. It’s a small invention that made a positive impact. I thank the person who thought of it." —Jl33NYC

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B.

Get it from Amazon for $13.91.

Promising review: "I didn't know what I was missing until I used this. My life is now complete. If you enjoy comfort and lazy binge-watching but don't care how ridiculous you look wearing these, then you have found Nirvana. My glasses fit in these just fine. Takes a minute to get used to, then it becomes your reason to live. Expect people to laugh at you, but forgive them for they know not what they are missing." —Michael Boyd

Get them from Amazon for $11.95.

The clippers have a file on the bottom and also come in a really nice case!

Promising review: "Best nail clipper I've ever owned. All my life I've had stainless steel nail clippers that slip from my fingers whenever I have to cut my nails, which bends the nail and adds pressure onto my nail bed. With these clippers, the groove lets my thumb sit comfortably. It cuts very well, and there's no need to put too much pressure when cutting a tough nail. The nail catcher is a good bonus. It prevents your nail debris from flying all over the place so you don't need to hover over the trash can. I use the built-in nail file to shape those sharp edges and it does the job very well. It eliminates the use of switching over to an individual nail file. I also like the little case that it comes in. It keeps me from losing my nail clippers." —Jasmine

Get them from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "I just want to make my morning routine as easy as possible. I love winged liner, but I don’t have the steady hand for it without mistakes. This makes the perfect and consistent wing every time. Love it! I ordered the 10 mm, and now I'll have to try the 12 mm!" —Julie B

Get it from Amazon $14.97 (available in four sizes).

This would also make a great option as a bridesmaid dress — choose the color(s) you want your bridal party to wear and then leave it up to them to pick the way they'd like to wear it.

Promising review: "I've ordered five different kinds of convertible dresses and this is by FAR the best! The fabric is thicker than others I've tried and the construction is impressive, especially for the cost! I love that front ties overlap, which makes it much more modest than many of the others! I'm 5'4" and the length of the small was absolutely perfect!" —Enewbie

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in 15 colors and women's sizes S–XL).

Promising review: "I had a cheap, untempered windshield, which was awful in the rain. A friend of mine from college recommended Rain-X and I was shocked at the difference. I applied it with a soft rag and sat there wondering if it was even on properly. I trusted the system and then later that night took my car out for a drive; it rained while I was out and the difference was instantly noticeable. Before, when using my wipers, streaks would obscure my view so much that any lights would make driving in the rain hard. Now, the droplets don't smear and smaller ones sometimes just roll off. It's pretty great." —Alison J. Gong

Get it from Amazon for $8.23.

The tablet is designed to last throughout the entire wash cycle, and is recommended for use about once a month. These are safe to use in stainless-steel tub and plastic tub dishwashers.

Promising review: "After using this product, I am happy to report that my $5 investment saved me over $500. I was ready to replace my dishwasher due to super cloudy glasses, residue, and just not getting clean. Then, I became aware that the water softener no longer was doing its job, so I had the rental company replace it. Dishwasher performance improved somewhat. I decided to do two more loads before deciding to purchase a new one. Then I saw a product test review for Affresh in a magazine. I was ordering some stuff from Amazon anyway, so I added that to my order. When it came, I tossed one of the tablets into the bottom of the full machine, and ran the regular cycle. I did not expect the results I got! My glassware that I thought was permanently etched and ruined came out like new. Same with cutlery. The difference is unbelievable. I will use this faithfully on a monthly basis, as recommended. I can even put it on my subscribe and save order, so I will get a new pack every six months. I am amazed!" —Sheila

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $8.99.

This features a nontoxic, nonstick ceramic coating. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit!

Promising review: "Love my new Always Pan. Heats and cooks evenly, it's the perfect size, very versatile, and cleans up like a breeze! Couldn't be happier with my purchase." —Wendy H.

Get it from Our Place for $150 (available in 10 colors).

If you watch Shark Tank, then this product may look familiar to you! Kevin and Lori both made offers, but the founder picked Mr. Wonderful. These are reusable and BPA-free! Wad-Free is a woman-owned small biz!

Promising review: "Wow!!! You wonder if things like this really work — well, I can absolutely confirm this does! I was impressed that the package came with two of the devices so there was one for the fitted sheet and the flat sheet. I tried it out and my sheets not only did NOT wad up, but they came out of the dryer feeling fresher, feeling more dry, and unwrinkled! I will be buying a set of these for each of my immediate family members and close friends! What a great gift!!!" —katy

Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.99.

Promising review: "This product is genius! I LOVE it!! Seriously, I hate putting my sock matches together, and as a wearer of colorful ones, it’s kind of important that I pair them up after the wash! Now I don’t have to! I would totally recommend this to anyone who hates playing the match game, or anyone who loses socks in the washing machine or dryer vortex!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.