30 Things That Must Have Been Designed By Geniuses

Buzz Feed

07-05-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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These brilliant inventions just wanna make your life a little easier if you'll let them!
1. A super popular OXO measuring cup ingeniously designed so that you can read measurement markings from above instead of having to crouch down awkwardly until you're eye to eye with the ruler on side. Now you can easily fill it up to the perfect amount without having to keep pausing to check if you've added too much.
It also comes equipped with a soft grip handle and a deeply convenient angled nozzle, and is dishwasher-safe!
Promising review:"Our old liquid measuring cups were beginning to get worn and very hard to read. I had seen these angled measuring cups before and wanted to give them a try, so I bought two (2-cup versions) to replace our existing cups. I've only gotten to use them a handful of times, but I can already tell you they are better than traditional measuring cups. In my opinion, this is the only way measuring cups should be made in the future." — SK
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).
2. A Kindle, iPad, and phone lap holder pillow — now you'll have a much comfier, hands-free experience when streaming, scrolling, reading, vlogging, taking selfies, and more! The holder portion is easily adjustable so you can rotate your device and keep it at the perfect angle, and the super soft pillow has a place to keep snacks, remote controls, or anything else you might want nearby.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love everything about this! Easy to use! Works great for phones or Kindles! Decently priced, lightweight, and very sturdy! The soft pillow provides a comfortable lap experience while reading!" — Kimberly
Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in five colors)
3. A pooper scooper because it's faster and easier than bending over to grab every single one of your precious pup's poops.
Promising review:"We love to spend time outside but loathe cleaning up after our dogs. We've tried many things over the years but this has been the best. It's so quick and easy to clean up after them. I don't have to bend down anymore either (we used to use individual dog waste bags). Wish I would have found this years ago!" — sleak88
Get it from Amazon for $19.98.
4. An " Ever Toast" plate if you hate the way toast and sandwiches get soggy bottoms almost immediately after being placed on a dish. The beveled surface allows hot air to flow, preventing moisture from turning your once-crunchy snack into a limp and moist abomination. It's also a game changer for pizza, waffles, and much more!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Ever Toast is a small business that specializes in unique dinner plates.
Promising review: "GENIUSSSSS. Thiss product is NECESSARY if you hate soggy sandwiches, pizzas, waffles! Works great, keeps everything crispy and toast, we love it here! And for two plates it's a great price!" — Paolo Rivas
Get a set of two from Amazon for $14.99.
5. A set of wrist and ankle weights for anyone whose schedule doesn't allow for a dedicated workout time. Now you can squeeze in a little exercise with household tasks and errands — and *without* a pricey gym membership!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
These are ultra adjustable thanks to a strong Velcro and the ability to add and remove some of the weights to tailor it to your workout!
Promising review: "I love these! So great for yoga or mat Pilates. I like that they are 2 pounds each, which is the perfect weight, and you can even take off weight as well. I use them every week for my workouts. Very durable band as well!" — Robyn
Get a pair from Amazon for $22.79+ (available in two sizes and 16 colors).
6. A pack of duster sponges designed to trap dust instead of sending it flying everywhere like other cleaning methods. Now you can spend less time chasing down dust bunnies, and more time relaxing in your sparkling clean home!
www.amazon.com
BuzzFeed editor Maitland Quitmeyer has this to say about them: "I bought a pack of these and love dusting with them! All the dust sticks right on, so you don't end up breathing in all the dust you just tried removing. It's great for baseboards, too!"
Promising review: "I rarely review products, but this little sponge literally changed my life! It picks up EVERYthing in one swipe! Hard water marks on your bathroom mirror, no problem! Hair clippings are on your sink and counter. One swipe, and they are gone! Dusty blinds? Swoosh, swoosh, swipe! And ala-presto ka-bam, like magic, they are perfect and dust-free! I just need one of these for my floors! I love, love, love how the sponge picks up everything, and with a little running water, all the dust, hair, muck, and guck just rinsed away! This will not disappoint! Thank you!" — DayDreamer
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in six color packs and packs of two, four, and eight).
7. A game-changing banana slicer that'll make you wonder why you ever wasted time cutting them manually. This is a safe and easy way to get perfectly sized slices every single time and make nature's most convenient snack even more of a breeze to prepare.
Amazon
Promising review: "Greatest. Gadget. Ever! This kitchen gadget is a blast! Instead of cutting bananas with a knife, resulting in some thick slices, some thin slices, and the occasional sliced thumb, this gadget makes perfect slices every time, safely and quickly. It has really improved the quality of my bowl of breakfast cereal. Can't imagine ever going back to the old way of doing things. Highly recommend. 👍👍" — Frank Guglielmo
Get it from Amazon for $7.49 (also available as a pack of two).
8. An — it can quickly record and transcribe audio in up to 112 languages, and turn it into summaries and to-do lists using ChatGPT. Taking notes in meetings or class just got a whole lot easier!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
This is also an EXCELLENT tool for students who want to summarize lectures!
Promising review: "Love this product! Very user-friendly, and the app is easy to navigate. It can transcribe and summarize meeting notes in a couple of minutes and allows you to choose what layout (meeting notes, transcript, mind map) you would like. Allows you to edit notes if needed and replay the meeting. This handy device can record phone calls. Just place it in the holder and attach to your phone, and switch the button to the phone option for those on-the-go phone conferences. Very helpful and convenient!!" — Rachele
Get it from Amazon for $159 (available in three colors).
9. A cordless heated hand massager in case you've ever dreamed of having an on-call massage therapist who doesn't charge by the hour. This portable, rechargeable device uses heat, air, pressure, and kneading to help relieve pain and relax your mind and body. Plus, it's lightweight and offers three modes and strengths as well as two heat settings so you can customize your massage to your preferences.
Promising review:"Amazing, strong, tight, easy-to-use hand-wrist massager. I was a server for five years straight and had pain when I woke up. This massager feels so relaxing and good! Chargeable, cute, lightweight, and works amazingly!" — Marlena l.
Get it from Amazon for $78.98 (available in four colors).
10. A floating beanbag chair and detachable ottoman set that's just as comfy and luxurious on the patio as it is in the pool — no air required! Plus, it's super soft, washable, and can be left outside.
Target
Promising review:"Incredible performance! This Sealander is so much better than I could have imagined! Uber-comfy and it floats like a dream, too! It is my favorite piece of pool furniture, and whoever designed it is a genius!" — Summer Crockett
Get it from Target for $459.99 (originally $449; available in three colors).
11. A self-cleaning litter box so when your cat does it's business...you won't have to be involved. This litter box does the dirty work for you and effectively neutralizes odors. You won't have to scoop, clean, or refill it for weeks!
The hands-free cleaning cycle runs 20 minutes after your cat leaves the litter box, moving their waste to a leak-proof, odor-controlled, and disposable tray underneath. Also grab a bag of scoop-free crystal litter and tray refills, too.
Promising reviews:"This litter box is a must for any busy family that struggles to keep up with the daily maintenance of having a cat and a litter box! It works well, and my cat is so happy always having a clean litter box." — Kelsey Decker
"I rarely write product reviews but this litter box actually made a huge difference for my house! I have had a cat for about 10 years who decides to do the number 2 about two feet outside the litter box. He has ALWAYS done this, no matter what type of litter or box. I even asked my vet about it, and his response was, "Some cats are just jerks"😂. Then I got this litter box. For the first time EVER, he does ALL of his business in the box! And there is no odor at all!! I love it so much I have two. Would highly recommend!!" — Emily Stokes
Get it from Amazon for $159.95+ (available in three styles).
12. A microwave cooling caddy for anyone whose burned themselves way too many times while trying to remove a hot plate from the microwave. This caddy stays cool as a cucumber, and has convenient handles so you can instantly grab your food without having to dig around your cluttered kitchen for oven mitts.
Amazon
Handy Gourmet is a small business that specializes in home and kitchen products.
Promising review: "Who would have guessed how much easier this product makes getting hot items out of the microwave? This makes the retrieval much safer for me. I have hand problems and gripping this tool makes the removal steadier and safer without getting burns. I recommend!" — Envy's Opinion
Get it from Amazon for $10.45+ (available in three colors).
13. A pack of disposable, adhesive shower hair catchers if having to take time to clean drain covers like the TubShroom after every shower bums you out. Simply stick one of these to your drain, and it'll last for weeks, collecting your hair while letting water and soap suds filter through — protecting your pipes from hair-induced clogs that could create an even bigger headache down the line. Then, when it's time to replace it, simply remove and toss it in the trash, hair and all — no cleaning necessary!
Amazon
Plus, now you won't have to deal with drain covers getting moldy and gross after a while.
Promising review:"For anyone with long hair, drainage clogging in the shower is a pain. So THANKS to whomever thought of such a simple but clever solution. They stick perfectly and the glue lasts like three weeks. It literally does not let a hair pass and it's just so easy to place and remove. I wish I knew about this product before! A must-buy." — MER
Get a 25-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a 50-pack and 100-pack).
14. Ray-Ban's Meta Smart Glasses — they respond to voice command, allowing you to take hands-free photos and videos, scan QR codes, look up info on the world around you, listen to music (using discreet open ear speakers), and much more, because the future is now!
www.amazon.com
This was featured on Oprah's Favorite Things for 2024 — check out more of Oprah's past picks on Amazon's gift shop!
Promising review: "I love them! I feel like a spy wearing these! They come in handy when I want to be hands-free! The sound quality is amazing! The video and picture quality is great!! 👍🏽 These are the best. Besides, right now, I feel special because everyone is curious, and I'm the only one I know who has them! Great product!" — Stillbeauty
Get it from Amazon for $299+ (available in four colors).
15. A soft and stretchy migraine relief beanie you can put in the freezer or heat in the microwave depending on the kind of relief you are looking for when dealing with various kinds of headaches. Plus, you can even pull it down over your eyes to block out the light when the world is way too bright for the current state of your head.
www.amazon.com
IceBeanie is a small business that specializes in cold therapy products.
Promising review:"I don't usually write reviews but this thing is literally a game changer. Amazing quality, so comfortable to wear, and it really helps me to relax and also when I have a headache. This is top shelf. I am so happy with my purchase!" — Bonnie Boughton
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
16. A spillproof "Magic Tap" automatic drink dispenser great for kids or anyone who doesn't wanna have to lift heavy bottles out of the fridge every time they get thirsty. Simply place the dispensing tube into the container of your favorite non-carbonated beverage, tighten the universal cap, and you're ready to go! All you have to do is press your cup or bowl against the trigger to release the liquid from the spout. This battery-powered device can prevent overflow, dripping, and waste, so you don't have to worry about messes!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the drink dispenser in action.
Promising review: "Super happy with this purchase. Our two little ones (5- and 3-years-old) can now easily fill their own drinks. We also purchased a dual cereal dispenser from Amazon, so now the kids can get their own breakfast cereal with milk!" — April M. Ramos
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors and in multipacks).
17. A window cleaning robot so wiping down the windows can stop being your job. Reviewers also use it to clean their shower walls, mirrors, and even their floors if you're really trying to knock out a bunch of tasks with one device!
Promising review:"I recently purchased this and it has truly exceeded all my expectations. Our apartment has windows that have been a persistent challenge since we moved in two years ago. Despite our best efforts, we haven't been able to clean them effectively. The robot has been a game-changer. It was incredibly easy to set up right out of the box. I simply attached it to the window, added a bit of water, and let it do its work. The results were nothing short of spectacular.
"What stands out is the thoroughness of the cleaning. It managed to reach most of the surface area effortlessly — something we struggled with when sticking our hand outside the window. The robot's ability to handle such a large surface with minimal intervention is remarkable. It has saved us a significant amount of time and made window maintenance a breeze. The design is sleek, and it operates quietly, which is a nice bonus. I'm genuinely thrilled with the results and would highly recommend this window cleaning robot to anyone." — Hei C.
Get it from Amazon for $399.99 (available in two styles).
18. A set of family conversation cards to help you bond with your little ones during meals, road trips, or before bedtime. Cards include thoughtful questions, inspiring messages, and fun activities that can help develop emotional intelligence, creativity, and self expression, while offering a playful way for loved ones to connect and learn about each other.
Amazon
Big Life Journal is a small business that specializes in prompt journals and games for kids, teens, and families.
Promising review: "We've had these cards for just a few days, and my family is already in love with them. The questions are engaging and thoughtful, sparking conversations we might not have had otherwise. What I love most is how they help us get closer and build a deeper connection as a family. Plus, the design is creative, well-made, and fun to look at. I highly recommend these cards for anyone looking to strengthen their bonds with loved ones." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $28.
19. A pack of foil liners for anyone whose stovetop always looks like a crime scene after prepping a meal — leaving you with yet *another* thing to deep clean. These'll catch the drips and splatters so they don't end up stuck to your stove, because who feels like putting in the elbow grease to clean that up after you've already done a bunch of dishes?? Simply toss the liners in the trash once they get too dirty, and you're done!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"One day I will be the happy owner of a flat surface oven/stove top! But until then, these are the best at keeping your stovetop free from food and grease spills and caked-on messes. They're cheap, so clean up is a breeze. When it's dirty, just remove it, throw it away, and replace it with a new one. It makes cleaning the stove top so easy!" — Melanin Monroe
Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a pack of 100).
20. Or a set of liners electric ranges if the thought of cleaning underneath the burner makes you fantasize about how much fun you could have doing literally anything else.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Clean up is a breeze. I used to have problems with food falling through the burners on my stove. Now these liners prevent that from happening, and when I need to clean my stove, any crumbs that may have fallen in are easy to remove." — deidra
Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a pack of 100).
21. A foldable smart walking pad in case you don't have room for a dedicated workout space, but still wanna incorporate some treadmill steps into your routine. It's remote controlled, has built-in speed control sensors for safety, and is super compact — making it easy to fold up and store!
This walking pad goes from 0.5mph to 3.75mph.
Promising review: "Good, simple walking pad at a solid price point. It works well, and is easy to move and store. The folding mechanism functions well, and the wheels roll easily. Controlled relatively easily with the remote or app. Doesn't seem especially noisy, considering that it's a small treadmill. Very small footprint once it's folded and tucked away." — Joel Wills
Get it from Amazon for $349.99 (clip the $50 off coupon on the product page for this price).
22. A suctioned clear bird feeder — attach it to your window for a front row seat to all the neighborhood birdies that stop by for a lil' snack!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am very pleased so far with this bird feeder. Previous feeders were no more than a place for squirrels to snack. I love that the suction cups hold, even with rain and winds. It's like having your own nature channel for birds. I've seen so many different types of beautiful birds I'm going to get one for my neighbor." — deedee5249
Get it from Amazon for $32.95 (available in four styles).
23. Swiffer's upgraded Power Mop that'll get the job done in half the time and with much less effort on your part! Simply press the button to release the cleaning solution, and the super absorbent pads will trap and lock all kinds of messes using powerful scrubbing strips that reach deep into grooves to remove even stuck-on grime.
The set comes with one bottle of solution, two mopping pads, and two AA batteries.
Promising review:"Great mop when you need the job done fast. Liquid refills are easy to pop in, and you can slap on replacement mop pads in a hurry (you'll know when it needs to be replaced). This mop is ideal when you get one of those 'I'll see you in 10 minutes' phone calls. Just press the release button on the handle, and a spray will shoot out at the center of the path. Tip: I run the mop head under warm water first and squeeze it out before I start, as a damp mop works better. The floor was clean in no time, and I like that I don't need to store a separate bottle of cleaner. My mom loves that it's lightweight, so she can carry it upstairs and mop the hall floors and bathroom tiles." — A. Mitchell
Get it from Amazon for $24.94.
24. And a fully submersible Black + Decker power scrubber if you would rather not do the scrubbing yourself when it comes to banishing stubborn grime on everything from cookware and dishes to stovetops and sinks. Let this thing do the hard work much faster while you just guide it along!
Amazon, www.amazon.com
It comes with AA batteries.
Promising review:"What a great little tool to make housework just a bit easier. This scrubber is a joy to use and makes scrubbing anything from dishes to bathrooms fast and easy." — Wouldn't Kid Ya
Get it from Amazon for $21.14.
25. A convertible folding sofa bed that has your back whether your need a seat or a snooze. The space-saving design makes it perfect for small apartments or guest rooms, and the headrest and lumbar pillow set provides MAJOR comfort and support.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This is such a comfortable chair or bed! I was very happy with my purchase. You won't go wrong if you are looking for comfort or if you need to even save space. I highly recommend this." — danny
Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors).
26. An ink-free thermal Bluetooth printer for anyone who's getting sick of spending $$$ on ink refills for your standard printer that seems to go through the stuff faster than a toddler running from bedtime. Plus, it's small enough to take on the go, and easy to connect to your phone, laptop, or tablet for quick black and white printing on thermal paper.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the portable ink-free Bluetooth printer in action.
This requires thermal paper to operate — grab 100 sheets on Amazon for $18.69! Say goodbye to replacing ink cartridges, toner, and ribbons — and dealing with their blockages and issues.
Promising review: "This specific printer is lightweight but very sturdy. The app is super easy to use; it's got a media library that has layouts and other clipart styles. The printer is also relatively quiet, and I have not had any issues with loading the paper straight; you just have to be dedicated to inserting the paper. Do not be super gentle with the paper or it will print on the paper crooked. Customer support is awesome, and the quality is nice and worth the price, in my opinion. The paper, as stated in other reviews, is costly, however, I think not paying for ink evens it out." — Kapizanami
Get it from Amazon for $75.99 (available in seven colors and with or without a case).
27. A set of stick-on appliance sliders — they make it easy to push your toasters, blenders, coffee pots, and other appliances out of the way if you are constantly having to rearrange your cluttered countertops to make space for the task at hand. The sliders are padded and elevated, so you don't have to worry about scratching your worktop, *and* they also help keep your expensive items elevated and out of harm's way when spills inevitably happen.
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the appliance sliders in action.
Promising review: "These are a game changer! I have some heavy appliances like my espresso machine and reverse osmosis filter that I hate to pull out to fill with water. These tiny sliders have been incredible! Immediately better, and so far (about three months in) no issues at all. Still gliding!" — sara
Get a set of 24 from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in five sizes).
28. And a six-piece utensil set carousel to help you maximize the storage space in your kitchen if you're running out of places to stow all of your various cooking tools. No more digging through overstuffed drawers trying to find the one thing you actually need — simply spin this lil' guy around until you see what you're looking for!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the carousel in action.
Each set includes a solid spoon, slotted spoon, ladle, slotted turner, flexible turner, tongs, and a carousel storage stand.
Promising review: "Another great buy from Joseph Joseph. I have had this for a year, and I still love it as much as I did the first day I put it out. It has all of the utensils I need and looks very neat and tidy on the countertop. The utensils hold up really well, too. If you're thinking about it, just get it." — Aly
Get it from Amazon for $48.99+ (available in four styles).
29. A battery-powered clip-on light because it'll come in handy on camping trips, during power outages, or even just around the house! It has two brightness levels *and* a strobe mode in case you wanna get the party started
amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review:"We use these for camping, but I placed one in the truck last night, and it saved the day when we saw a guy trying to change a tire in the dark on our way home. He said he was going to order some, however, I let him have the one we used." — Lorraine Allen
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in six styles).
30. And finally, a cast-iron scrubber for anyone who's ever spent way too long trying to scrape stubborn bits of food off of their skillet and thought to themselves — there must be a better way. This chainmail scrubber easily pulls off the grit — without stripping off the seasoning or scratching your pan. And when you're done, just throw it in the dishwasher!
amazon.com
Just don't use it on any non-stick pans, of course — metal scratches 'em!
Promising review:"I love my cast iron skillet, but I always dreaded cleaning it, so it would make me think twice before deciding to use it over my regular nonstick pans. Turns out, this is what you're *supposed* to be using to clean your cast iron skillet! The proof is in how simple and fast the cleanup is with this compared to other methods. I would recommend this to anyone with a cast iron skillet!" — B. T. Wade
Get it on Amazon for $17.99. And if you do get it, I recommend reading this review — I know it's long, but they offer some excellent advice on how to make the most of it.
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.