
46 Products That'll Practically Pay You Back With How Often You Use Them
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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From a car vacuum to a cookbook for when you don't feel like cooking, these products are about to become the everyday essentials you'll regret ever living without.
1. A stainless-steel KitchenAid cold brew maker with a sleek drip system for turning ground coffee into a cafe-worthy cup. Because iced coffee is a year-round beverage that deserves a kitchen tool worthy of its excellence.
Amazon
Promising review:"I love this coffee maker. It's so easy to clean and stores in the fridge with easy access. The spout does not leak, which is pretty awesome too. The coffee basket is large, allowing you to cold brew both coffee or specialty teas. Highly recommend if you are considering a cold brew coffee maker. We had a pitcher-styled one and you can't compare!" — Angie
Get it from Amazon for $109.95 (available in two sizes and two styles).
2. A handy portable car vacuum that'll help you clean your car without the extra effort of bringing your vacuum outside. (Because honestly, when do we ever actually do that?)
It comes with three detailing attachments (a flathead, extendable, and brush nozzle attachment). You also get a carrying bag, filter brush, and spare HEPA filter. Plug it into the 12V aux outlet in your car and the 16-foot cord will give you enough slack needed to clean the entire vehicle!
Promising review:"Yes, it is not as powerful as my vacuum cleaner in the house; however, it cleaned out all the garbage, which I accumulated over the past autumn and winter, in the car. At the end of October, my husband and I went to the ocean, and as we tried to be neat — the sand was still in the car. Finally, I got rid of it! Now my beauty again is clean, as on the first day, when I bought her!" — Julia Bright
Get it from Amazon for $24.49+ (available in two colors and corded or cordless versions).
3. A mini Therabody for a deep-muscle treatment that is said to increase blood flow and support the body's recovery process. If your favorite flavor of serotonin is a massage, this is for you!
Amazon
This is designed to reach 60% deeper into muscles than other massagers and at 40 times a second.
Promising review:"This was purchased as a gift for my son. It is a great product. It helps to remove stress knots from the back. It's fabulous." — GQuincy
Get it from Amazon for $163+ (available in six colors).
4. What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking, a stress-free book filled with surprisingly impressive meals. The recipes are created to be easily adjusted if you don't have all the ingredients or tools, which'll make embracing your own homemade food far less intimidating. Get ready to keep this on the counter because you'll be using it every dang day!
Promising review: "Over the years I think a lot of people have become accustomed to getting their recipes online. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'm telling you, you're going to want this cookbook in your actual hands! The other day I made her enchilada skillet recipe from the cookbook. One of the things I love best about her is her easy breezy personality. If you don't have a certain ingredient she's quick to suggest others in the cookbook and time savers. With the enchilada skillet I decided to use microwavable rice and I didn't have a oven-proof pan so I just did it on the stove top. It turned out wonderfully and the leftovers were exceptionally good too! I can't tell you the last time I bought a cookbook but this one is amazing: from the way she writes, the beautiful pictures, even how she indexes her recipes (I won't spoil it but it's genius). Thank you for helping me find my cooking mojo again!" — Jessica Hornik
Get it from Amazon for $23.48.
5. An electric candle warming lamp that'll do far more than its fair share. Light this little device up with an unlit candle underneath and it'll evenly melt the wax (it has both a dimmer and timer), helping your candles last longer even if they've started tunneling. Make your nights at home as cozy as can be by turning off your overhead and cuddling up beside this bright little warmer.
Promising review:"I love this lamp. It is so cute, and it works amazingly well. I switch out my candles every day for a new smell. It melts the candles easily — I love that it has a dimmer and a timer on it as well. Keeps my room smelling lovely." — Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in 13 styles).
6. A Philips compact pasta maker — get this, and you can make homemade spaghetti, penne, and fettuccini with a touch of panache. Go classic, or shake things up by using different flours and adding in an assortment of produce and herbs. No matter what you add, this clever tool can make each plate look pristine.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
You can buy an additional set of discs to make angel hair, pappardelle, tagliatelle, and lasagna.
Promising review:"This is one of the best inventions ever!! My family loves pasta so we decided to try this out. 1) it is SO easy to use, my toddler can do it (with our supervision) 2) it is very easy to clean and assemble 3) I feel so much better after eating the pasta that we make verses the pasta that we buy from the store 4) the taste is fresh and so good! I highly recommend this!! We went with the smaller version since there are only 4 of us and that has been perfect for our family and great for storage as we don't have a lot of extra storage space. Stop thinking about it and JUST BUY IT!!" — Tiffany
Get it from Amazon for $174.46+ (available in black or white).
7. A ChomChom pet hair remover roller that'll pick up fur and lock it inside the roller so that cleanup is a breeze and it doesn't lose its effectiveness with heavy use. We love our pets but woof, shedding is their greatest skill.
Promising review:"I have a golden retriever and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie, this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back-and-forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout and it works wonders." — Joanne Ertel
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors).
8. A water bottle *bag* you can hook comfortably snug around your beloved tumbler so you can carry it like a crossbody bag. This has room for your phone, chapstick, cards, and even includes a clip to hang your keys from. You know you'll always have your water bottle by your side and thanks to this, you'll *also* remember all your other essentials too.
Amazon
Promising review:"I love this water bottle carrier! It's so handy for keeping my drink close by, whether I'm out hiking or just running errands. The phone pocket is a nice bonus and the adjustable strap makes it super convenient to carry. Definitely a must-have accessory for my Stanley tumbler!" — M
Get it from Amazon for $11.54.
9. And a shiny new 100% leakproof 30-ounce stainless-steel BrüMate Era tumbler to go with it! This dang pretty tumbler is about to become your new constant companion. It has a tapered design (meaning it fits in any standard cup holder) and has a straw that's *also* made with stainless steel. Sleek.
Amazon
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer calls this is her go-to water bottle. She says, "Let me tell you, this is my new favorite water bottle. I can lock the lid with a quick twist, and throw it sideways in any tote and not even think *twice* about it leaking at all!"
Promising review: "Better than the rest. I've tried all the other brands and this cup is THE BEST by far! Love that I can toss it in my bag or onto my passenger seat without worrying about a mess. It goes everywhere with me!" — Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two sizes and 24 colors).
10. A splurge-worthy 12-piece Caraway cookware set — nonstick cookware with minimalist silhouettes that'll complement any kitchen. These work with induction, gas, and electric stove tops, they're all oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, are made with a nontoxic coating, and feature non-stick ceramic with an aluminum core and stainless steel handles. Whew! Sorry for all that; I really got Caraway'd away!
www.amazon.com
The set has a 10.5-inch fry pan, a 3-quart sauce pan and lid, a 4.5-quart sauté pan and a lid, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven and a lid, and storage for the pans and lids.
Promising review:" I absolutely love my Caraway cookware! They are so easy to clean and the magnetic organizers are great for easy storage in kitchen cabinets. I love the hanging lid holder as it saves space and is super convenient (and renter-friendly with the adhesive hooks). The only thing I would mention is that they are not super lightweight. Otherwise, they are superb quality, nontoxic, nonstick, and beautiful!" — Rachel
Get it from Amazon for $360+ (available in eight colors).
11. A modern knife block you can get in a breezy coastal green and treat your countertops to a surprisingly practical centerpiece. The five stainless steel knives are nestled in an ash wood block, helping them stay sharp and easily accessible. Whether you're looking for your first set of knives or are a cooking pro in need of an upgrade, these can make all the difference in your kitchen.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The set includes a 6' chef knife, 5.5" Santoku knife, 6" bread knife, 4.5" utility knife, and a 3.5" paring knife.
Promising review: "These are so pretty and functional. The packaging was beautiful. Truly timeless appearance. I picked the blush pink set. I love that the knives are of good quality and easy to use. Space-saving, which I love. I hated getting rid of the box, that's how pretty it was. It was blush pink and had such a pretty interior. The knives are thick and very sharp. I love that they are very practical and functional while having a beautiful appearance all at the same time. Definitely worth the price. Really worth it." — Shan
Get it from Amazon for $199 (available in four colors).
12. A stuffed waffle maker — this applause-worthy appliance is designed with a deep, bowl-like griddle which allows you to cook the batter with fillings (we're talking chocolate, fruit, cheese, meat...the works). Upgrade your morning routine from frozen waffles to a homemade meal that'll look straight off a "best of" brunch menu.
Promising review: "I bought this after I saw a video on TikTok, so I had an idea about the yummy waffles I could make. First waffles were stuffed with apple pie filling. Second ones scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese. Just amazing!!! The only way you could make this better is to send a chef!! I definitely recommend watching a video on TikTok or YouTube to inspire you before you start!!" — Adirondackdarling
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
13. A pair of Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones for parents out there who may be in need of a reliable noise-cancelling option that'll block out the sounds of your colicky kid when you are getting way overstimulated. With a padded over-ear fit, 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, and phenomenal audio, they will help keep you calm even when your baby...isn't.
P.S. These come with an audio cable with an in-line microphone so you can use them without a Bluetooth connection or even when the battery is depleted!
My Bose headphones have basically become part of my body at this point. Noise-canceling headphones were a really important tool for me with my newborn. These were great then, and continue to be helpful daily to keep out distractions while I WFH...in a loft...with a 10-month-old (I'm using them to do just that at this *very* moment; pictured above).
Promising review: "It's hard to imagine that these headphones leave any room for improvement. Their spatiality and clarity are excellent. The accuracy of music reproduction is good enough even to pick up occasional flaws in the original recordings and/or differences in recording processes. Noise cancellation has improved dramatically vs Bose's original entry years ago. Great for use in a gym environment as well as airline travel." — Harrison
Get them from Amazon for $349 (available in seven colors).
14. A Bissell multipurpose carpet and upholstery cleaner — this spiffy (and portable!) system uses warm water and a special formula to save the day when slips turn into spills, which turn into stains.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Each cleaner comes with a trial size of Bissell's Spot & Stain Formula, which is also available on Amazon for $16.99!
Promising review: "I have four expensive fabric-covered chairs in my kitchen dining area that were long overdue to be cleaned and were so heavily soiled that I wasn't sure even a good cleaning would help. I researched all the available portable cleaning machines and this seemed to be the one with the best ratings and recommendations. I was amazed at the results when I used it on the chairs. Years of ground-in dirt and grime came out easily, and when I looked at the solution that was vacuumed out it was the color of dark chocolate. I did a second cleaning and then used a spray bottle to apply clean water to rinse. Honestly, the chairs looked so good even my son was so impressed he bought one. I want to add that I am very close to eighty. and I had no problems operating it. I highly recommend it, and I rate it five stars plus!" — Kathleen Petro
Get it from Amazon for $123.59+ (available in three other styles).
15. A packable down puffer from Hikerkind for folks who insist on the highest-quality outdoor gear made to last a lifetime *and* look good at the same time. This piece is gonna be the one. I mean, that collar-turned-hood?! It's too good! This is made with 600-800 down fill, has a water-resistant shell, and packs into a travel pillow (which is great for camping *and* flights). And you better believe this thing has pockets. FIVE pockets — and real, deep ones at that.
Hikerkind
I've been singing Hikerkind's praises since I discovered them last summer. I basically lived in their skort and continue to wear it even though it's *probably* too cold for bare legs. I love having strong outdoor gear that I can also wear around the city because if I'm investing in a piece, it needs to be useful ALL the time. This brand fits the bill!
Promising review:"I absolutely love my new puffer! It is the BEST. The fit is perfect, the color is beautiful, and the material is top-notch. Hikerkind consistently produces the highest quality hiking gear that looks beautiful too. I highly recommend this jacket!" — Talia
Get it from Hikerkind for $348 (available in women's sizes XS–3XL and two colors).
16. A Le Creuset enameled cast-iron braiser because being able to invest in a multi-use kitchen tool is oh-so-satisfying. Placing this on your dining room table is sure to make all your meals look warm and inviting. BTW, the sand-colored interior promotes caramelization, prevents sticking, and resists stains. So your food is going to taste as good as it looks. Lucky.
Amazon
Promising review: " If you're looking for Le Creuset quality, this delivers. The enamel is an excellent cooking surface and very easy to clean. The braiser is thick and the lid fits well. The color is nice and looks like the pictures. I use this every day. I've purchased cheap Dutch ovens before, and this definitely stands well above the competition. Worth the money." — JasonC
Get it from Amazon for $289.95+ (available in three sizes and different colors).
17. A pair of YogaToes gemstone stretchers made with hypoallergenic medical-grade gel, for folks who have hammer toe, bunions, plantar fasciitis, etc. Try tossing these in the freezer and treating your feet to a soothing, cooling treatment at the end of the day. Ahhh, I can feel the relief just thinking about that.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It really does feel good to get your toes spread apart. It is, in fact, therapeutic and relaxing. I'm happy and I think I may get some as gifts. They easy to clean and pretty too! I am a tired mama and I will take all the self-care hacks I can get! Easy to put on. They also stay put even when doing little foot stretching movements like curling your toes." — Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $36.95.
18. A TBH *too* nice Tineco 2-in-1 cordless vacuum and mop created to both vacuum and mop at the same time. Unlike our old dummy mops, this robot has a separate tank that stores the dirty water, and it retains 90% of the stuff, so your floors will be clean and dry in just minutes.
It also self-propels so you just need to steer, no hard pushing!
Promising review: "I confess I can be a lackadaisical housekeeper, which is problematic since my new dog sheds enough in a week for me to build an entirely new dog. What's worse, vacuuming doesn't pick up a lot of his fur. This Tineco is magic, though. Not only does it pick everything up (dust, fur, hair, crumbs, Nature's Miracle, errant Cheerios), but because the wheels are motorized, vacuuming/mopping is a breeze. I get exhausted using my canister vac, but this thing is a blast to use. Here is what I've learned: I always use the 'extra water' feature, which seems to work better. I clean the dirty water holder and parts every time I empty it, and I run the self-clean cycle after every second emptying session. This means I can do my primary bath and my 10x12 TV room before self-cleaning and recharging for a little bit. Or I can do my kitchen, entryway, and hall before self-cleaning, or my living room. In other words, you're not going to do your whole house on one battery charge or without running the self-cleaning feature several times. Of course, the reason you have to run the self-cleaning so often is because this little beauty is picking up So. Much. Stuff. It's magic. If it broke tomorrow (and I don't think it will break for a very long time), I would buy another." — Tsippi
Get it from Amazon for $199+ (available in four styles).
19. A high pressure rainfall showerhead with a stainless-steel finish that's sleek and a rainwater feature that's gonna be ooh-so-soothing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Incredible product!!! Buy it! This rainfall shower head gives me the best showers of my life." — Rivka Polanksy
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).
20. A set of breathable seamless thongs specifically loved by several reviewers who "never wear" thongs and "hate" thongs. Folks say these are comfortable all day *and* claim they're comparable to (and even better than!) brands like Skims and Victoria's Secret. I'm sold. Like, literally. Buying now.
Promising review: "After trying these, the pursuit for the most seamless underwear ended with these, and I came to write that on my way to buy a second pack. I worked at VS for three years, what seems like forever ago, and tried every 'seamless' thong under the sun- at the store and otherwise- all of which rolled, were still visible, or the liner was not cotton, which just feels gross by the end of a workout or the end of the day. These aren't that. They DISAPPEAR under all the workout attire. Anti-camel toe… HELLO?!?! They don't hold sweat. They don't roll. They don't move around. I just had my fourth baby and first C-section a couple of months back, and these are wide enough in the front. What is this panty sorcery? I threw out everything else from anywhere else. Follow the size guide. I washed in warm water upon arrival, even with the red in the pack, and none of the colors bled. I've washed 2x, and they look the same as when I first opened the box. They're wildly comfortable for a thong from someone who despises every thong and even other styles of underwear I've ever tried. Picky lady problems, the list went on. Always something wrong about them on my body. NOT THESE! What!?!! I work out in these, run errands, housework ahhhh — they're my new go-to that I ditched everything else. Comfy, sexy, stretchy, actually so seamless that they don't exist under clothing, and a fantastic deal… It's sorcery, I'm convinced." — Ebony
Get a set of six from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in women's sizes XS–4X and nine color packs).
21. A cervical neck "pillow" may help provide ergonomic support, align your spine, and give you a much-needed vertebrae massage simply by lying down.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
After ages of looking at this thing and wondering if it was the real deal, I finally buckled and bought it. I use it 10 minutes a day and have noticed serious pain relief, and believe it is a great tool as I work on improving my posture.
Update: I've been using this for *years* now – it's become a part of my daily routine. While pregnant, I didn't use it. I missed it every day and absolutely noticed my posture falling apart again. Now that I'm nursing and feel hunched over all the time, I love it even more.
If you have any neck or back issues, talk to your doctor before use.
Promising review:"I was very surprised at the quality of this neck and shoulder relaxer, especially at this price. It has a nice structure to it, but is also soft enough to cradle your neck in comfort. Just taking a few minutes to use this helps to improve my neck and shoulder pain greatly. This especially helps when you have slept on your neck wrong and have a Crick in your neck. Very happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend it." — Cindy
Get it from Amazon for $19.79+ (available in six colors).
22. A versatile veggie chopper that'll help you prep (and cleanup!) with speed that feels downright magical. The interchangeable blades just pop out, then just throw them right into the dishwasher!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. This requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five styles and colors).
23. A milk frother for coffee connoisseurs who have ~bean~ wanting a tool that creates a rich, creamy froth for their daily drinks.
Promising review:"All of my friends and family had this so naturally I had to get one and I am obsessed. Makes every homemade coffee taste like you went out and bought one. Very affordable and worth every penny. I love that is comes with a cute holder for it." — Kayla Dillinger
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in dozens of colors).
24. A wooden bread box so stunning you may feel like the owner of a boulangerie every time you reach for a slice of bread. And it's not just serving up good looks! The plexiglass windows will help you know what bread you have at the ready. I've wasted more than one loaf of bread by hiding it in a concealed bread box and forgetting about it. I...will be buying this.
I thought it was impossible to forget about bread...and YET.
Promising review:"LOVE!! Bread has to be transported frozen to our town. Because of this, our bread gets super moist, molds quickly, and even gets soggy inside the bag before using it. This bread box really helps! Now, I have DRY STORAGE for my bread and it doesn't mold within a few days of buying it. This works great and looks great! Nice to have an organized place for all my bread loaves." — AkLiz2011
Get it from Amazon for $99.97.
25. An Our Place Dream Cooker that's not just a pretty face. This *treasure* can slow cook, sear, saute, and pressure cook. Having one multi-use appliance can help keep your kitchen from feeling cluttered, encouraging you to cook more often because it's actually a NICE place to be. Dream Cooker? You're dreamy.
Our Place
What's included: Dream Cooker, cooker base, locking lid, inner cooking pot, condensation collector, and detachable power cord.
Promising review: "The Dream Cooker is so easy to use, and I was able to try a recipe that I had never made before. It was delicious and came together very quickly. Amazing for a new mama! Cleaning up the Dream Cooker is also easy and it can easily be stored on the counter or down below! The many features are explained in detail and I was able utilize each one seamlessly. Wonderful!" — Missy P.
Get it from Our Place for $199 (available in four colors).
26. The Peloton Bike+ for folks who love an active lifestyle...without leaving their house. This upgraded model has a 23.8-inch anti-reflective rotating screen so you can easily switch from cycling to a strength workout or yoga flow — or wherever your workout attention span takes you.
Amazon
Another neat upgrade the Bike+ adds: an auto-resistance option that changes your resistance to match instructors' cues.
Promising review:"I have wanted a Peloton bike for several years. The features of the Bike+ are amazing, so I'd highly recommend spending the extra $ to upgrade. It so quiet and the Peloton seat is quite comfortable. I bought over a month ago and I've ridden every single day!! Wish I'd gotten it a long time ago. We assembled on our own and it was very easy to follow the instructions. Is well worth the investment and monthly fee. If you're considering whether it's worth the money — IT IS!!!" — CathybCPA
Get it from Amazon for $1,445+ (available in two styles).
27. A set of foldable dining chairs so you can host folks in your dollhouse-sized kitchen in fold-out chairs that are as good-lookin' as the rest of your furniture. Go ahead, be the host who manages to keep things cozy even when it gets crowded.
Promising review: "I need folding chairs so the whole family can get together but most of the time we just use two chairs when we don't have company. These chairs fold very easily and store well, but they still offer every bit of comfort that a classic dining chair has. The upholstery doesn't stain easily and spots come up well, but the fabric is quality and classy. I'm always proud to use them when we have guests." — Amazon Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $143.84+ (available in seven colors).
28. A fabric defuzzer that'll clean up sweaters, sofas, and other aging fabrics that have been a real ~pill~ lately.
The battery-operated model requires two AA batteries that aren't included, but you can buy some right here!
Promising review:"Okay, I don't normally rave about things like this. I bought this on a whim in a last attempt to save my favorite duvet cover. The pills had gotten to the point where it was seriously uncomfortable to sleep with them getting all up in my leg space. I thought I was going to have to get a new duvet cover entirely. Along came this lil' baby. Not only is my duvet cover basically brand new, but I have found a new hobby. I'm depilling everything. Sweatshirts, leggings, blankets, socks, anything that looks like it needs some love. It does the job quickly and leaves everything looking fresh. Hi, I'm obsessed. I can't stop. I should send this back. I've started asking if my neighbors need anything depilled. I'm going to buy one of these for everyone in my life. Everyone needs to own this. Take it away from me." — Sydney Jensen
Get it from Amazon for $20.87+ (available in five colors and two styles).
29. A matching set of oil and vinegar dispensers with metal pour spouts sure to add an upscale touch to your space. There's something extra satisfying about removing busy packaging labels from your line of sight — and these are gonna do just that!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I LOVE these dispensers!!! They look so cute and make me feel so organized. They dispense liquids really well and do not leak. They come with almost every label you would need." — Tara Foster
Get them from Amazon for $17.55+ (available in two sizes, sets of one, two, or four, and in three styles).
30. A Graco 4Ever car seat that'll grow with your kid for a full *10 years* thanks to its 4-in-1 design that'll transition from a rear-facing infant seat all the way to a backless booster for kids from 40–120 pounds. Might as well give it a name because this'll be a part of the family for at least a decade!
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor and mom Heather Braga has to say:" We have this car seat for my toddler and it's been spectacular. It was very easy to install (a huge bonus) and he's really gotten a kick out of having his own space to keep a snack and a drink when we're in the car. The harness doesn't fight me when I load my son into the car and the seat itself feels very cushy. This car seat is actually designed to last your child for 10 years – which is fantastic! It has a machine washable cover I was *very* glad to have after my kid jumped in a muddy puddle and promptly wiped his feet all over it... all the stains came right out! Don't sleep on this car seat...especially when it's *this* discounted."
Promising review:"We bought this exact car seat back in 2019 for my oldest. Knowing there are cheaper but decent other options, I considered buying a different car seat when our youngest was born. I did a ton of research and visited stores in person to check quality. Once again I bought this car seat! It's expensive but worth every penny. Comfortable, easy to install, reclines and extends super easy. Has two cup holders which my oldest has designated for snacks and a drink. It's held up perfectly after multiple messes/spills/washes! Can't recommend this car seat more. If you're wondering if you should spend the money, do it!" — Matt Keller
Get it from Amazon for $279+ (available in nine colors).
31. A terracotta garlic roaster for adding an elegant extra element to meals that would otherwise simply be, you know, delicious. Yawn. Make them extravagant with some rich, roasted garlic. I mean, even a slice of sourdough could look restaurant-worthy with this slathered on top. Aaand oops, I'm drooling.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I went to a restaurant recently and had roasted garlic with my meal and just had to try at home. The instructions ere easy to follow and the garlic came out perfectly." — KBC
Get it from Amazon for $14.21+ (available in two sizes).
32. A 10-cup Brita water pitcher so you can drink tap water that tastes like cool, pure perfection.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I was getting tired of lugging heavy packs of bottled water home, not to mention my growing concern about the plastic waste in the landfills. After a lot of research, I settled on this one and have not been disappointed. I was concerned about the taste as we don't have the best water in my city. However, I have been extremely pleased with the taste and how fast it filters the water. I would recommend this to anyone." — Double R
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in three colors).
33. A cool mist humidifier to keep static (that loooves getting dust to cling to surfaces) out of your room. Plus, having moisture in the air is great for plants *and* your respiratory system. Win, win, WIN!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have tall ceilings and this little humidifier was put to the test! Winter is here, the heat is on, and it's been dry until I purchased this humidifier. It's easy to use and KEEP CLEAN for those of us that are allergic to everything (dust and mold)." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $20.99.
34. A set of lovely silicone baby bottles from Boon Nursh for parents who, like me, want *useful* baby products that are also easy on the eyes.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
I 100% bought these because I thought they were pretty. Turns out, they're also *really* good! We tried several types of bottles when our daughter was born and these were far and away her favorite! It was wild to see how much she preferred them. As she became able to hold a bottle on her own, we found that the plastic holes and silicone interior made them really easy for her to grab. We now have the larger version (which is on sale today!) and they are great!
Promising review:"I decided to try these bottles because I was looking for a new brand of silicone bottle. These are easy to clean, my baby can hold them more easily than other bottles because of the unique design, the flow seems to be good for her, and they look cool. I like that the parts which come in contact with my baby's formula and hot water are plastic-free." — danizorz
Get them from Amazon for $18.49+ (available in two sizes and multiple colors).
35. A wooden bread bow knife with a serrated blade that won't drag or pull, because baking bread is hard and you did *not* make it from scratch just to ruin the slices with a bad knife.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Please note that this is designed specifically for right-handed people.
Promising review: "I recently purchased a bread knife, and it has become an essential tool in my kitchen. The serrated blade effortlessly slices through various types of bread, providing clean and even cuts. The ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip, making it easy to maneuver. It's a reliable and efficient addition to my kitchen arsenal, highly recommended for anyone who loves fresh, perfectly sliced bread." — Mykayla Stump
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
36. A sleep-training alarm clock that'll trick your kids into thinking rule-following is positively perky! This'll display darling tiny robot facial expressions and glowing colors to let your kids know when it's time to sleep and when it's okay to get up and...wake the parents.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"This was a lifesaver!!! My 4-year-old was getting up at 5:30 :( and we could not convince him to go back to bed. We found this clock and we're amazed at the results. My son loves it! He gets so excited when it turns green and he can get out of bed, or when he wakes up and it is green. It seems to have helped train him to sleep in longer. It is easy to set up. Our only complaint is the light from the indicator (red, yellow, green) is soooo bright. We tip the clock on its face so his room does not light up. He can still see the color, so it's fine. But I do wish we could dim it. Don't let this stop you from getting it though, it was worth every penny!" — JW
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in four colors).
37. A Waterpik because despite your good influence, your family still treats dentil floss with disdain. This Waterpik is fun *and* functional. Get ready to hear your spouse brag all about their *great* gums after you get this.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: " Love it. I have a friend who recommended it to me. You think your teeth are clean and then after using this you realize you have enough extra food between your teeth and in your gum line to feed a small child a meal. Its gross for sure but much better out than in. I would say it is not portable at all if you are thinking you need something to travel with. I chose this type because I thought that it would be more powerful than a hand held portable one. I do find it powerful and effective at cleaning my pearly whites." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).
38. An herb keeper that'll help your herbs stay fresh for *ages* — saving you from garnishing your meals with limp, soggy greens.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This product is designed to be perfect for its usage. Herbs stay fresh and visible. Plus, it is beautiful looking. So much better than using a drinking glass." — zerg4
Get it from our Goodful line on Amazon for $19.99.
39. A mug warmer because you prefer the apartment feel arctic, so long as you can keep your insides warm with a toasty cuppa.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This is hot stuff! It's an easy-to-use beverage warmer. Just plug it in and your beverage stays warm…even hot. I recommend it!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
40. A perfect egg timer that's basically a hard-boiled egg X-ray. Thanks, science. To use, just place the timer in cool water alongside the eggs you're cooking. As they cook, the timer's color will brighten in the center, growing in size as it gets hotter. The markings on the side show what stage all your eggs are in, so just pull them out and get them in an ice bath when you see that they're ready! So. Cool.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"It's pretty rare to come across a product like this that is so cheap and works exactly as advertised. Everyone should have one of these in the kitchen (reviewer's image above, left)." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.58.
41. A pair of reusable paper towels to save yourself trips to the grocery store when you run out of standard paper towels. Use these instead and save time *while* making Mother Nature smile down upon you.
Amazon
Promising review:"I love the colors, design, and absorbency! I give this 5 stars." — Rosalie
Get them from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in a variety of styles and pack sizes).
42. A smart bird feeder with a camera that'll be beloved by folks who (like me) would love to join a birdwatching group if it didn't mean leaving the comfort of their armchair. This spiffy system uses solar power and it's made with recycled materials. The app works with your phone, allowing you to control the mic and camera angle wherever you are. It also has night vision! I want this so bad I'm gonna throw a fit. HERE IS MY FIT!!!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I got way more than I expected from this! I expected this to be a fun little hobby cam that would simply show me bird visitors now and then. It certainly does that, and does it well, but I didn't expect it to be as feature-rich as it is. First of all, this rivals many security cams I use! You can select live view and in seconds you can see your surroundings. You have the ability to hit alerts, sirens (for squirrel invaders), a mic to talk, record, light, screenshot, and more. There is room for an SD card for local storage. This also has AI recognition and I found it pretty spot on. It also has night vision.
The feeder is super easy to assemble. The lid is easy to flip open and it holds a lot of seed, all without impeding the camera itself. The camera has an up/down adjustment which helps with what you want to see on the feeder and/or your yard. The resolution itself is pretty crisp too. In all, I'm extremely impressed, and it surpasses my expectations!" — H. Klingler
Get it from Amazon for $135.99 (available in two colors).
43. A heated massage mat featuring 10 motors and two heating pads to provide gentle, soothing relief and five modes with three vibration intensities to give your aching back customized care.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Comfortable, and the heat is great! I love getting a gentle massage, and it almost puts me to sleep. It fits perfectly on my recliner. Best thing I've bought in a long time." — Tina
Get it from Amazon for $67.99.
44. A clip-on polarized sun visor that's gonna be loved by folks who are always squinting into the sun on their work commute. Clip the extender onto your existing sun visor and you're gonna get polarized glare reduction all the live-long day.
www.amazon.com
Glare Guard is a small business based in Easton, Pennsylvania creating polarized visors for glare-free driving.
Promising review:"This extender is great; I wish I had purchased this years ago. My daily commute to work is due east and the sun is directly in my line of sight. My commute home is just the opposite, due west and the sun is blinding. This extender is not only a great buy, but it also increases the safety of daily driving." — Dyann Curtis
Get it from Amazon for $36.99.
45. A foldable bathtub tray that can collapse, easily tucking into that tiny below-sink bathroom storage, and expand, fitting across any size bath tub, helping keep everything you might need nearby during a (1, 2, 3 hour?) bath.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I absolutely LOVE this! My hubby got it for me as a Christmas gift. I soaked in the bath for two hours (yes, I had to warm water a few times). This held my wine, my iPad, candles, and even some snacks. Best 'me time' ever — and all from the comfort of my own home." — Eric Harris
Get it from Amazon for $22.97+ (available in seven colors).
46. And finally, an interactive routine board from Charmspring — this unreasonably cute calendar is a great visual for your home, keeping your kids' schedule within eyesight so they don't get overwhelmed by surprise events and expectations.
Charmspring
I have one of these springboards! This kid-friendly daily calendar is a gift for A-type parents and unorganized souls alike. The illustrated tiles are kid-friendly, so they can put their activities on the board all by themselves. Discuss the day with your kiddo as they put it together — this added control helps them feel in charge of their schedule, making changes throughout the day feel less daunting.
Get it from Charmspring for $295 (available in starter packs, two sizes, and multiple styles).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
How to watch NASCAR FireKeepers Casino 400 live from Michigan for free
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. NASCAR's 2024 Rookie of the Year, Carson Hocevar, will return home this weekend for the league's annual contest at Michigan International Speedway. It's time for the FireKeepers Casino 400! The 400-mile race on a two-mile track consists of 200 total laps, divided into three stages of 45, 75, and 80 laps. Michigan native, Hocevar, finished in second during last week's Cracker Barrel 400 to tie his career-best finish, so it's safe to say that he has momentum heading into his hometown race this weekend. what to know about nascar in nashville Race: FireKeepers Casino 400 FireKeepers Casino 400 Date and time: Sunday, June 7, 2 p.m. ET Sunday, June 7, Venue: Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, Michigan) Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, Michigan) Streaming: Prime Video (30 days free) Last year, this race was won by Tyler Reddick, who currently sits in sixth place overall in the NASCAR standings. Here's everything you need to know about today's NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan. FireKeepers Casino 400 start time: What time is today's NASCAR race on? Today's (June 7) NASCAR race, the FireKeepers Casino 400, begins at 2 p.m. ET. What channel is today's NASCAR race on? Like last week, today's NASCAR race won't be on traditional television; it will air exclusively on Prime Video. How to watch the FireKeepers Casino 400 for free: If you aren't a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year. All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you'll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six years and get all the perks. With Prime Video, you can also take advantage of the streamer's Shop the Race storefront, exclusively on the Amazon mobile app, to shop gear, flags, and more for your favorite driver. NASCAR on Prime Video 2025 schedule: Prime Video will broadcast four more NASCAR races this season, including today's. Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post's streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she's also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews


CNBC
a day ago
- CNBC
Slate Auto: Inside the EV startup, stealth production facility backed by Jeff Bezos
LAKE ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. — In a nondescript supplier park in suburban Detroit, an electric vehicle startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is building what it hopes will be America's newest automaker. The facility is filled with dozens of prototypes, crash-tested vehicles, a crude lab vehicle skeleton adorned with wires and, most importantly, a busy "beta" assembly line that has been building electric vehicles since December for the startup, Slate Auto. Slate is using the location — a stone's throw away from a massive General Motors assembly plant — to produce more than 70 vehicles for internal testing, certification and everything else a company needs to prepare to produce and sell vehicles in the United States. The beta production line features roughly a dozen labeled stations for things such as the vehicle's doors, tailgate and front ends that sit in bins or on surface areas made out of wood and steel parts. Employees move back and forth between the bins, tables and assembly line as songs such as Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You" and Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" echo throughout the lively facility. The largely hand-built vehicles being made are bare-bones, two-seat, two-door electric pickup trucks that can also be converted to different body styles of SUVs, such as a five-seat fastback or into a squared-off look like a Jeep Wrangler. The vehicles have injected-molded composite exteriors, crank windows, no infotainment systems and a litany of do-it yourself options. The plan is for every vehicle coming off the line to be the same to reduce complexity, before adding any additional features or different covers/tops. Auto executives have tossed around the idea for such a modular, stripped-down vehicle amid the rise of connectivity and affordability concerns, but so far the challenges have outweighed the potential opportunities, or companies have struggled to keep prices down. Slate believes it can succeed where others have failed through simplified manufacturing and lower costs – two areas where other EV startups have failed in recent years. "This one's going to be different for a number of reasons," Eric Keipper, an auto veteran and Slate's head of engineering, told CNBC after a tour of the company's manufacturing facility. "We took the back-to-basics, only-the-essentials approach, and, really, we're building a completely new category of product." Slate exited its "stealth mode" in late April by revealing its first vehicles — several two-door electric pickup trucks and converted SUVs — that it expects to begin deliveries of by the end of next year. It's in the process of building out a full production facility at a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, where it expects to have capacity for up to 150,000 vehicles a year. It's a daunting timeframe even for an established automaker, let alone a new startup that's establishing its supply chains, production processes and workforce, among other things. Hand-building vehicles at a small facility is one thing; mass producing them is another. "We've put together a really solid plan, and we're working to achieve the plan," Slate CEO Chris Barman told CNBC. "It doesn't mean that we follow the plan exactly. We gotta pivot when different information comes, but we understand what we've got to do to ultimately get to the goal of having vehicles that meet all of our requirements." Slate revealed its unnamed vehicle (the company is telling customers to name it themselves) to notable fanfare, attracting more than 100,000 reservations that required a $50 deposit. For other companies, however, vehicles reservations have fallen significantly short of actual sales. The company said it is conducting a Series C round of financing after raising $700 million in its first two rounds of financing. TechCrunch first reported the Series A round in 2023 raised $111 million from 16 investors, including Bezos. Other EV startups have needed significantly more funding and have quickly blown through billions of dollars annually attempting to get a vehicle into production. But Slate believes it can be far less capital intense thanks to the engineering and production of the vehicle. "We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never been delivered," Barman said during the April 24 debut. "But with a twist, it's a vehicle people are actually going to love and be proud to own." The company declined to discuss future targets such as sales and profitability, as well as expected capital requirements, other than that it plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in its Indiana plant. Barman and Keipper — veterans of Stellantis predecessor Fiat Chrysler, among other companies — met nearly three years ago to discuss the vehicle and Slate's business plan as the first employees of the startup. "It started with a blank slate," said Keipper. "The CEO and I sat together on the fifth of July in 2022 and looked at a blank whiteboard, and I filled it. I said, 'Here's the plan. Let's do this.'" During the reveal, the company positioned itself and its vehicle as a "a radically simple, radically affordable, radically personalizable car." The vehicle — which has a targeted starting price of under $20,000 with an up to $7,500 EV credit — features many "off the shelf" parts from suppliers, lowering costs. Its body also is exclusively injected molded composite instead of steel or aluminum, bringing down cost and weight. It does not feature any "connectivity" such as a modem or large screens, just a small driver information screen. Instead of a center infotainment system, drivers can use their own devices such as a smartphone or tablet for navigation and music. Speakers also are optional. The exteriors of the Slate vehicles also won't be painted. The company says it was engineered to be wrapped with a vinyl film, eliminating the need for a costly paint shop — a massive investment for automakers. The basis for the company is for consumers to be able to easily change the vehicle themselves or add whatever they'd like to it after purchase through the removal or addition of bolts. The company plans to offer some services such as the vehicle wrapping, but customers aren't required to do those things through Slate and can purchase add-ons later. Slate says the vehicle — about the length of a two-door Ford Bronco — only features roughly 2,500 parts, including only 500 to 700 "end items," or parts, for final assembly. That compares with a Slate estimate of 2,500-end item parts for other competitors and thousands of more overall pieces. "Fundamentally, there's no new technology because technology costs money to develop," said Jamie Standring, formerly with Karma Automotive and Stellantis/Fiat Chrysler, standing by the beta assembly line. Standring said the initial idea was to have the vehicle's frame that everything is built upon be bolted together – almost like an erector set – to remove the need for a full body shop, much like it's attempting to not use a paint shop. But the drawbacks eventually outweighed the benefits, he said. The Slate truck is expected to ship with a standard 52.7-kWh battery with an estimated range of around 150 miles, or a 84.3-kWh pack with a target of 240 miles of range. Its battery supplier is SK On, according to the company. Its top speed is only 90 miles per hour. "I'm really proud of the team for how they really thought out of the box," Barman said. "We'll have kits, and we're doing it in a way that's lean as well, but we want to offer people many choices." But more choices for consumers mean more complexity. On the company's website, there are 11 categories for customers to customize with a combined 160 options, excluding customizable exterior colors for wraps. That's a lot of options – ranging from dozens of decals to lighting, audio and tires and wheels – for a customer to pick and a company to store and offer. Slate executives say the point of the customization is for customers to be able to make the vehicle their own and easily upgrade or change it when they'd like, but auto analysts see it as one of many potential problem areas. In addition to traditional startup challenges such as capital, profitability and scaling up, other hurdles include: A limited market for two-door vehicles, slower-than-expected adoption of EVs and regulatory uncertainty regarding federal tax credits that Slate is relying on for the vehicle's affordability, among other things. "They have an interesting idea," said Stephanie Brinley, associate director in AutoIntelligence at S&P Global Mobility. "The question is, how many people really want to do that much themselves, and how big is the adjustable market?" The sale of two-door regular cab pickup trucks like Slate's debut vehicle only accounted for less than 90,400 registrations in 2024. That compares to more than 2.5 million registered four-door crew cab trucks. Brinley, who attended Slate's reveal event in California, said if the company wants to be sustainable, it would need to expand its product lineup to four-door models, which the platform seems to be able to support, as well as additional vehicles in the future. "Just like every other startup before it, their sustainability is not going to be determined by the first product in the first six months," Brinley said. "The first product just gets you in the door." A handful of auto startups such as Lordstown Motors, Electric Last Mile Solutions, Fisker, Canoo and Nikola all made it into various forms of production but went bankrupt. Even better capitalized EV startups such as Rivian Automotive and Lucid Group have continually had to raise capital to stay afloat. Industry insiders also have raised concerns about the affordability of Slate's vehicle once customers add options or a new SUV top, which can be installed and uninstalled using bolts. "I think it's super interesting. The idea behind it, we've talked about that idea a million times," Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Stellantis' Ram Truck brand, said recently when asked about Slate. "Now, what's it going to actually transact at in the marketplace … when people start to option them up, it's not going to be $20,000. It's going to be $35,000, and by the time you get to $35,000, you're in midsize truck territory. " Slate has not announced pricing for customizations or exact pricing of the vehicle without a federal tax credit that's in jeopardy under President Donald Trump. "Slate is an example of why and how hard it is to produce a cheap EV" said Karl Brauer, a veteran auto analyst with "They are producing an electric vehicle with only two seats, 140-mile range, manual windows, no touch screen, and it's still $27,500 … To me, it's not a competitive vehicle at that point." Brauer said there are other EVs close to that price, as well as smaller pickups such as the Ford Maverick hybrid with a lot more features that could be a better buy for consumers. Both Brauer and Brinley gave Slate credit for trying something new and attempting to address affordability concerns, but the auto industry isn't an easy busy to break into, even when starting from a blank slate. "It's modular. It's cool. It's a really clever idea," Brinley said. "The question for me comes down to how many people want to do that? And we'll find out, but I don't know that it's as high as they think it is."

Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Amazon quietly tests innovation that could replace humans
Everyone seems to be obsessed with futuristic developments, and it might be because many of us grew up watching "The Jetsons," "The Matrix," and the "Back to the Future" trilogy. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter These movies gave hope to a future in which technology would take care of all the undesirable tasks to make humans' lives easier. And with recent technological advancements, it does sometimes feel like the possibilities are limitless. Related: Amazon's Temu and Shein killer makes key moves Now, those kids who were fascinated with flying cars and teleportation have grown up to become engineers and CEOs of tech companies. But are they considering the down side of these kinds of innovations? Image source: Bloomberg/Getty Images For years, Amazon (AMZN) has invested heavily in optimizing operations and making deliveries move efficiently. The company began its journey when it announced its drone delivery program in 2013, but after over a decade of testing and many difficulties, the project has yet to come to fruition. Related: Google brings Iron Man/Tony Stark tech to regular people In 2023, Amazon took it a step further by partnering with Agility Robotics to begin testing Digi, the first human-centric, multipurpose robot made for logistics work. This development aimed to make "the work experience of their employees safer, easier, and less repetitive," as Agility Robotics CEO Damion Shelton said in the press release. However, this time, Amazon is taking robotics and innovation to the next level, causing some to question whether it may have gone too far. Amazon is developing a new artificial intelligence-powered (AI) software for humanoid robots and building a park to test them, as reported by The Information. This innovation reportedly will enable humanoid robots to perform human tasks, such as driving Amazon's electric Rivian vans and delivering packages, in an effort to speed up delivery times. However, if successful, this test could potentially replace human delivery workers, putting thousands of jobs at risk. More Retail News: Popular tire company makes harsh cost-cutting decision amid declinesUnited Airlines slashes ticket prices for surprising reasonPeloton creates new way for consumers to get cheaper equipment As stated in the report, Amazon is fully developing the software for this project, while the hardware used to build the robots will be developed through partnerships with other companies. The test park under construction in San Francisco consists of an indoor obstacle course the size of a coffee shop. There, Amazon will test the Rivian vans with the humanoid robots inside to see if they can make simulated deliveries before taking them out into the real world to perform the task. Although the development of these robots may sound like a success to some, others are more skeptical. Professor Subramanian Ramamoorthy of the University of Edinburgh is in the questioning camp, stating: "If Amazon restricts the scope, which means using relatively clear driveways and standard layouts of doors and surroundings, then the task would be quite a bit simpler. As the environments become more complex and variable, and others enter the picture – such as pets and small children – the problems become harder." Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.