21-04-2025
36 Unconventional Products That Could Have A Big Impact On Your 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.
Shopping
·
Time to shake up your 2025 bingo card and add "fall in love with a pair of 'floating' headphones" to the squares.
1. A NeeDoh "Dream Drop," the latest release from the *elite* Needoh sensory fidget toy line for anyone who wants to add more calm and focus to their day. This goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish with a "slow rise" before going back to its original shape. Reviewers also love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean.
Schylling is a small business that specializes in modern and retro toys, games, and sets.
Promising review: "Great, and I love that it has a tray to sit on. I love how firm this is to squeeze, and the slow release is really relaxing. The included dish is a great touch — it keeps it clean and gives it a dedicated spot to rest." — AZMOM
Get it from Amazon for $7.30+ (the color is either blue, pink, or purple and gets selected for you at random)!
Check out the rest of the Needoh fidget toy options on their Amazon storefront!
2. A pair of sweatproof "floating" air conduction headphones designed to stay put by settling just over your ear instead of inside it — basically all the convenience and privacy of earbuds, without the discomfort of physically putting them in your ears. It picks up calls just as well as any other pair, and is designed so the sound isn't audible to anyone else!
Purity is a small business that specializes in tech products and accessories.
Promising review:"I've tried soooo many different types of earbuds over the years with no success. But these Purity open-air headphones are the first pair I've ever tried that actually fit well, don't hurt, and sound great! So, after many years of trying, I've FINALLY found the right ones for my ears!! Woohoo! They are comfortable, lightweight, have great sound clarity, are easy to operate, have great battery life, and people can hear me clearly when I talk on the phone with them. I definitely recommend these, especially if regular in-ear buds don't work for you either." — CPic
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 22 styles).
3. Wititude's 2025 Day-to-Day Calendar with the theme of "Revenge Is Beneath Me, But Accidents Happen" — the art on these may be retro in style, but their sarcastic, delightfully blunt messages are timeless.
Amazon
Promising review: "Utterly in love with the 2024 edition, so I had to buy next year's. I so need these laugh-a-day pages!" — Karen P.
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
4. A snap-on pasta strainer to free your pasta from its hot juices straight from the pot, and spare you storage space to boot (is it just me, or are colanders always in the business of being exactly in the way of whatever it is you need?). Psst — these are also a game-changer for washing your fruit, too!
Amazon
Kitchen Gizmos is a small business that specializes in kitchen accessories.
Promising review:"I've owned this for about six months, and I couldn't imagine cooking without it. I hate strainers. They are bulky and fill up the dishwasher, I'm lazy, whatever. This strainer is a lifesaver. Clip it on your pan, strain, and voila! And it is so easy to clean. A little hot water and it's good to go for the next round. I highly recommend this gadget, it will retire your current strainer." — Viola Evens
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors).
5. A lil' polar bear hydrating eye stick for some sweet, sweet relief when you wake up with puffy, aching eyes. This formula is blended with Iceland glacial water to help tighten skin and tackle dark circles so you look and feel more ~refreshed~.
Promising review:"I have always had serious dark circles and bags under my eyes and this has really changed this for me. The results are incredible. The puffiness is gone. The dark circles are hardly noticeable. My sensitive skin has not broken out. I never write reviews, but this was so good that I had to write a review. This actually works." — Ben
Get it from Amazon for $9.89 (available in two styles and multipacks).
6. A "flossing toothbrush" with two layers of bristles — regular firm bristles, and longer ones that are ten times thinner to clean deep in between your teeth and gums to mimic flossing. Reviewers love how deep the clean feels, and also how soft it is on sensitive teeth!
Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines.
I bought this and love it! I usually use an electric toothbrush, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. I've switched to using this in the morning and the electric one at night and definitely see a difference in that area in particular.
Promising review: "This was another one of my TikTok purchases! I was skeptical, but my kids hate flossing their teeth, so thought this might help in between making them floss. They work amazingly! My kids said they could see and feel a difference on the first use and I agree! They are definitely worth a try! I would suggest not pushing too hard, those tiny bristles really get in there, and if you push too hard, you nights be sore like I was. It felt like after going to a dental cleaning." — AN
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
7. Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets so downright (dare I say, DANGEROUSLY) delicious that even the biggest coffee snobs you know might trade in their precious pour-overs. That is, if they can handle the 300mg of caffeine per cup 👀.
Note: According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 400mg of caffeine is safe for most healthy adults.
Check out a TikTok of the Deathwish Instant Coffee in action. (Also I read at least one review of someone PUTTING THIS IN THEIR MORNING SMOOTHIE, some of you are WILD.)
Death Wish Coffee is a small business that specializes in coffee pods, grounds, whole beans, and more.
Promising review: "So let me start by saying that this coffee is delicious and works if you're someone like me who wants to stay awake. I work night shifts at a hospital, and in the mornings, when I get home, I'm quite tired and sleepy. I made myself a cup of coffee and waited for it to work. Now let me tell y'all!!! This coffee kept me awake for hours!! BOY, WAS I WOWED INDEED … best believe I went ahead and ordered three more boxes. This is now my to-go coffee if I need a BOOST!!!!!! If you like coffee and want to stay awake, then BUY THIS COFFEE!!! I'm happy I no longer have to take naps to get re-energized." — nancy
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $10.99.
8. An itty bitty flat water bottle, because sometimes you aren't Big Thirsty, but still Little Thirsty, and you shouldn't have to lug a whole ginormous tumbler to take care of it. This cheeky little insulated option is designed to tuck easily into purses, tote bags, and backpacks without taking up nearly as much space.
Promising review: "This is my new favorite water bottle. It looks nice, holds 10 to 12 ounces, seals well (no leaks), and is sized such that I can slip it into my back pants pocket (most of the time, if they are somewhat roomy) or in a large coat or vest pocket. I take regular one to two mile hikes, and was sick of carrying around water bottles holding twice as much water as I drink. This works perfectly, no excess weight and easy to pocket. I will also use backpacking for an easy access water bottle." — CRIU
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in five colors and in a larger size).
9. A "Pizza Pack," aka a pizza storage container so handy you'll wish you bought one MOONS ago. Instead of wasting foil or trying to shove a pizza box into the fridge, you can use this collapsible container to stack up to five leftover slices on top of each other — it's even designed so the slices won't stick, *plus* it's totally microwaveable, so you can reheat all the slices at once without moving them.
Pizza Pack is a small business that specializes in sustainable food storage solutions.
Promising review:"It's always a pain to put away leftover pizza. It never seems to work. UNTIL THIS PRODUCT!!! I am very happy with my purchase. It's easy to keep the pieces separate from others and you don't have a large bulky box letting your crust dry out. You can use it for one piece or several — it is very easy to expand. The best part is that it is very easy to clean. Storing the Pizza Pack when not in use doesn't take up a lot of space either. Try it." — B. Cirincione
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in eight colors).
10. A guided visual sloth "breathing partner" you can use for meditation and calm to shift your mindset. This is designed to guide you through either the popular 4/7/8 or 5/5 "calming breaths" to help reduce stress and anxiety, using colors that fade in and out softly as cues. Bonus: it's kid-friendly!
Mindsight is a small business that specializes in calming personal care and decor products.
Promising review (for the original style):"I started meditating over a decade ago. Intermittent in the beginning, progressing deeper, and finding new joys over time. With Breathing Buddha, the last thoughts have dropped away as counting breath always seemed to keep me conscious of, well, counting. Granted, I have always dropped the counting after a handful of breaths, but Breathing Buddha has made for a delightful transition as I realize it doesn't have to count at all. It is a lovely concept, well executed, and very easy to start using." — Lynn
Get it from Amazon for $23.95 (available in five other styles).
11. Moodmatcher's ~green~ color-changing lipstick, an affordable WinkyLux alternative that not only adapts to the pH of your skin to create a personalized, perfect shade for your skin tone, but lasts for HOURS. Reviewers marvel at its all-day staying power even after meals and breaking a sweat. Look at that lil' green lipstick go!!
Amazon
Moodmatcher is a small business that specializes in color-changing lipstick.
Promising review:"This color is beautiful, and shows up differently on everyone. This thing that I like most about this product, is that it stays on all day even through eating multiple meals. I have to use a microfiber cloth to remove it at night!" — Rasheda
Get it from Amazon for $6.59 (available in eight shades).
12. A PopLite personal popcorn maker with a built-in serving bowl that will give you eight cups of movie theater-quality popcorn in two mere mortal minutes. Reviewers especially love that the popcorn doesn't burn, and the machine doesn't leave unpopped kernels like the usual microwave brands.
Check out a TikTok of the popcorn maker in action.
Promising review: " This little popcorn popper is perfect! No fuss, no mess, no chasing popcorn kernels!! Fabulous! Easy to use — the popcorn maker part fits into the bowl part for easy storage. This is one perfect unit!" — Chrystal
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
13. A Stealth core trainer that turns exercising into a *game* so you can trick your body into working out by occupying your brain with the business of "stealth speed gliding" and "galaxy adventure," which are just two of the catchy games in this system that help work your core.
Amazon
Stealth Fitness is a small business that specializes in unique at-home fitness equipment.
Here's what BuzzFeeder Mallory Mower says about this gizmo:"Getting a Stealth board was the very best thing that has happened to me during quarantine. Mixing the fun of games on your phone with the natural endorphins you get from exercising is, to put it lightly, genius. I have two in my home, and my husband and I compete daily to see who can last the longest. My favorite game is the paragliding challenge; he's into the planet-blasting space adventure. Nerd."
Promising review:"Fantastic purchase to solve the boring plank exercises after a year of doing them. This has a quick, easy, simple hit-it-and-forget-it daily with a game, three-minute max, and great results. Much improved core strength, reduce lower back pain, and a high five from my doctor. Highly recommend this for those in need of core buildup and help to manage the time to fit this into a daily schedule." — James Corey
Get it from Amazon for $129+ (available in three styles).
14. A phone umbrella you can suction to the back for *instant* shade when you're trying to reduce sun glare outdoors (or text in the rain 🫠). Reviewers especially love this for their Kindles when they're trying to read at the beach or the pool. The "handle" of the umbrella even doubles as a phone stand to prop it up on long flights!
Check out a TikTok of the phone umbrella in action.
Promising review:"I got this little umbrella because I'm always outside for work, and the sun shines bright. I always have to put information in my phone for work and sometimes I can't step to the shade to do so. The sun protection is good, and the performance and size is perfect for my phone. I've had people ask where I got it because they also need one." — Garza Jboss
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 17 styles).
15. A set of "wine wands" to remove sulfates and histamines from your beloved cheap Pinots in as little as three minutes, basically making "not getting a hangover" your new superpower.
16. A lil' flat cat heating pad you can cook up in the microwave for some much needed relief from cramps or just the chill in the air.
Amazon,
Promising review: "This was so much better than I anticipated. The quality is really nice and there is a removable cover that you can remove and was h. It is soft and comfortable and comes in the cutest little box. So cute and functional. Heat is a humid heat but not too intense right out of the microwave." — brittany
Get it from Amazon for $15.04+ (available three sizes and in other styles).
17. A reusable silicone cactus dryer ball that pet owners especially love because it catches hair like nobody's business. These lil' desert bubs also help soften fabric, reduce wrinkles, *and* save drying time, so they're putting all the decorative but useless succulents in your home to shame.
Check out a TikTok of the cactus dryer ball.
Promising review: "This is my first time using these, and I'm already in love! I saw someone say these can catch hair but I didn't know if these would really catch hair until I used them. They even captured cat hair, which is life-changing for me! 😄😻" — E & D
Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four styles).
18. A " Grievance Journal," or rather a "burn book for the discerning misanthrope" — a darkly funny, satisfying, and cathartic journal with 52 prompts so you can purge yourself of the ~~darkness~~ of your daily irritations and inconveniences without alarming all your friends and neighbors. (Well, any more than you already do 😈.)
Amazon
Promising review: "Bought this intending to gift it to a friend but ended up getting really into the prompts and decided to keep it for myself. WOW, what an awesome way to vent and articulate the negativity you're feeling by actually forcing yourself to form coherent thoughts around your emotions. Cheaper and more effective than therapy, buying several more for friends and fam." — Alex
Get it from Amazon for $27.99.
19. And The 369 Method Manifestation Journal, which you may find helpful not just for setting plans to achieve your goals, but to better help define them for yourself. The journal explains the "Law Of Attraction" method for manifesting, and gives you 12 weeks of space to help make your goals a reality, with lines to write your manifestations three times in the morning, six in the afternoon, and nine at night.
Amazon
Promising review:"This book is exactly what I needed to start my journey to a better life in 2024. This journal helped me write down my goals and mentally practice a positive outlook. I am excited for the journey ahead." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.79.
20. A collapsible Magic Mushroom funnel so you can feel like an enchanted forest nymph while you funnel your coffee, wine, baking ingredients, or mystical potions.
Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the magic mushroom funnel in action.
Promising review: "I am obsessed with this funnel!!! I juice a lot of citrus and juices for cocktails, and this little guy is the perfect size for bottling. It's beyond cute and really great quality. I'm always hesitant about buying silicone items, as I don't want them to be too thin. This is perfect! Sturdy and cute! Can't get better than that! The perfect addition to any cottagecore kitchen!" — Abbey Klem
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
21. A trio lasagna pan designed so people with different lasagna preferences can customize their own versions without cross-contamination (sometimes you just gotta drown the whole thing in cheese, you dig me?). Also, with this gizmo, every piece is an edge piece 😋.
FYI, you can 6,000% use these for brownies, blondies, and bread too.
Promising review: "As someone who has a child (now a teenager) who will not eat any form of cheese, this pan is amazing! I typically avoid making any food that has cheese mixed into it but now I can make him a section without cheese and the rest of us our regular cheesy goodness. Another benefit to this pan is how well the portions slice. One cut with the spatula gives you a perfectly formed square. Each section makes four regular-sized portions for our family." — TLC
Get it from Amazon for $19.49.
22. A deeply adorable retro-style portable Bluetooth keyboard you can connect to your tablet, phone, or computer to easily type on the go. Reviewers especially love the satisfying ~clickety clack~ feel of the keys!
Promising review: "I got this keyboard because of its aesthetic. The look did not disappoint. Love it! Super easy to connect to my iPhone and iPad. It makes my typing and note creating on my phone quicker and cuter. I will purchase another for an upcoming friend's birthday. I know she'll love it as well!" — NT
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in nine colors).
23. A three-tiered ring floor lamp for anyone who wants a lighting option that isn't going to bore them to tears. This not only has unique, sophisticated flair, but comes with adjustable brightness so you can curate the room's mood.
Amazon
Brightech is a California-based small business that specializes in home lighting.
Promising review: "The light is nice! It's a unique-looking light. I love how it has three different settings so you can adjust the brightness. It fits perfectly with my reading chaise and goes well with the rest of my living room decor. The only con I have is I wish the cord was clear instead of black, it sticks out. Other than that, I love the light. I'd definitely recommend it to others." — Carmelita Joy
Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (remember to clip the 10% off coupon on the product page!; available in four colors).
24. A pickling starter kit complete with everything you need to start fermenting small batches of INFINITE delicious things, from the traditional cucumbers and onions to yummy sauerkraut and kimchi to adventurous watermelon and mango 😋 . (If you've never had pickled mango before ... THANK ME LATER.)
Amazon
Fermentaholics is a small business that specializes in pickling and kombucha starter kits.
Promising review: "This kit is great for first timers or experienced, and makes DELICIOUS pickles, or pickled anything for that matter. Pickles, carrots, onions, asparagus. The instructions are easy to follow and understand. Will be buying as gifts for my pickle loving friends and more for myself. Makes me want to try the other products this company offers." — KelF
Get it from Amazon for $16.49.
25. A set of transparent sticky notes reviewers love not just for the aesthetic, but because it makes it easier to leave notes in books and study guides without interrupting the ~flow~ of the text.
Amazon
Promising review:"For someone who is a big note-taker, these are perfect. Durable, easy, and not to mention aesthetically pleasing! Definitely will be purchasing more!" — penny
Get a pack of 50 sheets from Amazon for $5.99 (available in seven colors).
26. A dual beverage Stanley cup separator so you can have TWO beverages in ONE GIANT CUP. It's a free-for-all of bevvy combos. Apple cider + seltzer, iced tea + lemonade, High Noon plus — you know what, I'll let you choose that journey for yourself 😉.
Each set comes with two silicone separators and two straws in different colors adapted to a 40-ounce Stanley cup.
Promising review: "I love this separator! It fits in snugly and comes with two straws. Works well with my 40-ounce Stanley!" — Dana Daily
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in four styles).
27. A pillow-shaking alarm clock that uses a "shaker" mode to gently vibrate under your pillow to wake you up — perfect for someone who doesn't respond as well to noise, or doesn't like how jarring it is to wake to an alarm. THAT SAID, this also features an option for an alarm so loud that they call it a "sonic bomb," so you can use that as extra wake-up insurance if you need it!
Sonic Alert is a small business that specializes in alarm clocks.
Promising review: "This alarm is amazing. The pillow shaker does its job to perfection. The shaker shakes the pillow just right so you don't wake up startled. The loud alarm is loud enough. I wear a hearing aid to hear everything, and the loud alarm is loud enough that I can hear it without my hearing aid. Must have for someone with hearing issues so you wake up on time every time." — Scott D.
Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in six colors).
28. A platypus jar-scraping spatula so you can get every!! last!! MORSEL!!! of your peanut butters, Nutellas, and mayos, just as international super spy and legendary hero Perry the Platypus would have wanted.
Promising review:"I have had this spatula since 2022. I reach for this one consistently above all of my other spatulas, and also use this instead of a butter knife for spreading. I absolutely love this tool. I have arthritis in one hand from a surgery, and the shape of the platypus also helps with that. It cleans off very easily, and still looks brand-new." — Thomas Norton
Get it from Amazon for $11.04.
29. A cloud-shaped magnetic key holder for an absurdly cute storage option for keys that will prettttyyy much guarantee you never lose them again.
Promising review:"So, yes, TikTok made me buy this, but so far, I really like it. It's obviously very adorable and offers a charming spot to keep my keys that works with my entryway. I'm really surprised by how strong the hold is for such a small object — I carry my car fob and a few keys, and so far, it's holding strong. I hung it with command strips to avoid any potential damage to the wall and I will say make sure it's level as the hold is not so good on an angle (but that was from the original in-hand testing). Definitely recommend and for the price, I'm very tempted to get one for my at-work office." — D. Carter
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
30. " Ever Toast," a wildly clever plate for toast and grilled sandwiches that keeps your meal elevated so it doesn't get all soggy on the bottom. Now you can take your time eating your toasted grub and nget that oh-so-satisfying CROOONNNCHHH in every bite.
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.
31. A spinning pill dispenser to make taking your meds feel like a game show or a trip to the carnival — sometimes you have to ~romanticize your life~ to remember the essentials in your daily routine!! You can even attach this to a wall or the fridge if you're feeling it.
Check out a TikTok of the pill dispenser in action.
Promising review:"So I am horrible about remembering if I took my pills. And I HATE digging into the old pill boxes or doing the tip over. I don't know what it is, but i have always disliked it. I hung this on my wall right by the kitchen so I pass it like 5,000 times a day and I can't not see it. It is so fun pushing the little orange button to watch the meds fall out. I mean it kind of feels like a really weird game of Wheel of Fortune, but I like it." — Grofica
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in four colors).
32. A"Hell Done" digital thermometer so you can keep track of your meats to know if they're rare, medium, well-done, or positively ~sinful~. This features a clear and easy-to-read digital display, plus the ability to tell people you literally went to hell and back to cook this meal!!!
Promising review: "This thermometer not only works perfectly, but is a great conversation starter at gatherings! I've used it a few times now and am completely satisfied with the purchase. It is accurate, and the display is super easy to read. If you buy this, make sure to read the back of the box ;)." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $17.95.
33. A cheerful fruit bowl for a pop of deeply functional color in your kitchen — this thing is secretly also a colander, so you can wash your fruit and leave 'em sitting pretty on the counter to dry.
Amazon
Promising review: "I LOVE the look of this fruit bowl. I also love that its pedestal minimizes the space it takes up on the counter. I wasn't sure about whether I would like that it is plastic but now consider it a big plus. It keeps the bowl lightweight (but it is still sturdy) and makes it easy to clean. I highly recommend this fruit bowl. I couldn't be more pleased with mine." — Opinion o'Jen
Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (available in four colors).
34. A unique colorblock water bottle that is just an adorable little CHONK of a thing, and also super practical. It's designed to keep liquid cold for up to 36 hours and hot for for up to 24, comes with a nifty handle for easy carrying, and has a silicone bottom to avoid that noisy clanking sound when you put it down.
Amazon
Promising review: "Finally replaced my emotional support water bottle!!!! I love the colors, the handle is easy to hold, and my drinks stay cold!!! I t's been hard finding an ergonomic water bottle, the small handles or lack there of can be really hard on my hands. I'm so happy with it I almost don't want to sticker it. (Almost.) 💛" — Sarina
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in eight styles).
35. A bottle of truffle seasoning for an instant upgrade on homemade meals that honestly has become one of my only personality traits, to the point where I'm just like, begging you to try it. I should gatekeep this stuff so I can have it all to myself but it is such a delicious and satisfying and ridiculously affordable alternative to real truffles that I'm throwing the gates WIDE OPEN.
*wheezes in truffle* Okay, I bought this on a whim because there's a sushi place down the street from me that makes truffle avocado sushi rolls, and I was like, I need these in my life, but I also need money to live. I decided to DIY it with a regular $4 avocado roll, and this seasoning and the umami bliss of it all basically exploded my brain. Since then, I've tried it on eggs, burritos, potatoes, chocolate mug cakes, and pretty much every sweet and savory thing I can think of. The best part is you really get an excellent bang for your buck — it's so flavorful that I've been using this for months now and have barely made a dent in the container!
Get it from Amazon for $13.97.
36. A 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay to let you finally follow your inner pottery dreams without all the mess and effort of taking classes. After you pull the clay out to shape it, it'll harden on its own — no oven or any effort required! From there you can leave it as is or paint over it for a fun vibe.
Psst — a lot of reviewers use silicone or plastic molds to get specific shapes!
Promising review: "It's honestly just a really nice material to work with! If you want to create things with clay, this is definitely a good choice! It's definitely not for professional use, but I feel like that's a given? I mean, it is Crayola. But all in all, great for those who want to use it for fun!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $10.62.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
