Little things you can buy on Amazon that make a big difference | CNN Underscored

Editors’ Picks

Sometimes, everyday products our editors use don’t make it into our in-depth, long-form comparative pieces in which we vigorously test similar products head-to-head. That’s where our Editors’ Picks come in — where we highlight everyday products we personally stand by and use on a daily basis, and think you should too.

Amazon can often feel a little like the Wild West — with a seemingly endless array of options and sometimes inconsistent reviews, it can often all be one big guessing game.

That’s why we’ve pulled together some of our staff’s favorite useful things on Amazon. These small items have yielded mighty results in our lives, and as a bonus, they’re all under $50 (and start at just $5).

Home and household

Wall Mount Grocery Plastic Bag Holder and Dispenser

Picked by: Emmy Favilla, deputy editor

Wall Mount Grocery Plastic Bag Holder and Dispenser for Bags

Amazon

As much as we make an effort to use reusable bags for everyday errands, most households still wind up with their fair share of plastic bags. If you’re looking to store your stash in a more organized and elegant way than simply placing them into another plastic bag under your kitchen sink — or stuffing a drawer with them — you need this dispenser. I hang it just above my cats’ litter boxes, so it’s easy to grab one when I need to clean them out. The design is minimalist and chic, and it fits up to 30 grocery-sized bags.

$27
$20 at Amazon

Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel

Picked by: Kai Burkhardt, associate editor

Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel

Amazon

The second I used this exfoliating shower towel, I knew I’d never go back to a loofah ever again. The specific material and thread pattern allow it to lather up soap like a loofah, but still give you a thorough, exfoliating clean. At first it feels a bit rough, but in the best way possible. The Goshi has really changed the way I’ve showered and I don’t plan on giving it up any time soon.

Read our review

$15 at Amazon

Qimh Collapsible Colander

Picked by: Kristin Magaldi, associate editor

Amazon

When I read about this little kitchen gadget, I immediately snatched it up. Not only is it incredibly affordable, it makes draining pasta and washing vegetables a lot easier because the handles adjust to the size of your sink. No more having your colander touch the dirty bottom of your sink, and if you’re feeling lazy, you don’t have to wash the dishes in your sink to use it. Best part is that when you’re all done with it, it collapses, making it space efficient.

$15
$13 at Amazon

Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag

Picked by: Daniel Toy, copy editor

Amazon

This backpack hamper is an absolute game changer for anyone who has to cart their dirty laundry up or down stairs or to a laundromat. Its built-in backpack straps free your hands so you can easily open doors, and its drawstring closure ensures that nothing will fall out while you walk with it. My favorite feature (aside from the fact that it makes lugging my clothes around so much easier) is the front pocket that’s perfect for holding detergent, bleach, dryer sheets, quarters or basically anything else you’ll need to do your laundry. This thing has definitely made my least favorite chore a little more bearable.

$18
$17 at Amazon

Katchy Indoor Insect Trap

Picked by: Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Amazon

This insect trap that I found on Amazon was a game changer over the summer, when my apartment was suddenly infested with fruit flies. (Gross, I know.) But I needed a way to safely yet efficiently get rid of them ASAP and this was my under-$50 solution! All I needed to do was plug it in and let the device go to work for me; the UV light attracts the bug to the trap, and the fan — which makes zero noise — sucks it in and traps it on the sticky pad…for good. Thankfully, I haven’t had to use my Katchy since, but I feel confident I’m armed and prepared for the next (and very unfortunate) time pesky fruit flies decide to attack.

$45
$40 at Amazon

Cync Full Color LED Strip Lights

Picked by: Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Amazon

My small kitchen only comes with one overhead light and isn’t near any of the natural light in my apartment so as you can probably imagine, it’s super dark during all hours of the day. But ever since I purchased these LED strip lights for $24.99 on Amazon, the space has completely transformed. My kitchen is so much brighter, and they even make cooking and cleaning up much easier since I can actually see what I’m doing and what spots I’ve missed. I can’t believe I ever lived without these!

$25
$15 at Amazon

The Battery Organizer

Picked by: Chelsea Stone, senior commerce editor

Amazon

Do you find yourself scouring the bottom of your junk drawer for loose batteries when your electronics are running low on juice? Just me? Either way, you need a battery organizer. This one holds batteries of all different sizes and prevents them from rolling around and getting jumbled up.

$25 at Amazon

TubShroom Ultra Edition

Picked by: Chelsea Stone, senior commerce editor

TubShroom

Amazon

The rubbery version of the TubShroom is famous, but I actually recommend springing for the stainless steel TubShroom Ultra Edition . Like its more ubiquitous counterpart, this TubShroom works wonders at catching hair and preventing clogs, but in my opinion, it’s far superior when it comes to cleanup. The regular TubShroom is a bit of a challenge to sanitize; lint, hair and sometimes mildew tend to get caught in the holes, so you really have to scrub. Not so with the Ultra Edition. I’ve found that debris really doesn’t stick to it, making it even easier (and less gross) to rinse off for a dollar or two more.

$16
$14 at Amazon

Slice Ceramic Blade Safety Cutter

Picked by: Daniel Toy, copy editor

Slice Ceramic Blade Safety Cutter

Amazon

Since buying this simple, handy little tool, I haven’t opened a package with anything else. It has a tiny little blade that precisely and easily cuts through boxes and packaging tape but is safe to the touch, so no more scissor or knife accidents. It also has a built-in magnet, making it easy to find and grab from my fridge as I rush to open my latest 3 a.m. impulse buy, and it works great for crafting projects as a safer, budget X-Acto knife alternative.

$8 at Amazon

Cinch Magnetic Dry-Erase Whiteboard Sheet for Kitchen Fridge

Picked by: Dana Holmes, contributing writer

Amazon

Keeping my family’s grocery shopping and meal planning organized while working from home with two young boys has been one of my biggest challenges — until I got this magnetic whiteboard. Now I plan the week’s menu over the weekend and write it on the board, including snacks, so that everyone knows what we’re having which day (including myself!). I use the bottom to jot down things we need to buy with the next batch of groceries as well. This has saved my sanity more than anything else I’ve bought during the pandemic.

From $18 at Amazon

Tooletries The Henry Essentials Holder

Picked by: Chelsea Stone, senior commerce editor

Amazon

If you’re running low on bathroom storage, slap this silicone accessories holder right onto your mirror or wall. I use mine in the shower to hold my razor and hair comb, but it also makes a great toothbrush holder that won’t take up precious counter space.

$13 at Amazon

PureAction Vitamin C Showerhead Filter

Picked by: Natasha Hatendi, photo editor

PureAction Vitamin C Filter Showerhead

I noticed an immediate difference in water quality; it was much softer, and the chemical/chlorine smell that I get from city water was no longer present. Most importantly, my irritated skin didn’t itch or feel dry after showering. The shower filter also comes with replacement filters and vitamin C blocks so you can rest assured that you have enough for a minimum of four months. (I, of course, bought extra because I don’t think I can live without this product anymore.) It has restored the joy in my daily self-care rituals!

$50
$40 at Amazon

Rapid Slicer

Picked by: Chelsea Stone, senior commerce editor

Amazon

I love cherry tomatoes probably a weird amount — a salad just isn’t complete without them! But what I do not love is slicing them all individually so they’re easier to stab with your fork. Now, thanks to this handy kitchen gadget, I’m saving tons of time and energy previously spent slicing. Simply sandwich your tomatoes (or grapes, or olives, or other small round food) between the two pieces, and run your knife through the space to batch-slice in a flash.

$15 at Amazon

Sumaju 2-in-1 Candle Dipper and Trimmer Set

Picked by: Hayley Saltzman, head of social media

Amazon

In order to take proper care of your candles (avoid tunneling, black smoke around the rim, etc.) you should be using both a wick dipper and a trimmer. This set will help you keep your candles in perfect shape, and you’ll never have to deal with that annoying black smoke ever again.

$12
$10 at Amazon

Acko Folding Step Stool

Picked by: Sarai Thompson, editorial coordinator

Acko Folding Step Stool

This step stool has been a lifesaver in my apartment. My roommate and I are both between 5’1” and 5’2”, so reaching higher shelves in our home can be a task. It’s foldable, easy to store and it gives us the right amount of leverage to get to hard-to-reach places.

$23
$20 at Amazon

Upsimples 8.5×11 Picture Frame Set

Picked by: Michael Andronico, senior tech writer

Michael Andronico/CNN

I’ve been collecting a lot of art over the past year or so, and have ordered a bunch of these cheap picture frame sets so that I can proudly display my geeky prints on my wall. They feel very sturdy for the price, and I especially love the rotating paddles in the back that make it easy to remove the back panel and swap new art in.

$25
$19 at Amazon

Sparco Pencil Type Envelope Moistener

Picked by: Emily McNutt, travel editor

Amazon

Ahead of the holiday greeting card season, this was a fantastic solution for the age-old hassle of licking envelopes. Say goodbye to that gross tase — and who wants to do that in a post-Covid world anyway? This envelope moistener was just what I was looking for.

$5 at Amazon

Aerolatte Milk Frother

Picked by: Scott Simone, deputy editor

Aerolatte Milk Frother

When trying to recreate your favorite frothy latte at home, you can certainly opt for an ultra-expensive espresso machine. But for the budget-conscious, the Aerolatte Milk Frother creates creamy, dream-worthy lattes. No steam, no learning curve. Just heat up some milk, pop this bad boy in the cup for a few seconds, add a shot of espresso and you’ve got yourself a caffeine jolt you’d swear you overpaid for at your local coffee shop.

$30
$24 at Amazon

Redecker Stiff Bristle Dish Brush

Picked by: Kai Burkhardt, associate editor

When I started trying to cut back on single-use plastic waste, one of the first things I bought was this wooden dish brush. Sponges release microplastics into the water, and I’ve always just thought they’re generally gross, so this brush was a no-brainer. The firm bristles do a great job cleaning tough messes and the long handle allows you to keep at least one of your hands clean and out of the dirty sink. Plus, the brush heads are replaceable , and all of the components can be either recycled or composted at the end of its life.

$16 at Amazon

Madesmart Classic Mini Silverware Organizer

Picked by: Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Amazon

I’ve always lived in small city apartments with very limited storage space, so finding a utensil holder that fit perfectly inside my narrow drawers was a struggle — until I found this product on Amazon. Not only does it fit plenty of silverware, it’s made with very durable, high-quality materials and is also super affordable. Plus, there are rubber stickers on the bottom to help it keep from sliding.

$16 at Amazon

Goo Gone Pro-Power Adhesive Remover, 2-Pack

Picked by: Emmy Favilla, deputy editor

Goo Gone Adhesive Remover, 2-Pack

Amazon

This stuff is, in a word, miraculous. Ever moved into a new place only to find that the previous residents loved placing stickers on various surfaces (like, for instance, on the mirror of a bathroom that was the designated toddlers’ bathroom, in my case)? Goo Gone to the rescue! This product is incredible at quickly removing all types of residue left behind by not only stickers and tape but also chewing gum, wax and more without damaging surfaces. You won’t regret having this on hand for various uses around the home.

$16
$14 at Amazon

Vahdam Classic Tea Infuser

Picked by: Dana Holmes, contributing writer

Vahdam Classic Tea Infuser

Amazon

I love loose-leaf tea, and I have an extensive collection of cute tea infusers because of it — but this infuser is the only one that really, really works! It doesn’t let leaves fall out and into my tea. It isn’t so small that the water can’t circulate through the leaves naturally while steeping, and it’s easy to dump out into the garbage can and then toss into the dishwasher.

$10 at Amazon

Time Concept Bamboo Smiley Rice Paddle

Picked by: Hayley Saltzman, head of social media

Amazon

Grossy Pelosi is one of my favorite food bloggers — his upbeat energy and beautiful food photos make him one of my favorite Instagram follows. I was heavily influenced to buy these smiley spoons after following him for a few months, and they’re one of the best purchases! They make me so happy, plus, they’re just really useful quality wooden cooking spoons. I love a practical item with a slightly fun/positive twist. Can’t go wrong.

$14
$13 at Amazon

Electronics

Elago W3 Stand for Apple Watch

Picked by: Jacob Krol, tech and electronics editor

ELAGO

I love nightstand mode on the Apple Watch, and even with sleep tracking coming this fall, I still love a good stand for it. This Elago W3 stand looks like the original Macintosh computer, and the Apple Watch makes for a perfect screen. It’s a durable rubber material and weighted quite nicely, and the Apple Watch fits in snugly.

Read our review

$14 at Amazon

Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Power Bank

Picked by: Kai Burkhardt, associate editor

Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Portable Charger

Amazon

My phone is seemingly always at less than 20% and on low power mode, so having a portable charger from Anker is a blessing. I use it all the time whether I’m in the car, camping, or just too lazy to get up from the couch when there’s no convenient outlet.

$22 at Amazon

Blink Mini

Picked by: Michael Andronico, senior tech writer

Michael Andronico/CNN

This tiny security camera makes it really easy to keep tabs on my dog from afar, which is especially handy now that I’m out and about more. It’s pretty cheap to begin with at $34.99, and goes on sale often.

Read our review

$35 at Amazon

Snark Instrument Tuner

Picked by: Michael Andronico, senior tech writer

Michael Andronico/CNN

As a guitarist, I can’t believe I’ve gone so long without one of these. Snark’s clip-on tuner snaps right to the head of your guitar, bass or violin and uses vibrations to help you tune up, which is a far quicker and simpler solution than the plug-in tuner I had been using for years. Now that I find myself performing and recording music more often, this little gadget has been absolutely crucial when it comes to keeping me in tune with minimal hassle. My specific model is unfortunately hard to find at the moment, but this popular SN-8 Super Tight variation is currently available for super cheap.

$39
$18 at Amazon

SKOLOO Weatherproof Micro SD Card Case

Picked by: Emily McNutt, travel editor

SKOLOO Weatherproof Micro SD Card Case

Amazon

I change my phone’s SIM card a lot. And, after misplacing one on more than one occasion, I decided to get a case. This was the perfect solution. It includes many slots for holding SIM cards, as well as a space to store phone eject pin. It’s the perfect solution for travelers who have more than one SIM.

$10 at Amazon

Beauty and wellness

Stojo Collapsible Bottle

Picked by: Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Stojo Collapsible Water Bottle

Stephanie Griffin/CNN Underscored

I love staying hydrated on the go, but my holy grail water bottle — the 40-ounce Hydro Flask — is just far too big and bulky to fit in any of my “errand” bags. Also, my 2021 resolution was to stop buying single-use water bottles, so the Stojo water bottle, which is made from recyclable materials, is the perfect alternative. It’s a super-sleek design and it’s leak-proof, so I never have to worry about accidental spills. The bottle is also collapsable, so when I’m done chugging my H20, I can easily collapse it and stow it away, or even attach the little handle to my bag strap to create more space.

$20 at Amazon

Esarora Ice Roller

Picked by: Emmy Favilla, deputy editor

Perhaps you’ve heard all the buzz about this ice roller that Amazon customers can’t get enough of. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s worth every penny. I keep this little guy in my freezer and pop it out when I have a headache or when I’m feeling tired and need a quick energy boost. You can also use it for minor aches on your body or for applying a face mask. Bonus: It’s great to have on hand when you’re nursing a hangover and want some help depuffing your skin.

$21
$18 at Amazon

Wet Brush Custom Style Round Brush

Picked by: Rosanne Salvatore, deputy editor

Amazon

Wet brushes are always my go-to after a shower for my long hair. But the round Wet brush has been a real game changer for me. This brush glides through wet hair, detangling like a pro while also helping you style your blow out. For under $12, you can pick up a round Wet brush that’ll give you a smooth, salon-quality blow out at home, seriously.

$18
$12 at Amazon

LiBa Back and Neck Massager

Picked by: Hayley Kinne, associate manager of business development

LiBa Back and Neck Massager

Amazon

I truly don’t know how I endured my regular shoulder stress spasms before this magical, massaging miracle device entered my life. The results from a few minutes of use are far more impressive than its basic design may lead you to believe. While I primarily make use of it for ongoing discomfort in the back of my shoulder, its ergonomic shape and pressure-point design make it useful for any difficult-to-reach knot or area of discomfort around your body. I’ve already gifted five of these to family and friends, and I’m not about to stop any time soon!

$36
$23 at Amazon

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

Picked by: Hayley Saltzman, head of social

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

Amazon

I’ve been using Weleda Skin Food ever since a coworker recommended it for dry winter skin about three years ago. I love pretty much everything about it — the scent is light and refreshing, and the cream itself feels luxurious and expensive without actually costing a ton of money. I use it as hand cream before bed each night, and I even use it on my face in the winter.

$19
$14 at Amazon

Bedsure Satin Pillowcase for Hair and Skin, 2-Pack

Picked by: Rachel Lubitz, senior lifestyle editor

Bedsure Satin Pillowcase for Hair

Amazon

I’ve taken this time of chaos to make sure I spoil myself as much as humanly (and financially) possible. That has meant upgrading my bed, where I honestly spend more time than ever before, in a very serious way. I’ve wanted silk-like pillowcases for a while, and these extremely cheap ones are everything I’ve been looking for. They feel like pure luxury, and yet a set of two is less than $10. Can’t get much better than that.

$13
$10 at Amazon

Giotto Water Bottle

Picked by: Hayley Saltzman, head of social

Giotto Water Bottle

This 32-ounce leakproof water bottle has been a game changer in terms of keeping me hydrated throughout the workday. With this giant bottle on my desk, I drink significantly more water than when I was just filling a cup each morning and becoming too lazy halfway through the day to refill it. It also has a pop-up straw with a cover, which feels more hygienic than some of the other water bottles I’ve tried.

$24
$21 at Amazon

St. Tropez Double-Sided Luxe Velvet Applicator Mitt

Picked by: Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Amazon

I legitimately cannot believe I ever used to use my bare hands to apply my self-tanner. (Big yikes!) But alas, I discovered this $7.50, Prime-eligible mitt when I bought my first bottle of St. Tropez Self-Tanning Mousse on Amazon. Not only does this super-soft mitt — which comes in the brand’s signature shade of blue — help to blend the formula into my skin and ensure a flawless finish, but it prevents my hands from becoming super streaky and orange! (*Insert praise emoji*)

$9 at Amazon

Pilpoc TheFube Fidget Cube

Picked by: Simone Nili, product director of commerce

Amazon

I personally love my fidget cube — I have a lot of fidgety energy and have found this to be my favorite way to get it out under my desk when I’m in meetings, especially since working remotely.

$14
$10 at Amazon

Pets

PetPawJoy Cat Window Bed

Picked by: Rachel Lubitz, senior lifestyle editor

PetPawJoy Cat Bed

My recent “treat yourself” attitude has also extended to my cat, who I am with now more than anyone else. This window bed has become her favorite thing, and I feel like it brings joy to anyone who passes by my window too.

$51
$28 at Amazon

West Paw Zogoflex Qwizl Dog Puzzle Treat Toy

Picked by: Kai Burkhardt, associate editor

Amazon

My partner and I both work from home, but we still feel bad for our dog who gets bored when we’re working for hours on end. That’s why we’ve been buying a lot of enrichment toys for her, and her favorite by far is this puzzle treat toy from West Paw. We stuff random treats or a bully stick inside and within minutes she’s throwing it around trying to get the snacks out. And the good thing is that it’s actually hard to get the treats out so she ends up entertaining herself for hours on end.

$20 at Amazon

Bencmate Protective Inflatable Collar for Dogs and Cats

Picked by: Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Amazon

My 10-month-old dog Teddy got neutered a couple months ago, and I admittedly could not have survived the two-week recovery process without this inflatable collar, which I purchased on Amazon for just under $15. The soft material was MUCH more comfortable than the sharp-edged cone given to us by his vet, and also allowed him to move much more freely while still not being able to reach his wound. The collar also came with small holes to make putting on Teddy’s collar easy and accessible. And in the case that I need to use this thing again in the future, I love that I can easily deflate it and store it flat for safekeeping without taking up too much space.

$18 at Amazon

Fresh Patch Disposable Dog Potty with Real Grass

Picked by: Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Amazon

I found Amazon’s Fresh Patch when I was looking for alternatives to the pee pad; I live in an apartment with access to a private patio, so going to the bathroom indoors was not an option for my puppy. Plus, I truthfully didn’t want to deal with lingering smells or ongoing accidents. This small patch of grass truly made training our three-month old dog a breeze. He now knows where to go to the bathroom and the sod pad soaks up liquids and odors so even our outdoor space stays clean and smelling nice. It’s easily disposable and my partner and I signed up for a subscription, so each month we receive a new, fresh patch, too. All pet parents NEED this!

$35 at Amazon