29 Multipurpose Products That Are So Helpful

Feb 06, 2024

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

These wonders are like Phineas and Ferb — stick with them, cause they're gonna do it all.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "LIFE CHANGER. I don't have to bring my whole purse with me anymore. This fits so much more than expected and the colors are perfect. The blue especially is beautiful. Good quality." —Tia

"I am so excited about this! I just picked this up today as seen on TikTok. It is truly as cool as it looks. It’s also stretchy and usable and the pocket is big. Satisfied!!" —Sinclair Mcsorley

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.99 (available in seven color combinations).

Check out BuzzFeed's full Instant Pot review.

Promising review: "There are so many people who say they can't cook, but I swear I'm on a whole new level of not being able to cook. This little appliance helps expand our menu and I have learned to do so much with it. I love how easy it is and how I throw everything in and it comes out done. No stirring and not many messy dishes. I still don't love it for meats, but I think that's just a matter of needing to experiment more with them. I seriously can't believe how many foods can be cooked in here! I found a recipe for a mac 'n' cheese that everyone loves. It's only five ingredients and only requires washing a cheese grater and the pot and it only takes 20 minutes. Before this I had never once made spaghetti with meat sauce. Now I do it all the time. Again, I only have ONE thing to clean afterward. If I tried doing with without the Instant Pot, I would have a pan for the meat, pot for the pasta, and the strainer. It only takes about 20 minutes start to finish. Since I usually don't have to do many dishes with the Instant Pot, I tend to enjoy experimenting. My family is constantly surprised at how much this has changed how we eat. I love that when we have a last minute neighborhood get-together and I can whip up a pasta dish and veggie real quick." —Aundrea

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "I love this thing. I didn't use any screws to secure it under my desk, only the adhesive tape, and I doubt I could rip it off if I wanted to. The headphone mount on the side of my desk is nice, but the three powered USB ports in the front have been more useful than I expected; I actually bought a short 6-inch USB-C cable because it's so nice to have my phone charging at the corner of my desk connected to this. Three USB ports within arm's reach is so, so much better than having to reach to your computer or to a hub on your desk. I love it; it's something I grabbed on a whim during one of those 'I wonder what I can buy for my gaming setup' Amazon searching sessions we've all had, and ended up loving it far more than I'd expected." —Nino

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

The reviewer's results on the left are after just four weeks!!! I personally use this for help fading scars from acne and other small blemishes. It absorbs quickly and just feels nice to put on, so I'm tempted to use it pretty much everywhere!

Promising review: "I am using this for EVERYTHING! I have only used it for a few days and am already see a dramatic difference in my skin. I bought this because I just had a mole removed and my daughter has a scar on her face. We are applying to these areas, but I have used as a moisturizer on my skin (dry), my daughter's skin (combination), both of my sons (both dry, one acne prone), and my husband's skin (oily). We are all glowing! And the fine lines in my forehead are noticeably less!!" —Michelle Rayburn

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (or $9.49 with the Subscribe & Save option; available in three sizes).

Promising review: "Throw out the others, this is the one. I have a drawer full of wine pour spouts of varying designs. Some don't fit all bottles, some leak while pouring, and some are so tall that storing upright in a refrigerator is difficult and none seal completely. This spout/stopper seals completely and lets you lay the bottle on its side. The aerator allows air to move back into the bottle while pouring to avoid the 'glug glug' effect of other pour spouts. The strainer may filter large cork pieces, but is not fine enough for sediment. The portion of the corker that fits inside the bottle has fit every bottle I've tried it in, from standard-size bottles to the larger 1.5-liter bottles. It appears to be made from a flexible material that doesn't add any unwanted taste to the wine." —Jack Dallas

Get it from Amazon for $9.51.

It's dishwasher safe!

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer swears by hers. She says: "I love bubbles — champs, cava, prosecco, sparkling rose — they just know how to bring the party! But no one likes when sparkling wine goes flat, or you feel like you can't just have one or two glasses without ruining the whole bottle. So I went on Amazon and found the best champagne stopper I could find and immediately hit 'add to cart.' What a great purchase! This little bb is so easy to use — just pop it on top of the bottle, push the metal sides in so it clamps on, then push the top button several times to vacuum seal and preserve the bubs. Then when you next want a glass, spritz, or mimosa, you'll hear that same *POP* you heard when first taking out the cork — and the effervescence you so crave will be fully intact. Plus, you can confidently store your leftover bottle on its side in your fridge; I've had zero leakage problems with this thus far!" Check out her full review here (#1).

Get it from Amazon for $12.97.

It mounts via adhesive and can support up to 15 pounds.

Promising review: "I am absolutely in love with this dispenser! Its contemporary appearance complements my bathroom well. It has a number of compartments that allow for very versatile use. The toothpaste dispenser is not battery powered; I am not entirely sure how they mechanically got it to work LOL, but it's amazing as well. Clean application every time. I mostly enjoy the toothbrush holder and quite large center compartment as they have dust covers. I am able to store my razor and face brush in a clean environment. I use the top compartments for my face and haircare products barring shampoo/conditioner — the adhesive is amazingly strong, I just wouldn't put that kind of weight on it personally. I would definitely recommend and would definitely purchase again. Amazing product." —Nina

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two sizes).

It's cruelty free and all natural, and it actually reacts with the chemicals in your skin to change to a color that works perfectly for you.

Promising review: "I love these! I'm an extremely fair-skinned redhead and it's hard to find cheek and lip colors that work for me, let alone a single product that works for both. They are much bolder on me than the product pics show even on the lightest skin tone, but I'm used to that with most products. In the picture on the left I'm wearing the pink on both my lips and cheeks." —Nathan

Get it from Amazon for $32 (or $30.40 with the Subscribe & Save option; available in three colors).

It's from a small biz specializing in innovative, on-the-go makeup essentials, and can be snapped together with the brand's other products to create their signature customizable stacks.

Promising review: "Love. Love. Love. I'm obsessed with this cream for both my lips and cheeks. I've never thought I could use cream blush, but this stuff is gorgeous and long lasting even on my oily skin. It's beautiful on my lips and lasts a surprisingly long time." —Katy Shaw

Get it from Subtl Beauty for $14 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "How did I ever get along without this thing? We were looking for a way to dry dishes without taking up counter space with a dedicated drying rack. I decided to give this little contraption a try, and boy, am I glad I did. It is incredibly versatile and is a wonderful addition to our kitchen. So far I have used it for drying large items over the sink, filling a pot when the sink was already full, and as a counter trivet for a hot pan, and it performs beautifully in all these roles. The metal rods are strong and sturdy enough to hold heavy items, long enough to span our sink from a number of angles, and best of all, it rolls up for easy storage when not in use. All around a great kitchen tool, and I'll never be without one again." —T. Eicher

Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in four sizes).

No wonder it's got over 63,000 5-star ratings. I get recurring bouts of fungal acne on my forehead, and one summer when it was really bad, I started using this at the recommendation of the interwebs (its key ingredient is an antifungal). Every other day, I slathered it on the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinsed it off. My forehead looked better the next day.

Promising review: "This stuff is absolutely amazing. I was one step away from going to the dermatologist. I had severe dandruff that was so bad I could shake my head and it would come off. With just a few uses per week, I got rid of all of my flakes. My scalp also stopped burning from dryness. My hair has never been healthier." —Moo Moo

Get it from Amazon for $15.88 (or $15.09 with the Subscribe & Save option).

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

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

They seriously thought of everything — it's even top-rack dishwasher safe!

Promising review: "I LOVE this thing! Breakfast has never been faster or easier! And it doesn't make noise that will wake everyone up while I am mixing. The silicone tip is real silicone and does well against cast iron. I have never been able to get my pancakes this fluffy until now! So great! It is also super easy to clean. The bottom comes off to fill it up, and it turns into a stand by setting the top into the bottom setting." —KC Hunter

Get it from Amazon for $14.27+ (available in two colors).

Note that while these are great for messes and stains, they don't disinfect.

Promising review: "These towels are awesome for so many things. They are large and very sturdy, so they work well for household cleaning. The real benefit for me, though, is having a wipe that works for things like the grill, the oven, the dashboard of my car, muddy shoes, chairs and umbrellas that go to soccer games and practices, and lawn furniture. I frequently wipe something down, rinse the towel, and wipe again. The wipes are heavy enough to go through three to four rinses and wipes and still hold up. The smell is mild and doesn't linger on my hands or what I've wiped down. I use these almost daily, so the 90-count canister lasts about three months and the last towel is never dried out when I get to it. The lid closes securely, yet is easy to open and the towels dispense easily through the opening without getting bunched up. Because the canister is heavier than most, and the lid fits well, it's easy to throw one of these in the trunk or cargo area, and I don't worry about it leaking. The canister (minus the lid) is recyclable when the towels are gone — an added bonus." —COMom

Get a pack of 90 from Amazon for $14.98.

It's vegan, and cruelty and paraben free, and the packaging is recyclable! Honestly, I'm fascinated by all the clever, time-saving beauty tools from this woman-founded brand — they look so cool and would totally upgrade your routine. Also, how did no one think of them till now?!?

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

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

Check out BuzzFeed's full Mike's Hot Honey review.

Promising review: "This mixed-up honey is absolutely fabulous. I gave in and ordered three bottles more after my initial order, because it's really good on everything. And I mean EVERYTHING: soft pretzels, toast, biscuits, waffles, cereal, yogurt, ice cream, and definitely pizza. It gives everything in your kitchen a small kick of sweet-heat flavor without burning your mouth up. I've told many of my friends about this magical elixir and they all agree. This is the BEST specialty honey any of us have ever had." —Jeff R. Clow

Get it from Amazon for $9.74.

Promising review: "Lifesaver! I recently moved from the apartment I'd been in for five years. It had faced some wear and tear. I like art so there were many holes in the walls. I was not looking forward to the daunting process of wall repair. Then I found this amazing little guy. It is so easy to use that I found myself searching for more holes to patch (it was oddly kind of fun too). Simply squeeze a little of the white primer onto the hole, flip it to the flat side, and smooth it out. I actually didn't use the sandpaper much at all. Only used it a couple of times to sand down two particularly ragged holes. I was able to fill all the holes in my apartment and still have plenty left, and it helped me get my security deposit back. Well worth every penny." —Julie

Get it from Amazon for $6.97.

Promising review: "This is a beautiful dress. The Infinity dress costs $22 more. I like this one better. The material is better and it covers my chest more. The length is perfect for me. I’m 5’6” and190 lbs. XL fits perfectly. The straps are plenty long enough. I found the straps to be short on the Infinity dress. The Infinity dress is too tight under my chest and I found the material too shiny. I’m taking this on a cruise next month for three formal nights. It will be such a space saver in my luggage and it doesn’t wrinkle at all. It’s so much fun creating different styles. It doesn’t come with instructions but there are a lot of videos on YouTube." —Wendy Fiolek

Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in women's sizes S–XL and in 16 colors).

It comes with the necessary mounting hardware.

Promising review: "I used to have to put my stuff on the tile floor, but no more. This not only fits my iPhone, but it also fits my iPad Pro 10 1/2–inch standing up diagonally! It’s very strongly mounted to the wall with the two screws. I also love that it’s so easy to just slide the roll onto the hanger without the hassle of a spring-loaded spindle. Great product!" —Doby

Get it from Amazon for $9.44+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "My wife was against it but I was tired of giving the neighbors a show when I wanted the sunlight and the blinds open. Since it just peels off, she didn't fight me about putting it on. Now she loves it. It allows her to keep the blinds open for the sunlight on her flowers and I get to walk around without clothes on. It gives a cool prism multicolor effect when light hits it. It isn't completely opaque but blurs anything offensive and looks good." —DaveM

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 11 sizes).

Promising review: "This is just what I needed! There's a screwdriver, four-position wrench, butterfly wrench, direction ancillary tool, two-position wrench, can opener, knife edge, ruler, bottle opener, and saw blade. I find it very useful for any random emergency. It also comes with a carrying case so I can store it in my bag." —Johann Christine Alcaraz

Get it from Amazon for $5.99.

It's BPA free and dishwasher safe! I'm a big fan of the Oxo brand and this was a BuzzFeed Shopping top seller I finally caved and ordered. I make a lot of orzo pasta, and anyone else who does knows those suckers really like to stick to the sides and bottom of the pot. This product is PERFECT for scraping those stubborn grains out. It feels so much less gross than a sponge, since your hand stays farther away from whatever you're cleaning and it doesn't just sit there wet and festering after you use it. I've also seen a friend use it in her bathroom to keep the sink free of soap and toothpaste residue — genius! Best of all, you can rinse it off and toss it in the dishwasher.

Promising review: "This product is AMAZING. We live in a studio apartment with a small kitchenette. Our sink likes to spray everywhere, and we don't have a garbage disposal. This product is not only is fantastic at scraping food off of our plates (so it doesn't go down the drain), but it helps to squeegee the countertop when water has sprayed everywhere!!" —Elizabeth

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

This UK-based small business makes truly gorgeous art for book lovers!

Promising review: "I’ve been trying to get back into reading, and the urge to fill this bookmark is really making me want to read! It’s so cute, and I love how much space there is to fill." —Kaitlyn Wells

Get it from British Book Art on Etsy for $3.33, or get a double-sided version with room for 100 books for $3.88.

The brand describes it as "deep enough to roast a chicken, shallow enough to flip an egg" — so basically, cue Hannah Montana, because you're getting the best of both worlds.

Promising review: "This is a game-changer for me. I sauté some veggies and put in my whipped eggs and cover. Turn the heat off after a minute. Clean up and then lift the lid and the omelette is done. I’ve used the skillet to cook pasta, chicken, cream sauce and veggies. I utilize the pot to add the items as I cook them. I can place the pot in the oven to keep the food warm until dinner." —Laurie O.

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

Reviewers swear by it for both hard wood floors and carpet!

Promising review: "This Roomba is the best time-saving smarthome life hack EVER! The new app is awesome! I've had a number of iRobot product over the years and I'm truly impressed by the advancements that they've made with the Roomba i6+. We have kids and a dog and have been stretched very thin during COVID, so we finally made the call to upgrade to a self-emptying model that we can run every single day without lifting a finger and will cover the entire main floor of our house. We couldn't be happier with the experience and especially love the 'favorites' option in the new app. This seriously saves us many hours a week! Stop wasting your time vacuuming and spend that time doing something you love!" —Bollingsalley

Get it from Amazon for $549.99.

I have this and use it all the time. Like all Oxo products, it's sturdy, simple, and easy to use. TBH, most times I only use the splitter knife, but it's worth it to me even just to not have to break out a super-sharp knife every time I want to eat an avocado (which is often). It's very easy to clean and dishwasher safe, which is a must for lazy ol' me.

Promising review: "This tool is awesome. It's easy to cut open the fruit. The pit remover works well — just push onto the pit and give it a twist, and the pit pops right out. The best part is the slicer. It makes beautiful slices for a great presentation (see attached photo of slices...OK, one side came out perfectly, and I kind of messed up the other side). The tool can then be used to scrape any remaining fruit out of the skin. Really happy I bought this tool!" —NPR MAN

Get it from Amazon for $11.49.

Promising review: "Multifunctional earrings. Loved these!! They sparkle like wild, but what I really like even better is that you can wear the stars separately from the tassels for a daytime look. Then easily add the tassels for an evening wear look. Light on the earlobes." —A. Lopez

Get them from Amazon for $8.66 (available in two colors).

It's dishwasher safe and from a Miami-based small business!

Promising review: "Absolutely perfect. It holds a whole stick of butter and the butter stays in place — unlike some of the other products on the market that are supposed to serve the same purpose." —Michelle

Get it from The Magnetack on Etsy for $14.95.

Promising reviews: "Didn't realize how gross my mouthguard was. Sorry, this is kind of gross. But man does this stuff work! I’d been brushing every night with soap and water as directed by my dentist. The pic is after one three-minute soak with this product. It does the job!" —Kelli Gonzalez

"These are absolutely wonderful in cleaning my thermos. I use these once a week, and doing so prevents my thermos from developing a weird, old coffee smell. Much cheaper than buying thermos cleaner tablets." —Santo Esmeraldo

Get a pack of 126 from Amazon for $5.74 (or $5.45 with the Subscribe & Save option).

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.