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31 Things That Must Have Been Designed By Geniuses
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Bite-resistant catnip toys, a smokeless bonfire pit, a strangely fun-to-use foaming drain cleaner, and other clever creations you'll wish you'd thought of. Promising review: "This baby walker head protector is such a great product! It is great quality, comfortable, and lightweight. I love that the straps are adjustable and elastic. Unfortunately, babies are bound to take a fall when they’re learning how to sit up/walk — so be two steps ahead and purchase this product to protect your little one!" —Taylor Get it from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in two styles). Promising reviews: "My cats love these! I keep them in a sealed bag and only bring one out at a time. Once one is destroyed, they have another waiting. They seem to feel it's a fun, quality toy, and it's the perfect size to toss, bounce, and chew on!" —Kindle Customer "I bought these for my rescue kitties, eight of them so far. Most were ferals and didn't know what a toy was. I call these babies; now, all of them get their babies when I say, 'Who wants a baby?' Thank you for helping put joy in a once bad life." —Debbie Get it from Amazon for $9.98 for a pack of five (available in three color schemes). Promising review: "This set is a total game changer in my kitchen! It’s incredibly versatile and makes meal prep significantly easier. The strainer works perfectly, and the bowl is great for mixing or serving. I also love the added measuring spoons — such a handy bonus! Plus, the rotatable design is a brilliant touch. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, and looks great on my countertop. Highly recommend!" —Angie Sutil Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in eight colors). Promising review: "Salon-worthy curls in minutes! 💁♀️✨ I’m honestly obsessed with this curling iron! I’ve always struggled with curling my hair evenly, but this TYMO CurlPro makes it so easy. The automatic rotating feature is super smooth and doesn’t tangle my hair at all. It heats up fast, and the curls come out shiny, bouncy, and last all day, even without tons of hairspray. I also love that the barrel is long enough for my thick hair and that it has an anti-scald design (no more burnt fingers!). It feels like a professional tool but is simple enough to use every day. Totally worth it!" —Jensy Gil Get it from Amazon for $67.48+ (available in two sizes and colors). Promising review: "Love these candles! Don't be deterred by the candles out of the box; though they are mostly white on the outside, there are lots of primary color pockets on the inside. They do take a while to burn (three to four hours by my count), but the results are by far worth being patient for. As the flame works through the candle, the primary color pockets blend with the white as well as with each other to create a wide range of colors...I've seen yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, greens, and blues on my finished bottles." —5ammosh Nodpod is a small business specializing in revolutionary weighted sleep products to help encourage deeper rest. Promising review: "This is the only sleep mask I will purchase from now on, it is absolutely incredible. I was hoping for something heavier on my eyes, but I trusted the science behind this product, which suggests it is the perfect weight. I tie mine up in the back because I am a side sleeper, and it stays beautifully. I am almost always asleep within 15 minutes of putting this seemingly luxurious sleep mask on my tired eyes. I sometimes put a little bit of scented oil on it, and that really makes me feel like I am on a spa retreat...I regularly recommend this to [patients] for its luxurious comfort, ability to block light, and versatility as it is good for side sleepers, those sleepers that roll around, etc. I ended up buying more for my friends, who also love them. GET IT." —Tori Tremelin Get it from Amazon for $38 (available in 10 colors). This bb is solid cast iron, so it is durable as heck. Promising reviews: "Perfect! Adds a bit of whimsy to my powder room as a toilet paper holder. Fast delivery too." —June "I love this holder. I bought two, one for each guest bathroom, and they always make me smile. They hold three rolls of toilet paper, and the little ears stick out above the top! So cute." —Heather It comes with screws and a wall mount. You can store hand towels, tissues — basically anything that'll fit on here! Promising review: "I wanted a toilet paper holder that didn’t take up much space, kept the extra rolls off the floor, and could be installed close to the toilet. This is perfect for what we need. It won’t fit in with any of your standard bathroom decor (if you have a theme), but functionality and space are more important to me than looks. Easy to install as well." —Jamie Get it from Amazon for $19.90+ (available in five designs). Promising review: "I bought two of these. One for me and one for a gift. I tried not to give the second one as a gift so that I could have two. It was a perfect gift for Christmas at such a reasonable price. Very impressive look. The wood grain is prominent, and the clear lid allows you to see what assortment of meats and cheeses is waiting to be devoured. It'd be a good size for the holidays, potluck dinner, or even a picnic for two." —Snaps Get it from Amazon for $26.83+ (available in five sizes/styles). Promising review: "This firepit worked great! Burned nice and hot, no pesky smoke burning our eyes! Definitely up there with the big brand name at a fraction of the price!" —DB Get it from Amazon for $105.99+ (available in four sizes). Promising review: "My kid loves this game. How many times can you throw something at a parent intentionally without getting in trouble? And my kid doesn't lightly chuck — she throws like she's in the World Series. And it doesn't hurt. I wouldn't recommend playing this game around priceless heirlooms, as they might break from being knocked off the shelf. Your dog might steal a burrito, thinking it's fetch. But those are the only drawbacks. I love this game. It's silly fun that can be enjoyed by kids, teens, adults — anyone who doesn't take themselves too seriously (or maybe needs to lighten up a bit). The rules are simple and easy to learn. My kid played it at 7, and she had it mastered in minutes. And you get to throw things at people. We have a zillion board games and this one always comes back in rotation. I've also given it with great success as a gift." —Lorna Doone Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (also available in three other versions). Joking Hazard is a small business by the creators of the popular webcomic Cyanide & Happiness. Promising review: "Alright, before I spill the beans on how awesome Joking Hazard by Cyanide & Happiness is, let me drop a quick disclaimer: this game is totally NSFW and strictly for adults only! Now, onto the good stuff. Joking Hazard is hands down one of the funniest games I've ever played. If you're into dark humor and enjoy a good laugh with friends, this game is an absolute must-have... The rules are easy to pick up, making it a hit for any type of gathering...Whether you're chilling with your closest pals or breaking the ice at a party, Joking Hazard guarantees a night of nonstop laughter. Just remember, this game is not for the faint of heart. If you're ready to dive into some hilariously adult-themed fun, then this game is an absolute must. Just keep it away from the little ones, okay?" —Leann Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in two styles and with expansion packs). Promising review: "The first time my daughter used Hug-a-BooBoo bandaids, she said they didn't itch like the others...and I didn't know the others made her itch! Ever since, we are loyal to this brand and were excited to see these beautiful butterfly prints. So lovely, they make every boo-boo better on their own! Will order again, thanks. :)" —C.K. Rollins Get it from Amazon for $9.99 for a box of 24 (also available in other fun styles). Promising review: "So cute. Love this lamp! I’ve had it for a couple of months now, and I love how cute it is and how well it goes on my desk. It has two settings, and it works great, I’ve had no problems!" —Katherine Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in eight colors). Promising review: "Very beautiful and unique lamp! The family loved it! I put it in my entryway and have received a lot of compliments!" —Anonymous Get it from Wayfair for $96.99 (originally $179.99). One reviewer mentions cleaning five sinks with just this one bottle! Check out a TikTok of the foaming pink drain cleaner in action. Promising review: "Wow! I don't think I've ever been more excited to use a cleaning product before. Who knew you could get so much satisfaction from a drain cleaner? I could probably make an ASMR video and post it, as it is that satisfying! Even though I had to angle this over my sink drain to avoid the low faucet, it worked perfectly. The foam went down the drain and up through the overflow, bringing lots of black, yucky gunk with it. I have used lots of drain cleaners before, but not one that actually came up through the overflow. I'd never even considered what stuff was in there. It did a great job of cleaning everything out, and it left the sink smelling fresh and clean as well." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (also available as a pack of two). The reusable vacuum bags are odor-free, leak-proof, and safe for use in dishwashers, freezers, and microwaves. Promising review: "I cannot possibly recommend this thing enough. It looks so small that you think 'surely this thing is not really gonna give me a tight vacuum seal' but [buddy], it WORKS. I have a prosciutto slicer, so I order whole 18 lbs legs of prosciutto, which I could never get through in time before they started to mold, despite all my efforts in wrapping them in plastic wrap. Now, I just cut the leg in two, seal it in one of these bags, and it lasts literally forever. The vacuum seal is perfect, not a molecule of air left in there. One of my top 10 purchases of all time. I've saved a significant amount of money by not having to reorder as many prosciutto legs. Paid for itself in a damn week. The bags are heavy-duty and good quality, and have a legit seal that doesn't leak." —Roberto R. Get it from Amazon for $79.98+ (available in different bundle options). Promising review: "I bought these Kidnoculars for my 4-year-old son, who loves exploring nature and animals. He was so excited to try them out, and he was amazed by how much he could see with them. He said he felt like a real explorer, and he spent hours looking at birds, bugs, flowers, and trees. He even used them to watch the moon at night. They are a great educational toy that encourages observation, discovery, and learning. They are also a great way to bond with your child and share their excitement. These Kidnoculars are worth every penny, and they make a wonderful gift." —Degbo Promising review: "This product worked great for cleaning up my mess of cables/power cords going to my wall-mounted TV. The plastic is sturdy, yet easily cut to the proper length. I did, however, use a "T" type of expandable wall anchor because I was attaching it to an exterior stucco wall. The channels are large enough to accommodate numerous cords, and the covers snap firmly in place." —TheoLogic1 Get the kit from Amazon for $15.99 (The kit comes with six cable covers that total 150", self-adhesive tape, drywall anchors, screws, and 12 connector pieces). Promising review: "Beautiful, functional sturdy! This lipstick case is perfect. Not too big, not too heavy to carry in my handbag; but is sturdy and not cheap. The clasp that keeps it closed opens easily but stays secured when shut. It has beautiful flowers on top so it would make a great gift. My gift to me. And I like that it also has a good mirror on the inside lid, a must for applying lipstick when you're on the go! A reasonable price and lots of choices for colors will make this a good choice for Christmas gifts later this year - never too early to consider." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $14.97 (available in eight designs). Promising review: "Miss Mouth's messy stain treatment is magic!!! As a mom to a 10-week-old, we have had to use this product multiple times per day for various stains, and it has been incredible. There has not been a single stain that this product was not able to get out! It is easy to use, so easy to bring with you on the go (we keep it in all our diaper bags!), the packaging does not leak, and it works so well!!! Highly recommend this to any other families out there with little ones!" —Kelleen Wegener Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in different sizes and multipacks, as well as spray and pen versions). Promising review: "This was just a fun model from beginning to end. I love how it came with a little hammer and glue. It took me about four days to complete everything. SO much detail from the books to all the little trim pieces and railings. The hardest part was getting the dinosaur skeleton together without it falling apart. Haha. I had to switch to super glue on that one. This is a MUST-have puzzle; the pics almost don't do it justice. It's so pretty." —FraggleRock Get it from Amazon for $49.37 (also available in 15 other styles). Promising review: "I love these little bulletin boards and how they can be arranged in whatever pattern you choose. I rent an apartment, so I used Command Strips instead of the adhesive on the back to ensure there would be no paint damage when I remove them. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a colorful and interestingly-shaped bulletin board." —Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in nine color combos). This decal's measurements are 36'' H X 24'' W! Promising review: "I used them to cover some windows behind a new walk-in shower. Everybody thought it was stained glass. They worked really well for me." —Amy Promising review: "According to the instructions, I was supposed to use the whole bottle, but being that it was so big and that I had two toilets to clean, I only used half. I was pleasantly surprised. The toilet tank is from the 1960s, and I doubt it's been cleaned within the last few decades. In the 'after' photo, you can see that there is still some rust left over, but large chunks fell off the sides and can be seen on the bottom of the tank." —Nicole Get it from Amazon for $5.86 (also available as a pack of six). Promising review: "Absolutely beautiful clock, love the design. It was so easy to set up, and it is so beautiful. Absolutely looks like a carved block of wood. The light is amber, and it's perfect. The clock is accurate, and the alarm is as well. The numbers are big and easy to read." —Anna Brennan Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six colors). Promising review: "I love my new shoe rack in our entry! No one can tell it is a shoe rack. It just looks as though it belongs here as a decorative piece. The middle rack is stationery and the top and bottom removable racks can be adjusted. Since we put our cat food container in it, the third row is a bit narrow, but it works well for flip-flops and slip-on shoes. My husband's size 11.5 shoes fit with room to spare." —out of the box Promising review: "Perfect bookends for the library/home office. Interesting without being kitschy, heavy without being cumbersome. I work at a bridge, so these are perfect for me!" —Janet Get a pair from Wayfair for $66.99 (originally $93.99). Promising review: "BEST DUSTER EVER!!! This is my second one, because my husband loved it so much and kept my first one for his game room and collectibles. The microfiber part is washable. Very convenient! This duster collects all the dust. You don't need to go over a spot unless it's something big you might be cleaning. No dust flies around in the air or is left behind like when you use a typical feathered duster. Yuck! We are so in love with our new dusters. Buy it. You won't regret it." —angelica Get it from Amazon for $18.33. (If you have lots of high, hard-to-reach spaces in your home, they also make an expanding duster for $20.89). Promising review: "This was very easy to put together and feels well made. I love the look of it with my cherry sleigh bed in my coastal space. The built-in chargers and lights are a game-changer!!" —Deena Get it from Wayfair for $77.99+ (originally $136.99). This isn't just for washing machines, you can use it pretty much anywhere — sinks, bathtubs, tiles, window sills, you name it! Promising review: "Very satisfied. I tried everything to remove black mold with no success. This product actually worked to remove the black mold. I applied the gel on the mold and left it sit overnight. I was amazed the mold wiped off with a rag." —Robin S. Johns Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes). The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Jonathan Mazzei is a freelancer and former full-time market writer who’s been hunting down the internet’s best buys for BuzzFeed for more than five years, and has personally tested a wide range of products and sifted through countless consumer reviews to make sure his recommendations actually deliver.