Glinda said it best in “Wicked,” when she sang, “I know about popular!” Who doesn’t love popularity? Tens of thousands chase it on Instagram and YouTube; others follow or support people, places and things because of it; and, still, others hope to discover the next big thing. Well, I know about “popular,” too — popular gadgets, that is. I’ve been writing about Amazon products for almost five years and have been down the Amazon “rabbit hole” more than a few times.
This list — from water bottles to probiotics — is chock-full of some of our most popular items ever. In fact, that’s the only common thread among them, the screen protector, face masks and yoga pants below — popularity. These are the tried-and-true buys, the fan favorites, the most-popular-girl-in-the-school gadgets you can’t pass up.
Hitting The Bottle
I’m always on the hunt for the perfect water bottle and it doesn’t matter that I have 15 at home already. (Mind your business, O.K.?) The Owala FreeSip is insulated, stainless steel and equipped with a straw for convenience. These come in three sizes and really interesting color choices like forresty (pictured), shy marshmallow, pomegranate parade and — my inner child of the 80s’ favorite — retro boardwalk.
Dodge The Drafts
Drafty spaces are the worst — and I don’t care if we’re talking about cold and drafty or humid and drafty. This draft stopper works by sealing the space between your door and the ground. It’s not just a comfort issue either; installing one of these — on interior or exterior doors — will reduce your electric costs and save you big bucks.
These Buds Are For You
Sure, AirPods are popular, but they’re also expensive. Over the past few years, other brands of Bluetooth headphones have sprung up that rival Apple’s performance … without the Apple price tag. These wireless earbuds have four built-in mics, deep bass, waterproof protection and an LED charging case, all for less than $30. They come with a perfect five-star rating on Amazon.
Power To The People
I’ve stopped traveling with just a charging cable and upgraded my packing routine to include my own travel power strip because hotels are pretty cheap on the available outlets. This one wraps up neatly when not in use and has two outlets, two USB ports and one USB-C port. The four-foot extension cord will take care of your charging needs in most situations.
At A Good Clip
A carabiner clip isn’t the sexiest keychain-type gadget you can put in your pocket but it stays popular because it’s functional and convenient. This one is sS-shaped with two hooks so you can put your keys on one end and your water bottle on the other. Or, snap this on your purse strap for easy access to your keys at all times. The possibilities are endless.
Be A Good Girl
My life changed the day I started taking probiotics and this two-pack from Love Wellness is a fan favorite. In particular, this supplement supports feminine health and hygiene by balancing pH levels, protecting your reproductive organs and improving your gut health and immune system. These probiotics have more than 11,000 reviews like this one: “I love this product … it’s a game-changer.”
Holy Sheet Masks
Why am I always drawn to these variety packs of facial masks? I love everything about them, from their adorable packaging to their collection of benefits including hydration, revitalization and radiance-boosting. This pack of seven sheet masks works out to less than $2 per treatment and where else are you going to get that kind of deal? Nowhere, that’s where. Just Amazon.
Face The Facts
Why buy one face-enhancing product when you can have four? This serum regimen from Tree of Life includes niacinamide and vitamin C for morning use and retinol and hyaluronic acid for evening use. Combined, you’ve got true radiance for the taking. These products are great for all skin types and are cruelty-free and dermatologist-tested. The best part? The entire set is less than $35.
Screen Time
Your smartphone is one of your smallest, but priciest investments. Protect it with these tempered glass screen protectors designed specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S23. These are scratch-resistant, touch-sensitive and don’t show fingerprints. It even comes with camera lens protectors. I keep a tempered glass screen protector on my phone (not a Samsung) and it’s honestly the easiest to install and longest lasting, in my experience.
Take It To The Bank
I’ve lost track of how many power banks I have in circulation. It’s safe to say I could keep my devices charged for a long time if needed. These portable chargers have dual USB outlets and fast-charging capabilities that are compatible with all USB devices and smartphones. This two-pack will let you keep one at home and one in your car.
Lead The Charge
If you’re more of an old-school phone owner, you’ll appreciate this three-pack of charging cables and adapters that you can plug in anywhere there’s an outlet. Choose from purple, blue or white, with enough charging sets to take you from the living room to the bedroom and back again. These cables are six feet in length and compatible with iPhones from the XS model to the 14 Pro.
Watch Out
Charging my Apple Watch, particularly on the go, has been a huge pain. That is until I grabbed one of these portable wireless chargers. Attachable with a quick magnetic snap, this lightweight charger plugs directly into any USB port to let you add juice to your Apple Watch wherever you are. For less than $11, it’s not a bad addition to your charging arsenal.
As Right As Rain
I can never find the right umbrella. They’re too heavy, too light, too hard to close, not big enough, too big … you get the idea. This golf-sized umbrella is low on frills but high on functionality with auto-open/close, one-handed operation, water-repellent coating and a generous 55 inches in size when the rubber means the road rain meets the umbrella.
Empty The Tank
There aren’t many wardrobe pieces more perfect than a tank top. They’re a nearly complete outfit in the summer and a great layering piece in the other seasons of the year. This one has a classic round neck, lightweight, soft fabric, and a relaxed fit with the cutest little pocket on the chest. These come in five different sizes and more than two dozen colors and patterns.
Don’t Sweat It
It’s not surprising to me that some of our most-loved favorites are comfortable, pull-on styles. These loose-fitting yoga sweatpants are beloved for good reason. They’re buttery soft with a wide waistband and have a figure-skimming wide-leg design. These are available in sizes up to XXL and tons of solid colors. The tie-dye and American flag versions are whimsical spins on a classic.
Keep Your Cool
Heavy laptop usage can result in an overheating machine. This cooling pad works for laptops up to 17 inches, helping cool down your machine’s temperature while also giving you a more ergonomic design for typing and viewing the screen. This one is pretty cool because it has 10 RGB lighting modes and a flip-up silicone holder perfect for your smartphone.
Make A Case
Plastic AirPods cases are cute but they’re not always practical. These soft silicone protective covers shield your earbuds from bumps, drops and scratches without adding extra bulk. You can even see through the case to check the indicator status and it comes with a carabiner to attach to your backpack or keys. I especially love the glow-in-the-dark version pictured, but there are 40 other colors for you to pick from.
Headphone Heaven
In-ear headphones aren’t for everyone. If that’s you, take a closer look at these wireless Bluetooth headphones that sit over your ear. More than 10,000 reviewers have snagged these $20 headphones (one called them “freakin’ amazing”) and they look just as chic as more expensive brands like Bose or Beats by Dre. You’ll get the same high-fidelity bass and crystal-clear treble you’d expect from pricier pairs.
You Are My Sunshine
Now you can wake up with the sun no matter what time that is. This sunrise alarm clock features eight colors, a nightlight, built-in nature sounds and FM radio. There’s research behind the idea of waking up naturally with sunrise simulation, which this clock does, moving from soft red to orange to bright white over a 30-minute period of time. Don’t worry; there’s still a snooze button.