31 Innovative Takes on Existing Products That Are Completely Genius

I’m kind of a sucker for nifty gadgets. There’s just something so satisfying about finding the tool that will solve all of your problems…or at least help you do a very specific task much more efficiently. After all, life’s too short to use subpar products that take forever! If there’s a gadget that will make life easier, then you can rest assured that I will buy it and have it handy for the next time I need it. I’m all about trying to make life as simple and stress-free as possible.

Luckily for me (and you!), the Internet is filled with incredible, handy gadgets to purchase, from a robot that stirs pots for you to a portable espresso machine that lets you brew when you’re on-the-go! I hope you find something that will give you that “perfect tool for the job” happiness!

Editorial Note: We review everything independently. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission.
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This Surge Protector Is Ideal for Travelers

  via Amazon  

It’s usually a good idea to keep a surge protector handy, whether you’re traveling or you’re just going to be away from your home or desk for a while. This one is great because rather than being bulky and unwieldy, it’s small and sleek! It has two high-output USB charging ports in addition to the standard outlets. Best of all, the flat cord wraps around the device and gives the whole thing a very small profile which can easily be tucked into your luggage, briefcase, or purse.

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Save Space with This Water Bottle

  via Amazon  

At full extension, this water bottle can hold 580 ml. When it’s empty, it can be smushed down to take up half the amount of space. This is a brilliant design that allows the water bottle to be easily stored in your cupboard. You can also easily bring it camping, hiking, or cycling. Or tuck it in your luggage when you travel — it won’t take up too much room!

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These Stainless Steel Straws Are Good for the Environment

  via Amazon  

Everybody’s talking about straws these days, huh? Do your part to cut down on plastic straw waste by switching to stainless steel straws at home! The oceans will thank you. This listing is for an 8-pack of straws. My favorite part is that they come with a teeny tiny brush that makes washing them a breeze (although they’re also dishwasher safe)!

This Flat Water Bottle Can Be Carried in Your Purse

  via Amazon  

That’s right. Yet another twist on the standard water bottle that was clearly thought up by a genius. We all know the importance of staying hydrated, but carrying a water bottle around can be super annoying. This water bottle is flat rather than round, meaning it can easily be tucked into your purse, backpack, or briefcase where it will fit with your books and other stuff. Brilliant!

This Steam Iron Is Small Enough to Pack in Your Suitcase

  via Amazon  

But strong enough to use as your everyday iron or steamer, too. This little guy packs a lot of punch! It only takes about 15 seconds to fully heat up and has three different temperature settings. Keep your clothes wrinkle-free and feeling fresh! It also comes with a measuring cup so you can add the exact right amount of water to it.

This Automatic Pot Stirrer Is the Best Kind of Robot

  via Amazon  

Robots that can spit out the solutions to math problems and solve the mysteries of life are cool and everything, but I’m personally more interested in robots that do my chores for me. Like this one, which can be set to automatically stir a pot for you! It’s safe for use with nonstick pans, completely cordless, and features three different stirring speeds. Just set the timer and rest assured that the robot is taking care of business.

This Microwave Bacon Cooker Works Like a Charm

  via Amazon  

Everyone likes bacon, but most people don’t care for hauling out the griddle or even using the stovetop to make it. Now, you can cook your bacon perfectly — in the microwave! This handy microwave bacon cooker perfectly cooks six slices of bacon in approximately 3 to 5 minutes. It’s a no-brainer, friends. (Also, it’s dishwasher-safe!)

You Dentist Would Love it if You Used This Portable Water Flosser

  via Amazon  

Rather than lying to your dentist about whether you’ve been flossing, why not do something a little crazy and actually floss? Weird, I know, but people swear by it! If you don’t want to get tangled up with dental floss, a water flosser is another great option. This one is totally portable, which makes it ideal for people who travel (and people who just want their water flosser to take up less counter space).

These Wine Chill Drops Quickly Chill Your Wine!

  via Amazon  

Now you can get the most out of the wines you by without having to wait hours for them to chill! Just keep these wine chiller drops in your freezer and remove them whenever it’s time to pour the wine. Insert a chiller drop into a glass of wine and it will cool the entire glass very quickly — a glass of red wine will be ready to drink in about 90 seconds, whereas white wine (which is served colder) will be good to go in 8 minutes or so. Remove the chiller drop, place it in the special holder, and enjoy your wine!

This Portable Espresso Machine Is a Must for Coffee-Lovers

  via Amazon  

True coffee snobs know that there’s nothing quite as satisfying as pulling your own espresso shot. Unfortunately, unless you have a fancy espresso machine with you everywhere you go, you might have to go without your beloved espresso — or do you? This handheld espresso machine allows you to pull your own shots even when you don’t have access to electricity! Simply load up the ground coffee, add hot water, and use the manual pump to add some pressure. A few seconds later and you’ll have a fresh shot of espresso!

This Digital Tire Pressure Gauge Makes it Easy to Check Your Tires

  via Amazon  

Having adequate air pressure in your tires doesn’t just provide better gas mileage; it also reduces the risk of blowouts and increases the overall safety of your car. Unfortunately, using the old-fashioned tire pressure gauges isn’t always super intuitive, and it can be difficult to tell exactly what number the device is showing. That’s where a digital gauge makes things easier. Simply attach it to your tire and with the simple touch of a button, it’ll display your tire pressure. The backlit screen allows you to use it day or night.

This Silicone Keyboard Is Totally Foldable

  via Amazon  

Most people find it easier to type on a keyboard than on their phone or tablet’s touchscreen. However, you can’t always bring a full-size keyboard with you wherever you go…unless it folds up. This one does! It’s made from silicone so it can be rolled up and slipped into your pocket or bag. As a bonus, the silicone also makes it waterproof and way easier to clean than your keyboard at home.

Extend the Life of Your Fruits and Veggies with This Fridge Shelf Liner

  via Amazon  

This liner is designed to separate your fresh produce from the moisture in your fridge, which helps those fruits and veggies stay fresh for a longer amount of time. It’s a simple concept, but one everyone could benefit from. Simply cut the liner to fit your fridge shelf or crisper drawer and place your produce directly on it. The liner is also totally washable and reusable.

This Lunch Tote Heats Your Food up For You!

  via Amazon  

Forget struggling to make the office microwave heat your soup all the way through (or dealing with the smells). All you have to do is bring your lunch in this Crock-Pot tote and plug it in when you get to your desk. It heats your food up for you so it’s ready to go whenever you are. It’s perfect for soups, stews, oatmeal, mac and cheese — anything you want to eat while it’s hot.

This Popcorn Popper Works in the Microwave

  via Amazon  

Is there a snack that is better than popcorn? I don’t think so. (Unless you’re having Peanut M&Ms in your popcorn.) This listing is for a set of two popcorn poppers, each of which pops a single serving of popcorn. Simply pour unpopped popcorn kernels into the integrated kernel-measuring base and pop the entire thing in the microwave — no oil required! After a few minutes, you’ll have fresh, ready-to-eat popcorn. All you need to do is add the butter and salt (and Peanut M&Ms, if you know what’s good for ya).

This Toothbrush Holder Will Keep Your Bathroom Counters Clean

  via Amazon  

This organizer works without suction cups, adhesives, or permanent mounting methods — it simply grips to shiny surfaces (like glass, the mirror, tile, or marble). Once it’s up, use it to hold your toothbrush or other bathroom tools and keep everything organized (and off the countertop). It’s easy to keep clean (just rinse it off!) and looks super sleek.

These Hooks Use the Same Technology!

  via Amazon  

Once again, there are no suction cups or pesky adhesives to deal with — the hooks simply grip onto a flat, smooth surface. Once they’re up, they can support up to 10 pounds of weight! Use them in your bathroom to hang up your sponge or scrubber, or place them on your oven door to hold cooking utensils and a hand towel. Since they’re made of silicone, they won’t ever rust, either!

This Solar-Powered Lantern Is Collapsible!

  via Amazon  

When you need it, this lantern pops up and provides plenty of light for you as you work on the car, camp out in a tent, or light up your powerless home. It’s solar-powered, but can also be charged via the included micro USB cable. Whenever you don’t need it, it collapses to just over half an inch tall and can be stored pretty much anywhere. Basically, this thing is amazing and it looks so fun to use!

This Toilet Bowl Light Will Light up Your Life

(Or at least your toilet.) Simply attach the motion-activated LED light to any standard toilet bowl and get ready for the light show! It can emit any one of 16 different colors or be set to cycle through all of them on rotation (which is definitely the setting I would choose). Finally, you can make a midnight bathroom trip without having to turn on the light and blind yourself.

This Stud Finder Simply Uses Magnets

  via Amazon  

When hanging something up on your wall, it’s important to secure it to a stud — particularly if it’s heavy! There are all kinds of fancy stud finders available on the market, but I quite like the simplicity of this one (in fact, I bought my own not too long ago). Simply run the stud finder along the wall and it will naturally be attracted to the nails in the studs. There’s also a built-in bubble level!

This Thumb Drive Connects Directly to Your Phone

  via Amazon  

Don’t you hate when you go to take a photo with your phone only to find out that you’re out of space? Now you don’t have to worry about that. This handy little gadget makes it easier than ever to transfer files from your phone to your computer or tablet. Just plug it into your device and drag and drop the files. It also compatible with Android and Windows devices!

Keep Your Drinks Chilled with These Cooling Pint Glasses

  via Amazon  

Some people already choose to keep their beer glasses in the freezer, but as soon as you add the beer, the coolness disappears pretty quickly. FREEZE glasses contain a proprietary cooling gel which gets cold and stays sold for hours! Just place the glasses in the freezer at least 2 hours before use, then pour in your beverage and enjoy! Best of all, you can wash them in the top rack of your dishwasher.

This Roasting Laurel Rack Is Every Chef’s Dream

  via Amazon  

The best way to roast meat is by using some sort of rack to keep it out of the grease and ensure an even cook on all sides. Most racks are made of metal which can scratch up your pans. This one is made from flexible and bendable BPA-free materials that won’t scratch up your pans and will fit just about anywhere! You can also use it to wrangle stuffed peppers or prop up other foods in the oven. Toss it in the dishwasher between uses and you’re good to go.

This Spoon Dock Keeps Your Counters Clean

  via Amazon  

It is the plight of every chef: You have to stir the food you’re cooking, but then what do with the spoon? Inevitably, you wind up with puddles of pasta sauce on your counters, which is both unsanitary and super annoying. OR you could use this spoon dock! It clips directly onto your saucepan or pot and can be used to prepare or serve food without making a mess. It’s also great for potlucks!

Or You Could Get This Lid and Spoon Rest

  via Amazon  

If you’re using a lid on your pots and pans while you cook, then you also have to find a place for the hot lid (which may be covered in condensation). This spoon and lid rest is just what the doctor ordered. It’s designed with a place for all sizes of lids, spoons, splatter screens, and cooking utensils. It’s made with durable and rust-resistant stainless steel and is also diswasher safe.

This Compost Bin Won’t Stink up Your Kitchen

  via Amazon  

If you have a garden or are simply trying to lessen your negative impact on the environment, a compost bin is an excellent tool to keep in your home. Unfortunately, keeping organic waste inside can sometimes lead to some smelly situations. This one has a patented design that allows more air to flow through than other compost bins on the market, meaning there’s less odor (and it attracts fewer bugs). It opens easily with the touch of a button and is super easy to use and clean.

Storing Leftovers Is So Much Easier with These Baggy Holders

  via Amazon  

Saving leftovers is a total no-brainer — it saves money, it saves time, and it saves brainpower (it’s such a relief to know that lunch for tomorrow is covered!). But storing leftovers can also be tricky. Sometimes it feels like you need three hands to efficiently put your food into storage baggies. That’s essentially what these baggy holders are — a third hand! Just clip the storage bag into them and they’ll hold the bag open while you scoop in the good stuff.

These Magic Sealer Sticks Keep Your Food Fresh

  via Amazon  

Few things are more annoying than going to eat some of your favorite snacks and realizing that they’ve gone stale since the last time you had some. These Magic Sealer Sticks are an ingenious little gadget that provides a perfect seal on your chip bags — much better than the one achieved by standard chip clips. They create a seal that’s both water- and air-tight, keeping food fresh and tasty for much longer.

These Aerator Shoes Will Make Your Lawn Look Lovely

  via Amazon  

It’s important to aerate your lawn in order to keep it healthy and looking green — the holes allow water, fertilizer and air get down to the grass roots and improve their health. These aerator shoes let you achieve perfect aeration by simply walking on the lawn! Simply strap them onto your feet and do some stomping around. They’re also super fun to use.

This Strawberry Slicer Looks So Satisfying to Use

  via Amazon  

Whether you’re adding strawberries to your cereal or making strawberry shortcake, a tool that’s specialized for the task of slicing strawberries is sure to make your life way easier. All you have to do is place a strawberry behind the blade and squeeze the lever — the strawberry is then forced through the blades and cut into thin slices that you can use for just about anything involving strawberries. You could also use it to slice hardboiled eggs or mushrooms!

This Yogurt Container Also Has a Place for Toppings

  via Amazon  

This yogurt container is basically from the future. First of all, the double-walled container contains a freezable gel that keeps your yogurt chilled for hours, even on a hot summer day. There’s also a separate container connected to the lid which you can use for toppings like fruit or granola so they won’t get mushy before your lunch break. It even has a place to hold your spoon!