Cast iron skillets, brand-name clothes, and smart devices as far as the eye can see — when it comes to cheap stuff on Amazon, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for a price. Not only are there are tons of affordable gadgets available for less than $30, but I’ve even gathered some of my favorites here for you to check out.
Because let’s be real: ain’t no one got time to find all the best deals…except for me. I’ve got way too much time on my hands paired with a blossoming shopping addiction that I’ve been quietly ignoring. So when I say that I’ve gathered my “favorites,” know that I’ve seen it all — and that these picks are the best of the best.
This Amazon Smart Plug That Gives Your Home A Futuristic Upgrade
Smart Plugs are getting me one step closer to living in the Jetson’s house of the future. While I’m still waiting for my robot housekeeper and a flying car, at least I can turn off lights or activate the coffee maker without getting up. Bonus: it’s under $25!
This Sleeping Mask That Gives New Meaning To “Beauty Rest”
There’s a reason this sleeping mask has over 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon. It’s infused with collagen, so you wake up with a more youthful complexion each morning. I slather it on before bed and look well-rested in the morning (even when I’m anything but). It’s also a total beauty steal at just over $14!
This Cast Iron Skillet That Comes In A Ton Of Sizes
Looking for a huge pan that can fit multiple steaks? Be sure to check out this cast iron skillet. Not only does it come in sizes ranging from eight to 15 inches, but the surface is also pre-seasoned so that it’s ready to go right out of the box. Besides, it’s 2020 — there’s no excuse not to have one of these babies anymore.
This Nail Polish That Packs An Iridescent Punch
If your look has been looking a bit “blah” lately, here’s a cheap way to glam things up in a hurry: this Ultra Holographic nail polish. It covers beautifully with just one coat and catches the light beautifully. Who needs the salon when you can snag this $10 bottle?
A Planner With A Stylish Hard Cover
Your planner is only as useful as you make it, but at least this one has a stylish hardcover that invites you to scribble down your schedule, grocery list, or whatever else is floating through your head. Choose from colors like sapphire blue, myrtle green, and more.
This ECHOGEAR Outlet Shelf Is A Space-Saving Superstar
My house tends to be messy and unorganized, so whenever I find a product that helps me make the best use of my space, I get extremely excited. This ECHOGEAR outlet shelf is one of those products. It’s a little shelf that goes over your outlet so you can plug in a device and set it right on top; no need to clutter your side tables or countertops.
This Charging Station That Restored My Sanity
I have a horrible time remembering to charge my devices at night. This charging station gives me a neat and tidy spot to charge all of my devices at once, which is especially handy since it keeps them out of reach of my mischievous toddler. It’s compatible with a variety of products, including tablets, smartphones, and even headphones.
These Cable Clips That Get You Organized In A Snap
I work from home, and my office space usually consists of a jumble of cords, stacks of random paperwork, and the occasional dirty plate (or 3). These LOMILY cable clips made it so easy to organize my space that I’m kind of embarrassed that I worked in a pigsty for so long.
This Vitamin C Serum That Customers Are Raving About
I just turned 34, and my skin is not what it used to be. This vitamin C serum is my newest beauty obsession, and more than 24,000 customers feel the same way. It glides on smoothly without any greasy residue and leaves my skin brighter, smoother, and instantly refreshed.
A Cozy Long-Sleeve Tee For Less Than $20
Clothing on Amazon can be hit or miss sometimes, whereas this long-sleeve tee is from the trusted Champion brand — and since it’s less than $20, you can grab a few for everyone in the house. But the best part? Unlike other tops, you don’t need to order a size up for this one to fit properly.
These Stickers From The Best Moments In ‘The Office’
Remember when Kevin spilled chili all over the floor, or when Dwight cut the face-off that CPR dummy? With this pack of 50 stickers from The Office, you can show off your favorite moments from the show on your laptop, water bottle, or wherever else you want to slap’em up. And if you want to peel them off? They won’t leave behind any goopy residues like inferior stickers.
A Diffuser That Doubles As A Small Humidifier
Look, I’ve gone through a ton of diffusers in my time, and this one is, without a doubt, my favorite. The faux wood grain gives it a subtle look that blends in flawlessly in any room, and it comes in three finishes: yellow, dark brown, or white. Add essential oils to the water reservoir to release their scents into the air, or even leave the water plain and use it as a cool-mist humidifier.
Speaking Of Essential Oils…
If you happen to need some essential oils for your diffuser, this pack of six comes with the most popular flavors: sweet orange, lemongrass, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree. Each one is therapeutic-grade with dark amber bottles to help prevent UV light degradation — I like to mix sweet orange with lemongrass to keep me up in the mornings.
This Color-Changing Lightbulb That Doesn’t Require Alexa
Wanna enjoy the color-changing effects of smart bulbs, but don’t want to buy an Alexa or Google Home? Enter: this affordable lightbulb that’s controllable via remote. Choose from 16 colors to get the party (or nap, in my case) started, and since it’s an LED, it requires hardly any electricity to work.
These Cooling Towels For Sweaty Workouts
Even though I said these chiller towels are great for sweaty workouts — and they are — they also have a second, secret use: cooling me down when I’m sweating through my sheets at night. They’re made from ultra-absorbent microfiber that soaks up more water than cotton, and each one comes with a protective travel sleeve with a carabiner clip.
A Phone Mount For Your Handlebars
Trying to follow your phone’s GPS in your hand while you’re biking is, in one word: terrifying. So why not make your life easier and grab this handlebar mount? It’s designed to work with nearly any type of smartphone or handlebar. Plus, installation is almost too easy since there are zero tools required!
This Digital Coin Bank That Keeps Track Of How Much Is Inside
Part of piggy banks’ fun is not knowing how much is inside, but what happens if you’re counting on a certain amount? This digital coin bank gives you the best of both worlds. It’ll keep track of how much money is inside, but if you want to keep it a surprise, don’t look at the top. Choose from a variety of colors, including teal, pink, blue, and more.
These Fairy Lights That You Can Use All Over
With these LED fairy lights, the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can do with them. Stuff them into some Mason jars for a cute dining table accent, or drape them around the knick-knacks on your mantle to brighten up the room. And since they’re also waterproof, you can definitely use them outside as cute patio decorations.
This Pedicure Kit Made From Stainless Steel
I’ve started doing my nails at home ever since I got stuck with an over-chatty nail technician (trust me, it was a real problem) — and this pedicure kit has been a lifesaver. The tools are made from stainless steel that won’t rust over time, and they all come packaged in a sleek travel case.
These Playing Cards That Are Waterproof
Few things ruin a deck of cards quicker than a spilled glass of water — that’s why these cards are made from waterproof plastic. So go ahead, spill juice, water, milk, or whatever else on them — it won’t be a problem. And yes, they do look just as good as they look in the pictures. “The holographic-like designs on the cards are beautiful,” wrote one reviewer. “The backs of the cards almost look like a rainbow when the light hits them a certain way, so does the card packaging. The front of the cards is just beyond cool looking.”
This Toothbrush Holder That Also Comes With A Toothpaste Dispenser
Ever knock your toothbrush onto the ground? It’s almost too gross to think about — that’s why I keep my toothbrush in this mounted holder. There’s enough space for up to five brushes, and each order also comes with a toothpaste dispenser that keeps you from squeezing out too much.
A Pack Of Mask Spacers That Lets Your Face Breathe
Not only do these spacers give your face room to breathe behind a mask, but they also help keep your makeup from rubbing off — especially lipstick. They’ll even help prevent your glasses from fogging up, and many reviewers wrote about how it’s “much easier” to breathe while wearing them.
The Smart Light Switch That’s Compatible With Alexa
I’m an expert when it comes to finding cheap home upgrades, and this smart light switch is my all-time favorite. You don’t need to be an electrician to install it — I know I certainly am not — and it’s compatible with Alexa as well as Google Home. What does that mean? For starters, you can set schedules, use voice commands, or even enable an “away” mode to keep burglars at bay while you’re out.
A Fun Kit That Lets You Grow An Avocado Tree
Stop buying avocados at the store — grow your own at home with this kit. Granted, you’ll have to wait a little longer than it takes to hit the grocer, but the satisfaction you’ll get knowing you grew it yourself is more than worth it. And since you only need to water it once every two weeks, you don’t even have to be good at gardening to get it to bloom.
This Experiment Kit That Lets You Grow Your Own Crystals
Got a kid at home who’s driving you up the wall? Sit them down with this crystal kit to keep them occupied for a few hours. For less than $20, it comes with everything you need to grow a variety of beautiful crystals, and they’ll never expire or deteriorate — go ahead and keep them on your shelf for a lifetime.
A Magnetic Wristband For Your Next DIY Project
Whenever I’m tackling a DIY project, there’s a 90% chance I’ll drop my nails or screws at some point — and who likes digging around underneath counters to find them? So grab this magnetic wristband. It’ll keep all your nuts and bolts in one convenient place, while the velcro strap allows you to adjust the fit easily.
An AirPods Case That Absorbs Shock
Nothing ruins my day faster than dropping my AirPods — and truth be told? It’s happened more than once. That’s why I got this protective case. Not only does it absorb shock from drops, but it also keeps your AirPods safe from dust and scratches. Choose from tons of bright colors, including pink, blue, teal, yellow, and more.
These Strip Lights You Can Install Anywhere
Behind your television, underneath your cabinets — this LED light kit can be installed practically anywhere in your home at a fraction of the cost of professional lighting. I put them underneath my kitchen island for some warm ambient lighting, and the included remote allows you to control them from afar.
A Set Of Whiskey Stones That Won’t Dilute Your Cocktails
I got these whiskey stones for myself a few months ago since I was tired of regular ice cubes diluting my evening glass of Woodford Reserve. They come with a sleek velvet pouch so that you can keep them together in the freezer until you need them — and since they don’t melt, there’s no need to chug your drink to beat the ice.
A 40-Pack Of Scrunchies Covered With Soft Velvet
For less than $15, you can grab this 40-pack of scrunchies and wear a different one every day for almost two months! Each one is covered in soft velvet that won’t leave your hair frizzy, and they’re great for any occasion — everything from sweaty workouts to Sunday brunches.
A Tactical Pen Made From Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
You never know when you’re gonna need to punch through a car window, which is why I keep this tactical pen in my backpack — just in case of an emergency. Sometimes I’ll even use it to give my boyfriend a good shanking when he misbehaves, as I know that the aircraft-grade aluminum housing won’t fail me. And unlike other self-defense pens, this one also comes with two extra ink cartridges.
This Miniature Humidifier That Looks Like A Cute Cactus
You’ve gotta admit that this little cactus humidifier is adorable — and if that wasn’t enough, it’s also powered via USB so that you can plug it into your laptop while you’re traveling. It’s the perfect size for your desk at work, and the water reservoir provides up to four hours of continuous steam.
A Knife Sharpener That’s Seriously Cost-Effective
Paying to have your knives professionally sharpened can cost hundreds of dollars, whereas this compact lil’ sharpener is available for less than $10. First, run your knife through the coarse slot to sharpen the blade, then drag it through the “fine” half to hone down any rough edges. The non-slip base keeps it in place, and it’s small enough to fit in nearly any drawer.
These Oven Gloves Made With Tough Silicone
Move over cotton oven mitts — these are way more protective, as the silicone exterior is heat-resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. The silicone is food-grade so that you can handle hot foods right over the grill, while the inside is lined with soft cotton to keep your hands comfortable.
These Meat Claws That Shred Your Favorite Proteins
I like to bust out these meat claws whenever I’m eating chicken breast, as the meat comes out juicier when you shred it instead of slice it. They’re BPA-free as well as heat-resistant, and you can even use them as tongs in a pinch. Choose from two colors: merlot or gunmetal.
A Grill Press Made From Tough Cast Iron
Ever wish you could get those gorgeous scorch marks on your meat when grilling? Just use this press to squish your protein into the grill. It’s made from durable cast iron that won’t warp, and it’s heavy enough that it even does most of the work for you. And if you don’t grill? You can also use it to make paninis on the stove.
These Baking Mats That Are Almost Too Useful
For less than $15, you can grab two of these baking mats that take the place of wasteful foils, cooking sprays, parchment paper, and more. They’re heat-resistant up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as naturally non-stick. You can also use them to roll out pastries — a must-have for those days where you’re tired of constantly washing dough off your hands.