Half of all inventions were developed by accident, according to Pagan Kennedy, author of the book Inventology. A prime example is the discovery of the drug Viagra, which was originally developed for heart disease. Whether an invention is inspired by an earnest search for something better or one of those happy accidents, the real test is whether it makes life better.
Personally, I’m always on the hunt for useful new inventions, like this helix hand mixer. I’m also loving this water bottle that lights up to remind me when to hydrate–fun and practical! And if you want me to gush, just ask me about my new anti-wrinkle pillow that not only prevents morning creases, but also helps me sleep better. Look, I’m not saying one of these inventions will change your life; only, what if it does? Scroll through and search for that magical invention that will make all the difference for you.
Save Space (and Dirty Dishes!) With This Adjustable Measuring Cup
In the market for measuring cups? Skip the clunky set and opt instead for this elegant, adjustable 2-cup measuring gadget. The clever design includes standard and metric markings for dry, wet, and semi-solid ingredients. One reviewer raved that it’s the absolutely best way to measure peanut butter, since it’s so easy to push it out.
Sleep Better (and Look Better, Too!) With This Anti-Wrinkle Pillow
Earning 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon is pretty good proof that this anti-wrinkle pillow is worth the price. The pillow is designed to help you sleep on your back with your head cradled in the firm supports. Sleeping this way prevents wrinkles, reduces acne, and can even help with neck pain and insomnia. Check out the glowing reviews to see what hundreds of real users think!
Everything Tastes Better in a Waffle Bowl
Breakfast waffles. Dessert waffles. Taco-waffles?! They’re all possible with this wonderful Belgian Waffle Bowl Maker, which uses any boxed or homemade waffle mix. The secret is the shape of the press, which turns batter into charming little waffle bowls, ready to be filled with whatever your hungry heart desires.
Make Dinner With an App With This Bluetooth Sous Vide Cooker
Want to try sous vide cooking, without adding a bulky appliance to your kitchen? This sous vide precision cooker is one smart invention, and I do mean smart, since you can monitor your meal via an app! Simply place the device in any pot full of water, add a sealed package of food, then do the rest from your phone or tablet.
Cool Off Fast Anywhere, Anytime With This Chill Pad
The Chill Pad is a simple concept that works surprisingly well (earning it hundreds of 5-star reviews!). Just soak the cloth in water, wring it out, then drape it on your head, neck, or anywhere else that feels good. The instant cooling effect is refreshing on hot days or after intense workouts.
What’s Old Is New Again! Try These Cooking Chopsticks
I admit, this is not a new invention. In fact, chopsticks have been around for thousands of years, ever since our cavemen ancestors realized it was better to use twigs than fingers to pluck food out of fires. Now, cooking chopsticks are making a big comeback as modern chefs rediscover their usefulness and versatility.
Embrace the Delicious Power of the Dark Side With This Awesome Darth Vader Toaster
“Luke, I am your toaster.”
“That’s…possible?!”
Yes, Luke, yes it is. Not only does this toaster look like Darth Vader’s helmet, it also produces toast (or waffles or Pop Tarts) emblazoned with the Star Wars logo.
Turn Just About Anything Into a Frozen Treat With These DIY Ice Pop Bags
Remember Otter Pops? These ice pop bags let you make your own frozen treats! For healthy snacks, fill the bags with juice or yogurt, add chopped fruit, then freeze. The set of 125 bags includes a funnel for easy filling.
Improve Dryer Efficiency and Reduce Fire Risk With This Dryer Vent Brush
For a long time, I thought I was doing my dryer’s due diligence by sweeping lint out of the trap every so often. Then one day, I shined a flashlight in there and discovered a deep well of old, dusty lint that had been hiding underneath for years. I went on Amazon to research a solution and sure enough, this handy brush is the answer. Goodbye forever, lint!
Reduce Your Plastic Waste With These Eco-Friendly Bamboo Toothbrushes
Not only are these bamboo toothbrushes better for the environment, but they look and feel fabulous. A thousand 5-star reviews on Amazon praise them for having a “long product life” with bristles “just below medium firmness.”
Scrub Skin More Effectively With This Spatula for Your Face
This facial gadget is like an electronic spatula specially designed to deep-clean and improve the quality of your skin. It has three modes: cleansing, moisturizing, and lifting. One five-star reviewer says, “You can see dirt and oil coming off your face as you use it.”
Detangle and Dry Hair Faster With This Flex Brush
You may already know about the Wet Brush, the genius solution to detangling wet hair. Now, they’ve upped their game with the new Flex Brush. It has all the detangling power of the original in a flexible, open design that speeds drying. Use it with a blowdryer to let air circulate more effectively, so hair dries faster and with less damage.
Sink Into New Levels of Laziness With This Flexible Phone Holder
Drape it around your neck. Balance it in bed. Coil it around your car’s gear shift. This flexible phone holder is versatile, but always helps you achieve the same goal: Watching your phone hands-free!
Get Every. Last. Drop. With This Bottle-Draining Flip-It Gadget
Another Shark Tank success story, the Flip-It solves the old problem of how to get the last drops out of food and toiletry bottles. Save time, money, and frustration! Comes in a pack of six, and they can be reused again and again.
Double Your Mixing Power With This Helix Hand Beater
This new spin on an old appliance made the list of Oprah’s Favorite Things for a good reason. The helix design means twice the beater surface touching ingredients, which leads to a more powerful mix in less time.
Cook Smarter, Not Harder With This High-Temp Ground Beef Chopper
Perfect for chili, bolognese, or any other recipe that begins with ground beef! The nylon chopper is rated to 400 degrees, which means you can safely press it right down in the pan as you break up ground meat. Ensures even cooking and is a heck of a lot easier than using a spatula or wooden spoon.
This Honey/Jam Spoon Is All Bent Up on Purpose!
At first glance, this interesting little spoon may look like it took an unfortunate trip through the garbage disposal, but its bent handle has a very specific purpose. Use the spoon to scoop jam or honey, then rest it on the edge of the jar so it can safely drip any leftovers back in. Some users like this spoon for stirring tea or coffee, too!
Increase Kitchen Storage With This Instant Stove Shelf
No hardware or installation required! Just pop the magnetic, stainless steel shelf on top of your stove and, voila, you’ve gained a sleek storage space perfect for spices, oils, or decorative objects. One 5-star reviewer says, “Love it. The magnets are super strong.”
Increase Your Comfort Level by 1000% With This Cushy iPad Pillow
Holding your tablet in your hot little hands is so last year. Upgrade your life with this 100% cotton denim-covered iPad pillow! It’s soft, adjustable, and lets you get more comfortable while watching TV on your tablet.
Get Into Jars Faster With This Handy Jar Opener
When I was little, my mom taught me the trick of using a spoon to release the seal on stubborn jar lids. Unfortunately, spoons don’t always work. Enter this clever jar opener, a new gadget that helps you unseal the tightest lids with a flick of the wrist.
Treat Your Cat Right With This Kitty Pass Cat Door
Not only is this Kitty Pass cat door super cute, it’s also easy to install according to hundreds of positive reviews. Works on just about any interior door to create a cat-sized passage between rooms. Use it to give access to a litter box in a closet or bathroom!
Nighttime Runs and Playtime Are Safer With These Light-Up Shoe Clips
If you run or walk at night, or your kids play outdoors past sunset, you need to prioritize visibility. These light-up shoe clips attach in a second to any pair of shoes, then provide at least 70 hours of illumination. One 5-star reviewer says, “I’ve been sharing my love of these shoe clips with a ton of people. Safe and fun!”
Stop Snoring and Get a Better Night’s Sleep With These Nose Plugs
More effective than adhesive nose strips, these new nose plugs comfortably dilate nasal passages to stop snoring and increase breath flow. One reviewer says, “I slept much better and more deeply, waking up feeling much more refreshed…Great value! I can’t believe I got such great relief for such a low price.”
Make Your Kitchen Look Better, Smell Better With These Peach-Scented Scrubbers
A silicone scrubber might not seem like the most exciting new invention, but just wait till you see the 1,000+ positive reviews. People love these peach-scented scrubbers! Reviewers are saying, “I never thought that dishwashing scrubbers can smell so good” and “it cleans like a demon.”
Defy Gravity With This Phone Case That Sticks to Walls
This is the type of invention I love best: I never knew I wanted it, but now that I’ve seen it, I can’t imagine going another day without! This phone case uses nano-suction technology to adhere to almost any smooth surface, including whiteboards, glass, mirrors, tile, metal, kitchen cabinets, and painted walls.
Keep Glasses Safe and Close at Hand With This Plush Eyeglasses Holder
I have several family members who need this plush eyeglasses holder immediately. Perfect for bedside, desk, or bathroom, this holder has a weighted, magnetic bottom to help it stay in place, providing a soft landing for your glasses when you’re not wearing them.
Keep Daily Meds or Vitamins Handy With This Portable Pill Box
This new portable pill box is the Goldilocks of pill containers: not too big, not too small. Its just-right size holds quite a bit of medication while still fitting inconspicuously into a pocket or purse. Priced right, and comes in a 4-pack.
This Quick-Chill Pint Glass Keeps Your Beer Frosty Cold From First Sip to Last
If you like to drink your beer cold, this is the pint glass for you! Freeze the glass ahead of time, then pour in a drink to maintain a frosty 43-53 degree temperature. One reviewer says, “I love how they keep my pre-chilled beer, Hint Water, and other drinks icy cold, for an extended period of time, without ice cubes diluting beverages.”
Keep Salads Fresh With This Iced Serving Bowl
Serve fresher food at your next potluck, picnic, or barbecue! This BPA-free, sturdy plastic serving bowl is designed to transport salad or fruit in the lidded bowl, then fill that lid with ice and nestle it underneath to keep the salad chilled and fresh.
Never Get Locked Out Again With This Sprinkler Head Hide-a-Key
I’ve seen the rock-shaped hide-a-keys for years, but this new design caught my eye. Hide your spare key inside this case that looks exactly like a sprinkler head for added security and peace of mind.
Store Pens and Pencils in the Cutest Way Possible With This Stand-Up Case
I have three daughters, so trust me, I know there are a zillion cute pencil cases on the market. What impressed me about this one is that it stands up securely, making it easy to access and taking up less room on the desktop. Choose from two sizes and six completely adorable designs.
Make Your Own Coffee Concentrate With This Toddy Cold Brew System
This new spin on cold brew has earned well over 1,000 positive reviews so far! The Toddy Cold Brew System uses regular coffee beans, reusable filters, and no electricity to produce smooth, delicious coffee concentrate that stays fresh up to two weeks in the fridge.
This Water Bottle Lights Up to Remind You to Hydrate
This new water bottle is fun and functional! The color-changing LED light glows through water for a groovy reminder to keep hydrating. Plus, the bottle also contains a wireless Bluetooth speaker! What more could a water bottle do for you?!
Manicures Are a Heck of a Lot Easier With This Nail Polish Holder
I’m a bit of a klutz when it comes to painting my own nails, so I need all the help I can get. Enter this wearable polish holder, which slips over your fingers to hold the polish right where you need it.
Every Glass of Wine Tastes Better With This Wine Aerator
If you like wine, you need this aerator. Slip it into the top of any wine bottle and pour; the design introduces air to the wine, resulting in a fresher-tasting glass. I find this especially improves the flavor of wine that’s been open for a day or two.
Massively Increase Closet Space With This Wonder Hanger
Small closet? Too many clothes? Problem solved with the Wonder Hanger, which lets you hang five garments on each hanger. Reviewers say, “These hangers made reorganizing my closets highly successful and satisfying” and “I couldn’t live without these things!”