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Sure, These 31 Products Are Boring, But That Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Overperform
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More These have a “second encore at a concert” vibe. I am a staff writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team who focuses primarily on practical and problem-solving products (although you can also catch me writing about cute, fun, and ~weird~ products, too!). My colleague Sally Elshorafa invested in this tool and LOVES it: "After moving to the East Coast, I quickly learned that the stone pathways around my home are basically a spa retreat for moss and weeds. The cracks collect moisture, trap organic debris, and offer *just* enough shelter to help unwanted greenery flourish, especially with all the shade and rain we get. I didn't want my outdoor space to turn into a jungle, so I grabbed this tool and got to work. It's weirdly satisfying — kind of like flossing, but for your stone paths. The bent tip slides right into the cracks and pulls weeds out from the root, which helps keep them from coming back anytime soon. I've used it on my pathways, driveway, and anywhere else something tries to sprout where it shouldn't. The handle is comfortable, and it doesn't take much effort to use. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you've got hardscaping, you need this in your toolkit." Promising review: "Unbeknownst to me, my wife decided to replace our mattress with the hardest slab of concrete on which I've ever had to sleep. I ordered this cover hoping for a tiny bit of relief. From the first night, it exceeded all my hopes and dreams. I was able to sleep again; it doesn't slip off even with my tossing and turning, and it stays cool. This mattress cover probably saved my marriage. Thank you!" —michael ervin Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in sizes Twin–California King and in three colors). The liners come with trimming guidelines so you can cut the insert to your desired size. Promising review: "My shoes get so sweaty, and these flat socks make them wearable in the hot Texas summer! I already bought another pair! They have already been washed, and they are still perfect." —lane hardgrave Get it from Amazon for $9.32+ (available in two sizes [fits women's sizes 6–13] and four colors). Promising review: "Saw on TikTok (don’t judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you’re left with a clean sink! I use it with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend it for weekly maintenance." —Jessica House Promising review: "Fabulous water pressure and it really does a good job of getting stuff out of your teeth. I was skeptical, but I used it and then manually flossed afterward, and there was no plaque or food bits to be found!" —Bea Goodwin Get it from Amazon for $19.96+ (available in four colors). Promising review: "These are great. They wash well, they are very soft, and so thin you can't even see them if you have a tight dress or skirt on. No issues with shrinking. I love them." —jill ann krajewskidolores Get a six-pack from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 15 color combinations). BuzzFeed Shopping editor Melanie Aman loves hers — check out her Shark NeverChange Air Purifier review to learn more. Promising review: "Powerful for the size. It's easy to find a spot to place it. I love how quiet it is, so it can run through the night while we sleep. We have definitely seen a difference in our home with allergy relief and the freshness of the air. Simple to use." —Amazon Customer "The air feels fresher, and it helps a lot with dust and everyday odors. I really like the NeverChange filter design because it saves money and hassle in the long run — no constant filter replacements to worry about." —LDevell Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in four sizes and seven colors). Promising review: "This is the best fan I have ever had! It gets hot where I live — over 100 degrees in the summer. A fan is a necessity. I have had and used at least a dozen fans in my life, and this one is my favorite! It is quiet! It has a few different settings. At first, I thought that most of the settings were a gimmick, but it turns out they are actually useful. I really like the fact that it has a 'night mode' that makes the display lights turn off, and it gets very quiet, but stays surprisingly effective. The little storage part for the remote is very handy as well. I have not taken it apart to clean it yet, but that looks easy. Overall great fan!" —Richard R. Get it from Amazon for $56.99+ (available in black or white, two heights, and with or without Wi-Fi). Promising review: "These shades work great. With a freshly cleaned window, they stick to the glass quickly, even in Arizona. They fold up easily and stay on indefinitely." —Brad Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.80 (also available in a pack of two). Promising review: "Seriously makes cleaning so much easier. I’ll definitely continue to purchase. The material is thick and moist. I especially liked the fact that it was strong and didn’t tear. Dog ears are clean, and they smell great." —Pat BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Danielle Healy says, "I hate wrinkles *and* am lazy — two at-odds conditions. This stuff has been a staple in my life since approximately ninth grade (thanks to my mama). As a former Catholic school uniform wearer, I have discovered that this stuff was VITAL to freshening up wrinkly dress shirts that spent the after-school hours stuffed in a gym bag. The scent is light and fresh, and its wrinkle-releasing powers are nearly instant. It definitely works better on some fabrics than others (great on cotton, less great on some synthetics), but it'll improve the look of most without dealing with an iron or steamer." This product’s packaging says to avoid using it around open food, so keep your chip bags closed and hot dogs covered while you hang out. But it should be fine to pull out a hot dog and handful of chips if you’re going to eat them right away. Read more about the low dosages of pesticides in products like this at the American Mosquito Control Association. Promising review: "I live in Florida. This is the only product that actually keeps the bugs away. I've tried everything — most do not stand up to the sheer volume of mosquitos we have here. Especially when I head out camping! This does the job every time. It needs a little bit of forethought to make sure you get it up and running a few minutes before you need it. But I love being able to sit on my porch again, or by my tent again." —Kate Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in six colors). Promising review: "Our new LG washer gets a stinky smell every so often, so I bought these tabs. I put one in a month on the clean tub setting, and it eliminates the odor. I just made a T-chart with a permanent marker on the box for the months and added an X when I put the tab in for the month. This way I don't miss a month, and my washer runs great." —akkeber Get six tablets from Amazon for $11.98 (also available in packs of 5 and 12). And while you're at it, you might as well grab these refills! Promising review: "A MUST-BUY. These are great disposable toilet bowl cleaners. I don't know why I didn't buy them sooner. The handle easily attaches to the scrubber, you dip it into the toilet water, and start scrubbing away. The cleaning solution starts foaming a bit and cleans very well. Once done, just hover over your trash can and press the release button on the handle and done. It's so much more sanitary and clean compared to using the old brushes. It's easy and no more worrying about the brushes being dirty and growing bacteria." —JL7390 BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Sam Wieder has good things to say about this! Check out her Fullstar veggie chopper review. Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. This requires very little effort to cut through the food, and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four styles and colors). Psst — one dermatologist on TikTok even recommends using it on your armpits to help fight the bacteria that causes body odor! Promising reviews: "I have very oily skin and have been dealing with recurrent acne every summer, even in my mid-thirties. This is the ONLY thing that has consistently made my skin clear." —Jimmzi "My sisters were constantly raving about this toner, so I decided to try it. Since using it, I’ve realized why they love it so much! My skin went from bumpy and textured to smooth and glowy. My clogged pores have completely disappeared. I’ve already recommended this product to a bunch of my friends, and they love it too! I’ve been using this product for about two months, and it’s still doing wonders. Definitely worth buying!" —Noa May Get it from Amazon for $9+ (available in two sizes and multipacks). Promising reviews: "My mother’s group recommended this stain-removing spray. I was dumb enough to put my 6-month-old in a white bib while he enjoyed some frozen berry teethers. This came to the rescue (pictured above)!" —L "I never write reviews, but this stuff is absolutely amazing! I keep this in the laundry basket and spray as stains happen, and even white clothes come out perfectly clean each time! I mostly use it for baby poop, but it’s also worked on food and coffee stains for me and my husband. Seriously, a lifesaver!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (available in multiple pack styles). Promising review: "Wow! Bought this little steamer and am really impressed. I did one go on my brother's couch, and [there's a] difference. It could use one more go to get to the 'looking like brand new,' but this is amazing!!! When you watch the video in the product description, there is something oddly satisfying about watching the dirty water get suctioned in after spraying the surface you are cleaning, but I must admit I didn't believe it would work that well. Well, it does!! Just like advertised! I am so impressed. If you are considering this cleaner, get it; you will not be disappointed." —edina bajraktarevic BuzzFeed Home and Garden editor Sally Elshorafa has this and loves it. Check out her Bissell Little Green Machine review! Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (also available in a Deluxe and Mini style). I use an unscented laundry detergent because I have sensitive skin. But, I often missed my clothes having a fresh, just-cleaned scent. My roommate — an athlete about four times over — put me on to this; she works out so much that her sweaty, smelly gear needed a little extra help. So, I started using this non-bleach sanitizer in "crisp linen" hoping it wouldn't affect my skin...and it didn't! Now, my clothes smell amazing and *feel* cleaner. I currently have three (3) bottles of this because I hate running out! Promising reviews: "It’s a must-buy for our household. It tackles football gear, wrestling gear, and all sorts of smelly stuff." —Andrew "So I went three months without using this in my wash, what a difference. I highly recommend this product to remove, smells bacteria, and germs. The freshness of my clothes is super important to me and this restores freshness and lasts all month. I will never stop using this in my laundry ever again unless they quit making it." —ShonaMarie Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in three scents). BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Sam Wieder has this and loves it! Check out her Wet and Forget shower cleaner review! Promising review: "I have well water. Something in my well water reacts with copper plumbing and turns my shower tiles blue. Since my bathroom color scheme isn't on the blue spectrum, this is problematic. The well water also causes the shower glass to film up quickly. I've tried dozens and dozens of cleaners and scrubbed ’til my arms ached, trying to get ahead of the blue and scumminess. My ambition in life is NOT to be a full-time bathroom scrubber! I saw this stuff on a professional house cleaner's TikTok (sorry, I don't remember which one) and thought, 'What the heck, might as well give it a try.' Oh my goodness, the first day after my shower, I sprayed this stuff all over and walked away. The next morning, there was a NOTICEABLE reduction in the blue, and the glass looked clearer, too. On day two, I sprayed again and walked away. The next morning, the blue was gone except for a few spots on the floor tile, and the glass looked amazing. On day three, I sprayed the remaining spots, and the next morning, the shower practically looked new. NO SCRUBBING AT ALL!!!! This is my new favorite shower cleaner. The ONLY con I have is that it makes me sneeze while spraying from inside the shower, but I can live with that." —L. J. Petillo Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes, two scents, and a pack of two). Promising review: "I love this thing! The handle makes it so much easier to wash the walls in my shower. No more grinding my knuckles against the shower wall as I'm cleaning it. Just a handle and an easy glide. They are thick and sturdy, and the normal size of a Magic Eraser. I was hoping they would be thicker, but I'm okay with it. I'm definitely a fan and will buy it again!" —Dawne Get a tool and two refills from Amazon for $12.99. Promising review: "These lights are very cool. They feel and look well-made. First, I charged them. Then cleaned under the cabinet with a good degreaser and then stuck them on. They attach with magnets. They come off easily for recharging. Also, I LOVE that you can set them to automatic on (when you get close), full on, or off. I chose the soft white, and they really are perfect. I will be buying more!" —Janis Tomasone Get it from Amazon for $16.94+ (available in two sizes and two light temperatures). Promising review: "Between me (medium long hair) and my overly fluffy cat, a lot of hair and fluff was continually getting caught up on the roller brush of my vacuum. I dreaded vacuuming because it took so long to pull and snip the hairs wrapped up on the roller brush out with scissors. Not anymore! This silly, little, inexpensive thing works great! Super quick to remove all the hair/fur — in virtually a minute, then back to vacuuming with my lovely Miele vacuum." —MKS The water-resistant light comes with a replaceable lithium battery. Promising review: "So glad I found these. I have one on my apartment key and another on my mailbox key. They really work well, especially in low lighting. Since my vision is no longer perfect, these lights save me time so I don’t have to fumble trying to get my key into the locks. I definitely recommend them. I have a spare for replacement, but they last a long time." —Marni BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Sam Wieder uses these all the time. Check out her Affresh dishwasher cleaner tablets review! Promising reviews: "These are genuinely magical, there’s no other word for it. I had lost all hope of ever making the dishwasher smell acceptable again when I saw these in a BuzzFeed article. It works wonders, seriously. Great product and worth every penny." —Madison Murphy "This pack of six tablets is a game changer, specially formulated to remove limescale and buildup, ensuring optimal performance. Using Affresh regularly has revitalized my dishwasher, leaving it looking and smelling brand new after each wash cycle. The convenience of the tablet format makes application a breeze — simply drop one in and let it work its cleaning magic. Say farewell to stubborn residues and hello to spotless dishes! Elevate your dishwasher maintenance with Affresh — a must-have for anyone seeking efficiency and cleanliness in every wash." —Ryan Promising review: "I’ve used Color Catchers for many years, so I can wash darks and lights together. They save time and money. (I’ve given boxes to each of my children as they head off to college.) You can tell they work because you see the color they soak up. Recently, a new purple shirt took me by surprise and ran profusely. I had two color catchers in that load, and they both turned deep violet." —Go Steelers Promising review: "I love WD-40 products and use them for everything. I spray on shovels to keep dirt or snow from sticking, spray around windows and thresholds to deter bugs, clean Sharpies off wood and walls, and, of course, stop squeaky doors. These small direct-point application pens are great. Keep one in the glove box, my kitchen 'junk' drawer, and in the house toolbox." —BBP623 Get a three-pack from Amazon for $12.49. Promising reviews: "What doesn't it do? I absolutely love this product. It works great on dishes and pretty much anything you want to clean! Soap scum; gone! Laundry stains; bye! Baseboards/woodwork sparkle! Sneakers, yup! I hate cleaning, so anything that makes it easier ❤️." —Kimba "The only dish soap allowed in my household. 😅 JK I have used other different types, and this is the only one that has worked amazingly in all my cleaning. Not only do I use it on my dishes, but to clean my bathroom, husband's grill, and everything else that needs a good cleaning." —Lizbeth F Even BuzzFeed writer Heather Braga is a fan: "The spray itself is a WORKHORSE. It's incredible how well it works. I use it on all my pots, pans, and dishes. I even use it to clean my kitchen counters at the end of the day. It loosens all the gunk and makes it much easier to clean burnt bits and pieces off. I've even seen a friend use it to immediately remove a coffee stain from a white sweater!" Get the starter kit (with one reusable spray bottle and one refill) from Amazon for $8.44. Promising reviews: "After seeing the reviews for this on BuzzFeed so many times, I finally caved and ordered one. Now, I own nearly every cat hair removal device, and some barely work, and some work pretty well. This device is THE best ever, and I will never need to buy another!" —Andrea Sipe "I have a golden retriever, and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair, and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie; this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before-and-after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly, and everything he says is true; you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back and forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout, and it works wonders." —Joanne Ertel Read BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes' ChomChom review to learn more! Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (you must clip the coupon for this price; available in four colors and a mini portable style for on-the-go use). Promising review: "I had my eye on this because of a BuzzFeed article that featured it as a great product. I ended up ordering it because all of my sweaters/leggings/sweatpants end up covered in pilling and fuzz after going in the dryer. After using this on my sweatpants, I went wild and used it on everything. Needless to say, it works great! I can actually wear one of my favorite sweaters in public again without feeling silly! It's also super easy to clean out whatever residue you pick up in the lint machine too." —Sarah Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors). Each planner comes with 50 tear-off sheets the size of a standard piece of paper. Promising review: "How did I live without these? Since I began working from home, these sheets are the best. They keep you accountable, and I can go back to see what I accomplished each day, since you have to report your daily tasks. About to order more...thanks for making life easier! —Pame66 Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in nine styles and two sizes). 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. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.