43 Quirky But Decidedly Useful Products

Jul 23, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

It turns out TikTok has good reason to recommend you have your very own "Shower Cat."

BuzzFeed Staff

Check out a TikTok of the cloud knife in action.

Promising review: "I love these — sturdy, sharp with retractable blade. I keep them in different rooms for opening packages or breaking down boxes to recycle. Would recommend and buy again." —Amy Yasneski

Get a set of six from Amazon for $10.68.

Promising review: "I have always had serious dark circles and bags under my eyes and this has really changed this for me. The results are incredible. The puffiness is gone. The dark circles are hardly noticeable. My sensitive skin has not broken out. I never write reviews, but this was so good that I had to write a review. This actually works." —Ben

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Promising review: "I ordered this lamp because of its appearance. I didn't NEED a depressed duck lamp ... but it has totally filled a void in my life I didn't know existed. Everyone who sees it pokes it. The lamp is actually very functional. It's got a really nice set of brightness options and the glow is yellowish, which is much nicer than white in a dim/dark room. One thing that isn't mentioned in the description is that its legs are utterly floppy. It's terrific." —Literated

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available also as a cabbage?? I don't know, you do do).

Shower Cat is a small business established in 2021 specializing in products to prevent shower clogs.

Promising review: "I first saw this product on TikTok and knew immediately that I needed it. I just moved into a new apartment and I didn’t want to be how I used to be, where I’d just let hair go down the drain and plug it eventually, or peel it off of the drain after each shower. It works great but I probably need some practice with it. I currently just floss my hair through it so it will hold them and there are a few stray hairs that don’t stick. I would recommend to anyone who is tired of putting your loose strands of hair on the shower wall." —Cari Schwartzkopf

Get it from Amazon for $14.95.

Promising review: "My whole family is a fan of The Office, so when I was searching for a magnet we could use on our dishwasher, this was the hands-down winner. Does it go with my farmhouse decor? Nope, not at all. But it does get the attention of two teenage boys. Had I gone with something a bit more my decor style, I can guarantee you it would not be as useful. I mean, we all would much rather see Prison Mike staring back at us than suit and tie Michael Scott, right? And there is only one way for that to happen...clean out the dishwasher!" —R. Funk

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

Check out a TikTok of the book vase in action.

Promising review: "The vase was so pretty I bought a second! They're durable and very appealing to the eye. I will be purchasing more." —kayla

Get it from Amazon for $15.49+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok, it works great so far." —MarMarManuel

*Another* promising review: "After just two days of use, this adorable little octopus has done wonders for me, smells great too. Here's how I used it: I wore down the stick just a little to where the texture from the salt is visible, scrubbed around on my face so there was plenty of product, then I used my fingers to gently massage all the gunk away. Rinse, pat dry, and enjoy the softness. Highly recommended for people with sensitive skin like myself." —LuckLocust

Get it from Amazon for $11.88.

It includes a chef's knife, paring knife, bread knife, slicing knife, utility knife, and santoku knife. Psst — the knives don't come with this a holder, but you can snag an easy-to-install magnetic bar for knives on Amazon if you want to display them like this reviewer did!

Promising review: "This is my best buy of the month, and best knife buy of the year. Yeah, I've had sharper, better-quality knives in the past, but for hundreds of dollars more. For basic kitchen use, this is the set to buy. I like that they're colorful, because I've already been able to familiarize myself with which knife is which color and what I need to use them for. I haven't had to sharpen them yet and I've been using them pretty steadily for about a month. The blade cases they come with are extremely handy. I like that I don't have to use a knife block. These fit nicely in my drawer. At this price, they are worth every penny. I wouldn't have a problem spending $40–$50 for these knives." —GWP

Get a set of six knives with covers from Amazon for $18.99.

Promising review: "So, yes, TikTok made me buy this, but so far I really like it. It's obviously very adorable and offers a charming spot to keep my keys that works with my entryway. I'm really surprised by how strong the hold is for such a small object — I carry my car fob and a few keys and so far it's holding strong. I hung it with Command strips to avoid any potential damage to the wall and I will say make sure it's level as the hold is not so good on an angle (but that was from the original in-hand testing). Definitely recommend and for the price, I'm very tempted to get one for my at-work office." —D. Carter

Get it from Amazon for $7.28.

Promising review: "If I could give this 10 stars I would! Ran out of 'The Ordinary' hyaluronic acid I’ve been using for a year and no stores close sold it so I gave this a try. So glad I did because it’s a thousand times better!! I put it on first, then moisturizer after I put on my primer and makeup and it looks the best it’s ever looked. My pores were smaller in just three days and my skin so hydrated. I have combo skin son my 'T' zone gets awfully oily. The fix is to make sure your skin is hydrated. Also the bottle is twice the size of 'The Ordinary'! This does it all!!! So very impressed." —smnthfinch

Get it from Amazon for $7.08.

Promising review: "I came from TikTok ... not disappointed. It is great for frothing without having splashes go everywhere." —Kyle

"I love glassware, especially borosilicate glass, because it’s delicate and yet strong, it’s thinner and lighter than most glass. This is is definitely a conversation piece, because of its small milk carton shape and it holds a significant amount of cream or milk. It’s perfect for use during brunch, and during coffee or tea dates with friends. To get it cleaned, I use warm water, dish soap, and a small foam brush, than I put it on the dish rack to air dry." —APR63

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in six styles).

Soho Kitchen is a small NYC-based business established in 2015 that specializes in quirky pizza products.

Promising review: "My husband loooves pizza and I thought this would be a great gift for him. Both wheels can cut the pizza and it’s very easy to use. It’s also really cute! We keep it displayed in the kitchen when not in use." —Bia DeBoer

Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

Promising review: "I LOVE this night-light. It's in my bathroom and is a lovely addition. It turns off the second the lights go on which is nice that I don't have to worry about accidentally leaving it on. Super cute and the little itty-bitty lighting element does a good job lighting, just enough so I don't have to turn the main lights on in the middle of the night." —1Thand

Get it from Amazon for $5.97.

Check them out on TikTok of the cat and mouse hooks in action.

Promising reviews: "These are so cute and easy to install. My husband always forgets to put his keys away so I got these to try to condition him into hanging them up. Now he has a little friend say hello when he gets home." —leaaffy

Get a four-piece set from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in a six-pack that includes a monkey and baby chick).

Promising review: "This is the cutest kitchen accessory I’ve purchased and practical too. It makes me smile every time I use it. You have to check out their other kitchen accessories too, the Nessie soup ladle and the mama Nessie colander spoon. Get their products for the young cooks in your life or the young at heart!" —Goodwyfe

Get it from Amazon for $11.95.

Check out a TikTok of the mini ceramic bathtub in action.

Promising review: "I ordered two of these. One I used as a regular soap dish in my tub. It has holes for drainage which is a plus. I also used it as a cute plant decanter. I placed some succulents in it and voila ... the cutest planter for my bathroom." —Diane Sheehan

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in six colors).

Starface World is a small business that specializes in cruelty-free skincare products.

Promising review: "I wouldn’t recommend anything else but these. My pimples always go down without scarring when I wear stars. There’s a cute little mirror in it and there’s so many stars that it will last you a long time." —Jess

Get a set of 32 from Amazon for $14.97.

Promising review: "This little utensil is adorable, and quite practical. When I saw it on TikTok I knew I had to have one. You simply put a slice of lemon in and pour out the juice. It looks so pretty sitting on the table and comes in very handy." —Dian Marchese

Get it from Amazon for $5.39.

Get it from our Goodful shop for $60 (available in three sets).

Promising review: "Did I absolutely need this? No. Does it make me ridiculously happy? Yes! It's so cute. You can remove a layer or two of the 'leaves' to make more room. I have two-thirds on right now to hold cotton swabs. Brings a smile to my face every time I stand at my sink." —amester26

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three colors).

Zipcicle is a family-owned, US-based small business established in 2009 that specializes in family-friendly ice pop mold sleeves.

Promising review: "These work great and do not leak. I fill them up, seal them, and stand them up in a cup in the freezer so they can freeze straight. We have made banana Nutella and orange creamsicle so far. I have a tiny wire brush for our metal straws, so I use that to clean these after each use." —mary kalesse

"I purchased these to make wine ice pops! They did NOT disappoint! I used Pinot Grigio, peach Waterloo and frozen peaches. Pulsed the one and the peaches in my blend tech blender. Added the Waterloo. Froze them. They were a hit!" —Noevlie

Get a set of 100 from Amazon for $9.72.

Promising review: "These waffles brought smiles and giggles to our breakfast table. Our kids are 10 and 12, and they really enjoyed the animal shapes and particularly the 'dipping' size of the waffles. And so did my husband and I. The waffle maker is super easy to use, all the faces were clearly imprinted, and I didn't have any issue with cooking time or uneven browning. LOTS of FUN! At $30, why not? Wish we'd had this years ago!" —jchungmd

Get it from Amazon for $34.95.

Bonus: these sponges basically have two "modes." In cold water they get super firm for tough scrubbing, and in warm water they go soft for cleaning that doesn't require as much heavy lifting. They also have a super fast drying time, which helps keep them odor-resistant for a full eight weeks. And the little holes in the eyes and smile make it easier to clean things with ridges and angles, like spoons and chopsticks.

Check out a TikTok of the Scrub Daddy in action.

Promising review: "I used to 'save' these little gems for 'special projects' (what projects, I don't know, because I ended up not ever using them!). Then one day I decided 'what the heck, just use one in the sink for dishes, you can always buy more.' Lo and behold, I LOVE them! They remove food off of dishes more easily than a sponge and I just throw them in the top rack of the dishwasher and they come out spotless! They never smell and always rinse out nicely in between washings. These little gems even take off hard water build up from my shower doors! (I also use regular cleaners with them to do the trick.) I love these so much I bought a bunch and used them as stocking stuffers last Xmas! Everyone loves them!" —DivaGranny

Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.98.

Check out a TikTok of the snail teabag holder in action.

Promising review: "Love these fun little quirky tea slugs. They work on all shapes and sizes of mugs and have brought a smile to all who either used them or were the lucky recipients of their own batch of tea slugs from me. They clean up well with just a quick rinse under the sink and are even fun to use on wine or cocktail glasses to help guests track their drink." —NC

Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $6.48.

Promising review: "He can go anywhere in your fridge, a true icon. Easy to clean, but would recommend a funnel for filling. He makes me happy when I go into the fridge. He is the snack guardian and I love him." —Gabba

Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

Here's what BuzzFeeder Heather Braga has to say about this: "I have this drying rack! We keep it next to our full-sized drying rack and as my son has gotten older we've also started using it to dry reusable food pouches (and all the pieces that go along with that) as well as his sippy cup and any teethers we've washed."

Promising review: "Newborn twins are a mess. They took over our house within moments of coming through the door. For this type A mama, it was a horrifying side effect of the two most precious things in the world. A friend gave us one lawn at our shower, and we promptly hopped on Amazon and bought a second to manage the sheer volume. The lawn and the accessories are a convenient and cute way to keep your bottles and pump parts organized. There is ample space in one for one baby's needs." —Lacey

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three styles).

Check out a TikTok of the foaming mask in action.

Promising review: "I love this stuff! I received some for a gift and then purchased it for my daughter from Amazon. It feels like a clay mask going on, and then starts bubbling and turns to a thinner substance when it's done. I feel like it is very gentle on my face. My skin feels amazing after I wash it off. It feels like I used moisturizer, even though I did not. I hear that these masks are very popular in Japan." —L. Shea

Get it from Amazon for $9.08+ (available in packs of one, two, and three).

Promising review: "Love love love this! Super easy to use, doesn’t stick to the pan if you spray first, and they look pretty dang cute! My daughter now begs for them! So happy I purchased this! I used crescent rolls for my dough." —Hoboken Girl

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I’ve minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It’s a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway so it’s not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher!" —Barbie

Get it from Amazon for $22.95.

Also, these come in a TON of different colors and emotions (from angry to sad to, uh, murderous??) so you're guaranteed to find one to express yourself.

Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok like everyone else but I quickly realized, when I got one, how helpful this is to my family. Now they don't have to guess when they shouldn't bother me, they'll just KNOW. It's saving lives and it's adorable. The perfect thing. :)" —MCalms

Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in 41 styles).

Check out a TikTok of the pet carrier in action.

Vetreska is a small business that specializes in chic pet products for home and travel.

Promising review: "I got these for my cats. They are inside boys and when I use the harness in the fenced backyard they tend to eat grass. My ginger is a rotund 19 pounds but this contraption fits his extra large bod with room for him to turn around and check out the ladies." —andjas96

Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (clip the $10 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in four styles).

Promising review: "This has been in use at our house for about a year now. VERY VERY sturdy. We are truly impressed. Thought we would get maybe six months before it cracked. NOPE. Still looks new." —T.J. Dukie

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three breeds and a mouse).

Check out a TikTok of the cherry toilet brush in action.

Promising review: "This toilet brush makes me want to clean my toilet. It is so cute, exactly what I wanted, and works perfectly!! Fits nicely into my bathroom decor. It was delivered in perfect condition and I've used it three times now. If you're thinking about buying this...do it!" —Michelle Maroon

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

Check out a TikTok of the mushroom cup in action.

Promising review: "It's so cute. It gives me so much serotonin drinking from it and having it on my desk. I'm always craving any sort of liquid so I do drink it pretty fast, but I just keep a refill close. The cup makes it worth the trip to refill." —PoisonedTendrils

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "Not only are these really pretty to use and fun, but they work very well and they are very soft. I like that the bristles are packed tightly so there’s no gaping. Very user-friendly and easy to use — the brushes do what they are designed to do. They blend, they pick up product. I love them. I’m very happy with them!" —Makeupby_laurenjade

Get a set of ten from Amazon for $7.99.

Promising review: "Large base to put your tea leaves… And leaves do not escape through sides. Plus that it’s adorable! What else do you want?!?! 😂" —deborah

Get it from Amazon for $16.95 (available in three styles).

Promising review: "Hands down, one of the coolest and cutest kitchen gadgets I own. I bought this pitter because my father is a HUGE bing cherry fan. When cherry season is in, you can guarantee he'll be sitting in his recliner with a bowl full of cherries. He normally eats cherries and pits them in his mouth, but in his older age, I worried about him cracking a tooth or choking on the pit. So I bought this pitter and it was an INSTANT hit! He loved how cute it was and the pitter does an amazing job. Easy to use, not a ton of force needed, and then the pits are in one place and easy to throw away!" —cocade27

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

Promising review: "I usually store my glasses in their case. I don't know why that's such a hassle, but I like to be able to just reach for them. But they are also unsafe when they are just sitting on my desk. This little koala solves my problem! He holds my glasses securely and does it in the cutest way possible. Now I can sit at my desk, grab my glasses, and get to work with a smile on my face. And at the end of the day, I just leave them with my koala for safe keeping. Seriously, just get one. I haven't lost my glasses once since I got this." —Bianca

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 11 styles).

Promising review: "I wanted nice sponges that could be used in a guest suite. Most people stay a week at the most, so I was not as concerned about durability as visual appeal. These sponges fit the bill perfectly. They are relatively sturdy, enough so that I typically use the sponge, after my guest leaves, to clean up the suite, and it holds up to that and then some. They are unique and cute, so they kick up the suite experience a notch. They are individually wrapped, so my guest knows that they are not getting a sponge someone else has used. And they don't have a rough scrubbing side, so I don't worry that my pans/pots will get scratched up." —Mad Hen

Get a set of four from Amazon for $6.39.

Each container holds 24 slices of cheese.

Promising review: "I had an old Kraft cheese container from decades ago that finally broke and I didn't think I would be able to find a replacement, but this is even better! My kids named it Daisy immediately. It is cute to have in the fridge or even bring out to the dinner table. Great quality and should last a long time." —Karen

Get it from Amazon for $10.99.

Promising review: "I love this as I’m getting into my super pink era. 💅🏼 It’s a nice weight and not easily breakable. It holds a lot of knickknacks too, from lipsticks to trinkets. I also think it’s really cute. Going to get multiple to put around my home." —Agusta

Get it from Amazon for $13.96+ (available in three shades).

Promising review: "I've been seeing retro-style typewriter keyboards on TikTok for a while now. I aways thought, 'That looks pretty cool!' Decided to look on here and found this one. I just got it today and so far has been working great! I had no problems connecting the keyboard via Bluetooth, and the clicking of the keys is really nice, one of the reasons why I wanted to get this." —dee

Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in 11 colors).

Promising review: "I love this so much. Like, so much. The canister part is glass, which I love. It's also tall enough for long pasta, but also good for macaroni. His lil' noodle noggin is plastic with a silicone seal, so it's actually practical while also being literally the cutest thing in the world. And his eyestalks make opening the lid a breeze while also being absolutely adorable. I really want a little gang of them for my pantry, and I'd make little hats for them." —Surua

Get it from Amazon for $24.95.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.