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30 Weird Things With A Cult Following On Amazon That Are Practical AF

If you're still irritated that smartphones don't have headphone jacks anymore, you might be wondering — where have all the practical items gone? Never fear! There are still a lot of products that are practical AF out there, intuitive to use and quick to master. If only phone companies would take the hint!

These practical items can initially seem pretty weird, but sometimes you have to sacrifice normalcy for true genius. For example, you may have never considered installing a motion sensor light directly inside your toilet, but now I bet you want one to illuminate your path when you wake up after a rowdy night out.

Weird yet practical gadgets are all over Amazon, with some testing better than others. We've done the homework and found some of the very best: Amazon products that have a huge cult following, with many boasting more than 1,000 excellent reviews. This way, you won't be taking such a huge leap when you commit to purchasing a USB solar charger that drapes over your back on long hikes.

These genius ideas are so brilliant that it's hard to believe they're not a staple in every home, from kitchen gadgets like an herb stripper to money-saving, environmentally-friendly dryer balls. And once you get them, you’ll see — they’re practically brilliant.

by Emily Estep

1. These Dryer Balls That Soften Laundry Naturally

Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls, $17 (6 Pack), Amazon

These dryer balls are made entirely of wool and work exactly like dryer sheets — except you can reuse them over and over again, making them far more cost-effective. They also help clothes dry faster and keep them fluffier, and since they aren't made with any chemicals or synthetic fragrances, the dryer balls won't irritate sensitive skin. Each ball should last 1,000 washes, and they help keep larger, heavier items from balling up in the dryer.

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2. This Kitchen Tool That Prepares Pineapples For You

Super Z Outlet Pineapple De-Corer, $7, Amazon

This pineapple de-corer does more than remove the core of a notoriously hard-to-cut fruit — it also peels and slices it. It can create rings or individual slices, and it only takes seconds. The durable stainless steel construction will last you for ages, and the knob and the slicer separate with the push of a button, so it's very easy to clean. "This works flawlessly and is so simple," one reviewer wrote.

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3. This Bold Alarm Clock Will Shake You Right Out Of Bed

Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock, $34, Amazon

This alarm clock will wake up even the deepest sleeper with pulsating bright lights, a very loud alarm, and a bed shaker. If that doesn't get you out of bed, nothing will. You can set the alarm to just the bed shaker if you have a partner or roommates, and you can set the alarm to go off for as little as one minute or as long as 59 minutes. One reviewer writes: "This clock does it. Between the ultra-loud beeping, the flashing lights, and the subtle-but-powerful vibration, I now wake up within a second or two of the alarm going off."

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4. These Brilliant Covers That Keep Food From Falling Between Your Counter And Stovetop

Capparis Stove Counter Gap Covers, $10 (2 Pack), Amazon

These silicone covers are designed to fill that pesky gap between your counter tops and stove, which prevents food from falling down into the depths of nowhere. They're dust-proof, smudge-proof, and have a smooth, non-tacky finish. You can also cut the covers up to be the exact size you need, and they're easy to clean with just a damp cloth, but they can be thrown in the dishwasher. They're also heat-resistant.

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5. This Pillow Stand That Props Up Your Tablet For Easy Viewing

Ipevo PadPillow Stand, $22, Amazon

This tablet pillow stand works with smartphones and tablets to comfortable prop them up when you're traveling or just lying in bed. It's soft enough to keep on your lap or stomach for long periods of times, and can also act like a pillow in a pinch. The 100 percent cotton denim cover can be removed and washed, and it's designed to offer wrist support if you're using it to send emails or work. It's also got two small pockets to fit your phone or stylus pen.

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6. These Pretty Thigh Bands That Keep You From Chafing

Bandelettes Elastic Anti-Chafing Thigh Band, $12, Amazon

These thigh bands look cute and fashion-forward, but their true purpose is to prevent that dreaded thigh chafing. You can wear them under dresses and skirts, or you could even use them when you're working out, and they'll keep your thighs from getting red and irritated. They're made from 90 percent nylon, but have some spandex to keep things comfortable. They have silicone bands on the top and bottom to keep them from sliding, and reviewers say to order them in a size down.

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7. This Flexible Surge Protector Will Let You Plug In All Your Devices

Quirky Pivot Power Outlet, $20, Amazon

This flexible power outlet and surge protector allows you to plug in four things — even if their adapter base is enormous or oddly-shaped. The ability to bend it also means it can be made to fit into more cramped spaces, like behind televisions or on the ground under your desk. It has a two-foot cord, and you can even upgrade to a six-outlet model.

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8. This Genius AF Storage System That Fits In Tight Spaces

Storage Dynamics Slide Out Storage Tower, $25, Amazon

This sleek storage tower fits into tight, underutilized spaces (think the space between your fridge and cabinet or your toilet and sink) and adds a ton of shelving and storage space. It's on wheels, so it will smoothly roll out and won't scratch your floors. Whether you have way too many beauty products or horde various cleaning supplies, these three shelves will keep your home a little neater.

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9. The Drain Snakes That Can Actually Solve Your Plumbing Problems

Vastar Drain Snake, $6 (3 Pack), Amazon

The design of these drain snakes is simple yet genius. They're nearly 20 inches long, made of flexible plastic, and have little jagged, thorn-like edges that grab masses of hair and other unmentionable debris. The drain snakes will help you solve your own plumbing issues for a low price, and will work in the shower and the sink.

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10. This Makeup Storage System That Puts Everything In Reach

Jerrybox 360 Degree Rotation Makeup Organizer, $17, Amazon

This customizable makeup organizer holds tons of beauty products, thanks to seven adjustable trays that let you change the height of each section. They're easy to clean, can hold a lot of weight, and best of all, you can rotate it 360 degrees to access whatever you need — no drawer digging required. You can also purchase it in various designs and colors.

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11. This Latex Tape That Keeps Your At-Home Manicure Looking Professional

PUEEN Latex Peel Off Cuticle Guard, $9, Amazon

This cuticle guard peel-off tape makes your nails look like you got a professional manicure, even when you hastily painted them yourself. All you do it cover your cuticles and the skin right around your nails with the latex tape, wait for it to dry, paint your nails, and then peel the latex back off for a crisp, clean line. It's also great to use as a nail base when you want to do glitter nail polish, because it'll peel the whole thing right off.

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12. This Bedside Caddy That Keeps Everything You Want In Reach

Richards Homewares Gearbox Bedside Caddy, $9, Amazon

This bedside caddy fits snugly over the side of your bed with a panel that securely goes under your mattress — and then you can store all the things you're too lazy to put on your dresser, like tablets, smartphones, glasses, magazines, and books. It's got six pockets in total, is made from durable material, and will fit larger objects like a box of tissues.

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13. These Cable Holders To Keep Your Cords Organized

iGotTech Cable Clips, $10 (6 Pack), Amazon

These silicone cable clips hold two cords each and will keep them from falling down as soon as you unplug them. The sticky bottom side will keep things secure, and it's a strong enough adhesive to keep on the bottom of your desk if you need it to. They'll fit any cord you need it to, from USB chargers to cables.

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14. This Cooker That Prepares Your Eggs Exactly How You Like 'Em

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, $22, Amazon

This egg cooker helps you make a variety of eggs pretty quickly and with no effort — prepare six hard, medium, or soft-boiled eggs, scramble, or poach them. This also makes individual omelets, and all you need to do any of them is push the button (the trays come included). It's dishwasher-safe, comes with a measuring cup, and reviewers write: "This is one of those kitchen gadgets that doesn't immediately jump out at you & say "I need that", but, after you try it, you will wonder why you haven't purchased one sooner!"

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15. This Herb Stripper That Preps Kale And Other Greens, Too

Chef'n Kale Herb Stripper, $8, Amazon

This herb stripper effortlessly strips fresh herbs, which makes prepping fresh herbs with woodier stems like rosemary and oregano a lot easier. And since it has multiple holes of different sizes, you can also use it to prep kale, chard, and other leafy vegetables as well. It's simple to use, and once you're done with it, you can safely toss it in the top rack of the dishwasher. Reviewers love that it has measurements on it so you can see exactly how much you're prepping.

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16. This Light For Your Toilet You Never Knew You Needed

Vintar Motion Sensor Toilet Night Light, $10, Amazon

The flexible hook on this toilet night light makes it easy to latch onto any size toilet. Once attached, it will illuminate your way with an LED light that has a motion sensor, and automatically turns off when you leave. You can choose one color or rotate between 16 options, and there are five levels of brightness you can adjust it to.

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17. These Resistance Bands That Improve Your Workout Game

Fit Simplify Resistance Exercise Bands, $11 (5 Pack), Amazon

These exercise bands add different levels of resistance to every workout — some have lighter resistance, perfect for beginner workouts or Pilates, and the heavy bands are perfect for resistance and strength training. They're also great for working out an injury, and they're made from 100 percent eco-friendly latex, and are snap-, stretch- and sweat-resistant. If you're looking for some new equipment to add to your home workout, this could be just the thing.

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18. This Body Hair Remover With A Nose Hair Trimmer Attachment

Vassoul Nose And Body Trimmer, $26, Amazon

This tiny, portable hair trimmer removes facial hair and body hair with a shaver that's safe for sensitive skin. The sharp, stainless steel blades make removal quick and painless, and it even comes with an attachment for nose hairs. It charges via a USB cord, and it's waterproof, so you can use this in the shower.

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19. This Blender That Makes The Perfect Single Serving

Hamilton Beach Personal Blender, $17, Amazon

This personal blender blends up a drink, and then immediately converts to an on-the-go cup so you can take the drink with you. It's got stainless steel blades, This way, you won't have to wash a blender and a cup every single morning. The blender is also beyond easy to store, with a slot around the bottom to wrap the cord around. "I LOVE THIS BLENDER! It's perfect. I can actually shove this in my work bag and bring it back home. Makes perfect smoothies with veggies and fruits. My recommendation is to use spinach with frozen fruits and a little water for a perfect healthy smoothie. Tastes better than a large chain smoothie stop!"

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20. This USB Solar Charger That Keeps Your Phone Full Of Juice

Anker Dual USB Solar Charger, $62, Amazon

With this USB solar charger, your cell phone and other devices will never run out of battery power, even on long hikes and camping weekends. Its design allows you to charge two devices at once only using the power of the sun. It's super durable, so it can withstand lots of different weather types, and it comes with a USB charging device. The solar panels are woven into polyester canvas with two holes at the top so you can put this around a tree, on a suitcase, or over a backpack — which makes it especially great for outdoor travel.

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21. This Hair Curling Appliance That Does All The Work For You

Infiniti Pro By Conair Curl Secret, $47, Amazon

The Curl Secret is an automatic hair curler — just put a section of hair inside the chamber, and it'll curl it for you instantly. It's got a sensor that prevents tangles, and ceramic plates that will keep hair frizz-free and smooth. It heats instantly and has three settings for tighter, medium, and loose curls. Over 3,000 reviewers like this product, and it's great for those who haven't quite mastered a traditional curling iron.

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22. These Herb Scissors That Dice Super Fast

Jenaluca Herb Scissors, $15, Amazon

These herb scissors have five blades to quickly and evenly dice up herbs. It also comes with a cleaning comb to wipe away the extra herbs that get stuck inside for convenient clean-up, and the scissors come with a protective guard to keep you from cutting yourself. It's safe to use in the dishwasher, and one reviewer writes: "This is a must have for every kitchen.I like to put fresh herbs into most of my food. What an ingenious gadget to make it easier. Just clip and there you have it."

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23. These Sensitive Razors That Can Shape Your Eyebrows

Tinkle Eyebrow Razor, $5 (6 Pack), Amazon

These gentle eyebrow razors have stainless steel blades that get rid of unwanted hair anywhere on the face, are good for sensitive skin, and can also be used to exfoliate, because they also get rid of dead skin. Each razor comes with a protective cover. They're also used to shape eyebrows, and reviewers love them: "These are the best eyebrow/facial hair razors. Other brands of eyebrow razors won't even take hair off but these ones really work! Great quality and a great price. Will buy again."

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24. This Hair Brush That Is Prevents Frizz And Is Easy To Clean

Denman Cushion Brush, $12, Amazon

This hair brush has nine rows of flexible nylon bristles and an anti-static rubber pad — making this the perfect choice for smoothing and styling thicker hair. You can use it to detangle or while you're blow drying, and you can even take it apart entirely to clean it of build-up. Reviewers with 4b and 4c hair types especially love this brush, and it has almost 2,000 reviews.

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25. This Humidifier That Works With Any Bottle Of Water

BONECO Travel Ultrasonic Humidifier, $50, Amazon

This humidifier is easy to travel with — all you need is a regular bottle of water that you can attach to the top, and it'll run for hours. In 24 hours, it's able to go through a gallon of water, and the light will turn red when the bottle is empty so you know to not let it overheat. It comes with a convenient travel bag, and one reviewer writes: "1. The humidifier works well for a small space. I have a small bedroom, and I keep this on a stand next to my bed overnight. It does the job.2. Cleaning/maintenance couldn't be easier. Because the source of the water is a water bottle, there are no chambers to clean, so no extra cost for cleaning tablets and such.3. Efficiency: I use a 500 mL bottle, and can easily get 9 hours of running time, even on a high setting."

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26. The Bear Claws That Scratch Your Back For You

StaiBC Bear Claw Back Scratcher, $2, Amazon

This claw back scratcher starts at eight inches long but extends to a full 22 inches, meaning you can get a good scratch in without reaching or bending. It's got a secure, custom grip and the scratcher is in an adorable bear claw shape, which has made me over 2,000 reviewers say things like, "Most back scratchers that I've had in the past are not "sharp" enough to ease my itch. The metal tips of the "claw" are just right to ease that nagging little itch and I love the extendable handle!"

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27. This Bath Pillow That Turns Your Tub Into A Spa

Gorilla Grip Non-Slip Bath Pillow, $16, Amazon

This bath pillow has seven strong suction cups to attach to the back of your tub, creating a grip that won't move no matter how much you do. It provides shoulder, neck, and back support, has two inches of padded foam, and is easy to wipe clean. It's waterproof and air tight so it won't mold or mildew, and reviewers love how "deceptively soft" this is.

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28. This Flat Top Makeup Brush That Gives You An Airbrushed Finish

Lamora Flat Top Foundation Makeup Brush, $10, Amazon

This flat top makeup brush is ideal for applying foundation, but you can use it to buff or stipple any type of makeup you'd like. Its flexible but firm bristles won't absorb any product, so you won't waste a drop of precious concealer or expensive cream contour. One of more than 3,000 happy Amazon users explained, "It really buffs the makeup into your skin for a natural look." The brush is also vegan and the synthetic bristles are easy to wash.

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29. This Massager With Rotating Nodes To Help You Relax

Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager, $40, Amazon

This pillow massager has adjustable handle straps so you can fit it on any chair — or even in your car. It also has four deep-kneading Shiatsu massage nodes that give your head, neck, and shoulders some much-needed muscle relief. It gently heats up, and it's also a great massager for your calves and legs. It's also equipped with automatic shut-off.

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30. This Foot Massager You Can Move Around The House

TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager Roller, $17, Amazon

This foot massager soothes tired and achy feet with high-quality wood and sturdy construction. It weighs less than two pounds but can hold a lot of weight, so you can give yourself a foot massage whenever and wherever. It's also big enough for nearly any foot size, and has ten separate rollers for a really thorough massage.

Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.

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