13 products you never knew you needed

Have you ever bought a product that saved you so much time and energy that you just could not believe you ever lived without it? I love when I find a genius product like that! And, oddly enough, it’s always a small, simple product that almost seems kind of silly, until you try it and realize how awesome it really is.

Here’s a list of 13 such inventions (from the super high-tech to the utterly low-tech) that are going to help simplify and streamline your day-to-day life:

1. Wine-Dispensing Tote

Tailgating has never been this easy…or this chic! This wine-dispensing tote—also called The Swankey—makes it super easy to both transport and serve everything from wine to beer to cocktails. There is also ample room for you to store cups, napkins and other personal items like your wallet, keys, phone, etc. Cheers!

2. Heated, Fog-Free Shower Mirror

The shower is the best place to shave, as the warm water and steam help to open pores and make hair removal a breeze. There’s just one problem. If you’re a dude, shaving in the shower can be difficult because there’s no mirror. Many guys have tried to circumvent this issue by bringing a handheld mirror into the shower but, of course, it quickly fogs up and becomes useless. Well, here’s the solution: a heated fog-free shower mirror from Sharper Image. This dual-sided mirror attaches easily to any showerhead without the use of tools, and it will never fog up…meaning you can shave safely and smoothly.

3. Car Snow Cover

Okay, this is one is for my fellow Wisconsites and anyone else who has to deal with long, snowy winters. With this genius car cover, you will never again have to get up early just so you have time to scrape heavy snow and ice off your car. Find it here. Not only does it save you time, but it also saves you fuel—you won’t have to spend 10 minutes running your car just so you can defrost the windows.

4. Pizza Reheating Tray

Leftover pizza can leave a lot to be desired. The crust gets soggy, the cheese gets gluey and reheating it only makes it worse. Some spots get way too hot, while others stay ice cold. But thanks to this genius invention, you no longer have to toss your pizza leftovers in disgust. With the Pizza Reheating Tray, you can zap your leftover slices in the microwave and have them taste just as good when they were first delivered! It’s so easy, even your kids can use it…plus it’s safe for the dishwasher. Check it out here.

5. HairpinPal

I love this thing! I’m a bobby pin addict, and before I found this, I was perpetually losing bobby pins all over the house. Or worse, vacuuming them up because they blended into my dark carpet. But now I use this handy magnet/bobby pin holder to easily find and collect my bobby pins. Added bonus: My kids love playing with it, so it keeps them busy while I get ready.

6. Pedestal Sink Storage

For years, I lived in an apartment that had a pedestal sink in the bathroom, and NO other counter space or storage in the whole commode. The mirror didn’t even open up! This led to mucho stress and many accidents, including a brand-new bottle of perfume breaking on the floor. But with this clever storage solution, even those of us with pedestal sinks and small bathrooms can finally have a place to put our toiletries. Find it here on Hammacher Schlemmer.

7. Tablet Stand

The beauty of a tablet is that it is handheld, lightweight and easily portable. The downside is that if you want to lounge on the couch or in bed, you have to awkwardly hold it up with your legs or try to place books behind it in order to keep it steady. But, with the Tablift, you never have to MacGyver your way to a comfortable position again. The Tablift securely holds your tablet for you, safely mounting it on top of bendy legs which can adjust to any height you desire. So whether you want to FaceTime, watch “Search Party” or finish up some work, you’ll be able to do so comfortably and with both hands free. It’s especially good for kiddos who are forever dropping the tablet by accident or struggling to hold the tablet steady.

8. LED Dog Collars

Now that it’s getting darker earlier, many of us dog lovers have to walk Fido in the dark. That can be dangerous, as drivers can’t always see us. But with this USB/solar-charged LED collar, you and your pup will be visible from up to 1,000 feet away. You can charge it with a USB cord or with the power of the sun. Safety, style and function all in one!

9. Electric Egg Poacher

Poached eggs are the perfect breakfast, and also wonderful for topping a sandwich or a bowl of noodles. But even though it’s such a simple recipe (eggs + boiling water), all it takes is a couple of minutes of you being distracted and the eggs end up overcooked or falling apart in the pot. That’s why this Electric Egg Poacher is genius! Let it do the hard work while you focus on cooking the rest of your meal, and then find warm, poached eggs waiting for you. Yum! Find it here on Amazon.

10. Pill Organizer Water Bottle

This invention might seem strange at first, but if you’re like me and take several vitamins and medications per day, you should consider this handy tool. It’s a pill organizer and water bottle IN ONE. It’s so much work keeping track of all those pill bottles, not to mention remembering which pill you already took, and which you still need to take. Never miss out on an important dose again.

11. Portable Gel Seat

Most of us spend a good portion of our day sitting down, whether we’re working at the office, stuck in traffic or waiting in the school pick-up lane. No wonder 31 million Americans say they suffer from lower back pain! With this portable gel seat, you can relieve pressure on your tailbone, and provide yourself with some much-needed lumbar support.

12. Heated Ice Cream Scooper

Scooping out ice cream can be a messy, awkward affair. Stop wasting time hacking away at ice cream with a regular scoop, and instead use this warming scoop. With no batteries or electricity, this scoop makes serving ice cream so easy thanks to the biodegradable liquid inside the handle that keeps the ice cream from melting while still making it easy to scoop. Find it on Amazon.

13. Grilled Cheese Toaster

Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? Whether you’re making an adult version with Gruyere, tomatoes and spinach or a kid-friendly verison with American singles, it’s a meal that always satisfies. But messing around with a hot stove or cleaning a griddle is definitely NOT satisfying. Enter the Grilled Cheese Sandwich Toaster! As simple as putting toast in a toaster, you can now make two grilled cheese sandwiches in just minutes. See it on Amazon.