Life-Changing Gadgets and Gizmos Our Editors Found on Amazon

“People with curly hair will agree that any given wash day is essentially a game of roulette. You have no idea what curls you’ll end up with at the end of the hours-long process of product application and styling. That was, however, until I discovered this brush. Now, every wash day is predictable and reliable as the brush helps distribute my products evenly. It results in the best curl clumps I’ve ever seen! Curly girls, order this brush immediately!” — Sam Donsky, Audience Development Manager

“The smaller the New York City apartment, the more often you need to clean — so I use this cordless vacuum every single day. It is awesome and has been kickin’ for three years now. Considering it’s less than $100, that seems like a pretty stellar deal!” — Adriana Fazio, Producer

“Paranoid much? Yes, yes, I am. I browse exclusively in incognito mode, and I will always cover my phone when I browse in public, even if I’m just doomscrolling TikTok. I switched to this privacy screen by Zagg, which quiets the little voice in the back of my head that tries to convince me that people are watching. Spoiler alert: They’re not, but this phone protector gives me a little peace of mind. It has a technologically advanced four-way filter that protects your screen from prying eyes and it’s scratch-resistant, which is a great quality for a clumsy person like myself.” — Justine Carreon, Affiliate Content Manager

“If you’re in need of a white noise machine, kick your Dohm to the curb and get yourself a LectroFan. Whether it’s for shushing your baby to sleep or drowning out a call with your therapist so your spouse can’t hear you complaining about them, the LectroFan does it all. I love the 60-minute timer, 20 unique non-looping sounds (10 fan sounds and 10 white noise variations that include pink and brown noise), and — my favorite feature of all — the volume control. It gets as loud (or as quiet) as I need for every situation.” — Mary Agnant, Senior Video Producer

“If you haven’t used skin oil, there’s a chance you’re afraid of this brand-new technology. After all, anyone who went through an acne-prone adolescence has experienced the discomfort of excess facial oil. I’m here to reassure you that this Supergoop oil is a light, spray-able, residue-free option for those of us who don’t gravitate toward heavier cream sunscreens. Plus, it will leave you with a perfectly hydrated glow.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“As a burgeoning candle enthusiast, I’ve quickly grown tired of long lighters. I mean, they’re fine — until the life starts to slowly flicker out of them. After that, I’m left with a narrow hunk of utterly useless plastic that I have to guiltily chuck into the trash. That’s why I adore this USB rechargeable long lighter. There’s no smell, no flame, and the length ensures that my fingers don’t get in the way of the action.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“As someone with some very adorable enlarged pores (gotta stay positive, right?) this BHA liquid exfoliant has been an utter godsend. With a few swipes of a cotton swab, my skin almost instantly feels lusciously hydrated and oh-so plump. Plus, I swear my pores are already less obvious after a couple of weeks of consistent use.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“I take my dog everywhere with me, which means I have to take her stuff with me, too. Instead of hauling a heavy metal crate to and from my mom’s house in Ohio, I bought this lightweight, easily packable one instead. It comes with a soft mat that serves as a bed, and folds down into a nearly flat square when not in use. It’s so easy to stow under my bed or couch in my tiny apartment when it’s folded up, and I can toss it in the car without losing precious trunk space.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor 

“I take my shoes off immediately upon entering my NYC apartment, and my dog does the same…sort of. Instead of tracking in who-knows-what off the city streets, I wash her paws after every walk with this rinse-free cleanser. It’s gentle enough to use multiple times a day, but it still kills bacteria and removes dirt with little to no effort.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“As a natural redhead, the sun and I have a complicated relationship. On the days when I can’t cover every inch of my skin with fabric or sit under an umbrella, I reach for this gel sunscreen instead. It doesn’t leave behind a greasy film like other formulas I’ve used, and this travel trio is perfect for taking to the beach or pool without having to lug around huge bottles.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“One thing about me? My water has to be ice cold if there’s any chance of me staying hydrated and getting my required amount of H20. For those of you who are looking for a water bottle that’s easy on your wallet but keeps your liquids fresh and cold (or warm!) for hours, look no further than the Contigo Stainless Water Bottle. The lid has a lock for when you aren’t using it to ensure the spout won’t leak. Plus, the 32-ounce size results in fewer trips to the faucet for refills. If you’re reading this, Contigo, you’ve made me a lifelong fan. My water intake and I thank you.” — Meredith Struewing, Social Media Producer

When my boyfriend first told me he was going to start taping his mouth shut, I was alarmed. This was about a year ago, when the concept of mouth taping for better sleep seemed like a weirdo health fad, and I was more than happy to skip out on the experience. But after becoming a taper myself, I’m a total convert. If you haven’t been converted to mouth taping yet, here’s the general idea: Having your mouth taped shut while you sleep forces you to breathe through your nose. That’s ideal for a whole host of reasons, including preventing snoring, improving your dental hygiene, lowering your blood pressure, and improving your sleep overall. There are lots of fancy-pants mouth tapes on the market but I use this cheap and simple one. Just tear off a piece, tape your lips shut, and head off to dreamland. No, you can’t make out with your partner in the middle of the night while taped up, but I consider that a small price to pay for better zzz’s. — Molly Simms, Editorial Director

I read in bed every night, and while I prefer physical books, the convenience of ebooks can be hard to resist. So, that means I’m often laying in bed, holding my phone or Kindle out in front of me. I always end up in a weird position, with my chin tucked and my neck all scrunched (which I swear is leading to wrinkles) and my arms growing sore from holding them out while I read. One night, before I opened my Kindle app to start reading, I opened Amazon determined to solve this problem, and I found this hilarious wiggly thing. It’s a  phone caddy with a big flexible loop attached that bends any way you want. You can wear it around your next like the guy above, but that’s a little too close to the eyes for me. I like to fold mine a little and prop it up on my stomach so the book is basically above my head. Now, I can read comfortably for hours, no neck scrunching needed. I keep this device, who I call Mr. Wiggles, right next to my bed, with all my essential sleep aids, which is exactly where he belongs. — Maggie Parker, Deputy Site Editor.

When I saw our affiliate editor, Katie Pittman, promoted this product in our roundup of early deals ahead of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event, I was dubious. I immediately chatted her asking why someone would want to warm their candle, isn’t that why lighting it is for? She explained to me that this allows you to enjoy your candle flame-free, which makes it so much safer. (Who here hasn’t felt the shame of forgetting to blow out a candle?) And warming it releases the scent just the way lighting it would. Plus, the lamp setup here produces the same warm glow a flame would. Basically, it’s the safer way to enjoy your candles. — Maggie Parker, Deputy Site Editor