Shopping·13 min read

22 Products That’ll Save You Time and Energy

products that'll save you time and energy
Design: theSkimm | Photos: Food52, Courant
February 20, 2024

Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.

There are some things in life you just don't need to deal with, like cleaning your air fryer or stripping your herbs by hand. This is where we believe in cutting corners. And while we aren't saying these products will solve all your problems, we do think using a smart gadget here and there really can improve your daily routine.

charging-pad
Courant

A charging pad to keep all your favorite devices ready to go…

No more bending over to grab the charging cable or forgetting to plug your phone in entirely at night. Just place your phone on this sleek charging pad and it’ll be juiced up by morning. It also charges your AirPods at the same time, serves as a catchall for your everyday jewelry, and levels up your nightstand in leather or linen. ($200, Courant)

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drying-rack
Food52

A drying rack that folds up when you’re done…

If you prefer to air-dry your clothes and are tired of hanging shirts from your bed frame, shower rod, and every other semi-available surface, it’s time to level up. This steel and plastic rack (made with 39% recycled materials) has a flexible design that can accommodate hanging or lying clothes flat. There’s even a version with an extra rod at the top for more hanging space, and it folds up for easy storage when you’re not using it. ($69+, Food52)

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air-fryer-liner
Amazon

Silicone air fryer liners that’ll make cleanup easy…

These protect up to 5-quart air fryers from any food residue, grease, and grime. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe, nontoxic, and can withstand heat up to 450 degrees. And because you’ll be using a reusable liner instead of the paper ones, it’s a win for sustainability, too. ($19.99+, Amazon)

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electric-kettle
Amazon

An electric kettle that quickly boils water…

This electric kettle will cut your tea-making time in half, so you can enjoy a cup before you know it. The pointed spout is ultra-precise and its sleek LCD screen displays the water’s real-time temperature. There’s also a 60-minute hold option, so it’ll maintain your desired temp for an hour. Plus, there’s a built-in stopwatch so you can get the perfect brew. ($165, Amazon)

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Kale herb stripper
Uncommon Goods

A kale and herb razor for quick stripping…

Whether you’re making a salad or want fresh ingredients to season meat with, this stainless steel razor can shear and strip faster than your hands can. The different-sized holes work for various stems, from rosemary to parsley. ($15, Uncommon Goods)

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dishwasher-magnet
Amazon

A dishwasher magnet to keep track of the dishes inside…

This handy little sign sticks to any dishwasher, thanks to an adhesive backing. Flip the “dirty” side to the “clean” side when the dishwasher is done running, so the people you live with won’t fill your sparkling-clean dishwasher with dirty plates. The worst. ($7.99+, Amazon)

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rakes
Amazon

Handheld rakes to keep your yard effortlessly clean…

These claws will help you get the job done in half the time. You’ll be able to pick up more...without actually touching any dirty, wet leaves. You can use them for spreading mulch or picking up pet messes, too. ($29.95, Amazon)

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peppermint oil stick to relieve headache pain
Amazon

A peppermint essential oil roller that’ll provide some headache relief…

Roll it on the back of your neck and ears when you feel a headache coming on. Thanks to the menthol in the formula, the oil can help relax muscles and leave you feeling revived and energized. You won’t be out of commission the entire day. ($9.99, Amazon)

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UV sanitizing tray for your phone
Phonesoap

A device that sanitizes your phone…

Phonesoap uses UV light to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria on your phone and other small devices, without the use of sprays or wipes. You can even charge your phone in the process — a true multipurpose product. ($79.95, Phonesoap)

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a rolling brush to remove pet hair from fabric
Amazon

A lint remover great for pet owners…

With just a few sweeps, this can rid your couch, bed, and carpets of pet hair. You can use it over and over again without needing to refill it with new rolls of sticky paper. Just open the cartridge and dump it into the trash after you use it. ($24.99, Amazon)

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electric wine opener
Walmart

A device that’ll open (or vacuum seal) a bottle of wine…

Upgrade your happy hour with this cordless wine opener that can uncork 80 bottles on a single charge. It won’t break the corks in the process if you like to keep them. If you don’t finish your bottle, just use the vacuum sealer option to preserve freshness and flavor. ($23.97, Walmart)

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revlon hair drying brush for easy styling
Amazon

A two-in-one hair tool that’ll give you salon-like results…

This Revlon dryer does it all, and you don’t have to be an expert to use it. It features three heat and speed settings, plus a cool option for styling. The oval design helps to smooth your locks and create volume. ($32.41+, Amazon)

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jar opener
Amazon

A gadget so you can easily open jars…

Install this opener underneath a cabinet to help you open jars and bottles of all sizes. It’s a great solution for anyone who lives alone or has limited use of their hands. The magic lies in the metal teeth that provide grip while you turn. ($17.95, Amazon)

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menstrual cup
Target

A menstrual cup to replace tampons and pads…

This menstrual cup is a more sustainable option. It’s hypoallergenic, latex-free, and can provide 12-hour protection, including overnight wear. You can reuse it up to a year, so you won’t have to constantly repurchase tampons. ($28.49, Target)

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kitchen-scissors
Amazon

Kitchen scissors that’ll stay sharp…

Introducing a shear that can peel and cut vegetables, crack nuts, and open jars. They come apart for easy cleaning and can slice through packaging like a dream. We recommend getting two (one for food only). ($8.44+, Amazon)

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timed egg cooker
Amazon

An egg cooker for quick and easy breakfasts…

Choose your preferred style (hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or omelet) and set the timer. Then jump in the shower while your breakfast is cooking. The device will switch off when it’s done. ($16.49+, Amazon)

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detangling brush to get knots out of hair
Sephora

A hair brush that’ll glide through knots…

This gentle detangler is built to last. It has soft ballpoint tips to massage your scalp and multi-layered bristles to get out knots. Plus, you can use it on all hair types. ($28, Sephora)

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drawer-organizing bins to help with clutter
Amazon

A set of drawer organizers to help you find what you’re looking for…

These inserts will keep items separated and folded. Aka, no more digging through your drawers to find that missing sock or wrinkled T-shirt smushed in the back of your dresser. ($16.13/set of 4, Amazon)

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furniture floor sliders to help with moving
Amazon

Sliders that’ll help your rearranging obsession…

Pop these pads underneath your furniture for a smooth trip to the perfect spot across the room. They’ll prevent floor scratches and make moving things around so much easier. ($12.89, Amazon)

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bed bands to prevent sheets from riding up
Amazon

A sheet holder so you don’t need to remake your bed every single morning…

Raise your hand if you find yourself pulling your fitted sheet back over the mattress every day. This gadget has clips that’ll attach to sheet edges, so even if you move around in your sleep (or have a partner who does), the sheet will stay put. It works on beds of all sizes and is designed to not damage the fabric. ($13.99+, Amazon)

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veggie chopper
Amazon

A vegetable chopper to make meal prepping a cinch…

This can chop, slice, grate, and spiralize. It has 12 blades total, a peeler, cleaning brush, and bin so your ingredients won’t be all over your kitchen countertop. When you’re done, just take it apart and put it in the dishwasher. ($39.99, Amazon)

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fabric defuzzer
Amazon

A fabric shaver to revive your favorite clothing…

Run this handheld device over your sweaters to remove pills, fuzz, and loose threads instead of buying new ones every season. You can even use it on upholstered furniture and sheets. ($14.99, Amazon)

Buy it

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