Reddit Became Obsessed With These 33 Clever Products This Year

When u/meloxdy reviewed the best Japanese sunscreens, the BIORE UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence was one of their favorites: "This sunscreen has no scent, I can’t notice it at all under makeup, and if I am in a hurry to get ready I will typically reach for this one." It has well over a thousand five-star reviews on Amazon because it provides UV protection while also creating a smooth, hydrated base for makeup.

When asked what their best purchase of the year was, reddit user macinnis responded: "Honestly, probably the anti-fatigue floor mat I picked up for $24 that now lives by my sink/stove. Standing there is like floating on a cloud and makes cooking or cleanup so much better." And Amazon reviewers agree — this anti-fatigue mat has hundreds of glowing reviews. It's not just good for the kitchen, it's also great to use with a standing desk or wherever you find yourself standing a lot.

According to user Z-Ninja, a rice cooker "makes perfect rice every time with zero effort. Ours also has a mode where you can set what time you want the rice to be done at so you have perfect rice exactly when you want it." Available in silver, white, or pro, this one has four pre-set digital functions and a 15-hour delay so dinner's hot and ready when you walk through the door.

Reddit user mossadspydolphin recommends this Arus hooded robe, which is made from 100% cotton. It's also floor-length and has oversize pockets for convenience. "It's obscenely comfortable, plus when I draw the hood up I look Dramatique." Get it in eight different colors.

• Available sizes: X-Small Long — X-Large Long

Reddit user SramSeniorEDHificer's comment about a weighted blanket earned more than 4,000 upvotes and several awards, lots of other users agree it's a great purchase. This is one of the most affordable options on Amazon, but thanks to its glass beads and smaller stitched pockets, it still doesn't sacrifice quality. You can get it in four sizes and seven weights.

"I’ve had these for more than a year or two now!" one user wrote at r/SkincareAddiction. "They’re so awesome and effective, and also save me from having to use an oil cleanser to remove eye makeup. Super easy to wash too." In fact, these reusable cloths are so effective at removing the most stubborn makeup, you won't have to use anything except water — which makes them especially great for those with sensitive skin.

These clever nautically inspired steamer lids got about 8,000 upvotes when posted to r/INEEEEDIT. They come in three sizes to fit various pots and pans, and the food-grade silicone is heat-resistant and easy to clean. It prevents splatters and seals in flavors while you cook, but the ship-like accent on top releases enough steam to prevent your food from boiling over.

Reddit users declared that user u/mildxchild7 "hit the jackpot" when they received four of these COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essences. In fact, the serum is a reoccurring cult-favorite on Reddit. Why? Because it nourishes skin, evens the complexion, and locks in moisture like nothing else — all thanks to its real snail secretion formula.

User MostNoise's best purchase of the year was "a cool mini steam iron that I can keep in my car for whenever I travel and need to iron my shirts or costume." Even though it fits in the palm of your hand and the handle folds flat, reviewers on Amazon still say it's the "best mini iron ever" because it "doesn't drip," "gets super hot," and you "can't beat the price."

What was Coco_Coug's best buy of the year? "An electric kettle. I will never buy a teapot again. Wish I did it years ago." This one has almost 24,000 reviews on Amazon because it boils water quickly and safely. It's made with a stainless steel interior and has a durable borosilicate glass middle with a futuristic blue LED light so you can watch the water as it heats.

This elephant-shaped caddy sits sink-side and automatically drains out the excess water from your utensils, sponges, or dental hygiene tools. It got more than 9,000 upvotes when it was posted to r/INEEEEDIT earlier this year, and you can get it in your choice of gray or white.

It's pretty much impossible to read through a "What's the best item you own?" thread without coming across at least one mention of a bidet. One user asked, "Why is this not a thing in the US?" and others agreed: "It’s completely ruined me. So much so that I’m contemplating buying a portable one to use when I have to use a bidet-less toilet." This one is a best-seller on Amazon because it's affordable, self-cleaning, and easy to install. It also has various water intensity settings.

Is it really any surprise that a robotic vacuum was such a popular product? "A Roomba! After having 3 spinal surgeries a few years ago, hoovering has been the worst. This bad boy has helped me more than you'll ever know," user leeds_matt wrote. Because it's self-charging, works on carpets and hard floors alike, and can be used alongside Alexa, this Wi-Fi-enabled iRobot Roomba has over 25,000 ratings and 4.5 stars overall on Amazon.

I have extremely dry skin that flakes as soon as I apply foundation — especially in the winter. In fact, I'd pretty much given up on trying to fix it until I found a Reddit post about Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel. I gave it a shot, and I'm so glad I did. It's easily the best moisturizer I've tried for my extra-dry skin because it locks in hydration with hyaluronic acid, all without unwanted fragrances, irritations, or causing my makeup to appear oily.

Dr. Jart's Ceramidin cream is a favorite on Reddit, but it's not cheap. Luckily, u/mxnt wrote that "COSRX is a PERFECT dupe for the Dr. Jart Ceramidin cream. I’m going to start buying the COSRX cream now once I use up all my Dr. Jart creams." This moisturizing cream is designed to regenerate the skin's protective barriers with paraben-free ingredients, and you can get it on Amazon for less than $20.

One user's top purchase was a "squat rack. Took a long time to get everything set up, but it was worth the wait" if you're interested in a home gym. This one has a weight capacity of 800 pounds because it's made from sturdy materials — and it has 19 adjustable height levels to accommodate all types of exercises. (If you've got a higher budget, you can also get one with a lat pull-down or a weight bench.)

Reddit users are always talking about Darn Tough socks, which are known for their warmth, comfort, and long-lasting quality. Most of the brand's pairs are made with merino wool, which wicks away moisture while insulating your feet against the cold. These women's pairs come in eight colors and three sizes, but you can get men's sizes, too.

• Available sizes: Small — Large

This Anker power strip was the top post on r/AmazonUnder25 this year. It's a simple solution for homes with minimal outlets because it offers two USB ports and two standard outlets in a space-savvy gadget. The 5-foot cable also ensures that you charge your devices without feeling limited by short wires, but if you want even more range, it also comes in a 8-foot version.

"As someone with sensitive oily skin, I love it," user NatalieRobinn wrote about The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum. "You can’t find anything cheaper on the market for niacinamide," they added. It's designed to regulate sebum and reduce the size of pores, though some reviewers have said that this "miracle serum" is also amazing for cystic acne, scars, and discoloration.

When posted to r/INEEEEDIT earlier this year, the OTOTO Nessie ladle got about 12,000 upvotes. It stands upright in your pot thanks to its adorable feet, while its head sticks up out of your soup or sauce for both aesthetic purposes and easy grabbing. It's also BPA-free and dishwasher-safe.

"Save clothes from the trash with a $10 fabric shaver," u/paigeelizabeth3660 suggested on a post at r/Frugal. "Sweater went from fuzzy and pilled to like new in a matter of minutes." This one's rechargeable with three blades and two layers of protection to prevent your sweaters, leggings, coats, and blankets from getting damaged while you remove fuzz and pilling. It also works on furniture, blankets, and more.

"Been using for 7 months now and I feel like I can say this serum is by far the best skincare product for me out of dozens of products over the years. My go-to skincare gift I get for others now," u/billquentin wrote about PURITO Centella serum. More than a thousand users upvoted the post. It uses 49% centella extract to recover the skin's protective barrier and soothe sensitivity, all while remaining unscented and easy to apply.

You'd be hard-pressed to find any skin-care post on Reddit that doesn't mention CeraVe's lotion at least once. It's a perpetual fan-favorite because it uses ceramides and hyaluronic acid to repair the skin's lipid barrier and help boost moisture levels. It's also dermatologist-recommended and absorbs easily without leaving a greasy residue, either on your face or your body.

If you appreciate products that last a lifetime, r/BuyItForLife is the subreddit for you. When this ice cream scoop was posted there, it got more than 5,500 upvotes and hundreds of comments. That's because the Zeroll Original is made from one solid piece of aluminum that resists corrosion, bending, and discoloration — and it's filled with heat-conductive liquid that melts the ice cream for an effortless scoop every time.

"A second monitor for my laptop," sometimes_a_falcon commented when asked about their top purchase recently. "As a college student doing remote classes it’s truly been a game changer and I got a great deal on it." Because this 20-inch monitor has built-in speakers, a clear 1,600 by 900 display, and two HDMI ports (all while costing less than $100) it's earned itself more than 10,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon.

According to one Redditor, "a self stirring coffee mug" was their best purchase this year. "It's so much fun, I actually look forward to getting up because it means I get to use it." The stainless steel interior is food-grade and keeps your drink hot, while the battery-free design automatically mixes as soon as you pour in the liquid.

This genius screen magnifier earned itself 5,000-plus upvotes when posted to Reddit this year. Simply place your smart phone in the stand, and it acts as a projector that doubles the size of your screen. It comes in three colors (black, red, or white), and it's a great solution for group viewing, too.

When SportsPhotoGirl wrote, "I bought a new vacuum cleaner. It’s so much better than my old vacuum cleaner. I love it," they came back to hundreds of comments requesting the exact type. It turned out to be the Shark APEX DuoClean, which is self-cleaning, traps allergens with its HEPA filter, and maneuvers smoothly on both hard floors and carpets alike. No wonder it has 4.6 stars and more than 4,000 reviews on Amazon.

Redditors on food and recipe subs are obsessed with air fryers, one of the most popular being the COSORI. Even though it's one of the more affordable ones, it has 11 presets to cook up to 5.8 quarts of bacon, chicken, shrimp, vegetables, or even cake. Your dinner comes out crispy, hot, and delicious — and without the greasiness typically associated with deep frying.

One Reddit user wrote: "A good backpack. I didn't think it'd be so handy, but I use it every day, and it's knowing that I can just grab it and go instead of worrying about getting stuff gathered up, or realizing I left something home that I needed." They then went on to recommend the YOREPEK backpack, which has 20 individual pockets and has an external USB port to charge your devices (portable battery not included).

"A Kindle! I don't read much, but I'm slowly starting to read more and more," user mechanicart wrote when asked about their best purchase of the year. With more than 27,000 reviews on Amazon, this Kindle is one of the most popular e-readers you can buy. It has a glare-free display for daytime reading and a backlight for nighttime use. Plus, a single charge lasts weeks, and its 8 gigabytes of storage holds thousands of books.

U/meowallow recommended these Alka-Seltzer PM gummies: "I use to wake up in the middle of the night but now I get great deep sleep." They use real melatonin to help you fall asleep — plus, since they also neutralize acid, they help prevent heartburn, too. "I can sleep great and eat onions now."

On r/shutupandtakemymoney, you can expect to find products that are so clever, Redditors are practically throwing their dollars at them. This donut-shaped pin cushion is no exception. It was the subreddit's top post of the year because the push pins look like multicolored sprinkles when they're safely pushed into the PVC donut — and it even doubles as an eraser.