These Home Products Are Really Weird & Interesting — & They All Have Near

Jul 21, 2023

So many five-star ratings.

Reading product reviews is one of the easiest ways to sort out the worthless from the worthwhile when shopping online. Most reviewers are more than happy to tell you the nitty-gritty details that the manufacturers leave out — like how well an item works, or if they’d bother buying it again. But if you don’t have time to scour ratings to find the best of the best, that’s not a problem, as I’ve put together this list of home products that are really weird, yet still have near-perfect reviews.

From spooky bat-shaped wine openers to self-draining soap dishes, I’ve made sure to include weird little something for every home.

Letting wet sponges sit in the bottom of your sink is an easy way for them to become grimy — that’s why these bird sponges are worth a look. Each one comes with a matching perch for them to rest on, allowing them to dry quickly when wet. The perch attaches to the side of your sink using a strong suction cup. But if that isn’t enough? One Amazon customer wrote that “they’re almost too cute to use.”

In the habit of hitting the snooze button too many times? Then this alarm clock is worth a look. It’ll roll off your nightstand and around your room when it’s time to wake up, forcing you to get up if you want to turn it off. And since it only lets you hit snooze once, the likelihood of you oversleeping is much lower.

Add these hangers to your closet, and you’ll instantly have space to store up to 40 ties. The hooks spin so that it’s easy to reach all your ties, regardless of where they’re sitting. And if you don’t own that many ties, you can also use it to store jewelry, bras, scarves, and more.

Attach one of these convenient dip clips to your plate, and it’ll keep your dip separated from your chips, fries, and more — a must-have for anyone who likes keeping their foods separated on their plate. Each order comes with eight clips in varying colors.

With flexible legs that you can bend and twist into nearly any position, this LED flashlight can be propped up for hands-free use when tackling DIY projects. It’s also UV-resistant — just in case you’re working outside in the harsh sun — and each order comes with batteries included.

Not only does this cactus-shaped desk fan feature a powerful rechargeable battery that can run for up to 14 hours, but it’s also small enough that you can easily take it with you when on the go. The wind speed is adjustable up to three levels — and unlike some small fans, this one can also rotate 80 degrees to help spread its cooling breeze around.

Unlike your regular knives, this butter knife features a series of slots running down its blade. When dragged across a stick of cold butter, the slots curl the butter into small ribbons so that they’re easy to spread — and the stainless steel metal means it’s even resistant to rust.

Instead of wasting a paper towel to use as a spoon rest, why not place that dirty stirrer on top of this giant ravioli? It’s made from soft silicone that easily rinses clean when dirty — and since it’s also stain-resistant, the chances of pasta sauce leaving it permanently discolored are incredibly low.

Full-size strainers can take up a ton of space inside your cabinets — instead, consider downsizing to this collapsible version. It’s made from BPA-free silicone that’s heat-resistant up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, so there’s no need to worry about how it’ll fare when filled with boiling water. Choose from two colors: red or blue.

You don’t have to be nostalgic for the ‘80s to appreciate these coasters, as each one features a colorful, ‘80s-inspired label that delivers a fun pop of color to any coffee table. But if that isn’t enough? The soft rubber disc on the bottom makes them nonslip and helps protect your tables from scratches.

This snail-shaped soap dispenser isn’t just a fun addition to any countertop, as it’s also easy to disassemble and clean — and it can even hold up to 4 ounces of soap. You have three colors to choose from — brown, white, or black — and many reviewers described it as “easy to fill” as well as “super cute.”

Don’t have space for a full-sized bookshelf? This tiered one offers four levels of space, giving you tons of room to store dozens of books in cramped rooms. It’s made from 100% wood and even comes in three finishes to suit any style: rustic brown, greige, or black.

Don’t throw out that jar of peanut butter until you’ve scraped it clean using this rubber spatula. Its silicone blade is flexible, allowing it to easily contour to the insides of jars to help you get every last bit of product — and the platypus design is a fun touch.

Not only is this over-the-door hook designed to look like an adorable cat, but it’s also made from sturdy metal with a powder-coated finish. The result? You shouldn’t have any trouble using it in humid bathrooms, as its finish makes it rust-resistant — and zero tools are required to get it up and working. “This hanger fit over the door perfectly without leaving any marks,” wrote Amazon reviewer D. Daiuto.

While cotton towels do an alright job of drying your hands, these fuzzy balls are made from soft microfiber that can absorb way more water. That means they’ll help get your hands drier, faster — and their unique appearance allows them to double as quirky pieces of decor. Choose from two colors: white/gray or light blue/dark blue.

Whereas standard-sized ice cubes melt quickly, the frozen skulls formed inside of these molds melt much more slowly. The result? Your drinks won’t dilute nearly as fast, making them great for anyone who enjoys whiskey — or even if you’re in the mood for a crisp soda. And since they’re leak-resistant, there’s no need to worry about them spilling inside your freezer.

While pistachios are delicious, they can also be messy — but that’s where this bowl comes in handy. Its two-layered design allows you to keep whole pistachios on top, while their empty shells can easily be discarded into the bottom half. And if you aren’t into pistachios? It also works great with whole peanuts, edamame, and more.

Whereas regular flame lighters will go out in the wind, this rechargeable one produces an electronic plasma arc that’s both windproof as well as moisture-resistant. The battery lasts for days before it needs to be recharged — and it takes 60 minutes or less to reach full power capacity.

Sometimes, dry air in rooms can leave your throat feeling scratchy and irritated, which is why it’s always a good idea to take this portable humidifier with you when traveling. It can run for up to eight hours when the water reservoir is full, and the mist output is even adjustable up to two levels. Choose from two colors: black or white.

This duster is made with a soft microfiber head that traps dirt within its fibers, holding onto it tightly until you’re ready to shake it out over a trashcan. The best part? Its telescopic handle extends out from 27 to 47 inches, making it easy to reach distant fan blades, light fixtures, and more. Amazon reviewer Susan wrote, “The pole stays screwed together great; sturdy, and cleans my fans perfectly, leaving nothing behind.”

You don’t have to be a gin drinker to appreciate this kit, as transforming a bottle of plain vodka into a batch of delicious gin is a fun way to spend time with friends and family. It comes with all the supplies you’ll need, including juniper berries, spices, a strainer, a funnel, and more — just supply your own vodka and you’re ready to go. Plus, each kit comes with enough inside to transform up to 10 bottles.

Not only are these wine glasses made from tough stainless steel that won’t shatter if dropped, but their insulated walls also help keep your hands from warming up your chilled whites and room-temperature reds. They’re available in a variety of colors — from deep navy to fun gradient shades — and each one even includes a matching lid to help prevent spills.

With contoured grooves that are designed to fit your legs comfortably, this knee pillow is a must-have for anyone who prefers sleeping on their side. It’s filled with soft memory foam — and since the cover is removable, you shouldn’t have any trouble washing it when dirty. “Perfect amount of support!” wrote Amazon reviewer Rica456. “Not too soft, not too hard.”

Don’t let that open can of pet food go bad — instead, help keep it fresh by topping it with one of these covers. They’re made from flexible silicone, with a universal design that works with pet food cans of nearly any size. And since they’re dishwasher-safe, giving them a quick clean is a total breeze.

Letting your bars of soap sit in water can cause them to deteriorate faster — but that’s where these dishes come in handy. Raised slats lift your bars away from moisture, while a sloped channel in the front lets water drain into your sink. Or, if you prefer using liquid soap over bars, you can also use them as spoon rests in the kitchen since they’re heat-resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

With helpful measurement markings printed on each one, these baking mats are a must-have for anyone who enjoys whipping up delicious treats at home. They’re made from flexible silicone, which means you can use them to roll out pastries, shape dough, and more. Plus, their stick-resistant surface is unlikely to adhere to your ingredients. “Colors are very vibrant which makes items placed on them easy to see,” wrote Amazon reviewer BuckWheat.

Unlike some burger presses, this one is made from tough aluminum with raised slats on the inside that help keep your patties from getting stuck inside. There are also helpful measurement markings that let you know whether your patties are a quarter or third of a pound in size — and many reviewers raved about how it’s “easy to clean.”

Whereas traditional coasters are typically stored in a caddy, these ones are designed to hook onto each other so that they can be arranged into a cactus shape when you aren’t using them. Each one is made from dense EVA material that won’t scratch your tables — and many reviewers raved about how they’re “super cute.”

Whereas traditional drain protectors will impede the flow of water down your pipes when they’re full, this one features a revolutionary tower-shaped design that won’t stop water — even when clogged with hair. It’s made from a combination of plastic and stainless steel, so there’s no need to worry about rust. But if that isn’t enough? Thousands of reviewers left either four- or five-star feedback, with many raving that it “looks nice” and is “easy to clean.”

Whether you’re cleaning or doing homework, this cube timer is a fun way to help you stay focused on the task at hand. The pre-set times range from 10 seconds all the way up to 60 minutes depending on the version you choose, and it only requires two AAA batteries (which are not included) in order to work.

From headphone cables to charging wires, these cable clips are an easy way to get your electronics looking neat and tidy. The magnetic ends stick together without any twisting or knotting required — and since they’re made from tough silicone, you can rest assured that they’ll last much longer than flimsy twist ties.

Accidentally touching the rack when reaching into your oven can be incredibly painful, so why not grab these shields? They’re made from tough silicone that’s resistant to heat, so there’s no need to worry about them melting at high temperatures. You can also trim them to fit smaller toaster ovens if desired — and Amazon reviewer Jsays2011 even wrote about how they’re “great for making sure I don’t burn myself when cooking...”

It’s almost too easy for plasticware lids to go missing, so why not upgrade to these silicone lids instead? They stretch to fit nearly any container, creating a leakproof seal to help keep your fridge and cabinets free from spills. They’re also BPA-free, as well as suitable for use in the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher.

Not only is this waffle bowl maker so versatile that you can use it with nearly any type of batter or tortilla, but at only 1 pound in weight, it’s also incredibly easy to stash away once you’re finished cooking. Its PFOA-free surface heats up in just a few minutes — all while nonslip feet help keep it from sliding around your counters.

Almost every kitchen has that one cabinet that’s overflowing with grocery bags, so why not open up some space and keep them inside this dispenser? It’s large enough to hold up to 30 bags, and each order includes a set of screws so that you can mount it inside your cabinet doors.

With three USB and one type-C port at your disposal, this outlet extender makes charging all sorts of devices a total breeze. It also adds three outlets to your wall — and since the outlets are spread across three planes, it’s less likely that bulky plugs will block other outlets.

Stacking your lids inside of each other can lead to scratches; instead, place them on this organizer. There’s enough space for up to seven lids, and the dividers are adjustable so that you can use them with lids both large and small. The best part? Setup only takes a few quick minutes, with no tools required to get it up and running.

Pouring hot bacon grease into a plastic container is a big no-no, so why not opt for this container instead? It’s made from tough stainless steel that won’t melt when exposed to hot liquids — and the built-in strainer even removes any little burnt bits, leaving you with nothing but fresh bacon grease.

Swapping out pasta in favor of zucchini noodles is an easy way to incorporate vegetables into your weekly pasta night, making this spiralizer a game-changer. The adjustable blade can be used to make thin angel hair noodles, wide ribbons, as well as everything in between. And since it’s made from stainless steel, there’s no need to worry about it rusting over time.

Having trouble uncorking that bottle of wine? Not a problem when you have this corkscrew on hand. The bat-shaped design is a fun, spooky touch, and the head even doubles as a bottle opener — just in case you’re in the mood for a beer instead of wine. It’s also BPA-free and even comes in a colorful parrot option if you aren’t a fan of bats.

Consider this lamp one of the easiest solutions when it comes to de-cluttering your desk. The base features extra storage space for pens, as well as a small stand where you can prop up your phone when watching videos. Its brightness is also adjustable up to nine levels, and the flexible gooseneck means you can point the light in nearly any direction.

You don’t have to enjoy orange juice in order to appreciate this vase, as its vintage design is sure to have guests asking where you bought it. Unlike some vases, this one is made from sleek ceramic rather than plastic — and its wide top opening makes it easy to fill with water when displaying fresh flowers.

Staring at a bright television when sitting in the dark can leave your eyes feeling strained — that’s why this backlight is such a good investment. Not only can it help alleviate strain, but it also plugs into your television’s USB port so that you don’t have to hide any hanging cables. Plus, the adhesive backing lets you press it right into place, making installation a breeze.

Can’t quite see what time it is from across the room? Not a problem when you have this clock, as it projects the time onto your wall so that it’s easy to see from afar. The LED face is also dimmable up to five levels so that it won’t disrupt your sleep, and there’s even a USB port in the back where you can charge your devices overnight.