37 Affordable Products That Do What They Say

Oct 03, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

These products are backed up by their glowing reviews — and everything is under $40.

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "This is a miracle-worker for my toddler. I bought this after receiving a spider bite on my foot, that was already healed when it came in. Two days after delivery, my 2.5 year old got stung by a bee or wasp and was screaming and in tears. I broke this out, and he immediately went from screaming to laughing as I used it. It was amazing. He got his second sting today, and the same thing happened—instant pain relief. I don’t know what I would do without this thing. Plus, he likes to play with it afterwards which further calms him down. A+++" —Briley Black

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in seven colors and two- and three-packs).

BuzzFeed Shopping writer Brittany Ross says: "After seeing countless videos on cleaning TikTok that raved about The Pink Stuff, I knew I had to try it out on my stained, grime-coated sheet tray. I mean, if it could make a dent in that, I'd probably believe in magic. Well, I started scrubbing one corner as a test, and lo and behold, the difference was nothing short of DRAMATIC (check out the photos for proof!). And I didn't even have to scrub very hard, though as someone with ~minimal~ upper body strength, I doubt any force I could physically apply would even constitute as heavy scrubbing. At any rate, it worked so well that I tried it on a pair of dirty tennis shoes and a blue stain that had been singed onto my toaster oven for months, and, yup, it worked. I will say, if you want your sheet trays to look brand spankin' new, you might need one of those cleaning scraper tools to get every last bit off, but as far as general stain removal goes, consider me a FAN."

Get it from Amazon for $5.

ChooMee is a mom-owned small business based in Northern California, that creates products that solve everyday feeding challenges.

Promising reviews: "These are amazing! I bought two sets of them so I can keep some in our diaper bag (or in case we lose one). We use these every single day for our 12-month-old with her yogurt (Gogo squeeze) and her fruit and veggie pouches! Seriously, love them. We previously had yogurt/fruit all over because she would squeeze them. My husband accidentally stepped on the pouch with this on, and it still didn't squeeze out! Once your baby figures it out (ours did quickly), it's a game changer. I tried the pouch holders with the handles, but she just swung it around, and it still spilled out. This is what you want!" —Shem Slater

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five color combos).

Promising review: "I bought this for me since I’m not very good at cat-eye eyeliner looks and I love them. This was a hit and so easy to use! The pigment is amazing and lasted all night without smudging or fading. I had to use makeup remover oil to remove it. Now since I have two teen daughters this didn’t stay in my makeup case for long; my daughter uses it and I gave her mine and will be picking up another one for me soon. Happy I tried it and will continue to purchase it again." —Amber Barcelona

Get it from Amazon for $14.98+ (available in three sizes and a combo pack).

UnbuckleMe is a woman-owned small business run by Becca Davison and her mother Barbara Heilman, an occupational therapist and grandmother of four.

Promising review: "As soon as I saw this on Shark Tank I bought it. It was exactly what I've been looking for since I started driving with my new grandbaby. Like the grandma in the duo that invented this, I have arthritis in my thumbs. Many times I have struggled to unlock the straps, almost to the point of panic. Because of the stay home orders here, I haven't been able to use my new UnbuckleMe with my granddaughter in tow, but I tried it out without her in the seat and it worked exactly as advertised. Can't wait to use it with my granddaughter!" —Margery Smith

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors).

Promising reviews: "I saw this item on TikTok and ran to Amazon to buy it. I got it with same-day shipping and INSTANTLY started using it out of the box. When I say I’m honestly obsessed. I've finally found a product that was wellllll worth the money." —shae

"I have a golden retriever and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie, this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back and forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout and it works wonders." —Joanne Ertel

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

Promising review: "We cannot BEGIN to tell you what a lifesaver this is! We have two old fiberglass tubs with vinyl shower enclosures that no matter what amount of scrubbing we have done with everything from bleach to cleanser to vinegar and baking soda would NOT come clean. After I took my shower last night, I sprayed down the tub and walls. Within minutes, all the built-up water deposits and dirt and grime began to melt away in front of my eyes. I left it on overnight, and when I got up this morning, it did not look like the same tub and shower. This product is a godsend, especially for old folks like us who have difficulty getting down on our hands and knees and scrubbing anything. More importantly, it performs as advertised. We plan on using it as part of our weekly cleanup routine. This is truly an overnight sensation!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in two scents, various sizes, and with our without a spray nozzle).

Plus, they're BPA-free, reusable, and created by a small business during the pandemic.

Promising review: "THIS ACTUALLY WORKS!!!! I saw a TikTok about these and decided to order. Sheets balling all up in the washer and dryer has been a pet peeve of mine for forever. I was super skeptical of these, but I tried it, and it works as advertised! It’s a little on the expensive side IMO, and that’s kinda holding me back from purchasing a second set, but they really do work." —StrangerThings

Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in a four-pack).

Promising review: "This stuff works! I’ve never had a wart in my life! At first I thought it was a small callus but as months went by it was getting larger. I started to google and realized I had a plantar wart on my thumb! Eww, embarrassing! So I got the freeze off and thought 'This has to work!' Nope! I tried the freeze off three times and nothing! I than realized the same thing was happening on my other thumb, a small callus but I knew that the wart had spread! Now I was desperate to get rid of them and knew I had waited too long! Bought the invisible strips and it removed my small wart in four days and my big wart in eight!! I couldn’t believe it. I left strips on for two days then pulled back the dead skin with a cuticle clipper and reapplied! My bigger wart was a little tougher to removed and I had irritated my skin trying to cut it out, so I left it alone for few days before reapplying strip and by the second 48-hour treatment, it was gone! I thought my skin would be damaged but it looks like nothing was ever there!" —Audrey N.

Get 14 pads from Amazon for $7.29.

Tidy-Cup is a woman-owned small business started after the founder, Julie Reinhold, was tired of detergent containers dripping all over her laundry room floor.

Promising review: "This totally changed my laundry room! I’ve had no messes since adding this to my laundry jug. Easy to attach and then it holds the cup so it catches any drips. No more messy bottles!!!" —Shannon Meiner

Get a set of two from Amazon for $12.

Promising review: "Holy cow, these suckers work! I'm so grossed out by the result, but at the same time I have a sick sense of satisfaction. I used these in my house plants that are breeding fungus gnats like crazy. I used them in conjunction with beneficial nematodes, and they definitely cut down on the number of gnats in our house. Unfortunately I added a new house plant, plus re-potted one that had outgrown its prior home, and we are wrapped up in them again. I'm buying another package of sticky traps as soon as I finish this review!" —Megan

Get a pack of seven from Amazon for $5.99.

These window fly traps are nontoxic (they're made with waterproof paper and sticky glue) and are so easy to use. Just peel them off the white release liner, place the trap on your window, and peel off the big release liner to start catching and trapping bugs.

Promising review: "Earlier this summer, we had a legitimate fly infestation. Maybe 100 flies buzzing around the apartment, seemingly out of nowhere. We tried to kill them all by hand with paper towels. That worked a little, until the next morning when it seemed they were back in force. I bought the traps, put up just one pack of them, and BAM! These traps caught them all and I don't know, they seemed to not want to come back after that. I took the traps down a month later or so and no more flies." —D Eisner

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $18.10+ (available in two sizes and larger quantities).

Rare 3D Shop is a small business that sells unique 3D-printed items.

Promising review: "This is the only cover that has been able to deter my two cats from shredding our toilet paper! It is worth its weight in gold if you have toilet paper obsessed cats! It also goes perfectly with my bathroom decor! It's both functional and good looking! What more could you want??" —Erin Klodt

Get it from Rare 3D Shop on Etsy for $35 (available in 17 colors).

Promising review: "My dog's molars were turning black and he had a ton of buildup on his canines, and his gums were beginning to look inflamed. And, of course, his breath could kill a horse. After one week of constant use (a cap full for every bowl of water) you could see an obvious difference in tooth color. I was blown away. (Why can’t human mouthwash do such a good job on our teeth?) After three weeks, his molars were almost completely clean. After a couple of months of use, the plaque on his canines was soft enough to brush some of it off, which was totally impossible before. Plaque covered the canine approximately 70%. Obviously that's no longer the case. IDK what insane solvent this is made of, but it keeps his gross mouth clean as a whistle. Now I don’t have to worry about my picky priceless mutt losing his teeth because he can’t be bothered to chew anything." —BaconPancakes

Get it from Amazon for $9.77+ (also available in a formula for dogs and cats, as a foam or spray, and in three sizes)

Promising review: "I was a little unsure what to expect. I had never used something like this before, but my girlfriend says my breath stinks and she deserves better than that. I brush and floss, but there is still that 'thing'...that stank under the normal mouth breath. Using this has removed that. Not really sure how it works or why that layer of spit and stuff on your tongue has to smell so bad, but this removes it well and also feels kinda nice. Thank you!" —nick

Get it from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in various colors, styles, and multipacks).

This is is free of harsh chemicals and cleaners!

Promising review: "My husband and I just adopted our cute puppy, Winston, from the humane society. When we adopted him his ears were unfortunately pretty dirty, but after using this ear cleaner today, his ears are so clean!! I'm so amazed at everything it managed to get out. Our puppy's ears look so much better now! I would highly recommend this product to anyone with a dog." —Jerome F

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

Promising review: "Oh my gosh, can I just say I am COMPLETELY mind blown and AMAZED!!! I've always had super calloused feet because I walk around barefoot often, or without socks. Nothing ever seems to work for me. This product had me skeptical given my history, but I figured it was worth a shot. I'm getting married soon and, well, I'm sure he'd rather feel soft feet than nasty, cracked, calloused feet. So I used the 'mask' this past Monday. It is now Sunday, almost a week to the day later. I've been concerned that I once again wasted money. I was preparing for a second treatment tomorrow. My feet are BAD, so I figured nothing could help me, but I'd do what the company recommended and try re-treating one week after. But all of the sudden the dead skin is coming off!!! Folks, its WORKING!!!! Even the most awfully calloused feet WILL benefit from this!! Trust me!!" —JeepGirl78

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in four scents and two-, three-, and four-packs).

FYI: Before purchasing this, talk to a pediatrician regarding signs and recommended treatments for cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis).

Promising review: "It makes removal so much easier and gives more consistent removal than my previous method of washcloths or just scratching the cradle cap off with my fingernails. It’s amazing, gross, and wonderful. My babe doesn’t even flinch when I spend 10 minutes clearing his scalp of all the goo. It seems to be soothing to him. I just apply baby shampoo, then brush a little with the blue brush. Then I slowly start to comb in sections all in one direction. Then I go back and forth in multiple directions. It’s shocking the amount of dead skin that comes off. I’ve even used it successfully in his eyebrows (he gets some cradle cap there, too). This is a KEEPER!" —ZMomUtah

Get it from Amazon for $4.19.

Sunny & Honey is a family-run small biz that sells home cleaning products.

This can be used in pretty much all machines — Hoover, Bissell, Rug Doctor, Kenmore, Carpet Express. The solution works on all water-safe surfaces like carpets, rugs, furniture, and automobiles. Plus, it's biodegradable and nontoxic.

Promising review: "This works like a dream. I have light beige carpets, and this gets all the dirt and stains right out." —Karen M.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes).

Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. is a family-owned small business named after the family's pets Rocco, a Labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys.

Promising review: "I have an elderly dog who has occasional accidents and a cat with chronic bladder issues. Without this product, I’m pretty sure I would’ve burned down the house. On fresh accidents, it works with just one treatment. It removes the stains, and more importantly, it completely removes the odors. On older, setting stains, it completely removes stains and odors after several repeat treatments. I’ve tried so many products over the years. Hands-down, this is the best." —SR Kelly

Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

Promising review: "I have a 16-pound Pomeranian/Papillon mix, and she gets tear stains nonstop. I tried all kinds of wipes, oils, and washes, but they would barely get anything out. Sometimes the tear stains get crusty and I can't get them out at all. THESE ACTUALLY HELPED A LOT. The little teeth on them are just the right size for brushing through the crusty areas around her eyes, and then I just wipe the loose remains off easily. And my dog cooperates; she even likes it, I think. I would definitely recommend this product to small dog owners with similar issues. I feel like they would be even better if they were not as wide, but that's not too big of an issue. I still recommend them." —Lana D

Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.95.

Humble Suds is a small biz that sells natural cleaning products.

BuzzFeed Shopping writer Danielle Healy had major success with this stuff, which is from a Denver-based Etsy shop specializing in plant-based cleaning products. She writes:

"I recently moved into a new apartment, so lately I've been cleaning A LOT. Shortly after moving in, my partner and I went to store something on the top of the kitchen cabinets only to find them caked in a thick layer of grime. 🤢 After going at it with regular multipurpose cleaner (with little success) we broke out the scour paste as a last-ditch effort and OH BOY did this miracle product deliver (pics above). If it can handle that grossness, it's going to have no problem with day-to-day messes like soap scum and burnt-on food. Plus, it smells delightful and comes in minimal, low-waste packaging!"

Get it from Humble Suds on Etsy for $14.35+ (originally $15.95+; available in two sizes).

Promising review: "I have eczema and I'm constantly trying to find basic skincare than I can use regularly. I have some really bad mosquito bite scars from last summer and some issues with hyperpigmentation, not to mention scarring from eczema outbreaks throughout the years. I saw this reviewed online and decided to give it a try, even though every other product they recommended for skincare was a bust for me. Not this! It smelled like it was going to be too strong and the consistency felt like it was just going to sit on my skin, so I was shocked when my skin drank it in and I had no irritation at all. Even better, after about two months I started noticing some fading and my skin texture felt better. Now it's been about four months and I'm a believer. I'm still on my first bottle (it seems like I've needed to use less over time or something), but I'm considering sizing up with my next purchase, just so I can drench myself in it daily...I'm only kind of exaggerating. It's actually gentle enough for my face and I can't even use Cetaphil on my face (I use very gentle face wash and moisturizer). I hope it becomes your new go-to skin treatment too!" —MissMaria82

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "I have had a film on my dishwasher for quite some time now, I am embarrassed to say. We did not realize that it was necessary to clean the dishwasher from time to time. The buildup had been accumulating for over four years now. I tried several other cleaners to get the buildup off, but failed. I bought this product and figured it was worth a try. We added the product into the dishwasher and ran a normal cycle without dishes. When we opened it back up, it looked like new. Highly recommend this product!" —Phillip and Katherine

Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a 12-pack).

BuzzFeed editor Heather Braga swears by it. Here's what she had to say:

"After reading about how necessary it is to actually clean your makeup brushes (I know, I KNOW, I should’ve been doing this for years) I was super grossed out and motivated to order the right supplies to do the job. I’ve heard good things about Ecotools makeup brush cleansing shampoo so I figured I’d start there. The Amazon listing also suggested buying a silicone makeup brush cleaning pad to go with it so I figured... why not? Well, now I’m patting myself on the back because ordering these two items was a GAME CHANGER!

I could not believe how much residue came off my brushes in just one cleaning. You only need to use a little dab of the shampoo, so one bottle will definitely last a long time. The silicone pad made it super easy to thoroughly lather the brushes without leaving my bathroom sink in shambles. I also loved how each section was labeled with which brush should be cleaned in each area. My brushes look brand new! Don’t hesitate like I did — buy both the shampoo and the mat ASAP."

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (also available in travel size and two-pack).

Promising review: "Will buy again. Truly works. I started using this product and my sister told me that she saw the difference it made on my arms from the keratosis pilaris! I see myself everyday and doubted that it had made a difference but when someone points it out, it makes it clear and feels for comforting knowing you didn’t waste money LOL!" —denise.m.l

Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in four sizes and in a pack of two).

Promising review: "I’m doing a happy dance right now! My toilets have had mineral rings in the bowls from well water since we bought our house five years ago. During those five years, I have purchased NUMEROUS products to try to remove the rings. Every single one failed. I had come to terms with the idea that if I wanted pristine looking crappers, I was going to need to replace them. Three of them. Ugh! I ordered the pumice cleaning stone as a last ditch attempt. Received it today, and immediately went to town. My extreme enthusiasm for scrubbing johns was actually a bit odd, but I was feeling optimistic. Turns out I had reason to. THIS PRODUCT IS AMAZING!!! SO amazing, it actually inspired me to take a picture of my TOILET!!!! My hoppers are saved!!!!! Seriously, the rings are COMPLETELY GONE. If I could give 10 stars, I would." —Sassyscribbler

Get it from Amazon for $9.59 (also available in packs of two or four).

Promising review: "I'm not one to talk about my feet. I've had circulation problems for years that are just now resolving and that has lead to deep callouses on the heel of both feet. I bought this on a whim as I have tried other products in the past with no luck. Twenty minutes later I'm touching baby-smooth skin where there used to be deep cracks and rough broken skin. This thing is a miracle-worker and if I could rate it 10 stars I would." —Gully176

Get it from Amazon for $9.95.

The reviewer pictures above show results after just one night!

BTW: One pen can be used for up to 35 treatments.

Promising review: "SO happy I decided to try this. It seemed kinda ridiculous honestly, a teeth whitening pen? Ooook. After doing strips and trays for years on and off I figured what’s the worst that can happen? I’m out like thirty bucks if it sucks? Whatever. I gotta say I’m pleasantly surprised. I LOVED the idea that I can just paint it on at night and go to sleep, not waiting a half hour like the strips then peeling them off and brushing. After the first application I was pleasantly surprised in the morning to notice a subtle difference in shade. By application four my teeth were noticeably brighter. Definite downside is the clumping of the product on the bristles. I used an alcohol pad after each use. It seemed to do the trick. 10/10 would buy again. Totally worth it for convenience and obvious results alone." —A.S.

Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

Promising review (for the pic on the left): "Ran it through three times. It truly works!" —Shawna20

Promising review: "I bought this product because the needle in my Keurig 2.0 keeps clogging causing inconsistent brew and taste. These cleaning cups fixed both of my issues and especially liked that it was really quick and easy to use… I put the cleaning pod in and ran one cycle, then took the pod out and ran a rinse cycle to clean out any leftover grinds. FAST, EASY, and GREAT results…VERY HAPPY!!" —Corey West

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $9.95.

Promising reviews: "I was skeptical at how quickly this would work on pans and it is really amazing! It makes clean up quick and easy." —Jilly P.

"I use this all the time now. Just squirt into pans or dishes that need extra attention and leave it for a while. Come back and you can literally just wash the pan and put it away. If it is a really baked-on, leave it overnight. I have found it always comes off. Also been using for a stain removal and so far it has worked every time!" —Keg

Get a starter kit with a spray and three refills from Amazon for $17.50.

Promising review: "I found a miracle product! After lesson after lesson on how to use toothpaste failed, I went online for help! The photo (above) is after two days (with old tube for reference). This cap really works! No longer will I be cleaning toothpaste from every surface! No longer will I stare at the ceiling wondering how toothpaste got there. Goodbye golfball sized globs, hello slightly cleaner sink!" —Christina

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $6.95.

Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy.

Promising review: "Miracle product. My 4-year-old has long, curly hair. She sleeps like she’s in an MMA ring and subsequently wakes up with hair matted and tangled. She cries if you brush it because it’s obviously a nightmare. I got this and spray it all over her dry hair and HOLY MOLY where has this been?! The brush glides through her hair with no issue. I don't know what magical unicorn made this stuff but I swear by this now!" —Meghan Anne

Get it from Amazon for $8.19+ (also available in a two-pack).

Reviewers swear this brush works on all hair types: straight, wavy, or curly (from 3a–4c hair).

Promising review: "Miracle brush for wild toddler hair. My toddler has a mean case of the tangles every morning. I don't know what she does in the night, but she wakes up with a rat's nest on the back of her head every morning. It was like torture every morning to brush her baby fine (but dense) hair. I felt horrible. I tried everything and every kind of brush, to no avail. Finally, I found this one. I use a detangling spray and this brush, and she now actually enjoys getting her hair brushed! Her little ringlets are restored and her hair looks beautiful every day with minimal effort. I would buy this brush 10x over, just to not make her cry from the tangled mess. Highly recommend! (and always start detangling from the bottom up, that's a big help!)" —Chimney161

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in various colors and two-packs).

Check out BuzzFeed's TubShroom review.

Promising review: "Can't say enough good things about this product. I have a family of four and would frequently have to snake our shower drain, it appears I won't be having that problem ever again. I even give my dog baths and this collects the hair. It does not seem to slow down the flow of water down the drain significantly. I'm very impressed having been using around a month. You don't know how much hair you wash down your drain until you use this!" —Aaron Morlock

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in six colors and a two-pack).

Promising review: "I have long hair. Due to a thyroid issue, I lose more strands than I used to. Every few days the hair starts to accumulate on the bathroom floor. This broom picks up all the hair from the tile just going over it once. It even gets the strands on the edges and corners. Unlike regular brooms, all the hair stays on the broom until I remove it instead of strands falling back to the floor. Thanks to a review I read before ordering this broom, I also use it on the carpet before vacuuming. I quickly pull it toward me, and it grabs all the hair from the carpet. It only takes a minute or two per room and I no longer have to remove the roller brush from the vacuum and cut all the hair wrapped around it every month." —Lorrieanne13

Get it from Amazon for $16.99.

Promising review: "This coffee scrub is by far one of the best I've ever had. You can just tell by the way is feels on your face that it's entirely natural and good for your skin (and your soul!) I love the fact that I can get rid of unwanted blackheads without feeling like I'm sucking all the moisture out of my skin. And, it's made up of repurposed coffee grounds which is such a great way of being more sustainable in your everyday life!" —Michelle V.

Get it from our Goodful shop for $22.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.