We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
36 Under-$20 Products That Won’t Make You Feel Like You’re Sacrificing Quality
You don’t have to go broke for high-quality products.
1. A vegan under-eye brightener to help balance out bluish tones and dark circles. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and shea butter to nourish and hydrate skin. You’ll look like you’ve had days of sleep…even if the truth is you haven’t slept in days. (Gosh darn, those true crime documentaries!)
This medium-coverage concealer can be applied with your fingers or a brush.
Promising review: “I believe I was born with dark circles under my eyes, and I have spent the last 50+ years looking for something that will cover my dark circles. I’ve spent a lot more money on products that do a lot less. And I was very hesitant to buy something so inexpensive as I thought it would not work. I was surprised to find my circles a lot lighter, and my eyes are looking much more alert and younger. I’m very pleased with this product!” —Lafinrsm
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two tones).
2. A pack of six citrus-scented washing machine cleaner tablets because no one wants to toss dirty clothes into a dirty machine. The tablets dissolve to remove any residue that may have built up, so you can be sure your favorite blanket comes out smelling fresh! These will clean deep inside the pump, valve, tub, drum, agitator, filter, and hose.
Promising review: “Gets my washer clean and smelling great. This product was recommended by our repair man. I ran three cleaning cycles back to back the first time (per instructions) to get rid of the buildup we had, and I can now just do it monthly for maintenance. Will keep buying these forever!” —Rachael Rinehart
Get the pack of six tablets from Amazon for $11.98.
3. A grape cutter if grapes are your tot’s fave snack, but it takes you forever to cut them up by hand. This will quickly slice grapes into quarters, so they’re less of a hazard for your snacking tot. It’s also safe enough for your tot to use (with your supervision, of course).
Promising reviews: “LOVE it. It took three minutes to cut grapes that would have taken me at least 10. As a mom of a toddler, those minutes are precious. It was also fun and easy to use.” —Jacqueline
“I wish I would’ve had this a LONG time ago. This little gadget has come in so handy. If you have a toddler or small child, you NEED this. It quarters grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, etc., so they aren’t choking hazards for little ones. So much faster than slicing every tiny grape up yourself. 10/10 would recommend.” —Sara Waits
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (only available in opal).
4. An eight-second L’Oreal lamellar rinse-out treatment for shinier, healthier, and silkier hair in, well, eight seconds. Its amino acid-rich formula specifically targets damaged areas and smooths them out.
Use this 2–3 times per week after shampooing your hair, and remember not to use it on your scalp. This treatment is just for the length of your hair.
Promising review: “I bought this to try because I heard it was as good as (if not better than) Olaplex. I paid for Olaplex at my stylist, and it worked, but not the way I expected it to for what it cost. The Wonder Water is amazing. It’s immediate and who doesn’t have eight seconds? It worked amazingly well. My hair was softer, straighter, and had no frizz!” —KLR
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
5. Three pairs of self-heating Dr. Scholl’s foot masks formulated with shea butter to help moisturize, and essential oils to help soothe and calm. Just wear these masks for 30 minutes to get some much-deserved relief and relaxation.
6. The Pink Stuff cleaning paste because no sticky saucepans, streaky stainless steel, or gunked-up glass shall prosper against you or this versatile and easy-to-use cleaner. This paste has got you covered, from your caked-on stovetop to your dirty rain boots. It can even remove those colorful drawings your kids left on your white walls!
Promising review: “A house I manage had an ongoing slow leak in the toilet that had gone on for several months. Our water is very hard, and horrible hard water stains had built up over time that looked black and disgusting. Nothing would get the toilet clean, and so with nothing to lose (other than this toilet for a new one!), I ordered The Pink Stuff from Amazon. I was amazed at how easy it was to use, basically zero smell. With a little bit of elbow grease, the toilet looked BRAND NEW in less than 15 minutes of cleaning! Surprise, I barely used any of the product; a little bit goes a long way!!! I’ll be keeping The Pink Stuff in my cleaning kit forever!!!” —Annie willow
Get it from Amazon for $5.29.
7. A Shark Tank-famous Little Elf gift wrap cutter, so you don’t have to rely on a shoddy pair of scissors to try to cut in a long, straight line (it’s simply impossible!). This efficient gadget makes cutting wrapping paper safe and easy and is great for those with dexterity issues.
This small business is called Little Elf. It started in 2019 and has a specialized focus on gift wrapping tools and accessories.
Promising review: “I purchased this after seeing it on TikTok, and it did not disappoint! It’s essential. I have already gifted it to my best friend :).” —Amanda Daniels Geier
Get a pack of two from Little Elf on Amazon for $13.99.
8. A pack of K-Cup cleaners if you haven’t cleaned your machine in a while and your coffee hasn’t been tasting quite like coffee lately. Pop one of these nontoxic cups into your Keurig to give it the deep clean it’s been needing.
Promising reviews: “Now my coffee tastes a lot better — as if the machine were brand new.” —Jonathan L. Smith
“These cleaning cups are amazing!!!! I am embarrassed to admit that I’ve never cleaned out my Keurig machine in the few years that I’ve had it. I will definitely be using these once a week as recommended!” —Suzanne C
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $9.95.
9. A lash-extending E.l.f. Cosmetics tubing mascara, which uses tubing tech to extend the look of your lashes beyond their natural length. This long-lasting and lengthening formula leaves no lumps, no flakes, and no smudges. Plus, it contains 5% jojoba seed oil to condition lashes while giving you an epic lewk.
Check it out on TikTok.
Plus, BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord is a big fan:
“I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn’t even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I’ve tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I’m like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I’m a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I’m wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black.”
Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades).
10. Some Glisten garbage disposal cleaner that’ll foam up and scrub your disposal, leaving a fresh scent behind instead of icky drain pipe odors.
Promising review: “It seems counterintuitive to put a little packet down your garbage disposal to clean it, but this does actually seem to work, at least for getting out weird smells that baking soda and vinegar don’t really touch. I scrub the sink down first, especially around the garbage disposal area, rinse it down, and then just follow the directions on the package. I have used it with single, large-size sinks and with double sinks — only difference is that the double sink will have blue cleaning foam rise up the drain, which you rinse away when the disposal sounds clear again. I have tried the foaming cleaner in a can, but unfortunately it stopped coming out of the can about 10% of the way through. Went back to this tried and true.” —KS
Get a pack (good for four uses) from Amazon for $3.67.
11. A pack of Affresh dishwasher cleaner tablets so you don’t risk limescale and mineral buildup affecting your dishwasher’s performance. Because if a dishwasher can’t properly wash dishes…it’s essentially just a wet cabinet.
Promising review: “We have well water, and my dishwasher had very bad hard water stains. Used one tablet and couldn’t believe it! I used a second one the next week, and it was even better! This is one product that I’m glad I tried and will keep using forever!” —Tasha Marie Hupp
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $8.99.
12. A pore-control Anua heartleaf extract cleansing oil for gently and effectively ridding your face of dirt, makeup, sebum, and blackheads. This hypoallergenic K-beauty formula has soothing ingredients that won’t cause clogged pores. You can even add it to your double cleansing routine!
Promising reviews: “I tried this on a whim. My skin always holds onto everything and I was looking dull. I massaged this into my face for a while before my shower and then cleansed with my normal cleanser. Let me tell you, when I got out out of the shower, my pores looked different. I noticed everything seemed like it was coming to the surface of the skin, and so I used and omg… after two days, I never had pores this clean since I was ten years old. People at work said I was glowing, and my face had never been so soft. My skin has never felt so good. This stuff is magic. It makes all other products work better. It’s super gentle. I bought it for three friends because it made me look so youthful.” —Bead maniac
Get it from Amazon for $17.69.
13. A nontoxic pet urine stain removing spray to help you finally and fully reclaim your home from years-old dark spots on your couch and the scent of cat pee emanating from your rug.
Promising review: “I don’t know how I ever survived without this. There are tons of ‘pet stain/odor remover’ products out there, but this by far is the absolute best. I cringed paying the $20 for it when others are between $5–$10, but I have NO ISSUES paying now. I foster dogs, some puppies, some older, some not housebroken, and every room in my house is carpeted except the kitchen, which means I have lots of accidents. I spray enough to saturate if it’s a lot of urine, let it soak for 10 minutes, then wipe it up with a hand towel. Then I put a larger towel on top of it if it’s in a high-traffic area until it’s completely dry. It’s taken out every stain and, more importantly, the odor is gone! I will never stop buying this product. I recommend it to everyone who has dogs!” —Shelly
Get it from Amazon for $19.31+ (available in two scents).
14. A pack of four zipper clips that’ll help deter any would-be thieves from attempting to get into your backpack or luggage. Just clip either end to your zippers to make it impossible to open your bags. These can also function as zipper pull replacements!
Promising review: “These held up really well on my backpack that I took with me on a long trip. While having the two zippers clipped together did make opening the backpack a little bit more difficult, it also gave me a sense of security while wearing the backpack in public.” —Jenna
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four color combinations).
15. A box of maximum-strength one-step wart-removing pads with extra cushioning so there’s no discomfort while they work their magic.
Promising review: “This stuff works! I’d 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! So I got the Freeze Off and thought, ‘This has to work!’ Nope! I tried the Freeze Off three times, and nothing! I then 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! I bought the invisible strips, and they 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 remove, and I had irritated my skin trying to cut it out, so I left it alone for a few days before reapplying a 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+ (available in two styles).
16. A Scrubbing Bubbles cleaning stamp because rings have been forming around the inside of your toilet. This will keep your toilet bowl fresh and clean with every flush. Just plop some gel inside the bowl and let it work so you don’t have to.
Scrubbing Bubbles
Promising review: “I absolutely love these things! I have five kiddos. These gel stamps keep my toilet cleaner and fresher-smelling for longer, which is a definite plus with four boys. These have an easy, no-mess application. I finally just put them on my Subscribe & Save so I always have them ready.” —Alyssa M
Get six stamps from Amazon for $5.99.
17. A toilet tank cleaner with a powerful citric acid formula made to remove hard water deposits and other stains in your toilet tank without any elbow grease needed. Get rid of stubborn odors with this safe-on-pipes cleaner.
Promising review: “Wow! First of all, I was shocked when I noticed that my toilet tank was so filthy. I never look in there but there was a reason that my toilet bowl needed to be scrubbed every day. The tank was so nasty I couldn’t even see the bottom. I really didn’t want to drain the water and scrub the tank, then I saw this. I honestly didn’t expect that it would actually work since my tank was so nasty. I dumped this little miracle product in the tank, left it overnight, and the next morning I saw a much cleaner tank. I can actually see in there now. No draining or scrubbing. Amazing stuff!” —Linda Baker
Get it from Amazon for $7.07.
18. A pack of cold sore healing patches containing hydrocolloid, which can help your skin heal faster. These discreet patches create a moist environment that helps relieve pain, reduce blistering, and prevent scabbing.
Promising review: “I wish I had found these sooner!! These cold sores were probably the worst I’ve had and wouldn’t clear up or stop itching/hurting. I googled cold sore remedies, and these happened to pop up. After reading the reviews, I immediately ordered them. They came right on time, and I put them on before bed last night. It’s been less than 36 hours and already these cold sores are healing up beautifully. I plan to order another pack or three, so I can keep one at home, one in my purse, and one in my locker at work so if I ever feel the warning tingle/itching of a new breakout, I can slap one of these bad boys on and get rid of it quickly! Highly recommend for my fellow cold sore sufferers.” —Jessica Hill
Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $11.19.
19. A lightweight Eos body lotion that offers 24-hour moisture! Its non-greasy formula contains seven nourishing oils and butter, including shea butter, so you’ll wanna pet your soft self all day long. And it’s vegan, hypoallergenic, and paraben-free.
Promising review: “Love this lotion. It is very thick and hydrating. Easy to apply. My skin feels very moisturized after application. The smell is definitely the best part. I have sensitive skin, so I struggle to find scented lotion that I like, but this one has not caused any flare-ups on my skin.” —Jaquelin g.
Get it from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in eight scents).
20. A shoe protector spray — this water-, oil-, and stain-repellant spray will help make sure your shoes stay grime-free. This treatment can last up to five weeks!
21. A durable and super-accurate digital luggage scale because you bought a lot of new clothes on your journeys and you need to make sure your suitcase doesn’t exceed your airline’s weight maximum.
You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements.
Promising reviews: “I cannot imagine how we would have managed a big international trip without this. It saved us so much stress and, I’m sure, surprise charges at the airport.” —Potter Freak
“This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel.” —Robert
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors and also a two-pack).
22. A soft, purring plush toy sure to help soothe your anxious kitty. Whether they’re grieving the loss of a feline friend or have separation anxiety, they can calm down with this pillow’s comforting purring sounds.
Promising review: “Works like a charm! I recently found myself a cat mama of an abandoned week-old kitten. I bought this knowing she needed just something to cuddle up to in her bed. Turns out it basically hypnotizes her to sleep. She crawls to it, kneads it, and eventually, her meows turn to silence. I wish the purring lasted longer, but for $10, it is a lifesaver. She’s pooped on it a couple of times, so I’ve had to throw it in the washer and dryer minus the battery pack. It’s held up great.” —S Leytem
Get it from Amazon for $6+ (available in five styles).
23. And for your pup? An adorable squeaky stuffed duck you’ll wanna take endless pictures of your dog napping with. How cute is this unexpected animal friendship??? And reviewers say this duck is pretty friggin’ durable!
Promising review: “My dog Hazel LOVES this duck! She has had it for nine months now, and it’s still intact! It somehow made it through her teething as a puppy. She rips and tears apart all of her toys, but this one still looks decent!” —Emily Ann
Get it from Amazon for $7.41.
Check out my coworker’s Multipet Duckworth duck toy review for more deets!
24. A delightfully scented foaming mousse formulated with coconut and shea oils that’ll help to hydrate hair, define curls, and combat frizz. It’s also a great mousse to use atop natural protective styles like knotless braids.
Promising review: “Possible better than Deva Curl foam mousse, and I can buy six of these for the price of one Deva Curl. This stuff is awesome. I have type 2c curly hair that, without mass product, gets like Krusty the Clown frizzy and looks and feels like a rat’s nest no matter what shampoo and conditioner I use. I’ve loosely been following curly girl routines, sulfate/paraben/yada-yada free shampoo and conditioner, curly girl microfiber towel, satin pillowcase, the whole nine yards. In order to tame my nest, I usually have to put serum, mousse, and sometimes hairspray in it to make it look decent, but then it’s all crunchy. I used this stuff on my damp hair and let it air dry, and my hair looked so nice, and it was soft, too, not crunchy. I actually had some nice curls form. So if you’re at the end of your rope with your unruly hair, give this stuff a try, and if it doesn’t work for you, it was only $4, not $24.” —MrsT 111111
Get it from Amazon for $3.98.
25. A plant-based wrinkle-release spray so you don’t walk around looking like you just rolled out of bed…even if you did. Because no one wants to look like they’re too lazy to iron…even if you are. Just spray, smooth, and tug!
26. A non-greasy hair wax stick to slick back any flyaways or style your edges. And its vegan and cruelty-free formula contains castor oil, which hydrates and smooths.
BUT please don’t feel any pressure to lay your edges unless you way want to! Check out “Just A Friendly PSA That You Don’t HAVE To Lay Your Edges Down If You Don’t Wanna.”
Promising review: “Thought this would be an inferior product for the price. I’ve always used Bed Head, but this time, when I saw what Bed Head cost, I took a gamble on this wax stick. Guess what?! It works the same as the expensive Bed Head. So save your money and enjoy this affordable, great product.” —AJ Carrelli
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in multipacks).
27. A fragrance-free EcoTools makeup brush cleaning spray — this super convenient cleaner is not only vegan and cruelty-free but also quick-drying, so you don’t have to wait hours and hours for your brushes to dry to use them again. Just spray this onto the bristles and wipe away the residue on a cloth.
Promising review: “I was pleasantly surprised at how well this cleaned my expensive brushes. The makeup came out with minimum effort and left the brushes soft and smelling fresh. The relatively low price was an extra bonus. I will definitely purchase the product again.” —Ann S Raab
Get it from Amazon for $6.73+ (available in two sizes).
28. An electric egg cooker for effortlessly preparing perfect eggs. Now you don’t have to worry about cracking into a hard-boiled egg and finding a runny yolk. Get ready for instant hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, and omelets!
It comes with a measuring cup so you pour the perfect amount of water for the style of eggs you want.
Promising review: “This product is truly a life-changing product, and the eggs are SO GOOD. I can’t believe I have lived this long without one, I feel like a fool.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in five colors).
29. A set of nine hypoallergenic gold-plated hoop earrings so cute, you’re not gonna want to save them for a “special occasion.” And because each style is different, you’ll be able to switch things up on the daily.
Promising review: “I’m picky when it comes to jewelry, and I love these. They haven’t tarnished on me at all or hurt my ears, and the gold isn’t tacky-looking. I love the variety, and you can’t beat the pricing. Also, a great gift!” —Marisa
Get a set of nine from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three finishes).
30. A saline nasal gel formulated with aloe to help soothe irritated and dry noses. Whether it’s allergies or dryness that’s got your nose feeling blue, this nongreasy gel will give you some comfort.
Promising review: “I don’t like to talk about it, but every year, my nose becomes super dry to the point where I sometimes get a bloody nose. I usually use some squeeze saline, but it got so bad this year that I decided to get this gel. A dab on a finger or a swab and my nose is hydrated, moistened, and not dry as a desert. No winter bloody noses! It is very light, is not slimy or like Vaseline, and it does not have any smell.” —Catherine
Get it from Amazon for $3.62.
31. A pack of four cactus-shaped dryer balls that’ll help make sure your clothes and bedsheets dry evenly and completely. Plus, they’re reusable and just so darn cute!
Promising review: “These are the only dryer balls I’ve found that actually made me not need fabric softener sheets. It cuts down on static, and I don’t find pet fur clinging to my clothes when I pull them out of the dryer.” —Tianhui Fan
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five styles and larger pack sizes).
32. A chic and efficient mug warmer because there’s no point in battling the coming cold by constantly microwaving your chilled cup of once-hot coffee. Have this at the ready so you can have perfectly warmed coffee all day long.
Get it from Amazon for $18.98.
33. A three-step cradle cap system so you can gently loosen and lift flakes from baby’s scalp.
Read more about cradle cap — aka seborrheic dermatitis — at Seattle Children’s and the American Academy of Dermatology.
Promising review: “A must-have for newborns. My 6-week-old had bad cradle cap, and this brush worked miracles. I wish I had it from birth. We have continued to use this brush even though the cradle cap has gone, and it does wonders on the scalp and keeps the hair looking healthy. Highly highly recommend. Plus, my baby enjoys the gentle scalp massage from the soft bristles.” —LM01
Get it from Amazon for $9.59.
34. A litter box odor neutralizer designed to work with all litter types. It’s formulated with plant-based essential oils to rid your home of stubborn odors. And feel free to use it in your garbage can, kennels, and trash compactors.
Sprinkle & Sweep is a small biz making it easy for you to clean up after your pet!
Promising review: “It makes managing litter box odors easy and offers great longevity, which is perfect for the pragmatic pet owner. The added bonus is that it doesn’t clump or create a mess, and it’s incredibly easy to sprinkle without any dust clouds. This product really takes the hassle out of litter box maintenance.” —Shania
Get it from Sprinkle & Sweep on Amazon for $9.48.
35. A cute insulated Owala coffee tumbler since you make a great PSL at home but still want it to be hot when you get to work. This’ll keep hot drinks hot for up to 24 hours! Plus, it has an easy-sip strawless spout and a splash-resistant lid.
Promising review: “The lid is an example of exceptional design. The drinking opening is different from anything I have ever experienced. It feels great to drink from, which isn’t something you would normally say about a beverage cup. But your lips seal naturally against the opening, and the coffee flow is perfect. It is difficult to describe, but once you try it, you will understand. The cup has also proven to be very durable, especially the coating. I don’t know what kind of paint they use, but it is highly resistant to chips and scratches. It is also slightly textured, which helps keep a solid grip and prevents slipping out of your hand. The outside of the cup is comfortable to hold, no matter how hot the liquid inside is. This cup has performed wonderfully and is my go-to daily cup for drinking my morning coffee.” —HaSt
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).
36. A contoured weighted eye mask because it’ll help you get your beauty sleep without putting too much pressure on your eyes. It’s got an adjustable strap and is made from memory foam.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
