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5 genius products that will instantly solve problems you didn’t know you had — starting at $5

A small gadget can make a huge difference. (Photo: Amazon)
A small gadget can make a huge difference. (Photo: Amazon)

We’ve all got problems. Some of those problems are bigger than others but there are some that we don’t know we have until the solution slaps us in the face in a coulda-had-a-V-8 kind of way. There are hacks for everything, of course, but we're not talking about solutions like soaking your oven racks in a bathtub full of detergent. We’re talking about little gadgets that make a huge difference in our lives — and there's a lot to be discovered on Amazon.

Quick overview

Amazon has tons of under-the-radar tools and trinkets that can make a day or a trip easier. We’ve sorted through the catalog and picked out some of our favorite problem solving products to pass along to you.

From a couch cup holder to a tool to turn your sink into a water fountain, your life is about to get a lot easier. Scroll down and get ready to add to cart.

This three-compartment car trunk organizer has 12 side and 2 flap pockets as well as a removable cooler bag. In addition to the trunk, it can be used in a sub-trunk or front seat.
$40 at Amazon

This is such a simple idea, but it might make road trips and errands a heckuva lot easier. This trunk organizer is designed to corral the clutter in your car. It fits in the back of an SUV, sedan or hatchback and has a cooler bag and three compartments with removable dividers to keep things neat and orderly.

“​​The hubby loves it,” wrote a sly gift giver. “He was seriously thinking 'why did she buy me a laptop bag?' Then he opened it and I tell ya what. It was like a woman having pockets on a dress. He was like: 'There is so much room so many places to put all the things!'"

The Tidywrap is made with high-quality soft rubber and attaches to small appliances with an adhesive backing. It has two prongs on each end to wind up cords and keep them from getting tangled in storage.
$13 at Amazon

There's no way to get around amassing cables, but they don't have to stress you out, thanks to the Tidywrap. This little contraption attaches to any small appliance so you can wrap the cord up and get it out of the way. Upright vacuum cleaners come with a similar device, and after using this once, you'll wonder why everything with a cable doesn't come with one.

"I got this for my minimalist husband who hates getting 'things' for gifts, almost as much as he hates clutter," wrote a doting wife. "He was practically giddy after we installed several of these on various kitchen appliances. It’s not just storage - but moving the appliance around from its storage location to the countertop is a nicer experience. He was seriously swinging around a food processor with one hand saying 'this is so much neater!'"

Made with heat-resistant material, the Angry Mama is designed to be filled with vinegar and water. It's then heated in the microwave to create a cleaning steam that removes caked on food.
$7 at Amazon

If you own a microwave, you've likely had to clean up a few messes. And even more likely, it wasn't a chore you enjoyed. That probably won't change with the Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner, but it will be a lot easier. Just fill her up with some vinegar and water, put her in the microwave, hit start and let her work her magic. When she's done, you just wipe out the oven.

"I was skeptical but this little thing works great," wrote a cleaning convert. "Without it I would have to scrub it down hard which of course takes time and is annoying….with this I just put it in….then wiped everything down quickly with a paper towel. Bought a couple for friends too!"

Made with rubber, the Tapi fits over the end of your faucet. Water can flow through the Tapi like normal, but to redirect the water, you squeeze the end to create a fountain.
$5 at Amazon

Dixie cups, reusable plastic cups or just cupping your hand — there just isn't a great way to rinse your mouth when you brush your teeth. Not so, says people who know the Tapi. The Tapi is a rubber attachment that turns your faucet into a water fountain (or bubbler if you're from Wisconsin). It covers the opening of the faucet and water runs through it, but if you pinch the bottom, the water is redirected up to make a fountain. You can drink from it or use it to rinse out your mouth.

"I love this little gadget," a grateful shopper wrote. "I’m one of those people who hates the process of brushing my teeth for many reasons but this thing makes it a little less tedious."

Made with food grade silicone, this couch cup holder has an anti-spill design that allows you to keep your drink even if you don't have a table.
$23 at Amazon

We've all gotten a little more comfortable watching TV over the last couple of years, but there's one thing that can make it even more comfortable: the Watruer Sofa Cup Holder. This silicone gadget fits snugly over the arm of a couch or recliner and holds your beverage in place. No more reaching to the coffee table for a sip of soda!

"I bought this for the sofa in our motorhome and we absolutely love it," shared one rave reviewer. "It is very stable and I don't worry any more about my cup falling off the arm of the sofa when I get up or down or move around on the couch." Another happy drinker simply wrote: "Fits a martini glass. Ten stars."

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And even those without Prime get free shipping on orders of $25 or more).

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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