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Jun 12, 2023

47 Things Under $20 To Buy Now

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

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.

Including a definitive guide to which animals do and don't fart. 💨

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "Everyone talks about them and wants them! This has been an amazing gift! Something simple and not expensive to just surprise someone else. The size seems perfect for all kind of drinks and so far they don’t seem to be getting ruined by the water so they are perfect! I had recommended them for friends as they keep asking where I got them." —Isaira

Get a set of eight from Amazon for $11.99.

Promising review: "OMG where has this been my whole adult life with kids?! As a child growing up in the '90s, I lived on Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese. Fast-forward and now I have two little kids of my own. I always stayed away from most boxed mac and cheese because of all of the bad ingredients, though my kids have had Kraft on the rare occasion. I stumbled across this stuff that was recommended by BuzzFeed so I got it. It came this morning and the kids were devouring it by dinner. I boiled 8 ounces of organic whole-wheat elbow noodles, drained and then added 2 tablespoons of butter, 2ish tablespoons of milk (or yogurt), and then 3 tablespoons of the cheese mix. I did add a pinch of salt to kick up the flavor a bit. The package has a zip lock and the bag I got is good until October, so seven months? I bet we will go through the whole bag by then!" —ACP

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two flavors).

Lockwood is an NYC-based woman-owned small biz from Mackenzi Farquer. You can shop decor, stationery, and lifestyle goods online or five brick-and-mortar locations in Astoria, Greenpoint, and Jackson Heights.

Get it from Lockwood for $11.95.

Tattoorary is a Netherlands-based temporary tattoo and nail decal small business from owner/designer/photographer/illustrator Wilma Boekholt.

Promising review: (for the snake design) "These are SO fun, easy to apply, just cut out the ones you want, soak in water for a few seconds, then apply with tweezers! I did a topcoat after but not sure if that’s necessary. So many compliments!" —rialschristensen

Get them from Tattoorary on Etsy for $4; the stars here and the snakes here.

FYI: The towel absorbs 10 (!) times it's weight in grease and absorbs liquids 20 times faster than other fabrics. Plus, it comes from a woman-owned small businesses based in Denver, Colorado.

Promising review: "This is great. I don’t like using loads of paper towels in draining meat, but I didn’t know what else to use. The bacon sponge is absorbent and easy to clean. It performs as advertised and makes me feel better about eliminating another source of waste." —PamelaRenee

Get it from Amazon Handmade for $13.50.

Promising review: "I absolutely adore these patches, they are like the number-one product that I repurchase again and again because I just can't get enough of them. They're the perfect pick-me-up in the morning and the best wind-me-down at night before bed after taking my makeup off. I leave them on for way longer than the recommended time because they just feel so good that I don't wanna take them off. The jelly-like texture of the patches is so satisfying and it has the most amazing cooling, refreshing sensation, it's almost menthol-like but it doesn't irritate my eyes at all. You HAVE to try these, I recommend them to everyone any chance that I get!" —Ulta Reviewer

Get a pack of five from Ulta Beauty for $15.

Noted is a small, Brooklyn, NY–based biz that partners with designers in Japan to create "cute and clever" products.

The teensy cat planter comes with wild strawberry seeds, the puppy with clover seeds, the panda with sweet basil seeds, and the frog with peppermint seeds.

Get them from Noted for $15.75 (available in four designs).

Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, I dropped and spilled my drink everywhere when it was my turn to check my passport and ticket. It was a nightmare! This time, I bought this cup holder to do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." —Philip

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in four colors).

Get it from Billie starting at $9.

Check out our full Billie razor review to learn more.

This adorable little guy can be used a few different ways. To keep things like brown sugar and fresh cookies nice and moist, soak it in some water and then place it in the same container. On the flip side, keep things like chips and crackers nice and crispy by using it dry.

Promising review: "Not only do I use one of these little fellows for my brown sugar, I picked up a tip from someone else. If you take one of these little guys and don't run him under water, but leave him perfectly dry, he will help keep your electronics such as cameras dry in the camera bags during humid months by absorbing the humidity. How perfect is that? A multitasking little fellow. Well worth getting multiples of. I'm sure I can find other uses as well." —A.B.A.

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

Promising review: "I went from very dry, flaky, and angry skin to soft and supple in about one week. I noticed a change instantly. My acne has even started clearing up. Keep in mind I also added vitamin E oil serum to my skincare routine at the same time. I highly recommend. The product has a great consistency, is cooling/calming, light, and has a pleasant smell." —Victoria Couty

Get it from Amazon for $16.48.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover editions) or Bookshop for $14.72+ (originally 16+).

Shady Creek Naturals is a family-owned small cleaning biz based in Dallas, North Carolina. Using their stain stick is *so* simple. Just wet whatever is stained and then give it a good rub with the solid formula before throwing it back in the wash.

Promising review: "Amazing, amazing! This stain remover has gotten grass stains, mud stains, bloodstains, and ink stains off clothes. Nothing has worked so good before. I love this! Will definitely order more!!" —Sasha Gonzalez

Get it from Shady Creek Naturals on Etsy for $8.

A few years ago — when I used to live with a roommate — I spotted this stuff in the shower and decided to "borrow" some (TY, TY, Sam!). From the moment I opened the lid and got a sniff of it, I was SOLD. To put it lightly, the scent is intoxicating. Like really — I wish you could smell it through the screen. Second, it does what it's supposed to do. I apply it after shaving — rubbing it in circles so the crystals really exfoliate my skin — and it leaves my legs so smoothhhhhhhh. The scent also lingers for a really long time which I obvi love.

Promising review: "I needed something to exfoliate my back, shoulders, and arms. This is a great exfoliator. It's not too rough, but it gives great exfoliation. Once I opened the jar, I was pleasantly surprised with how great this product smells. Added bonus!" —kcs

Get it from Target for $13.99 or Ulta Beauty for $15.

Promising review: "Legit the cutest, most affordable, and trendiest necklace I own. I am very impressed with the quality for the price. I haven’t had it very long, but I can see this lasting for me for a long time as long as I take care of it." —KaLea Keefer

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (all letters of the alphabet are available).

Promising review: "These are super comfortable and more breathable than most other bands! I picked this up because a coworker recommended I get them for my new Apple Watch to help with the heat rash and tightness on my wrist and oh my goddddds. This is a blessing." —Victoria Gullick

Get a set of two from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in sizes S and L and 22 color combinations).

Promising review: "I'm IN LOVE with my rings! I always tend to mess with my jewelry, and end up with sore fingers. This not only helps, but they look really pretty, too!" —Maggie

Get a set of three from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in sizes 7–11 and two finishes).

The pack comes with three Scrub Daddies — each in a different color — so you never have to worry about using the bathroom sponge on dishes. 😱

Promising review: "I used to 'save' these little gems for 'special projects' (what projects, I don't know because I ended up not ever using them!). Then one day I decided, 'What the heck, just use one in the sink for dishes, you can always buy more.' Lo and behold, I LOVE them! They remove food off of dishes more easily than a sponge and I just throw them in the top rack of the dishwasher and they come out spotless! They never smell and always rinse out nicely in between washings. These little gems even take off hard water buildup from my shower doors! (I also use regular cleaners with them to do the trick.) I love these so much I bought a bunch and used them as stocking stuffers last Xmas! Everyone loves them!" —DivaGranny

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $9.99.

PS: It comes with a Scrub Mommy so you don't have to purchase a sponge separately.

Promising review: "We live on the outskirts of town and our water is so hard! This is the only thing that removes those hard water stains without using heavy chemicals! I was previously using The Chemical Bros. Water Spot remover and I had to let it sit and wear gloves! After finding this, no more!" —Marissa Testerman

Get it from Scrub Daddy for $9.99 or Target for $12.19.

The Roll Keeper is a woman-owned small business from Kelso, Washington. Check out this helpful video that shows you how to load and unload the Roll Keeper!

Promising review: "Our family is growing, and I realized there's a lot of space in a closet that isn't being used. That's how I came across these, and now I have them in all the closets. They make getting clothes so easy, and now we have more space for the growing family! XOXO!" —Megan

Get it from The Roll Keeper on Etsy for $15.99 (available in black or maroon) or from Amazon Handmade for $19.99 (available in black).

I seriously stan K-beauty brand Peach & Lily's products (I use their gel moisturizer every day) and have been using this clarifying cleanser for a few weeks now. I have pretty sensitive skin so switching products is often a gamble but this hasn't done me wrong! It's fragrance free and very gentle and I love how it suds up when applied. I find it comparable to First Aid Beauty's cleanser (my usual go-to; check it out here) — not in consistency/look, but in how fresh and clean my face feels after. Plus, it's, like, less than half the price!

FYI: The brand — founded by Alicia Yoon — is also Asian and woman owned.

Get it from Peach & Lily for $10.99.

Promising review: "I was quite skeptical when I ordered this purse organizer but decided for the price, I'd go ahead and take the chance. Well! This is a winner. There's no assembly. It hooks over the clothes rod, right alongside the clothes hangers. I held my breath as I began to push through a couple of my larger purses. The larger ones protrude a bit on each end but the sling fits like a glove around the purse and prevents sliding. The smaller purses fit quite nicely. I like that my more costly bags will not be a dust catchall now and will also be protected from scratching. All in all, I'm impressed with this product and happy with this purchase. It is a space saver. I recommend it. I hope it holds up well. I think it will." —Beje

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors).

FYI, the tampons are made with 100% organic cotton (tampon and string). Pads and liners have 100% organic cotton topsheet and core. I'm a fan of the compact plastic applicator tampons.

Get a box of six regular and six heavy pads from Lola for $10/month. Check out the rest of the period products here.

Chunks is a woman-founded accessories brand started by Tiffany Ju. Its nostalgic designs also include jumbo claw clips and bejeweled combs.

BuzzFeed shopping editor Melanie Aman is a big fan saying: "I recently spent what some would consider to be a silly amount of money on hair clips but these bring me such joy (something we all need right now) that I can justify it. I have straight Asian hair but it's quite thick and these clips do a great job of holding it back without ripping out strands every time I remove them."

Get them from Chunks for $6.75 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "As someone who loses stuff easily, like my last set of AirPods, it's super nice to have something with a noticeable thickness and be super cute at the same time! Everything fits perfect for the case, I simply slipped it on with no signs of wiggling or sliding off. 10/10 recommend for a gift and self accessory ☆." —Jordan

Get it from Amazon for $13.18.

The covers just slip right into the gap — there's no adhesive involved — so you can easily remove and clean them whenever necessary.

Promising review: "I've been using these for about a week on my new freestanding range. When they removed my old range, I was really surprised to see how much stuff had slipped through! Now when I cook, I can see the splatters and seasonings left on the silicone that would have fallen between the stove and the counter. These gap fillers really do clean up easily, too. Although they are that extra thing to clean, I prefer that to knowing there's a mess hiding in the cracks." —JMom

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

Browndages is a Black family–owned business that not only sells inclusive bandages, but pajamas, books, and face masks, as well.

Get them from Browndages for $3.99 (available in mocha, caramel, wheat, ebony, and sand complexions as well as an assorted pack).

Made by Squeak is a Houston-based shop that sells my favorite type of stuff: cat stuff! They have stickers, purses, shirts, totes, and more so be sure to check them out.

Promising review: "SO CUTE! Got this lil' pardner for my cowboy BF, and he adores it! It's got two backings to secure the pin more sturdily, it is a lil' chonk!" —dinosaurus quelz

Get it from Made by Squeak on Etsy for $9.99.

Promising review: "This must be the greatest idea since the discovery of fire! Two days in, and my hardwood is shining! And all with just walking around! Of course the quality is pedestrian (pardon), of course it doesn’t look like it was made by Versace, but that’s not the point, is it?" —Nigel

Get them from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three sizes and 14 styles).

Promising review: "These are the most amazing cutting boards! It is so handy to be able to slice, dice, chop, and then fold it up and pour into a bowl. I love them and have them in three sizes!" —C. Whitten

Get it from Amazon $10.89.

Dreamy Daisy is a small accessory shop based in Washington, DC. Check them out for handmade canvas backpacks, spa headbands, scrunchies, and more.

Promising review: "The product is super cute and fits cups perfectly!!! I bought this for my coworkers and now I need to order one for myself." —Wendy

Get it from Dreamy Daisy on Etsy for $15.99+ (available in four colors and sold individually or in sets of two, three, or four).

Or if you have textured hair, a 24-hour edge tamer (but reminder: no one has to lay their edges — it's a personal choice!).

Promising review: "Seriously, how on earth does this work?? I have tried everything to get my baby hairs that never really grew back from chemo to lay down and nothing worked. This product works. I mean, it WORKS. So, in the picture I uploaded, the hair that is sticking up on the left side of my head (right side on the picture) is what I am talking about. You can see that there's a good bit of it and that it basically just stood almost straight out. Not anymore. Not with this finishing stick. And it doesn't make your hair crunchy or shiny, either. Y'all, I'm serious! This product is simply amazing." —Liesl McQuillan

Get it from Amazon for $7.98.

Promising review: "This product... There is so much I can say. I’ve used so many other cuticle oils, and they’ve only kept them oily and smooth for about two hours... This stuff not only smells like heaven, but it’s a HUGE bottle for the price, which was the first perk.... Then I used It for my own manicures and OMG. My cuticles were still smooth the next day when I went to work. It not only softened them, but helped the dry skin on the areas that it got on. The smell is wonderful. I’ve been putting it on at night before bed, and it lasts ALL DAY the next day. About a week of use so far, and I’ve had at least two people ask me how my cuticles look like they do, and did I JUST get a manicure?! NOPE! It’s this stuff. I swear I would buy stock in it if I could." —Whitney Bryant

Get it from Amazon for $8.41+ (available in two sizes and four scents).

Just don't forget to buy some AA batteries at the same time, or who knows when you'll actually get around to using it.

Promising review: "Great little frother! I love the wood grain aesthetic, much prettier than your average random plastic color kitchen appliance. Makes a very frothy beverage so it’s equally stylish and useful. Keep in mind batteries not included so make sure you have two AAs!" —Nashvillian

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 20 colors/designs).

Promising review: "This is a great item to add to your bath time routine! I usually take a bath once or twice a week as a way to unwind, but the tubs in my house aren't very deep and the water drains through the overflow drain very quickly. This makes it so that the water stays in and you won't have to choose what part of your body to keep under the warm water. It's easy to use and install; it just takes a few seconds to make sure all of the suction cups are in place." —Karen B

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "For the money you can’t beat 'em! These look amazing on my face — like a $300 pair of sunglasses. I have tried multiple pairs and this brand looks and feels comparable to pairs from Ray-Ban or Prada. I have a smaller face and to me this pair fits the best, perfect for my nose and brow line. I couldn’t be happier, just wish there were 6 stars so everyone would know how amazing they are. If you are questioning whether or not they will look as good on you as they do in the photos, yes...yes, they do." —Christina

Get them from Amazon for $14.99 (available in seven styles).

If you haven't heard much about eyebrow soap, it's really simple! Just use the included spoolie (or your own, if you prefer) to swipe on the clear styling pomade. It'll not only hold your brows in place, but it also makes them look thicker and promotes hair growth.

Promising review: "Love this stuff. My brows stay fluffy and full all day long. I no longer fill them, they look so full! Love this product!" —Bethany Catharine Schrock

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

Promising review: "This thing just plain works. We got a mature golden retriever last year and were told he didn't shed. Then in the spring he started shedding badly. We were tired of hair everywhere and somehow I realized that dragging my shoe across the carpet balled the hair up. I found this product on a whim one day and knew it had to be better than my shoe! I ordered it and it was tough at first. The bristles pulled the hair up but then caught the tufts and spread them around. I found that using short quick strokes with the rake turned upside down got the best results. The backside is more like a squeegee and helps pull the hair up in long rolls and keeps the hair in one big pile." —Nick V.

Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in six configurations).

Promising review: "I love him. Like all things in life he has imperfections but that’s what makes him him. He is very cute very soft. he did come in a vacuum sealed bag but I personally don’t have a problem with that because why waste resources with a bigger bag when he can fit in a small one just fine? To fluff him up I threw him in the dryer for 15 minutes. Bam, good as new. Love it. Only bad is he’s tiny but I’m OK with that. He is loved in this home even with his uneven facial features." —Kaitlyn

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four sizes and colors).

Promising review: "I’ve seen a bunch of these chains for a lot more money, was worried these wouldn’t come close but they are great! I get lots of compliments. 🥰" —Staci

Get the set of two from Amazon for $9.99.

I bought this about a year ago now and I'm a little embarrassed about how often I think about it. For the first week we owned it, my boyfriend and I both commented daily on what a smart design it is, how much room it freed up in our drawer, and how we wished we knew about it sooner. If you — like me — are at that stage in your late 20s where practical, problem-solving products put a ridiculously wide smile on your face, I'm sure you'll love it.

Promising review: "Fits my drawer like a glove AND holds my set for 12! Heavy-gauge plastic construction that does not give even when fully loaded. This has opened up so much more space in my drawer, making it easier to find other serving pieces and the odd items in that drawer. Love it, highly recommend it. Before purchasing, measure your drawers to make sure it will fit. I love that it can lie parallel to the drawer front. I was concerned that my flatware would stick out too tall for my stock cabinetry drawer, but that is not a problem." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in three colors and four sizes).

Promising review: "Fantastic dog-grooming aid! Our older rescue dog isn't too keen on the routine dog brushing stuff, but her thick coat really needs the grooming — this dog grooming glove is the exact right answer. Put the glove on, pet the dog, and all that loose hair comes away leaving her coat feeling so much smoother and softer, without causing her to be nervous or upset over a brushing. Highly recommend, and yes I'm going to be ordering as gifts for a couple of other dog owners I know!" —DSP

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

Promising review: "Amazing product. I am an architect. I hate a messed up bed. I bought these clips. Did I say amazing? This is THE BEST way to put on the clips: By flipping the fitted corners of the sheet up onto the top of the bed surface, applying the clips there, and THEN pulling everything back under the mattress. (As opposed to all of the other reviewers who complain about how difficult it is to fasten the clips on while lifting up the corner of the mattress!) Once the clips are on, flip the fitted corner back down over the mattress and look at the great result. All of the excess fabric vanishes completely. I was expecting some kind of big pucker even while the sheets stayed in place, but there was nothing but tight, smooth fabric." —Steven P. Gray

Get a set of four (one for each corner!) from Amazon for $8.95 (available in three colors).

LastObject is a woman-founded, Copenhagen-based brand from designer Isabel Aagaard. The small business's mission is to replace single-use products with sustainable alternatives.

Promising review: "I really appreciate this sustainable item! There’s a learning curve if you're used to using cotton swabs, but you will get used to LastSwab. And this is definitely on my gift list for giving to all my earth-loving friends. 🙂🙂" —Rosalinda G.

Get it from LastObject for $12 (available in six colors and three styles).

The manufacturer suggests using the gentle formula once a week on used makeup brushes, applicators, and sponges.

Promising review: "Well, I can happily say that this cleaner does a bang-up job! My brushes were saturated with old color, to the point that I thought I might need to spring for a new set. Aside from just looking bad, though, all that old color was probably affecting pigment and application anytime I used them. A little of this cleaner, a handful of seconds working it in and rinsing, and my brushes look practically as good as the day I bought them! Saved me a ton of money in new brushes, and it didn't take away from my being-lazy time!" —ysar

Get it from Amazon for $6.28.

D&L Awesome Living is a Vancouver-based Etsy shop with an array of lovely home goods from aprons and flatware sets to drying racks and lunch bags.

Promising review: "This is the best! Such great quality, finally a cute and functional place for remote/phone/hiding little things from our baby and toddler. :) Arrived in a few days. Thanks so much!" —Emily Hildebrand

Get it from D&L Awesome Living on Etsy for $13.72 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? For years, I’ve been using Q-tips dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. Must-buy product!!" —Katherine Riordan

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.