15 Helpful Gadgets That Make Annoying Tasks Way Less Annoying—All for $15 or Less

My husband loves a good gadget. No, seriously, he binge-watches episodes of Shark Tank, giving his critiques to the TV, and much to my chagrin, prefers functionality over aesthetics any day. (I, however, love aesthetics, and am always willing to grin and bear it if my new, pretty coffee cup isn’t dishwasher-safe or bamboo towels aren’t as absorbent as paper ones.) But one thing we can agree on is a useful, multifunctional tool that makes life easier. He may have to talk me into it at first—rest assured, my favorite mug isn’t going anywhere—but a helpful gadget that cuts back on time, saves us space, and requires less effort is something I can easily get on board with.

Here are 15 useful Amazon tools for $15 or less that even I can admit are worth it.

Useful Amazon Tools for $15 or Less

Tovolo Better Tool Silicone-Coated Quick-Mix Spatula Whisk, $15
Hanycony Flat Plug Extension Cord, $10 (was $13)
Iasuroa 2-Piece Pepper Corer, $6
Hion 2-Pack Magnetic Curtain Tiebacks, $6 (was $10)
L Lo Has LED Plug-In Nightlight, $7 (was $12)
DiDiSky 2-Pack Under-Cabinet Light, $14 (was $20)
Digead Rotary Whisk, $8
Bhmvase Set of 4 Wooden Trivets, $12
Korean Beauty Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller, $14
Lavaed Motion Sensor Toilet Bowl Light, $11 (was $12)

Tovolo Better Tool Silicone-Coated Quick-Mix Spatula Whisk

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Amazon

Well, I wish I had heard of this genius silicone-coated spatula whisk before I baked my body weight in chocolate cake last Christmas. Cleaning a caked-on whisk by hand is no picnic, and I’m always questioning if I’ve missed a spot, and this dishwasher-safe version with tapered silicone fins works double duty. Not only is it much easier to clean, but it’s also part silicone spatula that you can use to scrape the side of the mixing bowl. It reduces how much batter you end up leaving in the bowl, and it also better incorporates the ingredients for a smoother, fluffier batter that’s less likely to overmix.

Hanycony Flat Plug Extension Cord

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Amazon

Not going to lie—I have two of these flat plug extension cords, and I truly think they’re the best invention. It was my teenage niece who turned me onto them, asking the very adept question: “Well, why would a plug be so bulky anyway?” Touche, teenager, touche. Its sleek, flat design allows you to push furniture closer up to it, and overall, increases the plug’s versatility. Not only is the flat plug design ingenious, but it’s also accompanied by another brilliant feature: a 45-degree angle that steers the cord out of the way of the outlet below it. It’s one of those, Why didn’t I think of that? inventions.

Iasuroa 2-Piece Pepper Corer

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Amazon

If I had remotely adequate knife skills, I would probably be a better cook, but my fear of slicing off a finger combined with my lack of technical knowledge keeps me hesitant in the kitchen. Smart cooking tool inventions like this one are my best friend, however, and I’ll never take a knife to a pepper core ever again. This inexpensive gadget works similarly to how a weed puller does in the garden. Simply align the corners of the tool with the top of the pepper, twist, and remove. Just like that—done! And nobody lost a finger.