31 Cool And Random Things Under $30 August 2023

Jun 11, 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.

From Ken boxer briefs to a toy Dyson that actually sucks — if you're not intrigued by a single product in this list, I don't really believe you.

BuzzFeed Staff

There are 100 puzzles total, and four different levels: For Elementary puzzles, you need to find the suspect, location, and weapon. For Occult Medium puzzles, the added challenge is that the murderer always lies, and the other suspects tell the truth! For Hard Boiled puzzles, you also need to find motive! And for Impossible puzzles, you have to discover all four elements and deal with the lying witness statement from the murderer. Sounds like fun! Plus, you're also given a logic grid for each puzzle to help you solve it!

Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for awhile!" —Liz Gately

Promising review: "MURDLE is quite possibly the coolest and most fun I have had with logic puzzles in a while. It activates my inner J.B. Fletcher as my mind compiles the clues and sleuths out the answers. The various levels of intrigue allow the amateur sleuth in us all to develop into a top-notch arm-chair detective. I cannot think of a better way to spend a rainy, sunny, and/or any day than with a little crime-solving." —Highly Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

And if (when) you end up needing more puzzles, don't worry — Volume 2 will be available on September 19th. You can preorder it for $14.40.

Check out a TikTok of the cat bowl in action. Bonus — you can flip them so they're either a deep bowl or a shallow one, depending on your needs!

Promising review: "This cat bowl is everything! It’s super cute and I love that it is wide enough not to cause whisker fatigue. It’s really nice that it’s not just raised, but angled for the most comfort for your cat or small dog." —amber quick

Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in four colors).

Get them from Hot Topic for $14.90 (available in men's sizes S–L).

Get them from Nerdy Girl Nation on Etsy for $3.69 each (you can also get both for $6.49, because why choose?)

Nerdy Girl Nation is a Florida-based small business making pop culture–inspired stickers, bookmarks, tees, and more.

Promising review: "Bought this cheap, lightweight umbrella for an autumn trip to Edinburgh. It worked perfectly!! It was really windy there, and it did pop inside-out a few times, but I just pushed it back into place. The pod holder is really great for folding it up when wet and keeping your bag safe from it!" —Lynn Thompson

Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in 11 colors).

Check out a TikTok of the sunshade in action.

Promising review: "Love that I don't have to dig one out from behind a seat or something. You just grab the tab and pull it over to connect to cup on the driver's side. Reduces the amount of heat in my car, steering wheel and surfaces are cool to the touch after a 90–100-degree day. Caution, when disconnecting, hang on to tab and slowly put back into closed position, otherwise you will mess up the accordion folds." —millie snow

Get it from Amazon for $27.87.

Promising review: "The Crop Top Band is a helpful accessory to many outfits! It stays in place better than I imagined it would and it kept my shirt tucked all day!" —Alexi B

Get it from The Crop Top Band for $19.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL).

The Crop Top Band is a woman-owned small biz btw!

Promising review: "I am absolutely in love!! The shape of the highlighter itself makes it so easily glide over the paper. Super smooth. The colors are sooooo beautiful! It’s not often where what you see is truly what you get. I am very satisfied :)" —Sung Han

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two color combinations).

Promising review: "Don’t think any further and just buy it. This was so cool and everyone loved it! I got the clear one because it will go with any drink. I will be the one to put this in all my friends drinks. Also had no taste so it was just the look. Sooooooo cool!" —gigi

Get it from Amazon for $11.97 (available in 17 colors).

Bakel is a small business established in 2016 that specializes in edible glitters for food and drink.

Promising review: "MUST-BUY. Absolutely amazing. I’ve only used the teeth-whitening overnight stick three times, and people are already starting to notice a difference in my teeth. I also have very sensitive teeth and tooth pain, but this hasn’t seemed to affect my pain at all. I highly recommend this tooth-whitening product!" —Shey Wilkey

Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

It has new packaging just FYI if it looks different when you order it!

Promising review: "I’ve been using the same cream for over seven years. Every other cream would break me out, not moisturize my skin enough, or just make me too oily. I got this because I’ve been breaking out and I’ve been trying to find something to calm my skin down. The first night I used this my skin improved!! Redness/bumps reduced, my skin was soft. I have very sensitive, oily, acne prone skin and this did not irritate my face at all. I wake up and my skin is soooo soft. My skin texture has drastically changed in just a week. My makeup applies so smooth and my pores even look better. My new go-to!" —Melody

Get it from Amazon for $15.38.

You can also set it to the "hold" setting if you don't want to use the timer at that moment. Besides curing your curling iron anxiety (which, is extremely me) the Amazon reviewer below had the great idea to use it to charge their phone without leaving it plugged in for too long!

Promising review: "I love this product. I use it only for my cell phone charger cable so it won't overcharge all night. I set it on for two hours and my phone and I wake up in the morning to a fully charged phone. I've heard its not good for a battery to be connected to a charger for long hours." —Scott

Get it from Amazon for $11.79.

That's right, no annoying condensation. They're made of sturdy borosilicate glass, so you can use them for hot or cold drinks because any beverage deserves to look a little more beautiful. AND they're scratch-resistant and microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

Promising review: "These were much better than I could have imagined. They feel great in the hand and don't sweat. I use mine almost every day and they still look great after being put into the dishwasher. The size is perfect for old fashioneds as well as rum and Cokes or gin and tonics. They were shipped in a first-class box with plenty protection. These would make a great gift for connoisseur on your list." —riovalley

Get a set of two from Amazon for $23.99.

Promising review: "Perfect quality. Very firm, helps correct even the minutest slip on your lipstick or eyeliner. Finally something to correct, with great precision, the small mistakes on my L'Oreal Infallible lipstick, to get the perfect lip lines!!! You will use lots of them, so this is not a large quantity. Indispensable tool for makeup! Also, great for nail polish correction!" —Deborah B.

Get a pack of 600 pointed swabs from Amazon for $7.59.

It can rotate 360 degrees for easy viewing (and so you can easily rotate from portrait mode to landscape mode) and comes with everything you need to mount it.

Promising review: "Got this to help me when use my stationary bike. Working out on it can be such a chore sometimes, and I usually put on a television or movie in the background, though that can cause my neck to strain sometimes if not in just the right spot. With this, I'm able to place my phone right in front of me and play the same shows at a much better angle while working out. This has helped me to be more focused on my workout, reducing my bad posture while riding and focusing my attention forward, right in front of me. Feels solid on my bike, hasn't fallen down yet. The adjustments to the grip are very tight and precise and the device doesn't move after a set." —Michelle

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

Promising review: "I am in love with this bra! It looks just like the picture — beautiful! My cups don't 'runneth over' if you know what I mean, and I don't bulge out the sides. No more ripping bra off when I get home! I have had it on for six hours today and I forgot I had it on! I have been searching for a bra like this my whole life, even spending up to $100 at Nordstrom and Lane Bryant, and even after getting measured by the 'expert,' my bra still sat in my drawer after one wear. I am going to get a different color every payday! I actually got a little teary-eyed, that is how frustrated I had been with bras!" —Sjh

Get it from Amazon for $21.49 (available in sizes 34B–44H and in 13 colors).

Promising review: "I used this umbrella on the beach when it was 95 degrees and there was a 15-mph wind all day. This small but mighty umbrella held up all day long and kept me cool. It clipped to my beach chair with total ease, and I loved that you could tighten it if it would slump over or the wind caught it and pushed it over on top of me. Instead of fighting it, I would just reach up behind me and tighten the clasp or angle the arms better so that it was more aerodynamic and still kept me sheltered all day. Without this, I would have been burned alive and dehydrated all day. Even though it didn’t cover me completely (which I was fine with but some people may want full coverage), it kept me cool and comfortable and provided enough shade for me to read my book and enjoy a lovely solo day at the beach. It also comes with the added advantage of not being totally terrified that it’s going to catch the wind and impale someone if it blows away. Also it is light to carry and so easy to fold up and store. Highly recommend!!" —Sara

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).

Just add a small amount of your favorite cleanser (a little goes a long way!), fill with water to the dotted line, and pump the lid up and down to create the foam.

Promising review: "This thing is the bomb. Does exactly what it advertises; makes a thick whipped cream/foam out of washes, making it economical as well as fun. It can soften harsh washes to make the concoction gentler on skin. It's also great for mixing washes if you have two or more you'd like to combine for different effects. And of course, a little goes a long, long way with this puppy. For the price, it's a steal. Definitely give it a try if you're not sure. It's a really cool device." —Knock Knock Me

Get it from Amazon for $8 (also available in a bundle with cleanser).

Just note they're handwash only.

Promising review: "These are the cutest toast tongs! They are nicely crafted and the long-eared bunny design is adorable. Perfect tongs for my toaster and waffle iron. It stands by itself as a little, functional piece of art, and won't get lost in the utensil drawer like my old boring tongs. The packaging is also nice and makes this really giftable, so I'll be ordering more as gifts for sure." —Tuzi

Get it from Amazon for $14.95.

Promising review: "Where has this been all my life? I’m always looking for more tongs when cooking, especially when my husband is grilling at the same time I’m making sides! This is a must-have for us and it doesn’t clutter the kitchen drawers with multiple bulky tongs!!" —Sheri Robinson

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a two-pack).

Anytongs is the small business behind this versatile kitchen tool that replaces junk in the utensil drawer while reducing cross-contamination while cooking.

Promising review: "I wasn't sure what to expect buying these shorts. I was pleasantly surprised by how soft and comfy they are. I'm also pleased that the silky factor is pretty matte. I wasn't looking for a satin look. This suits me perfectly." —Daphne

Get them from Amazon for $19.95 (available in women's sizes XXS–5X).

Dude, the Amazon review before & after photos are LEGIT. I'm 10/10 buying some of these, myself.

Promising review: "These eye masks are absolutely amazing! I have hereditary dark circles under my eyes, as well as slight bags from being a mother of four. Eye creams do absolutely nothing for me, and I gave these a try just on a whim, not really expecting much. But they really work! The results aren't permanent, but I put these on for about an hour in the evening while I relax and watch TV, and my under eyes are much lighter and less puffy. I absolutely love these eye masks, and I will never be without them again." —Kate Johnson

Get a pack of 12 pairs from Amazon for $17.45.

Promising review: "I used this soap to do dishes, clean clothing and wash up in a lake during a recent hiking trip. Can't say enough good things about it. 2 ounces will last a good amount of trips. Smells great too!" —Spawn

Promising review: "This really does live up to the hype. I was super impressed by how well it lathered up with just a couple of drops, even in cold water. The bottle doesn't take up much room in your pack, and it's even small enough to meet TSA carry-on requirements for liquids. This is a great product that I'll be keeping in my kit for the rest of forever." —JB

Get a 2-ounce bottle from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four sizes).

There's a storage compartment you can remove that'll hold all the debris your kid picks up.

Promising review: "Our son is absolutely obsessed with our Dyson (the real one), which is why we purchased this toy Dyson vacuum for his birthday. He's 2 years old, and he is really enjoying having his on 'working' vacuum cleaner!!! He seriously plays with it for hours during the day. Turning it on and off and pushing it through the house just like we use our real vacuum. I would buy this again! It was his favorite gift!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I got this bubble gun for my friend's little boy for his birthday. There were a ton of kids, so I thought it would be the perfect addition. The package comes with a ton of bubbles to use. The set up was quick and easy. You do have to refill the bubbles after each pull of the trigger but it was such a hit at the party. We turned the lights off so the kids could see the fun lights! Totally recommend! All the adults said they wanted one for themselves, lol." —maegan fasnacht

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in five colors).

I have these foam rollers and they're really great! The clips stay in my hair, even while sleeping (not the most comfortable way to sleep, but here we are), and the results lasted for days! If you're new to rollers, I recommend rolling in sections right down your center part (as the reviewer does above), and then curling the sides by section — just make sure you're rolling underneath the hair. And the curls will be tighter than you want when you take them out! Just finger detangle or brush through to achieve that softer, vintage-inspired look.

Promising review: "I've always had bad experiences with foam rollers in the past. I don't know what makes these ones different, but they stay in your hair, don't take long to dry, and give you long-lasting curls! I'm in love with them. I use about 12 at a time to curl my hair, spray a setting lotion, and either let them stay in overnight while I sleep or I sit under my hooded dryer for 10 minutes." —Katrina Holte

Get the set of 36 rollers from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors, plus a larger size).

And if you already have curls or coils and are looking for a heat-free styler, check out these foam curling rods ($10.99 on Amazon) that reviewers with everything from 3a to 4c hair (and also people with straight hair) swear by.

Get it from TeeGraphixUS on Etsy for $14.99.

Tee Grapix US is an Etsy shop making custom tees.

Cords are six feet long and have three plugs each.

Promising review: "This was such an awesome and unique idea! I have four front windows on my home that I like to hang Christmas lights in. Instead of having to plug in multiple extension cords, this looked more nicely and worked more efficiently and safely. It was a perfect reach for both sets of lighted images that I put in my windows! This is such a clever idea. Worked great!" —Mad megz

Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (available in black and white).

Get it from our Goodful shop for $22.

Just use one sheet for regular loads, or half a sheet for a smaller load.

Promising review: "I bought this product hoping it would clean our laundry and it does! I’m also happy knowing I am eliminating plastic jugs, I don’t have a mess if I drop sheet detergent as I have done a few times with liquid detergent. I also like I can use half a sheet for small loads and it takes up a lot less space. I bought the unscented one as I am sensitive to strong scents, and I didn’t want to buy a scented one and couldn’t use it. I bought a second box already because I don’t plan to go back to jugs anymore." —Pam B

Get a pack of 50 sheets from Amazon for $16.99 (available in a fresh linen scent, or fragrance-free).

Laundry Club is a family-owned, veteran-owned small business established in 2019 that specializes in eco-friendly cleaning and laundry alternatives.

The amount of extra undies I bring on trips...why?!

Promising review: "I just used this for a recent trip to Florida from California. It made it easier to remember things. I used to have a list, that I made, on my computer to remind me, my husband, and child what to pack. My daughter is out on her own now and my husband passed away recently. So, I just need a list for me. This helped me think of things I NEVER thought to put on my list. It has extra lines for you to add anything extra like crochet project, handicapped parking plaque, etc. It's not too big, but can easily be read. There are boxes to check off as you go and room to add quantity to clothing items. I hope these are ALWAYS available!" —Connie Woods

Get this handy notepad from Amazon for $7 (Knock Knock makes tons of handy notepads, several of which are in the same listing).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.