40 strange (but genius) things selling out fast on Amazon

If the sun heats your interior to intolerable temperatures, this dashboard shade will come in handy. The pop-open version is a big improvement over cardboard accordion-fold shades, because it folds up tiny and expands to cover the entire windshield. You can even stash it in a seat pocket when you aren't using it — but anytime you park in the blazing sun, it's readily available. It's also available in different sizes, and you can check if it'll fit your car's make and model before buying it.

This affordable graphics tablet is ultrathin and compact, making it easy to create drawings, edit photos, and more while you’re on the go. The pen is battery-free and has various levels of pressure sensitivity for smooth drawing. The tablet is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Chrome — just connect it to your laptop whenever you want to use it.

This in-car steering wheel desk can be your new corner office or a space to eat lunch during your work break. If you have a Zoom meeting and your house is too loud to tune in from your office, you can bring the meeting to your vehicle. But if you're trying to eat a quick lunch during your break, you can take this desk out, pull over, and eat before heading back to the office.

This safety tool doesn't look like much — but if you have it on your key chain, it could possible help you make a quick car escape. One side is made to shatter glass, and the other is meant to slice seatbelts with ease. In other words, if can help you or a passenger escape the vehicle with ease. They're available in tons of colors and have over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Welcome to the world of DIY haircuts and beard trims. It saves time and money to do all (or some) of it yourself, which is why this inexpensive Groomsman trimmer tool has become a must-have accessory. The trimmer can help you clean up your beard in stash — because since it comes with spacers that can handle 14 different lengths, it can also help you achieve a haircut. The nose hair trimmer is free bonus, and the tip can be rinsed with water.

This tiny spy camera is super easy to install, and it's motion-activated. You can easily set it up to keep an eye on your home while you're out. When it senses something is happening, it starts recording, so you can watch from a big screen wherever you are. It's a cheap and effective way to add security to your space without an entire home security system — and it even has night vision.

If you're heading to the beach, water park, swimming pool, or boat, get this: You can bring your phone along without living in constant terror of dropping it into water and destroying your day and budget. Just put it in one of these waterproof bags. It's so easy to use; just put your phone into the pouch and secure it. You can use the phone's touchscreen right through the pack, and there's a built-in lanyard for easy carrying.

If you love your phone, put a ring on it. This particular cell phone ring is wildly popular because it makes your phone so functional without changing the way it looks or how you access it. Slip your finger through while you're texting, and your phone will be easier to hold. When you set it down, the ring acts as a kickstand so you can watch videos or follow recipes. And if you have a magnetic phone mount in your car, you can easily stick your cell on the dash. For something so small and simple, it's amazing how functional it is.

So many Amazon customers are buying this inexpensive-but-genius wireless charging dock because it lets you charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time. Your phone charges in a handy upright position on the adjustable bracket while your other devices charge on the base. Plus, the bracket folds down for compact storage. Choose from silver and black.

Keep essential credit cards, cash, and even your earbuds attached to your phone with this adhesive wallet. The stretchy Lycra wallet has an interior strap for added security and it’s available in more than 60 colors and styles, including basic black, gray, and paw print designs. A phone stand, screen cleaner, and other extras are also included.

If you've ever gone deep into a game on your laptop and started sweating, it probably wasn't the adrenaline. Your laptop probably got warm, especially if it wasn't connected to a fan of some sort. This powered cooling pad helps chill the heat coming from that fancy processor. Simply plug it into your laptop to power the two fans. It even has two USB ports that you can use for your accessories.

Storing leftovers is easy with these reusable silicone stretch lids. The 14-piece set includes lids in various sizes, with the largest one able to stretch to 12 inches in diameter. You can use them to cover food in jars, bowls, and pots before putting them in the fridge, and they’re also dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

With this instant-read digital thermometer, you’ll never have to wonder if meat is cooked to the right temperature. The foldable thermometer has a stainless steel probe that quickly reads the temperature of your food and shows it on an easy-read digital display. It’s waterproof for easy cleaning and has a built-in loop for convenient storage.

You'll want this clever repellent canister on your deck, camp site, or patio because mosquitos within a 15-foot radius run from it. There's a fuel cartridge that activates a repellent pad inside it; just turn the bottom to turn it on and the fuel will heat the repellent and chase mosquitos away. The repellent pad emits no scent, and it's easy to replace. (It turns white when it's spent.) There's no need to slather Deet all over your body or hide indoors; just set this down near where you want to hang out.

Space: It's in short supply. All those sweaters and blankets are taking up more of it than they need to. These vacuum storage bags squish them down by removing all the air inside and around them so they fit in a compact space, which frees up space for other things. This package comes with five large bags, which is probably enough to cram your entire winter wardrobe into.

The salt is a solid. The spices are stale. Your storage system hogs the whole kitchen. Thankfully, this pop-top container solves all of that (which is why people on Amazon are stocking up). Push the pump to create a seal that keeps air out while keeping the contents dry and fresh. These canisters stack neatly, too — even with the other container sizes (which are all listed in the dropdown menu). The opening is large enough for your spoons or fingers to get inside — but since it's small, it makes a great travel container for liquids.

Not only does this natural, bourbon-themed lip balm have a vintage-looking label, but it’s also handmade with nourishing ingredients. Some of them include vitamin E, shea butter, aloe butter, cocoa butter, and more. Many reviewers wrote about how it makes a great gift.

Did someone say cherry pie? Anyone willing to make one of those should be immediately gifted with this cherry and olive pitter. It makes the job of removing pits from these delicious foods so much easier (and cleaner). Put the cherry or olive inside of it and close the handle. Then, the pit will come out. It's ergonomic, too.

I have actually hurt myself trying to get jars open — and I'll admit, there may have been swearing involved, too. This simple tool could have saved me from all of that. And unlike the people I turn to for help, it'll always be in the drawer, available to open whatever jar is standing between me and its contents. It has multiple rings for jars of different sizes, and it even comes with a bottle opener.

Cold brew coffee is delicious in the summertime (or any time of the year, really). But that pre-made stuff? That isn't within my budget — and it's just too much effort get. I'd much rather make my own, and this cold brew coffee maker is so simple to use. Just put ground coffee in the center column and add water to the carafe. Then, wait 12 hours and enjoy. It works just as well for making iced tea.

Sometimes, clever engineering changes something you do every day for the better. If you're a fresh salt and pepper connoisseur, this battery-powered grinder will be a true pleasure to use. Just tilt it over, and that's all you'll have to do. Then, it'll grind the peppercorns or salt that you've filled it with to the exact grind you want. Your wrist won't do all the work, and it won't leave a mess on your table. Reviewers are thrilled with it.

You need a sponge near the kitchen sink, but it usually leaves a puddle. That's why this basket goes inside the sink, not near it. Drop the sponge in here and let gravity and plumbing take it from there. It's big enough to drain fruits and vegetables as you wash them, or even leftovers before putting them in the trash. It's very convenient, to say the least.

The lid. The spoon. Where do you put them when they're waiting to be used again? This clever stand is like a tiny helper who stands there and holds them until you're ready to stir. That way, they won't leave a mess on your counter (and you won't lose them and burn dinner while you hunt them down again). This holder also saves space while you work by holding lids and pans vertically.

A splatter screen is a necessary kitchen item if you like to fry anything, but they're usually big and hard to store. Not this one, though. The handle actually folds up for storage, and it can fit right inside a drawer. It's also made of silicone and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Plus, it doubles as a strainer, eliminating the need to keep bulky colanders around.

When you open a bottle of vino, wrap this wine condom around the opening to keep it fresh in between glasses. It seals tight, so you can lay the bottle down in the fridge without worrying about spills. It comes in a pack of six and makes a great gag gift, but it's also very useful. One person even wrote that "the packaging is adorable" and that "the little messages inside are hilarious."

Tired of your eyes watering whenever you chop up an onion? Just pop these goggles on. The soft foam around the eyes seals them away from onion vapors, and the lenses are even fog-resistant. Plus, they come in a bunch of fun colors to suit any style: white, tortoise, black, pink, and red.

This little spatula will help you clear the peanut butter jar, dig the last scrap of Nutella out of its hiding spot, or slather frosting onto a cake. It's also BPA-free and seriously adorable. In fact, everything in the kitchen should be this cute and functional. It would be like living in a cartoon.

Wash the dishes. Change your shirt. It happens to me every day, and I think you can always tell who did the washing from the dampness of their clothes. Thankfully, this splash guard is the solution. Suction it to the counter in front of you while you wash the dishes and it'll create a splash guard that keeps the water in the sink. It's sleek enough to leave there, too — and it comes in three muted colors that'll match your decor.

Once that bag full of yummy snacks is open, all bets are off. It's either finished in one sitting or needs to be closed back up for later, and this bag sealer can help. Just press the bag closed with it slowly, and it'll create a new factory-like seal. It's small enough to take with you, so you can seal your on-the-go snacks without worrying about them getting stale.

This little scrubber is a kitchen multi-tool because it can be used on different types of vegetables. It has a scrubbing brush on one side that tackles produce surfaces — and unlike the sponge that you're probably familiar with, it has a nonslip handle. There are two in the package.

Clamp this SPF-50+ umbrella to your beach chair, and you'll be able to read and relax under the bright sun. The unique shape covers you, specifically — but not the sand behind you. That also makes it great for strollers and wheelchairs because it covers the rider without getting in the way of the person pushing. It also withstands wind and is adjustable, so you can angle it as needed. It also folds down small enough to pack up when you travel.

You can wear one of these headbands under your bike helmet, to the gym, while working in the yard, or just to change up your hairdo. It's super lightweight and stretchy — and since it wicks away moisture, it keeps the sweat from dripping into your eyes while you work or work out. This is a great deal because you'll get four of them with one purchase, all in basic colors.

Whether you’re trying to organize your watches, keys, or glasses, this nightstand organizer can help. It’s made of wood and even specific places for your phone and wallet. The bottom portion is lined with velvety material to help prevent scratches, and it’s available in different shades.

You can stop putting up a screen door every summer and taking it down again in the fall. This screen curtain is a much better idea. It opens when you walk through it and closes behind you. And that means it opens when the dog or cat walk through it and closes behind them. So you can sit down and enjoy yourself instead of getting up 200 times to let the pet in or out. It's fast and easy to install. And the magnets down the middle strip make sure it closes when no one is walking through it.

You don't have to pour drain-clearing chemicals down your sink anymore. This clever piece of plastic will get into your drain, grab the clog, and pull it out. It's easy to do, and you can use it over and over again. Also, there are five of them in this package — so your $7 will go a long way. These have over 1,100 positive reviews on Amazon, and one customer gave it an A+ in unclogging.

Sure, your parents used something like this to store garden tools. But what about the mop? The toilet scrubber? The vacuum cleaner attachments? The duster? You see where I'm going here? These wall-mounted grips are brilliant, non-slip, easy-to-use ways to store anything with a handle. Mount each one to the wall and stick the handle into it. No more mops or brooms flopping around, falling over, or taking up the entire closet. The dusters are in order. The scrubber restrained. There is order in your house.

Keep your drinks, snacks, and remote control within reach with this clamp-on bamboo armrest tray. The durable tray is easy to place on the sofa and remove as needed, and it’s especially handy if you don’t have room for a full side table or coffee table. One reviewer wrote that it has a “strong enough grip to handle mugs of coffee and glasses of wine with confidence.”

You're reading a good book, but your partner has to get up early. Coming to an agreement on whether the lights go on or off can be tough. Don this neck light, though, and you can both have your way. The light's bright enough to read with, and it can be directed at your book or tablet so the rest of the room is dark. You can quickly choose from three light temperatures, including one in an amber (non-blue) spectrum. It's also rechargeable and lightweight.

Detangling wires is never fun, and these rubber ties help prevent those tangles in the first place. Four of them come in one pack, and they can help you keep various different wires together — whether you're dealing with headphone cords or charging cables. They're super flexible and come in various colors in 4-, 8-, and 12-packs.