28 Cool Things to Buy That You Never Knew You Needed

When Amazon was just a baby global online marketplace finding its way into practically every home on the planet, a good friend of mine described it as the digital version of Mary Poppin’s carpetbag.

It’s still a pretty good description, only now it has plenty of competition from other sites full of cool things to buy online. That can be fantastic or exasperating, depending upon how much time you want to invest in searching for whatever it is you’re looking for.

If online shopping isn’t your idea of the perfect way to spend an afternoon, but you need some great gift ideas, you’re in luck – we’ve done the browsing for you. Keep reading for what is, in our opinion, a gift guide to some of the coolest things you can buy on the internet.

Table Of Contents

Cool Things to Buy on Amazon

1. Three in One Breakfast Station

by Nostalgia

This thing is the ultimate multitasker! Whether you’re dining in a dorm, small apartment, or an RV if you’re the travelin’ type – this breakfast station will have it covered. It is completely portable, features a four-cup coffee maker, a roomy griddle, and a toaster oven that can handle four pieces of toast at a time.

Want to get really crazy? It can be used for baking personal-sized pizzas or small casseroles, too.

2. Wireless Mini Printer

by Zink

KODAK Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Printer

How many times have you been hanging with friends or family, someone gets a fantastic pic, and you never see it again because they forget to send it to you?

It happens to us all. But if you carry around one of these handy mini printers, you’ll never miss out on an epic photo again!

It’s wirelessly compatible with iOs and Android smartphones and prints 2 x 3 photos – no ink required.

3. Sunset Lamp

by Generic

Table lamps are fantastic, but sometimes you need something more ambient to set the mood you’re looking for.

Enter the sunset lamp! It casts a warm glow perfect for relaxing after a long day, taking beautiful photos, and lending an excellent atmosphere for a tiki party. This unique lamp rotates 360 degrees, features a solid iron base, and comes with four lenses. USB powered with an LED bulb.

4. Levitating Plant Pot

by Babook

Magnetic induction is responsible for this planter’s magic, but what’s even more magical is the positive effect that magnetic fields are said to have on plants.

The base is made from oak, and its 12-sided planter is made from lightweight silicone. This modern, stylish pot is suitable for soil-growing plants, but works best with air plants. All you have to do is plant, plug it in, and enjoy!

5. Cryptex USB Flash Drive

by Smart Decisions International

If there was an award for “cool stuff to buy online”, this would be one of our nominees. We love how this little gadget marries the vintage and the modern! It holds 32 gigs of data and is compatible with any USB 3.0 port.

Think of it as a steampunk password for your password.

6. Multiple Sunglasses Organizer

by Flora Jewel

5 Slots Leather Sunglasses Travel Organizer

Do your sunglasses reside in drawers and on countertops all over the house? Does organization seem like all but a lost cause? You’re in good company.

But fear not! Some brilliant individual designed this vegan leather organizer to keep five pairs of your best glasses protected and easy to find. It even has a hanging hook, if you prefer to keep it off your *spotless* bedroom dresser.

7. Wine Condoms

by Wine Condom

The perfect gift for your favorite wine lover, wine condoms do everything they advertise! They seal up your open bottle, keeping it fresh for at least a week (or so we hear), create a seal tight enough to prevent spills, and promote laughter at dinner parties. They’re also reusable and come in a box of six.

See? A perfect gift, and a very cool thing to buy.

8. Giant Memory Foam Chair

by Chill Sack

Honestly, who needs a sofa when you can have a gigantic memory foam bubble on which to chill while watching your Netflix? (Very carefully worded, there.)

If you’ve got the room to spare, prepare for some serious comfort. It’s double-stitched with a super sturdy zipper and comes in 12 colors.

9. Foam Roller Water Bottle

by Mobot

MOBOT Big Bertha 40oz 2-in-1 Foam Roller Water Bottle

A fantastic gift idea for those who take their workouts seriously. Or at least seriously enough to need a little muscle-kneading therapy with their hydration.

It holds 40 oz, keeps that fluid relief cold for up to five hours, and can withstand up to 350 pounds of pressure. Comes in seven cool colors and patterns.

10. Mini Donut Maker

by DASH

Infinite in his wisdom, Homer Simpson summed it up perfectly when he said: “Mmmmm, donuts.”

We think that’s how pretty much every human feels about those delicious holed treats.

This mini donut maker works just like a waffle maker. All you have to do is decide what kind of batter you want, pour it in, and that’s about it. The built-in auto-shutoff timer will let you know when they’re done.

If you’re looking for a fun way to entertain the kids, give them some frosting and sprinkles and let ’em go to town. Just be sure to stake your claim on a few before they’re all gone.

11. Scented Flameless Candle

by Luminara

with remote by Luminara

If you know someone who loves to keep a candle burning in the house all the time but can be a little… forgetful (guilty as charged), this would be a fab gift!

It takes two DD batteries and works for up to five hours before it shuts off automatically. There’s even a remote to turn it off and on without having to even get off the sofa. (Sold separately.)

Think fake candles are tacky because they look so, well, fake? This one is made from wax, the “flame” flickers just like a real one, and it’s even shaped to look like it’s been naturally melted with use.

Vanilla scented.

12. Portable Projector

by PVO

Portable projectors were already gaining popularity, but then a pandemic-which-shall-not-be-named showed up, and faster than you can say” backyard theater”, everyone got one. (Including some of us here at L&L – you can see a few of our favorites here!)

This one is so easy to use, and it works with virtually every kind of device one would use to stream video, from a smartphone to a DVD player. It’s powered by a wall adaptor or a portable power bank. Remote control and AC adaptor included.

13. DIY Cutting Machine

by Cricut

If you’re a crafty, DIY kind of person, this is one of those gadgets you never knew you needed but won’t be able to live without. Not only does it cut everything from faux leather to hefty cardstock, but it also comes with free design software so you can create even more brilliant stuff.

14. Glow in the Dark Pillowcase

by Illuminated Apparel

If you know a kid who isn’t in love with bedtime, this pillow may make it easier to get them to just go to bed already. (No promises.)

It fits any standard-sized pillow and is machine washable in cold water. Designs drawn with the included light pen will last for up to five minutes.

Requires one C battery.

Cool Things to Buy on Other Sites

15. Handmade Teabags

by Etsy: TeaHeritage

We think apple-shaped tea bags would be a great teacher’s gift. Or give your neighbors and co-workers Christmas shapes for the holidays. Grads get little graduation caps. The creative possibilities are endless.

Just ask the folks at the TeaHeritage shop, and they’ll put together a set of custom tea bags in any shape you want. Really. Choose Earl Grey or standard English breakfast.

16. Collapsible Solar Light

by Uncommon Goods

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly gift or just a new way to reduce your own carbon footprint, we present the SolarPuff! These nifty things are water-resistant, only weigh a couple of ounces, and collapse down for easy packing.

They’re the perfect lighting solution for camping, boating, or anyplace you’d like to shed some extra light on your surroundings. Just put it somewhere with plenty of sunlight during the day, and they’ll give you up to 12 hours of illumination.

17. Escape Room Subscription Box

by Cratejoy: Escape the Crate

Do you love all the fun and adrenaline of an escape room outing, but don’t really want to do the “out” part to get it? Get (or gift) an escape room subscription box!

Twice a month, you’ll receive a different adventure to scratch that adrenaline itch. Subscriptions are automatically renewable, and you can cancel or pause at any time. Suitable for 2-6 players.

18. Munchies Cookie Jar Canister

by Jonathan Adler

So classy, so naughty. Everyone needs a fancy porcelain canister with gorgeous and vibrant colors to store their stash of munchies. If you’ve got a furry friend in the house, there are varieties for them, too.

19. Air Fryer

by Target: Ninja

Oh, air fryers, how we love you. You make our fries golden, crispy, and guiltless. You treat our chicken wings like royalty. You even make our brussels sprouts more delicious!

This one takes the form of a traditional frying basket and is entirely programmable between baskets to ensure everything is coordinated to come out perfectly done.

It has an 8-quart capacity, and the crisper plates are dishwasher safe. Tater tots fo’ daaaaaayyys.

20. UV Sterilizer Stick

by IPS IP SMART

A gadget that makes it easier to clean up all those electronic devices we’ve got our hands all over all the time makes a particularly timely gift these days. It takes 60 seconds to disinfect, but the automatic timer will let you know when it’s done working its magic. It’s compact enough to carry around everywhere and charges quickly via USB.

21. Temperature Controlled Mug

by Williams Sonoma: Ember

Another one of those gadgets you didn’t think you needed, but now you can’t live without it!

It’ll keep your hot beverage at the perfect temp way past the time it would’ve taken to go cold (80-90 minutes depending on how much java you need to heat). This smartphone app-controlled mug holds up to 10 ounces of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or any other drink best served warm. It even shuts itself off when it senses that you’re done sipping.

Available in five fashionable colors. (Hint: this mug makes a great gift, too!)

22. Retro Style Tea Kettle

by Wayfair: SMEG

An electric tea kettle is useful in so many ways, which is why it’s an everyday staple in plenty of kitchens. Still, the colors and retro design make this one stand out from the rest!

It holds 7.1 quarts, features a swivel base, and has an auto-shutoff feature in case you forget to turn it off on those busy mornings when you’re rushing to get out the door. Comes in seven great colors.

23. Inflatable Hot Tub

by Wayfair: Coleman

I think it’s safe to say, whether we knew it or not, we’ve all kind of been waiting for the rise of the portable hot tub. This one is fully inflatable but features 60 jets, a digital control panel, and a heating capacity of 104 degrees, making it a perfect solution to limited space problems.

It’s also portable to take with you on the next lakehouse vacay. It fits up to four adult-sized people.

Overall Dimensions: 2′ 2 x 5′ 11 x 5′ 11 inches

Interior Tub Dimensions: 1′ 11 x 5′ 8 x 5′ 8 inches

Overall Product Weight: 70.79 pounds

24. Outdoor Pizza Oven

by Ooni

If you haven’t tried it yet, cooking with a proper pizza oven really is a game-changer.

We like the flexibility of this outdoor pizza oven because you can cook with charcoal, wood, or gas if you use the optional gas burner attachment. It only weighs a little over 26 pounds, too, so it’s perfectly portable. Once you go pizza oven, you’ll never go back!

Dimensions: 31.5 x 15.7 x 30.3 inches

Weight: 26.4 pounds

25. Smokeless Fire Pit

by Solo Stove

Never ruin another bonfire by smoking out your guests! This fire pit is designed to keep your logs burning beautifully while keeping all that smoke and ash to a minimum. It’s also so lightweight, so you can put it wherever you feel like relaxing. (As long as it’s outside.)

Dimensions: 14 x 19.5 inches

Weight: 20 pounds

26. Dog Sofa

by Wayfair: Archie & Oscar

If you’re a dog lover, you know that it’s hard to tell them they’re not allowed on the furniture. But there’s just sooo much fur involved, not to mention the slobber.

This is why we think a dog sofa is the best idea ever.

The foam-stuffed super-soft polyester cushions of this model will keep your doggo comfy. Its tufted, riveted design will keep your decor lookin’ fly. Win/win.

Holds dogs up to 90 pounds.

27. Wool Dryer Balls

by Nordstrom: Capri Blue

Dryer balls make your linens so soft and fluffy – which is probably why grandmas everywhere swear by them and have been using them since before you were born. These are made with 100% wool for maximum snuggle factor, and they come in a pack of six, so you’ll never be without them for your next load.

28. Self Cleaning Water Bottle

by Nordstrom: LARQ

Everywhere you look these days, you’ll see people carrying around their trusty water bottles. Over time, like any reusable bottle, it can become harder to clean, making your water a little less than fresh.

This self-cleaning bottle solves all that by delivering a burst of UV light every couple of hours to keep your beverages cold, fresh, and clean all day long. It also keeps your cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12.

Holds 17 ounces and comes in three colors.

Happy Shopping, Friends. (Don’t Stay Up Too Late.)

I’ve been known to disappear for hours down the internet shopping rabbit hole looking for cool things to buy, be it for myself or gifts for someone else.

In fact, I’ve gotten so proficient at it, I now do it for a living. (Our posts on gifts for women or gifts for men who have everything are just a couple of prime examples!)

Needless to say, I’ve become somewhat of a “cool gift consultant” for my friends and family, which is a badge I’ll totally wear with pride.

Just as long as I can stay in my jammies.

Did you find this useful? Did you learn something from it? If you did, SAVE THIS PIN below to your Gift Ideas board and check this post out at a later time.

Laura Crowley

Laura resides in the fantastic city of Nashville, TN with her very, very patient husband, three well above average boys, a dog the size of a dinosaur, and a fleet of cats. When she’s not writing for work, she’s writing for fun. When she’s not doing that she enjoys reading, fine dining, copious amounts of wine, and philosophical conversations with her children. And some adults on occasion.