12 revolutionary gadgets you wish you knew about sooner

Create more counter space to do your hair and makeup with this foldable sink cover. The soft silicone is heat resistant up to 400°F, so you can rest your curling iron on it, but it’s also super easy to clean if you apply makeup to it. Even better, when not in use, it rolls up so you can store it in a drawer or bathroom cabinet.

If you’re preparing for a long-haul or overnight flight, you may want to spend time onboard getting some sleep. But finding a comfortable angle to rest can be difficult, especially if you’re in the middle or in the aisle. This travel pillow might make things a little better. Keep it rolled up in your carry-on, and when you board, you can blow it up and tie it to your torso like a body-sized pillow.

Don’t really know how to use your air fryer? This magnetic cheat sheet can help. It provides heat levels and cooking times for frying vegetables, poultry, beef, seafood and frozen foods. If there’s something you want to do, just check out this chart and follow suit. Since it is magnetic, you can stick it to the side of the fryer or refrigerator for safety.

If you’re constantly turning your pillow to the cool side, get this one that stays totally cool. It’s made with naturally cooling gel memory foam and is also ventilated for greater breathability. Plus, because it’s foam, it doesn’t lose its shape like a traditional down pillow and cradles your head while you sleep.

If your arms hurt from drying your hair, this ultra-lightweight dryer could be the solution – it only weighs around 1.3kg. But don’t let the weight fool you, this thing is still powerful. It offers four speeds and three heat settings, in addition to drying hair four times faster than a regular dryer, according to the brand.

[Writer’s note: I put this hair dryer to the test and it’s lighter and faster than my Shark FlexStyle! Plus, it’s less expensive.]

If you make a lot of pizza at home, the last step to serving the pie is cutting it. However, if you want to cut through even the thickest crusts and topping layers without tearing the pizza, pizza scissors are the best option. These “scizzas” can cut oven-hot pizza into clean, even slices—no dripping cheese or toppings sliding off the top. They have a unique spatula lid that fits over the bottom blade to smoothly slide the scissors under the pizza without scratching serving dishes and nonstick pans. And the extra-long 5-inch stainless steel blades give you more control over pizza slices than standard kitchen shears.

Are you tired of pulling your hair out of the drain? These nearly invisible fine mesh stickers can help. Just place one over the shower drain and let the hair collect on top. You can then pick up the hair and throw it away or leave it and throw away all the adhesive every now and then. The stickers come in a pack of 25, so you can change them every few days, once a week, or as often as you like.

Pura’s Smart Home Diffuser distributes all your favorite scents. The brand has partnered with Anthropologie, Apotheke, Lafco, Nest New York, Tommy Bahama, Disney and others to transform best-selling candles into diffusible scents. Enter up to two scents at a time and connect the device to an app on your phone. Using the app, you can turn the diffusion on and off, increase the intensity and even program when you want each perfume to be dispensed. For example, this starter kit comes with Lavender Fields and Yuzu Citron fragrances. You can schedule the refreshing Yuzu Citron to be dispensed in the morning when you wake up to help you feel energized, and schedule the Lavender Fields to be dispensed in the evening when you want to relax.

It may look like a simple but chic paper towel holder, but it has a little secret at the center: a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with your countertop spray and pull it out when your kitchen needs cleaning. This saves you having to take out your cleaning supplies and keeps clutter to a minimum. (Minimalist cleanliness freaks, rejoice!) In addition to gold brass, it also comes in silver, black, or white to match your kitchen.

Want to cool off anywhere? These portable mini fans attach to the bottom of the phone and provide enough air to prevent sweat from penetrating your upper lip. You get six in a pack, so you can keep one in each bag or give them out to family members. They are compatible with iPhones and Androids, thanks to the included converters.

If you plan to watch in-flight entertainment on your next plane trip, you can use the AirFly SE to connect your own wireless headphones to your TV. (The alternative is to use the airline-supplied headphones, which often don’t offer the best sound or are uncomfortable.) This device simply connects the two via Bluetooth and offers up to 20 hours of battery life. Plus, it’s small enough to place your designated personal item.

Make every day feel like a spa day with this easy-to-use towel warmer. Just place the towels inside, turn up the heat, and let them heat up while you hop into a bubble bath or simply take a quick shower. In winter, you can also use it to warm blankets, slippers and bathrobes for added comfort.