Whether you love or loath being in the kitchen, part of being an adult involves spending a lot of time in this particular sector of your living space. Whether that translates to you actually cooking, begrudgingly opening and closing the fridge, or sloughing through the seemingly never-ending pile of dishes in the sink, the truth of the matter is: Whipping up something to eat, then having to tidy up after the fact is, often tedious and rarely fun. That’s where cheap kitchen hacks come in handy.
It will never cease to amaze us here at Spy just how many quirky items you can find poking around Amazon, especially under the kitchen and dining umbrella. Typically, shopping for kitchen necessities translates to clunky appliances or, worse, cleaning supplies that run up your credit card. And as thrilling as toaster ovens and air fryers are, cooking and organization shortcuts can be just as fun, plus low maintenance and priced at low costs. Need proof? We’ve rounded up some of the best kitchen hacks currently available on Amazon, and all for $25 and under, below.
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1. Swedish Dishcloth Cellulose Sponge Cloths
Kitchen sponges get grimy and smelly real quick which means you’re constantly tossing (and therefore re-stocking) this kitchen accessory. Swedish Wholesale Club dishcloths are made from biodegradable cellulose and all-natural cotton materials, meaning they’re machine washable, and can be used up to 50 times.
2. Nessie Ladle Turquoise by OTOTO
For soups, sauces, stews, and other liquid-based meals, the Nessie Ladle from OTOTO is here to help scoop out portions and make your presentation that more adorable.
Buy: Nessie Ladle Turquoise by OTOTO $16.003. OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter
Gone are the days of awkwardly spitting out olive pits at the dinner table thanks to OXO’s Good Grips Pitter. This handy device de-cores olives and cherries with die-cast zinc and even features a Splatter Shield to prevent juicy sprays from dirtying your countertop.
Buy: OXO Good Grips Cherry and Olive Pitter $14.994. Zulay Metal Lemon Lime Squeezer
Take it from someone who uses her lemon-lime squeezer virtually every day, anyone who enjoys hot lemon water in the mornings needs this handheld juicing tool in their life.
Buy: Zulay Metal Lemon Lime Squeezer $15.995. Adoric Large Square & Sphere Silicone Ice Cube Trays
Whether you take your whiskey on the rocks or like your smoothies extra thick, having gigantic ice cubes in the freezer is a game-changer.
Buy: Adoric Large Square & Sphere Silicone Ice Cube Trays $11.986. OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer
Got guac? Fewer things are more frustrating than slicing and de-pitting an avocado, and that’s where this OXO 3-in-1 avocado slicer comes in. It splits, pits, and slices avocado into seven equal pieces, then seamlessly scoops the fruit out of its skin.
Buy: OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer $9.837. StrawExpert Set of 16 Reusable Stainless Steel Straws
16 reusable straws for under $10? Now you really have no excuse not to make the switch over from plastic. What’s more, each straw comes with its own colorful cap to prevent spillage, and your purchase also includes four scrub brushes for easy cleanup.
Buy: StrawExpert Set of 16 Reusable Stainless Steel Straws $7.998. BabyPop! Clean Dirty Sign Indicator Dishwasher Magnet
For anyone who’s ever mindlessly dropped a dirty plate or spoon into a clean dishwasher, this pick is for you. Just slide the sign to indicate the status of your current load and save yourself the inconvenience.
Buy: BabyPop! Clean Dirty Sign Indicator Dishwasher Magnet $8.989. Forkmannie Magnetic Measuring Spoons
Have you ever needed to unclip one measuring spoon from a ring of multiple measuring spoons, decided it wasn’t worth the effort, and ended up cleaning the entire collection? Save yourself the unnecessary dishwashing with Forkmannie’s genius, double-sided magnetic measuring spoons. They separate with a gentle pull and return to their original position with a simple touch.
Buy: Forkmannie Magnetic Measuring Spoons $15.9910. Geniusidea Clip On Silicone Colander & Pot Strainer
One-pot pasta has never been easier thanks to this clip-on silicone colander and pot strainer from Geniusidea. Simply attach the food-grade, BPA-free strainer to your pots, pans and bowls, and pour out any hot grease or water surrounding your perfectly cooked pasta, fruits, vegetables, beans, and more.
Buy: Geniusidea Clip On Silicone Colander & Pot Strainer $9.9811. Zulay MilkBoss Electric Milk Frother
Cutback on coffeehouse lattes and make your own barista-style sips with this handheld milk frother from Zulay. The electric whisker promises frothy perfection in a matter of seconds, but if a foam-topped latte, cappuccino, or macchiato isn’t your morning beverage of choice, the tool can also whip up the perfect cup of cocoa, ideally blended matcha, mix protein powder into smoothies, and more.
Buy: Zulay MilkBoss Electric Milk Frother $14.9512. Prodyne Fruit Infusion Flavor Pitcher
Bypass the flavored water on your grocery store’s shelves in favor of homemade fruit-infused H2O, courresty of Prodyne’s multi-faceted pitcher. The product features a removable hollow rod that can be filled with anything from fresh berries to citrus wedges, herbs, or even savory options like cucumbers. Pop it in the fridge to chill, and the result is a flavor-packed sip that’s fresh, healthy, and free of questionable additives.
Buy: Prodyne Fruit Infusion Flavor Pitcher $19.2613. Chef’n FridgeFork Condiment Fork
Having to fish for pickles is enough of a reason to deter this writer from buying a jar, but with the Chef’n FridgeFork Condiment Fork, spearing these fermented snacks is easy, not messy.
Buy: Chef'n FridgeFork Condiment Fork $7.1914. Trudeau Butter Boat
You’re not adulting properly until you own (and cherish) a butter boat. Trudeau’s dish is a classic option, made from high-quality glazed porcelain with a white finish sure to blend in with any kitchen decor or theme. All you have to do is fill the base with warm water, replace the butter chamber, and your favorite condiment stays soft and spreadable for weeks.
Buy: Trudeau Butter Boat $17.3015. Kitchellence 3-in-1 Kitchen Knife Accessory
In case you didn’t know, knives dull overtime, which makes a knife sharpener not a luxury, but a necessity. Kitchellence’s 3-in-1 knife accessory repairs and straightened damaged blades, sharpens and restores knives’ v-shape, and polishes knives to restore their shine. It’s an all-in-one tool that gets the job done, and puts safety first; your purchase includes a cut-resistant glove to minimize the risk of cuts.
Buy: Kitchellence 3-in-1 Kitchen Knife Accessory $19.9916. Tovolo Collapsible Microwave Food Cover
Cleaning the microwave is arguably one of the worst parts of tidying up the kitchen. Do yourself a favor and prevent nightmarish food splatter with the Tovolo Collapsible Microwave Food Cover. The product pops up to 3” tall to cover most dishes and is designed with small holes in the top of the lid to allow for steam to escape. This encourages airflow and helps prevent condensation buildup. Once your done, pop it in the dishwasher and get to eating.
Buy: Tovolo Collapsible Microwave Food Cover $7.9917. ARTHOME Taco Holders
Celebrate Taco Tuesday restaurant-style with these awesome taco holders from ARTHOME. The taco molds are made from stainless steel, look sleek on your table, and save you the hassle of plating. Just arrange on the holder and serve. And the best part is, these babies are dishwasher friendly, so if you’re too full to do the dishes, let the machine do them for you.
Buy: ARTHOME Taco Holders $15.9718. Mud Pie Dish Sponge Holder
Stop leaving used sponges to rot at the bottom or on the edge of your sink. Instead, give your porous pal its own designated space with this cute caddy from Mud Pie.
Buy: Mud Pie Dish Sponge Holder $10.9019. MyLifeUNIT Mug Holder Tree
If coffee or tea is a vital part of your morning routine, the MyLifeUNIT Mug Holder Tree keeps your favorite cups at the ready so you don’t have to go rummaging through your cupboard half-asleep.
Buy: MyLifeUNIT Mug Holder Tree $13.8520. MOLADRI Bread Box
Prolong the shelflife of your favorite loaves with the MOLDARI bread box. Not only is this product stylish, but it’s also functional (keeps bread fresher, longer), durable (made of bamboo fibers), and its lid doubles as a cutting board so you can slice and assemble your baked goods easily, with minimal mess and dishes.
Buy: MOLADRI Bread Box $28.9921. OkayJo Egg Holder
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own chicken coop, here’s the next best thing. OkayJo’s egg holder is absolutely adorable and makes for the perfect addition to any rustic kitchen decor. And rest assured that while it does hold up to an even dozen eggs, the wooden display is only 10” tall, 7” wide, and 4” deep, so it won’t overtake your countertop.
Buy: OkayJo Egg Holder $32.9922. Stasher Bags
Stasher Bags are the first self-sealing, reusable alternative to single-use plastic snack bags on the market, and they’ve made quite a name for themselve across social media. You can use them to freeze fruits and veggies, leftovers, load them up with snacks, and when you’re all done, clean them, dry them, and do it all again.
Buy: Stasher Bags $11.9923. Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker
Craving an epic breakfast sandwich? Swap greasy to-go options for your very own DIY version, courtesy of the Hamilton Beach all-in-one maker. In just five minutes and four easy steps, brunch is served: First, add bread and pre-cooked meat or cheese of choice to the bottom layer of the device. Next, crack an egg into the egg plate, then top said egg with the second slice of bread. Press start and wait for everything to cook before sliding the egg plate from its slot, removing the hearty and slightly healthier sandwich, and digging in.
Buy: Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker $24.9924. FOYO Egg Separator
Separating egg yolks from egg whites is no small feat. In fact, oftentimes it’s really messy and, honestly, unsuccessful. FOYO’s adorable egg separator makes it look easy: Simply crack an egg (or two) into the ceramic chick and drain the whites out of its mouth. Wash it in the dishwasher and keep it on your countertop for easy access and so it can act as decor.
Buy: FOYO Egg Separator $8.5025. KPKitchen Pancake & Cupcake Batter Dispenser
If you struggle to scoop batter out of a bowl without making a mess, you’re certainly not alone. That’s why KPKitchen’s pancake and cupcake batter dispenser is so brilliant; the gadget prevents spills and drips with a squeezable pulley handle that gives you better control over how much batter you dispense onto the pan or into cupcake sleeves.
Buy: KPKitchen Pancake & Cupcake Batter Dispenser $19.99Buy All the Kitchen Essentials You Need for Under $600
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