21 Game-Changing Amazon Products We Loved in 2020—Starting at $7

updated Dec 23, 2020
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
A modern white kitchen with stone countertops and stainless steel appliances
Credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion

Many people spent more time than ever at home this year and were looking for solutions to make everyday life a little easier. Whether it was getting organized, getting better sleep, or getting a new desk, Amazon had the answers. Below are 21 home buys that earned the most buzz from our contributors and readers in 2020, including game-changing cleaning products and home essentials, plus ingenious hacks you’ll wish you discovered sooner. Check them out and get ready to add them to your cart.

1 / 21
Amazon
$48.79
was $60.99

The Beckham Hotel Collection gel pillow is a top-rated Amazon pick that also made our Best List. It's the perfect combination of both firm and soft, and because it's a cooling pillow, it's great for hot sleepers. Available as a set, these pillows are so top-notch that one of our editors has owned them for three years and swears they still look and feel as good as new.

2 / 21
Amazon
$10.99

With over 90,000 (!) reviews, it’s no surprise that the LiBa Antimicrobial Shower Curtain Liner is an Amazon best-seller. A "mildew treatment process“ is used to help it stay clean, and judging by reviews, it works! “I have waited 6 months to write this review and my original liner looks as good as the day I hung it. No mildew or rust,” said one reviewer. Another was equally impressed: “I shower daily (sometimes more than once), and after several weeks the LIBA is just as clear, clean, and fresh as the day it was hung."

3 / 21
Amazon
$13.99
was $14.99

Popular with AT readers, Redditors, and Amazon customers alike, the Conair fabric defuzzer safely removes pilling, fuzz, and lint from fabrics, breathing new life into sweaters, blankets, and even furniture. "I had a new couch that had horrible fabric and was only one month out of warranty. This little gadget made it look like new again!” gushed an Amazon reviewer.

4 / 21
Amazon
$17.25
was $24.99

What's not to love about these Swedish dishcloths? Made of biodegradable cellulose and organic cotton, they absorb 20 times their weight, replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels (!), and can go in the washing machine to be used all over again. Good for the environment, good for your wallet!

5 / 21
Amazon
$11.43

Cleaning a cast iron pan can be tricky, thanks to all those stubborn stuck-on bits. But the Full Circle Tenacious C Cast Iron Brush is more than up for the job: It has recycled bamboo plastic bristles that carefully get to the bottom of things (and by that we mean the pan), leaving cookware clean and scratch-free. "It’s effective," confirms AT contributor Ashley, who tested the brush. "Since my pan was in especially tough shape, I had to use a little more force while brushing, but it still felt reasonable. Within probably a minute or two of brushing away with some water, the pan looked 100 percent better."

6 / 21
Amazon
$7.99

A staple in homes since the 1960s, Jubilee's Kitchen Wax is one part cleaner, one part protector. It removes dirt and grime from a variety of surfaces (tile, enamel, wood, etc.), and lays down a shiny coating that ensures an easy cleaning the next time around. “I am in love," raved one Amazon reviewer. "It started with the front of the fridge. After that it was the VitaMix, and then the dishwasher, range, counter top, dining table and chairs, desk. Tomorrow I am moving on to entertainment center, picture frames, and bedroom set. I love the silky smooth feeling as the Jubilee’d items slid beneath my hand when I walk by them.”

7 / 21
Amazon
$79.99
was $89.98

As many of us transitioned to working from home this year, a decent desk became a necessity. Readers loved the Coavas Writing Computer Desk not only for its industrial style but also because it's perfect for small spaces. The compact, no assembly desk is foldable, so it can be set up when you need it and tucked away when you don't.

8 / 21
Amazon
$14.99
was $20.99

More time at home meant more cooking at home this year, and readers relied on the ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer to make sure their meat dishes turned out moist and tender. A favorite at our sister site Kitchn, the thermometer offers a super-fast and accurate readout that guarantees successful results every time.

9 / 21
Amazon
$8.45
was $9.95

You may be familiar with magic erasers from one particular brand, but have you tried STK Extra Thick Magic Cleaning Sponges? AT Lifestyle Director Taryn did and found that they cleaned her wall, patio table, and sneakers just as well as the bigger brand but cost a lot less. The inexpensive erasers clearly made their mark and became a favorite of AT readers as well.

10 / 21
Amazon
$17.99

There are a handful of cleaning tools we consider essential, including a good sponge, a top-notch vacuum, and a squeegee. Yep, you read that right. The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Squeegee is a multitasking must-have that keeps mold and mildew out of your shower and gets windows sparkling clean and streak free. Get one now, thank us later.

11 / 21
Amazon
$8.58
was $9.99

The Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush was one of our most beloved Amazon finds this year. It made Lifestyle Editor Ella's roundup of Reddit-approved home products and is commerce intern Olivia's must-have for maintaining scalp health. The $9 gadget works magic by exfoliating the scalp, reducing dandruff, and stimulating hair growth. It also just feels really good! “It’s like little massaging fingers running through my scalp,” said an Amazon reviewer. “I love this thing. I don’t know why I waited so long to have one.”

12 / 21
Amazon
$21.30
was $29.99

One of the easiest ways to refresh a room and create more storage space is by installing a floating shelf. Aesthetically pleasing and super functional, the High & Mighty Floating Shelf is also a dream for renters or those who aren't drill-savvy (in other words, you don't need tools to install it). Simply measure where you want the shelf to go, stick the adhesive strip to your wall, attach the metal brackets, and secure your shelf. Now it's ready to hold picture frames, plants, or any objects under 15 pounds.

13 / 21
Amazon
$7.98

Whether they're ink, wine, grass, coffee, or marker, stains don't stand a chance against Amodex Ink & Stain Remover. It helped one Amazon user remove a stubborn ink mark from a car’s hard interior surface, while another used it to successfully erase red Sharpie (yikes!) from an upholstered couch cushion. No wonder it's been a staple in many homes since 1958.

14 / 21
Amazon
$10.99

Let's face it: fruit flies are frustrating. You can get rid of them by making your own DIY traps or just pick up the Fruit Fly BarPro, which has over 2,400 5-star Amazon reviews. The specially formulated plastic strips emit an odorless vapor that repels the tiny pests, so you can leave that fruit bowl on the counter without worrying about swarms swirling around your farmer’s market haul.

15 / 21
Amazon
$19.99
was $24.99

When's the last time you cleaned your baseboards? AT contributor Shifrah had been ignoring hers until she tried the Baseboard Buddy. Featuring an extendable arm and a microfiber cloth that can be used either wet or dry, the cleaning tool removes dust, dirt, and grime with one quick swipe. "It’s brought a chore that I neglected too often into my regular cleaning routine," says Shifrah. "And because of that, perhaps more than anything else, my baseboards are cleaner than ever."

16 / 21
Amazon
$12.62

Is your bathtub's overflow drain preventing you from getting the experience you really want? The Better Bath Deep Water Bath Drain Cover allows for up to 60 percent more water in your tub, meaning a deeper soak and deeper relaxation. Suction cups make it easy to remove, and it features a drain hole you can rotate to prevent any overflow.

17 / 21
Amazon
$9.19
was $12.99

AT contributor Lindsay considers meal prep fun, but those cuts from knives and graters? Not so much. That's why she invested in a pair of Dowellife Cut Resistant Gloves, which protect the wearer from scary slip-ups. "All this time, I had no idea these cutting gloves were even a thing, and now there is seldom a time when I’m cutting vegetables or fruit where I don’t have them on," she says. "This cutting glove is the life hack I never knew I needed, and has made my meal preparation a lot safer."

18 / 21
Amazon
$26.99
was $31.99

Need a quick and easy way to illuminate your closet without any wiring involved? Powered by a rechargeable battery, the Lofter LED Coset Light attaches with an adhesive magnetic strip, making installation super easy. And thanks to its easy-detect motion sensor, you'll never be left in the dark again.

19 / 21
Amazon
$12.49
was $19.99

Home makeovers were popular this year, including simple fixes like the Kasa Smart Plug. Besides letting you control electronic devices via Alexa or Google Assistant, it also lets you program everything from fans to lamps to TVs with your smartphone. And seriously, who couldn't use a little extra help these days?

20 / 21
Amazon
$15.61

When it comes to polishing up the silver and chrome in our homes, you can't go wrong with Simichrome All-Metal Polish. An old-school favorite, this polish eats through tarnish with ease, revealing a sparkling shine every time. AT contributor Ashley tested it on a vintage metal tray and was amazed by how quickly it cleaned up. "Simichrome absolutely does work, and fast," she says. "I noticed a major difference in the surface shine of my piece within 30 seconds of trying it."

21 / 21
Amazon
$6.69

Believe it or not, the glow from those tiny LED lights on your electronic devices could be preventing you from getting a good night's sleep. AT contributor (and light sleeper) Betsy had such a problem until she discovered LightDims vinyl stickers. "They keep my bedroom darker than ever and peel off easily (instead of sticking and leaving a residue), sort of like those old-school Colorforms shapes some of us played with as kids," she explains. "Best of all, they come on flat sheets and in packs of 100, so you’ll never run out—and will always have extras to toss into your suitcase when traveling is a thing again."