48 Products To Try This Summer That Actually Work

Buzz Feed

2 days ago

A handy OXO corn stripper to effortlessly remove kernels fresh from the cob just as easily as you'd peel a carrot! With a few quick slides, you'll have piles of that sweet, sweet summer corn perfect for salads, salsas, and more.
A portable neck fan to help keep you cool and refreshed on those extra-hot summer days — while keeping your hands free! It has three speeds and can last up to *nine hours* on a single charge (!!), making it perfect for beach days, ballgames, subway commutes, or any other time you're feeling rather warm.
A sand-removal bag that's filled with talc-free, reef-safe powder designed to absorb the moisture in the wet sand that clings (oh, does it cling!) to skin, making it incredibly easy to just...brush off! Idk about you, but I'm tired of bringing half of the beach home with me.
Two-tone PJs made of a moisture-wicking bamboo viscose material that'll feel cool against your skin compared to your current summer PJs... and help you not wake up in a pool of sweat night after night (after night, after night).
A super-concentrated soap perfect for camping or backpacking trips or use in the outdoors — it's an effective all-purpose soap you can use on your hands, body, hair, clothes, dishes, gear, and more (you just need a few drops)! The ingredients are designed to degrade safely in the environment over time — just dig a hole six to eight inches deep and pour soapy water inside.
An adjustable mister (it can stand on its own or wrap around furniture) that fits any standard outdoor hose faucet and releases a cooling spray that can reduce the temperature of the surrounding area by *up to 20 degrees*!! When the "real feel" on the news forecast has you feeling like the 🥵 emoji, you'll be so grateful to have it.
Peach Slices Smoothing Solution Ingrown Hair Treatment in a genius roll-on design perfect for mess-free application post-hair removal. The formula is chock-full of chemical exfoliants (AHA, BHA, and PHA), which can help prevent ingrown hairs and bumps, plus brightening ingredients like niacinamide and licorice extract, which can help banish dark spots from previous ingrowns.
A refillable plug-in fly trap designed with a light to lure in flying insects in your home — it's especially great for fruit flies and gnats — and trap them, so you don't have to try to get them one by one. Idk about you, but my hand-eye coordination just isn't cut out for that.
And for the outdoors, a high-voltage bug zapper to help banish mosquitoes, gnats, and flies from your backyard, so you can enjoy happy hour on the patio, evening bonfires, and backyard barbecues in peace.
And a pack of "mosquito dunks," genius little tablets formulated with BTI (a bacteria that's toxic to mosquito larvae) you can toss into areas of standing water to prevent the little guys from growing up to be old enough to bite you.
A handheld watermelon slicer so you can more easily enjoy cubes of that sweet, sweet summer melon without wasting time, dealing with a giant carving knife, or shelling out extra bucks for the pre-cut stuff from the grocery store. And reviewers agree it's quick, safe, and creates less mess compared to other watermelon cutting tools!
A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker capable of transforming any frozen fruit into an ice cream–like treat with ease. Also easy? All the removable parts are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup, too! This is a great option for people with dietary restrictions or anyone who LOVES super fruity desserts — I'll take a strawberry-banana ice cream, please!
AquaGuard, a pre-swim hair cream designed to protect your tresses from damaging chlorine (aka less dryness, fewer tangles, no turning green, and no icky chlorine smell!) — just dampen your hair, apply the cream, and dive in! Now you can play "mermaids" all you want without sacrificing your hair health.
A "Cup Claw" because if you've ever have had to deal with folded up or falling out bra inserts in tank tops, sports bras, or bathing suits, you KNOW why this was invented. Save yourself a scream of frustration every laundry day, and just break out this lil' guy instead.
A pair of TikTok-famous Cushionaire "recovery" slide sandals that seem to get more popular with every passing day — and for good reason. Reviewers swear the molded cushioned footbed (made from a *waterproof* foam) stays comfy for hours and hours, whether you're using them as at-home slippers or actual outside shoes (great for poolside or the beach!).
A set of internet-famous Mellanni sheets made of a super-soft and moisture-wicking microfiber fabric over 250,000 5-star reviewers (wow!) love for being cozy and sleeping surprisingly cool, even at peak summer temperatures — and at an unbeatable price! You just might want to ditch your expensive sheets for these babies after the first night.
And a cooling blanket designed with fibers that can help absorb body heat so you can relax at home (especially when the AC doesn't seem to quite be enough!) in a bit more comfort. One side is 100% cotton, and the other side is a specially designed ~Arc-Chill~ fabric — when you sit on it, you'll be surprised how cool it feels to the touch!
And! A set of two cooling pillowcases made with similar cooling fibers so you don't have to keep flipping your pillow to the cool side dozens of times on those most scorching nights — these are always the cool side.
A sand-free blanket, because enjoying the beach is one thing....but discovering a SINGLE tiny grain into your house when you get home?! That's another entirely. This is designed to keep sand from coming home with you *and* is made with stakes or corner pockets you can weigh down (to keep it lying neatly all day in the grass *or* sand).
A pair of metatarsal pads to add some extra cushion to your high heels before that big event you have coming up. They're the thickness of four stacked credit cards to provide comfort for the balls of your feet without changing the fit of your shoe, have adhesive backing so they won't slip and slide while you're on the dance floor, and can even absorb sweat.
One/Size's On 'Til Dawn waterproof setting spray, which gives a matte finish and all-day hold to your makeup look, whether you're dripping sweat or even getting a refreshing dip in the pool!
An oscillating tower fan one reviewer nicknamed "THE GLACIER" *and* said is "better than your air conditioner." (I'm immediately sold.) It has six speeds — up to 24 feet per second velocity — and three modes, and reviewers agree that it's super quiet. Installing a window air conditioner can be scary...all you have to do is plug this in!
Or if you are actually in need of some true AC, a portable Black & Decker air conditioner (that also works as a dehumidifier and fan) with all the power and cooling you need, without any permanent changes — you can even move it easily from room to room as needed. And reviewers note it's much cheaper than running central air!
The Owala Freesip, which might be coming out victorious in The Battle of the Best Insulated Bottle (looking at you, Stanley and Hydroflask!). Why, you ask? It has a built-in straw you can sip out of *and* a wide-mouth spout for tip-back drinking — all covered by an easy push-button lid to keep everything grime-free and leakproof.
A pair of almost-too-pretty lace Bandelettes, aka spandex-nylon blend anti-chafing bands designed to stay in place all day long and keep friction at bay so you can strut your stuff on those boiling sidewalks irritation-free.
Or Gold Bond Friction Defense, an easy-to-apply stick (just like deodorant!) to reduce friction and moisturize skin wherever you deal with painful chafing when your skin rubs together, especially when the mercury rises. It's unscented and invisible too.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, a cult-favorite body cream you're going to want to slather all over your body, thanks to the deep hydration (cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açai oil!) and temporary skin-tightening (caffeine!) it provides, plus a fragrance with notes of salted caramel and vanilla that reviewers L O V E.
A pair of insulating blackout curtains to keep annoying sunlight (and the heat it provides) OUT and your precious air conditioning IN — you might be surprised when you see how big of a difference this makes on the temperature during the hottest part of the afternoon!
A pair of Cushionaire cork-bottom sandals (from the makers of the TikTok–famous cloud slides!) if you're looking for serious wear-all-day comfort without spending Birkenstock money. Reviewers say these are quite similar to Birks and indeed, extremely comfy...even after walking for miles in the summer heat!
A pack of reusable water balloons for a ~burst~ (pun intended) of refreshment *and* fun — just fill them up with delightfully cool water and head right to the backyard. Bonus: they're way easier to fill than old water balloons and endlessly reusable to save you not only time (carefully filling, tying knots in the stems...picking up those tiny balloon pieces all over your yard!) but also money (buying single-use balloons!) all summer long.
A portable handheld fan to help keep things a bit cooler when you're on the go during the hottest days of summer — and especially for hot weather traveling. But that's! not! all! It also has a built-in flashlight *and* phone charger so you and your phone can stay refreshed when out and about all day.
A pair of sockless shoe liners that are absorbent *and* washable, so they can soak up all of that foot sweat so it doesn't soak into your favorite flats and turn them smelly. No need for socks (who wants to add an extra layer when it's that hot out anyway) or special shoe deodorizers.
A roll-on sunscreen sponge to help you do what you need to do this summer: reapply your sunscreen every two hours. But with this handy lil' guy, you can just sponge it right on, and it'll keep your hands mess-free! Idk about you, but I hate that greasy, sunscreen-y feeling on my hands when I'm at the beach.
And a set of sunscreen reminder stickers if you need an additional nudge to reapply. A good rule of thumb is to make sure to put sunscreen on every two hours, but these little guys can help, too! Just apply your sunscreen on top of them, and as it wears off your skin, the sticker will turn from clear to purple, reminding you it's time for another layer.
And if you don't get those, or reapply as often as they suggest, a Burt's Bees sunburn soother so you have it on hand before you get sunburned. Even when we do our best, sometimes it happens! It's made with a blend of aloe and coconut oil for deeply moisturizing relief that *doesn't* feel greasy.
A bag of Miracle-Gro water-storing crystals that'll help your plants survive the hottest heatwaves July and August have up their sleeve — or your upcoming long vacation. These babies solve both over- *and* underwatering struggles so your plants thrive — even when your plants are particularly parched. Just mix in with your soil, and the crystals absorb water now and slowly release over time. It works for both indoor and outdoor plants, too!
The Scumbug, an absorbent sponge that floats along the surface of your pool or hot tub and absorbs oil, slime, sunscreen residue, and any other buildup that's hanging out and leaving that weird greasy shine on your water surface. When you see the color change, just wring it out, rinse, and it's ready to use again!
Seamless bra liners made of a cotton and bamboo blend to help wick away moisture and keep you feeling a bit more dry and comfortable when your body is doing it's sweat-producing job...maybe a little too well. It can also add a little extra cushion for underwires too!
A pair of seamless Nippies silicone pasties to solve any wardrobe dilemmas that can't be solved with any of your current bras — or those times you don't feel like wearing a bra at all but also want a little coverage. Not only will these look invisible under clothes, but the adhesive stays *put* through sweating and activity, so you can wear 'em with confidence.
A racerback bodysuit in a second skin–like fabric (called Smoke Cloud) reviewers compare to Skims and love for being buttery soft and *not* see-through. And once you fall in love with this sleeveless style, don't worry; it comes in tons of sleeve lengths and necklines.
SweatBlock antiperspirant wipes, which are designed to reduce excess sweating for *up to seven days*(!!). Just swipe on before bed, and kiss those pit stains that ruin your favorite shirts goodbye. They're designed to be used under the arms, but reviewers use them elsewhere, too!
A set of breathable seamless thongs that over 10,000 5-star reviewers (including those who "never wear" thongs and "hate" thongs) swear by for looking seamless under those slinky summer clothes and staying actually comfy all day. And thong lovers say they are just as good or better than brands like Skims and Victoria's Secret.
A lightweight Cosrx SPF 50+ sunscreen (the same brand as the TikTok-viral snail mucin!) for anyone who isn't always the best at applying sunscreen (every! day!). This sebum-balancing formula has a moisturizer-like texture, contains skincare ingredients like cacao and vitamin E, feels breathable on the skin, leaves a semi-matte finish, and (reviewers agree!) it doesn't have a white cast, so applying it will feel like less of a chore.
A pack of DressWeights, because it's flowy dress season (altho when isn't it tbh), and these babies will keep that hemline in place when you don't want a gust of wind to...surprise you — and everyone around you. No one should have to recreate the iconic scene from The Seven Year Itch when they don't *want to*.
A TikTok-approved, compact Levoit air purifier with a true HEPA filter that's not only great for daily dust particles and pollen, but can really come in handy during wildfire season in the summertime too!
Double-wall insulated rocks glasses that'll, yes, will look amazing sitting out on the bar cart, but will also help keep your drink cooler longer, and NEVER SWEAT condensation onto your hands or furniture!
A ~Fasta Pasta~ cooker to make perfectly al dente pasta right in the microwave — no turning on your stove and heating up your entire kitchen on days where every degree counts. Plus, no more waiting for the pot to boil either!
Elizabeth Mott's cult favorite Thank Me Later eyeshadow primer to keep your favorite eye makeup look on lock all day AND all night even during your sweatiest summer BBQs, outdoor parties, those hot-hot-hot commutes, and more — *no* creasing, *no* budging. That's right, you will NOT have to reapply before your evening plans.
A pair of gardening gloves with claws that'll make you feel a little like Wolverine while you *very effectively* tackle any project in your backyard or garden — from digging up weeds or creating holes for planting, or even raking up leaves — without getting dirt under your fingernails.
Me picturing a perfect summer free from any annoying hot weather problems:
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.