You’ve seen them on television—those infomercials in which ordinary people are doing something they’re extraordinarily excited about doing. In addition to anything with the late Billy Mays and the goofy ShamWow guy, there’s the ubiquitous commercial that shows a woman lying on the couch, encased in a large blanket with sleeves and bearing a striking resemblance to Jabba the Hut. With a full-toothed smile on her face, she reaches for her cup of tea with one hand and changes the channel on he remote control with the other. She’s in complete euphoria. And why wouldn’t she be? She didn’t have to remove her blanket. America, meet the phenomenon known as the Slanket.
There are hundreds of infomercials these days, from the Toilet Monster and the Fanny Bank to Kidz Bop CDs and Always Fresh Containers. Yes, there are some bizarre items like the Neck Slimmer and Burp Pistol, but sometimes you come across products that are actually a sheer stroke of genius. These ten items—most of them under $20—are some of the best from the vast world of infomercials.
1. Perfect Brownie Pan Set
With an ice tray-like divider and a removable bottom, this rectangular nonstick baking pan lets you bring the brownies straight from the oven to the table. Just pour in the batter, place the divider in the pan, and bake. Once the brownies are done, take the pan out of the oven, remove the divider, push the bottom up from the sides of the pan, and—voilà!—brownies are served.
2. Bottle Top
It’s such a simple idea: a bottle top that “reseals” a soda can. Brilliant, right? Unfinished soda doesn’t have to be tossed out anymore, nor do your lips have to touch germy cans that have been god knows where. Simply place a bottle top on the can and stick it in the fridge. Comes in a set of six different-colored bottle tops.
3. Forearm Forklift
When used properly, these heavy-duty nylon straps reduce the weight of a carried object by 66 percent and have a 600-pound capacity. It eliminates the risk of floor damage and allows movers to make tight turns when transporting furniture up a flight of winding stairs. It was awarded Best New Product of the Year in 1999 by the Industrial Equipment News. How can you argue with that?
