20 Gadgets to Help You Have a Better 2020 — No Matter Your Resolution
PSA: Quitter’s Day is around the corner. For the unacquainted, it’s the day (January 19!) that most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. But that’s not going to be you, because we have your back! Whether your resolution is to stay organized in the kitchen, reduce food waste, make sustainable choices, or even whip up more nutritious home-cooked meals, we found a bunch of tools and gadgets that can help you stick to your goals. And the best part? Many of them cost less than $20! Check them out below.
Resolution: Eating Better
Eating better is almost effortless if you have the right tools, like storage containers for carrying lunch to work, Mason jars for meal prep, and blenders for upping your fruit intake with smoothies.
1. Anchor Hocking TrueSeal Glass Food Storage Containers with Mineral Blue Airtight Lids
Store leftovers, carry lunch to work, or even use these sturdy glass containers to stock pre-cut veggies for dinner prep. Plus, they’re safe for use in the microwave, oven, and dishwasher.
Buy: Anchor Hocking TrueSeal Glass Food Storage Containers with Mineral Blue Airtight Lids, $17
2. Cuisinart Salad Spinner
There’s no other tool that dries freshly washed greens and other produce quite as quickly and efficiently as a salad spinner. This well-reviewed option from Cuisinart has a non-skid base so everything stays put while the insert spins, and once you’re done you just empty the veggies into the clear bowl to serve.
Buy: Cuisinart Salad Spinner, $18
3. Oster My Blend 250-Watt Blender
Smoothies are an easy, delicious, and nutritious breakfast option — especially when you don’t have time to whip up eggs or oats. But if you’re getting yours from a cafe, let’s just say things can add up quickly. This little personal blender costs just $20 and can save so much money in the long run. It powerfully cuts through fruits and veggies and is dishwasher-safe, too.
Buy: Oster My Blend 250-Watt Blender, $20
4. Ball Mason Jar 16 Ounces, Clear Glass Heritage Series (4-Pack)
The humble Mason jar is an absolute kitchen workhorse. Use it to carry salads and soups to the office, keep track of your water intake, and even store dressings and sauces for meal prep.
Buy: Ball Mason Jar 16 Ounces, Clear Glass Heritage Series (4-Pack), $14
5. Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Food Storage Containers
These food storage containers will keep your whole, un-chopped produce as fresh as the day you bought it — for almost two entire weeks! Use them for delicate berries, curly kale, Brussels sprouts, and more!
Buy: Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Food Storage Containers, $15 (normally $20)
Resolution: Staying Organized
It’s no fun when you’re ready to start cooking and can’t find a particular pan amid all the clutter. Smart storage solutions bring order to chaos and help you get things done faster while staying organized.
6. YouCopia StoreMore Cookware Rack Adjustable Pan Organizer
We love YouCopia and its incredible storage solutions. This cookware rack, in particular, keeps pots and pans organized, plus it’s adjustable so you can switch it up to suit your needs.
Buy: YouCopia StoreMore Cookware Rack Adjustable Pan Organizer, $20
7. Umbra Float Kitchen Organizer
When you’re short on drawer and counter space, think vertical. This organizer can be mounted under cabinets or even on walls, giving you quick and easy access to utensils.
Buy: Umbra Float Kitchen Organizer, $15
8. Copco Non-Skid Pantry Cabinet 2-Tier Lazy Susan Turntable
Lazy Susans are kitchen heroes. If you haven’t discovered the joy of using one, try it in cabinets to organize spices and condiments, or prop it on the countertop to contain essentials like coffee beans, tea bags, vitamins, and more!
Buy: Copco Non-Skid Pantry Cabinet 2-Tier Lazy Susan Turntable, $13 (normally $15)
9. HOMFA Under Sink Expandable Storage Rack
If the space under your sink feels like an island of clutter, this expandable storage rack is here to save the day. Use the shelves to liberally stack rarely used appliances, cleaning supplies, and really anything that eats up worktop space.
Buy: HOMFA Under Sink Expandable Storage Rack, $18
10. Lawei 3 Pack Glass Storage Jars with Sealed Bamboo Lids
Pretty cabinets aren’t just for Pinterest — they can also inspire you to cook more. These charming glass canisters come with bamboo lids that give a strong seal, prevent bugs from getting in, and keep everything fresh for longer.
Buy: Lawei 3 pack Glass Storage Jars with Sealed Bamboo Lids, $20
Resolution: Mindfulness in the Kitchen
One great thing about going green in the kitchen is the amount of clutter you end up reducing. Reusable and sustainable tools last for years and don’t have to cost much. See what we mean below.
11. OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin
If limiting food scraps is your primary concern, then countertop composting is shockingly easy: All you have to do is get a bin and start piling in your scraps. We love this small, cute, and hassle-free option from OXO.
Buy: OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin, $20
12. Assorted Set of 3 Bee’s Wrap
Cut back on single-use plastic with these hugely popular Bee’s Wraps, which are made from natural materials like beeswax, jojoba oil, tree resin, and organic cotton. But here’s the clincher: They’re totally reusable. Once you’re done with your wrap, just wash it with gentle soap and cool water (hot water can melt the wax), then let it air-dry to use it again!
Buy: Assorted Set of 3 Bee’s Wrap, $18
13. Reusable Stainless Steel Drinking Straws, 2 Pack
Another great alternative to single-use plastic straws are stainless steel options. We love that this particular version collapses into a compact tube and even comes with a key chain so you never have to rummage through your bag to hunt for your straw again.
Buy: 2 Pack Reusable Metal Straws Collapsible Stainless Steel Drinking Straw, $8 (normally $9)
14. Stasher Reusable Food Bag
Stasher bags work just like standard plastic baggies — only they’re made of silicone, which means they can be reused over and over again. Even better? You don’t have to worry about them eventually getting holes or the seams ripping apart.
Buy: Stasher Reusable Food Bag, $11
15. AmazonBasics Blue and Yellow Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
A microfiber cloth isn’t just an eco-friendly alternative — it also traps a lot more bacteria and dirt compared to paper towels. Plus, it’s cheaper. This 24-pack of super-absorbent cleaning cloths will keep you going for a year — nay, make that five!
Buy: AmazonBasics Blue and Yellow Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, $13
Resolution: Cooking More
Just about anything you concoct in the kitchen is going to be more nutritious than what you might order in a restaurant. Plus, it can save a ton of money in the long run — as can the meal-prep tools below.
16. Chef’n VeggiChop Hand-Powered Food Chopper
Our Editor-in-Chief, Faith, loves her little Chef’n chopper. “It is wonderful for chopping nuts and herbs and making pesto, sauces, and salsa,” she says. Also, it takes up very little counter space and makes everyday cooking breezy.
Buy: Chef’n VeggiChop Hand-Powered Food Chopper, $17 (normally $20)
17. Prep Solutions by Progressive 2-Way Grate & Measure
You don’t have to pull out the big, bulky box grater when you’re looking to get food prep done quickly. This sleek version, which can be used for everything from grating cheese and vegetables to zesting fruit peels, is a better option. And once you’re done, into the dishwasher it goes!
Buy: Prep Solutions by Progressive 2-Way Grate & Measure, $10 (normally $13)
18. Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Double-Edged Mandolin Slicer with Guard
If just the thought of food prep is keeping you away from making your own colorful salads, then you need a mandoline slicer! The smooth blades on this sleek device make food prep quick and easy, while the hand guard ensures you don’t cut or hurt yourself while slicing.
Buy: Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Double-edged Mandoline Slicer with Guard, $16 (normally$20)
19. KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener
We’ve written about how Amazon shoppers are obsessed with the KitchenIQ knife sharpener. It’s incredibly easy to use and takes up very little storage space, but most importantly it breathes new life into dull knives, which is key when you’re powering through dinner prep after a long day at work.
Buy: KitchenIQ Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener, $6
20. ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
If you’re doing Whole30 or just looking to add more protein to your diet, then you’ll want to snag this digital meat thermometer to take the guesswork out of cooking. All you have to do is press a single button and the internal temperature will appear on the LCD backlit display in three to five seconds. FYI: It’s also the bestselling meat thermometer on all of Amazon!
Buy: ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer, $13 (normally $30)