We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A pair of sockless shoe liners so your feet don't overheat in actual socks. A summer without sweaty, smelly socks? Sounds like a win to me. These no-slip and no-show liners are also washable!
The liners come with trimming guidelines so that you can cut the insert to your desired size.
Promising review: "I can't recommend these inserts enough! After a week of heavy use, they hardly smell. Pop them in the wash, and they are ready to go again! Super comfy and doesn't move around. So nice to have in shoes you don't feel like wearing socks with! Plus, so many fun patterns!" —Vicky L. Parr
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes [fits women's sizes 6–13] and five colors).
2. A pack of 10 DEET-free mosquito-repellant bracelets that use essential oils to keep bloodsuckers away.
3. An SPF 30 scalp sunscreen mist because you probably forget that the top of your head needs sun protection, too. Formulated with plant-based antioxidants, this spray will also help nourish your hair and prevent UV-related hair color fading.
Promising review: "I have two girls, and we spend a lot of time outside in the summers. I work as a nurse and have seen scalp skin cancer, and I definitely wanted to protect myself and my girls. We usually use the regular spray, but it leaves the hair greasy or stiff. This has a great scent, and a little goes a long way! I was worried about the small size, but it lasted us all summer. Also leaves no residue." —Elizabeth Young
Get it from Amazon for $28+ (available in two sizes).
4. A Shark Tank-famous bug bite suction tool for mosquito bite relief because you're excited about tank tops and short shorts but not the fact that you'll be exposed to some nasty bloodsuckers. It pretty much sucks the irritant out from under your skin so you can live an itch-free life.
Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times, so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. It arrived Monday and Tuesday morning. I woke up with a bug bite on my arm, so I used this little tool (three times per the instructions), and immediately after use, it stopped itching! Less than 24 hours later, the bite was gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing, but it's a small price to pay, IMO Bottom line: It's awesome. I'm carrying it with me everywhere!" —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in three colors and multipacks).
5. A ceiling fan carbon air filter to catch dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke. These self-adhesive filters are made from coconut shells whose lightweight structure traps particles and contaminants. Turn your ceiling fan into an air purifier!
Promising review: "I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days the air smelled more crisp and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" —Haylee Marez
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $19.99.
6. A crack weeder tool if weeds think they're being clever by growing in the cracks of your patio or sidewalk. This L-shaped tool can remove the entire root without you needing to literally dig around for it. It's also got a soft grip handle because taking care of your home's outward appearance shouldn't be physically taxing.
Promising review: "I've been searching for something to remove the weeds for a while and came across this amazing tool. Since I refuse to use chemicals in my yard, I've been left with scraped knuckles every time I attempt to remove weeds. The weeds have grown so tightly in the concrete cracks that I pretty much gave up; even weed-whacking it didn't help much. Yes, you do have to use a little bit of effort, but the end result was so worth it!" —Shelley Arakaki
Get it from Amazon for $22.95.
7. A set of stackable stick-shaped ice molds so you can easily toss a few pieces of ice into your bottle without having to literally force a square into a circle. Staying cool and hydrated just got a little easier.
Promising review: "I got these to make ice cubes that I could fit into hot water bottles to make 'cold water bottles.' I'm in the big heat wave, and it's been over 100 every day for the last week, with no sign of it letting up any time soon. These are quick and easy and the cold water bottles have been the only thing helping me sleep in a room anywhere between 80–90 degrees at night. I love the lids! It makes my ice trays easy to stack and more secure. I wish all ice trays came with lids like this!" —A.J. Stark
Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.99+ (available with or without covers and in two additional styles).
8. A sleek 3-in-1 handheld fan because it's also a portable charger and flashlight, so if you're caught in the dark, and it's hot and your phone is on 1%, you'll be glad to have this gadget in your back pocket.
Promising review: "A lifesaver! The compact design makes it easy to carry in your bag or pocket. The fan's performance is impressive; it generates a strong breeze for its size, instantly cooling me down on hot days. The noise level is pleasantly low, perfect for use in quiet environments. The battery life is impressive, lasting through extended outings. It's a must-have for anyone looking to stay cool and refreshed during summer or while traveling. We are thrilled with this handy little fan!" —Allie
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four colors).
9. A pre-swim hair cream since it'll help protect your hair from dryness and chlorine damage. Enriched with aloe, this cream can create a barrier to prevent your hair from absorbing chlorine and salt. No green hair and no frizz!
Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING! Literally nothing else keeps tangles out of my daughter’s hair like this does. Her hair is so thick and very difficult to brush; this makes it easy peasy to brush the tangles out after a swim in the pool. It also softens her hair. When not used, the pool chemicals make her hair very stiff and dry. We even use this every once in a while just because! It smells wonderful and doesn’t make the hair greasy in any way. I cannot recommend this product enough!!!" —Emily
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in packs of two and three).
10. A set of electrolyte-rich Liquid I.V. hydration packets to help you get hydrated faster (it works faster than water), especially as you brave the heat to try to have fun this summer.
Psst — it's also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free!
BuzzFeed writer Elizabeth Lilly swears by these:
"I always ALWAYS pack this stuff for trips. I recently visited Vegas for ~48 hours for an outdoor music festival. I drank one in the morning before boarding my flight, then once I got checked into my hotel, then the next morning before the music festival where I was outside and guzzling tall boys of beer. And I felt great when I woke up the next day! Drinking Liquid IV also meant I didn't have to guzzle plain water (and then stand in line for the bathroom a ton) to stay hydrated for the 12+-hour festival."
Promising review: "I’m a tile setter in South Texas, and Liquid IV has made a significant difference in my ability to stay hydrated in these 100+ degree summer days." —Colton F.
Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $23.45 (available in various flavors and packs; also available in sugar-free flavors).
11. A sand-removal powder bag because you love the beach, in theory, but in practice? You hate getting sand all over your body. This talc-free and reef-friendly bag easily removes sand and leaves you feeling clean.
Shakalo is a small business based in San Diego.
Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1–2 times a week. I even use it on my dog's paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of, too. I will definitely be buying the refill and another baggie to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Shakalo on Amazon for $24.99 (also available in a three-pack).
12. A set of waterproof Uno Splash cards so you can whoop some butt in between doing underwater handstands. Are you showing off? Sure. But do you only have one card left in your hand and it's a Draw 4? Also true.
Promising review: "Love that these come with a clip. Makes it so handy to travel with and not lose any of the cards. Great for kids, too, because they always seem to break the box when they have to put them back in the box. Of course, the waterproof aspect is wonderful!" —Peachy Keenes
Get it from Amazon for $7.67.
13. A hot tub cleaner scientifically engineered to remove all the gunk hiding in the plumbing. So all the dirt, grime, oil, and sweat will go bye-bye in exchange for improved water clarity and filtration.
Promising review: "Our hot tub was so much grosser than I could have imagined. The amount of ick that this stuff got out of the jets was surprising. Honestly so embarrassing. I drained and cleaned the tub a few months ago but did not think of getting this jet cleaner. I will not make that mistake again. The hot tub smells so so clean now. I will definitely use this again next time I drain the tub." —Kaerlia
Get it from Amazon for $18.36.
14. An easy-to-install smart sprinkler controller since it monitors your local weather and will skip watering if the forecast calls for rain. It'll always provide the right amount of water, making sure your greens stay green AND your water bill stays low.
Promising review: "I installed this in February, and it had paid for itself by August by allowing me to turn off watering via the phone app from the comfort of where ever I was. The savings have accelerated this fall, and I expect by next February, I could buy another with the savings. Spring and summer were pretty dry, and the smart features really didn't come into play much. This fall has been pretty wet, and the Rachio has been good about both not watering if rain is coming and skipping if the 'ground is saturated.'" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in three styles).
15. A set of stackable starfish-shaped sand cup holders so you don't have to fight to keep your bottle of water upright in the sand. It's also great for holding your phone, sunscreen, or keys — anything you don't want getting lost or covered in sand.
Island Genius is a small biz making fun and unique products for the whole family to enjoy in and outside of the house.
Promising review: "If you are going to the beach these are a must have. Keeps sand off your drinks, easy to clean and travels easily in a beach bag." —Patti
Get a pack of four from Island Genius on Amazon for $12.99.
16. A pack of SPF-sensing stickers that change color to alert you as to when to apply more sunscreen. And because they're hypoallergenic, latex-free, and pain-free to take off, they're great for the whole family.
Promising review: "I'm multiracial with tan skin. I burn when [the sun is] intense, but I get a great tan otherwise. My 9-month-old is fair, fair, fair. Blue eyes and porcelain skin fair. I reapply my own SPF 50 after a few hours, but I'm not consistent. I've never been great about sunscreen, but I was not going to let my daughter get burned. We live in South Florida, and just walking or park time is a potential burning hazard. This is a great visual for me to reapply her sunscreen or make sure she gets in the shade. They're an absolute essential for parents, especially the 'sun goddess' type." —FlightLife
Get 16 stickers from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in packs of 32 and 48).
17. A stick-on shade since the sun plans to tag along on your travel adventures so some protection from its rays might be nice. This is great especially if you have kids in the backseat.
18. A genius retractable window sunshade because getting into your car just for your butt to be charred to a crisp by your hot leather seat is not a vibe.
Check out a TikTok of the sunshade in action.
Promising review: "Love that I don't have to dig one out from behind a seat or something. You just grab the tab and pull it over to connect to the cup on the driver's side. Reduces the amount of heat in my car. The steering wheel and surfaces are cool to the touch after a 90- to 100-degree day. Caution: When disconnecting, hang on to the tab and slowly put it back into the closed position. Otherwise, you will mess up the accordion folds." —millie snow
Get it from Amazon for $26.45+ (available in three colors/sizes).
19. A windproof beach tent so you don't have to lay directly under the sun when all you want is to feel a cool breeze and hear the waves crash down. This spacious tent offers UPF 50+ protection, meaning the material can block 98% of harmful UV rays!
Promising review: "What an amazing product! I needed this to go to the beach on a hot day (almost 100 degrees) for some shade. It is easy to put it up. On that hot day, it kept us from burning under the sun for four hours; we opened the windows for ventilation, and it worked fine." —Georgina
Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in three sizes and five colors).
20. A foldable baby tent for trips to the beach or backyard! Covered in a breathable mesh, this playpen allows you to keep an eye on your little one while also providing them some shelter from UV rays since it comes with a UPF 50+ canopy.
Promising review: "Keeps the bugs out! Baby loved having the space to roam and enjoy the sunshine. Very easy to set up — literally just pops open! Comes with stakes to secure into the ground or sand. Also comes with a top attachment for extra shade. I was worried it might get muggy inside the tent, but there was great ventilation, and the baby stayed cool as a cucumber. This thing is going to be great for the beach and all the sunny days ahead. I was tempted to buy two: one for home and another for travel. Highly recommend." —Sam
Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in four colors).
21. A programmable AC booster fan designed to increase and improve airflow from your HVAC systems. It has 10 speeds and can easily be mounted to your registers.
Promising review: "I have a room that is extremely hot in the spring and summer. With this product (and the task of temporarily closing vents in other rooms), I am able to bring the temp down 6 degrees in that hot room in just one hour without affecting the temp anywhere else! Awesome!!" —Denise Davis
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in white or bronze and two sizes).
22. A portable electric mosquito repellent — this DEET-free and scent-free shield works to keep mosquitoes up to 15 feet away. Each repellant mat lasts up to four hours, and they change color to let you know it's time to replace them. So bring this out to your backyard and have some worry-free fun!
Promising review: "I bought this because I was looking for an effective insect repellant for my patio this spring/summer. I didn't want a bulky candle or tiki torch that smelled like canola oil. I found the Thermacell. It looked modern and promising. We tried it, and it works really well. It also produces no smell or sound. We live in the south, where mosquitos are really awful, and the Thermacell made sitting on our patio tolerable! Definitely recommend." —Trusted Customer
Get it from Amazon for $20.97+ (available in nine colors and packs of two).
23. A laptop shade because it'll not only give you privacy while you work by the crowded pool but it'll also help protect your laptop from the heat of the sun.
SunShader is a small biz!
Promising review: "This truly blocks the sun and stays on strong and secure. It's also lightweight and slim when folded up for easy transport. I have a MacBook Air, and it fits perfectly without any space for the sun to come in. Great product!" —HML
Get it from SunShader on Amazon for $49.99+ (available in two sizes).
24. And a super clutch phone shade if you're tired of trying (and failing) to text on a screen you can't see because the sun is blazing above. Now your phone can give you protection from the sun's rays! It uses suction tech to stay connected to your phone.
Shadey Attachments is a small business based in the UK.
Promising review: "I can honestly say I now can't use my phone in the sun without it! It took a second to get going and to realize you have to point it at the sun to put your face in the shade. Literally the best thing ever for the sun." —Harley Place
Get it from Shadey Attachments on Etsy for $17.25 (available in seven colors).
25. A pack of towel bands so you don't have to curse the winds for carrying your towel away from the chair you claimed at the pool. These durable latex bands won't rust, break, or lose strength over time like towel clips.
Promising review: "Last-minute purchase for a trip to Jamaica. So happy I bought them. They always kept our towels on the chairs correctly. It was also easy to tell our chairs apart from others on the resort. Will definitely be recommending them to others." —RG
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four color sets).
26. A refillable roll-on sponge sunscreen applicator that's easy enough for your kids to use (with supervision, of course)! Just fill it with your sunscreen of choice, and let the fun in the sun begin! Plus? There'll be less mess on your hands.
Promising review: "My children are fair-skinned and extremely easy to burn. Wearing sunscreen is not optional, but they still fight me every time. Using this product was so fast and easy they didn't even complain!!" —Jeshleigh
Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in eight colors and packs of two).
27. A set of heel caps because it's stiletto weather but you shouldn't have to risk sinking into dirt, gravel, and grass just to look sharp.
Promising review: "I just tried these last weekend at an outdoor wedding with an indoor reception. They were amazing! I kept them on all night. First, I walked outside in thick grass, and the wedding photos were taken in a mushy grassy area. I didn't sink even a little bit. It was fantastic. My heels were fabulous. I then decided to leave them on for the rest of the night since they made my heels more stable and comfortable. So glad I tried them. I was showing them off to the other ladies, and everyone loved the look of them." —J L D
Get a pair on Amazon for $11.99 (available in four sizes).
Check out my colleague's full Stoppers Heel Protectors review.
28. A Shark Tank-famous Krapp Strap if you like to spend your summers out in nature but hate that that means having to poop in nature. Just wrap the strap around a tree and let your body ~doo~ what it does naturally. It even has pockets to hold your toilet paper and other necessities.
Air Boss Motion Decoys is the Texas-based small biz behind the Krapp Strapp and other hunting decoys and gear.
Promising review: "Perfect gift for the avid hunter in your life." —Shine with Prime
Get it from Air Boss Motion Decoys on Amazon for $69.99.
29. A waterproof baby carrier with adjustable straps so you can take your little one into the pool with you and they can safely splash around. It features adjustable, padded straps for the wearer's comfort.
Perfect for little ones between 4 months and 24 months old.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this product. I used it when my son was only about 6 to 9 months old, and I still use it now as he is 15 months old. I just love this product. It is so easy to use with the babies. Love it as they get to be in the water as well. This product also dries very quickly. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be in the water with their children. An added benefit is that you are hands-free!" —H&M Miller
Get it from Amazon for $99.55 (available in six colors).
30. A long-reaching lotion applicator — moisturize your back without trying (and failing) to force your arms to bend in ways they simply don't. You can also use this to apply self-tanner or sunscreen on your back. No more sunburns in places you normally can't reach!
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.