60 Clever Things That Are Slightly Sketchy But So Damn Useful

Sharing is caring only until you’re hangry and your food is nowhere to be found. These hiding bags disguise your snacks as boring stuff nobody would ever steal, like coffee beans, a supergreens medley, and bread crumbs made from ancient grains. Each one has a sturdy, reusable closure and a gusseted bottom that holds up in the pantry, fridge, or freezer.

Keep an eye on what’s happening behind you without having to turn around. This monitor mirror clips to the side of your computer screen with its foam-padded clamp and has a convex mirror on a rotating arm so you can see if someone’s creeping over your shoulder. You can also use it in the car to reduce blind spots or check on your kid/pet in the back seat.

“I am so very glad I was using this!” wrote one reviewer who got pickpocketed while traveling — but luckily, their debit card, credit card, and cash were in this undercover bra wallet. Its adjustable strap clasps around the band, while its roomy yet compact pocket clips shut to keep your stuff safe. It’s also covered in breathable fabric and has RFID-blocking technology to prevent digital theft.

• Available styles: 3

Rest easy knowing that no one is watching you. Using four tools in one (an RF signal detector, a lens finder, a magnetic field detector, and a flashlight), this anti-surveillance device scopes out hidden cameras, bugs, and GPS trackers in apartments, hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and cars. It’s also rechargeable for up to 25 hours of cordless use on one charge.

When slipped into your wallet alone, an Apple AirTag is likely to slip back out. When you clip it into one of these AirTag-compatible wallet holders, it slides into a pocket like a credit card and prevents your wallet from getting a circular imprint. While they’re made from sturdy, flex-resistant material, they’re slim, lightweight, and won’t affect the signal, so you can locate a lost wallet from your phone.

Hide a spare key inside this rock box, and hide the rock box in your garden, under a tree, or in a potted plant. While it blends into its environment with its realistic appearance, it has a slide-out bottom that reveals a hollow interior, and it’s made from a poly-resin material that can handle the elements. It even comes with a tiny zipper bag to keep your key clean, dry, and rust-free.

• Available styles: 3

These invisible ink pens write in (you guessed it) invisible ink, so you can only illuminate the hidden message with a UV lights (one is built it). Kids love them, but they’re surprisingly useful for adults, too: “A game-changer for my reselling business,” one reviewer wrote. “I needed a way to mark my items to help prevent fraudulent returns, and this set has worked perfectly.” Others used them to number RSVP cards for their weddings, create answer keys for students, and design hidden clues for Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.

Since it’s made from waterproof, aircraft-grade aluminum, this tactical self-defense pen is a great thing to have in your toolbox, camping pack, or bug-out bag — but multiple reviewers find it so useful, they carry it with them every single day. In addition to a ballpoint pen with three ink cartridge refills and a bright flashlight with an emergency strobe setting, it also has a tungsten glass breaker, a screwdriver tip, a hex driver, a serrated edge, and a bottle opener.

This hanging diversion safe serves three purposes: For one, it hangs over your closet bar, hiding your money, jewelry, and important documents among your clothes where an intruder would never think to look. For another, it has a password lock that fastens the zippers together for improved security. Finally, it’s made from flame-resistant fiberglass to protect your valuables in case of a house fire.

To everyone else, this wine bag looks like a standard tote thanks to its striped canvas fabric and cute rope handles. In actuality, it contains a 50-ounce beverage pouch that you can fill with up to two bottles of wine. It’s also insulated to preserve the temperature and has a hidden push spout that looks discreet when you’re on the move, but dispenses wine into your cup when it’s time for a refill.

• Available styles: 4

These mini earbuds are super tiny and weigh only about 0.1 ounces, so they fit inside your outer ear for discreet wear at work, at the gym, or while traveling. They’re also comfortable enough to wear while you sleep — but don’t let their size fool you: Reviewers rave about the sound quality, the noise-cancellation abilities, and the built-in microphone, plus they’re waterproof and last for up to 24 hours with the included charging case.

When you’re trying to get into your home during an emergency, this motion-sensor keyhole light will save you precious seconds. Any other night, it’ll save you from fumbling and frustration. Battery-powered for cordless use, it has an infrared sensor that illuminates your lock as you approach, so you can find the right key and the keyhole. It also sticks to most doors using the included adhesive tape.

I’ve used these zipper clips to keep my escape-artist dog safely in his crate while I’m not home. They’re also great for discouraging pickpockets and keeping your suitcase shut on the go. They’re made from lightweight yet durable alloy with a dual-sided carabiner design that clasps virtually any double zippers together. Get them in silver, space gray, or a combination.

• Available styles: 5

If your company tracks your activity when you work remotely, this mouse jiggler is an “absolute life-saver,” according to one reviewer. Given that it’s earned over 7,600 five-star ratings, others agree. It plugs into a USB port to keep your mouse pointer moving, making it look as though you’re actively working when you need to step away. It also has two modes with a switch button, and your computer registers it as a “USB Composite Device,” so it’s less detectable.

• Available styles: 8

White noise machines are great for blocking out sounds that would otherwise disturb a restful sleep — but they also help mask sound so your housemates, family members, or coworkers can’t hear your business. This plug-in noise machine has 20 non-looping sounds to choose from, including fans, white noise, and nature sounds. It also has a dual-color night light and three optional timer settings.

• Available styles: 3

Faraday bags create a shield that blocks electromagnetic signals, so no one can hack your information. Made from military-grade cloth and carbon fibers, these Faraday bags come in small and medium sizes to stop people from remotely accessing your car’s key fob. The brand also makes a larger size that fits most smartphones, and they have key rings for portability.

• Available styles: Small — Large

Bartenders, woodcarvers, campers, hikers, fishermen, and survivalists all love this mini knife set, but you can also use them for opening envelopes and Amazon boxes. The set includes four different blades, all made from embossed stainless steel with wooden handles. They also come with leather sheaths and metal chains, so you can safely carry them on your keys.

According to one reviewer, this portable door lock is a “must-have” when you’re staying in hotels and rentals. Others wrote that it gives them peace of mind in dorm rooms, bathrooms without locks, and apartments with nosy landlords. While it’s lightweight and compact, its stainless steel stopper wedges almost any door shut, so no one can force their way in — even if they have a key.

Replace the existing hardware on your car with these anti-theft bolts to stop anyone from stealing or tampering with your license plate. They’re made from durable stainless steel with unique, star-shaped heads that only unscrew with the included key wrenches. The set also includes caps for added protection and adhesive foam pads that prevent your plates from rattling or scratching your paint.

Hopefully, you’ll never have to use these car safety tools — but if you do, they could very well save your life one day. One side has a tungsten steel hammer to break a window, and the other side has a protected steel blade to cut through seatbelts. Sold in a set of three, they stick somewhere accessible with their adhesive-backed mounts, and they come with caps for safety and silicone stickers to increase grip.

• Available styles: 2

If you’re ever stuck in the wilderness or stranded without internet, 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition is the book to have. Written by a retired Navy SEAL who served for 20 years, it’s a hands-on guide that helps you prepare for any crisis and survive in any environment using low-tech solutions. Skills include sparking a fire with a mobile phone, barricading doors, scavenging for food in a desert, and surviving a tsunami.

Wasps are territorial, and other types of stinging insects (like carpenter bees and hornets) steer clear of them. As a result, a decoy nest may deter flying pests without chemicals or extermination. Woven from eco-friendly reed that’s resistant to all types of weather, these hanging wasp nest decoys “worked immediately for a situation that was increasing from annoying to dangerous,” one reviewer wrote.

• Available styles: 6

Forget paper shredders. These dissolving notepads each contain 25 sheets of water-soluble paper, so sensitive information disappears without a trace. Write secret messages, passwords, and bank information on the 60-gsm paper, which is surprisingly durable for regular handling — until it comes into contact with water. When submerged, it’ll dissolve into nothing.

Screw this light bulb security camera into any E26 light socket to illuminate your entryway while keeping an eye on your home. In addition to a dimmable LED, it also has a high-definition camera with night vision, 360-degree panning, subscription-free local recording, two-way audio, and detection alerts. It syncs to an app on your phone for remote monitoring, and it’s Alexa- and Google Home-compatible.

No pockets? No problem. These diversion scrunchies have hidden zipper compartments to hold cash, lip balm, medication, jewelry, a house key, or any other tiny essentials. Since they look and work like normal scrunchies, no one will have any idea — and according to reviewers, the stretchy velvet feels comfortable on the wrist and actually holds your hair.

• Available styles: 4

This smart door handle offers a high-tech alternative to keys. Battery-operated with biometric technology, you can unlock it with a fingerprint, a number password, or through an app on your smartphone. If it goes dead, you can also unlock it with a key, and it has a USB-C port for an emergency power boost.

• Available styles: 5

Security alarms don’t have to be expensive. These battery-operated chimes cost dollars apiece, and they’re a reliable way to let you know when someone opens a door or window. When the magnet separates more than half an inch from the receiver, a 120-decibel alarm will sound. According to reviewers, it’s easy to install with the included adhesive and easy to turn off with the built-in switch.

Protect your winnings from thieves — or yourself. The Original Gamblebox is a portable drop safe with a slot and a key that you can leave at home. That way, money easily goes in, but it’s much harder to get out. It’s made from ultra-durable metal, and it’s roughly the same size as a smartphone, so it fits in your pocket or purse.

Clip the She’s Birdie personal alarm to your keys, bag, or running belt to give yourself peace of mind when you’re running errands, walking, hiking, traveling, commuting, or jogging. If someone approaches you, pull the top ring to prompt a 130-decibel alarm alongside a flashing strobe light. It’s rechargeable for up to 120 minutes of continuous light and sound, and it’s easy to deactivate by pushing the ring back down.

• Available styles: 6

From the outside, your windows and sliding doors will have a reflective, mirror-like finish, so people can’t see inside — but you’ll still be able to see them. This one-way privacy film sticks to glass using static cling for damage-free installation. It also blocks 98% of UV rays to protect your furniture from fading and better maintain the temperature inside your home.

• Available styles: 7

These sunscreen flasks look look exactly like aluminum spray bottles, but they’re made from food-safe materials with water-tight screw tops that won’t leak in your bag. Combined, they hold 10 shots total, and they come with funnels for easy refilling.

If someone tries to force their way into your home, these door stop alarms aim to scare them away with a 120-decibel alarm. They’re battery-powered (not included) for cordless use, and they have high, medium, and low settings to adjust the sensitivity. Since they also have an on-off switch and a non-slip rubber pad, you can use them as standard door stops without the alarms.

If you can’t keep your valuables on you, this portable combination safe is the next best thing. The customizable four-digit code keeps it locked, the foam-padded interior is large enough to hold keys, a wallet, a phone, and earbuds, and the braided steel cable secures it to any fixed object, including benches in parks, desks in offices, and patio furniture at resorts. It’s also water-resistant, and the steel wire doubles as a handle for comfortable carrying.

• Available styles: 2

Like most carabiners, it’s capable of holding your keys, clipping equipment to your hiking pack, or hanging a lantern from a tent. Unlike most carabiners, this tactical carabiner has eight other built-in tools that include a rope cutter, a can opener, a bottle opener, a folding knife, a window breaker, a slotted screwdriver, a serrated knife, and a ruler.

• Available styles: 9

Keep hackers out of your home by covering the cameras on your devices. Instead of a sticky adhesive, these universal webcam covers use nano-suction technology to stick to your phones, laptops, and tablets without leaving a residue. You can use them over and over again, and they rinse clean of any dust or dirt to restore their stickiness. This set includes four dots and three bar-shaped covers to fit most devices.

• Available styles: 10

This undercover money belt has an average 4.5-star rating from over 9,600 reviewers, and one reviewer wrote that it’s “worth every penny” for “peace of mind while traveling.” Its slim design fits discreetly under your clothing, but it has multiple zippered pockets to hold your essentials, breathable mesh fabric to wick sweat, an adjustable elastic band for a comfortable fit, and RFID-blocking technology to keep your digital information secure.

• Available styles: 23

Mount these solar security cameras all around your property without hiring an electrician — and for way less than you’d pay for a professionally installed surveillance system. They’re waterproof with rotating solar panels that power the built-in rechargeable batteries, and they deliver live HD video footage with night vision straight to an app on your phone. (You can also opt to pay for cloud storage or encrypted card storage.)

• Available styles: 3

Thanks to their patterned wrappers that self-adhere to the tubes, these slim flasks look like tampons in your purse. In actuality, they hold 25 milliliters each. They’re made from shatter-resistant plastic with screw-on lids to prevent leaks, and they come with tiny funnels for easy filling.

• Available styles: 9

This secret book safe has flippable pages and a hardcover exterior, so it looks and feels like a real book. That said, the hollowed-out center holds a combination-protected steel box where you can stash jewelry, cash, or important documents, either on your bookshelf or while you’re traveling. Get it in several convincing designs, including Alice in Wonderland, Les Misérables, or the Holy Bible.

• Available styles: 16

I’ve gifted these eyeglass holders to multiple people in my life who are constantly misplacing their glasses. They clip to your clothing without damage using a strong magnetic base. Slip the arm of your glasses over the notched stainless steel bar to keep them handy without dropping or scratching them. You can also use them for ID badges and earphones.

• Available styles: 7

Be warned: You can’t unsee what you’ll see with these blacklight flashlights. “Found out where that mystery cat pee smell was coming from within two minutes,” one reviewer wrote. “I also found out how gross our apartment is.” Powered by AAA batteries (included), the ultraviolet beams illuminate urine, spit, fluids, food stains, uncleaned areas, and certain insects.

Charge these solar LED flashlights in the sun, or turn the cranks to power them by hand, creating up to 10 minutes of light with 1 minute of effort. The rugged exterior can handle the elements, the carabiner base clips to your backpack or tent frame, and the brightness and ease of use are “very, very impressive,” according to one reviewer.

• Available styles: 6

Sold in over a dozen sizes to fit the iPhone 12 through the iPhone Pro Max, these privacy screen protectors do two things at once: They help keep your screen crack-free with their military-grade tempered glass, and they darken the screen unless you’re looking at it head-on, so people can’t spy over your shoulder. Your order includes an alignment tray for bubble-free installation in seconds.

• Available styles: 18

Sold in solid shades and color-changing options, these LED bike lights look cool and keep you visible while you’re riding after dark or in the rain. They fit all standard wheel sizes, including kids’ bikes, and they come with batteries that create 500 lumens of brightness. They’re also waterproof and durable to withstand any weather conditions.

• Available styles: 12

Prevent animals from breaking into your trash cans and stop the lids from blowing off in windy weather. These trash can locks are easy to install on virtually any bin, and they’re made from stainless steel with metal wires for weather-resistant durability. Clip the carabiners around the hooks after taking out the trash to deter squirrels, raccoons, and bears.

This hammer multi-tool contains 12 tools in one, including a hammer, pliers, a wire cutter, screwdrivers, knives, files, and a bottle opener. It’s compact enough to fit in your backpack or pocket, yet made from hardened steel to handle adventures and emergencies. “I keep this in my glove box for security purposes,” wrote one reviewer who has used it “numerous times, especially while traveling.”

Compatible with most sliding doors, this sliding door security bar is length-adjustable up to 50.5 inches with double pegs to adjust the tension. It’s made from thick stainless steel with rubber feet on both ends to create a secure grip without scratching, which reinforces your patio door so no one can force it open. You can also use it on windows and sliding doors in hotel rooms.

• Available styles: 2

Use these transparent sticky pads to take notes in textbooks, library books, and novels without damaging them. The see-through surface is compatible with ballpoint pens, pencils, and oil-based markers, and the adhesive is durable, but won’t stain or tear the page when repositioning or removing the notes. Your order includes four pads of 50 sheets each.

Stick this glow-in-the-dark tape to your light switches so you can find them in the dark, your remote control so you can locate it fast, your bike to keep yourself visible on nighttime rides, and your staircases to prevent tripping. The fluorescent material reaches a full charge in 30 minutes to keep it glowing for up to 10 hours. It also has a durable adhesive with a waterproof coating, so you can use it indoors or out.

No one will have any idea that your valuables are hiding in plain sight. This fake wall outlet has an empty receptacle for cash, cards, jewelry, and USB drives, and a realistic-looking faceplate that attaches magnetically so you don’t have to worry about a key. Use the template and the included video to cut a hole in your drywall before slipping the outlet in. According to one reviewer, “very easy to install” in about 15 minutes.

It weighs 4.1 ounces and packs into a pouch that’s roughly the size of a soda can, so it fits in your hiking bag, glove compartment, or the palm of your hand. Still, if you’re ever stranded somewhere for the night, this emergency sleeping bag deploys in seconds to keep you warm, dry, and safe. It’s made from waterproof material that preserves up to 90% of your body heat, and it comes with a free survival whistle you can hear from up to 1 mile away.

During the Cold War, the CIA hired magician John Mulholland to create a top-secret program (MKULTRA) that taught covert intelligence officers how to counter mind-control techniques, utilize covert communication, and master the art of deception. Many related documents were destroyed, but one copy survived — and now the Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception is available to anyone who wants to brush up on history and sharpen their skills.

With an overall 4.8-star rating from more than 1,100 reviewers, these canned fire extinguishers are clearly a smart thing to have on hand. They’re lightweight, compact, and filled with an eco-safe spray that puts out wood, oil, car, and electrical fires without mess or damage. “My husband caught the grass on fire while working on the tractor and this put it out quickly,” wrote one reviewer who said they “work very well.”

This secret pill box looks exactly like a genuine tube of ChapStick — because it used to be a genuine tube of ChapStick. Now, it has a pull-off bottom that reveals a hollow interior. It’s extremely portable, and no one will suspect that it’s anything other than a lip balm.

“One of the best things about this lock is its versatility. I've used it for my bike, my scooter, and even to secure some valuable equipment at a campsite,” one reviewer wrote about this bike chain lock. It’s a little under 3 feet long with a five-digit resettable code and an anti-cut steel chain covered in soft cloth, which prevents rust, scratches, and heat from the sun.

• Available styles: 6

Don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new security system? Research shows that visible security cameras may reduce crime by 50%, and these fake security cameras look super realistic. The solar panels power the red LED lights, creating the illusion of an active camera — but since they’re not actually connected to anything, you can install them anywhere without having to worry about wires or signals.

• Available styles: 6

This anti-theft bag looks like a cute crossbody (and it comes in over a dozen color options), but it actually has several features in place to protect your stuff from physical and electronic thieves. First, the zipper to the main compartment clips onto a D-ring, keeping it shut. Second, the fabric is slash-resistant with five RFID-blocking pockets. Last, you can secure the bag around the back of a chair thanks to its lockdown hardware.

• Available styles: 15

To everyone else, these rear-view sunglasses look like a stylish pair of aviators. To you, they’re a brilliant way to monitor your surroundings from all directions. The lenses have a reflective interior coating that lets you see what’s going on behind you without having to turn around. (Like standard sunglasses, they also protect your eyes from UV damage and come with a storage case.)

Exhale into this breath analyzer for five seconds, and it’ll detect the level of acetone in your breath to determine whether or not you’re in ketosis. It’s compact and rechargeable for portable, cordless use, and its LCD screen has a colorful meter alongside digital numbers that show you your ketone levels in PPM. The mouthpiece also clicks into the base to keep it germ-free on the go.

Dash cams record video evidence while you’re driving or parked, so you can validate accident claims, protect yourself against liability disputes, and prevent car theft and vandalism. Despite its reasonable price tag, this dash cam has HD front and rear cameras that capture details and license plate numbers, day or night. It also has advanced safety features to prevent accidents, GPS to track your route, and voice commands for hands-free control.

• Available styles: 2