One of these 13 gadgets could be the hero your junk drawer needs (here's why)
Home & Office Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many…
Home & Office Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Close Home Home & Office One of these 13 gadgets could be the hero your junk drawer needs (here's why) From tiny box cutters to bug-bite healers, these handy gadgets totally earn their place in your home for their form and function. Written by Kayla Solino, EditorEditor July 24, 2026 at 3:00 a.m. PT Slice Mini Box Cutter | for $10 Slice Mini Box Cutter for $10 View now View at Amazon Hyashee AirPods Cleaner Tool | for $7 Hyashee AirPods Cleaner Tool for $7 View now View at Amazon Etekcity Luggage Scale | for $10 Etekcity Luggage Scale for $10 View now View at Amazon Slice Box Cutter | for $22 Slice Box Cutter for $22 View now View at Amazon Fiskars All Purpose Scissors | for $10 Fiskars All Purpose Scissors for $10 View now View at Amazon Anker 33W 2-Port Wall Charger | for $19 Anker 33W 2-Port Wall Charger for $19 View now View at Amazon DottorPod iSesamo Spudger | for $14 DottorPod iSesamo Spudger for $14 View now View at Amazon Slice Safety Cutter | for $7 Slice Safety Cutter for $7 View now View at Amazon Electric Candle Lighter | for $6 (save $4) Electric Candle Lighter for $6 (save $4) View now View at Amazon Heat it Bug Bite Healer | for $25 (save $5) Heat it Bug Bite Healer for $25 (save $5) View now View at Amazon Slice Small Scraper | for $18 Slice Small Scraper for $18 View now View at Amazon Koala Lens and Screen Cleaner Kit | for $8 Koala Lens and Screen Cleaner Kit for $8 View now View at Amazon Slice Rotary Cutting Tool | for $13 Slice Rotary Cutting Tool for $13 View now View at Amazon Show more (8 items) Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.The fabled "junk drawer" gets a bad wrap. What is a junk drawer if not a place to keep useful knick-knacks and gadgets tucked away, without the clutter of random cables or cords, mismatched chargers, and more? Thankfully, I know just the gadgets to keep on hand that will upgrade your messiest household drawer into an uber-functional oasis. Also: 6 cheap kitchen gadgets that will make your life easier for under $20 (I promise)From tiny blades to staple essentials like lighters and scissors, here's every gadget I keep in my home's junk drawer within arm's reach (and why). The junk drawer gadgets I swear by Slice Mini Box Cutter for $10 Kayla Solino/ZDNET This mini box cutter from Slice is a staple. I now have one in my office drawer, one in my console table by the door for heavy deliveries, and one in my kitchen junk drawer. They slice open boxes with ease and little effort, and they're the perfect size for tossing into a drawer. The blade is made of ceramic for extra durability and sharpness, and the outside is magnetic, too, Show more View now at Amazon Hyashee AirPods Cleaner Tool for $7 Kayla Solino/ZDNET Yes, your AirPods get dirty, and this AirPods cleaning tool is a lifesaver. I personally keep mine in my kitchen junk drawer so it's easy to find and always on hand. This $7 gadget includes a scraper, brush, and soft tip for easy cleaning. Also: Your AirPods are gross. Grab this tool to keep them clean Show more View now at Amazon Etekcity Luggage Scale for $10 Kayla Solino/ZDNET Sure, you can keep this somewhere else, but this is one of my favorite junk drawer stash items. It makes it easy to weigh my bags before I arrive at the airport, and it eases travel stress for just $10. This is probably one of my best purchases yet. Show more View now at Amazon Slice Box Cutter for $22 Kayla Solino/ZDNET For heavier boxes and larger packages, Slice's bigger box cutter is also essential. Like the smaller box cutter, it slices with ease and precision, and includes a curved ergonomic handle for added safety and comfort. There's also a ceramic blade that can cut through cardboard, vinyl, cardstock, tape, and more. Show more View now at Amazon Fiskars All Purpose Scissors for $10 Kayla Solino/ZDNET An extra pair of scissors is key for any good junk drawer. They come in handy for so many things, and I always appreciate having them on hand so I can keep my kitchen scissors reserved for just food. Show more View now at AmazonView now at WalmartView now at Ace Hardware Anker 33W 2-Port Wall Charger for $19 Kayla Solino/ZDNET You can never have too many charger blocks, in my experience. I like keeping this Anker wall adapter in my kitchen junk drawer, thanks to its two-port design. The USB-A and USB-C design allows me to charge my phone and devices, as well as other random gadgets like my cat's wireless water fountain. Show more View now at AmazonView now at Best BuyView now at Walmart DottorPod iSesamo Spudger for $14 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET The iSesamo is durable, flexible, and surprisingly capable. You can use it to open gadgets or gizmos (or for many other things). It's a nail-saver and really helpful for prying open tough remote backs, and more. Also: This $12 gadget quietly became the most useful thing on my keychain Show more View now at Amazon Slice Safety Cutter for $7 Kayla Solino/ZDNET This $7 tiny tool is the best gadget for items wrapped in shrink wrap or thin cellophane that's difficult to slice open with scissors or larger blades. It's a tiny ceramic blade that's perfect for everyday life. Show more View now at AmazonView now at B&H Photo-Video Electric Candle Lighter for $6 (save $4) Kayla Solino/ZDNET This electric lighter is easy to use and rechargeable via USB-C. It's perfect for lighting candles, grilling, and more, and I rarely need to recharge it. It's a great alternative to traditional lighters or matches. Show more View now at Amazon Heat it Bug Bite Healer for $25 (save $5) Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Prone to pesky bug bites? Heat It could be for you. It's available in USB-C or Lightning adapters. It plugs into your phone and delivers a warming zap that's supposed to quell itchiness from bug bites. ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes says it could make a difference if you're an outdoorsy person, and as someone who also owns one, I can confirm that it works. It's a great addition to a junk drawer or even a medicine cabinet or first-aid kit. I use mine almost weekly in the summer months. Also: This USB-C accessory gave my iPhone and Android a surprisingly useful functionality Show more View now at Amazon Slice Small Scraper for $18 Kayla Solino/ZDNET Perfect for lifting stickers, price tags, and other annoying adhesives, this scraper is such a staple household tool. I've used it on several kitchen appliances that had leftover adhesive on them from installation and unpacking. Show more View now at Amazon Koala Lens and Screen Cleaner Kit for $8 Kayla Solino/ZDNET Koala cleaner is my go-to for keeping my devices streak, smudge, and dirt-free for under $10 -- the best thing to have on hand for gadgets, gizmos, glasses, and more. Also: The $8 accessory keeping my expensive tech gadgets looking like new (and how it works) Show more View now at Amazon Slice Rotary Cutting Tool for $13 Kayla Solino/ZDNET I actually keep this bladed tool with my wrapping paper and gift bags, but it cuts through paper like butter, making it easy to maintain a clean line all the way through. Plus, it minimizes hand cramping. It's going to be a game-changer this holiday season. Show more View now at Amazon Featured reviews I walked 3,000 steps with my Apple Watch, Google Pixel, and Oura Ring - this tracker was most accurate After using the MacBook Neo for weeks, switching to the Air has been refreshingly sweet I bought an earwax camera for my toolkit and use it for everything but my ears LG G6 vs. Samsung S95H: I compared the best OLED TVs of 2026 and made a tough choice I walked 3,000 steps with my Apple Watch, Google Pixel, and Oura Ring - this tracker was most accurate After using the MacBook Neo for weeks, switching to the Air has been refreshingly sweet I bought an earwax camera for my toolkit and use it for everything but my ears LG G6 vs. Samsung S95H: I compared the best OLED TVs of 2026 and made a tough choice Editorial standards Show Comments Log In to Comment Community Guidelines Related 5 smart home gadgets I consider completely non-negotiable - and why 6 cheap kitchen gadgets that will make your life easier for under $20 (I promise) 5 gaming accessories I refuse to play without