From Genius to Pointless: 5 Random Gadgets

Today I’m testing a completely random collection of five gadgets, ranging from a bizarre bedside phone holder and a redesigned ice cube tray to candy spoons, bag clips, and even a personalized potato. Some of these were surprisingly useful, while others were more novelty than necessity.

Where to Purchase

5 Random Gadgets

Lazy Phone Stand

First up was a bizarre-looking bedside phone holder I found on Temu for only a few dollars. It’s designed for hands-free viewing while lying on your side, with an angled slot that holds your phone upright and even leaves access to the charging port.

I first tested it with my iPhone 17 Pro Max, both with and without a case. Surprisingly, it held the large phone quite well. In fact, the fit was actually better with the thicker case installed.

The real question was whether the unusual angle would actually work while lying in bed. That proved to be the biggest problem. My head didn’t naturally line up with the angle of the holder, and I had to experiment with different pillow heights before I found a position that was reasonably comfortable.

Once I found the right angle, I could scroll through social media without holding the phone, but I still had to keep my arm raised to interact with the screen. If I rolled over to the other side, I would also have to reposition the entire setup.

In the end, I would say it technically works, but it feels a little gimmicky. Everyone sleeps and holds their head at a slightly different angle, so I’m sure some people will find this useful. For me, it wasn’t something I could see using regularly.

FlipCubes Ice Cube Tray

I’ve tested a lot of ice-making gadgets over the years, so the FlipCubes immediately caught my attention. These cost about $20 from the company’s website and are designed as an alternative to a traditional ice cube tray.

The tray has a spill-resistant lid and a flip-release system. You fill it like a normal tray, freeze it, flex the handles back and forth to release the cubes, turn the tray upside down, and lift the top away. Each tray holds about 14 ounces of water, and the company repeatedly warns not to overfill it.

I tested two trays, filling one with tap water and the other with bottled water. The lids also made the trays easy to stack in the freezer, which is a feature I appreciated before I even tested the release mechanism.

Once frozen, I flexed the first tray from side to side and could immediately feel the cubes breaking free. I flipped it over, lifted the tray, and every cube released perfectly. The cubes were also quite large, and because they remained inside the covered base, I could simply take the number I needed and return the rest to the freezer.

The second tray worked just as well. Interestingly, the cubes made with bottled water were dramatically clearer than those made with tap water, although both sets released without any problems.

After two flawless attempts, I was impressed. There have been countless attempts to reinvent the basic ice cube tray, but I think FlipCubes actually offers a meaningful improvement. The easy release, large cubes, covered storage, and stackable design make this one of the better ice cube trays I’ve tested.

Wilton Candy Spoon Mold

Next I tried the Wilton Candy Melts Candy Spoon Mold, which I purchased for about $8.50. The idea is simple: use the mold to create edible candy spoons that can be stirred into coffee, hot chocolate, or other warm drinks.

My first attempt followed the manufacturer’s suggested method of placing halved Candy Melts directly into the mold and microwaving them at reduced power. That did not go well. Candy Melts normally need to be stirred as they heat, which isn’t really possible when they’re sitting inside individual spoon cavities. Some pieces started browning while others hadn’t completely melted.

I abandoned that attempt and tried the alternate method instead. I melted the candy first, dispensed the melted mixture into the mold, and then put everything in the refrigerator. That worked much better and produced six very nice-looking spoons.

Unfortunately, getting them out of the mold was another challenge. The handles are thin and delicate, and despite being extremely careful, I broke three of the six during removal. The three survivors looked great, but a 50% success rate wasn’t exactly encouraging.

I dropped one of the finished Candy Melt spoons into hot coffee, where it began softening almost immediately. Within seconds a hole formed in the spoon, and shortly afterward the rest dropped into the drink. It did add some sweetness, but it worked more as a dissolving candy garnish than a long-lasting spoon.

I then tried a completely different approach using crushed peppermint candies. I filled the mold with crushed pieces, baked them at 300 degrees for about seven minutes, filled in the gaps with additional candy, and baked them for another five minutes.

Those spoons weren’t quite as polished looking as the Candy Melt versions, but every one came out of the mold without breaking. I tried one in a cup of hot white chocolate and it slowly melted while adding a nice peppermint flavor. It also remained usable as a spoon for a while.

That second attempt changed my opinion of the mold. There’s definitely a learning curve, and I wouldn’t recommend the manufacturer’s microwave method based on my experience. With the right technique, however, this mold can produce some fun edible spoons. I especially liked the peppermint version and could see making more of those around the holidays.

Chef Craft Bag Clips

The Chef Craft bag clips were another viewer-requested item. I originally paid about $4.50 for mine, although the six-pack was closer to $8 when I filmed this review. They’re marketed as small, reusable clips for bread, chips, bagels, and other packaged foods.

The clips feel sturdy and have an unusually strong spring. In fact, they require noticeably more effort to open than a clothespin or a typical kitchen bag clip. That strong spring is supposed to create a tighter seal.

To see whether they offered any real advantage, I compared them with both an ordinary clothespin and a large bag clips I already use.

All three options worked on a bag of chips. The large conventional clip was actually the easiest because its wide opening allowed me to clip a loosely folded bag with one hand. The Chef Craft clip required a little more effort, while even the cheap clothespin did the basic job surprisingly well.

I repeated the comparison on bags of bagels and bread. The Chef Craft clip definitely held the bags tightly, almost like a small vise grip. I could see how that might create a somewhat tighter seal than a clothespin, but I’m not convinced the difference would be significant for something like bread or bagels.

My conclusion is that these clips work exactly as advertised. I have no complaints about their function, and their small size may appeal to some people. The problem is that inexpensive clothespins and ordinary bag clips also work. Unless you specifically like the compact design or very strong spring, I’m not sure they solve a problem that really needed another solution.

Potato Pal by Potato Parcel

Finally, I tried what may be the strangest product in this collection: Potato Pal from Potato Parcel, a company that appeared on Shark Tank and actually received a deal.

The process was simple. I went to the company’s website, uploaded a photo of myself, paid about $25, selected a shipping date, and waited for my personalized potato to arrive.

A few days later, a real potato showed up in the mail with my face printed directly on it. I have to admit, the result was much better than I expected. When I compared it with the original photo I submitted, the image looked surprisingly accurate.

There really isn’t much more to test here. It’s a potato with your face on it. I have no idea how long it will remain display-worthy, and I certainly don’t plan on eating it afterward, but as a novelty gift it accomplishes exactly what it promises.

For around $25, it obviously isn’t a practical purchase, but practicality isn’t really the point. It’s the kind of ridiculous gift you give someone who already has everything. It served absolutely no useful purpose, but I can now say that I’ve seen my face on a potato, and that has to count for something.