10 Infomercial Products Everyone Owned — But No One Misses

Infomercials sold convenience, speed, and simple solutions. Many people bought into the hype, only to realize the products didn’t live up to expectations. These 10 items were once household staples but have mostly disappeared from daily use.

1. Shake Weight

Herrea on Wikimedia Commons

The Shake Weight was marketed as a simple tool for arm workouts. It claimed to use dynamic inertia to tone muscles in a short amount of time. Despite initial interest, most people found the motion awkward and the results minimal. Over time, it lost credibility and became more of a novelty than a fitness device.  

2. Snuggie

David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons

The Snuggie was a fleece blanket with sleeves that promised warmth and comfort while allowing freedom of movement. It gained popularity through humorous ads and wide availability. In practice, it was often too thin to be useful and difficult to wear comfortably. After the novelty wore off, most people returned to using regular blankets.  

3. The Clapper

cottonbro studio on Pexels

The Clapper allowed users to turn lights and appliances on and off with the sound of a clap. While the idea was appealing, it often responded to other noises, such as loud voices or TV sounds. It lacked the reliability and precision of modern smart home technology. As better alternatives emerged, the Clapper was gradually phased out.

4. Ab Roller

Aleksander Durkiewicz on Wikimedia Commons

The Ab Roller was designed to assist with abdominal exercises by supporting neck and back alignment. It was widely marketed as a safer way to do crunches. Many users found it bulky and hard to store, and it didn’t significantly improve workout results. Eventually, it was replaced by more versatile fitness tools.  

5. Slap Chop

Jessica Rudzewicz on Wikimedia Commons

The Slap Chop was a manual food chopper that promised quick, easy prep work. While it could chop soft foods like garlic and nuts, it struggled with harder vegetables and was difficult to clean. The mechanism often wore down quickly with regular use. Many people stopped using it and returned to basic kitchen knives.

6. Flowbee

Tobias Mittelmeier on Wikimedia Commons

The Flowbee was a hair-cutting device that connected to a vacuum cleaner to suck up trimmed hair. It promised at-home haircuts without the mess. Although some users achieved acceptable results, the tool lacked the precision and control of professional clippers. Most households abandoned it after a few tries.  

7. Magic Bullet

Anna Powell on Wikimedia Commons

The Magic Bullet was a compact blender that claimed to handle chopping, blending, and mixing. It worked for basic smoothies and soft foods but often struggled with frozen ingredients or tough textures. The small containers were impractical for many recipes. It has been replaced in many kitchens by stronger, more reliable blenders.

8. Topsy Tail

Stilfehler on Wikimedia Commons

The Topsy Tail was a plastic loop used to create flipped ponytails and other simple hairstyles. It appeared easy in ads but often caused tangles or uneven results in real use. Many people gave up on it after a few attempts. It was eventually overshadowed by more flexible hair tools.

9. Bumpits

Gerd Fahrenhorst on Wikimedia Commons

Bumpits were plastic inserts designed to give hair more volume by lifting it from underneath. They were popular for a brief period, especially among teenagers. The inserts were uncomfortable and hard to hide in the hair. Most users found teasing or styling products more effective and easier to use.  

10. PedEgg

Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

The PedEgg was a foot file shaped like an egg, intended to remove calluses and dead skin. It worked to some extent, but often left behind fine skin particles and required frequent emptying. Many found it unpleasant to use and switched to traditional pumice stones or professional pedicures. Its popularity declined after initial interest.

• Tags:
• Trends
• infomercial
• consumer
• products