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11 Infomercial Products That Were Weirdly Popular

Infomercials have given us some of the strangest products ever seen on TV—but for some reason, we loved them. Whether oddly specific or just plain weird, these inventions gained massive popularity late at night or early in the morning.

  • Tricia Quitales
  • 3 min read
11 Infomercial Products That Were Weirdly Popular
Max Ravier on Pexels

Infomercials have a way of turning the most unusual ideas into must-have items. With dramatic demonstrations, over-the-top hosts, and the promise of a better life, these products somehow found their way into millions of homes. Some were useful, others were just fun to watch—but all of them became iconic in their own right. Here are 11 infomercial products that were weird, wild, and surprisingly popular.

1. The Snuggie

Ismini Kokkinou on Wikimedia Ismini Kokkinou on Wikimedia

It’s basically a blanket with sleeves, yet it became a household sensation. The Snuggie commercial made lounging on the couch look like a cozy revolution. People laughed at it, but they also bought it in droves.

2. The Shake Weight

Anna Shvets on Pexels Anna Shvets on Pexels

This exercise tool quickly became a meme because of its strange motion. Still, its infomercial promised toned arms with just a few minutes a day. As odd as it looked, people couldn’t stop talking about it or trying it.

3. The Clapper

Charles on Wikimedia Charles on Wikimedia

“Clap on, clap off!”—this gadget let you turn your lights on and off with a clap. It felt futuristic at the time and made people feel like tech geniuses. The jingle alone was enough to make it stick in your brain.

4. The Flowbee

Kampus Production on Pexels Kampus Production on Pexels

A haircutting tool that connects to your vacuum sounds like a joke, but the Flowbee had serious fans. It promised easy, mess-free trims at home, and believe it or not, some people still use it today.

5. OxiClean

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. on Wikimedia Church & Dwight Co., Inc. on Wikimedia

Thanks to the energetic late Billy Mays, OxiClean became a cleaning legend. It was advertised as a miracle cleaner that could tackle the worst stains. People bought it just to see if it worked, and many were impressed.

6. The ThighMaster

cottonbro studio on pexels cottonbro studio on pexels

This fitness gadget targeted the inner thighs and was famously promoted by Suzanne Somers. It looked simple, but the results promised were eye-catching. It became a pop culture icon of home workouts.

7. The Slap Chop

Ron Lach on pexels Ron Lach on pexels

“You’re gonna love my nuts!” With that line, the Slap Chop made food prep look fast and fun. It was a basic chopper, but the infomercial made it unforgettable. People loved the speed and the sass.

8. The Tiddy Bear

Eyüp Can on Pexels Eyüp Can on Pexels

This tiny bear clipped onto your seatbelt to make it more comfortable. It was one of those “Why does this exist?” products that somehow solved a small but real problem. It looked silly, but it worked.

9. Pajama Jeans

Yan Krukau on pexels Yan Krukau on pexels

These stretchy pants claimed to look like real jeans while feeling like pajamas. Fashion experts scoffed, but comfort-seekers were sold. Suddenly, dressing down never looked so put-together.

10. The Perfect Pancake Pan

Dina Nasyrova on pexels Dina Nasyrova on pexels

This double-sided pan made breakfast look easy without flipping, sticking, or making a mess. The commercial made even clumsy cooks believe they could make perfect pancakes, and it was oddly satisfying to watch in action.

11. The Ab Roller

MART PRODUCTION on pexels MART PRODUCTION on pexels

The infomercial showed ripped abs with just a few guided crunches a day. The device promised to support your neck and shape your core at the same time. Whether it worked or not, it sold like crazy.

Written by: Tricia Quitales

Tricia is a recent college graduate whose true passion lies in writing—a hobby she’s cherished for years. Now a Content Writer at Illumeably, Tricia combines her love for storytelling with her fascination for personal growth. She’s all about continuous learning, taking risks, and using her words to connect with and inspire others.

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