14 Products That Only Worked in the Commercials
These products looked amazing on TV but left people disappointed once they got them home.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Commercials made these products look like absolute game-changers, but real-life use told a different story. They had flashy packaging, big promises, and dramatic demonstrations, but in the end, they just could not live up to the hype.
1. Chia Pet
Chia Pet on Wikimedia Commons
It looked like magic on TV — just water it and watch it grow. In reality, the seeds were messy, uneven, and barely stuck. Most Chia Pets ended up looking patchy and weird instead of full and green.
2. Slap Chop
IMG_2161: Jessica Rudzewicz derivative work: Gage on Wikimedia Commons
The commercial made food prep look fast and fun, but the Slap Chop was anything but. It jammed easily and was hard to clean. Most people went back to using a plain old knife after a week.
3. Snuggie
Ismini Kokkinou on Wikimedia Commons
It promised cozy comfort and hands-free warmth. What people got was more like a backward robe made of fleece. Wearing it felt silly, and it never stayed put while walking around.
4. ShamWow
Vince Shlomi on Wikimedia Commons
The commercials made it look like this towel could soak up an entire spill in seconds. In real use, it was just a slightly thicker paper towel. It never quite lived up to its super-absorbent promise.
5. AbTronic
Artem Podrez on Pexels
A belt that tones your abs while you sit on the couch? Too good to be true. It tingled a bit but never did much in the way of actual exercise.
6. Fushigi Magic Gravity Ball
MichaelMaggs Edit by Richard Bartz on Wikimedia Commons
The ads made it float and glide like magic. But the illusion required serious skill and practice. Most kids gave up after ten minutes of dropping it.
7. Flowbee
Tobias Mittelmeier on Wikimedia Commons
A vacuum-powered haircut seemed futuristic and fun. However, the results were often uneven and awkward. It became more of a novelty than an actual hair solution.
8. Perfect Bacon Bowl
nacho spiterson on Wikimedia Commons
The idea of bacon shaped like a bowl sounded like a dream. In practice, it was greasy, messy, and stuck to the mold. Most people used it once and then shoved it in a drawer.
9. Tae Bo VHS Tapes
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sharay Bennett on Wikimedia Commons
The energy was high, and the instructor was intense. However, the workouts were harder than they looked on screen. Many people gave up before ever making it to tape two.
10. Sock Slider
Lova 010 on Wikimedia Commons
It promised to help you put on socks without bending down, but it was clunky and took just as long as using your hands. Most buyers found it more frustrating than helpful.
11. Pocket Hose
W.carter on Wikimedia Commons
This hose was supposed to expand magically and never kink, but it tore easily and often leaked after a few uses. Gardeners quickly went back to regular hoses.
12. Magic Bullet
Mack Male from Edmonton, AB, Canada on Pexels
The TV made it look like it could handle anything, but it struggled with ice and burned out quickly. It worked best for smoothies, and not much else.
13. Ab Circle Pro
behrouz sasani on Pexels
The ad said just three minutes a day would give you abs. What it gave most people was sore knees and a wobbly ride. It felt more like a carnival ride than a workout.
14. Ice Cream Magic
Magicscoop on Wikimedia Commons
It promised homemade ice cream in minutes, but the results were icy, thin, and not worth the effort. Most kids gave up and went back to store-bought tubs.