CNN —
Amazon is the place to find just about anything you could possibly need — and it’s also a place to discover brilliant inventions that you didn’t even know you needed. Cue Amazon Launchpad, a hub of discovery that highlights innovative products from small brands and start-ups.
Amazon Launchpad is a one-stop shop for genius gifts and problem-solving items, and new ones are added each week. Launchpad doesn’t just help the shopper, though; it also helps the small businesses behind the products. For one, brands and entrepreneurs get the visibility that can be hard to come by for small businesses. For another, the program provides marketing tools and e-commerce advice to help businesses grow while they continue to innovate. Finally, Meet the Launchers draws attention to inspiring founders, including women, Black and Latinx entrepreneurs as well as those who are focused on sustainability and social good.
Ready to check out a few brilliant inventions from Amazon Launchpad? These six products help you prep for spring in smart, fresh ways.
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen ($9.60, originally $11.99; amazon.com)
This mineral sunscreen has earned a 4.3-star rating from more than 1,700 reviewers. Why? It uses non-nano (and nontoxic) zinc to provide SPF 50 protection against UVB and UVA rays — without harming sensitive skin. It’s so gentle, it can be used on babies, but plenty of adults use it too, especially since it “doesn’t interfere with makeup.”
StowCo Small Portable Cooler Bag ($58; amazon.com)
Forget clunky, heavy coolers. The StowCo is slim and compact despite the fact that it can hold up to three wine bottles, 10 beer cans, six beer bottles or your lunch. Its secret? The iceless design, which keeps contents cool for up to five hours using closed-cell foam insulation. It’s also easy to wipe clean and made with a durable exterior to prevent glass from breaking.
Tertill Garden Weeding Robot ($349; amazon.com)
From the inventor of Roomba comes this automatic weeding robot. Using advanced sensors that detect height, this robot can tell if it’s a plant or a weed — and if it’s the latter, it cuts it before moving on to the next one. Since it’s solar-powered and weatherproof, you can leave it outside from spring till fall, and it’ll keep gardens of up to 200 square feet looking freshly manicured.
OLIVETTE Organic Charcoal Briquettes ($14.99, originally $22.90; amazon.com)
For a healthier, smoke-free barbecue, you’ve got these OLIVETTE organic charcoal briquettes. They create a stable burn for up to five hours — not to mention a much tastier result — but because they’re made from recycled olive pulp, branches and pits, they’re eco-friendly and cook your food without harmful chemicals. (Pair them with Proud Grill Slide & Serve BBQ Skewers for the ultimate shish kebabs.)
Glowpear Self-Watering Mini Bench Planter ($99, originally $129.95; amazon.com)
If gardening isn’t your forte, the Glowpear bench planter can help. It creates the ideal growing environment for your fruits, vegetables and herbs, all thanks to its self-watering design, ample soil depth and food-safe materials that work indoors or out. “I can leave town for a week or two and my plants will thrive,” one reviewer writes.
Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle ($31.95; amazon.com)
Finally, a water bottle that’s both eco-friendly and easy to travel with. The Hydaway holds 25 ounces of water, but when you’re done, its flexible silicone design collapses down to a 1.5-inch profile so you can stash it in your bag or pocket. It’s also sippable, leakproof and made from nontoxic, BPA-free silicone. Get it in your choice of six colors. And to keep kids full and happy on the go, this car seat gadget holds both cups and snacks).