Costco's Top Home And Tool Gadgets Under $50

For decades, humans have envisioned homes entirely run by fancy gadgets (remember Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains"?) Fortunately, real-life innovation doesn't have to be nearly as dramatic — in fact, some of the most useful home and tool gadgets you can buy are also the most simple. Think a collapsible laundry basket, or a smart lightbulb you can connect to your devices. And, at Costco, you can find a variety of these gadgets for under $50 for convenience. Many of them are as budget-friendly as they are functional.

When you think about shopping at Costco, your mind may first drift solely to the bulk options of food available. Or, maybe you're a fan of the various luxury home items worth buying at Costco. However, if you're looking for the sweet spot between day-to-day usefulness and a price tag that keeps your wallet in mind, you may find yourself perusing the many home and tool gadgets you can purchase at Costco. These items, such as an expandable colander for your sink or even a cordless spin scrubber, help make everyday tasks easier.

Of course, when you're looking for a gadget that makes those daily chores easier, you don't want to overcomplicate things. As a result, you'll want to consider a few criteria when shopping Costco's top home and tool gadgets to find the right choice for you, including user-friendly design and whether that item actually solves a problem. These gadgets were chosen based on having a 3.5-star rating or higher and their overall usefulness.

At Costco, you can pick up a KitchenAid collapsible colander that's currently priced just under $25. It comes in two colors (blue or gray), and both the expandable handles and the draining basket itself collapse for easier storage when not in use. It is also dishwasher safe. Although many customers did note that they would recommend the KitchenAid collapsible colander in their reviews, one verified buyer did note that it drained slowly. You can also use a collapsible colander, such as Costco's KitchenAid option as a way to organize your kitchen sink, giving this home gadget a dual purpose.

The Type S 4-in-1 electric air duster is a multi-purpose home gadget. It dusts hard-to-reach areas, such as around keyboards, and vacuums thanks to its attachable vacuum head and reusable filter. However, it also acts as a power bank and flashlight — helpful when you're considering those essential home emergency supplies. The Type S duster is currently available for $49.99 on the Costco website. Many verified buyers were pleased with the overall power of the Type S duster, but one noted that the vacuum didn't perform as well as the other functions.

Home gadgets don't have to be complicated, as shown by the Pop N' Load collapsible laundry basket. When opened, it has a height of 11 inches. However, you can close this laundry basket down to a height of only three inches. One of the most notable pros of a collapsible laundry basket like this is that its design helps eliminate the storage problems that come with the bulky silhouette of a traditional laundry basket. The two-pack basket set is currently priced at $29.99 and comes in either blue and white or gray.

Have you ever needed extra lighting while completing a project around the house but didn't have a free hand? Costco offers a CAT LED neck light that provides an easy, hands-free boost in brightness. This light comes as a two-pack and rests on the neck. Each light head is adjustable in both position and brightness. Although you can purchase a battery-operated or rechargeable version of the CAT neck light, only the former is under $50, with the set currently priced at $29.99. Of 169 total reviews, these lights have earned a 4.6-star rating.

Although these seem like simple kitchen gadgets at first glance, salad spinners are an essential if your goal is to achieve dry lettuce (or other leafy greens) when you're short on time. The Farberware pump activated salad spinner includes three parts, giving it multiple purposes within your kitchen. Assembled, the basket nestles into the bowl, where the pump mechanic spins the basket to remove water. However, you can also use the bowl separately to serve your salad once it's dry. This salad spinner is currently $21.99 with a 4.6-star rating across 115 reviews.

If you're not an avid DIYer, then you may not have an arsenal of tools ready at hand. However, that doesn't mean you may not need the occasional screwdriver or set of pliers. Choosing a versatile gadget like the Leatherman Sidekick multi-purpose tool ensures that you always have the tool you need even without requiring a large amount of storage. This gadget includes 14 different tools, as well as a nylon sheath for storage. Out of 131 reviews, it has a 4.9-star rating, with many verified purchasers praising its quality and usefulness.

When it comes to stubborn stains and tough grime, sometimes elbow grease is the only solution. However, with a cleaning gadget like the HOTO Flexi cordless spin scrubber, you can have the benefits of hands-on cleaning without the hassle. This rechargeable brush extends to over 35 inches in length, and it includes eight different brush heads for various cleaning tasks. On a full charge, it can last for up to 110 minutes. While this scrubber has received several positive reviews praising its usefulness, especially for hard-to-reach spots, there were some mixed reviews on battery life.

Taste is only one part of crafting appetizing hors d'oeuvres — you'll also want to consider presentation. Fortunately, choosing the right board can make this process easier, and with the Farberware Build-a-Board set, you can even take your eye-catching display on the go with ease. This set includes two 11 by 14 inch bamboo boards, one with compartments, and both with locking lids. This allows you to assemble your food as desired and then transport or store your display. The Farberware boards have a 4.7-star rating across 153 reviews and are currently priced at $44.99.

The CAT two-piece multi-tool set includes the multi-purpose tool itself as well as a storage bag. This handy gadget contains a variety of tools designed for day-to-day life, from pliers to a serrated blade. When closed, it's less than three inches in length, making it perfect for adding to an emergency kit or keeping with you. At the time of writing, this set is $41.99. Several verified buyers left a positive review for the CAT multi-tool, although a few pointed out that using or opening certain tools could be difficult.

Have you ever settled into bed just to realize you forgot to turn off the lamp? Smart lightbulbs provide a solution to this too-common problem. And, at Costco, you can pick up a 4-pack of the Feit Electric Wi-Fi smart bulbs for just $24.99. These can be controlled with a mobile app or through voice assistant, and they're compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa. You can also adjust the warmth and color of these light bulbs as well. Out of over 4800 reviews, the Feit bulbs have earned 4.2 stars.

Few things are as versatile as a high-quality tote bag — except for a tote bag on wheels. The CleverMade foldable tote bag is a versatile home gadget that can be used for carrying supplies. You could use it for groceries, hauling laundry, or even as easy-to-move storage. And, when you're done, you can fold it down and store it out of the way. This tote bag has a capacity of 90 liters, and it can support up to 75 pounds. Priced at $47.99, the CleverMade tote has 606 reviews and 4.7 stars.

If you like the HOTO Flexi spin scrubber but need a smaller gadget for grout and other hard-to-clean spots, then you may be interested in the HOTO wand cordless spin scrubber. This handheld cleaner maxes out with a 10-inch height, making it perfect for maneuvering into difficult cleaning areas that a full-size cordless scrubber may miss. It includes five different heads and can run for up to 210 minutes on a full charge, depending on your chosen speed. It has a 3.8-star rating across 99 reviews, 58 of which are 5-star.