# Infomercial products that are actually good **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 10, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670 "2010-06-10T16:38:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/1 "2010-06-10T16:38:41Z")
When I had less healthy sleeping habits, I used to see a fair amount of infomercials (here, including 30-60 seconds ads that are in the same format) that advertised questionable products. But maybe, maybe, some of them are actually effective/reliable/durable enough. Does anyone know of any such products? How about the Slap Chop? Is that any good? ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/2 "2010-06-10T16:44:22Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > When I had less healthy sleeping habits, I used to see a fair amount of infomercials (here, including 30-60 seconds ads that are in the same format) that advertised questionable products. > But maybe, maybe, some of them are actually effective/reliable/durable enough. Does anyone know of any such products? > > How about the Slap Chop? Is that any good? [Popular Mechanics](http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/4311792) doesn’t seem horribly impressed. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/3 "2010-06-10T16:54:58Z")
Snuggie- warmest damn blanket I’ve ever used. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/4 "2010-06-10T16:57:25Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > How about the Slap Chop? Is that any good? No. My niece really really really wanted one for Christmas a few years back. We were not impressed. But I once succumed to an ad for a DVD series on the history of rock n’ roll. It was overpriced, but it was a good series. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/5 "2010-06-10T17:01:47Z")
Snuggies almost don’t count now that you can buy them anywhere. But since they were first advertised in an infomercial thing on TV then I guess they qualify. And yeah, they are really warm. My lovely bride really wants to buy one of our canine masters a doggie version of the thing. Sheeesh. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/6 "2010-06-10T17:09:35Z")
The **Ped Egg**. Works every bit as well as they say it does. Years ago I bought some music collections on a whim off one of those latenight TV ads, they were exactly as promised. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/7 "2010-06-10T18:12:58Z")
I love the magic bullet. It’s 7-9 yrs old and gets used 2-3 times a week. This is down from daily use when the kids were still at home. ---
**Author:** ![DivineComedienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c67d28/32.png) [@DivineComedienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DivineComedienne)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/8 "2010-06-10T18:17:46Z")
Not sure what the official name is, but there’s a pan that makes sliders (mini-burgers) in bunches, for stovetop use, with a heavy lid to squish the sliders down on top. It works great! Although I give the caveat: 1) it needs to be seasoned before it works smoothly; and 2) it is a little awkward to clean it, with all the little crevices. I paid $19.99 for it, and now I see it on sale at 5 Below for $5. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/9 "2010-06-10T18:24:08Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > I love the magic bullet. It’s 7-9 yrs old and gets used 2-3 times a week. This is down from daily use when the kids were still at home. I had to look that up. It was not what I first thought. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/10 "2010-06-10T18:33:14Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > I had to look that up. It was not what I first thought. Sorry, you’re going to have to figure out a different solution to your werewolf problem. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/11 "2010-06-10T18:38:10Z")
The GT Express Sandwich maker is pretty good. The only thing bad about it, is that it lacks a control for different temps. So some things like cookies you can’t bake it in, because you need low temps. Others like brownies come out fine. But that’s to be expected. It’s a great gadget. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/12 "2010-06-10T18:56:11Z")
I’m a big fan of my Scünci steamer. Works as well as advertised. Cleans and sanitizes everything. Love it. Only drawback is very small capacity, so it’s not so awesome for a large job, like steaming wallpaper off the walls. Then it requires frequent refills = PITA. But a quicky job, like steam cleaning one chair or something? Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/13 "2010-06-10T19:01:33Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Sorry, you’re going to have to figure out a different solution to your werewolf problem. Werewolves fear [orgasms](http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=8258)? (link is to site selling marital aids, probably NSFW) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/14 "2010-06-10T19:39:18Z")
Slap Chop is a piece of shit. Anything that guy(Vince Offer?) is selling is garbage. Used to have a Ronco Showtime Rotisserie that was pretty good for some things, but not all the things featured in the infomercial(chicken came out great; ribs not so much). And it came with the Solid Food Injector, which is a brilliant idea, but not really as simple to use as shown. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/15 "2010-06-10T19:51:11Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > I had to look that up. It was not what I first thought. Oops. Miniblender for those who don’t know. I make hummus, whipped cream, smoothies and shakes in it. Ps we need a blush smilie. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/16 "2010-06-10T20:20:16Z")
The Flowbee gives a very good haircut. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/17 "2010-06-10T20:25:45Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > Snuggies almost don’t count now that you can buy them anywhere. I find that infomercial products that really are good eventually find their way into regular stores and people stop thinking of them as “As Seen On TV” products. Snuggies and Shamwows are always on display in Costco these days, for example. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/18 "2010-06-10T20:30:08Z")
My boyfriend’s mom has a Magic Bullet and she loves it. She uses it every day, multiple times a day. She says it’s the best coffee grinder she’s ever used. She also uses it for other stuff. Her daughter swears by her Sham-Wows. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/19 "2010-06-10T20:40:34Z")
Shamwows definitely live up to their hype. Incredibly absorbent and useful in picking up spilled liquid of any type. ---
**Author:** ![sinusoidal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@sinusoidal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinusoidal)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670/20 "2010-06-10T20:46:32Z")
Strap Perfect works great. It isn’t as easy to put on as the commercials imply, but with a little practice it’s not that bad. The-bust enhancing properties are highly exaggerated however. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infomercial-products-that-are-actually-good/542670.md?page=2)