As Seen On TV, Aldi style.
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If you’ve found yourself bored on an early Sunday afternoon, surfing network television, chances are you found yourself staring at the TV equivalent of a used car salesman. These commercials — or sometimes infomercials — are easy to spot. With their over-the-top delivery and familiar blue background order screen, they hawk all manner of strange and unusual wares. Sometimes they claim to solve a problem you always had but never know how to fix. Sometimes they claim to fix problems you never knew existed. More often than not, they claim to do the hard things, maybe even the impossible things.
No matter how they start, they almost always end the same way: an 1-800 number, and be sure to have your credit card ready.
These commercials have been around for decades, known by their As Seen on TV slogan. In recent years, though, companies have also started stocking As Seen on TV branded products in retailers. I’ve seen them in a few places myself, including my local Walgreens.
Now they’re coming to Aldi.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the products reaching out to you from the As Seen on TV edition of the Aisle of Shame. All of these are made by Allstar Innovations, a New York-based company. Keep in mind that these are Aldi Finds, which means once they’re out of stock, they’re gone.
ShamWow! 2-Pack Super Absorbent Towel
Product Code: 701372
Cost: $6.99
Thoughts: There’s a good chance you’ve heard of this thing before. This “super absorbent towel” is “odor and mildew resistant,” and “holds up to 10x its weight in liquid.” It comes in a 20-inch by 27-inch rectangle, but it can be trimmed to a desired size. The ShamWow currently sells for $25.95 on Amazon; that’s $6.49 a towel, which is less than Aldi, but you have to buy four towels to get that Amazon price per towel.
Amazon Score: 4.4 out of 5 stars (380 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: here
Snuggie Wearable Blanket
Product Code: 701373
Cost: $12.99
Thoughts: There’s a very good chance you’ve heard of this, too. According to Aldi, the Snuggie “keeps you warm and your hands free!” It’s made of fleece, has pockets, and is machine washable. It comes in pink, blue, plaid, or zebra, and is available in a single one-size-fits-all adult size. I found a Snuggie in stock at Amazon for $19.99, which is more than the Aldi one.
Amazon Score: 4.3 out of 5 stars (374 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: here
Therma Comfort Weighted Hot/Cold Neck Wrap
Product Code: 701402
Cost: $14.99
Thoughts: This 3-lb. weighted therapy wrap can be used warm or cool. It uses weighted clay beads for deep pressure therapy, and is made of “super soft” velveteen with breathable fabric designed for “year-round use.” It also boasts “aromatherapy” with a “subtle scent of herbs to help soothe and refresh.” The wrap includes wide shoulders and a high collar, and includes a pouch for heating, cooling, and storage. This product currently runs $19.99 on Amazon, which is $5 more than the Aldi version.
Amazon Score: 4.3 out of 5 stars (988 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: none, but there is this
Ice Genie or Hover Cover
The Ice Genie.
The Hover Cover.
Product Code: 701363 (both products use the same code)
Cost: $9.99 for each
Thoughts: The Ice Genie says it can be used as a drink holder or to “quickly chill bottled beverages.” The form-fitting lid keeps ice cubes fresh and odor free, and it is both top rack dishwasher-safe and BPA-free. It says it makes and stores up to 120 ice cubes. The Ice Genie is currently $19.99 on Amazon, which is much higher than the Aldi one.
The Hover Cover is a magnetic microwave splatter guard. Built with 4 microwave-safe polymer encased magnets, it stores at the top of your microwave. It can then be pulled down off the ceiling and put on food to keep it from splattering. The Hover Cover is 11 inches in diameter. Hover Cover is currently $14.82 on Amazon with a list price of $19.99, also higher than Aldi.
Amazon Score:
- Ice Genie: 2.4 out of 5 stars (780 ratings)
- Hover Cover: 3.9 out of 5 stars (1,391 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: Ice Genie, Hover Cover
Fresh Feet Foot Scrubber
Product Code: 701403
Cost: $14.99
Thoughts: For the feet in your family, this “contoured design cradles your feet to scrub and massage from all angles.” It employs a dual bristle design along with a pumice stone for exfoliation. The bristles are also “antimicrobial infused” to “help prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.” It sticks to the floor of your shower or tub with an anti-slip base and suction cups, and lets you use it while standing, so you don’t need to bend or strain to clean your feet. The Fresh Feet Foot Scrubber is currently $14.99 on Amazon, the same price as at Aldi.
Amazon Score: 4.1 out of 5 stars (357 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: here
Pain Cakes Cold Pack
Product Code: 701404
Cost: $8.99 for each
Thoughts: This stick-on ice pack-like product comes in assorted varieties — a 2-pack of Mini Pain Cakes, 1 Large Pain Cake, or 1 Wrap Pain Cake. The Pain Cake is re-stickable “up to 100 times.” It is latex-free, strap-free, hypoallergenic, and FSA approved. Pain Cakes are around $9.99 on Amazon, a little more than at Aldi.
Amazon Score: 4.2 out of 5 (404 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: here
Perfect Cushion Comfort Gel + Memory Foam Cushion
Product Code: 701405
Cost: $19.99
Thoughts: This seat cushion is made of contoured memory foam, comfort gel, and supporting memory foam layers. It has a nonslip grip base, a tailbone cutout, and is portable thanks to a built-in handle. The sherpa cushion cover is machine washable. The Amazon version is $24.99, higher than the Aldi one.
Amazon Score: 4.3 out of 5 stars (536 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: here
Socket Shelf
Product Code: 701467
Cost: $19.99
Thoughts: This little number lets you add a shelf to any outlet. The interchangeable shelf works on the top or the bottom, and has six AC outlets and 2 USB ports. It is GFCI outlet compatible and also offers 1000 Jules of surge protection, which is actually pretty good. The surge protection also has an indicator light. The entire package measures 8 inches x 3.25 inches. While the original Socket Shelf required unscrewing the socket plate, this one doesn’t — it just plugs in. The Amazon version is currently $24.88, which is more than the Aldi version.
Amazon Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,526 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: none for this model, although you can see the original here
Pop N’ Play Cat Toy
Product Code: 701571
Cost: $16.99
Thoughts: This device uses a moving arm to stick cat toys in and out of holes on the dome-shaped exterior. It requires 4 C-cell batteries, which are not included. (You’ll need a Phillips head screwdriver to open and close the battery compartment.) The cat toys are interchangeable. The Amazon version is currently $19.88, more than the Aldi one.
Amazon Score: 3.6 out of 5 stars (2,161 ratings)
Cheesy TV Commercial: here (you can also view an instructional video here)
Have you used any of these? Tell us about it in the comments.
I have the weighted neck wrap and it’s wonderful. I love putting it in the freezer or microwaving it for a cold or heat experience as well.
Aldi is actually much cheaper than Amazon for the ShamWow. The towels are the same size but Aldi is a two pack of towels not just a single towel.
So rounded off, it’s:
$7/2=$3.50 per towel @Aldi
$26/4=$6.50 per towel @Amazon
I got them for my friend as she likes them and spotted the good deal.
Years ago, I thought the Snuggie was a joke. Finally the price dropped and I decided to buy one at a local store. I hid it due to my embarrassment of actually purchasing one. But I found it to be a satisfying guilty pleasure. I still have my blue one from like 10+ years ago. But I couldn’t resist getting a new Zebra patterned one in the “aisle of shame”. It’s basically a blanket with sleeves. As stupid as is sounds, it’s something I never knew I wanted until I had one. Unless you have really long arms, you may want to roll up the sleeves and pin them up.
Q: “What are you wearing Jake from State Farm?”
A: “Ummmm…. a Snuggie.”
I just opened up the box and slipped it on. It seems like it’s cut with the same pattern as my old Snuggie. Soft fleece material.
I would like to share my favorite Snuggie comedy video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhMWk1X6vf0