1. The Rejuvenique Facial Toning Mask
This one was both bizarre and unforgettable. The Rejuvenique mask looked like something out of a horror film—think Jason Voorhees meets electrotherapy. It promised to tone and tighten your face muscles using gentle electrical stimulation, Andrew Eborn from The Drum explains. You wore it like a mask, plugged it in, and tried not to look in the mirror.
The infomercial starred Linda Evans of “Dynasty” fame, lending it a Hollywood glow-up. But let’s be honest: the mask was straight-up creepy. That said, some users swore by its toning powers. Only at 3AM could something this weird seem like a good idea.
2. The Flowbee Haircutting System
The Flowbee was a vacuum-powered haircutting device that let you trim your hair at home—without the mess. It debuted in the late ’80s but reached cult status in the ’90s thanks to relentless 3AM infomercials. The premise was simple: attach it to your vacuum cleaner and cut your hair evenly, Jessica Harrington from Popsugar explains. It sounded like something from “The Jetsons,” and for many night owls, it kind of was.
People either swear by it or still have nightmares about bowl cuts gone wrong. It’s famously been used by George Clooney, who admitted in a 2020 interview that he still cuts his hair with a Flowbee. The brand had such staying power that it made a comeback during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Turns out, the allure of cutting your own hair with a vacuum never really went away.
3. The Snuggie
Yes, the blanket with sleeves. The Snuggie became a pop culture punchline almost instantly after its infomercial aired in 2008, according to Jim Loboy from WYTV. Everyone mocked it, yet somehow everyone also owned one. It turned sitting on the couch into a kind of lazy wizard cosplay.
The infomercial was so memorable because it featured whole families wearing matching Snuggies in public places like stadiums. That kind of coordinated comfort could only be sold at 3AM, when your guard was down. The Snuggie even sparked parody commercials and inspired Halloween costumes. Somehow, it went from ridiculous to iconic.
4. The ShamWow
This hyper-absorbent towel hit the infomercial scene in the mid-2000s and became legendary thanks to Vince Offer’s manic sales pitch, according to Jake Rossen from Mental Floss. The ShamWow was billed as being able to hold up to 12 times its weight in liquid. Vince’s rapid-fire delivery made “You’re gonna love my nuts” one of the most quoted lines from any infomercial. Of course, he was actually referring to a different product—the Slap Chop—but the energy carried over.
What made the ShamWow so memorable was how over-the-top the demonstrations were. It soaked up soda, wine, and who-knows-what else from carpet with ease. Watching liquids disappear in seconds was mesmerizing in the dead of night. You either believed it was a miracle or you were already dialing the 800 number before the demo ended.
5. The Ronco Showtime Rotisserie
“Set it and forget it!” If you were even half-awake during late-night TV in the 2000s, you heard Ron Popeil chant this phrase with religious fervor. The Ronco Showtime Rotisserie promised perfectly cooked chicken, ribs, and more with absolutely zero effort. It was like having a personal chef who lived inside a toaster oven.
The infomercial was hypnotizing—juicy chickens spinning in slow motion, crowds gasping in amazement. You could practically smell the garlic through the screen. For insomniacs with an empty stomach, it was a siren call. Thousands bought one, only to realize their kitchen didn’t really need a poultry rotisserie.
6. The Clapper
“Clap on, clap off!” The Clapper was a sound-activated electrical switch that let you turn your lights or appliances on and off with a simple clap. First launched in the late 1980s, it became an infomercial staple for years. You didn’t know you needed it until it was 3AM and clapping seemed like an acceptable home automation strategy.
The commercial featured elderly people clapping to control their lights, showcasing its usefulness and quirkiness. It quickly entered pop culture and was referenced in everything from sitcoms to cartoons. But it didn’t always work as smoothly as advertised—random noises could trigger it. Still, for $19.95, the idea of clapping your way to convenience was oddly irresistible.
7. OxiClean
The late Billy Mays turned this industrial-strength cleaner into a household name through his booming voice and persuasive charisma. OxiClean promised to get out the kinds of stains you didn’t even know existed. Red wine on white carpet? No problem.
The magic was in the oxygen-based formula, demonstrated in jaw-dropping before-and-after shots. Watching stubborn grime vanish in real-time at 3AM was like watching sorcery. Billy Mays’ relentless enthusiasm made you believe you could finally win the war on laundry. And millions of viewers agreed.
8. The Ab Roller
This portable core workout tool became a 3AM fitness fad in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The infomercial claimed it could give you rock-hard abs with just a few minutes a day. It looked deceptively simple—a curved frame you rocked back and forth on the floor. And if you believed the actors in the ad, it practically did the workout for you.
The real appeal was the dream of getting ripped without getting off your living room carpet. The before-and-after photos were dramatic, even if the results were… variable. Like many fitness gadgets of the era, it ended up under beds and in closets. But for a short time, it made six-pack abs feel within reach.
9. The Magic Bullet Blender
The Magic Bullet infomercial felt more like a sitcom than a sales pitch. Set in a fake kitchen during a fake brunch, the hosts made smoothies, salsas, and omelets with suspicious speed. The real star was the bullet-shaped blender that promised to do everything in 10 seconds or less. And who wouldn’t want that level of kitchen sorcery at 3AM?
Its charm was in its simplicity—one cup, one blade, one press. Cleanup was minimal, and the possibilities were endless. The supporting cast in the infomercial even included a woman with a hangover, which was oddly relatable in the middle of the night. No wonder it became a must-have for lazy cooks everywhere.
10. The Topsy Tail
This little loop of plastic promised to upgrade your ponytail in seconds. The Topsy Tail commercial debuted in the early ’90s and was a game-changer for girls who wanted fancy updos without effort. It let you flip your hair through itself, creating a “twist” effect that looked way more complicated than it was. At 3AM, it felt like unlocking the secrets of salon magic.
The infomercial ran on a loop with endless hairstyle possibilities. It wasn’t just for ponytails—they showed buns, twists, and even “formal event” looks. For just a few bucks, you could look like you spent hours styling. And yes, it actually worked, which made it even more surreal.
11. The Instyler Rotating Iron
The Instyler looked like a regular hair straightener—until it started spinning. This hybrid curling iron and straightener had a rotating heated barrel that promised to smooth, curl, and add shine all in one magical swipe. The infomercial made it look like a professional blowout was just one pass away, even for people with frizzy or flat hair. At 3AM, that kind of effortless glam felt like a beauty miracle.
Models with every hair type had shiny, bouncy locks in seconds, and it was all done with just this one tool. The rotating barrel made a subtle buzzing noise, which somehow made it seem even more futuristic. People were mesmerized by how it could curl and straighten at the same time. For beauty lovers too tired for a full salon visit, the Instyler felt like a dream come true.
12. The Slap Chop
“You’re gonna love my nuts!” Vince Offer struck again, this time with a chopping tool that sliced vegetables, fruits, and yes—nuts—with a quick slap. The Slap Chop was a follow-up to ShamWow, and it had the same hyperactive charm. It was perfect for anyone who found knives too dangerous or cutting boards too much trouble. Just slap, and dinner was halfway done.
The device actually worked reasonably well, which helped it gain popularity despite the campy delivery. The real star, again, was Vince, who turned a kitchen tool into a comedy sketch. The infomercial got parodied endlessly but also sold like crazy. It was the rare gimmick that lived up to at least some of the hype.
13. The Breadman Breadmaker
The Breadman Breadmaker promised fresh, warm homemade bread with the push of a button—no kneading required. This countertop gadget made the dream of baking bread from scratch seem effortless, even for beginners. The infomercial showed loaves rising and golden-brown crusts forming with very little effort, making it impossible to resist at 3AM. For many, the appeal was the idea of filling the house with the scent of freshly baked bread without needing to be an expert baker.
The infomercial was filled with testimonials of people effortlessly making everything from whole wheat to French bread. The Breadman also promised to help with dough for pizza and even jam. While it didn’t always produce bakery-level results, it did give people the satisfaction of making their own bread at home. For a short time, it felt like the ultimate shortcut to the “homemade” life—right from your kitchen counter.
14. Bedazzler
Who didn’t want to add rhinestones to denim in the dead of night? The Bedazzler, a handheld stud-setting device, let you glam up your wardrobe one shiny dot at a time. First sold in the late ’70s, it gained a second life through infomercials in the ‘90s and 2000s. You could bling out jackets, jeans, and even phone cases.
The infomercial was filled with sparkly fashion that would never fly today—but that’s what made it so fun. It was DIY couture for the sleep-deprived. And while it may have been a bit kitschy, it delivered exactly what it promised. Just rhinestones, everywhere, forever.
