For years, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the latest episode of the iconic show “Shark Tank” on Friday nights. We love to see an aspiring entrepreneur come into the tank and pitch the investors, or Sharks, on their groundbreaking invention or novel business idea. The entrepreneurs either strike a deal with a Shark to take their business to the next level or leave empty-handed with nothing but the publicity from the TV show to propel their business forward. Since the beginning in 2009, the show has seen all types of products and ideas come across the stage, but only a few can be called the best “Shark Tank” products of all time.
Speaking of entrepreneurs, A recent survey finds that three in five Americans think they have the next “Shark Tank” money maker. One thing is for sure, the hit TV show “Shark Tank” is fueling the entrepreneurial dreams of many more out there. So, which Shark Tank products are considered the best in the show’s storied history? StudyFinds did some digging, consulting 10 business, entertainment, and pop culture review sites to bring you a consensus list of the best “Shark Tank” products of all time. Our list comprises the seven most frequently listed products from across these sites. Do you think we missed one of your favorite “Shark Tank” products? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
The List: Best “Shark Tank” Products of All Time, According to Reviews
1. Bombas
Topping the list of the best “Shark Tank” products of all time is none other than the extremely popular and successful Bombas socks. Bombas’ unique business model had the Sharks hooked right away with Daymond John, founder of FUBU brand clothing, offering $200,000 for a 17.5 percent stake in the company, notes Investopedia. For every pair of socks sold, Bombas donates a pair to homeless shelters around the world. In all, Bombas has donated over 50 million items to more than 3,000 community organizations worldwide.
As Failory mentions, Bombas appeared on “Shark Tank” during season six, episode one, and successfully pitched the Sharks their idea for this unique business. Bombas founders David Heath and Randy Goldberg came up with the idea after noticing that the items most in need across homeless shelters were socks.
As Looper explains, not only is Bombas socks one of the most successful businesses pitched on “Shark Tank,” but it’s also one of the most feel-good stories to come out of the show. Although the company struck a deal with John, the terms of the deal were supposedly renegotiated after the show aired. Regardless of the business dealings, Bombas remains one of the most successful products to ever come across the stage.
2. Doorbot/Ring Doorbell
Registering into the second spot on the list is Doorbot, known today as Ring Doorbells. Ring is one of the most successful “Shark Tank” products in the show’s history, but there’s one catch. It didn’t receive a final deal from one of the Sharks. By now, most of us are familiar with Ring and chances are you have one installed at your front door. Doorbot appeared on Shark Tank during season five, episode nine, and although founder Jamie Siminoff already had around $1 million in sales, he wasn’t able to finalize a deal with a Shark, notes Shark Tank Tales.
Siminoff had a deal in the works with Shark Kevin O’Leary, but the two were unable to settle on a figure and Siminoff left the tank without a deal. Still, Siminoff’s video doorbell, which can be accessed with a smartphone and an app, gained popularity during his appearance and the company went on to be super successful. As Looper explains, the Sharks were skeptical about the product’s viability and several Sharks had security concerns. It was a huge mistake by the Sharks.
Siminoff eventually sold his camera-doorbell to Amazon for more than $1 billion and used some of the money to entice Shaquille O’Neal to become a spokesman for the company in 2016, explains MoneyPop. Today, Ring doorbells are a household name and it’s the most successful product to not receive a deal on “Shark Tank.”
3. Scrub Daddy
Cleaning its way into the third spot on the list of the best products in “Shark Tank” history is Scrub Daddy. Scrub Daddy is a reusable kitchen sponge with a smiley face design that gets hard with cold water and soft with warm water, explains Rolling Stone. The sponge’s ergonomic design cleans both sides of your utensils and is tested to rinse clear of debris and resists odors for up to two weeks.
Scrub Daddy was pitched by founder Aaron Krause to the Sharks during season four, episode seven, and received a deal from Lori Grenier of $200,000 for a 20 percent stake in the company, explains Investopedia. Since then, Scrub Daddy has begun offering various helpful kitchen organizing and cleaning products. From sink organizers to soap dispensers to scouring pads, Scrub Daddy offers just about everything you need to clean and care for your kitchen.
There’s no doubt that an appearance on “Shark Tank” and a deal with Grenier helped catapult Scrub Daddy to new heights. The company’s sales skyrocketed to more than $50 million within three years of appearing on the show and striking a deal with a Shark, notes Entertainment Weekly.
4. Squatty Potty
Climbing its way into the fourth spot on the list is the heralded Squatty Potty. The Squatty Potty is a stool designed for to aid you in your bathroom activities by boosting your feet up off the floor and placing your body in a better position to, well, go. As USA Today explains, this product was snatched up by Lori Grenier, again, for $350,000 for a 10 percent stake in the company.
As Rolling Stone notes, the founder of Squatty Potty successfully convinced the Sharks that placing your knees above your hips helps your efforts in the bathroom, and the science behind the product paid off in a big way. After a viral marketing campaign, the Squatty Potty has brought in more than $100 million in its lifetime. Squatty Potty appeared on “Shark Tank” during season six, episode nine, and the company hasn’t looked back.
Squatty Potty founders Bobby and Judy Edwards were able to take a common bathroom problem and bank millions of dollars off of it. The Squatty Potty has helped aid the bathroom woes of millions and the product was actually fairly successful before appearing on the show, explains Shark Tank Tales. With actual scientific proof that the concept helps relieve constipation, the mother and son duo were able to get the Squatty Potty in big brand stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond. Appearing on the show and partnering with Grenier just helped boost the Squatty Potty brand to new heights.
5. Tipsy Elves
Caroling into the fifth spot on the list is yet another clothing brand, this time it’s Tipsy Elves, the ugly Christmas sweaters brand. As Entertainment Weekly notes, Tipsy Elves was selling around $600,000 per year before coming on “Shark Tank.” Within two seasons of coming on the show and striking a deal with Shark Robert Herjavec, the company’s sales were boosted to over $12 million. Who knew ugly Christmas sweaters were in such high demand?
Evan Mendelsohn and Nick Morton, the founders of Tipsy Elves designed a clothing line around whacky, zany Christmas outfits, sweaters, and hats and it paid off big time. Viewers of the Tipsy Elves episode were instantly hooked on the holiday clothing idea and the brand’s popularity soared within minutes of appearing on the show, explains Looper. Herjavec took the bait and struck a deal with Tipsy Elves for $100,000 for a 10 percent stake in the company.
As Investopedia notes, Tipsy Elves has seen more than $125 million in lifetime sales and the company is far from done. Fun Christmas apparel has only grown in popularity and given that Christmas isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, the brand stands to bank millions more. Tipsy Elves appeared in season five, episode 12, and is one of the most successful products to ever come out of the tank.
6. Simply Fit Board
Exercising its way into the sixth spot on the list is the Simply Fit Board – an exercise board. Simply Fit is a balance and exercise board designed to engage the user’s core, explains MoneyPop. Simply Fit founders Gloria Hoffman and Linda Clark pitched their product to the Sharks in 2015 in season seven, episode eight, seeking a $125,000 investment in exchange for 15 percent of the company.
None other than Lori Grenier jumped on the business and ended up striking a deal for $125,000 for a 20 percent stake in the company. The Simply Fit board is designed like a skateboard without any wheels, explains Failory. Grenier’s personal dedication to fitness and health helped her identify with the product and the Simply Fit founders walked away with a deal. Since striking a deal with Grenier, Simply Fit has seen more than $160 million in lifetime sales with plenty more to come.
The mother-daughter duo demonstrated the product and even let a few Sharks take a turn on the board – it went as you’d expect. Not all the Sharks were convinced, but it only takes one and Grenier hopped on board, no pun intended. Before airing, Simply Fit had approximately $600,000 in lifetime sales, but that quickly changed. This brand experienced “The Shark Tank Effect” within hours of its episode airing on TV and did a whopping $1.25 million after their appearance, notes Looper. Today, you can find Simply Fit in more than 50,000 retail stores worldwide – a true Shark Tank success story.
7. EverlyWell Food Sensitivity Test
Rounding out the list is the EverlyWell Food Sensitivity Test. EverlyWell is another one of the show’s top success stories, explains Rolling Stone. EverlyWell offers at-home tests for everything from food sensitivities to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and is one of the top names in at-home healthcare testing.
EverlyWell appeared in season nine, episode 12, and was pitched by founder Julia Cheeks. The kits use a blood, saliva, or urine sample to test for a range of diseases, allergies, and various health issues. Simply collect the sample, send it to one of EverlyWell’s partner labs and you can view your results online. Bored Panda adds that EverlyWell has done millions and millions in lifetime sales with a yearly revenue of around $49 million. Today, EverlyWell offers test kits, vitamins, and even remote consulting services. EverlyWell isn’t going anywhere and the company keeps pushing the limits of at-home testing.
EverlyWell appeared in 2017 and was able to get a deal from (who else) Lori Grenier for a staggering $1 million line of credit at eight percent interest, for five percent equity in the company. Of course, this was well before the COVID-19 pandemic in which 2020 changed everything for this company, notes The Pioneer Woman. EverlyWell was at the forefront of at-home COVID-19 testing. As of March 2021, EverlyWell was worth an estimated $2.9 billion and counting. EverlyWell quickly climbed the ranks of the best Shark Tank products and could go even further in the coming years.
Sources:
- USA Today
- Shark Tank Tales
- Investopedia
- Rolling Stone
- MoneyPop
- Failory
- Looper
- Entertainment Weekly
- Bored Panda
- The Pioneer Woman
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.