There’s a slight learning curve when it comes to shopping online; you want to pay the lowest price possible for the best item available. It doesn’t matter whether that’s clothes, kitchen gadgets, or even a box of dirt — high-quality items at rock-bottom prices are what we’re looking for. Know where I’m going with this? Fine, I’ll get straight to the point: there are tons of affordable products on Amazon that look like they cost way more than they do.
If I’m being honest? I am a scrooge. Not scrooge-y (is that a word?) enough to not go on vacation or anything, mind you — but my bank account is in a constant state of despair. No one can tell from the outside though, and that’s solely because of all the Amazon products I’ve found that are affordable, yet look way fancier than they’re priced. And because retail therapy is my preferred method of wellness, I’ve scoured Amazon for all the affordable products you can find for less than $35.
And while sure, having a roof over my head may be important, there’s also a pair of yoga shorts in here that are really cute — no, I mean really cute.
These Yoga Shorts With Convenient Pockets
I absolutely adore these yoga shorts, and not just because they have pockets. Unlike other shorts, these ones let you choose how long they are: 4, 5, or 8 inches. They’re made with four-way stretch fabric that doesn’t become transparent when you bend over, and you can grab them in sizes small through 3x.
A Set Of Cooking Utensils Made From Stainless Steel
These cooking utensils are total must-haves if you like to grill, as they’re made from rust-resistant stainless steel. My favorite part about this set is that they come with a convenient holder, plus they’re even safe to put in the dishwasher. Each set comes with 10 utensils, including a spaghetti server, potato masher, whisk, tongs, and more.
These Cutting Boards Made From Eco-Friendly Bamboo
For less than $30, you can get this set of three eco-friendly bamboo cutting boards. I’ve noticed that these cutting boards don’t dull my knives as quickly as cheaper options, plus they’re even naturally antimicrobial. The drip ridge around the border helps prevent juices from leaking onto your counters, plus there are even handles on the side so they’re easy to move.
A Hot Pot That’s Perfect For Soup, Porridge, Noodles, And More
When I don’t feel like getting my stove dirty, I just dump a can of soup or noodles into this hot pot. The inside is made from rust-resistant stainless steel, plus it’s large enough that I can also feed my boyfriend if he’s hungry. And because the heating base and pot are separate, it’s easy to pick it up and eat on the couch in front of the television — that’s my preferred way to use it.
A Personal Blender That Transforms Into A Travel Cup
When I’m rushing out the door but need something quick to eat on the road, I just bust out this personal blender. The blending container transforms into a to-go cup with the included sip lid, plus the blades are made from durable stainless steel. It works great for smoothies, though I like to use it for milkshakes when I’m feeling decadent.
A Dispenser So Your Plastic Bags Look Tidy
Let’s be honest with each other: your plastic bags are probably gathered in a lump underneath your sink. Don’t worry, mine were too — until I got this handy dispenser, that is. It’s large enough for up to 30 bags, and each order comes with screws as well as adhesive so that you can mount it on cabinets, under sinks, or even just to a wall.
This Milk Frother For Coffee And Cappuccino
If you love having deliciously whipped milk in your coffee as much as I do, then you absolutely need to grab this frother. It’s small enough that it easily fits into any drawer, or you can even leave it sitting out in your kitchen’s coffee corner. The whisk is made from stainless steel, and you have options when it comes to colors: black, white, or red.
This Lighter That’s Rechargeable And Windproof
Unlike regular lighters that produce a flame, this version creates two voltage arcs that won’t flutter out in the wind. It’s made from high-quality zinc alloy that’s heat-resistant, and the battery lasts for up to 301 sparks when fully charged — and in the event you don’t have a micro-USB cable, one comes with each order.
These Mixing Bowls With Non-Slip Bottoms
Not only are these mixing bowls made with non-slip bottoms, but each one also comes with a lid so that you can use them to store leftovers. I like that they also come with three grater attachments that pop into the middle of the lids — they let me grate and shred cheese directly into the bowl without any spillage.
This Throw Blanket Made From Soft Faux Fur
You can never go wrong with a good throw blanket, and this one is made from ultra-plush faux fur. For me, I use this blanket everywhere — it sits on my bed as a cute accent piece, and I like to snuggle up in it when I’m too lazy to turn the AC down. Choose from dozens of colors, including blue, dark rose, teal, light pink, and more.
A Wallet That Keeps Your Cards Safe From Electronic Pickpockets
There’s my everyday wallet, and then there’s this wallet that I like to use while traveling. The case blocks any RFID signals from electronic pickpockets trying to steal my credit card information, and it latches shut for added protection. There’s enough space for more than nine cards, and you’ve got options when it comes to colors: purple, blue, green, red, and more.
This Bathroom Organizer With Space For Hot Tools And Towels
Even though it’s advertised as a bathroom organizer, I actually installed it in my entryway so that I could have a convenient place to stash mail and hang keys. The hooks also work great for towels and hot tools, and the wire frame is made from heavy-duty cast iron — if you’re looking for a durable organizer, this one will more than get the job done.
These Baking Mats With Macaron Guides
I got into baking while I was stuck in quarantine, and these heat-resistant baking mats turned out to be absolutely indispensable. They’re made from non-stick silicone that easily washes clean under warm water, plus the printed macaron guides help ensure that your cookies are properly spaced. And because they’re flexible, they’re also great for rolling out dough.
A Makeup Brush Holder Designed To Fit Any Brush
No matter how thick or thin your makeup brushes are, this organizer can still handle them. The silicone dividers on the inside stretch and contract to fit your brushes so that they don’t slip out, but you’re not limited to just brushes — I actually use mine for pencils and pens on my desk. Choose from five colors: black, white, pink, and more.
This Lighted Vanity Mirror With 3X Magnification
I used to cram my face against my bathroom mirror to try and get my makeup right, but now I just use this lighted vanity mirror — and let me tell you, my makeup looks so much better. The 2x and 3x magnification let you get up close and personal with your face without having to hunch forwards, plus the LED lights help you see what you’re doing no matter where you are.
This Pot And Pan Organizer That Sits Vertically Or Horizontally
Got tall cabinets? Just put this pot and pan organizer upright inside one of them. Or, if your cabinets are wide, just lay it out horizontally — and since you don’t need any tools to put it together, installation is a breeze. You can adjust the dividers to accommodate lids, pans, and pots of all shapes and sizes, plus many reviewers raved about how it helps save them space.
This Hot Tool Organizer For Your Vanity
My vanity was always a jumbled mess of hair ties, hot tools, makeup brushes — until I got this organizer. There are three slots for hair straighteners, curling irons, or even a hair dryer, and the faux wood grain makes it look more expensive than it is. Choose from two finishes: black or ash.
This Kit That Turns Mirrors Into Hollywood Vanities
I recommend this vanity light kit to everyone who is willing to listen to me — including you. It comes with 14 LED lights that you’ll never need to change out, and each one is backed with sticky adhesive so that they’re easy to attach to your mirror. My favorite part about them, however, is that you have the option of three different color modes: daylight white, warm white, and natural light.
A Diffuser That Looks Like Art When You’re Not Using It
I love looking at this diffuser regardless of whether or not it’s running — there’s just something about the artsy tree design that I find calming. But when it is running, I have the option of seven different LED colors, and there’s even a rotating carousel mode if I can’t decide. It’s able to run for up to four hours when the water tank is full, or even up to eight hours if you keep it in intermittent mode.
These Essential Oils That You’ll Need For Your Fancy New Diffuser
Even if you don’t decide to grab that diffuser, you can still use this set of essential oils all around your home. Whenever I have trouble falling asleep at night I’ll just add a few drops of lavender to my wrists and pillows, and sometimes I’ll even put some eucalyptus oil in my homemade cleaning sprays. Each set comes with 20 of the most popular oils, including sweet orange, lemongrass, geranium, and more.
A Bluetooth Speaker That’s Completely Waterproof
When I say this Bluetooth speaker is waterproof, I mean it — you can submerge it in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. I like to take mine with me on trips to the beach since I know it won’t get wrecked in the ocean, and the rechargeable battery lasts for up to 15 hours. Unlike other speakers, this one has a range of up to 100 feet so you can go ahead and wander around without stopping the tunes.
This Muscle Soak Formulated With 21 Different Minerals
No matter whether you’re sore from exercise or sitting funny on the couch (me), this bath soak can help soothe your aching muscles. It’s formulated with 21 different nourishing minerals as well as salt from the Dead Sea, and it absorbs more quickly than traditional epsom salt. Soak in it to help reduce inflammation, or even help improve your blood circulation.
This Pain Relief Rub You Can Use All Over Your Body
If you’d rather rub a cream on your skin than take ibuprofen when you’re feeling sore, you’re going to love this pain relief therapy. Just rub it into your back, neck, knees, shoulder, feet, or any other body part that’s sore, and it can help soothe away pain without leaving behind any stains or greasy residues. Use it for carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, neuropathy, and more.
Organize Your Closet Using These Storage Cubes
My apartment is relatively limited in storage space, which is why I added these storage cubes to my front hallway closet. I use them for pantry items, though they also work great for holding books, linens, or practically anything else you can think of. Choose from three colors: black, grey, or white.
This Touch-Sensitive Lamp For Your Nightstand
Simply tap the base of this LED lamp, and you’ll easily be able to adjust the brightness to set the mood in your home. Or, if you’re feeling funky and carefree, you can even set it to one of five different colors: red, pink, blue, green, or yellow. I keep mine on my nightstand, as the warm white light is gentle on my eyes while reading in bed.
This Miniature Keyboard For Your Television And Game System
Whenever I need to type something out on my television, this miniature keyboard comes in handy — because jumping from letter to letter using the remote is a pain, right? It’s wireless as well as lightweight so that it’s easy to use no matter where you are, plus the keys are even backlit so you can see them in the dark.
A Chainmail Scrubber For Cast Iron Skillets
Cleaning your cast iron skillets with soap is a BIG no-no, as it removes all the built-up flavor. Instead, use a chainmail scrubber like this one. It’s made from rust-resistant stainless steel, and it’s tough on any baked-on crud while still leaving your flavors intact. I also like to use mine on my grill when it’s dirty, plus it also works great on stainless steel pans.
This Clothing Steamer That Fits In Your Suitcase
Whenever my packed clothes come out of my suitcase wrinkled, I just give ’em a few zaps with this travel-sized steamer. It heats up in just 60 seconds, yet provides more than 10 minutes of continuous steam when the water tank is full. And because it’s TSA-approved, you won’t have to worry about going through security with it.
A Hand Warmer You Can Use Over And Over Again
Unlike other hand warmers, this one is refillable so that you can use it over and over again. Even though it’s summer right now, I still use mine year-round on camping trips when the temperature dips low at night. The sleek design easily fits into my pocket, and it’s completely flameless so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself.
This Breakfast Sandwich Maker That Cooks Fresh Ingredients
Most breakfast sandwich makers only heat up pre-cooked ingredients — but not this one. Not only have I used it to cook raw eggs and ham, but it’s also great for warming up English muffins. The heating plates disassemble for easy cleaning, and besides — it’s less than $30. What’s not to love?
This Power Strip Made With 3 USB Ports
Since this power strip is small and compact, I like to take it with me while traveling. It also fits great on my desk, and the three USB ports are super-convenient since it means I don’t have to go hunting around for a power brick if I want to charge my phone. “I am just so pleased with this little power strip!” one reviewer raved. “It takes just a little space and can easily tuck in a corner. We use this in the cabin on a cruise ship.”
This Water Flosser With 4 Different Cleaning Modes
Not only does this water flosser feature four different cleaning modes (soft, medium, pulse, and strong), but it’s also completely waterproof — I use mine in the shower on busy mornings when I’m in a rush. Each order also comes with five cleaning nozzles that help you get between your teeth, and the rechargeable battery lasts for up to two full weeks.
A Tactical Pen That Can Help You In An Emergency
My biggest fear in life is driving off a bridge, crashing into the water below and drowning — that’s why I keep this tactical pen in my car. I can use the hardened tip to bust through glass if need be, and since it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum I won’t have to worry about it breaking. Or, if you’re not willing to indulge in the fear of an untimely death like I am, you can also use it as a bottle opener, flashlight, and of course, a pen.
This Vacuum-Insulated Koozie That Keeps Your Drinks Cold
No matter whether you’re drinking a bottle of beer or a caned soda, this koozie can help keep it cold. It’s double-wall vacuum-insulated so that the heat from my hands doesn’t transfer to my drink, and there’s even a bottle opener built into the cap. Choose from five different colors: copper, black, camouflage, silver, or pink camouflage.
This Fire TV Stick That Plugs Into Any HDMI Port
I didn’t have a smart television for the longest time — and I still don’t. But by plugging this Fire TV stick into my dumb television’s HDMI port, I’m still able to stream Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more. You can even search for your favorite shows using voice commands by simply clicking the microphone button on the remote, plus each one features 8 gigabytes of storage for other games and apps.