Do you remember that saying, “You get what you pay for?” The idea is that if you don’t pay much for it, it’s probably no good. Clearly, this phrase is antiquated now that we have access to Amazon and a host of reasonably-priced products to simplify and improve our day-to-day existence. Thanks to this massive online shopping space, you really can get something great for (almost) nothing. In fact, some of my favorite Amazon buys come with a price tag of $50 or less. (Who am I kidding?! Most of them are $50 or less because I’m cheap.)
This list includes household essentials to clear the air and clean the floors, beauty gadgets that massage and whiten (not the same product, though, because that would be weird), kitchen products that fry and dehydrate, and even fun finds from new kicks to instant memory makers. And, if you’re a cheapskate like me, you’ll love that everything here is $50 or less.
Let’s Clear The Air
Breathe in, breathe out and say hello to fresh air with this handy air purifier. No more pesky smoke, pollen, dander, hair or odors will get in the way of your good times. This machine turns your stuffy room into a fresh breeze-filled paradise … or at least a better-smelling one since you can use essential oils right on the included aroma pad.
The Whitest And Brightest
Bid adieu to coffee-stained smiles and enjoy your pearly whites as they were intended to be with this simple whitening kit. This comes with an LED light, three pre-filled pens and a tray that’ll help you achieve the smile makeover of your dreams. Now you can have your cake (or coffee) and eat it, too, with no worry about discoloration.
Massage Envy
Did you have a long week? Phew, I did, and the one thing I want more than anything right now is a massage. This shiatsu back and neck massager delivers both heat and massage power that you can use anywhere from the couch to the car. Loops you can thread your hands through let you customize how much pressure you’re getting, making this the ultimate do-it-yourself massage.
Sink Your Teeth Into This Toothbrush
I’m not fibbing when I say that this electric toothbrush is exactly like the one I bought roughly a year ago at the urging of my dental hygienist, and I find that I like it more each day. It’s equipped with a round head for better cleaning and has a built-in timer so you’re sticking with brushing as long as you should.
Keeping Everything On Track
I seldom lose things (knock on wood) but I appreciate that perhaps I’m a rarity in that regard. If you’re always misplacing your bag, purse, wallet or keys, try out a Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker, which lets you pinpoint location up to 400 feet away. This two-piece set works in conjunction with your phone as well as popular assistant apps like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
Light Things Up
Are there a lot of things happening after dark in your neighborhood? It might be time to invest in motion lights like these, which are solar-powered for convenience. These have three lighting modes, powerful motion detecting and all-weather resistant for year-round use. The size and LED chips used work longer and shine brighter than similar models on the market.
Big Shoes To Fill
When was the lat time you treated yourself to a new pair of shoes? These FuelCore sneakers by New Balance have more than 60,000 reviews on Amazon, making them one of the more popular shoes I’ve seen in years of writing these types of pieces. These have midsole cushioning and a comfort insert packed inside a sleek design and supportive fit.
Cuts Like A Knife
Have you ever heard of someone being called a Swiss army knife? It generally just means they’re a jack of all trades, kind of like this Swiss army multi-tool. Compact to carry, it’s fit for all tasks with a range of implements from a can opener to tweezers. You don’t have to be a survivalist to appreciate this one; just someone who likes to be prepared.
Clean As A Whistle
I’m all about gadgets that mean I don’t have to work quite as hard and this electric spin scrubber fits the bill. Equipped with four replacement heads, dual speeds and an extending arm for reaching the tricky places, this will clean and shine everything from your grout to your shower walls. Even better, it’s cordless and works for up to 90 minutes on a single charge, at which point you should go sit down. You’ve done enough.
Dry And Style In One Step
I’ve been shopping on Amazon for a long time and have spent, ahem, more than I care to share publicly but my absolute favorite purchase ever has to be this one-step volumizer from Amazon. It dries and styles at the same time, saving you time and aching arms. This latest edition has a slimmer handle, a smaller head size and additional heat settings. Time to upgrade? I think it might be.
Have A Ball
As I write this, a majority of the country is experiencing brutally cold temperatures. That means, your kids are having to play indoors … which means you’re probably about ready to club one of them over the head. These hover soccer balls will keep them entertained (and active) indoors because they’re safe enough to be around your furniture, walls and trinkets. Foam bumpers and a light-up design are just fun.
Print Instant Images With This Camera
Everything old is new again? I grew up with a Polaroid camera and thought for sure I’d never see anything similar with the advent of smartphones. Wrong! This printomatic digital instant camera captures the shot and prints it on-demand on sticky-backed photo paper. Choose from six different colors or even a starter bundle that comes with paper, stickers, a photo album and more.
Dehydrate Everything With This Machine
Don’t hate — dehydrate! With this dehydrator machine, you can suck the moisture out of anything from fruits and veggies to meats and dog treats. Five stackable stainless steel trays give you loads of options with a digital adjustable timer and built-in temperature controls. Even better, you’ll enjoy a 97 percent retention rate of vitamins and minerals so you can keep all the good stuff while enjoying all the good stuff.
Blend Together
When you search for blenders on Amazon, you’ll turn up roughly 3,000 results … so how is a savvy shopper to choose? The Power Elite Wave Action blender from Hamilton Beach gives you all the power to make smoothies, protein shakes, frozen drinks and more with only ultra-smooth results. Pour contents into your glass with no spills thanks to the built-in spout. When it’s time to clean, toss it in the dishwasher.
Cooler Than The Other Side Of This Pillow
Why is the bedding in hotels so luxurious? One of my favorite parts of a vacation or staycation is sleeping in a hotel bed: The sheets, the pillows, I love all of it. These bed pillows are filled with a down alternative and have gel cooling great for back, stomach and side sleepers. The plush bounce-back design helps them keep their shape, even if you did the Hulk smash on them in the middle of the night.
Solid As A Wok
I’ve written about woks a few times now and every single time, it makes me think: “Man, I really need a wok.” You know those dishes you’re preparing where a regular skillet just won’t do and a Dutch oven is all wrong? That’s where this carbon steel wok pan with lids comes into the picture. Pre-seasoned and non-stick, it’s the perfect size for a stir-fry, hash and other one-pot meals.
Turn Up The Heat
If you don’t own a space heater and you’re always complaining about being cold, I want you to run, not walk to Amazon and snag this one. (I keep one under my desk for my always-cold feet.) This one oscillates, comes with a remote and has a digital thermostat that can be adjusted from 41 to 95 degrees. An incorporated safety system prevents tip-overs and overheating.
Under (Blood) Pressure
You can’t fill your house with medical equipment but you can be prepared for some scenarios. My doctor advised me to buy an at-home blood pressure monitor (because I have “white coat syndrome”) and this one with a digital display is as good as any. Store up to 14 readings and catch any irregular heartbeats with this device, which detects body movements and takes those into account for the most accurate reading.
It’s Wine O’Clock Somewhere
When you want wine, you want it right now. You don’t have to have to search through a junk drawer looking for an opener. This wine opener set has everything you need to get into the bottle, cut the foil, aerate the liquid and seal it when (if?) there are any leftovers. This would make a great housewarming gift for the hard-to-buy-for person in your life.
A Clean Sweep
If you’ve reached the, ahem, age where vacuum cleaners make you excited, you’re going to want to stay tuned for this three-in-one lightweight stick vac from Dirt Devil. Bagless for easier cleaning and compact for cleaning all the areas of your home, this offers both a regular vac and a hand vac mode (as well as a crevice tool) for the ultimate in convenience.
Enjoy Moisture And Fragrance With This Humidifier
The cooler months are a great time to add a humidifier to your home because the air is so dry. This cool mist version has an ultrasonic delivery for fresher air and a tray for adding drops of essential oil to deliver fragrance throughout your space. This version has a large 4.5-liter capacity and a 50-hour run time on the lowest mist level.
Get Out Of The Pan And Into This Air Fryer
Please tell me you’re not the last person on the planet to get in on the air fryer game. But, if you are, this compact version from DASH might be a good option. It has a non-stick fry basket, temperature control and auto-shut-off feature. But, the best part is creating healthier fried food you don’t have to feel guilty about eating.