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Willing to spend the extra moolah? These 29 useful products are truly worth it

Willing To Spend The Extra Moolah? These 29 Useful Products Are Truly Worth It
Willing To Spend The Extra Moolah? These 29 Useful Products Are Truly Worth It

If your motto is "you get what you paid for," then these products are right up your alley.

1. A sleek and minimalist Windmill window AC for when the temps start getting close to triple digits, and the ceiling fan isn't cuttin' it anymore. This energy-efficient AC is easy to install, super quiet, can be controlled with an app (and your voice!), and offers dual filtration to keep your air cool *and* fresh. Ahhhh, comfort at last.

a reviewer photo of the AC installed in a window
Avery Felman / BuzzFeed

Promising review: "Not only is this unit sleek and discreet looking, but it is also so quiet and works so well! It keeps our room so cool. So happy we got this. Such a huge plus that you can control it from your phone as well as the remote!" —Chelsea G.

Get it from Amazon for $299+ (available in four BTU levels) or from Windmill for $299+ (available in five BTU levels). 

2. A portable personal Ninja blender so you can make your own fruity smoothies and protein-y pre-workouts. Its detachable base means you can take your drink to go. And it has three settings — smoothie, crush, and blend — to help you get the right consistency (because texture is everything).

Promising reviews: "We camp often and don't always have electric hookups. This is perfect! Works better than any personal blender I have tried." —painted daisy

"An excellent product that makes life easier for those who lack time and space. This product has made my smoothies with nuts and peanuts without any problem." —OZ

Get it from Amazon for $69.95+ (available in 11 colors).

3. A ceramic Shark FlexFusion hair dryer that works on both wet and dry hair, *and* comes with the perfect attachments for drying and styling your hair type, whether it's straight and fine or curly and coily. One reviewer even says it's "leaps and bounds better than Dyson."

Before and after images of a model using 1.25
Amazon

Promising review: "I really didn't want to like it. I wanted to use it once, hate it, and return it. But sadly, it works amazingly. It's super lightweight, my hair dries so quickly (I've been blessed with very thick hair), it's extremely easy to use, and I absolutely love the round brush attachment." —JD & Anhelica

Get it from Amazon for $289+ (available in four styles for different hair types).

4. An ingenious, collapsible Coleman cooler to make beach days and cookouts sooo much easier. Its largest size can hold up to 93 cans, which means you'll have enough La Croix for every family sunbathing next to you. And then, when it's time to go home, just collapse it down to its space-saving size and head out!

See it in action on TikTok!

Promising review: "Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing product. As RVers, we find this collapsible cooler incredibly useful. The overall quality is very good, and the lid provides an excellent seal. The cooler collapses into a compact package that stores easily in an RV or vehicle, as shown in our SUV photo. We have used this cooler on several grocery runs and have experienced no issues keeping food and beverages cold with reusable ice packs. For RVers, campers, or anyone short on storage space, this cooler is an easy recommendation." —MKWilli

Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in three sizes and colors).

Related: "26 Walking-Friendly Shoes That’ll Make You Wanna Spend More Time On Your Feet"

5. An iconic and waterproof Case-Mate beach tote with room for all your beach day needs. Its sturdy base helps make it tip-proof, and it comes with a lil' dry bag for your phone (but it can also fit things like lip balm, sunglasses, or keys).

See it in action on TikTok.

Promising review: "I’ve been wanting a sturdy and cute beach bag that was not mesh and or a basic tote. This is it! It comes with a dry bag for a phone. The handles are thick. The iridescent color looks so cool in the sun, and it’s the perfect size. I fit two towels, a sunscreen bag, two changes of clothes, a speaker, goggles, and snacks. With extra room too. I love the new silver-black color, but this purple was on sale, so I went for it. Matches perfectly with my black swimsuit." —Daniela G

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in 10 colors).

6. A portable and water-resistant Beats Pill speaker so you can bring the party with you wherever you go: the beach, the park, your BFF's backyard. With up to 24 hours of battery life, this speaker will keep you movin' and groovin' all the livelong day. Get ready to keep up with its crisp, rich high-res audio.

Promising review: "I am extremely impressed with this Bluetooth speaker! The sound quality is clear, loud, and has excellent bass for its size. Connecting to my phone was quick and easy, and the battery lasts much longer than I expected. It’s lightweight, portable, and perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. The build quality feels solid, and it performs even better than some more expensive speakers I’ve tried. Highly recommended." —Ni

Get it from Amazon for $129.95 (available in three colors).

7. SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence — a skin-smoothing J-beauty formula featuring 90% pitera, a vitamin-rich ingredient (it contains 50+ micro-nutrients!!!) that supports cell renewal and your skin's natural production of hyaluronic acid. This works to nourish skin while also making it more resilient, which might just mean firmer, more radiant skin and fewer dark spots.

Woman smiling and holding a skincare product bottle; text highlights skin improvement in one week: softer, smoother, firmer
Amazon

Promising review: "This product is magical! I was having unexplained and uncontrollable breakouts and just very angry skin. Since I’ve been using this product, my skin is much less angry, and the breakouts are very small. It’s also helping with some of the hyperpigmentation I have." —Lisa

Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in four sizes).

8. A soft Nectar gel mattress topper, because your mattress may be horrible, but replacing that might cost a few too many $$$ right now. This breathable and cooling memory foam topper can help provide support and pain relief.

A memory foam mattress topper on a bed with pillows, featuring a wavy pattern and a branded edge
Nectar

I was hoping sleeping on this would feel like sleeping on a cloud. The problem with clouds, though, is that they don't actually offer support. So, while this doesn't feel like the plushy heaven I naively hoped for, my back no longer hurts when I wake up in the morning. And that's the more important win here. 

Get it from Amazon for $149+ (available in sizes twin–Cal King and in two styles) or from Nectar for $199+ (available in sizes queen–Cal King and in two styles).

9. A new and improved Anova sous vide precision cooker you can connect to the Anova app to control how your meal is cooking from the next room over. All you need to do is put this in a pot with your sealed food to ensure you get perfectly cooked meals every time.

Promising review: "I purchased the Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker 3.0 on the advice of my grandson who has been using his for a couple of years with great success. The unit is easy to use and stayed at the temperature I set for the entire cooking time, which was 22 hours for a very lean beef roast. The roast was perfectly cooked and incredibly tender." —Raaven

Get it from Amazon for $168.96.

10. A compact Shark air purifier with a HEPA-exceeding filter, so you can take a full breath without feeling the need to sneeze immediately after. It can trap 99.98% of large, small, and micro-sized particles *and* it can capture dust, smoke, and dander. This purifier (whose initial filter can last up to five years in smaller spaces) will help your home feel (and smell) brand new. It'll even display — in real time — your home's air quality.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Melanie Aman loves hers — check out her Shark NeverChange Air Purifier review to learn more.

Promising review: "Powerful for the size. It's easy to find a spot to place it. I love how quiet it is, so it can run through the night while we sleep. We have definitely seen a difference within our home with allergy relief and freshness of the air. Simple to use." —Amazon Customer

"The air feels fresher, and it helps a lot with dust and everyday odors. I really like the NeverChange filter design because it saves money and hassle in the long run — no constant filter replacements to worry about." —LDevell

Get it from Amazon for $159.99+ (available in four sizes and five colors).

11. A vintage-looking Marshall Heston 60 Bluetooth soundbar with several sound modes (movie, voice, music, and night) depending on what you're listening to and the kind of immersive experience you want to have. You can mount it directly to your wall, and you can use the Marshall app to access advanced audio settings and customize sound presets to your liking.

Soundbar on a wooden shelf with text:
Best Buy

Promising review: "Overall, this soundbar is a premium choice in the market, positioning itself far above the standard, entry-level soundbar. The increase in quality from testing a few lower-end soundbars was both tactile and audible. I found the number of connectivity options convenient. I connected to my TV using HDMI eARC, which worked perfectly. The bar’s main audio format is Dolby Atmos, which truly has an impressive read on the room with the calibration function. I felt like it truly changed the audio dynamics to match the space. Connecting to the soundbar through wireless streaming is just like any other Wi-Fi device — simple and intuitive. Marshall clearly pays a lot of attention to the experience of opening their product to let you know you are in for a treat. The fit and finish of what is inside the package is everything it is hyped up to be!" —Tony

Get it from Amazon for $699.99 (available in two colors) or from Best Buy for $699.99 (available in two colors).

Related: "35 Products That’ll Stick In Your Memory Like That One Song You Just Can’t Shake"

12. A 16-piece nonstick Caraway cookware set that you might not ever put away because they're just sooo nice to look at. But, they do come with a pan rack and lid holder, so you absolutely can put them away if you want to. Replace your worn-out set with these stovetop- and oven-safe (yup, up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit!) pans, and get ready to become a master chef.

You'll get a 10.5-inch frying pan, a 3-quart saucepan with a lid, a 6.5-quart Dutch oven with a lid, a 4.5-quart sauté pan with a lid, a mini 8-inch fry pan, a mini 1.7-quart saucepan, four modular magnetic pan racks, and a canvas lid holder with hooks. 

I just replaced my old, broken, and scratched-up cookware set with this, and...they make me believe in magic??? They're so nonstick that cleaning them doesn't even feel like a chore. Speaking of nonstick, I only use butter to cook my eggs now because I just prefer the taste. They also heat evenly and look good while doing so. This set also comes with a rack and a lid holder for easy organizing.

Promising review: "These pans are amazing! Food slides right off with minimal oil. They have great heat distribution, too. I love their look and feel, and the organizers are so nice, much better than nesting and stacking pans, and they make it easy to get pans in and out of the cabinet. They are heavy-duty and good quality, but not too heavy like cast-iron pans." —Clarence Elkins

Get it from Amazon for $536 (available in eight colors).

13. A retro-inspired Kodak Mini 2 so you can instantly print color photos and have mementos you can carry with you forever! Just use Bluetooth to connect it wirelessly to your phone and get to printin'!

Along with the Kodak Mini 2, you'll also get four cartridges, 38 sheets of photo paper, a USB-C cable, and a user guide. Refill cartridges are available.

Promising review: "This has completely elevated how I save and share memories. If you love physical photos but don’t want the hassle of going to a photo lab or using a big printer, this little device is a perfect solution. I am able to instantly print photos to share with my friends or family immediately." —Jay B

Get it from Amazon for $79.99 (available in three colors).

14. A cute and whimsical Buffy scalloped duvet cover made of eucalyptus — this soft set (it comes with matching pillowcases) offers temperature and moisture regulation, so you can sleep in cozy, cozy bliss.

Bed with ruffled white bedding and red trim, two matching pillows; styled for a shopping catalog
Stacked light blue comforters with pink trim, showcasing soft bedding products
Buffy

This is the softest duvet cover I've ever had. This is also the only duvet cover that promised not to turn me into a sweat sack in the middle of the night (I'm a hot sleeper) and actually followed through on that promise.

Promising review: "I love this cover! It’s really soft, and the color is bright and cheerful." —Margaret D.

Get it from Buffy for $159.20+ (available in sizes twin/twin XL–King/Cal King and six colors with the scalloped edge design).

15. A lightweight Jackery portable backup battery, because it'll allow for fast charging during emergencies (like when summer AC usage leads to a power outage). This generator is also capable of solar charging. And, reviewers love that it's "so quiet that [they] don't even realize it's in use!"

Promising review: "Since purchasing this portable power station, it has been a lifesaver on many occasions. Since moving to Belize and living in a totally off-grid community, I have relied on this powerhouse to keep my Wi-Fi and internet running since I work remotely. If it rains for more than two to three days, I will run out of solar power at some point, but I still must work. This battery has saved the day." —Kelly Demele

Get it from Amazon for $799.

16. A pair of wireless Beats Studio Pro headphones with up to 40 hours of listening time that'll allow you to stay up to date on your fave podcast. Not only is it capable of optimizing music sound quality (hello, immersive 360-degree sound!) but it can also reduce distractions with its noise cancelling feature. 

Promising review: "Excellent sound! The battery life is exceptional, I only recharge when I think about it, not because I must! The active noise canceling is great, especially on flights with loud people or crying kids! These are very good for phone conversations as well; everything sounds crystal clear, and I never have issues with microphone clarity or having someone not hear or understand me." —DJ

Get it from Amazon for $249.95 (available in five colors)

Related: "Stop Whining About Annoying Body Issues And Solve Them With These 37 Products"

17. A Ninja Creami 11-in-1 frozen dessert maker so you can easily have your ice cream and eat it, too. This is particularly great if dietary restrictions make it difficult to buy treats at the store. Make your very own low-sugar, keto, dairy-free, and vegan desserts!

Just fill one of the two provided pint cups with your choice of milk, juice, or anything else you might want and freeze for 24 hours.

Promising review: "This is really so easy to use!! If you plan ahead, you can have ice cream daily, even a different flavor daily!! Easy enough to find different recipes, and you can put in add-ins like chips, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, fruit, etc. The plus side — you KNOW what's in it!!" —DawnH

Get it from Amazon for $235.90.

18. An Amazon Echo Spot if you're looking to upgrade the tech capacity of your whole house. This useful gadget is more than a sleek clock. It's also a speaker that can show/tell you the weather. You can also use it to control other smart devices in your home; tell the lights to dim or the speakers to turn up the music!

Promising review: "The new Echo Spot has been a great addition to my nightstand. The display is bright and easy to read, and I love being able to check the time, weather, and upcoming reminders with just a glance. Alexa responds quickly to voice commands, making it easy to play music, control my smart home devices, or set alarms without reaching for my phone. It's compact, stylish, and fits perfectly in a bedroom, office, or kitchen." —James

Get it from Amazon for $79.99 (available in three colors).

19. A bright and nostalgic storage locker perfect for all the clothes currently on your floor. Or the books currently on your floor. I mean, it's perfect for whatever's on your floor that needs an actual home.

Light blue metal storage cabinet with drawers, adorned with potted plants and ceramic dishes, placed in a modern dining room setting
Metal locker cabinet with textured blankets and a mug on top, ideal for organizing and adding style to a room
Mustard Made

Mustard Made is a woman-owned small business making the cutest storage lockers you've ever seen!

I have one in berry, and I love it oh so much! Its pieces simply lock into place and don't need to be screwed or hammered (the exception being the handles which need to be screwed on). I'm using mine to store towels and extra sheets since my apartment doesn't have a linen closet. It's such a bright pop of color that it makes me happy just to see it!

Promising review: "Oh, what a beauty this locker is! So pretty but also practical. A great size, bigger than I expected." —Vanessa Harpley

Get it from Mustard Made for $369 (available in 12 colors).

20. A 128-GB Apple iPad mini so you can work (online shop, doomscroll, watch YT videos, etc.) from anywhere! It's Apple Pen–compatible, which lets you get creative in Photoshop...OK, fine, Canva.

Person using an Apple iPad mini with a stylus, wearing a patterned sweater, sitting near a beach
Amazon

Promising review: "I absolutely love my iPad mini! It’s the perfect size for travel and daily use. The screen quality is crisp and vibrant, and the sound is surprisingly good for its size. I plug it up to my projector for movie nights, read on Kindle, and stream without any connectivity issues." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $489 (available in four colors)

21. A KitchenAid stand mixer with 10 speeds that'll literally ~whip~ up anything you need. It comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl that holds enough dough for a single batch of 9 dozen cookies. That bake sale won't know what hit 'em!

You'll get a coated flat beater, a wire whip, a coated spiral dough hook, and a pouring shield.

Promising review: "I bought this to replace my 17-year-old KitchenAid stand mixer that I had finally worked to death. (Actually, it wasn’t completely dead, just wheezing and coughing. A death rattle, if you ask me.) I am in love. It works just as well as the old one, and I adore the color (matte velvet blue). Here’s hoping that this one lasts me another 17 years." —Shannon C.

Get it from Amazon for $379.95 (available in 23 colors). 

22. A lightweight 22-inch Away suitcase perfect for that carry-on-only life. It offers interior compression to help make zipping it up a breeze (even if you maaaaybe slightly overpacked). This durable and drop-tested suitcase also features a TSA-approved combination lock, so you can feel a little more secure. It even comes with a separate laundry bag!

Promising review: "This is a nice-looking, small suitcase that is easy to load in the overhead bin. It has outside handles on the top, bottom, and side for easy grabbing/carrying. The wheels are smooth for easy motoring around an airport and other surfaces. I've used it about 4–5 times for short 1–3 night trips, and it seems pretty durable with no visible wear yet. I got a few scuffs, but was able to buff them away with a little paste cleaner and a microfiber towel (I misplaced the sponge that came with the bag). It came with a laundry bag, and I like the zippered compartments for organization." —robin r

Get it from Amazon for $275 (available in eight colors and in a bigger size). It's also available as a bundle with the fan-favorite Everywhere Bag for $473 if you've been eyeing both.

23. The Peloton Bike+ so you don't have to go outside and suffer through 100-degree days just to get some exercise in. Your air conditioned apartment is as good a gym as any! This new-and-improved version has a 360-degree swivel touchscreen, so you can easily transition from bike-riding to doing yoga on the floor.

Person in athletic wear using a Peloton bike at home, focused on the screen
Amazon

PSA: A Peloton All-Access Membership must be purchased separately in order to access Peloton content on your Bike+.

Promising reviews: "Great workout! Stable, sturdy, solid construction and a great workout. The monthly cost for the Peloton membership is well worth it, too!" —Shawna

"Love Peloton — why do I prefer it over a regular exercise bike? High-quality bike build (I’m a big guy: 6'4" and 270 pounds). The instructors are engaging, have great playlists, and offer a variety of different workouts. I am very competitive and enjoy pushing myself against others in real-time in classes. It makes the time go by quickly, and you have fun doing it! Great screen and functionality. It’s easy for the whole family to use. And it makes it easy to get your daily cardio in!" —epurice

Get it from Amazon for $2,695.

Related: "30 Wayfair Products To Make Your Backyard ~The~ Place To Be This Summer"

24. A Philips compact pasta maker, because, as much as you love pasta, you don't love the rolling-out-dough-by-hand process. This will make combining ingredients and getting the perfect shape soooo much easier. Homemade spaghetti? Yes, please!

It comes with shaping discs for spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, pappardelle, tagliatelle, angel hair, and lasagna. Plus, there's an included recipe book for meal inspiration. 

Promising review: "I was just as skeptical as you are. I, too, have been doing the old school — make the dough, roll it out, run it through a pasta machine, etc. — method. It's a production, all for AMAZING pasta. With this, you put the ingredients in, push a button, and watch for AMAZING pasta to be extruded. I had hoped I could multitask a bit more, but it extrudes so fast there isn't much time for other tasks between cutting it. But I think that seems reasonable. The other thing to consider is that you have to be VERY exact with the measurements of the ingredients. I've found weighing them works best. The recipes in the included book work great. Don't use other pasta recipes not developed for this machine unless you are up for some experimentation. The dough will be drier than the traditional method and has to be fed through the auger and extruded properly. So it also does take a bit longer to cook than traditional fresh pasta, but when it's done, it's that same amazing taste and texture!" —Conversio

Get it from Amazon for $213.89+ (available in black or white).

25. A super luxe and comfy X-Tech office chair designed with a cooling gel memory foam seat, intuitive lumbar support that adjusts to your body, and the ability to recline. This is the chair of the future. But it's available NOW. You can further customize it by adding heating/cooling and massage capabilities, as well as armrests with 360-degree swivels.

Model seated comfortably in ergonomic chair, using smartphone
Ergonomic office chair with high back and headrest behind a desk with a plant picture and computer monitor
X-Chair

Anthony Mazlish started this small business when he realized there weren't any businesses focusing on ergonomically designed chairs and other comfort products.

Promising reviews: "Best chair around. Worth the money. I have sat in many chairs over the years, and this is the best by far." —Eric H.

"Pricey, but comfortable. It's an investment." —Barry D. 

Get it from X-Chair for $1,383 (originally $1,845; available in 11 colors).

26. And when you're not working, consider this seriously splurge-worthy Joybird swivel recliner so cozy you'll snuggle up in it to read, but end up taking a nice little snooze. It's all-electric (you've got to plug it in), with buttons on its side so you don't have to recline manually. Which means you can adjust to the perfect angle. Also on its side: convenient USB-C and USB-A ports so you can charge your phone as you scroll through your FYP.

Cozy living room with a recliner chair, modern abstract art, a floor lamp, and a side table with plant decor; ideal for home relaxation
Plush, pink cushioned chair with wide armrests
Joybird, Taylor Steele /BuzzFeed

This is my new pride and joy. My pink velvet chair. It reclines. It swivels. It's big enough that I can sit crisscross applesauce on it. It's like sitting on an adjustable cloud that also has back support. Its rounded shape makes it look like a work of functional art. Which it is. I feel like the coolest queen on this cushioned throne.

Promising review: "This chair is really comfortable and reclines back completely. The fabric feels luxurious and soft." —Angela F.

Get it from Joybird for $1,271+ (available in lots of colors).

27. A uniquely built Blunt umbrella whose modular design allows it to be both durable and repair-friendly. Each of its four parts (canopy, frame, shaft, and handle) can be mended; Blunt even offers video tutorials on how to do it yourself! (Or you can send it in and have someone else do it.) Its canopy features 360-degree spinning tech so you don't have to worry about it getting knocked around when traversing narrow spaces.

Person in a gray suit holding a yellow umbrella in a subway station
Person holding a tennis-themed umbrella on a rainy court, wearing a cable knit sweater and skirt
Blunt

Blunt is a small business!

Promising review: "We live in the tropics and often have rain and extreme sunshine. As soon as I saw these, I knew I had to have one. I bought the small compact one; it’s so easy to take with me and have on hand for whenever I need it. Absolutely love it. Would highly recommend." —Diana C

Get it from Amazon for $119+ (available in 12 colors) and Blunt for $119 (available in 40+ colors).

28. A 10-inch HD digital picture frame that you can load up with pictures and videos so you can relive your favorite memories. Easily send media from your phone to the frame using the free Aura app!

Promising review: "We've had a few digital picture frames before the Aura, but this is the only one that lived up to our expectations. Both the frame and the software are very cleverly designed and easy to use. Since your photos and videos are stored in the cloud, there is no memory limit for its capacity. Adding, deleting, and editing content are very easy using the app. The picture reproduction is very good, and the ability to schedule its power state is clever. Highly recommended." —Mark D. Schnittman

Get it from Amazon for $140+ (available in eight styles).

29. A luxe BenchMade sleeper sofa with chaise and storage options to give your living room the ultimate makeshift guest room upgrade possible. If lounging is in your top three favorite things to do (and it's not number two or three on that list), then you need to splurge on this comfy and useful couch!

Green upholstered sectional sofa with a chaise, set in a cozy, brightly patterned room
Person lifting the storage lid of a stylish sofa bed in a modern, minimalist bedroom setting with large windows and a framed abstract art piece
Taylor Steele / BuzzFeed, BenchMade

When I say "splurge-worthy," I mean it. My luminous, green velvet sectional is a dream come true. It's soft and cozy and nap-worthy, too. It's got a pull-out mattress *and* secret storage in the chaise. That means I have a place to house extra sheets and pillows for guests who now also have a place to sleep when they come over! Win-win! 

Get it from BenchMade for $7,399+ (available in lots of color and upholstery options).

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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