Cheaper Alternatives to Popular Products That Won't Disappoint

Some products inspire a fanatical devotion among fans — but that makes them an easy target for other companies who want a piece of the pie. Often, knockoffs and lookalikes suffer in comparison to the product they imitate, but in some rare cases, they manage to offer equal or better performance for a fraction of the price. Here are our favorite tried-and-true cheaper alternatives to some of the most beloved buys out there, including a TikTok-approved Target soap with a copycat scent.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: The Definitive List of Things You Never Need to Buy

$7

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Try instead of: Le Labo Hand Soap, $27

Social media sites like TikTok have been all abuzz lately over Target's Method Aluminum Gel Hand Soap in the Vetiver + Amber scent because it smells just like luxe brand Le Labo's expensive version. Reviewers say the inexpensive soap is musky and woodsy, and many beg Target to make the scent in other products like lotion and detergent.

Related: 25 Target Brand Products That Shoppers Love

$17
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Try it instead of: Yeti Rambler, $35

If the 1,300+ happy reviews on Walmart's site aren't enough to convince you, there are plenty of firsthand tests that say the same: The Ozark Trail Tumbler keeps drinks just as cold for just as long as the Yeti. One downside: You can't toss Walmart's cup in the dishwasher, but that's a concession we'd make in exchange for the modest price tag.

Related: These Walmart Tumblers Rival Yeti's at Fraction of the Price

$26 

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Try it instead of: JanSport SuperBreak, $36

JanSport's SuperBreak has become an icon of the backpack world: It's simple, it comes in a massive array of colors and patterns, and it's got legendary durability. But for about half the price, the AmazonBasics Classic Backpack offers the same sleek look and adds side pockets the JanSport doesn't have. Reviewers say it holds up to plenty of abuse, calling it surprisingly sturdy for the price.

$61
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Try it instead of: Le Creuset Dutch Oven, $400

They're both made of enameled cast iron, oven-safe up to 500 degrees, and will look classic on your stove while dinner bubbles away. So why pay nearly six times the price for Le Creuset? We're honestly not sure. Testers at The Kitchn are fans of the Lodge, too. "In terms of value, nothing comes close," they say, noting that their beef bourguignon was delicious no matter which pot it was cooked in.

Related: 30 Kitchen Tools That Are Built to Last

$6

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Try it instead of: The Original BeautyBlender, $20

The BeautyBlender may be "the first, the best, the original," but count us among the legions of buyers who don't want to pay more than the price of our foundation for a simple makeup sponge. L'Oreal's version inspires similar raves about how evenly it applies liquid makeup without streaking, but you can get three for the price of one BeautyBlender.

$550

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Try it instead of: Herman Miller Aeron, $1,320

Sure, the Herman Miller Aeron is an office-furniture icon, but can your back tell the difference as much as your wallet will be able to? Happy reviewers say this WorkPro chair comes extremely close to its much pricier brethren, with similar breathable mesh fabric and plenty of adjustability. The Aeron's warranty is two years longer, but for the savings, we'll take our chances.

Related: 15 Stylish Office Chairs That Won't Break the Budget (or Your Back)

$35 for 24 balls

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Try them instead of: Titleist ProV1 golf balls, $50 for 12 balls

Many of Costco's Kirkland products have inspired a fanatical devotion from shoppers, and its golf balls are no exception: Just look at the staggering number of positive reviews (nearly 2,000 at last count) and score of 4.7 stars out of 5. Experts have compared Kirkland and Titleist balls directly and found that Kirkland outperformed its name-brand rival at a fraction of the price.

$237

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Try it instead of: KitchenAid Artisan Tilt Head Stand Mixer, $450

Hamilton Beach's stand mixer doesn't have the KitchenAid's fancy attachments, nor does it come in its rainbow of colors. But if you just want a mixer for its primary job, mixing, and don't need a precise color match for your kitchen, happy owners say this one gets the job done equally well, and for much less. The 400-watt motor is plenty powerful, and you get two more mixing speeds.

$269

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Try it instead of: All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set, $700

All-Clad might be the gold standard for foodies, but if you're looking for a quality alternative that won't leave such a hole in your wallet, Tramontina comes highly recommended in expert tests. For instance, while Serious Eats says All-Clad is the better performer, "differences were minimal" and in no way justify the price difference. "You cannot beat it for price and performance," raves one of the Tramontina set's happy owners. Just like All-Clad, it's backed by a lifetime warranty.

$25

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Try it instead of: Artek Aalto Stool e60, $425

Finnish designer Alvar Aalto's graceful, minimalist stool has inspired countless imitators over the years. One of the most notable? The modestly priced Kyrre, churned out by none other than Swedish megastore Ikea. If you don't mind the Kyrre's limited color choices (and at this price, you can certainly grab a can of paint), reviewers are more than happy with this hackable, stackable design.

Around $20 for 1.75 liters at Costco stores
Try it instead of: Grey Goose Vodka, $45

If you're lucky enough to live in a state where you can buy booze at Costco, Kirkland Signature vodka is called a must by customers. Testers at The Kitchn prefer the French variety, even ranking it above pricier bottles of Chopin, Reyka, Ketel One, and Grey Goose. In fact, Grey Goose is often compared with Kirkland vodka, and there are long-standing rumors they're actually the same. But Kirkland is roughly half the price.

$159

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Try it instead of: Vitamix A2300, $500

Vitamix has long set the bar for anyone who needs a powerful blender, but happy Ninja Chef owners say they've got comparable quality at a much friendlier price tag. Both blenders have a 1,500-watt motor, a digital timer, and variable speed control, but the Ninja Chef has a bigger pitcher and 10 presets for confusion-free blending, plus a food processor and to-go cups. We have to hand it to Vitamix when it comes to the warranty, though: You'll get 10 years with it, versus one year with the Ninja Chef.

$23

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Try them instead of: Birkenstock Arizona Sandals, $110

Target has always been a go-to for "cheap chic" fashion, and its Mad Love Keava Footbed Sandals have all that casual Birkenstock style for a fourth of the price. Like their more expensive inspiration, they have a flexible EVA sole, and owners say they're much comfier than their price would suggest.

$39

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Try it instead of: Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Jacket, $199

Made with PrimaLoft insulation, Patagonia's wind- and water-resistant Nano Puff jacket is a lightweight base layer perfect for the great outdoors. But if you don't need trail-worthy tech, Amazon's Packable Puffer offers similar benefits, including polyester insulation without the fancy name. It's also just as compressible for travel.

Related: The Best Cold-Weather Gear on Amazon

$70

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Try it instead of: Ugg Classic Short II Boots, $170

Love 'em or hate 'em, sheepskin-lined Uggs have had remarkable staying power, likely because of legendary comfort. Lookalikes abound, but some of the best are Bearpaws. Enthusiastic owners praise their comfort, warmth, and copycat style that's nearly indistinguishable from the real thing — and they come in a ton of colors.

Related: 24 Walmart Products That Shoppers Love

$319 

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Try it instead of: Big Green Egg, large, $999

Grill masters across the country swell with pride when they show off their Big Green Eggs, but now that the market has caught on to kamado grilling, other brands are churning out similar grills for much less. One that earns raves is the Akorn Kamado Kooker, which even comes with an easy-dump ash pan and prep cart that the Big Green Egg lacks. It also has a bigger cooking surface.

$60

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Try it instead of: Pottery Barn Vintage Round Mirror, brass, $399

Pottery Barn may be the go-to for a large set of design mavens, but when you get down to it, there's no reason to overpay for a mirror. Target shoppers have gone gaga over the similarly sized $70 round brass mirror from the store's Project 62 home-decor line. The on-trend piece has inspired hundreds of happy reviews. As one buyer points out, it's "literally one-fifth the cost of similar mirrors I've found elsewhere." Ahem.

$23

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Try it instead of: Davek Solo, $115

The much-lauded Davek Solo comes with a lifetime warranty, but let's face it: Most people can't fathom spending $115 on an umbrella. For comparable quality at a fraction of the price, try the Repel — Wirecutter recommends it above the much pricier Davek, and it's similarly lightweight, compact, and wind-resistant. The best part: It comes with its own lifetime warranty.

$290 and up

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Try it instead of: Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler, $375 and up

Just like its tumblers, Yeti's coolers have become something of a phenomenon for their ability to keep ice frozen and food or drinks cold for days. But RTIC makes a line of similarly constructed lookalikes that give them a run for their money. Tests of the RTIC 65 and the Yeti Tundra 65 have found the RTIC actually holds more ice and keeps it frozen longer, and buyers who've used both say they can barely tell the difference. Note: Some colors are cheaper than others.

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