Spring may be the time of year for getting out and about, but pleanty of people are still spending their time shopping online in record numbers. We took a look at Amazon sales data to find out what Cheapism readers' favorite buys of 2021 are (so far); the results are listed in order of descending popularity.
Prices and availability are subject to change. Some items may only be available from third-party sellers.
$10
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This simple product was by far the most popular among Cheapism readers in 2020 — and it's still the top seller in 2021. Pop one, two, or even three of these in the dryer along with a load of laundry and you'll never go back to using fabric softener sheets again. That's the enthusiastic consensus from buyers on Amazon, who praise this set of six New Zealand-made wool dryer balls as a scent-free, organic alternative to chemical dryer sheets. Keep an eye on the price, though; we've seen this selling for less than $9 and as much as $15 in the recent past.
Related: Do Wool Dryer Balls Really Work as Well as Dryer Sheets?
$8
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Yeah, we know, summer's on its way... but winter will be back sooner or later. A multiwick candle can give off a surprising amount of heat and light if you're stranded in cold weather). This soy-wax candle can burn for 36 hours and comes in a reusable aluminum tin.
Related: 21 Things to Keep in Your Car For Safe Winter Driving
$7
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Don't let your cleaning blitz ignore the things that you and your family probably use as much or more than anything else in the house: your computers. Keyboards are incredibly gross but hard to clean — at least they used to be. This innovative and highly effective cleaning gel makes any keyboard like new, and the biodegradable gel won't stick to your hands or your computer. One reviewer wrote: "I was skeptical at first. Was afraid my keyboard would be all gummed up with yellow slime! The opposite, it cleaned it as good as new."
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$25
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Bring the drive-thru home with a morning sandwich maker. The dishwasher-safe set takes your own fresh ingredients — like eggs, English muffins, ham, bagels, or sausage — and turns them into an effort-free breakfast of champions.
$15
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Ditch the smelly poufs and rough loofahs with this Japanese-made exfoliating towel. The lathering, exfoliating threads soften skin without irritation. As one user says: "It's made my whole body so smooth, I feel like a dolphin."
Related: Guilty Pleasure Purchases to Treat Yourself Right Now
$15 for 10
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While N95 masks are still mostly reserved for health care workers, KN95s are gaining popularity as an alternative for average Joes, especially as COVID-19 variants emerge.
Related: Masks and Mask Accessories to Make Covering Your Face More Comfortable
$19
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Clip-on reading lights can be awkward, and bedside lamps can be too bright for a sleeping partner. This flexible alternative goes around the neck, directing light exactly where you need it, and its rechargeable battery can last for weeks.
$8.50
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If the cold weather means your rings are slipping and sliding all over the place, these silicone adjusters are a quick, unobtrusive way to fix the problem without resorting to resizing.
$12
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One of the most recognizable children's books of all time has always been ripe for parody, so "Goodnight Zoom" was a tale just waiting to happen. Everything from homemade bread to a pile of delivery boxes makes an appearance in this zany time-capsule read.
$18 and up
New garage doors might not be in the budget, but you can fake a swanky upgrade with these hinges and handles, made to mimic that carriage-door look. They're made of weather-resistant plastic, and magnetic backs mean absolutely no drilling is required — just stick 'em on.
Related: 5 Projects That Boost Home Value — and 5 Cheap Alternatives
$13
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Beautifully illustrated and compiled by the experts at National Geographic, this book spells out "Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do" for the traveler in your life. From Louisiana swamp tours to the world's longest yard sale, the book reveals some of the greatest hidden treasures in the U.S.
$10
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This handsome book allows RVers to catalog their memories and make notes of things they liked — or didn't — about specific campgrounds. Were the bathrooms dirty? Did the camp store have tons of good stuff? Travelers can jot it all down. There's also a maintenance log section in the back.
$13
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Cheapism readers must drink a lot of hot beverages because they made this the No. 2 seller in 2020... and it's still a hot item this year. Why spend more than $100 on one of those fancy "smart" coffee mugs that promises to keep your beverage piping hot when you could buy one of these low-tech mug warmers and put the savings toward buying more coffee?
$15
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Warning: This photo book of beautifully styled house plants will make any plant lover want to run out and buy more plants. But it also offers great advice on topics like where to place those plants for optimal health, how to propagate, how to find the right pot, and more.
Price: $9
Nothing dates a room faster than dinged-up wood furniture. Fill in all those "oops" moments with furniture markers and crayons. They come in six blendable colors and include wax filler crayons for those really deep gouges.
$33
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These stainless-steel bowls are a worthy, long-lasting upgrade if you're still using plastic. They nest to take up less space in the cabinet, have non-slip silicone bottoms, and come with air-tight lids so they can be used for food storage.
$7
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With 125 notes kids can “write” with a wooden stylus, revealing a rainbow of color underneath. Not even the artist knows what the final picture will look like, which is a lot of the fun of scratch art.
$20
Phone mounts generally go either on the dashboard or the fan vent. The first clutters up the dash and distracts from the rather important stuff happening on the other side of the windshield. The second prevents the vents from blowing hot or cold air into the passenger compartment, and freezes or bakes your phone in the process. This style has a much smaller footprint and allows you to mount a phone facing forward in the tiniest of gaps by the controls/display — right where you need it but out of the way.
$22
The seller describes this as "an umbrella that defies the logic of Mother Nature." We're not quite sure what that's supposed to mean, but we do know Cheapism readers have been buying these aplenty. Just a hair under 12 inches long and weighing 15 ounces, this teflon-coated travel umbrella is the perfect size for travel.
$24
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If you're a car buff (or know someone who is), this coffee-table book is sure to get your motor running. Learn about 130 years of automotive history; drool over gorgeous images of iconic cars like the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, Ford Model T, and Lamborghini Countach; and discover the people who built classics like these vehicle.
Related: 20 Must-Haves for Your Car You Didn't Know You Needed
$16
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A magnetic wristband is like a third hand during any DIY project. This one has 10 strong magnets that corral things like screws, nails, bolts, and drill bits, making home improvement that much easier.
Related: DIY in the USA: Tools That Are Still Made in America
$9
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It's the purr-fect desk accessory for any cat dad or cat mom who's always reaching for a sticky note. This plastic feline accommodates 3-inch-square, accordion-style stickies, always keeping a sheet at the ready.
Related: Cute and Clever Desk Accessories to Make Working at Home Less Awful
$15
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Do you have a green thumb and a house full of plants? With this 3-in-1 soil meter, you'll never over- or under-water their houseplants again. This device also checks soil pH levels and measures sunlight levels.
$21
Cabinetry is never cheap, especially if you splash out on custom lighting, too. But why not add that little luxury to your existing cabinets for less than the price of a few light bulbs? These pre-cut LED strips come with a wireless remote control that has a timer, a dimmer, and a 60-foot range.
$17
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Sure, this can be used as a propagation station, but when not in use for that, it makes a lovely spot for fresh-cut flowers and other cuttings.
Related: Where to Buy Plants Online
$20
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A no-touch infrared thermometer like this one can be a useful addition to a home first-aid kit. Buyers like the sleek appearance, large digital display, and ease of use. Requires two AAA batteries.
Related: These Infrared Thermometers Can Check Temperatures Without Contact
$15
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Whether you’re trying to tame a cluttered garage, pantry, or basement, wall-mounted storage like this organizer can be especially helpful. It has five slots for brooms, rakes, and other handled tools, plus six hooks for everything else.
$9
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Put a stop to under-door drafts, light leaks, dust, and bugs with this silicone, adhesive-backed rubber strip. It measures 39 inches long, can be trimmed with scissors, and is available in four colors.
$23
Wary of spending your hard-earned money on an electronics brand you've probably never heard of? Don't be — especially for the price. AndroidCentral notes that Xiaomi is the second-largest maker of wearables in the world, and says there's "very little to fault" when it comes to the Mi Band 3. You'll even get heart-rate monitoring, which comes with a higher price tag on a Fitbit, while features such as water resistance and activity tracking are similar.
$19
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This game includes 100 questions that are meant to deepen a relationship. Sample queries include: "What's something you've tried that you'll never, ever try again?" and "What's your idea of a perfect vacation and how can we make it happen?"
$12
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With people still cooking at home more than ever, is it a surprise that food storage containers sold like hotcakes (pardon the pun) last year and this year? Pop one of these refillable filters in your crisper drawer and keep fruits and veggies fresher longer.
Related: The Best Food Storage Containers You Can Buy, According to Amazon Reviews
$15
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Made with natural waxes, this "invisible boot" can protect your furry friend's tender paws from pain and cracking in snow and salt in the winter, or hot pavement or sand in the summer. Users say it's easy to apply and blot off any excess.
Related: The Coolest Pet Tech Devices You Didn't Know You Needed
$40
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Unlike bulky binoculars, this BAK4 prism-equipped monocular 6x30 viewing scope can be easily balanced and stabilized with just one hand. The high-definition optical glass provides clear, crisp images through the no-slip grip device, which can be used with or without glasses.
$50
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Help them de-stress without worrying about whether their favorite scent is woodsy or fruity, fresh or floral. This massager is one of the top picks in a crowded category on Amazon. It has four deep-kneading, rotating nodes, plus soothing heat and an automatic 20-minute shutoff for safety.
$340
This bike may not include the myriad of bells and whistles and included apps found with other higher-priced machines, but it gets high marks from reviewers who say it feels well-built and of solid quality at a good price for those who just want to ride. Cage pedals, transportation wheels, and adjustable resistance are all included.
Related: Pricey Stationary Bikes and Treadmills — and Cheaper Alternatives
