The Top Items Our Readers Bought During the Holidays Last Year

Ever wonder what everyone else actually bought during the holiday season? We do too! To find out which products were most popular among readers last year, we took a look at which items were ordered the most. 

Note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Be sure to double-check holiday shipping dates, some items may be available for in-store pickup if they can't be shipped in time. 

Related: Popular Gifts Likely to Sell Out in 2020 (and What to Buy If You're Too Late)

$60 from Amazon
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Impressive noise-canceling headphones can run upward of $1,000; this pair is under $100 and has received an average of more than 4 stars from over 14,000 reviewers. These would be great for someone who works in a busy office, has a long bus commute, or travels frequently.

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$79 from Walmart 
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Here's the best Instant Pot deal we've seen this year, so if you're a holdout, it's time to consider pouncing. This handy kitchen workhorse makes cooking a breeze and can function as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and food warmer. It also boasts 14 one-touch smart cooking programs. 

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$50 from Amazon
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It's pretty easy to see why this has been a hot toy two years going — just looking at it makes us wish we were a child again. Not only will kids love it, but the whole thing gets stored neatly in a skull-shaped carrying case that parents are sure to appreciate as well.

$230 from Lowe's
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With a Roomba, you can kick back during holiday cleanup and all year long. With a three-stage cleaning system and dirt-detect sensors, this robot vacuum is smart enough to sweep up everything from the tiniest dust particles to larger debris.

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$400 from Target
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Show pet hair you mean business with this Dyson, which features a tangle-free turbine to better trap and remove pet hair, as well as whole-machine HEPA filtration to keep that dust and dander on lockdown. The cleaner head automatically adjusts between hard floors and carpet.

Related: Fun and Useful Gifts for Dog-Obsessed Humans

$20 from Amazon
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From the creators of the satirical web comic The Oatmeal comes this strategic but zany game that's great for kids and adults. Already got it? Check out the expansion packs: Imploding Kittens and Streaking Kittens.

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$90 from Target
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Cold temperatures don't need to spell the end of grilling. This indoor model heats up to 450 degrees and has a smoke-capture fan that keeps the air in your kitchen pristine. A nonstick coating and dishwasher safe parts make cleanup a breeze.

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$30 from Amazon
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Whether the chef in your life is a novice or a pro, these vibrant knives will liven up their kitchen. Backed by a lifetime warranty, they have a nonstick coating and come with protective slides.

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$130 from Walmart
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There's a reason AirPods are so popular: Devotees say the sound quality is great, the comfort is top-notch, and the charging case is ultra-convenient. They also seamlessly integrate with iPhones and have built-in Siri.

Related: 13 Perfectly Good Wireless Earphones Way Cheaper Than AirPods

$19 from Amazon
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Be the hero in your favorite toddler's life by gifting this plush puppet that plays the "Baby Shark" song (doo doo doo doo doo doo). The tempo slows or speeds up depending on how fast you move the mouth.

Related: 50 Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids

$344 from Walmart
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This super-affordable laptop has an Intel Celeron N3060 Dual-Core processor, 2 GB of RAM memory, Chrome OS, a 16 GB hard drive, and a 12-hour battery life. It also comes with a 1-year limited hardware warranty and 24/7 technical assistance available online or toll-free by phone.

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$11 from Amazon
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Everyone is all about building a better booty these days, and resistance exercise bands are an easy, inexpensive way to work out at home. This set comes highly rated and includes a carry bag and access to online workout videos.

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$56 from Amazon
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Even the old-school holdout can join the modern world with this wireless speaker that pairs with smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. But it still receives AM/FM radio stations, and the carved walnut case makes it look like a long-treasured heirloom.

Related: Gift Ideas for Music Lovers

$25 from Amazon
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A completely revised 20th anniversary edition that promises "simple recipes for great food," Mark Bittman's cookbook classic is a practical gift that's made appearances on Amazon's hourly ranking of "movers & shakers" that have risen in sales.

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$20 from JCPenney
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Cooking can't get any easier with a slow cooker on hand. This one includes a removable stoneware pot that can be used as a serving dish, and it's also dishwasher safe.

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$15 from Amazon
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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 such as screws, nails, bolts, and drill bits, making home improvement that much easier.

$99 from Amazon
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Big sound can come in a very small package: The Bose SoundLink Micro Speaker is under 4 inches square. Users can loop the attached strap onto their bag and pair the speaker with a phone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled device for music wherever they go. It's waterproof and works with Siri and Google Assistant.

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$66 from Amazon
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Make anyone feel like a mixologist with this classy set that comes with a double-lever corkscrew, ice tongs, a double-sided jigger, and a rust-proof shaker. The whole set is neatly and stylishly displayed in a bamboo base.

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$110 from Amazon
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This price for a coffee cup may seem steep, but this is one smart cup that the caffeine junkie in your life will appreciate. It keeps your coffee at the exact temperature you want it, can be controlled via smartphone, comes with a charging coaster, and is safe to hand wash.

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$15 from Amazon
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Yootech's chargers consistently get stellar ratings from Amazon buyers, and this new model is no exception. Its two-coil design allows for a wider charging area, and you can charge horizontally or vertically in the upright stand, which also lets you continue to use your phone while the product does its job.

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$18 from Amazon
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This puppy knows more than 60 songs, melodies, sounds, and phrases that teach numbers, colors, and parts of the body. Of course, it also knows puppy sounds. With bright colors and a light-up nose, this puppy can keep your baby’s attention for a long time while teaching them concepts and words. 

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$95 from Amazon
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If their dog or cat is an escape artist, the Whistle 3 will be the best friend's new best friend. It uses GPS to pinpoint location, and sends notifications to a phone if a pet leaves their designated area. The waterproof unit even monitors exercise and rest to ensure pets are staying healthy.

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$13 from Amazon
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Reunite the gang from "Frozen 2" and create wonderful jewelry with this necklace activity set. It includes five rubber charms of characters from the film, and 150 beads to make five different necklaces. Each has an easy closure. Take kids into the world of creativity ... into the unknown.

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$57 from Amazon
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If you want precision when it comes to cooking meat, a digital thermometer is a smart purchase. This one is wireless so you can monitor it from anywhere.

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$48 from Target
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Ditching cable is easier than ever with this Roku device and its easy access to thousands of streaming channels, from Netflix and Hulu to YouTube and PBS Kids. The device is compatible with 4K TVs and has a long-range wireless receiver that does the trick even when your router is far away.

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$9 from Amazon
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Make bath time even more fun for the baby or toddler in your life with this four-piece set of floating "bubbles." Two contain colorful characters and two encase whirly toys that spin and rattle.

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$26 from Amazon
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Oculus Quest it is not, but this gadget ranks as one of Amazon's bestselling cellphone VR headsets and has an average rating of 4.3 stars.

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$20 from Amazon
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This hardcover book is the work of Joel Sartore, a National Geographic photographer who's on a quest to document the world's animals through portraiture. The book includes a forward by actor Harrison Ford.

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Starting at $7 from Amazon
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An eco-friendly stocking stuffer, this set of reusable straight and angled stainless steel straws includes two lengths sized perfectly for 20- and 30-ounce tumblers. Two nylon-bristled cleaning brushes are included.

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$15 from Amazon
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A simple, fast, fun game for two to eight players, Codenames teams up spymasters and agents who use one-word clues to guess their allies and avoid their enemies. And there's an assassin lurking to torpedo the whole game.

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$18 from Amazon
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With notes of pine, orange, cinnamon, cypress, and fir, this is one candle that's sure to get lit the second it's unwrapped.

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$70 from Amazon
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Explore new heights with friends and family using this quadcopter drone. It comes with an HD camera so users can record and watch their own adventure. It also features voice- and gesture-control.

$25 from Amazon
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The ladybug doll cries real tears and makes realistic baby noises when you take away her pacifier, but cheers right up when you cuddle her or lay her down for a nap.

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$80 from Walmart
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Here’s a hot gift, literally. This 1-inch flat iron has ceramic heating plates to tame frizzy tresses and make hair styling a cinch. It’s got an 11-foot swivel cord that’ll stay out of your way while you’re doing your ’do, and a dual-voltage switch so you can bring it along when you travel.

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$35 from Amazon
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Why should serving utensils be a mismatched afterthought? Class up your kitchen in a serious way with this six-piece set that includes a slotted turner, slotted spoon, basting spoon, spatula, whisk, and tongs.

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$249 from Walmart 
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A dune racer beside the Christmas tree will wow any kid, and this Power Wheels Dune Racer can do it for less. Riders can cruise at up to 5 mph forward and 2.5 mph in reverse. There are also power-lock brakes and an under-the-hood storage compartment.

$10 from Amazon
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They’re flower dolls. Just add water to the top of their pots and a Blume doll will bloom, emerging from the pot with a bright floral-themed, beehive hairdo. Each doll has more than 10 surprises including a mini friend, a sticker sheet, and fashion accessories, plus hairstyles and outfits you can mix and match. There are 22 Blume dolls to collect.

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$30 from Walmart
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Racing cars and tracks have been entertaining kids (and adults) for decades, and this Walmart exclusive is expected to be on a lot of wish lists this year. Give your NASCAR racers a quick charge, then let them loose on the figure-eight track to zip around, narrowly avoiding each other in the Crash Zone. But if disaster strikes, no worries: The racers are designed to break apart and be reassembled in seconds to keep the racing excitement going.

$50 from Target  
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Print wirelessly and quickly from phones, computers, and other devices with this compact Canon Pixma printer, capable of two-sided printing. It also functions as a scanner and copier.

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$50 from Amazon
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The durable Fire 7 allows users easy access to books, games, favorite shows, the weather, and more. It has a full-color display, dual-band Wi-Fi, and up to eight hours of battery life. 

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$60 from Target
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Don't get caught without a place for holiday guests to sleep. This Serta airbed will keep them comfortable with 35 comfort coils, a convenient 16-inch height, and an antimicrobial surface. The built-in air pump makes setup a snap.

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$7 from Target
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This classic piece of Americana makes a great, inexpensive gift for a co-worker. "Will the boss let us go home early today?" "Outlook good."

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$18 from Amazon
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One of the most well-known flashlight manufacturers, Maglite makes its entire product line in the U.S. The 272-lumen Mini Maglite Pro, crafted from diamond-knurled aluminum, is a great stocking stuffer for anyone who needs a reliable flashlight to stash in a kitchen drawer or glove box.

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$28 from Walmart 
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No more need to search the house with mounting frustration for that one tool you need to do the job. This kit packs everything into one place, including a hammer, pliers, wrench, tape measure, screwdriver and hex key sets, scissors, and more.

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$8 from Amazon
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Keep that phone bone-dry during aquatic adventures with this submersible waterproof pouch, compatible with most smartphones under 6 inches. It's even touchscreen-friendly, and comes with a handy detachable lanyard.

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$25 from Amazon
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Everyone sometimes needs a little extra energy in the morning, and music often does the trick. Save someone from balancing a smartphone precariously somewhere near the shower by presenting a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. This one from VicTsing attaches to a shower wall with a suction cup and has a hook for hanging on the shower curtain rod.

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$13 from Amazon
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Electric wine bottle openers take up too much counter space. The kind that waiters use often require a dexterity that not everyone can handle. This model gets high marks from reviewers for its ease of use and durability.

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$32 from Amazon
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This set of Joseph Joseph nesting bowls and measuring cups will help brighten someone's day and keep a cabinet of baking essentials organized, too. It includes a large mixing bowl, colander, sieve, small mixing bowl, four measuring cups, and even a handy tablespoon. All pieces except the sieve can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

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$90 from Amazon
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A new set of high-quality knives is always appreciated by a home chef. If you're not ready to spend too much, try this popular Emojoy 15-piece set for less than $100. The block is available in three wood options. 

Related: Memorable Experiences Worth Giving This Holiday Season

$36 from Amazon
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They'll feel stress melt away when they drape this heated wrap around their shoulders. Zap it in the microwave for cozy comfort, or chill it in the freezer to use it as an ice pack. Enjoy the added benefit of aromatherapy from the blend of lavender, chamomile, peppermint, cinnamon, and more.

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