The Top Items Our Readers Have Bought on Amazon This Holiday Season

It's no secret that Cheapism readers love shopping on Amazon, particularly during the holidays. To find out what is most popular, we took a look at what they've been buying since the shopping season kicked off with Prime Day in October. No surprise that trendy Star Wars toys are at the top of the list — toys of all sort are popular — but readers also made practical purchases like home security systems and personal tech. Read on for a closer look at the most popular products so far this holiday season.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

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$60
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Star Wars-themed toys are hot this holiday, and this robotic Baby Yoda (aka The Child, for those of you who don't watch "The Mandalorian") has been THE sellout sensation of the season. Yoda knows how to make 25 sounds and gestures, plus he can wiggle his ears, move his arms and head, and open and close his eyes.

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$7
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Another big seller this season, this Melissa & Doug creative toy comes 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.

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$150
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Amazon's all-new tablet is its largest ever, with 10.1 inches of screen space. In addition to the features included in smaller Fire tables, it has a 30% faster processor, up to 12 hours of battery life, enhanced Wi-Fi, and a USB-C outlet for faster charging. It comes in black, plum, twilight blue, and white.

$229
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Loophole alert! There's a way to make a vacuum a perfectly acceptable gift: Get a robotic model, like this Roomba, so they won't have to lift a finger. They can clean and schedule using the iRobot app on their phone, and the three-stage cleaning system and dirt-detect sensors mean their helper is smart enough to handle everything from tiny dust particles to larger debris.

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$30
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Sure, they're growing and getting closer and closer to the adult versions of themselves, but letting your teens release stress and anxiety with a little immaturity never hurt anyone. Reviewers say this game is a blast for the whole family. 

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Price: $40
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This is an older version of Amazon's streaming media stick but it still allows you to watch Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO, and more. With Alexa voice control functionality, you can also use it to check the weather, dim lights, stream music, and more.

$43 and up
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How much do Cheapism readers love this hair brush? Enough to make it the most-purchased item on Amazon so far this holiday season — and that was before it was deeply discounted for Cyber Monday. Reviewers say it makes salon-perfect hair attainable at home and is far easier to manage than a traditional hair dryer.

$129
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The popular 23andMe DNA testing kits were a top seller during the 2019 holiday season, and readers have made it a popular gift this year, too. Keep an eye peeled: Occasionally, the kit is marked down to $99.

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$80
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If you know a puzzle addict, a dedicated puzzle board is a thoughtful gift because it will let them take back their kitchen table. Four integrated sliding drawers help with sorting and storage, and they can move the board wherever they want to work. Looking for a cheaper option? A puzzle roll is even more portable.

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$350
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The Bartesian was one of Oprah’s favorite things last year, and this year, the pandemic has kept many people away from bars and restaurants. Lately, the price has been falling on this admittedly cool Keurig-like machine, so watch for sales.

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$220
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There are earbuds and then there are Apple AirPods. These top-of-the-line earbuds are a perennial bestseller at Amazon (98,000 reviews and counting). They’ve got active noise canceling so he can tune out the world when he needs to focus on important stuff, such as remote classwork (or talking with his buddies). They come with a charging case for up to 24 hours of battery life, and they’re water-resistant.

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$45
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This compact lens is a great option for anyone who wants to up their photo game without toting around a bulky camera. It comes with a wide-angle lens for impressive landscapes, a macro lens perfect for close-ups, and an LED it claims to improve a phone's flash. Best of all, both clip right onto smartphones, and come with a lanyard and travel case.

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$18
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Cut the cord on the cheap with Amazon's new budget-priced streaming media stick. With Alexa voice control functionality, you can also use it to check the weather, dim lights, stream music, and more. One feature the Lite version lacks: It cannot control a TV and receiver. 

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$45
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There are bigger, flashier versions of the Echo Show, but buyers love this compact little dynamo. It includes a 5.5-inch display that's ideal for entertainment, video calling, and simply seeing your day's activities at a glance. As always, Alexa can control all your smart-home devices, tell you the weather, and answer all of life's other pressing questions.

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$11 
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Nothing is worse than sitting down to enjoy a steaming mug of fresh coffee, only to be called away for a Zoom conference or to help with homework. You won't have to worry about your drink getting cold with this gadget. Just plug it in, turn it on, and place your mug on the non-stick base to keep that beverage nice and hot.

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$180
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Amazon aggressively has been selling smart-home and home-security devices all season long, and little wonder buyers have been snapping them up. This two-camera Blink Outdoor system offers features including motion detection, two-way audio, and cloud storage.

$30
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Amazon updated their entire line of Alexa-enabled Echo smart speakers this year with cool new designs, including the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen). The rounded, globe shape is great for sound, and you can stream music from a slew of popular services including Spotify, SiriusXM, Amazon Music and even Apple Music. Like prior versions, you can call up Alexa for assistance when needed from the smart speaker.

$13
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Know someone with a green thumb? Give 'em one of these 3-in-1 soil meters, and they'll never over- or under-water their houseplants again. While they're at it, they can check soil pH levels and measure sunlight levels to ensure their plants are always happy.

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$66
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Crock Pot may be best known for their iconic slow cookers, but Cheapism readers also love the brand for their enameled cast-iron cookware. This Dutch oven is available in a half-dozen colors and in 5- and 7-quart capacities.

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$18
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Who said you need fancy technology to make cool stuff? Create imagery without using a camera: Just place objects on the photo-sensitive paper, expose to sunlight, then rinse with water. 

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$200
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Buying for someone with limited outdoor space? They can bring their grilling game inside with this Ninja Foodi that can also air fry, bake, and roast. Smoke-control technology will keep their smoke detector happy, and nonstick parts are removable and easy to clean.

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$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? Your RVers can jot it all down. There's also a maintenance log section in the back.

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Price: $130
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The 300 ppi Kindle Paperwhite provides a crisp, clean 6-inch display, and the battery provides weeks of juice. There's also a built-in light that's adjustable for reading in any environment, no matter how bright or dim.

$200
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The new Echo Studio works just like any other Echo device, but also includes five speakers for immersive sound, an acoustic sensor that adapts the sound to any room, and some privacy protections, including a "microphone off" button. 

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$20
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From the creators of the satirical webcomic The Oatmeal comes this fun, fast-paced game that's great for kids and adults. It's been a popular gift item all year long, especially during the holiday shopping season.

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$7
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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. If this brand is sold out, look for other highly rated options; there's not much difference with a product this basic.

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$15
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Times are trying. Maybe you need a stiff drink. Or perhaps you know a gun enthusiast who needs that drink. Either way, this shot glass is on target with readers, who have been buying these left and right for much of 2020.

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$120
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Want to relieve someone’s aches and pains, but without spending hundreds on a Hypervolt or Theragun? The F1Pro gets enthusiastic reviews, and it has a convertible head with six attachments that are each suited for a common pain point. A rechargeable battery offers up to four hours of use.

$55
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Half the nation has been hunched over in their home offices since March, so this heated massager could be a big hit for plenty of folks in your life. It has eight deep-kneading nodes, and it’s easy to adjust the heat level, speed, and direction.

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$13
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With so many of us stuck at home for so much of the time, is it any wonder that people are turning to puzzles and other games to stay occupied and mentally engaged? Kanoodle promises 200 puzzles and brain teasers to test your reasoning and logic, and it's suitable for the whole family.

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