We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A Simple Modern tumbler as an alternative to the popular, expensive, and very difficult-to-get-your-hands-on Stanley version. This has all the key features you need: ~aesthetic~ colors, keeps drinks cold for hours, and fits in a cup holder.
Multiple reviewers said they find themselves drinking more water when they have a straw, and the fact that it's so dang cute doesn't hurt either!
Promising review: "Please do not run out to Targé and waste your money on a Stanley IF you’re only using a cup for ice/cold drinks. This cup is just as good and far more affordable. I put ice in my cup over 24 hours ago during my shift at the hospital, and there is still ice in the cup! This product is BEYOND worth it at this price point. You won’t be disappointed. If the cup isn’t in your cart at this point, I don’t know what’s wrong with you: GET IT! 😂" —Marie
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 42 colors/patterns). Also available in a style without the handle!
2. And a Takeya water bottle that keeps your drinks so cold you'll be skipping the Hydro Flask trend and instead buying a few of these in different colors (without even spending more than you would if you bought one Hydro Flask).
Both bottles are made with food-grade stainless-steel and BPA-free plastics, and can keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours. The Tayeka can keep hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours, while the Hydro Flask can keep hot drinks hot for up to six hours.
Promising review: "I have purchased insulated water bottles costing much more than the Takeya brand. I've tried Hydroflask, Yeti, Kleen Kanteen, and Camelbak. I wanted a larger size for the golf course, and since I was worried about losing it, purchased this less expensive Takeya brand. I am AMAZED! This water bottle has outperformed all of the expensive brands I have tried previously. FIRST of all — the LID. It's awesome! It doesn't leak at all and the one thing I really love about it is it has some retention so it doesn't flop back against your face when you're taking a drink. I can't say the same for others I've used. The spout is pleasant to drink from as well and I like the grip ring for taking it on and off. SECOND — it insulates VERY well. I used it on a hot day at the course this past Sunday. I filled it halfway with ice and then added cold water. The water stayed extremely cold throughout my round. But even more amazing, I left it in my car overnight and when I took a drink on my way to work the next day, the water is still cold and there is still ice in the bottle! I will definitely be getting some other sizes in this bottle so I highly recommend it! The only downside for the 32-oz bottle is that it may be a bit too wide for smaller hands, but otherwise, I've found it to be the perfect insulated water bottle." —Just a normal everyday dude
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer if you've been looking for something to cover up big pimples, redness, or dark circles without weighing you down or lightening up your wallet too much.
Former BuzzFeed editor Kayla Suazo has this and says, "There are few beauty products out there that I consistently go back to, which says a lot because I love everything that has to do with makeup. But alas, here I am, consistently finding my way back to Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Concealer. I still don’t know how a cheap tube of concealer beats out the more expensive ones I have stuffed into my vanity, but it does. It’s not too creamy or thick, yet it still gives solid coverage without the cake-y feeling. It blends incredibly well with every foundation I wear — and I have a lot of different foundations. I also really enjoy the sponge applicator. I still go over whatever I apply with a Beauty Blender to get that matte look, but having the sponge makes it easier and means I don’t have to use my fingers to dab under my eyes. When I am done with my entire routine, my eyes look lighter and brighter, but not in a way that’s totally obvious — even when photos are taken and the flash is on."
Get it from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 18 shades).
4. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil that nourishes and hydrates your skin with natural ingredients to give you that same ✨glow✨ you get with Tarte Maracuja Oil, just for a ~fraction~ of the price.
Promising review: "I came across this looking for a cheaper replacement for my Tarte Maracuja Oil. I tried a few cheaper maracuja oils, but never any that made my skin look or feel anywhere near as good as this one does. I was a little hesitant as I hate the smell of cocoa butter. This has no cocoa butter smell to me at all. It actually works better than the Tarte oil at a fraction of the price. I can’t see ever being without this product. Definitely one — if not the best — budget-friendly beauty or skincare products I’ve ever tried." –Jennifer Salley
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
5. Some chunky Sam Edelman ankle boots so cute you'll find yourself reaching for them almost daily. Don't let the chunky sole fool you, these are still SUPER comfy. Not to mention they have the same vibes as the Prada boots without the hefty price tag.
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
BuzzFeed Editor Jenae Sitzes has these and says, "I bought these when my old pair of go-to black boots finally bit the dust after years of use. I wanted something a little more stylish and have always loved the look of classic Dr. Martens, but wasn't ready to drop the money on them. Enter: these beauties. I've worn them for miles at a time all around NYC, and they haven't hurt my feet one bit. I've also worn them in the pouring rain and my feet haven't gotten the least bit wet. I love that they'll go with practically all of my outfits, and every friend I've worn these around has complimented them and asked where I got them (most people wouldn't guess they're from Amazon!). I got them in my normal size and they fit just fine, even with my thick wool socks. Highly recommend if you're looking for your new staple boot!"
Promising review: "I'm so happy I bought these! They are an excellent alternative to spending $1,200 on the Prada Chelsea boots. They look basically identical and are ridiculously comfy. Sure you can get other Chelsea style boots for like $35 to $45 but they are usually super uncomfortable, these just feel so nice. They don't pinch or and my foot doesn't slip around inside them. This is my best shoe purchase on Amazon, I'm just so impressed." —Azure Look
Get them from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in women's sizes 5–13 and 13 styles).
6. A rainbow-inspired eyeshadow palette with 40 shades (matte, shimmer, and metallic!) so you can get as creative as you could ever imagine. And somehow even with this wide variety *and* brilliant colors, it still won't cost more than $10!!
Also, if you follow beauty influencers, you miiiight notice this is extremely similar to the James Charles x Morphe palette, which cost almost $40. 👀
Promising reviews: "Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not even 4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m. and it's almost 1 a.m., the 'highlight' stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind." —Daniel T Adams
"Best palette I've owned and you can't beat this price! The colors are beautiful and vibrant. They are also extremely pigmented, especially the shimmery colors, and they all seem to blend well. I'm happy to have every color I could ever want in an eyeshadow in the palm of my hands and I've been experimenting with colors I've never worn before!!" —Mary Diamond
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
7. Care:Nel lip mask reviewers say is *spot on* to the other version that's viral on TikTok. This will hydrate your lips overnight while creating a protective barrier to help prevent future damage.
Promising review: "I bought this product because I heard that it was an alternative to the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, and it 100% is!! It's basically the same scent and texture, and it moisturizes just as well overnight. I love both products, but will buy this one moving forward because it’s so much more affordable!" —¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.90 (available in four variations).
8. A double OuterEQ hammock so you and your camping buddy can chill out amongst the trees without having to survive off of just cans of beans after spending all your budget on a pricier Eno hammock.
Promising review: "My friend bought me a one-person hammock of this brand for Christmas, and my boyfriend and I loved it, so we went out and bought the two-person one. It folds down really small and is very light. The material holds up nicely. We love it. Definitely would recommend. This hammock is comparable to the Eno brand. I think it is just as good for a fraction of the cost." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
9. A 20-pack (!) of extra thick magic cleaning pads that work on household surfaces, cars, shoes, really anything that you need to clean. These are extra thick, so they can handle bigger messes without you having to constantly grab a new one. Reviewers love these as an affordable alternative to the ones that bald guy with the earring sells.
Promising reviews: "These are the best. Sooo much better than Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Won't buy those anymore and these will last me a very long time. I scrubbed and they got everything clean and didn't break apart!!! Can even reuse if I wanted." —Miguel Mendez
"I own a cleaning business and have spent a small fortune on the name brand. I clean everything from condo rentals to long-term lease/residential rentals and I have had to clean unimaginable NASTY, I mean 'pics or it didn't happen' kind of nasty, and these cut right through it. These work just as well as the name brand, if not better, and they seem to last a little longer!" —Keisha Marie
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $13.46.
10. A pair of Satina high-waisted leggings beloved by reviewers as a great alternative to that one v popular athleisure brand… except these are ~way~ more affordable (we're talking $84 cheaper 😱). Get ready for your newest obsession — your closet is about to get a lottttt fuller.
Promising review: "Loved these leggings! I saw many influencers talk about them and finally took the chance and tried them! These feel almost identical to the Lululemon Align leggings that I have. Super soft and comfy! They don’t dig in! Can’t wait to try the pocket ones!" —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two women's sizes, two lengths, with or without pockets, and 22 colors/patterns).
If you still aren't sold, check out our full review of the Satina high-waist leggings.
11. Eve Hansen Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum designed to help (stay with me here…) smooth wrinkles, brighten dark spots, firm skin, add moisture, reduce under-eye puffiness, and give you a beautiful glow. Not to mention it is more than eight times (!!) less expensive than the highly sought-after TNS Essential Serum, but just as effective!
Promising review: "So far I have used about four bottles of this product. I use it like a serum and put a few drops on my face and décolleté before I apply moisturizer in the morning or night cream. I see the same outstanding results I did see with the TNS Serum — just for a fraction of the price!!!" —nana bendick
Get it from Amazon for $27.98.
12. A bottle of L'Oréal *eight-second* lamellar water rinse-out treatment so you can achieve moisture, shine, and silkiness in EIGHT SECONDS?! — just like the Olaplex Hair Perfector, except faster and a third of the price.
And it's silicone-free!
Promising review: "This is the best hair product I have ever purchased. It truly lives up to its claims. I have thinning, coarse hair and was stymied by its proclivity to frizz and its cotton candy texture. After one use of Wonder Water, my hair was shiny and the frizz and flyaways disappeared. Friends even remarked at how great my hair looked — something that has never happened to me. The only product I can compare this to is Olaplex, which is almost as effective, but five times as expensive and much more time-consuming to use. Applying Wonder Water is foolproof (the exact amount to use with each application is marked on the container) and it only takes eight seconds to work. Initially, I thought that Wonder Water was too good to be true, but I am already midway through my second bottle and I continue to be delighted." —Maureen Bolton
Get it from Amazon for $8.74.
13. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream with a thick, velvety texture to absorb quickly and provide you with 24 hours of hydration. You won't hesitate to buy this over the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream, which is nearly four times the price.
Promising review: "I know there are a million 5-star ratings for this, but it's a wonderful creamy moisturizer. I've been using the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream and this has similar ingredients and feels the same without the outrageous price tag. Def will be switching to this one!" —amanda
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
14. And CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to help renew and hydrate your skin overnight with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, so you can have sweet dreams thinking of everything you can buy with the money you save from not getting Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer.
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer has this and says, "I've been using this CeraVe night cream for almost the whole year, and I have loved it the whole time. I have sensitive, combination skin that's also acne-prone (especially when I get stressed or don't get enough sleep.) I loved it right away, noticing the plumping, soft, hydrating effect it gave my skin after the first use — without any greasiness or overpowering fragrances. And after getting an allergic reaction to a different product, this cream got me THROUGH. TL;DR: CeraVe night cream really is fabulous, whether you have dry winter skin, combo skin, or your skin just needs some hardcore TLC after something goes awry. And for around $15 a jar, you're getting quite a lot of skincare bang for your buck."
Promising review: "I have very dry skin and used this at night and loved it! It's a small tub but lasted me about five months because a little goes a long way...I liked this much more than the DE Polypeptide cream, which was too light (I know you can put a thicker moisturizer on top, but at that price?! I needed it to be more). This is also great for sensitive skin because it's fragrance-free. I love CeraVe products, they really helped repair my moisture barrier and bring my skin to a much better place!" –Jacque
Get it from Amazon for $15.38.
15. A fluffy throw blanket that reviewers have been L O V I N G as an (~affordable~) alternative to the Barefoot Dreams blanket. Whether you want to use it as a decorative piece or something to snuggle up under, this is the blanket for you!
Promising reviews: "Better than Barefoot Dreams. Might be the best thing I’ve ever purchased on Amazon. Love it." —Janervalentic
"I love everything about this blanket. The color is pretty, the texture is soft and elegant, and the blanket is large, warm, and lightweight. I will probably buy more of them." —Amy Allshouse
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in three sizes and in 16 styles).
16. Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water to remove makeup just like Bioderma while also cleaning skin of dirt and oil, all without stripping your face of moisture.
Promising review: "I used to use Bioderma micellar water and it was my favorite. Then I came across this little gem, which works just as great and is a heck of a lot cheaper. This is my favorite makeup remover. It's great for sensitive skin and removes heavy makeup." —Patrick Mahoney
Get it from Amazon for $3.98+ (available in two sizes and a two-pack).
This is our budget pick for best makeup remover!
17. A Renpho percussion massager with five massage heads and five speeds to help you relax and decompress. No, you don't have to shell out the extra $100+ for the Hypervolt. Your muscles will be thanking you for this purchase.
Promising review: "This massage gun is well worth its price! I have used all of its attachments. It is easy to use, comfortable on your muscles and most importantly, extremely effective!! I have used a different massage gun in the past. This one is much superior!! I would say it is the same grade quality as a professional massage gun but much less expensive! I am very grateful for this product!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four versions).
18. Fanola's purple shampoo to maintain that fresh-from-the-salon blonde, similar to Davines purple shampoo. Maybe now you can hold off on that expensive salon visit a liiiittle bit longer since the Fanola brand will keep you looking just as fresh as its contenders!
Promising review: "I have naturally almost black, thick, Asian hair that is highly processed and toned to high heaven just so I can be blonde. Not just sandy blonde. Platinum blonde. Now, any 'bottle blonde' knows that purple shampoo is the sweet baby Jesus in a manger necessity that they MUST use if they don’t want to end up looking like a wannabe ginger with greasy orange-tinged hair. It’s just that blonde life. I have tried almost every purple shampoo under the sun, ranging in price from $7 to $70 a bottle. The top contenders so far have been Davines Alchemic Shampoo in Silver, L’Oréal Purple Shampoo, and now, THIS. Fanola takes the cake and is hands down the winner when it comes to toning even the most stubborn brass out. Seriously. Your granny needs this. You need this. GIRL. I tried it in the shower on wet hair and left it on for about 10 minutes. Great results after just one use! And then, because I love a little lavender tint, I tried it on DRY hair, saturating it until almost black, and left it on for a whopping 30 minutes. Rinse until clear. And guess what? I LOVE IT. The lavender is not at all overpowering but there’s isn’t a hint of yellow/brass in my hair. I swear it even lightened my roots too!" —CatsonCatsonCats
Get it from Amazon for $9.49+ (available in three sizes).
And check out our full write-up of the Fanola No Yellow Shampoo to learn more.
19. Essence Lash Princess mascara that will give you the look of wearing falsies, without the hassle of making sure you actually know how to put them on. Not to mention, the end result will be basically the same as you would get with higher end versions, only significantly cheaper.
BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord has this and says, "Hello, that is my face above, because I bought into the hype of all the 5-star reviews and now I will never look back!! Putting it on is like giving my eyelashes butterfly wings. It doesn't get clumpy, it stays put ALL the livelong day no matter how much you sweat, and you can apply it on very lightly if you don't want it to look so dramatic, or continue applying for longer lashes each time."
Promising review: "I have used every high-end and drug store mascara out there. This is hands down the best mascara around and the price is unbelievable. It does not smudge, does not flake, does not irritate my sensitive eyes, no raccoon eyes at the end of the day, and stays put during and after workouts. It also removes easily in the shower with cleanser or makeup remover. BUY IT." —Michelle D.
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
20. The highly effective Bio-Oil designed to help minimize the appearance of scars just as well as Mederma scar gel, a drugstore staple. But as an added bonus, Bio-Oil is also designed to help nourish your skin without clogging your pores. Yeah, it just one-upped you, Mederma.
Promising review: "I have been using this every day for the past month and have definitely seen results. I had gallbladder surgery and just got some scars being pregnant and this has definitely helped with my scars and stretch marks! Smells amazing too! Works way better than Mederma!" —Skie bostwick
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).
21. A pack of PleasingCare bamboo oil-blotting sheets for the times you catch yourself looking greasy as HECK. These can quickly and easily remove excess oils just as well as Tatcha's popular blotting sheets, without messing up your makeup.
Promising review: "These are great for oily skin. I normally can get through half the day before my face looks like a grease pit and that's after applying anti-shine under makeup. These wipes are a miracle. They absorb quickly and I love having them in my purse. I normally use two a day — much better than Tatcha." —Leslie M.I Photographer
Get a 100-pack from Amazon for $6.95+ (available in three styles and multipacks).
22. A pair of Dearfoams slippers to keep your feet nice and warm, just like when you wear Uggs, but for *half* the price. With all that money saved you can go ahead and grab two pairs — one for inside and one for outside wear.
PS — both of these are available for Prime Try Before You Buy so you can give them a test run if you're not ready to commit!
Promising review: "I’ve had Ugg slippers and now these and you can’t tell the difference. I am 37 weeks pregnant and have worn these through my whole pregnancy (legit every day). They have held up great and are sooo comfy!" —Alexandra Zynda
Get them from Amazon for $49.95+ (available in women's sizes 6–11 regular or wide and 22 colors).
23. A three-piece long sleeve fitted shirt set for anyone who has been dyinggg to try out the trending Skims cotton jersey long sleeve but can't ever catch them before they sell out or doesn't feel like shelling out *that* much money for one shirt.
Promising review: "These are the perfect Skims alternative! The fabric is very thick and soft but stretchy and breathable at the same time. The white top is also not see-through. I highly recommend and I will be buying more color packs." —Kyla
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in women's sizes S–L and 16 color combinations).
24. LilyAna eye cream to help lighten those dark circles and decrease puffiness under your eyes just as well as Lancôme creams. Both of these are packed with vitamin C (and LilyAna with a bunch of other natural ingredients), which can help improve the appearance of fine lines or dullness in your skin.
Promising review: "I have been using this daily for about eight months now. I am 60 years old. It reduced the puffiness and bags under my eyes. I am Sicilian and had dark circles. It has brightened up my eye area. I am very surprised as I have paid much more for eye creams that have done so much less. I recently had pre-cancerous cells removed at the bridge of my nose. After healing, I was left with a dark scar. The dermatologist told me that it would heal over time. Since I began to apply this eye cream, the mark has almost disappeared entirely. I shop constantly from Amazon. This is the first time that I have taken the time to write a review. That's how impressed I am with this product. If you decide to purchase this, you won't be sorry." —Lynda M.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes and a two-pack).
25. A pair of round sunglasses just as stylish as Ray-Bans *AND* they're even polarized! Yep, go ahead and buy yourself a few colors to match your outfits.
Promising review: "For the money you can’t beat em! These look amazing on my face like a $300 pair of sunglasses. I have tried multiple pairs and this brand looks and feels comparable to a pair of Ray-Bans and Pradas. I have a smaller face and to me this pair fits the best, perfect for my nose and brow line. I couldn’t be happier, just wish there were six stars so everyone would know how amazing they are. If you are questioning whether or not they will look as good on you as they do in the photos, yes...yes they do." —Christina
Get them from Amazon for $15.99 (available in seven colors).
26. A teeth whitening pen to help you achieve those pearly whites you've always wanted. Simply spend 30 seconds a day brushing these on your teeth and then go about the rest of your life instead of having those Crest Whitestrips that have to sit on your teeth for upwards of an hour a day. Plus each pen gets you about 20+ treatments whereas one box of strips is only 16 treatments.
Promising review: "Throw your expensive Crest Whitestrips away! Being the son of a dental hygienist, clean bright white teeth have always been important to me. Though I had my reservations about the whitening pen, it certainly didn't disappoint and works far better than the Whitestrips I've been using for the last several years, not to mention it's a much better deal for your money. I'm a total coffee connoisseur which has always made having a bright white smile all the more challenging, but the pen is giving me the upper hand. I also don't miss the tender gums I used to get from the Whitestrips." —Franknsd
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95 (also available in a four-pack).
27. A pair of wireless Tozo T10 headphones comparable to AirPods, except these are actually waterproof…like take-them-in-the-shower waterproof!! You can even jam out to your fave songs up to one meter deep for 30 minutes.
These compact wireless headphones come with a charging case that provides up to 35 hours of uninterrupted listening, while the earbuds themselves will last eight hours on a single charge. They also quickly and easily pair to your phone via Bluetooth to provide quality sound with minimal lagging. Similarly to AirPods, they have smart touch control so you can play, pause, skip, answer calls, adjust the volume, and more by simply touching the earbud without having to worry about finding your phone.
Promising review: "I bought these because a friend had a pair and he always sounded crisp and clear when talking. I can admit that I'm a sound snob on a beer budget. I don't like cheap sounding knockoffs with low bass and bad battery life. But these.. OH MY! THESE! They are completely awesome! Sound quality is excellent. Battery life is out of this world! I now reach for these Tozo T10s many times over my AirPods. Hands down the best rechargeable headphones I have ever owned. You will not regret buying these! They cost a little and give quality in return!" —Jeremy
Get them from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five colors).
28. A container of Albolene moisturizing cleanser reviewers are loving as an equally effective — and much more affordable — makeup remover compared to Clinique Take The Day Off balm. Massage this balm on your face and watch your makeup melt away.
Promising review: "I usually wear a full face of makeup and I used to take it off with the Clinique Take the Day Off balm, which is superb, but I find this one to be an amazing option at a fraction of the price. I don't have breakouts, it's easy and simple to use." —viewer
Get it from Amazon for $9.74+ (available in two quantities).
29. Or a makeup cleansing cloth that works just like the MakeUp Eraser to remove A L L your makeup by just adding water…yes, even waterproof makeup. Buhbyeee wasteful makeup removing wipes! How does it make sense? IDK maybe it's magic, but whatever it is, it *works.*
Promising review: "Affordable comparison to the MakeUp Eraser towel, and it WORKS! Highly recommend it if you want to ditch single-use makeup removal wipes... These things absorb water quickly and remove makeup without the hassle... yes, even waterproof mascara and brow tint." —Marcy Days
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors).
30. A pair of drawstring 7/8 pants you can dress up for work or dress down for lounging. Reviewers are loving these as a more affordable option for the Lululemon Stretch High Rise pant.
Promising review: "I had almost bought Lululemon Stretch High Rise for $100 but I stumbled across these and I am soo happy I did because they are the same. exact. pant. I even went to Lululemon and tried on their pant right after buying these to compare, and they fit and look the exact same. These pants are super soft material, light, and fit really well because they are a perfect high rise but still loose. I loved them so much so my boyfriend got me the same ones in a few more colors and they are my go-to. They are great casual athleisure but can be dressed up with a cute sweater and shoes." —Rita
Get them from Amazon for $35 (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL and 19 colors).
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.