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Jul 24, 2023

35 Affordable Items As Good As The Well

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Attention: If you like quality products without the high price tags, read on.

BuzzFeed Staff

Nivea Creme (the German version!) to help you save your skin from the patchy, flakey, and dry skin we all experience at some point during the year. Plus, take reviewers' advice and save yourself over $100 by choosing this over La Mer's pricey Crème de la Mer. "We are never, ever, ever getting back together" — you to La Mer after you try the Nivea creme.

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.

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.

Peach & Lily is a skincare brand founded by celebrity esthetician Alicia Yoon that specializes in toxin-free, vegan beauty products made with recyclable packaging. The company plants a tree with each order, and a portion of its proceeds have gone to to Restore NYC since 2016.

Check out a TikTok of the acne spot dots in action.

Promising review: "Medical aesthetician approved. I normally love the Mighty Patches but I found these and wanted to try them because they are way cheaper! I love them, they work just as well and are a fraction of the cost." —Audrey p

Get them from Amazon: a 30-pack of Peach and Lilly patches for $4.88 (also available in an 60-pack) or a 36-pack of Mighty Patch for $11.97.

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 T10's 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: Tozo T10 for $18.99+ (available in five colors) or AirPods for $199.99.

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 them from Amazon: a two-pack of teeth whitening pens for $13.59 (also available in a four-pack) or the Crest Whitestrips for $39.99.

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 them from Amazon: a 12-fl oz container of Albolene for $9.74 or a 3.8 oz container of Clinique Take The Day Off balm for $24.98.

Promising review: "Affordable comparison to the MakeUp Eraser towel, and it WORKS! Highly recommend if you want to ditch single use makeup removal wipes... These things absorb water quickly and remove makeup without hassle... yes, even waterproof mascara and brow tint." —Marcy Days

Get them from Amazon: the makeup cleansing cloth for $6.99+ (available in eight colors and multi-packs) or the MakeUp Eraser for $20.

Promising review: "I first purchased these for my 12-year-old daughter when she said they were the perfect Lululemon alternative. She was obsessed with them, so I had to try them and see what all the hype was about. Once they arrived I was shocked at how buttery soft the material was. Even softer then the Lululemon leggings! Once I put them on I was in love. The softness, the fit, and the length were perfect. I think I love them more then the Lululemon leggings!!! You can dress them up or down and they are so comfortable. After ordering one pair I turned around and ordered three more pairs. The best part about these leggings is the compression in the waistband. I am now obsessed and my 12-year-old wants me to thank her for that! If you're looking for Lululemon leggings without paying the Lululemon price these are the leggings for you. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Perfect option in my opinion." —Heather

Get them from Amazon: HeyNuts essential leggings for $27.99+ (available in women's sizes XXS–XL and 18 colors) or the Aligns for $101+ (available in women's sizes 0–14 and seven colors).

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: Satina leggings for $14.99+ (available in two women's sizes, two lengths, with or without pockets, and 25 colors/patterns) or the Aligns for $101+ (available in women's sizes 0–14 and seven colors).

If you still aren't sold, check out our full review of the Satina high waist leggings.

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 them from Amazon: the Palmer's Therapy Oil for $10.97 or the Tarte Maracuja Oil for $32.66.

Promising review: "Last winter, after a cleaning, my dentist recommended I get a Sonicare (she sells them in her office). I told her that the only thing holding me back was the price tag, to which she replied, 'the Oral B version is almost as good, and costs a bit less.' I used this product in place of my regular brush for about six months and my hygienist was very pleased with the results after my recent cleaning. After my cleaning, the dentist popped in to check my teeth and asked if I had using the Sonicare. As an experiment of sorts, I told her 'yes,' and she commented that she could tell. It's safe to assume that the only difference between this and the Sonicare is the price. This brush has a long battery life (I took it on a 10-day vacation without the charger and the low battery indicator only activated on the last day), it's easy to clean, and has a long power cord." —HJF

Get them from Amazon: the Oral-B White Pro 1000 toothbrush for $49.94+ (available in four colors and a two-pack) or the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean toothbrush for $189.99+ (available in five colors).

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: the round sunglasses for $13.99+ (available in seven colors) or the Ray-Bans for $163 (available in three sizes and 30 styles).

MayaReviewers say it's also comparable to Clinique's Moisture Surge, Belif's Aqua Bomb, Murad's Water Gel, and Peter Thomas Roth's Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream

Promising review: "I've burned through seven of these babies since I started looking for a cheaper alternative to the Tatcha Water Cream. I have oily skin, so I'll wash my face with CeraVe Foaming Cleanser and apply this. It's so comforting and gentle on the skin, that I've convinced my husband to start using (he normally hates creams on his face). He likes how hydrating this is as a water cream without the greasiness of a normal cream, and I couldn't agree more. This is my go-to moisturizer for light to heavy makeup looks. I apply and wait about five minutes for my skin to soak it in before applying primer. Works like a dream! Pro tip: clean out the containers and keep them for things like overnight shampoo or conditioner. I'll mix my makeup foundation in the used pots, too. :)" —Maya

Get them from Amazon: Neutrogena's Hydro Boost gel cream for $16.27 or Tatcha Water Cream for $70.

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 $39.99 (available in women's sizes S–L and nine color combinations).

Promising review: "Perfect! These pants are very similar to Lululemon for a much better price. The material is soft but not too casual and the fit is great. I would recommend a size up if you like the fit just a bit loose and not skin tight! The fit at the waist is comfortable. I am very happy with this purchase — in fact I ordered two additional in different colors!" —Katherine

Get the drawstring 7/8 pants from Amazon for $35 (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL and 17 colors).

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 them from Amazon: the Eve Hansen Serum for $17.98+ (available in two sizes) or the TNS Serum for $207.

The biggest difference between the German version of Creme and La Mer is that the latter contains fermented seaweed extract that produces lactic acid, an AHA known to help keep the skin moisturized and firm. (There are other differences in the ingredient list, which you can compare here). However, many reviewers point out that with the money you save by buying Creme, you can afford a pricier lactic acid product that would do the same thing *or* you could just buy sea kelp powder and add that.

Promising review: "As a lady of a certain age, I am very particular about what products I put on my face. I’ve purchased expensive moisturizers and drugstore items, and this one is the best so far. I recently read a review comparing the ingredients of this product to those in La Mer. The ingredients are similar, but the price is not. I’ve been using this twice a day for nearly a week. I love the creamy way it goes on. It is easily absorbed and doesn't leave a film. My skin feels baby butt soft. I also use it on my hands and feet at bedtime. The price is minimal for the enormous container of product you get. This is a must-buy!" —Sooner

Get them from Amazon: Nivea Cream for $8.99 or La Mer for $215.

Promising review: "TikTok told me this was a alternative for a Lululemon [belt bag], and it's true, it is. Love this little bag! And the price — you can't beat it." —Jolie

Get them from Amazon: the mini belted pack for $16.98 (available in 31 colors) or the belt bag for $43.99.

Promising review: "I bought this product because I heard that it was as good as 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 them from Amazon: a three-pack of Care:Nel lip mask for $9.90 (available in four variations) or the Laneige mask for $24 (available in five scents).

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 them from Amazon: the OuterEW hammock from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and eight colors) or the Eno hammock for $54.95 (available in 11 colors).

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 them from Amazon: the CeraVe cream for $17.78 or the Sunday Riley cream for $65.

Read up on why we picked the Stila as our mid-price pick and the Tom Ford as our splurgey pick for the top liquid eyeliners.

BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde has this and says, "I've worn Stila eyeliner for a few years now, and it's hands down the easiest, most precise eyeliner I've ever tried. I use it straight up and down to get a thinner line and apply it at an angle for a thick line. It's truly waterproof (go ahead and go swimming or cry through a sad movie!) and it stays put all day, even in the middle of summer. I buy these in twos so I never run out of them, that's how much I love them!"

Get the Stila from Amazon for $24 (available in eight colors) or the Tom Ford from Sephora for $62.

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 them from Amazon: the knit blanket for $25.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 styles) and the Barefoot Dreams blanket for $79.99+ (available in four colors).

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 them from Amazon: the L'Oréal treatment for $9.87 or the Olaplex treatment for $30.

Promising review: "I took this bag on a trip with me and I swore if it stayed intact I would write a review so here I am. This bag looks flimsy but it's really durable. I put my 15-inch MacBook, books, chargers, etc. It was filled to the brim and there's not a seam ripped off or anything. If you are looking for something similar to a Kanken at a lower price point this is a very good bag." —Nicky Miller

Get them from Amazon: the LuckyZ backpack for $28.98+ (available in five colors) or the Fjällräven Kanken backpack for $73+ (available in 34 colors).

Former BuzzFeed writer 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 the Maybelline concealer from Amazon for $8.80 (available in 17 shades) or the Shape Tape from Tarte for $31 (available in 18 shades).

I ~hate~ vacuuming. It is very possibly my least favorite chore, so when it came time to make my wedding registry, this was one of the items I KNEW I needed to include. It makes my life soo much easier. We have two cats who shed (and tbh I suppose my hair is part of the problem as well) and it is such a hassle to try to keep up with vacuuming when the hair accumulates so quickly. Having this little gadget has been such a time saver. We usually just turn it on when we are leaving the house and it gets to work right away. I live in a three-story townhouse so we typically empty it between each floor since we have to carry it upstairs anyway (still desperately waiting for someone to invent a robot vacuum for stairs), so I can't attest to how much it can collect at once, but we've never had any issues with it handling each floor of our house.

Promising review: "This RoboVac is the real deal. I bought one for my Mom for Christmas and bought one for myself afterward. It works as good, if not better, than the Roomba I had for a cheaper price! It picks up great and the slim size allows it to fit underneath a lot of unreachable places. My daughter, my cats, and I all shed a lot — not a problem anymore. The suction is really impressive and it's picked up things a regular sweeper would have problems with. I honestly have no complaints at all on the Eufy boost IQ. You won't regret buying this one!" —Lisa M.

Get them from Amazon: Eufy for $199.99+ (available in two colors) or Roomba for $299.99.

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 them from Amazon: the Fanola shampoo for $14.99 or the Davines shampoo for $34.

And check out our full write-up of the Fanola No Yellow Shampoo to learn more.

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 them from Amazon: the 40-oz Takeya water bottle for $26.59+ (available in additional colors and sizes here) or the 40-oz Hydro Flask for $54.95 (available in six colors).

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 them from Amazon: Renpho for $69.98+ (available in three colors and two versions) or Hypervolt for $199.99.

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."

Get the Essence from Amazon for $4.99 or the Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara from Tarte for $25 (available in two colors).

Psst! Bio-Oil contains retinol, which accelerates skin turnover but can make you more sensitive to the sun — so don't forget your sunscreen!

Promising review: "I love this stuff!! I have some burn scars on my arm. I used an entire tube of Mederma and saw no change. I started applying this Bio Oil and started to see a change and fading of the marks in weeks. No, they are not gone and no they will never go away but now I am no longer self conscious of them! I occasionally use this on my face and have noticed a reduction in the appearance of acne scars." —rachel

Get them from Amazon: the Bio-Oil $10.26 or the Mederma for $30.99.

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 them from Amazon: the 100-pack of PleasingCare for $6.95+ (available in three styles and multipacks) or the 40-pack of Tatcha sheets for $14.

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 knew Dearfoam would eventually get it! They are blowing away their competition with these fluffy, genuine sheepskin slippers. I absolutely LOVE them, I have been wearing them since Christmas day constantly and just can't say enough about the fit and fabric. I have always worn Uggs or Overland slippers but the price was getting super high and some of the newer slippers UGG makes are not genuine sheepskin which unfortunately matts down super quick. I've tried other cost-cutting brands with no avail until I met my newest BFF." —ShamanWork

Get them from Amazon: the Dearfoams for $44 (available in women's sizes 6–11 regular or wide and 15 colors) or the Uggs for $119.95 (available in women's sizes 5–12 and 10 colors).

Promising review: "Great for sensitive skin! I react to many, many skincare products, but not to CeraVe or Cetaphil. I've been using this for years and haven't found any thing that I like better. Saves tons of money from not having to buy expensive cleansers." —alexism447

Get the CeraVe from Ulta for $16.99+ (available in three sizes) or the Drunk Elephant from Sephora for $34.

Promising review: "This cream really helped with my dark circles and made the skin around my eyes look healthier and rejuvenated. I wish I had taken before and after pictures because after about a week and a half of use, I can tell a significant difference. It works waaay better than the much more expensive Lancôme cream I'd been using. Will buy again and plan to try out some of their other products after the great experience with this one." —Lynda M.

Get them from Amazon: the LilyAna cream for $14.99+ (available in three sizes and a two pack) or the Lancôme cream for $75.

FYI — this bracelet is made with cubic zirconia instead of the Swarovski crystal of the Swarovski brand.

Promising review: "Soooo pretty. It's 100% a Swarovski [alternative] for so cheap. Looks exactly like the photo and I wear it every day." —Trysten Walters

Get them from Amazon: the tennis bracelet for for $17.95+ (available in four styles, three lengths, and a two-pack) or the Swarovski bracelet for $179.99+ (available in five styles).

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.