In a world largely governed by consumerism, it may be hard to discern what purchases are really worth your money, and which ones are just your impulses talking.
Just pause for a moment. This year, shoppers spent a record $9.12 billion on Black Friday and another record $11.3 billion on Cyber Monday, making it the biggest online shopping day in history. This almost irresistible urge to buy things is created by smart selling strategies that largely play on our fears of missing out (who doesn’t like a good deal now and then!).
So how do we find rational ground in this buying craze? How do we measure what things we need and what we don’t, what’s worth our money and what’s not?
Well, this Ask Reddit thread may have some answers. “What brand name is actually 100% worth spending more for?” someone asked and people started sharing the splurges that, according to them, were totally worth their money.
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Faber-Castell
Pyrex glass cookware and food storage containers.
I've had cheaper things crack on me, lids break. But Pyrex lasts forever.
I had a pyrex shatter in the oven, 3 years later I still occasionally find little pebbles of glass!
I'm a frugal bastard but I swear by Dawn dish soap.
Yep...for dishes, for grease spots on clothing, and for some reason it kills fleas on animals almost instantly without any harsh chemical odors or poisons. Great for kittens too young for flea dips.
“There's a certain hack to buying well-known quality brands,” Lina Survila, the founder of Abstract Stylist magazine and creator of metaverse news newsletter The Wearables Daily told Bored Panda in an interview.
Lina argues that the brand name is not everything, “but if you're a consumer who usually gets bored of your old clothing, it's better to buy brands that other people love too.” In this case, Lina argues, after some time you will be able to easily sell the item.
In all honesty, tupperware.
My mom has some tupperware containers that are almost as old as me and they are still in good condition. It's rare that I can find plastic containers that are even close in quality and durability.
Used to feel the same about Rubbermaid, but unfortunately it's not what it used to be... :(
Crayola. Rose Art crayons have haunted me since I was a child! Till the day I pass.
Moreover, “That would never work with fast fashion brands because worn-out pieces are usually in no condition to sell, and people do not want thrift for fast fashion brands, which they usually can buy with big discounts anyway,” Lina explained.
In that way, Lina continued, “we help consume less and choose ethically made items that have value even after a few years of wearing.” She added that the same rule applies to anything you can think of from household brands to children’s toys, and even art.
Toyota for anyone who drives their car into the ground. Maybe not so much if you lease.
However, Lina agreed that not everyone can spend a lot of money on a new jacket. “But this cycle of conscious consumerism also lets people buy second-hand good quality items for a reasonable price,” she said. “So I would suggest doing your research on quality brands and mixing your wardrobe with new and second-hand items,” Lina concluded.
KitchenAid stand mixer. I’ve had mine for over 10 years now, use it at least once a week and takes a beating during Christmas time and it still works like a charm.
People that have older ones, passed down from parents/grandparents etc, yours ran so nicely for so long because of the all steel motor. Almost all of the models now have some plastic which burn out more quickly. As a professional baker who operates out of a licensed home kitchen, I've killed two motors in 8 years lol. This Christmas I'm finally paying for the pro line that has an all steel motor.
Q-tips.
I don't know what all the other brands and generics are doing, but I swear their cotton to stick ratio is always off. Too pokey or too soft. Can't be just me...
Ugh the off brand the stick always bends too like it's made with a cooked noodle
3M Post-It Notes.
Making an adhesive strong enough to stop the notes curling up at the edge and falling off, but weak enough that you can remove and replace them at will, seems to be outside the skill set of every other company.
Bra. I never had one fit me properly until I was fitted at Nordstrom and then handed a $60 bra with a size I didn't know was even made and it fit like a glove and was comfortable AND it made my boobs look good.
Edit: Thank you to dimpletown for suggesting I edit this comment to add the brand, which is Natori, they make my 30DD "over the shoulder boulder holder".
Do they make double-barrel slingshots in 38GG? I'm weirdly shaped too.
Philadelphia cream cheese!
I tried to make cheesecake (the soft cold type) at home a few times. I tried store brand cheese and Philadelphia and the taste difference was staggering
Corelle ware. That s**t is damn near indestructible and bonus it’s been around for forever so you often find it super cheap at thrift shops.
Broke one the other day and couldn’t believe it. Was like some sort universe glitch.
Kerrygold salted butter
Edit: lol didn't see this blowing up. Thanks for the upvotes and awards!
Yeti. Friend’s brother is a firefighter and was called to put out a car fire. After it was extinguished, they found a Yeti with ice water still in it in the cup holder.
Bounty paper towels
Edit: my highest upvoted comment is about.....paper towels? WTF Reddit
I always pay the little extra for a Bic lighter over the cheap transparent ones. They rarely break and they're more ergonomic.
Le Creuset Dutch oven.
Looks, performance, durability - should last you a lifetime if you look after it.
This will get downvoted but I bought my MacBook Pro in 2010 and it is still running fine. Before that I was going through toshiba and hp laptops every 2-3 years. In my case the MacBook has been the cheapest laptop I've ever had
Any of the top Toilet papers. Don't skimp on s**t tissue. Your butt will thank you.
Oxo. Kitchen utensils, housewares in general, their stuff is so intuitively made and well designed, and just looks great to boot. If they make a version of anything I need, I will always choose their brand over anyone else’s.
Oxo nearly always wins when Americas Test Kitchen (PBS cooking show) tests gadgets
As a lefty, Zebra F-402 pens.
Fine point, no smear, no pressing hard to get a clean line. Since I discovered them I can’t go back to other ball point pens
A Swiss Army Knife. Use that baby everywhere.
Don’t cheap out on appliances.
I got a Bosch set for my washer/dryer and so far they’ve outlasted 3 sets of my father-in-law’s LGs, Samsungs, and another one I don’t remember. People complain appliances don’t last as long as they used to, and while I don’t disagree, it’s often because they buy the cheap models.
My Frigidaire front loader and dryer set are 25 years old and still work like brand new (tip: never use the detergent drawer for anything, and always keep the door ajar between washes). Same with my whirlpool fridge (although I did have to replace the thermostat, $25 on Amazon and 15 minutes after watching the video on YouTube.
Stanley stainless steel vacuum/thermos bottles. I have one that holds a 12-cup pot of coffee that I bought at a neighbor’s estate sale 30 years ago and it was probably 20 years old then. It still works exactly as promised.
I did have trouble cleaning the coffee crud out of the bottom of it until I saw a Heloise Hint on this: Fill it about 1/3 full of hot tap water and drop in about 4 denture-cleaning tablets and let it sit overnight. You wouldn’t believe how clean it is after that treatment!
Wow! I had no idea this would take off line this. Thank you! I thought you want to have a look at my old Stanley:
[Stanley Vacuum Bottle/thermos](https://imgur.com/gallery/38TZfG1)
According to my wife, Feminine products that aren't name brand either don't function well or are extremely uncomfortable. Having a more comfortable time during that part of the month is far superior to using uncomfortable products to make it twice as bad. (Her words, not mine.)
To add: I'm 33 and been with my wife since we were in high school. I've purchased a lot of these products myself, even when I was first dating her. It's either being a paper or cardboard insert that is rough/uncomfortable or the cotton is just not safe and doesn't stay together as it should (as a few have stated here as well). This is mostly from store or off brands at Fred Meyer (Kroger) as that's where we've always shopped, or the occasional Safeway trip. We don't have any Walmart or Costcos near us so we have no idea how their brands are.
Zippo lighters
Amazing quality. Lifetime guarantee with a no questions asked repair or replacement policy. You can find a broken one randomly on the street, mail it to them and they will repair or replace it.
A zippo lighter will last generations.
For anyone interested but doesn’t like using lighter fluid. Zippo now makes inserts for both butane and electric arc lighters.
https://www.zippo.com/collections/lighter-inserts
Reese cups.
Corelle dishware. It's sleek, durable and lightweight.
It's basically the kevlar of dishes
But if you ever drop and break a plate be very careful handling the broken pieces. The edges are razor sharp
Ticonderoga pencils >>>>
i’ll write a whole 10 page essay by hand with one of those babies
Staedtler! Made with wood from the Black Forest. They actually weigh more. Take a Staedtler Pencil and a Ticonderoga pencil and compare their weight… Staedtler is just a more solid pencil. The green ones are my absolutely fave!
Makita, never let me down
Any paints. House paint, car, boat, trains and planes. Usually the higher the cost, the better the paint. Love Sherwin Williams “Emerald” products as house paint.
Michelin high-performance tires - long-lasting tread, quiet, excellent traction.
Michelin is by far the best brand of tires in the world. They invented pretty much all the tech and innovations that are copied by the competition, and their products are not even expensive (all things considered). You won’t get a better quality for the price, guaranteed. But for some reason they suck at marketing and don’t have the recognition they deserve.
Pretty much anything made in America, Japan, or Germany is going to be better quality that all the Chinese c**p being sold on Amazon. Everything from kitchen knives to cars. Of course you'll pay a premium since they aren't made with slave labor.
I disagree. Many American made things I've had aren't as good as their foreign counterparts. Japanese things are almost always the best
Not a brand but the golden rule for tools. Buy the cheap one first. If it breaks buy the expensive one. If the expensive one breaks buy a few of the cheap ones.
Duluth Trading Company (especially for underwear). There was a half off sale a while back and I got enough that I never have to wear other brands.
Bosch appliances
TBH it used to be but quality is declining. So much that Bosch themselves introduced Bosch Pro to provide (for example) very good tools or appliances. But the brand is unfortunately not a quality guarantee anymore.
North Face products are usually worth the price. The jackets and fleeces are durable and have great insulation.
Anything that seperates you from the ground. Tires, Mattress, shoes etc
Edit: words are hard
For cars, Toyota or Honda. They just last forever and maintenance on them (atleast my 07 Yota) is super easy and cheap compared to other brands. I’m assuming the new ones are still like that.
I also have to add in the Citizen brand for watches. While citizen makes all sorts of thing (pretty damn good Swiss style lathes I might add) their watches are seriously top notch for the price. Most are Eco-drives powered by sunlight and an atomic version of their watches start at like $500. You can find certain eco drives for $100 on Amazon. I own a few of their watches, one being 10 years old. Have never had to reset the time on it (it’s perpetual) and still holds time perfectly. Paid $180 for it.
I have a n 07 Yaris with 250k miles and it still runs like a top. Plan to have it until it falls apart.
For running shoes, go with the brands that are known for running. Saucony, Brooks, Asics, New Balance, I'm sure some would name others. Each maker will have a shoe suited to your feet and running style.
Name brands that happen to have running shoes - Nike, Adidas, Reebok - are a bit more of a crapshoot. They might be good, but dollar for dollar still won't beat the above, especially for durability.
If you hate running, your legs, and yourself, by all means get some off brand from Payless.
Anker cables. They’re super resilient and they just work. Plus they’ve got a lifetime warranty. I’ve personally called them about a cable that stopped working and they sent me a free replacement.
Pepto Bismol.
I don't know why, but it just tastes more palatable than any of the off brands. The competition tastes chalky and bad in a way Pepto just doesn't. Pepto isn't exactly good? But it's refreshingly inoffensive. Which is an especially important criteria when my stomach is upset.
Always buy brand name Pepto.
Vitamix blenders. I’ve had mine for years, and it still blends like it is brand new.
Vitamix blenders are expensive but you will literally have it the rest of your life. The company even repairs if need be.
Charmin Ultra Soft
Edit: obligatory thank you to the kind stranger who gave this comment gold! Never knew people were as passionate about their TP brand as they are about the over/under debate (the correct answer is over).
Burts bees
Spotify premium. Almost all the music I need, all in 1 place across all devices.
Best subscription easily.
Been with Spotify since Itunes screwed me out of 100's of $$$ of paid for music! I am an avid music lovers and my PS give me an awesome library, I have a ridiculous playlist playground. Only Audible gets more love!
Patagonia, hands down. Their items are made to last a lifetime and are quality
I also really like PACT. They carry various clothing items made from organic cotton that are super comfortable and well worth spending more for. Rec the underwear and socks
Yorkshire Tea.
Yorkshire Gold are the best teabags, and all the other teabags can f**k off.
Carhartt socks. I am super picky about my socks. If they're too tight, my feet sweat and get cold. If too loose, they bunch up in my shoes as I walk. Too thin and they're useless in winter. Too thick and they are too tight when I'm wearing shoes.
Carhartt produces several socks that are perfect, especially for winter. Loose enough to let my feet breathe, not too thick to feel uncomfortable in my shoes, and no bunching as I walk.
Zojirushi rice cooker
Ahhh yea I have this!!! The ten cup rice cooker!!!! (Love the little elephant logo!)
Boar’s head deli meats
Knew someone that worked there. They legit care insanely about their quality and reputation. They send undercover people to spot check stores to make sure they are following their safety and freshness rules. Even down to making sure the condiment displays are arranged right. If the place fails they refuse to sell to them anymore
Levi’s
I loved my Levi 505s until they decided the already tiny pockets in women's jeans needed to be shrunk further to the point of utter uselessness. So now I'm looking for a new brand. 😡
Redwing work boots. I only buy their upper-level boots and have never regretted the purchase. I started with other brands and once I hit Redwings I was done.
Just don't buy timberlands. Bought a 300 dollar pair, it's sole dissolved after 1 year. Dissolved. Only 1 year. And I hardly wore it. ??!?
When it comes to headphones, ol’ mate Senny (Sennheiser) is a strong contender. A $50 pair of cans I bought from them sounds like a $120 pair of cans and last just as long. The further up the price rungs you go, the less total dominance they have, but they’re still very good.
I was a senny man for years being a dj, but went out on a limb with last pair. Got a brand called AIAIAI. They are a modular headphone so I can buy just the headband, just the speakers or just the cups, just the leads. I can customise the headphone to exactly how I want it to be and can change bits out if I want it to sound or feel different. Also if any part brakes I just buy a new part rather than having to buy a whole new set of Cans and they sound amazing
Vernors, the original ginger ale. It's not available everywhere so I pay a premium when I find it. The other brands are way too sweet.
Shimano Ultegra bicycle components. Works smoothly. Reliable. Can't complain.
I rebuilt stuff 35 years ago with Shimano derailleurs when I couldn't find Suntour, and now Shimano has taken the top spot !
Olaplex. I use the shampoo and conditioner. It expensive but I don’t use it everyday. It’s one of the very few expensive hair care brands that I honestly think is worth the money.
It’s definitely with the money! But add up the cost of the individual products vs. purchasing a bundle, because the individual products end up being cheaper. For example, on Amazon right now… their Complete Hair Repair Bundle is $210 for 6 products. Those 6 products individually run $30/each ($180). Skip the bundles!
Hotwheels
Because hotwheels
They are both owned by Matel the difference is Matchbox focuses on details and being an exact replica. Learned this from the show the Toys that Built America
My silly Dyson hairdryer. That thing is amazing.
Dyson is pretty much a marketing brand. Not bad products but completely overpriced with far better alternatives.
Guerlain - you want perfume that lasts and gives you a glimpse of heaven - the only way to go.
It reminds me of my mom. Whenever I smell Shalimar, it reminds me of my mom that I miss.
Converse shoes aka Chuck Taylors.
I've had other canvas sneakers but none that were as good in fit and quality. The little air holes on the side make a big difference too if you have sweaty feet
Last pair of Chuck Taylors I bought was in 1974. They had IRREGULAR stamped on the sole and cost $9. My dad almost had a heart attack.
High-end outdoors gear - Arc'teryx, Patagonia, etc. Sometimes that extra bit of insulation or reduced weight can mean the difference between life and death.
Knipex hand tools
Milwaukee power tools
Dewalt. I have a Dewalt drill and it is amazing Powerful, just keep going and going.
Veronica Foods certified and tested Extra Virgin Olive oils and vinegars. There is SO much fraud when it comes to olive oil, it’s actually sickening. I will always spend the money for real first press, cold pressed olive oil. A lot of “olive oils” sold in grocery stores are made with canola, soybean or vegetable oil with MAAAYBE 3% EVOO if you’re lucky. Sometimes even nut and seed oils which has caused people to go into anaphylactic shock. But because there is no regulation in the US when it comes to olive oil, they can literally label it whatever they want such as “FIRST PRESS! COLD PRESSED! EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL MADE IN ITALY!!” When it’s actually pressed multiple times with heat and chemicals in another country, shipped to Italy where they will mix it with a different type of oil in a big a*s vat machine. Where it will then sit on a shipping boat for who knows how long so by the time it finally reaches your store, it’s expired or damn near expired and it’s not even real.
Shivers in disgust.
That's much more of a US issue. Any 'branded' olive oil in Europe will give you percentages of which oils, if any other than olive, and which pressing are in it.
As far as outdoorsy stuff and tools:
Benchmade knives, Sea to Summit sleeping bags, Hyperlite tents and packs, Merrell boots, Estwing tools, Leatherman multi-tools
Check out /r/BuyItForLife, lots of good stuff on there
Edit: Some friendly debate on the Merrell brand, I'm just gonna give my 2 cents. Mine were some boots from 2015 so they could have gone down in quality, I have no clue. My first pair lasted from Georgia to almost the end of Virginia but I was doing near 15-20+ mile days depending on the terrain. [They saw over 500mi/800km](https://imgur.com/a/1N3iPqi)
There's a ton of great boots out there though. Shop around!
Kettle chips
Gonna be an obscure choice, but GoPro. I've been racing stock cars for five years; some of my cameras have survived violent crashes or being pelted by debris at excessive speeds. Not only have the cameras taken a beating but the clamps/mounts used to secure the camera to the outside of the car have never failed. The cameras work as good today as they did when I first bought them even though they are beat to s**t.
Anyone who has bought onboard cams from cheaper brands almost unanimously report s**t battery life or the camera failing after a minor crash. Im convinced these things could survive nuclear war.
Not necessarily a brand name, but buying nice shampoo/conditioner instead of drug store ones can make a big difference, especially for people of color or with generally thicker hair. My hair is actually so much healthier, less frizzy, and looks so much better with nicer products. The difference was amazing.
Your water quality and shower head make a difference too. But yes, I agree. Drybar and I have a VERY close relationship.
Allen Edmonds shoes. Expensive but beautifully made and will last forever with a little care.
They are beautiful shoes. Very well made and very comfortable. Had them resoled once before giving them up. Salvatore Ferragamo are nice too. My Cole Haans only last Half as long and I can't resole them. Unfortunately there is no shoe repair stores nearby anymore. Another dying trade in a throw away economy.
Darn Tough socks....they really are.
My Irish setter work boots have never let me down. My last pair lasted like 6 years and are still functional. Plus I think they will maintain them for free if you need repairs. But I never actually went in to get them fixed for anything.
I was thinking to add this when I saw your post. AGREE!! Ive had my first pair for over 20 years.
Load More Replies...I hate when February comes around because my bank account takes such a hit from those little girls in green!
Load More Replies...I'm surprised no one said Revereware. My parents had the same Revereware set from when they got married in 1961. My father gave us a set then my husband and I got married. Those pots and pans suffered a lot of abuse over the years. we finally gave them to a neighbor when we were limited on moving van space for our trip across the USA. She's still using them and they are 30 years old.
My mother got her Revere Ware in 1962. My sister buried one of the pots in the back yard after burning something in it, some time around 1972. Mom dug it up, and has probably cooked something in that pot in the past week. But here's a challenge: try to buy some brand new Revere Ware today.
Load More Replies...I was thinking to add this when I saw your post. AGREE!! Ive had my first pair for over 20 years.
Load More Replies...I hate when February comes around because my bank account takes such a hit from those little girls in green!
Load More Replies...I'm surprised no one said Revereware. My parents had the same Revereware set from when they got married in 1961. My father gave us a set then my husband and I got married. Those pots and pans suffered a lot of abuse over the years. we finally gave them to a neighbor when we were limited on moving van space for our trip across the USA. She's still using them and they are 30 years old.
My mother got her Revere Ware in 1962. My sister buried one of the pots in the back yard after burning something in it, some time around 1972. Mom dug it up, and has probably cooked something in that pot in the past week. But here's a challenge: try to buy some brand new Revere Ware today.
Load More Replies...