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Original poster

To ask for - Best low cost thing you’ve bought recently ?

407 replies

PollyCherry · 12/07/2025 23:42

As a flip side to the expensive letdowns thread , has anyone bought anything low cost that’s been good ?
I got a mascara in b and m that’s great on my long blonde but thin eyelashes.
And an ineos hand wash that is actually really nice.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
bakebeans · 13/07/2025 19:14

Chemenger · 13/07/2025 10:59

A wool duvet to replace our horrible, sweaty polyester one, not massively cheap at £40 but well worth it.

💯. I bought one from Debenhams. It’s the best thing. Won’t go back to normal now

bakebeans · 13/07/2025 19:17

ssd · 13/07/2025 09:37

I'm sorry, but this is genius. Dh puts dirty stuff in when it's clean and needs emptied.

Show quote history

My husband does this! Winds me right up. I. really cannot understand why he needs a ruddy label though. It’s pretty obvious🙄

Foolsgold74 · 13/07/2025 19:20

Elasticated shoe laces.

DollyDabble · 13/07/2025 19:22

Cryotag works for skin tag removal

anyzee · 13/07/2025 19:42

USB chargeable neck fan. 3 speeds, portable and easy to find lol 😊Under a tenner.

One of those garden hoses that expand and contract. No more winding up a 75ft hose. Under 20 quid.

A spray attachment for the kitchen tap. I can now reach the entire sink. Why did I not get a tap with a spray thing in the first place, but this one does the job fine. A few quid.

USB chargeable mini lights for the bathroom and landing at night. Motion activated, absolutely brilliant. Cheap as chips.

NotInMyyName · 13/07/2025 20:27

This hair trap is the best Ive ever used. It catches longer hair really well and does not move about like other ones Ive used. Different sizes to customise to drain circumference.

LEKEYE Drain Hair Catcher, Stainless Steel Drain Protector Durable Tub Drain Hair Catcher, Strainer Easy Clean Hair Trap for Shower Drain https://amzn.eu/d/hIVhFZF

Okbyethen · 13/07/2025 21:07

With regards to the clean/dirty dishwasher signs referenced previously, I have this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stylish-Clean-Dirty-Dishwasher-Magnet/dp/B091FCVF2L?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3OH0HU043GUOB

It's a magnetic one but also comes with sticky thingies if needed. Definitely worth it for the silly boys in my house!

thebear1 · 13/07/2025 22:08

USB fan from Amazon. Been a god send recently

Mintine · 13/07/2025 22:09

Meredusoleil · 13/07/2025 18:50

Does it work? If so, which one please?

Show quote history

Yes which one and does it remove them in any area would you think!

TokyoSushi · 13/07/2025 22:10

I keep seeing everybody with little pastel coloured hand held fans, so they must be good - where are you all getting them from?!

cadburyegg · 13/07/2025 22:12

Water bottle drying rack. Keeps the kids water bottles, straws and lids together. No more bottles tumbling over on the draining board!

IDontHateRainbows · 13/07/2025 22:14

Had breakfast in a b and b today. Massive egg, sausage and bacon butty so big I had to open my mouth extra wide for it. With a cup of tea. Cost £4 all in all which for food out these days is like traveling back in time 20 years.

Denimrules · 13/07/2025 22:15

wwyd2021medicine · 13/07/2025 00:13

My £20 airfryer from Asda
After much thinking about pros and cons, I just bought a cheap one and it's been great. Definitely the best money I have spent in recent years.

Was it the Gino Dacampo one?

Velmy · 13/07/2025 22:17

A USB C hand held/desk fan from John Lewis. £12. An absolute lifesaver on the commute.

JMSA · 13/07/2025 22:21

Lactofull · 13/07/2025 09:05

My robot mower

ok so it was £350 BUT I was paying a gardener £30 every fortnight throughout summer and have been doing that for last 4 years…. So will save me shit loads PLUS no period ever where grass is overgrown because it’s on every day.

best recent purchase

as for properly cheap item…. My bum bag! I ONLY use at the airport but so useful for putting passports and tickets

I would bloody LOVE a robot mower.

oneplustwoplustwoplusone · 13/07/2025 22:25

@ButthechildrentheylovethebooksPaultons Park by any chance??!??

MidnightMusing5 · 13/07/2025 22:25

@Chemenger @bakebeans please can you link your wool duvets , thanks

MidnightMusing5 · 13/07/2025 22:26

Velmy · 13/07/2025 22:17

A USB C hand held/desk fan from John Lewis. £12. An absolute lifesaver on the commute.

I’ve got two of these and intend to buy for other members of family. Excellent quality for the money imo

Rallentanda · 13/07/2025 22:31

A cabbage shredder. Looks like a bigger veg peeler. About £7.50, perfect fluffy coleslaw.

Ohmygodnotnow · 13/07/2025 22:33

Anotherparkingthread · 13/07/2025 00:38

Ohhh I love these threads!

I have a water flosser, a generic brand one costing about 20 pounds and I absolutely bloody love it. Bye bye bleeding gums and plaque below the gumline. Haven't needed to see a hygienist since I first got one 4 years ago, because my teeth are completely free from any build up. Worth every penny has saved me a fortune. The original one finally died last week and I ordered a new one immediately.

My "butt puncher", as it's called at our house. It's a deep tissue massager gun that I paid around 15 pounds for on Amazon and thought would be utter crap but oh.my.god. when I've got tight muscles in my back or glutes it's the absolute best thing ever. It's wicked and I can use it on myself so no more whining at my partner to rub my tight muscles. Leaves me feeling all floaty. A fraction of the cost of even one sports massage and can use it any time I feel I need it.

A new hair clip. It's way more sophisticated than my any old go to - the lazy ponytail, but still keeps my v long hair out of the way. I picked one in a soft matte brown and it matches my brown soft leather bag so I look oddly out together despite it only costing a couple of quid.

This might not be what youre looking for but I got a Bluetooth camera shutter button that pairs with my phone. I needed some pictures of myself for a profession thing but I tend to get really stiff and awkward when somebody points a camera at me. Managed to get some amazingly nice shots without hiring a photographer which saved money and they look better because I'm much more relaxed. Cost about £5. also great for group and family photos.

YES the butt puncher! Literally transformational.

Pricelessadvice · 13/07/2025 22:34

Toothbrush covers. They are plastic and you just clip them over the toothbrush heads.
Different colours too to easy to identify which brush belongs to who.
A pack only cost about few quid on Amazon.

MidnightMusing5 · 13/07/2025 22:40

@Anotherparkingthread butt puncher and water flosser link would be so very appreciated!

Howtonamechange · 13/07/2025 22:41

I bought some bulldog clips that have been great for holding the bin bag in place so it doesn't slide down and has to be fished out, holding the laundry liner, closing the bag of rice... The possibilities are endless lol

Leapintothelightning · 13/07/2025 22:42

Anotherparkingthread · 13/07/2025 00:38

Ohhh I love these threads!

I have a water flosser, a generic brand one costing about 20 pounds and I absolutely bloody love it. Bye bye bleeding gums and plaque below the gumline. Haven't needed to see a hygienist since I first got one 4 years ago, because my teeth are completely free from any build up. Worth every penny has saved me a fortune. The original one finally died last week and I ordered a new one immediately.

My "butt puncher", as it's called at our house. It's a deep tissue massager gun that I paid around 15 pounds for on Amazon and thought would be utter crap but oh.my.god. when I've got tight muscles in my back or glutes it's the absolute best thing ever. It's wicked and I can use it on myself so no more whining at my partner to rub my tight muscles. Leaves me feeling all floaty. A fraction of the cost of even one sports massage and can use it any time I feel I need it.

A new hair clip. It's way more sophisticated than my any old go to - the lazy ponytail, but still keeps my v long hair out of the way. I picked one in a soft matte brown and it matches my brown soft leather bag so I look oddly out together despite it only costing a couple of quid.

This might not be what youre looking for but I got a Bluetooth camera shutter button that pairs with my phone. I needed some pictures of myself for a profession thing but I tend to get really stiff and awkward when somebody points a camera at me. Managed to get some amazingly nice shots without hiring a photographer which saved money and they look better because I'm much more relaxed. Cost about £5. also great for group and family photos.

Oh I love the sound of the Bluetooth shutter button thing!

Soukmyfalafel · 13/07/2025 22:45

Yellowbirdcage · 13/07/2025 10:30

A pack of those net tent things that pop over food. Use them daily when I am prepping or just over the fruit bowl or cat’s bowl when there are flies about.

Lidl occitane knock off verbena hand wash. Bought 6 more!

Also those Scrub Daddy sponges. Thought they were gimmicky but I actually love them.

I like the knock off lush rose shower gel from Lidl. I was dubious, but it smells pretty good for £2.