Clothes
It seems like a good idea at first, getting clothes from Amazon. So cheap and convenient! But Amazon obviously has no options to try before you buy, and so many people have ended up getting comedically undersized or oversized items from the website. There are even memes about it.
Shoes
The same thing goes with shoes. Shoes are incredibly important, and people underrate them. If you get a wrongly sized pair, it could seriously damage your feet. Go to a reputable brick-and-mortar shoe store instead of leaving it up to Amazon.
Furniture
Be very careful when ordering furniture off of Amazon. You may have seen instances of when people ordered what they thought was a full-size chair and it turned out to be a doll’s house chair instead. Some unscrupulous companies thrive on you not checking the sizes.
Wacky Kitchen Gadgets
They look fun in the commercial - twisting, chopping, flipping in style - but in reality, they barely work. Most end up shoved in a drawer after one use, collecting dust. People buy them thinking they’ll simplify cooking, but instead they complicate it. And they’re usually difficult to clean as well!
Fancy Electric Toothbrushes
Sure, the ads make it look like you’re brushing like a dentist, but most electric toothbrush modes are overkill. People try every setting, then give up and stick to one. And when the battery dies or the replacement heads cost a fortune, regret kicks in. Simple manual brushes would’ve done the job just fine, it turns out.
Inflatable Furniture
Air sofas and chairs are tempting if you like a quirky house, but they sag, pop, or leak constantly. After the first day, most buyers realize it’s like sitting on a plastic water balloon. They’re heavy to move, awkward to store, and frankly should have been left in the 90s.
Novelty T-Shirts
Funny slogans or favorite pop culture characters lure buyers in, but the moment they wash the t-shirt, shrinkage or fading hits. That hilarious shirt you bought to stand out makes you stand out for the wrong reasons. People regret not checking fabric quality first.
Random Home Exercise Equipment
Mini trampolines, ab rollers, resistance bands - everyone buys them thinking this’ll be the year they finally get fit. A month later, they’re gathering dust in the corner, often replaced by guilt. Most people just overestimate how much they really want to exercise.
Overcomplicated Coffee Makers
Single-serve machines that claim to do everything from froth to brew exotic blends sound like a dream come true. In reality, they break easily, clog, or require a PhD to operate. And then, once you have learned to operate them, cleaning them is a pain.
Cheap Wireless Earbuds
They’re hyped up, but they usually crackle, disconnect, or die after a few months. People spend money hoping for convenience and quality, only to face constant pairing issues or lost sound. Investing a little more in reputable earbuds would’ve prevented the headache.
Self-Cleaning Water Bottles
Sounds amazing, right? UV light cleans your bottle automatically. But in practice, the battery dies, the light barely reaches all corners, and cleaning manually is still necessary. People often toss these, frustrated, realizing they could have just washed a regular bottle like a normal person.
Tiny Desk Fans
Cute and portable, yes - but mostly useless. People buy them hoping for a breeze at work or in the bedroom, only to get nothing but a thin breeze of wind. Regret comes quickly when it’s easier to just open a window.
Overhyped Popcorn Makers
These claim to make theater-quality popcorn at home, but the result is often tiny, burnt, or unevenly popped. Cleaning is fiddly, and the countertop space they occupy isn’t worth it. Most buyers quickly realize microwave bags are easier and cheaper.
Inflatable Pool Floats
Many wacky inflatable pool floats look amazing in summer photos, but leaks and punctures are inevitable. They’re cumbersome to inflate, deflate, and store. Most people end up deflated and frustrated, regretting that Instagram-inspired purchase.
Silicone Baking Mats
Silicone baking mats promise easy baking and easy cleanup, but cheap versions stick more than your food does. People spend $15–$20 thinking they’re non-stick, only to find cookies torn apart or muffins ruined. Don’t be fooled! A little parchment paper often works better.
Clip-On Phone Camera Lenses
They sound fun for taking wide-angle or macro shots, but alignment issues and blurry images make them frustrating. Many people regret buying them after realizing their phone camera already does a decent job on its own.
Electric Wine Openers
These promise effortless uncorking but often fail on cheaper bottles or require precise angle placement. Batteries die at the worst moments, leaving people frustrated with a cork they still have to wrestle out manually. A traditional corkscrew is more reliable… and let’s be honest, they have a classy vibe to them that electric wine openers just don’t.
UV Nail Lamps
Nail art lovers, beware. Those UV nail lamps from Amazon promise salon-quality nails at home but require hours of prep and frequent bulb replacements. Many buyers regret the purchase after realizing it’s easier and probably safer to just get nails done professionally.
Oddly Shaped Ice Cube Trays
Unicorns, stars, or giant spheres are cute, but tricky to fill, remove, and clean. People regret spending money on trays that produce half-broken or stuck ice cubes. Standard trays are just easier and way less frustrating.
Funny Novelty Mugs
They look funny online when it’s 2am and you’re slightly drink, but the mugs are often tiny, flimsy, or poorly printed. And think about it, do you really need a Spider-Man shaped mug, or a work mug with a Michael Scott quote on it?
Funko Pops
These little plastic figurines are everywhere. People buy them thinking they’ll be the collectible of the future, but they’re losing their novelty already. The vast majority of Funko Pops are unfortunately very likely to just end up in landfill.
Bluetooth Shower Speakers
Sound quality on these is usually terrible, batteries die fast, and Bluetooth connectivity drops constantly. People buy them thinking they’ll rock out in the shower, only to end up frustrated with crackling tunes. A cheap water-resistant speaker or just leaving your phone nearby often works just as well without the hassle.
Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
They seem eco-friendly and smart but can stain, fall apart, or even start to smell after a few washes. People buy them thinking they’ll save money and reduce waste, only to find the maintenance and cleaning aren’t worth it. A classic cotton pad often works better with less effort.
DVDs
DVDs are going out of fashion fast. There’s simply no need for them now that streaming is king. Some people still order DVDs on Amazon during sales, though, and they soon regret it when they realize those movies are available on Netflix or Disney+.
DNA Testing Kits
23andme and their competitors promise life-changing insights - ancestry, health risks, hidden traits - but most people quickly realize the results are vague, sometimes contradictory, and not nearly as groundbreaking as advertised. And then of course there’s the occasions when someone finds out their dad isn’t biologically related to them…
Nutribullets
Nutribullets look like the perfect solution for smoothies, soups, and quick meals, but reality can be messy. The blades dull over time, and cleaning is often a pain. Many buyers regret spending $70+ when a regular blender would have done the job just as well.
Photo Albums
You buy a photo album thinking it’ll be a nice way to get in the nostalgia zone, but buying one off Amazon has unfortunate risks. Sometimes they’re too small to actually slide any photos in, or they don’t have paper sections where you can write notes.
Cuddly Toys
Buying cuddly toys for your kids (or for yourself) on Amazon can be a minefield. Sometimes they arrive at your house in a wildly different size, or they’re just so badly made that everyone ends up disappointed. Best to just go to a toy store.
Games Console Controllers
It’s always best to get your Xbox, Playstation, etc controllers from a regular store rather than Amazon. Many people have reported that the Amazon options just aren’t good enough, and don’t last very long. Plus you run the risk of them being damaged in transit.
Air Fryers
There’s been a huge rush on these recently. They promise crispy fries with no oil, quick dinners, and easy cleanup. But many buyers regret how things actually turn out. Cheaper models burn the edges of the food while leaving the middle soggy, and cleaning the basket isn’t nearly as effortless as the ads make it look.
Foot Spas
Foot spas seem like a luxurious at-home treat, but most are bulky, messy, and hard to clean. The water cools down quickly and the bubbles barely bubble. People regret the purchase after using it twice, realizing a warm bath and some Epsom salts would’ve done the trick.
Labubus
These are the “big thing” of 2025. Suddenly you couldn’t move without seeing an influencer dangling a toothy little Labubu off their bag. But do you really need one? The trend is already dying down. Don’t buy one just to fit in with the crowd, that way lies madness.
Books
Amazon started as a bookstore, it’s true, and many people still buy their books from them. But consider – the rise of Amazon put many small, local bookshops out of business. Don’t let that happen to the friendly little bookshop in your home town. If there’s a book you want to read, consider visiting an independent bookstore rather than Amazon.
