People Share The ‘Big Purchases’ They Say Were Worth Every Penny
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Heartbreaking news: Sometimes, the splurge is worth it.
Heartbreaking news: Sometimes, the splurge is worth it. You never want to hear that spending a ton of money on a product is actually a good thing, but thereâs no denying that some products, from cleaning appliances to cookware, have more than earned their steep dollar count. And if youâre a pragmatic shopper like me, you probably want to know for certain that youâll get all possible bang for your buck before you dig out your wallet to drop hundreds of dollars on an item sight unseen.
Amazon
Thatâs why I asked some of my colleagues for the best big purchases theyâve ever bought, to find out what people really think is worth the splurge. The answers I got from writers, editors, and other staffers ran the gamut from shoes to baby carriers to so, so many vacuum cleaners. (What can I say? Everybody loves a good vacuum cleaner.)
If you want to make sure your next big purchase is spent on something you can trust, keep reading to see our picks for the most splurge-worthy products out there.
1.
The GoPro Hero12 waterproof camera
Amazon
“I was always under the impression that GoPros were more for people who lead way more adventurous lives than I do,” says Adam Schubak, growth strategist for the shopping team, “but I decided to make the investment ahead of my wedding and honeymoon. I was so happy with the video quality that we ended up using it to record our ceremony in lieu of hiring a videographer. Since then, I take it with me on every vacation and family gathering to capture memories that I can relive at the click of a button.”
The Hero12 model can take ultra high-definition HDR photos and videos, but isn’t nearly as bulky as other expensive cameras. It’s also super durable, able to be dunked underwater down to 33 feet and still deliver high-quality images thanks to the water-repelling lens cover.
Get it from Amazon for $289.99.
2.
A worth-every-penny pair of headphones
Amazon
“After hearing about how good the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are for years, I pulled the trigger when they dropped down to $300, and I don’t regret it one bit,” said shopping writer Kevin Cortez of these widely adored premium over-ear headphones. “I’ve been using them daily since grabbing them a few weeks back, and they’re still blowing me away. I’ve been revisiting some favorite albums and noticing different parts of songs I never did before â it’s like they grant me the ability to hear the parts I didn’t know were being muddled with cheaper earbuds. They’re so comfortable, even as a glasses-wearer, and I’ve even been using them during phone calls for crystal-clear audio. They’re the most premium item in my apartment. Seriously, they’re so good, they make me feel like I’ve been listening to music wrong my entire life. I f**king love them so much it’s wild.”
These headphones have a 4.6-star score and over 58,000 reviews on Amazon. They boast up to 30 hours of battery life and touch-sensor controls to easily pause, play or adjust the volume on your audio and will even automatically pause playback when you remove them from your ear. Â
Get them from Amazon for $228 (available in three colors).
3.
The Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 deluxe bundle
Walmart
Schubak also believes his purchase of a Nintendo Switch was well worth it. “Nintendo has been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember, and adulthood hasn’t changed any of that. From having at-home date nights with my husband to having intense Mario Kart races against my niece and nephew, playing Nintendo Switch has become a part of my daily routine,” he says. “I could write essays about what it has done for my mental health during difficult periods of my life over the past few years. This bundle, which includes the system, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, joy-cons, and a 12-month membership to Nintendo Switch Online, is the ideal starter pack for gamers of any age.”
Get it from Walmart for $299.
4.
A cozy weighted hoodie for weighted blanket enthusiasts
Thera
If you love cozying up in weighted blankets, shopping writer Haley Zovickian has recommended this weighted hoodie from Thera in previous coverage. “The jacketâs deep pressure melted away my tension and soothed my nerves surprisingly quickly, and it felt like I was wearing a secure, cozy cocoon,” she wrote.”
It turns out this cocoon-like feeling is exactly the intended effect: Thera designed the hoodie to feel like a calming hug â aiming to help reduce cortisol, calm the nervous system and boost oxytocin and serotonin like hugs do. (The jacket is also supposed to help support deeper and more restful sleep.)”
The hoodie comes in six colors in the fleece version and three colors in the minky version, in sizes XSâ3XL. An XS weighs eight pounds. It’s also available in a kid’s size in three fleece colors and one minky color.
Get it from Thera for $158.
5.
A durable leather pair of Rainbow sandals
Amazon
“I had a pair of Rainbows in high school when I worked at a summer camp and always remembered them being supportive and comfortable,” says shopping writer Griffin Wynne.Â
“Last summer, I got a few pairs of $2 plastic flip-flops that I ended up breaking or walking through. After seeing a guy wearing Rainbows in a bar, I remembered them and went to buy a pair, only to be shocked at the $70 price. I bit the bullet and got them anyway and have not regretted it once. Theyâre so light and easy to pack, the leather looks nice and ages well, they can easily be dressed up or down and theyâre actually supportive and give me proper arch support. If youâre in the market for a universal flop â Iâd recommend investing.”
The sandals are available in five colors in women’s sizes 5.5â11.
Get them from Amazon for $70.99.
6.
A high-suction Miele vacuum
Amazon
Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane previously sang the praises of the Miele Compact C1 vacuum last year and still loves it.Â
“Mine is a slightly older version, but I think this is the most up-to-date model. It is the most simple, thoughtfully designed vacuum, and it works incredibly well after more than 10 years of heavy use,” she said. “The suction power is incredible, and it’s so easy to use on both carpet and hardwood floors thanks to the variety of attachments. Last year, we added the parquet twister attachment to our arsenal, which I also highly recommend.”
Get it from Amazon for $469.
7.
An automatic self-cleaning cat litter box
Amazon
“The Litter-Robot may be the best purchase Iâve ever made, for the life-changing reason that I have not scooped a single bit of litter since I bought it nearly a year ago,” Zovickian says. “To say this has been a quality of life upgrade for me and my cat is a dramatic understatement. I now never interact with cat poop except for when I empty it out every nine days (!), and my cat has a fresh, hygienic bed of litter ready for her use all the time. Itâs the most precious thing I own â besides my kitty.
Yes, itâs more than I ever anticipated spending on a litter box, but for me, it was worth every penny I paid for it. If youâre curious about how the Litter-Robot works, check out the process in action on TikTok or YouTube. It automatically scoops litter by rotating its inner shell, shaking clumped litter through a filter and depositing the soiled litter in a sealed drawer-like compartment underneath the box (which also effectively and blissfully traps odor).”
Get it from Target for $699.99.
8.
The highly-rated Kindle Paperwhite e-reader
Amazon
Like myself, Zovickian is a Kindle Paperwhite devotee. She previously wrote, “With the Kindle, instead of lugging around a 15-pound bag of books from place to place, I can hold thousands of titles at a fraction of the weight in my bag or a large pocket, completely comfortably. This has been nothing short of game-changing.”
My Kindle Paperwhite is the reason I was able to more than double the annual amount of books I read, from 12 in 2022 to 28 in 2023. My Kindle has essentially paid for itself, too, since I use the Libby app to check out digital copies of library books to read on my Kindle for free â no more time or money spent agonizing over bookstore prices, and I can have my next read in my hands within minutes of adding it to my TBR list.
Get it from Amazon for $149.99.
9.
The self-charging Roomba 692
Amazon
“Hands down, I never regret purchasing my Roomba,” says Marquaysa Battle, Shopping deputy managing editor. “It’s easy to use and it PICKS UP SO WELL. It’s even gently pushed doors open to clean a room when I’ve forgotten to widen it. I experience a lot of neck and back pain that doesn’t always allow me to push a broom or vacuum the way I would like to and this thing totally helps. I purchased it for a little relief on my bad days but also because I had a Shark vac that was just horrible, whether I was having a good day or not. I’ve since purchased one for my mom and she loves hers, too.”
Get it from Amazon for $234.49.
10.
A durable 11-piece set of pots and pans
Amazon
Editorial manager Erin Evans said this 11-piece Calphalon cookware set was still a splurge when she bought it on sale, but she loves it. The set includes a 10-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan, 2.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, and an 8-quart stockpot, all of which (except the 10-inch fry pan) come with tempered glass lids. The pots and pans are nonstick but metal utensil-safe, oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and even dishwasher-safe to make cleanup easy. It also has a lifetime warranty.
Heads up: The standard set that Evans owns appears to be going fast (so get it while you can), but there’s also another version of the set with the same cookware that has MineralShield nonstick technology, making it five times more durable, according to the brand.
Get the standard set from Amazon for $248.85+ (available in three sizes) or the set with MineralShield for $399.99.
11.
The Breville Barista Touch espresso machine
Amazon
One editor recommends the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine as a big upfront expense that will pay dividends later, especially if you’re someone who’s constantly going out to get coffee at coffee shops. By making coffee at home, you can start saving money big time. (Ruane has a similar model from Breville that she uses daily and adores.)
The machine has a pictorial touchscreen, making it easier than ever to choose the coffee drink you want. You can adjust the coffee strength, milk texture and temperature to your preferred settings, then save them as a favorite so the machine remembers them for later. It also heats up in just three seconds and can brew one to two cups at a time. The machine is available in four colors. And if this splurge price has you hesitating, save the link for later, because the Barista Touch is known to go on sale sometimes.
Get it from Amazon for $999.95.
12.
An UPPAbaby stroller with so many convenient features
Amazon
An editor commends this UPPAbaby stroller for growing with her family. The stroller comes with a water-repellent bassinet for babies up to 20 pounds and a toddler seat for children from three months to 50 pounds. It also features an under-seat basket that can hold up to 30 pounds, shock-absorbing wheel suspension, a rain shield, bug shield and UPF 50+ sunshade to protect the baby. It’s available in seven colors and currently has a hard-to-beat average rating of over 4.7 stars at Amazon.
Get it from Amazon for $759.99+.
13.
These Sonos Ace over-ear headphones
Amazon
“I received the Sonos Ace Headphones as a gift, and they are absolutely worth the splurge,” says BuzzFeed IT project manager Jusanha Abobo. “I’ve almost convinced everyone on my team to get a pair. They’re much better than the Apple AirPods Max â lighter and with incredible noise canceling.”
Released this year, these over-ear headphones are available in white or black, have up to 30 hours of battery life on a single rapid charge and has spatial audio as well as Noise Cancellation and Aware modes so you can choose how much you hear of what’s happening around you.Â
Get them from Amazon for $349+.
14.
A luxe baby carrier for ultimate comfort without back pain
Artipoppe
“[It’s] so pricey compared to the other types of baby carriers but the Artipoppe baby carrier is worth the price,” says senior producer Leah Mark. “I have used other ones and they always end up hurting my back and always [need] two people to put it on. With the Artipoppe, I can put it on myself. This weekend, my baby spent about 90 minutes in the carrier at a baseball game and didn’t complain at all and my back wasn’t hurt.”
The Zeitgeist Baby Carrier comes in 34 variants, with options for different colors, materials and patterns.
Get the leopard print version from Artipoppe for $370Â (or browse other styles).
