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Back in 2009, Amazon started selling select products—mostly electronic accessories—under the Amazon Basics brand. It now sells more than 1500 items, and with a range of products that includes everything from batteries to electric kettles, the brand is anything but basic. Here are a few of the products that reviewers and experts agree are just as good as the name brands—for a fraction of the price.
1. 100 Pack AA High-Performance Alkaline Batteries; $27
The Amazon Basics line really got its start with these batteries, and according to one source, they're still one of the brand’s bestsellers. One out of every $10 spent on Amazon Basics sales is a battery purchase, OneZero reported in 2019. It’s not much of a surprise when you look at the price—at $0.27 per battery for a pack of 100, it’s half as pricey as name brands like Energizer, and its 68,000 five-star reviews suggest that customers are more than satisfied. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, Amazon Basics also sells rechargeable batteries in five different sizes.
Buy it: Amazon
2. 14-Piece Kitchen Knife Set; $25
Kitchen knife sets from name brands like Cuisinart can cost up to $160, making this 14-piece set a bargain at just $26. The knives in this 4.5-star-rated set are made of a sturdy high-carbon stainless steel, meaning they’re durable, resistant to rusting, and capable of maintaining a razor-sharp edge for longer. Plus, their sturdy plastic handles make them easier to clean than knives with wooden handles.
Buy it: Amazon
3. 8-Sheet Capacity Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder; $35
Wirecutter speaks highly of Amazon Basics paper shredders—this affordable model was its top pick in 2019. With its cross-cut shredding function, it’s appropriate for destroying more secure documents and ID cards that you don’t want anyone getting their hands on. Reviewers say that it’s a “surprisingly good value” and relatively quiet when compared to other paper shredders.
Buy it: Amazon
4. Lightweight Microfiber Sheet Set; $14-$25
At $20 for a queen set, Amazon’s signature bedsheets are about as affordable as they come. Plus, they're available in more than 40 different colors and patterns, and the pockets are large enough to accommodate mattresses up to 16 inches deep. Reviewers say that the material is “super soft” and cozy for cold nights.
Buy it: Amazon
5. 2-Pack Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mats; $11
These reusable baking mats replace the need for cooking spray and parchment paper, and they make the clean-up process far more manageable. They’re oven-safe up to 480°F, making them a perfect companion for whatever you’re planning on baking—whether that’s cinnamon rolls or salmon. Once you’re done cooking, simply place them in the top rack of your dishwasher and let the machine do all the clean-up.
Buy it: Amazon
6. Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker; $27
This portable Bluetooth speaker can pair with devices up to 33 feet away, and it also comes with an auxiliary jack to accommodate devices without Bluetooth capability. It can play for eight uninterrupted hours after a full charge, and at just $27, it’s perfect for casual listeners. But if you’re looking for something with a little more audio oomph, we’ve put together a list of the most popular portable speakers Amazon has to offer.
Buy it: Amazon
7. Nylon-Braided Apple iPhone Charger; $13
Apple’s signature iPhone charging cord sells for $29 on its own website, so it’s no shocker that the Amazon Basics version has a 4.7-star rating and more than 26,000 customer reviews. This charging cord is wrapped in durable nylon fiber to prevent fraying and extend its lifetime. Not an iPhone user? Amazon Basics has you covered with this $9 USB-C charging cable.
Buy it: Amazon
8. Leather-Padded Adjustable Swivel Office Desk Chair; $93
A good home office requires a sturdy, comfortable desk chair. With its fully adjustable controls, contoured padded back, and affordable price, this office chair might just do the trick for your new work-from-home lifestyle.
Buy it: Amazon
9. 24-Pack Microfiber Cleaning Cloths; $14
Amazon Basics really excels when it comes to affordable staples for the home, and this set of cleaning cloths is no exception. The microfiber used in these washcloths is super absorbent and as effective for cleaning vehicles as it is household items. Plus, they can retain their absorbency even after dozens of washes.
Buy it: Amazon
10. 15-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set; $53
Complete with multiple saucepans, frying pans, and utensils, this 15-piece cookware set can handle anything from robust Sunday dinners to quick weekday breakfasts. Everything here is durable and functional, and while you may need something sturdier to make stews and roasts (more on that below), this is perfect for a first apartment or a family looking for a real value. It's also more than $100 cheaper than this comparable set from Rachael Ray, which sports a 4.6-star rating.
Buy it: Amazon
11. 6-Quart Dutch Oven; $47
Your stomach may want you to spring for that vaunted Le Creuset Dutch oven, but your wallet probably doesn't want to take the $370 hit. Luckily, Amazon makes its own version of this kitchen staple that's earned more than 6900 five-star reviews. The oven's cast-iron build ensures consistent heat throughout, making it the ideal vessel for soups, stews, and more.
Buy it: Amazon
12. Velvet Non-Slip Clothes Hangers; From $20
These velvet clothes hangers can add a little more elegance to your closet. Available in packs of 30, 50, and 100, they’re slim, sleek, and can help keep suits, pants, and other apparel neatly organized. Don’t let the thin velvet exterior fool you into thinking these hangers, which have a 4.8-star rating on Amazon, will break easily. They’re designed to hold up to 10 pounds a piece and many of the more than 136,000 reviewers who have tried them say they’re incredibly resilient.
Buy it: Amazon
13. Rubber Car Floor Mats, Pack of 4; $28
When was the last time you replaced your car mats? If you can’t remember, that means it’s time to grab a new set. But instead of schlepping down to AutoZone where you’ll end up spending more money for essentially the same thing, give this basic four pack from Amazon Basics a gander. They’re constructed from thick yet malleable rubber and have a no-skid design, so they’re less likely to slip and slide on the floor as you drive. Better still, you can wash them with regular soap and water, and they can be trimmed to fit your car’s specific dimensions. More than 4600 Amazon shoppers have tried them and helped give them a combined 4.6-star rating on the site.
Buy it: Amazon
14. Collapsible Fabric Storage Cube Organizers, Pack of 6; $20
Organizing odds and ends is easier to do with a good set of storage cubes. This six pack from Amazon Basics is up for the challenge, as each collapsible box is lightweight yet made with sewn-in handles that are easy to grab a hold of. Made with an open top, these cubes can be used as is or slotted into a cubby for a more stylish presentation. No matter which way you use them, these 4.7-star-rated boxes are home-storage workhorses and definitely worth grabbing.
Buy it: Amazon
15. 5.3-Gallon Soft-Close, Smudge Resistant Trash Can with Foot Pedal; $51
Simplehuman trash cans are the gold—or should we say, silver—standard when it comes to trash cans, but of course, these brushed stainless steel containers can set you back hundreds of dollars. Instead, consider grabbing this smudge-resistant dupe by Amazon Basics. Prices on these trash cans can vary depending on the size you’re looking for, but you can get a standard 20 liter (or 5.3 gallon) version for a little over $50. Nearly 16,000 Amazon reviewers have tried it and it has a 4.6-star rating on the site.
Buy it: Amazon
16. Warming Pet Bed for Cats and Dogs; From $21
Priced from $21 and up, this warming bed for cats and dogs is a steal. Choose from 24- to 35-inch sizing and customize even more, as you can opt to snag this in rectangular or round shapes. This bed, which has a 4.6-star rating and more than 9000 customer reviewers, is made with soft faux-sherpa fleece and corduroy, which means your pet will have a tough time munching or clawing through it. It’s also constructed from the same tech as self-warming mylar space blankets, so you won’t have to plug it in to make it an inviting pit stop for your pooch or favorite feline.
Buy it: Amazon
A version of this story ran in 2020; it has been updated for 2022.
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