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18 cheap buys for less than £35 that have made our experts' lives easier
Yasmine specialises in shopping advice and finding the best deals during sales events like Black Friday, helping readers get great value for their money.
You don't need to spend a fortune to improve your everyday routine. Sometimes, the most useful products are also among the cheapest.
Whether it's a clever kitchen gadget, a handy travel accessory or a simple organisational tool, certain products will save you time and improve daily frustrations.
We asked Which? experts to reveal the cheap buys they now consider essential.
Mous phone lanyard
I was sick of dropping my phone all the time, so I invested in a phone strap. This one has a wrist strap and a crossbody strap, and you can easily and quickly switch between the modes. It's been so useful as I often don't have pockets or a bag, so it means I can keep my phone on me and not worry about losing it. I even went ziplining wearing it and it kept my phone secure and easily accessible so I could take pics as I whizzed through the Hawaiian jungle!
We like: 2-in-1 lanyard (wrist and crossbody fit possible)
We don’t like: Best used with a Mous case
A phone lanyard keeps your handset secure in crowded places while making it easier to check directions, pay using contactless or snap photos on the go.
This affordable option connects to your phone case using connectors that slot into eyelets on your case, and Mous provides a threading tool to help you attach it.
You will need a case with eyelets, so it's best suited to Mous cases.
Read the Mous Phone Sling review or see our guide to the best phone straps.
VonShef rice cooker
I genuinely use this rice cooker most days. It's transformational. Fluffy, perfect rice with almost no effort required. Small enough to put away in the cupboard after every use. Easy to wash up. And ridiculously cheap.
We like: Easier to cook rice than in a saucepan
We don’t like: Another appliance on your countertop
If you make a lot of rice at home, a rice cooker could be a game-changer. A good rice cooker will give you consistently well-cooked rice every time. You won’t need to keep an eye on it as it cooks. Simply add rice and water, press a button and walk away.
This VonShef model cooks up to 1.5 cups of rice at a time and has a keep-warm setting, so you can finish the rest of the meal without worrying about timing everything perfectly.
Read the VonShef 0.3L Personal Rice Cooker 13/342 review or see our guide to the best rice cookers.
Karcher WV 1 window vac
I use this every day. We live in a damp cottage where condensation covers the windows every morning in winter. As I go round opening the windows to air the rooms each day, I give them a quick wipe with the vac and all that moisture vanishes. I also use it to clear our steamy bathroom once the family's had their morning showers. I love it so much, I bought one for my mum and my brother.
We like: Useful for windows, mirrors, shower screens and more
We don’t like: Remember to charge it
Mopping up condensation on your windows with a cloth is time consuming, so why not speed things up with a window vac? It should suck up water and leave the window streak-free in a matter of seconds.
You can use it on other surfaces too, such as mirrors and shower screens.
Read the Karcher WV 1 Window vac review or see our guide to the best window vacs.
TP-Link Tapo smart lights
Smart lights help me start the day more gently by mimicking a sunrise in my bedroom, and in the evening I can instantly adjust the brightness and colour to match my mood. When I'm travelling, I can control them from anywhere, making it look like someone is home and giving me peace of mind.
We like: Affordable coloured lights
Watch out for: Each will need to be set up individually
TP-Link’s range of affordable coloured smart bulbs can be controlled by voice through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant speakers.
You can customise brightness and colour through the smartphone app, and set schedules and timers.
Find out more about why you should invest in smart bulbs for your home.
Ikea Pressa clothes dryer
Available from Ikea (£3)
A lifesaver for families. You can air-dry loads of small items without taking up much space. Try putting kids' socks on a normal airer, and they'll just fall off. This is the perfect solution.
We like: Adds extra space for drying clothes
Watch out for: More equipment to store
Struggling to find enough space to dry clothes indoors? This hanging dryer from Ikea is ideal for socks, underwear and children's clothing, freeing up your main airer for larger items.
You can hang it almost anywhere, and it folds away neatly when not in use.
Read our reviews of the best heated airers if you're after something bigger.
Charging cable keyring
I picked this up in an airport, and it's now one of my essentials, especially if I'm travelling. It works as both a charging cable and for data transfers, and is compact enough to keep on your keys or in your pocket. The range of USB connectors is convenient, and I'm never without the right cable. Everyone I've bought this for or recommended it to has loved it.
We like: Charge your phone on the go
Watch out for: Adds extra bulk to your keys
Small enough to live on your keyring, this charging cable means you'll always be prepared when your phone battery starts running low.
It's a useful buy for anyone who commutes regularly or spends a lot of time on the go.
Muji mesh travel washbag
Available from Muji (£11)
This is my favourite washbag to travel with – the mesh allows you to recognise everything you’ve packed easily while offering a little more privacy than keeping your products in the clear plastic bag you got at the airport. The square, structured shape lets you pack bottles and larger items easily, and the handle makes it convenient to hang in smaller bathrooms. It also dries easily.
We like: Organises your bag
Watch out for: You might need a couple of them
Rooting through your bag for smaller items like lip balm or hand cream is a nightmare, especially when you’ve packed for a few days away.
A mesh wash bag like this will keep the smaller bits together, and the mesh means you can easily see what’s in there.
Velvet clothes hangers
The velvet stops clothes slipping off the hanger, which means you never have to spend time rehanging clothes.
We like: Cheap fix for falling clothes
Watch out for: Old plastic hangers will seem useless
Velvet hangers look smart and are non-slip, so your clothes stay firmly on the rail.
A simple fix for a very common problem!
Lidl Cien Q10 Intense day cream
Available from Lidl stores (£1.79 for 50ml)
At just £1.79 a jar this anti-ageing day cream from Lidl can't be beaten in price. It’s super hydrating without being too rich or thick, delivers visible results and smells gorgeous. The only downside is that it can feel a bit greasy, but if you use it at night without make-up over it, that’s not an issue.
We like: Much cheaper than others
We don’t like: Only available in-store
Lidl’s anti-ageing cream is really affordable at only £1.79 per 50ml.
It claims to prevent and minimise wrinkles, promising 24 hours of moisture for your face. You can decide how well it works for you, but you can only buy it in-store.
Read the Lidl Cien Q10 Intense Day Cream review or see our guide to the best anti-ageing creams.
Philips lint remover and fabric shaver
My mum shouted for me with such vigour that I thought she was hurt! Turns out she was so excited about the fabric shaver she'd just bought, and wanted to show me. After that, I figured I should get one. Turns out they are that great – mine's extremely handy at keeping my clothes from looking tatty.
We like: Removes fluff from jumpers and coats
Watch out for: Be careful not to damage the fabric
Winter is just around the corner, and so it’s time to dig out last year’s knitwear.
If your jumpers have started to look fluffy or bobbly, use a lint remover to restore them. You'll give them a new lease of life, making your wardrobe look fresher without spending a fortune on new clothes.
Anker Nano power bank
This power bank has saved my battery more times than I can count. It's small enough to fit in my handbag and I don't have to worry about bringing chargers and plugs with me when I'm out and about. With my bank cards, train tickets and maps on my phone, this power bank gives me peace of mind on day trips.
We like: Charge your phone anywhere, anytime
We don’t like: Something else to carry
A tiny little power bank like this one from Anker won’t take up much space in your bag, but it could really save the day if you run out of phone battery while you’re not at home.
Take it to top up your devices on weekend getaways, Sunday strolls and your commute.
Read the Anker Nano review or see our guide to the best portable chargers.
Nulaxy adjustable laptop stand
This great little accessory lets me raise and lower my laptop and adjust it if I need three screens or am working elsewhere (outside my home office or the office). It has saved my back and avoided neck strain a few times. It holds my laptop well in place and is surprisingly sturdy for its price. I am also pleased with its look – nice and sleek, and the same colour as my laptop.
We like: Places the screen at eye level
Watch out for: Adds more clutter to your desk
This work-from-home essential props your laptop up so you aren’t looking down at your screen, putting pressure on your neck.
It raises the display to eye level, which can make you feel more comfortable during long stretches at your desk.
Welly boot scraper
Taking the dog out for winter walks results in what feels like endless mud in the hallway. While this boot scraper hasn't defeated the above, it has stopped us traipsing more dirt into the house after walks. We've got it outside the front door and scrape our boots before heading back inside.
We like: Tackles dirty shoes
Watch out for: Takes up floor space
When it’s wet outside, it can be hard to avoid a little dirt on your shoes. A boot brush and scraper, like this one on Amazon, can help keep the mud right by the front door, so you don't walk it through the house.
There’s no need to take your shoes off. Just scrape away the excess dirt and give them a quick brush to clear the soles.
Loop Quiet 2 ear plugs
I'm a light sleeper and live in a Victorian terrace with poor soundproofing. Although I've tried many different ear plugs over the years, these Loops are easily the best. £20 may seem steep for two small lumps of silicone, but they've transformed my sleep quality and are worth their weight in gold.
We like: Claim to reduce noise
Watch out for: Pricey
A noisy bedroom can make it tricky to fall asleep and stay asleep. If that’s a problem you regularly face, it could be worth buying a pair of ear plugs that promise to help reduce the sound of traffic outside, noisy neighbours or a snoring partner.
The Loop Quiet 2 are more expensive than others, but they claim to offer powerful noise reduction while staying comfortable, even for side sleepers.
Read the Loop Quiet 2 review or see our guide to the best ear plugs for sleeping.
Egg Perfect colour changing timer
Available from Borough Kitchen (£8)
Fridge or room-temperature eggs? Large vs small? Cold water start or pop into boiling? So many factors to consider for a perfectly boiled egg. I don't need to think about any of this and get consistent results. The small egg-shaped timer goes into cold water with the eggs. Turn down the heat as soon as it boils, and the egg timer measures the heat cooking the eggs. You might need a couple of goes to see where you need to take your eggs out for your perfect yolk, but I get soft-set eggs every time now.
We like: Egg-cellent eggs every time
Watch out for: You could just set a regular timer
Getting the perfect boiled egg isn't always as easy as it sounds, but this clever timer takes the guesswork out.
Simply place it in the pan alongside your eggs and it changes colour as they cook, letting you know exactly when they've reached soft, medium or hard-boiled perfection.
OXO apple divider
I eat an apple every morning, but I've always hated cutting them – I find them too fiddly and can never get uniform slices. Plus, it felt like I was wasting so much flesh by cutting around the core myself. A couple of years ago, I finally got an apple divider, and it makes my mornings so much easier and I can enjoy my fruit without any fuss.
We like: Evenly cut slices
Watch out for: Best used on apples and pears
Stop making a mess of fruit prep.
This simple gadget cores and slices apples or pears in one quick press, creating neat, even wedges that are perfect for lunchboxes, snacks or taking to work.
Can-Do compact can opener
I have only had this cheap can opener a short time but I've already recommended it to my mum.
We like: Compact
We don’t like: Expensive for what it is
Can openers can be fiddly and take up a lot of space in your kitchen drawer. Joseph Joseph has solved that problem with this compact version of the essential accessory.
Just place it on top of a can and twist to open it. It automatically grips the edge as you twist. Then press the button to release it.
Read the Joseph Joseph Can-Do review or see more of the best tin openers.
JLab Go Air Sport true wireless earbuds
After my more expensive ones broke, I decided to try out the cheaper version, and I think they are very well worth the price. They feel slightly less sturdy and the sound isn't quite as crisp, but for a fraction of the price they've been great.
We like: Super affordable
We don’t like: No active noise cancelling
There’s no need to spend hundreds on a pair of wireless earbuds, especially if you’re the type of person who tends to lose them.
You can find plenty of affordable options, as long as you’re willing to make a few sacrifices, like missing out on noise-cancelling tech.
The JLab Go Air Sport True Wireless Earbuds cost less than £30 and hook onto your ears. They come in a wireless charging case and claim to be sweat-resistant.
Read the JLab Go Air Sport True Wireless Earbuds review or see our guide to the best wireless earbuds.
