Best Inexpensive Trash Bags: What Really Matters
Trash bags seem like the simplest thing in the grocery aisle… right up until one splits open halfway to the
Best Inexpensive
After a thorough home review, Mary shares her favorite products and services in her Best Inexpensive series. These recommendations show you how to get the best performance at the best price. First, shop for value. Next, look for quality. And finally, pay only for the features you actually need.
Don’t miss some of the most popular posts in this category, including The Best Inexpensive Cotton Bed Sheets to Elevate Your Bedroom, 10 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets Every Home Cook Needs, and Best Inexpensive Vacuums for Every Home and Floor Type. Look for Mary’s Best Inexpensive label before making your next big purchase. You’ll save money without sacrificing quality.
Before You Buy a New Washer and Dryer, Read This
If your washer or dryer is on its last spin, take a deep breath. Replacing them doesn’t have to drain
The Secret Joy of Owning the Best Steam Iron
Call me quirky, but give me a wrinkled shirt, a hot steam iron, and five minutes of peace, and I’m
Cheap Sunscreen, Priceless Skin: What Works and What Doesn’t
Not all sunscreens are created equal—but you don’t have to spend a fortune to protect your skin. Here’s what works,
Easy Organic Weed Control for a Healthy, Safe Garden
Weeds are like that one relative who shows up unannounced, takes over your favorite chair, and leaves crumbs everywhere. No
Best Everyday Dinnerware That’s Affordable & Built to Last
When it comes to dinnerware, you don’t have to spend a fortune to set a beautiful table. Whether you need
The Best Inexpensive Headphones & Earbuds for Every Age & Need
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your kiddos, there are plenty of great headphone options that deliver quality sound at
The 9 Best Gardening Tools for Beginners and Pros Alike
Gardening is a joy—until you realize you don’t have the right tools! I learned the hard way that investing in
Choosing the Right Shark Vacuum: A Buyer’s Guide
Finding the right Shark vacuum doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little thought about your needs and a
Smile More, Spend Less: The Secret to Affordable Dental Care
Affordable dental care doesn’t mean cutting corners—it’s about building consistent and smart habits. By maintaining a regular routine, you can
A Most Ingenious Way to Keep Butter Soft and Fresh
If you’ve ever struggled with hard, unspreadable butter or dealt with the mess of storing it, the Butter Bell might
Sous Vide Cooking 101: Easy Solution for Perfectly Tender Meals
Sous vide might sound intimidating, but it’s actually the easiest way to guarantee tender, juicy meals every time. Whether you’re
Wrap It Up: How a Water Heater Blanket Can Save You Money and Energy
Ever feel like your water heater is running a secret marathon you didn’t sign it up for? If it’s working
Best Inexpensive Vacuum Sealer for Food and 8 Ways It Will Slash Your Food Costs
a vacuum food sealer is great for keeping food fresher, but did you realize it can extend freshness up to
The Ultimate Guide to Using a Pressure Washer Plus Best Inexpensive Pressure Washer Picks
Pressure washers, both gas-powered and electric models, are fantastic tools for tackling a variety of cleaning tasks around a house.
Best Belgian Waffle Maker for Home Brunch Lovers
Who says you have to wait for a fancy brunch to enjoy light, fluffy Belgian waffles? With the right inexpensive
Best Dish Drainer Rack for Every Budget: Top Picks for 2025
After a season of searching, trial, and error, I’m excited to reveal EC's Best Dish Drainer Racks in two choices—Best
How to Pack a Cooler for Maximum Chill, Plus Best Cooler Picks
As the weather heats up, even the most highly-rated cooler may struggle to avoid a meltdown. You can put those
Best Inexpensive Vegetable Peeler: Meet the Dreamfarm Sharple
Looking for the best inexpensive vegetable peeler? The Dreamfarm Sharple is here to revolutionize your meal prep. This budget-friendly, self-sharpening
The Best Mattress Toppers to Help You Sleep Better
Whether you’re looking for the kind of cushioning that hugs a body, better support, or perhaps just a touch of
Stay Cozy All Winter Without the High Heating Costs: Here’s How
There is an alternative and more effective way to keep heating costs down without feeling cold. It’s called infrared technology.
Best Inexpensive Flannel Bed Sheets, Plus How to Prevent Pilling
There are few things as comforting as slipping between super soft, comfy flannel sheets on a cold winter night. But not
Best Place to Buy Eyeglasses Online and In-Store
There are a number of ways to buy eyeglasses, including from local opticians, independent optometrists, optical departments in big-box retailers,
Best Inexpensive Chromebook Laptop Computer
A Chromebook In many situations is much better (and so much cheaper) than a Microsoft Windows or MAC computer because it
Best Coffee Maker at Home: How to Brew Perfect Coffee Every Time
Love coffee that’s piping hot but hate burnt flavors? Whether you’re a fan of the hands-on approach with manual brewing
Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven: What’s the Hype and Which One Do You Really Need?
Air fryers have been making waves in kitchens since 2017, skyrocketing in popularity during the pandemic. They promise crispy, golden-brown
Best Inexpensive Slow Cookers: Save Time & Money in the Kitchen
A slow cooker is an ingenious appliance. It’s simple. It cooks slowly. Really slow—like it takes 8 hours to get a
Easy Ways to Clean Cookie Sheets and Keep Them Shiny
They come in sizes big and small, rimmed or without sides. We use them to bake just about anything, but
Best Grout Cleaner for Tile: Transform Dirty Grout for Just $1.25
Dingy, dirty tile grout. It's a vexing problem. I know. I have a lot of tile and grout in my
Best Inexpensive Smartphones Under $400
Today’s budget smartphones have nearly all the same technology and capabilities as their super pricey cousins—some for less than half
How to Use a Slow Cooker to Discover the Joys of Easy, Delicious Meals!
Without a doubt, slow cookers have improved immensely over the years, while the prices have remained remarkably affordable!
Best Inexpensive Portable Battery Chargers and More to Keep You Powered Up
It’s hard to imagine how we’d live our lives without all of the electronic devices we’ve come to depend upon. I’m
The Best Inexpensive Bath Towels in 2023
When it comes to purchasing bath towels, what do you look for? Price or quality? How long do you expect
Best Inexpensive Home Security System
Several months ago, we had a serious home security wake-up call with the news of a home invasion in our
The Best Inexpensive Can Openers
Can't anyone make a can opener that's easy to use, does a great job, and doesn't turn into absolute junk
Best Inexpensive Makeup to Replace M.A.C. Favorites
Overall, I figure that I’ve cut the cost of makeup by more than 60%—without sacrifice—by switching to what I consider
How to Choose the Best Inexpensive Conditioner
Hair conditioners fall into general categories according to what they do and the problems they solve. Using the wrong product for
Why Your Home Feels Sticky and How to Fix It Fast
Recently, lots of readers have inquired about how to deal with high humidity, which can get pretty miserable this time
11 Ways To Use A Simple Clothes Steamer to Clean and Freshen Just About Anything
A compact clothes steam cleaner is handy for removing wrinkles and stale odors from fabric, but is that all? Just
Ceiling Fan Direction: Optimize Your Fan for Summer and Winter Comfort
That switch! "Forward" spins one way, "Reverse" the other. But why? What for? Counterclockwise in winter ... or is it
Best Inexpensive Cast Iron Skillet and How to Love It
I must have been all of 10-years old the day I decided to surprise my mother by cleaning her old
Best Inexpensive Vacuums for Every Home and Floor Type
Keeping a home clean is crucial for maintaining a healthy living environment. Vacuum cleaning plays a vital role in this
7 Best Inexpensive Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools for Stress-Free Holiday Prep
I've done Thanksgiving Dinner enough times now to know that there are a few pieces of equipment that are absolutely
Best Inexpensive™ Dishwasher
Just this past week I heard from my dear reader Penny who is frustrated in the face of needing to
Best Spray Bottle Picks (That Won’t Quit Halfway Through)
Many commercial household cleaning products—glass and window cleaner for example—routinely come in a bottle with a handy sprayer. And that
Best Inexpensive Umbrellas That Actually Last
What we should expect are umbrellas that are waterproof, sturdy, and above all, reliable for a decent period of time.
Best Inexpensive Toaster in 2024
A toaster is just about the most basic piece of equipment in a working kitchen. Seems pretty simple, doesn't it? And
Best Inexpensive: Mattress, Bed Pillows, Duvet Cover
The idea to buy a mattress online and have it shipped to your home is still rather mind-boggling. It seems so
Best Inexpensive Water Filters | Pitcher, Under-Sink, Countertop
Having some method for the water you drink and cook with pass through a water filter is the best way
Best Inexpensive Dinnerware, Drinkware, Stainless Flatware
Recently, when one of my staff turned 30, I quipped that I have dishes older than he. It’s true. Sometime
This Cozy Hack Can Slash Your Winter Heating Bill
Until several years ago, I didn’t know something called a heated mattress pad even existed. It makes sense since I’d lived
Best Inexpensive: Towels, Sheets, Mattress Pad, Down Comforter
Here they are—Mary's updated picks for the Best Inexpensive bath towels, sheets, mattress pads, and down comforters!
Dermatologist-Approved Skincare: The Best Drugstore Products You Can Buy Today
If the high-price of quality skincare is enough to give you a rash, good news. You don't have to spend
Understanding Shampoo: Choosing Quality on a Budget
There are lots of myths out there about shampoo and hair care—and here's the truth to counteract them!
The Best Inexpensive Robot Vacuum (It Really Works!)
Vacuuming sucks. Literally. One year, my idea of giving our adult sons robot vacuums for Christmas was intended to help them with that
Why Your Meat Keeps Overcooking (It’s Not You)
For years, I blamed myself for dry chicken and overcooked steak. I assumed I just wasn’t “naturally good” at cooking
Best Inexpensive Computer Printers
With so many technologies and capabilities available, choosing a printer isn’t easy. And don’t assume you’ll find the perfect printer
The Best Cordless Handheld Vacuums for Every Budget
Can't anyone make a decent cordless, handheld vacuum cleaner that is convenient to use, holds a charge well, runs for
Best Inexpensive Small Kitchen Appliances That Save You Money
Recently, I heard from EC reader Douglas who wrote, "Would you please repeat your column that describes the best inexpensive
Protect Yourself from ID Theft: Best Shredders for Home Use
Identity fraud is a serious issue as it is responsible for the theft of $112 billion stolen from Americans in
Best Inexpensive Sewing Machines That Actually Last
I learned to sew on a real machine when I was seven, and I’ve been grateful for that skill ever
Best Inexpensive Vacuum Sealer and Best Room Humidifier for DIY Fumigation
What do vacuum sealers and apartments that smell like a stale ashtray have in common? Absolutely nothing other than these two
Crockpot Casserole Slow Cooker: A Review
Since I purchased my manual version in 2016, before a programmable version was available, I've been using it regularly to
Best Space Heaters (That Won’t Burn Down the House!)
The most efficient and easiest way to reduce your home heating cost is to heat only the rooms that are
The $150 Starter Kitchen
For less than the cost of a week’s worth of restaurant meals, I can show you how to set up
Soilove: The Best Budget-Friendly Stain Remover for Clothes
Finding the best stain remover for clothes can be a game-changer for your laundry routine. Enter Soilove, a budget-friendly and
How to Do a Home Manicure Like a Pro (No Salon Needed!)
I’ll be honest—I used to drop a small fortune on salon manicures, thinking I was investing in strong, beautiful nails.
The Best Inexpensive Car Trash Can for Clean and Organized Vehicles
I’ve always thought that a car should come outfitted with some kind of incinerator that sucks the accumulation of trash
How to Buy Prescription Glasses Online (and Save a Ton!)
Honestly? When I first heard about ordering prescription eyeglasses online, I scoffed. I rolled my eyes. What next? Mail order surgery?
The Day I Learned How to Stop Using Paper Towels for Good
It was this event, now more than 20 years ago, that served as the catalyst to change my arrogant attitude
The Best Inexpensive Overnight Deal in the Best Vacation Spot on Earth
When it comes to overnight accommodations, I don’t care that much about how pretty the lobby might be; if the
The Best Carpet Cleaner and My Simple No-Soap Method
I have a love/hate relationship with carpeting. I love how it looks, how it feels under my feet and how