
2026 is here! With the New Year will come a new year of trends, viral products and changes in how we shop. But before dive into 2026 shopping trends, we wanted to highlight which items our audience loved the most from our 2025 coverage.
Combing through our internal data, we pulled 25 of the most-clicked and most-bought products of the year. Comfort, convenience and affordability were major throughlines: Only two items cost over $100. Below, take a peek at some of the things fellow readers like you bought in spades — and maybe get inspired to start the year right by adding them to your own cart.
The $10 "Botox in a bottle" serum that reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Okay, so it's not literally Botox in a bottle — we checked with a dermatologist to make sure, back in February when we reviewed this Argireline serum from The Ordinary. Still, we learned that its active ingredient can inhibit the neurotransmitters that form dynamic lines on the face, similarly to Botox albeit with less powerful results. Considering how cheap it is and the rave reviews it received, a lot of shoppers seemed to gravitate toward trying out the serum for themselves. It's lightweight, water-based and so easy to apply... much easier than booking a Botox treatment.
A sheet set that offers hotel-level comfort at a budget
This Mellanni sheet set has 378,000+ ratings and has earned its place among top-sellers lists over and over again during 2025. Made with lightweight, moisture-wicking microfiber, these sheets can fit mattresses up to 16 inches deep. Each set comes with two pillowcases (which have envelope closures to help them stay secure), a flat sheet and a fitted sheet. The sheets come in so many colors and patterns, and are available in sizes twin-split king, with options for extra deep pockets if needed.
Some cushy walking shoes that are "just as comfortable as Hoka" for far less
Perhaps surprisingly, the most clicked-on sneaker of the year for HuffPost readers wasn't from a big-name brand like Hoka or Brooks, but was instead these cushy slip-ons from lesser-known Allswifit. Interest in the sneaks was boosted by an October sale, but even at their full price, they're under $60 and a total steal (compare that to Hoka's triple-digit prices).
What's more, reviewers said these sneakers were "just as comfortable as Hoka." You can thank the thick EVA foam midsole that provides cushioning and arch support and breathable mesh uppers for that. The shoes' slip-on design makes it easy to get them on and off without bending over, too. These come in several colorways, in women's sizes 6-11, with wide options available.
One of our editors' favorite French lipsticks for a "just bitten" look
“I’ve honestly stopped buying any other lipsticks since I found Bisou Balm," said Aiken in an August story about this sheer matte lipstick that got the attention of many readers. "My lips are asymmetrical and most lipsticks just draw attention to that, but this stuff has a blurring effect that mattifies the texture and makes it look almost like you’ve been airbrushed, erasing any need for precision when applying it (which is great, because I’m rarely even looking in a mirror when I put it on)."
Aiken did say that the lipstick isn't actually very hydrating, so take the "balm" title with a grain of salt, but its buildable coverage and blurring effect makes it so easy for even a casual lipstick wearer to enjoy using. The lipstick comes in nine shades.
The affordable unisex sweatshirt with an absurd number of 5-star ratings
You can never go wrong with a classic crewneck sweatshirt, especially if it's under $12 like the Hanes EcoSmart fleece that contributor Martha Tuber wrote about in mid-September. With over 100,000 5-star ratings, this pullover comes in unisex sizes S-5XL and a ton of solid color options.
"I have purchased so many of these - for myself and for gifts! They are cozy without being too heavy. The material is just right so it doesn’t feel stiff when you put it on and it moves well with you," one reviewer wrote. What more could you ask for in a sweatshirt?
A 2-pack of ultra-cheap, ultra-effective flossing toothbrushes
What would a list of HuffPost Shopping bestsellers be without at least one oral care product? In September, former shopping writer Haley Zovickian wrote about her love of the Mouthwatchers flossing toothbrushes, which have super-thin bristles to help them get into tight spaces for a deeper clean.
"Within about a week of switching from a regular brush to this one, my previously coffee-stained teeth looked markedly whiter, my plaque was less visible and my gums looked healthier," Zovickian wrote. "My mouth also feels remarkably cleaner, a result that reviewers echo. I can’t help but feel that this model is toothbrushing the way it should be." You can join thousands of other HuffPosters and grab a two-pack for just $10 — a small price to pay for cleaner teeth.
The "adult baby blanket," for what feels like the millionth year in a row
A longtime reader favorite, this muslin cotton throw is one of the viral blankets shoppers gravitated toward, and one of the top-selling products we covered this year. Available in so many colors (a couple of which are discounted under $20 right now), the airy, breathable blanket has a similar look and feel to a baby blanket, and is a great addition to any living room or bedroom. It's also a great gift idea for your favorite homebody.
Promising review: "These are really good looking & at a more reasonable price point than most. I have 2 now. They are perfect for when you need a little extra warmth at night but don’t want extra weight. While I use both of mine at the end of beds, this would be great as a throw on a sofa too. They look rather compact/compressed when they arrive, but just throw them in the wash and they come out of the dryer with a more fluffy, designer look." — luvobx
Clinique's Almost Lipstick tinted balm in the shade Black Honey
2025 was a big year for Clinique's Black Honey, a lipstick shade that has stood the test of time and remained an iconic makeup staple for many. At one point in time, it kept selling out, making it nearly impossible for anyone to secure a precious tube. In addition to a traditional lipstick formula, the brand offers Black Honey in their "Almost Lipstick" formulation, a tinted balm that's ultra moisturizing and leaves an emollient-rich, sheer finish with the perfect kiss of color.
These slides reviewers call "more comfortable than Birkenstocks"
Tons of comfortable sandals made an appearance among our bestsellers this year, from Clarks flip flops to KuaiLu slides. We're choosing to highlight the most popular pair, these unisex Birkenstock lookalikes by Odoly. Our original coverage of the slides was back in May, but even without warmer weather, you can wear these bad boys around the house and/or with socks, making them a worthy year-round shoe.
Designed for arch support and foot pain relief with its natural cork insole that provides a personalized fit over time, the shoes come in so many colors and have been described as "more comfortable than Birkenstocks" by reviewers. Grab a pair in a bunch of colorways, in women's sizes 5-14 and men's sizes 3.5-12.5.
A surge-protected power strip that can be mounted to the wall
This super handy power strip checks a couple of boxes for readers and it sold like lighting during Amazon's October Prime Day this past year. It can keep your home and electronics safe from potential surges or electrical damage, and it gives you literally so many spots (including USB and USB-C) to plug stuff in, so you never have to stress about finding the little butt of the charger. Plus, it comes with a long cord, making it useful for older homes or spaces with limited outlets.
Rated an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, it adds up to 12 extra points of power to juice up and run all of your important devices simultaneously, and 30 times faster than a regular charging source. The three-sided design is compact and flat enough to slide beneath furniture, mount on a wall or sit unobtrusively on a desk. The shortest size of this durable braided extension cord spans 5 feet in length, though you can select from six cord lengths in total, ranging up to 25 feet.
A powerful dish spray that cuts grease like magic
A recurring best-seller among HuffPost readers this year — both during sale events and non — this foaming dish spray works superbly and most professional cleaners will tell you that you can use it to clean more than dishes. We love it so much here at HuffPost that we even gave it a HuffPicks award. Grab this household staple plus refills and you probably won't need to buy dish soap again for the rest of 2026.
A mattress topper that can help with neck, back and hip pain
You deserve to sleep pain-free, and readers clearly agree, because they flocked to this fluffy mattress topper we covered back in January. The pad is 2 inches thick with a square grid design and a soft down alternative filling for full-bed plushness. The grid cradles the body, providing support to reduce aches and pains in the neck, back and hips, according to reviewers. Reviewers say it's "like lying on a cloud while not diminishing the support from the mattress." You can get the topper in gray or white, in sizes twin-California king.
A set of the "best sheets known to man"
These 100% cotton, 400 thread count sheets were our top-selling Target product of 2024, and enthusiasm for them did not slow down at all this year, whether they were on sale or at full price. They even earned a coveted HuffPicks Award from us.
Available in so many patterns and colors, the printed and solid versions combine for over 17,000 5-star ratings. They also have the approval of several HuffPosters who own them. "I am truly obsessed with my Target sheets," said wellness reporter Jillian Wilson in a 2024 story. "They're cute, soft and withstand the nails of my 100-pound pitbull who I (regrettably) allow in my bed."
HuffPost editorial director Kristen Aiken also shared, "I've bought them for myself, my mom has bought them, and I've bought them as housewarming gifts for all my friends."
The sheets fit mattresses up to 18 inches tall, are wrinkle-, pill- and shrink-resistant, and even have top and bottom labels so making the bed is easy-peasy. Each set comes with a flat sheet, fitted sheet and one or two pillowcases, depending on the size (twin/twin XL-California king).
These $5 men's tees shoppers can't stop raving about
Much like the Hanes sweatshirt and Baleaf pants, these $5 solid-color men's tees are a pretty basic wardrobe staple that got lots of reader attention when we covered them in March. The shirts, made in 26 hues and sizes XS-3XL (though stock is going fast!), are made with a soft and lightweight jersey knit blend and can go with just about any pair of bottoms and accessories or outerwear. As simple as they are, the shirts have earned 4.7 stars across more than 12,000 ratings, and despite the cheap price, reviewers say they hold up in the wash.
Bombas' seamless, comfy bralette that impressed a bra hater
In January, shopping writer and self-proclaimed bra hater Griffin Wynne wrote a review of this Bombas ribbed seamless scoop bralette that garnered some attention from readers.
"To me, the real selling point of this bralette is how inoffensive and easy it is," Wynne wrote. "With no scratchy parts, pads or clips, you can pull it over your head and be set. You don’t need to fuss with four rows of tiny clasps or extra straps, and to me, at least, it feels really nice on the skin. For context, I exclusively wear 100% cotton shirts and sweatshirts, and I need to take tags out of all my clothing because I am so sensitive to itchy and irritating materials. I know this bralette is good because I don’t spend my whole day waiting to take it off."
The bra doesn't have an underwire and is made more for casual everyday use than intense activity like a sports bra. But it's breathable, has adjustable straps and is oh-so-soft, making it a great option to reach for while running errands, for example. You can find it in a ton of colors and sizes XS-2X.
The new Kindle Colorsoft
Amazon's latest Kindle Colorsoft — a surprise top-seller during Black Friday — is an e-reader that brings book covers and picture-laden content to life thanks to its 7-inch and full-color display. Like other Kindles before it, the Colorsoft features a high-contrast screen that reads like paper and is easy on the eyes for many hours of reading. And with GB of storage, you can save and access over 15 million titles right at your fingertips. Contributor Nishka Dhawan loves that you can even highlight your favorite passages in different colors, thanks to the device’s newly vibrant display.
Baleaf's ever-popular quick-dry hiking pants
Year after year, these Baleaf quick-dry hiking pants continue to be a favorite of HuffPost readers, and 2025 was no different. The pants are stretchy, lightweight, breathable, offer UV protection and have four pockets for storing essentials. The cord locks on the cuffs also help keep bugs out. The pants come in so many colors, with tall and petite inseams also available, and in women's sizes XS-3XL.
The boots an avid hiker put to the test all over the world
Always a top seller, the Merrell Moab 3 hiking boots gained some new interest in the fall after contributor James Barrett declared, "They’re the only shoes I’d bring again, no matter where in the world I’m headed." He put them to the test on hikes in the Galápagos Islands, several national parks in the United States and South Africa.
"I was pleasantly surprised at how light these boots felt while enduring boat rides, hikes, and lava field walks," he wrote. "They didn’t weigh me down or make my legs ache after hours in the heat. In fact, I sometimes forgot I was wearing proper hiking boots at all, thinking it was a lighter sneaker. For a trip that demanded both endurance and agility, they were ideal." You can grab the tried-and-true boots in a ton of colors, two widths and men's sizes 7-15. They also come in women's sizes 5-13.
The $4 behaviorist-approved cat toy that keeps selling like hotcakes
This $4 cat toy gained strong interest from our readers throughout the whole year. The toy, which is just a bouncy steel wire with a few paper rolls at the end, "brilliantly taps into a cat’s hunting instincts," behaviorists told former shopping writer Haley Zovickian in her original reporting. If you need an easy and affordable way to entertain your cat (and hopefully tire them out), Zovickian said her cat loves leaping after the toy and biting the cardboard.
A walking pad our readers have been buying for years
Walking pads are a constant bestseller with our audience, and this Yagud pad from a story all the way back in January saw enough interest to top our list for the entire year. It also got an honorable mention in our 2025 HuffPicks Awards, as a less expensive walking pad option that still delivers excellent performance. The pad has a weight capacity of 220 pounds the motor can speed up to 3.8 mph. The non-slip belt is equipped with silicone shock absorbers for a comfortable walk, and you can track your speed, distance and more metrics on the LED display. When you're done using it for the day, you can easily wheel the slim, compact pad to its storage spot.
Dove's affordable vitamin C body wash that's a godsend for dry skin
We know our audience loves affordable finds and solutions for dry skin, and this Dove body wash first featured in a May story sits at the perfect intersection of the two. The body wash contains a 3% brightening serum with vitamin C to deliver some of the benefits of facial vitamin C serums, like brightening the complexion and boosting hydration, to the rest of your body. The soap is designed to be exfoliating before transforming into a creamy lather, and reviewers say the tropical scent and tangible results of "soft and supple" skin make this a favorite.
A back-saving shower cleaner spray that does the hard work for you
No surprise here to see Wet & Forget shower cleaner among our bestsellers, except perhaps for the fact that this hasn't been majorly on sale all year. I guess people are just willing to pay the full $20 for this level of convenience; something I can relate to, as I use it myself. Available in two scents, all you need to do is spray your shower once a week and leave it on for eight to 12 hours before rinsing — no bending, kneeling or scrubbing needed. The spray attacks soap scum, grime, stains and other buildup on glass, porcelain, metal, sandstone and more.
The 250-piece survival kit every emergency prepper should have
You can never be sure exactly what you'll need when disaster strikes, so why not have it all ready to go in one handy kit just in case? This 250-piece kit saw thousands of clicks when we covered it in June. The kit contains necessities for nearly every situation imaginable: a first aid kit, compass, shovel, emergency tent, fire starter and so much more. All of the items fit inside a compact backpack you can stash at home or in the car.
A 4-pack of Apple AirTags (obviously)
There weren't actually a ton of tech products that broke into the bestsellers list, but if there's one ol' reliable, it's Apple AirTags, which went on sale during Prime Day and Black Friday, and are — surprise! — on sale right now at Amazon and Walmart.
If you travel a lot, or you're just always losing your keys, wallet or other important items — hey, no judgment here — Apple AirTags are one of the easiest solutions for Apple product users. The AirTag connects with your iPhone or iPad with just one tap, so you'll always know where the item you've attached it to is. When you're looking for something, you can also "ping" the AirTag so it plays a sound and helps you track it down. This is useful for luggage, keys, wallets, cars, pets and more, as thousands of reviews can attest to.
A watch collector-approved diver
If you were intrigued by this Casio dive watch after contributor and watch collector Alex Aronson sang its praises on Sept. 17, you're far from the only one.
"I own roughly a dozen watches at this point, so I’ve had to implement the 'one-in, one-out' rule. Yet this dive watch always escapes the cull," Aronson wrote. "Why? Because it nails the perfect beater formula where function meets style, all at a price that’s... well, unbeatable." It's waiter-resistant and "offers a bold presence on the wrist," according to Aronson, making it look expensive and refined. The battery life can last over three years as well, making this both functional and beautiful. Best of all, the price is well under $100 — an absolute steal.

























