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Towel Set
You might think all bath towels are created equal—until you’ve tried to dry off with scratchy, rough, and non-absorbent fabric. If you’re looking for some high-quality towels, consider this three-piece set from AmazonBasics, which comes with a bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth. The lightweight cotton is soft and tear-resistant, while the border detailing brings understated elegance. Choose from eight color choices including blue, purple, white, and tan. Available on Amazon; $10.80.
Mesh Wastebasket
If you’re in the market for a new trash receptacle, consider this sleek mesh wastebasket from Amazon Prime, which will bring an industrial look to your home. The steel wire mesh and solid metal base ensure durability, while the cylinder shape works with any design scheme. Given the slight transparency of the siding, you can use this trash can with or without a liner. Available on Amazon; $8.73.
Related: 10 Must-Haves for an Organized Desk
Microfiber Sheet Set
It’s not often that you can find a set of sheets that are as high quality as they are affordable, but that’s exactly what makes the Amazon Basics collection so amazing. Made of 100% microfiber material, the sheets are ultra-soft and durable and won’t shrink in the wash. Available in a variety of colors, you can grab a set for every bed in the house, plus some spares. Available on Amazon; $19.99.
Velvet Hangers
If you rely on freebie hangers from the dry cleaners or cheap plastic ones, then when you look in your closet for a shirt it’s probably either hanging haphazardly or fallen on the floor. The flimsy hangers have no grip on the clothes leaving them to get out of shape and wrinkled; your closet is a mess. Amazon Basics’ velvet hangers provide the hold needed for clothing to stay put. They even have notches in the shoulders for straps or hanging accessories. The slim design offers the added bonus maximizing space in your closet. Available on Amazon; $19.99.
Related: 21 Big Ideas for Small Closets
4-Piece Packing Cube Set
Getting ready for a vacation at the end of the week? Put this four-piece set in your cart ASAP and get it in two days with Prime. These packing cubes—two medium, and two large—make filling up your suitcase more fun and less of a chore. The rectangular shape creates a conveniently stackable compartment for rolled tops and bottoms, while the mesh fronts allow for easy identification (read: no more digging through bags to find a specific shirt). More than 900 wowed reviewers give this travel staple a 4.6 out of 5 stars. Available on Amazon; $22.99 for 4 pieces.
Related: 10 Genius Carry-On Items to Bring for a Better Flight
Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Even if you consider your household a paperless one in terms of credit card statements and utility bills, you still could use a paper shredder to remove all traces of personal information found on ATM receipts, unsolicited credit card offers, old credit cards, and more. This reliable 6-sheet shredder with an auto-shred setting and 3.8-gallon bin boasts all of the important features you really need at an affordable price tag. Plus, the 4.2-star appliance provides better security than some of the more basic paper shredders on the market by thoroughly cross-shredding (cutting vertically and horizontally) rather than simply strip-shredding. Available on Amazon; $29.99.
Related: 7 Documents You’re Probably Forgetting to Shred
Headphones
Pun intended: There’s a volume of earbuds and headphones on the market today—so many different models from so many different manufacturers that selecting only one product can be almost paralyzingly difficult. If you’d rather not spend days research the purchase… don’t! Skip the hassle and head straight for the AmazonBasics Lightweight On-Ear Headphones. Besides being low cost, lightweight, comfortable on the ears and stylish to wear, the AmazonBasics headphones minimizes outside noise, while delivering up to 101 decibels of crisp, clear sound. Available at Amazon; $14.99.
Laptop Sleeve
If you’re spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new laptop or tablet, it’s only prudent to protect your purchase. No, the AmazonBasics Laptop Sleeve isn’t bulletproof, but its padded neoprene construction goes a heck of a long way to guard your gear against bumps, scratches, and debris. Best of all is that you’re bound to find one that perfectly fits your device, and your personal style, because the sleeve comes in five popular colors and nine different sizes. Available at Amazon; $7.99.
Related: 10 Money-Saving Gadgets That Will Pay for Themselves
AA Batteries
These AmazonBasics AA Performance Alkaline Batteries are sold in packs of 100. Why might you need that many batteries? Certainly they can be used to power your flashlights, remote controls, electric toothbrushes, clocks, toys, and more—but they’re also perfect for your emergency preparedness kit, thanks to unique anti-corrosion components that allows batteries to remain viable for up to 10 years when stored properly. Available on Amazon; $23.11.
USB Lightning Cable
Does your iPhone need a charge? There’s no need to make a special trip to the Apple Store just to pick up a cable; you can toss this AmazonBasics version in your cart in the course of your normal online shopping. Compatible with several generations of iPhones, iPads, and iPods, it will help sync your devices and give you a jolt of power when you need it most. Available on Amazon; $7.99 for a 6-foot cable.
Practical Gifts They'll Love
Our editors take pride in their gift-giving skills—and these are their top suggestions for DIYers, plant parents, new homeowners, and more.