We all make impulse purchases we regret, leaving us with a collection of poor quality or useless items that aren’t worth the money we paid for them. These 18 items may seem like a good idea, but make sure you think twice before spending your hard-earned cash on them.
Single-Use Kitchen Gadgets
Social media is full of new kitchen gadgets that promise to make your life easier, but Business Insider says you can often achieve the same result with simple tools you already own. They’re often made from cheap materials that don’t last long, and they’ll simply take up much-needed space in your drawers and cupboards.
Decorative Napkin Holders
They might be attractive, but napkin holders serve no real purpose in your kitchen and just become yet another thing to dust or store. Due to the fact that these items are decorative, the style you choose is also likely to go out of style at some point, wasting your money.
Automatic Soap Dispensers
People choose automatic soap dispensers because they’re convenient and offer a hands-free solution to hand washing. However, the motorized nature of these dispensers means that they regularly need charging up or changing batteries, and they can easily malfunction. In the long term, it’s better for your wallet and the environment to stick to manual versions or bars of soap.
Herb and Spice Infusers
According to Cuisine at Home, you can fill a spice infuser with herbs and spices and “submerge it in your soup or stock.” While it may seem like a good purchase, most recipes will tell you to put the flavors directly into the dish, so your infuser is likely to end up gathering dust.
Electric Candle Warmers
Candle warmers have become popular in recent years, especially on social media. Many people choose them as they offer a safer alternative to a naked flame, but the electricity in these devices still poses a threat, especially if you leave them turned on when you’re not in the room.
Motorized Tie Racks
This product serves a very niche purpose in your home, and it’s worth taking the time to consider whether the cost is actually worth it, especially as it can be high. The motors can easily become broken over time, meaning a traditional tie hanger is a more reliable and cost-effective solution.
Ice Cream Makers
Ice cream makers are one of those classic kitchen gadgets that can usually be found at the back of a cupboard after being used for the first week before being put away to collect dust. Often, the process of preparing ingredients, cleaning the machine, and waiting for the ice cream to freeze is just too time consuming.
Digital Picture Frames
Typically a lot more expensive than a normal photo frame, most people will find they don’t turn digital ones on often enough, or they worry about the energy usage when they do. Updating the content on the frames can also be more time-consuming than printing out a new photo for a traditional frame.
Novelty Egg Separators
Another utensil adding clutter to your drawers, you don’t need a specific gadget for separating eggs. According to Mashed, “Professional chefs say it’s easier to use your (clean!) hands. Crack the egg and let it slide into your hand, using your fingers as a sieve to let the whites run through into a bowl and leave the yolk behind.”
Manual Juice Presses
Generally bought when you have the best intentions for your new healthy diet, manual juicers are hard work and usually produce a small amount of juice compared to the electric options. They also need a lot of cleaning after use, so you may be better off buying fresh juice from the store.
Popcorn Machines
Yet another kitchen appliance that is generally not used enough to justify its cost. They take up a lot of room in your cupboard, and you can achieve the same fresh results with microwave bags or stovetop corn with equipment you already have.
Tabletop Water Fountains
You might think that a tabletop water fountain will provide your home with a relaxing, spa-like feel, but a lot of models have surprisingly loud motors, which takes away from the calming effect. They also require a lot of cleaning in order to prevent mold or algae from appearing in the fountain.
Electric Wine Openers
Electric wine openers are often bulkier than the manual versions, and they need to be charged up regularly. They’re also generally less durable than a traditional corkscrew, making them much more expensive per use. Epicurious also says that they don’t provide the same tactile joy as a corkscrew and that “opening wine is part of the ceremony of drinking it.”
Electronic Yogurt Makers
Not many households will make enough yogurt to justify the cost and space of having a specific appliance. Often, store-bought yogurt is cheaper and can be just as tasty if you buy the right one. If you really want to make your own yogurt, you can do this in a regular pan.
Pet Grooming Gloves
Some pets might tolerate being groomed with these gloves, but they may find them intimidating. On top of this, they often don’t remove as much fur as traditional brushes, and the fur is difficult to remove once you’re done. Generally, you’re better off sticking to the brushes you already have.
Shower Radios
Most modern bathrooms are heavily tiled, meaning they don’t provide good acoustics for music while in the shower. If you do want to listen to music, your smartphone may be able to give you enough volume, or you could consider using a Bluetooth speaker that you already own.
Plastic Bag Holders
The majority of kitchens have enough space in drawers or other storage areas to allow you to keep plastic bags without a dedicated holder. Often, the holders won’t allow you to store all the sizes you need, so you end up using a drawer as well.
Banana Hangers
There’s little evidence to show that keeping your bananas on a hanger makes them last longer compared to keeping them on the side. The hangers will also take up space on your countertop and often clash with the look of modern kitchens and other accessories you have.
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