These Are the Items I Bought at Amazon This Year I Didn't Know I Needed, and Now I Can't Live Without Them

I buy a lot from Amazon and there are some items I’ve found along the way that more than upgraded my daily routines — some of them have truly changed my life.

As a shopping editor, I try so many products that I, admittedly, can be hard to impress. These 16 Amazon finds are some of my all-time favorites, ranging across categories such as beauty, home, lifestyle, fashion, and more. And they’ve earned their status as my must-haves. Plus, prices start at just $4.

Amazon Must-Haves, According to a Shopping Editor

• Cosy Family Extra Large Moving Bags, $20 with Prime (orig. $34)
• Fukkuda Rechargeable Electric Lighter, $14 (orig. $16)
• Archipelago Botanicals Bubble Bath, $44
• Patelai Plastic Jars, 4-Piece, $8
• Ugg Captrail High Sneaker, $160
• Orolay Thickened Down Jacket, $126 (orig. $150)
• e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector, $4
• Nature's Willow Willow Balm Pain Relief Cream, $10
• Joyspels Padded Sports Bra, $24 (orig. $30)
• Zeny Aerobic Step, $27 with coupon (orig. $29)

Cosy Family Extra Large Moving Bags, $20 with Prime

Moving is a pain, but less so when you have sturdy containers for your belongings. I love these bags because they’re pretty weightless, yet strong. This set comes with four bags, and it’s cheaper than wardrobe boxes. You can fill them with clothes, blankets, and other linens. Plus, they store away easily after you’ve settled into your new home.

Fukkuda Rechargeable Electric Lighter 

This lighter I nabbed at Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale this year may be the item I’m most obsessed with of all my purchases. The electric lighter catches quickly, and it has a long neck, so I never risk burning the tips of my fingers like I do with matches. I light candles almost every day, so I like that it’s rechargeable.

Archipelago Botanicals Bubble Bath

Remember those candles that I light nearly daily? They go hand in hand with the several baths I take every week. Once I saw this bubble bath on Oprah’s Favorite Things list of 2024, I had to have it. It truly upgrades a simple ritual, making a bath in my tiny, non-fancy bathroom feel luxurious and comforting.

Patelai Plastic Jars, 4-Piece

I initially bought these jars to store my pre-blended foundation while traveling to Paris in the summer. Eventually, they became holders for custom-blend paint colors, jars for sharing skincare products with my mom, and puppy treat holders. I love how lightweight and compact yet spacious they are.

Ugg Captrail High Sneaker

When I first saw these Uggs, my mind went back to my Air Jordan 9 sneakers, and I had to have them. The padded soles give me a little height without making the sneaker look bulky. And, like every other pair of Uggs I own, they’re super comfortable, even with my thickest winter socks. 

Orolay Thickened Down Jacket

I needed a new winter jacket, and this PEOPLE Tested winner is warm and cozy, has the right amount of room under the arms, and lets you zip up the sides when you need a little more room there. Talk about flexibility!

Evaless Quilted Puffer Vest 

Before it got really cold, I snagged this quilted puffer vest. It’s the perfect topper when you need to layer but don’t want to wear a big coat. It’s like a vest version of my down coat.

e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector

I’ve never been particularly good at masking my dark under-eye circles with makeup, but this color-corrector is a game-changer. It covers my dark circles, glides on smoothly, and dries down quickly. I can still get my everyday makeup done in five minutes.

Kissio Foundation Mixing Pigment

This blue color corrector is handy as it helps me neutralize warm hues in foundation. More specifically, it let me neutralize one of my favorite CC creams when the new formula leaned too warm and made me look orange. A few drops of this foundation pigment does the trick, and I just store the blend in my Patelai plastic jar on my vanity.

Nature's Willow Willow Balm Pain Relief Cream

One of the best pain relief creams I’ve ever used, and certainly the best at this price point, this little tube stays by my bedside. The willow balm soothes my achy shoulders after a boxing workout, and in the morning when I’ve slept on the wrong side. It smells very strongly of menthol, but outside of that, it relieves pain with a cooling sensation.

Joyspels Padded Sports Bra

More than just a sports bra, this workout top provides support and coverage. It’s super comfy and doesn’t feel wet and sticky against my skin when I sweat. I’m tempted to buy another just so I always have a clean one.

Zeny Aerobic Step

This aerobic step got me through the summer when I didn’t have a gym membership. I love that I can make up my own workout routines with it and break a sweat anywhere. Plus, it stores under the bed and out of the way when I’m not using it.

A Dozen Delicious Donuts: A Sweet Cambodian-American Story

When an old college buddy said she wrote a children’s book, I was happy to support her. Then I read it, and it warmed my heart. It reminded me how much you can learn about other cultures from books for kids. My nieces and nephews will be getting a copy in their Hanukkah gifts this year.  

RuffLife Pet Carrier Purse

Traveling around New York City with a small, high-energy puppy was tricky — before I got this bag. It’s spacious enough to hold my pup comfortably, her things, and my things. Plus, it has a clip for her harness so that she can’t jump out.

Petsta Treat Dispensing Dog Puzzle Toy

Keeping my high-energy dog occupied all day is a chore, but this puzzle treat dispenser has been a miracle worker. On days when she doesn’t want me to leave the house without her, I put a few treats in it to keep her occupied while I slip out.

Hiearcool Multi-Port Adapter for Macbook Pro

If you're of a certain age, some of your important documents are still saved on thumb drives. It gives me peace of mind to know that when I need to access certain files, getting them is as easy as popping this device into my computer. Not everything needs to be on the cloud.