Like the majority of Americans, I’m working from home. I’m spending a lot of time in my apartment (all day and night!), so naturally, I’m finding little ways to upgrade my space. My favorite thing about this: Shopping. I am finding cheap products to improve my life at home through Amazon, and so far, I have no regrets. In fact, some of these products were so gamechanging, it only makes sense to spread the word.
First, I’m no stranger to Amazon. I find some of the best deals on the website, and with Amazon Prime, I always get free shipping and receive my items fast, even next-day delivery (huge perk). I also once upon a time did a video for CNBC on the new Amazon 4 Star store that opened in NYC.
Buying online and having products delivered directly is something I used to dislike, but we live in a world of instant gratification, and I got a little comfortable with it during the quarantine. Anyway, enough stalling. Out of the dozens of products I bought the past few years, these were the best cheap Amazon products that improved my home life.
If you click my link below, you can get a free 30-day trial with Amazon Prime. Honestly, it’s worth it!
8 cheap Amazon products I bought to improve my life at home
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels ZWILLING Chef’s Knife, 8 Inch, Black
I’ve been cooking a lot at home. In fact, I’m cooking twice a day. The normal, cheap chef’s knife I owned didn’t make the cut anymore. It could hardly slice through an onion. Getting my first real “adult” knife made all the difference.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels is one of the most renowned knife brands in the world. Any professional cook knows the brand well. I knew a Zwilling J.A. Henckels knife would last and not disappoint. It was also under $100 (note: the most prestigious and highly rated knives are expensive). Sure, it was still a splurge, but I didn’t want to take a risk with a cheaper knife that could dull and rust right away (I did look at other knives as well as reviews, and it does happen frequently).
One thing I should note: This Zwilling J.A. Henckels knife is SHARP AF. I’ve already cut myself twice. So to anyone who’s buying an expensive knife for the first time, be extra careful when handling it. My former knife was so dull, I was just used to never getting nicked.
Buy Zwilling J.A. Henckels ZWILLING Chef’s Knife, 8 Inch, Blackon Amazon here:
2. Disposable Face Masks, 50 Pcs Grey
At this point, we all know that face masks with multiple layers of fabric is the best way to prevent spreading Covid-19. I’ve always stuck with disposable masks. It’s easier to handle, and I change it out every few days or a week (depending on how often I leave my home). While we really don’t need them anymore, it’s great to have when you do have to go places where it’s required (like the MTA in NYC).
I’m a big fan of these disposable face masks on Amazon. They come in a 50 pack, so they will last for months! They also have elastic earloops, they are easy to breath through (and talk on the phone) and have three-layer protection. They are so simple but incredibly effective and comfortable.
I also love the color grey for fall and winter.
3. TP-Link AC 750 WiFi Extender
Having strong Wi-Fi is crucial, especially since I work from home, and I am on several Zoom calls a day with work. Since I moved to a bigger apartment, one of my rooms (the library) is pretty far from the router, so it doesn’t pick up Wi-Fi well. I like to use that quiet room with my laptop, so I got a TP-Link AC750 Wifi Extender for less than $30.
It’s as simple as you’d think it is: The gadget literally expands Wi-Fi coverage in your home. You plug it in somewhere in between the room you want it and where the router is, and it extends and boosts your coverage.
TP-Link is the most highly rated, and I’m satisfied with the easy set up and how well it works. You just set it up through the app, then plug it in. Voila. Easy breezy — and affordable!
Want the newer model? It’s only $7 more.
4. Renpho Smart Digital Scale
I’ve been working out at home and doing a lot more cardio. Since I don’t plan on going to the gym until spring (provided Covid-19 paints a different picture by then), I don’t have access to amenities like a scale to weigh myself, so I invested in Renpho’s Smart Digital Scale.
First, it’s less than $30, which is amazing. You can use it alone just stepping on the scale, or you can connect it to the Renpho app and see *all your stats* including body fat index, etc. You can also set goals (for instance, your ideal weight) and the Renpho Smart Digital Scale monitors it.
I love this scale!
Buy RENPHO Body Fat Scale Smart Digital Bathroom Weight BMI Scale Body Composition Monitor Analyzer with Smartphone App sync with Bluetooth, 396 lbs White here:
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
I was an iPhone user for almost a decade, but everyone knows I switched to Samsung a few years ago. The main reason is because iPhone just didn’t have the innovations I was looking for. Update after update, new phone after new phone, innovations felt lacking, with nothing to get excited about. Then I learned Apple slowed down your phone intentionally to the point you would have to buy a new one. Not cool!
I bought Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and my life changed. Now, two years later, because the updated Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the newest version, and I had paid off Galaxy Note 9, I had to upgrade. Now, it’s its discontinued, and it’s all about Samsung Galaxy S22!
Samsung Galaxy S22 is the best smart phone on the market with the best camera on the market (if you don’t believe me, just take a look at the reviews from top tier publications, who all rank Samsung over iPhone). The only thing I had to give up by switching to Samsung was iMessage, which I still miss, but I work on a Mac, and still have it there.
6. SAMSUNG Galaxy S22 Case
Clearly, for such an expensive phone, you need a reliable case.
Buy Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Drop Protection Case here:
7. SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless Home Security System
It’s true: I bought a home security system.
Why? Well, for one, I live on a ground-floor apartment now. While all my windows have bars, there is one window that does not, and I can’t add bars because I need to put an A/C there. Secondly, I have an enormous, private back courtyard. I needed to get a camera just in case. My neighborhood is incredibly safe, but I was burglarized a few years ago in the East Village (though the guy was caught and in jail), so I have to be prepared. Third: I didn’t realize how cheap security systems are!
I got Simplisafe, a well known and highly related company. The security system comes with a central hub (I love the way it lights up at night like a nightlight!) and remote control keypad, which is great, and you can do add ons.
I did a sensor for my window (if that window opens, it will sound the alarm, and of course I can set it up so it’s not activated while I’m home). I also got a camera for my backyard. Honestly, one of the best cheap Amazon products I bought for home to improve my life!
8. EleTab TV Easel
EleTab TV Easel changed my life! Just take a look. It cleans up the space in my living room, making it look more modern and less cluttered.
Honestly, I always disliked TV stands. They took up way too much room, were expensive AF, and were never high enough. Then, if you mounted your TV, all the wires always showed, and for some reason, you can’t mount a TV without having a TV stand/case anyway? Humans are a weird race.
Anyway, this TV easel is amazing. There’s a good reason why it has 5 stars across the board!
VIVO is also comparable.
Do you recommend any cheap Amazon products to improve your life at home? Let us know in the comments below!
More stories:
4 essential work from home tech products and accessories
Travelbinger is featured in New Yorker magazine as a travel expert – take a look
9 best travel products under $100 for your next trip
Should you book a cheap plane ticket now to travel later?
Travelbinger is proud to be a publisher with Google News and Apple News.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Please do! I’m a one-man team for this website, so any help is sincerely appreciated.
Travelbinger is now on YouTube! Subscribe here for exclusive travel tips and advice from founder Jimmy Im. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed in over 600 hotels and has flown a million airmiles. He lives in New York City.