High-quality products don't have to come at a high price. We combed our ratings to find 15 top-performing products that sell for $15 or less. You won’t get fancy packaging or fancy features. But that’s the point: These items do exactly what they’re supposed to do without giving you extras you don’t want or need. (Click each product for more information.)
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Panasonic RP-TCM125 headphones (shown)
Price: $10
Why a bargain: Sound quality as good as some much higher priced models, and you can have them for $10! It has integrated function control, microphone, and call connect/disconnect.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for headphones.
Kirkland Signature alkaline batteries (Costco)
Price: $13 for 48
Why a bargain: Brand-name batteries can be quadruple the cost. These kept our flashlights and other gadgets powered for at least as long. Tip: Power up flashlights and remotes with inexpensive alkaline batteries. Save pricey lithium batteries for cameras and game controllers.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for batteries.
Accutire MS-4400B tire-pressure gauge
Price: $11
Why it's a bargain: Durable, accurate, and easy to use, this stick-type pressure gauge measures your tires’ air pressure from 5 to 99 PSI. The similar Accutire MS-4021B goes for about $10 and measures pressure up to 150 PSI.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for tire-pressure gauges.
ReliOn Rigid 60 Second thermometer (Walmart)
Price: $6.95
Why it's a bargain: Excellent accuracy and reliability in our tests makes this model a Consumer Reports Best Buy.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for thermometers.
Equate Ultra Protection Sunscreen SPF 50 (Walmart)
Price: $7.50 for 16 oz.
Why it's a bargain: This sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB rays, and you get a lot for the money. In our tests, it was one of the best of 12 similar products tested and a Consumer Reports Best Buy.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for sunscreens.
Great Value Facial Tissues With Lotion (Walmart)
Price: $1.46
Why it's a bargain: Aaah. Lotion. Gentler on sore noses. This one is ultrasoft and a lot cheaper than big brands with lotion.
Check our Ratings of facial tissues.
Kirkland Signature Paper Towels (Costco)
Price: $15 for 12 rolls
Why it's a bargain: Costco’s paper towels are great at sucking up spills. So if you go through sheets like crazy, why pay more?
Check our buying guide and Ratings for paper towels.
White Cloud 3-Ply Ultra toilet paper
Price: $6 for a 12-roll pack
Why it's a bargain: Strength, softness, and disintegration time are all excellent. Not only is this toilet paper a Consumer Best Buy, it is also the No. 1 rated toilet paper tested in our labs!
Check our buying guide and Ratings for toilet paper.
Nu Finish NF-76 car wax
Price: $8 for 16 oz.
Why it's a bargain: A Consumer Reports Best Buy, the Nu Finish NF-76 is the No. 2 out of 12 liquid/gel wax in our ratings—and is less than half the of the No. 1 rated wax.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for car wax.
Elmer’s Ultimate glue
Price: $5 for 4 oz.
Why it's a bargain: Classic Elmer’s brand, in its Ultimate line, is excellent on wood and plastic, good on metal. Water resistance: very good. A Consumer Reports Best Buy.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for glue.
Kirkland Signature Dishwasher Pacs (Costco)
Price: $10 for package of 110 pacs
Why it's a bargain: Another great bargain product from Costco, these pacs made our dirty pots and dishes sparkle!
Check our buying guide and Ratings for dishwasher detergent.
Member’s Mark Ultimate Clean laundry detergent (Sam’s Club)
Price: $14 for 177 oz.
Why it's a bargain: It was second only to Tide Ultra Plus Bleach Vivid White+Bright in our lab tests—and it’s half the price! It out-cleaned dozens of big-brand and store-brand high-efficiency detergents at only 12 cents per medium-sized load.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for laundry detergent.
Mainstays 10” Nonstick Sauté Pan (Walmart)
Price: $13
Why it's a bargain: Fried eggs didn’t stick, and pancakes cooked as evenly as in some expensive pans.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for cookware.
Proctor Silex Cool Touch 22203 toaster
Price: $15
Why it's such a bargain: With such an affordable and great performance, this everyday appliance has made our annual bargain list three times.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for toasters.
Red Baron Singles Deep Dish Pizza, Cheese
Price: $2.91 for two single-serving pies
Whay it's a bargain: Keep these in your freezer and save on takeout. The crust is crisp and tasty, the cheese is good and stretchy, and the sauce has a nice kick.
Check our buying guide and Ratings for frozen pizza.
—Susan Feinstein
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