This year, shoppers emerged from a pandemic that rocked the entire retail industry, straight into record-high inflation. As rising prices pinched budgets, our readers pivoted like the pro deal-hunters they are, finding dupes of luxury products, taking advantage of Prime Day and Black Friday and shopping refurbished.
But they also joined the hype around hot trending products … because, sometimes, fancy travel cups and 12-foot skeletons are just worth it.
For our annual Top Products of the Year series (see what made last year’s list and 2020’s list), we crunched our numbers to reveal the products our blog readers clicked on and shopped the most in 2022. We also factored in our most-read blog articles to get a read on the products that captured our readers’ attention.
Plus, read on for our Editors’ picks for products WE (your RetailMeNot blog team) discovered this year and now can’t live without (just in case you’re getting your 2023 shopping list ready).
Top Products of 2022: Readers’ Choice
These top products are the ones that resonated most with our Real Deal readers in 2022. We took into account which products they clicked on the most, as well as which blogs got the most reads this year.
Stanley Adventure Quencher
This viral product was all over TikTok for its design, its capacity, its stylish look and its almost permanent status of “sold out” thanks to its popularity and supply-chain issues throughout 2022. Our readers flocked to our blog about restocks, and our editors obsessively scoured stores trying to find it. Things leveled out in November of 2022, and now it’s easy to find the Stanley Adventure Quencher in stock. We’re still a little shocked to find it on shelves, just there for the buying after a chaotic year of Stanley scarcity. But that’s good news for anyone who wants to drink more water in the New Year (and NOT pay a steep markup on the secondary market for an emotional support cup).
If the cost is still too steep, check out these Stanley Adventure Quencher dupes.
ROCKURWOK Nonstick Saucepan with Steamer
We featured this product in our roundup of Always Pan alternatives, and our readers bought in, making it one of their top-shopped products of 2022.
The Always Pan from Our Place is a cult favorite and top seller for good reason. But it’s more than $100, sending those on a budget seeking other options.
The ROCKURWOK is under $40 and sports 4.5 stars out of 1,908 ratings on Amazon. It’s a saucepan and steamer all in one. It’s also an attractive piece of cookware. Reviewers love its versatility for making dumplings, ramen, soup and so much more.
Cost: $35.99 (it’s often on sale) at Amazon.com.
Coleman Xtreme Portable Cooler
High-quality coolers for lower budgets was a huge shopping category for our readers this year. And this cooler was the top-purchased one.
The Coleman Xtreme Portable Cooler sports a 4.5-star rating with 11,059 reviews. It keeps ice for up to five days and also has a high capacity, making it perfect for camping trips. Plus, check out that under-$100 price point!
Price: $79.99 at Amazon.
Simply Southern, Large Tote Bag
Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) beach-friendly totes trended in 2022. The famous Bogg Bag kickstarted the trend, but it was hard, at times, to find in stock this year.
Our readers flocked to (and shopped) this Simply Southern bag this year, as it combines style and functionality without sacrificing one for the other. It’s made of flexible (and, more importantly, easy-to-clean) material, making it ideal for outdoor excursions and days at the beach.
Amazon reviewers (more than 1,500 of them) give this product a 4.5-star rating. They love its wide range of colors and patterns, as well as its versatility.
Price: $79.99 at Amazon.
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Cream
Bum Bum Cream continued its popularity in 2022, and our wallet-conscious readers shopped similar-smelling alternatives.
While this body cream from Alba Botanica doesn’t provide the skin-firming magic that Bum Bum Cream is known for, it’s luxurious, nurturing and (this is important) smells delicious.
It has great reviews (4.5 stars with 1,241 ratings) on Amazon, and its fans laud its rich texture, cruelty-free status and the intense moisturization it provides. Not to mention its wallet-friendly price point.
Price: $10.99 for 6.5 oz. at Amazon.
Dyson Airwrap (Refurbished)
The Dyson Airwrap was in high demand in 2022, but high-priced (especially with a brand-new version released this year). We felt a little proud, honestly, that our readers clicked on the REFURBISHED Dyson Airwrap most of all to snag the lowest price possible.
This refurbished deal from Dyson got shoppers $50 off the coveted styling tool AND came with warranty protection, making it a very smart buy.
Price: $449.99 at Dyson.
Echo Show 5
Our readers snapped this product up during Amazon Prime Day, and that was no surprise, as it was priced almost 60% off (the lowest price ever, at the time).
The Echo Show 5 is one of the smaller smart screens in Amazon’s lineup, making it a great fit for countertops and bedside tables alike. And it’s also frequently discounted below $50, making it an easily justifiable buy, compared to more-expensive smart home products.
Price: $84.99 (frequently on sale for as low as $34.99 at Amazon).
The Home Depot 12-Foot Skeleton
This giant Halloween yard decoration was almost impossible to find in stock, and our readers flocked to our restocks article to try to snag it.
The skeleton became popular in 2020, when the pandemic inspired many to lean into socially-distanced celebrations – and this skeleton can definitely be seen from a distance. At 12 feet tall, it towers over many one-story homes.
The $299 12-foot skeleton never went on sale (it was too popular) this year. But many of our readers decided it was worth it, as it was one of our most-clicked-on products of 2022.
Price: $299 at Home Depot.
Shark FlexStyle Air Drying & Styling System
Noticing a pattern in our list? Styling tools captivated our readers in 2022, and they bought this one like crazy the moment it was released in Sept. 2022. There was a lot of buzz around its release, and, according to reviews, it wasn’t just hype. This tool dries, smoothes and curls (just swap out the attachments) and comes in at a not-too-bad price point, compared to *ahem* other popular styling tools.
Price: $249-$269 at Shark.
Magic Mixies Crystal Ball and Magic Mixies Mixlings
In 2021, Magic Mixies were sold out across the board. But in 2022, they proliferated into different versions, giving shoppers more options (and our readers more chances to snag a hot toy line).
Moose Toys (the maker of the Mixies) launched a new-and-improved Crystal Ball version in 2022, as well as a mini (and more budget-friendly) version called the Mixlings. And our readers were eager to get their hands on them the moment the holiday shopping season kicked off.
Price: The Crystal Ball is $84.99 but frequently on sale. The Mixlings are $15.99.
Target Mini Shopping Cart
We certainly did not expect so many of our readers to have a toy shopping cart on their lists, but this adorable mini-me version of the Target shopping cart took off when it was released in August this year. Heading into the holidays, it was almost impossible to find in stock. Luckily, there are some almost-identical alternatives out there.
Price: $19.99 at Target
Flyby Deep Tissue Massage Gun
This Black Friday, the top-purchased item for our readers wasn’t a TV or a toy. It was this massage gun. This product was massively on sale for Black Friday. It has more than 18,000 reviews on Amazon and maintains a rating of 4.5 stars. And it’s lightweight and travel-friendly, perfect for athletes on the go AND anyone who has aches and pains.
Price: $74.97 at Amazon.
PARTY Women’s Fashion Star Sneaker
If you’re wondering why a tricked-out sneaker made the list of products most bought by our readers this year, you’re not on TikTok. The #BamaRush (aka Southern sorority rush) trend took hold in August for a second year. And, Golden Goose sneakers were featured in many a #OOTD (outfit of the day). Golden Goose sneakers have a distinct style but are very pricey. And so many of our budget-savvy readers found their way to these shoes, which are just as bling-y and also under $50.
Price: $46.99 at Amazon.
Top Products of 2022: Editors’ Choice
We on the editorial team of RetailMeNot do a fair bit of shopping ourselves. And these are the products we found to absolutely WORTH IT this year. In fact, we don’t know how we lived without them before 2022.
Veken Packing Cube Set
What it is: A six-piece set of packing cubes (+ laundry bag) that keeps you organized when you want to pack EVERYTHING.
Chosen by: Kristin McGrath
Kristin’s review: If you are a chaotic, chronic overpacker, these packing cubes make it so easy to stay organized. Divide your stuff into categories, roll it up and put it in the cubes. Your stuff stays organized, and the cubes let you smoosh it and condense it so that more fits inside your bag.
This set also comes with a small laundry bag, so you can easily stash the stuff you’ve worn inside and reach straight for the cubes to find clean clothes.
See the cubes in action on TikTok!
Price: $24.99 at Amazon.
Tessie Arch Mirror from Wayfair
What it is: A stunning take on the antique mirror.
Chosen by: Lisa Davis
Lisa’s review: I’ve had the same floor mirror since high school. I haven’t been able to part with it even though it makes people’s legs look oddly shorter than their bodies. When I happened upon the Tressie Arch Mirror at Wayfair, I tossed sentimentality out the window and bought it. The tall, super pretty mirror makes me smile every time I see it.
Price: $479.99 at Wayfair.
HOTO Electric Screwdriver
What it is: A high-design take on an essential household tool.
Chosen by: Lisa Davis
Lisa’s review: Even though I have a wireless power drill, it never seems to be charged when I need it. So when I saw the HOTO Electric Screwdriver during Amazon’s Prime Day, I bought it. It has made life exponentially easier because it keeps its charge for a while and can be quickly recharged with its included USB cable.
Price: $109.99 at Amazon.
Solawave
What it is: A skin-correcting tool that uses light therapy and actually works.
Chosen by: Ysolt Usigan
Ysolt’s review: You’d think this thing is a total gimmick, but i swear — since i started using it, my skin has never felt smoother.
Price: $99 and up, depending on bundle at Amazon.
Reprise Activewear Cypress Legging
What it is: A pair of leggings that are a splurge, for sure – but you’ll practically live in them.
Chosen by: Ysolt Usigan
Ysolt’s review: So worth the price … buttery soft, quality and eco-friendly! The material is perfect for winter because it’s thick, and the zipper detail at the bottom makes the design really premium.
Price: $125 at Reprise
Calpak Stevyn Duffel
What it is: A travel bag that holds so much more than you’d think.
Chosen by: Shannon Dwyer
Shannon’s review: I bought the Stevyn duffel bag from CALPAK to use while traveling throughout Europe this fall, and it was the best choice. The bag fits SO much and has many pockets, a removable shoulder strap and a compartment at the bottom so your shoes don’t touch your clothes (It carried four pairs of shoes!). Also, the bag slips on easily to the top of a hardshell carryon which is so helpful when navigating the airport. I have it in pink, but they offer many colors!
Price: $92 at Calpak.
Hotel Lobby Candle New York Candle
What it is: A decadent candle that looks and smells GREAT.
Chosen by: Shannon Dwyer
Shannon’s review: I’ve been a fan of Hotel Lobby since they launched a bit over two years ago (check out their Instagram, the aesthetic is wonderful!), and this candle is easily the best I’ve ever purchased. The brand is inspired by luxury hotel lobbies throughout the world, and since I’m a New Yorker I needed to try this one out. It’s phenomenal! The Hotel Lobby New York candle features notes of amber, sweet sage, cedar leaf and patchouli – I’m about to buy another one!
Price: $56 at HotelLobbyCandle.com
Cadence Organizers
What it is: Packing organizers for liquids and small jewelry. These are a more splurge-y buy, but they make packing liquids for your trip a breeze.
Chosen by: Kristin McGrath
Why we can’t live without it: Instead of buying a bunch of travel-sized products that you’ll use half of and likely toss, you just keep topping off these durable, neatly labeled non-leakey honeycomb-shaped containers. They’re also magnetic, so they stick together with minimal space in between, meaning you can pack them into your bag in tight layers. Because of how durable they are, you won’t be contributing to plastic waste by buying travel-sized shampoo again and again. I keep mine topped off with my favorite products, so they’re ready to throw in my bag at a moment’s notice. And, yes, they’re TSA-approved (your mileage may vary in other countries, where the unit of measure is required to be printed on the bottle).
Price: $76 for a six-pack (be sure to use that first-time-buyer promo code for a discount).
The post Top Products of 2022: The Real Deal Readers’ & Editors’ Choice Awards appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
