A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World

The 14 Most Dependable Products You Need to Buy Only Once

Spending a bit more up front for quality means these household staples could last you a lifetime.

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Viking Professional 7 Piece Cutlery Set
via amazon.com

Kitchen knives

If you purchase a high-quality set of kitchen knives and treat them well, you’ll be able to create a lifetime of delicious dishes. Look for a set that is constructed from a single piece of steel, like the Viking Professional 7-Piece Cutlery Set, which brings professional-level results to the culinary enthusiast. Designed and manufactured in Germany, the ergonomically designed handles make chopping, slicing, dicing, and julienning comfortable and easy—like an extension of your hand. The blade features a 15° cutting edge that is heat hardened under inert gas to ensure strength and long life, plus Viking cutlery is completely hygienic with no gaps between the tang and handle. Be sure to use the honing rod on your cutlery before or after each use and hand-wash each knife to ensure a long life. Find out the kitchen products that people can’t stop buying on Amazon.

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Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Expandable Carry-On 22" Spinner, Black
via amazon.com

Luggage

Have you ever tried to make your way through an airport or crowded city street with a suitcase that has rickety wheels, a broken handle, or stuck zippers? Then you understand why savvy travelers never skimp on quality when it comes to their luggage. And with companies like Briggs & Riley offering a lifetime guarantee, you won’t even have to worry about how your checked luggage is faring while taking a beating from airport baggage handlers behind the scenes. “Rather than consider it a splurge, it’s an investment in your travel experience,” says Richard Krulik, Briggs & Riley CEO. “Our bags provide travelers with tremendous value.” Its most popular collection, Baseline, features a CX Compression-Expansion zipper-less expansion that allows you to expand the bags more than 30 percent and then compress them down to original size. Translation? It’ll help you squish an abundance of clothes down to carry-on size, so you can avoid baggage fees.

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Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
via amazon.com

Vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner is one of life’s necessities that’s just not really fun to buy—it mostly sits in a closet gathering dust, and then you use it to suck up the other dust in your house. Of course, if you buy one that looks (and sounds) like a futuristic sci-fi blaster gun, like the Dyson Cyclone V10 cordless stick, you can proudly display it like a work of art in your kitchen or laundry room. There’s a reason Dyson has such a loyal customer base: They know how to combine innovation, technology, and quality. This particular model is easy to grab off its charging station for unexpected messes and the lack of a cord means you don’t have to waste time unplugging and re-plugging it back in as you move throughout your home. Plus, it’s quieter than other machines and the suction power is top-notch, so you won’t have to keep going over the same area again and again. Check out more of the most dependable vacuum cleaners you’ll be glad you bought.

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Tuft & Needle Queen Mattress,
via amazon.com

Mattress

No, one mattress won’t last your entire life—they should be replaced every seven years or so, according to the Better Sleep Council—but considering you spend one-third of your life in your bed, shouldn’t that time be spent on a luxurious mattress instead of one that makes your back ache? In that case, you’ll want to choose the mattress with more five-star Amazon reviews than any other and that comes with a ten-year warranty: Tuft & Needle. You’ll also get a 100-night trial to ensure your investment is the right fit, which shouldn’t be a problem thanks to its pressure-relief foam, support layer, and cooling gel so you sleep cool and comfy.

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Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, Iron/Fuchsia
via amazon.com

Hair dryer

Think a drugstore hair dryer is going to give you the luscious locks you desire? Unfortunately, it will probably give you heat damage, be incredibly cumbersome and heavy to hold, take forever to dry your mane, and overheat and break with no warning. Instead, upgrade to the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, which is engineered to protect your hair from heat damage and maintain natural shine. The powerful digital motor, located in the handle for better balance, keeps the device lighter than a traditional dryer. It comes with multiple magnetic styling attachments, including a diffuser, so you don’t have to purchase anything separately. You’ll wonder how you ever made do with a cheap and unreliable version before. Find out some things you should always buy on Amazon.

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Filson Journeyman Backpack - Tan
via amazon.com

Backpack or briefcase

Whether you commute to work on public transportation or tend to keep everything but the kitchen sink in your work bag, you’ll need a trusty briefcase or backpack to do the heavy lifting throughout your career. The problem is, most products that look stylish and professional don’t hold up to wear and tear, not to mention weather. Enter the Filson line of ultra-durable bags, including the Journeyman backpack and the 24-Hour Tin Cloth Briefcase (which one you choose depends on your style preference). The backpack is made of water-repellent, abrasion-resistant material, and the tear-proof moleskin-lined shoulder straps literally take the load off your back. A padded sleeve holds laptops and tablets up to 16 inches and a storm flap over the zipper increases water resistance. Both products are tough as nails, thanks to the iconic fabric, a tightly woven canvas duck fabric that’s saturated with a mixture of liquified paraffin wax and oil under heat and high pressure, forcing the wax into the core of the all-natural cotton fibers—it resists tears, punctures, water, wind, and anything else that might get in your way.

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Dyson Pure Cool TP04 Purifying Tower Fan, White/Silver
via amazon.com

Air purifier

Did you know the air in your house can be up to five times more polluted than what you’re breathing outdoors? Yep, it’s true, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s why it’s smart to invest in an air purifier, like the Dyson Pure Cool Purifying Tower Fan—its sealed HEPA and activated carbon filters capture 99.97% of microscopic allergens, pollens, gases, and pollutants. The best part? You can monitor your air quality in real time via the Dyson Link app. The unit also has two airflow modes, one of which acts as a fan to cool you. Once you buy the purifier, the only additional cost is to change the filter approximately once a year (the app will notify you).

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Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
via amazon.com

Coffeemaker

Let’s be honest: Your love of a hot cup of coffee will never waver, so why not outfit your kitchen with a coffeemaker you can count on every morning (and evening, if the mood strikes)? Unless you only have eyes for super fancy lattes from specialty shops, brewing your own cuppa at home is much more economical in the long run. The Cuisinart Extreme Brew 12-Cup Thermal Programmable Coffeemaker brews 25 percent faster than most other units, which means you won’t have to impatiently wait for your morning sip. A higher-end machine like this one also comes with 24-hour programmability, so you can wake up to the smell of fresh coffee, and an auto-shutoff feature in case you leave the house in a hurry. Check out 50 more Amazon products you’ll definitely use every day.

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NordicTrack NTL17915 T 6.5 S Treadmill
via amazon.com

Treadmill

If you’re serious about a lifetime of healthy exercise habits, then it’s time to invest in a treadmill—one of the best gym machines for weight loss, and one you can easily make room for at home. Less expensive machines can leave you susceptible to shin splints, but NordicTrack features a cushioned deck that helps to reduce the impact on your joints (there’s also a setting for a more firm deck that feels like running on the road if that’s your preference). The incline option helps burn more calories and target specific muscles and the five-inch display tracks your speed, time, distance, heart rate, and calories burned. Finally, it’s iFit compatible, so you can access custom Google Maps training routes anywhere in the world (subscription sold separately). There’s a lifetime warranty on the frame and a 25-year warranty on the motor, to help ensure decades of steps.

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LIV GX1 Signature Orange 1210.45.110.SRB100
via amazon.com

Watch

It’s fun to have an array of inexpensive watches to accessorize your outfits, but nothing beats a high-quality watch that can literally stand the test of time. Not only will it serve as a conversation starter, but it can be passed down through the generations as a precious family heirloom. The LIV GX1 Signature Orange watch features a scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal on the front, is water resistant to 300 meters, and is constructed of 316L stainless steel. All of these features combine for maximum durability, meaning your watch will still look new after many years of wear. With all five-star reviews on Amazon, you simply can’t go wrong. Check out these brilliant products on Amazon that have nearly perfect reviews.

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Honda HRR216K9VKA 3-in-1 Variable Speed Self-Propelled Gas Mower with Auto Choke
via amazon.com

Lawnmower

If you purchase a quality-made lawnmower, you could easily be set for life. According to Consumer Reports, gas push mowers are more reliable than self-propelled models (which makes sense, since there are fewer moving parts that could break). The organization names Honda as the clear winner when it comes to selecting a brand, citing that only 14 percent of their units break by the fourth year of ownership. If you have a lawn that’s roughly half an acre or less in size, this style is your best bet.

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Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Electric, Rechargeable toothbrush for Complete Oral Care, with Charging Travel Case, 5 modes, and 8 Brush Heads – 9700 Series, Lunar Blue, HX9957/51
via amazon.com

Electric toothbrush

Do you know the one thing most dentists agree on? It’s that the best toothbrush you can use to protect your precious teeth is an electric one. Why? Research shows they reduce plaque and gingivitis better than manual brushing. In fact, the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart features sensors and an app with real-time feedback to help you perfect your brushing technique for a completely clean mouth, removes up to ten times more plaque, gives you up to seven times healthier gums in just two weeks, removes 100% more stains in just three days, and comes with a year’s worth of extra brush heads. Here are some more things everyone should own by age 30.

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ASP XT DF Flashlight CR123A
via amazon.com

Flashlight

Most people don’t think twice about buying a cheap flashlight and throwing it in a drawer or glove box, only to find out later—when they desperately need it—that it is broken, dead, or not bright enough. Whether the power goes out, your car breaks down, your dog goes missing at night, or you love camping, everyone needs a dependable light. The ASP XT DF Flashlight is an “investment-grade” option that you’ll buy once and rely on forever. This tactical flashlight is programmable; will easily fit in a coat pocket, purse, or glove box; and will throw a blazing white beam for a distance of almost three football fields. Plus, it’s dual-fuel, which means it will work either as rechargeable or with single-use batteries. It makes for a practical housewarming gift, and you can even order it with the recipient’s initials laser-engraved on it. Let’s just say you’ll never be caught in the dark again.

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Craftsman 9-31794 Slotted Phillips Screwdriver Set, 17 Piece
via amazon.com

Tools

You’ve probably heard the saying “a workman is only as good as his or her tools.” Well, the same can be said for those ticking off items from their honey-do lists on weekends. A quality set of tools will last forever (unless, of course, you lend them to your neighbor). Stock up on the basics, like a quality wrench set for plumbing or automotive fixes, multiple screwdriver sizes for electronics and furniture, and a cordless drill for home repairs. Choose a brand that offers a full lifetime warranty, such as Craftsman, to get the most bang for your buck. Next, check out some more great Amazon products that have a lifetime warranty.

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Jill Schildhouse
Jill is an award-winning travel writer and editor with 23 years of experience. She covers travel cruises and hospitality for Reader's Digest and regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, Brides, TripSavvy, Insider, USA Today, Taste of Home, and Southern Living. An avid traveler, Jill has visited 37 countries but makes her home in Phoenix, where she lives with her fiancé and toy schnauzer.