15 Everyday Things That Used to Be Made in the USA (But Aren’t Anymore)
Many of the things we use daily used to be made in the USA, but now they come from everywhere else.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Once upon a time, “Made in the USA” was stamped on everything from sneakers to toasters. Over time, though, companies chased cheaper labor, faster production, and lower costs overseas. Now, many of the everyday products that used to roll off American assembly lines are made oceans away.
1. Televisions
Phillip Pessar on Wikimedia Commons
American homes used to be filled with TVs built by brands like Zenith and RCA. These companies were household names, with factories buzzing across the country. However, production moved overseas, where manufacturing was cheaper, especially in countries like South Korea, Japan, and China. Today, most TVs come from companies like Samsung, LG, and TCL.
2. Sneakers
MIKI Yoshihito on Wikimedia Commons
Remember when New Balance and Converse made shoes in U.S. factories? Not anymore. Most sneaker production now happens in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. It’s all about cutting costs—but it came at the price of local jobs.
3. Toys
honeyflorida on Wikimedia Commons
American-made toys used to be the norm, especially classics like Lincoln Logs and Tinkertoys. Over time, though, production shifted to places with cheaper labor. Now, most toys on store shelves come from China. Even iconic brands like Mattel and Hasbro moved their operations overseas.
4. Light Bulbs
Tobias Maier on Wikimedia Commons
Thomas Edison might be rolling in his grave. For years, American companies like GE made bulbs right at home. However, once regulations and costs increased, manufacturing moved abroad. Today, China dominates the light bulb market.
5. Radios
池田正樹 - Masaki Ikeda on Wikimedia Commons
Once a symbol of American innovation, radios were proudly made by U.S. brands. However, as electronics production got cheaper elsewhere, factories closed. Now, most radios are imported from Asia. The shift took more than products—it took pride in it.
6. Kitchen Appliances
أسكيمو on Wikimedia Commons
Toasters, blenders, and coffee makers used to be made by American workers. These machines are now mostly built in Mexico and China. While some parts are still designed in the U.S., full assembly is usually outsourced. It’s why your blender might sound international.
7. Tools
Wilfredor on Wikimedia Commons
Craftsman, once a favorite made-in-the-USA brand, now manufactures many of its tools overseas. Other tool companies followed the same path. The metal’s still strong, but the label no longer says “USA.” Some smaller companies still try to keep it local, but they’re rare.
8. Clothing
Tomascastelazo on Wikimedia Commons
Decades ago, most American closets were filled with clothes made in places like North Carolina or New York. Then came the wave of outsourcing to Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China. Today, only a small percentage of clothes sold here are made here. Fast fashion took over, and domestic textile mills paid the price.
9. Phones
Ka Kit Pang on Pexels
You use it every day—but your phone probably didn’t come from here. Apple may be an American brand, but iPhones are assembled in China. Most other smartphone makers follow the same model. We design the tech, but we don’t build it.
10. Furniture
iMahesh on Wikimedia Commons
Hardwood tables, cozy sofas, and stylish shelves were once American-crafted. However, cheaper materials and labor pushed the furniture industry to places like China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Many stores still sell American designs—but the pieces come with a passport. It’s a major shift for a once-local trade.
11. Cameras
J. Malcolm Greany on Wikimedia Commons
American brands like Kodak ruled the photography world. However, when digital took over, they couldn’t keep up. Japanese brands like Canon and Nikon filled the gap, and production moved across the Pacific. Now, even Kodak prints come from far away.
12. Bikes
Fischer.H on Wikimedia Commons
There was a time when Schwinn bikes were the pride of American streets. That ended when the company shifted production overseas to compete with low-cost imports. Today, most bicycles are made in Taiwan or China. A few boutique builders still keep it American, but they’re the exception.
13. Watches
Challiyan on Wikimedia Commons
Timex used to make its watches in Connecticut. Now, most parts are produced abroad and assembled elsewhere. Swiss and Japanese watchmakers also dominate the industry. The ticking heart of American watches? It’s mostly imported.
14. Washing Machines
Andy Li on Wikimedia Commons
Once a staple of American factories, washers and dryers have moved out. Some brands still keep a few models made in the U.S., but many are now produced in Mexico and Asia. The boxes may still say “American-owned,” but the guts are global. The switch was slow—but steady.
15. Electronics
Robert Yarnall Richie on Wikimedia Commons
Most small electronics used to be built in U.S. plants, from radios to laptops. Over the decades, nearly all of that manufacturing shifted overseas. Brands stayed, but factories disappeared. What used to be a booming industry is now mostly import-driven.