20 Common Purchases That Are a Complete Waste of Money in 2025
In 2025, many trendy gadgets and flashy buys promise convenience and status but often end up as pricey clutter. Here’s a savvy guide to spotting what’s truly worth your money and what’s just a waste.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
With the hectic pace of today’s world, consumers are hit with an avalanche of products that promise to make life simpler or dress you up, but many become expensive regrets soon after. From novelty gadgets to trendy fashion, knowing what really delivers can help you save your wallet and cut the clutter. This guide cuts to the 2025 top 20 frequent buys that fail to impress, so you can make better, more significant spending decisions.
1. Basic Fitness Trackers
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Most basic fitness trackers do little more for your health than your phone already does. They tend to be inaccurate and don’t do much compared to smartphones or smartwatches. People purchase them in hopes of being motivated but end up forgetting about them.
2. Manual/One-Time Use Kitchen Gadgets
Jason Briscoe from Unsplash
Consider avocado slicers, garlic peelers, or banana holders — those specialized gadgets occupy your kitchen space and are hardly ever worth the expense. A regular knife or your own hands will most often do. They mostly end up in drawers collecting dust.
3. Cheap Wireless Earbuds
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With so many sub-$30 earbuds saturating the market, too many are poor-sounding, connection-prone, and have battery life that’s good for a second or two. You pay for what you get, and the aggravation of frequent dropouts isn’t worth the savings. It’s better to spend a little extra or go with wired headsets.
4. Extended Warranties on Electronics
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Extended warranties usually overlap with manufacturer warranties or credit card coverages and are seldom utilized. They are usually more expensive than possible repairs, particularly for lower-cost gadgets. Most consumers would end up saving more by putting money aside rather than paying in advance.
5. Novelty
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Food-shaped, animal-shaped, or wild color cases can be cute but are usually unprotected or wear out in no time. They also become outdated or disintegrate within months. An investment in a quality, protective case is a better long-term investment.
6. VR Headsets Without a Clear Use Case
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VR tech is improving, but buying a standalone VR headset without knowing if you’ll actually use it is risky. Many people find them bulky, uncomfortable, or difficult to justify beyond a few gaming sessions. The hype doesn’t always translate into sustained use.
7. Designer Fast Fashion
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High-priced fast-fashion products labeled as “designer” tend to employ cheap materials and break down rapidly. You pay the premium for the brand but receive lower durability or sustainability. It’s wiser to invest in classic, high-quality pieces or second-hand items.
8. “Smart” Home Devices Without Ecosystem Compatibility
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Smart bulbs, plugs, or devices that don’t integrate with your central smart home system tend to become worthless. You juggle several apps or lose control of them altogether. Without the integrated experience, they’re really just chichi lamps or switches.
9. Single-Use Electric Scooters
Nik from Unsplash
Most electric scooters sold for inner-city commuting are cheap and prone to breaking down quickly. The cost of upkeep, battery replacement, and repair far outweighs their advantages. Scooter riding is forbidden or inconvenient in most cities relative to bicycles or public transport.
10. Luxury Phone Chargers
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High-end, luxury-branded phone chargers rarely charge faster or last longer than affordable, well-reviewed ones. You’re mostly paying for a logo or flashy design. Functional tech should prioritize efficiency, not status.
11. Premium Bottled Water
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Paying for “alkaline,” “oxygenated,” or “mineral-enhanced” bottled water is mostly a marketing gimmick. Most tap water in developed countries is safe and much cheaper. The environmental cost of plastic bottles also makes it a lose-lose.
12. Seasonal Clothing You’ll Only Wear Once
Daniel Bowman from Unsplash
Trendy holiday sweaters or Halloween costumes often see only one use before they’re shoved in a closet. The money spent on something so temporary doesn’t hold value. Renting or DIY options often save cash and clutter.
13. Air Purifiers with Ineffective Filters
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Most inexpensive air purifiers boast sophisticated features but come equipped with inferior filters that hardly make a dent in indoor air quality. Without actual HEPA or activated carbon filtration, you’re essentially paying for a fan. Do your research, or you’ll be taking in disappointment.
14. Disposable Cameras or Film
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Although a nostalgic option, disposable cameras provide low resolution and are more expensive per photo than digital cameras or phones. Development costs also mount, making it a costly method for taking photos. Digital technology renders this largely obsolete.
15. Specialized “Detox” Juices and Supplements
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Detox and cleansing claims are largely unsubstantiated by science, and numerous products are way overpriced. Your liver and kidneys detox naturally. Investing in these juices is usually money down the drain.
16. Overpriced Designer Sunglasses
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Designer glasses typically inflate prices far beyond their useful quality or UV protection. You pay extra for cachet rather than real performance. Most mid-level brands provide the same protection and strength at a small fraction of the price.
17. Gaming Consoles You Never Use
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Purchasing a new console without a solid plan or sufficient playtime will soon turn it into a dust collector. Games and subscription services also include additional recurring expenses. Casual gamers are better off borrowing or renting the games.
18. Single-Purpose Smartphones from Lesser-Known Brands
Jonas Leupe from Unsplash
Budget phones from obscure brands usually offer flagship features but cut corners on software support, security, and build quality. You may save initially but experience frustrations and premature obsolescence. Established brands tend to provide greater long-term value.
19. Flash-in-the-Pan Kitchen Appliances (Air Fryers, Instant Pots in Excess)
Kelsey Todd from Unsplash
Though instant pots and air fryers are handy, purchasing multiples or duplicates in various sizes can unnecessarily clutter your kitchen. A single multi-utility appliance usually usurps the space of numerous single-purpose appliances. Don’t buy due to the buzz.
20. Subscription Boxes You Don’t Use
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Monthly snack boxes, makeup boxes, or specialty hobby boxes tend to be filled with items you don’t really want or need. After a while, convenience becomes clutter, and money is wasted. It’s better to purchase precisely what you need, when you need it.