The all-time ranking
The 100 Most-Recommended
Buy-It-For-Life Products
One thing decides this list: how many real owners on r/BuyItForLife recommended each product. Our taste doesn't factor in, and neither does anyone's marketing budget. You can't buy a spot here.
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1. Darn Tough Merino Wool SocksSent in a pair with a hole after 4 years of trail use, had a new pair in the mail two weeks later. No receipt needed.
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2. Zippo Windproof LighterSent in his WWII-era Zippo with a broken hinge. They fixed it for free and it clicks like new.
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3. KitchenAid Pro 600 Stand MixerKitchenAid my mother got as an engagement gift in 1977. She gifted it to me when I got engaged; still going strong.
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4. Buck 110 Folding Hunter KnifeHanded down from my dad, made in 1974. Buck resharpened it for a few bucks and it's my daily carry now.
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5. Speed Queen TC5 Top Load WasherI fix washers for a living. Speed Queen is the only brand I've never had to condemn for a dead transmission.
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6. Miele AppliancesMiele vacuum cleaners (professional, but can also DIY if you can source parts)
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7. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Rice Cooker24 years and still going strong! Truly BIFL.
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8. Vitamix 5200 BlenderMy newest in the collection is the vitamix and I got such a deal on it I haven’t even put it away in the cabinet yet!
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9. Kenmore Dryer1974 Lady Kenmore dryer. Still working like a champ!
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10. Moccamaster Coffee MakerMy Breville grinder and Moccamaster have been going strong for a year now, working perfectly without any issues.
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11. Red Wing Iron Ranger BootsTwelve years, two resoles, and they look better than the day I bought them. The leather just keeps getting nicer.
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12. Braun/Oral-B Electric ToothbrushRIP My 20ish Year Old Braun Electric Toothbrush ... Sad that I can't find these in the United States!
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13. Ekornes Stressless ReclinerSaw this for 500$. It's literally in PERFECT condition and it came with the original paperwork.
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14. All-Clad Stainless Steel CookwareGot a $200 all-clad pan for $1.50 at the goodwill bins ... have been begging to find good pans and found this today at goodwill
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15. Herman Miller Aeron ChairHerman Miller Aeron Chair - I work from home 2-3 times per week, best chair I've ever had
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16. Maytag DryerThis Maytag set is almost 40 years old, survived multiple moves, ZERO maintenance, and still kickin' it.
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17. Sorel Classic Snow BootsSorel Boots. Bought in 1985. Changed the felt liners twice. Holding up great. The best snow boots!
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18. Whirlpool DryerThis dryer from the 90s we inherited from the original owners of the house we bought 1 1/2 years ago
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19. Breville Smart Oven Toaster OvenAre Breville toaster ovens worth it? I found one nearly at half price
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20. Maytag WasherThis Maytag set is almost 40 years old, survived multiple moves, ZERO maintenance, and still kickin' it.
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21. Danner Bootsmy $250 Danner boots have lost most their tread and have separated at the seam enough that my feet get soaked if I step in a puddle, less than 2 years old
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22. American Giant Full-Zip Hoodiethe weight of the cotton, construction, hardware, colour and sheer heft of this thing is incredible
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23. Blundstone Chelsea BootsMy new blundstone boots bought a week ago vs the pair i bought 8 years ago and wore nearly daily.
- 24. Philips Sonicare Electric Toothbrush
I bought a 5300 Sonicare but I have a feeling it won't last nearly as long.
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25. Corelle Livingware Dish Setmy mom starting her pansy Corelle collection when I was about 4-5 years old and she's still using them (it's been almost 30 years)
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26. Staub Enameled Cast Iron Dutch OvenDemeyere, Le Creuset and Staub. I don't think there's better for cooking than these 3.
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27. Stanley Classic Legendary Vacuum BottleJust got my boyfriend this brand “new” Stanley 1975 at a shop in Arizona for Christmas. He uses it every morning to take Yerba maté to work.
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28. SwissGear BackpackI bought this Swiss Gear backpack 10 years ago and it still looks almost new! ... It was $60 when I purchased it
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29. Fiesta DinnerwareI’m at 3 years now with my Fiestaware. I abuse the heck out of them leaving them in the sink for quite a while at a time with food and water and they’ve held up excellently!
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30. Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch OvenThe enamel finally crazed after 35 years. Le Creuset honored the lifetime warranty and sent a brand new one.
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31. Tumi BagsI put the work in and gave my old Tumi a second life
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32. Sub-Zero Built-In RefrigeratorIt's BIFL because it can be repaired, but you would have to replace a LOT of residential fridges before you ever broke even.
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33. Vintage Coach Leather BagIt has everything I loved about my old janky pleather Target purse - messenger strap, easy close/open flap, front pocket big enough to hold my phone separate from everything else, and zippered inside pocket.
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34. Panasonic Plasma TV (2008-2011 era)Panasonic 42” Plasma from 2008 finally retired
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35. Dr. Martens BootsI bought this pair in 1993 from the Army Navy Store in Philadelphia and they have lasted the test of time!
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photo from reddit36. Nalgene Wide-Mouth Water BottleDropped 5 year old Nalgene from 24" and this is what happened. Just submitted the warranty claim, but man I'm bummed
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37. Bedrock Cairn SandalsCustomer service immediately responds, says they're sorry and it's a manufacturing issue, and asks me what size and color I want for a new pair.
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38. Sunbeam Radiant Control ToasterEnjoying my collection of post war Sunbeam appliances. Toaster modified with 14g NEMA 5-15p from my old computer.
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39. Jim Green BootsI have a pair of these buffalo African Rangers and a pair of Shoellies from Jim Green. Both are great... For the money, they are excellent boots.
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40. Steelcase Leap V2 Office ChairI've bought 4 refurbished Steelcase Leap V2 chairs from Madison seating... got a reupholster kit from Crandall. No complaints.
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41. Toro Recycler 22" 190cc FWD Lawn MowerToro's are well built... Regular oil changes and sea foam ... takes great care of the maintenance
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42. Zojirushi Insulated BottleI have the Zojirushi and it almost keeps hot tea and coffee too hot... Great for keeping drinks hot... but almost too hot.
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43. Arcade BeltClothing 12 endorsements on r/BuyItForLifeI've been wearing a few for a while now (several Atlas colors and a couple of Futureweaves), and they've held up great — no fraying, no stretch fatigue, nothing. Genuinely feels like a buy-it-for-life kind of item.
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44. Vermont Flannel Company Flannel Shirts & PajamasSecond is Vermont Flannel from 2017 still in very good condition and needing no repairs. Just mild fading.
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45. Shu Uemura Eyelash CurlerOver 20 years later and it's still the best lash curler I've ever used!
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46. Osprey Farpoint/Fairview Travel Backpackfarpoint/fairview is also comfy even when you've overpacked, straps don't kill your shoulders
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photo from reddit47. Sony Trinitron WEGA XBR CRT HDTV34" FD Trinitron® WEGA® XBR® HDTV... It has an HDMI port... decent build in speakers, perfect black, infinite contrast ratio, 720P/1080i
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photo from reddit48. Lodge Cast Iron Cookware8 inch Lodge cast iron pan... I use these every morning for breakfast and fully expect to be using them 20 years from now
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49. Bosch DishwasherThis thing is incredible! My dishes have never been so clean and dry.
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50. SNO-TUBE Inflatable Snow TubeMy family has been using the same SNO-TUBES since 1994. Still holding air in 2025!
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51. Chaco Flip FlopsI'd look at chacos with the wide straps (can't remember if they're called something else). I have some and they don't irritate my feet like the thinner chacos
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52. Lenovo Laptops (ThinkPad / Yoga)Refurbished Lenovos are great budget laptops
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53. Dansko ClogsI recently started using them. I have foot issues and they are AMAZING and so durable. Most comfortable pair of shoes and theyve got another decade in em.
- 54. L.L. Bean Boots
Purchased my first pair of LL Bean boots (left) 13 years ago, in 2012. Wore them through every winter since then.
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55. Allen Edmonds Leather BeltWorn this belt almost every day for about 10-11 years now and it's still holding on.
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56. Bose QuietComfort 25This pair was a gift from my parents over 6 years ago. Since then they have functioned flawlessly despite my rough treatment
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57. Wüsthof Forged Kitchen KnivesI've had the Classic Ikon series for years and the balance is just incredible you know?
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58. Felco SecateursAbused Felco 2, still working. I sharpened it with an electric Philips blade sharpener: not great but more than enough for pruning.
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59. Hanks Belts Leather BeltI have had my brown hanks "The Everyday" belt for about 6 or 7 years and absolutely love it.
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photo from reddit60. Casio G-Shock (Solar)Bought this for $20 in Japan, it's from the early 2000s, but still runs perfectly.
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61. Kershaw Pocket Knife (Tip-Lock Folder)I've had this pocketknife for close to 20 years... Sure enough, KAI/Kershaw has a warranty that covered it. For the cost of shipping (about $15) my knife is repaired and sharpened like new.
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62. Klipsch Vintage Speakers (1970s–80s)Klipsch speakers from the 80's still have great sound quality
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63. Panasonic Toaster OvenWe have used this beauty at least 3 times per day for the last six years, never fails
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64. Eileen Fisher ClothingEileen Fisher! Not cheap but you can sometimes find her stuff at thrift stores
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65. Briggs & Riley LuggageI took my business to Briggs & Riley. No problems 10 years later.
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66. Solovair BootsI spent the extra money on some solovairs and I love em.
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67. Brother DCP-L2550DWPicked up a slightly used Brother DCP-L2550DW for $50.
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68. Redback BootsThree year old boots I wear three quarters of the year in warehouses and gardens, hiking and general wear. Super comfortable right out the gate.
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69. Revere Ware Copper-Bottom CookwareGot really tired of expensive pots that last 4-5 years. Restored these bad boys for life. All copper bottom revere ware.
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70. JanSport BackpackI still use my 30 year old Jansport bag. I believe they still have a lifetime warranty.
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71. Osterizer 847 BlenderBehold, the Osterizer 847 from 1972! ... this old boi ... is IMMORTAL while still doing the job well enough for my needs. Most every part is still available second-hand even today.
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72. Anian Recycled Wool ClothingOne of my favourite clothing brands is Anian from Victoria, BC. I have a few of their shirts and will probably end up getting more.
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73. Barbour Wax JacketBarbour Ashby Coat - Classic style with durable craftsmanship. Bury me in it
- 74. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag
people getting gifted LL Bean Boat and Totes and the bags just getting more comfortably worn in and practical as the years go by
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75. Dualit ToasterDualit is definitely the way to go for toasters!
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76. CHI Ceramic Hair Straightener17-year-old Chi Straightener... Definitely a great example of a buy-it-for-life product.
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77. Lucchese Goat Skin Ropers28 years later I still wear them at least once a week if not more and here they are. Definitely worn but not a stitch loose and original sole.
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78. Toto Bidet Toilet Seat (C5 / C300)Toto C5. We're deliriously happy with it. Easy install, has all the features, comfortable.
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79. Corsair Vengeance C70wish they still made something like this
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80. Cutco Kitchen Knife SetCutco knife set given to my wife's grandparents on their wedding day in 1957.
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81. Rival Crock-Pot Slow CookerMy hand-me-down Crock Pot. Was a wedding gift to my parents. You'd have to pry it from my cold, dead hands.
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82. Stanley Aladdin Vacuum Thermos (Vintage)This is stainless steel inside. A scratch in stainless steel is safe.
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83. Kobo eReaderKobo ereaders. Ifixit has directions and parts.
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84. Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch OvenI was gifted a lodge enamel cast iron Dutch oven for my wedding almost 10 years ago... they're sending me a new one free of charge... Their limited lifetime warranty checked out!
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85. Otterbox Defender Series CaseThe issue is with the port cover itself. It came off after two months for me.
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86. Magic Bullet Personal BlenderI had this for 8 years! Only replacing because I was gifted the Ninja Blast for Christmas.
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87. Frye Leather BootsThese are my beloved Fry boots I bought for my bday over 12 years ago. I had the soles replaced 5 years ago.
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88. SDI 1102B StaplerMom used the same SDI stapler for 32 years at the office. You can still buy these NEW, and they're literally the same
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89. Singer Model 48K Vibrating Shuttle Sewing Machine (c. 1905)I got this singer 48k from 1905, and it still works.
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90. CRZ YOGA LeggingsCRZ YOGA. I am a man and almost exclusively wear their shorts lol. Check them out on Amazon. They're like Lululemon dupes for cheap.
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91. Rubbermaid CoolerI bought this cooler in 1993 when I was 18 years old. It's the first cooler I ever owned and the only thing that's stayed with me all these years.
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92. Johnson CD-11 Outboard Motor71 years old and this 1954 Johnson CD-11 still works perfectly to get around on my lake.
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93. Ralph Lauren Made in USA Cotton ShortsI have been wearing these shorts for 35 years on and off, and I am still in love.
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94. Oneida 18/10 Flatware SetMy Grannie had me pick out an Oneida silverware pattern and purchased the entire 10 place setting set when I was 11... I have used it as my only silverware set since. I am almost 46.
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95. Tilley HatsThe new owners have adopted the financial model that sees warranties as an opportunity to obtain more of customer's money (Through fees). Costs down, quality down, failures up, fees up.
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photo from reddit96. Braun Electric RazorBraun Series 5 Electric Razor - used daily since 2005
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97. Logitech M-BD58 MouseStill works, a little finicky, but as reliable as ever... easy to take apart and clean.
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98. Alden Indy BootI don't wear them every day and don't do heavy labor in them, but they are by far my favorite shoes.
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99. Saddleback Leather Slim Bifold WalletBought in 2013. Used every day since. Definitely would recommend.
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100. Nick's BootsNicks makes a side zip Chelsea that is going to be absolute top quality, a world above RM Williams. You can fully customize it.
Only the top 100 fit here. Browse all 1,732 in the directory →