What To Buy in the USA in 2023 – Best products and brands (2024)

iPhone

Probably the most popular thing to buy when you travel abroad, especially if you are from a place where Apple is craaaaazy expensive (Brazil, anyone?!).

The top iPhone is the iPhone 14, which comes in the standard version, Pro, and Pro Max. Even though it’s not that much cheaper than in Europe, you can still save a couple hundred bucks even after including the shopping tax. If you are from other continents, though, you may be surprised cause prices in the US are almost half compared to Apple worldwide.

If you don’t care about having the most powerful devices, you can go for the iPhone SE, with the old iPhone design. It’s almost the same price as buying it in Europe, though, so if you live in a Euro country and are considering purchasing the SE version on your trip abroad, save your money and spend it on other more worthy products.

If you want to save BIG, go for a refurbished or renewed iPhone (or any Apple product, really). Amazon has a lot of options on their Amazon Renewed Store.

Samsung Smartphones

If you are not a big Apple fan you can still save some money opting for Samsung smartphones. You can go either for the Galaxy S22+, part of the top-of-the-line Galaxy family, or even for the trendy flip phones (Galaxy Z Flip 4) that are aaaaaaall the rage right now on Tik Tok. Again, the difference is not that much if you compare it to the prices in Europe, but you will for sure save on a couple hundred dollars.

Mirrorless Cameras

In the past, you needed a DSLR camera to take high-quality photos, but it was inconvenient to carry around. That’s no longer an issue with mirrorless cameras, which offer the same quality as DSLRs but are much lighter.

This type of camera is perfect for bloggers, travelers, Instagrammers, and even amateur photographers. I use one for my blog and love the results. The best models come from Sony (like the Alpha 6400 – I use an older model, the Alpha 5000) and Fujifilm (like the X-T200).

If you’re from Europe, you might save a little money on a mirrorless camera in the US. If you’re from elsewhere, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Apple Watch

I should already have given you a heads up: if you are from anywhere else in the world, except an EU country (or the UK), you don’t even have to think about if it is worth it to buy an Apple product in the US. The answer is yes. The Apple Watch is no exception, and depending on where you live, you might be able to buy two watches for the price of one in your home country.

The most up-to-date model is the Watch Series 8, launched in October 2022. If you want to save some money, though, you can go for the Watch SE. In 2022, Apple also launched the “pro” watch model, the Watch Ultra, with its biggest display yet.

Garmin Forerunner

If you would rather have a sport-focused smartwatch, go for a Garmin. The Forerunner line is the most popular one, being the 955 model the top of the line, while the Forerunner 55 is perfect for those who want to buy a great watch but are conscious of their budget.

Both watches have GPS, sport tracking modes and have long battery life.

iPad

If you’re a tablet user or looking to upgrade to a bigger screen, the iPad is a great product to buy in the US. Depending on where you’re from, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The current models are the iPad Pro (11 or 12.9 inches, Retina display, M2 chip), the iPad Air (10.9-inch screen, less memory, fun colors), the regular iPad (10.9-inch screen, relaunched in 2022), and the iPad Mini (smaller screen)

Macbook

I swear I’m almost done with Apple. The cheapest model is the 13″ Macbook Air, 256GB SSD, and 8GB RAM, with Apple’s M2 chip. In South America or Asia, you will probably buy it for double the price. I purchased a similar machine in 2011 and sold it in 2019. It still worked and barely had any problems during its 8 years with me!

The Macbook Pro comes in the 13″ and 16″ versions, with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, and you can custom order if you would like a more powerful machine.

Just a quick reminder that this is a high-priced item, and depending on where you live, you might have to declare it to customs. Do the math to be sure it’s worth it.

If you want to update your laptop for something other than a Macbook, check Amazon for other brands. Laptop prices for Acer and Lenovo in the US also cost less than anywhere else.If you are a gamer, you can go for an Alienware.

Bluetooth Speakers

o be honest, I never thought I needed a speaker until I bought one and now I can’t live without it. I use it for workouts, music in the shower, and listening to podcasts while doing dishes. It’s so convenient and portable. You can even take it to your friends’ places (just don’t use it in public).

JBL is a popular brand, but their prices aren’t much different from other countries. If you want to save money and still get good quality, I’d recommend Bose speakers like the SoundLink Color II or SoundLink Micro.

Wireless Headphones

If you like the over the ears style, your best bets are the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort 45. Both have excellent quality and are cheaper in the US.

If you prefer earphones, I have to say the AirPod Pro is the best choice in the market today. I think the price is insane for such a small thing (I use a cheap Xiaomi one, and I’m good, thanks), but you won’t get them for less anywhere else.

Video Games

If you’re a frequent traveler or spend a lot of time away from home, the Nintendo Switch is a great choice. It’s small, lightweight, and the price is better than other consoles, leaving more money for games.

If you prefer to play at home, go for the classic Playstation 5. It’s still hard to find, so grab it if you see it in stores.

For games, I have to give the same disclaimer as most electronics on this list: the price is similar in Europe, so you might not save much. However, if you’re from elsewhere, take advantage and buy some games, like FIFA 2023 or Mario Kart.

Amazon’s “Alexa” Echo

How do you feel about having a smart house? It’s effortless to do so using Amazon’s Echo, which you may know as Alexa. With this device, you can ask your home assistant to set alarms, play music, add events to your calendar or even update your shopping list while cooking.

If you want to go even further, you can also buy a smart bulb to control the lights in your house – they usually work well with Alexa, and they need only wifi. No other technology is necessary.

You can opt for the current Echo version, the Echo 5th Generation, or even the Echo 3rd Generation, which is currently being sold for a lower price.

Smart “sticks”

Ok, I don’t exactly know the name of this type of device, but they are small plug-in things that you connect to your TV, so they become smart. The most popular ones are the Fire Stick by Amazon and Google’s Chromecast. I have both of them and prefer the Amazon version since it comes with a remote, so I don’t need to use my phone for casting or anything.

Vacuum Robot

I still remember watching Breaking Bad and seeing Jesse throw a party, with his vacuum robot cleaning up the mess afterwards. I’ve wanted one of those robots ever since, and they’ve only become more popular as the years go on.

In the US, you can find many different vacuum robot brands, such as the iRobot (which has no affiliation with Apple whatsoever) with the basic Roomba 694 to the Roomba s9+ with mop function!. Other excellent brands quality-wise are Roborock and Shark, the latter selling the most powerful model.

I got a Roomba 694 during the last Black Friday sale, and it is a game-changer. My mom and I call him Barry.

NutriBullet Blender

NutriBullet was initially famous for being the perfect blender for smoothies. However, it got so huge that they now have models for any type of blending you might need, making this the ideal brand to add to your kitchen.

It’s the perfect appliance because not only is it great, but it’s also cheap and small, perfect for bringing with you in your suitcase.

Smart Scale

What if I told you scales can measure your weight and your fat percentage, BMI, muscle mass, and more? These are known as smart scales, and even though they are new, the US already has countless models with all types of prices. My recommendation is the RENPHO Bluetooth Body Fat Scale. It’s an excellent choice because it has an app with all your statistics so you can measure your progress, doesn’t matter if your goal is to lose fat, gain mass or just get healthy in general.

The Ordinary

Starting with one of my favorite brands, The Ordinary. If we are honest, you can find it in most countries these days, but usually, it’s through resellers (most times not even official stores), and their prices are sky-high. In the USA, though, prices are way lower, and you can buy an entire skincare routine without spending too much. My favorites are the Hyaluronic Acid + B5 (great light moisturizer), the Niacinamide + Zinc (vitamin complex for your skin), and the Peeling Solution AHA 30% + BHA 2% (chemical exfoliant). The face oils are also great and go from super light to heavy, so you can find one to suit any skin type. I’ve used these products for years, and I can say they changed my skin!

Drunk Elephant

Another skincare brand, but this one is a little bit on the pricey side. Drunk Elephants uses only non-toxic natural ingredients (especially Marula Oil) to give you healthier glowy skin. The most popular products are the T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial 25% AHA + % BHA Mask (chemical exfoliant), T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum, and the Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil.

Shea Moisture

Now for hair products.I have the impression that Shea Moisture is not that well-known outside the US, but it should be sincetheir products are made with excellent ingredients and have an incredible price! In addition, they have a lot of different lines – most of them full of oils and moisturizing factors – and they have options for all types of hair.

I recommend the Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil line and the Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Hair Serum.

Olaplex

Olaplex is kind of the new kid on the block when we talk about hair products, but it is already famous and used in hair studios worldwide. Instead of names, their products have numbers, and numbers #1 and #2 are for professional use only. Number #3 is a mix between a mask and a treatment, and it helps strengthen your hair. It has an exclusive technology that can reverse damage caused by chemical treatments, straighteners, hairdryers, and even from the wind and sun! It’s kind of a miracle on a bottle.

Olaplex #3 is the brand’s best-seller (and for a reason – let me tell you that stuff is MAGIC! My hair has never been better!), but you can also try #4 and #5, shampoo and conditioner. Read my full review of Olaplex here!

Makeup

Do not waste your time with brands you can find at any Sephora around the world. Yes, Urban Decay, Too Faced, and Nars are good, but they are not the best, and you can find so many better options in the US.

Want to invest your money in incredible makeup? Go for Natasha Denona’s eyeshadow palettes, skin products from Hourglass (such as the Ambient Light Powder), and get some surreal highlighters from Jouer. Wanna spend all your money on one single brand? Go for Pat McGrath Labs or even Charlotte Tilbury if they don’t have it in your country (it has a similar price in Europe, so don’t bother with CT if you live there).

Wanna buy incredible but affordable makeup? Try drugstore brands. They are excellent and cheap. Most of my brushes are from e.l.f. The photoFocus line from wet n wild is like magic in a bottle. Wanna go crazy? Just search for Colourpop, they have so many products, and they are all amazing.

Coach

The American brand got popular again in the last couple of years due to their collaborations with celebrities – Selena Gomez, anyone? The Coach Cassie had a great moment for a while because of its similarity to Louis Vuitton’s Pochette Metis, but the hot item right now is the Tabby, with a structured silhouette and soft leather.

Kate Spade

Another accessories brand, Kate Spade is perfect for those who are into the girly style since it uses a lot of baby colors, prints, and little details that make all their pieces stand out. You can find bags, wallets, watches, jewellery and other small items that will make you look go from boring to fashionista.

Michael Kors

If you have a little bit more money to spend, you should consider buying some Michael Kors. They don’t do only bags, although they are known for that, but wallets, watches, sunglasses, and other items that will give you a sophisticated look.My suggestions are the watches, with their modern and luxury design, and the bags. The brand has some great options that will surely please you if you are into the monogram trend.

Backpacks

In search of a travel backpack? Then you should go for brands such as Osprey and Deuter (the latter is actually a German brand, so if you are in Europe, do not buy it in the US!). From Osprey, I recommend the Fairview 40L, a women’s backpack that I happen to use for most of my trips. From Deuter, try the Future 34 or 45 liters. You can find both brands in stores in other countries, but they tend to be overpriced.

In case you are looking for casual backpacks, go for Adidas or The North Face.

• Centrum: A Centrum multivitamin with 200 capsules in the US is the same price as the 30 capsules anywhere else. Do I need to say more?
• Vitamin D: Most brands sell it at 2000, 10000, and 50000 IU, and they are all super cheap. If you regularly take Vitamin D supplements, you should definitely stock some of them on your trip.
• Cranberry: Not insanely cheap, but if you compare to prices in Latin America, it’s almost half of what you pay over there.
• Melatonin: Perfect for those who suffer from insomnia, sleep problems, or even jet lag.

• Whey Protein: Quality whey protein is not cheap, but it’s certainly more affordable in the US. If you are planning to buy some protein powder, I recommend you save some space in your suitcase, especially because the bigger the package, the bigger the saving. Don’t know the brands? Go for Optimum Nutrition.
• Creatine: Different from most supplements, creatine efficiency was scientifically proven by many studies, which makes this an excellent investment if you are into training. Again, I suggest you go for Optimum Nutrition, but other brands are also cheap.

LOL Dolls

Ok, listen – I had no idea what a LOL was until I read all those posts from parents asking where on earth to find these cause they were sold out everywhere. So if you are like me and have no clue what they are, they are just tiny dolls, and the fun part is that when you buy yours, you actually don’t know which doll you are getting.

Even though youcanfindLOL dollsin other countries, you can find different themes and kits in the US, so you have way more options there.

LEGO

LEGO is a toy for all ages, let’s be honest. Is it worth it to buy the regular sets with some blocks to play around with? Maybe, it depends on the number of blocks you choose. But is it worth it to buy the special sets? Absolutely.

I recommend you try the Hogwarts Castle set if you are a Harry Potter fan, the Millennium Falcon if you are into Star Wars, or even the Coliseum with more than 9000 pieces (it was at some point the most giant set in the world).

Also, if you happen to see a LEGO store, especially in New York or at Walt Disney World, don’t forget to go inside! They have some crazy sculptures (made of LEGO, obviously).

Slime Kit

The fact that Nickelodeon was finally able to get the Slime to stick… priceless. If your kids, nephews, or any kid in your life in general likes to play with Slime, then you have already found the perfect gift. Besides the different types of slimes, like this galaxy one, you can also find huge DIY kits, so they can “create” their own slime (don’t worry, it’s just different colors of slimes and “toppings” for them to embellish it).

Funko Pop

I am not sure Funko Pop qualifies as a toy since it’s basically collectibles and decoration, but hey, here they are. Again, it’s almost the same price in Europe, but waaaay cheaper if you are from anywhere else. I remember my cousin being so shocked with the prices that on our last trip to Disney World, she took 7 Funko Pop home.

There are so many different characters that it’s hard to suggest which ones are the best, but I love the Disney ones, all the different versions of Marvel’s heroes, the super cute pokemon, and the ones from TV shows, such as Friends.

Strollers

Starting with one of the best sellers in the category: Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Stroller. It’s super easy to fold and store, it’s light, its wheels are game for any kind of terrain, and it has a handlebar brake. It can’t really get better than that.

If you want a more affordable option, go with the Graco Modes Pramette Stroller. It has different ride options, and you can also use it as a car seat for your infant. It also has a kid and an adult tray for your comfort, different reclining positions, and you can let your baby face you or forward.

Car seat

Graco’s 4Ever 4-in-1 Car Seat is the best choice for a car seat cause it keeps up with the child’s growth. You can use it for when your kid is an infant and needs the seat facing the rear of the car until they grow and can use it facing forward. It also connects with the car seat belt, and you can even use it as a booster.

Baby Monitor

O Infant Optics DXR-8 has already won several prizes in the baby monitor category, and it’s perfect for those who want to keep an eye on their kids at all times since it has zoom and tilt functions. In addition, it’s super light, so you can take it with you through your house with no hassles, and it has an FHSS connection, which means it doesn’t go through the internet.

Baby Carrier

The LILLEbaby carrier allows you to carry your child in 6 different ergonomic styles, with straps that will enable you to use it in front of you or in a backpack style. It is also made of a breathable mesh, so you don’t even have to worry about your infant’s temperature. The perfect product for those who want a comfortable, stylish option to carry their baby.

Bottle Sterilizer

An electric sterilizer that does all the work for you, so you can spend more time with your child instead of cleaning bottles. Dr. Brown’s Electric Steam Sterilizer can be used for bottle parts and for nipples and even pacifiers.It uses steam to sterilize everything, and its design makes it easier to clean two bottles simultaneously.

Rocker Chair

Lastly, the cheapest item in the baby category, the Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker Chair. It holds even bigger toddlers (up to 40lb/18kg), it reclines, and it even has two different vibration speeds to help soothe your baby. In addition, the fabric part can be thrown in the washing machine in case of any accidents, and the toy bar is removable.