Buy it for life: 106 products you can buy once and keep forever
I’m a big fan of the “buy it for life” movement. We hire products for specific jobs. If I can hire the product once and get the job done for the rest of my life, I’m in favor.
Not every product can or should last forever. And many products that you don’t expect to last forever actually may. I’ll try not to give specific recommendations here. It’s up to you to find the version of these products that will last. I recommend my rules for buying products for tips on identifying quality.
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I’ll also note that these are suggestions for most people with an average use case for each product. A good chef’s knife should last me and my family a lifetime. A professional cook making hundreds of meals a night might wear through that same knife in a year. Use case matters.
The following is my list of great products with buy it for life potential.
You’ll see a lot of tools on here, whether they be for the kitchen, the lawn or the home. The nature of tools (and the wear and tear they need to be designed for) makes them good candidates for this list.
I’m not advocating you go out and buy everything on this list. My hope is that you start exploring the practice of hiring your products once. If you do, I think this list is a good place to to start.
Index
Kitchen and cooking
Blender
Bottle opener
Butcher block
Can opener
Carbon steel pan
Cast iron pan
Chef’s knife
China dinnerware
Coffee grinder
Coffee maker
Corkscrew
Dutch oven
Food processor
Fully clad stainless steel cookware
Glass bakeware
Grill
Measuring cups
Mixing bowls
Mortar and pestle
Paring knife
Refrigerator
Silverware
Stand mixer
Tea kettle
Thermos
Toaster
Tupperware
Waffle iron
Wine glasses
Wine rack
Garage, tools and yard
Car jack
Garden tool set
Hand planes
Hand tools
Lawnmower
Multitool
Paintbrushes
Picnic table
Pocketknife
Set of wood and metal files
Shovel
Swiss army knife
Table saw
Tire gauge
Tool belt
Toolbox
Work gloves
Workbench
Zippo lighter
Home, office and electronics
Camera
Coasters
File cabinet
Fireproof safe
Fountain pen
Hardwood furniture
Headphones
Label maker
Laminator
Musical instrument
Scissors
Stapler
Storage bins
Storage shelving
Vacuum cleaner
Washer and dryer
Wood-burning stove
Wool blanket
Stereo
Sports and outdoors
Baseball bat
Bicycle
Binoculars
Canoe
Compass
Cooler
Fishing pole
Flashlight
Hatchet
Rifle
Tent
Water bottle
Clothing, wardrobe and travel
Backpack
Beach towel
Belt
Boots
Canvas tote bag
Cedar clothes hangers
Cedar shoe trees
Clothes Iron
Clothes steamer
Duffel bag
Hair dryer
Ironing board
Leather jacket
Luggage tags
Money clip
Nail clippers
Passport wallet
Raincoat
Rolling luggage
Safety razor
Sewing machine
Sun-blocking hat
Tweezers
Umbrella
Wallet
Wristwatch
Kitchen and cooking
1. Blender
A professional-grade blender used in a commercial kitchen goes through a lot of abuse. One of the good ones can definitely handle whatever you put it through at home.
Suggestions
$157: Oster Versa Pro Performance Blender from Amazon
$400: Vitamix 5200 from Amazon
2. Bottle opener
Bottle openers are a dime a dozen these days and strapped onto everything from USB drives to flip flops. Get one that opens bottles and nothing else. Mine’s a little chunk of cast iron shaped like a lobster. I keep it in my bar cabinet. I plan to open bottles of Pacifico for the rest of my life with it.
Suggestions
$11: Cast Iron Skeleton Hand Themed Beverage Bottle Opener from Amazon
$14: Lobster Cast Iron Beer Bottle Opener from Amazon
3. Butcher block
A butcher block is not just a big cutting board. I’ll repeat, a butcher block is not just a big cutting board. End grain cutting boards point the fibers of the wood running up and down so you’re cutting into the grain and not slicing across it. With regular cleaning and oil these will last a lifetime.
Suggestions
$61: Maple End Grain Chopping Block from Amazon
$195: Boos Maple Wood End Grain Reversible Butcher Block from Amazon
4. Can opener
There’s nothing special about a can opener. But a good one that stays operational and works well is worth the cost. Get a quality one and wipe it dry so it won’t rust.
Suggestions
$12: EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener from Amazon
$14: OXO Good Grips Can Opener from Amazon
5. Carbon steel pan
The secret restaurant tool is a great carbon steel pan. Similar to cast iron in heat retention and durability. Lighter and easier to handle.
Suggestions
$40: Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet, Pre-Seasoned, 12-inch from Amazon
$66: MINERAL B Round Carbon Steel Fry Pan from Amazon
6. Cast iron pan
One of my all time favorite products. A beast in cooking quality and durability. Read my take on why cast iron is one of the best product’s available.
Suggestions
$15: Lodge Pre-Seasoned Skillet from Amazon
$20: Large Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet by Victoria from Amazon
7. Chef’s knife
If you invest in only one great kitchen tool, make it an 8 inch chef’s knife. Get something stainless steel with a good handle. You don’t need to spend more than $200. You don’t need an 18-piece knife set. You need a good chef’s knife that you keep sharp.
Suggestions
$50: Victorinox 8 Inch Rosewood Chef’s Knife from Amazon
$148: Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Cook’s Knife from Amazon
8. China dinnerware
The wedding registry staple. Store it somewhere safe and break it out on the holidays.
Suggestions
$100: Lenox Federal Platinum Bone China 5-Piece Place Setting from Amazon
$112: Wedgwood Renaissance Gold 5-Piece Place Setting from Amazon
9. Coffee grinder
Great coffee starts with the beans. A well made burr grinder (either manual or electric) should do its job for years with the right upkeep. You may have to change the blades a few times.
Suggestions
$40: Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill “Skerton” from Amazon
$90: Capresso Infinity Conical Burr from Amazon
$140: Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder from Amazon
10. Coffee maker
A cheap drip coffee maker is designed to be replaced. Something professional grade and electric can handle years of use. Better yet, try something non-electric, like a French press or pour over setup.
Suggestions
$17: Bodum BRAZIL Coffee Maker from Amazon
$20: Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper from Amazon
11. Corkscrew
There’s a ton of solutionism happening in the corkscrew market. Gizmos that twist and twirl and electronically massage your cork with high frequency dolphin songs. Unless you’re a major wine enthusiast, (you are not a major wine enthusiast) just get something simple and well made. Next time you’re in a restaurant that has a sommelier, ask what kind they use. I promise it looks more like this than something out of SkyMall. That person opens more bottles in a night than you do in a year.
Suggestions
$7: Wing Corkscrew Wine Opener from Amazon
$18: GITKO Waiters Corkscrew from Amazon
12. Dutch oven
Just like screaming hot pans are the difference-maker in professional kitchens, a nice heavy dutch oven another secret weapon for home cooking. It’s great for soups, braises and anything long and slow on a Sunday. When your home is an archeological site they’ll find yours in the rubble.
Suggestions
$60: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven from Amazon
$339: Le Creuset Signature Round French Oven from Amazon
13. Food processor
Maybe you consider it a wedding registry cliche. But these things come in handy once you really start cooking at home. Even the cheap ones seem to hold up nicely.
Suggestions
$38: Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Food Processor from Amazon
$158: Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor from Amazon
14. Fully clad stainless steel cookware
These are what you should really be using almost every time you reach for that nonstick pan. Look for fully clad instead of disk bottoms, which can warp and fall off.
Suggestions
$63: Cuisinart 77–7 Chef’s Classic Stainless 7-Piece Cookware Set from Amazon
$188: Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set from Amazon
15. Glass bakeware
In the late 19th century, scientists unlocked new and exciting ways to build glass products with strong resistance to thermal shock. This meant glass that wouldn’t shatter at high temperatures. It’s still a great product opportunity for home cooks. Look for ones made of borosilicate glass. And keep an eye out for vintage pieces, too.
Suggestions
$18: Pyrex Easy Grab 8-Piece Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set from Amazon
$21: Pyrex Basics Clear Oblong Glass Baking Dishes from Amazon
16. Grill
If you don’t know how to cook, you don’t know how to grill. I hate this trope of the macho dad who never makes dinner but somehow knows when a pork chop is done if he’s standing outside at the grill. That’s stupid. And that guy’s pork chops suck. For those who do cook, get a well-made grill, like a Weber kettle. Clean it after using. Disassemble and deep clean a few times a year. Keep it dry and covered. That’s the last grill you’ll ever buy.
Suggestions
$79: Weber Original Kettle 18-Inch Charcoal Grill from Amazon
$99: Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill from Amazon
17. Measuring cups
Stainless steel for dry ingredients. Borosilicate glass for wet. Store them dry after cleaning. Stainless steel isn’t rustless steel.
Suggestions
$12: Pyrex 2-Cup Glass Measuring Cup from Amazon
$19: Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set from Amazon
18. Mixing bowls
You probably have too many mixing bowls. Department stores will lure you into a 20-piece Russian nesting doll monstrosity. You’ll regret it when they go spilling everywhere every time you just need a medium-sized bowl (which is like 90 percent of the time). A set of three, maybe four, will do the trick.
Suggestions
$14: Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set from Amazon
$17: Pyrex 4-qt Mixing Bowl from Amazon
19. Mortar and pestle
Seems exotic. But master a simple guacamole and you’ll use this more than you realize. Also useful for grinding spices. Plus it’s pretty obvious that two chunks of rock are going to last you a while.
Suggestions
$12: Sagler mortar and pestle set Marble Grey from Amazon
$21: Health Smart Granite Mortar and Pestle from Amazon
20. Paring knife
If you can have one knife in your kitchen, get a chef’s knife. If you can have two, get a paring knife. Same rules apply as the chef’s knife in terms of quality. This is the tool you’ll use for finer cuts on smaller and more delicate ingredients.
Suggestions
$7: Victorinox 3.25 Inch Paring Knife from Amazon
$10: Wusthof Pro Paring Knife from Amazon
21. Refrigerator
A little controversy here, but I stand buy the notion that you can still find a refrigerator that will last forever. Get something with simple aesthetics and as little feature creep as possible. And for the love of god don’t get a smart fridge.
Suggestions
$550: Kenmore Top-Freezer Refrigerator from Amazon
$1,299: Kenmore Non-Dispense French Door Refrigerator from Amazon
22. Silverware
Real silver flatware definitely isn’t practical for your everyday use. Even for special occasion stuff. Upkeep on real silver is no joke. In fact it’s an outright chore. Get a set of 18/10 stainless steel flatware.
Suggestions
$50: Oneida Mooncrest 45-Piece Flatware Set from Amazon
$96: Artaste Rain Stainless Steel 47 Piece Flatware Set from Amazon
23. Stand mixer
This piece belongs in the product hall of fame. I’m consistently amazed at how a 20-pound baking appliance became the centerpiece of every millennial’s wedding registry. In 2012, KitchenAid announced it was cranking out 2 million of these units per year. Some swear by models produced before 1986, when Whirlpool acquired the brand.
Suggestions
$300: KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series Stand Mixer from Amazon
$388: KitchenAid 6 Quart Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand from Amazon
24. Tea kettle
A nice stovetop kettle can last generations. Even a good electric model will take a beating.
Suggestions
$60: Le Creuset Enamel-on-Steel Zen Teakettle from Amazon
$95: Bonavita 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle from Amazon
25. Thermos
Chances are your parents have a green Stanley vacuum thermos somewhere that’s older than you. Kudos to Stanley for keeping the tradition alive.
Suggestions
$23: Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle from Amazon
$19: Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle from Amazon
26. Toaster
Most toasters cost less than $20 and might last a few years. Some, like a Dualit, are built like a tank and could last forever with some maintenance. Of course you could get a $20 toaster every 3 years and spend over $1,000 throughout your life.
Suggestions
$129: Dualit 2-Slice Design Series Toaster from Amazon
$195: Dualit 2-Slice Toaster from Amazon
27. Tupperware
I always check out the kitchen items at an estate sale. And I always see classic Tupperware. You’ll never wear it out. You’re more likely to lose it when your friends take potato salad leftovers home from your cookout.
Suggestions
$16: Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container, 10-Piece Set from Amazon
$36: Tupperware Wonderlier Bowl Set 3 in New Colors from Amazon
$58: Snapware Pyrex Glass Food Keeper Set from Amazon
28. Waffle iron
A really nice electric waffle iron could last your lifetime. Just look at the abuse they take in continental breakfast lines. A cast iron or cast aluminum stovetop model will last for generations. It’s not as hands-off as an electric model, but it’s going to be easier to clean when you can just toss it in the sink.
Suggestions
$39: Useful Old Fashioned Cast Iron Stove Top Waffle Iron from Amazon
$75: Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker from Amazon
29. Wine glasses
Practically any glassware will outlast you if it isn’t dropped or chipped. Good wine glasses that you wash by hand and dry gently will stick around. The real danger to the glass is yourself once you pop that third bottle of Riesling.
Suggestions
$40: Ravenscroft Crystal 18-Ounce Stemless Wine Glass, Set of 8 from Amazon
$118: Riedel 260 Years Celebration, VINUM Cabernet/Merlot Glasses from Amazon
30. Wine rack
It’s best to store your wine sideways, so the inside of the cork is in constant contact with the wine. Otherwise the cork could dry out, shrink, and lose the airtight seal, allowing oxygen and other funky stuff into your wine. A plain wine rack will keep your wine sideways until you’re ready for it.
Suggestions
$15: Sorbus Bamboo Foldable Countertop Wine Rack 6-bottles from Amazon
$58: Stackable Storage Wine Rack Stand from Amazon
Garage, tools and yard
31. Car jack
The cheap jack that comes with your car is fine in a pinch on the side of the road. I bent one in half once though, so know I only trust these. At least get something better for your garage.
Suggestions
$18: Torin Big Red Steel Scissor Jack from Amazon
$37: Pro-Lift Grey Low Profile Floor Jack from Amazon
32. Garden tool set
Grow some vegetables. Get a few tools so you aren’t shoving your fingers in the dirt.
Suggestions
$25: SONGMICS 9 Piece Garden Tool Set from Amazon
$30: TACKLIFE Garden Tools Set, 7 Piece Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Gardening kit from Amazon
33. Hand planes
Hand planes are like cast iron pans. You can find great one 100 years old in grandpa’s basement. After an afternoon of cleaning and sharpening it’s better than anything you can get new. Though you can still get some great ones new.
Suggestions
$19: Stanley №4 Adjustable Bench Plane with 2-Inch Cutter from Amazon
$105: Stanley 12–137 №62 from Amazon
34. Hand tools
I could put every last variety of hammer, screwdriver and wrench on this list. The fact is, all hand tools need to be tough. And simple. Things that are built tough and simple stick around.
Suggestions
$37: Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit from Amazon
$99: Stanley Mixed Tool Set, 210-Piece from Amazon
35. Lawnmower
I like a manual reel mower. With two conditions. 1: You don’t have a very large lawn. 2. You’re good about cutting regularly. Otherwise, get a nice gas mower and take care of it like a classic car.
Suggestions
$50: American Lawn Mower 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower from Amazon
$71: Great States 5-Blade Push Reel Lawnmower from Amazon
36. Multitool
It can be a pain to run out to the garage or basement every time you need to quickly tighten a screw. Throw a good multitool in your junk drawer, glove box or office desk. You’ll save money on misplaced pliers and screwdrivers. And the little scissors are perfect for a getting at a loose thread on your clothes.
Suggestions
$50: Leatherman — Sidekick Multitool from Amazon
$99: Leatherman — Wave Multitool from Amazon
37. Paintbrushes
Many people get cheap brushes and buy a new set every time they have a painting project to do. For the average homeowner who paints once every few years, get a decent brush set and store them clean and dry.
Suggestions
$4: Wooster Brush Softip Paintbrush, 2-Inch from Amazon
$6: Wooster Brush Shortcut Angle Sash Paintbrush, 2-Inch from Amazon
38. Picnic table
Most outdoor furniture is way overpriced and falls apart in a few years. A solid wood picnic table isn’t going anywhere.
Suggestions
$78: Hopkins 2x4basics Picnic Table Kit, Sand (Frames Only)
$399: Best Choice Products 3 Piece Acacia Wood Picnic Style Outdoor Dining Table Furniture from Amazon
39. Pocketknife
Even if you just open your Amazon boxes with it.
Suggestions
$12: Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Everyday Carry Locking Pocket Knife from Amazon
$21: Columbia River Knife and Tool Drifter Plain Edge Folding Knife from Amazon
40. Set of wood and metal files
Even if you aren’t a serious woodworker or metal craftsman, it’s good to sand the rough edges off of things.
Suggestions
$8: Needle File Set from Amazon
$25: DS-Space High Carbon Steel File Set from Amazon
41. Shovel
Not rocket science here. A basic round point digging shovel will last a lifetime. You probably already have one that will. If not, look for one with the blade welded to the shaft.
Suggestions
$16: Bond Mini D Handle Shovel from Amazon
$25: Fiskars Long Handle Digging Shovel from Amazon
42. Swiss army knife
More features than your pocket knife, more portable than your multitool.
Suggestions
$16: Victorinox Swiss Army Sportsman II Pocket Knife from Amazon
$32: Victorinox Swiss Army Pocket Knife from Amazon
43. Table saw
If you have the space and budget, a really heavy cabinet table saw is an outstanding piece of machinery. They’re often more than 600 pounds, built of metal and extend to the floor. Heady duty means less vibration, which makes for more accurate cuts.
Suggestions
$1,836: Shop Fox 10-Inch Table Saw with Riving Knife from Amazon
$2,650: Delta Unisaw, 52-Inch Fence from Amazon
44. Tire gauge
Every glove box should have a tire gauge. Even your built-in electronic tire sensors can flake out on you. Spend $20 a on a nice, accurate gauge.
Suggestions
$20: Accu-Gage Professional Tire Pressure Gauge with Protective Rubber Guard from Amazon
$20: Rhino USA Heavy Duty Tire Pressure Gauge from Amazon
45. Tool belt
You don’t need to be a carpenter to have a tool belt. The secret problem during any weekend project around the house is spending half your time running back and forth to get hardware and tools. Practice a little Mise en place on your weekend warrior battles by strapping on a tool belt.
Suggestions
$14: CLC 3 Pocket Suede Tool Bag with Poly Web Belt from Amazon
$24: Task Tools Weekend Warrior Apron with Polyweb Belt from Amazon
46. Toolbox
For the average person, wear and tear isn’t the real threat to your tools. It’s losing them. People don’t replace hammers because they wore them out, they replace them because they lost them. Toolboxes are harder to lose and give your tools a home.
Suggestions
$11: Waterloo Portable Series Tool Box from Amazon
$28: Stanley 24-Inch Structural Foam Toolbox from Amazon
47. Work gloves
A good pair of leather work gloves should last a lifetime. Your paws will thank you.
Suggestions
$11: Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves from Amazon
$14: Ironclad General Utility Gloves from Amazon
48. Workbench
A heavy wooden workbench only gets better with age. Every scratch and splotch of paint tells a story. Even if it’s the story of a birdhouse you gave up on finishing.
Suggestions
$74: Hopkins 2x4basics Workbench and Shelving Storage System from Amazon
$127: Olympia Tools 82–802 Multi-Purpose Workbench from Amazon
49. Zippo lighter
Even if you’re not a smoker, a Zippo is a classic and comes in handy.
Suggestions
$12: Zippo Chrome Lighters from Amazon
$13: Zippo Matte Pocket Lighter from Amazon
Home, office and electronics
50. Camera
Most entry-level DSLRs are rated for 100,000 shutter actuations. Some report going past 300,000 on a mid- to high-end camera body. This should satisfy most hobby photographers. Otherwise, update your firmware, lenses and accessories and you’re in good shape for a long time.
Suggestions
$446: Nikon D3400 from Amazon
$780: Canon EOS Rebel T5i from Amazon
51. Coasters
Coasters protect your nice furniture (more on that soon). They’re also a cool aesthetic opportunity. Flimsy dirty cardboard coasters are sad. Get something big and heavy and fun to look at. Like a big gnarly chunk of marble.
Suggestions
$13: Lifver 6-Piece Absorbent Stone Coaster set from Amazon
$30: Set of 6 — White Marble Stone Coasters from Amazon
52. File cabinet
I don’t care how digital you get, every family needs a file cabinet. You still have papers to hold on to.
Suggestions
$73: Hirsh Industries 18" Deep 3 Drawer Steel File Cabinet from Amazon
$85: Lorell SOHO 18 3-Drawer Vertical File from Amazon
53. Fireproof safe
House deeds, birth certificates, passports, family heirlooms, photographs. Some things you can’t afford to lose in a fire. Get a great fireproof safe and put it by your filing cabinet.
Suggestions
$40: First Alert 2017F Water and Fire Protector File Chest from Amazon
$218: AmazonBasics Fire Resistant Safe from Amazon
54. Fountain pen
You probably won’t get daily use out of a fountain pen. Most of us probably don’t get daily use out of any sort of pen. But a basic fountain pen has heirloom potential. Keep it somewhere safe, sign the big important papers with it.
Suggestions
$11: Jinhao Rose Wood Fountain Pen from Amazon
$15: Pilot Metropolitan Collection Fountain Pen from Amazon
55. Hardwood furniture
Hardwood furniture won’t just last your lifetime, it will last several generations. Dining sets, bedroom sets, tables, cabinets. Your grandkids will be fighting over it.
Suggestions
$216: East West Furniture Rectangular Dining Table from Amazon
$1600: Big Sur Natural Dining Tables from Crate and Barrel
56. Headphones
Listening to headphones at home, through your stereo, is pretty great. Get something with a long cord, keep them at home and take good care of them. Get some other pairs for the airport and the gym.
Suggestions
$137: Sony MDR-7510 Professional Studio Headphones from Amazon
$185: Sennheiser HD 599 from Amazon
57. Label maker
A label maker keeps your physical world organized and accessible. And they last a long time.
Suggestions
$20: DYMO LabelManager 160 Handheld Label Maker from Amazon
$30: Brother P-Touch PT-D210 Label Maker from Amazon
58. Laminator
You’ll be amazed at the things you find to laminate once you get one of these. Thank me when y
Scotch PRO Thermal Laminatorour social security card doesn’t rip in half.
Suggestions
$22: AmazonBasics Thermal Laminator
$35: Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator from Amazon
59. Musical instrument
Pro musicians put their gear through hell. No matter what your instrument of choice is, it will do just fine in your den for a long, long time.
Suggestions
$60: Official Kala Learn to Play Ukulele Starter Kit from Amazon
$599: Fender Standard Stratocaster from Amazon
60. Scissors
Scissors are a common wrong-tool-for-the-job tool. The threat to scissors isn’t wearing out, so much as it is getting damaged because you used it for the wrong job. Keep a few utility knives and pocket knives around to prolong the life of your scissors.
Suggestions
$12: Fiskars The Original Orange Handled Scissors from Amazon
$16: Kai 5210 8-inch Dressmaking Shears from Amazon
61. Stapler
Look for one built of metal with a die cast base. Just don’t let your boss steal it and put your desk in the basement.
Suggestions
$13: Swingline Stapler from Amazon
$13: Swingline Stapler, Commercial Desk Stapler from Amazon
62. Storage bins
The secret to a well-organized garage, basement or attic is a set of durable storage bins. Stackable with a good handle and latching lid. Some people like the transparent ones so you can see what’s inside. I just use a label maker.
Suggestions
$38: Sterilite Ultra Latch Box 6-Pack from Amazon
$125: Rubbermaid ActionPacker Lockable Storage Box from Amazon
63. Storage shelving
Your storage bins need a home. Most of these can be adjusted to different heights. Look for thick plastic or metal construction.
Suggestions
$60: AmazonBasics 5-Shelf Shelving Unit
$92: LANGRIA 5 Tier Garage Shelving Shelving Unit
64. Vacuum cleaner
So there are vacuum cleaners and there are vacuum cleaners. If you wan’t one that can truly last a lifetime, you’re going to need something like a Miele. It’s going to cost you at least a few hundred bucks but it will be the last vacuum you ever buy.
Suggestions
$399: Miele Complete C2 Canister Vacuum from Amazon
$599: Miele New Complete C2 Electro Canister Vacuum from Amazon
65. Washer and dryer
Washing machines and dryers are another product that aren’t technically supposed to last a lifetime, but I’ve seen it happen. Get something simple and stay away from exotic extra features.
Suggestions
$720: Kenmore Top Load Washer from Amazon
$940: Kenmore Elite Front Load Washer from Amazon
66. Wood-burning stove
It’s hard to match the joy of heating up a home with a fire you built yourself. If these don’t last several lifetimes, you’re doing something very, very wrong.
Suggestions
$620: Pleasant Hearth Wood Burning Stove from Amazon
$740: Extra Small Wood Burning Stove from Amazon
67. Wool blanket
If the label says dry clean only, please don’t throw it in the washer. Otherwise care for it with a good lint brush or nylon-bristled clothes brush. If you store it, get a bag designed for storing linens and keeping moths out.
Suggestions
$53: EKTOS 100% Wool Blanket from Amazon
$249: Pendleton Glacier National Park Full Blanket from Amazon
68. Stereo
A proper stereo is one my all-time favorite products. I’m not talking about a bluetooth speaker or the latest integrated smart gadget. That tech will come and go. I mean a stereo. Two speakers and a receiver. That’s a stereo. It’s a formula that’s been around for almost 100 years and isn’t leaving anytime soon. Plug in the inputs from the audio sources of your choice. I use Google’s Chromecast to send Spotify tunes right from my wifi to the receiver. You can add a turntable if vinyl’s your thing. or just plug in your phone/mp3 player directly. Or whatever else you want. Upgrade the various parts as you grow into it. Or don’t. Just please play it loud.
Suggestions
$101: Dayton Audio Tower Speaker Pair from Amazon
$149: Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver from Amazon
Sports and outdoors
69. Baseball bat
Everyone sleeps better with a Louisville Slugger under their bed.
Suggestions
$23: Barnett BB-W Wooden Baseball Bat from Amazon
$30: Louisville Slugger from Amazon
70. Bicycle
Cycling enthusiast will want to upgrade to new tech every handful of years. For the rest of us, one simple and really well-made bike will be the last bike we need. Find a local bike shop in your town that’s been around forever. Buy it there and take it in annually for a tune up. Replace and fix parts as they wear down.
Suggestions
$171: Critical Cycles Harper Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike from Amazon
71. Binoculars
I have a cheap pair of binoculars that I absolutely love. There’s something thrilling about taking them on a hike or camping trip. I plan to upgrade to a nicer set soon.
Suggestions
$117: Carson VP from Amazon
$289: Athlon Optics, Midas, Binocular, 8 x 42 ED Roof from Amazon
72. Canoe
A canoe or kayak is a great and fairly simple way to get out and reflect on life. Almost any kind of watercraft will last a lifetime with proper storage and maintenance.
Suggestions
$435: Sun Dolphin Journey Kayak from Amazon
$599: Sun Dolphin Scout Elite SS Canoe from Amazon
73. Compass
Yes, your phone has one. Your car and maybe even your watch has one. But you can get a military-grade compass for less than $20. Toss one in your car and one with your camping gear. If you ever get in a pinch and do actually need it, it could save your life.
Suggestions
$8: SharpSurvival Best Camping Survival Compass from Amazon
$10: Sportneer Military Lensatic Sighting Compass with Carrying Bag from Amazon
74. Cooler
Coolers are the latest and biggest example of building lifestyle brands into everyday functional items. If it can happen to wristwatches and personal computers, I suppose it can happen to coolers. The fact is, coolers are great buy it for life products. I’m sure the $400 ones are great, but even the mid-range ones are pretty great. If your cooler needs are more day at the beach than week-long Elk hunting expedition in the Yukon, spend less than $100. Keep it dry and clean when you get home and the thing will last you a long time.
Suggestions
$35: Coleman 48-Quart Performance Cooler from Amazon
$75: Igloo MaxCold Cooler from Amazon
75. Fishing pole
Fishing poles are another product like bicycles; the real pros will want to upgrade and evolve their setup every few years. For us casual anglers, a nice fishing rig should never need replacing.
Suggestions
$40: Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod from Amazon
$88: Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel from Amazon
76. Flashlight
People get pretty serious about their flashlights. If you want to dive in, there are a ton of great blogs and YouTube reviews dedicated to flashlights.
Suggestions
$16: Maglite Mini PRO from Amazon
$30: ThruNite Archer 2A from Amazon
77. Hatchet
A nice hatchet or ax is a work of art. Not only will a decent one last forever, it will look great. Chopping your own fire wood is satisfying and easy. Let the suckers keep buying bundles from that guy on the side of the road.
Suggestions
$21: Fiskars X7 Hatchet from Amazon
$34: Estwing Sportsman’s Axe from Amazon
78. Rifle
Obviously this isn’t for everyone. But any well-made firearm has family heirloom potential. Please take a safety class and store your guns and ammo safely.
79. Tent
A cheap tent will last a couple camping trips. A great one will last your lifetime. The real danger is moths and mold from storing it improperly.
Suggestions
$39: Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent from Amazon
$128: Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon Tent from Amazon
80. Water bottle
A simple stainless steel water bottle has no reason to break. Gaskets and seals on the lid can deteriorate, so see about replacing those.
Suggestions
$11: Nalgene Tritan 32oz Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle from Amazon
$42: Hydro Flask 40 oz Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Leak Proof Sports Water Bottle from Amazon
Clothing, wardrobe and travel
81. Backpack
Buy it for life forums are filled with photos of 30- and 40-year-old JanSport backpacks. I had an off-brand backpack that easily got me through four years of high school and four years of college.
Suggestions
$29: JanSport SuperBreak Backpack from Amazon
$50: The North Face Jester Backpack from Amazon
82. Beach towel
Unless you’re one of the guys from Endless Summer, beach towels don’t get nearly the wear and tear of a bathroom towel. My 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics towel is still going strong. Again, mold and moths are the real danger here. Dry out and properly store your beach towel. When in doubt on design, go for this classic striped pattern.
Suggestions
$25: Dock & Bay Microfiber Towel from Amazon
$37: Utopia Towels Premium Quality Cabana Beach Towels from Amazon
83. Belt
A leather belt will develop a nice patina and start looking and feeling better over time. Couple that with a simple metal buckle and your belt’s only real threat over time is your eating habits.
Suggestions
$19: Men’s Two Row Stitch Leather Belt Handmade by Hide & Drink from Amazon
$99: Leather Tow Belt from Saddleback Leather Co.
84. Boots
Start with quality Goodyear welted leather boots. Be sure the size is right. Brush off debris and keep them in a cedar shoe tree when you aren’t wearing them. Don’t wear them more than one day in a row. Condition the leather a few times a year. Have a cobbler replace the heel and sole every few years as they wear down. That’s your recipe for boots that last forever.
Suggestions
$205: Chippewa Men’s 6" Rugged Handcrafted Lace-Up Boot from Amazon
$281: Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger 6-Inch Boot from Amazon
85. Canvas tote bag
Canvas doesn’t get the buy it for life love that leather does, but it’s right up there in my list of favorite materials. Consider the abuse sailboat sails go through. That stuff is going to do just fine carrying your Kindle around.
Suggestions
$7: Daily Tote — Red/white from Amazon
$13: DALIX 22" Extra Large Shopping Tote Bag from Amazon
86. Cedar clothes hangers
I sometimes see photos of beautiful, roomy walk-in closets with cheap plastic hangers and just think: why? Cedar hangers keep the shape of your clothes and work as a natural air freshener and moisture defender. I’ll take a small closet with good hangers any day.
Suggestions
$28: Natural American Cedar Wood Hangers from Amazon
$56: Cedar Hangers from Amazon
87. Cedar shoe trees
One of the biggest enemies to keeping your products in good shape isn’t how you use it, it’s how you store it. Nice leather shoes crease and lose their shape without a foot in them. They also hold moisture, which causes all sort of problems. Please keep your leather shoes in a cedar shoe tree.
Suggestions
$35: The Original Shoe Tree Company Fresh Cedar Shoe Tree from Amazon
$39: Stratton Men’s Cedar Shoe Tree 2-Pack from Amazon
88. Clothes Iron
One of the heavy German ones should be the last iron you need to buy.
Suggestions
$77: Rowenta DW5080 Focus from Amazon
$93: Rowenta DW9280 Steam Force from Amazon
89. Clothes steamer
Quicker than an iron, less aggressive on your clothes.
Suggestions
$70: PurSteam Elite Garment Steamer from Amazon
$176: J-2000 Jiffy Garment Steamer from Amazon
90. Duffel bag
For any trips involving air travel I like my wheeled carry-on. For all the rest, it’s the duffel bag. Anything with good zippers and clasps should last a lifetime. Brands like L.L. Bean do a great job replacing bags as they wear.
Suggestions
$70: L.L. Bean Adventure Duffle, Large
$159: The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag — Large from Amazon
91. Hair dryer
Another tough one to recommend, but I’ve seen decades-old hair dryers at estate sales that run good as new. Look for established brands that can help with repairs down the road.
Suggestions
$100: Rusk CTC Lite from Amazon
$399: Dyson Supersonic from Amazon
92. Ironing board
Ironing boards are an afterthought. Until you iron on a good one. Plus, do you really want the thing you press screaming hot metal on to be flimsy and cheap?
Suggestions
$51: Minky Hot Spot Pro Ironing Board from Amazon
$86: Brabantia Ironing Board from Amazon
93. Leather jacket
I so badly wish I could pull off the leather jacket look. For those who can, go buy a Schott 613 or 618.
Suggestions
$758: Schott 613 from Schott.
94. Luggage tags
Another afterthought. But do you want the risk of never seeing your luggage again hanging by a cheap plastic thread? Get a nice luggage tag.
Suggestions
$8: Travelambo Leather Luggage Bag Case Tags from Amazon
$15: ProudGuy Tufftaag from Amazon
95. Money clip
I know, who uses money clips? Isn’t this a wedding registry cliche? The fact is they’re an easy and unobtrusive heirloom piece. Slip it in your pocket for a wedding or other dress-nice occasion.
Suggestions
$6: Stainless steel money clip from Amazon
$9: Stainless steel money clip from Amazon
96. Nail clippers
Like I said about the ironing board, you don’t care about a good one until you use it. Nail clippers are the same way.
Suggestions
$9: Nail Clipper Set — Black Stainless Steel from Amazon
$13: Harperton Nail Clipper Set from Amazon
97. Passport wallet
The United States passport has been roughly the same size and shape since 1926. Unlike iPhone cases, your Passport wallet won’t be obsolete in two years.
Suggestions
$8: Leather Passport Holder from Amazon
$16: Yeeasy Passport Holder from Amazon
98. Raincoat
Depending on where you live, good rain gear is a great way to protect the rest of your clothes.
Suggestions
$29: Soteer Womens Long Sleeve Lightweight Waterproof Outdoor Raincoat
$44: Columbia Men’s Watertight II Front-Zip Hooded Rain Jacket from Amazon
99. Rolling luggage
Rolling luggage was the catch-22 invention of the luggage industry. On one hand, we dramatically improved the user experience by no longer making folks carry heavy bags through the airport. But doing this meant adding delicate moving parts to the product: wheels and a retractable handle. These are the things that break when you get cheap luggage. These are the quality parts good luggage makers invest in, which will keep your rolling luggage lasting as long as grandpa’s old suitcase.
Suggestions
$251: Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 – 21 inch from Amazon
$296: Travelpro Platinum Magna 2–29 inch from Amazon
100. Safety razor
I’ve written before that I’ve stopped using a safety razor for everyday shaving. But that doesn’t make it any less great of a product. I’ll hang onto mine for occasional touchups.
Suggestions
$29: Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor from Amazon
$32: MERKUR Classic 2-Piece Double Edge Saftey Razor from Amazon
101. Sewing machine
Chances are someone in your family has one that still works.
Suggestions
$149: Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine from Amazon
$650: Janome DC5100 from Amazon
102. Sun-blocking hat
Long before sunglasses were a thing, cowboys wore hats. Something with a brim that goes all the way around is great protection for a day of yard work. Even if your horse is a riding lawn mower.
Suggestions
$15: Lenikis Unisex Outdoor Activities UV Protecting Sun Hats from Amazon
$15: Summer Outdoor Sun Protection Fishing Cap from Amazon
103. Tweezers
Two prongs you can pinch together. It’s one of the simplest grooming tools. Get a few because they’re more likely to get lost than wear out.
Suggestions
$8: Tweezers Set — TweezerGuru Stainless Steel from Amazon
$10: Four Piece Tweezer Set from Amazon
104. Umbrella
A great umbrella just feels better. It almost makes it OK that it’s raining because you get to carry this cool club around.
Suggestions
$18: AmazonBasics Automatic Travel Umbrella
$20: totes Auto Open Wooden Handle J Stick Umbrella from Amazon
105. Wallet
A leather wallet only looks better over time. Try for full grain or top grain leather. It will feel stiff and clunky at first, but break in so beautifully.
Suggestions
$39: Saddleback Leather Co. Thin Front Pocket Leather Bifold from Amazon
$79: Saddleback Leather Co. Medium from Amazon
106. Wristwatch
Unlike watch snobs, I’m not prejudiced against a good quartz movement. Seiko changed the game when they debuted the quartz movement wristwatch in 1969. And a lot of those are still ticking (with a few battery changes of course). Whether you go quartz or mechanical, find a reputable service shop to do cleanings and repairs and you’ll either be buried in it or pass it down to your kids.
Suggestions
$97: Seiko 5 Men’s SNK793 from Amazon
$131: Orient Men’s ‘Mako II’ Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch from Amazon
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