13 ‘Buy It for Life’ Products That’ll Last for Years

I’ve bought so many appliances, clothes, sheets, and shoes that break or wear down within months—which is why some of the favorite things I own are items that have lasted for years. In fact, I’ve been using some of these essentials for over 15 years, so I can personally vouch for their quality.

If you’re trying to buy things that actually last and won’t need to be tossed and replaced on repeat (I’m looking at you, cheap waffle iron), here are 13 kitchen goods, bedding products, shoes, trash cans, and more that have gone the distance in my household. Some of them are a bit pricey upfront, but they last longer and save you money over time—and they’re all available on Amazon right now.

Best Buy It for Life Products on Amazon

• Le Creuset Signature Round 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven, $297 (was $420)
• KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer, from $350 (was $450)
• Utopia Down Alternative Comforter, from $22 (was $43)
• Mellanni Sheets Set, from $30 (was $35)
• Darn Tough Socks, $26
• Miele Canister Vacuum, $280 (was $349)
• Simplehuman Step Trash Can, $140
• Birkenstock Zermatt Slippers, from $94
• Blundstone Heeled Chelsea Boots, from $152 (was $200)
• Teva Verra Sandals, from $49 (was $80)
• Oxo Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup, $11
• Vitamix 48-Ounce Blender, $380
• Yogasleep Dohm Classic White Noise Machine, $50

Le Creuset Signature Round 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven

I got this Le Creuset Dutch oven as a wedding gift, and 15 years later it’s held up beautifully. My husband and I use it maybe once a week for sauces, curries, and rice. The enamel is a bit stained, which I personally think gives it character, but the Dutch oven still looks gorgeous and works perfectly.

KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer

I love to bake, so my grandma gave me this cherry red KitchenAid mixer as a birthday gift over 15 years ago. Since then, I’ve used it to mix countless batters and doughs, and it works just as well as the day I got it. It also looks fabulous on the counter.

Utopia Down Alternative Comforter

I bought this down alternative comforter in a rush for new bedding when I upgraded from a queen to a king size bed, and I’ve used it daily for the past six years. It’s easy to clean and it’s stayed surprisingly fluffy over time. Given the price and longevity, this is an amazing bargain.

Mellanni Sheet Set

Here’s some more bedding that I bought in a rush when I upgraded to a king bed. I was drawn to these microfiber sheets for the reasonable price and rave reviews, not really expecting them to last long, but six years later they’ve held up surprisingly well. There’s minor pilling, but not a lot, and the sheets still feel really soft when I climb into bed.

Darn Tough Socks

I was initially skeptical of Darn Tough socks because of the price, but these last so much longer than other socks I’ve tried. I bought some pairs a few years ago and they’re still in great shape, compared to past socks that turned threadbare in less than a year. And I wear these a lot. Best of all, Darn Tough has an amazing lifetime warranty that replaces socks for free when they get worn out.

Miele Canister Vacuum

I bought this Miele vacuum back when I had no business spending hundreds of dollars on a vacuum for a tiny Brooklyn apartment. But I’m glad I splurged, because I haven’t had to buy a new vacuum in over 15 years—and it’s still sucking up dirt as efficiently as it did the first year I owned it. Not to mention it’s now working double-time with grime from kids and a dog in a two-story home. It’s incredibly lightweight, making vacuuming a breeze. It’s been worth every penny.

Simplehuman Step Trash Can

It seems weird to love a trash can as much as I love my Simplehuman stainless steel bin, but I’m just a huge fan of its sturdy, soft-closing, and easy-to-clean design. I’ve had this trash can for six years and it’s still in solid shape (the only reason I replaced my last one is that I was moving cross-country). It’s a little pricey, but it holds up much better than cheaper plastic bins I’ve used in the past.

Birkenstock Zermatt Slippers

These wool Birkenstocks are the most durable pair of slippers I’ve ever owned. I’m currently on my third pair, and the previous pairs each lasted close to four years—much longer than the one-year lifespan of cheaper slippers that my husband buys. I work from home, which is a lot of hours of daily slipper-wearing, so I consider these the workhorse of house slippers.

Blundstone Heeled Chelsea Boots

I’ve owned these chic, comfy Blundstone boots for just three years, but I’m giving them a “buy it for life” stamp because of how pristine they still look. I don’t wear them daily, but they’ve been one of my go-to shoes when I’m out and about during fall and winter—and the tread still looks virtually new.

Teva Verra Sandals

I bought these Tevas six years ago and I’ve worn them on all sorts of summer excursions involving trails, streams, and beaches—and they’re still going strong. The traction is great and the velcro stays put, so I’m hoping for lots more summers to come.

Oxo Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup

The angled design on this Oxo measuring cup makes it easy to read the numbers, so it’s always the first measuring cup I reach for when I’m cooking, baking, or making coffee. I’ve owned one for six years, which is much longer than I’d expect for a plastic measuring cup that gets used daily.

Vitamix 48-Ounce Blender

I’ve never used a blender that could pulverize frozen fruit as reliably as a Vitamix. I bought this Vitamix almost 20 years ago, and I only had to replace the blade last year. Granted I don’t use this on a regular basis, but it gets heavy use during summer when I’m making lots of frozen smoothies.

Yogasleep Dohm Classic White Noise Machine

I’ve had this white noise machine for about 15 years, and it works so well I bought two more for my house. The white noise is not too low, but not too tinny. The simple two-speed design is also easy to use, so it’s a cinch to adjust the gentle whir until it sounds just right.