When I look back at my Amazon order history, I'm amazed at how few of the products I still own.
My RCA amplified TV-antenna stopped getting reception. My Sennheiser MX85 earbuds shorted-out after getting sweaty. My Fellowes W11-C paper shredder died (so did the replacement and the replacement's replacement). I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I can go on.
My alarm clock stopped projecting. My Perry Ellis wallet came unstitched. Adobe revoked the license to my $1,100 CS6 software bundle (this was an outrage, and so was Adobe's and Amazon's "blame the other" response). My phone case cracked. My beard brush grew mold.
I have dozens of other examples like these. Perhaps it was the building resentment of these purchases that drove me to create my own product review site. Yet, even with reliable methods for spotting fake reviews, I rarely find great products that lasts for years.
That's why I decided to review each of the items in my Amazon order history (dating back to 2005) and pick out the gems. These are things that I would immediately replace if I lost or damaged one.
To be clear, each of these products is the exact model that I purchased and still available for sale at the time of this writing. These items might make a good gift for someone who likes photography, movies, music, food, wine, and travel (like I do). One final note: If you’re a member of Amazon Smile, the links below will support your charity of choice (not my piggybank).
Music
Panasonic ErgoFit Earbuds - (Purchased in 2016) - These cheap earbuds sell for less than $10, come in a variety of colors, sound great and don't tangle easily. I keep these headphones in my travel backpack to use during in-flight movies. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better stocking stuffer or "Secret Santa" gift under $10.
Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker - (Purchased in 2016) - Anker's portable speaker is cheap and convenient. It's tiny, yet it sounds "big" (especially when you place it in a corner) and the Bluetooth range and battery life are both excellent. It’s durable, but I use mine indoors.
Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver - (Purchased in 2016) - Yamaha's budget stereo receiver is the best bargain in home audio. I bought three of them (one for my bedroom, one for my kitchen and I gave one as a Christmas gift). It has the best Bluetooth radio (i.e. pairing) I've ever used and it sounds great. My only gripe is that the receiver has spring clips, not banana plugs.
Fluance RT80 High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable - (Purchased in 2017) - Assembling this turntable is a pain in the butt: You have to string the drive belt and calibrate the counterbalance of the tone arm, then, let the motor run for 24 hours. But, it works like a charm after that initial setup and the Audio Technica cartridge is a nice touch for a cheap turntable.
Food and Wine
Teakhaus Teak Cutting Board - (Purchased in 2012) - This teak cutting board is perfectly-sized for homemade Sicilian pizza. Eight years and dozens of pizzas later, it looks brand new. The juice groove on the board is deep enough for slicing rare steaks.
Vacu Vin Wine Saver Vacuum - (Purchased in 2014) - Vacu Vin's pump system keeps wine fresh for several days (even weeks, depending on the wine). Our original stoppers keep a tight seal after many years of use.
OXO Good Grips Solid Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop - (Purchased in 2015) - Every stainless steel "Good Grips" product that I've bought has rusted, from drain covers to soap dishes -- except for this ice cream scoop. It still looks new and it works like a charm. The handle is comfortable and the pointy design pierces tighly-packed (or super-frozen) ice cream.
di Oro Living 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set - (Purchased in 2016) - These silicone spatulas are extremely resistant to heat, but even silicone has its limits. Our most-used spatula began to crack over time (we cook almost every day). Di Oro replaced it without question, years after our purchase. The forever warranty on this set is legit.
Demitri's Bloody Mary Mix Variety Pack - (Purchased in 2016) - These Bloody Mary mixes make fine cocktails, but they're just as useful as a marinade. For example, we've used them to make spicy pulled pork in our slow cooker.
Nature Nate’s 100% Pure Raw & Unfiltered Honey - (Purchased in 2018) - A lot of supermarket honey is sourced from China, but Nature Nate’s honey comes from bees in Canada and the USA. It's delicious. Also, the dispenser cap keeps the jar clean and prevents the honey from crystallizing. Why isn't all honey packaged this way!?
Photography
Venice Album 8x10 Silver-Edged Photo Album - (Purchased in 2010) - This handmade wedding album is designed for professional photographers (to use as part of a wedding photography package). The gilded pages give the book a sense of great importance. It's the finest, most durable photo album I've ever owned.
SanDisk Extreme PRO 32GB SD Card - (Purchased in 2013) - I paid $58.25 for this SD card, which seemed steep at the time, but it was worth it. My card has captured more than 100,000 photos, plus hours of HD video. It still works like new, despite the drops and dings along the way.
Case Logic SLR Camera Holster - (Purchased in 2014) - This camera bag is as cheap as they come, yet it has plenty of storage, the zipper works perfectly and the material hasn't frayed after years of use. It's a great deal.
Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod - (Purchased in 2016) - Vanguard's inexpensive ball-head tripod is sturdy, lightweight and easy to carry. The quick release works well and the legs are easy to extend. It's a great tripod for still photography.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens - (Purchased in 2016) - Dollar for dollar, I believe this is the best lens that Canon makes. It's sharp from corner to corner, has built-in image stabilization, focuses quickly (and quietly) and isn't too heavy. I've used Canon SLRs for 16 years and this is my favorite lens by far.
Home Theater
Definitive Technology Procenter 1000 Compact Center Speaker - (Purchased in 2017) - "DefTech" makes some of the best small speakers on the market. This inexpensive center speaker is compact, handsome, and it projects clear dialogue. It sounds better than any soundbar that I've heard, despite being smaller than many of them.
Monster XP Navajo White Compact Speaker Cable (50 Feet) - (Purchased in 2017) - I first bought this Monster Cable in the late 1990s when it was $1 per foot. That was a ripoff. Today, Monster XP speaker cable is a good value. The flat jacket and off-white color make it a great choice for running along a ceiling or baseboard. I use this cable to connect my surround speakers to my A/V receiver.
Mediabridge 24K Gold-Plated Banana Plugs (6-Pairs) - (Purchased in 2017) - These gold-plated banana plugs are easy to install and remove, they're clearly marked and they hold speaker wire like a crocodile holding its prey. They're the best banana plugs that I've used and I've used many.
Self Care
J.B. Extreme -30 Below XLR Winter Sock (2 Pairs) - (Purchased in 2014) - These woolen boot socks have outlived every other sock that I've bought, including socks from SmartWool and L.L. Bean. After six winters of heavy use, they still look (and feel) new.
Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap - (Purchased in 2018) - Dr. Bronner's tea-tree oil soap is a great body wash and foot soap; I've even used a drop or two mixed in with my shampoo. A little goes a long way (one bottle seems to last forever) and it is made in the USA.
Household and Home Office
Storkcraft Premium Hoop Glider and Ottoman - (Purchased in 2011) - This cheap rocking chair was easy-to-assemble. After eight years of use, it still glides smoothly and the upholstery is in good shape. It's a good baby shower gift.
Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector - (Purchased in 2013) - Belkin's heavy-duty surge protector has pivoting plugs that make life easier in a home office or home theater setup. I rarely think about this product because it works well.
Umbra Small Garbage Can - (Purchased in 2014) - This little garbage can is tough as nails and it fits in narrow spaces. It looks pretty stylish, too.
Palomino Blackwing Pencils (12 Count) - (Purchased in 2015) - Blackwing's are the best pencils I've ever used: They sharpen perfectly and I've never had a point break on me. Walt Disney was a fan of Blackwing pencils and the original Blackwing 602 pencil was a favorite among animators. This is a great gift for artists, writers and nostalgists.
Maytag M400 Speed Heat Steam Iron - (Purchased in 2017) - Maytag's M400 is a great steam iron for the money. It gets hot quickly, is comfortable to use, and manages to stay clean (i.e. no calcium build-ups in the steam wells). It's not a sexy gift, but it works great.