Devin Jacobs
There’s never been an easier period to shop for cheaper stuff than now. The massive boost in inflation, e-commerce, and social media makes dupes look like a good deal. Although these imitations are less expensive and within reach, they come at a cost. Think twice before buying these 20 products.
Skincare Products
When you intentionally buy the fake of anything you’re applying directly on your skin, you’re looking for trouble. So many things could go wrong. Cheap skincare lacks essential ingredients and is replaced with harmful fillers without proper stabilization and manufacturing process.
Electronics and Chargers
Don’t be surprised when your low-quality electronics don’t deliver the advertised performance or suddenly pack after a few months of use. Many of them skipped the essential production process. Even worse, they could damage other devices. Knock-offs often provide inconsistent voltage or poor quality.
Kitchen Appliances
There were about 150,960 injuries from household appliances in 2022, according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). These numbers give perspective on why cheap stuff isn’t always good, especially when cooking. Appliances that aren’t built well may cause more harm than good.
Car Tires
Your car tires are the only part of your car that’s constantly working—24/7, all year long. Therefore, there’s no excuse for not investing in this critical safety component. Cutting corners to buy knock-offs, off-brand, or used tires isn’t a sensible option if you want them to last long.
Beauty and Cosmetics
While the appeal of a great look at a discount might be tempting, some dupe cosmetics can contain harmful ingredients like lead, cadmium, and unregulated pigments. It’s important to be cautious and mindful of the potential risks these products may carry for your skin and health.
Building Materials
When buying the substandard version of an expensive item, the first thing to consider is the risk involved, not the price. Low-cost building materials can compromise structural integrity and safety. Some may not meet regulatory standards, which could lead to future repair costs or more dangerous situations.
Baby Products
Unlike us adults, babies are more susceptible to the effects of harmful products. So when buying baby products, don’t use yourself as the standard. There’s no reason to put your child at risk with fake products. You can instead buy less expensive versions, not a substandard dupe of a costly item.
Medications and Supplements
Although “health is wealth” is considered generic and overused, it’s true. You may start making the right choices when you see your well-being as an investment. Substandard medications and supplements often have incorrect dosages, harmful fillers, or lack active ingredients.
Athletic Shoes
For athletes or those engaging in athletic activities, it’s important to choose shoes that provide proper support. Dupe Nike or Adidas running shoes look good enough in photos and social media posts. However, the substandard foam midsoles and support will increase the risk of injuries.
Jewelry
Fakes or dupes may draw attention at first, but they lack the long-lasting quality of the real deal. The low-grade plating wears off, the poorly-treated gemstones and diamonds chip or fade, the weak soldering breaks, and the metals can cause allergic reactions.
Power Tools
Dupe tools are typically made with lower-quality materials that wear out faster, which leads to frequent breakdowns or the need for replacements. While the initial cost may be lower, you’ll likely end up spending more over time compared to a high-quality, reliable tool that lasts for years.
Perfume/Fragrance
Fragrances are on this list not because you’ll stop smelling nice after a while—that’s nothing compared to the actual issues. Dupes of luxury perfumes like Chanel No. 5 or Dior Sauvage often have diluted formulations with inferior-quality chemicals that come with health risks.
Tech and Engineering Products
Keyless car fobs, CCTV cameras, factory equipment, servers, and other products that qualify as tech should be standard. Intentionally buying their duplicates should be a no-go; the potential hazards and security risks from poor components and bad engineering are serious.
Eyewear
All eyewear should offer proper protection for your eyes. If you want to continue enjoying beautiful sunsets and the finer things in life, it’s essential to focus on the quality of your glasses. Prescription glasses without UV protection or lens strength will cause issues such as eye strain and long-term damage.
Furniture
While dupes may mimic the appearance of high-end furniture, they rarely match the comfort and functionality of the original. From poorly cushioned seating to flimsy construction, these compromises can diminish your experience and the longevity of your furniture.
Paint
Cheap paint may seem like a bargain upfront, but you’ll spend more on coats and frequent touch-ups. They’ll fade or peel quickly due to lack of durability, proper pigmentation, and resistance to wear. Likewise, poor-quality emulsions emit higher levels of dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Hair Tools
Authentic hair tools are designed with precision to deliver consistent results every time, whether it’s a smooth, straight finish or bouncy curls. Dupes often compromise on technology, which leads to unpredictable outcomes and more effort on your part.
Pet Supplies
If you settle for dupes, and your pets get affected by the harmful materials in poorly made things, you’ll have to visit the vet often. These constant trips will leave a dent in your wallet—one you were trying to avoid. Likewise, low-quality collars may snap under tension and endanger your pet.
Camping Gear
When you camp out, it’s always better to use quality gear. Poor-quality materials wouldn’t do so well even if you can cope in the wilderness. For instance, tents may give out bad weather, and low-cost sleeping beds may have poor insulation in harsh conditions. Also, you don’t want to deal with a torn backpack when hiking.
Luxury Bags
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs says self-esteem is a valid need sometimes in our lives. When purchasing dupes of luxury bags and purses to feel good or gain respect, do so only when they look visually similar to the original. If you can point out differences, others can, too, and they may not play nice when they do.