60 Budget-Friendly Alternatives To Birkenstock, Drunk Elephant, And Other Top Brands
A spandex-blend slip maxi dress, because you deserved to feel dressed-up and oh-so-comfortable alllllll at the same time. Wear it at home, out to dinner, or even to a fancy event with the right accessories. Reviewers note that this is comparable to the Skims dress — and some even like it better!
A set of surprisingly affordable *noise-canceling* wireless earbuds so you can jam out to your favorite tunes, nod thoughtfully at your go-to podcast, or simply call into all your Zoom meetings with great sound clarity. They also come with three sizes of silicone tips so you can ensure a secure — and comfortable — fit. If you'd like to keep several pairs of headphones or often lose yours, they're a great alternative to Apple AirPods Pro!
TruSkin vitamin C serum formulated with hyaluronic acid (to provide a boost of hydration), soothing aloe vera, and vitamin E (in addition to the namesake vitamin C) — a combo designed to brighten dark spots and overall skin tone *and* smooth your skin for your glowiest glow yet. And money-saving alert: reviewers say it's comparable to the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum (which costs $182 for the full-size, btw!).
A set of buttery button-down PJs with piping detailing that'll make you feel like you're lounging and/or sleeping in the lap of luxury — one reviewer calls them "the softest I've ever bought" and several draw comparisons with Eberjey jammies (which are around $150 👀) aaand Skims and Cozy Earth.
The Hanes Ultimate crew socks because it just feels painful to shell out $20 for a three-pack of the cult-fave Aritzia TNA socks. If you've fallen in love with the perfect height, ribbed ankle detail, and (my favorite) the extra cushioned bottom of the original, fret not — these Hanes crew socks are *eerily* similar and just as cushy! And you get twice the socks for almost half the price.
A snazzy-looking fitness smartwatch that takes calls and texts, helps track your sleep and activity (including daily steps and workout stats), works with both Apple and Android phones, and comes with over 400(!) different watch faces for a custom look. Reviewers note it's super user-friendly and *rakes* in the compliments when it comes to aesthetics, making it a great option if you've been mulling over $$$ smartwatches (that are...less stylish anyway).
A pack of duster sponges, because the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster seems to be constantly sold out, and these are totally similar, for less! Just dampen, and wipe whatever surface needs dusting — all the dust (and even pet hair!) will accumulate on the ridged surface. Just rinse clean, and you're done!
A classic herringbone necklace if you've been longing for the look of that Tiffany HardWear beaut', but your budget is more aligned with having a croissant and coffee while looking in the window than....actually going into Tiffany's. How Audrey Hepburn of you! In all seriousness, reviewers love that this is substantial and sturdy, making it look more expensive and perfect for adding to your everyday outfits.
LivaClean Superstar pimple patches with all the cutness of the original (and more expensive) Starface patches...but spoiler alert: reviewers say these work *b e t t e r* anyway — that's what I call a win-win. They're designed to absorb pus and oil from *inside* the zit, protecting skin from further damage and reinfection so you don't have to hot compress, pop, ooze, scar, and repeat.
A classic pleated tennis skort you can rock all of tights season, continue to wear through the hottest summer days, and (of course) use as your go-to outfit for dominating on the pickleball court. Did I mention it has pockets? *And* favorably compared to similar versions from Nike, Artizia, and Lulu by reviewers? 'Nuff said.
A Simple Modern tumbler for all of your hydration needs. Not only is the monochrome body chic (you might want to pick one up in various colors to match your 'fits), but it's leak-resistant, dishwasher safe, cupholder-friendly, and keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Plus, it has a built-in straw and ~ergonomic~ handle! Stanley, who?
Or a water bottle with some of the features that are *very* popular with the Owala, including a carry loop, locking lid that opens with the push of a button, and sip and chug options for however you'd like to hydrate. But unlike the Owala, this whole thing is (gasp) dishwasher-safe — and cheaper.
A 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charger perfect for at home or traveling, so you can charge your iPhone, Apple watch, and AirPods all at once without wasting space on bulky chargers or dealing with tons of cords. Several reviewers note that this connects better and lasts longer than the name-brand versions.
A pair of comfortable clogs if you've had your eyes on the Birkenstock Boston Clog, but aren't sure you're ready to splurge for the long haul. These babies are from the makers of the TikTok–famous cloud slides, so you know you're going to stay comfortable all day, without spending Birkenstock money.
Or a pair of Cushionaire cork-bottom sandals for your warm-weather needs — these have arch support for all-day walking at home or on vacation, and reviewers say these are quite similar to Birks and indeed, extremely comfy!
E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter, which reviewers say is comparable to (or even better than) Charlotte Tilbury's famous Flawless Filter. Apply this as a luminous, blurring base, mix it with your moisturizer or foundation, or dot it over makeup as a natural-looking highlight. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and squalene for a boost of hydration too.
A CZ tennis bracelet that looks similar to the pricey Swarovski (or even...the real deal). Reviewers agree it sparkles beautifully, has a super secure clasp, aaaand holds up well to repeated wear! And btw, buys like this are also a great way to "test drive" a piece of jewelry before splurging to make sure you like it for the long haul!
CeraVe's Retinol Serum, which lives up to the CeraVe name and uses *encapsulated* retinol to reduce the appearance of scars and pores without flaking or redness. If you haven't gotten into retinoids yet or are worried about irritating your skin, this gentle but effective serum is a great option — and reviewers say they like it better than other more expensive options (like Murad's Retinol Serum, which retails for $92).
A set of Amazon Basics silicone baking mats to make sure all of your homemade cookies and sheet pan dinners never end up stuck on the pan — and unlike parchment paper, they're reusable....forever! Exactly like fan-favorite Silpat mats, but without the fancy price tag — just ask the reviewer who took this photo and made a batch of macarons using both Silpat and Amazon Basics mats and couldn't tell a difference!
A Sol de Janeiro fragrance mist in scent Cheirosa '68, which reviewers say has a similar smell to the very luxurious and oh-so popular Baccarat Rouge 540 — but in a lighter, body spray version with notes of jasmine, hibiscus, and sun musk.
A pair of lightweight legging-style joggers reviewers say are comparable to the Lululemon Align joggers — for a fraction of the price. But that's not all; they're beloved by reviewers for being comfortable and flexible (for working out or lounging!) and never going see-through.
Or a pair of Colorfulkoala leggings in their ~Dreamlux~ fabric, which is designed to be buttery soft, sweat-wicking, and completely squat-proof, so your skin or undies never peek through the fabric. Reviewers back all of that up, tout them as a great alternative to Lululemon Align leggings, *and* say that they're super comfy (even enough to lounge in), with a waistband that never rolls down, like with some other brands.
A 100-piece set of Picasso Tiles, because reviewers say they're not only comparable to Magnatiles (which are $80 more for the same size set) but also work with the Magnatiles you may already have, so you can expand a world of creative and educational play for much less.
NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip, a lip gloss that also has the hydration of a lip oil, thanks to vegan squalane, as well as raspberry and cloudberry oils. It's fairly new but already seriously beloved by reviewers who appreciate the sheer wash of color, high-impact shine, and non-sticky finish. And if you love Dior's Lip Oil (same), some reviewers say this is better!
L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion, a fan-favorite, glycerin-infused illuminator you can mix in with moisturizer or foundation, wear as a base under makeup, *or* apply as a highlight or bronzer for a natural-looking (and not glittery) glow — especially if you're not looking to drop a fortune on Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops.
The Revlon One-Step Hot Air Brush (now with an upgraded motor) with a unique oval-shaped barrel so you can get super close to your scalp for smooth hair and majorly boosted volume at the roots, without having to juggle a brush and blow-dryer. One reviewer says it takes less time to dry than their Dry Bar Brush!
A belt bag so you can keep all your must-haves close and easy to access but completely hands-free. Whether you're going for a long walk, traveling, or running errands, you'll want to throw this on all the time. The strap is adjustable, so you can wear it crossbody *or* around your waist, and you'll be surprised how much it holds, too! And....it's quite similar to Lululemon's belt bag and less than half the price!
E.l.f. "Squeeze Me" lip balm declared by reviewers to be a more affordable (it's under $5!) alternative to the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. It's formulated with shea butter and hyaluronic acid to pack a moisturizing punch, is easier to squeeze on and apply compared to other jarred lip balms, and provides a sheer flush of color you'll love.
Or for overnight treatment, Carenel Lip Sleeping Masks, which come in a set of three minis (for under $10!) so if you've been looking at the Laneige ones to keep your lips hydrated and supple, you might want to try these. Plus they're sized perfectly for travel.
A pair of chunky droplet earrings so you can try out that oh-so-trendy Bottega look but don't want to commit to fine jewelry. Reviewers note they're lightweight but not flimsy, so they're comfortable for all-day wear — plus they go with everything!
A set of internet-famous Mellanni sheets made of a super-soft and moisture-wicking microfiber fabric over 250,000 5-star reviewers (wow!) love for being cozy and sleeping surprisingly cool — at an unbeatable price! You just might want to ditch your expensive, name-brand sheets (cough, Cozy Earth, cough) for these babies after the first night — lots of reviewers have.
E.l.f. Poreless Putty primer with squalene to hydrate, smooth over skin for a seamless finish, and hold onto makeup for all-day staying power. You mayyyy have seen this all over TikTok, and the reviews back up the hype! And if you love or have been eyeing the Tatcha Silk Canvas primer (for $54!), reviewers say this is very comparable!
Or if you prefer gripping-style primers like Milk Hydro Grip (which reviewers say this is similar to!), E.l.f.'s Power Grip, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid to plump the appearance of skin and designed to *hug* to your makeup for all-day wear. And it's fragrance-free!
A satin pillowcase to help maintain hair and skin health even as you sleep, reducing pesky frizz and breakage when compared with regular cotton or other fiber pillowcases — that means longer-lasting blowouts and less damage in the long run. Why spend the money on pricey brands like Slip and Blissy?
A Briotech spray with the same magical ingredient as the very beloved Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray: hypochlorous acid (something our body produces naturally as part of our immune system!). Just spritz it on whenever your skin needs a little de-stressing, and it'll help soothe inflammation, tone down redness, and strengthen your skin's barrier.
A sunrise alarm clock reviewers say is a great alternative to the Hatch (which is over $150). This gradually brightens from red or orange to bright white, starting 30 minutes before your alarm goes off for a more natural wake-up, *and* it has an evening routine that glows softly and has an auto-shut off so you can drift off peacefully too.
A pair of loafer mules so you can complete all of your outfits with ease without struggling with what to wear — just slip these on and head out the door! People might even think they're $$$ 👀 — we'll never tell.
A pack of reusable grocery bags if you're tired of forgetting yours and paying a fee for paper bags every time you need to stop for milk. These babies fold down compactly, are washable, and super sturdy (they can hold up to 50 pounds), so you can carry your groceries with confidence. Just like Baggu, but for less!
A Renpho percussion massager with five different head attachments for targeting different areas and reviewers love it for soothing sore muscles, easing neck and shoulder pain, and working through tough knots. And who doesn't love a massage?! Reviewers agree that this version is comparable to, or even better, than the Theragun (which is almost $300)!
Essence's Lash Princess mascara, which over *260,000* 5-star reviewers for dramatic length and volume *without* clumps, thanks to the flake- and gob-free formula and cone-shaped brush. Tons of reviewers say it's a better version of cult-faves like Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. (And even Diorshow!)
Skin-lifting, pore-tightening Skin1004 face masks with results that reviewers swear by — not to mention the fact that using them is weirdly fun? The mask tightens as it dries on your face, giving you the titular "zombie" effect (just like...or better than...the more expensive Hanacure). Just wait 15 minutes and rinse to reveal your glowiest glow yet, thanks to the albumin (aka egg white) and aloe formula.
A set of breathable seamless thongs that over 10,000 5-star reviewers (including those who "never wear" thongs and "hate" thongs) swear by for looking seamless under clothes and staying actually comfy all day. And thong lovers say they are just as good or better than brands like Skims and Victoria's Secret.
An oversized plush satin eye mask (one reviewer says it's comparable to the $50 Lunya one!) designed to be extra gentle on your skin and hair so whether you're sleeping in at home or trying to snooze on a red-eye flight, you'll look and feel first class all the way.
A suuuuper soft oversized hoodie, but not just *any* soft hoodie. This one has a thick, expensive-looking fabric and construction that reviewers swear is similar to brands like Skims, Aritzia, Abercrombie, and Cmfrt. The price-per-wear on this thing is going to be excellent.
A super plush blanket that is just begging to be cuddled up with on a cozy day at home — "I bought a new blanket" is a valid reason to cancel plans, right? But seriously, reviewers love this one for looking stylish on their couch and being super soft, but not too heavy for year-round use! It's often compared favorably to Barefoot Dreams (maybe not quite as plush or stretchy), but a real bargain for the price!
Physicians Formula Diamond Dust for a gorgeous shimmer onto your eyelids, cheeks, or anywhere else for a truly ~glowing~ finish — and reviewers say if you're looking for a bit less pigmented version of Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb (which is $42), this is perfect!
Oversized square sunnies that'll make you feel like a celeb, thanks to their Bottega–inspired shape. But that's not all: they also have polarized lenses and UV protection to keep you peepers safer. (Not even luxury brands always have that!)
A long-sleeve bodysuit in a second skin–like fabric (called Smoke Cloud) reviewers compare to Skims and love for being buttery soft and *not* see through. And once you fall in love with this crewneck style, don't worry, it comes in tons of sleeve lengths and necklines!
NYX Brow Glue, an extreme hold eyebrow gel (up to 16 hours!) to keep your brow hairs in place alllll day long, especially if you like that "laminated" look. Reviewers agree the hold is great, the formula doesn't flake off, and that it also washes off easily — and is a great alternative to ABH Brow Freeze, too!
A three-piece loungewear set for when you want to have a stay-on-the-couch day but don't want to stay in your PJs — you'll be just as comfy, but feel a little more put together. And you can mix-and-match the pieces separately, too!
A cropped padded workout tank reviewers swear is comfortable for lounging, layering, and working out (and psst being very comparable to Lululemon yoga camis). I mean over 200 reviewers have it or want it in every color!
Maybelline Tattoo Studio Pencils because if you're looking for a go-to eyeliner to stock up in neutrals and brights, these glide on with no tugging, with a creamy formula that rivals Urban Decay's eye pencils.
A set of three remote-operated flameless candles with moving "flames" that flicker realistically for a relaxing atmosphere or the *look* of a fireplace — without worrying about whether or not you left a candle burning. They have a timer built in so they'll turn on at the same time every day too, so you'll be ready for cozy vibes when the sun sets....so early. Who needs Luminara candles at triple the price?
A Baroque mirror no one will believe came from Amazon with Prime shipping. If you've been looking at the Anthro mirror, or other pricier options but have hesitated to spend, look no further.
A Shea Moisture manuka honey mask packed with powerful ingredients like mafura oil, shea butter, baobab oil, African rock fig, and honey (duh!) to lock in moisture and definition — just as well or better than pricey conditioners like K18. One cosmetologist reviewer says it's comparable to salon deep conditioners!
Or a bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment for an intense at-home mask that'll help your strands look and feel less damaged in just five minutes. It's basically a time machine for your hair is what I'm saying. Some reviewers say it's even BETTER than Olaplex, which is over three times the price!
A 20-pack of extra thick magic melamine cleaning pads that'll tackle your toughest messes — from your sneakers to your stove to your walls — just with a little water and elbow grease. Everything will be cleaner than ever and you'll save money compared to Mr. Clean Magic Erasers —I call that a win-win.
A rainbow-inspired eyeshadow palette with a whopping 40 matte, shimmer, and metallic shades (cough like the James Charles x Morphe palette cough) to get you inspired to try out stunning eye makeup looks ranging from sultry neutral to bright and fun. And reviewers say it's great for beginners and makeup artists alike.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer, a cult-fave reviewers use for *years* for a reason — it brightens your under eye without creasing while treating them with goji berry and haloxyl — plus, it'll last even LONGER than Tarte's Shape Tape and other expensive brands.
And Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which is renowned for being very similar to the Becca Under-Eye Corrector ($33), for *less than 1/5 of the price!* The peachy-orange tones of both color-correcting shades cancel out dark circles instantly, whether you pair it with a concealer or wear it on its own.
A handheld milk frother so you don't *have* to leave your home to enjoy a fabulous cafe-quality latte or cappuccino. It even works on iced bevvies — hello Starbucks–inspired cold foam! And that's not all: several reviewers prefer its compact size, thick foam, and easy clean-up to the (much more expensive) Nespresso Aeroccino.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
12 hours ago
- CNN
Nike delays the release of its new activewear line with Kim Kardashian
The eagerly anticipated collaboration between Kim Kardashian and Nike has delayed its launch. NikeSkims, which was announced in February for a spring release, is pushing back its launch date because of production delays, according to a source familiar with the situation. A new date hasn't been revealed. The collection is an extension of Kardashian's popular shapewear line and aimed at disrupting the 'global fitness and activewear industry with best-in-class innovation in service of all women athletes,' according to a previous press release. Few details about NikeSkims have been made available, including pricing and images. The webpage hasn't been updated since the original announcement. The Kardashian-backed collection with Skims is a first for Nike, which hasn't partnered with an outside company before to create a new brand. Instead, it has relied on acquisitions or tapping popular athletes (i.e. Michael Jordan) for apparel. Broadening the appeal of Nike is part of CEO Elliott Hill's plan to revive the troubled company, whose stock has dropped 20% this year. In recent years, the company has lost its competitive edge in the activewear category against Lululemon, Alo and even Old Navy. Nike recently announced hiked prices on some of its products, although it didn't mention higher US tariffs as the reason. The company said in a previous statement that 'we regularly evaluate our business and make pricing adjustments as part of our seasonal planning.' The company is also trying to recover from strategy mistakes. It is scaling back the supply of its classic sneaker lines Air Force 1 and Pegasus to juice demand in order to sell the sneakers at full prices. Nike also wants to push shoppers to buy higher-priced Air Max shoes designed for running. Nike (NKE) releases earnings next Thursday.
CNN
12 hours ago
- CNN
Nike delays the release of its new activewear line with Kim Kardashian
The eagerly anticipated collaboration between Kim Kardashian and Nike has delayed its launch. NikeSkims, which was announced in February for a spring release, is pushing back its launch date because of production delays, according to a source familiar with the situation. A new date hasn't been revealed. The collection is an extension of Kardashian's popular shapewear line and aimed at disrupting the 'global fitness and activewear industry with best-in-class innovation in service of all women athletes,' according to a previous press release. Few details about NikeSkims have been made available, including pricing and images. The webpage hasn't been updated since the original announcement. The Kardashian-backed collection with Skims is a first for Nike, which hasn't partnered with an outside company before to create a new brand. Instead, it has relied on acquisitions or tapping popular athletes (i.e. Michael Jordan) for apparel. Broadening the appeal of Nike is part of CEO Elliott Hill's plan to revive the troubled company, whose stock has dropped 20% this year. In recent years, the company has lost its competitive edge in the activewear category against Lululemon, Alo and even Old Navy. Nike recently announced hiked prices on some of its products, although it didn't mention higher US tariffs as the reason. The company said in a previous statement that 'we regularly evaluate our business and make pricing adjustments as part of our seasonal planning.' The company is also trying to recover from strategy mistakes. It is scaling back the supply of its classic sneaker lines Air Force 1 and Pegasus to juice demand in order to sell the sneakers at full prices. Nike also wants to push shoppers to buy higher-priced Air Max shoes designed for running. Nike (NKE) releases earnings next Thursday.
UPI
14 hours ago
- UPI
'KPop Demon Hunters' cast says animation makes them 'way cooler'
1 of 5 | Huntrix are secretly demon hunters in "KPop Demon Hunters," on Netflix Friday. Photo courtesy of Netflix LOS ANGELES, June 20 (UPI) -- The cast of KPop Demon Hunters, premiering Friday on Netflix, say the animated film added impressive attributes to their characters. Arden Cho, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo voice a trio of K-pop stars who battle demons with their music. Cho, Hong and Yoo provide the speaking voices for Rumi, Mira and Zoey. In a recent Zoom interview with UPI, the actors marveled at recording artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI performing the film's songs combined with the animators creating their dance and battle scenes. "It's such a pleasure to see the musical element of it and just what we built together come together," Hong said. "Then you're like whoa, I'm even cooler than I thought." Cho agreed she felt "way cooler." "I feel like that's the magic of animation," she added. "There's just so many talented artists working together to create something and you're just mind blown when it comes out." Director Chris Appelhans said he and co-director Maggie Kang discovered animated choreography had to be "a little dialed up beyond real life" to make an impact in animation. "It really took a lot of analysis to be like, let's make this snappy move even snappier, this straight line perfectly straight, this S curve really pushed," Appelhans said. "That took us down a route to really having to understand the girls as performers, what their strengths were, how they moved differently." The three women make up the girl group Huntrix. Their latest enemies disguise themselves as a boy band to challenge Huntrix on the music charts. Huntrix even writes a diss track called "Takedown," which seems out of character for them. Cho said the lyrics betray how tough Huntrix thinks they are. "I feel like it's so cute," Cho said. "We can want to take them down. How dare those boys be so cute and try to steal the souls of our fans? How dare they? So we'll take 'em down." With a demon boy band creating tension, it becomes harder and harder for Rumi to hide a secret she's been keeping her whole life: she is actually half demon. To Cho, this is a good metaphor for anything young people may think they have to hide. "I feel like we, in different chapters of our life, all experience something that we might be ashamed of or embarrassed about or confused about," Cho said. "I love that this movie is really about her being true to herself and not being scared of who she is and accepting all of Rumi." Mira is the most aggressive of the trio. Hong feels, however, that Mira channels her anger in constructive ways. "I think she needs it, actually," Hong said. "I think that the energy that she has and brings to the table is fierce, not just purely angry." Zoey often tries to hold Huntrix together as a people pleaser. "Was it obvious?" Yoo joked. "Yes, she is but we love her. She'll get over it eventually, hopefully." Each role was recorded separately, with directors Appelhans and Kang playing the other two demon hunters in the studio. Cho, Hong and Yoo knew each other prior to the film through the industry, and now have a group chat together. They also confirmed their K-pop fandom, with Yoo asserting she has been in the BTS Army since 2015. Huntrix sings English-language songs, but Kang was proud to incorporate a few Korean words in the lyrics. "Ultimately, our songs had to carry so much story that a lot of the lyrics were too important to not be understood," Kang said. "We didn't want to go the route of subtitling things for the songs. So a lot of it is in English but we did manage to sneak some Korean in there." Reflecting on Huntrix's songs in the film, Yoo acknowledged that they have more success with the more positive song "What It Sounds Like" following "Takedown." "Choosing kindness will always take you farther than choosing to make someone feel smaller for no reason," Yoo said. "So I think that's a great message, especially for young people to learn how to handle conflict."
