Shopping at Five Below can be tricky. You may think you’re saving money on
essentials, but sometimes those low prices can be deceiving. Some Five Below
products can actually be more expensive than going to a different store.
Other
times, their items are made of low-quality materials and will have to be
replaced more often.
To save you time, hassle, and wasted money, here are 10 items that aren’t worth the trip to Five Below.
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Electronics
![keyboard](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-eletronics.png)
Five Below carries inexpensive electronics—some in its “Five Beyond” section—but the money saved up front is not always worth it. These items often don’t last long, so you have to buy a replacement sooner than if you’d bought it elsewhere.
Plus, Five Below electronics' performance isn’t always great, and they often have issues connecting to other devices. It’s usually worth visiting another store for electronics you know will work well and last.
Home decor
![home decor](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-home-decor.png)
Sometimes you can find cute home decor at Five Below, but the quality isn’t always great. These items may not hold up over time, so it’s worth checking somewhere else to find the pieces you want for your home.
Even the seasonal decor at Five Below will likely need to be replaced yearly, racking up the overall costs.
Office supplies
![office supplies](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-office-supplies.png)
Five Below carries a wide assortment of office supplies, including pens, desk organizers, notebooks, paper clips, and more—but they aren’t always worth buying.
They often aren’t as durable as higher caliber options at other stores and can even be more costly.
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Fitness and exercise gear
![fitness and exercise gear](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-fitness-and-exercise-gear.png)
High-quality gear is essential to ensuring you have the support you need during exercise, and you typically can’t find that at a discount store.
While it might cost more upfront, it’s best to invest in reliable equipment to ensure you don’t unintentionally harm your body or interfere with your exercise goals.
Clothes and accessories
![clothes and accessories](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-clothes-and-accessories.png)
Five Below has cheap clothing and accessories, but they may not be the best choice. People have noted their clothing often doesn’t keep its shape after being washed and doesn’t hold up for long.
The accessories and jewelry are also made of cheap materials and could fade or tarnish quickly.
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Food and drinks
![food and drinks](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-food-and-drinks.png)
One thing drawing people in at Five Below is their selection of snacks, candy, and drinks. It’s easy to reach for these items before checking out, but they’re not always a good deal.
Going to the grocery store for food and drinks is often more affordable, and you can choose more nutritious options instead.
Furniture
![furniture](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-furniture.png)
You may find small pieces of furniture at Five Below that are aesthetically pleasing initially, but quickly realize their lack of durability. The cheap materials can fade or wear out quickly.
For sturdy, reliable, and stylish furniture and storage that’ll last years instead of months, consider choosing other stores that use sturdier materials instead
Personal care products
![dove deodorant](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-personal-care-products.png)
You’ll find plenty of personal care products at Five Below—from skincare and makeup to soap and toothpaste—but it’s not worth going out of your way to get.
The name brands at Five Below tend to be more expensive than in other stores, and their cheaper brands don’t have great ingredients.
Some of these products also contain harsh chemicals that could cause skin irritation or hair damage over time.
Blankets and pillows
![blankets and pillows](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-blankets-and-pillows.png)
Blankets and pillows are more things you’ll want to skip at Five Below. The blankets are thin and uncomfortable, especially after being washed, and the pillows don’t hold up for long.
Other stores have higher quality choices that are more comfortable and look better in your home. Plus, the price often isn’t much higher than what you’d find at Five Below.
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Cleaning products
![cleaning products](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2025/02/07/1195-cleaning-products.png)
It’s tempting to stock up on essentials like cleaning products at Five Below, but they don’t actually have the lowest cost. Other retailers have the same cleaning supplies for less, so make sure to compare prices on your favorite items.
You might benefit more from getting them at your favorite grocery store, saving you a trip and some money.
Bottom line
![Five Below store exterior](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/12/13/five-below-store-exterior-adobe.jpg)
Five Below has plenty of affordable products, but be mindful of what you buy because not everything is worth it. Some items are more expensive than at other stores, and some seem like a good deal at first but don’t hold up or work properly.
Not everything at Five Below is a bad deal, so don’t avoid the store entirely. You can keep more cash in your wallet by checking other stores’ apps to compare prices and look for additional discounts before heading out.
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FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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