We just turned the calendar over to a new year. That typically leaves me looking forward to new experiences, while also reflecting on the previous year. For this post, I thought it’d be fun to share my favorite Amazon finds from last year.
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2025 FAVORITE AMAZON FINDS: Kobo Libra Colour E-Reader
My Kobo was a gift to myself back in the spring; I saved income from substitute teaching, and had earned just enough by the end of the school year to order it. I love it. I ordered the bundle with the case that puts it to sleep when closed. This helps extend the already long battery life. It charges faster than my other devices as well; I now use the Kobo cord to charge my phone as well.
Reading on an e-reader is so much easier on the eyes than reading on a phone. The main reason I went with the Kobo, and my favorite feature so far, is the built-in OverDrive. The majority of books I’ve read since purchasing the Kobo have been library books. I’ve purchased one ebook in almost the entire year I’ve owned it. The current price for the bundle is just under $270.
According to my 2025 in review, I read twenty books and spent 161 hours reading on the Kobo last year! I can’t wait to see how much I read this year; that reminds me, I need to get my 2026 Bucket List of Books list nailed down!
HiBar Solid Shampoo & Conditioner
I have fine hair, and it thinned out some over the last few years. After some research, I decided to give solid shampoo and conditioner a try, and haven’t looked back. I have tried the volumizing and the soothing formulas so far, and have been pleased with both. Now, instead of pulling more shed hairs than I can count from the shower every day, I deal with just one or two.
There really isn’t much adjustment from a liquid to a solid product either; simply wet your hair, wet the shampoo bar, and suds up your scalp. I typically wait a couple of minutes before rinsing. Then I simply roll the solid conditioner (the HiBar product is a chunky tear shape) down the length of my hair root to tip.
My hair is clean, not greasy or weighed down, and there is no residue. It seems a bit less frizzy this winter as well, which is always a bonus.
I love the fact that there is no plastic to recycle when I’m done, and a bar lasts much longer than I’d anticipated. They also travel easily in a reusable zipper bag.
Shark Swivel Pro Complete Navigator Upright Vacuum
I’ve waxed poetic about my old Dyson plenty, and I was very sad to see it finally bite the dust. I more than got my money’s worth out of it, but after fifteen+ years, it was a little past due for a replacement. In my research, I was disappointed to hear from friends and family that the newer balls just didn’t seem to be the same. The price tag was also a bit out of my range.
After some online research, scouring of consumer and Amazon reviews, and talking to friends and family, I settled on a Shark. The kids help out with chores, so I didn’t want something ridiculously expensive, clunky, or hard to operate. The Shark Navigator fit the bill perfectly, and at just under $150, it fit the budget as well.
We have had no issues with this whatsoever and have used it daily since September. I hope to get years out of this vacuum.
2025 favorite Amazon finds: Chew Brush Smile Toothpaste Tablets
We continue on in our endeavor to decrease purchases of one-time- use plastics, and one of the items on the list last year was toothpaste. I prefer to drop off my recycling every week or two at the local recycling center and forget about it. When possible, we avoid purchasing in containers that are not accepted locally.
While I think it’s great some companies have a mail back recycling program, I just have no desire to hold onto empties until I have enough to justify the shipping expense. I was very excited to come across toothpaste tablets in an aluminum can. I have looked locally, and did not find any tablets, powders, or other formulas in locally recyclable containers.
At just under $10 for a can of 120 tablets, I have been very impressed with Chew Brush Smile so far. We had one incident in which the tablets were discolored, but when I contacted Amazon, I was refunded without the hassle of physically returning the product. I use the peppermint, while my picky kids love the watermelon. I’ve even gotten compliments from my dentist since using them, and have had no additional sensitivity issues.
Amazon Aware Bamboo Toilet Paper
Toilet paper, another product that typically comes wrapped in more plastic than feels necessary. I wanted a more environmentally friendly, quality product, and not just cheap 2-ply in commercial paper wrapping. After looking locally and not find any satisfactory options, I gave Amazon Aware a try.
We have been pleasantly surprised with how easy the switch was. Since I now order the toilet paper rather than pick it up at the grocery store, I try to keep better track of what we have in stock, and it does seem to last a bit longer as well. No complaints there! At $32 for a box of 24 rolls, it wasn’t my most frugal switch last year, but it is still a more economical option than a lot of others I considered.
I especially love the fact that there is zero household trash when I order this product; the box, the paper wrappers, and the cardboard rolls all go out with the recycling!
2025 FAVORITE AMAZON FINDS
As you can see, we use our Amazon account primarily to source products we can’t easily or affordably purchase locally. You won’t find a lot of fast fashion recommendations here on a Life on a Dime, but you will occasionally hear me gush about a surprise find or at the local thrift stores.
What were some of your favorite Amazon finds of 2025? Be on the lookout over the next few weeks for more of my 2025 favorites (Thrift Store Finds anyone?), a recap or two, as well as more new content in 2026. I’m excited to see what this year brings! Happy New Year! Stay frugal and healthy, and I’ll see you in the next post.