5 Products Where You Should Skip Name Brands Entirely in 2026 If You Want To Keep More Cash
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Brand loyalty has been steadily declining as store brands improve and prices rise, forcing many shoppers to rethink what they’re paying for. Finance expert Andrea Woroch explained that while consumers are increasingly open to alternatives, some categories still come with emotional or perceived quality attachments that keep people overspending. Rising inflation and improved private-label quality have changed the value equation, even if consumer habits haven’t fully caught up yet.
Here are some product categories you should skip name brands in 2026 to keep more of your cash.
1. Name-Brand Sneakers That Don’t Deliver Extra Value
Running shoes and sneakers are a common item people overspend on, largely due to branding rather than meaningful fit or other details, Woroch said.
“Sneakers are a popular name-brand product that many people don’t want to give up due to the perceived benefits associated with performance, fit, comfort as well as style and brand recognition,” she said.
She pointed to brands like Nike, Converse, Vans and On Cloud as examples where loyalty often outweighs real-world savings opportunities. No matter how good they look, a name brand doesn’t always justify the price premium for non-specialized wear.
2. Over-the-Counter Medications Where Generics Work the Same
Be careful when you hit the drugstore, Woroch warned. “Name-brand over the counter medicine is something many Americans reach for over and over again even though generic and store brand options work as safely and effectively at around 30% discount.”
The continued preference for name brands is largely rooted in misperceptions “that the name brand is a better quality and will work better,” she said. For many shoppers, all it takes is trying a generic once to stop paying more for the same product.
3. Personal Care Products Where the Quality Gap Has Disappeared
If you think your skin or hair can only look or feel their best when you’ve spent a mint on a product whose name is in all the fashion magazines, you’re likely overspending. Woroch said that store-brand shampoos, body washes, lotions and mouthwash “have truly come a long way” and now use comparable ingredients to name brands. Many even openly advertise which products they mirror.
In many cases, the only real difference is the label and the price.
4. Grocery Staples With the Highest Brand Markups
If you’ve been buying a name-brand food staple all your life, it might feel strange to switch to a generic or store-brand option, but you’ll save a lot of money without sacrificing flavor, Woroch suggested. Cereal is one such item where shoppers often pay more than necessary for branding alone.
“Store brand foods have come a long way over the last decade, offering fresh ingredients, great taste that rival name brands for 20% to 30% savings.”
She pointed to retailers like Target and Trader Joe’s, whose private-label foods consistently deliver value across snacks, frozen foods and fresh items.
5. Single-Ingredient Products You’re Overpaying For
Some products simply cannot differ in quality regardless of branding. Woroch noted that single-ingredient items like bleach or sugar are identical or so similar as to be negligibly different whether they’re store-brand or name-brand, making any price premium purely cosmetic.
When Name Brands Are Still Worth Paying For
While consumers can skip many name-brand items entirely, Woroch stressed that some categories still justify the extra cost due to durability, safety or long-term performance.
She pointed out that she has a North Face vest that’s held up well over 20 years. “Some brands that use better materials for clothing may last longer so you may pay more upfront but less over time since you won’t have to replace that item often or at all.”
She also pointed to lifetime guarantees and specialized products like snow gear, vacuums and electronics as areas where quality truly matters.
Being selective about where name brands actually add value can help shoppers stretch their dollars further in 2026 without feeling like they’re sacrificing quality.
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