I regularly comb through AliExpress looking for things that are actually worth the money, and not just something that looks nice in a picture. Over the past few months, I’ve accumulated ten AliExpress finds that I either already use myself or have thoroughly analyzed by specs and confirmed — the thing works. Nothing here is random: each product is being bought by thousands, and I decided to check if it’s deserved. Spoiler: in most cases — yes.

Ten items that I actually ordered or took apart down to the last screw — here’s what’s what

Charger with Emoji Display — Has Been on My Desk Since Fall

The faces on the display change as it charges — my daughter loves it

I bought this charger in October, and it hasn’t left my desk since. The problem was simple: three devices, three cables, and one charger — a slow one at that. This one has two USB-C ports and one USB-A, with a total power output of up to 65W. That’s enough to charge an Android smartphone, a tablet, and even a laptop at a decent speed.

A separate detail — a small display on the body that shows the charging status as emotions. It looks fun, but there’s a practical benefit too: you can see when the device is fully charged without getting up. The body is compact and fits easily in a bag. No complaints over six months — except that the glossy plastic collects fingerprints.

Price: 2,010 rubles

Baseus Power Bank — I Carry It in My Backpack and Don’t Worry About Battery

A bit heavy, but enough for three full charges of my Pixel

If you’ve ever been left with a dead phone in the middle of the day, you understand why you need a power bank with a 20,000 mAh capacity. This Baseus has been in my backpack since January — and it’s saved me countless times since then. I used to carry a compact 5,000 mAh one, but it was only enough for one charge, and by evening I’d still have to look for an outlet.

This one has enough power to charge a smartphone three to four times, and if needed — give a laptop a boost too. It connects via USB-C and works great with fast charging on Samsung and Xiaomi. The downside — it’s noticeably heavy; you won’t put it in a jacket pocket. But for 3,080 rubles, it’s one of the best AliExpress finds in its category.

Price: 3,080 rubles

Insulated Balaclava — Bought for Running, Wear It Every Day

Running at minus ten, my face doesn’t freeze at all — tested

Running in winter is a questionable pleasure when the wind cuts your face. I got this balaclava in December when I got tired of pulling a scarf up to my eyes. The fleece lining inside really keeps you warm, and the outer layer protects from wind. Breathing in it is fine — the fabric in the mouth area is thin enough. The main thing to understand is that it’s still polyester, not silk or cotton. So don’t have unrealistic expectations.

That said, it turned out to be useful not just for sports. I started wearing it on regular walks in the cold, on bike rides, and my daughter occasionally steals it to play biker. One-size-fits-all, it fits snugly but doesn’t squeeze. For 625 rubles — something I definitely didn’t expect from AliExpress products.

Price: 625 rubles

Shower Head Holder for Rod — Hanging for Six Months, Hasn’t Budged

300 rubles, but it feels like the bathroom got renovated

The standard shower holder broke, and replacing the entire rod because of one piece of plastic is ridiculous. This holder simply slides onto the vertical rod and locks in place. It’s adjustable in height and angle, holds the shower head firmly — in six months it hasn’t slipped or loosened once.

The construction is entirely ABS plastic with metal elements, so no need to worry about rust. Installation takes literally a minute, no tools needed. For less than 300 rubles, you get a solution that the nearest plumbing store would charge three times more for. I’m telling you — this is one of those items you order automatically when friends ask for advice.

Price: 276 rubles

Car Pump with Screen — Lives in My Trunk Since March

Compressor, power bank, and flashlight in one body — and it all fits in the glove box

I used to carry an old compressor with a cigarette lighter cable in the trunk — inconvenient, noisy, and with no indicators at all. This portable pump with an LED display shows current pressure, built-in battery level, and operating mode. It works for any tires — from bicycle to car.

The key here is versatility. When there’s nothing to inflate, the pump works as a power bank and LED flashlight. It charges via USB-C, is compact, and fits in the glove box. For trips out of town — an indispensable thing. Connect it to your Android smartphone via cable, and it’ll charge your phone on the road if there’s no outlet nearby.

Price: 2,710 rubles

Power Strip with Desk Mount — I Forgot What “Not Enough Outlets” Means

Screwed it to the desktop — cables no longer dangle and tangle

A familiar problem: outlets in the room are far away, the power strip is lying on the floor, you trip over it, cables get tangled. This surge protector solves the issue radically — it mounts directly to the desktop with a clamp. Three outlets and three USB ports — enough for all the tech that usually sits on the desk.

I used to have a regular power strip here, and every time I had to dive under the desk to plug something in. Now everything is at desktop level, neat and accessible. Build quality is decent, the contacts are tight, and the USB ports output enough to charge a smartphone or tablet. For 2,350 rubles — one of the most practical solutions to buy on AliExpress for a home office.

Price: 2,350 rubles

Smart Glasses with Camera — Got Them as an Experiment

They look like regular glasses, but inside there’s a camera and Bluetooth speakers