Nine purchases that survived the test of time — not just ones that look good in photos
I keep something like a personal journal of AliExpress purchases — I write down what I bought, when I started using it, and what I think after some time. Not everything makes it into this roundup: some items disappoint, some turn out to be “meh, okay, but nothing more.” But the nine things I selected today are those real AliExpress finds that actually stuck. Why not 10, you ask? Because only the best made it here, and I decided not to add filler. That’s why it’s nine.
UGREEN Bluetooth Adapter — Plugged It into My PC and Forgot About Wires
It’s been sticking out of my desktop since March — never removed it, never had a glitch
I have an old desktop that has absolutely zero Bluetooth. I connected my wireless mouse through its own dongle, and headphones — not at all. I bought a Bluetooth adapter from UGREEN in March, plugged it into a USB port, and within a couple of minutes connected both the mouse, headphones, and even the printer. It runs on Bluetooth 5.4, which means a stable connection and minimal latency.
If your car stereo doesn’t have Bluetooth — this thing solves the problem too. The adapter is tiny, sticking out of the port by literally a centimeter. Compatible with Windows 11 without installing drivers — just plug it in and you’re good to go. Over three months, not a single connection drop, not a single device conflict. At 370 rubles — this is probably one of the most useful little things I’ve bought on AliExpress.
Price: 370 rubles
Magnetic Knife Holder — Hung It Up and Tossed the Knife Block
Hangs above the cutting board — scissors and a whisk stuck to it too
My knives used to sit in a wooden block that ate up half the countertop and constantly collected crumbs inside. I mounted a stainless steel magnetic knife holder on the wall, and now all the knives are in plain sight — you grab the one you need in a second without fumbling through slots. I threw the block away the same day.
The holder mounts with two screws, and the magnet holds even a heavy chef’s knife without the slightest hint of sliding. I also hung scissors and a metal whisk on it — everything sticks securely. There’s noticeably more counter space now, and the kitchen looks neater, and my wife doesn’t complain anymore.
Price: 800 rubles
Roborock S8 Pro Plus — I Stopped Vacuuming by Hand
Dock station with self-cleaning — I literally don’t touch the vacuum for weeks
If you’re still wondering whether a robot vacuum is worth the money, here’s my verdict after two months: it is. The Roborock S8 Pro Plus isn’t a toy — it’s a full replacement for manual cleaning. The lidar maps the apartment in one pass, though our mirrors created one virtual room, but that’s fine. The main thing is that mopping with a vibrating lifting mop pad is pure bliss: on carpets, it automatically lifts the pad so it doesn’t wet the pile.
But the real highlight here is the dock station with automatic self-cleaning. The robot drains dirty water on its own, dries the mop on its own, and empties dust into a bag on its own. I literally go weeks without thinking about it — it just does its thing on schedule. 6000 Pa suction power, so pet hair, crumbs, and small debris disappear in one run. It’s not cheap, of course, but it’s worth every penny. Trust me.
Price: 18,320 rubles
Sneakers from AliExpress — Been Wearing Them for Two Weeks Straight
They look weird in photos, but they fit surprisingly well on the foot
In photos, they looked like something from a sci-fi movie — thick sole, unusual shape. I ordered these sneakers more out of curiosity than actual need. They arrived quickly, and I’ve been wearing them every day for two weeks now. The sole is soft and springy, and my feet don’t get tired even after long walks. The sizing matched perfectly — I ordered my standard size, and they fit like a glove.
I’ll be honest: my wife is already joking that I need a separate shelf for AliExpress shoes. But it’s hard to resist — for 1,361 rubles you get perfectly decent sneakers with proper ventilation and a grippy sole. Of course, these aren’t trendy On or Yeezy, so after six months of active wear they’ll probably show their price tag. But as an everyday pair for the warm season — an excellent option.
Price: 1,361 rubles
Wireless CarPlay Adapter — Get in the Car and You’re Instantly Connected
Plugged it into the stereo’s USB — iPhone connects automatically, no cable needed
Having to pull out a cable every time, plug it into the iPhone, wait for the connection — it’s a small thing, but it gets annoying day after day. The EKIY 2-in-1 wireless CarPlay adapter solves this once and for all: plug it into your factory stereo’s USB port, and from then on your iPhone connects automatically as soon as you get in the car. Supports both CarPlay and Android Auto, so a passenger with an Android phone won’t be left without navigation either.
When choosing such adapters, it’s important to look at the chip and Wi-Fi connection stability — cheap models often lag.
