Never Buy These 14 Items Anywhere but at Five Below

Five Below isn't your average dollar store. Sure, the name gives it away: almost everything here rings up for less than $5, but the selection is anything but basic.

Founded in Philadelphia in 2002, Five Below has grown into one of the country's largest value retailers, with more than 2,000 stores nationwide organized into themed sections the company calls "worlds," covering everything from tech and sports gear to candy and room decor.

But with shelves overflowing with colorful temptations, where do you start?

We've unearthed 14 must-haves at Five Below that will transform your shopping sprees from guilt-ridden to guilt-free and help you keep more cash in your wallet.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may also vary by location.

Throw blankets are the hallmark accessory of a cozy room, but they're also often on the more expensive side.

For example, a 50-inch-by-60-inch Sherpa throw typically costs around $20. However, you can find one for $7 at Five Below.

Five Below carries the sherpa throw in several styles beyond the basic solid color, including a marled version, a velvet-and-sherpa reversible design with plush velvet on one side and fleece on the other, a jacquard pattern, and even a hooded version for lounging. 

All are sized 50 inches by 60 inches, the same dimensions as the pricier retail versions, and most are machine washable on a gentle cycle. 

The retailer also rotates in seasonal prints throughout the year, so shoppers can often find holiday-themed or character-branded sherpa throws at the same low price point.

You can find throw pillows for incredibly low prices at Five Below, from simple decorative throws to novelty statement pillows.

The store offers pillows for only $7 each, including both the cover and filling. Several colors are available. Or, for a more playful touch, you could get a heart-shaped pillow.

Five Below regularly rotates in new pillow shapes and designs to match the season, including a furry peppermint swirl pillow, a ruffle-trimmed heart pillow with a floral print, and Halloween-themed options shaped like skeletons, ghosts, and pumpkins, all still priced at $7. 

One viral peppermint swirl version drew comparisons to a similar $58 pillow sold at Anthropologie, making the Five Below version a way to get a similar look for a fraction of the cost. 

You can pick up pillows in stores or order them through the Five Below website, though online orders typically take five to seven business days to arrive.

Baskets are a great way to add storage to your home while adding decorative flair, but they usually don't come cheap. A basic cotton rope basket at most retailers costs around $32.

Fortunately, Five Below sells similar items for just $5.55. The store also sells hampers for $5.55 as well.

Beyond the classic rope style, Five Below also sells a faux fur basket in the same price range, which the retailer markets as a cozy option for storing blankets or toys in a living room or bedroom. 

Sizes vary by style, with some rope baskets measuring around 11 inches by 9 inches, small enough for a nightstand or shelf but roomy enough to corral electronics, plants, towels, or accessories. 

Because the designs rotate seasonally, shoppers can sometimes find basket styles tied to holidays like Easter, which double as functional storage year-round once the season passes.

Similarly, Five Below sells many storage bins. You can get two packs of collapsible fabric storage cubes for cubby shelves for only $5.55. You can also find chic wire baskets for the same price for bathroom or kitchen storage.

Fabric storage cubes like these are typically sized to fit standard cube-style shelving units sold at furniture and home stores, and because they're collapsible, you can flatten them for easy storage when not in use, making them simple to transport during a move or dorm move-in. 

The wire baskets, meanwhile, work well for organizing under-sink storage in a bathroom or kitchen, corralling cleaning supplies, produce, or pantry snacks while still letting air circulate around the contents. 

Both styles come in a range of colors and patterns, so they can double as decor rather than purely functional storage.

Five Below also sells a variety of practical items at low, affordable prices, such as tech gear and accessories.

For example, you can find:

• Braided charging cables for $7
• Wall chargers for $7
• Power banks for $7
• Protective AirPod cases for $5

Other tech accessories include power strips, keyboards, and more.

Many of the charging cables at Five Below feature a braided nylon exterior designed to resist tangling and fraying compared with standard rubber cables, and they come in both USB-C and Lightning connector options to work with most current phones and earbuds. 

Power banks in this price range typically hold around 5,000mAh of battery capacity, enough to fully charge most smartphones about once, and some models include a built-in cable, so you don't need to carry a separate one. 

Because Five Below's tech selection changes frequently, exact styles and colors vary by store and season, but the $5 to $7 price range has stayed fairly consistent across the lineup.

Five Below also has a whole section dedicated to practical and playful phone accessories. Aside from chargers and charging blocks, practical items include screen protectors for only $5.

On the more playful side, you can find a number of phone cases for just $7. Five Below also sells:

• Decorative phone stands for $5
• Phone grips for $6

Screen protectors at this price point are usually made from tempered glass rather than plastic film, offering more scratch resistance for daily use. 

The phone case selection often includes licensed designs featuring popular characters and franchises alongside solid-color and glitter styles, giving shoppers plenty of options to match their personal style. 

Phone grips and stands come in a range of styles, from simple pop-out grips that attach to the back of a case to small tripod-style stands for propping a phone up on a desk or nightstand for video calls or watching shows.

Five Below is a wonderful place to stock up on your favorite snacks and candies and find new favorites for cheap.

Five Below is known for its mega candy tubes. These giant cardboard tubes are filled with your favorite candies, from Tootsie Rolls to Smarties to Haribo gummies, all for just $5.

The tubes vary in size depending on the candy inside, generally running between 8 and 13 ounces and often stretching up to 18 inches long; most contain individually wrapped pieces, so they're easy to portion out or share. 

Beyond Tootsie Rolls, Smarties, and Haribo gummies, the mega tube lineup has included Nerds, Sour Punch Twists, Laffy Taffy, and Toxic Waste sour candy, with flavors and availability rotating by season. 

Once the candy is gone, the sturdy cardboard tube can double as a makeshift piggy bank or be refilled with small treats, since the opening fits spare change.

Five Below is a great place to find basic pet supplies and adorable toys. You can find:

• Rolling food storage bins for $12
• Scratching posts for $15
• Pet shampoo for $5

Five Below also sells pet clothes, pet beds, treats, toys, and more.

Some scratching posts at this price point include added features, like a built-in motion laser on top that moves on its own to give cats something to chase while they scratch, adding play value beyond a standard post. 

Five Below's pet shampoo options tend to be sulfate- and paraben-free, with scents like eucalyptus mint marketed for itch relief alongside standard cleansing formulas. 

The retailer also sells novelty pet accessories, including a gold-tone necklace with interchangeable charms priced around $5, which is sized to fit larger dogs and cats or to layer loosely over a regular collar for photos and special occasions.

Five Below is known for its wide array of stuffed animals, specifically Squishmallows. Some of these highly coveted toys can resell for anywhere from $60 to $100, but you can find them at Five Below for just $6.

Plenty of other stuffed animals are available for $7, from Stitch to Hello Kitty.

Five Below's Squishmallow sizing typically runs from 4.5-inch minis priced around $5 up to 6.5- to 7.5-inch versions closer to $6, with new character drops released regularly and sometimes exclusive to the chain. 

Because Five Below doesn't restock sold-out releases, some of these exclusives have resold for as much as $1,299.99 on secondary markets, particularly pieces with rarer gold or holographic tags. 

If collecting isn't the goal, the store's broader stuffed animal lineup covers licensed characters well beyond Squishmallows, giving shoppers an easy, affordable gift option regardless of which franchise a kid or collector prefers.

You'll find a lot of other toys and games available for cheap at Five Below. Choose traditional game-night favorites, like mancala or chess, for $5. Or, grab a $6 puzzle set.

You will also find $5 outdoor toys and sports gear, such as basketballs, tennis balls, footballs, and more.

Puzzle sets at Five Below vary in piece count and design by season, giving shoppers a rotating selection instead of a fixed lineup year-round. 

The board and travel games often include compact, travel-friendly versions of classics that fold up small enough to toss in a backpack or car for road trips, while the sports gear tends to run toward youth or standard recreational sizing rather than professional-grade equipment. 

Because the toy selection changes with the seasons, back-to-school and holiday periods, in particular, tend to bring in new game and toy options in the same $5 to $6 range.

If you're looking for affordable but chic jewelry and accessories, check out Five Below. For example, you can find zodiac necklaces for $5.

As for accessories, the store sells bags, wallets, hats, sunglasses, hair accessories, and more, all at low prices.

The zodiac jewelry line at Five Below typically includes matching necklaces and bracelets for each sign, finished in a gold-tone metal and featuring small charms like a crescent moon and star along with the sign's name spelled out, making it easy to find a personalized option for a specific birthday. 

Jewelry and accessories rotate with broader fashion trends, so shoppers can often find seasonal collections, like holiday-themed earrings or beach-ready sunglasses, alongside everyday staples. 

The low price point also makes these accessories a popular choice for stocking stuffers, party favors, or gifts for kids and teens who want to experiment with their style without a big investment.

If you want to supply and decorate your office without breaking the bank, Five Below is the place to shop. You can find basic supplies such as pens, markers, and tape for around $5.

Five Below sells computer mice, mouse pads, salt lamps, and more for decorating your office, all under $7.

Pens, markers, and tape at Five Below are often sold in multipacks rather than as single items, which stretches the value further for anyone stocking a desk drawer or a classroom supply box. 

Computer mice in this price range are typically wireless, connecting via a USB receiver rather than Bluetooth, which keeps the price down compared with premium wireless options. 

Five Below is also known for its wide array of beauty supplies. While many folks are choosy about their makeup, Five Below's beauty accessories are perfect for anyone.

You can find a facial roller, a light-up vanity mirror, and a makeup brush cleaning bowl for $5 or less, plus many other handy items.

Facial rollers at this price point are usually made from stone, like jade or rose quartz, or from plastic designed to mimic that cool, smooth feel, and they're marketed to temporarily reduce puffiness or help massage in skincare products. 

The light-up vanity mirrors tend to be cordless and battery-operated, with some models offering magnification up to 10 times for detailed makeup application, which is a common feature on mirrors that cost far more elsewhere. 

Makeup brush cleaning bowls typically have a textured silicone surface on the bottom that helps work shampoo or cleanser into the bristles, making it easier to remove built-up product and bacteria from brushes between uses.

While Five Below sells plenty of fun items and gadgets, you can also save on everyday essentials.

For example, pick up cleaning supplies such as soap, sponges, and more for around $5.

If you're willing to splurge a bit, the store also sells some higher-priced but still affordable items, such as a robot vacuum for only $20.

That robot vacuum, sold under Five Below's Digital Essentials brand, is USB rechargeable and offers both sweep and suction modes with roughly 30 minutes of runtime per charge. 

Reviewers have found it works reasonably well on hard floors in small rooms but lacks drop sensors, so it isn't a good match for homes with stairs or multiple levels as it could tumble down. 

A $25 version with color-changing LED lights is also available and tends to be easier to find in stock than the plain $20 model.

You can find many great items at Five Below, from whimsical and playful pieces to practical essentials.

If you're looking to decorate your home or stock your snack pantry at a price that can help you get ahead financially, consider shopping at Five Below.

Five Below opened its 2,000th store in July 2026, putting its footprint on par with retailers like Target and Home Depot, and company leaders have said they eventually see room to grow past 3,500 U.S. locations. 

Around the same time, Five Below eliminated the separate "Five Beyond" section that used to set aside higher-priced items like $15 mirrors or $35 furniture pieces from the rest of the store. 

Those items, like the robot vacuum and cat scratching post mentioned above, are now mixed in with the regular $5-and-under merchandise throughout the aisles, a change the company says has actually boosted sales of those pricier products.