As if life during a global pandemic isn’t frustrating enough, product shortages continue to plague retailers. While shelves have been restocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, other items seem to disappear in an instant, frustrating would-be buyers. Popcart, a comparison shopping web-browser extension for Google Chrome, analyzed which products have been most elusive for its users. Here’s what they’re still struggling to get their hands on.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: 11 Essential Things That Are Suddenly More Expensive Because of the Pandemic
Internet Routers and Mesh Networks
Most popular: TP-Link Wi-Fi Extender, Google Nest WiFi Mesh Router No shocker here. The pandemic has forced many of us to work and learn remotely, and we’ve figured out the hard way that our home Wi-Fi networks just aren’t up to the task of handling multiple simultaneous video calls. That’s led to a surge in sales for all manner of routers, boosters, and Wi-Fi extenders.
Related: The Best Mesh Router Systems and Wi-Fi Extenders for Better Internet at Home
Fitness Wearables
Most popular: Apple Watch Series 5, Fitbit Versa 2 If you’re looking for a little extra motivation to stay active right now, you’re far from alone. Sales of fitness-oriented wearables have exploded during the pandemic, which forced many gyms to close temporarily. Some prominent gym chains have even filed for bankruptcy because of the prolonged shutdowns.
Related: 15 New Health and Fitness Products That Reviewers Love
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Most popular: Apple AirPods Pro, Sony WH-1000XM4 The only thing more painful than taking five Zoom calls every day is forcing your family to listen to them — or, even worse, listening to a kindergartener’s virtual music class while you try to talk to your team about sales numbers. Noise-canceling headphones are selling like hotcakes as everyone tries to carve out a little piece of solitude amid their chaotic new home lives.
Related: 13 Perfectly Good Wireless Earbuds Way Cheaper Than AirPods
Outdoor Security Cameras
Most popular: Blink Outdoor Camera, Ring Video Doorbell Shoppers were turning away from bricks-and-mortar shops even before the coronavirus, but now e-commerce is humming at an unprecedented clip. What better way than Wi-Fi-connected security cameras to stop porch pirates from getting their hands on all those Amazon boxes?
Related: 20 Cheap Ways to Protect Yourself From Thieves
Streaming Devices
Most popular: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Roku Premiere What do you do when there’s practically nowhere to go and all the movie theaters are shut down? Take entertainment into your own hands, of course. Thanks to streaming devices, binge watching has gone from favorite pastime to main event in 2020.
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Disinfectant Wipes
Most popular: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Lysol Disinfecting Wipes Over six months into the pandemic, disinfecting wipes are still as elusive as a vaccine, particularly from the biggest brands. Don’t hold your breath for their return any time soon: The shortage is projected to last into 2021.
Related: Disinfecting Wipes Will Destroy These Products
Video Game Consoles
Most popular: PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, PlayStation 5 As if our kids didn’t get enough screen time before, hours at home have meant hours of gaming. Video game consoles like the Nintendo Switch have been flying off shelves for months, and the new PlayStation and Xbox are likely to be equally hard to get as we head into the holidays.
Related: Popular Gifts Likely to Sell Out in 2020 (and What to Buy If You’re Too Late)
Vitamins
Most popular: Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy Vitamins, Nature Made Vitamin D3 Health is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, which has led to a bump in vitamin sales. Apple cider vinegar supposedly helps support the immune system, and low vitamin D levels have been tied to more-serious cases of COVID-19. (For the record, Dr. Anthony Fauci is skeptical of any so-called immune boosters, but he does recommend vitamin D supplements for anyone with a deficiency.)
Related: 23 Health Products and Services That Cost Less at Costco
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Patio Heaters
Most popular: Hampton Bay 48,000-BTU Stainless Steel Patio Heater, Hampton Bay 38,200-BTU Bronze Heat-Focusing Patio Heater Public health experts have emphasized that it’s far safer to gather outdoors, but — with apologies to “Game of Thrones” — winter is coming. Strong sales of patio heaters show that everyone is trying to prolong the fun, especially before the reality of socially distanced holidays sets in.
Related: Patio Heaters and Fire Pits for Staying Toasty Outside
Multicookers
Most popular: Instant Pot Duo 60, Ninja Foodi Indoor Grill We’re all eating at home and cooking more than ever these days, but everyone’s looking for ways to make it less of a drag. That’s made multifunctional appliances like the Ninja Foodi and the perennially popular Instant Pot particularly hot buys.
Related: 30 Kitchen Essentials That Are Built to Last
Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
Most popular: Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac, iRobot Roomba 675 It’s amazing how dirty a house can get when no one ever leaves. No wonder buyers have been outsourcing some of their daily drudgery to robotic vacuums from brands like Eufy and iRobot at a particularly quick clip.
Related: 70 Hottest Holiday Gifts From Amazon
Printers
Most popular: HP OfficeJet 3830, Brother HL-L2300D Unfortunately, your kid’s latest math worksheet won’t print itself, and neither will those work forms that you need. Wireless printers have been in and out of stock for months, with back-to-school season pushing another surge in sales.
Thermometers
Most popular: iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer, Touchless Forehead Thermometer Frequent temperature checks are becoming a part of our daily routine, especially for kids who are going back to school full time. Professionals who want to keep their distance and parents who don’t want to pin down their 4-year-olds are snapping up no-touch thermometers faster than ever.
Related: These Infrared Thermometers Can Check Temperatures Without Contact
