Your first trip to Five Below is basically a challenge in self-control. You walk in for phone chargers and leave with LED lights, candy, and a tiny disco ball. A proper starter haul needs a mix of useful, fun, and “why not?” items.
Here are 10 things actually worth grabbing your first time there.
Phone Accessories
From fun phone cases and power banks to tripods and chargers, Five Below has quite the assortment of phone accessories. And they’re not just ordinary accessories either. There are tons of licensed options to choose from, so it’s your perfect opportunity to finally have an umbrella for your phone or a Stitch hands phone stand to prop your phone up for you.
Pet Supplies
Your first time at Five Below, you might be surprised to discover that the store is somewhat of a discount PetSmart. They have everything from pet beds and clothes to leashes and treats. If you’re looking for cheap items for your furry friend, Five Below is worth checking out.
Candy and Imported Snacks
The snack aisle at Five Below feels like a mini treasure hunt. One second you’re grabbing sour candy, and the next you’re staring at imported chips you’ve never seen before. The store usually has a mix of giant candy bags, novelty treats, Japanese snacks, and random drinks that immediately make you say, “Okay, I need to try this.”
Office Supplies
If you’re into cute office supplies, this section can get dangerous fast. Five Below has planners, notebooks, pens, desk organizers, sticky notes, and surprisingly aesthetic accessories that look way more expensive than they are. It’s the kind of place where you go in needing one notebook and somehow leave ready to completely reinvent your desk setup.
Beauty Products
Five Below has quietly become one of the best places to browse affordable beauty products. From skincare fridges and makeup organizers to sheet masks, lip glosses, and beauty tools, there’s a little bit of everything. They also carry licensed and trendy products that feel fun instead of overly serious, which honestly makes shopping there even better.
Trending on Cheapism
Workout Gear
The fitness section is low-key one of the most practical parts of the store. You can usually find yoga mats, resistance bands, water bottles, shaker cups, and recovery tools without spending much at all. If you’re trying to build a home workout setup on a budget, Five Below makes it ridiculously easy to get started.
Seasonal Items
Five Below fully commits to seasonal chaos in the best possible way. Whether it’s Halloween decorations, summer pool gear, Christmas lights, or random outdoor games, the seasonal section always feels massive. This is where you’ll probably convince yourself that yes, you absolutely do need giant holiday sunglasses or a pickleball set.
Car Accessories
The car section is full of small things you never think to buy until you suddenly need them. Phone mounts, air fresheners, steering wheel covers, organizers, and cleaning supplies are all usually stocked for way cheaper than auto stores. It’s honestly one of the easiest ways to make your car feel a little more put-together without spending much money.
Sign up for our newsletter
T-Shirts
The graphic tee selection at Five Below is elite if you love licensed merch. You’ll usually find shirts featuring everything from Disney and Marvel to bands, anime, sports teams, and nostalgic cartoons. Half the fun is digging through the racks to see what random pop culture crossover somehow ended up there.
At Least One Random Impulse Item
No Five Below trip is complete without buying at least one item you absolutely did not plan on purchasing. Maybe it’s a mini karaoke machine. Maybe it’s a lava lamp. Maybe it’s a desktop basketball hoop you’ll use twice before it becomes permanent room decor. Either way, the random impulse buy is basically part of the Five Below experience.
More From Cheapism
- 16 New Five Below Products Under $7 That Just Hit Shelves — If you love the thrill of finding something fun, cute, or just plain useful for cheap, then Five Below is the store for you. It’s like a playful Dollar General, with tons of fandom merch, tech gadgets, interesting candy and snacks, seasonal decor, and fitness equipment.
- 21 Things to Buy Your First Time at Trader Joe’s — We’re Trader Joe’s aficionados, so we know what makes a great grocery haul and what’s forgettable. If you want to shop like a regular, here are the must-haves for your first time at Trader Joe’s.
- 17 Things to Buy Your First Time at Costco — Costco regulars have their go-to picks for a reason. Here are 17 of the items they recommend to buy your first time at Costco.
