Before COVID-19 hit, the world was our oyster. We were free to head anywhere whenever we wanted to. But now, our homes have become a mesh of every place necessary for our lifestyles. We’ve been forced to upgrade our nests.
Our oyster is now our world: Our homes have become our offices, our gyms, our cafés. No longer do we seek home improvement for home improvement’s sake; we’re missing the rest of the world, so we’re bringing the rest of the world in.
Over the past months, we’ve heard countless stories of how budget-friendly appliances have somehow changed quarantine life for the better. And thankfully, many of them are now much more affordable than they once were. With that, here’s a rundown of our favourite budget-friendly appliances that we have, surprisingly, found for ₱2,000 and below!
Also read: Shopee Launches Shopee Loyalty, Complete with Exclusive Vouchers & Discounts!
Deep-fried chicken and crispy pata minus the oil? Count us in!
The air fryer is perhaps the quarantine appliance — it has allowed many of us to indulge in our guilty pleasures without the guilt. Years ago, they cost a few thousands; but now, a lot of brands are selling air fryers for under ₱2,000! (Don’t ask us about the quality — we’re just here for the fries.)
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱989
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,279
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,600
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,890
Check out our full list of air fryer brands in the Philippines here.
Also read: Have You Tried Making Cloud Bread With Your Air Fryer?
While we’re thankful for coffee shops that deliver during the quarantine, we know that paying ridiculous shipping fees isn’t always practical — especially if you want your cappuccino every morning.
Because of this, so many of us have turned towards not only learning coffee recipes, but also upgrading our coffee nooks. The number one essential we’re pining for? The espresso machine!
Amazingly, there are a number of brands selling budget-friendly espresso machines nowadays. Obviously, we can’t vouch for the quality of these machines; so if you think you’ll be using your espresso machine for years, then we recommend investing in a good (maybe pricier) one.
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,980
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,690
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,999
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,799
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,690
Check out our full list of espresso machines in the Philippines here.
As the quarantine unleashed our inner chefs, we’ve learned to create meals beyond rice dishes. One day, we found ourselves steaming homemade siopao. Another day, we attempted to recreate budae jjigae.
For those with tinier spaces, purchasing numerous appliances just isn’t ideal. So, we zoom into the king of multifunction: the boiler-hot pot-rice cooker-steamer-frying pan thingamajig! Most of its kind takes up less than a foot of countertop space — perfect for condo dwellers who’ve upskilled their culinary abilities in the past few months.
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱729
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱238
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱899
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱288
While some of us evolved into multifaceted kitchen staff, others found their niche in baking. For those who couldn’t get enough of bread recipes, a high-quality oven toaster is a must. Fortunately, branded oven toasters don’t cost too much anymore. If you’re merely baking for your household, you can definitely score these budget-friendly appliances ₱2,000 or less.
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱958
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱449
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,299
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱698
Breakfast smoothies, homemade sauces, effortless soups — the possibilities are endless with a powerful kitchen blender. If you’re keen on expanding your menu, then this gadget is one you can definitely invest in.
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱699
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱899
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱489
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱429
Since we’ve been stuck at home for a while, every dust particle has somehow magnified. Not to mention, many of us have been enjoying the quarantine with our furry pals at home; so yes, having a vacuum to keep us company during these crazy times definitely makes sense.
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,143
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,939
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱899
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,124
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,839
Check out our full list of budget-friendly vacuum cleaners in the Philippines here.
Also read: These Are the 15 Dirtiest Surfaces in Your Home — Make Sure to Clean Them Often
Cleanliness is next to godliness, especially in the time of COVID-19. That said, soap dispensers have gotten an upgrade since the pandemic — no-touch gadgets are the way to go!
Especially if you live with other people, automatic soap dispensers decrease the risks of cross-contamination. Plus, most of its kind dispense only the amount of soap you’ll be needing to wash your hands — making it an economical investment in the long run!
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱799
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱300
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱499
UV wands and steriliser boxes have become so popular on the onset of COVID-19. But did you know that there are more UV disinfection devices for you to choose from?
For ₱2,000 or less, we can get our hands on a wireless charger that disinfects phones, a portable disinfection machine, a UV sabre, or a pocket wand!
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,450
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,5450
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,499
Check out our full list of UV and sanitation gadgets in the Philippines here.
Whether it’s summer or not, we and our computers constantly dread the heat in our makeshift offices. To combat the upcoming swelter, some of us are turning to air conditioning fans that are perfect for personal cooling.
Since most water cooling fans come tiny, we can’t expect these to function as an air conditioner would. Still, it can serve as a great bonus for those of us looking for something extra to cool us down.
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱288
Where to buy: Shopee or Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱215
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱329
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱990
Want to upgrade your recycling initiatives? Looking to Marie Kondo your files? Just need extra stuffing for your padalas? A paper shredder might come in handy for you!
Not only does paper shredding do good for the environment, it also benefits us in terms of security. We may have set up two-factor authentication systems for our online accounts, but most of us forget to properly dispose of our documents!
Before throwing away your personal paperwork, make sure to destroy them to bits so no one gets access to them. Or, obviously, if you have too many documents to dispose, you can get a paper shredder to do this for you.
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,800
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱1,180
Where to buy: Lazada
Price: Starts at ₱1,689
Where to buy: Shopee
Price: Starts at ₱217
Also read: ‘Tita Gadgets’ Make Life Easier — This List of 20 Must-Have Items is Solid Proof
We can all use these budget-friendly appliances to keep our homes a bit more fun and interesting. Are you thinking of investing in any of these? Or have you completed this list already? Let us know!
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